Got a tip for us?

10 Best macOS Ventura Tips & Tricks You Must Know in 2024

by Dave Johnson

Whether you have a new Mac or just got around to updating your old one, macOS Ventura has a ton of new features to get to know. Regardless of whether you’re a veteran or a new Mac user, these macOS Ventura tips and tricks are ones you’ll want to take advantage of. Check out the best macOS Ventura tips and tricks to make the most out of your Mac.

On the surface, macOS Ventura may appear so complex, however it’s actually very easy to use. You can do a lot on macOS Ventura, if you’re a power user. And if you’re a beginner who only wants to learn a few tips and tricks, then worry not — the OS is intuitive to use, and you’ll find your way around. macOS Ventura has a ton of hidden features that not all users are aware of. They’re sometimes very basic, yet make a difference when incorporating them into a person’s workflow. Here are the best macOS Ventura tips and tricks you should know about.

1. Use your iPhone as a webcam

Did you buy a new iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or Apple Studio Display? Brace yourself, because there’s something not so good about those machines: the built-in FaceTime camera is a disappointment. But if you own an iPhone 11 or newer, you can skip that camera and use a new macOS Ventura trick that lets you use your iPhone as a webcam with Continuity Camera.

While you may be familiar with the Continuity Camera feature from previous versions of macOS, in Ventura, the Cupertino tech giant has expanded the feature with iPhone webcam support. You can mount an iPhone to your Mac or place it on a stand and Ventura automatically senses the device and wirelessly connects to it. You can then use your iPhone’s camera in FaceTime and other apps on your Mac.

With an iPhone as a webcam, you also gain the ability to use Center Stage to keep you in the center of the frame, as well as Portrait mode. If you’re using an iPhone 12 or newer, there’s a Studio Light feature that uses the iPhone flash to provide better lighting. And finally, a nifty Desk View feature creates a two-shot view, one of the person, and another of the desktop in front of the Mac, which cane come in handy when doing demos.

2. Show live Captions in FaceTime calls

If you’re experiencing trouble hearing the person you’re having a FaceTime call with, you can solve that problem with this macOS Ventura trick. When the Live Captions feature is enabled, the spoken words of the person you’re talking to are transcribed in a window on the right side of the FaceTime window.

To activate this feature, follow the steps below:

  1. Head over to System Settings.
  2. Click Accessibility.
  3. Click Live Captions (Beta).
  4. In the “In-App Live Captions” section switch on Live Captions in FaceTime.

Apart from using Live Captions on FaceTime, you can use the feature while watching a video that doesn’t have captions. But as it says in the name, Live Captions is in beta, which means you could run into bugs, inaccurate captions, and other quirks.

3. Unsend Messages and emails

I understand you might not need to use this macOS Ventura trick right away, but it’s happened to all of us—we send an email or text to the wrong person, make a silly spelling mistake, or just wish we could immediately take back the note we just sent. Thankfully, a cool macOS Ventura trick makes it possible to unsend messages. Follow the steps below

  1. In Messages, right-click on the message bubble.
  2. In the pop-up that appears on the screen, click Undo Send.

Please note: Apple offers you two minutes to unsend a message after sending it. Once it’s unsent, the message will be deleted but the recipient will see a note that says that the message was deleted. This feature is also available on iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 and only works only when everyone involved is using iMessage. A text message sent from an iPhone to an Android phone or another non-Apple device cannot be unsent.

In Mail, after you send an email, you have 10 seconds to unsend it. At the bottom of the Sidebar, an Undo Send link appears and you can click it to undo the sent email. This feature is also available in iOS 16 for iPhone and iPadOS 16 for iPad.

4. Quickly lift a subject from the background in photos

If you’ve been spending lots of time in an image editing app to remove the background in a photo, then you’ll you’ll appreciate the time saving aspect of this macOS Ventura trick. With this feature, you can automatically select the subject that you want, copy it, and then you can paste it anywhere.

This feature is available in both the Preview and Photos apps that come with macOS Ventura, and it also works in Quick Look when you select a file in the Finder and press the spacebar to see a preview. Follow the steps below:

  1. Point the cursor over the subject.
  2. Right-click it.
  3. Mouse over Copy Subject in the pop-up menu. Ventura senses the subject and shows you what will be selected with a glowing outline.
  4. Click the Copy Selection command, and you can then paste it into a new image.

This feature is also available in iOS 16 for the iPhone and iPadOS 16 for the iPad.

5. Password-protect Hidden and Recently Deleted photos

If you use Photos to manage your pictures, the app allows you to hide an image from your feed if you right-click it and then select Hide Photo. It gets placed in a Hidden photo album, but before this macOS Ventura trick was developed, anyone who has access to your Mac account can open that album.

Finally, in Ventura, the Hidden photo album–as well as the Recently Deleted folder–can be password-protected. To turn this on, follow the steps below:

  1. Head over to Photos.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Click General.
  4. In the Privacy section, check the box for Use Password.

Now, when those albums are accessed, you’ll need to type in your user password or use Touch ID. Make sure not to forget it.

6. Play background white noise

White noise can help with your concentration, especially if you’re in an area with a lot of distractions, or it’s dead silent. With this hidden macOS Ventura trick, you can have white noise play from your Mac, and you can turn it on and off as you like. Follow the steps below:

  1. Head over to System Settings.
  2. Click Accessibility.
  3. Click Audio.
  4. Scroll down to the Background Sounds section, and you can flip the switch to turn it on.
  5. You can also choose the type of sound you want to play and adjust the volume. After it’s all set up, you can turn it on and off in the Control Center.

7. Kill time with the Clock app

Apple added the Clock app that is on iOS and iPadOS on the Mac. It works just like it does on the iPhone and iPad, so it’s all very familiar. You can set timers and alarms, and track different times all over the world in a easy to use interface that lets you see time zones in locations all over the world. And it also works with Siri on the Mac, so you can use voice commands instead of opening the app.

8. Stage Manager

Stage Manager is a new feature in macOS 13 Ventura for organizing your windows. If you work in several applications at a time, Stage Manager can be used to easily switch between apps and documents, saving you from the headache of finding the window you need.

It’s easy to set up, but it’s a big change from what we’ve been using for decades on the Mac.

You can turn on/off Stage Manager in the Control Center, but you can also activate and customize it in System Settings. Follow the steps below:

  1. Head over to System Settings.
  2. Select Desktop & Dock in the left column.
  3. In the main section of the window, scroll down until you find the Stage Manager section. Click the switch to turn on/off Stage Manager. When you turn it on for the first time, a pop-up window explains what Stage Manager does. You need to click the Turn On Stage Manager button to confirm that you want to turn it on.

Once you enable stage manager, the system automatically organizes your apps and windows in a single view on Mac. The function helps you focus while moving between tasks. You can even create a group of apps for specific tasks or projects. For example, you can group Lightroom, Photoshop, and Canva and pin them in Stage Manager to summon with a single click.

Similarly, you can group social media or writing apps and focus on a single project, removing other obstructions.

Tweak, Customize and Be Productive with These macOS Ventura tips and tricks

Whether you are a power user or trying to get familiar with macOS Ventura, these tips and tricks will help you adjust to the changes in the new OS.

If you know of any other cool macOS Ventura tips and tricks not listed here, drop a comment and let us know.

Tag: Mac Tips
Show Full Article

13 Apple Watch Ultra Settings You Should Change Right Now

by GeeksModo Staff

So you got yourself an Apple Watch Ultra, and you’re not sure where to start? Luckily, the Apple Watch is already easy enough to set up and use. But changing a few settings can make it even more convenient.

For example, you can decide how you’d like to activate Siri, select which apps appear in your dock, make your apps appear in a list view rather than a grid and set Portrait Mode photos from your iPhone as your watch background.

Here’s a look at the Apple Watch Ultra settings you should change to get the most out of your watch.

Adjust all of your Activity goals

With the release of WatchOS 7 in 2020, Apple added the option to change your goals for the amount of time you stand and exercise. Previously, you could only change your Move (or calories) goal.

So instead of using the defaults — 30 minutes of exercise and a cumulative 12 standing hours a day — you can change either one to fit your actual daily routine.

