How-to

1,982 'How-to' stories September 2011 - March 2020

A collection of tutorials, tips, and tricks from the 9to5Mac team helping you fix and get the most out of your favorite gear.

How to use one-handed swipe typing on iPad

Michael Potuck Mar 19 2020 - 12:00 am PT

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Swipe typing arrived with iOS 13 on iPhone for the default keyboard, but did you know you can do it on the iPad as well? Read on for how to use one-handed swipe typing on iPad.

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How to get set up with Zoom iPhone iPad Mac

How to get set up with Zoom and Skype on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Michael Potuck Mar 17 2020 - 1:22 pm PT

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Along with the change to working from home for many jobs, remote meetings and conferences will be increasingly relied upon over the coming weeks and months. With each service being a bit different, follow along for how to get your Mac, iPhone, and iPad set up with Zoom, Skype, and more.

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Apple Watch: How to turn off activity alerts like stand and move progress, activity sharing, more

Michael Potuck Mar 16 2020 - 2:09 pm PT

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Apple Watch is designed to help you live a healthier life, and there is a range of notifications and alerts that help with that. However, with the coronavirus outbreak on most everyone’s mind, these Apple Watch alerts for things like your move, stand, and exercise goals, activity sharing, etc. might be more stressful than helpful. Here’s how to turn off activity alerts for stand and move progress, activity sharing, and breathe reminders.

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How to set hourly reminders iPhone apple watch wash hands don't touch face

How to set up hourly reminders on iPhone and Apple Watch to wash your hands and stop touching your face

Michael Potuck Mar 13 2020 - 12:02 pm PT

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With the coronavirus outbreak becoming more serious in the US and around the world, you’ve likely heard many times about the important steps to stay healthy and curb the spread of the virus, like washing your hands often (and well) and not touching your face. However, those can be tough habits to change. Let’s look at how to set up hourly reminders to wash your hands and stop touching your face on iPhone and Apple Watch.

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How to find the serial number of your HomePod

Michael Potuck Mar 11 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Looking to check your warranty status or take your HomePod to Apple for a repair? Read on for how to find the serial number of your HomePod on the device itself as well as on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

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How to set Apple Watch military time 24-hour time

How to use military time on Apple Watch

Michael Potuck Mar 10 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Whether you’re new to Apple Watch or have had one for a while and haven’t customized it to your liking yet, read on for how to use military time (24-hour time) on Apple Watch.

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How to clean and sanitize Mac MacBook iPhone iPad keyboard mouse

How to clean and sanitize your Mac, keyboard, mouse, other devices with Apple’s updated guidance

Michael Potuck Mar 9 2020 - 11:30 am PT

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As the coronavirus outbreak continues, Apple has updated its recommendation on how to disinfect its products. Follow along for how to clean and sanitize your Mac, keyboard, mouse, and other Apple devices.

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How to clean sanitize iPhone without damaging it

How to clean and sanitize your iPhone without damaging it [Updated]

Michael Potuck Mar 6 2020 - 1:44 pm PT

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With coronavirus making its way around the world, even if it’s not in your city, you might be thinking about ways to stay healthy. Along with washing your hands regularly, cleaning your iPhone can be an important measure, considering how many places we use them and how they host lots of germs. Let’s take a look at several ways you can clean and sanitize your iPhone without damaging it.

We’ve updated this topic with a newer article, check it out for all the details.

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How to watch UFC 248 iPhone Mac Apple TV

How-to

How to watch UFC 248 Adesanya vs Romero on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, more

Michael Potuck Mar 6 2020 - 6:00 am PT

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UFC 248 Adesanya vs Romero is set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 7th at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Follow along for how to watch the fight on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and more.

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HomePod volume blasting you away? Try this volume automation

Zac Hall Mar 3 2020 - 7:34 am PT

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Ever play music or talk to Siri on your HomePod only to be blown away by the volume, and not in a good way? Me too, but there’s an automation that can help.
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Mac: How to check app permissions for camera, mic, Photos, more

Michael Potuck Mar 3 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Did you accidentally give an app a permission on your Mac you didn’t mean to, or maybe just want to check what kind of access various software has across macOS? Follow along for how to check which apps have camera, mic, Photos permissions, and more.

