If you're still running iOS 15 like an animal, you might want to hold off on installing iOS 15.7.1.

As reported by MacRumors, a number of developers who have been running the iOS 15.7.1 Release Candidate have noticed that Face ID has stopped working. According to the report, the issue is affecting at least the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro, but it could be affecting even more models.

Users who have found Face ID not working and have attempted to reset it are getting an error message saying "Face ID Is Not Available."

Affected users who attempt to reset Face ID on their iPhone receive a "Face ID Is Not Available" error, resulting in facial recognition being completely broken. It is unclear what the cause of the issue is or whether Apple is aware of the problem. We have reached out to Apple for comment on the matter and will update this story if we hear back.

iOS 16.1 is coming on Monday

If you want to skip over the iOS 15 issues and have a device that can support iOS 16, Apple is actually about to launch iOS 16.1 on Monday, October 24.

iOS 16.1 is going to bring with it a number of new features to the iPhone. Just earlier today, the company announced that Apple Fitness Plus will no longer require an Apple Watch as of Monday. Jay Blahnik, Apple’s vice president of Fitness Technologies, said that the move is part of the company's mission to make its workout subscription service "the most inclusive and welcoming fitness service in the world."

“We wanted the amazing impact of Fitness+ to reach iPhone users, and with special offers from partners like SilverSneakers, Target, and UnitedHealthcare, it’s easier than ever to get started on your health and fitness journey. Whether users want to get outside and go for a walk with Time to Walk, improve their running with ultramarathoner Scott Jurek, or get moving to one of their favorite artists, like Taylor Swift, there really is something for everyone to stay motivated.”

iOS 16.1 will release to all users on Monday, October 24 along with iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura.

iOS 15 is here with new features that require third-party developer input. As such, the company is releasing developer betas so that software engineers can get a head start on making great software for you.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

What's new in iOS 15?

Apple has dropped the Release Candidate of iOS 15.7.1 to developers. This update simply contains bug fixes and improvements. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has dropped the Release Candidate of iOS 15.7 to developers. This update simply contains bug fixes and improvements. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has dropped the second Release Candidate of iOS 15.6 to developers. This update simply contains bug fixes and improvements. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has dropped the Release Candidate of iOS 15.6 to developers. This update simply contains bug fixes and improvements. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has dropped the fifth beta of iOS 15.6 to developers. This update simply contains bug fixes and improvements. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has dropped the fourth beta of iOS 15.6 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has dropped the third beta of iOS 15.6 to developers. There aren't any major new features from what we've observed, and this looks like a release aimed to fix general bugs. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has dropped the second beta of iOS 15.6 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has dropped the first beta of iOS 15.6 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the RC of iOS 15.5 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released the fourth beta of iOS 15.5 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released the third beta of iOS 15.5 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released the second beta of iOS 15.5 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released the iOS 15.5 beta to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the Release Candidate beta to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the fifth iOS 15.4 beta to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the fourth iOS 15.4 beta to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the third iOS 15.4 beta to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the second iOS 15.4 beta to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the iOS 15.4 beta to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the iOS 15.3 release candidate to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the iOS 15.3 beta 2 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the iOS 15.3 beta 1 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the iOS 15.2 Release Candidate 2 to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the iOS 15.2 Release Candidate to developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released the fourth OS 15.2 beta for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released the third iOS 15.2 beta for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released the second iOS 15.2 beta for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released the first iOS 15.2 beta for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the release candidate for iOS 15.1 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the fourth iOS 15.1 beta for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the third iOS 15.1 beta for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the second iOS 15.1 beta for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the first iOS 15.1 beta for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the final release candidate of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the eighth beta version of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the seventh beta version of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the sixth beta version of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the fifth beta version of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the fourth beta version of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the third beta version of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has released an updated version of the second beta of iOS 15 for developers. Even if you already have the first version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has seeded the second beta version of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has seeded the first beta version of iOS 15 for developers. Those with registered developer accounts can download and install the beta right now via their Mac, and should be able to install the beta profile and install it as an over-the-air update directly on an iPhone soon.

Apple has announced iOS 15, the latest version of its software for iPhones. It comes with several new features that will need testing before it launches to the public later this year, and developers will be able to grab the first beta release very soon.

How to download the iOS Restore Image to your Mac

This first part is easy and works just like it does on any Mac operating system.

1. Navigate to developer.apple.com on your Mac.
2. Click on the Discover tab.
3. Click on iOS at the top of the screen.
4. Click Download in the upper right corner.
5. Log in with your developer account credentials when prompted.
6. Under iOS 15 beta, click on Download Restore Images.
7. Click on the iOS restore image for the device you're installing the developer beta on.

How to make an archived backup of your iPhone

Before you begin, make sure you back up your iPhone. While the beta process is fairly straightforward, any time you make any significant change to your device you risk problems. And with your personal data, it's always — always! — better to be safe than sorry. Even if you back up every night, you'll want to make sure it's absolutely up-to-date.

1. Connect your device to your Mac using the cable it came with.
2. Launch a Finder window.
3. Select your connected device under Locations in the sidebar of the Finder window.
4. Click Pair to pair the device to your Mac.
5. Tap Trust on the device to confirm that you want to pair it.
6. Enter your passcode on your device.
7. If you don't already have a backup on your Mac, click Back Up Now to make a backup.
8. Click Manage Backups after you've made a recent backup.
9. Right or Control click on your device backup.
10. Click Archive.
11. Click OK.

Archiving will prevent your current backup from being overwritten by an iOS 14 backup in the future, should you want to revert for any reason.

How to install the iOS beta on your Mac

1. With your device still connected to your Mac, open a Finder window if you haven't already.
2. Select your connected device under Locations in the sidebar of the Finder window.
3. Hold down the Option key and click on Check for Updates. This will launch another window with your recent files.
4. Click on the IPSW restore image.
5. Click Open.
6. Click Update when prompted.

Your Mac will now install iOS 15 onto your iPhone. This process will take some time, and you shouldn't unplug your iPhone from your Mac until the update is complete.

How to install the iOS beta using a profile

Before you do anything else, make sure you have a developer account with Apple — without a paid account, you won't be able to download any non-Xcode betas.

Thanks to Apple's configuration profile, you can download iOS betas directly on your iPhone, no Mac required! (You can still install the iOS beta on your iPhone by connecting your device to iTunes, but you'll need to be running the Xcode beta first. The method listed below is generally a lot faster, with fewer wires.)

1. Go to developer.apple.com on your iPhone.
2. Click on the "Discover" tab.
3. Click on of the operating system buttons in the bar near the top of the screen.
4. Tap Download.
5. Log in with your developer account's username and password.
6. Go to the iOS 15 beta section and tap the download. This will start the process of downloading the iOS beta software profile on your iPhone.
7. Tap Close.
8. Open Settings.
9. Tap Profile Downloaded.
10. Tap Install. You may need to enter your Passcode.
11. Agree to the Consent form and press Install once in the upper right corner, and once at the bottom of the screen.
12. Press Restart to apply the changes to your iPhone.

To install the beta itself, just visit system preferences.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen, tap on General, then tap on Software Update.
2. Once the update appears, tap on Download and Install.
3. Enter your Passcode.
4. Tap Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
5. Tap Agree again to confirm.

