Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.1 update, with the new software coming one week after Apple released the seventh beta.
Registered developers can opt-in to the macOS Sequoia beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.
macOS Sequoia 15.1 introduces the first Apple Intelligence features, adding support for Writing Tools, new Siri features, Smart Replies in Mail and Messages, Priority messages in the Mail app, Memory Movie and Clean Up in Photos, and more.
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 to continue testing Apple Intelligence features. The release candidate software comes a week after Apple seeded the seventh iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas.
The updates can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. Note that Apple Intelligence features still an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 to run.
Apple Intelligence includes Writing Tools that are available wherever text can be selected and edited, and it can be used for spell checking, fixing grammar, rewriting with a new tone, and summarizing text.
Siri has a new design with a subtle glow around the display, and there is a Type to Siri feature so you don't have to speak to Siri. Siri can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode.
Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and you can record, transcribe, and summarize phone calls. Transcription and summarization are also available for any audio recording.
The update also includes phone call recording and transcription on all devices, plus it adds the option to take spatial photos on the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Apple today seeded release candidate versions of upcoming visionOS 2.1 and tvOS 18.1 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes. The new software comes approximately week after Apple released the fourth betas.
tvOS 18.1 can be downloaded and installed through the Apple TV Settings app, and visionOS 2.1 can be installed by going to the Software Update section of the Settings app on the Vision Pro and opting into Beta Updates.
So far, no major new features have been discovered in these three updates, though there are undoubtedly some minor feature tweaks and bug fixes that we'll learn about when Apple's release notes become available.
These betas are accompanied by iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, which will introduce Apple Intelligence. There are no Apple Intelligence features in tvOS and visionOS as of yet.
While we don't always know what's included in minor tvOS and visionOS updates, we inform MacRumors readers when updates are available so those who are developers can download new software upon release.
Tesla last week updated its iPhone app with new Control Center controls on iOS 18. In addition, the latest version of the app added hidden code references to an upcoming Apple Watch version of the app, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.
The code indicates that it will be possible to use the Apple Watch as a digital key to remotely unlock compatible Tesla vehicles. Currently, this functionality is only available through unofficial, third-party Apple Watch apps on the App Store, and it has also been possible to use an iPhone as a Tesla car key for many years as well.
Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk seemed open to Tesla releasing an Apple Watch app, and the code confirms that development is underway. It is unclear when the app will be released, should it move beyond the internal development stage.
The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are Apple's highest-end headphone options, so which should you choose?
Almost three years after the launch of the first-generation AirPods Pro, Apple unveiled the second-generation model alongside the iPhone 14 lineup and several new Apple Watches in 2022, and swapped the Lightning port for USB-C a year later in 2023. Although the second-generation AirPods Pro feature the same design as their predecessor, they improve on features like Active Noise Cancellation, in-ear detection, and battery life, while introducing new functionality like Adaptive Transparency, volume adjustment touch controls, and precision finding.
In late 2020, Apple announced the AirPods Max, a whole new AirPods variant with an over-ear design. Both the AirPods Max and the AirPods Pro feature Active Noise Cancellation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Hey Siri, and automatic switching. In September 2024, the company refreshed the AirPods Max's selection of color options and swapped the Lightning port for USB-C.
As the two high-end AirPods options, should you consider purchasing the $249 third-generation AirPods Pro, or do you need the AirPods Max, which still sell for $549? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these AirPods are best for you.
AirPods Pro 2 (2022, 2023)
AirPods Max (2020, 2024)
Plastic design
Aluminum, stainless steel, and silicone design
IPX4 sweat and water resistant earbuds and charging case
Available in White only
Lightning: Available in Silver, Space Gray, Sky Blue, Pink, and Green USB-C: Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Purple, and Orange
In-ear fit with silicone ear tips (four size options)
Over-ear fit
Clip-on silicone ear tips (four size options)
Magnetic fabric ear cups
Skin-detect sensors
Optical IR sensors
~10mm custom high-excursion Apple drivers and high dynamic range amplifiers
20mm dynamic Apple drivers and more powerful high dynamic range amplifiers
Dual beamforming microphones and inward-facing microphones
Nine microphones (eight used for Active Noise Cancellation, three used for voice pickup)
H2 chips
H1 chips
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.0
Lightning: 2.4GHz connectivity USB-C: 2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity
Up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge
Up to 20 hours hours of listening time on a single charge
5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time
5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time
Charge with Apple Watch charger, MagSafe charger, Qi wireless charging mats, and Lightning or USB-C (depending on model)
Charge via USB-C or Lightning only (depending on model)
MagSafe Charging Case
Smart Case to preserve battery charge in ultra-low-power state
$249
$549
While there is some overlap between the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max with features like Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency, the entirely different fit and form factor of the headphones should make it easier for most customers to decide which device they prefer.
The AirPods Max offer a wide range of color options and a more premium design, as well as much longer continuous battery life from a single charge. Owing to its over-ear design and significantly larger drivers, the AirPods Max deliver markedly better audio quality than the AirPods Pro, so if your main priority is audio quality, the AirPods Max will undoubtedly be the best choice. If you actively dislike the in-ear design of the AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max may also be more comfortable.
