While the Apple devout are already chasing the new Apple Watch Series 11, you and I know that a product announcements means great deals on the previous generation. You can snag a Series 10 Apple Watch with GPS and cellular data (8/10, WIRED Recommends) for just $329 from Amazon. As long as you’re OK with the 42 mm in rose gold, you’ll get one of the more premium Series 10 models.
Photograph: Adrienne So
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Photograph: Adrienne So
The Series 10 version of the Apple Watch had a number of major improvements to key areas over the previous generation. The biggest change was the display, which is bigger and brighter with better off-angle viewing. Our reviewer Adrienne So noted that people actually asked her about the watch after seeing the more vivid faces. Despite the larger screen, this generation slims down in several dimensions, as well as cutting some weight, for an overall more comfortable experience.
If you’re a swimmer, or just like spending time by the pool, there are new water features. A temperature sensor can tell you how cold the lake is before you dive in, and a tides app can help you figure out the best time to paddle out. It all pairs nicely with Apple’s other health monitoring features, which can track fitness across a variety of activities as well as monitor your sleep.
While the battery life is basically the same as the Series 9, Apple made some improvements to the charging. We were able to fully charge the watch via the new fast charger in just about 20 minutes, which means you can use it for sleep, and then have it ready to go for your day while you get ready.
You could certainly spend more and get the newly announced Apple Watch Series 11 (9/10, WIRED Review) with better battery, and the return of the blood oxygen sensor, but if cellular is a key feature, you’ll save some bucks grabbing the older model. While the Apple Watch is one of our favorite smartwatches, it’s for iPhone users only, so Android owners will want to check out our roundup for alternative options.
With iOS 26, Apple has expanded its native call recording feature with transcripts, Live Translation, summaries and tighter integration with Notes. It’s a more polished and useful tool than before, especially if you rely on your iPhone for interviews, meetings or important conversations.
Call recording itself first arrived with iOS 18.1 in October 2024. The feature has always been region- and language-dependent, and that hasn’t changed. If it’s available where you live, you can capture calls directly from the Phone app without third-party apps or hardware. If it’s not, there are still alternative methods worth knowing about. Here’s how it works, plus what to do if the option isn’t available in your country.
How to check if call recording is available
First, confirm that the feature is supported in your region. Apple maintains a feature availability page that lists countries where call recording isn’t offered, including the European Union, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. If your country is on that list, you won’t see the option in the Phone app.
Before recording your phone call, you’ll need the consent of the person on the other end of the line. When you start recording, both parties hear an audio notice stating that the call is being recorded.
How to record a call on iPhone
Recording a call is straightforward:
During the call, tap the More button.
The call continues as normal, but the iPhone automatically saves the audio once you hang up or tap Stop. You’ll find all recordings in iOS’ native Notes app, inside a folder called Call Recordings.
How to play back, manage and delete recordings
To listen back, open Notes, go to the Call Recordings folder, and tap the file you want. Tap Play to hear it.
From here, you can:
Search: Tap the More button and select Find in Transcript.
Copy: Tap the More button and select Add Transcript to Note or Copy Transcript.
Save: Tap the More button and select Save Audio Files, then select where you want to save recording (another folder or app).
Share: Tap the More button and select Share Audio, then select how you want to share the recording
Delete: Tap the More button and select Delete. This deletes the recording and any related transcript.
How to transcribe your calls
If your region and language are supported, iOS 26 also transcribes calls. Open a recording in Notes, then tap Show Transcript and Summary. Processing might take a few moments, but once it’s ready, you’ll see the conversation broken down by speaker. From there, you can search the text, copy it into another note or tap a line to jump to that part of the audio. Apple warns transcripts may not be flawless, so double check to make sure important details are correct.
Apple Intelligence summaries
With Apple Intelligence switched on, you’ll also get a generated summary of the call. This is handy if you only need the highlights — for example, the action items from a meeting or the main points of an interview. Summaries appear alongside the transcript in Notes.
How to turn off call recording
By default, call recording is enabled on supported devices. If you don’t want the option at all, navigate to Settings, select Apps, then Phone, tap Call Recording and toggle it off.
Alternatives if call recording isn’t available
If you’re in a region where the built-in feature doesn’t appear, or you’re running a previous version of iOS, there are still other ways to record calls.
In the US, federal law dictates one-party consent. This means you can record a phone call as long as you are actively participating in the conversation. However, it is important that you check state laws (in the US) or relevant laws in your country before recording a phone call. Note that these options don’t integrate with Apple Notes or Apple Intelligence, but they give you a backup if the official method isn’t supported where you live.
Rev Call Recorder (US only) is free to use on your iPhone. There are no in-app ads or time constraints, allowing you to record high-quality audio via the app.
Google Voice (US only) lets you record incoming calls via the app by pressing “4” on the keypad. The audio file appears in your Google Voice inbox afterward. The function is restricted to incoming calls, and features will depend on the account you have.
External recorders: You can connect a small recorder to your iPhone through USB-C or Lightning, or place a digital recorder next to your phone on speaker mode. This keeps everything offline, but audio quality can vary.
Speakerphone: If you have access to multiple devices, you can place your call on speakerphone and simultaneously use a separate device with the Voice Memos app open to record your call. While the sound quality is unlikely to be on par with other alternatives, it is a feasible option.
IOS 26 has arrived, bringing a mix of practical upgrades and fun new features that make your iPhone smarter and easier to use. Updating only takes a few minutes, and it ensures you get the latest tools along with Apple’s newest security fixes.
From smarter spam filters in Messages to custom alarm snooze times and even polls in group chats, iOS 26 is packed with ways to simplify your day. Here’s how to install iOS 26 and start exploring its best features right away.
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Updating to iOS 26 takes just a few minutes.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to update your iPhone to iOS 26
Updating to iOS 26 takes just a few minutes, and it ensures you get the latest features and security fixes. Make sure your iPhone is charged and connected to Wi-Fi before you start.
Follow these steps:
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap General.
Select Software Update.
If iOS 26 is available, tap Upgrade to iOS 26.
Click Update Now.
Enter your passcode if asked, then agree to the terms.
Wait for the download and installation to finish. Your iPhone will restart with iOS 26.
Your phone will restart with the new update after following the process.( )
IOS 26 works on a wide range of iPhones, from the iPhone 11 series through the latest iPhone 17 lineup. Compatible models include:
IPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2nd generation and later).
1) Smarter spam message detection
Spam texts arrive at the worst times. IOS 26 filters these unwanted messages into a separate folder, keeping your main inbox clean. Here’s how to use this feature:
Open the Messagesapp.
Click the horizontal lines in the upper right of the screen
Go to the Unknown Senders folder.
Review texts moved there automatically.
Click the right arrow andmark as known or delete the spam.
You can check the “Unknown Senders” folder anytime, mark trusted contacts or delete the clutter without ever being disturbed by lock screen notifications.
Users are also able to instantly share location via Maps. ( )
2) Instantly share your location in Maps
IOS 26 makes it simple to send your location without even opening the Maps app. Here’s how:
Touch and hold the Maps icon on your Home Screen.
Tap Send My Location.
From there, you can choose how to share it. AirDrop works best if the person is nearby, while Messages lets you send it instantly to friends or family anywhere.
This shortcut removes the hassle of digging through menus and makes sharing directions effortless.
The new update also allows users to sort and view call history by contact.( )
3) View call history by contact
No more endless scrolling. Now you can quickly see every incoming, outgoing and missed calls in one organized list.
Open the Phone app.
Click the search icon.
Type the contact’s name and click the search icon.
Select the contact’s name.
New updates make it easier to view all calls with one person at a glance.( )
There you will see all calls associated with that person.
This makes it easy to check all your calls with one person at a glance, without scrolling through your entire log.
Specific text can also now be selected in a text message.( )
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4) Select specific text in a message
Sometimes you only need one detail instead of the entire message bubble. Here’s how to grab it:
Open the Messages app.
Long-press the message you want.
Tap Select from the menu.
Drag the selection handles to highlight just the part you need.
Click the right arrow > to choose to copy, look up, translate,search web, speak or share it instantly.
It’s a quick way to pull out only the detail you need, whether that’s an address, a code or just a single word.
The new update permits users to disable “tap recents to call.” ( )
5) Disable “Tap Recents to Call”
Accidental calls can be embarrassing. IOS 26 lets you turn this off, so tapping a number in Recents won’t instantly dial; you’ll have to press the call button on purpose. Here’s how to toggle off or disable the feature:
Open Settings.
Scroll down and tap Apps.
Choose Phone.
Toggle off Tap Recents to Call.
Now your call log stays drama-free. Tapping a number in Recents won’t instantly start a call anymore. You’ll need to press the call button on purpose. That means no more accidentally ringing your boss when you just wanted to double-check the number.
The above illustration features steps to disable “Tap Recents to Call” in the Settings App.( )
6) Customize alarm snooze options
Not a fan of the default 9-minute snooze? IOS 26 lets you set the interval that actually matches your morning routine. Follow these steps to adjust it:
Open the Clock app.
Tap the Alarms tab.
Select an existing alarm (or tap + to create one).
Tap SnoozeDuration.
Choose your snooze time from 1 to 15 minutes.
Tap Save.
Your mornings become more manageable, whether you’re grabbing a quick 5-minute reset or easing into the day with a longer break.
The above illustration shows steps to customize alarm snooze options in Clock App.( )
7) Get a dirty lens warning
Nothing ruins a photo faster than a smudged lens. With iOS 26, you can turn on Lens Cleaning Hints, so your iPhone warns you before you take a blurry shot. Here’s how:
Open Settings.
Scroll down and tap Camera.
Find Lens Cleaning Hints.
Toggle the switch on.
Now, when your camera detects smudges or haze, iOS 26 will display an on-screen hint in the Camera app, reminding you to “clean the camera lens“ before taking your shot.
Here are steps to get a dirty lens warning in Settings App.( )
8) See estimated charging time
Ever wonder how long it will take to fully charge your iPhone? IOS 26 now shows you an estimated charging time so you can plan your day better. Here’s how to view it:
Plug your iPhone into a charger.
Wake your phone, and the Lock Screen will display the estimated time until fully charged.
For more details, open Settings.
Tap Battery.
Look for the Estimated Full Charge Time under the charging status.
