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20 Advanced Mac Keyboard Shortcuts to Supercharge Your Workflow

by GeeksModo Staff

Keyboard shortcuts can dramatically increase the speed at which you can use your Mac. For example, with a single tap, you can open the iCloud Drive directory in the Finder or set up file transfers via AirDrop. It’s very convenient, and hardly any user can argue with that fact. But unfortunately, only some remember keyboard shortcuts and only rely on the macOS graphical interface.

Even though it is clear and intuitive, depending on it alone will waste your time. That’s why we’ve collected in this article the most useful, essential, and convenient keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work significantly. As a result, you will complete the same tasks much faster than your competitors.

What You’ve Been Looking For and Now Found

There have probably been situations where you thought how nice it would be to press a couple of buttons instead of doing a whole set of actions to launch a particular process. And then, you’ll learn which buttons you should demand to supercharge your workflow. Below you will find a helpful all popular shortcuts for everyday use. But if you face any difficulties with them or need additional information, consider using a consulting service called Howly, where you can get a Mac consultation and help anytime online.

1 Open the iCloud Drive folder in the Finder

Command(⌘) Shift(⇧) I in Finder

This shortcut will prove extremely useful if you store all your work documents in iCloud Drive. It instantly takes you to the root directory of Apple’s proprietary cloud storage.

2 Open the desktop folder in the Finder

Command(⌘) Shift(⇧) D in Finder

With this command, you can quickly pick up files to move.

If you’re interacting with an ongoing project using the desktop and then scattering the files you’ve created into folders in “Documents,” here’s a great way to move quickly. Moreover, as practice shows, it is very convenient.

3 Setting up file transfers via AirDrop

Command(⌘) Shift(⇧) R in Finder

When working in the office with other people, some users prefer to turn off AirDrop to avoid regular random accesses. However, you can turn it on very quickly with a simple keyboard shortcut.

4 Duplicate files or folders

Command(⌘) D

in Finder

Duplicate files are great for test adjustments of anything and everything. In addition, duplicate helps create new versions of layouts of any plan for customers and beyond.

5 Create a new folder for the files

Command(⌘) Shift(⇧) N in Finder

It is the fastest way to create a new folder. You don’t need to use the context and any other menus when there is a simple keyboard shortcut to do it.

6 Quick Recycle Bin cleanup

Command(⌘) Shift(⇧) Delete(⌫)

in Finder

For now, no need to reach for the Recycle Bin with the cursor. Instead, all you have to do is use the keyboard shortcut.

7 Add the selected item to the Dock

Command(⌘) Control(⌃) Shift(⇧) T

in Finder

Thus, for example, in the Dock, you can add a folder with files you need quick access to within the current project.

8 Hide or show the Dock panel

Command(⌘) Option(⌥) D

in any app

If you don’t need Dock temporarily, you can quickly hide it with a simple keyboard shortcut. If you need more screen space, you can conceal Dock as well.

9 Open an additional tab

Command(⌘) T

in many apps

Most built-in and third-party Mac applications work with a tabbed system. Instead of creating more and more windows, it’s easier to work with files in tabs within a single app. Not all software supports this system, but it works well in Safari and Finder.

10 Start the search in the Help Menu bar

Command(⌘) Shift(⇧) ?/

in any app

With this search bar, you can quickly find any item from various sections in the menu bar. It is advantageous both for quickly starting one of them, and in case it is unclear where any of them is located.

11 Scrolling through documents, lists, files

Fn ▲ and ▼ arrows

in any app

Of course, it’s convenient to flip through any list with two fingers swiping vertically on the trackpad. However, some will like the alternative, which involves using the keyboard shortcut.

12 Quick access to the application settings menu

Command(⌘) <

in any app

It is the fastest way to start settings. Using this shortcut in any application opens its settings. Very convenient if you need to look there regularly.

13 Delete files, photos, songs

Command(⌘) Delete(⌫) in many apps

Not everyone knows how to delete files quickly. Those who have just moved from Windows wonder why files are not deleted simply through Delete(⌫).

14 Forced to terminate an application

Command(⌘) Option(⌥) Esc

in any app

Yes, within macOS, applications also sometimes need to be terminated. This keyboard shortcut opens up the most simplified custom version of the Task Manager, which can help you close something that’s unexpectedly frozen.

15 Add a particular symbol or emoji to the text

Command(⌘) Control(⌃) Spacebar(␣)

in any app

macOS has a very convenient system for working with memorable characters and emoticons.

16 Switch the application to a full-screen view

Command(⌘) Control(⌃) F

in many apps

This way, it will use the screen 100% efficiently. It is especially true when using laptops with relatively small screens. In addition, running applications on all inches will help increase your workspace, as well as shield you from other software that might be distracting.

17 Switching between the latest applications

Command(⌘) Tab(⇥)

in any app

Now you can quickly return to one of the most recent applications. It is analogous to the multitasking menu of the iPhone and iPad for quick access to the most recent apps you’ve recently used.

18 Creating screenshots with built-in tools

Command(⌘) Shift(⇧) 5 in any app

It is the most convenient tool for creating screenshots.

19 Instantly lock the screen of your Mac

Command(⌘) Control(⌃) Q

in any app

It will protect the data on your computer from the bad guys around you. For example, if you work in an office, lock your Mac’s screen whenever you leave it unattended.

20 Quick access to the monitor setup menu

Option(⌥) brightness button

in any app

You can quickly switch profiles or turn off unwanted modes. For example, if you occasionally process photos, you can quickly turn off True Tone mode, which distorts colors by adjusting the white balance to suit your computer’s surroundings. True Tone is instrumental when working with text and reading but not professionally interacting with visual content.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you have the superpower to handle all your work processes in a few seconds, while your competitors may take much longer. In addition, we can see that all Apple equipment is user-friendly and offers many excellent features and functions for its owners.

Tag: Mac Guides
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The Best iPhone 14 battery tips to maximize battery life

by Kevin Hollington

You may be irreparably harming your iPhone’s battery. Here are the best iPhone 14 battery tips to help prolong your battery’s health.

Nestled within each iPhone, among a litany of silicon, capacitors, and diminutive solder points is a battery. This battery is a consumable resource and eventually will be depleted and need replacing to continue having acceptable battery life on your phone.

Ideally, you’ll have quite some time before it’s necessary to replace your battery. To ensure you get as long a life as possible, here are the best iPhone 14 battery tips to prolong your battery.

iPhone 14 battery tips

Avoid excessive heat

The first iPhone 14 battery tip is to avoid exposing your device to high heat. Heat is a battery’s enemy. Cold is no friend to batteries either, resulting in a shorter use time, but that is only temporary until your battery warms back up again.

Apple says your iPhone can safely run in temperatures of up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Beyond that, irreversible damage can occur to the battery.

You can inadvertently heat your iPhone too high in numerous ways. Placing it screen-side up in the sun, charging it while in the sun, or clipping it in front of a heating vent in your car while navigating are all frequent actions. Your iPhone does have built-in protection systems to temporarily disable your iPhone in these situations to prevent further damage, but it’s best not to get to that in the first place.

Don’t keep your iPhone in direct sunlight or don’t have the heat full blast when using a car vent mount. Never leave your iPhone in a vehicle in the summer, and definitely keep it off of hot surfaces.

