Got a tip for us?

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.

Getting started with CarPlay on iPhone

by Kevin Hollington

Connect your iPhone to CarPlay to get turn-by-turn directions, make phone calls, listen to music, check your calendar, and more, all from your vehicle’s display. Before you start, check your car. CarPlay works only with select automobiles and aftermarket navigation systems.

A CarPlay Dashboard showing Maps, Music, and Messages in the Sidebar. On the right is a map of San Francisco, navigation buttons, a now playing window, and a calendar entry.

Note: CarPlay isn’t available in all countries or regions .

Only select automobiles and select aftermarket navigation systems offer CarPlay.

WARNING: For important information about avoiding distractions that could lead to dangerous situations,.

Tag: carplay
Show Full Article

iPhone setup basics: what to set up first on a new iPhone

by Abigail Shilets

iPhone has an easy setup process to help you get going when you first turn on your device. Whether you’re just getting started or want to make sure you have the basics set up, you’re in the right place.

You can transfer your apps and info from your previous iPhone, set up cellular service and connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your Apple Account. Face ID or Touch ID, Find My iPhone, and iCloud are part of it, too.

Transfer your apps and info onto your new iPhone

During setup, the first time you turn on your iPhone, you can wirelessly move many of your apps, settings, and content from your previous iPhone straight to your new iPhone. Bring the two devices close together, then follow the onscreen instructions.

The Wi-Fi options screen in Settings. Wi-Fi is turned on, and a network is selected.

Set up cellular service and connect to Wi-Fi

Depending on your model, use an eSIM from your carrier or install a physical SIM card to connect to your cellular network. To check if your iPhone is connected to your cellular plan, go to the Settings app , then tap Cellular.

To connect your iPhone to your home Wi-Fi network, go to the Settings app , tap Wi-Fi, turn on Wi-Fi, then choose your network. iPhone automatically connects to your Wi-Fi network whenever you’re home.

The Apple Account sign-in screen.

Sign in to your Apple Account

Your Apple Account is how you get into Apple services like iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Music, Apple Books, the App Store, the iTunes Store, and more.

To sign in to your Apple Account, go to the Settings app , then tap Apple Account. If you have an iPad (with iPadOS 17 or later) or another iPhone (with iOS 17 or later) that’s signed in, you can simply bring your iPhone near your other device. Otherwise, you can manually sign in.

To verify that you’re signed in, go to the Settings app , then tap your name. Your Apple Account appears below your name.

The Face ID recognition setup screen. A face is shown on the screen, enclosed in a circle. Text below the face instructs the user to move their head slowly to complete the circle.

Set up Face ID or Touch ID

Face ID (face recognition) or Touch ID (your fingerprint) can securely unlock your iPhone, sign you in to many apps, and make purchases. Face ID and Touch ID data stays on your device for your security, and it isn’t saved anywhere else.

What you do here depends on your iPhone model:

  • Set up Face ID: Go to the Settings app , tap Face ID & Passcode, tap Set up Face ID, then follow the onscreen instructions.
  • Set up Touch ID: Go to the Settings app , tap Touch ID & Passcode, tap Add a Fingerprint, then follow the onscreen instructions.

The Find My screen showing two devices at home.

Turn on Find My iPhone

With Find My iPhone turned on, you can find your iPhone if it’s ever lost or stolen.

Go to the Settings app , tap your name, tap Find My, tap Find My iPhone, then turn on Find My iPhone.

You can see the location of your devices in the Find My app or the website Find Devices.

The iCloud settings screen showing the iCloud storage meter and a list of apps and features.

Store your data in iCloud

iCloud keeps your important info safe and in sync across your devices. So if your iPhone is lost, stolen, damaged, or replaced, your photos, videos, and more stay secure in iCloud.

To turn on or change the features you want to use with iCloud, go to the Settings app , tap your name, then tap iCloud.

These guides walk you through the next steps:

Apple notes that not all features are available for all iPhone models.

Tags: iCloud, iPhone
Show Full Article

How to get started with accessibility features on iPhone

by Kevin Hollington

Customize iPhone in ways that work best for you with features for vision, hearing, mobility, speech, and cognitive accessibility—whether you need them temporarily or on an ongoing basis. You can hear what’s on the screen with the built-in screen reader, make text bigger, or control iPhone using just your eyes or spoken commands. You can also get real-time captioning of spoken audio, create a custom voice that sounds like you, and set up a simplified interface for someone with a cognitive disability.

