GeeksModo

Is an iPhone 12 worth buying in 2022? Here’s what to consider

Thursday July 28, 2022 3:59 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Does buying an iPhone 12 make sense now that iPhone 13 is here? Some advice
In many cases, going with the iPhone 13 is the better choice. But, the iPhone 12 may still be a good option for some.

On October 13, 2020, Apple introduced its new list of iPhones: the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, which provide robust features at a low cost. These iPhones resembles the high priced iPhone 12 pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The 6.1 inch iPhone substitutes the iPhone 11, as the 5.4-inch is the newest size and presents as the smallest iPhone Apple has manufactured apart from the 2016 iPhone SE. Other than the screen and battery sizes, the two phones are practically similar. The iPhone 12 mini is small in size and perfect for people who like using an iPhone that can be manipulated with one hand. With all benefits of the new hot iPhone, you can keep pace with the fashion, take high-quality photos and videos, and respond in your dating chat in seconds.
iPhone versions in 2020 have Super Retina XDR OLED displays for the first time, plus an end-to-end design except for the Face ID feature and tiny bezels covering the edge. The display quality among the standard iPhone 12 models and the Pro design is the same.
The 5.4 –inch iPhone 12 mini incorporates a resolution of 2430 by 1080 with 476 pixels an inch, while the 6.-inch iPhone 12 provides a resolution of 2532 by 1170 and 460 pixels per inch. The displays provide HDR support with a brightness of 1200 nits peak, Wide color for details, real colors, sensitive touch for feedback, and actual tone to complement the environmental lighting screen’s color temperature for a better natural viewing incident.
Apple renovated the iPhone 12 selection style, initiating flat edges that are different from the round edges of the previous designs and are the same in layout as the iPad Pro. This iPhone’s forepart is guarded by a new ceramic shield cover that succeeds in the regular cover glass. According to Apple, the ceramic protection is saturated with nano-ceramic crystals and provides four times better drop presentation.
The iPhone’s rear is still made from glass, with the two halves of the phone interjecting an aerospace-grade aluminum enclosure that occurs in five colors: black, blue, green, white, and (PRODUCT) RED. Like the iPhone 12 Pro design, the iPhone 12 type provides IP68 dust and water resistance and can submerge in 6 meters deep for 30 minutes.
All iPhone 12 models support 5G connectivity for quicker downloads, high-quality video flow, better gaming, and high-portrait 1080p FaceTime calls. 5G network is available globally, but only iPhone 12 models sold in the US reinforces the mmWave 5G, which is the quickest 5G technology in the market. iPhone designs sold in other countries are restricted to slower and readily available Sub-6GHz connectivity. In America, 5G speeds can be as fast as 4Gbps, even in densely populated regions. Gigabit LTE is reinforced if 5G isn’t accessible, and to conserve battery life when using 5G, A Smart Data Mode returns to an LTE connection when you don’t require the 5G speeds.
The iPhone 12 and 12 mini embrace Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. They incorporate a U1 ULTRA Wideband chip for spatial awareness and convertibility with other gadgets with the UI feature like the HomePod mini.
These iPhone models have a new A14 chip on the inside, being the first chip in the smartphone field assembled on a 5-nanometer procedure for performance and effectiveness improvements. Apple outlines that the 6-core CPU and GPU IN THE a14 chip incorporate a 16-core Neutral Engine that provides an 80% rise in machine learning duties performance.
Both the iPhone 12 and 12 mini are the same as pro types in most features, but the camera is the primary differentiating element. As the pro designs encompass a triple-lens camera configured with a LiDAR Scanner and additional bells and whistles, the iPhone 12 and 12 mini have an uncomplicated and less technical dual-lens camera style. That said, there are outstanding camera improvements in the new iPhone 12 designs compared to the iPhone 11. It has an f/2.4 Ultra-Wide camera and a Wide camera with a new f/1.6 slot that allows in 27% extra lighting for quality performance in low-light surroundings and a 2x optical 5x digital zoom. With all these benefits of the new hot iPhone, you can keep pace with the fashion, take high-quality photos and videos. Same as the iPhone 12 pro types, the iPhone 12 designs can capture 30fps HDR video with Dolby Vision, allowing cinema-quality videos to be captured, edited, and shared on this device.
The iPhone 13 comes with a few brand-new features that the iPhone 12 lacks. The new iPhone is the first to boast a 120Hz display and an option for 1TB of storage for its Pro models. Right now the iPhone 12’s screen has a 60Hz refresh rate. The faster refresh rate will translate to smoother, snappier scrolling through apps and websites.

Apple gave the iPhone 13 an enhanced camera system. All four of the iPhone 13 models have an improved 12-megapixel main camera and a better ultrawide lens and sensor. The new hardware paired with the phone’s A15 Bionic chip means a handful of improvements and new features, including being able to capture 47% more light. The iPhone 13 also features a new cinematic mode to make your videos appear more filmlike, and the Pro and Pro Max models will gain the ability to capture ProRes videos later this year.

The iPhone 13 comes with a few brand-new features that the iPhone 12 lacks. The new iPhone is the first to boast a 120Hz display and an option for 1TB of storage for its Pro models. Right now the iPhone 12’s screen has a 60Hz refresh rate. The faster refresh rate will translate to smoother, snappier scrolling through apps and websites.

