Reviews are a very important way for developers to get their apps noticed amidst the vast selection available on the App Store. Sadly, this can lead to an annoying tendency for some to ask for favourable reviews, and continue to do so even when you’ve said you don’t want to write one.

There is a way to prevent these bothersome entreatments, though, thanks to a setting. We show you the easy way to stop iPhone 18 Pro Max apps asking for reviews.

Preventing review requests

When developers create apps for iOS they are expected to adhere to Apple’s specific design requirements. Within these is an expectation to honour settings the user enables on their device. Because of this, you’re able to disable review requests and they should obey that stipulation.

Of course, this comes with the caveat that it will work only if the developer has decided to properly comply with all the regulations. Should this not be the case, then it might be worth punishing the naughty developer by removing the app and giving it a much less enthusiastic review than it might have hoped to receive.

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Apps, then tap App Store.

Scroll until you find the option In-App Ratings & Reviews. If the button is enabled the toggle switch should be showing green. To disable the option, and thus bring an end to the tyranny of review requests, tap the toggle so it turns white.

Now, if all goes well, you should stop seeing the annoying popup boxes asking you to share your thoughts about the app.

A word on reviews

Another way to rid yourself of these troublesome requests is to actually leave a review. This might seem something of a hassle, but if you do find the app useful, fun, or enjoyable in any way then it can be very gratifying for the person or team who worked on it to see some kind words.

Furthermore, the more good reviews an app receives, the greater the chances that other people will take a chance on downloading it, which in turn increases the chances of the developers continuing to support and improve the product.

Sluggish phone performance can be frustrating, but this could be your reality after a software update. Let’s explain why this happens and how to make your iPhone 18 Pro Max feel snappier again.

Why Your Phone Slows Down After an Update

If it’s been a while since you bought your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, it might feel sluggish after installing a software update. Switching between apps suddenly takes a little longer, and your device doesn’t feel as snappy performing basic everyday tasks as it used to while still brand new, like taking pictures of your pet.

If you’re experiencing this, it could be due to various factors. One of the most common culprits is the act of planned obsolescence, where companies slow the device’s performance to nudge users to upgrade.

Other factors that can cause sluggish performance after a software update include increased resource usage, app compatibility issues, and battery and performance management changes.

Increased Resource Usage

We always recommend updating your device by installing software updates once available. Updates patch existing bugs and vulnerabilities, which is why software updates keep you safe. They also enhance the experience by adding new features.

However, these additional improvements and features with new software can sometimes be detrimental to devices, especially older ones, because of increased resource usage. Because of increased resource demands, your iPhone 18 Pro Max feels slower after updating.

App Compatibility Issues

Software updates ship with changes to the operating system. So, when a major software update is released, app developers must optimize their apps to be fully compatible with the new version. However, app developers may take time to optimize their apps for the latest OS version.

In most cases, many apps may run without issues on newer OS versions. Yet, they won’t be as efficient, increasing resource usage and slowing down your device.

Battery and Performance Management Changes

Software updates can include changes in how your phone manages its battery and performance for better efficiency. But, these changes can negatively affect your phone’s performance. For instance, an update can throttle the CPU and GPU performance on older devices to improve battery life since batteries weaken over time.

For example, an Apple support article says that its performance management algorithms can sometimes take extreme measures to prevent unexpected shutdowns by limiting peak performance. This could cause longer app launch times, fewer frame rates while scrolling the device and in some apps, and limited background refresh in apps that require it.

How to Fix Your Phone’s Performance After a Software Update

Sluggish performance is just one of the warning signs that you need to upgrade your phone. But don’t be too quick to do that yet. Before splurging on a shiny new powerful phone, go through these five fixes to help address the issue:

Update Your Apps

Running outdated apps after installing new software can slow down your device. The first step after updating your iPhone 18 Pro Max to a new software version is to update your apps. If there’s an update for any app you have installed, install it because it could include optimizations to improve app performance.

You can check for updates in Apple’s App Store by tapping your profile icon at the top right. Tap App Updates, then tap Update next to apps you want to update, or tap Update All.

Uninstall Unused Apps

The second measure, especially if you hoard apps, is to uninstall any that you don’t need. Unused apps can consume system resources, including storage and CPU resources, leading to sluggish performance. This is especially true for old apps that aren’t optimized for the new OS version.

Touch and hold the app on the Home Screen or in App Library. Tap Remove App, then tap Delete App. Tap Delete to confirm.

