GeeksModo

How to fix common watchOS 9 Problems, Bugs, and Issues

Tuesday January 3, 2023 5:30 am EAT by Moses Johnson

In this article, I’ll explain the most common watchOS 9 problems and possible solutions for fixing them.

watchOS 9 is not only official — it’s now available as a public beta. The update to Apple’s Apple Watch software comes packed with new features for the smartwatch including new running metrics, refreshed watch faces, an AFib History tool, added sleep-tracking data and a medication management app. However, it isn’t exempt from issues. We’ve combed through forums, comments, and other online opinions on a host of issues, glitches, and everyday annoyances to put together a comprehensive list of the most common watchOS 9 problems and how to solve them.

Below are potential solutions to common watchOS 9 problems including sluggish navigation, a stuck Digital Crown, no cellular service, update issues, and more.

Apple Watch battery drain after watchOS 9 update

Battery life is definitely one of the main weaknesses of the Apple Watch, but it should generally still get you through the day before needing a refuel. If you find that your Apple Watch battery is draining fast after watchOS 9 update, then you may have a problem.

Potential solutions:

You can choose to put your Apple Watch in Power Reserve mode so it only shows the time. Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch until the sliders appear, then drag Power Reserve to the right.
Open up the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and go into Notifications. Turn off anything that you don’t need.
Go to Settings > Brightness & Text Size on your Apple watch and reduce the brightness.
On your Apple Watch, go into Settings > General > Wake Screen, and toggle off Wake Screen on Wrist Raise. You can also do this in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone via General > Wake Screen.
Buy an Apple Watch strap with a battery in it.
Turn off the heart rate sensor by opening the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tapping Workout, and then toggling Power Saving Mode on.
Try updating your watch to the latest version of WatchOS 9.
If you’ve signed up for the WatchOS 9 beta, that could also be the culprit. Some have said a simple re-pairing has fixed this issue.
Simply turn it off and on again. Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch until the slider appears, then drag Power Off to the right. To turn it back on, hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.
Maybe an app is causing problems. Try uninstalling everything you don’t need. Tap and hold on the Apple Watch screen until your app icons begin shaking, then pick the app you want to get rid of and tap Delete App. Don’t worry, it won’t uninstall the app on your iPhone. You can also get rid of apps on your Apple Watch by opening up the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap on any app you don’t want, and toggle Show App on Apple Watch to off.
The last thing to try is to erase all content and settings on your Apple Watch. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Once it’s done, you’ll have to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone and other devices again.

Apple Watch not pairing after watchOS 9 update

Pairing your Apple Watch and iPhone is usually a seamless process, but it can run into issues. Whether the devices aren’t close enough to each other, not in Wi-Fi range, or Apple’s QR code pairing method doesn’t work, there are a few things you can try to fix watchOS 9 pairing problems.

Potential solutions:

If pairing your Apple Watch using the viewfinder method on your iPhone fails, try manual pairing. On the pairing screen, tap Pair Apple Watch Manually and follow the prompts.
Still not pairing? Most tech issues in life can be solved by rebooting a device. This is true for Apple products, too. So if you’re facing pairing issues, try rebooting your iPhone and Apple Watch, and then attempt to pair them again.
To reboot your Apple Watch, hold the side key until the Slide to power off option appears. Then, slide it to switch the wearable off. Press the same button to switch it back on.
Ensure your Apple Watch and iPhone are close together and within Wi-Fi range.

Are you facing an “Unable to check for update” error when pairing your devices?

Try toggling your phone’s Wi-Fi off and on.
Reboot both devices.
Still nothing? If you’re trying to pair an older Apple Watch, and you have access to an older iPhone, try pairing the watch to that device instead. If you’re lucky, the watch will pair and install the required update. You can then pair the watch with your new iPhone.

Apple Watch not charging after watchOS 9 update

Your Apple Watch will inform you that it’s charging through a little green lightning bolt icon. If your Apple Watch is not charging after watchOS 9 update, there are a few things you can try.

Potential solutions:

Place your Apple Watch on the charging cradle and check if the magnetic charging cable is pushed all the way into the adapter and charger.
Also, check if the plug is switched on at the wall. If it is, but your Watch still isn’t charging, try a different appliance in the wall to see if the plug is the issue. If you’re not sure, relocate the charger to another wall plug.
Clean the magnetic charger and the back of the Apple Watch.
Double-check if the Apple Watch is seated correctly on the charger. The magnets should grab onto the Watch.
Try a different cable. Apple recommends using the charging cable that ships with the Watch, but it might be damaged. Check if the cable is the problem by using another if you have one on hand.
If all else fails, try force restarting your Apple Watch. To do this, hold both the side button and Digital Crown until you see the Apple logo.

Apple Watch not turning on after watchOS 9 update

The Apple Watch’s big, responsive display is a key part of its experience, but it could be a minor issue or an indication of a growing problem if it doesn’t switch on after watchOS 9 update.

Potential solutions:

Try force restarting your Apple Watch. You don’t need the screen for this, so it should be the first thing you try. To do this, press and hold the side button and the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds. Then, release both when the Apple logo appears.
If that doesn’t work, try unpairing the Watch from your iPhone. Thankfully, you can do this from your iPhone. Head over to the Watch app, tap on the My Watch tab, tap your watch, then tap the lower case i. Finally, select Unpair Apple Watch. This should wipe your smartwatch, but you’ll be able to restore your data later through a backup.
Try placing your Apple Watch on its charger. If the display doesn’t switch on, there’s a possibility that the battery is dead. If it still doesn’t switch on despite charging, the display may be damaged.
Apple may repair the display at “no cost” under specific circumstances and if the issue is “covered by the Apple Limited Warranty or consumer law.”

If your Apple Watch Series 7 isn’t turning on, see our guide here.

Raise to wake not working after watchOS 9 update

If the screen isn’t switching on when you raise your wrist but does when you tap the display, check if Wake Screen on Wrist Raise is switched on. Head to Settings > General > Wake Screen > switch on Wake Screen on Wrist Raise.
If this doesn’t solve your issue, try resetting your Apple Watch.
Still nothing? Finally, try updating your watchOS software.
If none of these solutions fix your problem, you’ll need to contact Apple.

Apple Watch notifications not working after watchOS 9 update

A core part of the Apple Watch experience is interacting with notifications on your wrist. However, some people have reported that notifications are not working after watchOS 9 update.

Possible solutions:

Check if Do Not Disturb is switched on. When this mode is activated, the Apple Watch will not send notifications. To check if the mode is on. Check if the crescent moon icon is present on your watch face. If it is, swipe up on the watch face and tap the Do Not Disturb button. It’s also a crescent moon icon.
Still no notifications? Try to reconnect your Apple Watch to your iPhone. To do this, ensure Airplane Mode is off on your iPhone. You can switch it off by opening the Control Center and tapping on the airplane icon. Once this step is complete, restart your iPhone and Apple Watch. They should reconnect once switched on.

Receiving notifications for some apps but not others? Head to the Watch app on your iPhone, tap Notifications, scroll down to an app that isn’t sending notifications, and tap it. Here, select Show Alerts, and the app should now send notifications to your wrist.

Apple Watch not updating to watchOS 9

If you own an older Apple Watch, you’ve probably run into the “unable to install update” message at least once. However, there are a few basic things to remember before updating your device:

Be sure to place the Apple Watch on a charger. It’s not necessary, but it’s definitely advised. This is especially true if the Watch’s battery is less than 50% full.
Ensure your iPhone is nearby and both the Apple Watch and iPhone are connected to Wi-Fi. The stronger the signal, the better.
You can also try restarting the Apple Watch before installing an update. This is especially recommended if you haven’t rebooted the device in a while.

Potential solutions:

If you’ve ticked the above steps and your Apple Watch still refuses to update to watchOS 9, you can try deleting the software update file. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone. Head to General > Software & Update > tap Delete. Be sure to restart your Apple Watch after this step. Once it’s switched on, redownload the update and try installing it once more.

Older Apple Watches often suffer storage errors while updating watchOS. The fix is relatively simple — free up space the update needs to install.

First, you’ll need to note how much storage the update requires. Your iPhone and Apple Watch should highlight how much storage is required in the update error message.
To see how much storage you have available, head to the Settings app on your Watch, select General > About, and scroll down to Available.
You can also see what is taking up most of your storage, be it music, photos, or apps. Make a note of this, too.
To delete music from your Apple Watch, head to the Music app > Library > Downloaded > Albums or Songs > More > Remove > Remove Download.
To delete photos from your Apple Watch, you’ll need your iPhone. Open the Watch app > My Watch > Photos > Photo Syncing > Selected Photo Album. Toggle the option to None.
To delete apps from your Apple Watch, grab your iPhone and head to the Watch app > My Watch > Installed on Apple Watch. Then, tap the app you wish to remove and deselect Show on Apple Watch. Do this for any apps you don’t need.
You can also uninstall apps directly from the Watch. Press the Digital Crown. If your Home Screen uses grid view, tap and hold the app icon until they jiggle. Tap the delete button, then tap Delete App.
For those using list view, swipe left on the app, then tap the red delete button.
Once you’ve freed up storage, try to install the update once more.
If the watchOS 9 update still isn’t installing, reset your Apple Watch, pair it with your phone, and install the update.

