MacRumors

Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test out the software head of its official launch. The public betas come just a day after Apple provided the fourth betas to developers.

iOS 16
Those who have signed up their accounts for Apple's free beta testing program can enable the beta by opening up the Settings app, going to General, selecting Software Update, tapping on Beta Updates, and selecting the iOS 16 Public Beta option.

iOS 16.6 seems to be a relatively minor update, although Apple does appear to be laying the groundwork for the launch of the previously announced iMessage Contact Key Verification feature.

Development on iOS 16 is slowing down as Apple prepares for the September launch of iOS 17. Apple has also seeded a new beta of watchOS 9.6 to public beta testers.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Apple is planning to release new Beats Studio Pro wireless over-ear headphones on July 19, according to details shared by Myke Hurley on the Apple-related podcast "Connected" last week (via Reddit). Hurley said he obtained the details from an anonymous source who previously shared accurate details about the Beats Studio Buds+ earbuds.

beats studio pro
Hurley's source claimed that the Studio Pro will be available in four colors, including Black, Navy, Sandstone, and Deep Brown, and leaked images from @aaronp613 show the headphones will have a very similar design as the Beats Studio3. The headphones are said to feature a USB-C port for charging instead of micro-USB, upgraded microphones, optimized sound profiles, a new carrying case, and support for Android features such as Fast Pair and Find My Device. The headphones will retain a 3.5mm headphone jack, the source added.

Like the Studio Buds+, it is likely that the Studio Pro will also feature improved active noise cancellation and longer battery life.

An early reseller listing indicates that the Studio Pro will retail for around €399 in Europe, which would be the same price as the Studio3. This suggests the headphones will likely cost around $349.95 in the U.S. at launch. The Studio3 are equipped with Apple's W1 chip, but it's unclear which chip the Studio Pro will use.

Evidence of the Studio Pro already emerged in macOS 13.4 code and in an FCC filing in recent weeks, but Beats has yet to officially announce them. The headphones would serve as a long-overdue update to the Studio3, released in 2017. More information should become available closer to the rumored July 19 launch date.

We're tracking a few new deals on Anker products on Amazon today, including solid discounts on Eufy-branded Bluetooth trackers, portable power stations, MagSafe-compatible charging solutions, and more. All of these deals can be found on Amazon this week, and many of them will require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the discounts at the checkout screen.

anker green heroNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

A highlight of the sale is Anker's Docking Station + Monitor Stand, which includes 12 ports and support for wireless charging. It's priced at $212.49 during this sale, down from $249.99. You can also save on a pair of 3-in-1 MagSafe Chargers, with support for iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch charging, starting at $116.99, down from $139.99.

Eufy's SmartTrack line of Bluetooth trackers is also still on sale this week, with 1-Pack, 2-Pack, and 4-Pack options, as well as the SmartTrack Card for $19.99. Four of these accessories have on-page coupons you will need to clip in order to see the discounts at checkout. These trackers work with Apple's Find My app and are perfect for keeping track of luggage and other necessities while traveling.

Another notable discount is on the PowerHouse 757 Portable Power Station, which is available for $899.99, down from $1,399.00. This is $50 lower than the deal price we tracked last month, and a new best-ever price on this accessory. The Power Station features a 1229Wh capacity and 1500 wattage, with six AC outlets, four USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports.

Bluetooth Trackers

eufy card

Cables and Wall Chargers

anker charger green

Portable Batteries

anker light green

Hubs and Charging Stations

anker monitor stand green

Bluetooth Speakers

soundcore green

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.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Apple's subscription gaming service Apple Arcade is set to gain hit title Stardew Valley in July, Apple announced today. Stardew Valley+ will feature the same open-ended farming gameplay with more than 50 hours of content to get through, along with mobile-specific features like auto-save and various control options.

stardew valley apple arcade
Most people have heard of Stardew Valley at this point, and it is available on the iPhone and iPad for $4.99, but the ‌Apple Arcade‌ version will be available to ‌Apple Arcade‌ subscribers at no additional cost.

Stardew Valley allows players to overhaul an abandoned, overgrown plot of land, turning it into a thriving farm complete with crops, animals, and more. Players will also be able to get to know the townspeople, solving villager quests and taking part in seasonal festivals.