Your iPhone will reboot to install iOS 15. There will be a couple of progress bars going across the screen. Sit tight, and let everything finish.

How to get started with iOS beta

Once your iPhone reboots, it'll be running iOS the latest beta. There's a brief bit of setup you'll need to go through, however, as the system will have changed enough that it'll need your login to complete the update.

1. Tap Continue.
2. Enter your Apple ID password. iCloud settings will update, so give it a minute.
3. Tap Get Started.

Once that's done, you'll be on the Home screen and ready to rock the latest iOS beta on your best iPhone.

Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.6, meaning that it is now blocking downgrades to that version of iOS on the iPhone. This means that anyone who wants to install a version of iOS must now install iOS 15.6.1.

Apple is known to stop signing older versions of iOS as it releases newer versions in order to make sure that users are running the latest version of Apple's software for the iPhone. Newer versions of each software not only include new features and bug fixes but performance improvements and security updates as well.

Now, anyone who attempts to restore an iPhone will have only iOS 15.6.1 as Apple is now blocking downgrades to iOS 15.6. Those who are on the developer and public beta train can, of course, still install the latest iOS betas.

You can't downgrade anymore

While some do enjoy the option of downgrading to an earlier version of iOS as a backstop to issues with a newer version of the software, that opening is usually short. If you are running iOS 15.6.1 and experiencing issues, you'll need to wait until Apple releases a newer update.

iOS 15.6.1 is the latest public version of iOS 15. In addition to running the latest version of iOS 15, Apple has also been releasing beta versions of iOS 16, the next version of iOS that is expected to launch to everyone sometime in September.

iOS 16 is set to release a number of notable updates to the iPhone experience like the customizable Lock Screen, iCloud Shared Photo Library, editable and deletable messages, Passkeys, and more. The new version is expected to be released the same week that the company launches the iPhone 14.

iOS 15.6.1 is available for users to download now if they are running the public version of iOS. Developers and public beta testers, of course, have access to iOS 16.

Multiple iPhone users are reporting a strange software bug that blurs out the top left portion of their screen for absolutely no reason, leaving that part of the display completely unreadable. 

As compiled by SvetApple, users in Apple's own support communities and the MacRumors forums have reported a problem when running iOS 15 on Apple's various best iPhones including the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. 

One user reported seeing a "blurry rectangle" after updating their iPhone, as you can see from the image, a whole rectangle in the top-left-hand corner of the device is completely illegible for absolutely no reason. 

Blur on iPhone

At least one of these reports dates back to 2020, showing it to be a persistent issue. However, a MacRumors forum user reported the same problem just a few weeks ago running iOS 15.5 on an iPhone 13 Pro. If you take a screenshot while experiencing the problem you can see the blurring in the picture, indicating this is clearly a software issue. 

According to SvetApple, this bug is related to Apple's day and night mode settings, and thankfully can be fixed. While rebooting the device can sometimes alleviate the issue, a bit of digging on their part has revealed that you can actually fix the issue without restarting your device. 

Rather, you just need to go into your Settings, hit Display & Brightness, and then switch between day and night mode, which should get rid of the blurry corner right away. 

As noted, this is a really strange bug and it seems odd that this has persisted for a couple of years through numerous software updates including iOS 15. It isn't clear at this time if the problem still persists in iOS 16 or if Apple is aware and has any plans to fix the issue. 

At least you now know that if you're experiencing a similar issue, you know exactly what to do to get your phone working properly again!

Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.5, meaning that it is now blocking downgrades to that version of iOS on the iPhone. This means that anyone who wants to install a version of iOS must now install iOS 15.6.

Apple is known to stop signing older versions of iOS as it releases newer versions in order to make sure that users are running the latest version of Apple's software for the iPhone. Newer versions of each software not only include new features and bug fixes but performance improvements and security updates as well.

Now, anyone who attempts to restore an iPhone will have only iOS 15.6 as Apple is now blocking downgrades to iOS 15.5. Those who are on the developer and public beta train can, of course, still install the latest iOS betas.

You can't downgrade anymore

While some do enjoy the option of downgrading to an earlier version of iOS as a backstop to issues with a newer version of the software, that opening is usually short. If you are running iOS 15.6 and experiencing issues, you'll need to wait until Apple releases a newer update.

iOS 15.6 is the latest public version of iOS 15. The latest version fixed a number of issues and also added a new feature to the TV app that allows users to pause, rewind, and fast-forward a live sports game:

• TV app adds the option to restart a live sports game already in progress and pause, rewind, or fast-forward
• Fixes an issue where Settings may continue to display that device storage is full even if it is available
• Fixes an issue that may cause braille devices to slow down or stop responding when navigating text in Mail
• Fixes an issue in Safari where a tab may revert to a previous page

iOS 15.6 is available for users to download now if they are running the public version of iOS. Developers and public beta testers, of course, have access to iOS 16.

iOS 15 is here with new refinements and features that will need to be tested thoroughly before the software is released to the public in the fall. While there is normally a developer beta, Apple also wants regular users to test things out before it's released to the masses.

Are you one of those users who likes to take some risks and get the latest and greatest before it reaches the general public? Here's how to get set up with the iOS 15 public beta on your best iPhone (make sure to check device compatibility first).

What's new in iOS 15?

Apple has released the third iOS 15.6 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the fourth iOS 15.6 public beta. The latest beta adds some small features like asking to clear tabs when you clear your browsing history in Safari, improving Communication Safety, and more.

If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the third iOS 15.6 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the first iOS 15.6 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the final release candidate for the iOS 15.5 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the fourth iOS 15.5 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the third iOS 15.5 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the second iOS 15.5 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the first iOS 15.5 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the fifth iOS 15.4 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version. New features in iOS 15.4 include Face ID with a Mask, Shortcuts improvements, more widget options, and more.

Apple has released the fourth iOS 15.4 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version. New features in iOS 15.4 include Face ID with a Mask, Shortcuts improvements, more widget options, and more.

Apple has released the third iOS 15.4 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version. New features in iOS 15.4 include Face ID with a Mask, Shortcuts improvements, more widget options, and more.

Apple has released the second iOS 15.4 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version. New features in iOS 15.4 include Face ID with a Mask, Shortcuts improvements, more widget options, and more.

Apple has released the iOS 15.4 public beta. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version. New features in iOS 15.4 include Face ID with a Mask, Shortcuts improvements, more widget options, and more.

Apple has released the iOS 15.3 public beta 2. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the iOS 15.3 public beta 1. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the second public beta of iOS 15.2. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 15.2. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the third public beta of iOS 15.1. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the second public beta of iOS 15.1. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 15.1. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the eighth public beta of iOS 15. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the seventh public beta of iOS 15. If you have a previous version of the public beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released the sixth public beta of iOS 15. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released an updated version of the fifth public beta of iOS 15. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released an updated version of the third public beta of iOS 15. Even if you already have the previous version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

Apple has released an updated version of the second public beta of iOS 15. Even if you already have the first version of this beta installed, you can download this as an over-the-air update just like any other beta version.

