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Tips & Tricks

Tips and tricks for all things Apple! Whether you want to learn tips for a Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or much more, you will find many tricks, tips, tutorials, and excellent walkthroughs for Apple devices and software here.

5 Habits to Avoid While Charging Your iPhone in 2022

by GeeksModo Staff

No matter how big the battery of your iPhone is, it will eventually die. And in addition to some iPhone models supporting fast charging, you need to pause tasks that need to be performed on your iPhone intermittently to charge. The fact that they have life cycles also means that over time the level of performance starts to drop and they don’t last as long as they used to while they were new.

  • [ ] The kind of apps that run on our iPhones, our charging habits sometimes contribute to a faster drop in the performance of these batteries. Here are some common charging habits to avoid andimprove iPhone’s battery performance.

Habits to avoid while charging your iPhone

Bad habit #1: Charging and gaming

Well, I confess, I do this often. We all love to play games on our smartphones and sometimes they can be addictive and hard to resist. But what you need to understand is that, since games now come with advanced graphics and special effects, they require more power and put pressure on your iPhone’s battery.

When you charge and play at the same time, you put extra pressure on your battery. In addition, the short charge and discharge cycles cause it to overheat. Overheating can cause the battery to explode or negatively affect battery life.

Bad habit #2: Charging with a protective cover on

While charging your iPhone it gets a little warmer and this is because batteries emit heat during charging. So it is advisable to remove the phone cover before charging it so that the heat released while charging your phone can dissipate into the atmosphere (at a higher speed).

Heat is the biggest enemy of batteries, and it’s important to avoid exposing your iPhone’s battery to temperatures above 95 ° F (35 ° C). Anything higher will compromise your iPhone’s battery.

Bad habit #3: Charging over night

I often watched videos with my laptop and did homework late at night to see which battery I had left to complete my task. After that, I would plug it into the charger and go to sleep overnight to fully charge – but I never stopped thinking about what happens to the battery overnight after it hits 100%.

Even then, without fast charging, it didn’t take eight hours to fully charge a battery. But since a battery can only receive so much power, how does it stay fully charged without overcharging?

Each iPhone battery has a specific charging limit and at times We are usually used to charging our iPhone’s batteries over night and this can damage our battery. Charging your iPhone all night long constantly charges your phone’s battery and weakens it over time. The temperature also rises if the battery is overcharged. This compromises the safety of the user as excessive heat can cause the battery / phone to explode.
As you may have noticed, your iPhone gets quite hot while charging. The same happens during overnight filling. Heat causes damage to lithium ion batteries – it weakens the battery, reducing the maximum amount of power it can store (known as battery capacity) and compromises its integrity, which can cause your device to explode.

Bad habit #4: Using counterfeit charging accessories

Always charge your iPhone with its original charger and avoid using unofficial / counterfeit accessories to charge your device. This is because the voltage and power requirements vary from battery to battery, and using a charger that provides a higher voltage can overcharge your battery. For example, chargers that support fast charging can supply high voltage to phone batteries, and using it to charge an iPhone that does not support the fast charging function can be harmful to the battery.

Bad habit #5: Avoid constant charging

It’s normal for iPhone users to charge their device’s battery constantly even though they still have enough power. This is common in areas without a constant power supply and people need their iPhones to retain as much power as possible when there is a power shortage – this is completely understandable.

However, you should know thatconstant charging shortens your iPhone’s battery life. The typical estimated life of a lithium-ion battery is about two to three years or 300 to 500 complete charge cycles, whichever comes first. Continuous charging, even when you don’t have to, just means that your battery will complete its life faster.

Charge properly

The above mentioned habits should be avoided if you don’t want a sharp drop in your iPhone’s battery life. There is also an explosion hazard: you can damage your battery and eventually your iPhone by overcharging. Stay safe!

What is the correct way?

So now that you know why these habits are bad and how they affect your battery, what’s the right way to charge your iPhone? How can you reduce the load on your battery, keep it safe and perform well over the years? We have three recommendations for you.

#1. Use fast charging

The first is to take advantage of fast charging if you own an iPhone model that support the feature.
When you wake up in the morning, connect your iPhone to power. Most of us have at least 30 minutes to prepare, by which time fast charging should have your battery up to at least 50 percent. Depending on the battery percentage when you started charging, you could have charge for all day for 30 minutes.

#2. Keep your iPhone cool

The second tip is to keep your iPhone in a cool place while charging. This doesn’t mean you put your iPhone in the freezer or fridge (batteries don’t charge at extremely low temperatures anyway), but to avoid direct sunlight and excessive heat while charging. Look for flat, cool metal surfaces as they will dissipate most of the heat from the phone and provide the best airflow.

#3. Avoid third-party chargers

The final recommendation I have for you is to avoid third-party chargers at all costs – not just the charging brick, but the cable as well. If you need a charger replacement, buy only one from Apple – preferably one designed for your specific iPhone model.
If you learn nothing else from this article, at least remember this: take your iPhone off the charger as much as possible, keep it cool while charging, always use a first party charger and try to keep your battery in the sweet zone of 25-85%.
And that covers pretty much everything about habits to avoid while charging your iPhone. We also have plenty of other articles that i suggest you check right now.

Tags: Battery, iPhone Tips
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Apple Ecosystem Trap

by GeeksModo Staff

Do you have an Iphone? I have an iPhone. Many people have them, but why? I have struggled for a long time to find the answer even though I use their products daily.
Apple is a master at making your current device feel obsolete. Especially the iPhone, which has a new model released every year. In Addition, The company is known to charge a ‘luxury price’ for their products, even though there are other companies that manufacture devices at a similar price, with much better internals.

Take Samsung for example. I know many iPhone users mock the idea of switching to ‘one of those Android things’; but honestly you get so much more for your money if you consider the high quality of Samsung’s screens, cameras, batteries and other internal components.

Why do we buy iPhones when there are alternatives that are better for the price?

