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iPhone

The iPhone is a smartphone from Apple that runs the iOS mobile operating system. Between its apps, communication features, the camera, mobile internet access, and other functionalities, the iPhone has quickly become an integral part of many peoples tech lives.

How to create original images with Image Playground on iPhone

by Moses Johnson

In the Image Playground app, you can use Apple Intelligence to create original images within seconds. Get started using simple text descriptions, photos, and people from your Photos library. You can also use Image Playground to create images in Messages, Lock Screen wallpapers, contact posters, and more.

You can choose a style, like Illustration, add up to three people from your Photos library, and pick an aspect ratio. Everything you make is saved to your gallery automatically.

Here’s how to create original images with Image Playground on iPhone.

The Image Playground app window showing a created image of a woman holding a cake.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

Create an image

  1. Start the Image Playground app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the New Image button.
  3. Do any of the following to customize your image:
    • Describe it: Enter a description.
    • Choose a style: Tap the Style button and then choose an Apple Intelligence style (like Any Style or Illustration) or tap ChatGPT** to describe the style you want. Note: If you choose Any Style, you can describe the style you want as part of your image description. If you choose Genmoji, you can save it with your stickers.
    • Add a person from your Photos library: Tap the Add Person button and select a person. You can add up to three people. Note: If you provide a text description that doesn’t match the person you selected, your image is personalized based on the photo you selected rather than the text description.
    • A photo of something else, like a pet, nature, or food: Tap the Add Photo button and choose an option.
    • Choose the aspect ratio: Tap the Aspect Ratio button and then choose an option.
  4. Tap the Submit button to create your image.

All changes are automatically saved to your gallery. If you created a Genmoji, tap Add Emoji to add it with your stickers. To view the images in your gallery, tap the Back button. All the versions you create for a single idea are grouped together.

Besides the Image Playground app, you can use Image Playground features to create original images in apps like Messages and Freeform. You’ll also find Image Playground in Pages, Keynote, Apple Invites, supported third-party apps, and more.

Edit an existing image

  1. Start the Image Playground app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap an image in the gallery.
  3. Do any of the following to refine your image:
    • Describe a change: Enter a description to transform the background, change the style, or add something entirely new.
    • Make targeted edits: Tap the Edit button and then tap, brush, or circle a specific object. You can move it, resize it, or swap it out with another image. Use the buttons at the bottom of the screen to add elements, or to change or remove the object you selected. Tap Apply Change when you’re ready to save your edits. Note: Swipe up or down to move between versions of your image. You can move to a different version at any time and keep refining from there.
  4. When you’re finished, tap the Done button.

Share, copy, or delete an image

  1. Start the Image Playground app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap an image, then do any of the following:
    • Share your image: Tap the Share button and choose a share option.
    • Copy your image: Tap the More button, then tap Copy or Duplicate.
    • Delete your image: Tap the More button and then tap Delete.

Note: If you delete an image from Image Playground, it disappears from every device where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.

In Screen Time settings, you can block access to image creation features, like Image Playground.

The recommended age for realistic images is 18+, according to Apple.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

**ChatGPT uses generative models and outputs may vary. Check important information for accuracy. When using the ChatGPT extension, you choose what content to send to ChatGPT. Your request and attachments, as well as limited data associated with the request, such as current time zone, country, device type, language, and feature being used when making the request, are sent to ChatGPT to answer your request and enable ChatGPT to provide you accurate and relevant results.

Tag: Apple Intelligence
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How to use NameDrop on iPhone to share your contact info

by Dave Johnson

You can use NameDrop to quickly share new contact information with a nearby iPhone or Apple Watch (Apple Watch Ultra models, Apple Watch Series 7 and later, and Apple Watch SE 2nd generation or later). It’s meant for sending new contact information, not for updating a contact you already have, and you can turn off NameDrop, too.

A NameDrop screen showing the user’s name and number. Below it are buttons to Receive Only or Share.

Note: NameDrop only works for new contact information, not for updating an existing contact.

Use NameDrop on iPhone

  1. Hold the display of your iPhone a few centimeters from the top of the other person’s iPhone or Apple Watch.
  2. Continue holding your devices near each other until NameDrop appears on both screens.
  3. Choose to share your contact card and receive the other person’s, or to only receive the other person’s.