This makes it easy to tell whether you’ll be at 100% before leaving the house or if you should pack a charger for later.
This makes it easy to tell whether you’ll be at 100% before leaving the house or if you should pack a backup charger.( )
9) Make the clock on your Lock Screen bigger
Want your time display to stand out more? IOS 26 lets you adjust the size of the clock on your Lock Screen for a bolder look. Here’s how:
Long-press on your Lock Screen.
Tap Customize at the bottom.
Use the pull handle on the bottom right to adjust the size.
Tap Done to save your changes.
On certain wallpapers, the clock even has a depth effect, slipping behind the subject in your photo. With Photo Shuffle wallpaper, the clock can adjust dynamically, and it also stretches in areas like the Notification Center, giving your iPhone a fresh and lively feel.
Can’t decide what color to paint your walls, where to eat or which movie to watch? IOS 26 lets you create quick polls right inside group chats so everyone can vote. Here’s how:
Open the Messages app.
Enter a conversation (this works in group chats or individual messages).
Tap the + button next to the text box.
From the pop-up menu, select Polls.
Tap each choice field and type your options (add more choices by typing into the next blank field).
When you’re done, tap Send (Up arrow).
Now your friends or coworkers can vote directly in the chat, and you can decide whether to follow the results or just order what you were craving anyway.
Users can also now create a polls for others in iMessage.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
IOS 26 goes beyond security patches; it’s about convenience and personalization. You can finally adjust your snooze to match your mornings, keep your inbox free from spam, see how long charging will take and even get a heads-up if your camera lens is dirty before snapping a shot. These small but meaningful updates add up to a smoother iPhone experience.
Which iOS 26 feature are you most excited to try first, polls in iMessage, spam filters or something else entirely? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com/Contact
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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
The same mildly flat indent on the stem of each bud indicates the location of the touch/squeeze controls, and there are black spots where heart rate sensors, wear detection sensors, and microphone ports hide. As with previous models, silvery tips bless the end of each elephant trunk, where a beamforming mic aims at your lips for maximum fidelity. These are all familiar, refined design cues from previous AirPods, and they are better executed than ever, even with such slight changes.
Well-Supported
Review: Apple AirPods Pro 3
I’ve been very impressed with Apple’s software support when it comes to AirPods Pro; last year it added a bunch of free hearing health features as a software update. That trend continues here with the addition of real-time translation and heart rate monitoring on these buds.
The translation can be activated by squeezing both of the buds at once, at which time any Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone (any iPhone 16 Pro or later with the feature on) will pull up the Translate app on iOS. Siri will then listen to the speaker in front of you and translate what they are saying in real time, provided they are speaking English, Spanish, German, French, or Portuguese. I tested this with my multilingual wife, who found it to be very accurate with her Spanish phrases.
This is great for multilingual work or education environments in the United States in particular, as well as for travel, and should help folks who struggle with more advanced phrases or need to deliver a more nuanced message in their native language.
I’ve seen this feature enabled on headphones like the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 (which do this, but using Google Translate). Side by side, Google’s Buds and associated app offer many more languages and bit better translation (my Thai mother-in-law was very excited at how well it worked with Thai, which isn’t available on AirPods Pro 3), but Apple’s version is still more than welcome.
Phishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the latest scam takes exploitation of a trusted platform to a new level. Instead of sending generic or suspicious-looking emails, attackers are now abusing Apple’s iCloud Calendar invite system to deliver phishing content directly from Apple’s own email servers.
This clever tactic allows the fraudulent messages to bypass spam filters and appear more legitimate to unsuspecting users. The goal is to alarm you into calling a scammer’s fake support number under the pretense of disputing a fraudulent PayPal transaction. Once contacted, you are manipulated into granting remote access to your devices or sharing sensitive data.
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Scammers exploit Apple’s iCloud Calendar to deliver phishing invites that bypass spam filters.(Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
How the scam uses iCloud Calendar invites to bypass security
The heart of this scam lies in abusing Apple’s official infrastructure to lend credibility to a phishing attempt. Instead of using a suspicious or easily flagged email address, the attackers send calendar invites from Apple’s genuine domain, noreply@email.apple.com, as reported by Bleeping Computer.
The attacker embeds the phishing message in the “Notes” section of the calendar event, making it appear as a legitimate notification. They send the calendar invite to a Microsoft 365 email address they control, which is part of a mailing list. As a result, the invite is automatically forwarded to multiple real targets, broadening the scam’s reach.
Typically, when emails are forwarded, SPF (Sender Policy Framework) checks fail because the forwarding server isn’t listed as an authorized sender. However, Microsoft 365 uses a technique called the Sender Rewriting Scheme (SRS), which rewrites the return path so that the message still passes SPF checks.
This makes the email appear fully legitimate to both the recipient’s inbox and automated spam filters. As a result, the message is far more likely to reach a user’s inbox without being flagged, increasing the chance the victim will take the bait.
Cybercriminals leverage Microsoft 365 forwarding and Apple’s email domain to outsmart filters.(Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Why these phishing scams are particularly dangerous
What makes this campaign especially dangerous is the sense of legitimacy it conveys. Because Apple’s official servers send the email directly, users are far less likely to suspect foul play. The message itself aims to panic the recipient by falsely claiming a large PayPal transaction occurred without the recipient’s consent. The message includes a phone number to “contact support” and dispute the charge, but, in reality, it connects the victim to a scammer.
Once the victim calls the number, the scammer poses as a technical support agent and attempts to convince the caller that the computer has been compromised. The next step is typically to ask the victim to download remote access software under the guise of issuing a refund or securing the account.
In reality, this access is used to steal banking information, install malware or exfiltrate personal data. Because the original message passed security checks and seemed credible, victims often don’t think twice before acting.
Fraudsters are hijacking iCloud Calendar invites to trick users into calling fake support lines.(Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
6 ways you can stay safe from iCloud Calendar scammers
I have listed some useful steps you can take to protect yourself from falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated phishing scams:
1) Treat unexpected calendar invites with caution
If you receive an unexpected calendar invite, especially one containing a strange message or alarming claims, don’t open it or respond. Legitimate companies rarely send payment disputes or security warnings through calendar invites. Always verify suspicious claims by logging into your official account directly.
2) Avoid calling numbers listed in emails or calendar invites
Phishing scams often include phone numbers that connect you to fraudsters posing as support agents. Instead of calling the number in the message, use official contact details found on the company’s official website.
3) Install trusted antivirus software
Antivirus programs protect your computer from malware and phishing sites by blocking suspicious downloads and warning you about unsafe websites.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Also, keeping your antivirus updated ensures it can defend against the latest threats.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
4) Remove your personal data from public listings
Hackers are able to send you these phishing emails because they have your data. Using a personal data removal service helps scrub your personal information from data broker websites. This makes it significantly harder for attackers to gather details about you and craft convincing, targeted phishing attacks.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visitingCyberguy.com.
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5) Use a password manager
A password manager helps you generate and securely store strong, unique passwords for every account. This reduces the risk of reusing weak passwords that scammers can easily exploit to gain unauthorized access to your accounts.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.
6) Keep software and systems updated
Regularly updating your operating system, browser and applications helps patch security vulnerabilities that attackers often exploit in phishing scams. Staying current with updates minimizes your exposure to known threats.
Scammers are taking phishing attacks in a disturbing new direction by manipulating trusted platforms to deliver malicious content. The safest approach is to treat any unexpected calendar invite, especially those with alarming messages or strange contact numbers, with extreme caution. Never call the number provided in the message or click on any links. Instead, go directly to official websites or your account’s official dashboard to verify suspicious activity.
Have you ever been targeted by a phishing scam disguised as an official message? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
Keeping track of medications and medical history can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re caring for yourself and a spouse. Olaf from Valley Stream, New York, put it this way:
“I’m 86, just switched to iPhone. Have trouble finding a system to keep mine and my wife’s medications and medical histories. It seems we need these for each wellness visit. Appreciate your easy suggestions.”
Olaf’s experience is common. Many people struggle to keep their health details organized, especially when doctor visits pile up. The good news? Both iPhone and Android phones come with simple, secure tools that make it easier than ever to track prescriptions, reminders and important health information.
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Both iPhone and Android phones offer built-in health apps that can track prescriptions, reminders and medical details in one secure place.(Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Use the built-in Health apps
iPhone Health app
Your iPhone already has a Health app installed, and it gives you two ways to manage important health details:
Medical ID (for emergency info only)
This section is designed so that first responders and doctors can see your critical health details from the lock screen if needed. Adding medications here does not create reminders. It’s best for storing:
Medications you’re taking
Allergies
Conditions
Emergency contacts
Doctors
How to set up Medical ID:
Open the Health app (white icon with a red heart).
Tap your profile photo in the top right.
Select Medical ID
Scroll down to where you see Medications, Allergies, Emergency Contacts, Conditions, and click Add
Add medications, conditions, allergies, doctors and emergency contacts.
Then tap Done in the upper right
Turn on Show When Locked so this info is visible on your lock screen in case of an emergency.
Everything you add stays private and encrypted, but you can choose to share details with your doctor or family.
If you want your iPhone to remind you to take your meds and let you log each dose, you’ll need to use the dedicated Medications feature (introduced in iOS 16):
Open the Health app.
Tap Browse.
Click Medications.
Scroll down and tap Add a Medication.
Enter the details in the search bar or scan the pill bottle with your iPhone’s camera by clicking the camera icon next to the search bar.
Choose the Medication Type and click Next.
Add the medication strength and choose Unit. A blue check will appear next to the unit, then click Next.
Set the schedule and dosage by first adding “When will you take this? Then add “At what time?” and the“Duration”. Then tap Next at the bottom of the screen.
Choose the Shape of the medication by tapping one of the examples, and then tap Next at the bottom of the screen.
Choose colors under Shape and Background, then tap Next.
Review details. You can add Optional Details like Display Name or Notes. Then, click Done.
Now, you’ll get notifications on your iPhone and can track whether you’ve taken your meds. The alert will give the option to click, “Taken” or “Skipped”. If you have more than one medication listed you can tap “Log All as Taken.” Once you click your selection go ahead and click Done.