Should you buy an iPhone 12, or 13?

The answer varies depending on your current phone, what kinds of features you’re looking for and other factors like price.

New features for the iPhone 13

Price may be the deciding factor

As the saying goes, money talks. The standard base model of the iPhone 13 costs $799 for 128GB of storage, which is $100 more than the starting price of the standard base model of the iPhone 12 with 64GB of storage. But, if you compare the current price of the 128GB storage option for both phones, there’s only a $50 difference between the iPhone 13 and $749 iPhone 12 and the new features on the iPhone 13 seem to justify the increase in price.

Many carriers are offering substantial discounts on the iPhone 13, which means if you have a phone to trade in you’ll end up paying a lot less than the listed price. But, if you don’t qualify for any of the carrier offers on the iPhone 13, choosing the iPhone 12 could still be a great way to save a little bit of money.

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iOS System: Is it as secure as they say?

Thursday July 28, 2022 3:59 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

The iOS operating system is one of the few mobile platforms that does not need antivirus software; at least that is what the developers say. Antivirus programs are redundant due to some specific architectural features of iOS. The operating system simply does not provide mobile apps with access to the file system. Thus, any antivirus scan is problematic in principle.

Nevertheless, what are the odds you will need it? Let’s look at why the iPhone has such strong protection or why it may need one.

Specifics of iOS

This is a well-known fact that all applications in iOS run in the sandbox. This is an isolated environment from which they cannot have direct access to the operating system components and other programs. Precisely this feature ensures a high level of security of the OS. When working in a sandbox, the application interacts only with its data and resources, so the malicious program will simply have no chance to infiltrate.

Moreover, Apple allows the installation of applications to mobile devices exclusively from its own App Store. And they get there after a fairly close inspection. “Unhappy” iPhone owners are denied the opportunity to use the “Allow the installation of applications from unknown sources” function, which is usual for Android users.

Outdated devices problem

However, along with securing the device, such tight restrictions deprive iOS owners (iPhone and iPad) of several useful features. If your iPhone belongs to an outdated model range and its OS is already out of date, sooner or later, you will face a complete inability to install or update the application you need through the App Store. It creates room for the possible virus attack.

There are two ways out of the deadlock:

buying a new and updated device;
jailbreak.

Jailbreak means using special utilities to hack the operating system. It allows you to get access to the file system not authorized by the phone manufacturer, and besides, install applications from third-party application directories (repositories) or, in some cases, directly from your computer.

Corporate internal application installing

Another loophole allows users to almost officially install various applications on iPhones and iPads, bypassing the App Store. It is called Mobile Device Management (MDM). It is a set of tools that allows you to manage iOS devices in a corporate environment. In particular, it is used to install various internal applications on the
Apple devices owned by corporate employees that are not intended for general distribution outside the company.

Such programs can be delivered to iOS devices without uploading them to the App Store and meticulous testing. The method has several security limitations designed to exclude its possible use by hackers.

Does all this mean that the existence of viruses for iOS is impossible in principle, and users of Apple devices can feel completely safe? Unfortunately, no. And yet, viruses for iOS exist. Below, we will talk about the most famous virus spreading technologies for iOS.

MDM technology and iOS malware

Because of Apple’s high-security mechanisms in its mobile operating system’s architecture, creating full-fledged malware for this platform turned out to be complicated. Nevertheless, it was made, and it came as no surprise to the experts. Being unable to enter iOS through a front door, an attacker can always break through a window.

Cybercriminals started to use the same mechanism for distributing MDM applications using corporate certificates to spread Trojan programs. Using this technology, it is quite possible to implement targeted precision attacks, which was proven in practice in the summer of 2018. Among other things, an attacker can be, for example, an offended employee of a company using MDM if he has access to the server.

In 2015, a broad distribution of the YiSpecter Trojan using MDM was arranged. The malware was hidden in a client application, which was a video player for viewing pornography. Although it was distributed mainly in China, YiSpecter was one of the first real viruses capable of infecting an iPhone without jailbreak.

iOS viruses and DRM technology

Trojans that did not use MDM to spread originated from the same place where most original IT developments come from, i.e., China. As you know, iPhone applications must be purchased from the official App Store. If the program is honestly bought on this resource and is listed on the user’s account, they can install it on the phone later by connecting it to the computer using a USB-Lighting cable and using iTunes.

When launched, the program will check the user’s Apple ID and ask for an authorization code to ensure that the application installed on the mobile device was actually legally purchased by this user. It uses Apple’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology. To bypass this check, the Chinese have come up with a unique program that emulates iTunes’ actions.

Having bought an application from the App Store, the creators of this program intercept and save the authorization code using a vulnerability in the DRM implementation and then transfer it to all other application users. As a result, they get the opportunity to install on their iPhone or iPad a program that they did not pay for. One of these applications is called Aisi.

Aisi allows users of Apple devices to install illegal software and update and create backup copies of the firmware, jailbreak, download ringtones, and various multimedia content to the phone. When launched, the application asked for your Apple ID account information. This information was immediately sent to the control server.

