How to manage notifications in macOS Monterey

 You've still got all the tools to manage Mac notifications in macOS Monterey, but the introduction of Focus Mode means they've been rearranged - and improved.

It's still brilliant that your Mac can tip you off when there's a new email, or message, or really anything that you need to know. It's still extraordinarily annoying when your Mac keeps telling you things you don't want to know — and seemingly does so every ten seconds.

The answer has always been to tame what notifications you allow through, and when. Previously, though, that was tied to Do Not Disturb — and now in macOS Monterey, we have Focus Mode.

That's a kind of superset of Do Not Disturb and in implementing it, Apple has moved some familiar notification tools to new places. They're all still in System Preferences, but now the general controls are changed.

Instead, the overall controls like scheduling when you will allow any notifications have been moved into the new Focus Mode. The options for each app on your Mac have stayed where they are.

How to set notifications per app in macOS Monterey

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac
2. Go to the newly-renamed Notifications & Focus section
3. If it isn't already, click on Notifications to select it
4. Chose one app by clicking on it in the list to the left
5. Set your options through the panel now on the right

There's an overall Allow Notifications on or off, which could be just what you want if one single app is particularly bothersome. There are some fewer brute-force options, though, which means you can cut down notifications from that app, without losing them entirely.

How to cut down notifications per app in macOS Monterey

Just under the Allow Notifications section, there is one for the alert style. Every app gets three options — nothing, banners, or alerts.

Even when you allow notifications, you can still set it to nothing so that you don't get that little graphic sliding in from the top right of your screen. That's not as counterproductive as it sounds, either, because you can still be notified in other ways.

With this alert style set to none, or either of the others, you can choose to:

1. Show notification on the lock screen
2. Show notifications in Notification Center
3. Set that red badge on the app's icon in the Dock
4. Play a sound

Each of these can be turned on or off. They default to on, though, so if you have

Allow Notifications

on for any app, that app will automatically have all four of these.

Do Not Disturb is now in Focus Mode

Focus Mode lets you set up your Mac — and at the same time, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch — so that you are only notified or interrupted in ways you choose. And by people you choose.

To get into it, click on the Focus button next to Notifications at the top of the Notifications & Focus window. The old Do Not Disturb has moved in here.

You can, as before, turn on Do Not Disturb. Now you do it by clicking on an on/off toggle, but there are still options for doing it on a schedule.

Turn on Do Not Disturb, and you get options about who can disturb you. By default, no one can, and no app can send you an alert notification. But that's too broad a brush for most of us.

So instead you can say that no one may contact you, except these people, or that app.

It's as handy but also potentially time-consuming as that. You have to pick the people, you have to pick the apps, and the default for everything is to block all interruptions.

This means it can take you time to set up Do Not Disturb in such a way that it helps you, but doesn't prevent your boss from calling to give you a raise.

Coping with emergencies

Your boss will call back. But you can still have the situation where you've blocked everyone using Do Not Disturb, and now there's an emergency.

By default, Do Not Disturb handles this by leaving two optional settings on. Allow repeated calls means that if someone phones you two or three times in quick enough succession, the iPhone will let them through.

Similarly, there are Allow Calls from... which lets you set up a whole group of Contacts who are allowed to interrupt you.

Choose your times

You can benefit more from Do Not Disturb by picking what times it is active. This is getting close to how you use Focus Mode, because, really, Do Not Disturb is one of those modes.

In the Focus pane, with Do Not Disturb selected, you can set any number of scheduled times for it to run.

Customizing your notifications

If it sounds like a chore to go through your contacts specifying who can interrupt you, it is. If it sounds like a chore having to go set up notification options for every app on your Mac, it truly is.

In practice, though, you will build up your fine-tuning on these as you go, and as you see how it can all help you concentrate.

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Is Your iPhone at Risk of Catching Fire?

 You’ve probably heard stories about iPhones unexpectedly catching on fire. A few years back, an Australian surfer couldn’t surf the waves or the internet because of his self-combusting iPhone 7. More recently, an iPhone exploded into flames while being fixed at a repair shop. Though the cause of the fireball isn’t always discovered, most often the culprit is ultimately found to be the battery. So here are five things you can do to lower the risk of your iPhone going up in smoke.

Don’t use a knockoff charger or cable

Don’t use a cheap knockoff charger or charging cable. Buy a quality charger or cable from Apple or a trusted brand like Belkin or Anker. Knockoff chargers and cables are not built with the same quality material and safety standards as the name brands. As a result, they are more likely to break, overheat or experience other electrical issues that could lead to a fire.

Charge on a safe surface

More than one iPhone caught fire while its owner was charging the phone in their bed. Unfortunately, a phone trapped underneath blankets or pillows can overheat and catch on fire. While in most cases, the fire is detected before anyone is injured or property is damaged. But A family from Wales was not so lucky. A teen in the house was charging her iPhone overnight in bed, when the iPhone overheated, caught fire, and burnt down the whole house. In another instance, a teen girl from the UK suffered facial burns when her iPhone began smoldering.

Check your battery health

You should periodically check the health of your battery to make sure it is functioning correctly. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to check the capacity of your battery and turn on optimized battery charging that reduces the wear and tear on your battery. The lower the battery capacity, the older it is, and the more likely it will fail. Replacing the battery will reduce the risk of a battery bursting into flames, and it will extend your battery life.

Avoid excessive heat or direct sunlight

Apple designed the iPhone to turn off when the phone overheats for a good reason. This feature protects the battery and sensitive components from heat-related damage. As an added bonus, it also prevents fire. But don’t just rely on this failsafe feature. Be proactive, and don’t leave your phone in your car during the summer. Keep your phone in the shade and use it only in Apple’s recommended temperature range of 32° to 95° F. You remember that surfer who lost his car when his iPhone burst into flames? It was probably due to excessive heat from being in a hot car while buried under his clothing.

Check for swollen or leaking batteries

Have you ever pulled out an older iPhone from your junk drawer and noticed it is swollen? Please do yourself a favor and bring it to Apple immediately. A battery that is swollen or leaking poses a significant hazard. Store the iPhone with the defective battery outside your house and car. You don’t want to be near the phone or have it in your home if it bursts into flames.

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Steve Jobs Wanted the First iPhone on Verizon to Avoid a SIM Card Slot

 The story of the iPhone may have unfolded very differently had Apple’s engineers not convinced Steve Jobs to abandon one of his design principles.

According to “iPodfather” Tony Fadell, Apple’s legendary co-founder, and CEO as opposed to the original iPhone having a SIM card slot, as he felt it would detract from the device’s elegant design.

Fadell recounted the story to journalist Joanna Stern during an interview at a special event for The Computer History Museum, where he was promoting his new book, Build An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making.

When the original iPhone was still in its nascent design stages, Fadell was heading up Apple’s iPod division and was involved in many high-level conversations among engineers and designers.

According to Fadell, Jobs was firmly against having a SIM card slot in the original iPhone. The oft-mercurial CEO told the group working on the device that “we don’t need another hole” in it.

[Steve] was such a reductionist. He didn’t want a SIM card slot on the first iPhone. “We don’t need another hole in this. Look at Verizon. They don’t have SIM cards. Why do we need SIM cards? We’re not going to have SIM cards on our iPhones.”

The original iPhone used a full-sized SIM card, and it was inserted at the top, beside the power button and headphone jack. This was before the days of even the Micro SIM cards used in the iPhone 4/4S, much less the smaller Nano SIM introduced with the iPhone 5. The original iPhone was also much smaller than the iPhones we use today, so the slot was conspicuous enough that it’s not hard to see why Jobs wasn’t a fan of it.

Jobs suggested designing the original iPhone for Verizon, as it was a CDMA carrier at the time and therefore didn’t rely on SIM cards the way GSM phones did.

CDMA phones were instead provisioned directly by the carriers through a process that generally required customers to bring their devices to a store to have them directly programmed by an employee or representative of the carrier.

Fadell and the rest of the engineering team knew that this would be a bad idea for the future of the iPhone. Although CDMA was somewhat popular in North America and parts of Southeast Asia at the time, most of Europe and the rest of the had adopted GSM almost exclusively.