The answer is simple: Apple has a very good build quality, a good reputation and a very user-friendlyecosystem.
There is no company like Apple that can produce products that work so well together. You can buy an iPhone and an iPad and sync all your photos and apps to each other via iCloud. You can buy a MacBook Pro and reply to text messages directly from your laptop. You can buy a few AirPods and switch seamlessly between your devices with very little effort. If you replace that MacBook with a laptop from a Window, you immediately lose a lot of compatibility.
Lately, am starting to feel stuck in the Apple Ecosystem trap. For years I have been proud to own an iPad, Macbook, iPhone, and accessories to not only support a company that I feel makes premium products with customers in mind but to also experience the unifying tie-in between all its devices. iMessage, iCloud, Handoff, Keychain, and so many other services by Apple that you can’t truly experience unless you are fully invested in the entire Apple Wcosystem.

Appleseems to get the user experience aspect of their devices just right. The American company knows exactly what users want in a smartphone in terms of user interface and security. But that doesn’t explain why they put even a 1080p screen in their best-selling phone.

Apple is one step ahead (usually)

There are areas where Apple is behind the competition, such as the introduction of a widescreen camera; make their screens from edge to edge and add a screen with a high refresh rate.
However, when it comes to security and physical design features, Apple is often ahead of the game. You just need to look at the AirPods, Touch ID and “Sign in with Apple” to know that the company knows what their customers want. Why else would all other manufacturers copy the idea of unlocking your phone and making purchases with your thumb? Why does every company have wireless headphones that can easily fit in a small charging case?

Two devices that work together perfectly.
Because Apple started the trend and Apple is very successful.

What is the future for Apple?

While the current formula has worked very, very well for Apple, I believe that the current approach to the way Apple operates is not at all the vision Steve Jobs had when he was in charge.
Steve Jobs focused on innovation, price, quality and above all the customer. Remember when Jobs announced the very first MacBook Air with an envelope in 2008? This was a quote he used, summarizing the change in Apple’s attitude in a nutshell:
The MacBook Air comes standard with an 80 GB hard disk; and there is an option of a 64 GB solid state drive if you wish. These are a bit pricey, but they’re fast!
You’d never catch Apple calling any of their products pricey these days, and this shows just how customer-focused Steve Jobs was. He wanted to sell products that customers would be happy with, while selling for a fair price.
I think Apple should work on this in the future. Of course we know that people are willing to pay for the products; but in order to compete with other emerging brands, Apple needs to give you more for your money or lower their prices for what they have.

How does Apple make sure you buy their products?

Smart marketing and “FOMO” – the fear of missing out. We live in a generation where Apple is the default name for a smartphone or the default name for a laptop. We live in a generation where things don’t last ten years, things last 4-6; and Apple are usually the first people to need a replacement.
Apple designs its products to be updated in five years so that you are more of a repeat customer; as you are probably in their ecosystem. My iPhone 6 (released in 2014) was running so slow that I upgraded out of sheer frustration. But I couldn’t go for a Samsung, OnePlus or Google Pixel because of the other Apple devices I bought. Long story short, Apple knows how to keep you.

Why don’t you choose anyone but Apple?

Obviously, this doesn’t apply to those of you who don’t use Apple devices, and you’re probably very happy with your fruit brand alternative, but those of you who use Apple products probably aren’t interested in switching to another brand – I certainly am not, despite the hardware Restrictions that we have.
As I mentioned above, the ecosystem does a lot for Apple. But there are other areas, such as the high quality associated with the brand; the user experience, the first-class product support (in terms of software) and often good customer service. This is why I don’t want to switch from Apple.
That’s right, I’m happy with using Apple products for now. But I still wish they would be ‘revolutionary’ with their products. The minor changes between the last three models of the iPhone weren’t big enough to be considered game changers. The laptops they produce seem to be less competitive than others, but I will still prefer their products purely for the user experience.
At the end of the day; if the product experience is good and your productivity is as high as normal, it doesn’t matter which brand you choose. Apple knows this, but they don’t want you to.
So though it is easy to make myself depressed over the aspect of feeling trapped. I am instead going to focus on what I can control within my technology life. And that is to restrain from impulse purchases of Apple products just because they are new or adds a small improvement to the ecosystem.

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Coronavirus: How To Clean And Disinfect Your iPhone & Other Smartphones

by GeeksModo Staff

At this moment in time, everyone is wondering how to practice proper iPhone cleaning techniques. As the coronavirus continues to spread and affect daily life, everyone is becoming much more aware of how to sanitize our homes, bodies, and possessions. As many of you may already know, your phone tends to be one of the things you touch most during a day. We can argue that it’s usually one of the dirtiest items you own.
With the spread of the novel coronavirus around the world, people are more concerned than ever with staying clean and germ-free. People know, too, that their Smartphones and other devices can carry more than a few germs, making it important to clean those gadgets every now and again.

But how should you be cleaning your smartphone or tablet? And how worried should you be about catching or spreading a virus like COVID-19 via your trusty smartphone in the first place?

While you may know how to clean your flat screen monitor, TV, or laptop screen, today we’re going to learn something different. We’re going to look at how to properly disinfect your iPhone.

That process may sound easy and..well, it kind of is. However, you’d be amazed by how easy it can go wrong if you don’t follow a basic series of steps.

To help ensure that you’re cleaning your iPhone cleaning sessions are for more than just show, here’s a basic how-to on properly disinfecting your phone.

Basic Cleaning Steps

Luckily for all of us,Apple outlines basic iPhone cleaning instructions on their website. Here are the simple steps you can follow to disinfect youriPhone.

Unplug all cables and power off your iPhone.

Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth such as a lens cloth.

In case material is still present, use a soft, lint-free cloth with warm soapy water.

Avoid getting moisture in any opening.

Don’t use cleaning products or compressed air.