Bottom Line

In the end, the leak of Apple ID opens up a lot of opportunities for potential attackers. They can change the password, lock the device, and demand a ransom from its owner for unlocking, as ransomware does. Thus, despite the reliable security of iOS devices, the user should either think about protection or be as careful as possible.

Tag: iOS

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5 Hidden Mac Features you Didn’t Know About

Tuesday January 3, 2023 7:06 pm EAT by GeeksModo Staff

The vast majority of people use their MacBook to browse the Internet or send a couple of emails. These tasks only scratch the surface of what you can do with your Mac. Your Mac can be a timesaver and a useful productivity tool with just a little bit of know-how. If you want to move into the power user category, continue reading to learn five hidden Mac features you didn’t know about.

Many of us have had mack OS big sir on our MacBooks for a while now, so we’re pretty used to the new features of the operating system from daily use. But whether you’re using the Macbook you’ve had for years or upgraded to a new one, you might find it useful to learn some of the tricks that Apple has hidden underneath the hood. Give these hidden MacBook Pro features a try, and improve your macOS Big Sur experience.

Cool Hidden Mac Features

Here are 5 cool hidden Mac features most people didn’t know existed.

Add Quick Actions to the Touch Bar

Hidden Mac Features you Didn’t Know About

Besides using Quick Actions to automate your workflows, macOS has a hidden feature that lets you add Quick Actions to the Touch Bar on your Mac. Please follow these steps:

Select the Apple menu located on the upper left corner.
Now, click System Preferences, then hit Extensions.
Next, click Touch Bar located on the left panel,
Next on, select the checkbox next to each action you want to be available from the Touch Bar.
Now, click Customize Control Strip located on the bottom right.
Next, drag the Quick Actions button to the bottom of the Display until it appears in the Touch Bar. You can move it left or right to place it where you want.
Finally, hit Done and the button will now be on your Touch Bar.

Lock Your Screen in an Instant

Need to step away from your Mac for a few minutes and want to lock your screen? You can do this in just a single click. Hold down Control + Command(⌘) + Q, and your screen will turn off instantaneously. This keystroke combo works in newer versions of macOS such as macOS Catalina. If your Mac is running an earlier version of macOS, you’ll need to hold down control + shift + power or control + shift + eject if you have an optical drive.

Create Text Shortcuts

Do you find yourself typing the same phrase over and over again on your Mac? Speed up your work by using the nifty text replacement feature in macOS. Please follow these steps:

Click on the Apple menu located on the upper left and choose System Preferences.
Now, click Keyboard, then hit Text.
Please nOTE: If you’re working in an app, you can also jump right to the settings by selecting Edit > Substitutions > Show Substitutions. Then select Text Preferences.
Click the Add button (+) in the lower-left corner and type the text you want to replace. You should put something like “&done” in the Replace section, with its replacement saying “Heading home for the day. See you tomorrow!” in the With section.
When you are working in an app, try typing your “replace” phrase like &done and macOS will automatically replace it with “Heading home for the day. See you tomorrow!”

Add Emojis Quickly 😁

Want to add emojis to an email or message? You can quickly bring up the emoji menu by holding down Control + Command(⌘) + Spacebar from any window. Your emojis will be presented in various categories with a section for the ones you use most often. Simply click on an emoji and it will be inserted into your text.

Design Custom Folder Icons

The vast majority of people use folders to organize all their files. Make it easy to find folders by assigning an emoji or custom icon to each one. You could use a dollar sign for your finances folder and an office chair for your work folder. When browsing through your folders, you only have to look at the icon to find the one you want. It’s a simple thing, but it can come in handy, especially if you work with a lot of folders. Here’s how to assign an icon:

Find an emoji (or another image) that you want to use by searching Google or the search engine of your choice.
Now, save the image you want to your Mac.
Now, open the emoji in Preview and make the background transparent by selecting the Markup Tool, then the Magic Wand, and then clicking the image’s background to select it.
Next, select Edit > Cut to remove the background
Next on, use the selection tool to drag a box around the emoji.
Now, click Edit > Select All. Then press Command + C to copy the emoji.
Next on, select the folder for the emoji and right-click on it.
Now, select Get Info to reveal the folder details.
In the informational screen that appears, select the blue folder icon located on the upper-left hand corner.
Press Command + V to paste your emoji onto the folder.
If you don’t like how it looks, simply hit Command + Z to undo.

And that covers everything about hidden Mac features most people don’t know about. Have we missed some cool hidden Mac features here? Let us know in the comments section below.

Tags: Mac Guides, MacBook Pro

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5 iPhone 12 Tips and Tricks You Wouldn’t Have Known About

Thursday July 28, 2022 3:59 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Apple highlighted a handful iPhone 12 tips and tricks, but there are so many more underneath the hood. We’ve dug through the Device to find those iPhone 12 tips and tricks that you may (or may not) stumble upon as you start to use your new device. These iPhone 12 tips and tricks will make using your phone that much easier. Continue reading to discover 5 Best iPhone 12 tips and tricks You Wouldn’t Have Known About.