Free Up Storage Space

With limited free storage space on your device, your phone is bound to be sluggish even without updating software. However, since software updates can increase the resources the OS requires, the device can feel sluggish immediately after an update. With insufficient free storage on your phone, system processes will slow, leading to sluggish performance.

The easy fix is to free up storage on your iPhone 18 Pro Max by deleting unnecessary files, such as old downloads, duplicate media files, and offline content you downloaded from your favorite apps like Netflix, YouTube, or Spotify. Uninstalling apps you don’t need can also help free up storage.

Clear Cache

As you continue to use your phone, it adds frequently used resources to its cache storage for fast access, thus resulting in better performance. However, cached data can be outdated or corrupted after a system update, resulting in lags, crashes, and unexpected behavior. Clearing the cache will help remove corrupt or obsolete files, free up space, improve performance, and even fix any glitches and bugs you may experience.

Since Apple doesn’t provide a way to clear cache on iOS, you can uninstall and reinstall an app to remove its cached data.

Perform a Factory Reset

If everything else doesn’t improve performance, you should perform a factory reset as a last resort. This will clear all the data and apps from your device, allowing you to start fresh, just like when you bought it.

Factory resetting your phone will delete all data. Before doing so, ensure that you back up important data.

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General, then tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. Once you do so, your device should perform better.

A software update can be detrimental to your phone’s performance. But by leveraging the fixes provided, you can get your iPhone 18 Pro Max running snappier again.

Error 4013 is unfortunately common to encounter when you’re attempting to update or restore your iPhone 18 Pro Max. While it isn’t always easy to resolve, several tried-and-true troubleshooting methods make eliminating this error a manageable process.

Here’s what you can do when you see this error pop up on your computer while trying to update or restore your iPhone.

What Causes Error 4013 When Updating or Restoring Your iPhone?

Error 4013 typically occurs due to software issues and connectivity problems between your iPhone 18 Pro Max and your computer. It will appear with a prompt that reads, “The iPhone could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (4013)”.

1. Update macOS (or iTunes)

Error 4013 is most commonly caused by incompatibility with your current version of macOS or iTunes (on Windows). You can check if any new macOS updates are available by clicking Apple logo > System Settings > General > Software Update. Once you’re in the Software Update section, macOS will automatically check whether any updates are available.

If an update is available, a prompt with a button that reads Update Now will appear. Click the button and allow macOS to update, ensuring that your computer is plugged in during the process. Don’t put it to sleep or close its lid. Otherwise, macOS may get stuck during the updating process and cause more trouble.

If you’re using a PC, use the latest version of the Apple Devices app or iTunes.

2. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

Minor software glitches in iOS can also cause error 4013 to pop up in the Finder or the Apple Devices app while trying to update or restore your iPhone. To quickly resolve this, you can restart your iPhone, which is pretty easy even if the buttons are broken. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

And if that doesn’t help, you can always force restart your iPhone with a combination of button presses. Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Press and hold the side button. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable. When you see the option to update or restore, click Update instead of Restore. This reinstalls the software and keeps your personal data.

3. Use a Different USB Cable

You could also try swapping the USB cable you’re using to see if it resolves error 4013.

Then, reconnect your iPhone, relaunch the Finder or the Apple Devices app, and attempt the update or restoration again.

4. Clean Your PC and iPhone Ports

Debris inside your PC’s USB and iPhone charging ports can also cause connectivity issues. So, it’s worth cleaning it thoroughly to see if that resolves the error 4013 pop-up appearing in the Finder or the Apple Devices app.

Remember to power off both your devices before proceeding, though.

5. Contact Apple Support

Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to resolve error 4013 on your own. Try to restore your device on another computer. This issue could also be associated with hardware issues in certain iPhone models. You can address this by contacting Apple support. An expert technician will be able to assist you in case of hardware issues that we can’t help you with.

Don’t Give Up on Resolving Error 4013

Error 4013 is frustrating to encounter, but it isn’t impossible to resolve. Updating your Mac, restarting your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, and checking the connection between your devices are all tried-and-true methods of fixing error 4013.

If none of these troubleshooting steps helped, you can always rely on Apple support for help. In fact, you can even take your iPhone to a Genius Bar for in-person assistance and repair.

Have you ever noticed the Instagram app lagging while you’re browsing in it? Despite modern smartphones having powerful processors, Instagram can still be slow to load photos, videos, and stories. Luckily, you don’t need to put up with such sluggish behavior. If Instagram is lagging on your iPhone 18 Pro Max, just use these tricks to fix it.