Samsung Health and third-party apps like Medisafe or MyTherapy help Android users manage medications and set refill reminders.(Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Android: Samsung Health app
Samsung Health comes pre-installed on most Samsung phones. It works as a standalone tracker for fitness, sleep and even medication, no extra apps required.
How to set up the Samsung Health app
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
Open the Samsung Health app (often pre-installed, or download from the Google Play Store).
Tap Get Started or Start and allow the necessary permissions.
Click Continue.
Scroll down and select Medications.
Click Get Started.
Under Add medication, click Enter medication name.
Enter the Medication, Type and Strength
Then tap Next
You can choose the shape from the icons provided, upload an image or take an image from the options, or tap Skip
Next, you can choose a color , then tap Next
Then, set schedule, Every day, Every X days, Every week, Every month or As Needed.
Then click Set time and dosage, Once, twice , 3 times, 4 times, 5 times or Custom. Then tap Done.
Then tap Next.
Now to Review medication. Under Quantity, you can add the Number of remaining pills. Then, under it you can enable Refill reminder. Hit Save.
Steps to set up the Samsung Health app(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Under this next section, when you add medications, they’ll be checked for possible interactions with other medications you take, as well as with the lifestyle factors. If any of these factors, such as tobacco, cannabis, alcoho or grapefruit juice, don’t apply to you, you can turn them off so you won’t receive warnings about them. Then tap Next.
Next, medications that contain allergens like peanuts, milk and eggs can potentially cause allergic reactions. They’ll let you know if a medication you’ve added contains an ingredient that could cause an allergic reaction. You can click Add new allergy or click the + sign next to Peanut Family, Milk Thistle or Egg and Egg Derivatives. Then click Done.
A pop-up will appear at the bottom that reads Medication added. Add another? Click OK.
Use medication reminder apps
To track meds, non-Samsung Android users usually need a third-party app like:
Medisafe (very popular, integrates with Wear OS watches).
MyTherapy (simple reminder app with symptom logging).
For a focused tool just for meds, these 3 apps work on both iPhone and Android:
1) MediSafe Pill Reminder
Add medications, dosages and schedules. Get reminders when it’s time to take them. You can even manage more than one family member in the app.
Download MediSafe from the App Store or Google Play.
Tap Get started
Open the app and tap “Add Med.”
Enter the medication name in the search bar, and then when it appears, tap it.
Select “What form is the med?” such as pill, injection, solution, drops, inhaler, powder or other.
Enter, “What are you taking it for?”
Enter, “How often do you take it?
Enter, “When do you need to take the dose? Then, click Next.
You are almost done. Would you like to: Set treatment duration, Get refill reminders? Add instructions? or Change the med icon?
If not, click Save.
A pop-up screen will say, “You have successfully added medication”.
With these steps, you’ll never miss a dose, and you can even track medications for your spouse in the same account.
2) MyTherapy
Download MyTherapy from the App Store or Google Play.
Open the app.
Tap Get started.
Tap Accept all or Go to settings
It will ask you, “To start with what should we call you?” Add a nickname. or Skip. You’ll be asked to add your Gender, Year of Birth or you can just skip that.
Then click “I’m ready!”
Tap Medications.
Click Search by name
Type the medication in the search bar. Then, click your medication.
Choose “How often do you take this medication? Once daily, twice, daily, On demand (no reminder needed). Then tap Next.
Add “When would you like to be reminded? Time and Dose.
Enable next to where it says, “Enable Critical Alerts”.
Tap Next.
Next, you will be asked, “Do you want to get reminders to refill your inventory?” If yes, enable next to where it says Remind Me.
Next select your Current Inventory and Remind me when.
Click Save.
It will ask you, What do you take this for? Make a selection and then click Add.
Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click All set!
It may ask you to click Allow notifications.
Both apps are free to start, simple to use and highly rated, making them great choices for organizing medications and health records.
Smart pill dispensers add another layer of safety by automatically releasing the right dose at the right time, reducing risky mistakes.(Armin Weigel/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Smart pill dispensers prevent risky mistakes
Even with phone apps and reminders, some people prefer a hands-off solution. That’s where smart pill dispensers come in. These devices automatically release the right dose at the right time, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting or double-dosing.
For older adults, this can reduce dizziness or grogginess from medication mistakes, issues that often raise fall risks. Dispensers also provide peace of mind for caregivers who want to be sure their loved one is staying on track.
What to look for in a smart dispenser:
Built-in reminders (lights, sounds or phone alerts)
Dose tracking so you can confirm meds were taken
Caregiver notifications if a dose is missed
Smart dispensers cost more than apps, but they add an extra layer of safety and independence for anyone juggling multiple prescriptions.
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Staying on top of medications can feel like a full-time job, but you don’t have to manage it alone. With the built-in tools on iPhone and Android, plus easy-to-use apps, you can take control of your health with just a few taps. These features give you peace of mind, help you stay consistent and make doctor visits less stressful. For those who need extra support, smart pill dispensers add another layer of safety. They take the guesswork out of managing multiple prescriptions and provide reassurance for both you and your loved ones. By combining apps, reminders, and devices, you can create a system that fits your lifestyle and keeps your health details organized.
Would you be more likely to rely on your phone’s built-in health app or a dedicated reminder app to stay on top of your medications? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
The iPhone Air has been available for a week as of the publication of this post, and the top complaint I keep hearing about the super-skinny phone is not even that its battery may not last long enough or that it may scratch easily, but that there’s only one back camera. Everyone seems willing to wait for Apple to add an ultrawide lens to next year’s presumably named iPhone Air 2. I wouldn’t bet on that. Get the iPhone Air now, or buy an iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro if you really need an ultrawide camera. I don’t think the iPhone Air is getting a second rear camera anytime soon.
Once you’ve held the iPhone Air in your hand, you’ll understand why I called it a magical sheet of glass in my review. It truly feels like you’re holding a screen and nothing more. Its camera “plateau” is thicker than the rest of the iPhone Air, not only because it houses the 48-megapixel “Fusion camera,” which itself has a lens and optical image stabilization module that requires more girth, but it also—importantly—contains pretty much all of the phone except for the battery.
“To make something this thin, we had to redesign our iconic plateau,” waxes Abidur Chowdhury, an industrial designer for iPhone in Apple’s “Awe Dropping” keynote. “Precisely machined from both sides, it’s sculpted to fit our custom-made cameras, chips, and key system modules.”
John Ternus, Apple’s SVP of hardware, added, “The inside was precision-milled for more space, creating room for the rear camera, front camera, speaker, and even Apple silicon.”
Are you getting it? No? Let me translate that in normal lingo: there’s no f*cking room to fit an ultrawide camera. This image showing everything inside the plateau has been stuck replaying over and over in my head as people tell me why they aren’t getting an iPhone Air despite loving the feel. There is literally no more space for another camera sensor and lens.
By cramming the A19 Pro chip, N1 wireless connectivity chip, C1X modem, speaker, the 18-megapixel Center Stage camera, and other phone stuff into the plateau, the rest of the iPhone Air is nearly all battery. But unless Apple can figure out how to shrink the already tiny components even smaller, there’s just no way future generations of the iPhone Air will get the camera.
You’re probably thinking: but Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge has two cameras in its own camera plateau. While they may both house cameras, the plataeus are different. The iPhone Air’s plateau houses more than just its camera sensors; the S25 Edge only contains the cameras.
Apple could grow the iPhone Air plateau, extending it further down the body, but then it wouldn’t be able to fit as large a battery. Now, it’s possible Apple could use a silicon-carbide battery in future iPhone Airs. These kinds of batteries just started making their way into phones in the last year or so. They’re smaller and thinner, while having just as much capacity as regular lithium-ion batteries. A silicon-carbide battery would allow Apple to rearrange the components in the iPhone Air to make room for a second camera sensor, but that would also come with one potential downside: thermals. In the first-gen iPhone Air, the A19 Pro is inside the plateau, which keeps heat away from the backside. There’s no vapor chamber like there is in the iPhone 17 Pros to keep the chip from frying an egg when it’s pushed hard.
The plateau is even more of a “pragmatic optimization,” as Ive once said of the iPhone 6’s camera bump, which now seems inoffensive in comparison to the iPhone Air’s and iPhone 17 Pros’ mounds. Even with so many Apple industrial design vets having defected to Jony Ive’s LoveFrom or simply retiring, Apple is worth $3 trillion and has some of the best designers and engineers. It can redesign the iPhone Air to fit an ultrawide camera if it really wants to, but it probably won’t. It’s easier to sell “Pro” iPhones with the extra camera lenses. So don’t sleep on the iPhone Air if you’re holding out for the extra lens. You’ll just be disappointed when it doesn’t happen.
First off, I don’t stand anywhere on the iPhone versus Android phone debate.
I still use a BlackBerry Curve 9300 from 2007. It has no internet or email, but I 85% of the time I pull it out in public, someone says, “oh shit! A BlackBerry!”
Apple’s new iPhone 17 is now widely available across the US and Canada, which has given X users enough time to make jokes about it.
Again, I’m non-partisan here — I just like to laugh.
It seems phone users (both Apple and Android) are complaining about how easy the phone gets scratched, it’s $1,099 starting price point, and how similar it is to past models.
The accessories below aren’t as great as the top picks in this guide, but they’re still good options if you’re looking for more MagSafe gadgets.
Belkin iPhone Mount With MagSafe.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Belkin iPhone Mount With MagSafe for $30: Using Apple’s Continuity Camera feature, you can wirelessly use your iPhone as a webcam for a MacBook. It supports various video calling apps too, from FaceTime to Zoom. This circular silicone puck magnetically sticks to the back of your iPhone and can be used as a phone grip or kickstand, but you need to keep your screen close to a 90-degree angle, or else the weight of the iPhone will drag the screen back or forward. There’s also a mount for external displays, in case you want one for your home desk setup.
STM Goods MagPod Smarter Phone Stand for $31: I’ve been carrying this mini tripod from STM Goods all over my apartment. When I’m not using it to see notifications at a glance at my desk, I’ll place it on my kitchen counter to stream TV shows while cooking dinner, on my coffee table to FaceTime with friends while on the couch, or on the bathroom sink to listen to podcasts while doing my makeup. I’ve also used it to shoot video. It has a magnetic disc with a socket that moves around smoothly, allowing you to position it at multiple angles. The retractable legs are sturdy too, even while tapping through notifications or typing out texts. They fold in neatly into a compact size, making it easy to travel with.