Best iPhone 12 tips and tricks

Enhance Your Voice Recordings

Do you use the voice recorder to record notes, lectures, or other stuff? Well, a new feature in iPhone 12 will make these recordings way much clearer by reducing background noise.
To take advantage of this improved recording, you need to make a voice recording and then edit it.
To edit your voice recording, tap on the three-dot ellipsis to bring up the edit menu then hit Edit Recording.
Tap on the Magic Wand and then choose done.
iPhone will automatically scan your audio clip and reduce the background noise. This new and improved audio clip will sync across all your Apple devices.

Tap the Back of Your Phone to Launch Shortcuts

First discovered in a beta version of iOS 14, this Genius trick allows you to tap on your iPhone’s back to trigger an action or shortcut. You can choose from various activities during the setup, including taking a screenshot, launching Siri, etc. To setup the back tap feature, simply head over to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. You then can choose the number of taps you want to use and the actions you wish to trigger.

Automatically Make Eye Contact in FaceTime

First appearing in a beta version of iOS 13, this feature never made it into the final version of iOS until iOS 14. With this feature enabled, it appears as if you are making eye contact with the camera even when you are looking at the screen. To enable this feature, head over to Settings > FaceTime > Eye Contact.

Choose Your Default Email or Web Browser

After years of asking for this feature, The Cupertino-based brand finally has given users the ability to change the default email or web browser. Instead of using Safari, you can choose to open Chrome, Firefox, or any other compatible browser you have installed on your iPhone.
To change your browser or email app, start the Settings app on your iPhone and then find the email or browser app that you want to set as the default. Tap on the app and then select “Default Browser App” or “Default Email App” to set your preferred app.
If you can’t find this option, make sure youriPhone 12 is running the latest version of iOS 14 and the app has been updated. This option only appears if the app has been updated and has specifically added this feature.

Search and Swipe Emojis

Tired of scrolling through emojis to find the most appropriate one? Then the new search feature in iOS 14 is for you. Simply bring up the emoji keyboard and use the new search bar at the top to find the perfect emojis in a fraction of a second. Still can’t find the appropriate one? Swipe the emojis to the left to Bring up more!

Best iPhone 12 tips and tricks? Now you know!

Have we missed some iPhone 12 tips and tricks here? let us know in the comments section below.

Tags: iOS 14, iPhone Tips

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5 iPhone 12 Pro Tips and Tricks Most People Don’t Know

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:01 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

In this article, I’ll show you the best iPhone 12 pro tips and tricks you probably didn’t know your phone can do.

Best iPhone 12 pro tips and tricks

Your iPhone 12 pro can do a lot, but some of its best features are hidden away and most people don’t know them. After you have mastered them, however, you can get the most out of your phone. These iPhone 12 pro tips, tricks, and time-savers greatly expand what you can do with your iOS device and will do wonders for your workflow.

You may think you know all iPhone 12 Pro tips and tricks, but there’s a hi possibility that you don’t. Read on to learn about five iPhone 12 pro tips and tricks you probably didn’t know your device can do.

Best iPhone 12 pro tips and tricks

The following are the best iPhone’ 12 Pro tips and tricks for 2020.

You Can Fast Charge to Half Capacity in Just 30 Minutes

If you run out of battery life all of a sudden, don’t panic. The iPhone 12 has a fast charging option that lets you charge your Device up to 50% in just Half an hour. But, you have to do it correctly. To charge as fast as you can, you’ll need Apple’s optional 20W charger and the USB-C to Lightning cable that comes with iPhone 12.

You Can Use the iPhone 12 as a Car Key

Apple’s CarKey feature has been a long time in the making. Earlier this year, Apple finally opened the door to let you use your iPhone as a key fob. You can use this virtual key to unlock your car, start your vehicle, and more. Even better, you can share your virtual key with others. It’s only available on some BMW series but is expected to roll out to other models in the near future.
It takes a bit to add your virtual key to your Apple Wallet. You have to have an account on the website for your vehicle manufacturer. Both your car, the Apple Wallet app must be linked to the same account. Once paired, you can store your actual key fob somewhere safe and carry your iPhone instead.

You Can Stream and Play Games from Your Xbox

The A14 Bionic processor includes a four-core GPU which will allow you to play console-quality games. Besides playing Apple Arcade games, you will also be able to play Xbox games. The latest version of Microsoft’s Xbox app adds the ability to stream games from a connected Xbox console. With the iPhone 12’s faster processor and OLED displays, gaming on the iPhone 12 will be impressive.

You Can Take amazing Nighttime Selfies

Apple improved the camera system on the iPhone 12, adding a new LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) camera. As its name suggests, LiDAR measures the distance from the camera to the objects in your surroundings. The LiDAR camera aids in augmented reality applications and it plays a role in low-light and portrait photography by improving autofocus and reducing capture time. Add in the A14 Bionic chipset, which enables advanced Night Mode photography, and you have an incredible tool for taking photos in the dark.

