Apple recently started selling refurbished second-generation HomePod models for the first time in select countries, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and others. Availability has yet to expand to the U.S., but the product listing is already visible.
Prices are discounted by approximately 15% compared to a brand new HomePod. In the U.K., for example, a refurbished HomePod costs £249, down from £299. In the U.S., a refurbished HomePod will cost $249, down from $299.
Apple says its certified refurbished HomePods undergo full functionality testing, and they are inspected, cleaned, and repackaged in a plain white box with the power cord and documentation. The refurbished HomePods are covered by Apple's limited one-year warranty policy, and they are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage.
Released in January 2023, the second-generation HomePod has a similar design as the original HomePod that was discontinued in 2021, but with a larger backlit touch surface, two fewer tweeters, two fewer microphones, and a few other changes. For more details about the speaker, read our HomePod roundup.
Apple this week stopped providing human technical assistance via direct messages on X, formerly known as Twitter, in a shift away from social media support.
As of October 1, customers who send a direct message to the @AppleSupport account on X receive an automated reply with links to the Get Support page on Apple's website, and to the Apple Support app for the iPhone and iPad. The account also appears to have stopped offering human replies to posts tagging the @AppleSupport account, but it still provides some automated replies with links to various pages on Apple's website.
The account's description previously said it was "available every day to answer your questions," but that text was removed this week.
The account will continue to share tips, tricks, and helpful information, including videos from the Apple Support channel on YouTube.
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to eliminate paid social media support advisor roles across X, YouTube, and the Apple Support Community website. Apple offered affected employees the opportunity to transition to a phone-based support role in the company, according to sources familiar with the matter.
One of the sources said that human support on the Apple Support Community will continue temporarily amid the transition to phone support. Responses to comments on videos uploaded to the Apple Support channel on YouTube appear to have stopped.
Apple had offered human support on Twitter since 2016. Last year, the social media platform was controversially acquired by billionaire Elon Musk, but it's unclear if that was a factor in Apple's move towards automated support on the website.
MicroLED display technology will be the next major upgrade coming to the Apple Watch Ultra, according to a Weibo leaker with a proven track record for disclosing accurate information about Apple's plans.
The account known as "Instant Digital" claims that the next worthwhile upgrade for the Apple Watch Ultra users will be Apple's custom microLED display technology, but the feature is not expected to launch next year. The source was first to report the iPhone 14's Yellow spring refresh, Spatial Video on the iPhone 15 Pro, and the Apple Watch Series 9's minor refresh, as well as the only rumor claiming that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would feature frosted back glass.
Apple's plan to bring a microLED display to the Apple Watch Ultra is very widely corroborated, starting with a report from display analyst Ross Young in January. TrendForce claims that Apple's first microLED display will launch on a new Apple Watch Ultra model in 2026, due to supply chain adjustments, but some earlier reports placed the device's launch in 2025. The microLED display is expected to be 2.12-inches in size, a 10% increase over the display of the current Apple Watch Ultra.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurmanreported Apple is likely planning to bring custom microLED displays to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac after the technology debuts in a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra. He believes Apple's long-term plan is to bring microLED displays to all of its key products. Other reports from DigiTimes, Nikkei Asia, and The Information have indicated similar plans for Apple to transition to custom microLED displays across multiple product lines in an effort to become less reliant on Samsung.
Apple is believed to have spent more than six years developing microLED technology for what will become the first display custom-designed by the company itself, mirroring its work on Apple silicon. Apple reportedly kicked off the current form of its microLED project, codenamed T159, around 2017. At an earlier stage, it even wanted to introduce the technology with the iPhone X. The advanced display offers improved brightness, color reproduction, and viewing angles, making images look more like they are "painted" atop the display glass, and replace parts currently supplied by companies like Samsung and LG.
You can get the new Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones for $249.95 today on Woot, down from $349.99. These headphones are in new condition and include a one year Apple manufacturer limited warranty with purchase.
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.
The Beats Studio Pro headphones were introduced back in July and they come with improved sound quality, voice performance, comfort and durability, and connectivity. Woot has Black, Navy, Sandstone, and Deep Brown color options on sale at this all-time low price.
This is only the second time we've tracked this deal for the Beats Studio Pro, and this time around it's only available at Woot. While you're shopping at Woot, be sure to remember to check out the ongoing Apple accessory blowout, which has major discounts on MagSafe Duo, iPhone 14 cases, and more.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.
The Apple Watch Ultra display is too difficult to read in low light conditions, report some users, an ambient light sensor issue that is likely linked to Apple's watchOS 10 software update last month.
There are multiple complaints from MacRumors readers (1, 2), Reddit users (1, 2, 3, 4), and Apple Community users who say that they are unable to read information on the Apple Watch Ultra display in dark environments because the screen is too dim, suggesting the device's ambient light sensor has not been properly calibrated to increase brightness to an adequate level.
Launched last month, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 pushes the maximum screen brightness to 3,000 nits, making it the brightest Apple Watch ever, according to Apple. The display is also capable of reducing brightness to as low as 1 nits.
Some Ultra 2 owners have pinned the blame on this new hardware specification, however the recent uptick in reports also includes users of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, suggesting it is an issue with Apple's watchOS 10 software update, which was released in September.
Users say the issue is particularly pronounced when quickly moving from a bright room to a dark area, and when the Wayfinder and Ultra Modular watch face is set to Night mode, which puts a red filter on the display. Legibility issues persist despite manual adjustments to the brightness level in the watch's Settings. Both Ultra and Ultra 2 owners say the problem is evident on models updated with watchOS 10.0.1 and the latest watchOS 10.0.2 update.
Apple is reportedly aware of the issue, so hopefully a future software update will remedy the situation. Have you experienced difficulty reading information on the Apple Watch Ultra's screen in low light? Let us know in the comments.
