Search focused on iPhones

2+ hour, 28+ min ago (1262+ words) I've spent a significant portion of my life searching for ways to extend the battery life on my'Android phones. Admittedly, that sounds rather dramatic, but growing up with only budget models meant I was constantly tweaking device settings to squeeze every bit of juice out of their batteries.' Thanks to this micromanaging, I successfully pushed the batteries on all my past smartphones to their absolute limit. I don't want to hoard this knowledge to myself, so I've decided to share it with everyone. Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025 Although the power settings are practically the same on every Android phone you can buy, the process for adjusting them can vary between devices. Be sure to keep this factor in mind when following the steps I outline, as the approach may be slightly different depending on the model…...

3+ hour, 12+ min ago (361+ words) Apple is testing iOS 26.3, the next version of iOS 26 that will launch around January. Since iOS 26.3's testing is happening over the holidays, it is a smaller update with fewer features than we've seen in prior betas. We've rounded up what's new so far, and we'll add to our list with subsequent betas if we come across any other features. Apple is making it simpler for iPhone users to transition to an Android smartphone in iOS 26.3, introducing a new transfer tool that lets an "iPhone" user place their device next to an Android device to initiate a transfer process. Health data, devices paired with Bluetooth, and protected items like locked notes are not transferred over to the new device. Google has also implemented a similar feature for transferring data from an Android to an "iPhone", so it is a two-way…...

4+ hour, 20+ min ago (361+ words) iOS Backup Machine is a clever, Linux-based project on GitHub If you're an iPhone owner and would like to back up your content locally without cloud storage services or recurring fees, a small open source project could be what you're looking for, although it requires dedication and technical know-how. The iOS Backup Machine project on GitHub centers on a compact Linux device that creates automatic local backups when an iPhone is connected by USB. It avoids wireless syncing and keeps data off external servers. The system uses libimobiledevice to trigger encrypted backups with no user interaction required after the initial setup. Once an iPhone is plugged in, the process starts on its own and runs to completion, unless the cable is removed. Backup progress and messages appear on a small e-ink display mounted on the device. At startup, the screen…...

4+ hour, 30+ min ago (189+ words) Software from an iPhone prototype running an early build of iOS 26 leaked last week, giving us a glimpse at future Apple devices and iOS features. We recapped device codenames in our prior article, and now we have a list of some of the most notable feature flags that were found in the software code. There are mentions of several previously rumored software features that are coming in updates to "iOS 26" and in iOS 27. There are a handful of health features that have a WWDC 2027 label attached. There are multiple accessibility features, some of which have WWDC 2026 or fall 2026 dates, and some with no dates. Keep in mind that Apple's plans can change, so while this is a glimpse of what Apple was working on around the June 2025 timeline, it may not be accurate any longer. Features can be scrapped, launch…...

4+ hour, 35+ min ago (801+ words) Consider this the final word from Apple, Google and Samsung on keeping your phone charged past 100%. Before you unplug your phone at 99%, read what Google and Apple recommend. You have definitely heard the advice to not keep your phone plugged in once it is fully charged, but that advice is ancient history. Modern smartphones are now smart enough to cut off the power once they are fully charged, so leaving your'iPhone'or'Android'plugged in overnight is not going to destroy its battery. But to be clear: Just because it is safe does not mean it is optimal. While you cannot technically "overcharge" a battery, keeping a lithium-ion cell pinned at 100% creates voltage stress, and the heat generated from sitting on a charger is the real, silent enemy of longevity. It is not about immediate damage but rather how fast your battery ages…...

4+ hour, 39+ min ago (270+ words) [The overlooked accessibility tool that maximizes your AirPods Pro 3]Ryan Christoffel of 9to5Google reports that the "Background Sounds" feature, a native iOS tool hidden within Accessibility settings, has become an essential daily utility for maintaining focus when paired with the AirPods Pro 3. After using the earbuds for three months, Christoffel found that the improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works synergistically with the ambient [] [The overlooked accessibility tool that maximizes your AirPods Pro 3]Ryan Christoffel of 9to5Google reports that the "Background Sounds" feature, a native iOS tool hidden within Accessibility settings, has become an essential daily utility for maintaining focus when paired with the AirPods Pro 3. After using the earbuds for three months, Christoffel found that the improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) works synergistically with the ambient noise tool to effectively eliminate distractions, such as coffee shop chatter or household activity. While he…...

5+ hour, 25+ min ago (251+ words) iOS 26.2 is here, packing a ton of new features for iPhone users, and also introducing several expansions of Liquid Glass. Here's what's new. Ever since iOS 26 launched in September, Apple has offered the option to customize transparency for the Lock Screen clock. But in iOS 26.2, that transparency slider has expanded so you can give the clock an even more dramatic Liquid Glass effect. Per Apple's release notes: Additional Lock Screen time customization option lets you further adjust its appearance, giving the Liquid Glass material more or less opacity To access the slider, go into the wallpaper editing mode by long-pressing on your Lock Screen. Then hit "Customize,' tap the clock, and make sure the "Glass' option is selected to see the slider. When Apple first showed off Liquid Glass at WWDC, certain design elements had a bounce and fluidity that…...

5+ hour, 30+ min ago (206+ words) Last week, details about unreleased Apple devices and future iOS features were shared by Macworld. This week, we learned where the information came from, plus we have more findings from the leak. As it turns out, an Apple prototype device running an early build of iOS 26 was sold, and the person who bought it shared the software. The OS has a version number of 23A5234w, and the first developer beta of "iOS 26" was 23A5260n, so it dates back to before that initial beta. Apple was still calling it iOS 19 internally at that time, so the software is labeled iOS 19 rather than "iOS 26". There are codenames for several upcoming Apple chips that are in the works for future devices. There are also several unknown codenames that aren't linked to any currently rumored devices. Several of these devices like the AirTag 2, the iPads, and…...

5+ hour, 43+ min ago (504+ words) See a low-power map to preserve battery life when you need it most. Smartphone users often drain their battery by listening to music, streaming video, or playing mobile games. These are great ways to kill time, but it's important to save battery life for crucial tasks, like making calls or using Google Maps for navigation. In a Pixel Drop, Google made it easier for users to get to their destination on low battery with the new Google Maps power saving mode. Power saving mode in Google Maps is quite limited. It's not just restricted to Pixel phones. Instead, it's only available for the four Google Pixel 10 models. If you happen to have one of the newest Pixel phones, you can extend your device's battery life with this feature. Here's everything you need to know about Google Maps power saving mode,…...

5+ hour, 52+ min ago (162+ words) Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is availableon iTunes and Apple's Podcasts app,Stitcher,TuneIn,Google Play, or through ourdedicated RSS feedfor Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Backblaze: Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Till the end of the month, 9to5Mac listeners get 30% off with code 9to5Xmas. more" 9to5Mac Daily: December 15, 2025 " iOS 26.2 now available Sponsored by Backblaze: Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Till the end of the month, 9to5Mac listeners get 30% off with code 9to5Xmas. Stories discussed in this episode: Catch up on 9to5Mac Daily episodes! Don't miss out on our other daily podcasts: Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. 9to5Mac Daily Podcast. A recap…...