In other words, releasing a CDMA iPhone would have effectively torpedoed the global market for the device. Apple may have been able to successfully launch the first iPhone on Verizon and a couple of Canadian carriers. Still, it would have needed to eventually create a GSM version if it planned to sell it in Europe.

Steve, that doesn’t work. Verizon is a special case. Look at the rest of the world. So we had to bring him all the cell phone data. Almost 95% of all cell phones at the time had SIM slots, and if we want to go to other markets, that’s what you have to do because no one had the technology for eSIM that now finally is out. But that took 12–13 years to get there. Tony Fadell

Interestingly, Fadell notes that Apple had already picked AT&T to partner with at that point, so the SIM card slot was already required for that partnership. However, it wouldn’t have been unlike Jobs to scrap that deal entirely if he thought he had a better idea.

In this case, though, he didn’t, and fortunately, Fadell and the team were able to convince Jobs that a CDMA iPhone was not the way to go. However, Fadell notes that it took digging up solid data to present to Apple’s co-founder, and they had to confront him as a team.

When you work with a highly opinionated person, especially when they can get V1 so right, and you’ve got to go against them, make sure you bring data. And it had to be a team of us, couldn’t be just one. Tony Fadell

History has proven that Fadell was right. As 3G technology emerged, SIM cards became necessary anyway, and many carriers shut down their CDMA networks and adopted GSM as it was easier.

Verizon was one of the few that held onto the older CDMA technology, even as it rolled out its 3G and LTE services. Apple eventually did release one iPhone without a SIM card slot — the Verizon iPhone 4 that came along eight months after the GSM version.

However, by 2011 when the iPhone 4S rolled around, even the Verizon version gained a SIM card slot. It wasn’t necessary for folks using the iPhone on Verizon, but it did allow owners to take their iPhones to other carriers and was particularly useful for roaming on GSM networks in other countries.

Ironically, the rise of eSIM technology means that an iPhone with no SIM card slot may soon be a reality. Somewhere, Steve Jobs is smiling.

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Apple Is Finally Testing USB-C iPhones

 Evidence is mounting that Apple is finally at least considering a switch to a USB-C connector on next year’s iPhone lineup.

Although rumors about this have circulated for years, information from typically reliable sources now suggests that it’s a much more realistic possibility.

It all started earlier this week when the venerable Ming-Chi Kuo said that the 2023 iPhone would abandon Lightning and switch to USB-C. Kuo’s information came from surveying his usual supply chain sources, which appear to be ramping up for a significant increase in USB-C components for next year.

Now Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has weighed in with independent confirmation that Apple is conducting internal tests of iPhones with USB-C ports.

Gurman’s sources indicate that Apple has yet to make a final decision on whether it’s going to make the switch. There’s no way it’s happening with this year’s iPhone, which already entered trial production months ago, and Gurman confirms that it wouldn’t occur until 2023 “at the earliest.”

Not surprisingly, Apple is also said to be working on an adapter “that would let future iPhones work with accessories designed for the current Lightning connector.” Apple did something similar when it shifted from its original 30-pin Dock Connector to Lightning in 2012 with the iPhone 5. Apple also provided a Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone adapter when it removed the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016.

It’s too early to say if Apple plans to bundle the proposed Lightning to USB-C adapter with the “iPhone 15” next year. However, with the company’s penchant for removing as many accessories as possible from the iPhone’s box, we’re not holding our breath.

Lightning vs. USB-C

Such a transition isn’t something Apple is taking lightly, which is probably why it’s taken so long to come to this point in the first place.

A cynical take is that Apple has stubbornly stuck with the Lightning port to avoid giving up the licensing fees it collects from its Made-for-iPhone (MFi) partners. While that may have once been a significant revenue stream for Apple, the dwindling number of wired accessories that connect to an iPhone makes it hard to believe it accounts for much more than a rounding error on its books.

Money aside, Apple can also use its MFi program to exert a level of control over the accessory market that it couldn’t accomplish as easily with USB-C. While Apple could still require the use of its authentication chips for certain specialized accessories – more common ones like chargers, headphones, and speakers would need to be open for everyone.

More significantly, many long-time iPhone users are already heavily invested in the Lightning ecosystem, with an existing collection of chargers, docks, speakers, and other accessories that use the Lightning connector. A switch to USB-C would break direct compatibility with these. Apple’s USB-C to Lightning adapter would offer a smoother transition, but some users would still be upset.

We saw the same thing years ago when Apple first adopted the Lightning port, making it much more complicated the use Dock Connector accessories that once just worked with iPhones, iPads, and iPods. The only saving grace this time around is that fewer people are using these kinds of accessories today. Speakers are more likely to be wireless than using a Dock Connector, and wireless chargers have replaced charging docks.

The wired accessory market has become so secondary that many believed that Apple would simply ditch the wired ports entirely, forcing users to rely on MagSafe for charging and data transfer. While we still think that’s Apple’s long-term plan, the world isn’t ready for it yet.

However, Apple doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for that day when wireless connectivity is ubiquitous. The European Union has finally mandated that all electronic devices switch to USB-C for charging, and while the deadline for that hasn’t yet been formally set, most are expecting it to be a requirement by 2024.

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Best Apple Pencil Hidden Features You Should Use

 Your ideal iPad experience is incomplete without Apple Pencil and keyboard accessories. If you don’t plan to type a lot on your iPad, you are completely fine without a keyboard. But for the majority, investing in Apple Pencil is essential to enjoy a flawless iPadOS experience. Apple has packed the Pencil with useful add-ons to take advantage of the big screen. Best Apple Pencil Hidden Features You Should Use.

If you are still not convinced about getting Apple’s stylus for your iPad, the Apple Pencil’s hidden features below will push you towards hitting the buy button. Let’s talk about them.

1. TAKE QUICK NOTES

This is quite useful for Apple Notes users. Starting with the iPadOS 15, you can take quick notes with the Apple Pencil without opening the default Notes app.

If you take notes on the go frequently, follow the steps below to write down notes with an Apple Pencil.

Step 1: Hover the tip of the Apple Pencil over the bottom-right corner of the iPad’s screen. A pop-up menu will appear indicating to take notes. Tap on it.

Step 2: A quick notes window will appear to write down things to remember.

The good part is quick notes window comes with a feature-rich text editor and allows you to add tables as well.

There is only one disadvantage. The quick note trick is limited to the Apple Note app only. If you are using an Apple Notes alternative like OneNote or Evernote, you can’t take quick notes in it using the same trick. We hope to see Apple allowing third-party developers to implement the same in iPadOS updates.

2. TAKE SCREENSHOTS AND PERFORM QUICK ANNOTATIONS

This is another neat add-on for those who take frequent screenshots on their iPad. Apple has implemented a screenshot gesture in the bottom left corner.

Use your Apple Pencil and slide it from the bottom-left corner to take quick screenshots. iPadOS will open the screenshot editor with annotation tools like pen, highlighter, and others. Make necessary changes, hit the Done button at the top, and save it to Photos, Files, or delete the screenshot.

3. TAKE NOTES FROM THE LOCK SCREEN

The quick note gesture mentioned above is only useful when you have the iPad display turned on in the first place. What about taking notes from the lock screen? Apple Pencil has got you covered as well.

Turn on the lock screen and double tap on the Apple Pencil tip. iPadOS will take you to the Notes app to jot down thoughts. Those using iPad Mini (easy to carry around) will find this trick handy to get the job done.

4. SCRIBBLE WITH AN APPLE PENCIL

Using Scribble, you can convert your handwritten notes into text in any app. For example, you can open Twitter and start composing a Tweet with Apple Pencil. iPad’s Scribble function will convert your messy handwritten tweet into text to share on social media.

Similarly, you can use the same trick in any note-taking app or text field on an iPad.

5. MASTER SCRIBBLE GESTURES

If you plan to utilize Apple Pencil’s Scribble function a lot, it’s time for you to learn some of the neat gestures to improve your writing experience.