If you’re sharing your contact card, tap the Show Disclosure Triangle, select the fields you want to include, then tap Save. The same fields will be selected by default next the time you use NameDrop.

If you lock your iPhone or move the two devices away from each other before the NameDrop transfer completes, you cancel the transfer.

Turn off NameDrop on iPhone

NameDrop is on by default. To turn off NameDrop (and other Bring Devices Together features), go to Settings > General > AirDrop, then turn off Bring Devices Together.

Tag: Messages
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How to use the Siri app with Siri AI on iPhone

by Dave Johnson

With Siri AI (Beta), you have a dedicated Siri app that brings all your conversations together in one place. You can ask a question on your iPhone and pick up where you left off on your other Apple devices when you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.

You can type or speak your request, add a picture, photos, or files to the conversation, and ask follow-up questions. You can also pin conversations for easy access, search them, or start a new one, and your conversation history syncs across platforms.

Siri AI is available in beta on iOS 27 or later on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later with Siri and device language set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not initially be available in the EU on iOS. Usage limits may apply.*

The Siri app on an iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Start or continue a conversation

  1. Start the Siri app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the new conversation button to start a new conversation, or tap a conversation you want to continue.
  3. Do one of the following to enter your request:
    • Type your request: Enter your request using the keyboard and tap the Ask Siri button.
    • Speak your request: Tap the Microphone button, then speak your request. Tap the Keyboard button to type to Siri.
  4. Do any of the following:
    • Take a picture: Tap the Add button, tap Camera, and then take a picture using your iPhone.
    • Add photos: Tap the Add button, tap Photos, and select a photo to add to the conversation.
    • Add files: Tap the Add button and tap Files. Then select a file to add to the conversation.
    • Ask follow-up questions: Enter follow-up questions.

View your conversation history

When you’re signed in to the same Apple Account, your conversation history syncs across platforms, and you can view it.

  1. Start the Siri app on your iPhone.
  2. If the Siri app opens to a new conversation, tap the Close button to see your conversation history.
  3. To change how your conversation history is displayed, tap the Options button in the top-right corner and then tap Grid or List.

Search and pin conversations

  1. Start the Siri app on your iPhone.
  2. If the Siri app opens to a new conversation, tap the Close button to see your conversation history.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Search a conversation: Tap the Search button and enter what you’re searching for. Then tap the Search button on the keyboard.
    • Pin conversations: Touch and hold the conversation you want to pin and tap Pin.

Rename conversations

  1. Start the Siri app on your iPhone.
  2. If the Siri app opens to a new conversation, tap the Close button to see your conversation history.
  3. Touch and hold a conversation, then tap Rename.
  4. Enter the new name for the conversation and tap OK.

Delete Siri conversations

  1. Start the Siri app on your iPhone.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Delete one Siri conversation: Touch and hold the conversation you want to delete, tap Delete, and then tap Delete to confirm.
    • Delete multiple Siri conversations: Tap the Options button in the top-right corner and tap Select. Then select the conversations you want to delete. Tap the Trash button, then tap Delete to confirm.

Change Siri app settings

In Siri settings, you can decide how long to keep conversations and what shows up when you open the Siri app.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Siri.
  3. Do any of the following:

    • Choose what appears when you open the Siri app: Tap Opens To and choose Recent Conversations or A New Conversation.
    • Choose how long to keep conversations: Tap Keep Conversations, then choose an option.

      Note: If you choose 30 days or 1 year, older conversations are permanently deleted.

    • Choose a conversation preview length: Tap Preview, then choose an option.

Screen Time settings control which Siri features you can use, along with the content Siri can access.

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

Tag: Siri AI
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How to make your passwords and passkeys available across devices with iPhone and iCloud Keychain

by Tyler Stephen

Use iCloud Keychain to keep your website and app passwords and passkeys, credit card information, Wi-Fi network information, and other account information up to date across all your approved devices and Mac computers. iCloud Keychain can also keep the accounts you use in Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Messages up to date across all your iPhone and iPad devices and Mac computers.