Stay away from zero

Another iPhone 14 battery tip is to avoid dropping your phone’s battery level too far. Years ago, it made sense to occasionally deplete a device’s battery then fully recharge it to help calibrate the internal sensor so that the displayed percentage was accurate. With modern batteries, this is no longer the case.

Dropping your iPhone down to 0% battery is very damaging to your battery and will reduce its overall lifespan.

Keep your iPhone 14 battery from dying completely, but try to avoid unnecessary charging too. If you’re going to leave for a few hours, plugging in your iPhone to a fast charger is a great way to top of the battery while getting ready.

For the best battery health, recharge your iPhone regularly throughout the day so you never fully deplete it.

The golden rule is to keep your battery topped up somewhere between 30% and 80% most of the time. Top it up when it drops below 50%, but unplug it before it hits 100%. For this reason, you might want to reconsider leaving your iPhone plugged in overnight.

Pushing in the last charge from 80-100% causes a lithium-ion battery to age faster.

Maybe it’s better to recharge in the morning instead, at the breakfast table or on your office desk. That way, it is easier to keep an eye on the battery percentage during charging.

iOS users can use the Shortcuts app to set a notification when the battery level reaches a certain percentage. This is done under the tab “Automation” and then “Battery Level”.

Giving your phone a full recharge is not fatal for a phone battery, and it seems almost counter-intuitive not to do so, but giving it a full recharge every time you charge it will shorten its lifespan.

Likewise, at the other end of the scale, avoid allowing your iPhone battery to get below 20%.

Lithium-ion batteries don’t feel good about going too far below the 20% mark. Instead, see the extra 20% “at the bottom” as a buffer for demanding days, but on weekdays start charging when the warning for Low Battery level appears.

In short, lithium-ion batteries thrive best in the middle. Don’t get a low battery percentage, but also not too high.

Long term storage

The next iPhone 14 battery tip is to never leave the battery at 100% if you’re going to store your phone for an extended period Perhaps you are keeping an old iPhone around to use as a backup or saving to give to someone later.

Before storing the iPhone, discharge the battery to between 50% and 80%. Come back to it periodically, and make sure the battery hasn’t discharged to flat, also.

Storing the phone fully charged is harmful to the battery as well. When you return the device to service, you may find out that the battery will no longer hold a charge like it used to.

Conclusion

By applying the above iPhone 14 battery tips, your battery will offer solid usage for 18 months to 24 months before it depletes below 80%. Fortunately, when the time does come to swap out your battery, Apple offers an affordable replacement service.

See also: The Best iPhone 14 charging tips to maximize battery life

Tag: iPhone Tips
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Should you buy an Apple Watch in 2024? Here’s the truth!

by Dave Johnson

Best answer: Yes. An Apple Watch is so much more than just a timepiece. It can track your sleep and keep tabs on vital health information. There are even settings that might save your life someday.

When deciding whether you should buy an Apple Watch in 2023, be sure to think about what features are essential to your purpose.

Should you buy an Apple Watch in 2023?

Here are all the reasons why you should buy an Apple Watch in 2023.

1. Access your messages and notifications easily without grabbing your iPhone

One of the main reason why you should buy an Apple Watch is having the ability to see notifications without having to grab your iPhone. You receive a tone and a light vibration on your wrist to let you know there is a new notification.

You can also mute alerts and keep the light vibration enabled if you don’t want to be disturbed by the noise. With this, the Apple Watch lets you easily stay up to date with what’s happening without getting distracted.

You can quickly respond to notifications without grabbing and unlocking your iPhone, such as answering a phone call or quickly responding to a text message.

2. Multiple Health Features

If there is one reason why you should buy an Apple Watch, is that it can potentially save your life. There have been numerous stories on the internet of how the Apple Watch has saved someone’s life, such as when the watch has detected an unusually high heart rate when resting, convincing them to get checked out by a doctor.

Without receiving that notification from the Apple Watch, those users would not have discovered that they had a health issue that could have been fatal if it went undetected.

Besides heart rate monitoring, the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models, including the new Apple Watch Ultra, offers ECG functionality, allowing you to check your heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation.

Newer Apple Watch models are also capable of measuring your blood oxygen level, track your sleep, and measure your temperature to help you get an idea of when you might be ovulating. With a wide range of health features, the Apple Watch enables you to keep track of your health while still being everything a smartwatch offers.

3. It can be an incredible emergency device in a disaster or serious accident

Another reason why you should buy an Apple Watch is that it provides users with some key life-saving features that can come in handy in unexpected emergencies. In 2022, Apple introduced Crash Detection, which means the watch can detect if a user has been in a car crash.

It automatically calls emergency services if you don’t respond to the on-screen prompt within a certain period of time. The Apple Watch can detect if you have been in a car crash thanks to a high g-force accelerometer and a new gyroscope in the Series 8, SE, and Ultra models.

The other feature that the Apple Watch provides is Fall Detection. This feature works similarly to Crash Detection. The Apple Watch can detect if you’ve taken a hard fall and will ask if you are ok. If you don’t respond after a minute, the Apple Watch will contact emergency services to get you help.

These two features are just some of the Apple Watch features that can save your life.

4. Great Fitness Device

Fitness tracking is one area where the Apple Watch excels. Since the first generation, the Apple Watch has focused on being a device for fitness and exercise.

The Workout app on the Apple Watch lets you select from multiple workouts to track various metrics such as time, active and total calories burned, heart rate, and more during the workout, depending on which one you select. You can even set up custom workouts in watchOS 9.

Another way to stay active with Apple Watch is by closing your activity rings. They have become popular among Apple Watch users. The activity rings are daily goals that help you stay active throughout the day and can be an excellent tool for reminding you to exercise or even stand up from time to time. You can even collect awards for completing your rings and challenge friends to a friendly competition.

Apple even has a partnership with Nike to offer a Nike Apple Watch band designed for runners. So, if you live an active lifestyle, you will enjoy using an Apple Watch.

5. It’s great for music lovers, acting as a control hub for listening on the go

The Apple Watch features a dedicated Music app. When your watch connects to your iPhone, it can act as a controller for the music playing on the phone. However, you can transfer music to your watch to play songs independently. The Apple Watch lets you connect a pair of AirPods over Bluetooth, meaning you can easily listen to music directly from the watch wirelessly.

This can come in handy in situations where you might be working out or participating in an activity where carrying around your iPhone can be a burden. The Apple Watch with AirPods is an excellent combination for listening to music on the go.

6. No Need to Carry Your iPhone All the Time

Apple started offering cellular variants of its smartwatch in 2017 with the Apple Watch Series 3. Thanks to LTE capabilities, you can leave your phone behind while still being able to receive phone calls, send text messages, stream music from Apple Music, and more. All you have to do is go through the Watch app on your iPhone and get started with setting up your carrier.

Doing this will add the Apple Watch to your carrier plan if you are in the US. You will have to pay for the service, but you can find the cheapest Apple Watch data plan possible, so you don’t have to overspend every month for connectivity. While designed to work with iPhone, the Apple Watch can act independently, and with the excellent battery life in the Apple Watch Ultra, it can be a very versatile device on your wrist.

7. The Apple Watch Can Be Affordable

A common barrier to smartwatch adoption is the price, mainly because a smartphone can do many of the same things on the surface. However, the Apple Watch provides features and an experience only a smartwatch can offer.