For instance, you can create a circle around the text and select the whole sentence, and scratch out the text to delete embarrassing typos. You can even touch and hold the place where you want to add a word and insert text.

If you want to add a space between two words, draw a middle line between words and separate them.

6. REPLACE THE APPLE PENCIL TIP

This trick applies to Apple Pencil power users. Over time, due to heavy use, you might have worn down the Apple Pencil tip. You may face issues with writing and especially drawing, where pressure sensitivity plays a major role in creating eye-catching designs.

Your Apple Pencil does come with extra tips to replace. Unscrew the current tip and replace it with a new one. If you have run out of tips to use, you can buy one from the Apple website for $19 (for 4 tips).

7. UTILIZE APPLE PENCIL PRESSURE SENSITIVITY

The support for pressure sensitivity separates Apple Pencil from other standard stylus on the market. While drawing a sketch, you can press for drawing thicker lines, tilt the Pencil for drawing shades, and more. In short, your Apple Pencil will perfectly mimic the standard pencil experience while drawing.

8. USE A DOUBLE-TAP GESTURE

Instead of constantly using the erase tool to fix your drawings, you can double-tap the surface to switch to eraser mode and wipe out the error. If the double-tap gesture is disturbing your workflow, you can disable it from the Accessibility menu.

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPad.

Step 2: Go to the Accessibility menu and select Apple Pencil.

Step 3: Disable the Double Tap Gesture toggle or slow down the double-tap gesture duration.

EXPLORE APPLE PENCIL ON IPAD

As you can see from the list above, the Apple Pencil isn’t limited to navigating the iPadOS only. It’s much more than that, and we can’t wait to see how Apple further improves the whole experience in the next generation of Apple Pencil and iPadOS updates.

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How to set screen time on iPhone and iPad for parental control

 Nowadays, children are spending more and more time using iPhones and iPads. iPhones and iPads are also learning and entertainment tools for children, and there are thousands of great apps for children on them. However, it also brings new challenges for parents to manage their children's use of iPhone and iPad and control their time of use. Today let's talk about how to set screen usage time on iPhone and iPad to achieve parental control to manage electronic devices.

What is screen time?

Apple has added a new "Screen Time" feature in the iOS 12 update. Screen Time is a feature that allows you to restrict and monitor the use of apps on iPhone and iPad; helps you manage the time your kids spend on iPhone and iPad to prevent them from getting addicted to games and control the length of time you use iPhone and iPad to prevent myopia.

If your iPhone or iPad is still on iOS 11 or earlier, you need to consider upgrading your system because Apple has added the "Screen Time" feature in iOS 12.

Setting a password for screen time

We can turn on the screen time by clicking "Settings" > "Screen Time".

After the screen time is turned on, we can set up the application accordingly. However, if you don't set a password for screen time, your child can cancel the restriction at any time, and we can't manage the length of time your child uses the iPhone or iPad.

• Click "Settings" > "Screen Time" and slide the screen to the bottom.
• Click "Set screen time password", and then enter a 4-digit password.
• Note that the password here is not the iPhone or iPad lock screen password, which is easy to forget and you need to record it.

Set screen time for individual apps

Say your child needs to use the iPad for Internet classes and also for playing games. The "Screen time" allows you to set the time and duration of individual apps.

You can manage learning apps and entertainment apps separately. It does not interfere with your child's use of learning applications, but also allows you to manage your child's use of entertainment applications.

• Click "Settings" > "Screen time" > "Deactivation time".
• You can set a deactivation time, or set the deactivation time by a week.
• Click "Settings" > "Screen time" > "App limit".
• Click "Add Limit" and enter the screen time password you set in the above step.

In the list, select the category, or click the category, and in the list, select the individual app.

Set the usage time.

Setting the screen usage time for individual apps separately and setting the usage time for individual apps separately brings you trouble in setting, but the one-time setting also makes your management more humanized, more rational, and more technological.

Always need a password

If your child knows about downloading apps and can download apps at any time. You may really need to do the above settings. Because after entering the password once when downloading the app, by default, you need to enter the password every 15 minutes or even without the password to download the app. How to set always need the password?

• Click "Settings" > "Screen time" > "Content and privacy access restrictions".
• Open "Content and Privacy Access Restrictions", if it is already on, please
• Click on "iTunes Store and App Store Purchases"
• Under the "Require password" option, select "Always require".

This will prevent your child from downloading apps without your knowledge. Of course, you need to keep the password for yourself and not tell your child.

Close the App Store to restrict your child from downloading apps

At the same time, you can also close the App Store to completely restrict your child from downloading and installing apps. Continue with the above steps.

• Click on "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Content and Privacy Access Restrictions".
• Click on "iTunes Store and App Store Purchases".
• Under "Store Purchases and Redownloaded Items", click "Install App" and select "Do not allow".
• Then, the App Store on the home screen of your device will disappear, and the App Store will be restored when you select "Allow".
• You can also set "In-app purchases" and disable in-app purchases by selecting "Disallow".

Set content access restrictions

If your child often uses Safari to search for information or pictures, you need to set "Content Access Restrictions". This is because Apple classifies content.

• Click "Settings" > "Screen Time" > "Content and Privacy Access Restrictions".
• Click on "Content Access Restrictions" > "Web Content"
• Under the "Web Content" option, select the option you want.

Of course, you can also disable safari apps.

Disable Safari apps

If you don't want your children to use the Safari app, you can also disable it. You can disable (delete) and restore Safari by following the steps below.

• Click on "Settings" > "Screen time" > "Content and privacy access restrictions".
• Click "Allowed Apps", and the list of apps in it is all Apple's own apps.
• Select the apps you want to disable.

The above settings are our suggestions, you can set them according to your actual usage. You can also create a child account for your child. Through the "Family Sharing" feature, you can set up your child's Apple ID to make it easier to set screen time on iPhone and iPad and achieve parental control management. If you think the article is helpful, please forward and share it with us.

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How to set screen time on Mac for parental control

 Today, let's talk about how to set screen time on Mac. Screen time can effectively prevent your child from seeing unhealthy content when surfing the Internet, and screen time can also control the length of time your child uses electronic products to effectively protect your child's eyes and prevent myopia. It can also control the length of time your child uses electronic devices, effectively protect your child's eyes and prevent myopia. It can help parents control electronic devices and help you manage their children.

In macOS Mojave and previous versions the feature name is Parental Control, in macOS Catalina and newer versions parental control is achieved through the screen time of use feature, the purpose is the same.

Creating an account on a Mac

First, we create a dedicated account for our child, who will then use the newly created account to log in to the Mac to browse websites or use applications. The macOS version we are using is macOS Big Sur, and the steps to create it differ slightly from version to version.

For macOS Catalina and newer versions.

• Click on the menu in the upper left corner of the screen - System Preferences
• Click on "Users & Groups", click on "Tap the lock button to change" and enter your password
• Click on "+" under the Login option and select General Member for the new account
• Fill in the account name and password and click "Create User"

For macOS Mojave and earlier versions.

• Click on the menu in the upper left corner of the screen - System Preferences
• Click on "Parental Controls".
• The next step is similar to the one above.

Currently, newly created accounts are only used to log in to your Mac computer.

Setting up Family Sharing

Invite others to join your family, up to 5 people. And using Family Sharing is the best way to protect your children.

Each family member must be signed in to their Apple ID to use Family Sharing. Here, you can create a child account and invite your child to join if they already have an Apple ID.

Create a child account

• Tap Menu - System Preferences in the top left corner of the screen
• Click on "Family Sharing" in the upper right corner
• Click the "+" under "Family"
• Click on "Create a child account"
• Click on the next step
• You will need to sign a parental consent form.
• Click "Agree"
• Enter your child's account information (you can get a free iCloud email for them)
• Follow the prompts, go to the next step and click "Agree"
• Since your child is using your payment method, you will need to confirm the "Ask before you buy" here, click "Continue"
• In the "Do you want to see your child's location?" In the "Do you want to see your child's location?" setting, you can click "Set up later" if you haven't decided whether you want to agree to share your location.
• Complete the settings.

