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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 set up Face ID on iPhone

by Abigail Shilets

Use Face ID (on supported models) to securely and conveniently unlock iPhone, authorize purchases and payments, and sign in to many third-party apps by simply glancing at your iPhone. Face ID data is encrypted, isn’t saved to iCloud, and doesn’t leave your iPhone.

You can also add an alternate appearance, use Face ID while wearing a face mask, or temporarily disable Face ID. And you can choose when to use Face ID.

To use Face ID, you must also set a passcode on your iPhone.

Set up Face ID or add an alternate appearance

  • If you didn’t set up Face ID when you first set up your iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Set up Face ID, then follow the onscreen instructions.
  • To set up an additional appearance for Face ID to recognize, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Set Up an Alternate Appearance, then follow the onscreen instructions.

The Face ID recognition setup screen. A smiley face is showing on the screen, enclosed in a circle. Text below instructs the user to move their head slowly to complete the circle. A button for Get Started appears near the bottom of the screen.

Choose when to use Face ID

To authorize payments, unlock your iPhone, open password-protected apps, and automatically fill in passwords, you can use Face ID.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, then turn on options below Use Face ID For.

Use Face ID while wearing a face mask

On iPhone 12 models or later, Face ID can unlock your phone even while you’re wearing a face mask or another covering that blocks your mouth and nose.

When you turn on Face ID with a Mask, Face ID analyzes the unique characteristics around your eyes, and it works with all of the Face ID options you turn on in Settings > Face ID & Passcode.

Note: Set up Face ID for full-face recognition only, and it’s most accurate.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, then do any of the following:

  • Allow Face ID to work while you wear a face mask: Turn on Face ID with a Mask, then follow the onscreen instructions.

    Important: If you usually wear glasses, you can improve the accuracy of Face ID by wearing a pair of transparent glasses (not sunglasses) when you turn on Face ID with a Mask.

  • Add a pair of transparent glasses (not sunglasses) to your appearance: Tap Add Glasses, then follow the onscreen instructions.
  • Don’t allow Face ID to work while you wear a face mask: Turn off Face ID with a Mask.

On any iPhone model that supports Face ID, you can also use Apple Watch to unlock iPhone while you wear a face mask.

Temporarily disable Face ID

You can temporarily stop Face ID from unlocking your iPhone.

  1. Press and hold the side button and either volume button for 2 seconds.
  2. After the sliders appear, press the side button to immediately lock iPhone.

If you don’t touch the screen for a minute or so, iPhone locks automatically.

Face ID is enabled again the next time you unlock iPhone with your passcode.

Turn off Face ID

  1. Open Settings and then tap Face ID & Passcode.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Turn off Face ID for specific items only: Turn off one or more of the options, such as Password AutoFill.
    • Turn off Face ID for face masks: Turn off Face ID with a Mask.
    • Turn off Face ID: Tap Reset Face ID.

If your device is lost or stolen, Find My iPhone Lost Mode can prevent Face ID from being used to unlock it.

Tag: face id
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How to remove an AirTag or other item from Find My on iPhone

by Kevin Hollington

You can use the Find My app to remove an AirTag or third-party item from your Apple Account so someone else can register it. You start by bringing the item near your iPhone. If it isn’t nearby, you can still remove it, but the item must be reset before anyone can register it.

  1. Start the Find My app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Items and tap the item you want to remove. Tap the more button.
  3. Bring the item near your iPhone.

    If the item isn’t near your device, you can still remove it from your account. However, the item must be reset before anyone can register it to their Apple Account.

  4. Tap Remove and then follow the onscreen instructions.

Note: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to reset an item.

Tag: Find My
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How to get started with Notes on iPhone

by Chris Smith

Use the Notes app to quickly capture your thoughts. You can add images and sketches, solve equations, make checklists, or even scan documents. And with iCloud, your notes stay up to date on all your devices wherever you go.

With Quick Notes, you can jot down information from any app or screen, then add images, links, and more. You can also sketch your thoughts and invite others to collaborate.

Here’s how to get started with Notes on iPhone.

A note for a class brainstorm with tags such as #school and #kine210. The note features a hand-drawn diagram of a box breathing exercise, which illustrates a four-step breathing cycle.