The 2022 Apple Watch lineup consists of three versions: the Apple Watch Series 8, SE, and Ultra. While the Apple Watch SE may not be the most exciting of the three, it is a solid value, coming in at $249. You can even get the cellular variant for just $299.

Even at that low price, it brings most of the features that Apple Watch users love. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to add an Apple Watch to your ecosystem.

These are the reasons why you should buy an Apple Watch in 2023

With all these advantages of an Apple Watch, it’s hard to argue that iPhone users shouldn’t buy an Apple Watch. With a suite of valuable and potentially life-features, it’s a hard product to pass up.

So, if you want to buy an Apple Watch, consider purchasing the Series 8. But if you’re on a tight budget, the Apple Watch SE is an excellent option.

Tag: Apple Watch Products
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First things to do with your new Apple Watch

by Kevin Hollington

An Apple Watch is the best smartwatch out there. If you’re just carefully unwrapping a new one from its clever, elongated packaging, congratulations!

I’ve been privileged to use every new Apple Watch from the first model, right up to the new Apple Watch Ultra, so I’ve had some experience in setting them up. In this article, I’ll share with you what I do, and the settings I change, to make sure the Apple Watch is up and ready to go in double-quick time.

1. Getting started with your Apple Watch is easy

The best thing about the Apple Watch? You really don’t have to be an expert in order to get everything started. The very first thing you should do is to charge your watch, and you’ll need to keep the charging plinth nearby during the setup process as the Apple Watch may need to be placed on charge again, especially if there are software updates to install during the process.

Once the Apple Watch is fully charged, turn it on by pressing and holding the button located below the Digital Crown for a few seconds. When it’s active, check your iPhone because, there’s a good chance, an alert is already displayed on the screen asking if you want your phone to begin the pairing process. It really is that simple, plus the required Watch app comes pre-installed on an iPhone too. Simplyhit Continue on the iPhone’s screen to get going and follow the onscreen prompts.

2. Set up your Apple Watch from scratch

If you’ve had an Apple Watch previously, your new Apple Watch can be set up to mirror the settings you previously configured, including installed apps, Siri preferences, and even which wrist you normally wear it on. If you want to set it up as a new Apple Watch, simply tap Customize Settings and look for Set Up as a New Apple Watch at the bottom of the screen. If this is your first Apple Watch, then this option won’t appear. The whole process will take less than 10 minutes to complete.

3. Be smart with your passcode

I’m not a fan of the Apple Watch’s passcode, but appreciate it has to be used in certain occasions. If you set one up, then you’ll need to tap in the PIN code every time you put the Apple Watch back on your wrist after taking it off. Sometimes i do forget, and that means some notifications don’t come through until I remember.

If you intend to use an Apple Pay, then using a passcode is a must. I suggest you keep it short, as you have to tap it out on the small screen. Yes, I know this probably goes against all the usual security warnings, but the thought of regularly tapping out a 12-digit PIN on my wrist isn’t a sweet one.

4. Remember to check for watchOS updates

It’s very likely the latest version of watchOS is waiting to be downloaded once the process of setting the Apple Watch is complete. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Software Update.
  4. If an update is available, it’ll start downloading immediately.

I always do this straight away, since it’s better than waiting for iOS to show me an alert, plus I want all the latest features and fixes before I get into using the Watch.

This is where you’ll need to use the charger again. Once the process of downloading the update is complete, you need to put the Apple Watch back on the charger for it to install. The battery also needs to have more than 50% charge, which, provided you charged the Apple Watch to 100% before setting it up, won’t be a problem. It’s so much more convenient to get software updates sorted at this time. It does need a little time though, so get ready to spend about an hour doing all this.

5. Have fun choosing a watch face

While you’re waiting for the update to download, go ahead and take a look at the watch faces available. On the Watch app’s main screen, tap the image of the watch face currently set to your watch, then look for the Face Gallery option located at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, and you’ll be presented all the watch faces available.

Each one can be customized with different colors, different designs, and different complications. I have a few that I suggest you try, mostly because they are more watch-like and less cluttered. I like to see the time — not a screen full of numbers and fitness metrics. For example, the California and Chronograph faces with a black background, and the “Pepsi” (which denotes the blue and red around the dial) GMT face are some of my favorites. If you want something bolder, then Numerals Duo is great, and so is the Unity Lights face.

If you have an Apple Watch Series 7 or Apple Watch Series 8, the Contour watch face is exclusive, so you may want to show it off, as is the Wayfinder face on the Apple Watch Ultra. I stick with the Wayfinder face on the Ultra but usually opt for the World Time with a red accent on the Apple Watch SE 2. For complications, I like the temperature, battery level, activity rings, and moon phase. When you’re done, just tap Add, and it’ll instantly transfer to your Apple Watch.

6. Important Apple Watch settings to change

One of the cool things about the Apple Watch is that by default, virtually all essential health and fitness features are active, the always-on screen works straight away if you have an Apple Watch Series 8 or Ultra, plus it takes a lot of the information from your iPhone to ensure the Watch operates seamlessly. You really don’t have to do very much at all, and it feels like “part of you” right from the start.

There are a couple of things I change, though. I don’t like the Apple Watch chiming, and the volume is turned up by default, meaning you get an audible alert with notifications. To change this, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Sounds and Haptics.
  3. Either use the little speaker icons to raise or lower the volume or use Silent Mode to mute sounds entirely.

You can also set Silent Mode by pulling up the Quick Settings from the Watch face and tapping the bell icon. I also activate the hand washing timer, which you can access by following the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Handwashing.

It’s automatic, so it’s no hassle to use, and it’s surprisingly accurate.

Finally, I don’t use Siri often enough to find the Raise to Speak option helpful, so I turn this option off. Follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Siri.

I leave the Hey Siri command on, though, and find the Apple Watch is very reliable with listening out for it — and for understanding my commands too.

7. Add other Apple Watch bands to your collection

The Sport band and Sport Loop band are the default choices for the Apple Watch, and one of these is most likely the one that has come fitted to your new Apple Watch. Personally, I find the Sport Loop the most comfortable and convenient for everyday, all-day use. It’s easy to tighten when you exercise to get the most accurate heart rate reading, and it’s soft enough to wear overnight and track your sleep. Plus, it looks beautiful. I also really like the Braided Solo Loop band, although it’s a significant investment at $100.

That’s really all there is to setting up your new Apple Watch.

Tag: Apple Watch Guides
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Best iPhone 14 and 14 Pro Camera Tips, Tricks, & Settings!

by Moses Johnson

These camera tips, tricks, and settings can help you take better photos and videos on your iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max.

there are a number of Camera settings that you can change on your iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro to take even better photos and videos. Read on as we detail how to do just that.

While you can switch between camera modes and change some options directly in the native Camera app, some of the settings can only be found within the iOS Settings app.

1. Turn on the Grid

Framing a person or an object in a photo or video is not always easy. Thankfully, having Grid enabled in the Camera app simplifies everything. Grid makes it much easier to hold your iPhone in the right position, center your main focus, and more.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Camera.
  3. Look for the Grid option in the Composition section and turn it on.

Now you’ll see the grid lines every time you open the Camera app on your iPhone 14.