Related: How to set screen time on iPhone and iPad for parental control.

Turn on screen time

Set your child's screen time through family sharing

After you have completed the above steps to create a child account for Family Sharing, you can now set up your child's screen time.

• Click on the menu in the upper left corner of the screen - System Preferences
• Click on "Screen Time"
• Click on the drop-down menu below the avatar and select your child's account.
• Click on "Options" in the bottom left corner to open "Screen Time", which is turned off by default.
• Select "Set password for screen time" and enter the password.
• Complete the settings.

Set up separate screen time for your child's Mac account

By setting up your child's screen time through family sharing, you can manage screen time for multiple children's accounts more easily.

To set screen time for your child's account individually, you need to log in to the account you created for your child in the "Create an account on Mac" step above on your Mac computer.

For macOS Catalina and later.

• Click on the menu in the upper left corner of the screen - System Preferences
• Click on "Screen Time"
• The "Screen Time" settings are the same as the steps above.

For macOS Mojave and earlier.

• Click on the menu in the upper left corner of the screen - System Preferences
• Click on "Parental Controls" instead of Screen Time. Older versions of macOS do not have the Screen Time option yet.
• The setup method and steps are the same as those for Family Sharing.
• It is not recommended to turn on "Share between devices". It is not recommended to turn on "Share between devices" because everyone uses the device at different times.

Set screen time for parental control

After we turn on the screen time function, we need to set the detailed functions, including General Time, App Limit, Communication, Always Allow, Content and Privacy.

Deactivation time

Turn on deactivation time and set a certain time period to deactivate the device, which can keep your children away from the screen. During the deactivation period, there is an hourglass icon in front of all app names, and a "time limit" is displayed when you click on the app. How to set.

• Click the menu on the top left corner of the screen - System Preferences
• Click "Deactivate Time" to open
• In the "Set Time" option, select "Daily" or "Custom".
• Your child will not be able to use the app during the time period you set.

App limits

You can control the total amount of time your child can use an app by setting a time limit for one or more of the apps individually. If your child likes to play "My World", you can set a limit of half time for the "My World" app. Then your child will only be able to use My World for half an hour in a day.

• Click on "App Limit" and
• Click the "+" button below
• You can select an app, or a category, and adjust the time, daily or custom.

Always Allow

If your child is using a Mac online class and the app for the online class does not need to be restricted, then you can use "Always Allow" to add the app to the Always Allow list.

The apps in the Always Allow list will not be restricted by screen time or app limit.

Content and Privacy

In "Content and privacy settings", you can restrict games, web content, app store purchases, app installation, and deletion, password changes, and other operations. You can also restrict the display and search of adult content.

• Click "Content & Privacy" and set "Content, Store, App and Others" separately.
• For example, in web content, choose to restrict adult websites. Turn off allow friends in-game center, etc.
• Click the "Store" option, you can set it according to the actual situation. 

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Final beta release of iOS 15.5

 Several weeks after the release of iOS 15.4, Apple has begun beta-testing iOS 15.5 (and associated operating systems like iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS). 

With iOS 15.4, Apple released what seemed like all previously-announced features and had nothing left to do until iOS 16 makes its debut at WWDC, but iOS 15.5 still has a few minor changes in store for us. 

The first beta of iOS 15.5 was released on Tuesday, April 5. We expect the development to continue for several weeks, with a final release likely in May. The release candidate of iOS 15.5 is now available for developers and public beta testers.

iOS 15.5 new features

Universal Control out of beta

Apple launched Universal Control in iPadOS 15.4 with a beta tag, meaning it wasn’t entirely stable. In iOS 15.5, Apple has removed the beta label, though there are no obvious changes.

Apple Cash card Request and Send

In the Wallet app, there are large “Request” and “Send” buttons visible when you look at the Apple Cash card.

iTunes Pass = Apple Account balance

iTunes Pass, a years-old feature for storing and managing your iTunes credit in Wallet, is being rebranded as Apple Account. The card in Wallet will function the same as before, showing the unused balance on your Apple account. The name just better reflects that it can be used for App Store and in-app purchases, among other things. The name change is not yet present in the first beta release of iOS 15.5, though.

SportsKit and baseball

A new “SportsKit” framework has been in the works for some time, with references going all the way back to iOS 15.2. While the framework is not yet available to developers, it is being expanded upon in iOS 15.5 to better support things like baseball scores for specific innings. Just in time for Friday Night Baseball.

Apple Classical

Apple acquired classical music service Primephonic back in August of 2021, and said, “In the coming months, Apple Music Classical fans will get a dedicated experience with the best features of Primephonic, including better browsing and search capabilities by composer and my repertoire, detailed displays of classical music metadata, plus new features and benefits.”

Well that stand-alone classical experience still hasn’t come to pass, but several references to “Apple Classical” have been found in the iOS 15.5 code, so perhaps a launch will come along with the final release.

Apple Pay additions

9to5Mac reports that the second iOS 15.5 beta adds support for the Italian Bancomat and Belgium’s Bancontact banking networks. Neither network is currently compatible with Apple Pay.

Podcasts

Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on your iPhone and automatically delete older ones.

How to get the iOS 15.5 beta

In order to download the iOS 15.5 beta, head over to beta.apple.com on the device upon which you wish to run the beta OS. Register for the beta, then download the profile.

After you’ve got the profile, head to Settings > General > VPN and Device Management to activate the profile, which requires restarting your iPhone or iPad. Once it has restarted and the profile is activated, go to General > Software Update to download and install the iOS/iPadOS 15.5 beta.

Registered developers can download the profile for the developer beta by visiting developer.apple.com/download on the device upon which they wish to install the beta.

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How to add a printer to your Mac

 Whether you just bought your first Mac or found a great deal on a printer, you’re going to want to connect the two. Printing PDFs, images, or documents from Mac is easy, but until you add a printer, you’re in a pickle. How to add a printer to your Mac.

Be sure that you follow the instructions for your printer for any necessary setup ahead of adding it to your Mac, such as connecting it to your local network or setting up Bluetooth. When you're ready, though, here's how to add a printer to a Mac.

How to add a printer to a Mac

Like most settings on macOS, you’ll find those for adding a printer in System preferences.

Step 1: Select the Apple icon and pick System preferences, or choose the System preferences icon in your Dock.

Step 2: On the main screen, open Printers and scanners. You’ll see any connected printers listed on the left. So, if you plug a USB printer into your Mac, you should already see it listed and ready for use.

If you don’t see the printer you need, select the Plus sign button at the bottom of the list to add it.

Step 3: You can then add a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth printer, a network printer using its IP address, or a printer connected to Windows. Select one of the sections below per your printer type.

Add a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth printer

If you have a printer connected to your home network or via Bluetooth, you can add it to your list in a few steps.

Step 1: Choose the Default tab at the top of the Add Printer window.

Step 2: Pick the printer in the list or use the Search box at the top to locate it.

Step 3: Enter a name and, optionally, a location for the printer.

Open the Use drop-down box to pick the software for your printer, or choose Select software to find it in the list.

Step 4: Select Add.

Add a network printer with its IP address

If you have a network printer but it does not appear in the list of available options, you can add it using its IP address.

Step 1: Choose the IP tab at the top of the Add Printer window.

Step 2: Enter the following details for the printer:

• Address: Enter the IP address or hostname for the printer.
• Protocol: Choose the protocol that your printer supports, such as AirPrint, Internet Printing Protocol, or another option.
• Queue: If you have a queue name for your printer, enter it here. If not, check with your network administrator or leave it blank.

Step 3: As with the above printer types, enter a name and (optionally) a location, then choose the software from the Use drop-down list.

Step 4: Select Add.

Add a printer connected to Windows

If you plan to use a printer connected to a Windows computer, be sure that the printer is set up for sharing. Obtain the workgroup name along with the username and password if required.

Step 1: Choose the Windows tab at the top of the Add Printer window.

Step 2: Select Workgroup on the left, and then pick the corresponding name to the right for the print server. If prompted, enter the username and password.

