Latest Software How To
SEE SOFTWARE STORIES BY CATEGORY
Mac 911
How to quickly access network settings on an iPhone
Shortcuts can help you bypass the tap, tap, tap of the Settings app.
Mac 911
Don't buy locked Apple hardware when shopping for used gear
Apple provides security locks for all its devices and items. Beware buying hardware that hasn’t been unlocked.
Updated
Time is running out to get 3 months free Apple Music in Apple's Summer promotion
There are ways to get Apple Music without paying, including a six-month Apple Music trial and other lengthy trials.
Mac 911
How to remove an item from Find My
As long as it’s paired, no one else can use it, and when found, it reports that you own it.
Mac 911
How to control the brightness of your iPhone or iPad
iOS tries to create the optimum brightness setting for you. What if you don't want that?
Mac 911
How to share passwords with Apple's Shared Groups
You can securely share passwords among groups you create.
Mac 911
How to use plants, birds, and other object identifiers in Photos
The Photos app uses machine learning to identify all sorts of flora, fauna, and landmarks.
How-To
How to make a PDF on Mac
Need to create a PDF on your Mac? Here's how to convert a file into a PDF on your Mac.
How-To
This new Safari feature lets you snap away annoying ads
Temporarily remove distractions on webpages with Distraction Control in macOS Sequoia and iOS 18.
Mac 911
How to combine user account data in macOS
If you need fewer accounts on a Mac but want to retain files associated with them, Apple has a pathway by using Delete User.
Mac 911
How to set up Medical ID in the iPhone Health app for emergencies
The Health app lets you provide information about your health and people to contact in case of an emergency.
Mac 911
How to lock/unlock the Recently Deleted and Hidden albums in Photos
Apple upgraded your privacy, but you can disable that change.
How-To
How Vehicle Motion Cues in iOS 18 can reduce motion sickness
Do you sometimes get carsick when using your phone while riding in a car? iOS 18 has a new feature that may help.
Mac 911
How to find an iPhone app that you used to have but is no longer in the App Store
Because of how Apple validates apps for use, you can’t transfer an app among devices that don’t use the same Apple ID.
How-To
How to use a VPN on Apple TV
Check out new content from different regions with a VPN on your Apple TV.
Mac 911
How to automate cloning your drives on a Mac
If you're concerned about having up-to-the-moment snapshots, it's not hard to set up what you need.
Updated
Time Machine vs iCloud: Do you need to use both?
iCloud might seem like a simple solution to keeping your important data backed up, but it shouldn't be relied on.
How-To
How to use Time Machine to back up a Mac
Don't risk losing everything on your Mac! It's easy to back up using Apple's Time Machine. Here's how
How-To
macOS Sequoia: How to use window tiling
New feature helps users take control of multiple windows open at once.
Macworld Podcast
Podcast: Why you should install Apple's public betas–and why you should avoid them
The public betas for iOS and iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia are coming, and you might be waiting to install them. But is that really a good idea? In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we talk about why you should and why you should avoid them.
How-To
How to factory reset a MacBook or Mac: Reset a Mac to factory settings
Need to erase your MacBook? Want to wipe a Mac and reinstall macOS before selling? Here's how to erase a Mac – including the methods for new and old Macs.
Mac 911
Apple Photos: When should you delete files from Imports? Never!
The Imports folder reflects an action.
Mac 911
Mail for macOS: Its two sort options for recent messages and how they work
You may think you've sorted the right way round, only to find you're out of sorts.
How-To
How to watch BBC iPlayer in the U.S.
BBC iPlayer is free to TV license holders inside the U.K. If you are going to be away from home, or if you aren't based in the U.K. here's how to stream BBC shows.
Mac 911
How your Mac locks you out for more and more time when entering the wrong password
Apple built this timeout as a security measure. Make sure you don't fall afoul through extreme repetition.
How-To
iOS 18: How to make your app icons large and label-free
If you've always wanted big, label-less icons on your home screen, iOS 18 finally makes your wish come true.
How-To
iOS 18: How to put app icons, widgets, and folders anywhere you want
Apple is finally taking the shackles off your home screen. Here's how it works.
Mac 911
How to restart iCloud Photos syncing when all else fails
Apple offers little debugging help, so you might have to put some elbow grease into finding a solution.
Mac 911
Where did that app go? How to find a missing app on iPhone or iPad
Apple doesn’t direct you to an app, but you can re-add one you’ve deleted from the Home screen.
Mac 911
How to disable reading goals in the Books app
Did you know you had set goals before the Books app told you?
Mac 911
How to stop Safari from opening links or files when you use a different Mac browser
Some users report that Safari opens even when they've changed their default surfing app.
How-To
How to get your iPhone ready to be the first to try iOS 18 when it arrives
Here's what you need to do to prepare your iPhone ahead of WWDC.
Mac 911
'Show Sidebar' option turned off in the Finder? Here's how to bring it back to macOS
Apple links two settings together, which can prevent you from revealing the Finder window sidebar.
Mac 911
How to avoid force ejecting mounted volumes in macOS
Sometimes, an external drive, disk image, or other mounted volume refuses to leave macOS of its own free will.
Mac 911
How to recover deleted notes in the Notes app
There’s an easy way and a hard way to recover lost entries in the Notes app for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
Mac 911
Is your Mac sluggish or running hot? Here's what to do
Sometimes quitting apps and restarting the Mac is the best course of action.
Updated
How to clear disk space on a Mac
Find out what's taking up space on your Mac and learn the best ways to free up disk space and increase the storage available on your Mac.
How-To
How to check a Mac’s free hard drive space
Wondering if your Mac has enough storage space for that massive download? Wonder no more.
How-To
How to use Mac Recovery Mode
Need to use macOS Recovery mode? We look at the key combinations you need to start a Mac in Recovery mode & what to do once there.
iOS Basics
How to leave an iMessage group text on iOS
Noisy iMessage group chat blowing up your phone? Here's how to leave the chatter behind.
How-To
How to call someone who blocked your number on iPhone
It's worryingly easy to call an iPhone that's blocked your number. Here's how to bypass a call block – in emergencies only, please.
How-To
How to find and delete duplicate files on Mac
Looking for a duplicate file finder for your Mac? Here's we'll explain how to find and delete duplicate files using the Finder and other options so you can save space and maybe even speed up your Mac.
Mac 911
How to manage depth control in iPhone photos
Apple has several controls and settings related to recording and revising a sense of depth in photos on many of its iPhone models.
How-To
If your iPhone alarm stopped working in iOS 17.4.1, here's a fix
Apple is working to patch the bug but a simple tweak in Settings should help.
How-To
How to clear cache on iPhone & iPad
Clearing the cache is a great way to give your iPhone or iPad a speed boost. Here's how to delete unwanted junk files.
How-To
How to delete photos from iPhone but not from iCloud
Beware deleting iPhone photos if you don't want them gone from iCloud.
How-To
How to copy and paste on a MacBook or Mac
Guide to cut & paste on Mac including how to paste without formatting, paste between devices, extended clipboard options, and how to see your Mac clipboard.
Mac 911
Downgrading iCloud+ storage? Be sure to retrieve your files properly
If you want to reduce your iCloud+ monthly storage fee, how can you be sure you aren’t losing files or media?
How-To