Digital Crown not working after watchOS 9 update

The Digital Crown is a nifty button that powers much of the Apple Watch’s menu navigation. Unfortunately, sometimes dust and debris get lodged into the cog, jamming it or stopping it from rotating. In this case, you’ll need to give your Apple Watch a thorough clean to mitigate this Apple Watch problem.

Potential solutions:

Switch off the Apple Watch and remove the band.
Hold the Apple Watch under warm, running water for 10-15 seconds. Apple doesn’t recommend using soap or other cleaners but does suggest “continuously” turning and pressing the Crown during the process.
Dry the Watch with a non-abrasive cloth.
If this still doesn’t work, try restarting the Apple Watch.
Still nothing? You may need to unpair and repair the Watch to your iPhone. If it’s a software issue, this should solve it.

Fitness tracking not working after watchOS 9 update

The Apple Watch is a stellar smartwatch and a capable fitness tracker. However, some people have reported that fitness tracking is not working after watchOS 9 update.

Potential solutions:

Firstly, check if your Apple Watch is correctly fastened to your wrist. The device can’t be too tight but not too loose either.
Check if Fitness Tracking is enabled. If you’re a first-time Watch user, you may need to check if this privacy setting is toggled on. To check, grab your iPhone and head to the Watch app > Privacy > toggle on Fitness Tracking.
If this still doesn’t work, you can recalibrate your device to improve its accuracy. To recalibrate your Apple Watch, grab your iPhone and open the Watch app. Select My Watch > Privacy > Reset Fitness Calibration Data.
To calibrate your Apple Watch, ensure you’re outside with good GPS connectivity, open the Workout app on your Watch, Select Outdoor Walk or Outdoor Run, tap the three-dot menu to set a goal, and walk or run for 20 minutes. This data will give the Apple Watch a baseline, but each successful workout will improve the calibration data.

Cellular not working after watchOS 9 update

If you have an LTE-enabled Apple Watch, you may occasionally run into network issues. Usually, this isn’t a major problem if LTE has worked on your device before.

Potential solutions:

Check if Airplane Mode is accidentally togged on your Apple Watch. If it is, disable it.
Check if the Cellular button on your Apple Watch is green with green dots above it in the Control Center. The dots represent the signal strength, while the green button itself shows when a connection is established. If the icon isn’t highlighted, the next step should be restarting your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Still nothing? You might need to upgrade your carrier settings on your iPhone manually. To do this, ensure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile network. Next, head to Settings > General > About, then follow the instructions as these vary per carrier.
If you’re a first-time Apple Watch user, double-check if the device supports your carrier. You can find a full list at the link. Also, ensure your Apple Watch and iPhone are using the same carrier.
If all else fails, you may need to set up your mobile plan once more. Head to the Watch app on your iPhone > My Watch > tap the i alongside the carrier name > tap Remove. You can now add your carrier details again. Once complete, restart your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Finally, it might be worth trying a master reset of your iPhone’s network settings. Head to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Do note; you’ll need to reenter any Wi-Fi networks and other network-related data on your iPhone again after this step.

Apple Watch not sending or receiving messages after watchOS 9 update

Sending messages directly from your Apple Watch to other Apple devices is a nifty trick, but it’s not flawless. If your Apple Watch can’t send or receive texts after watchOS 9 update, you can run through the checklist below to fix one of the most common watchOS 9 problems.

Potential solutions:

Check if Do Not Disturb and Airplane mode are toggled off in the Control Center.
Check if you are connected to your iPhone or you have cellular reception on your Apple Watch. LTE-enabled Apple Watches still require the paired iPhone to be switched on even if it isn’t nearby.
Check if iMessage is the issue by sending a message from your iPhone. The service could be down, or the issue could be with your iPhone itself.
Apple also suggests checking if iMessage is switched on. To do this, head to Settings > Messages > toggle on iMessage. Then, tap Send & Receive to initiate the syncing process.
Still no luck? Sign out of iMessage by tapping Settings > Messages > Send & Receive on your iPhone. Next, tap Apple ID > Sign out. Apple also recommends restarting iMessage. Do this by tapping Settings > Messages > toggle off iMessage > toggle on iMessage. Once complete, sign in to iMessage once more.
Once complete, restart both your Apple Watch and iPhone.
Finally, if all else fails, check if there are any pending updates to either device.

Apple Watch Apps not working after watchOS 9 update

Part of the Apple Watch’s power is the plethora of apps available to install. However, some people have reported that Apple Watch apps are crashing randomly after watchOS 9 update. Thankfully, there’s an easy fix.

Potential solutions:

The first thing to do is check if that app has any pending updates. Then, head to the App Store on your Watch > Account > Updates. Install any available updates. Try opening the app after this.
If this doesn’t solve the issue, uninstall the app. To delete apps, press the Digital Crown. Suppose your Home Screen uses grid view; tap and hold the app icon until they jiggle. Next, tap the delete button, then tap Delete App. For those using list view, swipe left on the app, then tap the red delete button.
To delete apps from your iPhone, head to the Watch app > My Watch > Installed on Apple Watch. Then, tap the app you wish to remove and deselect Show on Apple Watch.
Once deleted, reinstall the problem app.

Apple Watch slow after watchOS 9 update

It’s unlikely the Apple Watch Series 6 or Apple Watch Series 7 will slow down after watchOS 9 update, but older models might experience some lag after watchOS 9 update. Lagging software is one of the most common Apple Watch problems for older models. Below are a few ways to mitigate this.

Potential solutions:

The easiest fix is a simple reboot. It’s good practice to reboot your device now and then, even if you own an Apple Watch Series 6 or Apple Watch Series 7.
If you own one of the older Apple Watches like Series 5, you can disable watchOS animations. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone > My Watch > General > Accessibility > toggle on Reduce Motion. This should make your Watch feel quicker and should also improve battery life slightly.
The Apple Watch fetches content for apps in the background, but this can also slow the device down in certain situations. So if you find that you don’t benefit from this feature or don’t want specific apps using it, it’s best to switch it off. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone > General > Background App Refresh. You can now toggle off the apps you don’t want using this feature or hit the master switch to kill the feature entirely.
Don’t need an app running in the background? You can force close it on your Apple Watch. To do this, press the side button on the Apple Watch, and use the Digital Crown to scroll through apps. To select an app to close, swipe on it from right to left and hit the red close button to kill it.
If your Watch remains a lag fest, it might be best to start over by resetting the device. To do this, go to Settings on your Apple Watch > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Apple Pay not working after watchOS 9 update

Apple Pay is incredibly convenient, however, some users have reported that Apple Pay is not working after watchOS 9 update. Rebooting the Watch is a good first solution. If that doesn’t solve it, you may need to run through the steps we outline below.

Potential solutions:

Try using Apple Pay on your iPhone to rule out any issues with the service itself. If it only fails to function on your Watch, it’s an issue related to the Watch itself.
Try deleting the card from your Apple Watch. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone > My Watch > Wallet & Apple Pay > tap your card > Remove This Card. You can also delete it directly from the Apple Watch by tapping the Wallet app > tapping your card > Delete.
Now, try adding the card again. To do this, you’ll need to head back to the Watch app on your iPhone and the My Watch tab. Then, tap Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Credit or Debit Card > input the relevant data. Tap Next, and wait for your bank verification. Once complete, the card should be available to use.
If you’re facing issues with a specific card, try adding another if you have one at hand. If the other card works, the old card is likely the issue.

Walkie Talkie not working after watchOS 9 update

Walkie Talkie is a super nifty feature on the Apple Watch that lets users communicate with one another directly from their wrists. While it’s endlessly useful, some users have reported that Walkie Talkie is not working after watchOS 9 update. Here are some of the more common fixes.

Potential solutions:

Walkie Talkie has a few requirements right off the bat. Without these, the service simply won’t work.

You’ll need FaceTime activated on your iPhone.
An internet connection is also required. This means either an LTE-enabled Apple Watch or a watch that’s tethered to your iPhone with a mobile connection.
If Walkie Talkie has worked before, try restarting your phone and watch.
If this doesn’t work, try restarting FaceTime. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, head to FaceTime, then toggle the FaceTime master switch off and on.
Double-check that FaceTime is working on your phone. If you can’t complete a call, there’s a high chance Walkie Talkie won’t work on your watch.
Check if your iPhone has an active and functioning Wi-Fi or cellular connection and is connected to your Apple Watch.
If all else fails, uninstall Walkie Talkie on your watch and FaceTime on your phone.