It’s secure, too. iCloud Keychain is secured with 256-bit AES encryption during storage and transmission, and its data can’t be read by Apple. And if all your devices are lost or stolen, you can still recover your iCloud Keychain.

Set up iCloud Keychain

You can set up iCloud Keychain now if you didn’t do it when you first set up your iPhone.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap your name, then tap iCloud.
  3. Tap See All (next to Saved to iCloud) and tap Passwords & Keychain.
  4. Turn on Sync this iPhone and then follow the onscreen instructions.

Set up iCloud Keychain on an additional device

Turning on iCloud Keychain on an additional device sends a notification to your other devices using iCloud Keychain. It asks for your approval. Approve the additional device on one of your other devices, and iCloud Keychain automatically begins updating on it. Without access to your other devices, you can approve iCloud Keychain with your iCloud Security Code by following the onscreen instructions.

Recover your iCloud Keychain if all your devices are lost or stolen

iCloud Keychain syncs across devices to provide convenience and redundancy in case you lose a single device. If all your devices are lost and you’ve added a recovery contact to your Apple Account, your contact can help you recover your iCloud Keychain. Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security, tap Recovery Contacts, then tap Learn More. You can also recover your iCloud Keychain through iCloud Keychain escrow, which is also protected against brute-force attacks. iCloud Keychain escrows a user’s keychain data with Apple without allowing Apple to read the passwords and other data it contains. Your keychain is encrypted using a strong passcode, and the escrow service provides a copy of the keychain only if a strict set of conditions is met. To recover your keychain through iCloud Keychain escrow, authenticate with your Apple Account on a new device, then respond to an SMS sent to a trusted phone number. After you authenticate and respond, you must enter the device passcode. iOS, iPadOS, and macOS allow only 10 attempts to authenticate. After several failed attempts, the record is locked and you must contact Apple Support on the Apple Support website to be granted more attempts.

Tags: iCloud, Passwords
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How to use a braille display with VoiceOver on iPhone

by Stacey Butler

With VoiceOver, you can connect a Bluetooth® wireless refreshable braille display and use it to control and navigate iPhone and read what’s on the screen. The braille you type on the display is automatically translated into text, and the display shows what you’re typing in context. You can read and type using contracted or uncontracted braille, with support for many international braille tables.

You can also output closed captions in braille during media playback, and use a 2D braille display.

Connect a braille display and learn commands to control iPhone

  1. Turn on the braille display.
  2. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth, and then choose the display.
  3. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver and tap Braille. Then choose the display.
  4. To see the braille commands for controlling iPhone, tap More Info and tap Braille Commands.

Change the braille display settings

  1. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, and then tap Braille.
  2. Set any of the following:
Setting Description
Match Input and Output Tables Set the braille display to use the same table for both the input and read output.
Input and Output Choose the braille table you want to use to type braille input and output. You can choose from tables for additional languages as well as six-dot or eight-dot and contracted or uncontracted braille.
Braille Screen Input Choose the input method for entering braille using the screen.
Braille Tables Add tables to the braille table rotors.
Braille Access Quickly access braille notes, BRF files, and more using a braille display.
Item Overview Adjust the number of cells displayed per item. Press dots 6, 7, and 8 at the same time to turn Item Overview on or off.
Automatic Translation Turn this option on to automatically translate the braille you type into text soon after you stop typing.
Status Cells Turn on the general and text status cells and choose their location.
Equations use Nemeth Code Turn on Nemeth Code for mathematical equations.
Show Onscreen Keyboard Display the keyboard on the screen.
Turn Pages when Panning Automatically turn pages when panning.
Word Wrap Wrap words to the next line.
Text Formatting Display text formatting attributes like bold and italics.
Use Underline Cursor Display the cursor as an underline.
Braille Alert Messages When turned on, your braille display shows an alert message for the specified duration.
Ignore Chord Duration Adjust the amount of time required before subsequent key presses are recognized as braille chords.
Auto Advance Duration Adjust this setting to your preferred reading speed.
Sound Curtain When a braille display is connected to iPhone, mute most sounds. Emergency alerts will still play sounds.
Enable Bluetooth on Start Automatically turn on Bluetooth when you turn on VoiceOver so that braille displays can connect to iPhone.