Note: Not all features are available in all countries, regions, or languages.

An iPhone with the Mail app open. An email is displayed with large, bold text.

Vision

To hear what’s on the screen and navigate iPhone with gestures, use the built-in screen reader. You can also adjust display colors, zoom in on the screen, make text bigger, and more. And by holding up your iPhone, you can even use it as a magnifying glass and get descriptions of your surroundings.

An iPhone showing a number next to each item in the Reminders app.

Mobility

Using just your eyes or spoken commands, you can navigate and perform actions on iPhone. You can also connect an assistive device or an external keyboard to control iPhone, set options so iPhone responds best to your touch, and make it easier to use gestures.

An iPhone showing an example of subtitles with a custom style.

Hearing

Get real-time captioning of spoken audio from an app or live conversation, turn on flash notifications, have iPhone recognize sounds, and more. You can also pair hearing devices with your iPhone, and adjust headphone audio so it’s right for you. Or experience songs as taps, refined vibrations, and other haptics that are synced to the rhythm of the music.

An iPhone with information about how to create a Personal Voice.

Speech

To have what you type spoken out loud, use a custom voice that sounds like you, or one of dozens of system voices. Siri can also recognize a wider range of speech patterns, and iPhone can learn to perform an action when you speak a word or sound you choose.

An iPhone showing the Assistive Access Home Screen with a large grid of apps.

Cognitive

With help from iOS accessibility features, you or someone you care for can use iPhone with greater independence. For someone with a cognitive disability, you can set up an iPhone with a simplified interface, and when you let a child use iPhone, you can temporarily lock it to one app.

Quick tip: Your go-to accessibility features and settings are easy to control with Siri, the click of a button, or from Control Center.

Tag: accessibility
Show Full Article

How to turn iPhone on or off

by Tyler Stephen

There are multiple ways to turn your iPhone on and off. You can use the buttons on the side of your iPhone, or you can use the controls in Settings and Control Center. And if it doesn’t turn on, you might need to charge the battery.

Turn on iPhone

Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

If your iPhone doesn’t turn on, you might need to charge the battery.

Turn off iPhone

  • iPhone with Face ID: Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider.
  • iPhone with the Home button: Press and hold the side button, then drag the Power Off slider.

Two iPhone models, screens facing up. On the iPhone with Face ID, the volume buttons are on the left and the side button is on the right. On the iPhone with the Home button, the side button is on the right.

Turn off iPhone in Control Center

  1. Open Control Center.
  2. Touch and hold the Power button in the top-right corner of your screen.
  3. Drag the slider to turn off iPhone.

Turn off iPhone in Settings

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap General and scroll down. Tap Shut Down.
  3. Drag the slider to turn off iPhone.

When your iPhone isn’t working as expected, restarting it by turning it off and back on may help. And if that doesn’t fix the issue, try forcing it to restart.

Tag: iPhone
Show Full Article

Why iPhone slows or pauses charging when it’s too hot or cold

by Abigail Shilets

Your iPhone protects its battery by limiting charging in hot or cold conditions. Charging your iPhone in very hot or cold environments can temporarily affect performance, and when your iPhone becomes too warm or too cold, iOS may automatically slow down or pause charging. This helps preserve your battery’s long-term health and ensures safe operation.

Charging resumes on its own when the battery is back in a safe temperature range. These protections work automatically and can’t be turned off, and charging works best between 32° and 95° F (0° and 35° C).

The charging information card in iPhone Battery settings. The card shows the battery at 95% with the message “Charging on Hold: iPhone Temperature.” A note below indicates that charging will resume when the iPhone temperature returns to normal.

A message like “Charging On Hold. Charging will resume when iPhone returns to normal temperature.” might appear on the Lock Screen.

What to expect

  • If your iPhone gets too warm, charging may slow or stop until the temperature lowers.
  • In very cold environments, charging may be slower or temporarily disabled until your device warms up.
  • Charging resumes automatically when the battery returns to a safe temperature range.

These protections apply any time you’re using a cable, MagSafe Charger, or other wireless chargers.