On the other hand, the AirPods Pro offer a high-level of convenience and portability due to their small size and charging case. The audio quality of AirPods Pro cannot rival AirPods Max, but features like Adaptive Audio, Loud Sound Reduction, and Conversation Boost are ideal for when you're on the go. Due to their lightweight, in-ear design and sweat and water resistance, the AirPods Pro are also perfect for workouts.
The AirPods Pro are much more versatile when it comes to charging, with four different ways to charge, compared to the AirPods Max's obligatory USB-C or Lightning port option, depending on whether you buy the latest version. Due to their size, weight, less durable design, and limited portability, the AirPods Max are best used at home for high-fidelity, prolonged listening sessions, while the AirPods Pro offer a more balanced experience with a high level of convenience and portability.
It is also worth noting that the AirPods Pro have many more features than the AirPods Max, such as "Siri" voice commands, Precision Finding, Bluetooth 5.3, and lossless audio support, as well as the new hearing protection, testing, and aid features.
AirPods frequently see hefty discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so stepping up to the Max version may be more worth it if you can take advantage of one of those deals. Both sets of AirPods often see solid discounts, so it is always worth seeking the best price using our Deals roundup.
The Wall Street Journal's Ben Cohen this summer interviewed Apple CEO Tim Cook about the Vision Pro, innovation, Apple Intelligence, and more.
Image Credit: Vanity Fair
Cook admitted that the Vision Pro headset is not a mass-market product due to its high price.
"At $3,500, it's not a mass-market product," said Cook. "Right now, it's an early-adopter product. People who want to have tomorrow's technology today—that's who it's for. Fortunately, there's enough people who are in that camp that it's exciting."
Cohen said Apple's approach to innovation can be described in four words: "Not first, but best."
"We're perfectly fine with not being first," said Cook. "As it turns out, it takes a while to get it really great. It takes a lot of iteration. It takes worrying about every detail. Sometimes, it takes a little longer to do that. We would rather come out with that kind of product and that kind of contribution to people versus running to get something out first. If we can do both, that's fantastic. But if we can only do one, there's no doubt around here. If you talk to 100 people, 100 of them would tell you: It's about being the best."
Cook said Apple Intelligence makes the experience of using Apple products "profoundly different."
"I think we'll look back and it will be one of these air pockets that happened to get you on a different technology curve," said Cook.
The wide-ranging interview touches on many other topics, including Cook's daily routine, lessons he learned from Steve Jobs, and more.
Bloomberg today also published a story about Cook's role on Nike's board of directors, which he joined in 2005. The report states that Cook supported the appointment of Elliott Hill as Nike's new CEO this month, after the shoe maker experienced declining sales and profit this year. Cook is often spotted wearing Nike shoes, and Apple has partnered with Nike on several products and accessories over the past few decades.
Amazon this week has a few solid deals on popular Apple accessories, including the Apple Pencil Pro, M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboards, AirTag, and MagSafe Charger.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple Pencil
Starting with the Apple Pencil Pro, you can get this accessory for $94.99, down from $129.00. Although this is not an all-time low price, it's just $5 higher compared to that record low Prime Day price we saw earlier in the month. Amazon also has the USB-C Apple Pencil available for $69.00, down from $79.00.
Moving to the new 2024 Magic Keyboards, you can get the 11-inch model in Black for $259.99, down from $299.00. This is a new all-time low price on this version of the accessory, and it beats the Prime Day price by about $10.
Amazon also has the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard on sale, available for $299.99 in both colors, down from $349.00. This is another record low price on the Magic Keyboard, and you'll find similar delivery estimates of late October for this model.
Amazon introduced a few deals on Apple's new lineup of MagSafe Chargers earlier in the month, and one discount is still around. This week, you can get 2-meter model for $39.00, down from $49.00.
The new MagSafe Chargers provide overall faster charging speeds with compatible iPhone models. When paired with a 30W power adapter, iPhone 16 models can charge at up to 25W wirelessly over MagSafe, which is 10W faster than a regular non-MagSafe Qi2 wireless charger.
AirTag
Finally, Amazon has both the AirTag 1 Pack and 4 Pack on sale this week at solid second-best prices. You can get the 1 Pack for $24.99 and the 4 Pack for $79.98.
Apple will release iOS 18.1 next week, introducing a suite of advanced hearing health capabilities to the AirPods Pro 2 and the first Apple Intelligence features.
The timing of the update was confirmed by reviewers who were given early access to the AirPods Pro 2's new hearing health features, which are now known to be included in the update. The update will include three core features: hearing protection, hearing testing, and hearing aid functionality. Apple obtained FDA authorization for the new features last month.
One of the key components of the update is the ability to conduct a hearing test directly from the iPhone. The test works by playing a series of tones across different frequencies and prompting users to respond, much like a clinical hearing test performed by audiologists. The results are stored in the Health app, and users can adjust their AirPods' audio settings accordingly.
