How-to

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

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

Apple Watch: How to sync audiobooks with Audible

Peter Cao Sep 19 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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The recently released Audible app for Apple Watch now lets users sync audiobooks to the Apple Watch for offline playback. This means you can sync audiobooks to the Apple Watch, and then play it back without the need of your iPhone.

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How to set up Apple TV, iPad, and HomePod as HomeKit hubs

Michael Potuck Sep 19 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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While there are a mix of Apple devices that work as HomeKit hubs, there are some limitations to enable all of the available HomeKit features like automations, streaming HomeKit cameras remotely, and more. Follow along for how to set up Apple TV, iPad, and HomePod as home hubs.

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How to get new iPhone and Apple Watch on launch day

Peter Cao Sep 18 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Looking to pick up the new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or Apple Watch Series 4 but forgot to pre-order? Don’t worry, there are a few tricks to potentially get your new iPhone XS, XS Max, or Apple Watch Series 4 on launch day.

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iOS 12: How to add a second person to Face ID on iPhone

Michael Potuck Sep 17 2018 - 3:41 pm PT

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While Face ID has seen overwhelmingly positive reviews on the whole, one trade-off compared to Touch ID has been the lack of support for multiple users. Fortunately, iOS 12 brings the option to add a second person for Face ID. Follow along for how to make use of this handy feature.

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iPhone & iPad: How to completely disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Peter Cao Sep 17 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Over the last several software updates, Apple has made it harder to disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth completely. Apple keeps the radios running to have things like Apple Watch and AirDrop functionally properly.

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How to prepare iPhone and iPad for iOS 12

Michael Potuck Sep 14 2018 - 1:39 pm PT

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During Apple’s iPhone event, we learned that iOS 12 will be released to the public this coming Monday, September 17. Whether you want to make sure you’re all set for the software update, or want point friends or family to a helpful resource, follow along for how to get ready for iOS 12.

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iPhone & iPad: How to change camera format for videos and photos

Peter Cao Sep 14 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Running low on storage for your phone but have important data? Maybe you have tons of storage but are importing photos and videos to a device that doesn’t support HEIF or HEVC.

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iPhone: How to adjust the slo-mo camera settings

Peter Cao Sep 13 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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Looking to take advantage of the slo-mo capabilities option with your iPhone? Follow along for how to change your settings from the default video speed for recording in slow motion.

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iPhone: How to customize camera settings to shoot 4K video

Michael Potuck Sep 13 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Looking to take advantage of the high quality 4K video recording option with your iPhone? Follow along for how to change your settings from the default 1080p resolution to 4K.

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How to stream Apple’s iPhone Xs event on iPhone, Mac, Windows, more

Chance Miller Sep 12 2018 - 5:59 am PT

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Today’s the day that Apple will officially unleash its iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, Apple Watch Series 4, and much more. Apple’s ‘Gather round’ event is slated for just a few hours from now, and the company is making it easier than ever to stream.

Head below for instructions on how to stream Apple’s iPhone Xs event on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and more.

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Apple Watch: How to enable notification privacy

Peter Cao Sep 12 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Similar to iPhone X and Face ID, Apple Watch can also gain similar notification privacy settings by flipping a few switches. Instead of notifications appearing immediately on the Watch, enabling notification privacy will only show the source of the notification as well as the name, masking the content.

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Mac: How to free up space with iCloud Photos optimized storage

Michael Potuck Sep 11 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Is your Mac running low on storage space? One way to easily free up room is by utilizing iCloud Photos and the optimize storage feature. Read on to see if this solution could be a good fit for you.

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iPhone & iPad: How to AirPlay to multiple devices

Peter Cao Sep 10 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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AirPlay is a super cool way to allow you to wirelessly send audio from your iOS device to another AirPlay-capable device such as HomePod, Apple TV, or a speaker connected via the line-out port on an AirPort Express.

However, with the introduction AirPlay 2, you’re now able to connect to multiple AirPlay-capable devices.

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iPhone & iPad: How to free up space with iCloud Photos optimized storage

Michael Potuck Sep 10 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Are you running out of storage space on your iPhone or iPad? One way to easily free up room is by utilizing iCloud Photos and the optimize storage feature. Follow along to see if this is a good fit for you.

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Mac: How to customize the equalizer in iTunes

Peter Cao Sep 7 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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Got a new pair of headphones or speakers but sounds a bit off? If you’re an Apple Music subscriber or use iTunes as your way to manage music, there might be a way to offer a temporary fix for your audio gear…

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iPhone & iPad: How to customize the Music app’s equalizer

Michael Potuck Sep 7 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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No matter if you’re using Apple Music or primarily listening to content from your own collection, it’s handy to tune the equalizer in the iOS Music app. Follow along for how to customize your EQ on iPhone and iPad.

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How-to
Siri

iPhone: How to customize the way you trigger Siri

Peter Cao Sep 6 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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Most people understand that pressing and holding the Home button on an iPhone (or Side button on iPhone X), will trigger Siri. However, there are other ways to trigger Siri, including hands-free.

Follow along to learn how to use different trigger methods for Siri….

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iPhone: How to change contacts sort order and display order

Michael Potuck Sep 6 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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Whether you’re new to iPhone or just haven’t customized your contacts settings before, follow along for how to change sort order and display order.

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iPhone: How to disable Raise to Wake

Peter Cao Sep 5 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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Raise to Wake is a super useful feature on the iPhone. It lets you turn on the screen by simply raising it. However, this can be annoying at times, especially if you carry your iPhone in a backpack or purse, causing the screen to wake at unintended times.

Follow along to learn how to turn it off…

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Mac: How to change Apple Pay billing and shipping address

Michael Potuck Sep 5 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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A good amount of retailers are accepting Apple Pay online. However, some things that can goof up your purchase such as incorrect billing or shipping details. Follow along for how to change your billing and shipping addresses for Apple Pay.

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Apple Watch: How to keep the screen on longer

Peter Cao Sep 4 2018 - 12:01 am PT

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Many users want an always-on display for Apple Watch. While we’re likely years away from this feature becoming a possibility, Apple does offer an option to keep the screen on longer than the default 15 seconds.

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iPhone & iPad: How to change Apple Pay billing and shipping address

Michael Potuck Sep 4 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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More and more retailers are accepting Apple Pay online. However, some things that can goof up your purchase are incorrect billing or shipping details. Follow along for how to change your billing and shipping addresses for Apple Pay.

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iOS
How-to

iPhone & iPad: How to disable Wi-Fi Auto-Join

Peter Cao Aug 30 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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One of the most annoying things about Wi-Fi are those offered by big corporations. Local Starbucks or library have terrible cell reception? Join the Wi-Fi network. However, a separate location might have better or faster cell reception than what the Wi-Fi offers.

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macOS Mojave: How to hide recent apps in the Dock

Peter Cao Aug 29 2018 - 12:00 am PT

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While still in beta, macOS Mojave has added a new feature that is arguably bad for most of the population. By default, macOS Mojave will now show the three most recently used apps in your dock.

Follow along to learn how to disable this feature…

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