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now.
Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. Affected customers say the iPhone goes into a data recovery mode with a white screen, and the NFC chip is no longer functional after the device reboots.
In an iPhone, the NFC chip powers features like Apple Pay and digital car keys. Affected users receive a "Could Not Set Up Apple Pay" error message in the Wallet app, and there does not appear to be a way to fix the problem. Some customers say Apple replaced their iPhone after confirming the NFC chip failed, but the replacement iPhone is then vulnerable to the same issue, so there is currently no permanent solution.
While complaints so far have come from iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users, it is possible the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are also affected, so owners of any iPhone 15 model should proceed with caution until this issue is sorted.
It's unclear what the specific cause of the issue is, how many customers are affected, and which BMW models are affected. We've reached out to an Apple spokesperson for comment, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.
Importantly, Apple said the issue is not related to the titanium frame. Contrary to a report this week, Apple said the iPhone 15 Pro's design does not contribute to overheating. In fact, Apple said the titanium frame and aluminum substructure provide better heat dissipation than any previous-generation Pro models with stainless steel frames.
Apple said some third-party apps have overloaded the A17 Pro chip for unknown reasons, including Instagram, Uber, and racing game Asphalt 9: Legends, and it is working with the developers of these apps to address the matter. Apple said its bug fix will not involve reducing the chip's performance in order to address the temperature-related issue, and it ensured that long-term performance will not be impacted.
To reiterate Apple's statement:
We have identified a few conditions which can cause iPhone to run warmer than expected. The device may feel warmer during the first few days after setting up or restoring the device because of increased background activity. We have also found a bug in iOS 17 that is impacting some users and will be addressed in a software update. Another issue involves some recent updates to third-party apps that are causing them to overload the system. We're working with these app developers on fixes that are in the process of rolling out.
Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that some of these apps include Instagram, Uber, and the racing game Asphalt 9: Legends, and Apple is working with the developers of these apps to address the issue. The report adds that Instagram already introduced a fix as part of an update to the app released on Wednesday.
Apple says iPhone 15 Pro models may run warmer than expected during the first few days after setting up or restoring the device due to increased background activity. This is standard behavior for new iPhones and only a temporary condition.
Apple's statement:
We have identified a few conditions which can cause iPhone to run warmer than expected. The device may feel warmer during the first few days after setting up or restoring the device because of increased background activity. We have also found a bug in iOS 17 that is impacting some users and will be addressed in a software update. Another issue involves some recent updates to third-party apps that are causing them to overload the system. We're working with these app developers on fixes that are in the process of rolling out.
The bug should be fixed with iOS 17.1, which is currently in beta and is expected to be released in late October. It's quite possible that Apple might also make a bug fix available sooner with a smaller software update, such as iOS 17.0.3.
According to the report, Apple will not be reducing the performance of the A17 Pro chip as part of the temperature-related bug fix. Apple also said the issue is not a safety risk and will not impact the long-term performance of affected iPhones.
Not all iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users have experienced overheating, and it's unclear how many customers are affected by the issue overall, but it should be resolved soon.
Mac fans, rejoice! You can now enjoy the upgrades that come with macOS Sonoma, which was released to the public this week just a bit later than the major updates for the rest of Apple's platforms.
Apple isn't stopping there, of course, and it's already begun seeding iOS 17.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, and other upcoming updates to developers and public beta testers. This week also saw some fresh rumors about the iPhone 16 (yes, already!), while discussion continues over thermal issues with the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple's controversial FineWoven accessories, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Releases macOS Sonoma With Desktop Widgets, Game Mode, and More
macOS Sonoma was released to the public this week following over three months of beta testing. The free software update includes many new features and changes for the Mac, including interactive desktop widgets, a Game Mode, the ability to add websites to the Dock as web apps, several Safari improvements, and more.
Less than two weeks after Apple released iOS 17, the first beta of iOS 17.1 is already available. As usual, there are a handful of new features and changes coming to the iPhone with this software update for Apple Music, AirDrop, and more.
It's unclear what this button will be used for, but given that it is expected to be positioned below the power button on the right side of the iPhone, it could be a more conveniently placed shutter button for the camera when shooting in landscape orientation.
22 New Features You May Have Missed in watchOS 10
watchOS 10 is now available for the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer, and the software update includes several new features and changes.
This week, we shared a list of 22 watchOS features and changes that you might not know about. If you are looking for some new tips and tricks on how to use your Apple Watch to its fullest, be sure to check out the list for some helpful recommendations.
iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Concerns Highlighted in Two More Reports
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the titanium frame on iPhone 15 Pro models negatively impacts thermal efficiency. Kuo believes that Apple will likely address the issue through future software updates, but he said improvements might be limited.
Apple's FineWoven Cases for iPhone 15 Continue to Be Heavily Criticized
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.
Valve this week released Counter-Strike 2, the highly anticipated free upgrade for owners of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, but Mac owners were left in the lurch on launch day, with the upgrade breaking the game and seemingly no macOS version forthcoming.
The title's release on Wednesday forced a 26GB update for everyone with CS:GO, including Mac users, but after installation those on macOS soon discovered that the update essentially makes the game unplayable because Steam subsequently attempts to launch an executable file for Windows. Some users have had to employ a workaround to reverse the change and access CS:GO, but it's less than ideal.
Valve quietly removed the macOS symbol on Steam's Counter-Strike product page, while the only reference to this omission for Counter-Strike 2 appears in Valve's official FAQ. A question about Mac support is met with the response: "No. CS2 is not available for Mac at this time," but provides no additional information.