2. ProRAW and ProRes

A cool iPhone 14 Pro camera trick lets you capture images in ProRAW format directly in the Camera app. For those unfamiliar, a RAW photo is basically the original image captured from the sensor, with minimal or no post-processing. It contains all the data about things like brightness, shadows, and colors that can be edited later in image editing software like Adobe Lightroom.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro also supports ProRes video, which is a codec with minimal compression that ensures higher quality files that are better for post-editing.

To enable both ProRAW and ProRes, follow the steps below:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Camera.
  3. Tap Formats.

If you have an iPhone 14 Pro, you can also choose between taking ProRAW photos with 12-megapixel or 48-megapixel resolution. After turning these options on, you’ll see ProRAW and ProRes buttons in the Camera app. Just tap them when you want to capture photos and videos using these formats.

Please note: none of these options are available for non-Pro iPhone models. It’s also worth noting that ProRAW photos and ProRes videos take up much more space in iPhone storage than regular formats.

3. Mirror Front Camera

By default, every photo you take using the front camera of your iPhone is flipped. This is because, rather than capturing exactly what you see on the screen, iPhone flips the image so that things like text are displayed correctly. However, if you prefer to capture selfies exactly as they appear in the Camera app preview, you can.

The best iPhone 14 camera tip we can offer is to show you how to turn on the Mirror Front Camera option. Simply follow the steps below:

  1. Start the Setting app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Camera.
  3. Under the Composition section,turn on Mirror Front Camera.

With this option turned on, your selfies will look exactly as you see them in the preview.

4. Macro Control

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a Macro mode feature in the ultra-wide lens, which lets users capture really close-up images. This mode is automatically turned on depending on the distance between the iPhone and the object you are pointing at, which may annoy some users. Thankfully, you can choose to turn this option on manually only when you want to use it.

To do this, follow the steps below:

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Go into Camera.
  3. Scroll down and enable the Macro Control option.

Now the Macro button will appear when the iPhone is really close to an object, and it will only activate if you tap on it.

5. Photographic Styles

A cool iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro camera trick is Photographic Styles. These are presets with different tone and warmth values that can dramatically change how your photos look while still preserving things like sky color and skin tones.

You can choose a Photographic Style directly from the Camera app. Alternatively follow the steps below:

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Camera.
  3. under the Photo Capture section, tap the Photographic Styles option

6. Change the video resolution

The Camera app on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro lets you quickly switch between different resolutions and frame rates before shooting a video. However, changing these options from the Settings app lets you choose even more resolutions and frame rates.

For example, you can set your iPhone to record videos in 720p resolution to save storage space, shoot slow motion videos in 1080p resolution at 240 fps for better quality and smoothness, or even capture Cinematic Videos in 4K resolution at 24 fps or 30 fps on the iPhone 14.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Camera.
  3. Tap the Record Video, Record Slo-mo, or Record Cinematic menus.
  4. Choose the option that works best for you.

7. Preserve Settings

Our next iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro camera tip is to save your preferred settings. When you’re taking pictures or filming with your iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, there are a lot of adjustments you can make, such as changing the exposure level, choosing a filter, or enabling ProRAW. By default, every time you close the Camera app, these settings are reset. But if you want to keep them on, there’s a cool trick to do that.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Camera.
  3. Tap Preserve Settings.

You can select which options you want to keep the same settings every time you open the Camera app.

8. Bonus: Swipe up for more

Our final iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro camera tip is to try swiping your finger upward on the screen to reveal a menu with extra options whenever you’re about to take a photo or record a video with the Camera app, . There you can change Photographic Styles, the Aspect Ratio, apply filters, set the Aspect Ratio, and more.

Conclusion

These are the best iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Camera tricks, tips and settings that you need to know to elevate your photography game to a whole new level. Are there any other iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Camera tricks you know? Share it with us in the comments section below.

Tag: iPhone Tips
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First things to do with your new iPhone 14

by GeeksModo Staff

Got your hands on a brand-new iPhone 14? Here are a few essential things to do with it once you take it out of the box.

You’ve just lifted your new iPhone 14 from its packaging, and you’re beaming. Maybe your hands are shivering with anticipation. Your mouth is dry, and your pupils are dilated. Okay, perhaps you’re not that excited, but a new phone is certainly a cause for celebration. What comes next, though? Here are some of the first things every iPhone 14 owner should do with their phone when taking it out of the box. These little exercises will ensure that you get the most out of your phone from day one.

Check out your device

The very first thing you should do is to take a moment to really appreciate what you’re holding in your hands. You are now the owner of a portable device so staggeringly futuristic that no science fiction writers saw it coming. Touch its screen in the right places, pizza will arrive at your front door. Or a man in Morocco will start talking to you. Or it will play videos of cats jumping into cardboard boxes. You are the all-powerful god of this pocketable screen.

Don’t let all this power go to your head. You need to keep your composure long enough to ensure your device came with all the correct parts.

Go through all of your iPhone’s packaging and take stock of everything. Review any warranty information, and take note of any extras. Some iPhone 14 come with a SIM ejector tool, so be sure not to throw that out if you ever want to install a new SIM card. You definitely also got a charging cable. One extra you might want to think about, however, is phone insurance. It’s a good way to ensure that you have this warm, fuzzy feeling again, even if the worst happens to your phone.

Prep for data downloading

Plug your iPhone 14 in to get that battery charging. While many iPhones will come partially charged, they typically don’t come fully topped off. You’re going to be playing with your new toy for the next couple of hours, and you don’t want it dying on you right in the middle of a crucial process.

Also, you’ll probably want to connect to a wireless network if one is available. Not all of us have unlimited data, and you’re almost certainly going to be downloading a lot on your first day with your phone. It might not be a good idea to start eating into your monthly limit right away.

Set up an Apple ID

When you take your iPhone 14 out of the box and turn it on, one of the first things that will pop up is to create or log in to your Apple ID.

You can skip this step if you want, but we seriously don’t recommend it. Logging into iCloud connects your device with many other Apple services, including iMessage, FaceTime, iCloud, Find My iPhone, Apple Music, apps and games, and so much more. Activating this account will prepare your iPhone to synchronize your data across devices. It’s also required for the App store. So if you don’t already have an Apple ID, it’s highly recommended to create one.

If you’ve owned an iPhone before, then you’re about to witness some magic. After logging into your iCloud account, your iPhone will connect with the App Store and attempt to download all your old apps. Before your very eyes, this stock device will transform into a faster, sleeker version of your old phone.

Also, make sure you keep a record of your Apple ID credentials, as it can be tricky to get back into your account if you get locked out from too many failed login attempts.

Secure your iPhone

Your iPhone contains a lot of sensitive information, especially if you use it for banking, shopping, or pizza delivery. It’s essential to set up solid security measures to protect your privacy and identity.

A Passcode and Face Id are two security options available on iPhone 14.

Again, an Apple ID is critical because it’s required to use Find My iPhone. This is a security feature that lets you track where your iPhone 14 is in case it’s lost or stolen. Better yet, you can remotely wipe the device and even leave a message on the device for whoever is in possession of it to contact you to return it.n

When you set up an Apple ID, turning on Find My iPhone should be a part of the setup process. But you can also manually turn it on if you want to set it up later. Either way, don’t forget to set up Find My iPhone! Better safe than sorry.

Fill out your Medical ID

No one wants to be in an emergency situation, but life throws curveballs sometimes, and stuff happens. That’s why it is extremely important to make sure that you fill out your Medical ID details on your iPhone 14.