Casetify Wireless Car Charger for $70: I’ve been using this for over a year. It’s easy to install, has MagSafe support (with a USB-C cable) and an adjustable ball joint for various viewing angles, and it’s Qi 2-certified with a 15-watt rate. It’s a bit more affordable than Belkin’s and comes in several fun patterns. (I have the Penguin design, and it’s tough not to smile while looking at it.)
iOttie Velox Pro Magnetic Wireless Cooling Charger for $80: This iOttie option has a suction cup (if your vents are awkward, or you just prefer a dash or windshield mount) that has strong magnets to keep it in place. The telescopic arm also has a ball joint to give you a wide range of movement to find the ideal position. The 7.5-watt charging rate is disappointing, but the USB-C charging cable is removable, so you can detach and stow it when your iPhone is charged. The built-in fan also helps to keep the temperature down when the sun is out.
MagGo Magnetic Charging Station (8-in-1) for $60: This little orb has three AC outlets, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports on the back, and over on the front is a Qi2 wireless charging pad that can recharge your phone. It’s great for workstations where you need to plug in a lot of gadgets. Each of the USB-A ports dishes out 12 watts, and the USB-C ports can output 67 watts, though this lowers if other ports or the pad are in use.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
A MagSafe SSD Enclosure for $60: If you have an iPhone Pro Max and you want to tinker with Apple’s more advanced video recording formats (ProRes 4K at 60 frames per second or higher), well, you’ll run into one big problem immediately: You can’t natively record without an external storage device. You’ll need a solid-state drive plugged into your iPhone, and it will record your video directly to the external storage. But a dangling SSD doesn’t sound very safe, right? They don’t transfer power or data via MagSafe but merely attach to the back as a convenient way to store the SSD while recording.
Casely Grippy for $25: When Octobuddy (the original suction phone mount) started to get popular, I really wanted one. But since it uses adhesive to attach to your phone, the thought of all the dust and germs the suction cups would collect kept me from trying it. This one from Casely is one of the few that has MagSafe support. It works well, for the most part. I’ve stuck it on kitchen cabinets, mirrors, the refrigerator—basically whatever surface is around. But when sticking it on said surface, I recommend applying extra pressure to make sure the suction cups are really stuck on there. Otherwise, it’ll slide off, and your phone will go with it.
MagSafe is the name of Apple’s accessory system integrated into the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 ranges. A ring of magnets on the back of the phone (and in MagSafe cases) can help transfer power more precisely and faster than traditional wireless chargers. However, it’s also a handy way to hold an accessory in place, like a wallet, or to mount the iPhone without requiring clamps.
Although MagSafe is a term made by Apple, Android phones like the Google Pixel 10 are getting MagSafe-like features with the new Qi2 standard. Most of the time, a MagSafe accessory will work without issues with Qi2 devices.
Make Sure Your Case Has MagSafe Too
If you use a case with your iPhone, make sure it’s a MagSafe case (it should have its own ring of magnets inside). A standard case will just weaken the magnetic attachment between the iPhone and the MagSafe accessory. A MagSafe case will maintain the magnetic strength, and sometimes case-makers use stronger magnets for a more secure attachment. We have lots of recommendations in our iPhone case guides:
Is MagSafe Compatible With Android?
Natively, no. MagSafe won’t work with most Android phones. However, there are MagSafe cases for certain Android phones, like the Google Pixel series or Samsung Galaxy phones, and these cases have a similar (if not the same) magnetic ring inside, allowing you to use many of the same MagSafe power banks, wireless chargers, and other accessories, though your mileage may vary. Several accessory companies also include or sell the MagSafe magnetic component that you can stick to the back of your smartphone to enable compatibility, though I’ve never used one I really like.
The Qi2 wireless charging standard is changing all of this. Qi2 adds the Magnetic Power Profile, which is based on MagSafe. That means Qi2 phones feature a similar magnetic attachment system, enabling MagSafe accessories to work with more devices, no case needed. Unfortunately, there aren’t many Android phones with Qi2 natively baked in. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series, for example, are “Qi2 Ready” phones because you need a magnetic case to enable the Qi2 functionality as there’s no magnets built into the phone. The recent Google Pixel 10 series is the first range to fully support Qi2, so we should see more devices throughout the next 12 to 18 months.
That’s why you may also start seeing “Qi2” MagSafe devices—the latest iPhones all support Qi2, and any device you buy with Qi2 will offer maximum compatibility.
On an iPhone or iPad, the process is only slightly different. Open System Settings, go to the Accessibility section, then the Display & Text Size section. From here you can tap the Reduce Transparency toggle. Do so and all the various glassy bits of the user interface will become solid.
I recommend changing this setting and seeing how you like it. It’s not a perfect fix, but it disables the most distracting part of Liquid Glass: the constant distorted transparency. I also tested this tweak on an old iPad that was feeling slow after the iPadOS 26 update, and it’s downright snappy now.
A Few Other Suggestions
Reducing transparency really undoes the worst part of Liquid Glass, but you can go a little further. Here are a few more tips.
The Increase Contrast option is in the same menu as Reduce Transparency. Toggling it will put an outline around all the arguably too-subtle edges and outlines throughout the operating system. It makes the interface elements on the screen look outright retro, which some people may not love, but give it a shot if you find it hard to see the edges of things while using your devices.
If you’re finding your older device runs slowly, even with reduced transparency, I recommend also toggling the Reduce Motion setting, which you can find in Accessibility > Motion. Toggle this setting and the various animations used by the operating system will be simplified. This should result in a device that feels faster and more responsive.
Before and after: On the right, you can see the elements on the iPhone’s screen are less transparent, the text is easier to read, and the background is free of visual clutter.
Courtesy of Justin Pot
Finally, on your iPhone, the toolbar in Safari, the default web browser, has been condensed in the latest update. Doing things like seeing all of your tabs now requires multiple taps. You can get the old toolbar back in System Settings by heading to Applications > Safari and scrolling down to the Tab Style section. Tap Bottom or Top, depending on your preferences, and you’ll find the old toolbar back.
Like I said: None of this will give you back the old, pre-Glass operating system you preferred. These tweaks do roll back the worst parts of the changes, though, so give them a shot if you’re annoyed.
Have you updated your iPhone to the new iOS 26 yet or are you holding off? It’s been available to download since September 15 — here’s how to install it if you haven’t yet. The new OS was released alongside iPadOS 26 and Apple’s other operating system updates. Since then, the first beta of iOS 26.1 has already been released with some newer features.
If your phone is compatible with the latest OS, you’ll notice substantial changes when you install the new update. You may have already heard about “Liquid Glass,” which (intentional or not) is sort of like Apple’s take on the old Windows Vista design language. That’s the most notable change, but we spent two weeks test-driving many of the other features included in the update — you can check out our hands-on iOS 26 preview for more impressions.
Not sure if you have an eligible smartphone or tablet but also don’t want to upgrade? No worries, we’ll help you find out if your devices will be able to run iOS 26.
While Apple didn’t nix any iPhones from its eligibility list last year, that’s not the case for 2025, as a few models got axed this time around. All iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X were the last to receive the boot in 2023, and this year, iPhones released in 2018 will be left behind.
You can find a full list of iPhones and iPads that support iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 below. To see everything you get with the latest OS updates, you can check out our big rundown of what to expect from iOS 26. Additionally, here’s everything Apple revealed at the iPhone 17 launch event, including the all-new iPhone Air. (Check out Engadget’s liveblog of the event for full details.)
These three iOS 18 iPhones aren’t compatible with iOS 26
Unlike last year, a trio of iPhones won’t be eligible to download the newest iOS. These three models that were first released in 2018 won’t be coming to the iOS 26 party:
iPhones compatible with iOS 26
Per Apple’s site, the devices listed below will be compatible with iOS 26. In short, if you have an iPhone that was announced in 2019 or later, you’re in the clear:
iPad Air (3rd generation and later, including M2 and M3)
iPad (8th generation and later, including A16)
iPad mini (5th generation and later, including A17 Pro)
What if I don’t want to buy a new iPhone?
If you want to continue using your older iPhone that isn’t supported by iOS 26, that’s fine. However, you’ll eventually miss out on security updates which could potentially put your phone at risk for malware and other threats. Additionally, some apps may stop working if they require a certain version of iOS or later. And, of course, you won’t be able to access the latest features iOS 26 offers.
Should I upgrade to iOS 18.7 or iOS 26?
When you first open Software Update in Settings, you’ll notice two different upgrade options: iOS 18.7 and iOS 26. Apple released the former to address security issues, so you can at least download that one if you’re unsure about all the big changes on iOS 26. It also gives you more time to wait for Apple to take care of any bugs on the new OS.
However, if you’re excited to finally have the Liquid Glass aesthetic on your phone and use all the new features iOS 26 has to offer, go ahead and install that one. After all, Apple had all summer to weed through the most problematic bugs during its beta phase and usually releases a new update shortly after the initial launch.
iOS 26 features to try out first
Liquid Glass design: Your home screen is getting revamped with new app icons, including dark mode and all-clear options. You’ll also notice buttons with a new floating design. Liquid Glass, in Apple’s terms, was designed to make all of the company’s operating systems more visually cohesive.
Phone app redesign: You can finally scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that’ll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music.
Live Translate: iOS 26 brings the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translate will translate your conversation in real time.
Polls feature: Coming to group messages in the Messages app, chat members can now create polls. This can help prevent the unwanted 30+ messages when it comes to deciding which restaurant you’re meeting at this weekend.
New lock screen options: More customizable iPhone lock screen options are available with iOS 26, including a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options.
Snooze longer (or shorter): Say goodbye to the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms (if you want). You now have the option to change your snooze time from one to 15 minutes.
Fresh Camera app design: You’ll find the Camera app is simpler to navigate in iOS 26, with all the buttons and menus located in convenient spots. That means less swiping, more photo taking. Plus, there’s a new feature that tells you if your lens is too dirty.
Screenshot revamps: When you take a screenshot, you now have the option to search for the image on Google (maybe you’re looking for a sweater you saw on a celeb) and you can ask ChatGPT questions about the photo — all from the edit screen. It’s like a reverse image search but without all the hard work.