If the test indicates hearing loss, the AirPods Pro 2 can automatically configure themselves to act as hearing aids, boosting specific sounds in real time. As Apple's Vice President of Health, Dr. Sumbul Desai, explained during Apple's event announcing the feature: "After you take a hearing test, your AirPods Pro are transformed into a personalized hearing aid, boosting the specific sounds you need in real time, like parts of speech, or elements within your environment."
The update also introduces enhanced hearing protection. The feature will continuously monitor the user's environment and reduce the impact of loud sounds, such as traffic or concerts, in real time. This function will be integrated across various listening modes, including noise cancellation and transparency mode. See reviews from The Verge, Wired, TechRadar, CNBC, and Tom's Guide, for first impressions of the feature.
iOS 18.1 also includes the first Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools, text and notification summaries, the ability for Siri to answer questions about Apple products, smart replies to emails and messages, a revamped Clean Up tool in Photos, and more. Further Apple Intelligence features, such as an enhanced version of Siri with ChatGPT integration, will arrive in another update at a later date.
Apple's most affordable iPad model will receive an update with Apple Intelligence capabilities in late 2025, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has suggested.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone SE is expected to gain Apple Intelligence features in March 2025, with the entry-level iPad following "later in the year." Gurman went on to suggest that nearly every Apple device with a screen will support Apple Intelligence by 2026.
The timeline indicates a significant gap since the last refresh of the entry-level iPad, which occurred in October 2022. The delayed update could be attributed to the technical requirements of implementing AI capabilities in a budget-friendly $349 device.
The current 10th-generation iPad has an A14 chip that was first used in the iPhone 12 lineup, and it's getting outdated. The logical choice for the next iPad is the A16 that was used in the iPhone 15 models, but if Apple wants to make Apple Intelligence as accessible as possible, an A17 Pro chip or A18 chip would likely be necessary.
Notably, Apple last week announced the latest iPad mini with Apple Intelligence support via a standalone press release. The company also lowered the price of the existing iPad 10 and stopped including a charger with the device in Europe. It's highly unlikely that Apple would have changed its iPad lineup in this way if an iPad 11 was imminent.
It is unclear if Apple is still planning to host a Mac-focused event in October, but it seems that an iPad 11 will not be announced this month either way.
A new rumor suggests Apple might be developing a larger "Plus" version of the upcoming iPhone SE 4, but the claim appears highly dubious given previous reports and Apple's typical strategy for its budget iPhone line.
Alleged dummy iPhone SE 4 units via Mac Otakara
Japanese blog Mac Otakara shared images of alleged iPhone SE 4 dummy units on Sunday, claiming there could be both 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch models in development. The blog cites unverified sources from Alibaba for its information.
While the dummy units align with previous rumors about the iPhone SE 4's design – showing a device matching the iPhone 14's dimensions with a notched display and single rear camera – the claim of a larger model contradicts all prior reporting on Apple's plans. No other leakers or supply chain reports have mentioned a larger SE model.
Mac Otakara has provided accurate information in the past, but has also shared some claims that didn't pan out. The blog itself notes that the "final precision design and size expansion have not been decided," suggesting a degree of uncertainty even in their own reporting. Mac Otakara further underlined its lack of conviction by telling MacRumors: "It is possible that only the 6.1-inch model will actually be released."
Apple's plans can always change, but the idea of a larger model seems highly improbable based on current information, especially considering previous reports of poor sales of Plus models in its flagship smartphone lineup.
The iPhone SE 4 is anticipated to launch in March 2025, and will likely feature Face ID instead of Touch ID, an OLED screen instead of LCD, an A18 chip, a new Apple-designed 5G modem, and a standalone 48MP main camera. More information on what to expect from the next iPhone SE can be found in our rumor roundup.
Some Apple employees believe that the company's in-house generative AI technology powering Apple Intelligence is more than two years behind industry leaders, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman's sources within Apple tell him that the company's own studies suggest its upcoming AI features lack the "wow factor" of rival technologies currently offered by the likes of Google, OpenAI, and Meta.
For example, internal studies at Apple reportedly show that OpenAI's ChatGPT is 25% more accurate than the new Siri and can answer 30% more questions. Of course, Apple has already conceded as much, given that part of its strategy includes a partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its operating systems, providing users with the option to tap into greater generative AI assistance if they want it.
Despite the setback, Gurman notes that Apple is in the unique position of presiding over a vast ecosystem of tightly integrated devices, which gives it the advantage of being able to quickly deploy new technologies across its product line. This could prove advantageous as the company works to close the AI gap with competitors, and its history of successfully entering new markets suggests it shouldn't be counted out.
Apple's latest iPhone 16 series supports Apple Intelligence, as does its Macs and its iPad lineup (with the exception of the entry-level model) following last week's iPad mini 7 announcement. The first set of AI features are expected to roll out to these devices next week.