1. Close and Restart Instagram

Sometimes the simplest solutions are all you need. If Instagram is lagging on your iPhone 18 Pro Max, just close and reopen it. You can close an app by swiping up from the bottom edge, pausing in the center of the screen, then sliding the relevant app off the top of the screen.

2. Restart Your Phone

If restarting Instagram didn’t help, try restarting your phone instead. Although it sounds simple, restarting your device can fix all manner of problems, including when apps are lagging.

Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

3. Test Your Internet Connection

You can’t use Instagram offline; it needs an internet connection to load photos or videos. That means Instagram might be lagging on your smartphone because your internet connection is too slow. To test this, try loading another data-heavy app, like YouTube, to see how well it works on your internet connection.

If your connection is slow, try switching to a reliable Wi-Fi network.

4. Update the Instagram App

Not every error is on you; it’s entirely possible that Instagram is lagging due to a bug from Instagram’s side. This can happen from time to time, but Meta (who owns Instagram) are going to be pretty quick at releasing a new update to fix any problems. So all you need to do is check for new updates and install them when they’re available.

The easiest way to update an app on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max is to open the Apple App Store and search for the relevant app to see if it says Update instead of Open. So, search for Instagram, and tap Update if you see that option.

Be Prepared for the Future of Instagram

Apps are only going to get more powerful and resource intensive over time. If Instagram is still lagging on your phone after following all these tips, it’s worth considering whether you need to upgrade your phone. That may not be essential—if you’re able to put up with slow apps—but it’s worth at least considering your options.

Sending and receiving texts should be an instantaneous process. If you’re receiving text messages late on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, you may miss out on time-sensitive information. It might be an unexpected work meeting or a friend informing you that they couldn’t make it to your date due to an emergency.

Below, we look at potential solutions you can try when you notice you’re receiving text messages late on your iPhone.

1. Check Your Phone Signal

Firstly, poor phone reception may be why you’re receiving text messages late on your iPhone. Someone may have texted you 30 minutes ago, but the message isn’t successfully delivered, and your phone can’t receive it until it’s in an area with cellular connectivity.

To find out if this is the case, look at the cellular signal icon in your iPhone’s status bar. The more vertical bars filled in, the stronger your phone signal strength, and vice versa.

If you’re experiencing poor cellular connectivity or no signal at all inside a building, for example, you can try going outside to get a stronger signal.

However, if you continue to see the words No Service in the status bar, despite being in a place where everyone else is using their phones without issue, move on to the next fix.

2. Restart Your iPhone

If you’re frequently experiencing a lack of cellular service, which is causing you to receive your text messages late, try restarting your iPhone 18 Pro Max.

It’s a simple yet effective solution for most connectivity issues like this. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

3. Enable Cellular Data or Connect to Wi-Fi

If you’re expecting to receive a text via iMessage or other third-party messaging apps, you need to turn on cellular data or connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.

Your iPhone can only receive such texts when it’s connected to the internet; therefore, this may be why you’re receiving text messages much later than the time it was sent.

To turn on cellular data, access the Control Center and tap the Cellular Data toggle. When enabled, it turns green. To connect to a Wi-Fi network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select an available network from the list.

4. Check Your Scheduled Summary

Scheduled Summary is an iPhone feature that enables you to receive a summary of notifications from an app (or set of apps) at a particular time. This helps you focus better throughout the day as you aren’t getting notified of non-time-sensitive alerts every other minute.

If you included the Messages app or similar third-party apps in the summary, you won’t get text notifications immediately when your iPhone receives them. Therefore, you may feel that you’re receiving text messages late and notifications are not showing up on your iPhone.

To solve this, go to Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary. Then, toggle off any relevant messaging apps to exclude them from any future notification summary.

5. Review Your Focus Settings

If messaging apps aren’t included in your scheduled summary, yet you’re still receiving text messages late on your iPhone 18 Pro Max, you should check your Focus settings.

Go to Settings > Focus, tap the Focus mode you often use, and scroll down to the Set a Schedule section. For example, if you have the Do Not Disturb preset to end at 5pm, you’ll only receive all your text messages after that time.

To avoid receiving text messages late when Do Not Disturb is enabled, scroll back up to the Allow Notifications section. Tap Apps > Allow Notifications From. Then, tap the Add Apps button, select all relevant messaging apps, and hit Done. This way, you’ll no longer miss any text messages and receive them late even when you have Focus enabled.