Now that the iPhone 17 Pro’sA19 Pro chip has taken center stage as the new hotness in phone silicon, Qualcomm is trying to make the claim that Android phones can be used for more than flicking through your social feeds with zombie-like efficiency. In comes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a confusing name for a chip with a one-track mind: pushing better graphics and multitasking capabilities.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the sequel to Qualcomm’s last-gen flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. You know what? Why not just ignore the name for now, especially if you’re skimming these specs? The new CPU on a 3nm process promises to be one of the fastest, with two “prime cores” hitting a new blistering clock speed of 4.6GHz. The Snapdragon 8 Elite managed to hit above 4GHz last year. Clock speeds never tell the whole story. The chip also houses six “performance” cores that go up to 3.6GHz. Devices with the Elite Gen 5 should be more power-efficient than before, so maybe you’ll be able to work or game on your phone without throwing battery life out the window.
The Elite 8 Gen 5 chip is pushing gaming and video harder than ever on Android devices. The new chip supports the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, which is used by professional videographers in post-production. Most regular users won’t go beyond a device’s default editing suite before putting their content up on Instagram or TikTok. Even if the “shot on iPhone” slogan is a gimmick, Qualcomm could have a chip that would at least let you modify video to some professional standard.
I can’t help wondering how much longer I need to wait before our pocketable supercomputers are truly as capable as using a Mac or PC. The Adreno GPU, or graphics processing unit, in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 promises 1.2GHz clock speed with a 23% jump in performance over the 8 Elite, which was already pretty damn good at gaming tasks. Adding to this is the dedicated memory cache called High Performance Memory. This should reduce latency and improve battery life for gaming or graphics.
The other big upgrade this year is Snapdragon Audio Sense. This is a form of on-chip microphone technology for better noise cancellation and HDR audio. Qualcomm implied this will mean the mic in new phones will be good enough that you won’t need to reach for a lavalier or DJI Mic when you really need to set up a quick podcasting session. We’ll have to judge for ourselves how good this is, but if Qualcomm wants your phone to be your one-stop shop for video editing as well, a good microphone would especially come in handy.
Qualcomm’s new flagship chips will hit all the expected features, from mmWave 5G and Wi-Fi 7 to external display support that includes 4K at 120Hz refresh rates. Let’s also get the other well-expected element out of the way. The Hexagon NPU, or neural processing unit, allows for computationally intensive tasks without having to overload the GPU. The new Hexagon NPU in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is supposedly 37% faster with more AI accelerators. Whether or not the next phones will legitimately make use of faster AI processing will be up to Samsung, OnePlus, Asus ROG, and other device makers.
You’ll keep hearing the word “agentic,” like it’s some sort of magic spell that will transform your phone into a talking familiar. Samsung has largely been relying on Google’s Gemini AI suite in its Galaxy lineup, though the so-called Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S24 features include some live translation capabilities on calls. We expect Samsung will add some of Google’s Pixel 10 features, such as Magic Cue.
Despite the name, the new chip isn’t the fifth “Elite”-level chip. Though it’s a continuation of the Snapdragon Gen 8 line, it’s the third in the series using the company’s Oryon microarchitecture. Qualcomm’s new naming conventions are giving me “Dell Premium Pro Max Plus” vibes, mostly due to how the company’s marketing chief, Don McGuire, had to come out early to explain how utterly unconfusing the name is… so long as you turn your brain off.
“Gen 5 isn’t just a number. It’s a signal that this platform leads the family forward,” McGuire wrote. If you have to write a separate post just to explain a name, it proves the opposite; sequential numbers are far easier to parse than empty marketing gimmicks. The question of its power compared to the iPhone Air and 17 Pro/Pro Max’s A19 Pro chip is going to be far more important than a name, anyway.
A new app offering to record your phone calls and pay you for the audio so it can sell the data to AI companies is, unbelievably, the No. 2 app in Apple’s U.S. App Store’s Social Networking section.
The app, Neon Mobile, pitches itself as a money-making tool offering “hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year” for access to your audio conversations.
Neon’s website says the company pays 30¢ per minute when you call other Neon users and up to $30 per day maximum for making calls to anyone else. The app also pays for referrals. The app first ranked No. 476 in the Social Networking category of the U.S. App Store on September 18, but jumped to No. 10 at the end of yesterday, according to data from app intelligence firm Appfigures.
On Wednesday, Neon was spotted in the No. 2 position on the iPhone’s top free charts for social apps.
Neon also became the No. 7 top overall app or game earlier on Wednesday morning, and became the No. 6 top app.
According to Neon’s terms of service, the company’s mobile app can capture users’ inbound and outbound phone calls. However, Neon’s marketing claims to only record your side of the call unless it’s with another Neon user.
That data is being sold to “AI companies,” the company’s terms of service state, “for the purpose of developing, training, testing, and improving machine learning models, artificial intelligence tools and systems, and related technologies.”
Image Credits:Neon Mobile
The fact that such an app exists and is permitted on the app stores is an indication of how far AI has encroached into users’ lives and areas once thought of as private. Its high ranking within the Apple App Store, meanwhile, is proof that there is now some subsection of the market seemingly willing to exchange their privacy for pennies, regardless of the larger cost to themselves or society.
Despite what Neon’s privacy policy says, its terms include a very broad license to its user data, where Neon grants itself a:
“…worldwide, exclusive, irrevocable, transferable, royalty-free, fully paid right and license (with the right to sublicense through multiple tiers) to sell, use, host, store, transfer, publicly display, publicly perform (including by means of a digital audio transmission), communicate to the public, reproduce, modify for the purpose of formatting for display, create derivative works as authorized in these Terms, and distribute your Recordings, in whole or in part, in any media formats and through any media channels, in each instance whether now known or hereafter developed.”
That leaves plenty of wiggle room for Neon to do more with users’ data than it claims.
The terms also include an extensive section on beta features, which have no warranty and may have all sorts of issues and bugs.
Though Neon’s app raises many red flags, it may be technically legal.
“Recording only one side of the phone call is aimed at avoiding wiretap laws,” Jennifer Daniels, a partner at the law firm Blank Rome’s Privacy, Security & Data Protection Group, tells TechCrunch.
“Under [the] laws of many states, you have to have consent from both parties to a conversation in order to record it… It’s an interesting approach,” says Daniels.
Peter Jackson, cybersecurity and privacy attorney at Greenberg Glusker, agreed — and tells TechCrunch that the language around “one-sided transcripts” sounds like it could be a backdoor way of saying that Neon records users’ calls in their entirety, but may just remove what the other party said from the final transcript.
In addition, the legal experts pointed to concerns about how anonymized the data may really be.
Neon claims it removes users’ names, emails, and phone numbers before selling data to AI companies. But the company doesn’t say how AI partners or others it sells to could use that data. Voice data could be used to make fake calls that sound like they’re coming from you, or AI companies could use your voice to make their own AI voices.
“Once your voice is over there, it can be used for fraud,” says Jackson. “Now, this company has your phone number and essentially enough information — they have recordings of your voice, which could be used to create an impersonation of you and do all sorts of fraud.”
Even if the company itself is trustworthy, Neon doesn’t disclose who its trusted partners are or what those entities are allowed to do with users’ data further down the road. Neon is also subject to potential data breaches, as any company with valuable data may be.
Image Credits:Neon Mobile
In a brief test by TechCrunch, Neon did not offer any indication that it was recording the user’s call, nor did it warn the call recipient. The app worked like any other voice-over-IP app, and the Caller ID displayed the inbound phone number, as usual. (We’ll leave it to security researchers to attempt to verify the app’s other claims.)
Kiam, who is identified only as “Alex” on the company website, operates Neon from a New York apartment, a business filing shows.
A LinkedIn post indicates Kiam raised money from Upfront Ventures a few months ago for his startup, but the investor didn’t respond to an inquiry from TechCrunch as of the time of writing.
Has AI desensitized users to privacy concerns?
There was a time when companies looking to profit from data collection through mobile apps handled this type of thing on the sly.
Now, AI agents regularly join meetings to take notes, and always-on AI devices are on the market. But at least in those cases, everyone is consenting to a recording, Daniels tells TechCrunch.
In light of this widespread usage and sale of personal data, there are likely now those cynical enough to think that if their data is being sold anyway, they may as well profit from it.
Unfortunately, they may be sharing more information than they realize and putting others’ privacy at risk when they do.
“There is a tremendous desire on the part of, certainly, knowledge workers — and frankly, everybody — to make it as easy as possible to do your job,” says Jackson. “And some of these productivity tools do that at the expense of, obviously, your privacy, but also, increasingly, the privacy of those with whom you are interacting on a day-to-day basis.”
ESR Magnetic Wallet HaloLock With Find My for $40: Like Apple’s MagSafe wallet, this one has Find My support. You can use the flap on the back as a grip and fit two cards easily. It does require recharging with a proprietary cable, which is annoying, though it didn’t lose much battery life after six months. Too bad I’ve already lost the cable.
OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather MagSafe Wallet for $45: It’s nice and simple, thin, lightweight, has a strong hold on my phone case, and offers a dedicated fabric-covered slot at the bottom to push the cards out (I was able to fit three without much trouble). This OtterBox wallet is made from cactus-based leather, which feels nearly as luxurious as real leather. Just know that cactus leather isn’t as eco-friendly as it’s made out to be—these cases are still infused with layers of plastics.
Apple FineWoven MagSafe Case for $50: Any time the wallet is separated from your iPhone, you’ll get an alert and can track it in Apple’s Find My app. It has a single slot that can fit up to three cards, but to take the cards out, you have to remove it from your iPhone and push the cards up via the slot on the back. Unfortunately, Apple’s MagSafe wallets exclusively use the company’s proprietary FineWoven material (made of recycled materials). It’s a commendable effort to reduce reliance on leather production, but several WIRED reviewers have said the material doesn’t hold up all that well after some time.
Bluebonnet Minimalist Full-Grain Leather MagSafe Wallet Card Holder for $68: Bluebonnet’s wallet is thin, even with cards inside, and also comes with an elastic grip you can put your fingers through to hold the phone more securely. The magnets are stronger than those in other wallets I’ve tested, though the bottom moves a bit when using the grip. Bluebonnet claims it can fit up to three cards, but I’ve been able to fit only two (my license and debit card). It’s a struggle to insert or remove more than that.
