A new iOS and iPadOS update has been released that fixes a security flaw, suggesting it could be a big one that users should patch as soon as possible. Apple has hastily rolled out a pair of iPhone and iPad software updates to fix security flaws that may have been exploited by bad actors.
The iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 updates fix only one issue, which is unusual since Apple typically bundles multiple bug and bug fixes into each update. This suggests that the flaw is serious enough that Apple rushes to fix it.
In fact, the updated support page says “Apple is aware of reports that this issue may have been actively exploited,” a rare confirmation from the company that the vulnerability is not only theoretical, but may have been exploited.
If this rush to update iPhones and iPads to fix security flaws sounds familiar, it’s because Apple did just that with iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 a few weeks ago. As far as we know, this new security update addresses different vulnerabilities than previous patches were supposed to fix.
As with all Apple software updates, these security patches are free and available for all modern devices that can download iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. These are iPhone 6s and later, and iPod Touch (7th generation) and iPad Pro (all models) for iOS, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and for iPadOS Newer iPad mini 4 and later.
Updating a compatible iPhone or iPad is easy: just open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update.
Updating apps on your iPhone or iPad is a quick and easy way to get new features, play new levels, or fix bugs and security issues in the apps you use. But you may not even know if an update is available for your app or how to update your app – unless you know where to look.
Updating your apps was even easier before the release of iOS 13 in September 2019. All you have to do is open the App Store, click the Updates tab, pull down to refresh the list and click Update All. This is the process that all iPhone users have followed since the App Store launched in 2008, and you can still use it if you have an older Apple device that isn’t compatible with anything after iOS 12.
When you update your iPhone app in iOS 15, you won’t find the Updates tab. With the release of iOS 13, Apple filled that space with its Apple Arcade gaming subscription service. Even without a separate update tab, the process of updating apps is just as quick and easy, but it’s hidden.
Where to Find Hidden iPhone App Updates
1. Open the app store.
2. Click the profile icon in the upper right corner.
3. Scroll down to the Available Updates section, where you can find any app updates that you can install. You can still use pull-to-refresh to force your device to look for updates.
If you have updates, you can update them individually or hit the “Update All” button and call it a day. The ability to remove apps from the update list is also somewhat hidden. If you want to delete an app, swipe left.
The drag-and-drop feature on iOS 15 allows you to quickly send a link via text message or add a photo attachment to an email. With drag-and-drop on iPhone, you can move seamlessly between apps to quickly upload photos, send links, share files, and more. In seconds, you can quickly drag a dozen photos to text or drop a link into an email. We’ll show you everything you can do with the new drag and drop functionality on iOS 15. Let’s have a look!
How to Drag and Drop Photos and Videos on iPhone
The first way to use drag and drop on iOS is to move images from one app to another. This feature now works with any app that allows you to press an image to share. Below we’ll show you how to drag and drop from the native photos app.
1. Open the Photos app.
2. In grid view, hold your finger on the photo or video until the quick action menu appears, then move your finger around so that it floats below your finger.
3. If you want to add more photos to share, tap any other photo or video with another finger and these photos or videos will be automatically added to another photo under your finger.
4. Use another finger to leave the app and navigate to where you want to place the photo or video.
5. If you can put it there, you’ll see a green plus sign in the corner of the photo or video.
6. Lift your finger to drop photos and videos.
For example, you can drag a photo into the Mail app to add it as an attachment, or into the Messages app to quickly send it via text.
Files that exist in the Files app can also be dragged out of Files and into other apps, like Messages or Mail to share the file, or even to another file manager if you want to share the file server application you are trying to upload a file. Methods as below:
1. Open the Files app.
2. In the icon or list view, press your finger down on the file until the quick action menu appears, then move your finger around without lifting your finger to make the file follow your finger.
3. Use another finger to leave the Files app and go to another app.
4. Wait until you see a green plus sign, which means you can put it there, then lift your finger to release the file.
If you’re already in the Files app, this is a faster way to share files via text or email.
Like Photos, you can drag and drop links from apps like Safari, Calendar, and more. Likewise, you must be able to press the link and make the quick action menu appear to be able to drag and drop it. Here’s how to do it from Safari.