Can’t Download Apps on Apple Watch after watchOS 9 update

One of the weirdest issues that I have encountered quite a few times on Apple Watch is the “Can’t download and install apps” after watchOS 9 update. And when that happens, I’m left scratching my head as to what is causing the installation of apps to not work on the Apple Watch. I’m sure many of you would have come across this path as well.

In some cases, when you tap on the install button right next to an app located under the Watch app’s Available Apps section, a never-ending spinning icon takes over. Even after waiting for minutes, the app does not install on the watch.

Potential solutions:

Try to restart both the Apple Watch and iPhone.
Also, make sure to connect your device to a strong internet connection.
If you are trying to install the already available apps via the Watch app, install one app at a time to prevent congestion.

Fix Common watchOS 9 Errors and Problems Yourself

Those were some of the most commonly reported and observed watchOS 9 erros and issues, and their fixes. I have tried to include all of the most common watchOS 9 problems in this article along with their fixes but if you are still having issues, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We’ll do our best to help.

Tags: Apple Watch Troubleshooting, iPhone Troubleshooting

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how to hang up a call with Siri in iOS 16

Tuesday January 3, 2023 5:33 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

iOS 16 brings lots of new features to your iPhone that let you do things like customizing your lock screen, and editing Messages you already sent. However, one new feature received less attention than the headline grabbers, but is great news for some users.

iOS 16 now lets users end calls using the company’s virtual assistant Siri without having to press anything. Here’s how to use the new Siri Call Hangup feature.

How to turn on Siri call hang-up

The ability for Siri to hang up a call is part of Apple’s set of improvements to Accessibility across its platforms. Even though it was designed to help people with motor or motion issues who may find it challenging to touch the red call button, anyone can use it. It’s turned off by default, but you can toggle it on in Settings.

Open Settings app
Tap Siri & Search
Tap Siri Call Hangup
Set the toggle to on

How to hang up a call with Siri in iOS 16

To hang up a FaceTime or phone call with Siri, simply say something along the lines of “Hey Siri, hang up” and your trusted digital assistant will do just that. There’s just one caveat: Those on the call will hear you speaking the phrase out aloud.

System requirements for the Siri call hang-up

This particular command is part of Siri’s expanded offline support in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. On the iOS side, it requires Apple’s A12 Bionic chip or later so you’ll need at least an iPhone XS/XR or newer. Your iPad must also run at least an A12 Bionic chip, found in the fifth-generation iPad mini, third-generation iPad Air and eighth-generation iPad. According to Apple’s iOS 16 Preview page, Siri call hang-up is initially launching in the following seven languages: German (Germany), English (Australia, Canada, India, UK, US), Spanish (Spain, Mexico, US), French (France), Japanese (Japan), Mandarin Chinese (China mainland) and Cantonese (Hong Kong).

Tag: iPhone Guides

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When should you build an app for your business?

Tuesday January 3, 2023 5:38 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

An app can create a lot of value for a business. Developing an app can create new possibilities for your business. You can offer new features to your customers and connect more easily with them. But it’s important to consider whether your business is ready before investing in an app. Read more here.

There are many advantages to having an app. If you have a loyal customer base, it’s much easier to connect with them through an app. An app makes you able to offer your customers new and convenient features. A strong brand is completely built on good communication with your customers. For this, an app can be a valuable asset. Customers that use your app can easily set their own preferences which allow you to meet their needs and demands. It will also give you a better basis for targeted ads. If you want to start developing an app, you can find different softwares that can help.

But even though there are many advantages of having an app, the timing for it needs to be right. Developing an app is an investment that takes a lot of time and money. If you’re not ready for an app, it can be a better idea to build a receptive website. Read more about when to build an app for your business here.

1. If you have a loyal customer base

One of the best things to look at when deciding whether or not to build an app is your customer base. If you already have a loyal customer base, you can be pretty confident that they will make use of the new possibilities that an app brings to your business. If you’re still in the early days and building your customer base, it might be a bit too soon to invest in the development of an app.

2. Your business requires a smartphone feature

If you are sure that your business needs a smartphone feature to grow, developing an app is usually a good idea. If your products or services are elevated with the use of a smartphone feature, this is a good indication. This could be the use of a GPS location or a camera. Think about how much value this will create for your business and your customer. If you find that it will create a sufficient amount of value, an app could be worth the investment.

3. If you need an interactive feature

As mentioned, interacting with your customers is the essence of creating a successful business. So even if you don’t necessarily need a smartphone feature, an increased interaction with your customer can be grounds enough for building an app. An app can be a good way to introduce new interactive features to elevate your business’ service or product. The same thing goes if your platform has an interactive content-based involvement with customers, an app can be a valuable asset. If you do decide to build an app, you also need to have the time and money to maintain it and optimize it for SEO.

Tag: iPhone Tips

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How to Fix Alarm Not Working on iPhone 13 Pro

Tuesday January 3, 2023 6:52 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Most of us rely on our phones for everything, including waking up in the morning. So it can be quite an inconvenience when your iPhone 13 Pro alarm is not working. After all, you might not have a traditional alarm clock or a smartwatch, or other devices to use instead. But don’t worry, I’ve got some solutions to help you out. Try the below tips to fix the iPhone 13 Pro alarm not working.

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

What To Do if iPhone 13 Pro Alarms Won’t Work

If your iPhone 13 Pro alarms won’t work, follow the steps below to fix the problem:

Double-check Your Ringer Volume

This is the most common reason why your iPhone 13 Pro alarms won’t work, as the alarm actually went off when it was supposed to, but you didn’t hear the sound. This can happen if you accidentally turned the sound of your notifications down, which would include the ringer for your alarm.

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Sounds & Haptics.
Under the Ringer and Alerts section, move the volume slider all the way to the right.
You might also want to toggle the Change with Buttons option to the On position.

Once you’ve adjusted the volume, you can jump into the Clock app and create a quick alarm to make sure that everything is back in working order.

Double-check the alarm settings

Unfortunately, most of the time when an iPhone 13 Pro alarm doesn’t go off when you expect, the root cause is user error — you probably simply set the alarm incorrectly. The most common errors? Choosing PM instead of AM (or the other way around) or believing the alarm was set to recurring when in fact it was a one-time alarm.

To check, start the Clock app, tap the Alarm tab at the bottom of the page, and find the alarm that didn’t work the way you expected. Check for the proper time, AM/PM setting, and see if it’s set to recur on the days of the week you want. If not, tap it and make the necessary changes.

Use an Apple Watch? Check your settings there

If you use an Apple Watch in conjunction with your phone’s Clock app, certain settings on your watch can interfere with the watch’s ability to gently wake you in the morning when the alarm is scheduled to go off.

First, make sure your Apple Watch isn’t locked. If necessary, enter your passcode on the watch so you can gain access to your watch apps. Then swipe up from the bottom to see the Settings screen and make sure that it is not set to Mute, Theater mode, or Airplane mode. If any of those three icons are selected, tap them to turn them off.

Make sure your phone isn’t connected to a Bluetooth device

Another way your alarm might sound but still not get your attention: The audio might be playing through a connected audio device, like headphones, earbuds, or a portable speaker that’s in another room. You can ensure there are no connected Bluetooth devices, or simply toggle Bluetooth off and then turn it back on again. Any devices will disconnect and the alarm should play through the iPhone’s speaker.

To do that, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see the Control Center. Tap the Bluetooth icon in the top left, then wait about five seconds. Then you can turn Bluetooth back on again (or, if you prefer, simply leave it off).

Restart Your iPhone

iPhone 13 Pro Alarms Won’t Work – Restart your phone.

For one reason or another, we’ve found that a simple restart of your iPhone can fix any issues that you may experience. At the end of the day, our smartphones are just really fast computers, and there might be some software cruft that is wreaking havoc. Here’s how you can restart your iPhone:

Press and hold the Side Button with either the Volume Up or Volume Down buttons at the same time.
Once the Slide to Power Off slider appears, slide the toggle to turn off your iPhone.

When you perform a “regular” restart of your iPhone, this allows iOS to go through its traditional shutdown safety nets. But if you want to really knock out any potential cobwebs, then you might want to try a force restart.

Quickly press the Volume Up button and release.
Quickly press the Volume Down button and release.
Press and hold the Side button for 10-15 seconds until your iPhone reboots.

Once your iPhone is finished booting back up, log back in, and then head into the Clock app to set a quick alarm. This should give you an idea as to whether everything is back in working order or not.

