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The Complete Guide to Every iOS 27 Feature

What Does an X on the Battery Mean on MacBook?

by GeeksModo Staff

If you see an X on the battery indicator symbol in the bar at the top of your MacBook screen, then there’sa good chance you’ve also experiencedproblems with your MacBook’s battery. When the battery symbol has an X on it, you may not be able to use your MacBook at all unless it is plugged to power outlet. You might also have seen a notification saying No Batteries Available. In this post, I’ll explain what the X on MacBook battery mean and how you can fix it.

Let’s get into it!

A photo showing Mac battery with a X in it  

What does the X mean on MacBook battery?

The X on MacBook’s battery basically means there is something very wrong with the battery. To the point where the battery is essentially useless. There are a number of possibilities:

  • Your MacBook battery need to be replaced.
  • The battery connection might have come loose inside your MacBook.
  • You can attempt to fix the X on MacBook battery by resetting your SMC.

What can you do when you see the X on your Mac battery?

If your MacBook battery is showing an X, you will probably need to get your MacBook looked at.

If you have technical skills, you can order and replace the battery yourself. Otherwise, you will need to take your Mac in for repair. You can make an appointment at a Genius Bar or with an Apple Certified repair center such as Best Buy.

Before you do that, though, you can try resetting the SMC and taking a look at the Apple Diagnostics report.

Reset the SMC

Sometimes you can reset the SMC on a Mac laptop and that will fix the X on your MacBook’s battery, particularly if the error is related to a power management quirk or some other hiccup, and not a battery hardware issue.

The procedure for resetting the SMC on an Apple laptop depends on whether it is an Apple silicon or an Intel Mac.

Navigate to the Apple  menu and click on About This Mac.

  • If you have a Processor listed (that says Intel), that means you have an Intel Mac.
  • If you see Chip listed, that means you have Apple silicon.

Also, if you have an Intel MacBook, from the information in the About This Mac window, make a note of your exact model, such as MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports).

If you have Apple silicon

  1. Make sure your Mac is plugged into power/charging.
  2. Click the Apple icon  and choose Restart. Or, hit the Apple icon  > Shut Down, and after a minute, turn it back on.

If you have an Intel MacBook

Depending on the type of Mac you have, the process for resetting the SMC will be different.

Mac with the T2 chip

Intel Macs, released in 2018 and later, have the T2 security chip. Find out if your Mac has a T2 security chip, and if it has, follow these steps.

MacBook:
  1. First, shut down your MacBook.
  2. After that, press & hold the power or Touch ID button for 10 seconds and then stop pressing the button.
  3. Now, wait for a few seconds and press the power/Touch ID button to turn on your MacBook.

Once this is done, the X symbol on MacBook battery should no longer exist. But in case the above steps didn’t help, follow along to reset your MacBook’s SMC:

  1. Shut down your MacBook.
  2. Press and hold all the following keys on your laptop’s built-in keyboard:
    • Control from the bottom left side of the keyboard.
    • Option from the bottom left side of the keyboard.
    • Shift from the right side of the keyboard.
  3. Make sure you hold all the above keys for 7 seconds. And once 7 seconds are done (don’t stop pressing the above three keys), start pressing & holding the power button. So, now you’re pressing and holding a total of four keys.
    4) Continue to hold all four keys for 7 more seconds and then let go.
    5) After waiting for a few seconds, press the power button to turn on your MacBook.
Mac desktop:
  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Unplug the main power cord.
  3. After at least 15 seconds, plug in the power cord.
  4. Finally, wait for 5 more seconds and press the power button to start your Mac.
Mac without T2 security chip

If you have a pre-2018 Mac, then follow these steps to reset the SMC.

MacBook:
  1. Completely shut down the computer.
  2. Press the left-side Shift, Control, andOption keys, along with the right-side power button on your keyboard, all at the same time.
  3. Continue to hold all four keys for 10 seconds.
  4. After 10 seconds, release all keys and press the power button to start your MacBook.
Mac desktop:
  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Unplug the main power cord.
  3. After waiting for 15 seconds, plug in the power cord.
  4. Finally, press the power button after 5 seconds to turn on your computer.
Very old Macs
Mac notebook with a removable battery:

Although these are a little bit more ancient, some Macs even had batteries you could remove. These include pre-2009 MacBooks and MacBook Pros. These machines also had a way of resetting the SMC, and to do that, follow these steps:

  1. Turn off the computer completely.
  2. Disconnect the MagSafe power connector and any other plug accessories if you have them plugged in.
  3. Remove the battery from the computer.
  4. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds and then release the power button.
  5. Re-install the battery and reattach the MagSafe adapter and any other accessories.
  6. Turn your computer back on with the power button.

