Ah, the great debate: Blue bubbles vs. green bubbles.
🤳 Unlock apps with your face: You can use Face ID to unlock apps on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Enter Passcode > Other Apps, and toggle on the apps you want. Not every app is compatible, but this is handy for those that are.
WWDC starts tomorrow: That’s Apple’s five-day annual event where, this year, we’ll learn all about iOS 18. It starts at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT). You can add a calendar reminder on the Apple Events page, or just tune in at Apple.com. If you miss it, don’t worry — I’ll give you the recap on Tuesday!
📱 Face ID trouble? If your Apple Face ID isn’t working properly, Step 1 is to check if anything is covering your camera — smudges, the case or a screen protector. If it’s still not working, try a reset: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID > Set up Face ID.
Show the desktop on a Mac: Shift all your open windows to the side and get to the shortcuts on your desktop by holding down Cmd and pressing F3. Pressing F3 on its own shows you all the windows you have open. Easy-peasy!
🔄 Restart in Recovery mode: Use this next time your Mac is unresponsive. For older Intel Macs, click the Apple logo > Restart > then immediately hold down Cmd + R until the Apple logo or spinning globe appears. For newer M-series Macs, turn the power off, press and hold the power button, then click Options > Continue to open in Recovery mode.
Baby- or snoop-proof your iPad: Activate Guided Access. Just triple-click the home button once you’re in the app you wish to lock, then triple-click again to exit and enter your passcode. Now, your kid can play a game or your pal can scroll photos — and nothing else.
Lemme upgrade ya: The ChatGPT app is now free for all M-series Macs, and it’s better than using the web version. A cool trick? Hit Option + spacebar to bring up a ChatGPT text field over any window. Ask away without switching screens. Download it here. Just watch out for AI making crap up.
Call me by my name: In your iPhone contacts, fill out the Add related name field with nicknames like “Mom” and “Bestie.” Now, you can use those nicknames to call and text those individuals using Siri.
Keys-y does it: To set the brightness level on the keyboard on your MacBook, click the Apple menu > System Settings > Keyboard. You can also have the backlights turn off after a certain time. Perfect if you’re watching a movie in the dark.
Switch up your search: By default, there’s a search box on your iPhone home screen. You can hide it via Settings > Home Screen & App Library. FYI: Whether it’s visible or not, you can search your iPhone with a swipe down from the middle of your home screen.
When you need iSpace: You don’t have to keep all your apps on the iPhone home screen. Press and hold on an app icon and pick Remove App > Remove from Home Screen to get rid of the shortcut. You can still launch the app from the App Library.
Lock it away: Your most private notes can be locked behind a face or fingerprint scan in the Notes app on your iPhone. With a note open, tap the three dots at the top right and then Lock.
Tips for better iPhone battery life
Phone dying too fast throughout the day? Try one or all of these tips for more juice.
Over Wordle? There’s a new game hidden on your iPhone called Quartiles. You score points by making as many words as you can from three or four lettered tiles. The iOS 17.5 update includes the game for all Apple News+ subscribers (you can get a free three-month trial if you don’t have it already). To find the game, open Apple News and search for Puzzles > Quartiles.
How to download maps to your phone (Apple and Google Maps)
Long road trips can be stressful if you’re going through places with spotty service. This hack will help you stay on your path no matter how many bars you have.
Before you need it: Enable the setting that lets you find your lost iPhone from another device, even if it’s powered off. Go to Settings > Apple ID > Find My > Find My iPhone. Turn on the slider next to Find My Network.
⏫ No cap: Use a Mac? Now, when you click into a form field (like a search bar or login area), you’ll see a blue arrow icon pop up to alert you if you’re typing in all caps. ‘Bout time we got a warning before entering a long, complicated password with Caps Lock enabled!
🤢 Phone got you carsick? Apple found a way to get rid of motion sickness while you text. Hallelujah. Vehicle Motion Cues show animated dots on the edges of your iPhone or iPad screen that move with the car’s direction, tricking your brain and calming your queasy stomach. ETA: Later this year.