Meanwhile, a new iPhone SE 4 with Apple Intelligence support is set to launch in March, with an AI-capable entry-level iPad said to be coming later in the same year. In addition, Apple is working on bringing the technology to Vision Pro, and given that AI notification summaries can be delivered to Apple Watch, Gurman suggests that by early 2026, "nearly every Apple device with a screen" will run Apple Intelligence.
The first of a number of imminent Apple product updates arrived this week with the seventh-generation iPad mini, but what else is still in store and when can we expect to see them?
On the software side, the public release of iOS 18.1 and related updates with the first Apple Intelligence features is drawing ever closer, and we can expect more of those features to arrive with iOS 18.2 before the end of the year, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Unveils New iPad Mini With A17 Pro Chip and Apple Intelligence
With the iPad mini having received a design overhaul in the last generation released in 2021, this year's design remains the same, but there are number of internal upgrades led by an A17 Pro chip to add support for upcoming Apple Intelligence features.
The update also includes a number of smaller changes such as faster USB-C data speeds, so be sure to check out our full buyer's guide comparison to see what's changed between the sixth- and seventh-generation iPad mini models.
Is an Apple Event Still Likely This October Following This Week's Surprise iPad Mini 7 Announcement?
While we hadn't heard many specific rumors, another product on the potential event docket had been an 11th-generation iPad, but with Apple cutting the price of the 10th-generation model in Europe and removing the power adapter from the box there this week, a near-term update for that product now appears unlikely.
Yet, we are expecting a host of M4-based Mac updates to arrive very shortly, including a major redesign for the Mac mini, so there still seems to be enough for Apple to show off in a short virtual event if it chooses to do so.
iOS 18.1 Includes Option to Set 'Primary' Email Address and Change iCloud Email
As we continue to inch toward a public release for iOS 18.1 and related updates, we're still discovering new features and tweaks in the update. One of the latest is a new option to change the main email address associated with your Apple Account, which is particularly handy for those who do a lot of document collaboration and other tasks that make your Apple Account address visible to other people.
iOS 18.2 Expected to Add These Additional Apple Intelligence Features
With the first round of Apple Intelligence features coming later this month in iOS 18.1, there's plenty more yet to come in future updates.
iOS 18.2 is up next, with a release expected sometime in December, and it should bring a number of new Apple Intelligence features including support for localized English in a several countries beyond the United States, image generation capabilities with Image Playground and Genmoji, Visual Intelligence for pulling up information on the world around you via the iPhone 16's camera, and integration with ChatGPT.
iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Introduce These 5 New Features
Yes, the iPhone 16 lineup has only been out for a month, but some users are wanting to hold off for another year and are looking ahead at what they might be able to expect with next year's iPhone 17 lineup.
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
When Apple releases new iPhones and new operating system updates, there are often complaints about how long the battery lasts. Apple made improvements to battery life across the iPhone 16 lineup, and while these iPhones last longer than ever, some people are still seeing battery issues.
Battery life problems can be caused by new features Apple has added or bugs that have yet to be addressed. Whatever the cause, we've created a list of suggestions for maximizing your iPhone's battery life. There aren't many battery saving options that don't disable key features on the iPhone, but in situations where every minute counts, it's useful to have options.
You'll need to balance battery drain with the feature set you want enabled, turning things on and off when you need to ensure your battery lasts all day. Not all of these tips are specific to iOS 18 and the iPhone 16 models, but they will help you preserve battery whether you have an iPhone 16 or an older device.
1. Turn Off iPhone Mirroring
iPhone Mirroring allows you to control your iPhone from your Mac, and get your iPhone notifications on your Mac's display. Since it's on Mac, it seems like it shouldn't be using iPhone battery, but there is a connection there to relay notifications. Notifications still show up when the iPhone Mirroring app is closed on the Mac, so that constant connection might impact battery.
One reader experiencing battery life issues on the MacRumors forums said turning off iPhone Mirroring made a notable difference. If you're not often using this option, it's worth turning it off.
To disable it, go to Settings > General > AirPlay and Continuity and tap on Edit. From there, delete the Macs that your iPhone connects to. You can also swipe to delete a Mac from the list.
2. Delete Home Screen and Lock Screen Widgets
In iOS 18, Apple made it so you can place app icons and widgets anywhere on the iPhone's hidden grid, so you might be using widgets more often than before. If that's the case, it's worth noting that widgets can have an impact on battery life.
If you're not using a particular widget on your Home Screen or Lock Screen regularly, it might be best to remove it to preserve battery life. On the Home Screen, you can long press and tap the "-" button to remove a widget.
On the Lock Screen, you can actually set up several different Lock Screen options, so you could create one that has widgets and one that doesn't, using the latter when you're low on battery. To add or edit Lock Screens, long press on the Lock Screen and choose either the "Customize" or the "+" button.
On the MacRumors forums, one user said turning off Lock Screen widgets dropped overnight battery usage from 20 percent to 10 percent.
3. Use Dark Mode and Dark Mode Icons
Turning on Dark Mode has long been a suggested way to preserve battery life, because OLED displays draw less power when displaying darker colored pixels. A 2021 Purdue study found that using Dark Mode on a sunny day outside can save you up 47 percent battery power, which can make a major difference.