There are caves to explore to fight monsters and gain treasure, and goods collected from crops and animals can be turned into artisan products that sell for more money. Other features include dating events, fishing ponds, clothing and hats to unlock, pets, and more, with the ‌Apple Arcade‌ version including all content from recent updates. Stardew Valley is set to launch on July 21.

Also coming to ‌Apple Arcade‌ in July is a new Hello Kitty simulation game called Hello Kitty Island Adventure (July 28), plus classics like Slay the Spire+ (July 7), LEGO DUPLO WORLD+ (July 7), and Ridiculous Fishing EX (July 14).

‌Apple Arcade‌ is priced at $4.99 per month, with family members able to share a subscription. The service has more than 100 games, and new content is added on a regular basis.

Astropad, known for its Astropad Studio software and Luna Display dongle for connecting an iPad to a Mac, today announced the general availability of its new Darkboard drawing surface designed to be used with the ‌iPad‌.

darkboard
Darkboard is aimed at offering an ergonomic way to sketch and draw no matter where you are. The Darkboard is made from a rigid foam material that weighs in at 1.4 pounds, with the foam design providing cushioning and support for the arm and wrist.

According to Astropad, the Darkboard is ideal for using on the couch, in bed, and other situations where ideal ergonomics are unavailable. When you do have a flat surface to work on, there is a foldable stand that works as an easel or in a full vertical orientation.

A polycarbonate frame holds the ‌iPad‌ in place at any angle, so the Darkboard can be used in multiple orientations. There is 1mm of space between the ‌iPad‌'s display and the edge of the foam body to keep the ‌iPad‌ safe in case the Darkboard is dropped.

Astropad included a cutout for the camera, charging port access, and a pocket to hold the Apple Pencil. The Darkboard is 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and an inch thick, and for transportation, there are grooved handles.

There are two available sizes, one that fits the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro or newer and one that fits the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and iPad Air models.

Darkboard launched on Kickstarter in September 2022 and orders started arriving to customers in March, but it is now available for general purchase. Darkboard can be purchased from the Astropad website for $120.

Apple stopped offering interest-free financing for new iPhone, iPad, and Mac purchases in Canada as of earlier this month, as noted on Reddit. Going forward, APRs range from 4.99% to 7.99% to finance these products over 12 or 24 monthly payments.

Apple Store Vancouver Canada
For example, Apple says a customer who purchases an iPhone for $1,099 would have a monthly payment of $49.70 for 24 months. The customer would pay a total of $1,192.79 over this term, including $93.79 in interest charges.

The current financing offers available:

  • iPhone: 7.99% for 24 months
  • iPad: 4.99% for 12 months
  • Mac: 4.99% for 12 months

The change comes after Apple's financing partner PayBright was acquired by Affirm in 2021. Apple's website says financing is now provided by Affirm.

Many of Apple's financing options in the U.S. are not available in Canada, including Apple Card Monthly Installments, Apple Pay Later, and the iPhone Upgrade Program, leaving customers in the country with few options beyond Affirm.

Insta360, known for its range of 360-degree cameras that connect to smartphones, today announced the launch of the Insta360 GO 3. The Insta360 GO 3 is the latest version of Insta360's small, portable action camera.


The camera is smaller than thumb size, weighing in at 1.2 ounces. It features a magnetic body that allows it to be mounted in a range of places, and there are several magnetic accessories. The Magnet Pendant can be worn around the neck for first-person POV filming, the Easy Clip can clip on to hats and other headworn accessories, and the Pivot Stand is a reusable sticky mount that also works with selfie sticks and tripods.

Insta360's GO 3 captures 2.7K video, which the company says is ideal for sharing on social media. The camera can be paired with an Action Pod hub that serves as a housing, remote control, and charger for the camera. The Pod offers up to 170 minutes of recording time, and there is a 2.2-inch flip touchscreen that offers real-time remote control and live preview for tough angles.

insta360 go 3 camera
The Action Pod features an IPX4 water resistance rating, while the GO 3 has an IPX8 water resistant rating that works in water up to 16 feet deep. There are dual microphones for clearer audio than prior versions, and the camera can be controlled with voice commands.

insta360 go 3 pod
FlowState Stabilization and 360 Horizon Lock have been built-in, and Insta360 says that these features ensure smooth footage and no unwanted tilting or distortion when action shots are being filmed.