How to make an archived backup of your iPhone

Before you get the beta, you'll want to make sure that your iPhone is backed up. Downloading and installing the beta is a straightforward process, but it's not without risk. Since your iPhone probably has all of your personal data, you should always — always! — make a backup, just in case. And yes, even if you do an automatic backup every night, you'll still want to make another one right before putting the beta on to make sure everything is up-to-date.

1. Connect your device to your Mac using the cable it came with.
2. Launch a Finder window.
3. Select your connected device under Locations in the sidebar of the Finder window.
4. Click Pair to pair the device to your Mac.
5. Tap Trust on the device to confirm that you want to pair it.
6. Enter your passcode on your device.
7. If you don't already have a backup on your Mac, click Back Up Now to make a backup.
8. Click Manage Backups after you've made a recent backup.
9. Right or Control click on your device backup.
10. Click Archive.
11. Click OK.

Archiving will prevent your current backup from being overwritten by an iOS 15 backup in the future, should you want to revert for any reason.

How to register your account for the iOS 15 public beta

If you've already joined an Apple public beta in the past, you shouldn't need to register again for iOS 15 — just sign in with the same Apple ID. If you've never joined a public beta before, you'll start by signing up with your Apple ID.

1. Go to beta.apple.com on the iPhone you want to enroll in the beta.
2. Tap on Sign up to get started. (If you've already signed up for a previous public beta, tap on Sign in and skip to our "How to enroll your device" section below.)
3. Enter you Apple ID email address and password.
4. Tap Sign in.
5. Tap Accept to agree to the terms and conditions.

Once you're signed up and signed in, it's time to start downloading.

How to enroll your iPhone in the iOS 15 public beta

Unlike regular iOS updates, where you just tap and start downloading, Apple is using configuration profiles to validate devices for the iOS 15 public beta. Installing it is easy peasy.

Note: If you've been on a previous iOS public beta, you may need to remove the previous beta profile before installing the iOS 14 version. You can do so by going to Settings > General > Profile, selecting the iOS Beta Software Profile, and pressing Delete Profile.

1. Go to beta.apple.com, if you're not there already.
2. Tap the iOS tab, if it's not highlighted already.
3. Tap on Download profile.
4. Tap Allow.
5. Tap on Close.
6. Open Settings.
7. Tap Profile Downloaded.
8. Tap Install in the upper-right corner.
9. Enter your passcode.
10. Tap Install.
11. Tap Install.
12. Tap Restart.

Once your iPhone is done rebooting, it should begin to download iOS 15 automatically. From this point on, the process is the same as any other iOS update.

How to install the iOS 15 public beta

To install the iOS 15 beta, you'll need to visit Software Update on your iPhone.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Once the update appears, tap on Download and Install.
5. Enter your Passcode.
6. Tap Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
7. Tap Agree again to confirm.

Your iPhone will now reboot to install iOS 15. There will be a couple of progress bars going across the screen. Sit tight, and let everything finish. Patience is a virtue!

How to get started with iOS 15 public beta

Once your iPhone reboots, it'll be on iOS 15. There's a little bit of setting up that you'll need to go through, however. This is because the system has changed enough that it'll need your login credentials to complete the update.

1. Tap Continue.
2. Enter your Apple ID password. iCloud settings will update, so give it a minute.
3. Tap Get Started.

Once that's done, you'll be on the Home screen and ready to rock iOS 15. Have fun!

What you need to know

• Apple has updated its subscriptions page for both iPhone and iPad.
• The pages on iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 are both now much easier to read.
• Better spacing and more details are now available.

Apple has updated the subscriptions page on both iPhone and iPad, making them easier to use and read.

The change has been made in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, so will be available on all of Apple's best iPhones and iPads. As noted by MacRumors:

Images shared by the outlet reveal that tapping on the subscription menu within Settings on your iPhone or iPad now reveals a refreshed interface with better spacing between each subscription. There are also now clear sections for 'active' and 'inactive' subscriptions so you can more easily what you're paying for, and what you've used previously.

Tapping on the subscriptions provides detailed information about how much you're paying, the renewal date, and options to cancel existing subscriptions or renew expired ones.

MR reports that this is available on iOS 15.5 and later as well as in the beta for iOS 16. So if you can't see it make sure you've updated to Apple's latest best iPhone software.

The new interface is a welcome refresh and overhaul and brings the Subscriptions section in line with changes made to the rest of the Settings app made by Apple last year.

Announced at WWDC 2022, the next iteration of iOS will debut in the fall alongside iPhone 14, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, and macOS Ventura.

Many of us have been using video calls to keep in touch with a lot of friends and family in the past few years. And with the iPhone, one of the most popular ways to video chat with another is through FaceTime. And while FaceTime used to be between Apple devices only, starting with iOS 15, you could also use FaceTime with other non-Apple devices through a shareable web link.

But have you ever come across a situation where you don't want other people to see what's behind you while on a video call? Thankfully, iOS 15 also brought the ability to use Portrait mode in a FaceTime call, so you can blur your background while chatting. This also works in other video calling apps, like Skype or Google Meet, so it's not just limited to FaceTime. It's a great feature if you have a distracting room and want the focus to be on yourself.

Here's how to use Portrait Mode in FaceTime on your favorite iPhone and iPad.

What devices can use Portrait mode in FaceTime?

Before you try to use Portrait mode to blur the background in your FaceTime calls, you need to know that the feature is only available on certain device models. Right now, the Portrait Mode in FaceTime feature is only available on iPhones and iPads with at least an A12 Bionic chip or better.

Here are all of the current iPhone and iPad models that can use Portrait mode in FaceTime:

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2020)
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2022)

It's safe to assume that once the iPhone 14 comes out, we can be sure that it will also be capable of using Portrait mode in FaceTime and other video calls.

• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• 11-inch iPad Pro (2018 and later)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018 and later)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad Pro (2021)

Now, without further ado, here's how to use Portrait mode in FaceTime on iPhone and iPad.

How to activate Portrait mode in a FaceTime call

1. Launch FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Make a FaceTime call with any of your contacts.

3. Tap on your video view in the bottom right corner. This will expand your video view and show you all available options.
4. Tap the Portrait mode button in the upper left corner.

That's all there is to it regarding how to use Portrait mode in FaceTime on iPhone and iPad. With Portrait mode enabled in a FaceTime call, everything behind you is blurred, so others don't need to see your messy room, photos on the wall, and other decor if you don't want them to.

How to use Control Center to toggle Portrait mode in FaceTime

Another way to access the Portrait mode toggle is to use Control Center.

1. Launch FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Make a FaceTime call with any of your contacts.

3. Bring up the Control Center.
   • On a device with Face ID or no Home button, swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen.
   • On a device with Touch ID with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom center of the screen.
4. In the upper left of Control Center, you'll see a Video Effects tile.
5. Tap or long-press on the Video Effects tile to expand it.
6. Tap the toggle for Portrait mode to ON.

Portrait mode will work with any video calling app

If you don't normally use FaceTime, don't worry. In iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, the Portrait mode feature is not limited to just FaceTime. You're able to use this in other apps like Skype, Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp, and more. You may need to use the Control Center method to toggle Portrait Mode if the app does not have a button to activate it during a call.

Always lookin' good with Portrait mode

We've all been there — we just don't want to show our messy rooms as our background in a video call with other people. It's totally understandable. That's why we're happy that Apple added Portrait mode into FaceTime and video calls, because who doesn't like blurring out the background? Even a messy room looks better when it's blurred out to create a soft and welcoming backdrop.

