Tim Hardwick
Tim is a Senior Editor at MacRumors and has been writing for the site since 2016. Formerly a magazine journalist, his work has appeared in over 30 newsstand print publications and online brands covering a range of topics, from the latest trends in technology to the mysteries of ancient history.
Based in the UK, Tim's current role at MacRumors involves editorial oversight and how tos, in addition to covering daily news and contributing occasional reviews. Tim can be reached at tim@macrumors.com, Telegram (@waxeditorial) or Twitter.
Based in the UK, Tim's current role at MacRumors involves editorial oversight and how tos, in addition to covering daily news and contributing occasional reviews. Tim can be reached at tim@macrumors.com, Telegram (@waxeditorial) or Twitter.
Tim Hardwick's Articles
How to Reset AirPods and AirPods Pro
Apple's original AirPods, AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Pro all have a reset function that returns them to their factory settings. This can come in handy if you're handing down the wireless earphones to someone else or you're having any sort of problem with them.
Here's a video walkthrough of how to reset AirPods and AirPods Pro:
How to Reset AirPods and AirPods Pro
Put your...
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How to Set AirPods Microphone to Just One AirPod
AirPods and AirPods 2 have built-in beamforming microphones in each earpiece that make it easy for you to take calls or interact with Siri when you're wearing the earphones.
For optimal performance and to make the experience as seamless as possible, the default setting is for the active microphone to switch automatically between one AirPod and the other. And if you wear only one AirPod,...
How to Maximize AirPods Battery Life
Apple's first-generation AirPods offer five hours of listening time and two hours of talk time on one charge, while second-generation AirPods get up to three hours of talk time per charge. Both AirPods and AirPods 2 models charge very quickly –- you can get two hours of listening time by putting them in their case for just 15 minutes.
The AirPods case itself stores 24 hours of additional...
What Does the Light on the AirPods Case Mean?
When you open the charging case that comes with first-generation AirPods, you'll see a status light in between the spaces for the earpieces. On second-generation AirPods and the optional Wireless Charging case, this status light is on the front of the case. Here's what the different status colors mean.
If your AirPods are in their charging case, the light automatically shows the charge...
How to Clean Your AirPods or AirPods Pro
Apple's shiny white AirPods and AirPods Pro are designed to look cool and perform consistently, and chances are you want to keep them that way.
You've probably noticed how that fresh out-of-the-box sheen of your AirPods soon starts to fade as dirt, lint, and other nasties slowly build up in the crevices. It's just the normal result of regular use, but that's no excuse not to clean them now...
How to Use Just One AirPod or AirPod Pro
When worn in-ear, AirPods and AirPods Pro provide excellent stereo audio output, but Apple has designed the wireless Bluetooth earphones so that you can use them one at a time.
There are a few reasons why you might want to use AirPods earphones individually rather than together. The most obvious one is if you want to take phone calls and keep one ear free to listen to the outside world....
Essential Siri Commands for AirPods
When connected to an iOS device, AirPods and AirPods 2 can be used to summon Siri, Apple's digital assistant, allowing you to speak a variety of handsfree commands.
With first-generation AirPods, you need to use the default double tap gesture on the left or right earpiece to activate Siri before you could start talking. But with second-generation AirPods, all you have to do is say "Hey Siri"...
How to Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection on AirPods and AirPods Pro
Apple's AirPods and AirPods 2 include a feature called Automatic Ear Detection that allows the audio routed from a connected device to seamlessly switch to the AirPods the moment you put them in your ears.
This means the AirPods can automatically pause the audio track when you remove them, and resume playback when you put them back in again, ensuring you won't miss a thing.
The feature...
How to Change the Name of Your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max
Once you've successfully paired new AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max to an iPhone or iPad, they'll be given the default name "[Your Name]'s AirPods." If you want, you can change this name by following the simple steps below.
How to Change the Name of AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max on iPhone and iPadOn your iOS device, launch the Settings app.
Tap the name of your connected...
AirPods 2 With Grip Coating and AirPower Said to Launch This Spring
Apple's forthcoming second-generation AirPods will feature a new design and improved audio performance, while its AirPower wireless charging pad will launch in the Spring, a new report claims today.