Tips to maintain charging performance in extreme temperatures

To help your iPhone charge efficiently, follow these best practices:

  • Charge your iPhone in environments between 32° and 95° F (0° and 35° C).
  • Avoid placing your iPhone in direct sunlight or leaving it in hot spaces (like a car on a sunny day).
  • If you’re in a cold climate, try charging indoors or warming your iPhone gradually before plugging it in.
  • Remove your case if your iPhone tends to heat up while charging.

Note: These temperature-based protections work automatically and can’t be turned off. They are available on iPhone using iOS 16 or later.

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

How to stream video and audio from your iPhone with AirPlay

by Moses Johnson

With AirPlay, you can stream video and audio from your iPhone to a nearby Mac or TV. You can also mirror what’s on your iPhone screen. You can use AirPlay with your iPhone and a Mac, an Apple TV 4K, or another TV.

First, make sure both devices have Wi-Fi turned on and are on the same network.

Here’s how to stream video and audio from your iPhone with AirPlay.

Before you stream to a Mac or TV

Before you start streaming, make sure all of the following are true:

  • Both devices have Wi-Fi turned on and are connected to the same network.
  • If you’re streaming between your own Apple devices, it’s useful to sign in to the same Apple Account.
  • To use AirPlay to stream content to a Mac, both devices meet minimum system requirements.
  • To use AirPlay to stream content to a TV, make sure you’re using Apple TV 4K or an AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV.

If you’re using a VPN, check that its configuration doesn’t prevent local networking, since that may interfere with some Continuity features.

Set up a Mac to allow streaming from your iPhone

  1. On a Mac, open the System Settings app.
  2. Click General in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
  3. Click AirDrop & Handoff, then turn on AirPlay Receiver.
  4. Click the pop-up menu next to Allow AirPlay for and choose the devices that can use AirPlay to stream content to this Mac.
    • Allow only your devices: If you only want to allow AirPlay from devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account, select Current user.
    • Allow any device: Select Anyone on the Same Network or Everyone.
  5. To require a password to use AirPlay with the Mac, select the option and then enter a password.

Stream photos or videos from your iPhone to your Mac or TV

From your iPhone, you can stream photos and videos to an AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV, an Apple TV 4K, or a Mac.

  1. On your iPhone, find the photo or video that you want to stream.
  2. Tap the AirPlay button.

    Note: In some apps, you may need to tap a different button first, like the Share button.

    A slideshow in the Photos app plays on the iPhone. At the top right of the screen is a pop-up menu, with an option to choose AirPlay.

  3. Choose your Mac or TV from the list.
  4. Use the playback controls on your iPhone.
  5. To stop streaming, on your iPhone, tap the AirPlay button, then tap Turn Off AirPlay.

Quick tip: Your iPhone can find and automatically connect to an Apple TV 4K or smart TV you use frequently each time you play content with AirPlay from apps you use regularly. To turn this on or off from your iPhone, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity and tap the Automatically AirPlay pop-up menu, where you can choose Automatic, Never, or Ask.

Mirror your iPhone on a Mac or TV

  1. Open Control Center on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the Screen Mirroring button and choose your Mac or TV as the playback destination.

To switch back, open Control Center, tap the Screen Mirroring button, then tap Stop Mirroring.

Play audio from your iPhone on a Mac or TV

To stream audio from your iPhone to a Mac or TV, use AirPlay. When it’s your Mac, set up the Mac first so it allows streaming from another device.

  1. Go to an audio app (such as Podcasts or Music) on your iPhone and choose an item to play.
  2. Tap the Playback Destination button and then choose a playback destination.

AirPlay can also stream audio from your iPhone to a HomePod.

Use AirPlay in your hotel room

If your hotel room has a TV that supports AirPlay, you can play music, movies, TV shows, and more from your iPhone on it.

  1. Open Camera on your iPhone.
  2. If it’s not already on, turn on the room’s TV and locate the AirPlay QR code.
  3. Scan the QR code with your iPhone camera and then follow the onscreen instructions to connect to your hotel Wi-Fi (if you’re not already connected) and the room’s TV.
  4. Use your iPhone to display content on the TV screen by streaming photos or videos, mirroring your screen, or playing audio.
  5. Choose your hotel TV as the playback destination.
  6. To stop streaming or mirroring, tap the AirPlay or Screen Mirroring button ( or ) on your iPhone and tap your iPhone in the list or tap Stop Mirroring.

Note: AirPlay in hotels isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Stream video from your iPhone to your CarPlay display

While you’re not driving, AirPlay can send video to supported CarPlay displays.