The Insta360 GO 3 is available starting at $380 for 32GB of storage, and it can be purchased from the Insta360 website.

To promote the finale of popular Apple TV+ science fiction series Silo, Apple today shared the full first episode of the series on Twitter.

silo tv show apple tv plus
Taking advantage of the Twitter functionality that allows for longer form video, Apple shared the hour-long episode through its ‌Apple TV‌+ account. The episode can be watched directly on Twitter, with no ‌Apple TV‌+ subscription required.


The first episode of the show is also available on the ‌Apple TV‌+ website and through ‌Apple TV‌+ apps for those who don't subscribe, but a subscription is required to watch all subsequent episodes.


Silo is one of the latest ‌Apple TV‌+ shows, and it is based on the "Wool" novel by Hugh Howey. The show stars Juliette as the "sheriff" of an underground silo, focusing on her efforts to uncover the secrets of the silo and what's going on at the surface.

Silo's 10th episode and season finale is set to premiere on Friday, June 30. The show quickly became one of the most popular offerings on ‌Apple TV‌+ following its launch, and it has received positive reviews from fans and critics.

Today we're tracking a pair of discounts on AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 offered by Verizon and Amazon, respectively. Verizon's deals do not require you to be a Verizon Wireless customer in order to take advantage of the discounts, and the retailer offers free two-day shipping as well as in-store pick-up for most locations.

Airpods 2 and Pro 2 Discount Feature Red TriadNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Verizon and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can get the AirPods Pro 2 for $199.00 on Amazon, down from $249.00. We very briefly saw a discount on this model to $194.99 back in March, but this rare deal never emerged again and today's deal remains a great second-best price.

Verizon has deals on both of the AirPods 3 models. You can get the AirPods 3 with Lightning Charging Case for $149.99, down from $169.00, and the AirPods 3 with MagSafe Charging Case for $159.00, down from $179.00. This is about $10 off from the all-time low price on this model of the AirPods 3, but we haven't tracked that price in months and Verizon's deal is a solid second-best option.


We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones. Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of macOS Ventura 13.5 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta introduced two weeks after the release of the third beta.

Ventura Macs Feature Yellow
Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, with the betas available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings.

No notable features have been found in macOS 13.5, so it's not yet clear what's included in the update.

With macOS Sonoma now in development and slated for launch this fall, Apple's work on macOS 13 will soon be wrapping up. macOS 13.5 is likely to be one of the final updates to macOS Ventura.

Related Forum: macOS Sonoma

Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming over two weeks after the release of the third betas.

iOS 16
Registered developers can opt in to the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to Software Update, tapping on the “Beta Updates” option and toggling on the iOS 16 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 lay the groundwork for iMessage Contact Key Verification. It is meant to let Apple device owners verify that they are messaging with the people they intend to message rather than a malicious entity that has intercepted a message or is eavesdropping on a conversation.

The feature is designed for Apple users who are facing “extraordinary digital threats.” Apple intends for iMessage Contact Key Verification to be used by journalists, human rights activists, government officials, and others who are in danger of malicious digital attacks from state-sponsored attackers or other malicious actors.

Apple said that iMessage Contact Key Verification would be available on the iPhone and other Apple devices at some point in 2023, and it is one of the last features we are expecting to see in iOS 16. In the first beta, hints of iMessage Contact Key were available, but the option was not fully enabled.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 9.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software update coming two weeks after the release of the third beta.

Apple watchOS 9 Feature
To install the watchOS 9.6 update, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center.

Once installed, ‌watchOS 9.6 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it has to be placed on the charger, and it will need to be in range of the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ it is paired with.

It is not yet known if there are new features in the watchOS 9.6 update, but we did not find anything in the first beta. This is expected to be one of the final updates to the watchOS 9 operating system as Apple has shifted its work to watchOS 10, the next-generation version of watchOS.

Related Roundup: watchOS 11
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after the release of the third beta.

Apple TV 2022 Feature Orange
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 16.6 update by downloading a profile on the Apple TV using Xcode.

tvOS updates are usually minor, focusing on internal bug fixes and improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes. There is no word as of yet what's included in the tvOS 16.6 update, but we'll update this article if we find anything new.

Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch.

Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Nanoleaf today announced the launch of preorders for several new products, including new light panels and the 4D Screen Mirroring and Lightstrip Kit that it announced at CES.

nanoleaf 4d kit
The Nanoleaf 4D is a lightstrip and camera setup that is designed to provide backlighting for your TV or display that matches the content on the screen. There is a Nanoleaf Lightstrip that attaches to the back of a TV set, paired with a camera that is pointed at the screen to detect the colors.

The camera is able to capture the different shades on the display, syncing them in real-time to the gradient lightstrip behind it. Nanoleaf says that this setup is meant to provide a "true 4D effect" that extends content beyond the TV. The camera does not record footage and is used solely for color syncing, plus there is a privacy cover for those who are concerned.

nanoleaf camera 4d
There are four mirror modes from a subtle ambient glow to a direct match to the TV screen, and the Screen Mirror Modes can be combined with Rhythm Music Sync to mirror the colors on the screen while also reacting to soundtracks or in-game effects.

Nanoleaf's Sync+ feature allows the screen mirroring to work with the included lightstrip as well as other Nanoleaf lighting products for an "all-encompassing visual experience." Up to 50 Nanoleaf RGB devices can be connected, including Nanoleaf's light panels.

There's a Nanoleaf x Overwolf partnership for gamers that allows real-time lighting reactions synced to in-game events, with a customizable color palette available. The Overwolf functionality is available for titles that include Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and Dota, and it works across any Nanoleaf RGB setup. Overwolf can be set up with the Nanoleaf Desktop app starting today.

Nanoleaf today also announced the upcoming launch of the Ultra Black Shapes Hexagons, which are light panels that feature a 360-degree black finish to match darker decor. The Ultra Black Hexagons are identical to the standard Hexagons, but are black when powered off rather than white.

nanoleaf black hexagons
Both the Nanoleaf 4D and the Ultra Black Hexagons work with the Nanoleaf app or with HomeKit. Later this year, an over-the-air Matter update will launch to improve compatibility across smart home platforms.

The Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror and Lightstrip Kit can be preordered today from Nanoleaf. Two lengths are available, with the 65-inch lightstrip priced at $100, and the 85-inch lightstrip priced at $120. The camera is also available on a standalone basis for $80. The kits are expected to ship in mid-July, and customers who preorder by June 28 will receive a bonus $20 Nanoleaf gift card.

The Nanoleaf Ultra Black Hexagons are also available for preorder from Nanoleaf today, with a nine-piece kit priced at $220. Orders will ship out in late July.

While year-over-year iPhone upgrades are not always significant, new features begin to stack up over multiple generations. For this reason, the iPhone 15 Pro will be a notable upgrade for those who still have a two-year-old iPhone 13 Pro.

iPhone 13 Pro Blue
If you are still using an iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max and will consider upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max when the devices launch later this year, we have put together a list of features to expect below. The list includes major changes introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro last year, as well as new features rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models.

We also shared an iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro comparison.

