Tim Hardwick
Tim is a Senior Editor at MacRumors and has been writing for the site since 2016. Formerly a magazine journalist, his work has appeared in over 30 newsstand print publications and online brands covering a range of topics, from the latest trends in technology to the mysteries of ancient history.
Based in the UK, Tim's current role at MacRumors involves editorial oversight and how tos, in addition to covering daily news and contributing occasional reviews. Tim can be reached at tim@macrumors.com, Telegram (@waxeditorial) or Twitter.
Based in the UK, Tim's current role at MacRumors involves editorial oversight and how tos, in addition to covering daily news and contributing occasional reviews. Tim can be reached at tim@macrumors.com, Telegram (@waxeditorial) or Twitter.
Tim Hardwick's Articles
iOS 18: Use Emoji as Tapback Reactions in Messages
Apple has introduced significant updates to its Messages app in iOS 18, with a particular focus on enhancing the popular Tapback feature. Tapbacks, the quick reactions users can add to messages by long-pressing on them, have received a colorful makeover and expanded functionality. In iOS 18, the six standard Tapback icons now feature more vibrant colors and intricate details. This visual...
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Apple's A16 Chips Now Being Manufactured in Arizona TSMC Plant
Apple's A16 chips are now being manufactured on American soil at TSMC's Arizona plant, according to Taiwan-based independent journalist Tim Culpan. The A16 chip, which debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro two years ago, is reportedly being produced in small but meaningful quantities at TSMC's Fab 21 facility in Arizona. The chips are said to be manufactured using the same 4nm N4P process employed in ...
Bricked iPhone 16 Can Be Restored Wirelessly Using Another iPhone
iOS 18 includes a new over-the-air recovery feature designed to revive bricked iPhone 16 devices using another iPhone or an iPad, according to a new report. Image credit: 9to5Mac As things stand, if you have a malfunctioning iPhone 15 or earlier model, a Mac or PC needs to be used to restore the firmware, which is inconvenient as some people might not have the appropriate cable to hand or...
End-to-End Encryption Coming for iPhone-to-Android RCS Messages
The GSM Association (GSMA), the organization responsible for developing the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard, announced on Tuesday that it is working to implement end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages sent between Android and iPhone devices, though no specific timeline for the implementation has been provided. The news comes on the heels of Apple's recent adoption of RCS with...
iOS 18: Make Your iPhone Home Screen Icons Dark
In iOS 18, iPhone apps have both Light and Dark color options, making it possible to match the color of your icons when you have Dark mode enabled. Keep reading to learn how it works. Apple's built-in apps have both Light and Dark color options in iOS 18, and now that the update is available to the public, third-party apps are in the process of providing their own Light and Dark icon...
iOS 18: How to Use Safari's New Highlights Feature
Safari in iOS 18 introduces a new feature called Highlights, which is designed to enhance your browsing experience by intelligently surfacing key information from webpages. The tool uses machine learning to identify and extract the most relevant details, and present them to you in an easily accessible format. Think of Highlights as a kind of smart assistant within Safari, saving you time and ...
First iPhone 16 Pro Unboxing Video Shared Online
The first iPhone 16 Pro unboxing video has been shared on Weibo (via Majin Bu), revealing Apple's new packaging design for its latest flagship smartphone. With Apple keen to promote its environmental sustainability credentials, there hasn't been much to the unboxing experience with recent iPhone models, and that looks to be the case even more so this year. Assuming the packaging isn't region ...
Using the New iPhone Charging Limit Options in iOS 18
Apple has introduced expanded charging limit options for iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models in iOS 18, offering users more control over their device's battery health. This feature, which previously capped charging at 80%, now includes new 85%, 90%, and 95% options. The system Apple has applied aims to improve battery longevity by reducing the time your iPhone spends fully charged. Apple says...
Here Are the macOS Sequoia Features Intel Macs Don't Support
When Apple released macOS Monterey in 2021, some key features required a Mac with Apple silicon. The same scenario played out with macOS Ventura in 2022, and then again the following year with the release of macOS Sonoma. With macOS Sequoia now released, there are again new features that aren't available to Intel Mac owners. Apple says that macOS Sequoia is compatible with the same Macs as...
Setapp Mobile Launches in Open Beta as Alternative App Store in EU
Ukraine-based developer MacPaw has announced the open beta release of Setapp Mobile, its alternative app store for iOS devices in the European Union. This launch comes in the wake of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates support for third-party app marketplaces on iOS in the EU. Setapp Mobile, which has been in closed beta testing for several months, is now available to all EU users...
Here's When iOS 18 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone
It's that time of year again. Apple is about to release iOS 18, which promises to bring a range of new features and improvements to iPhones worldwide. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and the company is expected to release it sometime today – Monday, September 16. Based on past releases, the update is likely to drop at around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern...
iOS 18 Release Is Today – Check That Your iPhone Supports It
Apple's latest iPhone operating system, iOS 18, brings a host of new features and improvements to iPhones new and old. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and the company is expected to release it sometime on Monday, September 16, likely at around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, based on past releases. Keep reading to learn if Apple's upcoming mobile operating system ...
Apple to Allow iPad Users in EU to Download Apps From Third-Party App Stores From September 16
Apple has announced it will allow iPad apps to be sold via third-party app stores in the European Union from Monday, September 16, coinciding with the release of iPadOS 18. The move follows Apple's tolerance in the bloc for alternative app stores on iPhones, which happened earlier this year in compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple's iPad operating system was...
New Voice Memos Multitrack Recording Feature Seemingly Exclusive to iPhone 16 Pro
Apple during its iPhone event earlier this week unveiled a significant upgrade to its Voice Memos app, introducing multitrack recording capabilities that appear to be exclusively for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models. The new feature marks a notable advancement in mobile audio recording, but it appears it will be unavailable for older iPhones or the standard iPhone 16. Essentially, the...
Apple Shares Videos Showcasing iPhone 16 Pro With Apple Intelligence
Ahead of iPhone 16 pre-orders starting on Friday, Apple has shared three videos touting the benefits of iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence, with special reference to the Mail app, Photos app, and enhanced Siri. Apple describes the trio of short videos, all of which star English actor Isabella Ramsey, in the following way: Custom memory: Create a custom memory movie by entering a...
10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
Apple Store Down Ahead of iPhone 16 Pre-Orders
Apple's online store is down ahead of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro pre-orders, which are expected to be available at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States. "We love that early energy," reads the Apple Store's message when visiting the U.S. website. "Almost ready for you. Pre-order begins at 5:00 a.m. PDT. See you soon." Apple has been doing 5:00 a.m. pre-orders for the last several...
How to Get Your iPhone Ready for iOS 18
Apple officially releases iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 on Monday, September 16, bringing a host of new features to existing iPhones and iPads, such as new Home Screen customization options, an overhauled Control Center, a revamped Photos app, Mail improvements, and more. This article covers some of the things you can do to prepare your iPhone or iPad for Apple's latest mobile operating system, ...
Here's When iPhone 16 Pre-Orders Begin in Every Time Zone
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max are set to begin on Friday, September 13 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the new devices set to become available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously. We've compiled pre-order times for various countries to help MacRumors readers be among the first to order. This list isn't...
Apple Shares First Example of Image Playground in Action, and It's Based on Craig Federighi's Dog
Apple has shared its first "real-world example" of Image Playground, the upcoming Apple Intelligence feature that generates cartoon-like illustrations based on a text prompt. The picture was apparently made by Apple's senior VP of software engineering Craig Federighi for his wife, in honor of his dog Bailey's recent birthday. The picture shows a cute dog wearing a party hat and smiling...