Updated June 2022: Updated for the latest versions of iOS.

Safari is probably one of your most used apps on your current iPhone. After all, Safari is your gateway to the wonderful world of the internet on the go. But have you ever wished you could make your mobile Safari experience a little more personal?

Since macOS Big Sur, Apple gave users the ability to customize the start page in Safari on the Mac. But this same feature did not make its way to the iPhone and iPad until iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, respectively. When you customize the start page in mobile Safari, you can pick your own cool background image and choose what sections you want to display when you first open a new tab. Sections can include your Favorites, Siri Suggestions, Reading List, and more. It's a simple little setting, but customizing your start page makes Safari feel more like your own.

Here's how to customize your start page in Safari on iPhone and iPad.

How to choose sections for your start page in Safari on iOS

1. Launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
2. If you are on an existing webpage, tap the Tabs button and launch a new tab.

3. Scroll down to the bottom of the start page and tap Edit.
4. If you prefer to use the same start page customization across all of your iPhones, iPads, and Macs, make sure the toggle for Use Start Page on All Devices is set to ON (green). This ensures that your start page appearance and settings are synced through iCloud.
5. You'll see sections for Favorites, Frequently Visited, Shared With You, Privacy Report, Siri Suggestions, Reading List, and iCloud Tabs. Tap the toggles for the sections that you want to display to ON (green).
6. If you want to rearrange the order that these sections appear in, just drag-and-drop with the handle into the order that you prefer.

In iOS 16, a new section for Recently Closed Tabs will be added to the available options listed above. This section will show tabs that you've recently closed, in case you want to pull them up again.

How to set a background image for your start page in Safari on iOS

Adding a background image is a good way to spice up your Safari browsing experience while you're on the start page. Apple gives you the option to choose a preset image, or you can even pick out your own. Here's how.

1. Launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Make sure you're in a new tab so you can be on the start page.

3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Edit.
4. Tap the toggle for Background Image to ON (green).
5. Select one of the preset images by tapping on it.
6. If you prefer to use your own, tap the large plus (+) button.
7. Choose an image from your Photo Library.

If you've already set an image from your Photo Library but want to change it, just tap on the square with your custom image to browse your Photo Library again for a different image.

A personalized Safari

As you can see, it's easy to customize your start page in Safari on your favorite iPhone and iPad in iOS 15. Doing so will give you a better experience whenever you open up a new tab in Safari, and it is a great way to add your own touch to the browser.

Updated June 2022: Updated with information from iOS 16 developer beta.

Apple's drag-and-drop tool for mobile has always had more features on iPad than iPhone because of the former's larger screen. However, that changed with iOS 15, as Apple's top-selling handset now offers the ability to move certain items from one app to another.

In iOS 16, Apple has expanded the feature by introducing "lift subject from background." As the name suggests, the feature allows you to lift a subject from an image or isolate the subject by removing the background. The newest feature works in Photos, Screenshot, Quick Look, Safari, and more in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. It will work on all of the best iPhones and best iPads when the new software updates arrive to the public this fall.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

Using drag and drop in iOS 15

Because iPhone doesn't include side-by-side multitasking, it's never been feasible to move content between two apps — at least in the same way as on the iPad. So in iOS 15, Apple created something different to get the job done. Now it's easy to move photos, text, files, and other documents. To do so:

1. Hold down the object you wish to move until it becomes light blue. Once you do, the object will begin to float like a cloud, which you can move by sliding your fingertip around the screen.

2. Next, while still holding the object with your finger, use a finger on your other hand to switch between apps using the Home bar. It's the white bar at the bottom of your screen.
3. Position the floating content where you want to put it in the second app.
4. Drop the content into its new position in the new app.

Here's how it looks when dragging photos:

Lift subject from background in iOS 16

With the lift subject from background feature in iOS 16, you can "lift" a subject from the background of any image, screenshot, or document. From there, you can place the object in another app. As we previously noted, it's like a sticker tool. You can only use the lift subject from background feature on an iPhone or iPad with A12 Bionic or later.

To use the new feature in iOS 16/iPadOS 16:

1. Find the object you wish to "lift" on your supported device.
2. Press on the object until you feel haptic feedback.
3. Choose Copy or "Share..." from the button that appears.
4. With Copy, you can copy and paste-like any other object. You can use the share sheet with **Share..."*** to perform similar tasks.

Because iOS 16 is currently only available in developer beta, we cannot show these steps with images. We'll add them once the first public version of iPadOS 16 is released.

Good stuff

It's terrific that Apple has expanded drag-and-drop in iOS 16, which launches to the public this fall. Until then, it's limited to developer and public betas. Stay tuned.

Updated June 2022: Added information about lift subject from background in iOS 16.

It was on the Apple Watch that Apple first introduced its sleep tracking features, but the iPhone can quickly help you set, edit, and customize a Sleep Schedule without even touching your Apple Watch.

In iOS 15, setting up a Sleep Schedule all happens in the Health app. Here's how to set up and use Sleep Schedule on iPhone.

How to set up a Sleep Schedule on iPhone

If you've never set up a Sleep Schedule on your best iPhone or Apple Watch, you'll need to turn the feature on and set up your first schedule — here's how.

1. Launch the Health app from your Home Screen.
2. Tap the Browse tab.
3. Tap Sleep.

4. Tap Sleep Schedule. It's under the header "Your Schedule."
5. Tap the Sleep Schedule On/Off Switch. The switch will turn green when it's on.
6. Tap Set Your First Schedule.

7. Tap the days of the week you don't want this Sleep Schedule to affect. By default, all days are selected.
8. Tap, hold, and drag your bedtime to set what time you want to go to bed. It's the bed icon on the dial.
9. Tap, hold, and drag your alarm time to set what time you want to go to wake up. It's the bell icon on the dial.

10. Tap the Wake Up Alarm On/Off Switch to toggle the feature on or off. When the switch is green, you will get a wake-up alarm.
11. Tap Sound and Haptics to change the alarm noise and vibration if you wish. This step is optional.

12. Tap, hold, and drag the volume slider to adjust the volume of the alarm.
13. Tap the Snooze On/Off Switch to toggle the snooze feature. When the switch is green, that means you can snooze your wake-up alarm.

Now that you've made your first Sleep Schedule, your iPhone will automatically set your wake-up alarm according to your schedule. Of course, you can do a lot more now that you have a schedule set, so keep reading if you want to learn how to do more.

How to edit a Sleep Schedule on iPhone

Once you have a Sleep Schedule, you can edit it as much as you like via the Health app. Editing a schedule is basically the same as setting up your first one, just with a few different steps — here's how you do it.

1. Launch the Health app from your Home Screen.
2. Tap the Browse tab.
3. Tap Sleep.

4. Tap Edit underneath the Sleep Schedule you want to change.
5. Adjust your Sleep Schedule to your liking.
6. Tap Done.

How to edit your Sleep goal on iPhone

A sleep goal is the number of hours of sleep you want to strive for every night that your Sleep Schedule is active. Eight hours of sleep is the default, but you can change the goal if you like.