Regardless, Valve apparently failed to adequately warn Mac users, many of whom have racked up thousands of hours on CS:GO and spent hundreds of dollars on inventory purchases. One Mac gamer on Reddit wrote:
I have around 6,000 hours in CS:GO, about 500$ worth of inventory. Am I supposed to leave all that behind now? Just cherish them as memories of the past never to be experienced again? I really believed Valve would have released a macOS version CS2 too. They have publicly denounced Windows' gaming monopoly in the past. With MacOS Sonoma, powerful Apple silicon chips, and Apple making strides to make gaming possible on Mac (and Valve's commitment to making their games available to everyone) I guess we didn't see this coming. Or maybe we did, but we were stubborn. I guess with Valve's darling Steam Deck, macOS became redundant to them as a way to challenge windows gaming monopoly. I am sorry you guys had to hear this, but I feel so disappointed right now, in myself and in Valve. I'm sure most of you CS:GO players were as excited and hopeful as I was for the game's launch.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is one of the most popular and long-running games on macOS, with a large community following, so the lack of support and transparancy from Valve for Mac users upgrading to Counter-Strike 2 is all the more bewildering.
Based on recent updates to the CS2 macOS depot, some users believe a Mac version is in development, but it would likely relate to Rosetta 2 rather than a version that natively supports Apple silicon. With no word on the subject from Valve, this remains purely speculation.
The long-rumored game, officially announced in March, updates many much-loved maps, and uses Valve's in-house Source 2 engine, featuring sharper textures, more realistic lighting, and new geometry. We've reached out to Valve for comment on this story and will update readers if we hear back.
Starting with the iOS 17.1 beta released this week, iPhone users in the U.K. can add debit and credit cards from select banks in the country to the Wallet app and view their available balances and latest transactions for those accounts.
Apple calls this feature Connected Cards, and it's currently available in the U.K. only, but there is now evidence to suggest it will expand to the U.S. in the future.
As discovered by software researcher Aaron (@aaronp613), the following fine print is shown in the Wallet app when setting up the feature in the U.K.:
You permit Apple (Apple Payments Services Ltd (UK) or Apple Processing LLC (US)) to consolidate your account information and provide it to you. We do not store or share this information.
Based on this fine print, MacRumors discovered a legal document on Apple's website explicitly mentioning that the Connected Cards feature will eventually be available to U.S. residents, with personal data to be processed by Apple Processing LLC:
If you are in the United States, Connected Cards is provided by Apple Processing LLC; if you are in the United Kingdom, Connected Cards is provided by Apple Payment Services Ltd (together, "Apple").
It's unclear when Connected Cards will launch in the U.S., or which banks will participate in the country. In the U.K., the feature relies on the country's open banking framework, but it's unclear how it would work stateside. Earlier this year, the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said it expected to finalize an open banking rule in 2024.
Apple is working on expanding the new "Connected Cards" feature in iOS 17.1 to the US via "Apple Processing LLC"
As found in the code: You permit Apple (Apple Payments Services Ltd (UK) or Apple Processing LLC (US)) to consolidate your account information and provide it to you. pic.twitter.com/t8QxSWa3dL
— Aaron (@aaronp613) September 30, 2023
Apple on Tuesday released macOS Sonoma, the latest version of the company's Mac operating system. macOS Sonoma introduces interactive desktop widgets, web apps, new videoconferencing features, and updated capabilities across the platform.
In this article, we've selected 50 new features and lesser-known changes that are worth checking out if you're upgrading. What do you think of macOS Sonoma so far? Let us know in the comments.
1. Set Widget Color Options
When not in use, interactive desktop widgets fade into the background by taking on a monochrome style, allowing you to concentrate on the active app or window.
If you prefer this look, you can make it permanent by going to System Settings -> Desktop & Dock. In the "Widgets" section, set Widget Style to Monochrome.
2. System Settings Navigation
In macOS Ventura, Apple replaced System Preferences with System Settings to align it with iOS and iPadOS, but the way controls were organized left many users wanting.
The same System Settings interface remains in macOS Sonoma, but it is now easier to navigate through different menu screens you have visited without continually scrolling through the sidebar, thanks to the addition of backward and forward buttons.
3. FaceTime Reactions
Apple has changed the way FaceTime integrates with the menu bar. The video effects options no longer appear in the Control Center, and instead have a new home in a dedicated green FaceTime menu bar item, which also includes a mini webcam view and buttons to trigger Reactions.
Reactions include Love, Like, Dislike, Balloons, Rain, Confetti, Lasers, and Fireworks. Some reactions are even triggered automatically by the user's physical actions: One thumb up triggers a Like, and two thumbs up are attended by Fireworks. Similarly, one thumb down counts as a dislike, and two thumbs down initiates a rain shower.
4. Safari Profiles
Safari has gained a new feature called Profiles, which is designed to help keep your browsing separate for different use cases like Work, School, or Personal.
Go to the Profiles section in Safari -> Settings..., and you can create custom profiles, choose a symbol and color for each one, and select a Favorites folder.
Profiles silo your history, Tab Groups, and cookies, and you can also assign specific extensions to different profiles to optimize your browsing experience based on the task at hand.
5. Seamless Keyboard Input and Dictation
macOS Sonoma supports simultaneous use of keyboard input and Dictation, without any disruption in your flow of thought.
In other words, you can keep typing after hitting the Dictation shortcut (assignable in System Settings -> Keyboard). So whenever your fingers need a rest, you can complete the sentence you were just typing by saying it out loud.
6. Presenter Overlay
When you're in a FaceTime or Zoom call, click-hold the green traffic light in the corner of an open app window and you'll see a screen sharing option, while a new Presenter Overlay feature can be used to keep you on screen and better able to point to details.
When on a video call, you can either place yourself inside a movable bubble in the corner of the window or desktop that you're sharing, or you can bring on-screen content into the background of your own environment so that it looks as if you're standing just in front of it.