This small change will make it possible for you to hit your own targets when you actually start your day, not when Apple tells you to. For example, if you use sleep tracking overnight and need to charge your watch more often in the morning, you won’t feel like you’ve lost an hour of time needed to close those rings.

  1. Open the Activity app on your watch.
  2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Change Goals.
  3. Make your adjustments for all three metrics and start closing those rings.

So long, random screenshots

To take a screenshot on the Apple Watch Ultra, you press the Digital Crown and side button at the same time. It’s a simple and convenient method, unless you’re like me and find yourself frequently triggering it accidentally, filling up the Photos app with random pictures of your watch face.

To turn off the ability to take screenshots altogether:

  1. Open the Settings app on your watch or use the Watch app on your phone.
  2. Go to General.
  3. Scroll down until you find Screenshots. Tap this option.
  4. Toggle off the switch next to Enable Screenshots for a clutter-free camera roll.

3. Customize which apps appear in your dock

If you have a lot of apps installed on your Apple Watch Ultra, it can be difficult to find the right ones when you need them. That’s where the Apple Watch’s dock comes in handy. If you’re not familiar, the dock is essentially the iPhone’s app switcher, but for the Apple Watch. You can trigger it by tapping the side button, which pulls up a carousel of recently used apps.

However, you can also customize the dock to show any apps you want instead of your most recent apps. To do this on your watch, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings menu.
  2. Tap Dock.
  3. Select the Favorites option. But I recommend setting this up in the Phone’s Watch app instead so that you can customize these apps.
  4. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  5. Tap Dock.
  6. Once the Favorites option is selected, you’ll see a list of apps divided into two sections: Favorites and Do Not Include. Favorites are the apps that are currently in your dock, while the latter lists all of the other apps on your watch that aren’t included. Tap the Edit button in the top right corner to customize the Favorites list to your liking.

4. Choose the Portrait mode photos you want to see on your wrist

You can set Portrait mode photos as the background for your watch face. But first, you have to dig into the settings in the Watch app on your iPhone. To get started:

  1. Launch the Watch app.
  2. Navigate to the Face Gallery tab at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap the Portraits option under the New Watch Faces category.
  3. Tap the Choose Photos option under Content to select up to 24 photos that will rotate automatically when you raise your wrist or tap the screen.

5. Keep the Apple Watch Ultra screen awake for a longer period of time

There are times when you might not want your Apple Watch’s screen to go idle right away. Perhaps you were in the middle of reading a long text message and got distracted, or maybe you want to keep an eye on your timer. Once you tap the Apple Watch’s screen, it typically stays active for 15 seconds. But you can extend that to 70 seconds by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings menu on your watch.
  2. Tap Display & Brightness.
  3. Select Wake Duration.
  4. Choose the Wake for 70 Seconds option.

6. Stop every app from automatically installing on your Apple Watch Ultra

Every time you install an app on your iPhone, it will automatically install its Apple Watch counterpart if there is one. This can clutter up your watch’s app grid pretty quickly, making it hard to find the apps you do want to use on your watch.

  1. Open the Watch app on your phone.
  2. Tap on Settings.
  3. Tap General.
  4. Slide the switch next to Automatic App Install to the Off position.

You can also do this on the watch by opening the Settings menu, tapping App Store and toggling the switch next to Automatic Downloads.

From now on, you’ll install individual apps on your watch by opening the Watch app on your phone, then scrolling to the bottom where you’ll find a list of available apps.

7. Silence those noisy notifications

Apple Watch ultra can can come in handy when you want to discreetly checking an alert or the time. But loud notifications can defeat the purpose. Turn on your Apple Watch’s silent mode.

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to launch the Control Center.
  2. Tap the icon that looks like a bell to trigger Silent Mode.

You can also do this by opening the Apple Watch’s Settings menu, scrolling down to Sound & Haptics and toggling the switch next to Silent Mode. There’s also a volume slider for adjusting how loud or quiet incoming notifications sound if you’d rather not mute them completely.

8. Have Siri only speak out loud when you’re wearing headphones

Siri can be useful for quickly setting timers, starting workouts or checking the weather from your watch. But you might not always want to have Siri speak out loud. You can easily change this so that Siri only provides audible feedback when you’re wearing headphones.

  1. Open the Settings menu on your Apple Watch,
  2. scroll down to Siri and navigate to the Siri Responses section.
  3. Tap the Headphones Only option.

When your Bluetooth headphones are connected to your Apple Watch, you should now see the name of your headphones appear above the Siri volume setting in the watch’s settings menu.

9. Make text easier to read by increasing the font size

Reading notifications and news headlines can be difficult on a screen that’s so small. Luckily, you can increase the font size on the Apple Watch Ultra to make things a bit easier on your eyes. To do this:

  1. Launch the Settings app on your watch.
  2. Tap Display & Brightness.
  3. Scroll down to Text Size.
  4. Rotate the Digital Crown or tap the letters that appear on either side of the meter to adjust the text size on your watch.

10. Stop those annoying reminders to breathe

The Breathe reminder is designed to help you take a few minutes to clear your mind and control your respiration, potentially helping you feel more centered and calm. But if you’re like me and never follow the prompt, take a few seconds to turn it off so you no longer have to be reminded to breathe.

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone,.
  2. Scroll down and tap the Mindfulness app option.
  3. Next, select Notifications off.
  4. Unlock your Apple Watch with your iPhone

Typing in your passcode to unlock your Apple Watch Ultra can be a pain, but there’s an easier way to do it. You can choose to have your Apple Watch unlock automatically when your iPhone is unlocked.

  1. Tap the Digital Crown and navigate to the Apple Watch’s Settings menu.
  2. Scroll down to Passcode, and make sure the switch next to Unlock with iPhone is toggled on.

Your iPhone will now also display an alert saying that your iPhone is being used to unlock your Apple Watch whenever you put this into practice.

12. Make it easier to find your apps

The honeycomb app grid looks great at first glance, but it can be difficult to find the app you want to launch, particularly if you have a lot of apps installed on your Apple watch Ultra. Instead of in a grid, the watch can display all of your apps in an alphabetical list.

  1. Either in the Watch app on your phone or in the Settings app on the Watch, tap App View.
  2. Tap List View.

Now, when you press the Digital Crown to leave your watch face, you’ll see a list of apps that you can quickly scroll through and find what you’re looking for.

13. Control when you’ll see Siri

There are three different ways to activate Siri on your Apple Watch Ultra. You can raise your wrist toward your mouth and start talking, long-press the Digital Crown or use the wake phrase, “Hey, Siri.”

I’ve found that I often accidentally trigger Siri when trying to check the time or read a notification while I’m talking to someone else (but my watch thinks I’m trying to talk to Siri). It’s annoying, but it can be changed.

  1. Either in the Watch app on your phone or in the Settings app on the Watch, select Siri.
  2. You’ll find three buttons to control when you’ll see Siri. Slide each button to the Off position for any of the options you don’t want to use.

14. Rearrange Control Center

Just like Control Center on your iPhone, Control Center on the Apple Watch is where you go to quickly adjust settings like do not disturb and airplane mode and to activate the flashlight.

You may find the default list of options in the Control Center isn’t the best fit for how you use your watch, however, and you want to rearrange the list. For me, that means moving the Bedtime toggle from near the bottom of the list to the top. That way when I want to track my sleep over the weekend when I don’t have sleep goals set, I can swipe up and tap the icon.

To access the Control Center on your watch Ultra:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face, or when in an app you can long-press on the bottom of the screen until you see Control Center start to slide up, after which you just need to slide your finger up to access it. The same trick works to view your notifications from anywhere.
  2. Change the order, or hide some buttons in the Control Center by tapping the Edit button at the bottom of the list. The icons will begin to jiggle and show a red minus sign to hide an option. Drag and drop the icons into your preferred order, or tap the red minus button to remove the option altogether.
  3. When you’re done, tap Done or press the Digital Crown on the side of your watch to go back to the watch face.
Tag: Apple Watch Guides
Show Full Article

10 Important Uses of an Apple Watch Everybody Should Know

by Kevin Hollington

The Apple Watch is great for health and fitness use, but that’s not all. Here are some other uses of an Apple Watch that you might not know about.

We’ve spent the last year digging into all of the weird and wonderful things that the best fitness trackers, like the Apple Watch, can offer, and we’ve discovered some important uses of an Apple Watch we think everyone should be aware of.