iPhone 13 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro

  • A17 chip vs. A15 chip: The 5nm-based A16 chip in the iPhone 14 Pro is already up to 17% faster than the A15 chip in the iPhone 13 Pro, according to the Geekbench 6 benchmark. The iPhone 15 Pro will be equipped with the A17 chip, which is expected to be manufactured based on TSMC's latest 3nm process for even faster performance and improved power efficiency over the previous generation.
  • USB-C port: With the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple is finally expected to switch from Lightning to a USB-C port. This change will provide a more universal charging standard and allow for faster wired data transfer speeds.
  • Titanium frame: Like the Apple Watch Ultra, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have a titanium frame instead of stainless steel. The back glass and display bezels are also expected to have slightly curved edges.
  • Action button: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with a customizable Action button like the Apple Watch Ultra. The button would replace the Ring/Silent switch that has been included on every iPhone model since 2007. Users would likely be able to assign the button to various system functions, such as Ring/Silent, Do Not Disturb, Flashlight, Low Power Mode, and more.
  • Dynamic Island: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped area surrounding the Face ID sensors and front camera. The Dynamic Island displays system alerts and integrates with iOS 16's Live Activities feature to show live NBA scores, the status of an Uber ride, and more.
  • Always-on display option: With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple introduced an always-on display option that dims the entire Lock Screen, but still shows the time and date, widgets, wallpaper, and notifications. Once you raise the iPhone, tap the screen, or press the side button, the display returns to normal brightness.
  • Thinner bezels: Similar to the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to have even thinner bezels around the display.
  • Longer battery life: Already, the iPhone 14 Pro lasts up to 23 hours for offline video playback, compared to 22 hours for the iPhone 13 Pro. With components like the A17 chip and the LiDAR Scanner expected to be more power efficient this year, the iPhone 15 Pro could have even longer battery life.
  • Numerous camera improvements: iPhone 13 Pro users upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro will get access to a wide range of camera upgrades, including a 48-megapixel Wide lens, an upgraded front camera with autofocus, Action mode, and more. Increased optical zoom is also expected for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
  • eSIM only in U.S.: Apple removed the physical SIM card tray from all iPhone 14 models sold in the U.S., meaning the devices work with eSIMs only. The devices are still compatible with physical SIM cards in other countries.
  • Increased RAM: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to be equipped with an increased 8GB of RAM, compared to 6GB for the iPhone 13 Pro. Increased RAM can benefit multitasking on the iPhone by allowing more apps to be open in the background simultaneously without reloading.
  • Wi-Fi 6E: iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E, which supports the 6GHz band for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference compared to standard Wi-Fi 6.
  • Emergency SOS via Satellite: iPhone 14 models can connect to Globalstar satellites, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. The service is free for two years after activation, and is currently available in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the U.K., Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and select other countries.
  • Crash Detection: New for the iPhone 14 series, Crash Detection is designed to detect severe car crashes and contact emergency services via Emergency SOS if the user does not respond. The feature is enabled by default.
  • 5G improvements: iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X70 modem for improved 5G performance.

Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in September, and the devices could have additional features that have yet to be rumored.

Apple has increased the price of iCloud storage in several regions around the world, including the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South America.

iCloud General Feature
Every Apple ID receives 5GB of free cloud storage, but users can upgrade to a paid ‌iCloud‌+ storage subscription plan to get 50GB, 200GB, or 2TB of storage. The price hike, first spotted by 9to5Mac, represents an increase of around 25 percent.

‌iCloud‌+ Subscription Previous UK Price New UK Price
50GB £0.79/month £0.99/month
200GB £2.49/month £2.99/month
2TB £6.99/month £8.99/month

Similar increases have occurred in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tanzania, South Africa, Colombia, Peru, Brazil. Pricing in the United States, Canada, and European Union remains the same.

All paid ‌iCloud‌+ storage plans include features like ‌iCloud‌ Private Relay, Hide My Email, and Custom Email Domains.

The iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates include a number of privacy and security improvements that make your devices safer than ever, with Apple restricting access to photos and calendar events and cutting down further on how websites track you across the web.

iOS 17 Privacy and Security Improvements Feature

Private Browsing Upgrades in Safari

In Safari, Private browsing windows are now locked and require secondary authentication to unlock and access. If you hand your phone over to someone and they attempt to open your Safari private browsing tab, access will be denied without a Face ID/Touch ID scan or a passcode.

safari private browsing ios 17
The Private tab is locked automatically.

Tracking URL Removal

Opening up a URL in a private browsing window automatically strips all tracking information added to the URL, plus unknown trackers are completely blocked so companies aren't able to track your browsing across multiple sites.

safari tracking all browsing ios 17
URLs can also be stripped when browsing in non-private browsing mode if the functionality is enabled. Here's how to remove URL-based tracking for all browser windows:

  1. Open up the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down to Safari.
  3. Tap on Advanced.
  4. Tap on Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection.
  5. Toggle on "All Browsing."

Turning this on will ensure that all URLs opened in Safari will strip additional tracking information that's pasted on to the end of a URL.

Shared Passwords

With iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, you can securely share passwords and passkeys with friends and family members using a new shared password function. Using this feature, passwords for shared media accounts, utilities, bills, and more can be provided to multiple people.

ios 17 shared passwords
Each person can access, add to, and change passwords that are shared, with setup available by going to the Passwords section of the Settings app and choosing "Get Started" under the "Family Passwords" heading.

Passcode Resets

If you change the passcode on your iPhone and then accidentally forget the new passcode that you chose, you now have a 72-hour grace period to fix it without getting locked out of your device.

iOS 17 Passcode Reset Feature
Apple lets you use your old passcode within 72 hours of setting a new one, which is handy if you're someone who is likely to forget a newly created passcode.