Step 3: Enter a name, optionally add a location and then choose the correct software from the Use drop-down list.

Step 4: Select Add.

Finish setting up the printer

Once you successfully add your printer to the list, it should be ready to use. You can, however, adjust more settings if you like.

To set the default printer and paper size, use the drop-down lists at the bottom of the Printers and scanners window.

For additional settings, double-click the printer in the list and then pick Settings. You can view options for checking supply levels, using generic printer features, and accessing the printer web page. The settings may vary depending on your specific printer.

If you also own one of Apple’s mobile devices, learn how to print from your iPhone or iPad, too!

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What Is the Best iPhone for Kids?

 Getting a phone for your kids is fast becoming a rite of passage that ranks highly alongside other adolescent milestones like learning to drive. Kids are more active than ever, and it is essential that you have a way to contact them, and they have a way to contact you. What Is the Best iPhone for Kids?

However, phones are expensive, and you want to ensure that you are not throwing good money after bad. So here are three options to consider as you look for the best iPhone for your child.

1. The iPhone SE (2020)

The 2020 iPhone SE is an excellent choice if you are getting your child their first iPhone. Whether you buy it outright or spread the cost over installments, the $399 price tag is affordable for most families.

In terms of performance, the iPhone SE is no slouch. It has the same A13 processor that was used in the iPhone 11 Pro, so it's fast and capable of running all the apps and games from the store. The 4.7-inch screen isn't as big as the ones you will find on budget Android phones, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality with True Tone and a wide color gamut.

The 12MP rear camera shoots 4K video and can blur the background of a photo with the iPhone's Portrait Mode. The IP67 rating means the iPhone SE is splash, water, and dust resistant and capable of surviving 30 minutes while submerged in 1 meter of water.

The battery life is also good. The SE is rated for up to 13 hours of video playback and can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes (when you use a 20W charger). Wireless Qi chargers are another option for charging if you need them.

All of this makes the iPhone SE (2020) an easy contender for the best iPhone for kids. However, it's not the only option.

2. Last Year's iPhone Is Hard to Beat

I have long believed that the best iPhone is last year's iPhone. So, whether you are getting your child their first iPhone or upgrading from an older device, it's worth remembering that those older models are still sold by most carriers.

Why should you consider an older model? The truth is, smartphones have evolved to the extent that it's getting harder to spot those year-over-year improvements that Apple works so hard to highlight. Last year's iPhone did not turn into a bad phone overnight when this year's phone was released.

Sure, they might not have the latest and greatest features, but older iPhones are still iPhones which mean they are secure, reliable, and eligible for at least five years of future software updates to make sure they stay that way.

Check with your carrier to see what models they sell, or explore some of the reputable retailers who sell refurbished iPhones. There is a bargain to be had if you shop for older iPhone models. Do your research and reap the rewards.

3. Your iPhone Is the Best iPhone for Kids!

I know you might be skeptical, but hear me out. Your iPhone is an excellent option for your child, and for lots of people, it truly is the best iPhone for kids. If it is in decent shape, you know that it works well, and your child is probably very familiar with how it works.

If you've had it for a little while, you can take your iPhone to any authorized Apple repair shop and have the battery replaced for $49–69, depending on the model you own. This will give it a new lease of life and extend its usefulness for years to come.

Of course, the best part about giving your iPhone to your child is that you can get a new phone for yourself! Most carriers will have no problem moving your phone to a different line on your family plan when you buy a new phone.

If your phone is still relatively new or you don't want to give it up, consider giving your child your old phone. Most people keep these in a drawer as a backup in case you drop or break the one you are currently using. If you switch out the battery and buy a new case, it will be as good as new again.

An iPhone for All Seasons

Clearly, there are more iPhones to choose from than the ones listed above. Apple has been increasing the number of phones they have been making each year in an attempt to have at least one phone in their lineup for each type of customer they can think of. Your kids are part of that equation so take advantage of the options that are available and make a choice that makes sense for you and your family.

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Where Are iPhone Photos Stored?

If you have recently switched from Android or are buying your first smartphone, it's reasonable to ask where iPhone photos are stored. After all, a major reason people buy phones these days is the camera. Where Are iPhone Photos Stored?

An iPhone handles photos a little differently from an Android phone, so in this quick guide, we will look at where they are stored on the phone and how to back them up so you don't lose those precious memories.

The iPhone Photos App

The Apple Photos app is the default storage place for all the photos and videos that you take with the Camera app on your iPhone. The Photos app comes pre-installed on all iPhones, so everyone can access it.

Because of the importance of this app, it's impossible to delete it from your iPhone. If you can't find the Photos app, unlock your iPhone, swipe downwards on your home screen with one finger, and use the search bar to look for the Photos app.

How Are Photos Organized?

The Photos app is organized in a few different ways, but a good place to start is with the Albums tab. Here you will find that Apple has automatically grouped some of your photos and videos for you.

• Tap Recents to see your most recent photos and videos
• Tap People to see photos that are grouped by subjects
• Tap Places to see the location of your photos on a map
• Scroll down and tap Videos to see all your video recordings

Are iPhone Photos Automatically Backed Up to iCloud?

Most iPhone users have their photos backed up to iCloud in case they lose or damage their iPhone. This is made easier because all Apple accounts come with 5GB of free iCloud storage.

You can use iCloud to back up your photos, videos, and other documents. However, depending on how your iPhone is configured, it may not back up your photos to iCloud automatically. Here's how to check.

1. Open the Settings App
2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen
3. Tap iCloud
4. Tap Photos
5. Make sure that iCloud Photos is enabled

If you turn on iCloud Photos, and you have more than 5GB of photos and/or videos on your iPhone, you will be prompted to upgrade your iCloud storage to accommodate all the photos that you want to back up.

What Photos Are On iCloud?

If you are curious as to which of your iPhone photos are on iCloud, you can see everything that has been backed up by logging in to your iCloud Photo Library on the web. Here's how that works.

1. Navigate to icloud.com on an iPad or laptop computer
2. Log in with your Apple ID username (email address) and password
3. Click Photos to see all the images that have been backed up to iCloud

If you don't see any photos here, you need to enable iCloud Photos on your iPhone to begin the process of backing up your photos to the cloud, (see above).

If you only see some of your photos here, be patient. It can take a few days for your iPhone to successfully back up everything to iCloud if you have only just enabled it. Check again in a few days to see if it has caught up.

Can iPhone Photos Be Backed Up to Google?

If you prefer, you can backup your iPhone photos to Google Photos. For those who have recently switched from an Android phone to an iPhone, this could be a good solution for keeping all your images and videos in one place. Here's how you set that up.

1. Download the Google Photos app for iPhone
2. Open the app and log in with your Google account
3. Tap your profile image in the top right-hand corner of the screen
4. Choose Photos Settings
5. Tap Backup and Sync, and enable it to begin backing up to Google Photos
6. If prompted, give Google permission to access your Photo Library

Note that if you start using the Google Photos app for backing up your iPhone photos, a local copy of your photos and videos will remain on your iPhone in the Apple Photos app until you choose to delete them.

It's a Snap!

Now that you know where iPhone photos are stored, you can concentrate on the fun part - taking photos! The iPhone has a great camera for taking pictures, so get out there and make some new memories.

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How to transfer photos from iPhone to a Windows PC

 You might think it's more difficult to transfer photos from iPhone to a Windows computer than to a Mac, and you'd technically be right. But that doesn't mean it's impossible — in fact far from it. How to transfer photos from iPhone to a Windows PC?

We've all seen the smug face Apple users pull when they seamlessly AirDrop files from their iPhone onto a nearby Mac or iPad. As an Apple user myself, believe me, I've pulled that face too. But while it's true that the Apple ecosystem works beautifully for quickly sharing things via AirDrop or AirPlay, that doesn't mean you need all Apple tech to simply get something off your iPhone. 

I own and use two Apple computers, so readily admit that M1 Macs and MacBooks are among the best computers and best laptops out there. But I also have three Windows PCs, one being the machine on which I do the bulk of my photo editing, so it's often helpful — nay, necessary — to be able to transfer large numbers of photos from my phone to my PC quickly. This is especially true given the Wi-Fi coverage in my house sucks, meaning uploading images to a cloud service is rarely viable. 