Without further ado, here are the best uses of an Apple Watch that you should know about.

1. Detailed sleep quality reports

Most people know this, but thought it worthy of a highlight at the top in any case. An Apple Watch offers the best way to track sleep outside of a professional study, as it can track things and offer trend reports that a phone app just can’t.

Apple’s sleep tracking is one of the best, offering 14-day trends, weekday and weekend sleep schedules, goals, sleep focus mode and a whole lot more. We love the ‘wind down’ feature that reminds us to wrap up our day and prepare our body and mind for bedtime.

2. Auto workout playlists (for Apple Music)

If you don’t want to bother carrying your iPhone with you during workout but still want to listen to your Apple Music playlist, you can do so with your Apple Watch—even if you’re offline!

it’s perhaps understandable that an Apple Music subscription opens up a whole new set of integrations. The best one might be the ability to tie a particular playlist with a workout, eliminating the need to jump around apps just when you want to set off.

3. Hand washing timer

Be honest, has your ‘happy birthday’ singing been lacking while washing your hands lately? While we were all diligent about hand hygiene just a couple of years ago, like any habit it can be difficult to stick to it long-term. Thankfully the Apple Watch has a timer specially designed for hand-washing, so you can be sure that you’re doing a thorough job – no singing required.

4. Cardio fitness alerts

Unless you’ve splashed out on a personal trainer, it’s likely that you only have a rough idea of your cardio fitness levels based on how you feel during and after a period of activity. The Apple Watch makes this a lot more precise, using data like your age, sex, weight, height, medications, and your VO² max range. You will even get an alert when this data indicates your fitness is lower than average.

5. Fall detection

Smartwatches aren’t just for athletes – they also have many functions for everyday safety and well-being. Apple Watch’s Fall Detection feature, for example, is a way to ensure an accident doesn’t go unnoticed. If the device detects that you have fallen down, it will display an option to call emergency services or press the ‘I’m OK’ button if things aren’t that serious. After a minute, help will be called automatically. You can also choose key contacts to be notified.

6. Access Siri from anywhere

Siri might not be as much of a household name as Google Assistant or Alexa, but it’s a great smart assistant if you’re an Apple user. Being able to access Siri from your Apple Watch is a bit of a gamechanger, as it means you have the helpful robot with you at all times (don’t worry, you can stop her from listening if you want), even without a HomePod Mini in the vicinity. Ask her questions, translate conversations on the go, or set timers and alerts with your voice.

7. Decompress with ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode

The ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode might be our favorite thing about the Apple Watch and iPhone, allowing us to literally switch off unnecessary distractions either when we want to get down to some focused work or wind down for the evening. Just a few taps on your wrist and precious silence is achievable. This mode silences everything except alarms, and you can also set certain contacts to be able to get through in an emergency. Otherwise, your time and attention are yours.

8. Get some ‘me time’ with apps like Headspace

Apple Health has its own meditation and mindfulness features, but we’re big fans of Headspace for its approachable tone and abundance of content. We’ve found that having Headspace (and other apps like Calm or Simple Habit) on your Apple Watch means you’re much more likely to fire up a guided meditation or calming video than if you had to unlock your phone in the morning.

9. Accessorise with different straps

Let’s face it, smartwatches are fantastic in a lot of ways, but they aren’t always the most stylish. Thankfully, there are a ton of third-party brands that have brought out their own straps that you can retrofit onto the Apple Watch face.sure the band matches your model.

10. Control Your iPhone’s Camera With Your Apple Watch

One of the coolest features on your Apple Watch is that you can use it as a camera remote to control your iPhone’s camera.

Those times when you are alone, and want to position your iPhone for a photo and then take the photo from a distance, you can use your Apple Watch to view the iPhone camera image and take the photo. You can also use your Apple Watch to set a shutter timer—this gives you time to lower your wrist and raise your eyes when you’re in the shot.

Use Your Apple Watch to Its Fullest

If you own an Apple Watch, you probably know all about its fitness-related uses, but there’s a lot more to smartwatches than that. With these 10 lesser-known uses of an Apple Watch, you can be sure to make the most out of it.

Tag: Apple Watch Products
Show Full Article

The best sleep tracker apps for the Apple Watch Ultra

by Kevin Hollington

If you’re finding yourself nodding off in the afternoon, or waking up feeling like you’ve only just gone to bed, then what you need is a report on your sleep quality to find out what’s happening. If you’ve got an Apple Watch Ultra, then you already have the device you need to help you track your sleep glued to your wrist. All you need is the right software to unleash its potential.

You can track your sleep using the Sleep app on the Apple Watch Ultra. The app lets you create Wind Down and Bedtime schedules to help you meet your sleep goals. It also tracks your sleep automatically when you wear your Apple Watch to bed. Once you wake up, you can view how much sleep you got the last night on the Sleep app. In addition, you can view your sleep trends over the past two weeks. The Sleep app on the Apple Watch Ultra also offers a Sleep Focus feature, which limits distractions before you go to bed and ensures you don’t wake up due to untimely notifications.

Apple’s built-in sleep tracking in the Apple Watch Ultra is not bad at all, but it’s not perfect. For example, if you take a little nap during the day, it won’t register. And while the stats it throws out will satisfy the most incurious of you, there is so much more that can be gleaned from our time in the land of nod.

I’ve tried a ton of sleep tracking apps on my Apple Watch Ultra — these are the best of the bunch.

AutoSleep

AutoSleep is probably the best sleep tracking app for Apple Watch Ultra, and for good reason. It’s one of the few sleep trackers that includes a companion app for your Apple Watch, so you can see your sleep quality right on your wrist without having to look at your iPhone.

The amount of stats AutoSleep can produce from your night’s sleep is simply staggering, and tapping on any of them seems to reveal even more layers of information.
It also uses a simple ring-based scoring system that is very like Apple’s own Move, Exercise and Stand rings, combined with a green, amber and red color scheme that everybody will be familiar with. Red is bad, amber better and green is good. We also thought it did a better job of accurately deducing how long we’d been asleep than the other apps, too, but we’ll be honest, we still felt Apple’s own Health app did the most accurate job of estimating how long we’d been asleep.

AutoSleep isn’t free, but it’s only $4.99 on the App Store, which is a one-time purchase that isn’t going to break the bank. And after that purchase you don’t need to worry about a monthly subscription or more in-app purchases, as you do with a lot of other sleep tracking apps.

The amount of stats AutoSleep can produce from your night’s sleep is simply staggering, and tapping on any of them seems to reveal even more layers of information. If you want to find out if you have any medical conditions, like say, sleep apnea, then the data here will give you solid proof of what’s going on, which you could present to a medical doctor for a diagnosis. But there are also simple graphs that show you at a glance how well you’re sleeping — we particularly liked the Sleep Fuel Rating, which is the equivalent of a car’s gas tank meter, but showing if the sleep you’re getting is of sufficient quality to ‘fuel’ your tank.

Best of all is the companion app that is loaded onto your Apple Watch. This means you just have to glance at your wrist to see the important information about how well you just slept when you get up in the morning. Your rings show you your REM sleep and Deep Sleep times and your average heart rate, as well as AutoSleep’s best feature — the Sleep Bank. Here you can see if you are behind on your sleep requirement. Over a week the amount of sleep you’re missing out on can add up to truly staggering amounts, which might make you rethink your sleep patterns and enact a positive change in your lifestyle.

Sleep

Sleep is another great sleep tracking app for Apple Watch Ultra. The app offers support for automatic sleep detection, bedtime reminders, sleep goals, and more. In the Sleep app, the main interface provides a detailed look at your sleep habits over the past few days.

Like its competitors, Sleep also offers quite a bit of data on sleep trends, cycles, phases, and more. You can also see a detailed timeline of your sleep, including when you were restful, restless, and awake, with a particularly neat look at when your “best sleep” occurred.”

One of the best things about Sleep is that it’s completely free, with an optional in-app purchase to remove advertisements. If you’re looking for a data-rich automatic sleep tracker for your Apple Watch Ultra, you can download Sleep on the App Store.

Pillow

With features like automatic sleep detection and heart-rate analysis, Pillow is a great sleep tracking app for Apple Watch Ultra.