Pick A Different Alarm Sound

Another issue that we’ve run into in the past is that the default sound for the iPhone doesn’t actually work. It’s one of the weirdest bugs, but it’s happened off and on over the years, even after iOS updates claim to fix the bug. Here’s how you can swap out the alarm noises if your iPhone 13 Pro alarms won’t work:

Open the Clock app on your iPhone.
Tap Alarm in the bottom toolbar.
In the top right corner, tap Edit.
Select the alarm that you want to change.
Tap Sound.
Pick a Ringtone or Song that you want to use.
Tap Vibration.
Select one of the options provided.
Tap < Sound in the top right corner.
Tap < Back in the top right corner.
In the top left corner, tap Save.
Repeat the steps for all of your pertinent alarms

If you want to be on the safe side, you can always restart your iPhone after you’ve updated your alarms. This could help to knock out any of the kinks that have been preventing alarms from going off.

Check For An iOS Update

Apple has been feverishly updating its lineup of devices, at a more rapid pace than we’ve seen in the past. Chances are, you might have an update waiting for you, but it just hasn’t prompted you to install it yet. If you want to be on the safe side, you can quickly and easily check for an update.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap General.
Select Software Update.
If there is an update available, tap the Download and Install button.

After the update is finished downloading, your iPhone will prompt you to begin the installation. During this time, you will be unable to use your iPhone, so make sure you have a few minutes to spare.

Reset All Settings

The last method we recommend trying if your iPhone 13 Pro alarms won’t work essentially resets all of the preferences that you might have tweaked over the duration of owning your iPhone. This literally means that if you’ve tapped a toggle to turn something on or changed an alarm, performing this reset will put things back to the way that they were when you first took the iPhone 13 Pro out of the box.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap General.
Scroll to the bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap the Reset button at the bottom of the page.
Tap Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode if prompted.

As you might expect, following the steps above will also require you to go back into the Clock app and set up all of your alarms again. Obviously, this is a rather cumbersome solution, but it’s better than waking up later than you need to be.

Download a different Alarm App

There’s really nothing wrong with Apple’s Clock app. It has much of the functionality that you need, along with a few added benefits thanks to Bedtime Mode. But for some, Apple’s app just won’t wake you up when you need to get up. Thanks to the wonder that is the App Store, there are quite a few alternatives that you can try out. Here are three of our favorites.

Sleep Cycle – By using Sleep Cycle to track your sleep and find your perfect wake-up window, we believe you’ll be part of that change, for the benefit of better health.
Alarmy – Joyful Alarm clock – Alarmy makes your BODY get out of bed first and then makes you get to the place like a bathroom where you have no other choices but to wake up. Alarm will keep ringing until you prove the fact that you arrived at the place through taking a “Photo” or scanning a “Barcode”.
Alarm Clock for Me – Wake up and go to sleep to your favorite music, get your own collection of exclusive designer clocks, know weather conditions in your area, and light up the darkness with a powerful built-in flashlight!

Alarm not working on iPhone 13 Pro: fixed!

Alarm is something that we use a lot, as it’s a great feature to to make sure we wake up on time. Well, these tips should solve your iPhone 13 Pro alarm issues in most situations. If we missed something, let us know in the comments section below.

Tag: iPhone Troubleshooting

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Fake Apple TV: how to tell fake Vs real? Know Here

Tuesday January 3, 2023 5:46 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Be warned that there are many fake Apple TV for sale and while clones or fakes are becoming increasingly more popular you can still tell the difference. The last thing you want is to buy an Apple TV clone. So if you are worried that you may buy a fake Apple TV or a Clone Apple TV then this comprehensive guide is for you. Here is the step-by-step guide which will help you to spot a fake Apple TV and distinguish it from the original.

How to identify a fake Apple TV

1. How to tell if your Apple TV is fake: check the Serial number

Serial Number makes it easier for Apple consumers to check the authenticity of their Apple products. Serial Numbers are unique to each model of the Apple products. Your Apple TV still have that unique Serial Number.

Apple runs a website that lets users check if their products are still under warranty. This is great for checking real products, of course, but it also has the added benefit of telling you when you’re using a fake product.

To use the site, you’ll just need your Apple TV’ serial number. You can find this number in various ways.

Check in Settings: For you to check the Serial Number of your Apple TV you should go to Settings > General > About.
Check the bottom of your Apple TV: Serial number of the Apple TV can also be found at the bottom of your TV. You can use light to check it out because the numbers are a bit reflective.
Find the Serial Number with your Apple ID: On your Apple Device that is signed in with your Apple ID, you can find the Serial Number of your Apple TV. If you have an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, go to Settings > Your Name, then scroll down and tap your Apple TV to see the Serial Number. If you have a MacBook you can go to your Apple ID account page and find the Serial Number of your Apple TV.

Once you have the Apple TV’ serial number, head to the Check Coverage website and enter it into the field at the top, then fill out the CAPTCHA and click Continue.

If you’re brought to either a page that asks you to enter the purchase date, or one that tells you what warranty options you have available, your Apple TV is probably legit. But if you instead get an error message saying that Apple is “unable to check coverage for this serial number,” it’s almost definitely fake.

Quick tip: Systems like this are why you should always keep your serial numbers private. Leaking your number online makes it easier for companies to make fake Apple TV with real serial numbers, which makes it harder to detect fakes.

2. How to spot a fake Apple TV: Packaging

Apple has pretty high production standards, and fake Apple TV manufacturers rarely meet them. Minimalist, intelligent, and clean — these are the perfect words to describe the boxes that come with Apple products. Anyone who knows a thing or two about tech brands also knows how much Apple pays attention to the details, even when it comes to the packaging.

Because of this, counterfeit manufacturers seem to have a harder time producing high-quality packaging than the Apple TV itself.

Different counterfeit Apple TVs come from different manufacturers. This means that some manufacturers could have gotten parts of packaging right that other manufacturers haven’t.

The packaging of an original Apple TV is exquisite. It’s absolutely gorgeous and the colour is eye popping. The box has a unique “Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD” word marked with a black colour. In the box you’ll find the Apple TV, the Siri Remote, a power cable, and Lightning cable, which is used to charge the remote.

If you look carefully, you can find signs that Apple TV is fake on the packaging:

Information: Although we don’t actually read the technical specs or any of the information on the packaging. It might actually be extremely useful when it comes to figuring out if you have fake Apple TV. Since the packaging is usually made in non-English speaking countries, there are bound to be a few spelling errors. In fact, if the text is in Chinese, then it’s a dead giveaway.
Color: Packaging for the Apple TV comes in a nice, clean white, while knock-off brands usually look off-white or yellowish.
Labeling: The Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD both come with distinct labeling that is uniform everywhere in the world. If you find that your box doesn’t have the same labels as the original ones, then it’s most likely fake. For example, if you find weird stickers or labels that refer to giveaway, then you’re dealing with a fake.
Serial number: This is a huge one. If your packaging doesn’t have a serial number or if it’s been tampered with, then there is a good chance you’re dealing with fake Apple TV. So be sure to inspect it thoroughly. Use apple TV serial number check to know if it is fake or not. Note that some fake Apple TV with real serial numbers. So use the first tip on this guide to know how to check if Apple TV is real by serial number.

3. How to Spot Fake Apple TV: Pricing

Apple products are known worldwide for their high prices compared to any other products. Of course, we acknowledge the existence of deals and promos across the board that could have possibly let you buy an authentic Apple TV for dirt-cheap. So just because you got your Apple TV for $100 or less doesn’t necessarily mean it’s fake – although it’s likely.

You can get Apple TV 32GB for ‌$179 or Apple TV 64GB for ‌$199 from any Apple store.

If you got your pair brand-new for under ‌$100 from a Black Friday sale or some other super-low discount price, then either you’re lucky, or your Apple TV, unfortunately, may not be authentic.

The same goes for new “Apple TV” that you got for under the $100 range. If you got a brand-new set for $50 or less, then you can probably already tell that it’s fake since you most likely won’t be getting the best build quality at ‌$50 or less.

4. How to spot Apple TV: Operating system

Original Apple TV comes with tvOS installed. This is not something you’ll find on fake Apple TV. Usually, the installed operating system is free or open access such as Android rather than tvOS. This is a complete dead giveaway of a fake Apple TV.

5. How to Tell If Apple TV is Fake: Check it’s ability to connect with other Apple Devices

Apple TV connects with other Apple Devices well. You can connect your HomePod or HomePod Mini with your Apple TV for speakers. You can connect your Apple TV to be used as your HomeKit to control your Smart Home. AirPods can also be connected with Apple TV for Private listening. so if your Apple TV does not connect to your Apple Devices, just know that you are looking at a fake Apple TV.

