How Tos - Page 3

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

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

In watchOS, the Smart Stack for your Apple Watch is pretty clever. The collection of widgets can be pulled up with a scroll of the Digital Crown, and shows you relevant information throughout your day. But sometimes, its eagerness to help can be a bit much, especially when it comes to Live Activities. You're probably familiar with this scenario: You raise your wrist expecting to see your...

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

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

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

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

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

Apple's latest iPhone 16 models include a new Camera Control button (located on the lower right-hand side when holding the phone in portrait mode), and the latest iOS 18.2 software update adds a handy new piece of functionality to it. ‌iPhone 16‌ users now have the option to lock their auto exposure and auto focus settings with a light press of Camera Control. The option isn't on by default,...

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

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

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

If you're concerned about hearing loss and own AirPods Pro 2, Apple's latest iPhone and iPad software offers a convenient new clinical-grade Hearing Test that's easy to use. Here's everything you need to know about checking your hearing health with this new feature. Apple on December 11 released iOS 18.2, which expands the Hearing Test feature on the AirPods Pro 2 to nine additional...

In iOS 18.2, which Apple is releasing today, Apple's new Genmoji feature lets you create personalized emoji that aim to perfectly match what you want to express, going far beyond the limitations of standard Unicode emoji. Want an emoji of a break-dancing astronaut or a dog playing bagpipes? With Genmoji, you can make it happen. Unlike standard emoji that are fixed Unicode characters, Genmoji ...

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

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

In iOS 18, Apple includes a dedicated option to lock and even hide individual apps on your iPhone. This means that even if your device is unlocked, you can add an extra layer of privacy and security to specific apps that contain sensitive data. The lock and hide options mean you can unlock your iPhone and hand it to someone for them to look at something, knowing they won't be able to open...

With iOS 18.1, Apple has introduced AI-powered notification summarization across all apps, which means your iPhone will automatically condense your alerts to show just the key details. The feature aims to reduce notification overload, but it doesn't always work as advertised. Keep reading to learn how to manage the feature. Image credits: r/AppleIntelligenceFail Powered by Apple Intelligence, ...

When you go to share something on your iPhone, iOS tries to be helpful by displaying a row of suggested contacts at the top of the Share menu. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of them. Whenever you go to share something on your iPhone or iPad using the Share button, iOS brings up a Share menu – often called the Share Sheet – at the top of which is a row of suggested contacts with...

Flight tracker apps are a popular way to keep tabs on planes in the sky, because when you're preparing to fly or when someone you know is on board a flight, you can use them to check that things are still on schedule. But if you have an iPhone, you don't need to download and install a third-party app to track a flight – it's a handy built-in feature of the operating system. The ability to ...