Lower levels of brightness in Light Mode use the same battery as higher levels of brightness in Dark Mode, which explains why Dark Mode can save battery even when screen brightness is turned up. When your screen brightness is lower, such as when you're in a dim room, swapping to Dark Mode doesn't save as much battery life, but it still draws a little less power.
In iOS 18, you can set a Dark option for your icons that turns them darker when Dark Mode is enabled (or all the time, if you prefer). Dark icons are easier on the eyes when Dark Mode is on, and it might save just a little extra battery life.
4. Be Mindful of Control Center Controls
iOS 18 has a customizable Control Center where you can use the Controls Gallery to choose your controls, including third-party controls. You can change the size of Control Center toggles, and use multiple pages.
Some Control Center toggles are animated, and animations can have an effect on battery life. It's probably not a major impact, but worth knowing about. One of the bigger offenders is the full-size Music Control Center toggle, which shows album art and has playback controls.
Home app controls also need to update whenever the Control Center updates, and these controls that refresh might drain some battery.
Customize Control Center by long pressing on the display and tapping the "-" button by any controls you want to remove.
5. Remove Your Lock Screen Controls
In iOS 18, you can finally swap out or remove the Camera and Flashlight buttons on the iPhone. If you've ever accidentally activated one of those buttons while your iPhone's in your pocket, you know that leaving on the Flashlight or the Camera for an extended period can definitely impact battery life.
If you're prone to hitting those buttons, it's worth removing them. You can do so by long pressing on the Lock Screen, tapping on Customize, and then tapping the "-" button next to the icons.
6. Turn Off ProMotion Display
If you have an iPhone 16 Pro or another "Pro" iPhone that supports a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, turning it down to 60Hz might extend your battery life. Since Low Power Mode limits the display refresh rate to 60Hz, it's definitely a measure that works to preserve battery.
Turning on Low Power Mode is one way to disable ProMotion, but there's a more permanent Accessibility setting. Open the Settings app, go to Accessibility, tap on Motion, and then toggle on "Limit Frame Rate."
7. Disable Live Activities
Live Activities let apps keep an ongoing notification on the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. Combined with the Always-On display of the iPhone 14 Pro, 15 Pro, and 16 Pro, Live Activities can drain your battery.
Live Activities can be turned off by following these steps:
This will prevent Live Activities from showing up on the Lock Screen, but you'll want to take this one step further. In the individual app sections in the Settings app, you can disable Live Activities on an app-by-app basis, or avoid using Live Activities features within apps.
You can't fully disable the Dynamic Island, but you can swipe left on any running animation to dismiss it.
8. Turn Off Proximity AirDrop Sharing
When you hold two iPhones running iOS 17 or later together, the iPhone initiates a proximity-based AirDrop or contact transfer protocol. If you're continually triggering this, it can drain battery. Should you find yourself in a situation where your iPhone is near another iPhone often enough that AirDrop continually pops up, you might want to turn it off.
To do so, go to Settings > General > AirDrop and toggle off "Bringing Devices Together."
9. Take Advantage of Offline Maps
Since iOS 17, you've been able to download Apple Maps for offline usage. It's useful for when you don't have a cellular connection, but it can save battery even if you do. If you're traveling in an area where you have a somewhat spotty connection, downloading a map for that spot and then turning off cellular will preserve your battery life without impacting your ability to get turn-by-turn directions.
We have a dedicated how-to that walks you through downloading a map for offline usage, but it's as simple as searching for a location in Maps, tapping the download button, and then selecting the area of the map to download.
10. Disable Haptic Keyboard Feedback
Apple has a keyboard option that gives you haptic feedback when you tap the on-screen keys. It vibrates with each key tap for a more satisfying typing experience, but what you might not know is that it drains battery.
Apple has a support document that says keyboard haptics can affect battery life, so it's not something you want to use when you don't have battery to spare. It's not on by default, but if you've enabled it, you can turn it off by following these steps:
Open up the Settings app.
Tap on Sounds & Haptics.
Tap on Keyboard Feedback.
Toggle off Haptic.
11. Turn Off Always-On Display
As the name suggests, the Always-On display on some Pro iPhone models leaves the time, your wallpaper, widgets, and Live Activities visible on the Lock Screen even when your iPhone is locked.
The display uses a 1Hz refresh rate to preserve battery, and Apple has neat tricks like turning off the display when a connected Apple Watch is no longer nearby (signaling that the iPhone owner is out of the room) or the iPhone is in a pocket, but Always-On display still drains battery faster than an Always-Off display.
You can turn off the Always-On display by following these steps:
Open up the Settings app.
Tap on Display & Brightness.
Tap on Always On Display.
Toggle off Always On Display.
Just how much battery Always-On display drains will depend on your use case, so it may or may not be worth turning off.
12. Use Focus Modes
Using Apple's built-in Focus option can cut down on the number of notifications that you're receiving during the day, and fewer notifications means less opportunity for apps to wake up your display and cause battery drain.