One of the key features of Pillow is its support for recording important audio events throughout the night. This means the app can track data including snoring, sleep apnea, and sleep talking, but the biggest caveat here is that noise detection only works in manual mode.

There’s also support for viewing detailed sleep trends over time, personalized recommendations, and more. You can try Pillow on the App Store for free with in-app purchases.

NapBot

NapBot is a newcomer to the Apple Watch sleep tracking fun, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most powerful options. NapBot uses machine learning to perform automatic sleep tracking, allowing you to see details on phases, trends, and more.

NapBot offers an impressive amount of data in an impressively easy-to-navigate interface. The “Calendar” tab in the app allows you to get a detailed look at your sleep on a daily basis, and you can pick a specific day to see more detailed information on heart rate and phases.

NapBot also just launched its first Apple Watch app that’s completely independent of the iPhone. It currently only allows you to see the previous day’s sleep, but hopefully it will add more capabilities and historical data over time.

NapBot is the newest Apple Watch sleep tracking app, but it’s also quickly becoming my go-to. You can download it on the App Store for free with in-app purchases.

Tag: Apple Watch Apps
Show Full Article

10 Apple Watch Series 8 Hacks You Should Know About

by GeeksModo Staff

If you just purchased the Apple Watch series 8, there are a variety of hacks that can help you get the most out of your new wearable. Read on for some guidance on our favorite Apple Watch series 8 hacks to help you make the most out of it.

1. Setting up your Apple Watch activity rings

For the vast majority of people, the Apple Watch is first and foremost a fitness-focused wearable. The key to this is a trio of rings each represented by a different color: red for move, green for exercise, and blue for stand.

By default, the green exercise ring closes when you log 30 minutes of intense activity, the blue stand or roll ring closes when you move around for at least one minute of 12 different hours, and the red move ring closes when you meet your personal goal for active calories burned in a day.

Apple also offers you the ability to customize your exercise and stand goals. Maybe you’re recovering from an injury and 12 stand hours paired with 30 minutes of exercise is too much for your body to handle. People have also been calling on Apple to integrate rest days into the Apple Watch rings system, and this feature at least gives users more control over their goals.

Follow the steps below to change your Apple Watch move, exercise, and stand goals:

  1. On your Apple Watch, open the Activity app.
  2. Scroll down to the bottom and find the “Change Goals” button.
  3. Use the or – buttons to adjust your goals, or use the Digital Crown.
  4. Tap “OK” to confirm your changes.

The exercise ring can be lowered or raised in intervals of five, down to a minimum of 10 minutes or a maximum of 60 minutes. The stand goal can be changed in single-hour intervals, down to a minimum of six hours. You can’t increase the stand goal beyond the default 12-hour mark.

2. Customizing your watch face

Another cool Apple Watch series 8 hack is the ability to customize watch face to your liking. On your watch face, you can add bits of information known as complications, including things such as weather, activity data, heart rate information, and much more. The easiest way to build an Apple Watch face is with the Apple Watch app on iPhone.

You can find the entire library of watch faces in the “Face Gallery” tab of the app, and as you build them, you can add faces to your personal collection. Once you create multiple watch faces, you can swipe between them from your Apple Watch, making it easy to adjust on the fly for different scenarios.

3. Apple Watch App Store

Another Apple Watch Series 8 hack most people don’t know is that you can find apps built specifically for the Watch in the watchOS App Store.

  1. Press the digital crown on your Apple Watch.
  2. Look for the App Store icon and tap on it. Here, you’ll be able to easily find and install dedicated Apple Watch applications without using your iPhone at all.

4. Sharing your activity

Another great Apple Watch series 8 hack is the ability to share your activity data with friends and family. When you do this, you can see when your friends complete workouts, how much progress they’ve made towards their goals, and when they earn new awards.

To share your Apple Watch activity data with others, follow the steps below:

  1. Start the Fitness app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the sharing icon located at the bottom-right corner.
  3. Tap the “ ” button located at the top corner.
  4. Start typing a name, then tap the name you’d like to add. If the other person has an Apple Watch the name will turn red.
  5. Hit the Send button, then wait for your friend to accept your Activity request. Once accepted, you’ll receive a notification on your Apple Watch.

5. Set up health monitoring features

The Apple Watch series 8 is not only useful for deliberately tracking your fitness progress, but also for passively monitoring it in the background.

Fall Detection

One such feature is called Fall Detection, and it uses the gyroscope and accelerometer to detect if you’ve fallen, and more importantly, if you’ve fallen and cannot get back up. By default, Fall Detection is disabled for users under the age of 65, but you can manually enable it by following the steps below:

  1. Start the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to Emergency SOS.
  3. Find the Fall Detection toggle. Apple warns that more physically active users may trigger Fall Detection even when you haven’t fallen. This is due to high impact activity, and may appear as a fall.
  4. Tap Confirm.

6. Heart

Another cool Apple Watch series 8 hack is that you can enable a suite of features that will allow your Watch to help you look after your heart.

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

  2. Find the Heart category. In this section, you can enable the following features:

  3. Install the ECG app for taking electrocardiograms from your Apple Watch

  4. Set up Cardio Fitness Levels and notifications, which are a strong indicator of your overall health.

  5. Irregular Rhythm notifications for receiving a notification when Apple Watch identifies multiple heart rhythms that may be atrial fibrillation.

  6. High Heart Rate notifications for receiving a notification when Apple Watch detects a heart rate that rises to a certain level while you appear inactive.

  7. Low Heart Rate notifications for receiving notification when Apple Watch detects a heart rate that falls below 50 bpm for 10 minutes.

7. Blood oxygen

The Apple Watch Series 8 offers support for taking blood oxygen readings with your device. Apple Watch can also take measurements in the background so you have data to regularly reflect on.

  1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone,
  2. Find the Blood Oxygen category and tap on it.
  3. Enable the settings as you desire.

8. Rein in your notifications

The Apple Watch series 8 makes it pretty easy to stay on top of your notifications. Every time an app sends a push notification, you’ll get a tap on the wrist and hear a sound. For many people, however, this can actually be overwhelming and unnecessary.

To manage notifications on your Apple Watch, follow the steps below:

  1. Start the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Choose the Notifications category.

Here, you can see a list of applications and manage notifications as necessary. My recommendation is to limit notifications as much as possible on your Apple Watch, otherwise, you might become overwhelmed.

9. Check out Apple Fitness

Apple Fitness offers access to a library of hundreds of on-demand workouts across popular categories such as running, cycling, HIIT, rowing, yoga, and more.

Apple Fitness features deep integration with Apple Watch series 8, showing live data from your Apple Watch on the screen during your workout. Plus, if you recently got a new Apple Watch, you likely have three months of free access to the service.

You can find Apple Fitness in the Fitness app on your iPhone or Apple TV. It’s also available on the iPad, and you can download it from the iPadOS App Store to get started.

10. Rearrange Control Center

Just like Control Center on your iPhone, Control Center on the Apple Watch is where you go to quickly adjust settings like do not disturb and airplane mode and to activate the flashlight.

You may find the default list of options in the Control Center isn’t the best fit for how you use your watch, however, and you want to rearrange the list. For me, that means moving the Bedtime toggle from near the bottom of the list to the top. That way when I want to track my sleep over the weekend when I don’t have sleep goals set, I can swipe up and tap the icon.

To access the Control Center on your watch series 8:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face, or when in an app you can long-press on the bottom of the screen until you see Control Center start to slide up, after which you just need to slide your finger up to access it. The same trick works to view your notifications from anywhere.
  2. Change the order, or hide some buttons in the Control Center by tapping the Edit button at the bottom of the list. The icons will begin to jiggle and show a red minus sign to hide an option. Drag and drop the icons into your preferred order, or tap the red minus button to remove the option altogether.
  3. When you’re done, tap Done or press the Digital Crown on the side of your watch to go back to the watch face.
Tag: Apple Watch Series 8
Show Full Article

10 Reasons iPads Are Better Than Other Tablets

by Dave Johnson

Here are all the reasons we think an Apple iPad is better than a Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon, Microsoft, or any other tablet.

iPads have been around for a while now, and in that time they’ve cemented themselves as some of the most popular tablets on the market. They’re well-designed, easy to use, and come with some great features. But why are they so popular? And more importantly, why are they better than Android-based tablets?

