Basics

281 'Basics' stories February 2019 - November 2022

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Thanksgiving tech support: Essential iOS and macOS tips and tricks to give your relative’s devices a tune-up

Bradley Chambers Nov 24 2022 - 11:00 am PT

Thanksgiving tech support

The United States is celebrating Thanksgiving today, and many Americans are getting ready for family gatherings, watching football games, enjoying their holiday free time – and looking for bargains as Christmas shopping approaches. If you’re the “tech person” in your family, chances are someone will ask for help with their iPhone or Mac. Here are some tips to make them run better!

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How to clear cache iPhone and iPad

iPhone & iPad: How to clear cache, history, and cookies

Michael Potuck Nov 11 2022 - 8:35 am PT

It doesn’t take long for caches to fill up on iOS. From the default Safari browser, to third-party apps, follow along for how to clear the cache, history, and cookies on iPhone and iPad.

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iPhone apps location access

How to see and change which iPhone apps have access to your location data

Michael Potuck May 30 2022 - 12:00 am PT

iOS 15 offers strong privacy controls for how to handle apps’ access to your location data. Whether there’s a specific app you want to check on or would just like to do a general audit, follow along to see your iPhone apps’ location access and how to change it.

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How to screen record on iPhone and iPad

Michael Potuck Apr 12 2022 - 12:01 am PT

Grabbing a screen recording is a handy feature in a variety of scenarios. Read on for how to screen record on iPhone and iPad including how to save the video to your device and stream screen recordings to third-party apps.

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How to set, find, make dynamic Mac wallpapers

How to use and find dynamic Mac wallpapers, make your own, more

Michael Potuck Mar 30 2022 - 12:00 am PT

Dynamic Mac wallpapers first arrived with macOS Mojave. Now with macOS Monterey, there are more built-in dynamic options than ever before. Let’s look at how to set dynamic Mac wallpapers, find additional ones online, make your own, and more.

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iPhone how to use Face ID with mask

iPhone: How to improve Face ID with a mask, including Apple Watch Unlock feature

Michael Potuck Jan 23 2022 - 12:00 am PT

Wearing a face mask usually renders iPhone’s Face ID unusable. Even though it sounds like a first-world problem, there are a lot of people, including medical professionals, who would value Face ID on iPhone to work while wearing protective equipment. Read on for how to use Face ID with a mask including the option to unlock your iPhone with Apple Watch when Face ID detects you’re wearing a mask.

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The best Bitcoin apps for iPhone

Bradley Chambers Dec 27 2021 - 6:00 am PT

Bitcoin isn’t a new phenomenon (it was released in its most primitive form in 2009), but it might be new to you! Thankfully, while the Bitcoin waters may be confusing and difficult to navigate, many great apps for your iPhone help you get started. If all you know about Bitcoin is the FTX collapse and Sam Bankman-Fried, then you’ve not researched enough to understand what makes Bitcoin unique. Bitcoin is not crypto, and Bitcoin is not a joke. Read on to learn about some recommended resources to start your Bitcoin journey and the best Bitcoin iPhone apps. Apple will eventually build a Bitcoin and Lightning Wallet into the iPhone.

This article was updated on July 2nd, 2024

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Remove Activation Lock iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, more

How to remove Activation Lock on iPhone, iPad, Mac, more

Michael Potuck Nov 11 2021 - 12:00 am PT

Having trouble with a locked Apple device? Follow along for how to remove Activation Lock on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. We’ll look at several steps including an Activation Lock web tool from Apple that’s new for 2021.

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How Safari in iOS 15 works walkthrough

Hands-on: Here’s how the all-new Safari in iOS 15 works

Michael Potuck Oct 29 2021 - 12:00 am PT

One of the major changes arriving with iOS 15 is a totally redesigned Safari. The all-new browser aims to make it easier to use with one hand as it shifts the search/tab bar to the bottom, introduces customizable Tab Groups, new start page, and more. Let’s dive into how the new Safari in iOS 15 works.

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Hands-on: iOS 15 upgrades the Notes app with support for tags; here’s how they work

Michael Potuck Oct 27 2021 - 3:00 am PT

Apple’s Notes app takes another step forward in iOS 15 with several new features. Follow along for a look at how to organize iPhone Notes with tags, search them, quickly create new notes in a tag group, use smart folders, and more.

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How to use iPhone Reminders with tags in iOS 15 lead

Hands-on: Here’s how tags work in the Reminders app on iOS 15

Michael Potuck Oct 22 2021 - 12:00 am PT

Apple’s Reminders app is leveled up in iOS 15 with tags. Let’s look at how to organize iPhone Reminders with tags, search, quickly create new reminders in a tag group, with Smart Lists, and more.

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iOS 15 lets you set new iCloud recovery options, here’s how

Michael Potuck Oct 21 2021 - 8:00 am PT

Apple is making it easier to recover iCloud data in the event of forgotten passwords or device passcodes with iOS 15. There are two options. Let’s look at how iCloud Data Recovery Service works with iCloud Recovery Contacts and the iCloud Recovery Key.

