How-to

macOS Big Sur brings a ton of changes and new features and a small one is a tweak to where you can enable/disable Dark Mode on Mac. Read along for a look at several different ways to use Dark Mode on macOS Big Sur.

How to view, cancel, and renew subscriptions on iPhone and iPad

Michael Potuck Nov 30 2020 - 1:25 pm PT

Have you ever signed up for a subscription through Apple and forgotten about it? Or maybe you want to cancel a trial right after signing up so you don’t forget, or start back up with one that previously expired. Follow along for how to view iPhone subscriptions as well as cancel and renew them.

Update: Follow along for how to fix the Apple One cancelation bug and other related issues.

Set custom Safari backgrounds Mac walkthrough

Mac: How to set custom Safari backgrounds

Michael Potuck Nov 27 2020 - 12:00 am PT

macOS Big Sur comes with some major changes and Safari 14 includes a number of enhancements. One of the simple but nice aesthetic changes is the option to set your own image for Apple’s browser. Read on for how to set custom Safari backgrounds.

Five ways to check if apps are optimized for M1 Macs

Michael Potuck Nov 25 2020 - 1:39 pm PT

Now that M1 Macs are available and developers are updating their apps for official M1 support, you might be trying to figure out which of your apps (as well as ones you might want) are optimized for Apple Silicon. Read along for five free ways to check Universal macOS apps.

How to check M1 app compatibility for all of your Mac software

Check M1 compatibility for all your Mac apps with this free open source tool

Michael Potuck Nov 24 2020 - 10:25 am PT

We’ve seen some valuable app and game databases recently keeping track of all the software out there that’s optimized for Apple Silicon. Now a free open source app – from developer DigiDNA who makes iMazing – means it’s super easy to check all the apps on your Mac locally for M1 app compatibility.

How to factory reset your HomePod or HomePod mini

Chance Miller Nov 23 2020 - 8:45 am PT

The HomePod and HomePod mini are incredibly easy to set up. As we’ve outlined before, you just hold your iPhone near it and the pairing process instantly begins. What’s slightly less clear, however, is how to reset your HomePod.

Read on for those instructions…

How to turn on/off optimized battery charging Mac M1 and Intel

How to manage battery health and optimized charging on Intel and M1 Macs

Michael Potuck Nov 20 2020 - 3:16 pm PT

Over the last year, Apple has introduced battery health management to its devices like iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, and the Mac got it this past April. Follow along for how to turn on/off optimized battery charging and battery health management on Intel and M1 Macs.

How to install macOS Big Sur on your Mac

Michael Potuck Nov 13 2020 - 7:00 am PT

Ready to check out all the new changes and features including a big UI refresh in macOS Big Sur? Follow along for how to install the macOS Big Sur on your Mac, including a workaround as there have been widespread errors with getting the update to download and install.

How to watch Apple’s ‘One more thing’ November Mac event on any device

Michael Potuck Nov 10 2020 - 5:42 am PT

Apple’s “One more thing” special event is all set for November 10 and there’s already a live stream placeholder on its YouTube channel. Read on for how to watch Apple’s November Mac event on any device, how to set an event reminder, and everything we’re expecting.

Pick up an iPad Air? Here’s how to get the most out of iPadOS 14 and Apple Pencil

Michael Potuck Nov 6 2020 - 2:03 pm PT

How to get the most out of your iPad Air, Apple Pencil, and iPadOS 14

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Whether you’ve recently picked up the 2020 iPad Air or will be getting one soon, there are a number of great new capabilities and features to enhance your experience between the new hardware, iPadOS 14, and Apple Pencil. And even if you’re keeping your existing iPad, follow along for how to get the most out of iPadOS 14 and Apple Pencil.

How to get 100 new iPhone emoji with iOS 14.2 and how to find them

How to update to iOS 14.2 to get over 100 new emoji on iPhone

Michael Potuck Nov 5 2020 - 1:07 pm PT

iOS 14.2 has arrived for iPhone, and it brings a host of notable changes and new features. One of those is over 100 new emoji to have fun with and better express yourself. Read on for a look at what’s included with the new batch, how to get the 117 new iPhone emoji with iOS 14.2, and how to find them.

How to use new iPhone and iPad Markup color tools iOS 14

iOS 14: How to use the new Markup color tools on iPhone and iPad

Michael Potuck Nov 4 2020 - 12:00 am PT

Another one of the less-flashy improvements with iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 is revamped Markup color tools. Read along for what’s new and how to use the new iPhone and iPad Markup color tools.