1. Open the Safari app.
2. Press your finger on any link until the quick action menu appears, then move your finger so that the link floats under your finger.
3. Leave the app with another finger and lift your finger to place it elsewhere (only if you see the green plus sign).
You can put links in other apps such as Messages, Mail, Notes or any number of social media apps.
There are many reasons why your iPhone or Android phone might no longer charge—from rusted charging ports to damaged cables. But a common problem is that your charging port, whether it’s Lightning on the iPhone 13 or USB-C on phones like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, gets clogged with dirt and the cable doesn’t plug all the way in. Let’s take a look at the reasons and solutions below!
Why is my charging port blocked?
The phone’s charging ports don’t have protective covers, which means they’re exposed to every bit of dust, grime, and debris they come across. But those tiny bits of dust and lint can build up over the months or years you own your phone, pressing together every time you plug in the charging cable until it forms a solid barrier to your charger from fully entering and allowing it to connect and Charge. If your phone is more than six months old and you’re gradually finding that the charger is becoming more and more unstable, there’s a good chance that dirt on your port is the culprit.
How to Clean Your Phone’s Charging Port
Unclogging your phone port is an easy task. You’ll need a cocktail stick, toothpick, or other small item that can be inserted into the port to scrape off grime. Wood or plastic is better because it’s less likely to scratch anything inside and possibly cause injury.
Insert the tool of your choice into the charging port until it goes no further, then gently start scraping away. With the iPhone’s Lightning port, you can scrape back and forth, but with USB-C, you’ll need to scrape the charging connector that sits in the middle of the port.
Eventually, you will start to loosen the compacted pieces and you will be able to drain the sloughed material out of the port. It’s a satisfying process, and you might be surprised how much stuff actually turns out. Work lightly on the sides of the port, but be careful not to scratch any metal charging connectors too hard.
Hopefully it’s now safer to plug in and start charging. If not, go ahead and try to extract more dirt and test the charger again. If that still doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to consider other solutions, like a new cable or charger.
Have you also been stuck with Apple’s default mail and web browsing apps for a long time, no matter what default you prefer.
But luckily, Apple has loosened its grip on iPhones and iPads by adding options for placing widgets on the iPhone’s home screen, creating custom app icons, and changing default apps for email and web browsing. That also means you can use Gmail or Google Chrome (or other app of your choice) on your new iPhone and finally leave Safari and Apple Mail behind. This is a huge win for iPhone and iPad users.
The process of changing your default mail and browser apps is simple, but also somewhat insidious. Apple didn’t make it as easy as Android, which has a dedicated section for setting default apps in settings. You have to know where to look, and below, we’ll tell you where. Let’s have a look!
Set your default mail or browser
In order to use another application as an email or web browser replacement, developers need to update the application to support the new functionality. Be sure to check the App Store for any updates before trying to change your default apps.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down until you find the app you want to use. For example, if you want it to be your primary browser, look for Google Chrome. Or Outlook if you want to use it as your email application and tap it. Select the appropriate option, Default Browser Application or Default Email Application. Select from the list of available applications on the next screen, then exit Setup.
With the new default set of apps, whenever you click a link, your preferred browser will open. Or as soon as you click on an email address, your email application will launch.
We know that the iPhone has powerful functions, but not every function will tell you that there are many hidden functions that you need to dig out by yourself, and some hidden functions are very helpful when we use them, such as hiding in Trackpad in iOS keyboard.
Typically, when you’re composing a long text message or email, you use your finger to move the cursor and return to any area of text that you want to delete, rewrite, or edit. Whenever you do this, a magnification bubble will appear under your fingertip, magnifying the text for easier navigation. However, if you find it difficult to move the cursor precisely with your fingers, iOS offers an alternative.
Here’s how to access the trackpad hidden in the keyboard, which makes it easier to move the cursor and edit text on your iPhone or iPad. Let’s take a look together!
How to Unlock the iPhone and iPad’s Hidden Trackpad
1. Anywhere you have written a piece of text, bring up the keyboard and press the space bar until the keyboard is blank.
You should feel some haptic feedback and see the cursor zoom in for a second, which means you can now use the keyboard as a trackpad.