Interestingly, Apple outlines some slightly different cleaning instructions based on what model of iPhone you own. Essentially, the instructions are the same, but here are a couple of points you should keep in mind.

iPhone 8s and later have a fingerprint-resistant coating. However, this coating can diminish over time and through the wear of repeated cleanings. Be careful while cleaning these modelsand be aware of the coating’s reduction.
If your iPhone model doesn’t have that protective coating, you’re going to have to be more aware of lingering fingerprints and how oils may affect it. Clean these models more often and more carefully.
If you have an iPhone model with a home button, you need to take that into consideration during iPhone cleaning. A dirty home button may affect your iPhone’s touch ID functionality. Be sure to wipe the home button-down with a soft cloth.
Earlier models of iPhones might have additional ports and openings that must be cleaned. Follow basic cleaning guidelines when cleaning these ports carefully.

Can You Safely Disinfect Your iPhone?

The short answer is yes. You can disinfect your iPhone. However, we want to stress on the term “safety.”

Apple says that it’s okay to use a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe on your iPhone. You may use this wipe to softly clean the exterior of your device. As always, try not to apply unnecessary pressure. In addition, you should not let excess moisture to gather.

It’s also important to note that you should not be using sprays or liquids directly during iPhone cleaning. Doing so may lead to excess moisture creeping into the interior of your iPhone. The same is true for hand sanitizer which can seriously damage your iPhone’s screen. If you must use a spray, always apply it to a soft cloth before wiping your iPhone.

If you are not aware, it’s also very important to avoid the use of bleach or rubbing alcohol for your iPhone. You can easily ruin your device with such products, and we don’t think Apple will accept to replace your bleached iPhone.

When using a wipe during iPhone cleaning, be sure to pay attention to your screen, the back of the device, and other commonly touched areas. Avoid ports whenever possible and try to dry your phone with a soft cloth after giving your phone enough time to dry.

What Products Can You Use For iPhone Cleaning?

70% Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes

70% is the magic mark for disinfectant wipes. That percentage guarantees the effectiveness of the wipe as far as killing most known germs and bacteria is concerned. Most of the more popular disinfectant wipes (such as those made by Clorox) contain the most appropriate percentage of alcohol. Of course, you should always check just to be sure

70% Isopropyl Alcohol Sprays

As we pointed out, it’s completely okay to use a spray during iPhone cleaning. You just have to be sure to not apply the spray directly to your iPhone. Instead, spray the product onto a soft piece of cloth and then use it to gently wipe your iPhone.

Compressed Air

One of the best ways to clean your iPhone’s ports and crevices is compressed air. This way, you don’t have to make physical contact with your iPhone. While using compressed air, it’s much safer to use than other alternatives. Just keep in mind to follow your compressed air’s guidelines in order to ensure proper iPhone cleaning safety.

Q-Tips

Q-Tips (or a non-branded equivalent) are an underrated way to clean your iPhone. By applying a recommended disinfectant solution to a cotton swab, you can easily clean your iPhone’s ports and other areas that are difficult to reach. Just avoid applying too much pressure when using a swap or tear the cotton.

Microfiber Wipes

Another great tools for iPhone cleaning are Microfiber wipes. Not only can you use dry ones to wipe fingerprints, but you can apply disinfectant to them to safely clean the rest of your iPhone. You cannot go wrong with these if you want the best overall iPhone cleaning solution around.

What Products Shouldn’t You Use For iPhone Cleaning?

Soap/Hand Sanitizer

While it’s theoretically possible to use these in a way that won’t damage your iPhone, this is not an ideal iPhone cleaning solution. They’re messy, and if you love your iPhone, stay away from using them. A little soap mixed with warm water is okay in a pinch, but be sure to properly mix it with water beforehand.

Paper Towels

There has been some debate about whether or not to use paper towels for iPhone cleaning. While it’s generally agreed that you can do it safely, it’s certainly not the most effective iPhone cleaning solution. Paper towels can be coarse and may end up scratching your iPhone.

Bleach/Pure Alcohol

This is probably the biggest “No” we’ll cover in this article. While bleach and alcohol are undoubtedly ideal in their own right, they can easily damage your iPhone. Even when using sprays, try to be very careful with how much you use and how you apply it to your screen.

General Cleaning Tips

Having the most appropriate item is one thing, but here are some good, general tips to follow for proper iPhone cleaning.

Lay Your iPhone on a Soft Surface

Even if you’re very careful, it’s easy to inadvertently apply too much pressure to your iPhone. In that regard, it’s best to place your iPhone on a towel or similarly soft surface before you start to clean it.

Use Small, Circular Motions on Your Screen

In order to ensure complete coverage and maximum safety, it’s recommended that you clean your screen in a small, circular motions. While it’s not the only way to clean your iPhone, it’s the most preferred method by most people.

Perform iPhone Cleaning As Often As You Can

In the best of times, it’s okay to clean your iPhone about once a month. However, the most recommended frequency is once a week if you want to be truly safe. If you (or others around you) are sick, then i recommend that you clean your iPhone daily until the situation changes.

Do Not Neglect Your Accessories

Proper iPhone cleaning also means taking care of your phone’s biggest accessories. That obviously includes your phone case, but don’t overlook your charger and other items that regularly come in contact with your iPhone.

Are UV Light Cases Effective for iPhone Cleaning?

In case you don’t know, you can buy cases such as a PhoneSoap which bathe your iPhone in UV light. The manufacturers of these devices claim that this light can kill up to 99% of germs.

While most studies show that is true, it’s important to understand a few things. First off, these cases won’t do anything for dirt and fingerprints. You’ll still need to practice traditional iPhone cleaning methods to take care of those problems. Second, that research is based on limited sample sizes. That means that some bacteria and diseases may not be accounted for and may not be killed by the UV light.

You can absolutely use a UV case as part of your iPhone cleaning process. You should just know that it might not offer the total solution you’re looking for.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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How to Transfer Android Contacts to iPhone? Know Steps

by GeeksModo Staff

Have you just switched from Android to iPhone? If yes, you may be wondering about how to transfer Android contacts to iPhone. Don’t worry. If you have recently switched from Android to iPhone, there are a few simple steps which you need to follow to transfer Android contacts to iPhone.