6. Update Carrier Settings

Your carrier may occasionally provide network updates, which may help improve connectivity and resolve the issue of receiving text messages late.

Go to Settings > General > About. A pop-up will appear on your screen if a carrier update is available. Then, just tap Update to proceed.

7. Reset Network Settings

Another troubleshooting method is to reset your iPhone’s network settings. What this reset does is return network settings on your iPhone to its default state.

The network settings reset process can be completed relatively quickly, so it’s worth trying this out first before moving on to the next, more time-consuming solution.

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, then tap Reset. Tap Reset Network Settings.

8. Update iOS

If the above methods haven’t worked for you so far, another factor that may have caused your iPhone to receive text messages late is the iOS version on it.

As system updates carry bug fixes and performance improvements, it’s best to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version to see if it solves the problem.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available for your iPhone.

However, some users find that they only started receiving text messages late on their iPhones after they updated to the latest iOS. The unfortunate irony is that although new iOS versions may remove old bugs, they may come with new bugs that start causing other issues instead.

9. Consider Switching Carriers

Some users noticed that they seem to receive text messages late when they’re using a particular carrier.

A mobile carrier may work great for one person but poorly for another because it depends if your location is part of the carrier’s high-coverage region. Based on personal experience, however, coverage may still vary slightly even if you’re already in the area.

For example, both my home and workplace fall under my previous carrier’s high-coverage region. I often experienced poor cellular signal in my home but not at my workplace, which is located in a nearby suburb. I faced such issues less frequently once I switched to another local carrier.

Stop Receiving Text Messages Late on Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

As you can see, the common reasons why you’re receiving your iPhone text messages late are network issues and incorrect settings.

By applying the above solutions, we hope you can receive texts instantly on your iPhone again. This way, you can keep up with your conversations with family and friends without worrying about missing out on text messages in the future.

All modern smartphones come with a proximity sensor, which detects when your face or any object is near it. These sensors are useful for saving energy and preventing accidental touch inputs while on a phone call by turning off the screen.

iPhones are no different, and just like other phones, your iPhone’s proximity sensor could get damaged or become unresponsive. If you run into this issue, there are some actions you could take to isolate the problem and fix it.

How to Test the iPhone 18 Pro Max Proximity Sensor

The iPhone’s proximity sensor uses infrared light from an emitter at the top of your screen. The sensor measures how long it takes for the rays to reflect off a surface to determine the distance.

There could be things blocking the infrared waves; that’s why it’s good to run some tests before you conclude that there’s something wrong with your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Here are some things you could do to check if it’s working:

• Make a test phone call and ensure the call isn’t on speaker. Use the palm of your hand to cover the top half of your screen.
• If you don’t want to make a call, you could send a voice note to someone on iMessage or WhatsApp and raise the phone to your ear to see if the screen goes off.

Your phone’s display should go off in both scenarios. If they don’t, you should consult the steps below for troubleshooting.

Steps to Take if Your iPhone’s Proximity Sensor Isn’t Working

Hardware and software issues could cause this problem. But you could try the steps below in descending order.

1. Clean the Top Half of the Screen

The most likely culprit is dirt and gunk that has accumulated on the top half of your screen, making it difficult for the emitter or sensor to work. You will run into this issue if you have sweaty or oily skin.

While you could try a quick wipe against your shirt or some other cloth, the best thing to do is clean your iPhone properly. Use a moist, lint-free cloth and gently but thoroughly wipe the dirt away in one direction.

Don’t use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean your iPhone unless following the instructions for disinfecting your iPhone.

2. Restart the Target Application or Your iPhone

If you notice that your iPhone 18 Pro Max proximity sensor is still not working after cleaning your screen, it could be the app (like WhatsApp or the Phone app) or iOS misbehaving.

In this case, you should restart the app first. Merely returning to the Home Screen isn’t enough; you must open the App Switcher and swipe up on the target app’s preview. Open the app again and try to use the proximity sensor. You can also try restarting your iPhone for good measure. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

3. Make Sure Your iPhone 18 Pro Max Is Up to Date

As an extension of software problems, your iPhone’s proximity sensor might act up due to an iOS bug. The only way to completely rule out that possibility is to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version available.

Head to Settings > General > Software Update and let the phone scan for updates. If any update appears, select Update Now.

Your phone will restart a couple of times, but it will stabilize when it’s finished. Test the proximity sensor again using our steps above.