With Medical ID, first responders will be able to find out useful information regarding your health when you’re in a medical emergency. This includes medical conditions, blood types, allergies, whether you’re an organ donor or not, and more. It’s also where you can list emergency contacts.

To do this, go to Settings > Health > Medical ID. Alternatively, you can do this from the Health app as well.

Personalize your Control Center

One of the most important features of iOS is Control Center. It’s a panel of commonly and frequently used settings and app shortcuts — such as Wi-Fi and cellular, brightness, volume, rotation lock, flashlight, camera, Low Power Mode, and more. You can access the Control Center from anywhere, even when you’re in other apps, though there’s a setting to just make it accessible only on the home screen.

I usually use the Control Center a ton of times in a day. It’s an incredibly handy feature to have, and you can tweak it to your liking with various controls. To do this, just go to Settings > Control Center. Want to add a shortcut for Shazam? Maybe a button to quickly start a stopwatch? Apple’s customization tools let you do that.

Prevent autocorrect from twisting your words

Autocorrect can come in handy if you’re in a hurry, but more often than not, it tends to mess up your words and twist them into something completely different. The text replacement feature is great when you know you want to type a certain word that autocorrect always changes to “ducking” instead.

To add all the text replacements your heart desires, go to Settings > General > Keyboards > Text Replacement.

Get haptic feedback as you type

I often have my iPhone 14 on silent all day because I’d rather not disturb my colleagues, especially during meetings. I also just don’t like hearing ringtones going off all the time. But having my iPhone on silent means no more audible feedback when typing, which I also don’t like.

iPhone 14 offers you the ability to enable haptic feedback for the onscreen keyboard. This means you get a little tactile response each time you tap a character on the keyboard, which is something that Android devices have been able to do for a long time. So even if you have your iPhone on silent, you’ll still know that the on-screen keyboard is actually working.

To turn on the haptic keyboard feedback, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback.

Make sure everything is up to date

There’s a pretty big chance that your iPhone 14 might have a few updates waiting for you. Sometimes they will be minor fixes or speed improvements. Sometimes whole new versions of iOS are waiting — especially if your new phone has been on the market for a little while. You can check for the latest software updates by going to Settings > General > Software Updates,

In addition to the operating system, you can also update the pre-installed apps by visiting the App Store, selecting your profile at the top of the screen, and tapping the “Update all” button under the available updates section.

Get to know your device

Take the time to investigate your iPhone’s settings. Sift through the menus and submenus, and make mental notes about where various features reside. This can save a lot of time later on, and you might even discover some new things about your phone.

As the Ancient Greeks (and the Oracle from the Matrix) said: “Know thyself.” You put a lot of personal information on your phone, and you will probably use it for so much of your interpersonal communications, so your iPhone is a little bit like an extension of yourself. Don’t let it be a stranger!

Think of setting up a new iPhone as you would moving into a new place. Don’t just leave those rooms empty. Move your old familiar furniture in and hang a few new pictures. Spruce the place up. Give it a thorough cleaning. After all, you’re going to be living here for a while.

Setting up an iPhone 14 might seem overwhelming, but it can be nice to settle in and enjoy the process.

Tag: iPhone Guides
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The Best iPhone 14 charging tips to maximize battery life

by Dave Johnson

Need some iPhone 14 charging tips? These are the facts and habits you need to maximize your phone battery’s longevity.

iPhone users — casual and enthusiasts alike — are forever searching for longer battery life. While fast charging keeps us topped up every day, the absence of replaceable batteries means eventually, the lithium-ion cells enclosed in our phones are going to age and deteriorate, making it harder to maximize battery life.

If you’ve used iPhones a couple of years, you’ve probably noticed the battery doesn’t seem to last as long as it did when your handset was brand new. Three years down the line, many phones struggle to make it through the day on a single charge. Holding onto a phone even longer can even spell trouble for system stability.

Unfortunately, battery capacity inevitably declines with age. However, there are cool iPhone 14 charging tips you can use to prolong the life of your battery. If you’ve ever wondered what the best way to charge your iPhone’s battery is, here are some scientifically proven tips to maximize battery life.

iPhone 14 charging tips

Partial charging is a healthy habit

One particularly persistent battery myth is that you need to occasionally fully discharge and recharge to erase “battery memory.” This couldn’t be more wrong for lithium-ion batteries. It’s a leftover myth from lead-acid cells, and it’s pretty undesirable to charge your iPhone 14 in this way.

Partial charging is just fine for lithium-ion batteries and can have some great benefits for cell longevity. To understand why it’s important to appreciate how a battery charges. Li-ion batteries draw constant current and operate at a lower voltage when closer to empty. This voltage gradually increases as the cell charges up, leveling off at around a 70% charge before the current begins to fall until the capacity is full.

Notably, operating at a low voltage is good for a battery’s lifespan, increasing the number of available charging cycles before you’ll start to see a significant reduction in capacity. Roughly speaking, every 0.1V decrease in cell voltage doubles the cycle life, according to Battery University. Therefore, charging up your phone in that 30% to 80% range keeps the voltage lower and might slightly prolong the battery’s lifespan.

Smaller but regular top-ups are much better for Li-ion batteries than long full charge cycles.
Using up just 20% of your battery between charges isn’t practical, but topping up when you’ve used about half will see an improvement in your battery life over the long term. Especially if you avoid charging up to full each time too. The bottom line is that smaller, regular top-ups are better for Li-ion batteries than long full charge cycles.

Avoid idle charging

Charging overnight is a very common habit, but it’s best to avoid, despite the convenience of waking up with a full battery in the morning. Each full charge counts as a ‘cycle’, and the iPhone 14 is only built to last for a set number.

If you charge overnight, you are guaranteed to miss when the phone exceeds the magic 80% mark that is best for extended long-term life.

While the iPhone 14 has built-in sensors to shut off charging when it hit 100%, if still turned on it’ll lose a small amount of battery while idle.

What you may get is a “trickle charge” as the charger attempts to keep the iPhone at 100% as your phone naturally loses on its own charge during the night. This means that your iPhone is constantly bouncing between a full charge and a little bit below that full charge – 99% to 100% and back again during a longer-than-required charge. It can also heat the iPhone up, which is also bad for the battery.

So, a great iPhone 14 charging trick is to charge during the day than to charge overnight.

Your best policy is to have Do Not Disturb and Airplane Mode switched on. Better still, you could completely switch off your iPhone, but that may not be possible if you rely on it as an alarm or wish to be ready to take calls at all hours.

If you are leaving your iPhone plugged in for a long period of time, removing the case can prevent it over-heating.

A final iPhone 14 charging tip that’s worth mentioning is parasitic load. This occurs when the battery is being drained significantly at the same time as being charged, such as watching a video or gaming while charging.

Parasitic loads are bad for batteries because they distort the charging cycle and induce mini-cycles — where part of the battery continually cycles and deteriorates faster than the rest of the cell. Worse still, parasitic loads occurring when a device is fully charged also induce higher voltage stress and heat on the battery.

Gaming or watching videos while charging is bad because it distort charging cycles.
The best way to avoid parasitic loads is to turn your iPhone off while charging. But that’s not really realistic. Instead, it’s best to keep the workload light while the device is plugged in, leaving it idle most of the time. Browsing the web is probably fine. Also, remember to unplug it once the battery is topped up enough.