One of the most essential data on your iPhone are yourcontacts. Therefore, it’s important to know all the ways to transfer Android contacts to iPhone. In this article I’ll show you:

  1. How to transfer Android Contacts To iPhone Using Apple’s Move to iOS App
  2. How to transfer Android Contacts To iPhone using a SIM card

    3. and

  3. How to transfer Android Contacts To iPhone using Google.

Without any further ado, let’s dive into it.

Method #1: How to transfer Android Contacts To iPhone Using Apple’s Move to iOS App

TheApple Move to iOS app has made transferring contacts from Android to iPhone pretty easy. You can Download Move to iOS app on play store for free One good thing about Move to iOS app is that it not only transfers contacts but can also be used to transfer Android text messages, photos, videos, accounts, calendar, as well as website bookmarks over Wi-Fi to an iPhone. Sounds good, right?

Note: the Move to iOS app only transfers your data and not the Apps, but suggests the applications you have installed on your Android device.

Note: if you are running Android 4.0 or higher (smartphone or tablet) and iPhone with iOS 9.3, you need to download Move on your iPhone from Google Play.

Method #2: How to transfer Android Contacts To iPhone Using SIM Card

Want to just transfer your contacts from Android to iPhone? Try the famous method of using the SIM card in your Android device to move contacts to iPhone. Simply back up your contacts on SIM card and transfer them to iPhone.

Note: If you no longer have access to your Android device but already have the contacts saved on your SIM card, then skip to step 6 onwards.

Simply follow these steps:

  1. Launch the ‘Contacts’ app on your Android smartphone
  2. Tap on ‘Menu’ and then ‘Settings’
  3. Tap ‘Import/Export’ settings
  4. Tap ‘Export’ and export to the ‘SIM Card
  5. Wait till the process is completed
  6. Eject the SIM and insert into your iPhone.
  7. Launch the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone
  8. Scroll downand tap on ‘Contacts’ (Mail, Contacts Calendars for older iOS versions
  9. Choose ‘Import SIM Contacts

Boom! All of your contacts will appear in your iPhone

Method #3: How to transfer Android Contacts To iPhone Using Google:

In this method, you can use the cloud to transfer Android contacts to iPhone. To do so, use your Google account. Why? Because both iPhone and Android support Google account. Simply follow these steps to transfer Android Contacts To iPhone Using Google:

Head over to Settings > Accounts pick the Google account you want to sync to

Turn ‘Sync Contacts’ on.

Add your Google account to iPhone and enable contact syncing.

To add your Google account to iPhone, head over to Settings > Passwords & Accounts and tap the Gmail account. Type in your Google account credentials.

Once the account has been added, turn On the switch next to contacts (it will turn green). Your contacts added to the Google account will sync to your iOS device.

If your Google account is already added on your iPhone, you can access it by heading over to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Gmail account and enable toggle for Contacts.

Note: Any changes made on your iPhone address book will sync to Google account.

how to transfer android contacts to iPhone? Now you know

We trust this article has helped you to transfer android contacts to iPhone.

Questions?let us know in the comments section below.

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How To Temporarily Disable Face ID To Prevent Force Unlocks

by GeeksModo Staff

Want to temporarily disable face ID on iphone 11, iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max? You are in the right place. Both Face ID and Touch ID allow users to conveniently secure their iPhone or iPad and keep snoopers from accessing their personal data. Despite the fact that
iPhone’s biometric authentication features are top-notch, they are still subject to forced unlocks. For example, attackers can physically force
you to unlock youriPhone using Touch ID or Face ID and forcefully gain access to your personal data.

Thankfully, Apple has made it easy to keep user’s data secure through use of a simple hack that we explain in this article. ReadHow to turn off 3D Touch in iOS 13
It is easy for iPhone and iPad users to swiftly disable Face ID or Touch ID security feature and deter anyone from forcefully unlocking their devices.
Disable face ID
The steps given in this guide will disable the touch ID or Face ID feature until user enter the correct passcode.

The face ID or Touch ID feature will be disabled until the user unlock their device using the correct passcode. The correct Face ID
or Touch ID scans will not be able to unlock your device in this state.
Disable touch ID on iPhone

Temporarily disable Face ID or Touch ID to prevent forced unlocks

It is easy to temporarily disable Face ID on iPhone X or later. This will also apply to the new iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max users. You just need to press and
hold the power and side buttons at the same time until the slide to power off screen appears. This can be done while your device is both locked or unlocked. Immediately the power off screen shows up, Face ID will automatically be disabled until user unlock their device using the correct passcode.

To disable touch ID on iPhone 7 or earlier: Press and hold the power off button until slide to power off screen shows up on your iPhone. Immediately this happens, Touch ID will be
disabled until user unlock their device using the correct passcode.

That’s pretty much it, That’s how you can disable Face ID or Touch ID and prevent forced unlocks. This little known hack can help you with securing
your data in undesirable situations. Should you have any question as far as this tip is concern, let us know in the comments section below.

Tags: Apple ID, iPhone Tips
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How To Use AirPods as Hearing Aids? Know Steps

by GeeksModo Staff

Apple’s AirPods can help you hear better. An accessibility feature called “Live Listen” lets you use AirPods as hearing aids.
This is how you can use AirPods as hearing aidsApple AirPods are among the most stylish iPhone accessories you can buy right now. Besides listening to music and podcasts, you can use them as hearing aids by enabling “Live Listen” feature which amplifies sounds around your immediate environment.
The AirPods Live Listen feature uses iPhones Mic which is used to capture and transfer the audio straight to your AirPods. As such, should you be hard of hearing, you can simply lay your iPhone on a table — or even hold it close to someone’s mouth — and the AirPods will amplify what’s being spoken rather than asking someone to raise their voice.
The feature works perfectly and you can even use it to spy on other peoples conversations. This is because your iPhone can transfer audio to your AirPods even when you are a few yards away from your iPhone as long as the AirPods remain connected to your iPhone via the Bluetooth. If you want to activate and use the AirPods Live Listen feature, there are a few simple steps you need to follow.
Here is the step by step guide which can help you set up and use live listen feature on your iOS device.

