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How to decrease ‘Other’ storage on iPhone or iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2019

The infamous 'Other' storage section displayed in iTunes after connecting an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to a computer is definitely one of the pain points for users mainly because it keeps increasing on its own.

'Other' storage is a combination of system settings, caches and various files that iOS stores temporarily to speed up system performance and minimize your dependency on network connectivity.

This all happens automatically and without any intervention on part of the user. That said, software can (and will) break and so these files may not get cleaned out properly. And when that happens, a large amount of storage will be lumped into the 'Other' category. The good news is, your proactiveness in dealing with this issue should pay off.

It's actually fairly easy to recover your usable storage lost to 'Other' space hogs by specifically targeting certain items. In this post, we'll lay out a few different techniques to decrease 'Other' storage on your iPhone or iPad.

This tweak protects your iPhone from the “January 1, 1970” bug

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 16, 2016

A recent bug discovered in the iOS firmware where setting your date back to a certain point in time could brick your device has been getting quite the coverage all across the internet as of late.

With so many people now having knowledge of the problem, the risk has never been greater than it is right now that someone with malicious intent could grab your iPhone while you're not looking and set your date back to the dangerous date to brick your device on you.

Fortunately, a new free jailbreak tweak called BrickDate is available in Cydia that can protect you from having your date changed to the dangerous date.

How to open ZIP files on iPhone using the Notes app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 31, 2019

Although neither Apple's Safari nor Google's Chrome browser can extract files from ZIP archives on iOS, it has been discovered that Apple's Notes app lets users view the contents of ZIP files by taking advantage of iOS's built-in file attachment viewers.

Starting with iOS 9, Notes has received several new features, among them support for adding content to a new or existing note through iOS's multi-purpose Share menu in apps like Safari, Maps, Pages and more.

As it turns out, you can also use iOS's Share menu in conjunction with the “Open In” feature to add a downloaded ZIP file to a note on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.

Real Racing 3 finally arrives on the new Apple TV in new ‘Daytona 500’ update

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 16, 2016

Electronic Arts' and Firemonkeys' Real Racing 3 has amassed over a hundred million downloads across iOS and Android platforms thus far. Yet, up until today this premium game was not available as a native app for the new Apple TV—despite the fact that rival Gameloft's Asphalt 8 is one of the most downloaded Apple TV games. A new update to the free-to-play racing game, now available in the App Store, changes all that with native support for the Apple TV.

What's more, the Apple TV game gives players the ability to race each other in a split-screen 'Party Play' mode. In addition, this version of Real Racing 3 sports newly added Daytone 500 content across platforms so you can drive the NASCAR Sprint Cup cars and race your opponents on the all-new Daytona International Speedway track.

Apple is opening a development office in India’s Hyderabad to support Maps development

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 16, 2016

The 1.25 billion people market of India is estimated to soon become the world's top smartphone market and is already one of Apple's most important markets despite the fact that the Cupertino firm is yet to open its first branded store in the country.

But that's not stopping Apple from investing in India. According to a statement Tuesday by an Apple spokesperson given to The Economic Times, the iPhone maker is opening a new $25 million development office in Hyderabad, where some 150 employees will be supporting Maps development.”

Rumor: iPhone 7 chips to be encapsulated in EMI shielding

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 16, 2016

Korean publication ETNews is claiming that Apple's upcoming iPhone 7 smartphone refresh will reduce electromagnetic interference by encapsulating major chips, including its application processor, into an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.

According to ETNews, key iPhone 7 chips such as the main 'A10' processor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, cellular modems and RF chips will be protected by EMI shielding, which involves covering a chip's surface with ultra-thin metal. Prior iPhones have used EMI shielding on the printed circuit board and the connectors to reduce electromagnetic interference.

Report: Dr. Dre’s Apple-backed TV show ‘Vital Signs’ will be a vehicle for Apple Music promotion

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 16, 2016

The rumored Apple-backed television show “Vital Signs” will feature some notable Apple Music product placement, as per sources who spoke to Re/code's Peter Kafka.

Rather than being Apple's surprise foray into full-scale production of TV shows, Apple will simply co-finance the production of “Vital Signs.”

“That’s much less exciting than 'Apple Is Getting Into TV,' but it’s more accurate,” Kafka said. The show will apparently star Beats co-founder and Apple executive Dr. Dre.

Let’s Talk iOS 122: As surreal as it feels

Sébastien Page ∙ February 16, 2016

Episode 122: Now running as a power duo, Cody and Sebastien start the show by discussing some of the changes coming to iDB. The conversation them moves on to comment on the latest episode of The Talk Show with John Gruber, with two special guests from Apple. The two hosts then talk about the Kanye effect on Tidal, Apple's rumored TV show featuring Dr Dre, Apple Music talk, and rumored launch dates for iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3. Good times!

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Private Internet Access review: a great VPN at a great price

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated October 6, 2022

The quest for internet privacy and security is no game these days; hackers with malicious intent are really out there and they want your valuable personal information.

One way to protect yourself is with a virtual private network (VPN), but there are lots of VPN options out there to choose from – both free and paid. Picking a VPN that's right for you can be tough, and many people are concerned about their privacy while online.

In this piece, we'll be giving you our opinion on the Private Internet Access VPN; a paid VPN service that holds a solid reputation among its many users.

A closer look at some of Speck’s most popular iPhone cases

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 16, 2016

Speck makes some awesome cases for the iPhone lineup, and if you've been itching for a new one, don't count these guys out.

You've probably seen plenty of people using Speck cases on their iPhones, and for the most part, the cases have retained the same design over the years, generation after generation – it's a tried and true design so simplistic that there isn't much that needs to be changed.

In this roundup, we'll show you the pros and cons of some of Speck's most popular iPhone cases, such as the CandyShell, CandyShell Grip, CandyShell Clear, and the MighyShell.

Kanye West says his new album will never be available on Apple Music

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2017

It appears that Kanye West's highly anticipated new album "The Life of Pablo," isn't going to be available on Apple Music anytime soon. Amidst a tweet storm Monday afternoon, the controversial artist stated that the album will "never never never be on Apple."

West added that he has no plans to offer TLOP for sale either, and that the only way fans will be able to listen to the record is through Tidal—the streaming music service backed by Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, and other high profile musicians across various genres.

Apple Music and Sonos promote partnership in new TV spot

Cody Lee ∙ February 15, 2016

Apple Music and Sonos teamed up to release a new television spot on Monday night, promoting their recently-announced partnership. The ad, which debuted during the Grammy Music Awards, features products from both brands, as well as a handful of music stars.

We've embedded the ad below, but for a little context, the stars you see are Killer Mike, a hip-hop artist and part of the popular duo Run the Jewels; Matt Berninger, frontman for indie rock band The National; and Annie Clark, better known by her stage name St. Vincent.