You Can Drop It in a Lake for 30 Minutes

The iPhone 12 series features an IP68 rating, which means it can withstand a decent amount of abuse before it starts to fail. The IP in IP68 stands for Ingress Protection, while the 6 indicates protection from particulates like sand and dust. For particulates, the highest rating is 6, and the iPhone 12 meets that level. The 8 is the waterproof rating, which is measured on a scale up to 9. If you drop your iPhone 12 into a lake, it can survive underwater for 30 minutes at a depth of up to 6 meters (20 feet). This beats the iPhone 11, which is water-resistant for 30 minutes up to just 2 meters. It also outperforms the iPhone 11 Pro series, which can go down to 4 meters before suffering water damage.

Best iPhone 12 pro tips and tricks? Now you know

Have we missed some iPhone 12 Pro tips and tricks here? let us know in the comments section below.

Tag: iPhone Tips

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How to Measure a Person Height Using iPhone 12 Pro LiDAR Sensor

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:01 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Want to measure your height or a person height using your iPhone? Well. You can use the Measure app on iPhone to instantly measure a person’s height from the floor to the top of their head, hair, or hat. You can also measure the height of a person even the person is sitting on a chair.

How to measure a person height using iPhone 12 Pro

Here are the steps which you can follow to measure person’s height using the Measure app on iPhone:

Ask the person to stand in front of a wall and ensure the person is appearing on the Display from head to toe.
After a few seconds, you will see a line above the head of the person that shows the height of that person.
if you want to capture a pic of the measurement, simply press the white circular button located at the bottom right side of the Display.
To save the Image, simply tap the screenshot located at the lower-left corner, tap Done, then choose Save to Photos or Save to Files.

You can easily access and share the height measurement image from Photos or Files on iPhone at any time.

To take the measurement again, simply turn iPhone away briefly to reset the height.

What makes this LiDAR sensor stand out is that it creates a 3D map of a scene that gives accurate results. While there are a ton of apps you can download in the AppStore that claims to measure with precision, they use camera data for measurement (which is not accurate such as the measurement of LiDAR scanner).

How To Spot Fake Apple iPhone 13 (Mini, Pro, Pro Max)

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:01 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Want to learn how to spot a fake iPhone 13? If you want to buy a new iPhone 13, then you most likely want to know whether what you’re buying is a fake or real Apple iPhone 13. This article will guide you on how to identify a fake iPhone 13 and distinguish it from the original.

The more trade and sales migrate to online, the more of a risk of getting fake iPhones. It has become a very lucrative business for deceitful phone manufacturers. Fake iPhones used to be SUPER obvious, but the market is getting much smarter as time goes on. In this article, I’ll explain a few tips to look for when determining if your iPhone 13 is genuine or fake.

You can also use the tips on this guide to spot a fake iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Let’s begin with the external features. This is where the knock off iPhone 13 is VERY similar to the un-trained eye.

Check the packaging/Build

Just like fake iPhone 12, the packaging is one of the first features that you should check when trying to spot a fake iPhone 13. The outside might look exactly like the original packaging; however, it’s usually made of a bit cheaper material. Sometimes when opening these boxes, the phone is in a plastic wrap, rather than its distinct pull off tabs. There may also be product instructions with giant foreign characters. The genuine iPhone 13 box contain information such as the model, description of the phone, the country name where it is manufactured, serial number and a bar code that ensures this is a genuine product. A fake iPhone 13 box won’t include these extra details about your device. When you take the fake iPhone out, you should also notice a distinct weight difference.

Look for a memory card slot

The iPhone 13 does not feature a memory card slot. If you see a memory card slot at the back or the side of the device, then start backing out because you are looking at an Iphone 13 copy version.

Check the Apple logo on the back of the iPhone

Once you get the phone unwrapped, just flip it over and look at the logo on the back of the iPhone. Although this can look similar to the original one, there are usually slight, small errors that distinguish a fake. An iPhone 13 replica has a slightly recessed logo and/or a mirror finish. An authentic Apple logo should not feel raised or textured. If rubbing your finger across the logo feels different than rubbing across anywhere else on the back of the iPhone, the phone is likely not original.

Check the charging port

Moving to the next tip on how to spot fake Apple iPhone 13, we can look at the bottom of the phone, which will give away a few different factors to determine the validity of this device. Generally, a fake iPhone 13 will have a plastic border around it or just simply and engraved line around the port to simulate the same build as the original product.

Check the Penta lobe screws

Next to the charging port you can see some of the common screws used in all the iPhone products. These are called Penta lobe screws, simply meaning they have 5 screw head points. The fake iPhone 13 have normal cross screws which can be a dead giveaway if you pay attention to such a small element.

Check the camera body

Next you can look at the camera build from the back. This is not from within the app itself but just the camera alone. Usually in the fake iPhone 13, recedes a bit, giving the camera less height than that of the original iPhone.

Now let’s turn on the iPhone. Here are where things get seemingly weird.

Check the welcome logo

The welcome logo is the first thing that you see when you turn on an iPhone. This is not something you experience usually on fake iPhone 13. Usually you get a screen with the word “Welcome” rather than the original Apple logo. This is a complete dead giveaway of a fake device.

Check the IMEI/Model number

An original iPhone 13 box should display a model number, serial number, and IMEI. These numbers should match what you see when you you go to Settings > General > About. If these numbers don’t match the box it came in, then it clearly is a knock off attempt at an iPhone 13.