Steps to Use AirPods as Hearing Aids Using Live Listen

Follow these steps to turn on and use The Live Listen feature in your iPhone or iPad:

  1. Start Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on Control Center.
  3. Tap on Customize Controls.
  4. Tap the green + button next to Hearing to add it to control center.

Now, you can enable Live Listen feature on control center.

How to use Live Listen on your iPhoneor iPad with AirPods

Now that you have the feature enabled on your iPhone or iPad, you can start using Live Listen with yourAirPods:

  1. Pop your AirPods in your ears.
  2. on an iPhone X or newer, swipe down from the top-right of your home screen to launch control center.
  3. on an iPhone 8 or earlier,swipe up from the bottom of your home screen to launch control center.
  4. Next, tap on the ear icon.
  5. Finally, tap the “Live Listen” option to turn it on.

Now, you can lay your iPhone on a table and you’ll be able to hear their conversation from your AirPods. To test the feature, put your
iPhone on the table while people are having a conversation at the table and walk out of the room.
That’s pretty much it. You can turn on live listen feature on the Control Center any time you want to use it. When you are done using the feature, keep in mind to turn it off to avoid distorting your music or podcast.

Want to know what else AirPods can do? Check out my
AirPods tips and tricks guide
and
AirPods Pro tips and tricks guide
questions?
Let us know in the comment section below. We also have plenty of other articles that I suggest you check right now.

Tag: Assistive Technology
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VoiceOver Gestures on iPhone & iPad: Complete Guide

by GeeksModo Staff

You want to learn iphone voiceover gestures but don’t know where to start. No problem. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll explain in details how to navigate your iPhone using iOS voiceover gestures. Below is a full list of VoiceOver gestures on iPhone and iPad. All text, single document. Verified in iOS and iPadOS 13 using VoiceOver Practice; (Settings>Accessibility>VoiceOver>VoiceOver practice).
Not sure how to use VoiceOver on iPhone X or newer? I’ve discussed iOS voiceover gestures for iPhone X and later below in the article. If you want to use VoiceOver on iPhone, there are a few iOS Voiceover gestures which you need to know.
How to use voiceover on iPhone and iPad
Here is the step-by-step guide which will help you to use VoiceOver on your iPhone and iPad like a pro.
Note: Much of the information gathered below is a rearrangement of
Apple’s
original materials. Some editing has been performed to better fit the layout.
Some editor’s additions have been included, from experience and use.
Portions copyright Apple, Inc. All rights reserved.

voiceover gestures for iPhone and iPad

The following is a complete list of VoiceOver gestures on iOS and iPadOS.

Basic Navigation VoiceOver gestures

The most direct technique of navigating your iPhone and iPad with VoiceOver is to lightly drag a finger around on the screen and listen to what the VoiceOver announces. VoiceOver will speak every item you touch. Without further ado, here is a complete list of voiceover gestures for iPhone and iPad.

VoiceOver Rotor

Use thumb and forefinger, like turning a knob on the surface, to choose different Rotor settings and navigation modes. VoiceOver Rotor can be rotated both
Clockwise and anticlockwise. Use 1 Finger flick up and down, to adjust each setting or to navigate in the selected mode. In addition, you can place a finger from one hand on the screen, then drag a finger from the other hand around it in a circular motion and it will turn the Rotor.

  • 2 finger rotation: choose a rotor setting
  • Swipe up: move to the previous item or increase depending on the rotor setting
  • Swipe down: move to the next item or decrease depending on the rotor setting

Flicks

  • 1 Finger flick right: move focus to next item.
  • 1 finger flick left: move focus to the previous item.
  • 2 Fingers flick left: not mapped.
  • 2 Fingers flick right: move to related content.
  • 3 Fingers flick right: scroll right one page.
  • 3 Fingers flick left: scroll left one page.:
  • 4 Fingers flick right: switch to next or previous running app.

Flick Up or Down

  • 1 Finger flick Up/Down: move focus to next or previous item using Rotor setting. Or change the status of the current Rotor setting.
  • 2 Fingers flick Down: read page starting at selected item.
  • 2 Fingers flick Up: read page starting at top.
  • 3 Fingers flick Up: scroll down one page.
  • 3 Fingers flick down: scroll up one page.
  • 3 Fingers flick Down when VoiceOver Focus is in the Status Bar: launches Notification Center.
  • 3 Fingers flick Up when VoiceOver Focus is in the Status Bar: launches Control Center.
  • 4 Fingers flick up/down: not mapped.

Taps.

  • 1 Finger single tap: : select an item without activating:
  • 2 fingers single tap: if VoiceOver is speaking, pauses and resumes speaking.
  • 3 Fingers single tap: speak page numbers, rows being displayed, or image description.
  • 4 Fingers single tap Near Top: move to first element on the screen (usually top-left corner element).
  • 4 Fingers single tap Near Bottom: move to last element on the screen (usually bottom-right corner element).

Double Tap

  • 1 Finger double tap: activate the selected item.
  • 2 Fingers double tap: stop and start the current activity. Answers or hangs up a call, pauses or resumes a video or music playback, and many more. Check VoiceOver practice.
  • 3 Fingers double tap: mutes or unmutes VoiceOver.
  • 4 Fingers double tap: starts and stops VoiceOver help.

Triple Tap

  • 1 Finger triple tap: double tap the selected item.
  • 2 Fingers triple tap: activate Item Chooser.
  • 3 Fingers triple tap: turn Screen Curtain on and off.
  • 4 Fingers triple tap: not mapped.