1. Launch the Health app from your Home Screen.
2. Tap the Browse tab.
3. Tap Sleep.

4. Tap Full Schedule & Options.
5. Tap Sleep Goal.
6. Adjust the amount of time to your liking by swiping up or down.

Remember, changing your sleep goal won't change your Sleep Schedule or your wake-up alarm automatically; it's only used for tracking which night you reached your goal and which nights you didn't.

How to edit Wind Down on iPhone

Wind Down is a neat feature that is designed to let you get ready for your bedtime by putting your phone in a Sleep Focus, so you get fewer notifications and use your iPhone less before bed. That's the idea anyway. Its default is usually set for an hour, but you and increase or decrease that time as you see fit.

1. Launch the Health app from your Home Screen.
2. Tap the Browse tab.
3. Tap Sleep.

4. Tap Full Schedule & Options.
5. Tap Wind Down.
6. Adjust the amount of time to your liking by swiping up or down.

How to delete a Sleep Schedule on iPhone

If you don't like a sleep schedule you've set up and want to get rid of it, you can delete it anytime.

1. Launch the Health app from your Home Screen.
2. Tap the Browse tab.
3. Tap Sleep.

4. Tap Full Schedule & Options.
5. Tap Edit underneath the Sleep Schedule you want to delete.
6. Tap Delete Schedule.

Even more Sleep data in the health app

Now you know how to edit and customize your Sleep Schedule on your iPhone, but did you know that the Health app can help you track all your Sleep data? All that sleep data is easily accessed in the Health app for you to view anytime.

Don't forget that Apple is introducing Sleep Stages in watchOS 9, so there will be even more data to track in the iOS Health app coming later this year!

Widgets are not only a perfect way to customize your iPhone's Home Screen, but some of the best widgets are the ones that help you access things on your iPhone ever faster than before.

The Contacts widget in iOS 15 lets you always have your most important contacts right on your Home Screen, meaning it's super easy to call, message, or look up info about the most important people in your life on your best iPhone. Here's how to set up the Contacts widget on iPhone and iPad.

How to add the Contacts widget to your Home Screen on iPhone and iPad

1. Long press on your Home Screen to enter Jiggly mode.
2. Tap the + button in the upper-left corner of the screen.
3. Tap Contacts.
4. Tap ** Add Widget**.

Like all the other widgets, there are three different sizes to choose from. The smallest one only shows one contact, the medium widget displays four contacts, and the large one shows six at a time.

How to edit the Contacts widget on iPhone and iPad

Once you have the Contacts widget added to your Home Screen, you can change the order of your contacts or even change which contacts are displayed.

1. Long press on the Contacts widget.
2. Tap Edit Widget.
3. Tap and drag the re-orderbutton to the position where you want the contact. It's an icon with three horizontal lines.

Now the contacts will be displayed in the order you want.

1. Long press on the Contacts widget.
2. Tap Edit Widget.

3. Tap the name of the contact you want to switch. 4, Tap the contact you want in the widget.

You can change the contacts display on the Contacts widget at any time by following the step above.

Plenty of other widgets to explore

The Contacts widget is handy, but there is a whole world of widgets waiting for you to try out. Whether you want a more detailed weather forecast on your Home Screen or you just want to be able to see the current battery life of all your devices, knowing how to use widgets on your iPhone is the best way to get more form your most-used device.

Updated June 2022: Updated for the latest version of iOS 15.

Something is always left behind when a loved one passes away. As our devices become increasingly intertwined with our lives, they're also becoming something to think about when someone dies. Our iPhones contain our digital legacy — years of photos, contacts, message threads, and phone calls — and it makes sense that if someone you love has died you might want to hold on to some of that.

Unfortunately, if the person protected their iPhone with a passcode, your options are limited. Apple builds its devices with security and privacy in mind, and won't (and often can't) unlock them for you if you don't have the passcode. However, there are some steps you might be able to take in order to get around these restrictions. Keep in mind, however, that at least some of these steps might not work.

iCloud.com

If your loved one used iCloud, there's a chance that the data could be accessible to you if you can gain access to the account. If the individual that has passed away shared their iCloud credentials with you, it could be as simple as logging into iCloud.com with those details in order to see what data has been saved there — that could include information like contacts, mail, photos, and more. You could also restore an iCloud backup onto an iPhone, though this may involve resetting the deceased individual's iPhone if you don't have a spare device kicking around (more on that in the next section).

If you don't know your loved one's iCloud password but you do have access to the email address their iCloud account uses, you could use that email to reset the password for the iCloud account and gain access that way.

Erase and restore from a backup

If you're wanting to restore your loved one's information wholesale onto an iPhone, you can do so via iCloud or iTunes/Finder (depending on where they saved their data). If you don't have a spare, blank iPhone, this process is going to involve erasing the deceased individual's device using a Mac or PC since you don't have the passcode for the iPhone itself.

Before erasing an iPhone, it's always best to ensure there definitely is a backup otherwise that data will be gone for good.

Once again, you'll need your loved one's iCloud credentials to use this method. You can erase the iPhone and restore it from an iCloud backup, which will restore the iPhone's content, but not its passcode (you can choose a new one during setup instead).

In order to erase the iPhone, you'll need to hook it up to your Mac or PC, open iTunes/Finder, and put the iPhone into Recovery Mode. Once restored, set the phone up using the most recent iCloud backup for the original owner's account.

If the person used a Mac or PC to back up their iPhone, you can use this method if you have access to and can get into that computer. As with the iCloud method, you'll still need to plug the iPhone into the computer cable, open iTunes/Finder, and put the iPhone into Recovery Mode in order to erase it.

When setting the phone back up again, you can select the option to restore from a Mac or PC and follow the instructions. You can restore the iPhone from an unencrypted backup (or an encrypted one, if you know the password).

As with an iCloud backup, restoring from an iTunes backup will restore the content of the iPhone, but not its passcode. Note that you won't be able to use this method with a Mac or PC that the person didn't use, as you'd need the iPhone's passcode in order to allow it to trust the computer and send data back and forth.

Legacy Contact access

In 2021, Apple announced its Digital Legacy program, which allows someone you choose to access your digital information stored in iCloud after you die.

Given the information above, you can see how difficult it can be in situations where surviving friends or family members need to access a deceased individual's device but can't because of a passcode. Adding Legacy Contacts allows for an official way around these security measures for individuals you trust. If you are already set up as a Legacy Contact, you can request access to iCloud data with your Access Key and the account owner's death certificate.

While it won't help in situations where the feature was set up after the person died, it's worth every iPhone and iPad user setting up to help avoid loved ones being locked out in the future while still maintaining the best iPhone security practices.

If you don't have access to the iCloud account, a device passcode, or Legacy Contact access

Outside of the situations outlined above, it's difficult to gain access to someone's Apple-related accounts or devices — and that's for good reason, from a security and privacy perspective.

The flip side of this is that, once a person is gone, it can be difficult to access things like contacts, important documents, photos, and other treasured memories if they didn't share their Apple ID or device passcode with you before they died. This is particularly common in cases where someone has passed away suddenly.

If they didn't opt in to the Digital Legacy program and set you up as a Legacy Contact, you don't have the device passcode, and you don't know the Apple ID credentials, there's not a great deal you can do without contacting Apple. The company doesn't provide too much context on the next steps, but it does state the following:

If you can provide the right information, it's possible that Apple can give you access to your loved one's Apple ID and data.