Rumor site MySmartPrice said one of its "trusted sources" claims the AirPods 2, tipped for release this year, will offer better bass response thanks to improved internals, and both the earbuds...
How to Switch Devices When Using AirPods
Once you pair your AirPods or AirPods 2 to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Apple TV, the wireless earphones will attempt to connect to that device again the next time you use them.
Some Bluetooth headphones are capable of switching automatically between multiple paired devices depending on which one is playing audio. However, AirPods will only perform this function between your iPhone...
Google Researchers Say Hackers Exploited Two Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Patched in Apple's iOS 12.1.4 Update
Two vulnerabilities that Apple patched in its latest iOS 12.1.4 update were successfully exploited by hackers before they were known to Apple, according to a top Google security engineer.
Ben Hawkes, team leader at Google's Project Zero security research group, revealed in a tweet that vulnerabilities identified as CVE-2019-7286 and CVE-2019-7287 in Apple's iOS 12.1.4 security change log had...
Popular Weather App 'Dark Sky' Gains Dark Mode
Dark Sky has gained an optional Dark Mode in the latest version of the hyperlocal weather app for iOS.
The update means users can check weather information in the app with white text on a dark background, a new design that's supposed to be easier on the eyes in dimly lit environments.
In addition, Dark Sky v6.2 also gains an optional Daylight mode that automatically enables the black...
Skype Gains Background Blurring Feature
Skype is getting a new screen-blurring feature this week. Users of Microsoft's video and voice calling service can now choose to blur the background on video calls if the scene behind them is something they'd rather not share.
The idea behind the feature is to save the user's blushes because of the messy room they're skyping from, or to obscure a business plan on a whiteboard behind them, for...
How to Charge AirPods, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro
New Apple AirPods usually come fully charged out of the box, offering around five hours of listening time and two hours of talk time (or in the case of AirPods 2, up to three hours of talk time) before you have to charge them again. New AirPods Pro earbuds can get up to 4.5 hours of listening time or up to 3.5 hours of talk time on a single charge.
There are several ways you can manually...
Apple Lists New 'Neymar Jr. Custom Edition' Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones
Apple has added a listing for a new custom-designed pair of Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones that celebrate the 27th birthday of Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr.
The Neymar Jr. Custom Edition headphones feature graffiti-style decals over the outside of the ear cups and headband that hark back to the soccer player's childhood roots in the streets of São Paulo and pay homage to his famous...
Apple Pay Expands to BNP Paribas and HSBC Banks in France
Apple Pay adoption received a big boost in France today as two major banks officially announced their support for Apple's mobile payment system.
HSBC officially launched a dedicated support page for Apple Pay, confirming an earlier discovery by French tech news site iphon.fr.
Meanwhile, BNP Paribas made good on an announcement last month to bring Apple Pay support to its customers by anno...
Apple Reaches Deal With France to Pay Estimated $571M in Back-Taxes
Apple has reached a deal with French authorities to pay an undeclared amount of back-dated tax, according to multiple reports today.
Apple's French division confirmed the tax payment agreement to Reuters, but didn't disclose how much it had agreed to pay, although French media suggest the sum is around 500 million euros ($571 million).
"As a multinational company, Apple is regularly...
Apple Supplier of iPhone 3D Optical Sensors Warns of Weak First Quarter Outlook, Skips Dividend
The Austrian firm that supplies Apple with optical sensors for 3D facial recognition features in iPhones expects revenue to fall in the first quarter of 2019 (via Reuters).
Sensor specialist AMS said its adjusted operating profit fell more than half in the fourth quarter of 2018 and it would not pay out a dividend because of slow demand from a "major customer" and restructuring costs.
AMS ...
Anker Opens Pre-Orders for First MFi Lightning to USB-C cable, Shipping February 20
Mobile accessory maker Anker has opened pre-orders for the first Apple-certified USB-C to Lightning cable under the Made for iPhone (MFi) program, and will start shipping the cables later this month.
Apple late last year began allowing third-party companies to produce MFi certified USB-C to Lightning cables, and as a result, multiple companies have announced the upcoming launch of new USB-C...