Test the serial number of your iPhone

Another way to spot fake iPhone 13 is by checking the serial number on Apple’s Check Coverage website.
You can easily find the serial number of your Apple iPhone 13 by going to Settings > General > About > Serial Number.

Now, go to https://checkcoverage.apple.com and enter your iPhone serial number to see if it is a real iPhone 13. Entering the iPhone’s serial number into Apple’s warranty status website should display the model, warranty period, support status, and other information about the phone. If you see a message that says ”We’re sorry, but this serial number is not valid,” then your iPhone 13 is a clone.

Check the camera app

Now we’ll get into the camera within the app itself. Knockoff iPhone 13 NEVER have the top of the line camera in them so you will notice a distinct difference in the quality. Remember how cameras looks back in the mid 2000s? That’s pretty much what you will get. It’s like the quality went back to standard definition. Unless you’re so outdated with smartphones, there is no way you wouldn’t notice the quality difference when using either the selfie camera or the rear facing camera.

Check the iTunes and App Store

Here is the biggest difference betweenreal and fake iPhone 13. Most fake iPhone 13 devices are running off Android because they can adjust the interface’s skin. Android devices DO NOT have an iTunes or App store. If you click these, it will redirect to another app and/or go to a google play store. If these apps do anything besides open the expected apple stores, then it is fake software and a clone iPhone 13.

Look for Apple’s default apps

The iPhone 13 come with certain apps installed, including the App Store, Settings, Compass, and Safari. If you see a Play Store app on your iPhone 13, it’s a dead giveaway that you’re using an Android that was made to look like an iPhone 13.

Check the Screen brightness

Generally, the first thing you’ll notice is that the screen is not as vibrant as it should be in the fake iPhone 13. Colors look washed out and overall you think your brightness setting is turned all the way down.

Pay attention to the price

Another warning sign is that the clone iPhone 13 devices are much cheaper than the original model – though not always, as some vendors try to sell these phones for just slightly less than original value, preying on people’s ignorance. If the device is being sold far cheaper than a regular iPhone 13 suggested price, then think twice before buying the product. If the price is too good to be true, chances are, it’s a counterfeit iPhone 13.

iPhone 13 Clone – Final Thoughts

At first glance, it is quite easy to mistake a clone for an original iPhone 13, as the makers pay high attention, especially to the phone’s appearance. Let us know if you’ve spotted any fake iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, or iPhone 13 Pro Max and be careful when buying or trading online with these distinct feature differences!

Tag: iPhone Tips

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Keep Your iPhone Usage Private

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:01 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

These days we use our smartphones for everything. Gaming, shopping, browsing, and banking are all contained in a convenient package of tiny circuit boards and batteries. Our phones are set to become an even more significant part of our lives in the future, so how can you protect your personal data and information from being hacked, stolen, or tracked on your iPhone? By using the latest VPN software.

Keep your iPhone usage private

What is a VPN?

A VPN protects your iPhone by creating a Virtual Private Network that disguises your location. It conceals your private data when using the internet on your phone. A VPN masks your IP address and encrypts your information, which stops it from being seen by anyone who shouldn’t be seeing it.

Online Shopping

iPhones make it easy to shop online. Apps like eBay and Amazon are simple and convenient to use, so we can buy what we need at the touch of a button. When you are purchasing items online, your information is passed to the website to complete the transaction.
Your email address, password, and banking information are all inputted online and could be exposed to cybercriminals who could steal from you, blackmail you, or use it to commit identity theft. Your ISP could also be tracking your browsing habits and selling this information to advertisers, who will then target you with unsolicited marketing.

Protect Yourself from Cyber Criminals

As our phones get smarter, so do the cybercriminals meaning we must do everything we can to protect ourselves. Cybercrime is on the rise, and keeping your devices safe needs to be a priority. Installing a VPN is one of the best ways to keep your iPhone safe. These threats are real, and a VPN can help protect you before anything happens.
A VPN will protect your iPhone from:

Scammers
Hackers
Government tracking
ISP surveillance
Identity theft
Exposure when file-sharing/peer to peer torrenting

Gaming

Gaming is a big part of owning an iPhone for most users, and a VPN can help with this, too. It can speed up your connection by preventing your ISP from data throttling, speeding up download times, and stopping annoying lags. If you make in-game purchases, a VPN will protect your banking information and make it invisible to everyone. By connecting to a server in a different country, a VPN will allow you to download games early, access games that aren’t available in your country, and purchase games at a lower price. VPNs also protect against DDoS or swatting attacks by masking your devices’ IP addresses.

Browsing

Browsing on our phones is a day to day occurrence for most of us. Scrolling through social media, checking the football scores, and streaming TV shows is quick and easy on an iPhone. But your activity and browsing habits are at risk without a VPN. Hackers and scammers can see exactly what you’re doing and could gain access to your social media accounts or online banking easily. A VPN will also mask your location, so you can protect your identity and keep yourself anonymous online.
A VPN will also open up a world of content, giving you access to streaming libraries from around the world. Simply connect to a server from your chosen country, and you will be able to watch TV shows and films that are usually geo-restricted. Log in to your Netflix, Amazon, or BBC iPlayer account to watch your favorite shows for free.