If in doubt, contact Apple Support

The tips above could help you out if you know your loved one's iCloud credentials or if you were already set up as a Legacy Contact for the individual that has passed away. If that's not your situation, then it's best to get in touch with Apple Support and ask what the next steps are before you go ahead with erasing a device or trying and failing to enter a password too many times. Apple is best placed to answer any queries about this situation and, hopefully, you'll get the result you want.

Updated June 2022: Updated for the latest version of iOS 15 and added information about Apple's Digital Legacy program.

What you need to know

• WhatsApp is readying support for an iOS 15 API that will notify users why they missed a call.
• Calls missed because they were silenced by Do Not Disturb will be marked as such.
• It's thought an update to WhatsApp will be released via the App Store this week.

WhatsApp is finally getting ready to implement a feature that Apple added in iOS 15, according to a new report. The instant messaging app will soon be more aware of when users miss WhatsApp calls when Do Not Disturb mode is enabled, labeling calls as such.

The API for Do Not Disturb was added to iOS 15 and it allows apps to take note of whether when it is enabled, usually to prevent annoying notifications. WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp is readying support for that API so that users will be told if they missed a call because their device was in Do Not Disturb mode.

It's thought that the new API support is rolling out this week and that an updated version WhatsApp should hit the App Store sooner rather than later.

While this isn't a massive change in the grand scheme of things, it does allow users an easier way to see which calls have been missed and why. WhatsApp is one of the best iPhone apps at what it does and is a vital way to communicate for many people — especially those whose friends and family use Android devices and don't have access to iMessage.

Those who already have WhatsApp installed should keep their eyes peeled for an update in the App Store. Everyone else can download WhatsApp for free right now.

When you're browsing the web on your current iPhone, do you end up with hundreds of tabs open? I mean, did you even know that the limit of tabs you can open is actually capped at 500? I've come about halfway to that, but I know others have reached that outrageous limit thanks to social media. But an iOS 15 feature can help you organize that chaos into something a little more manageable, at least, if you're disciplined enough to keep up with it.

Apple added Safari tab groups in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey. With tab groups, you can sort and group together your open tabs, such as websites for work, shopping, entertainment, and more.

Here's how to use tab groups in Safari on the best iPhone and iPad, like the iPhone 13 Pro. And if you're wondering about it for your Mac, here's how to use tab groups in Safari in macOS Monterey.

How to create a new tab group in Safari

The moment you launch Safari on iPhone and iPad, you've already created a new tab group by default. Any tabs that you open will go into this default tab group. However, you can create a new group at any time if you so choose.

1. Launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the tab button on the bottom toolbar. It looks like two cascading squares.
3. Tap where it says X Tabs ("X" being the number of tabs open in this group), with an arrow pointing down. This will bring up the Tab Groups menu.

4. Tap New Empty Tab Group.
5. Give your new tab group a name.
6. Tap Save.

Now, any new tab that you open will be in this new tab group until you switch groups. And tab groups are synced across all of your devices via iCloud, so you can pick up easily where you left off across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

How to rename a tab group in Safari on iOS and iPadOS 15

If you have multiple tab groups, you'll want to make sure that they are named so you can easily recognize what they are for at a glance. Thankfully, you can rename a tab group at any time.

1. Make sure you are in the Tab Groups menu by following steps 1-3 above.

2. Long press on a tab group that you have already given a name.
3. Select Rename in the contextual popup menu.
4. Type in the new name.
5. Tap Save.

How to reorder tab groups in Safari on iOS and iPadOS 15

1. Make sure you are in the Tab Groups menu.

2. Touch and drag one of your groups into your desired spot on the list.

You should make sure that you are quick to drag it because if you long-press the tab group, it will just bring up the menu to rename or delete it.

How to view all tabs in a tab group in Safari on iOS and iPadOS 15

When you can't remember all of the tabs that are open in a tab group, you can view everything that is in a certain tab group just by viewing that group.

1. Launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad.
2. While you're on a webpage, tap the tab button on the toolbar.
3. To see what other tabs are open in other tab groups, select the tab group you want to view tabs for.
4. You'll get to see a thumbnail of each tab in a tab group once it's selected.

How to delete a tab group in Safari on iOS and iPadOS 15

1. Make sure you are in the Tab Groups menu.

2. Long press on a tab group that you have already given a name.
3. Select Delete in the contextual popup menu.
4. Confirm that you want to delete by tapping Delete.

Deleting a tab group will close out all tabs that are in the tab group. You cannot undo this action.

Tab groups are useful, but for the disciplined

As you can see, tab groups can definitely be helpful if you tend to end up with hundreds of open tabs in Safari over time, thought the feature can be a little hidden for most people. But as useful as the feature is, it's definitely for those who are disicplined enough to keep up with it. As you can tell from the screenshots, I'm a little lazy to maintain the upkeep. iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 brought many changes to Safari, and despite some early controversies, it seems to have quieted down a bit.

Updated May 2022: Added screenshots. These are still the current steps for tab groups in Safari in the latest version of iOS.

Thinking about loved ones passing away or your own mortality can be bleak but it's equally important as it is sad. While many folks will be familiar with the concept of estate planning, it's something that people tend to think about later in life and it usually revolves around the distribution of someone's assets among next of kin.

With so much more of our lives lived in digital form these days, it's now also incredibly important to think about how surviving family members can access the data and information of those no longer with us. With its Digital Legacy program, Apple is aiming to solve this problem, in part, by allowing users to declare Legacy Contacts that can gain access to data stored in their Apple account in the event of their death.

What is Apple's Digital Legacy program?

Apple's Digital Legacy program is a way for someone you choose to access your digital information stored in your Apple account after you die.

Here's how Mike Abbott, VP of Apple Cloud Services, put it when announcing the upcoming feature in 2021:

So much of our important data is stored in digital form — like photos, messages, contacts, email, notes, and more. For Apple users, that info is locked away behind an Apple ID password. If the account owner, rightly, hasn't shared the password then loved ones will be unable to access any of that information once they are no longer around.

Instead of being left in the lurch, Digital Legacy allows users to name select friends or family members as Legacy Contacts who can request a copy of their data in the event of their death.

How to add a Legacy Contact on iPhone or iPad

So, you've decided that it's prudent to add a Legacy Contact or two. Great, here's how to do it on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 15.2 or later.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap your name.
3. Tap Password & Security.

4. Tap Legacy Contact.
5. Tap Add Legacy Contact. A dialog box will explain the Digital Legacy feature.
6. Tap Add Legacy Contact once more to proceed and you'll be prompted to use Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to continue.

7. If you use Family Sharing, you'll be presented with a list of family members from which to pick. Tap their name and hit Next. Alternatively, tap Choose Someone Else to add someone from your Contacts.
8. Tap Continue.

Once you've added a Legacy Contact, an access key will be generated and you'll be given the option to share this with that contact.

You can send it over iMessage and — if the recipient is using iOS 15.2 or macOS Monterey 12.1 or later — they will be able to automatically store a copy of this access key in their Apple ID settings. If they are running an older version of the software, they'll be prompted to update. Alternatively, you can print a copy of the access key to hand it over in physical form.