Special VoiceOver Gestures

  • Quadruple Tap with 3 Fingers: copy last spoken phrase to the clipboard.
  • Double Tap with 1 Finger and Hold: drags the selected item. On the Home screen, move, edit or delete apps. In text, pop-up window with editing options.
  • Double Tap with 2 Fingers and Hold: set a custom label.
  • Split Tap: place a finger on the selected item, then tap anywhere with another finger to activate the selection.
    Activate Anywhere: when an item is selected, you can double-tap anywhere on the screen to activate the item. No need to tap directly on the item.
  • 2 Finger Scrub: like making a ‘Z’ with the two fingers close together. Dismisses alerts or return to the previous screen.
  • Two-finger double-tap and hold: Edit an item’s label to make it easier to find
  • 2 Finger Double Tap: when editing text in any field or app, starts and stops dictation.
  • One Finger Double Tap and Drag: adjust a slider to a new position.
  • Triple Click Home Button: turns VoiceOver on and off (cam be customized in Settings> Accessibility>Accessibility Shortcut).
  • App Switcher: double-click the Home button to access all running apps; 1 finger flick left or right to move between the apps; double-tap an app with 1
    finger to switch to that app; 3 finger flick up to quit a running app.
  • 2 Finger Pinch Open: select text.
  • 2 Finger Pinch Close: unselect text.

voiceover finger gestures for iPad

Here are voiceover gestures for ipad:

  • 4 Finger Tap Near Right Side of Screen: move focus to next app.
  • 4 Finger Tap Near Left Side of Screen: move focus to previous app.

New VoiceOver Gestures with the iPhone X or later

The iPhone X and later models do not have the Home button.  So how do you perform the actions that used to be done with the Home button?

Here is the basic idea: you place one finger on the very top or bottom of the screen, and slide it toward the other end. In case you are on the top,
you simply slide it down; In case you’re on the bottom, you simply slide it up. You have to start from the area nearest to the top or bottom edge; too far from that and iOS
will assume you’re just touching the screen normally, not trying to initiate one of these new gestures. You will recognize if you’ve started in the appropriate area
by the special click your iPhone will make. This very click , at higher pitches, is used to indicate what will happen during your swipe. The first instance of the
sound–heard when your finger lands on the right place–is the lowest-pitched of the three iOS will produce. If you initiate this gesture inadvertently, or
decide halfway through that you do not want to implement it, simply slide your finger either left or right. In addition, you could allow your finger to linger at the same place for
a second. This stops the action and brings you back to normal , with VoiceOver speaking what’s beneath your finger.

New VoiceOver Gestures replacing function of the Home button

Starting at the very bottom of the screen and slide one finger up. You will feel three haptic vibrations known as “clicks” (similar to the old “click”
when pressing the Home button). Each of these three clicks will trigger a function. Note: The first click alerts you that you are in the feature.

  • Goto the Home screen: From the bottom of the screen slide one finger up until you hear the second click. Lift your finger from the screen.
  • Activate the App Switcher: From the bottom of the screen, slide one finger up until you feel the third click. Lift your finger from the screen.
  • Activate Reachability mode (if enabled in Settings): From the bottom of the screen, slide one finger up until you feel the first click. Quickly flick
    down.

Control Centre and Notifications

Follow these steps to launch control center and Notification center on iPhone X or newer using voiceover.

  • Access the Control Center: From the top of the screen, slide one finger down until you feel the second click. Lift your finger from the screen.
  • Access the Cover Sheet (also called Notification Center): From the top of the screen, slide one finger down until you feel the second click. Lift your
    finger from the screen.

Button reassignments

In case you’re conversant with the arrangement of Apple devices ever since the iPhone 6, where the power button is located on the right-hand side of the device, the
button on iPhone X or later is placed in the same location , however, it is longer, therefore, it’s easier to access.
The side button executes the following functions.

  • Tap the side button once to lock and unlock your screen. In addition, it is possible to wake your iPhone 11 by performing one finger tap on any section of the screen. you
    can disable this latter option in Accessibility Settings if you don’t like it.
  • Siri: old the side button down to initiate Siri
  • Apple Pay: Double-tap the side button when you have Apple Pay set up to indicate that you wish to make a transaction. In addition, it is essential to double-click
    the side button to proceed with a purchase in Apple’s stores such as the App Store and Book’s Store, to prevent Face ID from accidentally spending all
    your money.
  • Accessibility settings. Triple-click the side button to initiate any accessibility settings you’ve set up, and to cause VoiceOver to speak during set-up.
  • Emergency SOS. When configured, press the side button five times to trigger the emergency SOS feature.

Use the side button in combination with the volume up and down buttons to execute the following functions.

  • Hold the side button with either volume up or down to power off your device
  • Press the side button and release with volume up quickly to take a screen shot.

Finally, in case you may want to
Force restart your iPhone
in situations where it stops responding appropriately and you are unable to power it down, simply press the buttons in the following order quickly

  • Volume up
  • Volume Down
  • Hold the side button.

Now, your iPhone will restart.

Learn iPhone voiceover gestures, now you know

If you were looking for VoiceOver gestures on iPhone and iPad, there you have it. I hope this guide has helped you to master iPhone voiceover gestures. Note: it may be possible that I have passed over a gesture, so please let me know in the comments below of any others that you might be aware of!
For step-by-step information and explanation on how to initially use VoiceOver, check out our guide: Getting Started with VoiceOver on iOS and iPadOS.

Tag: Assistive Technology
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How To Spot A Fake iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus in 2022

by GeeksModo Staff

So, in today’s article i’d like to look at how to spot a fake iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 plus. The last thing you want is to be buying a new iPhone
only to find out later that your money just went down the drain. Hopefully if you read this piece beforehand or early enough you can
avoid becoming a victim and get a refund or get your cash back. But lets hope this will never happen.

According to CNET iPhone 8 is just as fast as the iPhone X, has a longer battery life, and, well, it still has the home button. The iPhone 8 Plus is still a great pick for the majority.

Keep in mind the Fake or clone iPhone 8 looks very similar to the real iPhone but if you look out for a few key characteristics, you can easily differentiate the fake iPhone from a real one. Please keep in mind, there are numerous fakes and they don’t usually subscribe to the same design practice. The clever thing to do is to read each point carefully.