Heat is the enemy of long battery life

Along with all of the above iPhone 14 charging tips, temperature is an equally key contributor to longevity and maximizing battery life. In fact, it’s arguably the biggest killer of long-term battery health. Like high voltages, high temperatures stress the battery and make it lose capacity far more quickly than when kept at lower temperatures.

A cell kept between 25 – 40 degrees Celsius (77 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit) should retain around 85% to 96% of its capacity after the first year with sensible charging cycles. Raising the temperature regularly above 40°C (104°F) and charging to 100% sees this fall to just 65% capacity after the first year, and a 60°C (140°F) battery temperature will hit this marker in as little as three months.

The ideal temperature to maximise battery cycle life is below 40°C
A battery dwelling in a full state-of-charge exposed to a high temperature is the worst of all worlds and the number one thing to avoid when charging your iPhone. So a cool iPhone 14 charging trick is to never leave your phone under your pillow to charge at night or plugged in on the dashboard of your car on a hot day.

Use MFi Certified charging accessories

Another iPhone 14 charging tip is to use the charging accessory that came with your phone, as it is sure to have the correct rating. Or make sure that a third-party charging accessory is approved by Apple. Cheap alternatives from Amazon or eBay may damage your iPhone, and there have been several reported cases of cheap charging accessories actually bursting into flames.

That said, your iPhone should draw only the power that it needs from a charger.

How to maximize battery life long-term

Lithium-ion battery technology is well understood these days, and iPhones are built around our use cases, but bad habits and myths still permeate the public consciousness. While most of these habits won’t severely negatively impact your iPhone’s battery life in the medium term, the decline in removable phone batteries means we should take extra precautions to maximize battery life and thus our iPhone’s longevity.

Broadly speaking, smaller regular charge cycles and keeping your phone cool are the main iPhone 14 charging tips to keep in mind.

Here’s a TL;DR summary of the iPhone 14 charging tips above:

What’s the best way to charge your iPhone 14?

  • Avoid full cycle (0-100%) and overnight charging. Instead, top up your iPhone more regularly with partial charges.
  • Ending a charge at 80-90% is better for the battery than topping up to completely full.
  • Heat is the battery killer. Don’t cover your iPhone when charging, and keep it out of hot places.
  • Don’t play intensive games, stream videos, or run other intensive workloads while charging to avoid heat and mini-cycles.
  • Use MFi certified chargers
Tag: iPhone Tips
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How to Clean Your Apple Watch Ultra Without Damaging it

by GeeksModo Staff

The Apple Watch Ultra is prone to accumulating dirt, earwax, grime, and other debris that can affect it’s performance. Here’s how to clean it safely.

Apple Watch Ultra is the most instantly recognizable wearable around. But as great as it is, it also get dirty fairly easily. Despite it’s ragged design, the Apple Watch Ultra is prone to accumulating dirt, earwax, grime, and other debris that can affect its performance. Cleaning your Apple Watch Ultra regularly is important for maintaining it’s appearance, functionality, and longevity. And while it may seem intimidating at first, cleaning your Apple Watch Ultra is actually quite easy and can be done without requiring any professional equipment. Follow the simple steps in this guide to clean your Apple Watch Ultra and keep it in good working order.

How to clean the Apple Watch Ultra

Before cleaning, remove your device from the charger and turn it off. If the Apple Watch Ultra is attached to a band that is not water-resistant, remove the band as well.

  • Wipe down the Apple Watch Ultra with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. Lightly dampen the cloth with water if needed, or hold the device under warm running water for ten to fifteen seconds.
  • Spin and press the Digital Crown under low-running, warm water to clear substances like dirt or lotion from the Digital Crown.
  • Dry the front and back of your Apple Watch Ultra using a dry, nonabrasive, lint-free cloth.

According to Apple, it’s completely safe to disinfect your watch with a Clorox wipe and certain alcohol wipes, but don’t introduce any other soaps or cleaning products.

How to clean the Apple Watch Ultra band

Apple Watch bands come at a variety of costs, from affordable to somewhat astronomical. Depending on how much you’ve invested in your particular band, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Silicone bands for Apple Watch Ultra

You can’t close those rings without breaking a sweat. Bands made of synthetic rubber or silicone are often marketed specifically for working out, so easy cleaning is made a priority. Water-resistant and sweat-resistant, these materials can be cleaned with soap and warm water.

  • For light cleaning, you’ll need to remove the band from your Apple Watch and wipe it clean with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth.
  • For a deeper clean, simply rinse the band with warm water and mild hand soap.
  • Dry the band with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth before reattaching it to your Apple Watch Ultra.

Nylon or braided loop bands for Apple Watch ultra

Nylon bands are great for sleep tracking but aren’t impervious to stains. Likewise, Apple’s Braided Solo Loop is made from polyester yarn braided around silicone thread, forming an eye-catching design that unfortunately also catches grime and dirt.

  • detach the band from the Apple Watch Ultra and wipe clean with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with warm water.
  • If you own a loop band, some users suggest cleaning the intricacies of this band with a soft bristle toothbrush and warm water but do so at your own risk. Apple recommends only using a nonabrasive lint-free cloth, slightly dampened if necessary. Venturing from these guidelines may void the item’s one-year limited warranty.
  • Let the band air dry before reattaching it to your Apple Watch Ultra.

Leather bands for Apple Watch ultra

Leather bands are not water-resistant, so deep cleaning after a particularly sweaty session isn’t easy. Please note, you should not soak your leather band in water, and try to avoid external heat sources.

  • detach the band from the Apple Watch ultra and wipe clean with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. Lightly dampen the cloth if necessary but avoid focusing moisture too much in one spot. Some third-party retailers advise using warm soapy water on stains, though Apple doesn’t suggest it.
  • Let the band air dry before reattaching it to your Apple Watch Ultra.

Metal bands for Apple Watch Ultra

Metal bands can elevate your Apple Watch Ultra for special occasions or help you fit in with the office dress code. When cleaning these high-end bands, make sure your cloth is completely clear of dirt and debris to avoid scratching the metal.

  • Detach the band from the Apple Watch Ultra and wipe clean with a nonabrasive, lint-free cloth. If needed, lightly dampen the cloth with warm water.
  • Dry the band with a dry, nonabrasive, lint-free cloth before reattaching it to your Apple Watch.

See also: 18 Best Apple Watch Ultra Tips and Tricks of 2023

Tag: Apple Watch Guides
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How to fast charge Apple Watch Ultra as quickly as possible

by Moses Johnson

Want to learn how to fast charge your Apple Watch Ultra? We explain everything you need to know.

One of the big new features added to the Apple Watch 7 and carried over to the Apple Watch Ultra was fast charging. Here’s how to ensure you’re charging your Apple Watch Ultra as quickly as possible.

While this might seem a little obvious, the Apple Watch Ultra will only utilise its fastest charging speeds when used with a certain cable and plug – so it’s best to make sure you’re doing it right.

There are also no visual cues as to how fast the Apple Watch Ultra will charge when you plug it in, but following this guide will make sure that you do it properly. In terms of how quickly you can get from 0-100%, in our review we got a full charge in an hour, and 20% (enough for a night’s sleep) in 10 minutes.