4. Remove the Screen Protector

You must return to hardware issues if updating your iPhone doesn’t work. And in many cases, the thing blocking your proximity sensor from working is a poorly-fit screen protector.

While it could be best to give it to an expert first, if careful, you can remove your phone’s screen protector safely all by yourself.

Here’s a brief rundown of how to do it:

1. Soften the adhesive on the screen with a hair dryer.
2. Pick the edges with a credit card (or something slim and sturdy).
3. Gently work your way until enough of the protector is loose.
4. Pull out the screen protector.

Give the proximity sensor a test to see if that helped. But if you’re still out of luck, you have a last-resort option.

5. Take Your Phone Back to Apple or an Authorized Service Provider

Sometimes, the issue could be bigger than software bugs or something blocking the sensor. It’s officially beyond your pay grade, and it’s time to take your phone to someone who could open it up if need be.

The most likely culprit in scenarios like this, short of a damaged proximity sensor, is a cracked screen. A cracked screen could interfere with infrared waves emitting or reflecting back to the device. While you could try to replace your screen yourself, we strongly suggest you leave it to an expert. Besides, tampering with your iPhone yourself could void your warranty.

Take your iPhone to a nearby Apple Store or an Apple-authorized service provider; they should be able to help you. If your iPhone is still under warranty, Apple will fix your device at no additional cost if there are no signs of accidental damage. Scenarios like this make having an extended AppleCare+ warranty very attractive because accidental damage is covered under this plan.

The Proximity Sensor Is an Important Part of Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

While your phone doesn’t need it to function, there’s no denying that your iPhone experience will be seriously impaired without a proximity sensor. It’s integral to the way touchscreen phones work for phone calls.

You should prioritize addressing whatever issues crop up with your iPhone’s proximity sensor. And this applies even more if you plan to sell it because that will reduce its resale value by a considerable margin.

The built-in QR code scanner is one of the best quality-of-life features of your iPhone 18 Pro Max. You can access information, make payments, join Wi-Fi networks, and more with a simple scan.

However, your QR code scanner may sometimes fail to recognize or read the codes correctly. This can be frustrating, especially when you urgently need to access the content within the code. Before you give up, here are some fixes you can try to get your QR code scanner to work again.

1. Check if the QR Code Scanner Is Enabled

Usually, pointing your iPhone’s camera at the QR code does the trick. However, if that doesn’t work, there’s a chance you accidentally disabled QR code scanning in your Camera app. Here’s how to enable the QR code scanner:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Camera.
3. Toggle on Scan QR Codes.

2. Ensure Your Camera Is in Photo Mode

The QR code scanner on your iPhone 18 Pro Max only works when the camera is set to Photo mode. If you’ve mistakenly switched to Video, Portrait, Pano, or any other camera mode, the QR code scanner might not work as expected. So, swipe left or right in the Camera app to switch back to Photo mode. Then, point the camera at the QR code and try to scan it again.

3. Position Your Camera Properly When Scanning

For a quick and successful scan, make sure the QR code is positioned within the frame of your camera. Avoid scanning at steep angles, and try to keep the QR code parallel to your device. Also, ensure the QR code isn’t wrinkled, obscured, or damaged in any way, as this can prevent a successful scan.

4. Move Into Better Lighting

Good lighting is essential for any camera function, and the QR code scanner is no exception. A well-lit environment makes it easier for the camera to recognize and read the QR code. If you’re in a dimly lit room or area, move to a brighter spot or shine some light on the QR code to improve visibility.

5. Clean Your Camera Lens

A smudged or dirty camera lens can make it difficult for the camera to read the QR code. So, if you are still having trouble scanning the QR code, gently wipe your camera lens with a soft, lint-free cloth to ensure it’s clean. Avoid using harsh or abrasive materials that might scratch the lens. If necessary, slightly dampen the cloth with water to remove stubborn smudges.

6. Relaunch the Camera App

Sometimes, software glitches can cause your QR code scanner to malfunction. The quickest fix for this is to simply close the Camera app and relaunch it. To do this, swipe up from the bottom edge, pause in the center of the screen, then swipe up on the Camera app to close it. Wait for a few seconds, then reopen the Camera app and try to scan the QR code again.

7. Add Scan Code to Control Center

If you’re still having trouble using the Camera app to scan the QR code, you can add Apple’s built-in Scan Code control directly to the Control Center for easy access. This built-in feature works separately from the Camera app and can sometimes bypass issues that you might encounter while using the Camera app.