Focus modes let you choose which apps and people can send you notifications and when, so during work hours you can make sure you're only getting work notifications, and during personal time, you can limit your work notifications. Focus filters even let you filter out select emails, messages, calendars, and more.
With Apple Intelligence, Apple is adding a new "Reduce Interruptions" Focus Mode that can intelligently filter out what's not important, while still delivering what you need to see immediately. Toggling this on removes all of the hassle of setting up a Focus mode, but it has all of the benefit.
You can also use the "Intelligent Breakthrough and Silencing" toggle with every Focus mode you make to get the same effect, so you'll never miss something important. Apple Intelligence is coming in iOS 18.1, set to be released in late October.
You'll still get all of your notifications when a Focus mode ends, but all in one alert rather than multiple. Turning off unwanted notifications from apps a great method for saving battery life, and Focus modes are useful for reducing incoming notifications without missing things.
You can find all of the Focus features in the Focus section of the Settings app.
13. Use Scheduled Summary
Along with Focus modes, you should also make sure that any app that sends non-important notifications is relegated to the Scheduled Summary, which saves up notifications and sends them to you once or twice a day.
You can toggle on Scheduled Summary for apps in the Notifications section of the Settings app, where you can specify which apps should have their notifications include in Scheduled Summary and when you want them delivered.
Another option is turning off notifications entirely for apps that are sending you less than useful info like reminders to play games.
14. Limit When and How Often Apps Can Access Location
It's always good to check in on privacy and access settings to make sure apps and services aren't doing things you don't want them to be doing.
Limiting the apps that have access to your location and how often apps can access that data can save battery life.
Open up the Settings app.
Choose Privacy & Security.
Tap Location Services.
Review the list and edit settings by tapping on the name of each app in the list.
You have four possible choices for location settings for each app, though not all four choices will always be available for every app depending on what it does. You can select the following: Never, Ask Next Time Or When I Share, While Using the App, and Always.
Never will prevent an app from ever accessing your location, and unless there's a specific need for an app to know where you are, such as a mapping app, setting location access to Never is the best choice.
Ask Next Time Or When I Share will prompt an app to ask you with a pop-up the next time that it wants your location, so you can temporarily approve it. With this setting, location access is off until expressly allowed via the pop-up.
While Using the App allows the app to detect your location only when the app is open and being actively used. If you close the app or switch over to another app, location access ends.
Always lets an app to have access to your location at all times, regardless of whether it's open or closed. This will result in the most battery drain and should be limited to only the apps that you need the most.
A lot of apps will ask for location information that don't really need it to function, so clearing the cruft will save battery life and preserve your privacy.
You can also turn off Location Services all together, but it's not ideal because it can impact crucial apps like Maps.
15. Limit Apps Using Bluetooth
Your iPhone lets you know when apps have requested Bluetooth access, and there are quite a few apps that want Bluetooth access for location tracking, scanning for Chromecast devices, or other not-so-useful reasons.
Checking on the apps using Bluetooth is worthwhile to make sure that you don't have a sneaky app connecting to Bluetooth sources without your permission and draining battery. To get to Bluetooth settings:
Open the Settings app.
Tap on Privacy & Security.
Tap Bluetooth.
Apps like Facebook, MAX, Hulu, and others don't need Bluetooth access for the most part, so toggle off any app that isn't related to some kind of actual Bluetooth accessory. If a feature in an app stops working, you can just turn Bluetooth right back on.
16. Use Low Power Mode
Using Low Power Mode liberally is an obvious choice for maintaining battery without having to change a lot of settings, and you can toggle it on from Control Center, the Battery section of the Settings app, or using Siri. Low Power Mode cuts down on background activity, turns off your display after inactivity more quickly, limits display refresh rate, limits email fetch, cuts down on visual effects, and more.
Low Power Mode can be set to turn on at a certain battery percentage using Shortcuts, which is a useful way to have it automatically turn on when you need it.
17. Use Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode
If you're at home or work, make sure you connect to Wi-Fi instead of cellular. Nothing drains a battery quite like a 5G connection, especially when signal is weak.
Should you find yourself somewhere with no Wi-Fi and you also have low cellular signal, turning on Airplane Mode or turning off your cellular connection temporarily can save battery because your iPhone isn't constantly trying to connect to cellular towers.
It's only useful if you don't need a cellular connection, but it can help with battery drain, and most of the time, there's not a lot you can do with super low signal.
18. Manage Apps Draining Battery
Your iPhone tells you which apps are using the most battery so you can make sure nothing is secretly draining your battery without your knowledge. You can check your battery usage statistics by opening up the Settings app and tapping on the Battery section.
Battery usage charts let you see your battery level over the last 24 hours or for the last 10 days, plus you can see which apps have used the most battery life. If there's an app that you don't need that's draining an excessive amount of battery, delete it. If you do need the app, moderate how often you're using it and what permissions it has like location.
19. Limit Background Activity
Most apps use background refresh to update even when they're not open, and limited background activity and background refresh is a longtime favorite option for cutting down on battery usage.