6. How to Tell If Apple TV is Fake: Try to Use Siri

Another reliable way to tell if Apple TV is fake is by doing something only authentic Apple TV can do.

Siri is a virtual assistant that is part of the tvOS operating system. Siri is available in both Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

Siri is one thing that counterfeit manufacturers have never been able to fake. Try asking Siri for things like movies, TV Shows or Apps. If Siri doesn’t respond to your commandds, we’re sorry to tell you, but your Apple TV is fake.

7. How to Spot Fake Apple TV: Build Quality

If you look at the physical hardware of fake Vs fake Apple TV, the differences are quite difficult to discern. You have to nitpick and look at the smallest details to identify the fake.

Apple’s tolerances on hardware are second-to-none. You shouldn’t see any seams in the plastic, the ports and connectors are tight and sturdy, and the color of Apple products (like MacApple TV) is clean and bright. If your Apple TV seem a little low quality, the pieces are loose, or the color isn’t perfect, you might have knock-off Apple TV.

If ever doubt, you should simply open up a schematic or an image of the authentic Apple TV on your computer and compare it to yours. 90% of the time the clone manufacturers tend to cut corners on the design.

8. Bring it to an authorised reseller

If you are not at ease of being in possession of a fake Apple TV, you can take it to your nearest Apple store. Apple stores have their own engineers and experts that can help you to identify if your Apple TV is original or fake. There is nothing you can do if they find out that your Apple TV is fake because you have purchased it from a fake agent. To avoid all the messes of buying a fake Apple TV, it’s advisable to buy from Apple Authorised Resellers. If you are buying Apple TV online through platforms such as Amazon, make sure that you are buying from their official Apple Store.

Spotting Apple TV Clone – Final Thoughts

At first glance, it is quite easy to mistake a clone for an original Apple TV, as the makers pay high attention, especially to the TV appearance. If you look closely using the methods below, you can spot a fake from a genuine Apple TV:

Serial number
Packaging
Build quality
Pricing
Features check

Let us know if you’ve spotted any fake Apple TV and be careful when buying or trading online with these distinct feature differences!
See also: Fake MacBook Pro: how to tell fake Vs real? Know Here

Tag: Apple TV

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Fake MacBook Pro: how to tell fake Vs real? Know Here

Tuesday January 3, 2023 5:47 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Be warned that there are many fake MacBook Pro for sale and while clones or fakes are becoming increasingly more popular you can still tell the difference. The last thing you want is to buy MacBook Pro clone. So if you are worried that you may buy a fake MacBook Pro or a Clone MacBook Pro then this comprehensive guide is for you. Here is the step-by-step guide which will help you to spot a fake MacBook Pro and distinguish it from the original.

Note: the tips explain in this article can be used to spot a fake MacBook Air as well.

How to identify a fake MacBook Pro

Here’s how you can find out if your MacBook Pro is fake or not:

1. How to Tell If MacBook Pro is Fake: Check the Serial Number

The Serial Number is the fingerprint of a product. It is a combination of numbers and letters assigned only to a specific unit produced.

You can use your Serial Number to check if your MacBook Pro is fake or original. Apple has an online to check a product’s warranty status. Just enter the MacBook’ serial number and, if you find it there, it’s the real deal. If you don’t, you’ve spotted fake MacBook Pro.

So, to spot fake MacBook Pro using this trick, follow these steps:

First, find the Serial Number of your MacBook Pro. Here’s how:

In About This Mac: From the Apple Menu in the corner of your screen, choose About This Mac. You should see an overview of your Mac including the Serial Number.
In system information: The System Information App also shows your Mac serial Number. Open the app, then select Hardware on the left side of the system information window. The Serial Number appears on the right.
On the packaging of your MacBook Pro: You can also check the Serial Number on your packaging of the MacBook Pro. It is printed on the outside of your MacBook Pro package.

Now, the most foolproof way to tell if MacBook Pro is fake is to go directly to the source: Apple.

In your web browser, go to Apple’s coverage checking tool.
Enter the serial number, the CAPTCHA, and click Continue.
If the tool returns information for that serial number (especially a valid purchased date), the MacBook Pro is real.

2. How to Spot Fake MacBook Pro: Build Quality

Apple is famous for the very high quality of its devices. You shouldn’t see any seams in the plastic, the ports and connectors are tight and sturdy, and the color of Apple products (like MacBook Pro) is clean and bright. If your MacBook Pro seem a little low quality, the pieces are loose, or the color isn’t perfect, you might have knock-off MacBook Pro.

3. How to Spot Fake MacBook Pro: Pricing

Prices of Apple products are a bit high compared to products of other companies. Counterfeit sellers take this as an advantage to sell fake Apple products at a reduced price to attract more buyers. At the end the buyer will end up with a fake Apple product.

MacBook Pro comes in three different designs, that is 13 inch, 14 inch and 16 inch with each having a different price. The starting retail price for MacBook Pro 13 inch is $1299, while MacBook Pro 14 inch is $1999, and MacBook Pro 16 inch is $ 2499.

As you can see, Apple products aren’t cheap. If you paid much less than that—say, $500 for MacBook Pro—they might not be real.

4. How to Spot Fake MacBook Pro: Packaging

When it comes to packaging, Apple takes the lead. Their packaging is of high quality which makes it hard for counterfeit manufacturers to fake it. Although some fake MacBook Pros are being produced and packed the same as Apple packs, it’s hard for them to fake it all.

The packaging of a MacBook Pro comes in a box which is white in colour and at the top of the box, a MacBook Pro is smartly drawn there. When you open the box, you will find the only plastic used in the outer layer to protect any dust from entering inside the box. The rest of the materials are of high quality and unique cardboard that protect the MacBook pro. Inside the box you will find a power adapter, a cable, Apple stickers and some paperwork for guide and warranty.

Just like the build quality of Apple products is high, so is the packaging quality. The boxes’ fit is tight, the quality of the printing high, the placement of stickers perfect. Apple’s quality control for its products is exacting, so if your MacBook Pro doesn’t meet that mark, it could be fake.

5. Check the Operating system

Original MacBook Pro comes with macOS installed. This is not something you’ll find on fake MacBook Pro. Usually, the installed operating system is free or open access such as Windows or Linux rather than macOS. This is a complete dead giveaway of a fake MacBook Pro.

6. How to Tell If MacBook Pro is Fake: Try to Use Siri

Another reliable way to tell if MacBook Pro is fake is by doing something only authentic MacBook can do.

Siri is your intelligent personal assistant, helping you to multitask and get things done on your MacBook Pro. For example you can be working on a document on your MacBook Pro and you need to send a message to your friend. You don’t have to close the document and open the messages to write your friend a message. You can command Siri to send the message to your friend without you having to stop what you are doing by closing the document.

Siri is one thing that counterfeit manufacturers have never been able to fake. If you try to use Siri but don’t see the feature on your device, we’re sorry to tell you, but your MacBook Pro is a crone one.

7. How to Tell If MacBook Pro is Fake: Check it’s ability to connect with other Apple Devices

The Apple Ecosystem is the best Ecosystem that there has ever been. Apple products connect smoothly with each other. MacBook Pro, also being one of Apple products should connect well with other Apple Devices.

If you have logged in your MacBook Pro with the same Apple ID as your other Apple Devices they should connect seamlessly. For example you can be typing on your MacBook Pro and the battery dies. You don’t have to wait for your MacBook Pro to get charged for you to continue with your work. You can take either your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to continue what you were trying with your MacBook. That is called continuity in Apple. It’s no doubt copycats will never forge this magical feature. If your MacBook Pro doesn’t connect with other Apple Devices, it might be a fake.

8. Take your MacBook Pro to Apple reseller store to check if it’s fake

Apple reseller stores are available in many countries all over the world. You can check the nearest Apple store on Apple’s website. If you have purchased or you are in possession of a MacBook Pro and you need it to be validated to know if it’s genuine, you can take it to any Apple reseller store. They have qualified engineers and technicians who can check your MacBook if it’s genuine or fake.

Even if your MacBook Pro is found to be fake, you can not get a refund of your money or your fake MacBook Pro can’t be exchanged with an original one because Apple is not responsible for any purchase of any clone Apple products.

To avoid such mistakes, it is advised when you are purchasing any Apple product, just buy it from a recognized Apple Reseller store. If you are doing purchases online make sure you are buying from a genuine Apple store App.

Conclusion

Authenticating MacBook Pro is as tricky as ever. With the things we discussed above, though, you should be properly armed to take on the challenge. Now, you won’t be easily fooled by those who want to take advantage of you. The only thing left for you to do is to go get that MacBook Pro! Before you go, check out our article on how to spot a fake Apple Watch.

Tag: Mac Tips

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Things Have Changed – Would You Still Get An Apple Tv?