2. With your finger still down, move it across the keyboard to move the cursor, just like on a Mac’s trackpad.
3. To place the cursor, simply remove your finger from the screen. You can then use any other key (like delete) to make any edits to the text. If you want to move the cursor again, press your finger on the space bar to bring up the hidden trackpad.
When you pick up your new iPhone, are you very happy? Just want to experience it right away! But don’t worry, you should first set up your new iPhone, and it’s also important to transfer some of your previous iPhone data to the new iPhone. If there is no important data to be transferred, then you can experience the joy of the new iPhone after finishing the settings. However, I think you should know the transfer method between iPhones, because this will help you! Depending on your situation, Apple provides a variety of options for transferring data from iPhone to iPhone. Below we will explain four different ways to restore the phone from the most recent backup of the current iPhone. Let’s take a look!
1. Restore the most recent iCloud backup to your new iPhone
The easiest and fastest way to set up a new iPhone is to restore from a recent iCloud backup. When you complete the initial setup process, tap “Restore from iCloud Backup”, sign in with your Apple ID, and select the latest backup of your old iPhone.
If the backup is more than a day or two, I suggest you take a few more minutes to create a new backup. To do this, open the “Settings” app on your old phone and search for “iCloud Backup”, then select “Back Up Now.” When finished, go back to your new iPhone and select the backup you just created as the backup you want to use for recovery. Then, your phone will restore your settings and preferences while it finishes downloading the applications you have installed.
After everything is restored, you need to log in again to any account you added to your phone, and check your application to make sure you are still logged in.
2. Use Apple’s direct transfer method
During the setup process, you will be asked if you want to transfer the applications and information from the old iPhone directly to the new iPhone. The tool is easy to use. Make sure you have two phones, it is best to plug in and charge to ensure that they do not drain the battery, Wi-Fi connection and enough time to complete the process. The more information on your phone, the longer it will take. When the transmission starts, the phone will display a time estimate.
3. Use Mac or PC to transfer your data to iPhone
The method I personally use on every new iPhone is to use a Mac or PC to restore from an encrypted backup. Not only will this process transfer all of your apps, settings, and preferences, it also means that you don’t need to log in to countless apps on your phone. Before using this method, you need to create an encrypted backup of the current iPhone.
On Mac, you will use Finder to back up your old iPhone. We outlined the steps when Apple killed iTunes. Just make sure to check the “Encrypted Backup” box and enter the password you will remember when prompted. Let your Mac start to work and create a backup file. It will notify you when it is complete.
On a PC, you need to use iTunes to create a backup. The process is explained here. Again, you need to make sure to check the box for encrypted backup and enter the password.
To restore a new phone, open Finder or iTunes, and connect the phone to the computer. When prompted, click Trust, and then follow the prompts to select the backup you just created as the backup you want to use to restore your phone. Before this process starts, you need to enter the backup password.
When it’s done, your new phone will be an exact copy of the old phone, and you don’t need to spend any time logging in to the app or random account.
4. Android users? This app is your answer
Apple does not list many Android apps in the Google Play store, but Move to iOS is one of them. This free application connects your Android phone to a new iPhone and allows you to transfer the most important information from one phone to another.
As your iPhone becomes more and more an integral part of your life and identity, the need to protect your data becomes more important. When you lock your Gmail account, Facebook page, and browser, don’t ignore your iPhone just because you’ve set up Face ID or Touch ID.
Face ID is a good start. After all, it does ensure that nosy roommates, thieves, or others who want to spy on your phone cannot access the treasure trove of information stored on your device. However, even if your iPhone or iPad is locked, there are still some applications and device settings that can be tapped by anyone with physical access to your device. Isn’t it scary? Therefore, you should immediately change the following three settings to completely lock your iPhone or iPad. Let’s take a look!
Don’t show notification content on the lock screen
If you have a newer iPhone that uses Face ID, you may have noticed that the notifications on the lock screen are hidden until you pick up the phone and use your face to unlock it. You can take this security feature one step further by telling your Apple device to never reveal the content of the message. Instead, you will see an alert from a specific application, and clicking on it will open it.
Doing so prevents snoopers from seeing the content of emails and messages you receive. To double check your settings or change settings> notifications> show preview and choose when unlocked or never.