You can turn off Background App Refresh all together or choose which apps can refresh in the background.
Open the Settings app.
Select General.
Tap on Background App Refresh.
From there, you can tap on the Background App Refresh option to turn Background App Refresh off altogether or choose to have it activate only when connected to Wi-Fi, which doesn't drain battery as much as downloading over cellular.
You can also choose to turn Background App Refresh on just for your most used apps by tapping on the toggle next to each app in the list.
20. Change Your Mail Settings
Along with turning off Background App Refresh, changing when and how often the Mail app checks for new emails can save you some battery.
Open up the Settings app.
Tap Mail.
Tap Accounts.
Tap "Fetch New Data" at the bottom.
You can turn off Push (which lets you know right away when a new email message is available) and adjust Fetch settings on a per account basis for accounts that don't support Push (like Gmail accounts).
Adjusting the Fetch settings to have longer intervals before checking for new messages can help save battery life, as can turning off Fetch all together in favor of manual checks that will download new messages only when the Mail app is opened.
You can choose the following settings: Automatically, Manually, Hourly, Every 30 Minutes, and Every 15 Minutes.
21. Remove AirTags
If you have an AirTag, it's probably pinging your iPhone regularly, which can impact battery life. If it's not actively in use, consider removing the AirTag from your iPhone until the next time you need it. That also goes for any Find My-connected devices.
AirTags can be managed by opening up Find My and navigating to the items tab.
22. Preserve Battery Longevity
With the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models, you can preserve your battery health with an optimized charging feature that prevents charging up past 80 percent. We tested the 80 percent charging limit over the course of a year, and while it makes a little bit of a difference, it's not a huge help keeping your maximum battery up over time.
It's not worth turning on if you need full battery for a long day out, but it's possibly worth turning on if you're often using your iPhone at home. There are also settings for limiting your charge to 85, 90, or 95 percent. Anything under 100 percent could have an impact on longterm battery health over several years.
To turn on a charging limit, go to Settings > Battery > Charging and select a limit using the slider.
A Note on Apple Intelligence
Starting with iOS 18.1, Apple is rolling out the first Apple Intelligence features. It will kick off with Writing Tools and a new Siri design, but later this year, we'll also get image generation capabilities and ChatGPT integration.
AI processing can be GPU intensive, so it's possible that Apple Intelligence will impact battery life, depending on how much you're using it. It's something to keep in mind when Apple Intelligence becomes available.
iOS 18 Battery Drain Complaints
There have been a lot of recent complaints about battery drain caused by iOS 18, particularly from iPhone 16 users, so it is entirely possible that there is an underlying bug that will be addressed in a future update.
In the meantime, some of the tips in this article might help on days when your battery is just draining too fast.
Wrap Up
There are a lot of minor changes to make to cut down on battery use, but everything you do on your iPhone is going to drain battery. It's important to figure out what works for you, what features you don't need, and where you can compromise to get the most out of your battery.
Do you have a useful battery saving tip that we haven't shared? Let us know in the comments below.
There appears to be a bug with some iPhone 16 models that is causing random restarts, according to complaints on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and the Apple Support Communities. Affected users are seeing their iPhones freeze unexpectedly and then reboot.
Reports about the issue have been ongoing since the iPhone 16 models first launched in September, and have continued to this week. The iOS 18.0.1 and iOS 18.1 updates do not fix the issue, as it has continued to happen to users even after installing the latest software.
The problem seems to pop up randomly. The display will stop responding or will be very slow to respond to touch input, and then the iPhone will do a quick restart. There have also been reports of the iPhone restarting unexpectedly when in StandBy mode.
Some users who contacted Apple shortly after the new iPhones launched were able to get replacement devices, but have had the issue reoccur. Almost all of the complaints are about the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, so it may only be the Pro models that are impacted.
For most people, the issue is sporadic, but some users have seen 10 to 20 crashes per day. In some cases, doing a fresh install and not reinstalling from an iCloud Backup seems to have fixed the problem, so it is possible that this is a bug related to iCloud.
Let us know in the comments below if you've been experiencing this freezing and crashing issue.
One of the main complaints about the prior-generation iPad mini 6 was "jelly scrolling" or screen tearing, and it sounds like it's a problem that Apple may have addressed with hardware updates to the iPad mini 7 display.
In the most recent episode of the Six Colors Podcast, Jason Snell and Dan Moren discussed the new iPad mini 7, and shared some information about the display. Snell said that it was his understanding that there have been unspecified adjustments to the display hardware in the iPad mini 7 that should make a difference when it comes to jelly scrolling.
Snell didn't provide a source, but his information likely comes directly from Apple. There is only an "implication" that the changes were to fix jelly scrolling, however, and Snell made it clear that because no one has seen the iPad mini 7 as of yet, there's no concrete information. "My guess is it's different," he said. "And maybe better. And maybe gone."