WARNING: For important information about avoiding distractions that could lead to dangerous situations, see Important safety information for iPhone.

If AirPlay isn’t working

  • Make sure that both of your devices are on the same network.
  • Check that your Mac is set up to allow streaming from another device.
Tag: AirPlay
Show Full Article

How to get turn-by-turn directions with CarPlay

by Emily Long

Use Siri or open Maps to get turn-by-turn directions, traffic conditions, and estimated travel time (not available in all regions). CarPlay can suggest likely destinations from your email, text messages, contacts, and calendars, and you can also search for a location or use your saved favorites.

Note: To get directions, make sure iPhone is connected to the internet and Location Services is on.

CarPlay showing Maps, Music, and Calendar in the Sidebar. On the right is a map showing two different navigation routes to get from point A to point B.

Find a route

Using addresses from your contacts, calendars, email, and text messages, as well as places you frequent, CarPlay generates likely destinations. You can also search for a location, find nearby attractions and services, and use locations you saved as favorites and in collections.

Or you can use your vehicle’s built-in controls to open Maps in CarPlay and select a route.

Note: Maps won’t always appear in the recent apps list on the left of CarPlay Dashboard. When it’s missing, tap the Home button, and you’ll see pages of all your CarPlay apps, Maps included.

  1. With Maps open in CarPlay, do one of the following:
    • Select a place you saved as a favorite.
    • Select Destinations, then select a recent destination or scroll to select a destination you saved in a collection.
    • Select Search, then select the Microphone button to speak a search phrase, or select the Keyboard button to use the onscreen keyboard (if available). You can also select a destination from a category of nearby services, such as Parking or Restaurants.
  2. If multiple routes appear, use your vehicle’s controls to select the route you prefer.
  3. To call your destination before you leave, select the Phone button.
  4. To start turn-by-turn directions, select Go.

Maps shows directions from your current location.

When you arrive at your destination and exit your vehicle, a parked car marker shows up in Maps on iPhone to help you find your way back to your vehicle easily.

Follow turn-by-turn directions

CarPlay follows your progress and speaks turn-by-turn directions to your destination.

At any time during your trip, you can do any of the following:

  • Add a stop to your driving directions: Select the ETA display at the bottom left, select Add Stop, then choose a destination or use Siri to search for one.
  • End directions at any time: Say something to Siri like “Stop navigating,” or select the estimated time of arrival (ETA) display at the bottom left, then choose End Route.
  • Mute turn-by-turn directions: Tap the Volume button, then choose the Mute button to mute all directions.
  • Mute turn-by-turn directions, except for alerts and hazards: Tap the Volume button, then choose the Alerts Only button.
  • Make a quick detour: Say something to Siri like “Find a gas station.” Or select the ETA display, select Search, select a suggested service, then choose a destination.
  • Share your ETA: Select the ETA display at the bottom left, select Share ETA, then choose one or more suggested contacts.

People using devices with iOS 13.1, iPadOS 13.1, or later receive a Maps notification with your ETA, and they can track your progress in Maps. People using devices with earlier versions receive the notification through iMessage. People using other mobile devices receive an SMS message. (Standard carrier data and text rates may apply.)

To stop sending ETA information, select Sharing ETA at the bottom of the CarPlay screen, then choose a contact.

Note: For navigation apps that support the CarPlay Dashboard, Dashboard shows one of three apps. With no apps navigating, it’s the last navigation app opened. With one, it’s the one that is actively navigating. With multiple apps navigating, it’s the last opened and actively navigating app.

Tag: carplay
Show Full Article

How to get started with Journal on iPhone

by Moses Johnson

You can use the Journal app on iPhone to record your experiences. You can add photos, music, drawings, audio recordings, and even your current state of mind.

The first time Journal opens, customized journaling suggestions can be turned on. After that, you choose a journal and start writing, or start from a journaling suggestion or reflection prompt. You can review your journal entries later, and keep your journal private, too.

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

The welcome screen for the Journal app.

Set up Journal

To turn on and get customized journaling suggestions, follow the onscreen instructions the first time you open Journal.

A screen in the Journal app for composing a journal entry.

Create a journal entry

Choose a journal, then tap the Create an Entry button. Start writing or choose a journaling suggestion or reflection prompt.