Here’s how to add the Scan Code control to the Control Center:

1. Open Control Center.

   

2. Tap the Add button of Control Center to begin editing the controls.

   

3. Tap Add a Control at the bottom of the screen to open the controls gallery, then tap Scan Code to add it to Control Center.

   

4. Now, open the Control Center, then tap the Scan Code button to scan the QR code.

When scanning in a dark or dimly lit area, tap the Flashlight icon at the bottom of the screen to turn on your iPhone’s camera flash.

8. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

If the above methods still don’t work, a simple restart can help. Sometimes, minor system glitches can cause certain features, like the QR code scanner, to malfunction. Restarting your iPhone can clear these glitches and get everything running smoothly again.

However, iPhones don’t have a restart option, so you’ll have to manually turn off your device and then turn it back on. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. Fortunately, you can manually perform a restart even if your iPhone’s buttons are broken.

9. Update Your iPhone

Apple periodically releases software updates, including bug fixes that can clear any operating system glitches. An outdated iOS version may be causing issues with your QR code scanner, and an update will fix this.

To update your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if there is any available update. If there’s a new iOS version available, tap Update Now. Ensure you connect to a strong Wi-Fi network and that your iPhone is sufficiently charged before starting the update.

10. Check Out Third-Party QR Code Scanners

If your iPhone’s built-in QR code scanner still doesn’t work after trying all these fixes, you should consider downloading a third-party QR code reader from the App Store. Many options, both free and paid, offer a wider range of capabilities compared to the built-in QR scanner.

Popular iOS third-party QR code reader apps include QR Code & Barcode Scanner by TeaCapps, Scan Shot by Scanner App PDF Tool, and CamScanner by INSTIG.

Decode QR Codes on Your iPhone 18 Pro Max Without Issues

QR codes have become a great way to access information with a simple scan. If you’ve tried all our fixes and still can’t get your QR code scanner to work, you can always take a picture and scan the QR code with your Photos app.

When you open an image in Photos, you’ll notice a tiny Live Text icon in the bottom-right corner of the image when it recognizes a QR code. Also, remember to contact Apple Support or visit your local Apple Store for in-house repairs if you suspect hardware damage to be the cause of the issue.

If you’re having trouble with Spotify, you aren’t alone. Since the latest iPhone update, some users have reported that Spotify crashes when they lock their phone. This means that in order to listen to music or podcasts, you need to keep your iPhone 18 Pro Max unlocked.

This seems to be some sort of power-saving glitch, or potentially a bad interaction between the Spotify app and the latest version of iOS. Either way, this guide will show you the potential solutions to fix this problem.

1. Delete the Cache

Some users reported that simply deleting the Spotify cache on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max fixes the issue right away, without having to do any additional fixes. Before you try anything else, give this a chance and see if it works.

Tap your profile picture at the top, tap Settings and privacy, then tap Data-saving and offline. Under Storage, tap Clear next to Clear cache.

If this doesn’t work, proceed to the next fix.

2. Delete Downloaded Podcasts and Songs

The users who first reported this issue were podcast listeners, and they seem to face it more than anybody else. There is a reason for this—the issue happens when you frequently download podcasts or songs for offline listening. If you don’t clear these up, the issue is more likely to happen to you, and podcast fans are more likely to download new content as each new episode comes out.

You can clear up all downloaded data by going to your Spotify app, tapping on Your Library, and tapping on the Downloaded tab. Here, you can see all of your downloaded podcasts or songs, and you can delete the ones you’ve already listened to.

In most cases, this fixes the issue.

3. Reinstall Spotify on Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

If the first fix doesn’t work, you will need to delete the app and reinstall Spotify. This seems to fix the issue for everybody. You can do this the traditional way, but some users say that it works better to go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Spotify and tapping Offload App and then deleting the app from there.

Then, you just need to reinstall Spotify and you’re good to go.

Preventing Future Spotify Issues

This issue, while easy to fix, can be annoying if you’re driving, as you’ll need to pull over to fix it. To prevent this issue from happening again, be sure to delete downloaded songs and podcasts frequently.

You can also make Spotify auto-delete podcasts once episodes have been played! From the Your Episodes page, tap the gear icon and tap Remove played episodes. Here, you can set them to be automatically removed.

That way you can forget about deleting them yourself without needing to worry about Spotify not working with iOS again.

Apple’s cloud services (iTunes, iCloud, etc.) require you to create an Apple Account, which is essentially your key to access. Each person using Apple’s services should have a unique Apple Account, but sometimes people share IDs for convenience. That could lead to some issues, however.

