Apple

How to set up Two-Factor Authentication for your Apple ID

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 25, 2018

Two-Factor Authentication strengthens the security of your Apple ID by preventing anyone from accessing or using it, even if they know your password. With Two-Factor Authentication, one of your trusted devices generates a one-time code when you make a purchase or sign in to your Apple ID, iCloud, iCloud.com, iMessage, FaceTime or Game Center account on a new device. Two-Factor Authentication is also required for Auto Unlock so you can unlock your Mac by wearing an Apple Watch.

In this tutorial we'll show you how to protect your Apple ID with Two-Factor Authentication or, if you're still using the older and less secure Two-Step Verification, upgrade to Two-Factor Authentication.

How to save drafts of Instagram posts to work on later

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2021

With Instagram drafts, you can save any half-finished photo edits and work on them later, which is handy for those times you get too busy to post right away. And if you run an Instagram account for your business, letting your social media manager save a post as a draft makes it easy for you to review it in advance of publishing.

How to use voicemail transcription on iPhone

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated June 19, 2018

One of the more useful features for iPhones that comes packed inside of Apple’s new iOS 10 release is voicemail transcription, which transcribes your voicemails into text so you can read them rather than listen to them.

The feature is available to users in the United States and it’s very much still in its beta stages despite the fact that iOS 10 is now a public firmware, but if you want to know how to use it, or to see if you can use it yet, then you’ll be happy to know it’s quite easy to follow.

60+ new features in macOS Sierra

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 17, 2017

Apple released macOS Sierra today as a free update in the Mac App Store. Aside from headlining new features such as Siri, Auto Unlock, Universal Clipboard, picture in picture video, tabs in almost every app and so forth, Sierra happens to include a lot of under-the-hood tweaks and enhancements than we originally expected. To help get you up to speed, we've created this detailed overview of everything new in macOS Sierra so give it a read while Sierra is installing on your Mac.

Apple updates Mac iWork apps with support for real-time collaboration

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

In addition to macOS Sierra, Apple on Tuesday also released updates for its Mac iWork apps to support real-time collaboration. The feature was announced at the iPhone 7 event earlier this month, and was added to iOS apps last week.

Real-time collaboration is exactly what it sounds like. With it, users can work simultaneously in any iWork app regardless of device. A list is displayed of all current document editors, and users see the others' cursor activity in real time.

macOS Sierra software update is now available

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple on Tuesday released macOS Sierra for its laptop and desktop computers. The software update is free, and compatible with iMacs and MacBooks from 2009 or later, as well as MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, Mac Minis and Mac Pros from 2010 or later.

If you own any of the above hardware, you can update to macOS Sierra by navigating to the Mac App Store and locating the macOS Sierra page (or you can just search the App Store for macOS Sierra). Click on 'Download' and follow the on-screen instructions.

iPhone 7 outlasts Samsung Galaxy S7 in 35-foot water immersion

Anthony Bouchard ∙ September 20, 2016

When it comes to competition in the technology world, there’s nothing fiercer than that of what exists between Apple and Samsung.

Apple’s new iPhone 7 & 7 Plus handsets are water resistant, and recent water resistance testing has shown that it’s probably under-rated at IP67, but Samsung’s Galaxy S7 is rated to IP68 standards. So how do they compare?

iPhone 7 torture tests show low chance of bending, camera cover & Touch ID scratch easily

Anthony Bouchard ∙ September 20, 2016

Apple’s new iPhone 7 & 7 Plus are just now starting to get into consumers’ hands, and as a result, the run of the mill stress and torture tests have been ongoing since the end of this past week.

The iPhone 7 has proved to be very reliable in water resistance testing, as well as in drop testing, but there are other forms of durability tests too that might tickle your interest.

Media, polls and quoted tweets no longer count against Twitter’s 140-character limit

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

In May of this year, Twitter promised it would be stopping counting media and other non-text content against its 140-character limit. Today, the company announced that embedded photos, videos, GIFs, polls and quoted tweets no longer count toward your 140 characters.

Twitter originally promised to also stop counting user mentions like @iDownloadBlog, but didn't specify today when it'll drop @usernames from the character count.

Reports of iPhone 7 Home button and camera lens not covered in sapphire are false

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2016

I've seen a few reports on the web claiming that the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus do not use sapphire crystal to protect the Touch ID sensor on the non-moving Home button and the camera lens. It would make sense for everybody to stop worrying because these reports are simply not true.

According to Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller on Twitter, both new iPhone models use sapphire protection for the Home button and camera lens, just like before.

65+ new Apple Watch features in watchOS 3

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2016

watchOS 3 released alongside iOS 10 with a bunch of new features, core technologies and user interface enhancements. With watchOS 3, navigating your watch is now intuitive, as it should have been from the onset. A new Dock feature lets you access your frequently used apps with a press of the Side button and they load way faster, even on the original watch.

Apps can also take advantage of Background App Refresh technology to stay up to date, Messages now supports stickers, enhanced Digital Touch features and even fullscreen and bubble effects, like in iOS 10, plus tons more.

Some iPhone 7 units not regaining mobile service after exiting Airplane Mode, Apple investigating

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 19, 2016

An unknown number of users are reporting that their brand spanking new iPhone 7 is struggling to regain mobile service after Airplane Mode has been cancelled. According to internal documents, the company is aware of and investigating the issue.

Apple's reportedly advised authorized service providers to instruct customers to restart the affected devices and, if service persists, remove and re-insert the device's SIM card.