7. Dock Web Apps
Thanks to a new option in Safari, you can now create standalone web apps and add them to your Dock, alongside your regular apps.
All you have to do is visit a website in Safari and select File -> Add to Dock.... You can then give the web app a name and even change its icon. When you open a docked web app, it will open in its own separate window that includes back and forward buttons for simple navigation.
8. Caps Lock Is On
If the Caps Lock key on your keyboard is enabled in macOS Sonoma, a handy indicator appears right near the cursor, so you're less likely to TYPE LIKE THIS BY ACCIDENT and get your passwords wrong.
Apple has also made the text cursor a little thicker, and its color now changes relative to the active application, so you'll have a better idea of which window your text is going to appear in when you start typing.
9. Open Notes in Pages
You can now send notes from the Notes app directly to Pages. Simply open the note, click the Share button, then choose Open in Pages from the share sheet.
From there you can continue to edit the note in Pages, then save it or export it as a PDF, Word file, EPUB, and more.
10. iPhone Widgets on Your Mac
Thanks to Apple's Continuity feature and its ability to sync with your devices, the widget library includes widgets from your iPhone in all available sizes.
So even if you don't have the corresponding Mac app, you can still use the iOS widget right on your desktop. Simply drag it from the gallery into an available space.
If you have more than one iPhone, you can also choose which widgets show up in your Mac's widgets library. Go to System Settings -> Desktop & Dock, and in the "Widgets" section, click the iPhone dropdown to select the device that you want to sync to.
11. Show/Hide Desktop
By default, macOS Sonoma hides all windows when you click on your wallpaper. This is handy if you tend to have a bunch of files on the screen that you need access to. But if you find this behavior maddening, you can limit it to happen only when Stage Manager is enabled.
Go to System Settings -> Desktop & Dock. In the Desktop & Stage Manager section, look for the option Click wallpaper to reveal desktop, then click Always and choose Only in Stage Manager instead.
12. Text Prediction
Thanks to improved machine learning technology, Apple has made macOS a lot more helpful, because it can better predict what you're going to type next. Apple says it has adopted a "transformer language model" that can even personalize prediction for individual users, learning your personal preferences and word choices to be more useful when typing.
As you type, the predicted text appears ahead of the cursor. If it has accurately predicted what you want to type, press the spacebar and macOS will fill it in for you. After using macOS Sonoma for a few weeks, you should notice that the suggestions are much better at predicting what you want to say and presenting words for you to autofill.
If you find all of this distracting, you can turn it off. Go to System Settings -> Keyboard. Next to Input Sources, click Edit…. In the next window, toggle off the switch next to Show inline predictive text.
13. Managing PDFs in Notes
When you drag PDFs into Notes, they are now presented full-width in the note, making it easier to view and interact with them.
Notes is no longer restricted to rendering the first page of a PDF. You can now view the individual pages of a document you're reviewing right inside the note, which is really handy for previewing multiple PDFs in the same note. You also get a row of thumbnails across the top of the PDF that you can click to navigate to a specific page more quickly.
14. Link Notes Together
Apple has made its stock Notes app significantly more useful by adding the simple yet powerful ability to link notes and connect related notes together. With just a few clicks, you can create links between notes in macOS Sonoma, making it easy to jump from one idea to another.
One way of adding a new link is by right-clicking on a space, word or phrase in any note and selecting Add Link from the contextual menu. You can also use the Command-K shortcut. This will let you link to another note by typing in its title. Using the "Name" field, you can create an optional alternative title for the link, or just stick with the original title for clarity. Once you're done, the link appears as hyperlink-style underlined text in your note, and clicking it snaps you straight into the note you linked to.
15. Link From a List of Notes
The Notes app also offers an additional, quicker way to add links: Typing two greater-than symbols (>>) into a note invokes a list containing your six most recently modified notes, and tapping one instantly adds a link to that note.
The same feature can be found in iOS, meaning you can now create wiki-style collections of interlinked notes, allowing you to organize your thoughts or discover new connections and associations between ideas.
16. Studio Light and Background Blur
Studio Light is now available in macOS when using video conferencing apps, on Studio Display and Mac models with Apple silicon, without the need for Continuity Camera. In the FaceTime menu bar UI, you can darken the background and illuminate your face using the Studio Light intensity slider.
With the Portrait slider, you can also control the amount of background blur, adding more or less blur to the depth-of-field effect.
17. Choose Center Stage Camera
In macOS Sonoma, Continuity Camera automatically detects your face and frames you in the center, without you having to enable Center Stage. Still, turning on Center Stage keeps you centered in the camera frame as you move around.
Choose Center Stage from the Video menu in the menu bar. To switch between the rear cameras on your iPhone, click the arrow next to Center Stage, then choose Main or Ultra Wide.
18. Find Messages Faster
Previously in macOS, you could type a word or phrase in the search field of Apple's Messages app and it would return matching results, but there was no way to filter messages to more easily find what you were looking for.
That's changed in macOS Sonoma, and now you can combine multiple filters. If you're looking for images from a certain person, for example, you can type in "photos" and then the person's name, clicking each search filter to narrow down your search results.
19. Remove All URL Tracking
Safari can remove tracking parameters from URLs in order to prevent cross-website tracking. When a tracking parameter is detected while browsing or copying a link, Safari strips the identifying components of the URL, while leaving the rest intact. The links still work as expected, but no longer have unique identifiers.
To enable the feature for all browsing, open Safari -> Settings..., click the Advanced tab, make sure the box is checked next to Use advanced tracking and fingerprint protection, then choose "in all browsing" in the dropdown.
20. Safari Favicons
In Safari 17, if you have the Favorites Bar enabled (View -> Show Favorites Bar in Safari's menu bar) the favicon for each site will appear beside its title, allowing you to more easily spot it in the bar.
