All posts tagged: iPhones

How to Change Your iPhone’s Charging Sound

How to Change Your iPhone’s Charging Sound

Published by skeptic

Apple offers many customization options for its devices, including three different ways to change your iPhone’s default charging sound. Change the Charging Sound on Your iPhone There are three methods you can use to change your iPhone’s charging sound. You can choose to use a whole song, a part of a song, or text that Siri will say every time you charge your iPhone. These tips work no matter how you charge your iPhone. Before we begin, it’s important to note that you cannot literally change your iPhone’s charging sound. The new sound is just another sound that plays after the default sound. However, if you continue reading, we’ll show you a shortcut to mute the default sound so that all you hear when you plug and unplug your phone is your custom sound. To change the charging sound on iOS, you’ll need to use the built-in Shortcuts app. There are many handy iPhone automations you can create in the Shortcuts app, and changing the plug-in sound of your iPhone is just one of them. …

iOS 18.2 was killing my iPhone’s battery until I turned off this feature

iOS 18.2 was killing my iPhone’s battery until I turned off this feature

Published by skeptic

Kerry Wan/ZDNET It’s impossible not to notice how bad my iPhone’s battery life has become since upgrading to iOS 18; it only got progressively worse with iOS 18.1 and 18.2. It’s the rare day that my battery is still above 40% by lunchtime, and power banks have become constant companions in my life.  The situation was bad (night or day), battery consumption was much higher than anything I remember, and even Low Power Mode didn’t offer much relief. It was time to investigate the problem. Also: iOS 18.2 update triggers eruption of iPhone battery life complaints – what to know However, I wasn’t optimistic about finding a solution or even a workaround. Recently, the only remedy for such issues has been to wait for Apple to patch the problem. But given that I’ve watched this issue go from bad to worse over the past few months, I’m not holding my breath. So I decided to investigate. For any battery drain issue, the first place I always look is under the Battery screen in Settings. This …

I improved my iPhone’s battery life by changing these 11 settings

I improved my iPhone’s battery life by changing these 11 settings

Published by skeptic

Max Buondonno/ZDNET With the way we use our iPhones these days, it can be hard making it through a single day on a full charge. A few FaceTime calls, some text messaging, opening Maps a few times, and you could already be 25% down.  If you’ve experienced this problem, you’re not alone. These phones can be very power-hungry (especially the Mini versions), and the problem is made worse by all the different apps and settings vying for battery life, many of which you might not even use.  Also: 5 reasons to update your iPhone to iOS 18.01 right now Luckily, there are a handful of settings you can tweak to maximize your iPhone’s battery life, and these changes don’t have to mean losing out on your favorite features. Whether you’re rocking the iPhone 16 Pro Max or a version from a few years ago, you’ve got options. Here are the 11 best ways to improve your iPhone’s battery life.  1. Turn off the always-on display One of the biggest power drainers on the iPhone Pro series …

Bluetooth 6 Launches, Could Enhance iPhone’s Precision Finding Feature

Bluetooth 6 Launches, Could Enhance iPhone’s Precision Finding Feature

Published by skeptic

The latest version of Bluetooth was released this week, and it includes a new feature that could benefit the Find My app across Apple devices. Bluetooth 6.0 introduces “Channel Sounding,” a feature that will bring “true distance awareness” to billions of future Bluetooth devices and accessories. The organization behind Bluetooth promises that this technology will achieve “centimeter-level accuracy over considerable distances,” making it easier and quicker for users to locate lost items. Apple already offers a Precision Finding feature in the Find My app that leverages Ultra Wideband technology to help users pinpoint the specific location of select accessories. The feature is available on the iPhone 11 and newer, and currently it can be used to find an AirTag or a second-generation AirPods Pro charging case. Apple could use both Bluetooth 6.0 and Ultra Wideband technologies in unison to improve Precision Finding. Bluetooth 6.0 also paves the way for Precision Finding-like location accuracy for devices that are not equipped with Ultra Wideband chips, such as the Apple TV’s Siri Remote and devices released by other …

Apple is Opening Up the iPhone’s NFC Chip: What You Need to Know

Apple is Opening Up the iPhone’s NFC Chip: What You Need to Know

Published by skeptic

With the launch of iOS 18.1 this fall, Apple will allow third-party developers to support NFC contactless transactions for payments and more. Right now, the NFC chip is locked down, and it’s primarily only used for Apple Pay, but a number of new capabilities will be coming when Apple expands access to NFC. NFC Capabilities in Third-Party Apps With NFC access, banks will be able to offer direct contactless payment options that serve as an alternative to ‌Apple Pay‌, but it app developers will be able to do more, too. Some ways Apple says NFC can be used: Contactless payments in stores Car keys Closed-loop transit cards Corporate badges Student IDs Government IDs (coming in the future) Home keys Hotel keys Merchant loyalty and reward cards Event tickets Security Protections Apple is creating several new APIs that will power the contactless transactions. The APIs will use the Secure Enclave in the iPhone, with sensitive information stored directly on device. Developers will have to request access to the NFC and Secure Enclave entitlement, sign a commercial …