In this article, we’ll explore ten reasons why we think Apple tablets are better than the competition, touching on everything from durability to ease of purchase, and more.

Top 10 Reasons Why iPads are Better than other tablets

1. The Immersive Experience

The first reason why iPads are better than the competition is their high-quality audio, video, and typing experiences, which makes them more immersive devices as a whole. Here’s what we mean:

  • The Retina Display has a higher pixel density than most Android tablet screen, which makes everything appear sharper. Only very high-end Android tablets come with the comparable display quality.
  • The Magic keyboard for iPad uses scissor-switch keys, so the key travel and spacing make it very comfortable to type on, not finicky like most Android keyboards.
  • iPad speakers are way ahead of the competition and sound far better than almost every non-Apple tablet.

The iPad offers various forms of input; touch, pencil, and mouse. As a result, you can use an iPad as a tablet, laptop, and notepad—all at the same time. You can use it just like a regular tablet, then use the Apple Pencil to write anything you wish. Foe example, you can use your iPad to take note during a meeting which is actually better for remembering them compared to typing them out.

But when you have to type up a long document, you can connect a physical keyboard to the iPad to make writing process more seamless. iPads have become versatile products, rather than just tablets. The iPad can adapt to your needs or any situation and be the device you need to get most of your work done.

2. Design and portability

Let’s face it: iPads are cool. They have a sleek design that other tablet brands try (and fail) to copy and Apple has spent years building its brand’s social status as premium and creative.

People see you with an iPad and are likely to think you’re creative, stylish, and probably successful. Of course, you can be all of those things with any type of tablet. But there’s no denying that iPads offer a certain social cachet that other tablets just don’t have.

One big advantages of iPads over other tablets is that iPads are incredibly thin and light. The refreshed design with minimal bezels makes them even more portable, allowing you to easily take one out during outdoor activities or put it in a backpack. Since iPads are very light, they won’t add much weight to your bag, which is excellent since you could be carrying other staff at the same time.

3. iPads works beautifully with Apple Pencil

The Apple Pencil is one of the best accessories of the iPad. The Apple Pencil provides a smooth, responsive writing experience that is unlike any other tablet on the market.

If you purchase an iPad Air, iPad Pro, or iPad Mini, you will have the option to buy the second-generation Apple Pencil. The second-generation Apple Pencil is arguably one of the best digital writing experiences on a tablet. If you you ever need to create graphics, the iPad and Apple Pencil will surely make your work easier. In addition to that, you can find several apps that are great for the Apple Pencil. Most tablets from other brands today don’t create Digital pencil, as their focus is on other utilities.

4. iPads support Cellular Connection

Another huge advantage of an iPad over other tablets is that you can use an iPad over cellular data. This lets you perform tasks that requires internet connection even when you don’t have wi-fi access. Apple laptops don’t have built-in cellular, and using a phone hotspot can be tedious and drain your phone’s battery quickly. However, you can buy the iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad mini with 5G cellular capabilities. Unlike other tablets, you don’t have to carry another device to connect an iPad to the internet if Wi-Fi is unavailable.

The major carriers in the US also offer plans for iPads. You can also purchase an iPad on an installment plan through carriers such as AT&T and Verizon if you prefer to pay for the device monthly.

5. iPadOS and Apps

Another big selling point for iPads is the operating system. Apple tablets come with iPadOS, Apple’s operating system, which is a highly stable and user-friendly platform, built especially for Apple’s tablets. Many people find it easier to use iPadOS compared to Android.

Moreover, it comes with a variety of built-in iPad applications that are designed to work well with, again, all your other Apple products. The App Store is also filled with more high-quality apps that are perfect for productivity, creativity, and entertainment.

6. iPads have High-Quality Cameras

Another advantage of iPads is that they feature exceptional cameras for all the things you may need them for. Your video calls will look crispy clear, unlike mediocre android tablet webcams, and you’ll be able to show people what you can see with the forward-facing camera. In addition, you can use the high-quality primary cameras on the iPad to scan documents onto your device effortlessly. This feature can be beneficial to your daily tasks.

7. Ease of Purchase

There are two reasons why iPads are easier to purchase.

Firstly, they only come in three kinds—iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad Pro—each with different target markets. This shortened list of options makes choosing the best tablet for you easier. Compare this to other brands, like Samsung, who have tons of varieties of the same tablets, with undecipherable names.

Secondly, Apple’s online store is well-organized and easy to navigate, and the company’s retail locations are dotted all across the globe, packed with knowledgeable staff to help you make your purchase. In contrast, many other tablet manufacturers’ websites can be difficult to navigate, and their retail locations can be cluttered and overwhelming.

8. The Apple Ecosystem

The Apple ecosystem comprises of all the hardware and software that Apple designs and puts out. Almost all Apple devices, apps, and operating systems are a part of the ecosystem: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Mac, iCloud, Apple Music, and so on.

So, when people talk about the Apple ecosystem, they’re actually referring to how well all these products work together. It’s the ecosystem that makes it possible for you to start a task (like creating a note on your iPad and then pick up right where you left off on your iPhone or Mac.

The ability to seamlessly move between Apple devices is one of the reasons why iPads are better than other tablets. Other tablet manufacturers have tried to create their own ecosystems, but none of them have been as successful as Apple. As a result, iPads tend to offer a more integrated and seamless experience than other tablets.

9. Quality and Durability

Not only are Apple tablets packed with industry-leading hardware, but they’re also high-quality and durable. With regular, moderate care, an iPad can easily last you five years or more. All you need to do is learn how to take care of your iPad properly.

Though many tablets compete strongly in this area, iPads take the lead. They have a strong aluminum and steel frame around their body, which makes them sturdy and significantly more resistant to wear and tear (unless you drop and dent them, of course). And even if anything does go wrong, Apple covers every product with a one-year warranty and it’s easy to book a repair at your nearest Apple Store.

10. Longevity and Resale Value

One of the greatest advantages of iPads over other tablets is their longevity and value-retention. While many tablets can last you several years (or more), iPads are the only tablet that will still look stylish after all that time and still fetch a good price on the second-hand market.

As time goes on, apps grow bigger and all tablets start slowing down. But Apple is one of the best companies around for continually supporting old devices with new software updates. Not only does this keep you secure against the latest online threats, but it means you can also keep getting new features on your iPad as it ages.

Perhaps this longevity is the reason why iPads retain their value so well. You can usually sell a three-year-old iPad for around 50% of its original price. But a three-year-old Android tablet? You’ll be lucky to get 25% of its original value.

Is It All Rainbows and Butterflies?

From their longevity and resale value to their design and portability, there are plenty of reasons to choose an iPad over another type of tablet, like Android devices. When you factor in ease of purchase and the a huge library of apps, it’s clear why iPads are industry-leading products.

But, iPad still have some drawbacks. Depending on what you want to use your tablet for, the iPad may just not suit you.

Tag: iPad Tips
Show Full Article

Apps Not Working on iPhone 14 Pro Max? 12 Ways to Fix it

by Kevin Hollington

If apps are not working on your iPhone 14 Pro Max, here’s our troubleshooting guide to fix the issue.

Applications sit at the center of smartphone technology. With these cool software programs, we can do just about anything, from communicating, to shopping, to checking the weather right from our iPhones. But iOS apps aren’t perfect. They can stop working properly, which is especially frustrating if we are in the middle of doing something. So, what are the most common causes of an app that won’t open or work properly on your iPhone 14 Pro Max?

There can be many reasons why apps are not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max. These include the following:

  • Lack of enough memory
  • bugs in your application
  • Incompatibility.
  • bandwidth limitation

Some of reported problems include:

  • Apps won’t open on iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • Apps won’t respond on iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • Apps crashing on iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Follow the fixes below to solve issues that prevent apps on iPhone 14 Pro Max from working properly.

Fixes for apps not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max

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

1. Force quit the problematic app and reopen it

The first solution to try if an app is not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max is to force close it. Apps can crash or stop working unexpectedly if it’s unable to run a required task at a time.

Meanwhile, force-closing an app shuts down the app and its processes, then restart them when you relaunch it. That’s a way to fixing the app not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max issue sometimes.

