Use iOS 17’s Check In Feature to Reduce Worry

The new Check In feature of iOS 17 can provide peace of mind by letting you specify a safety partner who will automatically be notified if you fail to arrive at your desti-nation or complete a timer.

Open the Mac’s Control Center with This Obscure Keyboard Shortcut

Control Center brings together controls for a collection of core macOS features, but its menu bar icon is small, making it hard for some to click. Luckily, there’s a hidden shortcut to bring it up quickly from the keyboard

Want to Password-Protect a PDF? Follow These Best Practices

If you have a PDF with confidential information that you want to share, you can set a password to restrict opening, printing, or editing. We have instructions

Stay Alert! Voice Phishing Used in Recent Ransomware Attacks

Phishing isn’t limited to email and texts anymore—“voice phishing” or “vishing” was used recently in a major ransomware attack on MGM Resorts. The rise in such at-tacks means that requests over the phone will need much more verification.

Networking Gear Does Wear Out—Suspect It in Internet Slowdowns and Dropouts

Keep a USB Keyboard and Mouse for Troubleshooting

The minimalist approach with a wireless keyboard and mouse is good most of the time, but if things go wrong, it can be handy to have a wired USB keyboard and mouse available for troubleshooting.

Tired of Nonstop Cookie Popups? Dismiss Them Automatically with These Extensions

If you’re as annoyed as we are by constant cookie consent popups on seemingly eve-ry website these days, check out our recommendations for browser extensions that can banish them for good.

Forget Your Just-Changed Passcode? iOS 17’s Passcode Reset Has Your Back

If you change your passcode and can’t remember it (or it was changed for you by a prankster), iOS 17 lets you use your old passcode for 72 hours. It’s a helpful back-stop for the results of a memory lapse or mischievous child.

Is Your Mac Running Low on Disk Space? Here’s How to Delete Unnecessary Files

Is your Mac low on drive space? Learn how to use Apple’s built-in storage manage-ment capabilities—perhaps supplemented with a third-party utility—to find and de-lete gigabytes of unnecessary files.

Faster Copying of Two-Factor Authentication Codes from Messages

Need to enter SMS-initiated two-factor authentication codes manually in Web brows-ers other than Safari? Try this hidden trick for quickly copying and pasting them in-stead of retyping all those numbers.

With Storms Increasing, Protect Your Tech Gear from Damaging Power Fluctuations

How can you protect your tech gear from unexpected power fluctuations? A UPS is best in some scenarios, but a not-too-old surge protector is often sufficient. You can also let your Apple chargers do their job without worrying about what they are plugged into.

Frustrated by System Settings? Use the View Menu or Search

If you have trouble finding things in macOS Ventura’s System Settings app, you’re not alone. We have advice to help you navigate alphabetically or jump directly to a deep-ly nested setting.

When Should You Upgrade to macOS 14 Sonoma, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17?

Apple is gearing up to release macOS 14 Sonoma, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17. We briefly examine the features worth upgrading for and suggest when to upgrade each of your Apple devices

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts Performing Unexpected Actions? Check These Settings

Do strange things sometimes happen on your Mac when you inadvertently press cer-tain key combinations? Take a trip through the macOS keyboard shortcuts and turn off those you’ll never use intentionally.

Things You Need to Know Before Moving to a New iPhone

It’s exciting to get a new iPhone, but take a few minutes to read our advice on what you need to do before—and after—transferring your data from your old iPhone.

Apple Announces iPhone 15 Lineup, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2

At its Wonderlust event, Apple introduced the iPhone 15 lineup, the Apple Watch Series 9, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. For the most part, they’re incremental upgrades, making them most compelling to those upgrading from much older devices.

Erase Image Content in Preview with Copied Color Blocks

Have you ever needed to remove some content from a screenshot or other illustra-tion? There’s no need for a fancy graphics app—you can do it quickly in Preview with this little-known trick.

What Should You Do about an Authentication Code You DIDN’T Request?

Receiving a two-factor authentication code you didn’t request shows that your secu-rity is working, but it’s also an indication that someone may have your password and be trying to break into your account.

Beware Executive Imposter Scams Aimed at New Employees

We’re seeing an uptick in scam emails and texts to new hires purporting to be from corporate executives. The best defense is awareness, so we recommend adding secu-rity training to your onboarding process.

Legitimately Worried That You’re Being Targeted Online? Try Lockdown Mode

High-value targets like activists, journalists, and government employees with access to sensitive information should consider enabling Lockdown Mode on their Apple devices to protect against hacking or spying by sophisticated digital attackers.