Public Wi-Fi

We use our phones anywhere and everywhere. Public Wi-Fi has made it easy to browse in public places without using your data allowance, even if it does sometimes disconnect. You find public Wi-Fi in places like the shopping mall, on the bus, and at the local coffee shop. But have you ever stopped to think about how secure the connection is? Most public Wi-Fi connections don’t need a password, and even if they do, they have very poor security.
Public Wi-Fi is a hot-spot for cybercriminals, who take advantage of the lack of privacy to spy on the activity of those using it. If you are accessing private documents, online shopping, or banking using public Wi-Fi, you are exposing yourself to a potential cybercrime attack. If you install a VPN on your iPhone, you can browse the internet freely anywhere without the fear of unwanted observation.

Protect your devices and private information by installing a VPN today.

Tag: iPhone Tips

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How to Use Back Tap on iOS

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:01 am EAT by Tyler Stephen

In iOS 14, Apple introduced back tap, a feature that takes advantage of an iPhone’s accelerometer to detect taps on the back of the device. This can be used as a second accessibility shortcut, useful if you rely on more than one accessibility feature and don’t want to go into Settings or use Siri to turn it on and off, and it can also be used to access various functions of iOS and iPadOS, or run Siri shortcuts. In addition, if you use VoiceOver, back taps can compliment the extensive customizability of Voiceover gestures to perform VoiceOver specific actions.

To use this feature, you must have an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 14.

Configuring back taps to perform system-wide actions

To configure a double or triple-tap on the back of your iPhone to perform a system-wide action on your device, open Settings > Accessibility > Touch > back tap, and choose either a double or triple-tap. You will then be presented with a list of actions that you can assign to that gesture, placed into categories such as accessibility features, access to common areas of iOS, such as the Home Screen, app switcher or Control Center, and your own Siri shortcuts, among other things.

Note: the list of available actions you can assign to a gesture is categorized and organized by heading. Thus, if you’re using VoiceOver, you can simplify navigation of this list by turning the rotor to headings and swiping up and down with one finger to move through the different categories.

Configuring back taps to perform VoiceOver functions

In addition to the wide array of system-wide actions that back taps can be configured to perform, they can also be mapped to specific VoiceOver functions. If you, for example, find a particular VoiceOver gesture difficult to perform, you can configure a double or triple-tap on the back of your iPhone to perform that function instead.

Note: at the time of writing, it is my understanding that unlike using back taps to perform system-wide actions, using them to customize VoiceOver requires an iPhone XS or later; the iPhone XR should also work.

To configure a back tap to perform a VoiceOver function, open Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Touch Gestures, and under the, “Back tap,” heading, select either a double or triple-tap. From there, select the action you’d like that gesture to perform. Like the list of system-wide actions, the list of VoiceOver actions is organized by heading to allow for quick navigation between categories.

If you have any questions or suggestions for future tips, sound off in the comments.

Tags: iOS, iOS 14, iPhone Tips

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How to Spot a Fake iPhone 12: Know Here

Thursday July 28, 2022 4:01 am EAT by GeeksModo Staff

Want to know how to spot fake iPhone 12? Scared of getting scammed? Look no further, as we’ve compiled the most comprehensive guide for how to identify a fake iPhone 12 and distinguish it from the original.

With such a huge market share, the “fake iPhone” market has become very lucrative for unscrupulous phone manufacturers. Some of the earlier iPhone knock-offs are so poorly done that it is easy to differentiate a fake iPhone from a genuine one. However, over time, some fake iPhones cloned so well that they are physically very similar to a genuine iPhone. From the size of the device, the buttons placement, the Apple logo, and other physical indicators of an original iPhone, some fake iPhones are really good imitations.

This guide will show you the difference between a fake iPhone 12 and a genuine one. Counterfeit iPhone 12 manufacturers often go a long way just to make their victims believe that what they are selling is the authenticated one. Attempts by law enforcers to expunge fake iPhones from the market have failed. So the only thing that can be done is to educate the public so they won’t fall victim and buy iPhone 12 clone from these devious manufacturers. This guide explains the fake vs real iPhone 12. If you are looking to purchase an iPhone 12 from the classified ad, or some other dealer that is not an Apple dealer, use this guide to determine if the phone you are buying is in fact a real iPhone.

How to Find Out if an iPhone 12 is Genuine or fake

There are three basic ways of checking if your iPhone 12 is a genuine or a fake one. We have grouped them into three indicators – physical, performance, and system indicators. Without any further ado, let’s jump into the fake vs real iPhone 12 guide.