Here’s how to force close an app on iPhone:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the app switcher.
  2. Find the the problematic app.
  3. Drag the app card all the way up to force close it.
  4. After 15 seconds, open the app again, and it should work.

2. Restart your iPhone

If the app is still not working after trying the above troubleshooting step, try to restart your iPhone. This works so well for resolving many common app not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max issues, and it’s so simple, that you absolutely should try this next.

Here’s how to restart your iPhone:

  1. Go to settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap shut down.
  4. When you see the red power slider, Drag it from left to right to turn off your iPhone.
  5. Wait until your iPhone shut down completely. This may take a few seconds. Then press and hold the on/off button until you see the Apple logo.

3. Force Restart iPhone

The next method to fix iPhone 14 Pro Max apps not working issue is to try to force reboot your device.

Here’s how to force restart your iPhone:

  1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
  3. Hold down the side button until the device flashes the Apple logo.

When your iPhone boot back up, try to use the app again, it should work. If not, try the next solution!

4. Restart your Wi-Fi Router

When YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or other apps do not work correctly on your iPhone 14 Pro Max, one easy way to fix such issues is restarting the Router.

Switching off your Wi-Fi router using its main wall switch and switching it on after a few seconds will help fix the network issues.

5. Check for iOS updates

Updates to iOS often include bug fixes for system software, but some of those bug fixes and refinements also impact third party apps too.

Additionally, some apps actually require a new version of iOS for certain features to work, or even for the application to work at all.

Follow the steps below to check and install iOS updates.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Software Update.
  4. If an update is available, tap Download & Install.

This will ensure that third-party apps like Gmail, YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram etc work perfectly on your iPhone 14 Pro Max.

6. Check for app updates

If an app is not working on your iPhone 14 Pro Max due to a bug, updating the app should fix the issue.

Keeping apps updated is often crucial in maintaining application stability and the reason is quite simple: developers identify bugs within their apps, fix them, and then push an update to the app.

Of course many users will ignore app updates, but if you’re experiencing a problem with a particular app on your iPhone 14 Pro Max, don’t do that, keep the app updated (it’s good practice anyway).

Follow the steps below to update your apps:

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Tap your account avatar in the upper-right corner of the screen
  3. Drag the updates screen down to refresh it.
  4. In the ”Available Updates” section, find the app update you want to install and then tap ”Update.”
  5. To update all your apps at a go, tap Update All

7. Ensure your iPhone is connected to the internet

If an app requires an internet connection to function, make sure your iPhone 14 Pro Max is connected to the internet.

To check if your iPhone has internet access, launch Safari and visit a website such as geeksmodo.com. If it loads, that’s excellent. If not, see this troubleshooting guide to fix internet problems on iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Secondly, if you are using cellular data or metered Wi-Fi, ensure you have sufficient data allowance for the day or month.

8. Make sure cellular data for the problematic app is switched on

Again, if an app requires internet connection to work, make sure it’s allowed to use cellular data.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Cellular.
  3. Scroll down and make sure the toggle next to the app you are having problems with is green.

9. Enable and disable Airplane Mode

When you put your iPhone in Airplane Mode, it disconnects all radio connections like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular. Doing this will fix network issues and ensure your internet based apps works again.

You can enable and disable Airplane Mode from the iOS Control Center by tapping the plane icon. Alternatively, followthe steps below:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Turn on Airplane Mode.
  3. After about 30 seconds, tap the same switch to turn it off.

10. Free space on your device to fix apps not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max

If you have just a few MBs of free space on your iPhone 14 Pro Max, apps may crash or quit randomly. To solve this, get rid of junk files on your iPhone to make space.

See also: How To Delete Documents And Data On iPhone or iPad

11. Uninstall the problematic app and reinstall it

If non of the above methods worked, try deleting the problematic app and reinstalling it.

If it’s a paid app, don’t worry you won’t need to pay for it a second time. The App Store keeps track of every app you’ve ever installed, and allows you to reinstall them with a tap.

To delete your app, follow the steps below:

  1. Tap and hold the problematic app until it start jiggling.
  2. Tap delete app.
  3. Tap Delete to remove the app. Then swipe up from the bottom of the screen to stop the jiggling.
  4. Go to the App Store then search for the app you just deleted.
  5. Tap the Redownload icon to reinstall this app.

12. Contact the app developer

If all else fails, you may have to ask the app’s developer for help, if this is a third party app. Because app developers are responsible for supporting their applications. Here is how you can contact app developer:

Apps not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max: fixed!

There is no one thing that causes all application problems. An array of factors can play into these issues, ranging from temporary to long-term. Thankfully, if any of your apps are not working properly, one of the solutions listed above should fix the problem. Do you have another fix that works for when apps are not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max or crashes at launch? Let us know in the comments what works for you!

Tag: iPhone Troubleshooting
Show Full Article

iPhone 14 Pro Max Not Sending Text Messages? Fix

by Moses Johnson

Is your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max not Sending text messages? Worry not, the problem is easy to fix.

Despite many modern alternatives, SMS messaging apps are still a standard tool. This is why we can understand how frustrating it can be when your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max is not sending text messages. Thankfully, most problems can be solved with some troubleshooting, and we’re here to help with that.

‘why is my iPhone 14 Pro not sending text messages?’

There are a number of reasons why your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max is not sending text messages. Let’s review those possible reasons and then cover some troubleshooting steps.

Cell Service Issues Can Prevent iPhone 14 Pro from Sending Text Messages

Before proceeding with troubleshooting, let’s cover the most obvious service related reasons why an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t send a text message:

  • The iPhone has no cellular signal – no SMS text messages can be sent without a traditional cell signal
  • The iPhone has no service – if the iPhone does not have a cellular service plan active, it will not be able to send text messages
  • The cellular reception is so bad that iPhone 14 Pro can’t send a text message – if service is awful (think 1 bar or 1 dot or cycling between “Searching…” and dots), the phone likely won’t be able to send or receive text messages
  • The cell number you are reaching is disconnected – this is often the problem if the recipient has recently changed a phone number or you have multiple contact numbers for the same person, so be sure you are addressing the proper phone number
  • AirPlane mode is enabled, thereby disabling the ability to send messages and text messages – toggling AirPlane mode off will fix this specific issue quickly

It’s pretty obvious when a text message doesn’t send (or iMessage too), you’ll see a little red (!) bang exclamation sign next to the message, usually with a ‘not delivered’ message.

If any of those service related issues are the problem, you’ll need to either regain a stronger cellular signal with the iPhone, or reactivate a cellular service plan if applicable, or insure the proper contact is being messaged. If the cellular connection or service is not the issue, continue on with troubleshooting techniques to fix SMS transmission from iPhones.

If you are not able to send texts on iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max, these troubleshooting steps can help you fix the issue. Before getting started, it’s always a good idea to test your ability to send texts to a few different people, if possible. That could yield some clues as to what the problem might be.

Check the phone number

Check to make sure that you are texting the correct number. If you entered the number wrong or the intended recipient now has a new number, you may be prevented from sending the text.

Enable send as SMS

Most iPhone users have iMessage enabled, but some may have accidentally (or intentionally) turned off SMS support. So, make sure that your iPhone can send a message as a regular text message when iMessage isn’t available. You can do this by following the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap on Messages.
  3. Scroll down and then turn on the toggle for Send as SMS.

Check the reception

While very uncommon, there is a chance your carrier network is having an outage. This could be why your iPhone 14 Pro Max is not sending text messages. Some carriers may have status pages, and they often send announcements when there are any widespread issues.

Another way to check is by using an online tool like DownDetector.com. Just type in the website and search for your carrier name. This website collects user reports and lets you know if there is an outage. You can even check out their live maps, which show if any local outages are going on.

There’s also a chance you have no signal. This is a common issue when driving through country areas or inside a concrete building with no reception.

If you see a few or no bars, step outside or find a higher place indoors. If you’re in your home, you can use a signal booster to improve reception throughout the home.

Is Airplane mode on?

It may seem like a silly suggestion, but you have no idea how often we accidentally switch settings on and off. Maybe you turned Airplane mode on, which will obviously stop iPhone 14 Pro Max from sending text messages.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Toggle Airplane mode.

Now, Check if Your iPhone 14 Pro is sending texts. It should work.