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macOS: How to change the wallpaper on your Sidecar display

Michael Potuck Mar 2 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Sidecar is a fantastic feature that lets you leverage a compatible iPad as an external display for your Mac. To get a little more out of the feature, read along for how to change the wallpaper on your Sidecar display.

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Apple Watch: How to remove apps from the complications list

Michael Potuck Feb 28 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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When you go to customize Apple Watch faces there can be a lot of complications to scroll through to find what you’re looking for. Read along for how to simplify things by removing apps from the complication list.

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iPhone: How to mark emails as junk, including multiple messages at once

Michael Potuck Feb 27 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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If you use Apple’s Mail app on your iPhone and want a tidier inbox, follow along for how to mark emails as junk as well as how to move multiple emails at once to junk.

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iPhone: How to send handwritten iMessages

Michael Potuck Feb 26 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Want to add some personality and even some suspense to your iMessages? Read on for how to send handwritten notes in iMessage. We’ll also look at using invisible ink and other effects that can create a neat combination with handwritten messages.

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How to change Apple Watch Move goal and Exercise goal

Michael Potuck Feb 25 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Need to adjust the calories or exercise minutes it takes to close your Activity rings for a rest day or sick day? Follow along for how to change your Apple watch Move goal and Exercise goal.

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Mac
How-to

How to find out which Mac model you have

Michael Potuck Feb 21 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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No matter if you’re trying to sell your Mac or want to figure out if it’s compatible with the latest software update, it’s quick and easy to find out which Mac model you have.

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iPhone: How to mute someone Instagram account

iPhone: How to mute someone on Instagram

Michael Potuck Feb 20 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Are you in a situation where you’d like to stop seeing posts or stories from an account on Instagram but don’t want to (or feel like you can’t) unfollow them? Read on for how to mute someone on Instagram.

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How to remotely control your iPhone camera with Apple Watch

Michael Potuck Feb 18 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Have you found yourself in situations where you want to snap some photos with your iPhone but aren’t able to hold it? Follow along for a variety of ways to remotely control your iPhone camera with Apple Watch including zoom, focus, and turning flash, HDR, and Live Photos on/off.

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How to turn off iPad multitasking — Split View, Slide Over, more

Michael Potuck Feb 17 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Multitasking on iPad has evolved over the years, and with iPadOS 13, we saw another round of changes and new capabilities. But if you find yourself accidentally invoking features like Split View, follow along for how to turn off multitasking on your iPad.

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iPhone how to send heartbeat kiss broken heart Digital Touch walkthrough

How to send more personal messages on iPhone with Digital Touch heartbeat, kiss, more

Michael Potuck Feb 14 2020 - 2:25 pm PT

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Since it’s Valentine’s Day, you might be looking for different ways to show your significant other some love. Follow along for how to use Digital Touch on iPhone and Apple Watch to send a more personal message with your heartbeat, a kiss, fireball, or even a broken heart.

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How to see Apple Watch notifications, customize, more

Apple Watch: How to see notifications, customize, more

Michael Potuck Feb 12 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Want to take advantage of notifications on your wrist? Read on for how to see Apple Watch notifications as well as customize them to get the most out of watchOS.

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How to see all your Apple Watch apps

Michael Potuck Feb 10 2020 - 12:01 am PT

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Whether you can’t remember all the apps you have installed or want to delete some, follow along for how to see all your Apple Watch apps, including labeled alphabetically in list view.

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How to watch UFC 247 Jones vs Reyes on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, more

Michael Potuck Feb 7 2020 - 1:01 pm PT

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UFC 247 Jones vs Reyes is set for the Toyota Center in Houston on Saturday, February 8th at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Follow along for how to watch the fight on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and more.

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