Avoid This Wallet
Ohsnap! Snap Grip Wallet for $100: I had high hopes for this one, mainly because of its build quality. The wallet is aluminum, can hold up to eight cards (depending on whether they’re lettered or not), has MagSafe support, and comes with a grip that doubles as a kickstand. Unfortunately, the grip is made of plastic, and it broke after a short time (it won’t fold properly back into place). The magnetic hold isn’t as strong as other MagSafe wallets, even with a MagSafe-approved case on my phone. None of that is great, especially at this high price.
Benks 600D MagSafe Wallet with Stand for $33: The Benks 600D MagSafe wallet might be made with Kelvar, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. The inside shell of the wallet is made with plastic, and after just a day of use, I spotted a crack in that plastic right next to the hinge. Worse, I tried to apply a bit of pressure to see if the hinge would still hold up, which completely warped the MagSafe ring. Even without clear durability problems, this wallet wouldn’t make the top of the list. It’s reasonably priced at $30 and comes in a handful of attractive colors, but it’s limited to just three cards, and there’s no easy way to get them out.
If Steve Jobs were still alive, he would have told consumers complaining about scratching on the aluminum and glass designs of the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pros, “There is no scratching issue. Stay tuned.”
Just as quickly as consumers got their hands on the new super-thin iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro/17 Pro Max on launch day last Friday, Sept. 19, videos and reports started going viral showing scratches and scuff marks on retail demo units at Apple stores worldwide. The videos threatened a new “scratchgate” for Apple’s new premium smartphones, which start at $999 for the iPhone Air and $1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro.
His “reality distortion field” or gaslighting wouldn’t have worked as well in today’s social media world, where every and any issue is exaggerated without proper context. Social media users are more incentivized to perpetuate an uninformed narrative to keep the viral train running. Follow-ups and education on why something may be happening are less favored, even if they’re done, because they don’t get as many views or spark the same amount of outrage.
Demo unit iPhone 17 Pro scratches on day 1… (it’s not even 24 hours yet)
Use a case immediately if you don’t wait to experience this kind of issue. I’m very disappointed with the quality here pic.twitter.com/zRjIQrl3zA
Every video seems to show the new iPhones with visible damage to the aluminum frames, particularly around the iPhone 17 Pros’ massive rectangular camera “plateau” or to the glass backside. The scratches are most prominent on the new Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colorways, which, after damage, reveal the silver aluminum underneath.
Can’t believe the iPhone 17 Pro demo units in stores are already scratched up. Didn’t take long at all. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/0qxSD25lit
How can expensive new iPhones have such poor durability? The situation is all the more ironic considering Apple actually claims the entire iPhone lineup this year uses a Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass that is advertised as three times more scratch-resistant than iPhones with Ceramic Shield. Gizmodo reached out to Apple but didn’t receive a response by the time of publishing. We’ll update this story if we receive a statement.
Anodized aluminum will naturally scratch
Well, I have some bad news you may not want to hear. While I can’t rule out that Apple may have cheaped out on the paint job for the iPhone 17 Pros, I highly doubt that. For the uninitiated, the iPhone 17 Pros get their colored aluminum through a process called anodization, which is an electrochemical process that not only strengthens the metal but also allows for it to be dyed. This is not a new technique, nor is it Apple’s first rodeo using it in products. Apple anodizes all of its aluminum products, and every colored aluminum device is dyed using the process.
Scratching, chipping, and scuffing are normal for anodized aluminum.
Need proof? Go back and look at all the old, candy-colored iPod nanos from back in the day. Unless you wore gloves and babied the music players, all of them chipped and scratched easily from daily wear and tear. It’s totally normal. (I think the “battle-scarred” look even adds character to the devices, showing they’ve been used and loved. Imagine if everything in Star Wars was pristine; it’d look fake.)
Apple Store MagSafe stands to blame? Dust, not scratches?
But, but, the iPhone 17 Pros were showing damage mere minutes and hours after stores stocked them. I hate to be Captain Obvious, but when you’ve got hundreds, if not thousands, of people literally fondling the devices nonstop and not being gentle with them as they slap them back onto the MagSafe retail stands, visible damage is bound to happen at a faster rate.
I think the issue here is that the MagSafe stands in Apple Stores have a metal ring on top, which is easy to scrape when lifting the phone off. And over time this metal gets scuffed, making the issue worse. https://t.co/sXd4kQ9LHCpic.twitter.com/a78oKW7oZl
Zack Nelson, aka JerryRigEverything, who you may know as the guy who does phone durability tests by putting them through torture trials like bending, scratching, and even burning them, says in his latest video that the scratches could be more temporary than suggested in social videos.
“Fun fact: 99% of the ‘scratches’ you see in this picture is just dust from coin and keys i used to make the marks,” Nelson shared in an Instagram post. “It will all completely rub off. Except for the last 1% of damage around the sharp corner of the camera plateau that you gotta watch out for.”
Others have also sounded off on the misinformation surrounding the MagSafe outlines visible on the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pros:
You may be seeing images like this showing the iPhone 17 Pro and Air “scratching easily”, but these are misleading.
The “scratched” portion is glass, not aluminium. In fact, these are not scratches at all but simply material deposits from the aluminium MagSafe pucks rubbing… pic.twitter.com/VlZUfOShH4
“In fact, these are not scratches at all but simply material deposits from the aluminium MagSafe pucks rubbing against these phones,” wrote X user AppleLeaker. “The back glass is matte with microscopic grooves that file-down the aluminium MagSafe pucks and leave behind marks. These marks can be wiped away with a micro fibre cloth, sometimes requiring cleaning alcohol.”
Aluminum is a softer metal
And what about how easily dentable the iPhone 17 Pros are? Not to be a wise guy and tell you to go back to high school chemistry, but aluminum is a softer metal than the titanium used in the iPhone Air (and iPhone 15 Pros and 16 Pros) or the stainless steel used in the iPhone X through the iPhone 14 Pros. So, of course, dents are going to be visible if you drop it. Use a case if you’re really worried about damage. If you want something more durable that you don’t need to use a case with, you should consider the iPhone Air. As I said in my iPhone Air review, I unexpectedly dropped our review unit—the screen survived unscathed, and there were only very minor scuffs to the corners of the titanium frame.
It also pains me to have to say this, but you also shouldn’t blindly accept everything you see online. With today’s powerful generative AI photo and video creation tools, it’s harder than ever to know what is and isn’t genuine or if any footage has been modified.
Who can be certain whether the images below actually depict a real, damaged iPhone 17 Pro (even one destroyed on purpose) or not?
And even if the above images are real, intrepid users have clearly taken the initiative to use generative AI to make convincing images based on them, like the “photo” below, which shows the iPhone 17 Pro with duct tape to cover up its scratches and cracks.
New research may shock a lot of Apple fans: iPhone users are actually more likely to fall for online scams than Android owners. The problem isn’t the device itself; it’s the habits of the people using it.
The survey from Malwarebytes, a global cybersecurity company, of 1,300 adults across the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Germany and Switzerland, found that many iPhone owners put blind trust in Apple’s security. That confidence makes them easier targets for scammers who count on overconfidence.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com/Newsletter
New research suggests iPhone users are more likely to fall for online scams than Android users.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The truth about iPhone security habits
Here’s what the Malwarebytes survey uncovered:
More than half of iPhone users (53%) admitted they’ve fallen for a scam, compared to 48% of Android users.
Only 21% of iPhone owners add security software, while 29% of Android users do.
Just 35% of iPhone users set unique, strong passwords, compared to 41% of Android owners.
47% of iPhone users grabbed a “best price” deal from shady sellers, compared to 40% of Android users.
41% of iPhone owners DM’d sellers for discounts on social media, compared to 33% of Android owners.
The takeaway? It’s not the phone that makes you safe, it’s your choices every time you go online.
A survey from Malwarebytes found that many iPhone owners blindly trust Apple’s security measures, which makes them easier targets for scammers who count on overconfidence.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why this matters
For years, Apple’s reputation led iPhone users to believe they were automatically safer. This study proves otherwise. Cybercriminals don’t care what brand of phone you carry; they care about how easy it is to trick you. And right now, too many iPhone users are letting their guard down.
Many iPhone software updates contain security patches that block new threats to keep users safe. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
7 ways to stay safe on iPhone
Even if you love your iPhone, staying safe means making smarter choices online. Follow these steps to keep scammers one step behind you.
1) Stop and double-check
If something feels off, whether it’s a text, link, or offer, pause. Scammers rely on urgency to trick you.
2) Avoid random links and shady DMs
Never click on links or QR codes from unknown senders. Always visit the company’s website directly. Also, use strong antivirus software to block malicious links before they reach you. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech
3) Keep your software updated
Apple pushes out updates for a reason. Many contain security patches that block new threats. Make sure your iPhone is always running the latest iOS and app updates.
How to update iOS:
Go to Settings
Tap General
Click Software Update and install any available updates.
Manually updating apps:
Open the App Store.
Tap your profile icon at the top right.
Scroll down to see pending updates.
Tap Update All (or update individual apps).
Enabling Automatic App Updates:
Open Settings.
Scroll down and tap App Store.
Under Automatic Downloads, toggle on App Updates.
This way, your phone will always stay current, reducing the chances that hackers can exploit old vulnerabilities.
Using the same password everywhere is a hacker’s dream. Create unique ones for each account. Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, reducing the risk of password reuse.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see CyberGuy.com/Passwords) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 atCyberGuy.com/Passwords
5) Consider using a personal data removal service
Scammers thrive on the personal details they can easily find about you online, and iPhone users in particular tend to overshare and trust their device to keep them safe. That leaves a bigger trail for criminals to exploit. A personal data removal service helps wipe your information from data broker sites and shady lists that fuel targeted scams.
While no service can erase everything, it makes it much harder for crooks to connect the dots and trick you. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com/Delete
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: CyberGuy.com/FreeScan
6) Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
Turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the most powerful ways to lock down your accounts. It adds an extra login step that blocks criminals, even if they already have your password. On your iPhone:
Open the Settings app.
Tap on [your name] (your Apple ID at the top).
Select Sign‑In & Security.
Tap Turn On Two‑Factor Authentication, then tap Continue.