Output closed captions in braille during media playback

  1. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap VoiceOver, and then tap Verbosity.
  2. Choose Braille or Speech and Braille.

Use a 2D braille display

On a supported 2D braille display, you can switch between different output modes with the rotor, like a mode for displaying images or one for reading text on multiple lines.

  1. Connect your braille display to iPhone.
  2. With VoiceOver turned on, use the Braille Text Mode rotor to switch between output modes.
Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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How to add your iPhone Wallet with MagSafe to Find My on iPhone

by Chris Smith

If your iPhone Wallet with MagSafe has Find My support, you can connect it to your Apple Account so you can see its last known location in the Find My app. You can allow someone who finds it to see your contact information to help them return it to you.

When you add your iPhone Wallet with MagSafe to Find My, you can get notified if it detaches from your iPhone. You can add it the first time you attach it to your iPhone, or later from the Find My app.

Here’s how to add your iPhone Wallet with MagSafe to Find My on iPhone.

Note: iPhone Wallet with MagSafe and Find My support needs a compatible iPhone model.

Add iPhone Wallet with MagSafe when you first attach it to your iPhone

  1. Go to the Home Screen on your iPhone.
  2. Attach your iPhone Wallet with MagSafe and Find My support to your iPhone.
  3. Tap Continue on your iPhone screen. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Add iPhone Wallet with MagSafe later

You can still add your iPhone Wallet with MagSafe and Find My support later from the Find My app, even if you decide not to when you first attach it to your iPhone.

  1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
  2. Attach your iPhone Wallet with MagSafe and Find My support to your iPhone.
  3. Tap the Add button and choose Add MagSafe Accessory. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Is the iPhone Wallet with MagSafe and Find My support associated with someone else’s Apple Account? Then they need to remove it before you can add it.

Tag: Find My
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How to take panoramic photos with your iPhone camera

by Stacey Butler

Use your iPhone camera to take a panoramic photo of your surroundings in Pano mode. It’s all about the arrow. The panorama comes together as you move slowly in the arrow’s direction, keeping it on the center line. You can pan in the opposite direction, too, and you can reverse the direction of a vertical pan.

  1. Open Camera on your iPhone.
  2. Swipe left to select Pano mode.
  3. Tap the Shutter button or click the Camera Control on (supported models).
  4. Pan slowly in the direction of the arrow, keeping it on the center line.
  5. To finish, tap the Shutter button again or click the Camera Control on (supported models).

Tap the arrow to pan in the opposite direction. To pan vertically, rotate iPhone to landscape orientation. You can reverse the direction of a vertical pan, too.

Tag: Photos
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How to set timers in Clock on iPhone

by Moses Johnson

You can set timers to count down from specified times.

You can give a timer a name, like “Egg timer,” and choose a sound to play when the timer ends. You can also set multiple timers, or set a timer to stop playing audio or video, and a timer keeps going even when iPhone goes to sleep. Siri can set a timer for you, too.

Here’s how to set timers in Clock on iPhone.

Siri: Ask Siri something like: “Set the timer for 3 minutes.”

A screen for adding a timer, with settings to set a timer, and a button to start a recently created timer.

Set a custom timer

  1. Open the Clock app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Timers and then set a duration of time.
  3. Choose any of the following options:
    • Label: Give the timer a name, like “Egg timer.”
    • When Timer Ends: Choose a sound to play when the timer ends.
  4. Tap Start.

Note: Even if you open another app or iPhone goes to sleep, the timer continues.

Set a custom timer, and it appears below Recent, so you can start the same timer again later.

Set a timer to stop playing audio or video

Want audio or video to stop playing after a specific amount of time, like when you fall asleep listening to the radio? Set the timer to stop the playback.

  1. Open the Clock app on your iPhone.
  2. Set a custom timer, as above.
  3. Tap When Timer Ends and tap Stop Playing at the bottom of the list of sounds.
  4. Tap Set, then tap Start.

Set multiple timers

Once you’ve started a custom timer, you can add more timers, keeping track of different tasks at the same time.