If you prefer, you can also set up Legacy Contacts on Mac.

How to remove a Legacy Contact on iPhone or iPad

It's just as simple to remove a Legacy Contact as it is to add one. Here's how to do it.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap your name.
3. Tap Password & Security.

4. Tap Legacy Contact.
5. Tap the name of the Legacy Contact you wish to remove.
6. Tap Remove Contact.

The contact won't be notified that you removed them, though you will no longer appear in their Legacy Contact list if they have an Apple device that includes that setting. The access key they received when being added will no longer work.

Best to be prepared

Life is unpredictable but one thing is for sure: none of us will be around forever. That's why it's a good idea to set up some Legacy Contacts so that your important information can be accessed by the friends and family members you choose.

You only have to put yourself in the surviving family members' shoes to know how difficult it might be to not be able to access precious photos, pertinent notes, or important contacts of someone that's no longer around.

Apple's Digital Legacy feature is the best iPhone implementation we've seen for this sort of information sharing and, once set up, you can go on with one less thing to worry about. It doesn't solve all of the problems of estate planning, but it's a good place to start.

Updated May 2022: With updates for iOS 15.

When Apple launched iOS 15, it was pretty much building upon the base that iOS 14 started. There were a lot of refinements and improvements systemwide, and while notifications are better than they have been in the past few years, it's still not perfect. But Apple did introduce Notification Summaries, which helps group together all of your non-important notifications into digestable summaries at specific times of the day that you choose. This way, you aren't continuously bombarded with notifications at every hour, every minute.

Since Notification Summaries was introduced with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, you will need to be running the latest version of the software to access this feature. Here's how to set up a notification summary on your best iPhone and iPad.

How to set up a Notification Summary in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

Before you can get a notification summary, you have to set them up first. Thankfully, it's easy to do so in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Tap Scheduled Summary.

4. Tap the toggle for Scheduled Summary to ON (green).
5. Tap Continue.
6. Select the apps you want to include in your Notification Summary.
7. Tap Add X apps, where "X" is the number of apps you've selected.

8. Set your schedule. You can have multiple Notification Summaries per day.
9. Tap on the time picker of the first and second summaries to select a time.
10. Optionally, you can add a third summary if you want by tapping Add Summary.
11. You can add more Notification Summaries after the third if you want by tapping Add Summary.
12. Once you're done adding the times you want, tap Turn on Notification Summary.

How to modify your existing Notification Summary in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

Once you have set up your notification summaries using the steps above, you can also modify them if you want to change the times, or get less summaries.

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Tap Scheduled Summary.

4. Tap the green plus button next to Add Summary if you'd like to add more summaries.
   • Make sure to choose a time that you want the summary delivered at.

5. Tap the red minus button next to a summary to remove it.
   • Make sure to tap Delete to confirm.
6. If you want to see a preview of the next summary in the Notification Center before the scheduled time, tap the toggle for Show Next Summary to ON (green).
7. Turn the toggle to ON (green) or OFF (gray) for whatever Apps in Summary you want.

Smarter notifications

Notification Summaries is far from perfect, but it's nice to be able to avoid being barraged with notifications all day. Having the freedom to choose the time that these summaries are delivered, as well as the frequency in one day, is just nice to have. Make it work on your schedule, not the other way around.

Updated May 2022: Updated for the latest version of iOS 15.

While iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 were more about refining the base that iOS 14 brought, they did have some new features that make life a little bit easier. Some of these changes included FaceTime, Messages, Focus, and more. But one of the new features that doesn't get enough love is Live Text.

What is Live Text? Basically, it brings optical character recognition (OCR) natively to iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, without the need for a third-party app. This functionality is now baked into the native Camera app on your current iPhone. It also works retroactively with your existing photos and screenshots in the Photos app too, so you can even go back to a photo you took and use Live Text on it.

Here's everything you need to know about how to use Live Text on iPhone and iPad, whether it's in the Camera app or Photos app.

What devices can use Live Text in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15?

One thing that Apple did not mention right away in the WWDC keynote is the fact that Live Text is only available on specific devices. The key component is that the device must have an A12 Bionic chip or better. That's because of all of the processing power that is involved with the Live Text feature.

Here are all of the best iPhone and iPad models that will be able to use Live Text:

• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2020)
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2022)
• iPad Air 5th generation
• iPad Air 4th generation
• iPad Air 3rd generation
• iPad mini 6th generation
• iPad mini 5th generation
• 11-inch iPad Pro (2018 and later)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2018 and later)
• iPad 9th generation
• iPad 8th generation
• iPad Air 4th generation
• iPad Pro (2021)

So even though the compatibility list for iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 goes back to devices from six years ago, not all of them will get the latest features.

How to use Live Text in the Camera app

1. Launch the Camera app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Point the viewfinder at something with text until you see a yellow viewfinder rectangle appear on the screen.
3. Once the Camera app recognizes text, tap the Live Text button (it looks like a viewfinder square with three lines inside it) in the bottom right corner.

4. The text captured will remain on the screen. From here, you can use the contextual popup menu to select, copy, look up, translate, and share recognized text.
   • When you have text that is recognized as phone numbers, emails, dates, addresses, etc., those become live links that can be activated through a long press.

As you can see, it's easy to use the Live Text feature right from the Camera app to do all kinds of things with recognized text. If you are having issues with it, the best fix is to move the camera closer to the text. Live Text should also work with stylized fonts and even handwriting, though it may not always recognize characters with 100% accuracy.

How to use Live Text in the Photos app

1. Launch the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Look for an image with a lot of text in it and view it.

3. If it has recognizable text, tap the Live Text button (viewfinder square with three lines in it) in the bottom right corner to recognize all text in the image.
4. You can also swipe or tap the text in an image without tapping Live Text first.
5. You can now do all of the Live Text features, such as select, copy, look up, translate, and share. Items like phone numbers, emails, addresses, etc., become live links that activate with a long-press.

Built-in OCR on your iPhone

As you can see, the Live Text feature is useful if you are doing things like scanning business cards or if you see a large sign with information you want to refer back to later. Once you have the image with Live Text, you can easily call, send a message, or visit the website in just a few taps. Who doesn't want tools that make life easier?

Updated May 2022: Updated for the latest version of iOS 15.

What you need to know

• Apple is reportedly making big changes to Focus mode in iOS 16.
• The changes coming to iOS 16 will reportedly stop some modes from working on iOS 15 devices.
• Changes to Apple News look set to require iOS 16.

Apple's upcoming iOS 16 update will reportedly make such big changes to the way Focus mode works that it will break compatibility with devices running older versions of the system software.

Recent reports already suggested that Apple will expand on existing notification systems when iOS 16 is announced during WWDC22, but a new report points to such big changes coming to Focus mode that support for iOS 15 will be lost. The same appears to apply to iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey, too.

9to5Mac reports that details found in the latest macOS 12.4 beta appear to point to a lack of backward compatibility for Focus modes that are used on iOS 16.

The following text is said to be displayed when warning people that an iOS 16 Focus mode won't work on older software:

Apple is expected to announce iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16 during its WWDC event opening keynote on June 6. None of the updates are likely to be released until much later in the year, however, with past experience suggesting that September and October are the likely release months.