Enter a trusted phone number to receive verification codes (via text or call), tap Next, and enter the code sent to you to complete the setup.
Once set up, you’ll get a code each time you or someone else tries to sign in.
7) Don’t trade personal info for deals
Skip giving out your phone number or email just to snag a coupon, unlock a discount code, or enter a giveaway. Scammers use those details to target you later with spam, phishing attempts, and even identity theft schemes. Instead, create and use an alias email address for sign-ups, promotions, or contests. That way your real inbox stays private, and suspicious offers won’t expose your personal data.
For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit CyberGuy.com/Mail
If you own an iPhone, don’t assume Apple’s built-in tools are enough. Android users appear to be more proactive, but everyone is vulnerable. Real security comes from your habits, not your hardware.
Kurt’s key takeaways
The bottom line: iPhone users are falling for scams more often because they trust too much and protect too little. The fix is simple: be cautious, be skeptical, and add extra protection. Because when it comes to scams, it’s not about the device, it’s about you.
Do you still believe Apple makes you safer, or are you ready to admit that scammers can outsmart any phone? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com/Contact
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com/Newsletter
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
Shopping has gone digital, and with it comes a whole new language. From the way you pay to the platforms you browse, technology is rewriting the rules of retail. We’ll break down five essential terms that directly shape how you shop today, from affiliate links powering influencer recommendations to same-day delivery that gets products to your door in hours.
Stay tuned for more in this series as we decode the tech jargon behind the evolving world of e-commerce, answering the top questions we get from readers like you.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com/Newsletter
Online shopping comes with its own set of terms native to the digital space.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
1) Digital wallet
Your phone, your wallet
A digital wallet is an app that securely stores your credit cards, debit cards, tickets and even IDs on your smartphone. Instead of swiping plastic, you can simply tap your phone or smartwatch to pay at checkout.
Where you’ve likely used it:
Apple Pay or Google Pay at a coffee shop.
Samsung Pay at a grocery store.
Storing boarding passes, concert tickets or loyalty cards.
Digital wallets use encryption and biometric security (like Face ID) to keep your payment data safe. They also cut down on physical clutter—no more fumbling with cards at the register.
You’ve probably seen “Pay in 4” or “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) at checkout. Some websites and services allow you to split purchases into smaller payments over time, typically with no interest if paid on schedule.
Why it matters:
Makes big-ticket items more accessible.
Helps you budget, but late fees can add up.
Retailers sell more by lowering the upfront cost.
If you want even more ways to manage expenses, take a look at my guide on saving big at the grocery store using simple, proven hacks. For even more ways to stretch your dollars, check out my guide on the best ways to save money on gas with apps and loyalty programs.
A digital wallet is an app that securely stores your credit cards, debit cards, tickets and other items like IDs on your smartphone.(Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
3) Same-day fulfillment
From warehouse to your doorstep in hours
The phrase same-day fulfillment describes when retailers use advanced logistics to process, pack, and ship your order so you get it within hours instead of days. Think Amazon Prime Now or Walmart’s express delivery.
How it works:
Local warehouses and stores act as mini shipping hubs.
Algorithms map the fastest routes for couriers.
Automation speeds up picking, packing, and delivery.
It’s convenience at its peak, and for urgent needs (like a birthday gift you forgot), same-day fulfillment is a lifesaver. Be sure to check out my list of the 5 best secrets to shopping smarter on Amazon to save time and money.
4) Social commerce
Shopping where you scroll
Social commerce is the blend of social media and online shopping. Instead of just seeing ads, you can now buy directly through platforms like TikTok Shop, Instagram Checkout or Pinterest.
What makes it unique:
Seamless shopping without leaving the app.
Real-time recommendations from influencers and creators.
Viral products can sell out within hours.
For consumers, it’s impulse buying made easier. For businesses, it’s a new way to reach audiences where they already spend time.
Want to avoid scams? Stick to verified shops and use buyer protection options when available. For more ways to stay safe while shopping online, check out my CyberGuy guide on how to tell if an online store is real or a scam.
Social commerce blends the experiences of online shopping and browsing social media.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
5) Dropshipping
Selling without the stockroom
Dropshipping is a retail model where the seller doesn’t keep products in stock. Instead, when you place an order, it’s sent directly to a third-party supplier who ships it straight to your door.
How it works:
You buy from an online shop.
The shop forwards your order to a manufacturer or wholesaler.
That supplier handles storage, packing and shipping.
Why it’s popular:
Entrepreneurs can start online stores without investing in warehouses.
Stores can offer a wide variety of products without holding inventory.
The downside? Shipping times may be longer, product quality can vary and customer service sometimes suffers since the seller isn’t handling the goods directly. Still, dropshipping has become a cornerstone of e-commerce, powering countless online shops you scroll past every day. For some advice on how to start and grow an online store, visit CyberGuy’s guide on 10 easy ways to help launch a successful online shop.
Even as shopping gets more convenient, cyberthreats also grow. Fake stores, phishing scams, and shady links can put your data at risk. That’s why running a strong antivirus program is essential.
Why antivirus matters for e-commerce:
Scans links and downloads before they harm your device
Blocks malicious pop-ups on retail and social sites
Warns you about suspicious checkout pages
Using strong antivirus software gives you peace of mind while shopping online. It’s a small step that keeps your personal and financial information safe as e-commerce evolves.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech
Kurt’s key takeaways:
E-commerce is moving faster than ever. By understanding these five terms, you shop with confidence and spot trends before they become mainstream. From digital wallets to dropshipping, each concept shapes how products reach your hands. Stay curious, keep learning, and watch how retail continues to evolve.
What changes in online shopping do you think will matter most in the next few years? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com/Contact
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com/Newsletter
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
Apple’s software design strives to be intuitive, but each iteration of iOS contains so many additions and tweaks that it’s easy to miss some useful iPhone settings. Apple focused on artificial intelligence when it unveiled iOS 18 in 2024, but there’s a lot under the hood that adds to the steady stream of intriguing customizations and lesser-known features from the last few years. Several helpful settings are turned off by default, and it’s not immediately obvious how to switch off some annoying features. We’re here to help you get the most out of your Apple phone.
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Customize the Control Center
Apple via Simon Hill
Swipe down from the top right of the screen to open the Control Center, and you’ll see it’s more customizable than ever. You can tap the plus icon at the top left or tap and hold on an empty space to open the customization menu. Here you can move icons and widgets around, remove anything you don’t want, or tap Add a Control at the bottom for a searchable list of shortcut icons and widgets you can organize across multiple Control Center screens. You can also customize your home screen with iOS 18 to change the color and size of app icons, rearrange them, and more.
Change Your Lock Screen Buttons
Apple via Simon Hill
Screenshot
You know those lock screen controls that default to flashlight on the bottom left and camera on the bottom right? You can change them. Press and hold on an empty space on the lock screen and tap Customize, then Lock Screen. Tap the minus icon to remove an existing shortcut, and tap the plus icon to add a new one. You can also change the weather and date widgets, the font and color for the time, and pick a wallpaper.
Extend Screen Time-Out
Apple via Simon Hill
While it’s good to have your screen time out for battery saving and security purposes, I find it maddening when the screen goes off while I’m doing something. The default screen time-out is too short in my opinion, but thankfully, you can adjust it. Head into Settings, Display & Brightness, and select Auto-Lock to extend it. You have several options, including Never, which means you will have to manually push the power button to turn the screen off.
Turn Off Keyboard Sounds
Apple via Simon Hill
The iPhone’s keyboard clicking sound when you type is extremely aggravating. Trust me, even if you don’t hate it, everyone in your vicinity when you type sure does. You can turn it off in Settings, Sound & Haptics by tapping Keyboard Feedback and toggling Sound off. I also advise toggling off the Lock Sound while you’re in Sound & Haptics.
Go Dark
Apple via Simon Hill
Protect yourself from eye-searing glare with dark mode. Go to Settings, pick Display & Brightness, and tap Dark. You may prefer to toggle on Automatic and have it change with the sun setting, but I prefer to be in Dark mode all the time.
Change Your Battery Charge Level
Apple via Simon Hill
If you’re determined to squeeze as many years out of your iPhone battery as possible, consider changing the charging limit. You can maximize your smartphone’s battery health if you avoid charging it beyond 80 percent. The iPhone’s default is now Optimized Battery Charging, which waits at 80 percent and then aims to hit 100 percent when you are ready to go in the morning. But there’s a slider you can set to a hard 80 percent limit in Settings, under Battery, and Charging.
Set Up the Action Button
Screenshot courtesy of Simon Hill
20-Setting_Action Button 1_Photo SOURCE Simon Hill
Screenshot
Folks with an iPhone 15 Pro model or any device in the iPhone 16 range have an Action Button instead of the old mute switch. By default, it will silence your iPhone when you press and hold it, but you can change what it does by going to Settings, then Action Button. You can swipe through various basic options from Camera and Flashlight to Visual Intelligence, but select Shortcuts if you want it to do something more interesting. If you’re unfamiliar, check out our guide on How to Use the Apple Shortcuts App.
Whether you are embarrassed by your Candy Crush addiction or risque photos, or perhaps you’ve been using the Notes app to plan your partner’s birthday party, you can hide them from prying eyes. I’m not here to judge. To protect an app, you have two options: tap and hold on the icon and select Require Face ID, then Require Face ID or Hide and Require Face ID. The first option leaves the app in place, but no one can access it without a Face ID check. If you prefer to hide the app, choose the second option and then Hide App, and it will be obscured inside a Hidden folder at the bottom of your App Library that requires a Face ID check to open.
Stop Videos Autoplaying or Looping
Apple via Simon Hill
If you find it irritating that videos automatically play as you scroll through the Photos app, or it bugs you that they loop and repeat instead of stopping at the end, you can change that behavior. Tap Settings, Apps, then Photos, and scroll down to toggle Auto-Play Motion and Loop Videos off.
Enhance Speech in Movies and TV Shows
Apple via Simon Hill
It can be tough to make out the dialog in some TV shows and movies, but Apple has a fix for muffled speech on your iPhone. When you’re playing a video, tap the screen to bring up the menu and select the audio icon. You can select Enhance Dialogue and choose Enhance or Enhance More to make the voices louder and clearer.