Physical Indicators of a fake iPhone 12

You need to check on these physical signs to ensure that your iPhone 12 is the real one:

Check for the screws: The original iPhone 12 uses the pentalobe security screw while the fake iPhone 12 uses the normal cross screws. The pentalobe security screw, from its name, has five lobes that provide a tamper-proof system for the iPhone. This is a perfect indicator for the consumer to ensure that they are purchasing an original iPhone 12.
Check the physical buttons: Another physical quality to note is that on the real iPhone 12, the sleep/wake button is on the top right corner, while the volume switch and ringer switch are on the upper left side. If the switch or buttons are not where they should be, then the device you are looking at is a fake iPhone 12. Some fake iPhone 12 devices have the buttons in the right positions, however, feel the buttons by running your fingers on them. Press the buttons repeatedly to check if they are not loose and are improperly fitted. Clone iPhone 12 devices have poor button quality.
Check the screen: The screen of original iPhone 12 should be clear and not pixelated. iPhone’s screen uses a retina display that has a higher pixel density making the screen look crispier, livelier, and full of colors. Fake iPhone 12 has dull colored screens due to the low-cost of their parts.
Check for the Apple logo: This is one of the most reliable tell in our guide on how to spot fake iPhone 12. On the back of the iPhone, you must see an Apple logo. If you can’t find the logo, then it’s a fake iPhone 12. Some iPhone 12 clones are so good in imitating the original ones that they also have the logo at their back. However, you can rub your finger over the logo. You will feel a transition from the phone cover to the Apple logo if you are having a fake iPhone 12.
Check the welcome screen: This is also a must, especially if you can’t distinguish the fake iPhone 12 to the original by looking at the physical features. Try to turn off then turn on the iPhone. A replica iPhone 12 will have a welcome screen, like the word “Welcome,” while the original one will show you the logo of the iPhone. On the home screen, you will find an iPhone store icon. Try to click on it. If it takes you to the Google store, then you know what to think.
Check the font: Another thing that makes an iPhone 12 knock off really funny is when you try to check for the font on your messages, it gives you a Chinese character, so you have to configure your phone to enable English settings.
Ask how many SIM cards can be used: When you check how many SIM cards run on an iPhone, a dealer of an iPhone 12 clone might proudly tell you that you can use two SIM card running at the same time. Then you will know you are getting a counterfeit fake dual SIM iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 can only use one SIM card. Additionally, an original iPhone 12 should bear a label that says it’s designed by Apple in California and assembled in China. Without this kind of mark, your iPhone is a clone.

Performance Indicators of counterfeit iPhone 12

The main reason why fake iPhones exist is that people want to get an iPhone at a cheaper price. With the cheaper price of the device comes the obvious poor performance of the phone. These are the obvious red flags:

Camera quality: Real iPhone 12 has superior camera quality while an iPhone 12 clone take bad and blurry photos. A physically convincing iPhone with bad photos, regardless of the lighting conditions, is a possible fake iPhone 12. Try the other camera modes including video recording and see how bad does a counterfeit iPhone 12 take pictures and videos.
Multi-tasking capabilities: Launch any game then leave it running in the background. Launch another app and check how the phone performs. Fake iPhone 12 have a hard time supporting two applications simultaneously. iPhones run smooth even if multiple applications are opened.
Quickly scroll between application screens: Do a quick scroll to the left and right of the home screens. The knock off iPhone 12 will obviously lag down and won’t be able to keep up with your quick scrolls.

System Indicators of iPhone 12 clone

You can check these system indicators to distinguish a real iPhone 12 from a fake one:

Look for the serial number: You can dial the code “*#06#” on your dialer to display your iPhone 12 serial number. On your iPhone, head over to “Settings,” tap “General,” and then tap on “About.” This will give you the serial number. You can then access the Apple website, where you can enter your iPhone serial number to see if it is a real iPhone 12. On the website, enter your hardware serial number. If the site says that the code is invalid, then your iPhone 12 is a clone.
Check the memory capacity: The original iPhone 12 has a fixed storage capacity and cannot be expanded. The fake iPhone 12 require a memory card to expand its memory capacity. If you find a memory card slot at the back or the side of the phone, then start backing out because you are looking at an iPhone 12 clone.
Check for Siri: The Siri application can only be launched on an original iPhone. Siri does not work at all on a replica iPhone 12.
Try to check the operating system: If you see any application other than iOS, it is 100 percent an iPhone 12 clone. Apple uses proprietary iOS as its official operating system.
Try to connect to iTunes: Connect your phone to a computer and try to run it with iTunes. If you are receiving an error, then it means iTunes does not recognize your phone; thus it is undetectable and fake.
Check the built-in applications: The original iPhone 12 should have the built-in Apple applications, such as Calculator, Compass, Settings, Voice memos, Music, and Photos. If one of those is missing, the phone might be jailbroken. To be sure you have an original iPhone, try to restore the original firmware. If some built-in application is still missing after restoring the original firmware, then you know what it is — a clone iPhone 12.

Other tips to spot fake iPhone 12

Ask about the warranty: Sellers of fake iPhone 12 will not give you a warranty to a certified iPhone service center.
Pay attention to the price: If the device is being sold far cheaper than a regular iPhone’s suggested price, then think twice before buying the product. If the price is too good to be true, chances are, it’s a counterfeit iPhone 12.
Take it to an iPhone store: If your phone passes all the tests mentioned above, but you still have doubts, go to the nearest iPhone store. Ask for their technician to check for your phone. They can run a diagnostic test to check for the authenticity of your device.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our real vs fake iPhone 12 comparison. Let us know if you’ve spotted any fake iPhone 12 and be careful when buying or trading online with these distinct feature differences!

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