After following these steps correctly, your Mac’s SMC will have been reset, and hopefully, the X on your MacBook’s battery will be gone.

Mac Pro, iMac, Mac mini, and Xserve:

If you aren’t using a notebook but instead an Intel-based Mac desktop computer, such as the Mac Pro, iMac, Mac mini, or Xserve, then the steps to reset your computer’s SMC will involve the following steps:

  1. Shut down your computer completely before moving on to the next step.
  2. Unplug the power cord and any other plugs from your Mac so there is no power being supplied to the computer.
  3. Wait 15 seconds, and then reattach your power cord and any accessories.
  4. Wait five additional seconds, and then turn your Mac back on with the power button.

Run Apple Diagnostics

If resetting the SMC didn’t fix the problem, you can try running Apple Diagnostics. This won’t actually fix the issue, but it can help determine which hardware component might be at fault. Apple Diagnostics also suggests solutions and helps you contact Apple Support for assistance.

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How to Completely Delete a VPN from Your Mac

by Dave Johnson

If you have previously set up a VPN connection on Mac but no longer use the VPN service, you may want to delete and remove the VPN from MacOS. Additionally, you may wish to remove a VPN configuration from a Mac that is not needed for a particular purpose, job, or enterprise anymore.

Removing a VPN from the Mac is pretty easy, and if you manually configured a VPN then you’ll be happy to discover how easy it is to delete the VPN from Mac especially compared to the manual setup process which is much more complex. In this article, I’ll explain how you can completely uninstall a VPN, including its configurations, from your Mac.

Why might you want to uninstall a VPN from your Mac?

VPNs may introduce certain issues or challenges. There could be many reasons why you would want to delete it from your Mac:

  • A VPN may affect another service’s performance, such as Messages, emails, Wi-Fi or FaceTime.
  • It May slow down your internet connection.
  • Most VPNs are not free and require subscription fee.
  • If you subscribe to iCloud , you may be using Private Relay instead of a VPN.
  • You may want to delete a VPN from Mac to create more storage space.
  • You may think you no longer need it, and your Mac’s built-in security is all you need. Your Mac is pretty secure without a VPN.

Read the instructions below to learn how to delete a VPN from your Mac.

How to delete a VPN on Mac

Removing a VPN from your Mac is straightforward and doesn’t take more than a couple of seconds. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Delete the App

There are two ways for a VPN app to be downloaded to your Mac. You can get it from the Mac app store or from the developer’s website.

If your VPN app was downloaded from the App Store:

  1. LaunchLaunchpad on your Mac. You can click its icon in the Dock to open it.
  2. Find the VPN in Launchpad. You can use the search field to find it if you would like.
  3. Click and hold the VPN app until it starts to jiggle.
  4. Click the (x) delete button on the icon.

If your VPN app was downloaded from the Internet:

You can use Finder to delete it. Here is how:

  1. LaunchFinder on your Mac. You can click its icon in the Dock to open it.
  2. In Finder, find the VPN app. It is probably inside the Applications folder. Open Applications and locate it.
  3. Then, delete it by using one of these methods:
    • Drag and drop it to the Trash bin.
    • Right-click the app and then select Move to Trash.
    • Select the app and then press Command—Delete.

To the right of Locations in the Finder sidebar is an arrow to click to show additional items. In the Finder window on the right, a file is selected, and a shortcut to the file is in the sidebar, below Favorites.  

Step 2: Delete the VPN configuration files

If you want to completely remove VPN from your Mac, you need to delete the VPN configurations from your computer. Because if you do not, the anticipated benefit of removing the VPN may not occur. For example, if you want to delete a VPN because you could not download the full version of your photos from iCloud, you may still experience the problem even after deleting the VPN unless you also delete the configuration files. Here is how:

  1. Go to the Apple menu and navigate to System Settings.

  2. From the left sidebar, click Networkand then VPN.

  3. Click the info (i) button next to the VPN.

  4. Then click Remove Configuration. A popup will appear, asking if you really want to remove it. Click Remove again.

Now you have deleted the VPN. Restart your Mac to ensure that your changes take effect, and then you are done.

If you have another method or approach to removing VPN from a Mac, or any particular experience with this, share it with us in the comments below.