Restrict activity on a locked iPhone or iPad
This is arguably the most important part of fully protecting your Apple device. Go to “Settings”> “Face ID/Touch ID and Password”> enter your password, then scroll down to the section labeled “Allow access when locked.”
There you will find a list of different device features, from Siri and Today View to control center and wallet. Every function with the switch in the on position can be accessed directly from the lock screen, even if your device is locked. It seems harmless to leave features like Home Control turned on, but depending on the number and type of HomeKit devices you have, someone can control your smart home. Thankfully, Apple requires authentication to unlock the door or open the garage door.
“Erase data” is an extreme choice
You should only do this if you regularly back up your iPhone or iPad and can retrieve your information without problems.
Go to Settings>Face ID/Touch ID and Password>Enter your password, then scroll to the very bottom of the page. Slide the switch next to Wipe Data to the on position. After you turn on Wipe Data, your device will automatically restore its factory settings after someone enters the password incorrectly 10 times.
Now that you can better control what types of data and applications you can access when your phone is locked, be sure to take a few minutes to sort out your privacy settings. It’s a good idea to turn on the “Find My” feature on all your Apple devices so you can find your lost or stolen phone.
Have you ever encountered a sudden weak signal from your mobile phone? This makes you very annoyed when you need a signal. Although poor service is usually not your fault, bad weather, interference, or the absence of cell towers nearby can all be the culprits, but you can follow some tips and tricks to help improve the signal. Below are the best troubleshooting steps you can take to keep your phone running at its best performance. Let’s take a look!
Turn airplane mode on and off
Switching the phone connection is the quickest and easiest way to try to solve the signal problem.
Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen-access the quick settings panel-and tap the airplane mode icon. Wait for your phone to completely disconnect its Wi-Fi and cellular network connections. It will not happen immediately, so give it a good 30 seconds before clicking the airplane mode icon again.
iPhone: On iPhone, you can access airplane mode from the control center, but it depends on the iPhone model you have. On iPhone X and later, swipe down from the upper right corner to access the control center. On older iPhone models, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Then click on the airplane mode icon, it will turn orange when it is enabled. Wait another minute, and then turn it off again.
restart cellphone.
Sometimes you can solve the problem by restarting.
Android: Press and hold the power button or the power button and the volume down key until the on-screen menu appears, then click Restart. If your phone does not provide a restart option, you can just click Shut down to shut down your device, and then use the power button to restart it.
iPhone: If your iPhone has a home button, press and hold the sleep/wake button until the power slider is displayed, and then drag the slider to the right. After the device is turned off, press and hold the sleep/wake button until you see the Apple logo.
On iPhone X and older models, press and hold the sleep/wake button and any volume button, and then slide the power slider to the right to turn off the device. Wait until it is completely turned off, then press the sleep/wake button to turn it back on. Alternatively, you can force a reset: press the volume up button, then press the volume down button, then press and hold the side button. Even if your phone’s screen turns black, keep holding it until you see the Apple logo again.
Take out the SIM card for one minute
Another troubleshooting step to try is to remove the SIM card with the phone turned on, and then put it back in the phone.
All phones: Take out the SIM card, check for damage and put it in the SIM card tray correctly, then put it back in the phone.
eSIM: For phones with eSIM, you don’t need to remove anything. The best thing you can do is restart your phone.
Check carrier settings (applicable to Apple only)
If you have been using iPhone for a while, you may have seen a warning, even if only briefly, your carrier settings are up to date. These updates help iPhone to improve its cellular network connection. To force your iPhone to check for carrier settings updates, open “Settings”> “General”> “About” on your phone. If an update is available, you will be prompted to install it.
Reset network settings
Refreshing the phone’s network settings is one way. Note, however, that resetting your network settings will also reset all saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN connections, and any carrier’s custom APN settings that require additional settings.
Android: Go to “Settings”> “General”> “Reset”> “Reset Network Settings”. Confirm your choice and your phone will restart.
iPhone: Go to “Settings”> “General Management”> “Reset”> “Reset Network Settings”. The next page will warn you that resetting your network settings will reset your Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth settings. Click Reset Settings, and your phone will restart.