Favicons can certainly be handy, but they can make your browser interface look too busy and cluttered. Another possible issue with the space they take up is that if you have a full row of websites in your Favorites Bar, some of them will be lopped off the viewable area, and you may have to click the double chevron icon at the far right to reveal them.
If this happens in your case, don't worry. It's not obvious, but you can easily prevent favicons from appearing in the Favorites Bar. Simply right-click anywhere on the bar and uncheck Show Icons in the pop-up menu.
21. Automatically Close Safari Tabs
macOS can now close Safari's browser tabs on your behalf, based on when you last viewed them. Select Safari -> Settings... in the menu bar, then click the Tabs section.
Next to "Automatically close tabs" you'll find options to make the browser auto-close tabs that have not been viewed After One Day, After One Week, or After One Month.
22. Share Passwords With Family
Staying in Safari Settings, the Passwords menu now has a Share Passwords with Family option. This allows you to create a group of trusted contacts that you can share passwords and passkeys with across devices. (Passkeys let users sign in to apps and sites the same way they unlock their devices: With a fingerprint, a face scan, or a screen lock PIN.)
Using the new feature, passwords and passkeys for shared media accounts, utilities, bills, and more can be provided to multiple people, and each person in the group can access, add to, and change passwords that are shared.
23. Clean Up Verification Codes
These days, many websites and services use one-time passcodes sent via SMS or over email for verification purposes, but these one-time codes can soon clog up your Mail inbox and Messages app.
In macOS Sonoma, there's a new option to have those messages auto-delete after the code is autofilled and used to authenticate a login. Go to Safari -> Settings... and click the Password section. Under "Verification Codes," you can toggle the switch next to Clean Up Automatically.
24. Set Private Browsing Search Engine
In Safari, you can set different search engines for normal and Private Browsing modes. For example, you may want to set Google as the default search engine in regular browsing mode and a different search engine such as DuckDuckGo in Private Browsing mode for privacy reasons.
Go to Safari -> Settings..., click the Search section, then select a browser from the Private Browsing search engine dropdown.
25. Private Browsing Authentication
If you have any Private Browsing tabs open in Safari and then leave your computer, Apple's browser now requires Touch ID authentication or your Mac password to access them again.
If you don't tend to leave your Mac unlocked or find the authentication requirement annoying, you can turn it off pretty easily: Go to Safari -> Settings..., click the Privacy section, then uncheck the box next to Require Touch ID to view locked tabs.
26. Per-Website App Extension Settings
In Safari, third-party app extensions have gained per-website privacy settings where relevant, allowing you to control access for all extensions with access to user data.
You can find the "Edit websites..." for each app extension in the Extensions section of Safari's Settings window.
27. Disable Pointer Acceleration
Gamers rejoice – you can now disable pointer acceleration in macOS Sonoma. By default in macOS, the pointer moves more quickly for fast mouse movements and more precisely for slow mouse movements. Previously there was no way to prevent this natively, but that's changed.
Go to System Settings -> Mouse -> Advanced..., then toggle off the switch next to Pointer acceleration.
28. Audio Message Improvements
When recording an audio message, you're now able to pause and then continue recording the same message before sending.
Additionally, when listening to audio messages you received, a long click on the play button lets you opt to play back at up to 2x speed. Received audio messages are automatically transcribed, too.
29. Notes Formatting Additions
Block Quote formatting makes it easy to visually offset a section of writing with a quote bar, while Monospaced formatting has been updated to Monostyled, for inset text with a distinct background.
You can find these in the Notes menu bar under Format, or by clicking the text style icon when a note is open.
30. Easier Autocorrect Editing
Autocorrection now briefly underlines autocorrected words, and you can right-click an underlined word to reveal and choose the original word that you typed.
macOS will also learn your typing habits over time for each app, and avoid corrections that you revert. This also applies to explicit language, which will be added to your personal vocabulary list.
31. Activate Game Mode
Game Mode gives games the highest priority access to your CPU and GPU, lowering usage for background tasks. It turns on automatically when you fullscreen any game via the green button in the top-left corner of the game's window. When you enter full screen in this way, a Game Mode menu appears in the menu bar. You can use this menu to confirm that Game Mode is turned on for your game.
Game Mode also turns off automatically when you stop viewing your game in full screen. You can also turn it off while your game is still in full screen mode: From the Game Mode menu in the menu bar, choose Turn Game Mode Off.
32. High Performance Screen Sharing
Screen Sharing is its own app in macOS Sonoma. It's located in Applications/Utilities, and includes a list of all computers you've connected to in the past, the ability to see all computers on your local network with screen sharing enabled, and the option to create groups of computers.
It also features a high performance mode when a screen sharing connection has been established. Click the info (i) button next to a connection, and change the Screen Sharing Type from Standard to High Performance. High performance mode allows you to use the native resolution of the host computer's display, reduces latency, improves image quality, and features HDR and multi-monitor support. The feature is available on Macs with Apple silicon running macOS Sonoma or later.
33. Communication Safety
Communication Safety is an opt-in feature that warns children when sending or receiving photos that contain nudity. It's enabled by default for children under the age of 13 who are signed in with an Apple ID and part of a Family Sharing group, but parents can also enable it for older teens as well.
When the feature is enabled in System Settings -> Screen Time -> Communication Safety, photos and videos containing nudity are automatically blurred in supported apps including Messages and FaceTime, and the child will be warned about viewing sensitive content. The warning also provides children with ways to get help. It uses on-device processing to detect photos and videos containing nudity, ensuring that Apple and third parties cannot access the content, and that end-to-end encryption is preserved in the Messages app.