Tag: VPN
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How to Turn off In-app Purchases on iPhone and iPad

by GeeksModo Staff

If you’ve downloaded any apps on your iOS device recently, then chances are it features in-app purchases, especially if it’s a game. What was once a rarity has turned into the norm, and apps are now full of opportunities to buy virtual goods that don’t exist outside of the game. From gems and extra lives to costumes and ammunition, if there is a way to charge money for it, a developer has probably done so. In this article, we’ll show you how to block in-app purchases on your or your child’s iPhone and iPad to prevent unwanted purchases.

Why disable in-app purchases on iPhone or iPad?

If you have a kid that uses your iPhone or iPad, and if you don’t want to get a bad surprise, it might be a good idea to restrict in-app purchases. This will ensure they don’t make these purchases accidentally, even if their fingerprint or Face ID is added to the device!

Plus, turning off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad will prevent you from making a purchase accidentally in the heat of the moment.

How to turn off in-app purchases on iPhone or iPad

To turn off in-app purchases, you will need to set up or change the Screen Time settings.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Go into Screen Time.
  3. Now, if you haven’t set up Screen Time yet:
    1. Choose Turn On Screen Time.
    2. Choose from This is My [iPhone]or This is My Child’s [iPhone].
    3. Follow any onscreen instructions. When you are prompted, tap on Use Screen Time Passcode or Parent Passcode, then create and verify a 4-digit passcode. Enter your Apple ID and password so that you can use it to reset your Screen Time passcode if you ever forget it.
  4. Now, with Screen Time set up, tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Next, toggle the switch next to Content & Privacy Restrictions slider so that it becomes green (i.e., so that it’s switched on).
  5. Tap the iTunes & App Store Purchases button.
  6. Tap In-app Purchases, then select Don’t Allow.
  7. If this is the child’s device, you may want to also disallow Installing Apps. If it is your own device, this may be too much trouble, as you will need to change the Screen Time settings anytime you want to install an app; you won’t even see the App Store icon on your device.

You may also consider using Ask to Buyon your child’s device. This is separate from Screen Time. Ask To Buy sends a request to the parent or guardian’s device anytime the child wishes to buy something. Then, the purchase can be allowed using either the parent or child’s device. In order to use Ask to Buy, you must first set up Family Sharing. You might use this instead of, or in addition to, using Screen Time restrictions.

Tag: Screen Time
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How to Fix macOS Sonoma Internet Problems

by Dave Johnson

Are you facing issues establishing a Wi-Fi connection on your Mac after macOS Sonoma update? While connecting to Wi-Fi is generally an easy and straightforward process on a Mac, some users have faced problems in getting internet access via Wi-Fi after installing macOS Sonoma. Users have reported that their Macs have no Internet access, even though Wi-Fi seems to be connected.

The common Wi-Fi issues associated with Sonoma often involve frequent connection drops, slow internet connection, unreliable Wi-Fi connections, or subpar overall network performance. Various factors, such as Wi-Fi router issues, third-party app conflicts, or post-update software-related problems, could cause these issues on your Mac.

If you are also facing these problems, follow the troubleshooting steps explained below to fix Wi-Fi issues in macOS Sonoma.

macOS Sonoma displayed on MacBook Air, the 27-inch iMac, and MacBook Pro.  

Troubleshooting macOS Sonoma Internet problems

Whether you’re using a MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iMac, or Mac Pro, these troubleshooting steps should fix all macOS Sonoma WiFi problems. After trying each step, please test to see if your Wi-Fi problem is fixed:

1. Check for macOS updates

A bug in macOS Sonoma may be the cause of your Wi-Fi issues. There is a possibility Apple has already released an update to fix this. To check, open System Settings and select General, then Software Update and install available updates. Also, you may want to turn on Automatic Updates.

2. Update the Wi-Fi router

If you manage the network’s Wi-Fi router, install the latest firmware updates for the router, as recommended by its manufacturer.

3. Reboot your router and Mac

Rebooting is a simple fix that’s known to solve many network-related problems. Start off by shutting down your router: unplug it from the wall and then wait a few minutes. Once you plug it back in, wait a minute or two for the device to set up. While you’re waiting, go ahead and reboot your Mac. To restart your Mac, go to the **Apple  menu **and select Restart.

Once both your computer and the router are back up and running, turn on Wi-Fi to see if your Mac can connect now. If it didn’t, it’s time to move on to the next step.

4. Check anti-virus or VPN software

Sometimes, you might have a VPN installed to protect your network by, for example, hiding your IP address. However, it just might be what’s causing macOS Sonoma internet problems.

Check the VPN or any other security-related software to ensure that they aren’t the source of the macOS Sonoma Wi-Fi problems by disabling them and seeing if the issue persists.