See also: How to Spot a Fake iPhone 12

How To Spot a Fake iPhone 8

To spot fake iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, simply look for the following:

Sign 1: Packaging

Look out for irregularities such as Chinese language on the rear of the box. In addition, Apple products are recognized for their devotion to detail so watch out for distorted writings or other

signs that shows a rushed product.Apple would never do that as everything is precisely put together and designed. Moreover, if you spot unofficial color of box art

then in all likelihood, you have a fake iPhone 8.

Sign 2: Accessories

The accessories should look like Apple accessories in shape and design. If you spot unfunctional accessories such as EarPods and charger, then you have a fake. Also, the unboxing experience should be similar to all other unboxings you have seen

on sites such as YouTube. 

Sign 3: Check the welcome screen

If you spot some Chinese writings or Android logos while booting up your phone, that’s a fake iPhone. Also, don’t be duped by Apple logos during startup since the fakes

Normally include those Apple logo convincing effect.

See also: How to Spot a Fake iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max

Sign 4: Font type

Fake iPhones have a very different font. if you can get hold of a real iPhone 8 and compare it directly that would go a long way in spotting a fake iPhone 8. Moreover, icons are labeled differently at times.

Sign 5: Check out for the home button

The home buttons snaps as it’s a real button on a fake. The iPhone 8 does not bear a physical or pressable home button.

Sign 6: Watch out for Preloaded Apps

There should be no preloaded third-party Apps such as Youtube,Instagram or Telegram on a brand new iPhone. Moreover, in case your device skips the setup process

and boots right up when you first power it on, its surely a fake.

Sign 7: Check the fingerprint scanner

The fingerprint sensor is usually a fake. you can register a finger and then try using a different finger to unlock. Fakes will be unlocked with any finger

and only pretend to scan your fingerprint.

Sign 8: Check the display quality

fake iPhones have a very poor display. When compared to the real iPhone 8, there is a huge difference in terms of quality. The display should be completely black when a real iPhone is off as well as bezel

around the home button.In some fakes it’s some how white in color.

Sign 9: Check out for the speed

Fakes are usually sluggish particularly in transition animation and overall performance. The genuine iPhone 8 has no such problems.

Sign 10: Pricing

Just as we saw in
Fake iPhone 11
round up, if the deal or prices you see are too good to be true then its almost certainly a fake.

iPhones have a high price tag. In this regard, scammers don’t attempt to pass off a fake by selling it close to the real price, but you understand what I mean. It’s always advisable to purchase an iPhone from a trustworthy source such as Apple or Amazon.

Before you go

GeeksModo helps millions of people solve problems with iPhones, Macs, and other devices, through easy-to-understand articles and a support community led by experts.
For even more Tips & Tricks, follow us on social media to stay in touch
We hang out here:

Twitter

Handle: @Geeks_Modo

Facebook

Handle: GeeksModo
OK folks I trust the above tips were helpful in telling the real iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus from a Chinese clone. These clones look allot like the real phone and its up to

you to be keen and watch out for cautionary signs of a fake iPhone. If this was helpful please leave a comment below and please share this article with friend.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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How To Spot Fake iPhone XR, XS, Or XS Max

by GeeksModo Staff

So in today’s article, we will be looking at How to spot fake iPhone XR, fake iPhone XS, or fake iPhone XS max.
If you want to spot Fake iPhone 11, 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max
Check the above link.
Its becoming a custom now that these fake iPhone Clones imitate Apples flagship devices precisely. If you want to spot fake iPhone XR,  fake iPhone XS, or fake iPhone XS max, there are a few cool tips which you need to know.
Here is the step-by-step guide which will help you spot iPhone XR clone, iPhone XS clone, or iPhone XS Max clone.
Do keep in mind that these fake devices are countless and they do not subscribe to any particular design code so their is not common signs to hunt for.  At the end
of the day you will have to use common sense and look out for any signs that will show your device is a Fake. According to Business insider
iPhone XR is the iPhone for most people so, it’s important to make sure you don’t end up with a fake
iPhone in your pocket.

See also: How to Spot a Fake iPhone 12

What is a Fake or Clone iPhone?

Do to the reputation of iPhones, there are now clone or Fakes devices which you can purchase at a lower price, the issue though is that in some occasions,
the Fakes may be so convincing to a point of appearing as the genuine iPhone and you may be duped into purchasing one. Below I’ll give you tips that will help you identify weather or not you
have fake or a genuine iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max.

See also: How to Spot a Fake iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max

How to spot a Fake iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max?

You can use the following to tell real vs Fake iPhone XR, fake iPhone XS, or fake iPhone XS max.

Sign 1: The Price:

If you paid say $100 for an iPhone or considerably amount than the Apple custom price tag then you are either the most fortunate person on the earth or you
just purchased a fake iPhone. Fakes are sold at a lower price and some users will not mind the price tag and assume they have a real product so be very cautious.

Sign 2: The Packaging

Keep in mind to check the specifications of the device or the features and remember to reference apples official specifications
for the iPhone XS, iPhone XR and the iPhone XS Max. In addition, look out for spelling mistakes as well as naming references as some fake iPhones are usually manufactured even before the official device
launch. Finally, look out for tacky presentation from the outer to the inner box that Apple would never do.In some occasions, the image on the box is incorrect.

Sign 3: The Accessories

The fakes every so often have weak accessories when compared to the real iPhone. In addition, you may get incorrect accessories for the fake iPhone. Moreover, manual document inside the box may be poorly put together or even poorly written.

Sign 4: Slow

Fakes are every so often sluggish and lagging in overall performance and in booting up compared to the real deal. The iPhone X and newer are very quick devices
and should not be sluggish whatsoever especially when they new.

Sign 5: Incorrect Applications

Opening some Apple native apps may end in a totally different application such as Apple Maps or the App store. This is due to the fact that the fakes
are only trying to imitate the genuine iPhone and they fail time and again in this regard.

Sign 6: Poor Battery life

Fakes often have very poor battery life that may even have problems with charging and stuff like that. Look out for overheating and you may
get ads popping up in wrong places such as apps where they should not be.

Sign 7: Picture and Video Quality

Real iPhone X and newer have a super display that has a very high-resolution and crisp clear while fakes have a lower resolution which is
understandable because of the inferior quality display that’s included with the fake.