Jelly scrolling is a display issue that causes text or images on one side of the display to be out of sync with the other side. The result is text or images that can appear to be tilted downward because of a screen refresh rate mismatch, and for some people, once you've noticed the problem, it's hard to ignore.
iPad mini 6 owners started noticing jelly scrolling in portrait mode on the device shortly after it launched in 2021. Some users were not bothered by the effect, while others said that it was irritating to look at and could cause eye strain.
Most if not all iPad mini 6 units seemed to be impacted, but the degree of impact varied from user to user due to different tolerances for screen tearing. The effect likely impacted prior iPads, but it seemed to be more noticeable in the iPad mini 6.
iPad mini 7 rumors suggested that Apple would rotate the screen assembly in order to cut down on jelly scrolling, so it's possible Apple has done something like that to minimize the issue in the seventh-generation model.
The iPad mini 7 is available for pre-order and is set to launch on Wednesday, October 23. Once the tablet is available, users will be able to see for themselves whether jelly scrolling has been addressed, and an iFixit teardown will provide insight into any hardware changes. We'll also likely get reviews before the iPad mini 7 models launch, so we could have a more firm answer on the jelly scrolling question in a matter of days.
This week's best deals included record low prices on Apple accessories like the Magic Keyboard for the M4 iPad Pro, as well as discounts on a few Apple Watch models. We're also still tracking great deals on Anker and Jackery accessories as we head into the weekend.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple Accessories
What's the deal? Save on Apple's first party accessories
This week we tracked a few deals on Apple's Magic Keyboards for iPad and the new MagSafe Charger. Although some of these have since expired, you can still get all-time low prices on both Magic Keyboards for the M4 iPad Pro, and the 2-meter MagSafe Charger.
Our Anker partnership continued this week, giving our readers an exclusive 20 percent discount on Anker's best chargers, portable batteries, and more. You'll need to enter the code akmacrumors20ch at checkout to see the discount, and can find more information about what accessories work with the code in our original post.
Samsung Monitors
What's the deal? Take up to $780 off Samsung monitors
Samsung's popular 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 (Model M80D) is down to $399.99 on Amazon, down from $699.99. This is the newest model of the Smart Monitor M8, and this is an overall second-best price, coming just $20 higher when compared to the Prime Day price. Amazon also has a the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Monitor for $819.98, down from $1,599.99, and this one is an all-time low price.
Apple Watch
What's the deal? Take up to $64 off Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 10
Amazon hosted a few low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10 this week, with solid markdowns on both the 42mm and 46mm GPS models still available. You can also get the Ultra 2 in Black for a second-best price on Amazon.
Jackery
What's the deal? Save on Jackery portable power stations
Jackery's best portable power stations and accessories hit low prices on Amazon this week, with up to $900 off select devices. We've compiled the full list of accessories on sale below, and note that you'll only need to clip an on-page coupon for one of the discounts.
While the iPhone 17 Pro models are still nearly a year away from launching, analyst Jeff Pu has already outlined his expectations for the devices.
In a research note with investment bank Haitong International this week, Pu reiterated his previous claim that both the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a 48-megapixel Telephoto rear camera and a 24-megapixel front camera. Both the Telephoto and front cameras shoot at 12 megapixels on iPhone 16 Pro models.
He also expects the iPhone 17 Pro models to be equipped with 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in iPhone 16 Pro models. This increase in memory would contribute to improved performance for Apple Intelligence and multitasking.
The analyst continues to believe that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a "much narrowed Dynamic Island," as a result of the device adopting a smaller "metalens" for the Face ID system. This would be the first size reduction for the Dynamic Island since it debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max in 2022.
Pu outlined a few less-surprising details that are apparently planned for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, including unchanged 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes for the devices, respectively. He also expects the devices to have an A19 Pro chip manufactured with TSMC's same 3nm process as used for the A18 Pro chip.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 Pro models in September 2025, alongside a regular iPhone 17 and an all-new, slimmer "iPhone 17 Air."
In recent months, several credible sources have claimed that Apple plans to release a redesigned, significantly thinner iPhone 17 model next year. The device's name is not yet known, so we are referring to it as the "iPhone 17 Air" for now.
There have been conflicting rumors about the design and specifications for the device, but most sources have agreed that it will have around a 6.6-inch display. In July, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects the device to have a standard A19 chip, a Dynamic Island, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G modem.
In a research note this week with investment bank Haitong International, analyst Jeff Pu agreed that the slim iPhone 17 model will have a 6.6-inch display, and an A19 chip manufactured with TSMC's same 3nm process that is used for the A18 Pro chip. He also expects the device to feature an aluminum frame, Face ID, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a 24-megapixel front camera, and 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence.
Pu expects the slim iPhone 17 model to have a noticeable new design compared to previous iPhone models. He said the device will be a mid-tier iPhone that replaces the Plus model, as he does not expect an iPhone 17 Plus in next year's lineup.
Apple will likely unveil the "iPhone 17 Air" in September 2025, so the device is still far away from launching, and some features could change over time.
Pu has proven to be a mostly-accurate source of info for upcoming Apple products.
Image Credit: Vanity Fair
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