  • Uninstall the anti-virus software and then check if you can connect. If you can connect, then, obviously, this software is the problem. Check if there is an update to the software. Then, you can try to install the updated version. If the updated version causes problems, too, you may want to keep the software uninstalled until its developers address the issue.
  • VPN services may also be the cause of macOS Sonoma Wi-Fi problems. Are you using a VPN? Then disable or uninstall it and then try again.

Please note that uninstalling the VPN may not be enough. Even after uninstalling it, its configuration may stay on your Mac and continue to cause issues. You may need to remove it. On your Mac, go to** Apple menu** >System Settings > Network. Then select VPN. Then, tap the info (i) button next to the VPN service and select Remove Configuration. You will be asked if you are sure you want to remove it. Click Delete again.

5. Reset network settings

When all else fails, reset network settings. Doing so may fix macOS Sonoma internet problem. This will not get rid of your saved Wi-Fi passwords. Here is how:

  1. Go to Apple Menu and then System Settings.
  2. From the sidebar, select Network.
  3. You will see Wi-Fi. Control-click (or right-click or double-finger click) it.
  4. Select Delete Service. You will be asked if you really want to delete it. Click **Delete **again. When you delete it, your Wi-Fi status bar will say Not Configured. This is normal.
  5. After deleting the Wi-Fi service, restart your Mac.
  6. Now, go to the Network settings (Apple menu > System Settings) again.
  7. Click the** three-dot button** and selectAdd Service.
  8. From the Interface options, select** Wi-Fi**. You can also change the Service Name if you wish.
  9. Click the blue** Create** button.

Now, check if you have solved macOS Sonoma Internet problems.

Tag: macOS
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Apple ID Sign Out is Not Available due to Restrictions? Here’s the fix

by Kevin Hollington

Are you getting the error "Sign out is not available due to restrictions?" If you can’t log out of your Apple ID or iCloud, your account is restricted by the Screen Time feature. In this article, we’ll tell you how you can disable these restrictions so you can sign out on iPhone or iPad.

QUICK ANSWER

To fix Sign out Not Available due to Restrictions Issue, you need to disable Screen Time on iPhone before you can sign out of your Apple ID or iCloud.

Why is Sign out Not Available due to Restrictions?

This is because You have Screen Time enabled on your iPhone or iPad and set to restrict you from signing out of Apple ID or iCloud.

How to fix Sign out Not Available due to Restrictions Issue

In order to fix Sign out not available due to restrictions issue, you will first need to disable Screen Time restrictions. Doing so will enable you to sign out of Apple ID or iCloud on your iPhone or iPad.

How to disable the Screen Time restrictions on iPhone

You can disable the Screen Time restrictions in two ways. You can either change the Screen Time settings to allow you to make changes or turn off Screen Time restrictions completely. For both methods, you will need to know the Screen Time passcode.

Change the Screen Time settings

Step 1: First, open the Settings app, which is signaled by a gear icon. Then, click on the Screen Time option from the menu.

Step 2: Select the Content & Privacy Restrictions option from the menu.

Step 3: Make sure the switch next to Content & Privacy Restrictions is toggled on.

Step 4: Now, select the Account Changes button.

Step 5: Type in your Screen Time passcode and then tap on Allow.

Now navigate to Settings > [your name] and check if Sign Out is available.

The Sign Out button is listed at the bottom of your device list.  

If the above didn’t work, you might try the following:

Step 1: In Settings > Screen Time, turn off Share Across Devices.

Step 2: Go back to Content & Privacy Restrictions and tap on Account Changes.
3. Choose Don’t Allow, then choose** Allow**again.

Finally, if the above suggestions didn’t work, and you are still seeing the "Sign out is not available due to restrictions"message, go ahead and turn off Screen Time completely.

How to disable Screen Time

To disable screen time completely, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Select Screen Time.

Step 3: Tap Turn Off Screen Time.

Step 4: Type in the Screen Time password, then tap on Turn Off Screen Time again.

Successfully fixed Sign out Not Available due to Restrictions Issue

We hope this article has helped you solve "sign out not available due to restrictions" issue on your iPhone or iPad. If you have any other questions about your iPhone, drop a comment and let us know.

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AirTag Not Working After Replacing Its Battery, How to Fix

by Dave Johnson

You just replaced your AirTag’s battery, but now it isn’t turning on. No matter what you do, your AirTag is not working. In this article, I’ll explain what to do when your AirTag won’t turn on after a battery replacement.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • If your AirTag is not working after replacing its battery, check to ensure that the battery is compatible and in good working condition.
  • Ensure that the battery is positioned correctly. When you put the new battery in, ensure that the positive side, which is denoted by a ‘ ‘ mark, is facing up.