Sign 8: Face ID

Try running the Face ID and if the feature does not function or simply fake the unlock process and can be unlocked by any Face then its a Fake iPhone.

Signing off

So that’s pretty much it on How to spot fake iPhone XS, fake iPhone XR or fake iPhone XS Max. Some users will still want clearer signs that they have an original device or not, but the thing is
that Apples superior built quality and devotion to detail compared to a inexpensive knock off only requires proper phone inspection. Just as we saw in
fake iPhone 11 pro
faults in fake iPhones are conspicuous and you can easily distinguish fake from the original so, do inspect everything on your phone meticulously.

Before you Go

GeeksModo helps millions of people solve problems with iPhones, Macs, and other devices, through easy-to-understand articles and a support community led by experts.
For even more Tips & Tricks, follow us on social media to stay in touch
We hang out here:

Twitter

Handle: @Geeks_Modo

Facebook

Handle: GeeksModo
If you have any questions do ask below and do check out our other articles here on the website. I would also love if you could share this articles with
your friends as well on social media.

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10 iPhone 14 Pro Max Settings You Should Disable Right Now

by GeeksModo Staff

Many iPhone 14 Pro Max features are very helpful, but particularly well hidden in the depths of system settings. Other features, on the other hand, are activated by default, but do not benefit you because you rarely use them, if at all. Save your battery and protect your privacy by disabling the following iPhone 14 Pro Max settings.

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

If you just purchased a new iPhone 14 Pro Max, take a peek at its settings. So many categories, so many options within those categories. It’s enough to make your head swim.

And you might find yourself wondering, are Apple’s factory settings ideal? Right out of the box, is the iPhone 14 Pro Max really configured for optimal performance, productivity and battery life?

Not so much. Here are the iPhone 14 Pro Max settings you should consider turning off right away:

1. Disable keyboard suggestions

When you type a message in Whatsapp or write an email on your iPhone, you have probably already noticed the word suggestions that appear above the keyboard. While these can be helpful for slow typers, for nimble fingers the word suggestions usually come too late. If you don’t use this feature you can simply deactivate it, which means one less task for which the iPhone must provide computing capacity.

To do this, go to Settings and move the slider to the left under General > Keyboard and deselect Predictive.

2. Automatically close Safari tabs

On the iPhone a few dozen open tabs can quickly accumulate and paralyse Safari. And even if you do want to keep tabs open finding the one you want among a sea of open tabs can be tricky. If you are someone who rarely closes a tab after use you can have this done automatically in the settings.

Your iPhone can automatically close “tabs that have not been viewed recently” after a day, a week or a month.

In order for is to do this, go to Settings and select Safari > Close Tabs and then the interval you want.

3. Stop app review requests

Annoyed that you keep seeing notifications to review apps in the App Store? If you move the corresponding slider to the left in System Preferences, you can stop these requests for feedback.

To do this, go to Settings > App Store and deselect In-App Ratings & Reviews.

4. Disable automatic app downloads and updates

Apple offers automatic app downloads and updates. This is handy if you want the app that you download on your iPhone to automatically download you on your iPad. But the feature is not always practical, nor are the automatic app updates. Fortunately, you can deactivate both:

To do this, go to Settings > App Store and move the slider to the left for App downloads and App Updates.

5. Stop keyboard clicks

For many users the sound that the iPhone makes when you type is quite an annoying feature. If the iPhone is muted, you won’t hear the sounds, but you don’t always want your iPhone on silent. So what can you do if you don’t want to annoy other people every time you type a message?

Fortunately, you can deactivate the touch tones in the system settings:

To do this, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard feedback and turn off Sound. In Sounds & haptics, you can also deactivate the lock sound.

6. Disable unnecessary system services

System services includes a list of system-based services on your iPhone that are using your location. Some of these services are necessary like Emergency Calls & SOS, Find My iPhone, and Share My Location. To view your list go to: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.

When you’re evaluating your list of system services, it’s also important to remember what the purple arrows mean: A hollow purple arrow indicates that an item may receive your location under certain conditions. This is typically referred to as geofencing and will check to see if you are entering or leaving an area. A solid purple arrow indicates that an item has recently used your location. A gray arrow indicates that an item used your location in the last 24 hours.

7. Disable “Analytics and Improvements”

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics and Improvements. Turn off the first option “Share iPhone Analytics” and it will disable other analytics reports happening in the background. This should immediately improve battery life.

8. Allowing apps to track you

iOS gives you the ability to disable notifications from apps requesting to track you. When you turn this off, all app requests to track you will be automatically denied.

To disable: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking > and then toggle “Allow Apps to Request to Track.” You can also view the apps that currently or previously requested to track you.

9. Disable push email

Do you need your iPhone 14 Pro Max to monitor your email accounts every second of every day? That’s the basic definition of “push” email, which is widely regarded as a huge battery suck.

I’m not a big fan of “fetch,” either, which checks for new mail at designated intervals. My thought: When I want to check for new messages, I fire up the Mail app and check for new messages. Anything else is not only a battery drain, but also a distraction.

Try turning these settings off. To do so, tap Settings > Mail, Accounts, then tap Fetch New Data. Turn off Push, then scroll down to the Fetch section and choose Manually.

Remember: If someone needs to reach you in a hurry, they can still call or send a text message.

10. Background app refresh tweaks

Background App Refresh allows for an app to check for updates or new content while running in the background. To find background app refresh, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

First thing, tap “Background App Refresh” and decide if you want apps refreshing in the background while you’re using data. If you want to limit data use, you should change this setting to Wi-Fi only.

Some apps need background app refresh enabled including Messages and some social media apps. However, does GarageBand need background app refresh enabled? Probably not.

Conclusion

If you just purchased a new iPhone 14 Pro Max, consider turning off these settings to improve performance and battery life. If you’ve made any iPhone 14 Pro Max settings changes you consider essential, hit the comments and name them!

Tag: iPhone 14 Pro Max
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