Tuesday January 3, 2023 5:50 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

The Apple TV has always been an excellent option for people already in the Apple ecosystem. The seamless integration that Apple offers is something that you can’t find elsewhere.

But, things are changing. Apple TV has partnered with most major TV manufacturers to make its best apps, like HomeKit, iTunes, and AirPlay, available to everyone.

At the same time, the complaints from tech enthusiasts still stand. Apple is too restrictive when it comes to streaming local content. Plus, there is no support for external storage or 3D gaming.

As an Apple enthusiast, that should make you wonder what else is out there. What does the world of Android TV, which is slowly evolving into Google TV, look like?

Guess What! Things Are Changing In The Android World Too

Chromecast is no longer a lonely little dongle. It has an accompanying remote. Also, you get features like 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby ATMOS. You can even use it to play games from the cloud and on a local device. Local storage and audio/video calls are also supported. Do you notice all the changes?

If you are looking for the best android tv box, we have had an undisputed champion for a very long time. NVIDIA Shield has been the preferred choice among tech experts since its release in 2019.

It is a very easy-to-use device and comes with Amazon Alexa and Google Home support. The only gripe has been its price. At $150, it was one of the most expensive options.

Priced at only $50, Chromecast is about to offer stiff competition.

The Beginnings

Google launched Chromecast in 2013 and priced it at a mere $35. It has been an excellent option to play content from your mobile devices on the big screen. It kept things simple. It was nothing more than a wireless display adapter, not a media player.

Chromecast has evolved since its launch. Over the years, it added support for various Android apps. Also, it added 4K capabilities, and the latest version comes with a brand new user interface.

Google TV

It is the new interface on Chromecast devices. Google TV acts as a skin on top of Android TV. The concept is similar to what Android phone makers do for their devices.

Google TV will start replacing Android TVs everywhere. Google TV is available as an app on Google Play and has replaced Play Movies and Play TV. All of this means is that it is capable of doing everything Android TV can do and much more.

How Does It Stack Up Against the Competition?

A Firestick is pretty inexpensive. However, it doesn’t support native play or dongles. It also gives you Fire OS, which isn’t the best version of Android.
There are a plethora of Chinese-made Android TV boxes. They look quite futuristic, but their software leaves a lot to be desired. After-sales support and spare parts aren’t readily available.
TiVo Stream 4k comes closest in comparison to the new Chromecast. The pricing and hardware capabilities are similar to Chromecast. But it also comes with an older processor and worse software.
Then there’s Nvidia Shield. It is quite capable. The AI up-scaling tech is an industry leader, not to mention the low latency gaming power. However, you could get three Chromecasts for that price. And that’s just the starting price.

The Experience

The new Google TV user interface feels like Apple TV, Amazon, and Roku. It offers content by pooling it from various streaming services. You can jump into a movie directly from the home screen.

You can use Google’s voice assistant for all these functions. It will also teach Google about your content preferences.

The Design

Chromecast retains its old shape. But you get to choose from 3 different designs. And as mentioned before, it also comes with a remote. The port has been upgraded to USB C. That’s the port you will use for plugging in other supported.

These include an Ethernet adapter, as well as external storage. You can play video files and Blu-ray rips from a hard drive. You can also plug in a video camera for calls with a USB pass-through.

Gaming

This is one aspect where the Chromecast might fall short. The 4 GB storage isn’t enough to load a lot of gaming content. The performance of the games isn’t the smoothest either. This, however, has a lot to do with the strength of your internet connection. Streaming games locally from the PC shouldn’t be a problem.

So, what do you think of the new Chromecast? A lot of the features that seem rather obvious to Android users might make your jaw drop. Do you still think purchasing an Apple TV makes a lot of sense?

Tag: Apple TV

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20 Amazing Apple TV Tips and Tricks You Need to Know in 2025

Tuesday January 14, 2025 3:24 pm EAT by Moses Johnson

Apple TV has come a long way since it was first launched in March 2007. With more than a decade under its belt, and some major improvements over the years, now there’s definitely an argument for Apple users to buy an Apple TV.

There are also some great tips and tricks within Apple TV to help you get the most out of it.

From connecting Bluetooth devices to controlling smart home with Apple TV, we’ve got an assortment of Apple TV tips and tricks you probably didn’t know your tvOS device could do. These Apple TV Tips and Tricks will have you showing off your abilities to your friends and having them ask you where you learned it all – you can link them here and share the knowledge, of course!

Without any further ado, here are the 16 best Apple TV tips and tricks you should try today.

Editor’s note: Some of the tips and tricks in this article were put together using Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), Apple TV 4K (1st generation), and Apple TV HD. Keep in mind some of these tricks might be different for you, depending on your hardware and software.

Best Apple TV tips and tricks

Here is a list of the Best Apple TV Tips and Tricks in 2022:

1. Connect Bluetooth devices to your Apple TV

You may need to connect your Bluetooth devices to your Apple TV to either reduce noise or to play games. These include: iPhone, iPad, MacBook, wireless keyboard, Sony playstation, Microsoft Xbox or any other compatible controller accessory.

If your Apple AirPods share the same Apple ID with your Apple TV, it will connect automatically

Steps to follow to connect your Bluetooth compatible accessory to Apple TV

Open Settings on your Apple TV
Go to Remote and Devices
Select Bluetooth
If you are connecting a game controller, select How to pair Game Controller and follow the onscreen instructions
For the Bluetooth devices, select the device in the Other Device List

2. You can set the TV button

Pressing your Siri Remote at the TV button once, it will take you to Up Next in the Apple TV, and pressing it again will take you to the home screen. You can change the settings so that when you press the TV button once, it will take you directly to Home Screen

Steps to follow to change the TV button

Open Settings on your Apple TV
Go to Remote and Device
Select TV Button
Then select either Home screen or Apple TV.

3. Restart your Apple TV

If your Apple TV is not responding, you can restart it to clear the errors

Steps to follow to restart your Apple TV

Press and hold the back and **TV/Control Center** buttons. Let go when the light on your device flashes
Alternatively, open Settings on your Apple TV
Go to System and select Restart
If the Settings menu and your remote don’t restart your device, disconnect your Apple TV from the power outlet. Wait for about five seconds to reconnect your Apple TV back

4. Updating your Apple TV Software

After some time, your Apple TV will need to update its Software. You can either set up your Apple TV to update automatically or when an update is available you will see a message on your Apple TV

Steps to follow to check Software update on Apple TV

Open Settings on your Apple TV
Go to System
Select Software update
If an update is available, click Download and Install to start the download

If you need to set up your Apple TV to automatically update Software you can do so by setting it up.

Steps to follow to set automatic software update on Apple TV:

Open Settings
Go to System
Select Software Update
Then select Automatically Update

5. Use VoiceOver on Apple TV

Without seeing your screen, you can control your Apple TV with VoiceOver. On the Touch Surface of your Siri Remote, you can use a simple gesture to move around the screen, and listen as VoiceOver speaks each time you highlight.

VoiceOver has two modes that are Navigation and Exploration. Navigation, speaks selected items on the screen as you navigate them using the Siri Remote. While Exploration, holds the currently selected items so that you can browse the screen with the Siri Remote. This lets you hear items and text elsewhere on the screen before selecting them.

Steps to follow to turn on or off VoiceOver on Apple TV:

Open Settings on your Apple TV
Go to Accessibility
Select VoiceOver
Choose either VoiceOver on or VoiceOver off.

6. Input AirPlay security on Apple TV

This Apple TV trick lets you insert a password on your AirPlay to prevent unwanted guests from streaming their own videos on your TV.

Steps to follow to set AirPlay security on Apple TV:

Open Settings
Go to AirPlay
Select Security
Click Password and set your desired password.

7. Customise the Apple TV home screen

You can customise your Apple TV home screen in various ways. With this Apple TV trick, you can rearrange apps, create a folder for apps, delete apps from the app store that you no longer use, or change the background appearance of your Screen

Steps to follow to delete an App on Apple TV:

Select the app you want to delete
Press and hold the clickpad center of your remote
until the App starts to jinggle
Click the play or pause button for more options
Choose Delete

Steps to follow to rearrange apps on Apple TV

Select an App on your Apple TV
Press and hold the clickpad center until the App starts to jingle
Drag the App to a new location on the Home Screen
Repeat the above process for the Apps you need to change
Press the clickpad center to save the new arrangements

8. Add more Accounts to your Apple TV

You can add multiple Apple ID accounts to your Apple TV. This Apple TV trick will enable you and your family members or friends to switch between accounts smoothly.