Front and back view of AirTag personalised with a smiley-face emoji.  

Why your AirTag may not work after a new battery and how to address the issue

There are a number of reasons why AirTag may not be working after replacing its battery. These include a problem with the battery, the battery’s position, or a faulty component. Here is what you can do to troubleshoot the problem:

The fix for AirTags that stop working after a battery swap

1. Ensure that the battery is compatible and in good working condition

The Apple AirTag tracker uses a standard CR2032 lithium 3V coin battery.

To discourage babies and toddlers from putting them in their mouths, some makers are applying a coating of an extremely bitter compound called Bitrex to the button cell.

According to Apple, CR2032 batteries with bitterant coatings may not work with AirTags.

Apple's instructions for changing the AirTag's battery

In fact, the main reason why the AirTags stop working after replacing the battery is because of bitterant coating in the battery.

To avoid any possible problems, Apple suggests using CR2032 batteries without the coating.

Check the packaging of your batteries to see if they have this coating. If they do, you should buy replacement CR2032 batteries that do not have any kind of coating. They are really cheap, like one dollar per battery. For example, Energizer batteriesdo not have this type of coating.

Alternatively, you can remove some of it, or just enough Bitrex for the battery contact to touch the metal of the button cell.

You don’t need to clear a big patch. Just enough for a tiny contact.

I use an alcohol wipe–a lens cleaning swab or injection swab will do the job–to clean off a small section of the coating. No swabs? A pencil eraser also does the job–just don’t pick anything that you’re going to put in your mouth afterward!

I find that cleaning about a quarter of the coin cell is enough for the battery to make contact, while at the same time retaining enough of the bitter compound to discourage ingestion.

If none of the above have worked, then it’s likely that the battery is defective. It’s rare, but it happens. If you suspect this, contact the battery manufacturer. Tell them about your problem, and what you’ve done to try and fix it.

2. Did you position the battery correctly?

Another reason why AirTags may stop working after a battery change is improper battery installation. While inserting the new battery (note orientation with on top). You’ll know when the battery makes proper contact with the AirTag because it emits a little tune. If you don’t hear anything, remove and inspect the battery. Make sure it’s clean and not dusty. Use a dry cloth and gently wipe the battery and the inside of the AirTag casing before trying again.

In the Find My app, you can check if the battery status has changed to confirm you replaced the battery correctly and the battery is good.

Use Find My to find your AirPods, Apple Watch, and AirTag  

Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad, tap on Items, find your tag and tapping on it.

3. Did you break something when changing the battery?

If the above solutions didn’t bring your AirTag back to life, the problem likely arose from a botched battery replacement. There’s a possibility you broke an important component while installing the new battery. Inspect the AirTag carefully. Do you see anything broken? If the answer is yes, it is probably not fixable; you may want to consider buying a new AirTag. AirTags come with a one year warranty.

If you decide to take your AirTag into an Apple Store, make sure to schedule an appointment first!

Tag: AirTag
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How do I keep my iPhone 15 battery health at 100%

by Kevin Hollington

It seems like iPhone owners are completely obsessed with the health of their batteries. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked how to keep an iPhone’s battery at 100% health, and there are countless YouTube videos and articles telling owners how to do this.

I have bad news for you if you’re one of those people.

There’s only one thing that you can do to keep your iPhone 15 battery health at 100%.

Stop using your iPhone.

Yup, the only way you’re going to keep your iPhone 15 battery at 100% is to stop using it and charging it.

I’ve also got another bit of advice to those who are obsessing over the health of their iPhone 15 battery.

Stop worrying about it.

According to Apple, the battery is rated to hold 80% of its capacity after 500 complete charge cycles. A charge cycle is defined by a complete drain of the battery to zero, followed by a complete charge to 100%.

If you want to know how to find out how many recharge cycles your iPhone 15 has been through, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General -> About.
  3. Scroll down to the “Battery” section and check the number next to Cycle Count.

So, is there anything else you can do to prolong your iPhone 15 battery health other than using it less?

No.

This is normal battery wear.

That said, there are a few steps you can take to take the stress off your battery to reduce additional wear.

Prevent Your iPhone 15 Battery from Charging Beyond 80%

All iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that when enabled prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times.

Apple has detailed how the iPhone 15’s new 80 percent charging limit setting works in an update to a support document.