Jot it down

Tap the New Note button, then enter your text.

A Quick Note in a window overlay over a map of Mount Rainier National Park. The note has a link to the map, a photo, and text.

Make quick notes anywhere

Use Quick Notes to jot down information from any app or screen. Tap the Quick Note button, then tap New Quick Note. Add images, links, and more.

A screen showing a document being scanned. The Take Picture button is at the bottom center.

Add almost anything

You can scan documents, record audio, take photos, and more. Tap the Attachments button, then choose an option.

A note showing a drawing and Markup tools along the bottom of the screen.

Sketch your thoughts

Tap the Handwriting Tools button, then draw or write with your finger. You can choose from a variety of Markup tools and colors and draw straight lines with the ruler.

A note with an overlay showing sharing options.

Invite others to collaborate

Tap the Share button, then choose a sharing option. The people you share with can view or make changes to a note. The availability of Notes features may vary depending on your language and country or region.

Tag: Notes
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How to turn off vibration on iPhone

by Tyler Stephen

If you don’t want your iPhone to vibrate, you can turn vibration off for specific uses or all alerts. It’s your call. You can set vibration options for specific alerts in Sounds & Haptics, or turn off all vibrations at once in Touch settings.

  • Set vibration options for specific alerts: Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics.
  • Turn off all vibrations: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, then turn off Vibration.

Note: This setting turns off vibrations for earthquake, tsunami, and other emergency alerts.

Tag: accessibility
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How to receive warnings about sensitive content on iPhone

by Dave Johnson

You can have your iPhone, or your family member’s iPhone, check for sensitive images and warn you before you view them. Once Sensitive Content Warning is on, a warning appears before sensitive images are received or sent. It’s in Privacy & Security settings.

Turn on Sensitive Content Warning

  1. Open Settings and then tap Privacy & Security.
  2. Scroll down and tap Sensitive Content Warning and then turn on Sensitive Content Warning.

Before sending or receiving sensitive images, you or your family member will get a warning.

Note: Sensitive Content Warning is turned on automatically if you set up Screen Time and turn on Communication Safety.

Screen Time is also where you can block inappropriate content and set restrictions on purchases.

Tag: Privacy & Security
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How to share a recording in Voice Memos on iPhone

by Kevin Hollington

You can share one or more audio recordings with others, or send them to your Mac or another device, using AirDrop, Mail, Messages, and more.

You can share a single recording from its More Actions menu, or select more than one recording and share them together.

Here’s how to share a recording in Voice Memos on iPhone.

Share a recording

  1. Start the Voice Memos app (in the Utilities folder) on your iPhone.
  2. In the list of recordings, tap the recording you want to share. Then tap the More Actions button.
  3. Tap Share. Tap Options and choose one of the following:
    • Rendered: Create a single .m4a file with all audio effects and layers mixed in.
    • Editable: Share a file that lets a recipient with a compatible device and software update configure effects and layers.
  4. Choose a sharing option, select or enter a recipient, and tap the Done button or the Send button.

Share more than one recording

  1. Start the Voice Memos app (in the Utilities folder) on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Select above the list of recordings and then select the recordings you want to share.
  3. Tap the Share button, tap Options, and then choose a file option (Rendered or Editable.)
  4. Choose a sharing option, select or enter a recipient, and tap the Done button or the Send button.
Tag: Voice Memos
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How to turn on Lock Screen features on iPhone

by Dave Johnson

You can make some commonly used features, such as Control Center, widgets, and media playback controls, available on the Lock Screen for easy access when iPhone is locked. You choose them below Allow Access When Locked, in Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode settings.

  1. Open Settings and then tap Face ID & Passcode (on an iPhone with Face ID) or Touch ID & Passcode (on an iPhone with a Home button).
  2. Turn on options below Allow Access When Locked.

A Medical ID can also hold your medical information and emergency contacts, so first responders and others can view them on your iPhone when it’s locked.

Turning off Lock Screen access to a feature keeps someone who has your iPhone from viewing any personal information it might contain, like an upcoming event in the Calendar widget. The tradeoff? You lose quick access to that information yourself.