If you've ever been in a similar situation, you'll want to know how to transfer photos from iPhone to a Windows computer. Read on to find out how you do it.

How to transfer photos from iPhone to a Windows computer

1. Unlock your iPhone and connect it to your Windows PC using a cable. A popup on your iPhone screen will appear, asking you to allow the PC to access photos and videos. Tap Allow.

2. On your PC, a notification popup will appear in the bottom right of the screen. Click the popup.

3. A menu will appear in the top right of your screen, asking you to choose what to do with the device. Click Import photos and videos.

4. The Photos app will open, with an Import items window. Select the images you want to import from your iPhone's Camera Roll by clicking on each image's tile until it is highlighted blue and features a blue tick in the top right corner. Change the import destination to where you want to save the images on your PC. Then click the Import button.

Alternatively, click the Select dropdown and choose a predefined set of photos to import, such as all photos since the last import, or the entire photos library.

5. Once the import is complete, click Ok on the popup.

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About Apple Watch 8 rumors: new features, release date history, and price

 The Apple Watch rumors suggest that its release date is on track for this fall, but as of today, it won’t come with blood sugar and blood pressure monitors that were part of a series of Apple Watch leaks previously. They are, however, being tested at Apple. About Apple Watch 8 rumors: new features, release date history, and price.

The Apple Watch 8, expected to be released on September 23, 2022, may share the same launch event one-and-a-half weeks earlier as the iPhone 14 release date news Apple has a long history of announcing its new smartphone – and often its new Apple Watch – during the second full week of September at 1pm ET and making it available in stores the Friday of the next week (the third Friday of a full week in September).

There are going to be three Apple Watch 8 versions this time around: Apple Watch SE 2022, and the sporty Apple Watch Rugged Edition. But the latest Apple Watch 8 news shows that testing of the blood-pressure monitor has hit a snag, writes Bloomberg’s ace reporter on the Apple beat Mark Gurman.

Why trust my Apple Watch 8 analysis?

I’ve reviewed, tested, or owned every Apple Watch since the original Apple Watch launched in April 2015. So news coverage of the Apple Watch 8 is nothing new to me and I can tell which rumors seem accurate and which seem far-fetched.

I have also tested rival smartwatches from Samsung and fitness trackers from Fitbit, which often launch novel tech features ahead of Apple. The blood pressure monitor, for example, is already in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, as I’ll explain below. So I’m fully versed in the smartwatch space to write Apple Watch 8 news.

Apple Watch 8 release date history

The Apple Watch 8 release date would be harder to pin down if it wasn’t for Apple’s long history of launching a new Apple Watch every September since the Apple Watch Series 2, with the expectation of the Apple Watch 7, which faced delays and came out in October instead. So far, Apple Watch 8 rumors don’t indicate a delay.

• Apple Watch 1 release date: April 24, 2015
• Apple Watch 2 release date: September 12, 2016
• Apple Watch 3 release date: September 22, 2017
• Apple Watch 4 release date: September 21, 2018
• Apple Watch 5 release date: September 20, 2019
• Apple Watch 6 release date: September 18, 2020
• Apple Watch 7 release date: October 15, 2021

The Apple Watch release date history indicates that September 23 is the most likely release date. With no reporting about Apple Watch delays so far, we’re on track.

Apple Watch 8 price

There’s no word on an Apple Watch 8 price increase in the report. The current Apple Watch 7 starts at $399 and the Apple Watch SE starts at $279. The Apple Watch 3 hangs on at $199 as of today, April 19, but that may end on September 23, 2022.

My retail sources – the same insiders who provide me PS5 restock information – expect Apple to discontinue the Series 3 as soon we have an Apple Watch 8 launch date. Supply of the $199 Apple Watch should dwindle leading up to the fall. The Apple Watch SE 2 should take its place as the lowest-priced option.

No Apple Watch 8 blood pressure monitor

The Apple Watch blood-pressure sensor – said to be four years in development – won’t be ready until at least 2024, meaning it may be an Apple Watch 9 feature, with the caveat that the sensor could slip to a further date in 2025.

Apple’s biggest rivals in the smartwatch space, Samsung and Fitbit, are further along today. I tested the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 blood pressure monitor seven months ago (and Galaxy Watch 3 before that) but it requires frequent calibration to reduce unpredictable readouts. This is likely what Apple – the “it just works” company – wants to avoid. Google-owned Fitbit launched a study last year for some users.

Even with the Apple Watch 8 delay, the planned blood pressure feature isn’t being designed to detail specific systolic and diastolic readings, reports Gurman. It’s looking for trends to warn of hypertension (high blood pressure). This sounds similar to alerts sent by an Apple Watch 4 or later (but not the SE) when the ECG detects an irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation (AFib).

If you’re buying an Apple Watch 8, you’ll have to invest in a separate blood pressure sensor for the time being if you want to monitor for blood pressure.

No Apple Watch 8 blood sugar monitor

Apple Watch 8 rumors about a blood sugar monitor have also been reported but are even more premature. That’s become a rule of thumb for smartwatch speculation – it’s a lot more hopeful thinking rather than leaks grounded in reality.

As expected, Apple’s non-invasive blood sugar monitor several years away, reports Gurman, so diabetics will have to continue to rely on third-party glucose meters that can be tied to existing Apple Watch models and the iPhone Health app. The good news is Apple is said to be improving support for third-party blood sugar monitors.

Apple Watch 8 body temperature sensor

The third sensor in development is actually poised to launch with the Apple Watch 8. Apple has been working on a body-temperature sensor to aid fertility planning initially and expand use cases from there. Expect high body temperature alerts rather than taking body temperature measurements, notes Gurman.

New Apple Watch low-power mode

Moving beyond Apple Watch 8 sensors that are coming and now delayed, the WWDC keynote should reveal an Apple watchOS 9 update that comes with a much-needed low-power mode. Currently, Apple’s Power Reserve mode prolongs battery life by turning off all features except the current time. There’s no in-between.

An Apple Watch low-power mode could mimic what we see on the iPhone, where battery-draining features like screen brightness, push notifications and the always-listening “Hey Siri” could be dialed back. We should see the power reserve mode in the watchOS 9 betas and be able to test it right away on June 6 – if Apple doesn’t restrict it to the new Apple Watch 8 while touting better battery life.

Apple Watch 8 satellite connectivity

The Apple Watch 8 could finally bring about satellite connectivity, something we first heard about right before the Apple Watch 7 launched. It’s a new feature that was said to be destined for future Apple Watch and iPhone models. It would enable wearers to send emergency text messages, even out of cellular range.

Along with fall detection, satellite connectivity for sending SOS messages would help cement the Apple Watch as the company’s Swiss Army safety device. A use case for this feature might involve being in a crash or stuck overseas with spotty (or expiring SIM card) cellular connectivity after a robbery (maybe speaking from experience). First responders would be able to get your message.

Health and Workout watchOS 9 app updates

There are some new features coming to the always-expanding Health app on the iPhone care of the forthcoming iOS 16 update, and that ties into what you’ll see with watchOS 9 and Apple Watch 8. Again, we may see a sneak peek at WWDC in June.

Sleep tracking may be more refined while a new medicine management tool could send reminders of when to take pills. Gurman notes that the idea is to have Apple users scan their pill bottles into the Health app, but that not all features may be ready for launch.

The Workout app should continue to see new workout types and additional metrics in the watchOS 9 updates, while Apple is rumored to be a refreshing watch face of the Apple Watch. There’s still no third-party watch face support among the Apple Watch 8 leaks today, but maybe that’ll come to future Apple Watch models – along with the now-delayed blood pressure sensor and even more distant blood sugar monitor.

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How to use your iPhone’s Back Tap feature

 Back Tap is one of the easiest ways to put an iPhone function you use all the time literally at your fingertips. It is exactly what it sounds like: a way to access different phone features by tapping the back of your phone — kind of like an extra, user-customizable button. It was introduced with iOS 14, and the feature works on devices as old as the iPhone 8, which was launched five years ago — so it’s highly likely that you’ve got a compatible phone. How to use your iPhone’s Back Tap feature?