34. Live Speech
Using the new Live Speech accessibility feature, you can type on your Mac and have your words spoken aloud, or directly into apps like FaceTime audio. Live Speech can be set up in macOS Sonoma by going to Settings -> Accessibility -> Live Speech, where you can choose a voice to use, and save commonly used phrases.
Alternatively, you can record yourself reading and make a Personal Voice for use with Live Speech. Go to System Settings -> Accessibility -> Personal Voice, then tap Create a Personal Voice.
35. Copy iCloud Link
You can now share photos and videos stored in iCloud Photos by generating an iCloud link.
Simply select a photo or drag a selection box over several photos, click the Share button, then select Copy iCloud Link, and it will be copied to your clipboard ready for pasting in an email or message.
36. Wallpaper to Screen Saver
Sonoma brings all the Apple TV screensavers to your Mac - they download on demand to save on storage, and they look great. The way to get the best out of them though, is to use the same video for your wallpaper and screensaver. You can do this using the Show as screen saver / wallpaper toggle in System Settings -> Wallpaper, and Screen Saver.
With the toggle enabled, your icons and app windows fade out and the desktop wallpaper starts to move when the screen saver comes on.
37. System Settings in Spotlight
Sonoma lets you toggle system settings like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Dark Mode, Focus Modes, and more directly in Spotlight search.
You can still access these settings in Control Center and the System Settings app, but some users will find this method a little quicker. It's the same small yet welcome quality of life improvement that users have seen in iOS 17 on iPhone.
38. iCloud Passwords Extension
Apple's iCloud password manager can now be used in Chrome for Mac, Microsoft Edge, and other Chromium-based browsers, thanks to an updated iCloud Passwords extension that works in macOS Sonoma.
In other words, you don't need to open Safari or migrate your iCloud passwords to another password manager. The Chrome extension can also AutoFill passwords and one-time codes, save new passwords, and lets you right-click QR codes to set up code generators.
39. People & Pets
Regular users of Apple's Photos app will be undoubtedly familiar with the People album, which tries to identify faces in your pictures so that you can label people with their proper names and use that label as an organizing element in your library or as a discoverable tag.
In addition to people, the Photos app in macOS Sonoma can recognize cats and dogs, so you can have your pets automatically sorted into albums. Accordingly, the People album has been renamed the "People & Pets" album. To manually assign your furry friends, type "pets" into the search field in your library, and you can go about identifying any unnamed pets.
40. Auto-Hide Menu Bar Options
In System Settings -> Control Center, there are new options to control when the menu bar automatically hides.
Scroll down to the "Menu Bar Only" section and click the dropdown next to Automatically hide and show the menu bar, and you'll be able to choose from Always, On Desktop Only, On Full Screen Only, and Never.
41. Weather Units
In macOS Sonoma, the Weather app has received an overhaul, and now includes new features like the ability to view the previous day's weather, and a new moon module that tells you the phases of the moon.
In addition to the ability to view temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit, you can also now change the unit measurements for wind speed, precipitation, pressure, and distance: You can find these options in Weather -> Settings, under the Units section.
42. Reminder Grocery Lists
Apple has added a handy little list function to the Reminders app to help you when you're out to pick up some groceries. When you create a list with the new "Groceries" list type (named "Shopping" outside the U.S), you can input various foods and sundries and have them organized automatically by category. The organization makes it easier to find what you need when you're at the grocery store, or out shopping.
The available category types in Reminders include Produce, Breads & Cereals, Frozen Foods, Snacks & Candy, Meat, Dairy, Eggs & Cheese, Bakery, Baking Items, Household Items, Personal Care & Health, and Wine, Beer & Spirits.
43. Reminder List Column View
The Reminders app also features a new scrollable Column view, making it easy to visualize your tasks.
You can find it in the Reminders menu bar, under View -> as Columns.
44. Hey Siri
In macOS on machines with Apple silicon, you can just say "Siri" to activate Siri, dropping the "Hey" that's been used as a wake word for years. Siri will activate when you say the Siri word, so you can speak more naturally.
If the change is causing you to unintentionally wake Siri, you can revert it by going to System Settings -> Siri & Spotlight, then select Listen for -> Hey Siri.
45. Share an AirTag
The Find My app now includes the ability to share Find My accessories with multiple people. Up to five other people can share an AirTag or Find My network accessory. Simply select the AirTag, then click Add Person under "Share This AirTag" to get started.
Everyone in the sharing group is able to see the item's location, get directions to the item, and play a sound to help pinpoint a shared item's location when nearby.
46. Customize Text Size Per App
You can now set your preferred text size on a per-app basis, thanks to Sonoma's expanded Accessibility settings.
Go to System Settings -> Accessibility -> Display, then simply choose the app you want to customize text size for and make your point selection.
47. Identify Mail Attachment Downloads
When you download an email attachment from Mail and view it in Finder, the file includes a new mail symbol next to it to let you know it's an email attachment.
If you right-click the attachment, there's even a "Reply to [name of sender]" option in the contextual menu that when selected will open the Mail compose window, ready for you to type up your reply message.
48. Visual Look Up Enhancements
Visual Look Up in Photos has been vastly improved, so you can now find similar recipes from photos of food, map routes to stores identified in photos, and identify the meaning of signs and symbols on things like laundry tags.
You can also find out information about things that appear in paused video frames.
49. Add-Only Calendar Access
In System Settings, a new Privacy & Security -> Calendar setting allows you to give third-party apps write-only access to your calendars.
Selecting this means apps are limited to writing new events to your calendars, without being able to see your information.
50. Sensitive Content Warnings
With Sensitive Content Warnings enabled in iOS 17, incoming files, videos, and images are scanned on-device and blocked if they contain nudity. The opt-in blurring can be applied to images in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters for the Phone app, FaceTime messages, and third-party apps.