Here’s Apple’s explanation of what you can expect if you enable the setting:

When you choose 80% Limit, your iPhone will charge up to about 80 percent and then stop charging. If the battery charge level gets down to 75 percent, charging will resume until your battery charge level reaches about 80 percent again.

With 80% Limit enabled, your iPhone will occasionally charge to 100 percent to maintain accurate battery state-of-charge estimates.

The new 80 percent limit on iPhone 15 series could help prevent the unexpected battery capacity dropoff. Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Battery -> Battery Health & Charging.
  3. Tap Charging Optimization.
  4. Tap the 80% Limit option to enable it.

Screenshot of Battery Health & Charging settings  

Keep your iPhone 15 at room temperature as much as possible

The life span of your iPhone battery can be affected by extreme temperatures. A higher temperature increases the speed of chemical reactions inside the battery, which forces the battery to work harder and faster, thus also causing it to degrade faster.

The most important thing is to keep your phone away from direct sunlight when possible, especially when it’s warm. Your phone might be fine in the grass on an overcast day, but the warmer the temperature, the less your phone can withstand the sun. At the beach, your phone can overheat in just a few minutes in the sun. Same if you put it in a sunny spot in your car.

Instead, get your phone out of the direct light, whether it’s in your pocket, inside a backpack or under a towel/blanket or dashboard. Anyplace that will keep it away from sunlight will work.

It’s fairly easy to protect your phone from the sun, but high temperatures alone can also cause your phone to overheat. After only an hour, the inside of a car can reach 143 degrees when it’s 100 degrees outside, for example, so a phone left in your cup holder could quickly overheat and get damaged. So, to preserve your iPhone 15 battery health, Don’t **keep your phone in a hot environment for an extended period of time, even if it’s not in direct sunlight. **That includes your car, a sauna, the kitchen, the middle of the desert or anywhere near a fire.

Your phone’s optimal internal temperature should be somewhere between 32º and 95º F (0º and 35º C). To prevent overheating, Apple recommends keeping the device in a place where the temperature is between -4º and 113º F (-20º and 45º C).

Apple does have a few settings to prevent overheating and damage, like disabling your phone or preventing further charging when your phone is too hot, but you don’t want to rely on these features to maintain your iPhone 15 battery health. It’s better to take preventative actions than wait for your iPhone to overheat.

You may need to take your iPhone out of its case

If your iPhone gets hot any time you charge it, you may need to take off your case before doing so. Certain cases, especially the bulkier and more protective ones, can trap heat and make the iPhone overheat, affecting the battery’s life span.

Apart from removing the case, don’t use graphics- or processor-intensive apps when your phone is charging. . That includes massive mobile video games like PUBG Mobile or streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu. Using these apps while charging could also cause your phone to overheat.

Use a good-quality charger

You can charge your iPhone with a USB-C cable and power adapter compliant with the USB-C standard, including USB Power Delivery — such as the cable that comes with your iPhone. These cables and power adapters are widely available from Apple and other manufacturers. Having said that, not all charging cables, bricks, and pads are made equally, especially when it comes to the long-term health of your battery.

Be wary of using cheap, no-brand chargers, or chargers that have been sitting around for years, as they may not necessarily stick to the same safety standards as the rest. We’re not saying all of these chargers are dodgy, but to maintain your iPhone 15 battery health it’s always worth going with a high quality charger from Apple or a reputable third-party manufacturer, even if it’s a little bit more expensive.

Talking about cables, there is a reason some charging cables sell for $2.99 and others boast a price tag of $25. The variance in cost is due to Apple’s licensing program known as “Made for iPhone” or “MFI”. Within MFI certified cables lie proprietary components that monitor the amperage flow into your device. These components protect against surges in power and over charging. Non-genuine or “gas station” chargers that are not MFI certified will prompt error messages such as “accessory not supported” as well as damage your battery or even worse – your motherboard.

Take these steps to protect iPhone 15 in long-term storage

Maybe you have several iPhones and want to stash your iPhone 15 for a bit. If you want to preserve the battery’s health, you should do the following before putting it away:

  • Keep the charge at around 50%. You don’t want your battery to be full or empty before you turn it off, or else it could stop holding a charge (if full) or lose capacity and have a shorter life span (if empty).
  • Turn your iPhone off. This prevents your phone from using up more battery.
  • Store your phone in a cool and moisture-free environment. Ideally, the temperature should be less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
  • If you’re putting your iPhone away for longer than six months, turn it on and charge it to 50% every half a year.