Here’s how to set up Back Tap. For reference, I followed these steps on an iPhone 13 Pro Max running iOS 15.4.1.

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap
2. Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap to set a custom function for those gestures

WHAT YOU CAN DO

For either double or triple tap, you have a lot of options — too many to list here. For starters, you can assign any of your shortcuts to Back Tap, which opens up a bunch of possibilities. You can tap the back of your phone to order your afternoon Flat White from your neighborhood Starbucks, start your daily Spanish lesson in Duolingo, or send a text to someone in your contacts. There are tons of things you can do with shortcuts and, in turn, tons of things you can do just by tapping the back of your iPhone.

In addition to shortcuts, here are some of the other ways you can customize Back Tap:

• You can access system functions like launching the camera, turning on your flashlight, taking a screenshot, or muting your phone. These are all great candidates for quick access.
• There are accessibility options, too. You can use Speak Screen to have Siri read on-screen text, Magnifier to use your phone’s camera as a magnifying glass, or Background Sounds to play white noise.
• You can also scroll up or down by assigning those functions to Back Tap.

Back Tap can also launch your Accessibility Shortcut. This is another customizable feature in the accessibility menu that assigns one (or several) accessibility features to launch when you triple-click your phone’s side button. If you like, you can also assign these features to Back Tap — you’ll just need to set it up separately. Here’s how to do that:

• Go to Settings > Accessibility
• Scroll down to the General section and tap Accessibility Shortcut
• Tap the options you want to assign to the shortcut

If you have multiple functions assigned, a menu will pop up, prompting you to pick one when you launch Accessibility Shortcut, either by triple-clicking the side button or using the Back Tap. You can change the order they appear in, too — when selecting your accessibility functions, long-press the three bars to the right of each option to move them higher or lower in the list.

Some of these options can be assigned directly with Back Tap, but there are additional functions you won’t find there, like the ability to increase screen contrast and turn on voice control.

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How to find, add, and remove Home Screen widgets on iPhone

 With the iOS 14 update, iPhone users can enjoy the benefits of widgets on the Home Screen. And these widgets can be anywhere you like, not just in Today View. How to find, add, and remove Home Screen widgets on iPhone.

You can have widgets for Apple apps like Notes and Photos or third-party apps like Spark and Pedometer++. Widgets let you see things at a glance, quicker and easier than ever. Here, we’ll show you how easy it is to find, add, and remove widgets from your iPhone Home Screen.

Widgets on your Home Screen

The Widget Gallery

Appropriately named, the Widget Gallery showcases available widgets for your Home Screen. You can see popular widgets and perform a search if you want a particular one.

Just note that not all apps, especially those from third parties, offer widgets. So if you are hoping your favorite app offers a widget, but don’t see it in the Widget Gallery, make sure you have the latest version of the app from the App Store and check the App Store details to see if it offers widgets.

Related: The best apps with Home Screen widgets for iOS 14

Open the Widget Gallery

To get started, open the Widget Gallery. You can do this easily with a few taps.

• 1) Tap and hold any blank spot on your iPhone Home Screen.
• 2) When the app icons jiggle, you’ll see a plus sign on the top right corner of the screen.
• 3) Tap that plus sign and boom, you’ve opened the Widget Gallery!

Browse widgets

The Widget Gallery shows popular widgets at the top. Most of these are for Apple apps like Notes, Photos, Maps, Weather, and Calendar. But for third-party apps on your device that offer widgets, you should see those too and can scroll to the bottom for the full list of those available.

You can also pop a keyword into the Search box at the top if you are looking for a certain widget.

Keep in mind that the rollout of widgets takes time. So although an app you own may offer widgets, they may not appear in the Widget Gallery right away. Be patient, make sure you have the latest version of the app, and visit the Widget Gallery often.

Add a widget

If you spot an app with a widget you want, just tap it in the Widget Gallery. You will then see various widget options.

Some apps may offer just three widgets while others may provide six choices, for example. You can swipe right to view the available widgets which can give you a different view or size. When you see the one you want, tap Add Widget.

That widget will then appear on your Home Screen. It will be jiggling, so you can then drag it where you want it. This can be on any of your screens and in almost any location. As you move the widget, you’ll see your app icons, folders, and any other widgets you have moved out of the way. This is how it works when you move app icons around too, and your screen retains its spacing between and around widgets the same way.

Once you find that prime spot for your widget, release and tap a blank spot on your screen to set it in place. And to move a widget later, tap and hold the screen until everything jiggles, and drag the widget to its new location.

Remove a widget

If you decide later that you no longer want a widget you’ve added to your Home Screen, removing it is simple and you have two ways to delete it.

Tap and hold your screen until everything jiggles. Then tap the minus sign in the top left corner and confirm you want to remove the widget.

Tap and hold the widget, select Remove Widget, and confirm you want to remove it.

You can grab that widget again down the road if you change your mind by visiting the Widget Gallery.

More on widgets

Be sure to check out our additional how-tos for Home Screen widgets where we explain how to create Smart Stack widgets, how to take advantage of Siri Suggestions for widgets, and how to use widgets on iPad.

Wrapping it up

For ex-Android users, Home Screen widgets on iOS will look very familiar. So if you switched from Android to iPhone but have been missing the ability to use widgets, now you can put them on your iPhone!

So what do you think of the iOS 14 feature for Home Screen widgets? Love it? Hate it? Somewhere in between? Share your thoughts in the comments or hit us up on Twitter!

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Which devices will be supported by iOS 16 and iPadOS 16?

There are no rumors yet about which devices are supported by iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, but news earlier this week about the discontinuation of the iPod touch suggests that as many as nine devices could lose support for Apple's upcoming operating system.

Which Devices Will iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 Support?

While Apple could simply drop support for some iPhones and iPads that still receive the latest updates, memory could be the deciding factor regarding which devices support iOS16 and iPadOS16. When Apple introduced iOS 13, it dropped support for all devices with less than 2GB of RAM. No longer supported a large number of A7 and A8-based devices such as the iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, as well as the first-generation iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and sixth-generation iPod touch. This is why the iPad mini 4 with 2GB of RAM continues to be supported by iOS 13, 14, and 15 support, even though it has an A8 chip.

iOS and iPadOS 13, 14, and 15 support all the same devices, including the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, the seventh-generation iPod touch, iPad Air 2, fifth-generation iPad, iPad mini 4, and the first-generation iPad Pro.

There is also little evidence that Apple will support the seventh-generation iPod touch, an A10-based device with 2GB of memory, simply because it continues to sell until now. Apple discontinued the sixth-generation iPod touch in May 2019, and it was excluded from receiving iOS 13, which was released just four months later. The company could repeat this pattern with the seventh-generation iPod touch, discontinuing it in May 2022 and then excluding it from iOS 16 support a few months later.

If iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 require 3GB of RAM, it seems reasonable that nine devices with A9 and A10 chips could lose support. Even though the iPhone 7 Plus and seventh-generation iPad include the A10 chip, both devices have 3GB of RAM, which means they are more likely to retain support when Apple drops support for older devices next.

In addition, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that watchOS 9 will drop support for the Apple Watch Series 3 later this year, even though it is still being sold.

If Apple chooses to make 3GB of RAM a requirement to run iOS16 and iPadOS16, the following devices may be supported

iOS

• iPhone 6S
• iPhone 6S Plus
• iPhone SE (first generation)
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPod touch (7th generation)
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)

iPadOS

• iPad Air 2
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad (5th Generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (7th Generation)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad mini 4
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad Pro (1st generation)
• iPad Pro (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro (4th generation)
• iPad Pro (5th generation)

It is worth noting that iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 can continue to support all the same devices like iOS and iPadOS 13, 14, and 15. That said, it seems only a matter of time before Apple drops support for some older devices, either this year or next. When that happens, it seems likely that only the aforementioned devices will retain support.