A screen in the Journal app showing journal entries with the Search button at the top right.

Review your journal entries

Scroll through your journal to see previous entries. To find specific entries, tap the Search button, then either choose a category such as Photos or Drawings, or type the text you’re looking for. To find entries for a specific day, tap the Calendar button, then tap a date on the calendar.

A screen that prompts you to use Face ID to unlock your journal.

Keep your journal private

Protect your journal with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode, so you’re the only one who can access it.

Tag: Journal
Show Full Article

How to change your Mail settings on iPhone

by Stacey Butler

You can adjust your preferences for the Mail app in Settings. Customize your email signature, mark addresses outside specific domains, and more.

You can add and remove email accounts, set a fetch schedule, and choose whether Siri makes suggestions based on the way you use Mail. You can also allow content from Mail to appear in Search, and group emails in a conversation together with Organize by Thread.

Here’s how to change your Mail settings on iPhone.

Customize your Mail settings

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Apps and then tap Mail.

    Adjust any of the following settings: Mail Accounts: Add or remove email accounts.

    Fetch New Data: Set a fetch schedule for your email accounts.

    Siri: Allow Siri to make suggestions across apps based on the way you use Mail.

    Search: Allow content from Mail to appear in Search.

    Notifications: Allow notifications, choose the alert style and Lock Screen appearance, and customize notifications by account.

    Default Mail App: Choose the email app for new emails you draft outside of a specific app, such as emails you create using Siri.

    Message List: Change settings for your message list, such as showing To/Cc labels, choosing the length of email previews, and assigning swipe actions.

    Messages: Turn on Privacy Protection, Ask Before Deleting, and Follow Up Suggestions.

    Threading: Turn on Organize by Thread to group emails in a conversation together in your message list.

    Adjust other settings for how threads appear and muting threads.

    Composing: Customize settings for writing emails such as including attachments with replies, showing link previews, and more.

    Undo Send Delay: Set a time period of up to 30 seconds to allow yourself to unsend a message.

Customize your email signature

Customize your email signature, and it appears automatically at the bottom of every message you send.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Apps and then tap Mail.
  3. Tap Signature (below Composing).
  4. Tap the text field and then edit your signature.

    You can only use text in your Mail signatures.

    Tip: If you have more than one email account, tap Per Account to set a different signature for each account.

Mark addresses outside certain domains

To alert you when you’re addressing an email message to a recipient outside your organization’s domain, the recipient’s name can appear in red.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Apps and then tap Mail.
  3. Tap Mark Addresses (below Composing).
  4. Enter the domains that are in your organization—ones that you don’t want marked in red.

    You can enter multiple domains separated by commas (for example, “apple.com, example.org”).

    The names of recipients in domains outside your organization appear in red, whether you send them an email or receive one from them.

Tag: Mail
Show Full Article

How to reset iPhone settings to their defaults

by Abigail Shilets

You can return your iPhone settings to their defaults without erasing your content.

With Reset All Settings, all settings, including network settings and the keyboard dictionary, are removed or reset to their defaults, and no data or media are deleted. Reset Network Settings removes all network settings and resets the device name of your iPhone to “iPhone.” Erase All Content and Settings isn’t the same thing, though, since all your content is removed.

If you want to save your settings, back up iPhone before resetting it. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but resetting iPhone doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap General, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, and then tap Reset.

    WARNING: If you choose the Erase All Content and Settings option, all your content is removed.

  3. Choose an option:

    • Reset All Settings: All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.
    • Reset Network Settings: All network settings are removed. In addition, the device name assigned in Settings > General > About is reset to iPhone, and manually trusted certificates (such as for websites) are changed to untrusted.

      Cellular data roaming may also be turned off.

      When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.

      To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile.

      To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM.

    • Delete All eSIMs: All eSIMs stored on your iPhone are deleted. You will need to set up a new eSIM or physical SIM card to connect to a cellular network.
    • Reset Keyboard Dictionary: You add words to the keyboard dictionary by rejecting words iPhone suggests as you type. Resetting the keyboard dictionary erases only the words you’ve added.
    • Reset Handwriting Style: Resets custom handwriting preferences to their defaults.
    • Reset Home Screen Layout: Returns the built-in apps to their original layout on the Home Screen.
    • Reset Location & Privacy: Resets the location services and privacy settings to their defaults.
Tag: Phone
Show Full Article