What you’ll need to fast charge the Apple Watch Ultra

  • An Apple Watch Ultra (this will also work with Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Series 7)
  • The included USB-C charging cable (it needs to be this specific one)
  • A plug with a USB-C port

How to charge Apple Watch ultra faster

Step 1: Get your USB-C plug ready

To fast charge an Apple Watch Ultra, you need to have a USB-C plug ready and these are no longer included with the wearable. Instead, you could use the same plug you use to charge a recent iPhone, iPad or USB-C laptop.

Step 2: Attach the cable that came with your Apple Watch

Once you’ve got your USB-C plug, you’ll need to get the USB-C to Apple Watch magnetic charger that’s included with the Apple watch Ultra. You need to use this specific cable to charge the Apple Watch Ultra faster, as an older Apple Watch cable will charge at a slower rate. Plug the cable into the USB-C plug.

Step 3: Pop on the Apple Watch

Next, just pop the Apple Watch Ultra onto the magnetic charger and it should start juicing up at the faster speeds.

See also: How to Clean Your Apple Watch Ultra Without Damaging it

Tag: Apple Watch Guides
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15 Best Apple Watch SE 2 Tips, Tricks and Hacks of 2024

by Dave Johnson

The new Apple Watch SE 2 (2022) pairs an up-to-date processor with many of Apple’s latest smartwatch features, including watchOS 9 and low power mode. Check out all Apple Watch SE 2 tips, tricks and hacks below.

Even if you know how to use the Apple Watch for the basics (ie. fitness tracking, making calls, checking notifications) there are hidden Apple Watch SE 2 tips and tricks that make it even better. While we wouldn’t go as far as to call all of them “Apple Watch SE hacks,” these features are the lesser-known ways to upgrade your smartwatch experience.

Whether you’ve owned an Apple Watch SE 2 for a while or recently acquired one, there’s more to the device than meets the eye. Some of the most useful Apple Watch SE 2 features are ones that you might not see during setup or everyday use. Many of these Apple Watch SE hacks are buried deep in the settings menu or hidden within certain apps or tools.

All of our favorite Apple Watch SE 2 hidden features work on other Watch models as well.

But where should you start? Below are the best Apple Watch SE 2 tips, tricks and hacks we discovered this year.

1. Favorite frequently used timers

One of the most well-known Apple Watch features — setting a timer — offers a hidden tool you didn’t know about. You can create a list of favorite timers on your Apple Watch that appears at the top of the timer app. This way, the timers you use on a regular basis are conveniently located in the app.

Follow the steps below to favorite a timer:

  1. Swipe left on a timer in ‘recents’.
  2. Tap the orange star button.

Yes, it’s really that simple. When you’ve favorited a timer, it will appear in a new menu above ‘recents’ called ‘favorites.’ You can even favorite multiple timers for quick access.

2. See step count on your watch face

If you haven’t seen a step-count complication when changing your Apple Watch face before, it’s because there isn’t one — not natively, at least. While there are complications for the weather, timers, your Apple Watch rings and other useful tidbits of information, there isn’t a built-in way to see your step count on your Apple Watch face. But with the help of a third-party Apple Watch app, you can hack it.

  1. Download a pedometer app of choice on your Apple Watch. I’ve found the easiest way is to download the app on your iPhone, then sync your Apple Watch. You can check that the app is downloaded to your smartwatch if you scroll down within the “My Watch” tab in the Watch app.
  2. Now, edit your Apple Watch face to add the third-party complication.

3. Optimize charging for battery health

The Apple Watch SE 2 (2022)supports optimized battery charging, a setting that’s perhaps better known for preserving the iPhone’s battery health. But ever since watchOS 7, the Apple Watch has offered optimized battery charging, too. Over time, the Apple Watch’s battery health is prone to deteriorate due to a combination of factors. Optimized charging can help the battery health last longer.

The feature is enabled on the new Apple Watch SE by default, but it’s good to check that it is enabled. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open the settings menu on Apple Watch
  2. Tap on Battery.
  3. Select battery health.
  4. Toggle on Optimized Battery Charging.

When optimized charging is enabled on your new Apple Watch SE, you might notice your watch pauses charging between 75% and 80% capacity. This should only happen when your watch believes you’ll leave it charging for an extended period of time. It will predict when to complete the charge based on your past charging schedule and location.

4. Enable Low Power Mode

Another Apple Watch SE 2 trick to maximize Watch’s battery life is with the new Apple Watch low power mode. The low power mode feature disables certain battery-draining features such as the always-on display and background health sensor readings. When you track a work out while low power mode is enabled, GPS and heart rate readings are limited, too.

To turn on low power mode, follow the steps below:

  1. Swipe up to open the Control Center on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap the bubble that shows your battery percentage.
  3. Toggle on low power mode.
  4. You’ll be prompted to review the impact of low power mode, with the option to turn the feature on or turn it on for a certain duration. You can turn on low power mode for 1 Day, 2 Days or up to 3 Days.

5. Control your watch with hand gestures

Learning how to control the new Apple Watch SE with hand gestures will let you use certain features of your smartwatch without touching the display or pressing either of the buttons. With this Apple Watch SE 2 trick, you won’t even need to use your opposite hand. You’ll be able to control your Apple Watch by pinching your fingers or clenching your fists. Hand gestures are part of the Apple Watch’s AssistiveTouch features, which primarily exist to make the Apple Watch experience more inclusive. Simply follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Accessibility from the menu on the My Watch tab.
  3. Tap AssistiveTouch from the Motor menu.
  4. Toggle on AssistiveTouch.
  5. Tap Hand Gestures from the Inputs menu.
  6. Toggle on Hand Gestures.

In the same menu you used to toggle on hand gestures, you can review the navigation functions associated with each gesture. There are four gestures: Pinch, Double Pinch, Clench and Double Clench — you can select which actions you want assigned to each motion.

6. Change the digital crown orientation

You may not be aware that there’s a hidden Apple Watch SE 2 trick that allows you to switch the orientation of your Watch so the digital crown faces a different direction. While most people with an Apple Watch wear it with the digital crown located on the upper right side next to the display, there’s a way to turn the button around. If you wear your Apple Watch on your right wrist, the digital crown probably already faces your forearm. But if you wear it on your left wrist, the digital crown probably points toward your hand. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open the settings menu on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select orientation.
  4. Select Left or Right depending on which way you want your Apple Watch digital crown to face.

When you switch from right to left, or vice versa, the display will turn upside down. Play around with these settings to figure out which orientation is the most comfortable for you.

7. Keep apps open longer

By default, your Apple Watch will return to your clock or watch face from an app after two minutes when you lower your wrist or idle. So if you’re reading a message or have an app open, your Apple Watch might go back to your current watch face shortly after entering always-on mode, closing whatever app you have open. Some people might find this annoying, but luckily there’s a cool Apple Watch SE 2 trick that allows you to change it.

  1. Open the settings menu on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select Return to Clock.
  4. Change from ‘Always’ or ‘After 2 minutes’ to ‘After 1 hour.’

Alternatively, you can scroll down and customize the return to clock setting for each individual app downloaded on your Apple Watch.

8. Use Siri as a translator

Whether you’re traveling to a foreign country or trying to learn a new language, you can use this hidden Apple Watch SE 2 trick to help you with the translations. With real-time translation support for 11 different languages, the Apple Watch’s built-in voice assistant can tell you how to say almost anything instantly.