As in previous years, Apple will introduce major updates to all of its operating systems at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 6, 2022. It is rumored that iOS16, iPadOS16, and watchOS9 will offer a large number of features and improvements.

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18 solutions to fix widgets not working or refreshing on iPhone and iPad

 Widgets on the iPhone and iPad Home Screen and Today View show helpful information at a glance. They cut or reduce the need to open the app. Weather, Stocks, Maps, and most other widgets must frequently refresh to give you the latest, correct, up-to-date information. 18 solutions to fix widgets not working or refreshing on iPhone and iPad?

However, if Apple and third-party app widgets are not working, updating, or refreshing on your iPhone or iPad, here’s what you should do to fix these issues.

Operating systems that support widgets

Widgets in Today View (accessed by swiping right on the first Home Screen or Lock Screen) has been on iPhone and iPad since iOS 8, released in 2014.

Starting with iOS 14, released in 2020, you can also place widgets on the iPhone Home Screen (except the Dock).

Related: How to find, add, and remove Home Screen widgets on iPhone

18 solutions to fix widgets not working or refreshing on iPhone and iPad

Here’s how to fix widget problems in iOS and iPadOS:

Ensure internet connectivity

Most widgets need Wi-Fi or Cellular data (5G, 4G, or 3G) to refresh their information. For example, you can only get the latest stock numbers, weather reports, or new emails in their respective widgets if they can fetch new data with the help of internet connectivity.

Visit any webpage in Safari or play a YouTube video to see if you’re connected to the internet or not. In case you aren’t, fix Wi-Fi and Cellular data issues.

Restart your iPhone

In many cases, the widgets may not refresh due to minor, temporary glitches that can be easily addressed by switching off your iPhone and switching it back on.

Edit the widget

You have to edit some kinds of widgets after adding them to the Home Screen for relevant information to be displayed on it. Here’s how to do that. We’re using the example of the weather widget.

1. Press the widget on the Home Screen and tap Edit Widget.
2. Tap Location and select the right city. Note: You will see the cities here only if you had added them in the Weather app.

Edit Widget preferences on iPhone

This is also true for third-party widgets apps like Widgetsmith. Until you edit the added widget, you may not see any useful information, and the widget may just occupy the space showing a black or white area.

Check relevant widget permissions

Let us assume you use weather, maps, or reminders widget that relies on your location to refresh and show the correct data. If that app isn’t permitted to access your location or if you have turned off location, then the widget would naturally fail to work. Here’s how to fix that:

1. Open the iPhone or iPad Settings app and scroll to the bottom.
2. From here, tap the app name whose widget isn’t working.
3. Tap Location and make sure the app is permitted to use the location. For that, select While Using the App or Always.
4. In addition to location, make sure other relevant and necessary permissions are given to the app.

Note: In case you don’t see the Location toggle in step 3, go to iPhone Settings > Privacy > Location Services and make sure it’s on. Next, tap the app name and allow it to access the location.

Enable Background App Refresh

Apps and their widget can fetch new content in the background when Background App Refresh is enabled. If you had turned it off to save battery, here’s how to enable it again to ensure the widgets update with the latest information on time:

1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
2. Tap Background App Refresh and make sure it’s set to Wi-Fi & Cellular Data.
3. Optional: Go back, and you can turn off Background App Refresh for unnecessary apps. Doing so will help save some battery.

Update the app whose widget isn’t working

Many times the widgets may not work due to a bug in the app. For example, if a third-party widget doesn’t refresh or work properly, go to the App Store and update the app. Doing so should make the widget work properly.

Disable Low Power Mode

In Low Power Mode, several activities like Background App Refresh, Mail fetch, and such are limited to conserve battery. If the relevant widgets aren’t updating with new information, go to iPhone Settings > Battery and turn off Low Power Mode.

Turn off Low Data Mode

With Low Data Mode, available for both Wi-Fi and Cellular, your iPhone uses less data on that particular network. If you’re on a limited plan, this may help but also create some annoyances like widgets failing to work properly.

To address this, go to iPhone Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode and turn off Low Data Mode. If you use two SIM cards, make sure to select a line to see the Low Data Mode toggle.

Next, go to the first Settings app screen, tap Wi-Fi > (i) next to your Wi-Fi network, and make sure Low Data Mode is off.

Update your iPhone or iPad

Suppose third-party or built-in widgets like Batteries, Weather, Stocks, News, Music, Notes, Reminders, App Store, Smart Stack, Calendar, Clock, Contacts, Files, Find My, Fitness, Game Center, Mail, Maps, Photos, Podcasts, Screen Time, Shortcuts, Siri Suggestions, Sleep, Tips, or TV aren’t working. In that case, the best solution is to update your iPhone or iPad.

To do that, go to Settings > General > Software Update and get the latest version of iOS or iPadOS that has most likely fixed the bug due to which widgets do not work or refresh.

Remove and add the widget again

If the widget continues to not work as expected, follow these steps to remove it and add it again to the iOS Home Screen:

1. Press the widget and tap Remove Widget > Remove.
2. Restart your iPhone.
3. Add the widget once again by pressing any empty area on the Home Screen > plus icon > select the app > select widget size > Add Widget.

Once you do this, the widget should work properly. And in case it doesn’t show the correct info, make sure you edit it with the right option (explained above).

Delete the app and reinstall it

In some cases, the widgets may continue to stay stagnant and refuse to work unless you delete the main app and reinstall it. You can start by offloading the said app, and if that doesn’t work, delete it entirely and reinstall it.

Temporarily change the device region or language

You can give this little hack a shot if widgets are still not working, refreshing, and showing the right data.

Go to Settings > General > Language & Region > iPhone Language and choose a different language than you know. For example, instead of English (US), try selecting English (UK) or English (India). You can also go with something entirely different like French or Spanish if you know these. After this, go to the iPhone Home Screen and see if the widgets work in a few seconds or not.

If not, you back to Settings > General > Language & Region > Region and select a different region. Again, go to the Home Screen and see if this region change has forced the widget to refresh and work or not.

Once you have an answer, follow the same steps and set your correct language and region as before.

Tap the widget to refresh it

Most widgets are designed to offer you information right on the Home Screen. However, in some cases, you might have to tap the widget so that it can refresh and then display the latest relevant information inside the app.

This phenomenon mostly happens with third-party widgets.

Unlock your iPhone to fix blurred widgets

Some widgets like Screen Time, Contacts, or a bank app may not show any data in the Today View when the iPhone is locked. This is by design to prevent sensitive data from being visible on the Lock Screen. As of iOS 15, there isn’t a toggle in iPhone settings to give you a choice to show information on such widgets even when the device is locked.

Widgets not working on the iPhone Lock screen

I swiped right on my iPhone Lock Screen to access the Today View. You can see that the big Screen Time widget and the Contacts widget have blurred the information. Once I unlock my iPhone with Face ID (or Touch ID), these widgets will become active.

Switch to actual, individual widgets instead of Smart Stack and Widget Stack

Are you using the Smart Stack widget or your custom Widget Stack and relying on it to automatically show you the appropriate information? In an ideal world, there is nothing wrong with this approach. But if due to bugs or any other conflicting issues, these smart widgets aren’t showing the right information, remove them and instead switch to the relevant individual widgets. Surely, this will take up a lot of space on the Home Screen pages, but you can put a few important ones on the Home Screen and the rest in Today View.

Use fewer widgets

If your Home Screen pages are loaded with dozens of widgets, consider reducing the number by getting rid of unnecessary or less important ones.

Reset all settings

Finally, if nothing helps, go ahead and reset all settings. This will almost certainly fix the problem of the ongoing widgets without affecting your photos, videos, apps, app data, and other personal stuff.

Contact the app developer or Apple Support

This is how you can fix the issue of widgets not working, updating, or refreshing on your iPhone or iPad.

In rare cases, if the problem continues and your widget issues have not been solved, please get in touch with the app developer and inform them of the problem or ask for help.

If all widgets don’t work or some specific widgets of built-in Apple apps don’t work, you can chat with Apple Support to get more answers.

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