For example, if an Apple Account is being shared by a couple, it can create a problem if the couple breaks up. A reader writes in with such a story:

My partner and I broke up. We’ve been sharing the same iTunes account for years. Everything downloaded on one phone appears on the other. How do I stop this?

While the question is about iTunes, an iTunes account is a form of Apple Account: you can use it just for purchasing, or with iCloud for calendar, contacts, email, photos, and music, as well as macOS access and elements associated with Continuity (iOS/macOS interactions).

Before I offer the rest of my advice, can you negotiate with this former partner over custody? If so, you might be faced with different choices. If you’ve purchased apps, music, videos, audiobooks, and other items using this Apple Account, you might have to figure out how one party reimburses the other for stuff they want to keep and still use.

If that’s the case, one person could be left with the account and simply change the password. (This is a good time to also enable two-factor authentication and review the phone numbers and email addresses associated with the Apple Account, to make sure they’re all yours; or encourage your ex to do the same.)

Let’s assume you are willing to abandon the account or have granted custody to your partner.

First, you’ll want to copy all media and other items that aren’t purchases that are tied to the account. If you’re using the Apple Account just for iTunes, that’s everything. With apps and videos, usage is tied to an Apple Account login, and you can’t use them without logging in. (The music files have no protection on them, but if both you and your partner retain copies, that’s a copyright violation.)

If you’re also using iCloud sync for contacts, calendars, email, photos, or music, you’ll want to make sure you have the copies you want of all your stuff stored locally before deleting it. The last stage of what you’ll do after the below bullet points is log out of the iTunes or iCloud account you’re using.

(I’m assuming no one will do something malicious here and delete media or other information that the other person has a right to have, but given the complicated nature of relationships, I’m going to let you all work out those details.)

• Contacts. You can use the Contacts app in macOS to select contact entries and then use File > Export > Contacts Archive to create a file that you can import on another Mac. You can then delete those selected Contacts before logging out. Quit after deleting, because otherwise, deletion can be undone. You can export some or all of your contacts to another device or app. You can use third-party apps that access your iOS address book to group, copy, excerpt, and delete entries.
• Calendar. If you’ve shared a single calendar, it’s harder to separate these entries and, as with Contacts, you have to use macOS (or possibly a third-party iOS app) to export entries. You may want to use Calendar in macOS to export an entire calendar, and then selectively delete entries related to you, especially those with phone numbers, addresses, and people’s names.
• Email. If you’re using options to store email on a server with Apple’s Mail app, retrieve it on a Mac to store locally by dragging messages or mailboxes to entry under On My Mac that appear in the sidebar. All messages you drag to that section are moved from the server to your Mac. You don’t need to do anything else. If you’re using a different email program, consult the directions for moving messages and mailboxes from server storage to local Mac storage.
• Photos. With iCloud Photos enabled, every photo you upload using a Mac, iPhone, or via iCloud.com while logged into that Apple Account will be copied to all other devices logged into the same one (and available via iCloud.com). Copy the files you want to retain, and then delete them from Photos in iOS or macOS or via iCloud.com. Deleting images from iCloud Photos deletes them from every device on which they appear. To make sure they’re permanently gone, check for the Recently Deleted album. If they’re still there, select them and choose delete, which removes them forever.
• Music. Apple lets you sync music files in your library across devices. (This is distinct from iTunes Match, which finds high-quality versions of any music you’ve ripped or purchased elsewhere, and makes those available.) You’ll want to make sure to copy any music files that belong to you before logging out of the Apple Account.

After having done all of the above, on all your devices, log out from that account. If you’re using a single Apple Account for both iTunes and purchases and for iCloud, log out from both places.

• In macOS, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click your name at the top of the sidebar, click Sign Out, and follow prompts.
• In iOS to sign out of iCloud, go to Settings, tap your name, and scroll down. Then, tap Sign Out. For iTunes, tap Media & Purchases, then tap Sign Out.

  

• If you’re using third-party contact, calendar, or email software, you may also need to sign out of or delete your Apple Account from those locations.

Assuming you don’t have another Apple Account you’re already using with iCloud, create a new Apple Account at account.apple.com, then log in via Settings in iOS and System Settings in macOS.

You can now copy all the stuff you exported and saved back into your various apps.

Do you keep running into issues with widgets not loading, updating, or displaying data on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max? Software-related bugs and conflicting settings often cause that.