Just activate Siri and say: “how do I say {word or phrase} in {language}” to use Siri’s real-time translation tool. Not only does Siri display the translation typed out, but it will also speak the translated word or phrase out loud. That way you can theoretically use it to give a cab driver instructions, or simply work on your enunciations.

9. Find out what song is playing

You might’ve heard of Shazam, an app that can identify songs playing out loud. Say you’re at a restaurant or bar and hear a tune you want to save for later, but don’t want to bug the server or bartender for the playlist information. Most people are familiar with the smartphone version of the app, but Shazam actually works on Apple Watch, too.

To use this hidden Apple Watch SE 2 hack, you need to download Shazam on your Apple Watch. From there, you can open the Shazam app on your wrist when you want to find out what song is playing. You can ask Siri to identify the song, too: Press your Apple Watch’s digital crown and ask, “What song is playing?” Siri will listen and name the song it identifies.

10. Make Apple Watch Text Larger

Apple Watch text can be tiny, taking int account the new Apple Watch SE compact size. You can make it bigger by following the steps below:

  1. Open the Settings menu on Apple Watch.
  2. Scroll down and tap on “Display & Brightness”.
  3. Tap on “Text Size.”
  4. Tap on the “Aa” on the right side of the display to make the text bigger, and tap on the “Aa” icon on the left side to make it smaller again.

When you adjust the text size, any app that supports Dynamic Type will show your preferred text size. If you want to make text even more visible, toggle on the “Bold Text” option below text size.

11. Control Your Apple TV With Your Watch

If you own an Apple TV set-top box, you can easily control it using the Remote app on your Apple Watch, which can come in handy if you lose your remote.

  1. Press on the Digital Crown to get to your App List or App Grid, depending on your App View.
  2. Look for the “Remote” app, which is labeled as Remote and has a blue icon with a triangle in the center.
  3. Tap on it.
  4. Wait a moment as the watch syncs to the ‌Apple TV‌ sets in your home.
  5. Choose the ‌Apple TV‌ you want to control.
  6. Now, you can turn on the ‌Apple TV‌ by tapping on the little TV icon in the bottom left of the display, and scroll through the interface using swipe gestures. To launch an app or make a selection, just tap.

Tip: Tap on the “ ” button to add an ‌Apple TV‌ that your watch is not linked to and go to Settings > General > Remotes on the ‌Apple TV‌ set. The Remote feature is compatible with the third-generation ‌Apple TV‌ and later.

12. Get Help in an Emergency

This hidden Apple Watch SE 2 trick lets you get help quick in an emergency. You just need to enable an SOS feature on the new Apple Watch SE that will call emergency services with the press of a button.

  1. Go to the Settings menu on the Apple Watch.
  2. Scroll down to “SOS.”
  3. Enable “Hold Side Button.”

With the SOS feature toggled on, your Apple Watch SE will begin dialing emergency services in the country where you’re located if you hold down the side button. The side button is the rounded rectangular button located below the Digital Crown.

By holding down this button, your Apple Watch will call emergency services, but you will have a countdown to stop the call in case it gets activated by accident.
Tip: If you want the new Apple Watch SE to be able to automatically call emergency services if you take a hard fall, enable Fall Detection in this same section, and make sure Crash Detection is turned on too. If you slip and are knocked unconscious or have an accident on a bike, skateboard, car or other mode of transportation, your Apple Watch can get you help.

13. Remove Apps From Your Apple Watch

If you have a bunch of apps on your new Apple Watch SE that you don’t need, you can delete them.

  1. Unlock your Apple Watch and go to the App View.
  2. Long press on the Apple Watch display.
  3. Tap on “Edit Apps.”
  4. Scroll through the list or swipe through the grid (depending on your view choice) to locate apps you don’t want.
  5. Tap on the small “x” on the app to delete an app or swipe to get to the delete interface if you use the List view.
  6. Confirm that you want to delete the app.

Please Note: there are native apps that cannot be removed from the Apple Watch including Activity, Compass, App Store, Heart Rate, Maps, Mail, and Messages, but there are a number that you can get rid of to have a cleaner look.

You can remove Alarms, ECG, Blood Oxygen, Memoji, Find Items, Cycle Tracking, Mindfulness, Sleep, and other similar apps. If you want them back later after deleting them, you will need to redownload them from the ‌App Store‌.

14. Share a Photo From Your Apple Watch

Another cool Apple Watch SE 2 trick lets you share photos right from your wrist without having to open up your ‌iPhone‌, which can be useful for a quick image transfer. If you come across an image on your Apple watch that you want to share, you can send it to someone else right from your wrist.

  1. Launch the ‌‌Photos‌ app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Select a photo that you want to share and tap it.
  3. Tap on the small share icon located at the bottom right of the photo.

You’ll be presented with the most recent contacts to send it to, or you can scroll down and send it to anyone using Messages or Mail.
Select a contact, and then write a message if you want to add one.
Tip: The ‌Photos‌ app on Apple Watch can display one album from your ‌iPhone‌ photos. To change it, open up the Watch app on ‌iPhone‌, scroll down and select ‌‌Photos‌, and tap on “Sync Album” to choose an album to sync to your Apple Watch.

Apple allows you to sync up to 500 photos, but be aware that the number of photos that you choose affects the storage space on your Apple Watch. In the Watch app under ‌Photos‌, you can also choose to sync memories and sync featured photos. With these options enabled, your featured memories and images will show up in the ‌Photos‌ app, and the selection will change daily.

15. Set a Photo as Your Watch Face

Another hidden Apple Watch SE 2 trick lets you set one of your own photos as your watch face so you can glance down at your favorite places, people, or pets whenever you go to check the time. It’s easiest to set a photo as a watch face on ‌iPhone‌, following these instructions:

  1. Launch the Watch app on ‌your iPhone.
  2. Tap on ”Face Gallery.”
  3. Scroll down and tap on ”Photos”.
  4. You can select an album of photos, such as your Favorites, or choose to select up to 24 individual photos from your Camera Roll. There’s also an option for Dynamic, which uses photos from your Memories.
  5. Tap on ”Album” to choose an album, select ”Choose ‌Photos‌…” to choose photos, or tap on ”Dynamic” to have it pull from Memories.
  6. If you want to add a tint to your photos, pick a color from the top bar.
  7. Scroll down to ”Time Position” and choose ”Top” or ”Bottom,” and then select your Complications if you want to use them.
  8. Scroll back up to see a preview of your watch face, and tap ”Add” if it looks good.
  9. Tap on the ”My Watch” tab.
  10. Tap on the “‌Photos‌” watch face that you created.
  11. Choose ”Set as Current Watch Face.”

Tip: There’s also a “Portraits” watch face that accompanies the ‌Photos‌ face. With the Portraits face, you can choose a photo that you’ve captured using Portrait mode and set it as a watch face. With the data from the portrait photo, there is a sense of depth to the watch face, with the time able to be placed behind the subject in some images. To set it, follow the steps above, but choose Portraits instead of ‌Photos‌ at step 3.

Note that this effect only works with photos of people, and not pets or objects captured in Portrait mode.

Your favorite Apple Watch SE Tips and tricks?

These are our favorites Apple Watch SE 2 (2022) tips and tricks. What are your favorite tips and tricks for the new Apple Watch SE? Drop a comment and let us know.

Tag: Apple Watch Tips
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