How to get free year Apple TV+ iPhone iPad Mac iPod touch Apple TV

Here’s how to get your free year of Apple TV+

Michael Potuck Oct 30 2020 - 12:00 am PT

Ready to check it out Apple TV+ and all of the original content? Read on for how to get your free year of Apple TV+ on iPhone, Mac, Apple TV, and more.

How to use iPhone sound recognition iOS 14

Hands-on with iOS 14’s Sound Recognition feature that listens for doorbells, smoke alarms, more

Michael Potuck Oct 28 2020 - 12:00 am PT

iOS 14 brings a range of valuable new features, and some of them are designed as Accessibility options but happen to be useful for just about everyone. Read along for a hands-on look at how to use iPhone Sound Recognition to get alerts for things like doorbells, running water, smoke alarms, crying babies, animals, and more.

iPhone 12: How to shoot Night mode selfies with the front-facing TrueDepth camera

Michael Potuck Oct 27 2020 - 2:17 pm PT

Apple’s iPhone 12 lineup features a number of improvements to the camera systems and one of those is Night mode expanding beyond the standard rear-facing wide lens and landing on the ultra wide lens and the front-facing TrueDepth camera. Let’s take a look at how to take Night mode selfies on iPhone 12.

iOS 14: How to use the iPhone emoji search option

Michael Potuck Oct 26 2020 - 12:00 am PT

It’s great to see big changes like home screen widgets with iOS 14, but sometimes the tiny changes can add up to offer some valuable improvements in day-to-day use. One of these small new features is the iPhone emoji search option in iOS 14.

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PSA: What to do if 5G isn’t working on your iPhone 12

Michael Potuck Oct 23 2020 - 4:01 pm PT

5G not working iPhone 12 troubleshooting

If you’ve just gotten your iPhone 12 and have noticed that 5G isn’t available after getting it set up, there are several factors to check out to troubleshoot what’s going on. These include your wireless plan, SIM card, iOS settings, and more. Let’s dive into what to do if your iPhone 12’s 5G is not working.

Hands-on: Everything you can do with the new iPhone App Library in iOS 14

Michael Potuck Oct 22 2020 - 12:00 am PT

A major new change that comes with iOS 14 alongside home screen widgets is the iPhone App Library. The feature offers a new way to manage the many apps you’ve got with auto-generated categories, a new alphabetical view, the ability to hide app pages, and more. Read on for a hands-on look at how to use the new iPhone App Library in iOS 14.

iOS 14 change default iPhone email web apps

iOS 14: How to change default email and browser apps

Michael Potuck Oct 21 2020 - 12:00 am PT

A notable change with iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 that didn’t see hardly any stage time during the WWDC keynote was that Apple will allow users to change their default email and web browser apps. Let’s take a look at how the option to change default email and browser apps works on iPhone and iPad in iOS 14.

iOS 14: How to pin text messages on iPhone for quick access

Michael Potuck Oct 20 2020 - 12:00 am PT

A really useful new feature included in iOS 14 is the ability to favorite conversations for easy access at the top of the Messages app. Follow along for how to pin text messages on iPhone and iPad.

iOS 14: How to use a private Wi-Fi MAC address on iPhone and iPad

Michael Potuck Oct 19 2020 - 12:00 am PT

Another one of the under the radar but valuable privacy changes to come with iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 is the option to mask your device’s Wi-Fi address. Read along for how to easily use a private Wi-Fi MAC address on iPhone and iPad.

How to setup Apple Watch Schooltime to help improve focus

Michael Potuck Oct 16 2020 - 6:30 pm PT

A welcome advancement for Apple Watch with watchOS 7 is Family Setup, a feature that lets an adult configure the wearable for a child who doesn’t have an iPhone. Family Setup includes multiple features to help manage your kid’s device, follow along for how to setup Apple Watch Schooltime.

How to use iPhone compact call interface iOS 14

iOS 14: How the compact call interface works on iPhone

Michael Potuck Oct 15 2020 - 12:00 am PT

A long-requested feature that arrives with iOS 14 is a new compact iPhone call interface that doesn’t take over the whole screen. Here is how it works and the different ways you can use it.

How to watch Apple’s ‘Hi, Speed’ iPhone 12 event on any device

Michael Potuck Oct 12 2020 - 11:30 am PT

Apple’s iPhone 12 event is set for October 13 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, and it’s shaping up to be an exciting one. We’re expecting four new iPhone models, the debut of HomePod mini, new MagSafe wireless chargers, and more. Follow along as we cover several ways to watch the iPhone 12 event on any device.