So let’s check out what you can do to fix your iPhone widgets, either in the Today View or on the Home screen.

1. Restart Your iPhone 18 Pro Max

If a specific widget or set of widgets appears blank or won’t load, it’s best to kick things off by restarting your iPhone. That’s a quick way to fix most issues brought about by buggy apps and system software.

To do that, open the Settings app and select General > Shut Down. After the device finishes shutting down, hold down the Side button to reboot it.

2. Update the Apps on Your iPhone

Try updating the apps on your iPhone. Newer update versions usually come with lots of fixes for known problems preventing widgets from functioning normally.

If you don’t have automatic app updates enabled, just open the App Store, tap your picture and select App Updates. Next, perform a swipe-down gesture to scan for the latest updates and tap Update All to install them.

3. Update iOS

Early builds of major system software iterations are relatively unstable and adversely impact widget functionality. The best way to fix that is by keeping iOS up to date.

Start by heading over to General > Software Update to scan for new system software updates. Follow that by tapping Update Now to apply them.

You can also activate automatic system-software updates for your iPhone 18 Pro Max. To do that, tap Automatic Updates (on the same screen). Automatically Install: When an update is available, iPhone downloads and installs it overnight while charging and connected to Wi-Fi.

4. Change the System Language

If widgets still fail to load, consider trying out this unusual fix that involves briefly changing the system language on your iPhone 18 Pro Max.

Head over to Settings > General > Language & Region. Tap Add Language, then select a language. That should automatically restart the device.

Follow this by switching back to your preferred language and double-check your widgets to see if they’ve started working correctly.

Another fix that can resolve issues with malfunctioning widgets requires making the text bold on your iPhone.

To do that, simply go to Settings > Appearance and turn on the switch next to Bold Text. In case that helps, disable the bold text and check if the issue recurs.

5. Disable Low Data Mode and Low Power Mode

Low Data Mode and Low Power Mode can impair widget-related activity. Try disabling them and check if that helps.

How to Disable Low Data Mode: Cellular

If you use cellular data for internet connectivity, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode and turn off Low Data Mode.

How to Disable Low Data Mode: Wi-Fi

iOS applies Low Data Mode for Wi-Fi on a per-connection basis. So head over to Settings > Wi-Fi, select your active Wi-Fi connection, and deactivate the switch next to Low Data Mode.

How to Disable Low Power Mode

To disable Low Power Mode, head over to Settings > Battery > Power Mode and turn off the switch next to Low Power Mode.

6. Check System Settings for Apps

If a specific widget has trouble presenting up-to-date information, check if Location Services and Background App Refresh are set up for the relevant app.

How to Check Location Services

Open the Settings app and go to Privacy & Security > Location Services. Then, tap the relevant app and select While Using the App or Always. That should allow the app (and its widget) to display data based on location.

How to Check Background App Refresh

Open the Settings app and go to General > Background App Refresh. Then, turn on the switch next to the app in question. That should allow the app (and its widget in turn) to refresh automatically in the background.

7. Edit the Widget Preferences

If a widget displays the wrong information, you must check if it’s set up correctly.

Touch and hold the Weather widget on your Home Screen. Tap Edit “Weather” or Edit Stack. You can then tap My Location to search for and pick the correct location. Follow that by tapping outside the widget area to save your changes.

8. Remove and Re-add Widgets

Removing and re-adding a widget that has loading or other issues can also help.

To do that, long-press a widget and select Remove Widget. If it’s part of a Smart Stack, select Edit Stack and tap the Remove button instead.

You can then re-add the widget via the widgets gallery. Just long-press a vacant area in the Today View or on the Home screen, tap the Edit button, then tap Add Widget. Then, locate the widget and tap Add Widget.

9. Reinstall Related Apps

If the issue is restricted to a specific widget, you should try re-installing the relevant app. You can do that without losing any app-related data by offloading it.

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Then, pick the app you want to remove and tap Offload App. Follow that by reinstalling the app via the App Store.

10. Reset Network or All Settings

Try resetting the network settings on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max. If that fails, you must reset all settings on your iPhone. That helps fix network-related and other underlying issues preventing widgets from functioning correctly.

To do that, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and use the Reset Network Settings and the Reset All Settings options.

Fixed: Widgets Working Correctly Again

Keeping both the apps and the system software up-to-date is the best way to minimize widget-related issues going forward. Also, don’t forget to check any widget-specific settings to ensure that everything’s been set up correctly.