iOS 9

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.

How to view, search and edit Safari passwords

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 12, 2023

If you're tired of always having to log in, Safari will happily save web passwords in your keychain. Even better, the browser can automatically fill in your user names and passwords the next time you visit your favorite websites.

And with the iCloud Keychain feature, your saved passwords can be synchronized across devices in a safe, secure manner. In this tutorial, you're going to learn how to search saved Safari passwords without needing to visit their websites, view your saved logins, as well as add, delete and manage saved passwords.

iOS 9 adoption keeps chugging along, now standing at 77 percent

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 4, 2017

According to the latest stats published today on Apple's App Store dashboard for developers, 77 percent of devices are now using iOS 9.0 or later.

The new data point, captured by the App Store on February 8, 2016, represents a one-point increase over the adoption rate of 76 percent recorded two weeks ago and a two-point gain versus the 75 percent figure that was captured a month ago.

Apple seeds iOS 9.3 beta 3 with Verizon Wi-Fi Calling and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2016

Apple on Monday seeded a third beta of iOS 9.3 to its developers. The software is available to members of the Apple Developer Program and can be deployed on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices running a prior beta as an over-the-air download in Settings → General → Software Update.

A standalone installer should be available shortly through Apple's portal for developers.

The new beta has a build number of 13E5200d and adds a new Wi-Fi Calling option for Verizon customers. iOS 9.3 beta 3 arrived approximately two weeks following iOS 9.3 beta 2 and a full month since the original 9.3 beta was seeded to developers. We will update the article with a running list of enhancements in the new beta as we encounter them.

How to make the most of 3D Touch in Phone app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 9, 2019

Our 3D Touch tutorial series has so far covered various user interface shortcuts and 3D Touch Peek and Pop gestures in several Apple stock apps like Messages, Safari, Mail, iBooks and Apple Maps.

Today, we're going to discuss how pressure-sensing screens enhance the Phone app, one of the most frequently used stock apps on iPhones. Here's how to make the most of 3D touch and the Phone app.

How to use bookmark folders in Safari

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 25, 2019

In Safari, you can save websites you visit frequently so you can quickly revisit them later without having to remember their URLs. Saved webpages are accessible in Safari's Bookmarks menu on the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Mac.

If you save a lot of bookmarks, they will clutter the Bookmarks menu over time so locating that favorite website of yours will begin to feel like finding a needle in the haystack. You can avoid this by creating themed folders for organizing your bookmarks.

This tutorial provides step by step instructions for creating new Safari bookmark folders for iOS and macOS. You will also learn how to rename, reposition and delete these folders and file websites into them, all of which will help you organize your favorite websites to your liking.

Revamped NHL app with HD live video, picture-in-picture support and more now available

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 1, 2016

Today, the National Hockey League (NHL) has rebooted its iOS application with tons of goodies, including full support for iOS 9 features like picture-in-picture mode on compatible iPad models.

The new NHL 7.0 app delivers high-definition live video streaming at a silky smooth sixty frames per second on the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus.

It also provides the ability to subscribe to NHL Premium, a new package that lets you watch the dramatic final minutes of NHL games, including 3-on-3 OT and shootouts, and extended highlight packages, and includes a bunch of other enhancements that hockey fans will very much appreciate.

76 percent of devices are now using iOS 9

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 4, 2017

As measured by the App Store on January 25, 2016, and published on Apple's App Store dashboard for developers, iOS 9 is now powering 76 percent of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices, a one-percentage point gain versus the 75 percent mark that was recorded two weeks ago.

At the same time, the adoption rate for iOS 8 has dropped from nineteen percent as of January 13, 2016, to seventeen percent, a two-point loss.

Public beta testers: iOS 9.3 beta 2 and OS X 10.11.4 now available

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 27, 2016

Two days after seeding OS X 10.11.4 El Capitan beta 2 and iOS 9.3 beta 2 to members of the Apple Developer Program, public beta testers who are signed on the Apple Beta Software Program can now freely deploy these new beta builds on their Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.

iOS 9.3 beta 2 is available as an over-the-air update in Settings → General → Software Update on enrolled devices. OS X 10.11.4 beta 2 can be downloaded through the Mac App Store's Purchased tab for those who are enrolled in Apple's beta testing program.

Apple releases tvOS 9.1.1 software update for Apple TV 4 with new Podcasts app

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 25, 2016

Today, Apple released tvOS 9.1.1, a brand new software update for the fourth-generation Apple TV which brings the Podcasts app to the set-top box along with a fix for unexpected password prompts when downloading apps when restrictions are set and unspecified security improvements.

If it's not showing up on your Apple TV 4 yet, wait a few minutes and try again because software updates take some time to propagate.

Apple investigating iPhone 6s battery percentage issue, offers temporary fix

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 18, 2016

Has the battery percentage indicator been acting up lately on your iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus? If so, you're not alone: this is a known issue, according to Apple's newly published support document.

“If you change the time on your iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus manually or change time zones when traveling, you might notice that the battery percentage doesn’t update,” reads the document.

Apple is aware of the problem and working hard to deliver a permanent fix.

New in iOS 9.3: Peek and Pop within App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 14, 2016

The forthcoming iOS 9.3 software update expands the number of 3D Touch shortcuts available on the Home screen for Apple's stock apps, and it also brings shortcuts for the first time to legacy apps such as Compass and Stocks.

iPhone 6s owners will appreciate a pair of new Home screen shortcuts for the App Store that are self-explanatory: Update All and Purchased. But as it turns out, that's not all: iOS 9.3 also enables Peek and Pop gestures to apps within the App Store.