How Tos

In iOS 17.2 and later, Apple lets you customize the alert tone used by your iPhone for default notifications. This is good news for anyone who does not like the "Rebound" tone that Apple introduced in iOS 17. In previous versions of iOS, Apple allowed users to choose a ring tone and a text tone, as well as custom alert sounds for email, calendar, and reminder alerts. Anything else that threw ...

Whenever you browse the web in Safari, the browser stores website data so that it doesn't have to download it again each time you revisit a site. In theory this should speed up your browsing experience, but there are some scenarios where you might want to clear the cache and start anew. Keep reading to learn how it's done on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. There are a couple of situations where you...

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...

In iOS 18.2, Apple introduced a major change to the Mail app with its new Categories feature. Categories automatically sorts your emails into four distinct sections: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. However, while this organizational system aims to help manage email overload, not everyone is going to prefer the new layout. Mail Categories attempts to intelligently organize...

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 in iOS 18.2 has reinstated a Lock Screen feature that was unceremoniously nixed from its iPhone OS two years ago, leaving many users wondering why it was taken away in the first place. The feature in question is the on-screen volume control slider in the Lock Screen media player interface. Prior to 2022, the volume slider was a familiar presence on the Lock Screen whenever media was...

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 18.2, and the iOS 18.2 point update released earlier this week 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. ...

With its iOS 18.2 software update, Apple introduced a major change to the Mail app with its new Categories and priority messages features. Categories automatically sorts your emails into four distinct sections: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. The change also adds contact photos and business logos for conversations in your inbox, but if you don't like how they look, it's easy...

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...