Restart the phone to fix iPhone 14 Pro Max messaging problems

This is a very common troubleshooting tip. While it may sound a bit silly, it very often works! We don’t know what kind of magic happens when you restart iPhone, but it’s worth a shot. You can restart your iPhone by following the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Shut Down.
  4. After a minute, turn on your iPhone and see if you can send messages. The issue will most likely be fixed.

Inspect the SIM card

Sometimes SIM card pins can get out of line. If your iPhone has a physical SIM card, it’s a good idea to inspect it and see if that gets your text messages sending again. Pull it out and reinsert it. Maybe try to clean it a bit? It won’t hurt to try!

If the card was physically out of place, that was likely the reason why your iPhone 14 Pro Max won’t send text messages.

Update iOS

Install any outstanding operating system updates, even if an update doesn’t seem relevant to the problem you experience. Some bug fixes and other repairs may address operations or features the texting app uses. Wait for any updates to finish before texting.

  1. Open the Settings app and tap on General.
  2. Next, tap on Software Update. If you see a pending update available, tap on Download and Install.

Once the process completes, there is a strong possibility that the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max not sending texts issue will be successfully fixed.

Update Carrier settings

Sometimes updating carrier settings may fix any issue that preventing your iPhone 14 Pro Max from sending text messages. This is because SMS messaging operates directly through your carrier network instead of mobile data. Updating carrier settings will fix minor glitches and undo any discrepancies.

To update your carrier settings, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select About.

If there is an update available, the option to update will appear here.

Check your cellular provider’s website

If nothing else works, look for any alerts or updates concerning network issues. Network problems may not be immediately obvious to end users, or may only affect certain functions.

Make Sure your iPhone’s Date and Time is correct

Not just text messages, but several applications and services won’t work properly if your iPhone is set to the wrong time zone. To check if your iPhone has the correct time and date, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Date & Time.
  4. turn on the toggle for Set Automatically.

Reset Network Settings on iPhone

If you think that network is the culprit behind the problem of iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max not sending texts messages, you can Reset Network Settings. Resetting network settings can be a pain because you lose wi-fi passwords and custom DNS, but it can also be a cure-all solution for many common networking issues with iPhone, including the inability to send messages. You can do this by following the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Transfer or reset iPhone.
  4. Tap Reset.
  5. Select Reset Network Settings.
  6. Enter your iPhone passcode and confirm.

Reset All Settings

This is an extreme measure, but it fixes most issues, and it might get your iPhone 14 Pro Max sending text messages again. A factory reset will clean your phone and bring it back to how it was when you first turned it on. All your files and apps will be deleted, so make sure to back up all your important data before proceeding.

You can reset your iPhone to factory settings by following the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Transfer or reset iPhone.
  4. Tap Erase all content and settings.

Seek professional help

If none of these solutions worked, it’s time to seek professional help. The best option would be to get in touch with your carrier. They will provide both network and hardware support, and also have access to their systems, which probably have more in-depth information that could help in troubleshooting your messaging problem.

You can also contact Apple support, or your insurance provider if you have one.

Conclusion

These are some of the ways to fix iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max not sending texts Messages issue. I hope one of the solutions helped you out of this problem. Know of any other tricks to resolve an inability to send text messages on iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max? Drop a comment and let us know!

Tag: iPhone Troubleshooting
Show Full Article

How to Fix iPhone 14 Pro Max Hotspot Not Working Issue

by Moses Johnson

Can’t get your iPhone 14 Pro Max personal hotspot feature to work? Here are a few things you can try to get connected.

In today’s world, not a minute goes by without being us being connected to the internet in some way. Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have access to Wi-Fi, most chances are you’ll be using your iPhone’s personal hotspot. It’s a great feature and workaround when the situation calls for it.

However, iPhone’s personal hotspot is not always as reliable as we want it to be and can malfunction. If you are ever in a position where your iPhone 14 Pro Max hotspot isn’t working, here are the best solutions to fix your problem.

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

How to fix an iPhone 14 Pro Max hotspot that is not working

1. Check if your iPhone Cellular Data is working

To determine if your problem lies with your internet connection, make sure that your cellular data is switched on. Perform a quick Google search to confirm if your data is slow or getting bad reception.

2. Turn WiFi OFF, then ON on the receiving device

In some instances, the internal Wi-Fi modem on your iPhone 14 Pro Max might not be able to directly connect to a wireless network, even if you have previously connected to the same network with no problems. Turning the Wi-Fi OFF on the receiver phone and switching it back ON might be able to solve the issue.

To switch your mobile WiFi OFF and ON, follow the steps below:

  1. Swipe down on your screen from the top right corner to reveal the control center.
  2. Tap on the WiFi icon.

Alternatively, you can also access this option by following the steps below:

  1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
  2. Select ‘Wi-Fi’.
  3. Toggle the switch adjacent to WiFi to OFF and then ON.

3. Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. When you use your iPhone frequently and have several programs running in the background, your iPhone’s processing can become slower, and even experience some bugs. There is a chance your iPhone 14 Pro Max hotspot problem can be resolved simply by restarting your phone.

To restart your iPhone:

  1. Hold the Side button and either of the volume buttons.
  2. Drag the Power off slider from left to right to turn off your iPhone.

Leave your iPhone off for 30 seconds to a minute before turning it back on. Then check to see if the hotspot problem is resolved.

4. Disable Your VPN

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a smart way to protect your online privacy but it can also cause issues with mobile connectivity on the phone. A VPN routes your traffic through its servers, and this can cause decrease your connection speed.

It is recommended to disable VPNs when using your iPhone’s hotspot to prevent connection problems.

To disable VPN on your iPhone, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Disable VPN.

5. Is Your iPhone 14 Pro Max Hotspot Still not working? Try an iOS Update

If you haven’t updated your device in a while, old software may be to blame for your iPhone 14 Pro Max hotspot issues. Check for any available updates in Settings and make sure you’ve installed the latest version of your operating system (OS). It’s simple:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select Software Update.
  4. If an update is available, tap Download & Install.

6. Update the carrier settings to Fix iPhone 14 Pro Max hotspot issues

While it doesn’t happen as frequently as Apple releasing new versions of iOS, every so often, your phone company (also called your carrier) releases new versions of the settings that help your phone work on its network. on iPhone. If your carrier has recently updated its network, running this update will allow your iPhone to sync with the new technology. It will also help eliminate issues that could be causing your iPhone 14 Pro Max hotspot not to work. To run a carrier settings update:

  1. Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Tap General.
  4. Select About.
  5. If a carrier-settings update is available, you’ll see an option to update.

If you’re unsure whether your iPhone is running the most up to date version, contact your carrier.
If your wireless account isn’t active or in good standing, you’ll need to contact your carrier to make sure it isn’t preventing you from using personal hotspot.

7. Disable Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode conserves battery life by limiting certain non-essential functions on your iPhone. Enabling Low Power Mode is not supposed to affect your iPhone’s hotspot connection but users have reported this occurring as a bug before. Try turning Low Power Mode off and see if that fixes the issue. To turn off Low Power Mode on your iPhone 14 Pro Max, follow the steps below:

  1. Go To Settings.
  2. Tap Battery.
  3. Tap Low Power Mode.

8. Resetting the Network Settings Can Fix iPhone 14 Pro Max Hotspot Issues

When your iPhone 14 Pro Max hotspot won’t work, resetting your network settings may be your only option. This only clears your Wi-Fi passwords and saved networks—it doesn’t delete any other data. After you’ve tried everything else, do this:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  4. Select Reset.
  5. Tap Reset Network Settings. You may have to enter your passcode to confirm the reset.
  6. Tap Reset Network Settings again.

9. Verify whether the problem is with the receiving device

Sometimes it might not be the phone that’s used as the hotspot but the device you’re trying to connect it with that might have a problem. It could have something to do with the device software or a hardware failure, preventing it from connecting to the hotspot.

To check if the inability to connect to the hotspot is within the receiving device, try to connect to your iPhone hotspot on some other device, like a laptop, tablet, or another smartphone. If other devices are able to connect the hotspot, then there’s something wrong with your receiver device.