  1. Open the Clock app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Timers, then start a timer.
  3. Tap the Add button. Do one of the following:
    • Add a custom timer: Set a duration of time, add a label or sound and tap the Start button.
    • Add a preset timer: Swipe left below Presets. Tap a preset duration of time (like 1, 5, or 10 minutes).
    • Add a recent timer: Tap the Start button next to a timer you’ve recently set.

If you select a preset or recent timer, tap the timer to edit the label and sound.

Stop, pause, or remove a timer

When a timer ends, you get a notification at the top of your screen, no matter which app you’re using. Tap the Cancel button to clear the notification, or tap the Reset button if you want the timer to run again. You can also tap Repeat or Stop from the Lock Screen.

You can also turn off a timer before it ends.

  1. Open the Clock app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Timers and then do any of the following:
    • Pause a timer: Tap the Pause button next to the timer to stop it momentarily. Tap the Resume button to continue counting down.
    • Remove a timer: Swipe left, then tap the Trash button.
    • Remove several timers: Tap Edit and tap the Remove button. Then tap the Trash button.

From your Lock Screen, you can swipe left on a timer, then tap Clear.

Tag: Clock
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How to organize multiple lists in Reminders on iPhone

by Chris Smith

In the Reminders app, you can create new lists, organize the lists into groups, and pin lists for quick access.

Each new list gets a name, a color, and a symbol, and you choose its type: Standard, Groceries, or Smart Lists. You can also edit and rearrange lists and groups, or delete them, and pin an important list above the other lists for easy access.

Here’s how to organize multiple lists in Reminders on iPhone.

A Reminders screen showing a grid of Smart Lists, such as Today, Scheduled, and Flagged, each showing the number of items. Under the heading ‘My Lists,' shows a list of custom reminder categories like Family, Work, and Camping Trip.

Note: If you use updated reminders in iCloud, every Reminders feature described in this guide is available. With other accounts, some features aren’t.

Make a new list

  1. Open the Reminders app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the Add List button.
  3. Enter a name and choose a color and symbol for the list.
  4. Tap List Type and choose Standard, Groceries, or Smart Lists.
  5. Tap the Done button.

Pin an important list above the other lists for easy access

  1. Open the Reminders app on your iPhone.
  2. Touch and hold a list and then tap Pin. You can also swipe right on the list and then tap the Pin button.

You can have a maximum of nine pinned lists. To change the position of a pinned list, tap the More button, tap Edit Lists, drag the Reorder button to a new position, then tap the Done button.

Create a group of lists

Groups such as work, school, or shopping can organize your lists.

To create a group, simply drag a list onto another list. You can also do the following:

  1. Open the Reminders app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the More button and then tap Edit Lists.
  3. Tap Add Group, enter a name and select the lists to include in the group (optional). Then tap the Done button.

Edit and rearrange lists and groups

  1. Open the Reminders app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the More button and tap Edit Lists. Do any of the following:
    • Rearrange lists and groups: Drag the Reorder button a list or group to a new location. You can even move a list to a different group.
    • Change the name and appearance of a list or group: Tap the Edit Details button.

Delete a list or group

  1. Open the Reminders app on your iPhone.
  2. Swipe left on the list or group. Then tap the Delete button.

If you delete a group, you can choose to keep its lists. Deleted lists or groups move to Recently Deleted, where you can recover them within 30 days. They’re permanently deleted after 30 days.

Tag: Reminders
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How to change sound recording options on iPhone

by Dave Johnson

iPhone 16 or later uses Spatial Audio to record video, which captures more realistic and immersive audio recordings that you can edit later in the Photos app. You can also choose to record in Stereo or Mono. Earlier iPhone models record in Stereo.

Spatial Audio playback is immersive from all directions on supported playback devices, while Stereo separates the sound between your left and right ears. You’ll find the choice in Camera settings, under Record Sound.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Camera, tap Record Sound, and then choose one of the following:
    • Spatial Audio: Audio playback is immersive from all directions on supported playback devices.
    • Stereo: Audio playback is separated between left and right ears.
    • Mono: Audio playback is the same in both ears.

Note: Record video with either Spatial Audio or Stereo on iPhone 16 or later, and iPhone reduces wind noise automatically. If you’d rather change that, turn off Wind Noise Reduction.

When you record video, supported models of AirPods and AirPods Pro can work as a microphone.

Tag: camera
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