iPhone Life - Best Apps, Top Tips, Great Gear
Apple Watch Hidden Gems
By Rhett Intriago
Apple has packed a lot of power into a small case with the Apple Watch. As a result, many users miss some of the best functions that Apple doesn’t highlight. I’ve compiled this handy list of the coolest features that you might not have heard of to help you get the most out of your wearable.
How to Use FaceTime Gestures
By Rachel Needell
One of the cool new features that comes with iOS 17 is the ability to use your hands to create on-screen reactions that will transform your video call experience. The cool thing about this is, as long as you have installed iOS 17 on your device, this feature will work on any video call service, like Snapchat Video, Facebook Messenger Video, and a FaceTime call with an Android user. Here's how to trigger it!
- ‹ previous
- 254 of 2379
- next ›
How to Organize Your Calendar in 2025
(Sponsored Post) By Amy Spitzfaden Both on Thu, 10/31/2024
Apple is pretty good about updating its products, but it seems to have forgotten about the Calendar app and its many downsides. The makers of Informant 5, on the other hand, do not forget to regularly improve their app based on user experience. The latest updates to this calendar and task-management app are a productivity game-changer.
How to Read a Message without Triggering a Read Receipt
By Conner Carey
If you have read receipts enabled but want to read the occasional text without letting the sender know you’ve seen it, just use 3D Touch to peek into the Message. (Note that this tip requires an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus.)
Review: The TravelCard Charger Fits in Your Wallet
By Todd Bernhard
I've reviewed the previous generation of the TravelCard Charger ($34) and I'm happy to report that, as good as it was, it's now even better. As the name implies, it's a compact charger in the shape and size of a credit card. What sets the TravelCard apart is that it's so small, yet still has a Lightning cable built-in (or there's a microUSB version for Android users.) The new version has a USB cable included so the TravelCard can be charged easily from any USB port.
I've written extensively about the game Vainglory (free) since it first debuted on stage when Apple unveiled unveiled the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus a year ago this very week. You may also recall being introduced to Vainglory thanks to Apple's Gamers commercial, the tech giant's only exclusively gaming commercial to date.
“Apple Is Open” Tim Cook Says in Response to Racial Profiling
By Conner Carey
Last week, six black teenagers of Somalian and Sudanese origin were asked to leave an Apple Store in Melbourne, Australia. An Apple Store employee asked the teens to leave for fear they would “steal something.” The incident of racial profiling was captured on video and shared to Youtube and Facebook where it went viral, prompting Tim Cook to respond to the event with an email last Thursday.
How to View Only Offline Music in Apple Music
By Conner Carey
Apple Music is kind of tricky. Sometimes My Music wouldn't play when I was away from Wi-Fi and out of Cellular reach and I couldn’t figure out why. Turns out, not all of My Music in Apple Music is available offline. Which means I’ve been using Cellular data without knowing it. To prevent this, Apple Music has the option to view Only Offline Music.
How to Turn Off Quick Website Search in Safari
By Conner Carey
On by default, Safari Quick Search uses search shortcuts to look within websites. Therefore, if you type a website name as a part of your search, Safari will look within that website for what you need. For example, type “Youtube cat video” to show YouTube search results for cat videos. If you’d rather this feature be turned off, here’s how.
Review: Soft Case by FÜZ Designs Is Both Slim and Protective
By Todd Bernhard
FÜZ Designs makes quality iOS accessories, so I was glad to try the Soft Case ($29.99) for the iPhone 6s. I liked the use of soft, grippy materials and the color choices (bright blue or red as well as black.)
Views on Top: Find the Best Views around the World with This App
By Krisoy Desouza
Views on Top (free) is an app where you can locate the best scenic experiences from around the world. People who love travel also adore the opportunity to take a good photograph or two. Some of the world’s best scenic locations are on here.
How to Use a Live Photo Wallpaper on Your iPhone
By Conner Carey
If you're wondering how to set a live wallpaper on iPhone in iOS 17, you're in luck! With the iOS 17 software update that will release in September of 2023, we can now set iPhone live wallpaper as our Lock Screen backgrounds again! If you haven't already done so, you will need to update to iOS 17 to use this tip!
Hans: Screen Deodorant for Your iPhone
By Conner Carey
“Hello, My Name is Hans,” says the packaging for what appears to be a small stick of deodorant. Made to clean your iPhone screen, when I first got Hans ($14.99) in the mail, I laughed. Yet, after using it, I got really happy. If you’re the type of person that hates dirt and fingerprints on your screen, Hans is about to be your new best friend.
Review: ZAGG Folio Case for iPad mini 4
By Nate Adcock
I finally broke down after the last Apple event and updated my original iPad mini with a new iPad mini 4. The mini is not only great for travel, it is completely viable as a miniature laptop. For on-the-go computing, it has replaced my old netbook (that I now use to run classic arcade games in a cocktail table cabinet). Anyway, the new mini needs a decent iPad mini keyboard case in order to act more like a laptop, and ZAGG has one of the best iPad mini cases. The ZAGG folio case (from $89.99) turns the new mini into an even more powerful tablet!
How to Turn off Contact Suggestions from Mail
By Conner Carey
With iOS 9, your iPhone looks through the Mail app to let you know who might be calling when an unknown number comes in. This is true for outgoing calls as well; iOS 9 will try to match the number you’re calling with a contact from emails. If this is a function you’d like to turn off, here’s how.
How to See Full Stories in the News App Feed
By Conner Carey
In the Apple News app, you have the option to view stories you tap as a preview or as the full story. Preview is the default function and makes sense for slower Internet connections; however, if you want to automatically read the full story, here’s how to change the setting.
Review: Withings Activité Pop Tracks Sleep, Is Waterproof
By Todd Bernhard
It's a reality today that all wearables will be compared to the Apple Watch, but the Activité Pop ($149.95) from Withings compares favorably. For starters, it's a lot more affordable, at about $150. It's also waterproof, which Apple doesn't claim. The first thing you'll notice is that it's analog. That means the battery life can be measured in months (up to eight), not hours. It's still smart, just don't expect to read your text messages on it. What you can do, though, is track your activity, steps, and sleep, and receive vibration alarms.
How to Delete the Live Photo Version of a Picture on Your iPhone
By Conner Carey
Apple introduced the Live Photo feature with the iPhone 6S, and it's still a fun and popular feature of the native iPhone Camera app. Unless you've unselected Live Photo settings in the Camera Settings, the Live Photo function is on by default when you open the Camera app, so you need to turn off Live Photo if you want a traditional still shot. Sometimes, though, we all forget to turn off Live Photo; now what? No worries, you can delete the Live Photo version of your picture and keep the still photo.