When you enter an incorrect passcode after making a change, you can tap on the "Forgot Passcode?" option at the bottom of the display to use the "Try Passcode Reset" option. Tapping it allows you to use your old passcode to create yet another new passcode.

For protection in case someone has learned your passcode, there is an "Expire Previous Passcode Now" setting that you can turn on.

Photo Library Access

The Photos picker in iOS 17 is designed to allow users to share specific photos with apps while the rest of the Photo Library stays private. Apps must ask to access the user's entire photo library, and users will be shown additional information on the photo information they are sharing, such as number of photos and videos and the metadata included like location and captions.

photos security ios 17
You can give apps the following access:

  • Limited Access - Apps can see only the images that you can select, and you can review the selected images anytime either in the app or by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > ‌Photos‌.
  • Full Access - Apps can see all of the images and videos in your Photo Library, and your device will tell you exactly how many photos and videos you're giving access to.
  • None - No access to the Photo Library at all.
  • Add ‌Photos‌ Only - The app can add images to your library, but not view them. This setting depends on the app, and is not available for all apps.

If you open up the Settings app and then go to the Privacy and Security section and choose ‌Photos‌, you can see the ‌Photos‌ access that all apps have access to. You can change the settings from here, and it's a good idea to go through the list to see exactly which apps can see your images. You can also opt to remove information like location and caption, and change photo format.

Downloading a new app that wants Photo Library access will bring up options to give limited or full access. In the past, apps had the option to just ask for blanket Photo Library access, which gave them the entire library, rather than just chosen images. There's much more control over what apps can see in terms of photos in iOS 17.

Your ‌iPhone‌ will also periodically remind you about apps that have access to your full Photo Library, offering up the option to change access to limited.

Calendar Access

Apps can add an event to the Calendar app without being able to view your Calendar through the "Add Events Only" option.

calendar app privacy ios 17
Calendar access can be managed by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Calendars. You can give apps Full Access, choose Add Events Only, or use the None option to revoke access. This section of the Settings app also details how many calendars you have and how many accounts you're signed in to.

Apps that have full Calendar access can see location, invitees, attachments, and notes, according to Apple.

Passkeys

iOS 17 automatically assigns a passkey to an Apple ID, which is a more secure password alternative. With a passkey, users can sign into an ‌Apple ID‌ with ‌Face ID‌ or ‌Touch ID‌ instead of their password, with the feature available on icloud.com, appleid.apple.com, and other Apple websites.

iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ID Feature 3
Passkeys use a key pair, one that is public and registered to the website or app and one that is private, held only on device. There is no way for a third party to intercept and access a passkey, so a passkey can't be stolen.

With iOS 17, macOS Sonoma, and iPadOS 17, when you sign into an Apple website, you'll use biometric authentication rather than your password. Passkeys will eventually be adopted by many sites, replacing passwords.

Home Activity History

The Home app now includes an activity history for up to 30 days, so you can see who accessed door locks, garage doors, contact sensors, and alarm sensors, and when. It can be accessed by tapping on the "Security" button at the top of the Home app and then choosing "Activity History."

home app activity history

Read More

More information on all of the new features in the iOS 17 update can be found in our iOS 17 roundup.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

New Hampshire resident Guangwei "William" Wu recently pled guilty to transporting stolen Apple property valued at $2 million, according to the United States Attorney's Office in the District of New Hampshire.

iphone 14 purple 2
Wu owned the Hai Xing Qiao shipping company in Manchester, New Hampshire. In the fall of 2022, a Hong Kong-based company purchased a range of Apple products that Wu was meant to forward to them in Hong Kong. The order included iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches, and MacBooks.

Rather than shipping the goods, Wu accepted a bribe of more than $700,000 from a different Hong Kong company to redirect the $2 million worth of products to that company instead of the company that originally made the purchase.

Wu told the original company expecting its shipment that U.S. law enforcement officials had seized the Apple devices, and he forged a "Disclaimer of Ownership" that was supposedly issued by the United States Postal Office, complete with a fake federal agent signature.

Wu's scheme was discovered after a joint investigation by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Wu could receive up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, plus he will be repaying $2 million in restitution to the company he stole from.