How-to

1,982 'How-to' stories September 2011 - December 2018

A collection of tutorials, tips, and tricks from the 9to5Mac team helping you fix and get the most out of your favorite gear.

How to add App Store and iTunes gift cards on iPhone and iPad

Michael Potuck Dec 24 2018 - 9:38 am PT

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In the next few days, lots of App Store and iTunes gift cards will be gifted. If you were just given one or treated yourself, follow along for how to add App Store and iTunes gift cards on iPhone and iPad. Also, a gift card with instant email delivery is a great last-minute gift option!

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How to permanently delete an Apple ID account

Michael Potuck Dec 21 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Whether you’d like to delete a secondary account or part ways with an Apple ID for another reason, read on for how to permanently delete an Apple ID account.

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How to remove a user from a group iMessage chat on iPhone

Peter Cao Dec 20 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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Accidentally add someone to a group iMessage chat you didn’t mean to? Someone in a chat that’s spamming way too much? Luckily, in addition to removing yourself, you can also remove other users from a group iMessage chat. Follow along to learn how to remove a user from a group iMessage chat.

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How to change your Apple ID email address

Michael Potuck Dec 20 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Whether you’ll be losing access to the email you’re currently using or want to change your Apple ID for another reason, read on for how to change your Apple ID email address.

2022: We’ve updated this guide with all the latest information and details in this article.

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How to disable automatic app downloads on iPhone and iPad

Peter Cao Dec 19 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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If you’ve ever owned multiple iOS devices, you’ll know that by default apps downloaded on one device will download to the rest. This can get a bit tricky if you’re intending both devices to have separate app layouts or collections. Follow along to learn how to disable automatic app downloads on iPhone and iPad.

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How to reduce screen motion on iPhone and iPad

Michael Potuck Dec 18 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Does the screen motion on your iPhone or iPad make you feel queasy or maybe you just find it unnecessary? Read on for how to reduce screen motion on iPhone and iPad.

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How to activate eSIM on a T-Mobile postpaid account

Peter Cao Dec 17 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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T-Mobile released an app that allows users to activate a plan with an eSIM. The one caveat is that the app only allows users to activate a prepaid plan, leaving most of its customers out in the dark with no support for postpaid. However, there is a workaround that has seen some success over the past few weeks.

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How to reorder watch faces on Apple Watch

Michael Potuck Dec 17 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Whether you’ve got dozens of watch faces or just a handful, follow along for how to reorder watch faces on Apple Watch and get to your favorites more easily.

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How to view Activity summary on Apple Watch

Peter Cao Dec 14 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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The Apple Watch to many is a fitness device, among other things. Most users love using the Activity app on Apple Watch. At the end of each week, Apple Watch gives you an Activity summary. Follow along to learn how to view the Activity summary on Apple Watch…

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How to check your heart rate on Apple Watch

Michael Potuck Dec 14 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Apple Watch provides lots of useful data on your heart rate. It offers your average for each day overall, your resting average, walking average, and more. Read on for how to check your heart rate on Apple Watch.

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How to set up Apple Music on Amazon Echo speakers and make default for Alexa

Michael Potuck Dec 13 2018 - 12:59 pm PT

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After an unexpected announcement two weeks ago, Apple Music integration has arrived Amazon Echo speakers. Read on for how to set up Apple Music on Amazon Echo speakers and make it the default for Alexa.

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How-to
notes

How to access Notes from the Lock Screen on iPhone and iPad

Peter Cao Dec 13 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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With Apple Pencil and iPad Pro, users can create a new note from the lock screen by simply tapping the screen with the Pencil. However, there’s a slightly less elegant, but useful way to access Notes from non-Apple Pencil enabled iPads or your iPhone.

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iOS
How-to

How to turn off background app refresh on iPhone and iPad

Peter Cao Dec 12 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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Background app refresh on iOS allows apps to run in the background if needed. For example, if the a podcast app needs to download the latest episode of a show you’re listening to, or if mail needs to download your latest emails.

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How to update personal info like weight on Apple Watch

Michael Potuck Dec 12 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Whether you need to correct a mistake or just refresh your details, follow along for how to update weight and other personal information on Apple Watch.

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How-to
eSIM

How to check if your carrier supports eSIM

Peter Cao Dec 11 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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The eSIM feature is getting a ton of buzz lately with the release of iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. It gained even more traction with iOS 12.1 and iOS 12.1.1, which added support for more carriers around the world.

Follow along to learn how to check to see if your carrier supports eSIM.

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How to get the best exercise and movement tracking with Apple Watch

Michael Potuck Dec 11 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Apple Watch can help users live healthier lives in a variety of ways. One of the ways it can do that is by tracking movement and helping users be more aware of how active they are. Read on for how to get the best exercise and movement tracking with Apple Watch.

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How to view which apps have location permissions on iOS

Peter Cao Dec 10 2018 - 4:48 pm PT

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A recent report noted that some apps are mining your location to send to advertisers. Follow along to learn how to view which apps have location permissions on iOS.

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How to allow pop-ups on Mac

Michael Potuck Dec 10 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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While blocking pop-ups is generally helpful, there are times when you’ll need to enable them. Follow along for how to allow pop-ups on Mac.

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How to check your Apple Pencil model number

Peter Cao Dec 7 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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Now that there’s multiple hardware revisions of Apple Pencil, you may need to know the model number in the future, especially if newer models look similar to the old one. Follow along to learn how to check your Apple Pencil model number.

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How to get the best ECG readings on Apple Watch

Michael Potuck Dec 7 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Taking an ECG (electrocardiogram) with Apple Watch is quick and straightforward. However, there are some factors that can create inaccurate readings or even prevent readings entirely. Read on for how to get the best ECG readings on Apple Watch.

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How to share ECG results with your doctor

Peter Cao Dec 6 2018 - 1:21 pm PT

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watchOS 5.1.2 includes the much-anticipated ECG app for Apple Watch. With it, you’re able to take an electrocardiogram and send it to your doctor. This is especially crucial if the ECG results show that you may potentially have atrial fibrillation. Follow along to learn how to share ECG results with your doctor.

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How to take an ECG (electrocardiogram) on Apple Watch [Gallery]

Michael Potuck Dec 6 2018 - 10:44 am PT

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After announcing Apple Watch Series 4 would be the first over-the-counter device to offer ECG readings, Apple has made the health feature available to all users today with watchOS 5.1.2. Read on for how to use Apple Watch to take an ECG (electrocardiogram).

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How to set up Apple Watch irregular heart rate notifications

Michael Potuck Dec 6 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Along with the highly anticipated ECG (electrocardiogram) capability arriving on Apple Watch, the new update also brings additional heart focused health features. Follow along for how to set up irregular heart rate notifications on Apple Watch.

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iOS 12.1.1 and macOS 10.14.2 bring real-time text support to Wi-Fi calling, here’s how it works

Chance Miller Dec 5 2018 - 6:00 pm PT

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Earlier today, Apple released iOS 12.1.1 and macOS Mojave 10.14.2. iOS 12.1.1 adds new features like new haptic touch features on iPhone XR and expanded eSIM support. The update also brings support for the real-time text (RTT) protocol to Wi-Fi calling, while macOS 10.14.2 brings it to the Mac.

What exactly does that mean? Read on to find out.

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