If you store your iPhone 15 for a long time, it may be in a low-battery state, which just means you may need to charge it for 20 minutes before it turns on.

Tags: Battery, iPhone 15
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How To Close Open Apps On iPhone 15 Pro & When You Should

by GeeksModo Staff

Normally, your iPhone 15 Pro keep apps running smoothly in the foreground (or suspended in the background, ready to resume when needed). But if an iOS app misbehaves, it’s easy to force the app to close. Here’s how.

QUICK ANSWER

To close an app on the iPhone 15 Pro:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to about a third of the way up, then let go.
  2. In the app switcher, swipe left or right to find the app you want to close.
  3. When you’ve located it, swipe it all the way up, dragging it offscreen.

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

How to close apps on iPhone 15 Pro

To close an app on your iPhone 15 Pro, you’ll need to launch the app switcher screen. To do so, swipe upward from the bottom edge of the screen and pause near the middle of the screen, then lift your finger.

On the App Switcher screen, swipe left or right to navigate to the app that needs to be closed and then simply swipe up on that app preview. This will close the app for good and remove it from memory.

While this method works well for one or two apps, it can be tedious to repeat the process for multiple apps. iPhones do not offer a ‘Clear All’ button on the App Switcher screen unlike on Android devices, meaning there’s no way to clear all open apps at once. However, users can close multiple apps simultaneously on iPhones by using multiple fingers to swipe up on multiple app previews at once. Two or three fingers work best when trying to close two or three apps together. including all iPhone 15 Pro models.

Only Close Apps if They Malfunction

The iPhone 15 Pro’s operating system, Apple’s iOS, does a great job at automatically handling system resources. So you don’t need to manually force an app to close unless the app becomes unresponsive or glitchy.

While it’s temping to "clean house" by closing your suspended apps on a regular basis, doing so can actually slow down your iPhone and hurt your battery life. That’s because the next time you launch an app, the app has to completely reload from scratch. It’s slower and uses more CPU cycles, which drains your iPhone’s battery.

Tag: iPhone 15 Pro
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Here’s How to Set Up Your New iPhone 15

by GeeksModo Staff

All you really need is a Wi-Fi connection.

You’ve finally received your iPhone 15. Maybe you picked it up at your local carrier store or preordered it and got it in the mail — but at long last, Apple’s latest phone is now in your hands. And you need to set it up — but you might need some help doing so.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the steps of setting up your iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, from turning on your device and connecting to Wi-Fi to activating your eSIM and transferring all your data.

iPhone 15 Pro in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium finishes.

What to do before you start to set up your iPhone 15

Before you start setting up your iPhone 15, you’ll need the following things if you’re moving over from another phone or setting up an iPhone for your first time:

  • Back up your old iPhone. If you’re moving over from an older iPhone, you’ll be transferring data from your existing phone to your new iPhone 15, so it’s best to have an up-to-date backup to restore from. If you don’t have enough storage, you can back up to your computer.
  • Keep your old phone close by. No matter if it’s an Android or iPhone, it’s a good idea to have your previous phone ready. This can actually expedite the setup process.
  • And have your charger with you, just in case. Although your new iPhone 15 should have enough battery to get you through the setup process, you might need power to charge your older iPhone during the transfer.
  • Make sure you’re connected to the Internet. You need to connect to a stable Wi-Fi network to set up your iPhone 15.
  • Have your Apple ID credentials on hand. In case you need to sign in to your Apple account, to restore a backup and more, have your email and password ready. You can also create one during the setup process.

Ready? Let’s get started.

1. Turn on your iPhone 15

The first thing you need to do is turn on your iPhone. Whether you have an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max, turning it on is the same: Press and hold the side button, on the right side of your iPhone, until you see the Apple logo appear. Wait a few seconds, and the Hello screen should appear. Swipe up to begin.

2. Follow the iPhone onscreen instructions

Now you’ll have to do a couple minor things on your iPhone to get through the first part of the setup, and luckily they’re both easy to do. To start, you’ll have to:

  • Choose a language: If you’re in the US, you should see English listed directly at the top.
  • Select your country or region. Again, if you’re in the US, you should see “United States” at the top.

3. Use Quick Start to set up your iPhone 15

On the next page you’ll see the Quick Start screen, which allows you to automatically set up your iPhone 15 with the help of your previous iPhone or even an iPad. If you go this route, you’ll need to turn on your old device, connect it to Wi-Fi or cellular and then bring it near the new iPhone 15

Next, you’ll be asked to authenticate or connect the two phones. You can either use the camera on your old iPhone to scan the pattern on the new iPhone or enter a verification code. Activation will then take a few minutes.