Set Up Do Not Disturb
Screenshot courtesy of Simon Hill
Screenshot
At an absolute minimum, you should shut up your iPhone at night so it doesn’t disturb your sleep, but Apple offers a wide range of tools to automate or schedule downtime to help you focus. Go to Settings, Focus, and choose Do Not Disturb to get started. You can turn off notifications but set up exceptions so that specific contacts or apps will get through. You can also go to Screen Time and Downtime to set a specific schedule for each day.
Change Your Default Apps
Screenshot courtesy of Simon Hill
Screenshot
You don’t have to use Safari as your browser or Apple’s Mail app for emails. You can change the default apps on your iPhone by going to Settings, Apps, and Default Apps. If you have valid alternative apps installed for Email, Messaging, Browser, and a few other categories, you can select them instead of Apple’s apps.
Keep iCloud Files Local
Apple via Simon Hill
You can choose to keep certain files that you have synced with iCloud stored locally on your iPhone, which is handy if you want to access them when there’s no internet available. Open the Files app, go to the Browse tab, and choose iCloud Drive. You can tap and hold on any folder or file and select Keep Downloaded to keep a copy on your iPhone.
Limit App Permissions
Apple via Simon Hill
It’s worth reviewing your app permissions and limiting them. There are a few routes to do this, but Settings, then Privacy & Security, might be the easiest. There’s a lot here, but I advise looking at Location Services and removing or reducing permissions for apps you don’t think need them. You can toggle off Precise Location for many, since an approximate location is often enough for them to function the way you want. Other apps to keep an eye on are Contacts and Photos, as both now give you the option to allow limited access.
By the way, if you want to turn off Background App Refresh to stop apps sucking down data and draining the battery when you aren’t using them, go to Settings, Apps, and choose any you don’t need to refresh unless you open them to toggle it off.
Change Siri’s Voice
Apple via Simon Hill
Apple offers a whole range of voices for Siri now. Go to Settings, choose Apple Intelligence & Siri, and tap Voice to see a list of variations (American, Australian, British, Indian, Irish, South African) and voices (Irish Voice 2 is my pick). Just be aware that if you choose a new one, it may take a while to download.
Set a Shortcut for Your Email Address
Screenshot courtesy of Simon Hill
Screenshot
Forget about typing out your whole email address every time. Go to Settings, General, and choose Keyboard. Tap Text Replacement and then the plus icon at the top right to set up text shortcuts, such as “eml” for your full email address, or “addy” for your mailing address. This can also work for any other text you type out frequently.
Show Notifications on Lock Screen
Apple via Simon Hill
Apple is all about privacy, but having to unlock your iPhone to see the content of an incoming message can be annoying. You can change how this works by going to Settings, Notifications, and selecting Show Previews. It is set to When Unlocked by default, but you can choose Always or Never.
Make Some AI Art
Apple via Simon Hill
If you decide to give AI a chance and fancy generating some art with AI assistance, open up the Playground app. You can pick photos, themes, costumes, accessories, places, or type prompts. Here’s a full guide on how to use Apple’s Image Playground. It’s available on Apple devices running iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, or macOS Sequoia 15.2.
Reduce Car Sickness
Screenshot courtesy of Simon Hill
Screenshot
Do you get nauseous when you use your iPhone as a car passenger? Go to Settings, Accessibility, choose Motion, then Show Vehicle Motion Cues. You can turn it on or off to display dots that help reduce motion sickness, but if you tap Automatic, it will turn on when it detects you are in the car.
Last week’s Apple event meant we were in for a barrage of reviews this week. We spent lots of time putting the iPhone 17 family, including the new iPhone Air, through its paces. We also tested the AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch Series 11 that were unveiled just over a week ago. In non-Apple reviews, there’s in-depth analysis of a premium Chromebook and the latest Tamagotchi device. Read on to catch up on everything you might’ve missed over the last few weeks.
Apple iPhone Air
Apple/Engadget
It might not be the most affordable iPhone or the one with the most cameras, but for anyone who puts a premium on style and sleekness, the iPhone Air is without a doubt Apple’s coolest handset in years.
Apple replaced the iPhone 16 Plus with the ultra-thin iPhone Air, but the new phone is more than just a gimmick. As senior reviews writer Sam Rutherford observed, the company opted for sleekness with a purpose, and it did so without sacrificing too much battery life. “While Apple might not want to say so just yet, I’m willing to bet that this device will also be the template for an upcoming foldable iPhone,” he concluded.
Apple iPhone 17
Apple/Engadget
The “regular” iPhone got a big refresh this year with the addition of a ProMotion display and Center Stage camera.
Pros
Finally, a 120Hz display
Center Stage front camera works great
Dual 48MP Fusion rear cameras take sharp photos
Cons
6.3 inches will be too small for some
Best camera performance is reserved for the 17 Pro
We’ve become bored with Apple’s tickle-down scheme for the regular iPhone over the years. The company has repeatedly opted to bring features from the Pro line down to these devices. This time, it finally gave the iPhone 17 a 120Hz display, and you won’t have to wait for the best camera updates. “Even if you’re coming from the iPhone 16, you’ll reap the benefits of the overhauled display and improved cameras,” I wrote. “I don’t say any of that lightly as I’m not a person who recommends getting a new phone every year.”
Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max
Apple / Engadget
The iPhone 17 Pro is a powerful smartphone with an innovative selfie system, versatile rear cameras and a redesigned exterior that feels sturdy.
Pros
Innovative and useful Center Stage selfie camera
Versatile triple-sensor system for rear cameras
Aluminum unibody feels sturdy and scratch-resistant
The Pro and Pro Max versions of the iPhone have always held a camera advantage over the regular model, and that’s still true. But the main differences now also include better thermal management, an aluminum unibody case and an optional 6.9-inch display. “This year’s iPhone lineup is forcing me to re-think the idea of a Pro phone,” managing editor Cherlynn Low said. “Is it one that looks and feels expensive or is it one that’s slightly more durable and maybe doesn’t appear as stylish?”
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple/Engadget
The most significant update to the AirPods lineup delivers a host of ANC-powered improvements, including Live Translation. Plus, the arrival of heart-rate tracking makes the AirPods Pro 3 a more capable workout partner.
If Apple had only improved both the active noise cancellation (ANC) and sound performance of the AirPods Pro 3, it would’ve been a decent upgrade. However, the company went well beyond that with the additions of Live Translation and heart-rate tracking. But the best part about this model is the strong possibility that the company isn’t done with it yet. “If recent history is any indication, the company will continue to add new features to this third-generation version,” I said. “I highly doubt that Apple is finished exploiting the power of the H2 chip, so it’s just getting started with what the AirPods Pro 3 can do.”
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple
With improvements to battery life and new health metrics, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a refinement on what was already the best smartwatch for iPhone owners.
The best smartwatch for iPhone owners keeps getting better. With upgrades to design, battery life, health monitoring and more, the Series 11 is a big refresh for the wearable device. However, it might not be the best option for most people. “With the Watch SE 3, you’ll still be able to access a wide range of health and fitness features like wrist temperature monitoring, sleep score, emergency SOS, fall and crash detection and more,” Cherlynn concluded. “It’s a compelling option at an appealing price.”
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514
Acer
Between its powerful chip, great battery life and solid hardware, Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is one of the best ChromeOS laptops you can buy.
There’s some wide variance in performance among Chromebooks, but Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514 offers power, longevity and utility. The main downside is you’ll have to pay a premium for it. “At $700, we’re pushing the top of what anyone should spend on a Chromebook,” deputy editor Nathan Ingraham wrote. “While the more powerful chip and long battery life will be worth it for some people, Acer itself is providing some strong competition with its standard Chromebook Plus 514 which came out this summer.”
Tamagotchi Paradise
Bandai / Engadget
Tamagotchi Paradise feels like a wholly fresh experience for the classic virtual pet, with new characters, fun games and a reimagined approach to caretaking.
Pros
Gene-mixing is back
Plenty of built-in games
Care factors are visualized
Multiple environments to raise different Tama types
If taking care of a virtual pet is more your speed these days, weekend editor Cheyenne McDonald spent some time tending to her digital flock. “All in all, Tamagotchi Paradise feels fuller than 2023’s Uni, especially as the latter existed at its launch before all the downloadable content started coming in,” she said. “There’s a lot of fun to be had with this one, so long as you’re open to a little (okay, a lot of) change.”
Apple has supported eSIM technology since the iPhone XS. It’s basically an electronic SIM card instead of the tiny, physical chip you insert into your phone for cellular connectivity. The iPhone 14 series was the first to completely get rid of the physical SIM card slot (in the US). That means the only way to set up a cellular connection in the US is with an eSIM.
If you’re unfamiliar with the process, don’t worry, it’s very easy. During setup, you’ll be asked if you want to transfer your number from your old iPhone. Once you agree, it will take a minute or two to activate cellular data on your new iPhone, and you’re good to go. Keep in mind that your old physical SIM card will effectively stop working once you do this.
If you’re coming from an Android phone (with or without eSIM support), you will need to scan a QR code provided by your carrier. This might even be the case with an iPhone if you’re having trouble—just contact your carrier, and they should be able to sort things out quickly. Some Android phones may support the easier eSIM transfer process, like Google’s Pixel 10 series.
Photograph: Simon Hill
Adding Other Accounts and Setting Preferences
Otherwise, it’s just a matter of personalizing your preferences. Want to add an email account? Go to Settings, Apps, Mail, Mail Accounts, and choose Add Account. Want to fine-tune which apps refresh in the background (and drain your battery in the process)? Head to Settings, General, Background App Refresh, and toggle your little heart out. Want to save time on web forms? Go to Settings, Apps, Safari, Autofill, and prefill your contact info. You can also turn on the battery percentage view by going to Settings, Battery, and toggling on Battery Percentage.
One last recommendation: Get rid of the clutter. You can delete any of Apple’s many, many stock apps you don’t want (including, of course, Stocks). Do it! It feels great, I promise. We even have tips on the key iPhone settings to change. Oh, and while you’re digging around in Apple’s software, go to Settings and then Focus to take advantage of the Do Not Disturb mode that lets you cut down on the constant stream of alerts.
Hitting these basics should get you started on the right path. When you’re settled, maybe look into Apple Shortcuts. And if you’re done with your old iPhone, read our instructions on how to factory-reset it.
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