How iOS 18 will impact your iPhone’s battery health – and what you can do about it

How iOS 18 will impact your iPhone’s battery health – and what you can do about it

Published by skeptic

Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images If there’s one thing that smartphone users worry about more than anything — even having an internet connection — it’s the battery.  It used to be battery life that was the source of anxiety, with owners watching each percentage point drop with furrowed brows and dread in their hearts. As a result, the internet became awash with hints, tips, tricks, and even voodoo magic on how to improve battery life. Also: I improved my iPhone’s battery life by changing these 10 settings Quick tip: Want to improve your iPhone’s battery life the easy way? Put it into low power mode (tap on Settings > Battery and toggle “Low Power Mode”) and turn down your screen brightness. Then Apple did something to change this: it gave iPhone users another number to be worried about — battery health, in the form of a “Maximum Capacity” metric. You can find this number by tapping on Settings > Battery, and then going to Battery Health. Maximum Capacity is not a measure of overall battery wear …

Here’s How to Check Your iPhone’s Battery Health

Here’s How to Check Your iPhone’s Battery Health

Published by skeptic

Earlier this year, Apple retested the batteries of its iPhone 15 models and updated its battery life claims for the entire series, suggesting that they offer better longevity than previously thought. Curious about the battery health of your iPhone 15? Here’s how to check it. Apple in February 2024 updated the technical specifications for the batteries in the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. According to its latest tests, Apple says that the devices’ batteries are designed to retain 80% of their original capacity at 1,000 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions. It’s a significant improvement over the 500 charge cycles that the company advertises for all older iPhone models over the same cycle count. iPhone 15 models also include a Battery Charging Optimization feature, so if you regularly charge your ‌iPhone‌ up at night while you’re asleep, the device can limit its charging to 80%, and then wait for an hour or so before you wake up to charge the remaining 20%. This keeps the ‌iPhone‌ at …

Apple Says iOS 17.5 Coming ‘Soon’ With These New Features for iPhones

Apple Says iOS 17.5 Coming ‘Soon’ With These New Features for iPhones

Published by skeptic

Apple today announced that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public “soon,” following over a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it does have a few new features and changes, as outlined in the list below. “The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5,” said Apple, in its press release introducing a new Pride Edition band for the Apple Watch. Below, we have recapped everything new in the iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas so far. Web Distribution Starting with the second beta of iOS 17.5, eligible developers are able to distribute their iOS apps to iPhone users located in the EU directly on the web, instead of through the App Store or an alternative app marketplace. “Web Distribution” is limited to larger developers based in the EU. To qualify for this distribution method, Apple says the developer must be a member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and …

Apple is fixing the worst thing about the iPhone’s alarms

Apple is fixing the worst thing about the iPhone’s alarms

Published by skeptic

If your iPhone alarm hasn’t gone off recently, it’s not just you — it seems to be a widespread problem, especially among owners of the iPhone 15. In a viral Reddit post, one iPhone user described how he set “several sequential alarms” but only one sounded. “I woke up to find that my earlier alarms had all remained ‘set’ but failed to sound,” the user wrote. “None of these are recurring alarms, so they shouldn’t ‘reset’ themselves after going off.” In the replies, other Reddit users noted that they were experiencing similar issues. “I’ve had the same thing happen to me, set the alarm and then nothing happened at the time it should have gone off but it showed that it was still active,” one Redditor wrote. “I also thought something was wrong with me when I somehow slept through all 10 alarms,” another replied. During a segment on the TODAY show, the company said that it was aware of the issue and was trying to fix it. But in the meantime, there are a …

How to Use the iPhones Built In Productivity Apps

How to Use the iPhones Built In Productivity Apps

Published by skeptic

Apple’s iPhone comes with a range of built in productivity apps which may sometimes be overlooked. Apple’s built-in apps are more than just basic tools; they are powerful productivity enhancers that can transform the way you work and manage your daily life. From capturing ideas and managing tasks to navigating effortlessly and automating repetitive actions, these apps cover a wide range of functions to help you stay organized and efficient. The Notes App allows you to effortlessly capture ideas, scan documents, and create searchable PDFs, making it perfect for recording meeting notes or capturing spontaneous thoughts. The Reminders App simplifies task management by enabling you to organize tasks into categories and tag them for quick access, ensuring you never miss a crucial to-do item. The Voice Memos app lets you record meetings, lectures, or personal notes hands-free, with the ability to optimize your microphone settings for high-quality audio. The Files App offers efficient document management with iCloud integration, allowing you to access and organize files seamlessly across all your devices. Unlock Hidden Features for Enhanced …