Note that this is separate from the Communication Safety features the Apple has implemented for children, and is designed for people of all ages. You can enable Sensitive Content Warnings by going to System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Sensitive Content Warning and turning on the requisite toggle.
CarPlay is not working as expected for some iPhone 15 users, an issue that is likely linked to the transition to USB-C. There are multiple complaints from MacRumors readers and Reddit users who are unable to get CarPlay to work with their new devices.
Cable type and available port options are a common theme in the CarPlay reports, with many of the functionality problems linked to USB-A to USB-C cables. Many cars, even some that are more recent, have only USB-A ports and not USB-C ports, so a USB-A to USB-C cable is required.
Unfortunately, it appears that not all USB-A to USB-C cables on the market will work, and some that work in certain vehicles will not work in others. A Reddit user explains:
I got in my car this morning and plugged my phone in with a USB-A to USB-C cord in order to use Carplay, and found it does not connect. It charges, but no Carplay. In my Carplay settings on my phone, it says the name of my car as if it were connected, but nothing shows up on the screen.
I work at a dealership so I tried it in a bunch of different cars and nothing worked. My car doesn't have any USB-C ports, so I tried the Apple-supplied C to C cable in a 2023 model and it worked no problem. So it seems that either USB-A to USB-C does not allow Carplay, or it simply does not work anymore with non-Apple chargers.
Other CarPlay users chimed in and mentioned having the same problems, though some were able to get CarPlay to work with USB-A to USB-C cables like those from Belkin. Several people had success getting CarPlay working with a USB-A port using Belkin's BoostCharge USB-A to USB-C cable, but others had no luck.
Having tried 2 good quality cables I called Apple Support about this. They proceeded through various potential remedies which didn't work. The call ended with me agreeing to try the cable supplied with the phone, after getting a suitable adaptor. When I got home I tried 4 more cables. 3 of them worked, these being ones from Sony, Samsung and Nintendo (I think). Today I tried the Apple cable + adaptor and that works as well. The good quality cables (3 of) all previously gave me no problems, mainly charging but also a high speed PC to VR headset connection. iPhone to Windows PC connection worked fine with one of them (I could connect to my phone in iTunes). I suspect that there is a specification point that the 3 "good quality" cables have missed. If so, I don't know if it is the car or the iPhone that is particular about this spec. point!
Trying a variety of cables, specifically those from known brands and with data transfer support, seems to be the best way to get CarPlay to work, but it is worth noting that some people have not been able to get iPhone 15 CarPlay to work even with Apple's adapters and cables. From Reddit:
I have the exact same problem. Have tried (and bought) several different high quality cables, nothing works. Been through all the troubleshooting scripts and AppleCare+. Seems like either an iPhone 15 or an iOS 17 problem.
One MacRumors reader that contacted us said that the issue had been reported to Apple and that Apple is working on a fix for the problem. Apple could perhaps implement a software update that improves compatibility with some cables, or the company could better explain which USB-C cables will work with the new iPhones.
While most of the complaints have been from car owners who are limited to USB-A connection ports, there are also reports from some who have vehicles with USB-C ports and even some complaints about wireless CarPlay. One MacRumors thread suggests that VPNs may be responsible for some recent connection issues, though turning off a VPN did not work for all users.
Oy, I just went to my car to check and am having the same issue. If a VPN is activated when the car starts, the car will not pick up CarPlay at all. If the VPN is disabled, CarPlay starts, then if I turn the VPN back on CarPlay crashes.
With the wide range of reports, there appear to be multiple CarPlay issues at the current time. CarPlay users may need to transition to different cables, but Apple may need to release a software update to solve some of the CarPlay problems.
If you've had issues with CarPlay on the iPhone 15, let us know in the comments below.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said in an interview with The Independent that the upcoming Vision Pro is part of his nightly routine, and that it has convinced him that spatial computing is the future. He described using the Vision Pro as an industry-defining "aha" moment.
"There are huge differences in how people look at it, depending on if they've read about it or actually tried it," said Cook. "I believe even more about how profound spatial computing is. When you've tried it, it's an aha moment, and you only have a few of those in a lifetime."
While analysts don't expect the Vision Pro headset to sell well during its first year of availability, and have expressed skepticism about Apple's ability to bring costs down, Cook remains positive about the headset's future impact.
Cook has been in Europe to meet with app developers, and he said that so far, Apple is seeing "some incredible work." He went on to explain that there's "so much [developer] excitement out there" over the headset, which is set to come out in 2024.
The headset will have a gaming focus, and Apple is solidifying its reputation for gaming with the iPhone 15 Pro models. There's an A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max that allows for console-quality gaming, and Apple is working with developers to bring console games to the device. Cook said that Apple is "very serious" about gaming and that it is "not a hobby" for the company. "We're putting all of ourselves out there," he said.
Cook's full interview, which also includes some tidbits about apps being created for Vision Pro, can be read at The Independent.
Apple etches iPhone displays with small QR codes that let it precisely track the number of defective screens that are thrown out by suppliers, according to a new report from The Information.
One barcode is the size of a grain of sand and can be viewed only with special equipment, while the other is on the inside of the display along the bezel. Apple spent millions of dollars developing the barcode process and installing laser scanning equipment at Lens Technology and Biel Crystal, two manufacturers that make the iPhone's cover glass.
With this system, Apple has a precise count of every piece of glass produced by Lens and Biel, and an exact read on how much material is wasted due to defects. A source that spoke to The Information said that when the barcodes were first implemented, Apple found that as many as three out of 10 pieces of cover glass were thrown away due to manufacturing errors, and with pressure from Apple, the suppliers have been able to cut that down to one in 10. Because Apple pays for production, lowering error rates has saved it hundreds of millions of dollars.