Contact your carrier
Sometimes, unexpected signal problems can be traced back to wireless carrier problems. The signal tower may be closed, or the fiber optic cable of the signal tower may have been cut, causing an interruption. Some operators provide network extenders, which are devices that act as small wireless towers and rely on your Internet connection.
Other times, newly discovered signal problems may be caused by a malfunction of your phone or SIM card. After trying these fixes, contacting your carrier to start troubleshooting is the next best step to resolve signal instability.
If all else fails, try this
If after completing all of our troubleshooting steps, including discussing your options with your carrier, you are still struggling to maintain a good signal-try a booster. The signal booster receives the same cellular signal used by your carrier and then amplifies it enough to cover an entire room or entire house.
Apple released iOS 15.2 on Monday, bringing a lot of updates and new features. This is the first major update of Apple’s iPhone software since iOS 15.1 in October. It brings features such as FaceTime SharePlay and ProRes support to the iPhone. Here is what we have learned for everyone, let’s take a look!
How to download iOS 15.2 first?
To download the latest update, go to “Settings”> “General”> “Software Update” and select “Download and Install”. After the download is complete, restart your iPhone to start the installation. Once your phone restarts, you will be using the latest version of iOS. Let’s take a look at the new features!
App privacy report
The biggest new feature of iOS 15.2 is the application privacy report. This report is designed to help users control who has access to their data. If you’ve ever checked the weekly screen usage report, the app privacy report is organized in a similar way-but instead of telling you how much time you spend in different apps, it shows which data and sensors each app can access. Network activity of these applications and other privacy-related data.
Apple Music Voice Plan
One of the new features of iOS 15.2 is the Apple Music Voice Plan, which is the new subscription tier of Apple Music. The voice plan tier cuts the subscription price in half—to $5 per month. Spatial audio and lyrics features will not be available, but you can access the full Apple Music catalog.
Apple Music playlist search
If you already own Apple Music, iOS 15.2 now allows you to search for songs in your playlist. It is difficult to find at first-you have to enter the playlist and swipe down from the top of the screen to display the search bar above the playlist image.
Communication security settings
After postponing the controversial setting of Messages, Apple released it as part of iOS 15.2. This message setting allows parents to enable warnings for their children when they receive or send photos containing nudity. When children receive these photos, the warning will also show their resources. Although the intent behind this feature is strongly supported, privacy experts believe that the cost of Apple’s approach outweighs the benefits.
Macro control of photos
Users with iPhone 13 Pro or Max can now use the ultra-wide-angle lens to take close-up photos and videos in 15.2 on these models. To open it, go to Settings, then Camera, in this menu there is a toggle switch labeled Macro Control. When it is turned on, you should see a flower icon on the screen when taking a photo. When you are close to an object, tap the flower icon to enter macro mode.
More details in Apple Maps
Apple Maps will now display detailed road information, such as bicycle lanes, turning lanes, central barriers, and pedestrian crossings that support the city.
Updates to the “Find My” function
The current iOS has also updated Apple’s Find My function. This change reported by MacRumors allows you to use the “Find My” app to scan “Items that can be tracked by me” to identify nearby items that can send location data. You can then choose to disable tracking on any device you find.
The update caused some controversy because it dragged the “Find Me” feature into two contradictory directions. The update appears to be aimed at helping people better control their privacy by preventing unwanted devices from tracking them. However, it also seems to weaken the functionality of AirTags, as it may enable thieves to turn off any AirTag tracking of stolen items.
Parts and service history
The update also allows you to view the repair history on your iPhone by going to “Settings”> “General”> “About”> “Parts and Service History”. The new section will detail any repairs made by Apple and whether the parts come from Apple or an unknown supplier. However, if you have not sent your iPhone for repair, this feature will not be displayed.
Other new features in iOS 15.2
The second version of the iOS 15.2 beta adds the ability to designate old contacts as part of the Apple Digital Heritage Program. Designating someone as an old contact allows them to access your iCloud account and personal information after you die.
iCloud Plus subscribers can also use Apple’s “hide my email” feature from the mail application itself instead of in and out. The complete list of updates can be found on Apple’s developer website.