Steps to follow to add apple account on Apple TV

Open the Apple TV App on your device
Go to Settings
Select Account
Click Add New Account
Follow the instructions to either sign in using your iPhone, iPad, MacBook or you can sign in manually

9. Use Family sharing on Apple TV

You can either Start a family members group, join a family members group or invite family members to join your group. You can share with upto six family members. This Apple TV trick lets you share Pictures, movies, live TV shows, music, Podcasts and more with your family members.

For you to activate family sharing on Apple TV, you must set it on a Mac, iPhone or iPad because Apple TV does not support the activation directly.

Steps to follow when you want to set up family sharing on your iPhone, iPad or Mac

Go to Settings
Tap your name
Select Family Sharing
Click Add Member
Follow the instructions to set up and invite your family members

10. Control your Smart Home with Apple TV

While you are away from your home, you need a HomeHub to control your HomeKit accessories. Apple TV being an Apple product, it works well to control your home when connected as a HomeHub.

Steps to follow to set up your Apple TV as a HomeHub:

Go to Settings on your Apple TV
Select Accounts ( make sure that your Apple TV is connected with the same Apple ID as your Apple devices)
Once you have signed it will automatically connect with your Home Hub

11. Setting up parental control on your Apple TV

With a lot of live shows and many apps in Apple TV, it’s more likely you can find a show or an App that is not suitable for children who are under age. Thankfully, this Apple TV trick allows you to input passcode on such channels and Apps.

Steps to follow to set up parental control on Apple TV:

Go to Settings
Select General
Press on Restrictions and input the password.

12. Activate Dark mode on Apple TV

You can be a movie lover and you watch either during the day or during the night. During the day it will be harder for you to notice the high contrast on your Apple TV than during the night. The high light during the night can damage your eyes. This Apple TV trick allows you to set your TV in Dark mode thus reducing the amount of light. You can also set both light and dark modes. When it’s day time it will show light mode and when darkness starts it will automatically change to Dark mode.

Steps to follow to set up Dark mode on Apple TV:

Open Settings on your Apple TV
Go to General
Open Appearance
Select Dark for dark mode ( also you can select Automatic to set up light mode during the day and Dark mode during the night)

13. Quick switch between the Apps on Apple TV

You don’t have to return to Home Screen to open the App that you had previously opened. With this Apple TV Trick, you just need to switch between different Apps to open the App that you need. This is like multitasking on an iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Steps to follow to switch between apps on Apple TV:between Apps

On your Siri Remote, press the TV button twice quickly
In App switcher view, navigate to a different App in the center of the screen
If you want to leave the App, press the Back button

14. Change Apple TV remote sensitivity

Your Apple TV Remote can be a bit sensitive to unnecessary touch. Thankfully, this Apple TV trick lets you avoid that by letting you cuddle the clippad to match your particular control style.

Steps to follow to change Apple TV Remote sensitivity:

Open Settings on your Apple TV
Go to Remote and Devices
Select Touch Surface Tracking
Choose Fast to make smaller thumb movements faster on your Apple TV screen. Select Slow to reduce tracking sensitivity.

15. Control what’s playing on your Apple TV

When you are watching your favorite TV shows or music, this Apple TV trick lets you control what is playing like a pro. You can either pause, play forward or backward your video.

To play or pause or pause a TV show or a movie on Apple TV, you will need to press the clickpad center press the Play or Pause button on your Siri Remote. To rewind or fast forward a video or a movie, you can either, first skip backward or fast forward 10 seconds by pressing right or left on the clippad ring and pressing again to skip 10 seconds. Second you can continuously rewind or fast forward by pressing and holding left or right on your clippad ring then press right or left repeatedly to cycle through rewind or fast forward speed action . The press the clickpad centeror play or pause button to resume playback

16. Put your Apple TV to sleep

Your Apple TV after being inactive for some period, it will automatically go to sleep. You can still select Sleep Now in Settings or you can put your Apple TV to Sleep with your Siri Remote

Steps to follow to put your Apple TV to sleep:

Press and hold the power button on your Siri Remote
Press and hold control center for three seconds to bring up control center
Then select Sleep and your Apple TV will go to sleep.

You need to wake your Apple TV, you can press the menu or control center on your remote and you are set to go.

Your Favorites Apple TV Tips and Tricks

So these were some of the best Apple TV tips and tricks you would love to try today. My favorite Apple TV tips and tricks include the ability to control smart home with Apple TV, ability to customize Apple TV screen and family sharing. There’s surely plenty more hidden Apple TV tips and tricks to discover, so I’ll keep tapping, swiping and noting anything I find. Did we miss out on something important that needs to be added to the list? Which are your favorite Apple TV tips and tricks? Let me know in the comments section below.

10 Amazing Advantages of Apple TV in 2025

Tuesday January 14, 2025 3:11 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Are you in a dilemma of asking yourself if you should or should not buy an Apple TV? The answer is yes, you should. The Market is huge and very competitive with various brands from different companies. But Apple TV is exceptional, it can do a lot that your other TV can’t do or perform better than any other TV. Here’s a look at some of the top benefits of Apple TV.

Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD can be plugged into your TV and your favourite live shows or apps like Netflix, Amazon prime video and many more other Apps will stream. But if you have a smart TV, the operating system tvOS will be able to operate on your Apple TV. Checked out some of the top benefits of Apple TV below.

Advantages of Apple TV

Here are some of the main benefits of Apple TV in 2023:

1. Apple TV has a great remote – the Siri Remote

One great benefit of having the Apple TV is that the remote control comes integrated with Siri. You can use your voice to find anything you want to watch on your Apple TV. Siri Remote brings precise control on your Apple TV. It is all touch enabled clickpad with gesture support. With just a single click, it will take you to TV shows and movies, while a swipe will move you through a long list of contents. Also you can fast forward or rewind through your movies and shows with a swipe across your Remote.

Siri Remote second generation is compatible with both first and second generation Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

2. The Smart Home Advantage

Another advantage of Apple TV is that you can easily have a smart home. A smart home allows you to organise, control and manage multiple accessories on your home with remote or with the help of Siri at the same time.

With HomeApp in your Apple TV, you can control your smart home from anywhere you are. Imagine, you are on your way home from work and the climate is a bit chilly. All you need to do is to open Siri on your iPhone and command it to heat up your room. Apple TV being always on in your home will take the command and your room will start to warm up before you arrive.

3. Screen mirroring with AirPlay

Apple TV allows you to see your TV as a second display. Screen mirroring allows you to view streaming Apps or any other Apps on your Apple device in your TV screen. You can stream your iPhone, iPad or MacBook with AirPlay.

You can be watching an interesting clip or a movie on your Apple device, and you need to share it with your family members or your friends. You will just need to screen your Apple device with your Apple TV for everyone to see on the screen. For screen mirroring to occur, your Apple TV and your Apple device should be connected to the same Wi-Fi or wired network.

4. Apple TV supports a huge range of Apps

Another great Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD benefits is that you can download an array of apps. If you like watching movies you can download apps like Netflix or Amazon prime video. Further, you can subscribe to Hulu and many more other Apps. The games lovers can download ESPN to enjoy football and many other games.

The Apple TV also comes with the in build Apps. Like photos which you can use to browse through pictures, Apple music to watch or listen to music. Also with Apple TV you can enjoy thousands of live channels or TV shows through subscription.

5. The multi user experience

Apple TV saves one profile based on personal preference. You can be a family of many people, those who like to watch action series, horror movies, Apple music or animation and cartoons for children. Thus everyone has a different taste from the other. Apple TV with time is able to detect everyone’s taste and will be able to switch between profiles and offer personalised experience based on one’s personal preferences.

6. Fabulous screensavers

When your Apple TV is idle or it’s not in use for some minutes, it displays some screen savers. The screen savers are Aerial and are displayed on your screen through beautiful slow motion videos of places and things around the world.

Aerial videos on the Screen savers can be downloaded on your Apple TV at your own interest and control how your TV looks when it’s not in use. Also you can view information about the location shown on the TV screen and change to as many locations as you desire.

7. Access to Apple TV Plus

One of the Apple TV benefits is access to Apple TV Plus. Apple TV is a streaming service that features Apple’s originals like series, dramas, documentaries, kids entertainments and many more. You can ultimately experience the Apple TV with Apple 4K HDY and Dolby Atmos sounds.

You can get different offers depending on which choice you choose on the subscription of your Apple TV . Although Apple gives you a free three months offer for your Apple TV if you purchase an Apple device, you need to subscribe monthly for you to enjoy your Apple TV . You can share your Apple TV subscription with upto five family members.

8. Apple TV is portable

You may not think of portability as a major benefit of Apple TV. However, it’s quite a point to note when you own one. You can be travelling or camping and you need some entertainment with you. Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HB box with 32GB storage space or more is easy to carry anywhere you want to go. You can connect with Wi-Fi or wired networks to download apps or view live shows on your Apple TV anywhere you are.