Apple has used the display barcodes to streamline manufacturing since 2020, and the company is able to see which company made the glass and the date it was manufactured for tracking production level and yield rate. Other iPhone components have had small barcodes to trace defects or find the source of leaks for many years, but prior to the display system, barcodes were primarily used for metal parts.
The Information's full report goes into more detail on the barcode, including the complex, multi-step process that Apple uses to get the barcodes onto the displays.
MacRumors has obtained preliminary information on the weights and dimensions planned for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The information corroborates previous reports suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature larger displays.
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
Current information suggests that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will maintain the same dimensions as the current iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, with the only difference being an increase in weight of around 2 grams for both models – 173g for the iPhone 16, and 203g for iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be available in the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display sizes as their predecessors.
Regardless of the dimensions, however, the base model iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are expected to feature a redesigned camera bump, with a vertical camera arrangement similar to the iPhone 12. They are also likely to include a capacitive Action button and potentially even an all-new capacitive "Capture Button."
In terms of materials, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus should use the same type of aluminum found on the iPhone 15 chassis, and will also feature matte back glass. The choice of materials is unlikely to have any significant impact on the weight of the devices, with the increase being a consequence of minor design changes.
iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature an increase in display size compared to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, measuring roughly 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. To be more precise, the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6.27-inch display (159.31 mm), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature a 6.85-inch (174.06 mm) panel.
This represents a noticeable increase of 0.2 inches for both models. As a result, the dimensions of the device as a whole will increase. The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will be slightly taller than their predecessors, while also being somewhat wider. Interestingly, the width of both devices appears to align with their respective iPhone 14-series counterparts, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro
Thickness
8.25 mm
8.25 mm
Height
149.6 mm
146.6 mm
Width
71.45 mm
70.60 mm
Display
6.3" (159.31 mm)
6.1" (155.38 mm)
Weight
194 grams
187 grams
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Thickness
8.25 mm
8.25 mm
Height
163.0 mm
159.9 mm
Width
77.58 mm
76.70 mm
Display
6.9" (174.06 mm)
6.7" (169.98 mm)
Weight
225 grams
221 grams
As far as materials are concerned, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to maintain the same Grade 5 Titanium used on the iPhone 15 Pro, with the same brushed finish and curved design. Similar to the base model iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Pro is also expected to feature a slightly larger Action Button, and an entirely new capacitive "Capture Button."
It's worth emphasizing that the information presented here is remarkably early. The iPhone 16 lineup is almost a whole year away, and the design is far from being finalized. While changes throughout development are always possible, significant deviations from the dimensions and weights we've listed are unlikely, and the information we've provided represents our best insight into the overall size of the iPhone 16 lineup.
For additional details on what to expect, check out our dedicated rumor roundup page for the iPhone 16.
While the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available in a variety of colors, there is currently no (PRODUCT)RED option for the devices. However, there is a decent possibility that the color will make a reappearance early next year.
Apple has released at least one new iPhone in (PRODUCT)RED every year since 2017, so it seems probable that the color could be introduced for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus in March or April of 2024, in order to boost sales of the devices midway through their product cycle. This is exactly what happened with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 series, which both gained a (PRODUCT)RED option about six to seven months after their initial release.
It's unclear if the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max would also be made available in (PRODUCT)RED early next year. Earlier this year, 9to5Mac reported that Apple tested a dark red color option for the iPhone 15 Pro models, but leaker @URedditor disputed this claim. Regardless of whether or not the color was tested, there is always a first time for everything, so we shall see what transpires.
iPhone models released in (PRODUCT)RED over the years:
2022: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and the third-generation iPhone SE
2021: iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini
2020: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, and the second-generation iPhone SE
2019: iPhone 11
2018: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone XR
2017: iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
Other mid-cycle color additions have included yellow for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus in March 2023, green for the entire iPhone 13 lineup in March 2022, and purple for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini in April 2021.
We're still tracking steep discounts on first party Apple accessories at Woot as we head into the weekend, alongside Anker's best USB-C devices getting marked down on Amazon. In terms of Apple hardware, you'll find some of the best deals ever seen on Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 below.
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.
AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)
What's the deal? Take $49 off the USB-C AirPods Pro 2
The price on the AirPods Pro 2 has fluctuated over the past few days at Amazon, so if they aren't at $199.99 when you click, be sure to check back again later.
One of the biggest deals of the week came from Amazon, which already has $49 off the all-new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C/MagSafe Charging Case. It's available for $199.99, down from $249.00.
Woot Apple Accessory Sale
What's the deal? Take up to 90% off Apple accessories
Woot's Apple accessory sale from earlier this week has changed some of its products on offer, now including the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock for just $34.99, down from $79.00. Other record low prices have hit the MagSafe Duo Charger, various Leather Cases for iPhone 14, and more.
All products in this sale are in new condition and include a one year Apple limited warranty, except for the Beats headphones which include a 90 day Woot limited warranty.
With the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 last week, we're tracking notable discounts on the original model at Amazon. You can get the Apple Watch ultra for as low as $698.99, down from $799.00. If you want the latest model, Amazon has it for $779.99, down from $799.00. Although this isn't a particularly steep markdown, if you had your eye on an Ultra 2 at launch this is the best cash discount you'll find around online.
Anker
What's the deal? Save on USB-C accessories from Anker
We tracked quite a few Anker discounts this week, mainly focusing on USB-C accessories for your new iPhone 15. You'll find all of the best Anker discounts listed below, including deals on portable batteries, MagSafe chargers, and more. A highlight of the sale is the Power Bank with Smart Digital Display at $99.99 for Amazon Prime members, down from $149.99.
Two MacBook Air discounts remain available as we head into October, including the M1 13-inch model at $749.99 ($249 off) and the M2 13-inch model at $899.00 ($200 off). Both of these represent best-ever prices on the MacBook Air.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
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.