10. If Your iPhone 14 Pro Max Hotspot Still isn’t working, Contact Your Carrier

We’ve now discussed most of the conventional fixes for this problem. If your iPhone 14 Pro Max Hotspot still isn’t working, it’s time to contact your carrier and talk to them about the issue. Verify that your account is in good standing and active. If you’re all paid up, maybe there was some clerical error, and they cut off your service.
You should also ask them about whether you have the right sort of data plan. Plans exist sometimes where your iPhone 14 Pro Max will be blocked from using it as personal hotspot.

11. iPhone 14 Pro Max Hotspot Still won’t connect? Get Help From Apple

If you’ve come this far and the iPhone 14 Pro Max Personal Hotspot won’t connect, you have a more complicated problem than you can’t solve. At this point, reach out to Apple for further help.

Resolving Your iPhone 14 Pro Max Hotspot Errors

It can be frustrating dealing with hotspot issues as they always happen to occur when you need the internet the most. The solutions presented here should fix any hotspot problem you may face on your iPhone 14 Pro Max. Network issues often occur when you’re in an area with a weak connection, so make sure to always check your area when using your iPhone’s hotspot.

Tag: iPhone Troubleshooting
Show Full Article

Is Your iPhone 14 Pro Max Getting Hot? Here Are 11 Ways to Fix it

by Moses Johnson

Several users have complained that their iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max get hot during use or when charging the battery. An iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max getting hot is a serious problem, most likely a sign of a software or hardware glitch. In this article, I’ll explain why your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max is getting hot and show you how to fix the problem.

Why is iPhone 14 Pro Max getting hot?

If your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max is regularly getting hot and you’re noticing sluggish performance, here are a few things that could be causing it:

  • Streaming for a lengthy period of time. This means that your iPhone has to load your content and keep the display working. This forces your iPhone to work harder which consequently generates more heat.
  • Gaming. Resource-intensive video games with high-end graphics may cause your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max to get hot.
  • You may notice your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max gets warm when you are downloading a huge number of apps at the same time while you are using your device.
  • Your iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max may get warm when you are charging the battery.

How to fix iPhone 14 Pro Max that’s getting hot

1. Check for External Causes

The most common factor that adds up to the heat of your iPhone 14 Pro Max is the environment and physical condition. This one may seem obvious, but a big reason that your iPhone may be overheating is because of environmental temperatures.

iPhones are slated to be used in 32º F to 95º F (0º C and 35º C). So in the warmer months, if your phone is in direct sunlight, it could be causing it to get hot.

If your iPhone is mounted to the heater vent in your car in the winter, that could also cause it to heat up.

Depending on the type of case you have on your iPhone 14 Pro Max, it may trap heat. This can prevent your iPhone from getting the proper ventilation that it needs to stay cool.

Follow the tips below on how to avoid and reduce external heat factors:

  • Avoid leaving your iPhone in your car on a hot summer day. Temperatures in a parked car can be intense.
  • Don’t leave your iPhone 14 Pro Max on warm or hot items like radiators.
  • don’t play games while charging your iPhone (more so graphic-intensive games) or streaming.
  • Don’t leave your iPhone 14 Pro Max in direct sunlight.
  • Make sure you use the original USB cable and adapter when charging. If it is a third party charger or cable, ensure it’s Apple certified.
  • If your iPhone 114 Pro Max is getting hot while you charge it, it could be that there’s an issue with the charging cable. Try swapping it out and see if that fixes the issue.
  • If your iPhone 14 Pro Max is already hot, take off the phone’s case in an attempt to cool it down.

These should be able to resolve the common issues in the physical aspects of the device. But if your iPhone 14 Pro Max is still getting hot after trying these steps, don’t worry, there are still other factors to consider. Let’s now proceed to the next method.

2. Lower the screen brightness

You can control the screen brightness of your iPhone through the Control Center or through the Display & Brightness section of the Settings app. It’s a good idea to turn on the auto-brightness setting to make sure your screen isn’t overly bright in darker rooms by default, but some manual adjustment may be necessary in brighter rooms and in the sun.

To lower the screen brightness’ of your iPhone, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Display & Brightness.
  3. Drag the Brightness slider to the bottom.

3. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible

Using Wi-Fi demands less power when compared to being on cellular data. Keeping Wi-Fi on at all times will help in preventing iPhone 14 Pro Max from getting hot.

4. Monitor Your Applications.

If you’re just noticing your iPhone 14 Pro Max getting hot, think back to any new applications you may have recently installed. Apps that weren’t properly installed can cause your iPhone 14 Pro Max to overheat, as well as apps that are continuously crashing.

Apps that are hanging or stalling in the background can cause your iPhone 14 Pro Max to get hot, and you might not realize it because it’s not something you’re actively using.

You can check to see which apps are using the most of your battery, which should help you determine if there’s an app (or apps) causing your iPhone 14 Pro Max to get hot. Follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select Battery
  3. Check the detailed battery usage of every app.

Once you’ve figured out which apps are using a lot of battery power, the first troubleshooting step is to try force quitting them. Your phone works overtime when you have multiple apps open at the same time (this includes open web browser tabs), so get in the habit of closing unused apps periodically. Also, close apps (especially graphics-heavy apps like games) when you charge your phone.

To force close your apps, follow the steps below:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom and then hold your finger in the middle of the screen.
  2. When you see all the open apps like cards, find the app(s) you want to close and swipe up.

Next, update your apps because there could be a glitchy bug in an old update that, once fixed, will make your iPhone run smoothly.

To update your apps, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to App Store.
  2. Tap on Today.
  3. Tap on your Profile.
  4. Select Update All.

has your problem started recently? You may want to delete any apps you downloaded shortly before your iPhone 14 Pro Max started to hit up. In addition, delete apps you don’t use.

5. Update Your iOS To The Latest Version.

While individual apps can be the cause of your iPhone 14 Pro Max getting hot, so can the actual iOS. From time to time, there’ll be a bug in the iOS software that is causing your iPhone 14 Pro Max to overheat. To rule that out, you should always make sure your iPhone is running the most recent iOS software available.

To update iOS, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Software Update.
  4. If an update is available, tap download and install.

6. Restart your iPhone

There could be something running in the background that is causing your iPhone 14 Pro Max to get hot. If something is continuously running in the background, the quickest and easiest fix is to turn your iPhone off for 30 seconds and then turn it back on.

To restart your iPhone, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Shut Down.

7. Force Restart your iPhone

Any device that has been up for days tends to get hot, including the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Force restarting your device can clear errors and fix overheating issues on your iPhone 14 Pro Max.

To force restart your iPhone, follow the steps below:

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, .
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
  3. Press and hold the Power/Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

8. Disable Background App Refresh

The more tasks the processor performs, the more heat it generates. To relieve the processor of tasks and thus to cool it down, you need to disable Background App Refresh.

To disable background app refresh, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select Background App Refresh.
  4. Tap Off.

9. Turn Off Location Services

This is another feature that causes iPhone 14 Pro Max to get hot. If the location services are turned on, your iPhone will consistently update the location of the iPhone, thereby generating a lot of heat.

To turn off location services, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy & Security.
  3. Tap Location Services.
  4. Toggle location services to Off.

10. Reset All Settings

Another tip to help fix the overheating issue on your iPhone 14 Pro Max is to reset all settings. There is a possibility that the issue lies in the settings that you are not familiar with and hence, it would make sense to reset all of them.

To reset your iPhone settings, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  4. Tap Reset.
  5. Tap Reset All Settings.

11. Restore your iPhone as New

If nothing else works and the iPhone 14 Pro Max is still getting hot, you can hard reset your device to clear any potential errors that might be persistent due to a corrupt file.

Once you reset your iPhone, all of your data and settings will be deleted and your device will be as good as new. However, be sure to create a backup of your data before you proceed with this step.

To hard reset your iPhone, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Conclusion

These tips will fix iPhone 14 Pro Max that’s getting hot. After trying all of the above software troubleshooting options, if your iPhone 14 Pro Max is still gettinghot — giving you sluggish performance and draining your battery — then your device may be having a hardware problem.

The best way to determine if that’s the case, and to get it fixed, is to make an appointment with the Genius Bar at your local Apple store and have them check out your phone.Have you faced overheating issues on your iPhone 14 Pro Max? If so, did the above tips help in solving the problem for you? Drop a comment and let us know!

Tag: iPhone Troubleshooting
Show Full Article