How Tos - Page 10

Apple occasionally releases firmware updates for its AirPods and AirPods Pro wireless earphones that can include performance improvements, feature tweaks, and bug fixes. If you're having a particular issue with your AirPods or AirPods Pro, or if you just want to make sure they're up to date with the latest software, the following steps show you how to update their firmware. You can check...

In iOS 18.2, Apple introduced a way for users to select their preferred default apps for iPhone. Apple initially promised that the feature would be coming to the European Union, but it is actually available worldwide. The Freedom to Choose – Why It Matters The freedom to choose default apps on iPhone represents a marked shift in Apple's traditionally closed ecosystem, giving you more...

In iOS 26.2, released in December 2025, Apple has added a new optional feature that provides the Reminders app with a more urgent notification system. When you need to ensure you don't miss an important task, you can now set an alarm that works just like your morning wake-up call, with a snooze button and slide-to-stop slider. The feature distinguishes Reminder alarms from standard Clock...

Unsolicited phone calls and messages can become a regular annoyance and even a cause of stress for many smartphone users these days. Thankfully, Apple provides features in iOS that allow you to block nuisance calls and messages from the same number coming through to your phone, and in this article we're going to show you how to set them up. Whether it's messages from a debt collector...

The native camera app on iPhone includes functionality that allows you to scan QR codes and access QR code content like URLs without having to download a third-party app. QR codes can include contact information, calendar events, website links, phone numbers, email addresses, Wi-Fi information, and more, so they can be pretty handy. Here's how to scan a QR code when you run into one: Ope...

Instagram in August 2024 doubled its carousel post limit from 10 to 20 photos and videos, giving you more flexibility to share your favorite moments in a single post. This expanded feature is perfect for sharing vacation highlights, event recaps, or those increasingly popular "photo dumps" without splitting content across multiple posts. Why Post More Photos? The increased limit is...

In iOS 17.2 and later, Apple lets you customize the alert tone used by your iPhone for default notifications. This is good news for anyone who does not like the "Rebound" tone that Apple introduced in iOS 17. In previous versions of iOS, Apple allowed users to choose a ring tone and a text tone, as well as custom alert sounds for email, calendar, and reminder alerts. Anything else that threw ...

Whenever you browse the web in Safari, the browser stores website data so that it doesn't have to download it again each time you revisit a site. In theory this should speed up your browsing experience, but there are some scenarios where you might want to clear the cache and start anew. Keep reading to learn how it's done on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. There are a couple of situations where you...

Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a messaging standard Apple adopted in iOS 18 that is significantly enhancing the messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices. Think of it as SMS 2.0 – a major upgrade to the traditional text messaging we've been using for years. Key Features of RCS Apple's decision to embrace RCS came last year after persistent persuasion from Google, which...

Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models include a multi-functional Double Tap gesture that you might not know about or haven't yet got around to trying. Here's everything Double Tap can do, and how you can make the most of it on your Apple Watch. Double Tap is a gesture-based feature for Apple Watch models that lets you control watch functions by tapping your thumb...

With the introduction of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1, communicating with Siri has become more flexible since you can easily type your requests instead of speaking them. It's a subtle but powerful change that's perfect for those moments when you need to be quiet or discreet. Enabling Type to Siri is straightforward. Head to Settings -> Apple Intelligence & Siri, tap Talk & Type to Siri,...

Apple's native Mail app for macOS does not offer an automatic reply or out-of-office option for standard email accounts. However, if you use an iCloud email address, you can set up automatic replies via the ‌iCloud‌ website. Keep reading to learn how it works. Surprisingly, Apple's Mail app still doesn't feature an auto-reply option. The only exception to this state of affairs is if you have...

Ever been startled by unexpectedly loud audio blasting from your iPhone? A new feature in iOS 18.2 lets you cap the maximum volume of your device's built-in speaker, allowing you to avoid awkward moments in quiet spaces. The new Volume Limit feature in iOS 18.2 is particularly useful if you're a parent or guardian and share your device with children, but it's also handy if you frequently...

In iOS 18.2, Apple has introduced a thoughtful new feature for the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models that helps prevent accidental camera launches by requiring the screen to be on before the button will register clicks. Keep reading to gain more control over when the Camera app opens. Apple located the Camera Control button to make it conveniently placed for quick access, but it can...

Apple's iPhone 16 models include a new Camera Control button (located on the lower right-hand side when holding the phone in portrait mode), and the latest iOS 18.2 software update adds a handy new piece of functionality to it. iPhone users now have the option to slow down the double-click speed of Camera Control. This means you can increase the duration in which two consecutive clicks are...

In macOS Sequoia 15.2, Apple has added some new AirPlay features that allow you to selectively choose which elements of your screen you wish to stream to an Apple TV. The changes to the AirPlay interface offer more control over what you share on-screen when streaming something on your Mac to an Apple TV. You can now choose to share your entire screen, a specific app or window, or an...

Much has been made of Apple Intelligence since its announcement at WWDC in June. Apple brought the first features to compatible iPhones in October with iOS 18.1, followed by a iOS 18.2 point update in December that brought a more fleshed-out set of AI-powered updates. However, not everyone is interested in using the features, so we've provided this quick guide explaining how to turn them off. ...

In macOS Sequoia 15.2, Apple has introduced a new option that adds a weather report to your Mac's menu bar. Keep reading to learn how to get it. Mac users who update to macOS 15.2 can now add a handy weather icon to the menu bar, showing the current temperature alongside a visual indicator of the conditions — such as a sun for sunny skies or a cloud for overcast weather. Clicking the...

If you've ever been reading, following instructions, or watching video on your iPad only to have the screen dim at the most inconvenient moment, you're not alone. Automatic dimming helps preserve battery life, but it can be frustrating when you need your screen to stay bright and active. Fortunately, you can prevent your iPad screen from dimming automatically, and all it involves is a...

With iOS 18, Apple introduced its first dedicated Passwords app, which corrals all of your saved logins and passwords within a simple interface and secures them behind your biometric authentication. The Passwords app is automatically added to your device when you update to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia, and it replaces the passwords section in the Settings app on iPhone/iPad and in...