9. Connect to your AirPods

Another benefit of Apple TV is that you can connect it to your AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max and listen to your TV privately. If your AirPods share the same Apple ID with your Apple TV, they will connect automatically. Or you can hold the Play button on your remote and a drop down will let you connect with the Apple TV.

10. Easy to set up

Apple has made it easy to set up their device. Every device comes with understandable steps to follow step by step until the set up is complete. In addition, the Apple support is always there to guide you though the full process. Apple TV is not exceptional, you will have the instructions to follow to connect your Apple TV and even how to connect with other Apple Devices.

Advantages of Apple TV. Now you know

From supporting a wide range variety of Apps, connectivity with AirPods, fabulous screensavers and many more advantages discussed above. The Apple TV is worth buying.

Tag: Apple TV

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LTE not working on iPhone 13? Here’s the fix

Tuesday January 3, 2023 6:50 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Is your LTE not working on iPhone 13? Here is what you can do to fix it.

Has your LTE connection been letting you down lately? Or stopped working altogether? Don’t worry! You can try various fixes before blowing up your cell carrier’s customer support line.

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

How to fix LTE not working on iPhone 13

1. Turn airplane mode on and off

Sometimes the most obvious fix is the most reliable one. If your mobile data is giving you trouble, one of the first things you should try is turning airplane mode on and off. You can do this simply by dragging down the control center and tapping on the airplane icon, or you can do it through Settings.

You can enable Airplane mode by going to Settings –> Airplane mode. Turn it on for at least a couple of seconds, then disable it. In a lot of cases, your iPhone 13 LTE connection issues will be gone.

2. Restart your iPhone

Sometimes temporary problems can prevent LTE from working on your iPhone 13. You can fix this by simply turning off your iPhone and turning it back on. Press and hold the Side and either of the volume buttons and then drag the power of slider. Wait a couple of seconds and turn it back on. Check your status icon and test the speed of your LTE connection by opening some websites or downloading some smaller apps.

3. Check if you have data allowance

Before moving to the remaining solutions, make sure you have data allowance for the day, month, or billing cycle. You can use your carrier’s official app or call customer support to know your data balance. In case you have some pending bills, clear that, and your internet should be restored soon.

4. Turn off VPN

Are you using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app on your iPhone? If yes, open it and turn off VPN. Once you do that, LTE connection should work fine.

5. Make sure the correct network mode is enabled

Depending on your carrier, you should have at least three connection types – 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE or just LTE. Usually, your device will try to connect to the fastest option. Still, if you’ve been tinkering with your settings or recently installed an update, that might need to be adjusted manually. Here is how to do it:

Go to Settings, then tap on Cellular.
Tap Cellular Data Options.
Select Voice & Data. A pop-up list of preferred modes will appear.
Tap on the LTE or 4G.

6. Take out and readjust your SIM card

If none of the steps above fixed the problem of LTE not working on iPhone 13, the problem might lie in an ill-positioned SIM card. Eject it and carefully reposition it in its tray. Be careful when inserting it back into your device. Once you’re done, your LTE connection should be back to normal. If you see other SIM card issues, it’s best to contact your network carrier and get a replacement SIM.

7. Update Carrier Settings

The iPhoneGeeks recommend that you update carrier settings immediately after they become available because outdated settings may lead to connectivity issues between your iPhone and your wireless carrier’s network.

Some potential issues include having poor LTE connection.

Make sure that your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, or that Cellular Data is turned on.
Open the Settings app.
Go to General.
Tap About.
After a few seconds, if a carrier settings update is available, you’ll see a pop-up on the screen of your iPhone which says, ”New settings are available. Would you like to update them now?”
Tap Update.

8. Update Your iPhone Software In Settings

Are you using an outdated version of iOS on your iPhone 13? If yes, LTE may not work due to a bug. Updating iOS can fix the problem of LTE not working on iPhone 13.

Open the Settings app.
Tap General.
Tap Software Update.
Tap Download and Install or Install Now.
Enter your passcode if prompted.
The update will begin once it has been verified.
The update is complete after your iPhone restarts.

9. Reset network settings

If you tried all of the above but nothing changed, it’s time to take a slightly more drastic step. Resetting your network settings. Here is how you can do it:

Open the Settings app.
Tap General.
Scroll down and tap Transfer Or Reset iPhone.
Tap Reset.
Tap Reset Network Settings.
Enter your passcode if prompted.
Your iPhone will shut down, reset, and turn itself on again when the reset is complete.

10. Contact your cell carrier

If you’ve tried everything else on the list and nothing seemed to fix your LTE not working on iPhone 13 problem, it’s time to contact your cell carrier. You can always do so on social media, but sometimes a good old-fashioned call might address your concerns better. Here are the customer support numbers of the major US providers:

Verizon Wireless: 800-922-0204
AT&T: 611 from an AT&T phone or 800-331-0500
T-Mobile: 611 from a T-Mobile phone or 1-877-746-0909 from another phone
U.S. Cellular: 611 from a U.S. Cellular phone or 1-888-944-9400 from another phone

11. Get your iPhone checked out for hardware problems

Sometimes, LTE not working on iPhone 13 is the fault of hardware. If you’ve recently dropped your device, that could have damaged internal components. Take it to an authorized repair shop to get it checked out. If your iPhone 13 is brand new, on the other hand, but still experiencing consistent connection issues, you might have a faulty unit.

Contact Apple Support or carrier you bought it from immediately. You will have to send in your device to get it checked out in most cases. Make sure you back it up before handing it in. If faulty, you should get a replacement unit in a reasonable amount of time in most cases.

Fixed LTE not working on iPhone 13

These are our tips and tricks on fixing your LTE not working on iPhone 13. Did we manage to help you solve your issue? Let us know in the comments below.

Tag: iPhone Troubleshooting

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Apple Watch battery drain after watchOS 9 update

Potential solutions:

Apple Watch not pairing after watchOS 9 update

Potential solutions:

Other solutions:

Apple Watch not charging after watchOS 9 update

Potential solutions:

Apple Watch not turning on after watchOS 9 update

Potential solutions:

Raise to wake not working after watchOS 9 update

Apple Watch notifications not working after watchOS 9 update

Possible solutions:

Apple Watch not updating to watchOS 9

Potential solutions:

Digital Crown not working after watchOS 9 update

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Fitness tracking not working after watchOS 9 update

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Cellular not working after watchOS 9 update

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Apple Watch not sending or receiving messages after watchOS 9 update

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Apple Watch Apps not working after watchOS 9 update

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Apple Watch slow after watchOS 9 update

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Apple Pay not working after watchOS 9 update

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Walkie Talkie not working after watchOS 9 update

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Can’t Download Apps on Apple Watch after watchOS 9 update

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Fix Common watchOS 9 Errors and Problems Yourself

How to turn on Siri call hang-up

How to hang up a call with Siri in iOS 16

System requirements for the Siri call hang-up

1. If you have a loyal customer base

2. Your business requires a smartphone feature

3. If you need an interactive feature

What To Do if iPhone 13 Pro Alarms Won’t Work

Double-check Your Ringer Volume

Double-check the alarm settings

Use an Apple Watch? Check your settings there

Make sure your phone isn’t connected to a Bluetooth device

Restart Your iPhone

Pick A Different Alarm Sound

Check For An iOS Update

Reset All Settings

Download a different Alarm App

Alarm not working on iPhone 13 Pro: fixed!

How to identify a fake Apple TV

1. How to tell if your Apple TV is fake: check the Serial number

2. How to spot a fake Apple TV: Packaging

3. How to Spot Fake Apple TV: Pricing

4. How to spot Apple TV: Operating system

5. How to Tell If Apple TV is Fake: Check it’s ability to connect with other Apple Devices

6. How to Tell If Apple TV is Fake: Try to Use Siri

7. How to Spot Fake Apple TV: Build Quality

8. Bring it to an authorised reseller

Spotting Apple TV Clone – Final Thoughts

How to identify a fake MacBook Pro

1. How to Tell If MacBook Pro is Fake: Check the Serial Number

2. How to Spot Fake MacBook Pro: Build Quality

3. How to Spot Fake MacBook Pro: Pricing

4. How to Spot Fake MacBook Pro: Packaging

5. Check the Operating system

6. How to Tell If MacBook Pro is Fake: Try to Use Siri

7. How to Tell If MacBook Pro is Fake: Check it’s ability to connect with other Apple Devices

8. Take your MacBook Pro to Apple reseller store to check if it’s fake

Conclusion

Guess What! Things Are Changing In The Android World Too

The Beginnings

Google TV

How Does It Stack Up Against the Competition?

The Experience

The Design

Gaming

Best Apple TV tips and tricks

1. Connect Bluetooth devices to your Apple TV