Tag: Lock Screen
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How to collaborate on a document in FaceTime on iPhone

by Chris Smith

In a FaceTime call, you can collaborate on a shared document. You can initiate collaboration in a FaceTime call that’s in progress, or you can initiate collaboration from the app where the document was created.

You can share the document through FaceTime, AirDrop, Mail, or Messages. Everyone who opens it can make changes and see changes made by others, and when someone makes a change, everyone who’s collaborating gets a notification.

  1. Start a conversation in the FaceTime app with the people you want to collaborate with.
  2. Open the app you want to use and then open a document.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • Tap Collaborate in the notification that appears.
    • Tap the Share button, choose how to share the document (FaceTime, AirDrop, Mail, or Messages), then tap Collaborate.
  4. Tap Start in the collaboration notification that appears at the top of your screen.

Participants get a notification that you’ve shared a document you want to collaborate on. When they tap Open in the notification, the document opens on their device.

Anyone who receives and opens the document can make changes and see the ones others make. Every change sends a notification to everyone who’s collaborating on the document.

Tag: FaceTime
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How to have a conference or three-way call on iPhone

by Tyler Stephen

When you’re on a phone call, you can add an additional caller or callers if you want to include more people in the conversation. If you get another incoming call, you can also respond to or ignore it.

Depending on your carrier, GSM lets you set up a conference call with up to five people, though conference calling may not be available with VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling. While on the call, you can talk privately with one person, add an incoming caller, or drop someone.

Here’s how to have a conference or three-way call on iPhone.

Start a conference or three-way call

Conference calls with up to five people are possible with GSM, depending on your carrier.

Note: If your call uses VoLTE (Voice over LTE) or Wi-Fi Calling, you may not be able to make conference calls or use some aspects of conference calling.

  1. Start the Phone app on your iPhone.
  2. While on a call on iPhone, tap the More button, tap Add People, make another call. Tap Merge Calls. Repeat this step to add more people to the call.
  3. During the call, do any of the following:
    • Talk privately with one person: Tap the More Info button. Then tap Private next to the name of the person. Tap Merge Calls to resume the conference call.
    • Add an incoming caller on the same line: Tap Hold Call & Answer, then tap Merge Calls.
    • Drop one person: Tap the More Info button next to the name of the person you want to drop and then tap End.
Tag: Phone
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How to see your purchases and subscriptions in the App Store on iPhone

by Abigail Shilets

You can view, change, and cancel your subscriptions from Apple as well as subscriptions you purchased in apps from the App Store.

Your purchase history covers a lot. It includes free and paid apps from the App Store, in-app purchases, subscriptions, music, videos, books, AppleCare+, and more. You can also view and redownload apps. It’s all under Apps & Purchase History, in your App Store account.

Here’s how to see your purchases and subscriptions in the App Store on iPhone.

See your purchase history

Your purchase history covers AppleCare+, books, videos, music, subscriptions, and in-app purchases, along with free and paid apps from the App Store, and more.

  1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the My Account button or your picture and tap Apps & Purchase History. Then tap Purchase History.

    You may be asked to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

  3. To narrow the results, enter the name, price, or order ID in the search field.
  4. To change the search criteria, tap Last 90 Days, Paid and then set any of the following:

    • Date range
    • Cost (free or paid)
    • Type
    • Family member (available if you’re the organizer of a Family Sharing group)

View and redownload apps

  1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the My Account button or your picture and tap Apps & Purchase History. Tap Your Apps.
  3. If you’re part of a Family Sharing group, tap My Apps or choose a family member.
  4. Find the app you want to download (if it’s still available in the App Store) and tap the Redownload button.

Change or cancel a subscription

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap your name and then tap Subscriptions.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Cancel a subscription: Tap an active subscription and tap Cancel Subscription or Cancel All Services.
    • Change a subscription: Tap an active subscription and choose a different option.
    • Renew a subscription: Tap an expired subscription, then tap Renew.
    • Share a subscription: Turn on Share with Family to automatically share eligible subscriptions with other members in your Family Sharing group.
    • Get Renewal Receipts: Turn on Renewal Receipt Emails to receive a receipt each time one of your subscriptions renews.
Tag: App Store
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