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iOS 15 brings new Announce Notifications feature for Siri, here’s how it works

Michael Potuck Oct 20 2021 - 3:00 am PT

iOS 15 expands on the previously available “Announce Messages” and “Announce Calls” features with the ability to have Siri “Announce Notifications” from first- and third-party apps. The functionality works with certain AirPods and Beats headphones as well as CarPlay, and there’s also the ability to customize which apps can use the feature.

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Here are all the best MacBook trade in values following new MacBook Pro launch

Stephen Hall Oct 19 2021 - 10:05 am PT

The new MacBooks are here, and that means it’s time to trade in your old, clunky, slow computer! While we’re always keeping you in the loop on the best MacBook trade in deals in our roundups every month, here’s what we’re finding for trade in values for Macs all the way from older MacBook Air models to the new-ish 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro…

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How to trade in or recycle your old MacBook and upgrade to an Apple Silicon model

Stephen Hall Oct 18 2021 - 8:06 am PT

Macbook Air

After a long history of Intel-based Macs and a couple M1 models last year, top-tier Apple Silicon chips are finally coming to the rest of the Mac lineup. Regardless of which old Mac you have, moving to an Apple Silicon model will have its benefits — and if you are coming from an older model, it’s certain to be a huge performance upgrade. But what should you do about that aging Mac now that you’re planning to upgrade? Here’s how to trade in and recycle your old computer…

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How to upgrade to your new Apple Watch Series 7 without losing data

Michael Potuck Oct 15 2021 - 8:57 am PT

Ready to switch from your Series 6 or earlier Apple Watch to the new Series 7? Or maybe you’re upgrading to the SE from an older model? Follow along for how to upgrade to your new Apple Watch Series 7 without losing data, including how to force Apple Watch backups.

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How offline Siri works on iPhone in iOS 15

Hands-on: Here’s what does and doesn’t work with offline Siri in iOS 15

Michael Potuck Oct 13 2021 - 3:00 am PT

One of the subtle but valuable new features with iOS 15 is that Siri works even when offline for some commands. That means faster performance, but offline requests won’t work for everything. Let’s look at what does and doesn’t work with offline Siri in iOS 15.

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Here’s how to turn on the new AirPods Pro Conversation Boost feature in iOS 15

Michael Potuck Oct 6 2021 - 12:54 pm PT

After first announcing Conversation Boost as coming with iOS 15 back in June, Apple officially released the feature with the latest AirPods Pro firmware update. However, the toggle is quite buried in Accessibility settings, here’s how to turn on AirPods Pro Conversation Boost with iPhone.

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How to change iOS 15 Safari address/search bar on iPhone

iOS 15 Safari: How to change the address/search bar design on iPhone

Michael Potuck Oct 5 2021 - 1:00 pm PT

Apple’s latest iOS release comes with an all-new Safari design that places the address/search bar at the bottom of the screen by default. But you can switch back to the classic iOS Safari design with a top bar. Here’s how to change the iOS 15 Safari address/search bar on iPhone.

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iOS 15: Here’s how to use the most popular features for iPhone and iPad

Michael Potuck Oct 1 2021 - 1:58 pm PT

Most popular iOS 15 features for iPhone and iPad

iOS 15 is officially here and even though there aren’t as many flashy features as we saw in iOS 14, there are a number of great changes and improvements. While there are over 300 new features and tweaks, let’s narrow things down, here’s how to use the most popular iOS 15 features.

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How to personalize your iPhone 13 pictures with the new Photographic Styles feature

Michael Potuck Sep 28 2021 - 12:05 pm PT

How to use iPhone 13 Photographic Styles walkthrough

Among the many iPhone 13 camera improvements is the new Photographic Styles. The feature allows you to save a preset for the default Camera app and you can also quickly change between the five available options in the moment. Let’s look at how to use iPhone 13 Photographic Styles.

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upgrade to iPhone 13 without losing data

How to upgrade to your new iPhone 13 without losing data

Michael Potuck Sep 23 2021 - 10:57 am PT

The new iPhone lineup is on its way to the first customers. Read on for a look at how to upgrade to iPhone 13 without losing any data, including what to do if you’re running the iOS 15.1 beta.

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iPad
Basics

Here are all the best iPad trade in values after new iPad mini launch

Stephen Hall Sep 22 2021 - 8:00 am PT

The new iPad 9 and iPad mini have arrived (and you can find an initial look at reviews for them here and here, respectively). Both are great upgrades for anyone looking for a new iPad. We’re always trying to keep you updated on all the best iPhone, iPad, and MacBook trade in deals every month, and here’s what we’re finding for trade in values for iPads in the wake of the announcement.

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iOS 15 brings back the popular dial picker from iOS 13 and earlier with a twist

Michael Potuck Sep 22 2021 - 5:22 am PT

iOS 15 dial picker

Across the system, iOS 14 brought a new dial picker that was quite the departure from the tried and true version we had in the years before. As we first reported in June, with iOS 15, Apple has brought back its popular wheel dial picker but with a small twist for those who prefer numpad entry.

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