Note: If you want to do this manually, skip down to the next section.

You’ll then be prompted to do the following, among other things:

  • Join your Wi-Fi network on your new iPhone.
  • Set Up eSIM. You should see two options: Transfer from another iPhone (the best option) or Set Up Later in Settings. If you choose the first option, you’ll be asked to double-press the side button on your old iPhone.
  • Set up Face ID.
  • Choose how you want to transfer your data. You can either do it from iCloud or from your previous iPhone.

It’s a good idea to keep both devices connected to a power source while you do this, because depending on how many apps and how much data you have, it could take a while. Follow all the steps until you’re finished and have access to iOS 17 on your iPhone 15.

4. Set your iPhone 15 up manually

Now, if you’re coming from an Android or other phone or want to set up your iPhone 15 manually, tap Set Up Manually on the Quick Start screen. If you decide to go this route, you’ll need to manually do the following things:

  • Connect to a Wi-Fi network. Wait a few minutes for your phone to activate.
  • Read the Data & Privacy prompt. Hit Continue when you’re finished.
  • Set up Face ID.
  • Create a six-digit passcode to unlock your iPhone 15. This is your backup for unlocking your iPhone 15. Enter the passcode twice.
  • Choose how to restore your apps and data. You can restore from iCloud backup, restore from Mac or PC, transfer directly from iPhone, move data from Android or don’t transfer apps and data.

Depending on your method of restoring your apps and data, you may be asked to enter your iCloud credentials to sign in to your Apple account. You then need to enter a verification code, which may appear on one of your other devices, to verify your identity.

Next, agree to the terms and conditions; customize your settings; update to the latest iOS; and set up Apple Pay, Siri and Screen Time, if necessary. You’ll also be asked whether you want to share your app analytics with developers, which helps developers improve their apps using your data (anonymously).

Finally, set up the True Tone display, choose light or dark mode and select a standard or zoomed view (for those that have impaired vision).

5. You can now use your iPhone 15 running iOS 17

Once you’re finished, you can swipe up to enter your iPhone. You may not see all your applications on your home screen or your photos and videos in your camera roll, so you’ll need to wait a bit while your phone slowly transfers all your apps and data to your new iPhone 15. Depending on how much there is to transfer, this can take as much as a few hours.

Tags: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro
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Apple iPhone 15 Pro unboxing: What’s inside the box?

by Kevin Hollington

The all-new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are finally available for purchase globally. The latest models come with various upgrades, including the new Action Button, A17 Pro Bionic chip, upgraded cameras, and more. If you’re thinking of picking up one of the new ‘Pro’ models and are wondering what accessories you’ll get with the phone, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the iPhone 15 Pro unboxing experience and all the goodies you get with the device.

iPhone 15 Pro in black titanium, white titanium, blue titanium, and natural titanium finishes.

QUICK ANSWER

What is in the iPhone 15 Pro box?

  • Included in the box is the iPhone 15 Pro, a USB‑C Charge Cable, SIM ejector tool (non-U.S. models only) and documentation.
  • , iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max do not include a power adapter or EarPods.

Although the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature significant upgrades over the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple hasn’t made any drastic changes to their retail packaging. The phones arrive in a rather slim box with an illustration of the iPhone 15 Pro’s display on the top, iPhone text on the left and right sides, and the Apple logo on the top and bottom.

Unboxing the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is as seamless as ever, and you don’t need any tools to open the packaging. Simply pull the labeled tabs to open the seal, and you’re in. On the inside, you’ll find the iPhone lying face down with a peel over its display.

Underneath it, you’ll find a couple of accessories, including the new USB‑C Charge Cable, some documentation, and an Apple sticker. In case you purchased your iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max outside the U.S., you’ll also find a SIM ejector tool in the box.

What’s inside the box:

  • iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • USB‑C Charge Cable
  • Documentation
  • 1x Apple sticker
  • SIM ejector tool (non-U.S. models only)

Sadly, Apple does not ship a power brick with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. If you don’t have a charging brick with a USB Type-C port lying around, you can purchase one from Apple.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

The new iPhone 15 Pro brings several improvements to the table, including the Dynamic Island, A16 Bionic chip, better cameras, and more.

Unlike some Chinese Android OEMs, , iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max do not include a phone case, power adapter or EarPods. Included in the box is a USB‑C Charge Cable that supports fast charging and is compatible with USB‑C power adapters and computer ports.

Tag: iPhone 15 Pro
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