The same report also suggests that changes to the Apple News app will also impact those using devices that have not been updated to iOS 16. Similar messages will say that "News is no longer fully supported on older devices" or that devices need to be updated to see specific content.

Searching your iPhone or iPad has never been easier in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. This is due to software improvements that have made the search function more intuitive, thus giving you better results. However, sometimes when you search for something on your amazing iPad or iPhone, apps might pop up that you don't need to search.

For example, sometimes I want to search news in my city, so I type "Winnipeg" into the Spotlight search bar, and the Weather app is always one of the first results, which is not helpful.

The good news is you can stop this from happening in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. Here's how to stop apps from appearing in search on iPhone and iPad.

Here's how to stop apps from appearing in search on iPhone and iPad

Before you start, remember that you have to follow these steps for each app you don't want to appear in search.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap the app you don't want in search results.
3. Tap Siri & Search.

4. Tap the Show App in Search On/Off switch. The switch will go gray when it's disabled.
5. Tap the Show Content in Search On/Off switch. The switch will go gray when it's disabled.

Once you turn off both these options, that app and the contents of that app will no longer show up in search results. Of course, if you want, you can also only turn off one of the options if you only want to stop one sort of result from appearing in search.

New Spotlight changes in iOS 15

Spotlight and search got a few new features in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, and the improved search results are just one of them. Don't forget to check out what's new in Spotlight, so you can use your iPhone or best iPad to help you do more.

Nobody likes spam calls. Whether it's a government survey, a fraud scheme trying to convince you to give over your personal information, or just wrong numbers, having your phone ring incessantly with no one you want to talk to on the other end is annoying.

Luckily for us, iOS 15 lets you silence unknown callers. When you turn on the Silence Unknown Callers feature, any calls from unknown numbers will automatically go to your voicemail without ringing your iPhone at all. The calls will still show up in your recent calls tab in the Phone app, so you can still see what numbers have called you and then choose to call them back, you know, if you want to. With the feature on, incoming calls will still ring from people in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, and also Siri Suggestions.

If you like the idea of turning your best iPhone into a more effective communication device that doesn't waste your time by alerting you to spam calls, you can turn on the feature by following these steps. Here's how to silence unknown callers on your iPhone.

How to silence unknown callers on iPhone

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap Phone. You'll likely have to scroll down the menu a bit.

3. Tap Silence Unknown Callers.
4. Tap the Silence Unknown Callers On/Off switch. The switch will turn green when the feature is enabled.

Enjoy the peace and quiet!

That's it. Now unknown callers will go straight to voicemail, and your iPhone won't ring at all. Plus, if you feel like the feature is blocking too many calls and wish to turn it off again, you can do so by following the exact steps listed above. Just ensure the on/off switch is gray.

What you need to know

• Apple's Studio Display couldn't be updated over the weekend.
• The Studio Display required iOS 15.4, but Apple had stopped signing it.
• Apple appears to have re-signed the update, allowing it to be installed.

People who found that they couldn't update the software on their Apple Studio display of late should probably try again — because Apple fixed it. And you won't believe how it did it.

We saw reports over the weekend that people were unable to update their Studio Display, a process that required the installation of a new version of iOS. Specifically, iOS 15.4. The problem? The company had already stopped signing iOS 15.4 following the release of iOS 15.4.1.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS, preventing people from installing them. The problem came about, so Macworld posits, when Apple effectively stopped people from updating their new Studio Display to iOS 15.4 as well. With no iOS 15.4.1 update available for Apple's new monitor, the update simply failed.

The fix was pretty simple — enable iOS 15.4 to be installed by re-signing it. Macworld says that's what has been done and people with Studio Displays that need an update should now be good to go.

The new Studio Display is one of the best Mac displays you can buy right now, despite its reportedly shoddy camera and a price that some might consider high. Its 5K resolution and support for Retina output help make it a standout option for those who want those specific features.

What you need to know

• Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.4 after releasing a newer version of the software.
• Users are now unable to install iOS 15.4 on their iPhones.
• The only version of iOS that is now available to be installed is iOS 15.4.1.

Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.4, meaning that it is now blocking downgrades to that version of iOS on the iPhone. This means that anyone who wants to install a version of iOS must now install iOS 15.4.1.

Apple is known to stop signing older versions of iOS as it releases newer versions in order to make sure that users are running the latest version of Apple's software for the iPhone. Newer versions of each software not only include new features and bug fixes but performance improvements and security updates as well.

Now, anyone who attempts to restore an iPhone will have only iOS 15.4.1 as Apple is now blocking downgrades to iOS 15.4. Those who are on the developer and public beta train can, of course, still install the latest iOS betas.

While some do enjoy the option of downgrading to an earlier version of iOS as a backstop to issues with a newer version of the software, that opening is usually short. If you are running iOS 15.4.1 and experiencing issues, you'll need to wait until Apple releases a newer update.

iOS 15.4.1 is the latest public version of iOS 15 and brought with it the ability to unlock your iPhone with a mask and a number of other smaller features.

What you need to know

• Apple Classical references have been found in iOS 15.5 beta 1.
• The new classical music app will be the result of Apple's Primephonic buyout from last year.
• No timescale has been put on Apple Classical's launch.

Apple's iOS 15.5 beta is now in the hands of developers and public beta testers alike and it appears that it has some of the underpinnings required for the unannounced Apple Classical app.

Set to be the fruit of the Primephonic buyout from last year, the Apple Classical app will play host to classical music rather than it being built into the standard Apple Music app. Details are still sparse and the app isn't yet available, but the first iOS 15.5 beta does have references to it in internal files, as MacRumors reports.

No timeline for when we can expect the new Apple Classical or iOS 15.5 releases has been shared yet, nor whether the classical music streaming app will require a new subscription. It does seem likely that it will simply be part of the existing Apple Music or Apple One subscriptions that people are already paying for, however.

Apple Music is one of the best iPhone solutions for people who want to stream their music, although fans of Spotify might have something to say about that. All eyes will be on Apple Classical to see what it has to offer when it does eventually launch.

What you need to know

• Code in the iOS 15.5 developer beta adds support for external purchases.
• Apple will warn users if they delete an app that offers external purchases from the App Store.

iOS 15.5 is going to make it easier for developers to link users to external purchases outside of the App Store.

As reported by 9to5Mac, code in the first developer beta of iOS 15.5 includes support for "apps with external purchases following the announcement of a new entitlement option for 'reader apps.'"

One of the updates is an alert that reminds users who delete an app that they may have a purchase set up outside of the App Store.

According to the code, Apple will also offer an alert when someone opens an app that offers external purchases.

Of course, external purchases, known as the "External Link Account Entitlement," are still only available for "Reader apps." Those apps include ones that offer videos, songs, books, magazines, and other digital content. If a developer wants to offer external purchases, they cannot also offer in-app purchases.

It's still unclear when iOS 15.5 will release to everyone, but Apple has already rolled out the first public beta to those signed up for the Beta Software Program.

What you need to know

• Apple's first iOS 15.5 beta is now in the hands of developers.
• A new report suggests Apple will rename the current iTunes Pass to something more on-brand.

Apple's upcoming iOS 15.5 update could be set to rebrand the iTunes Pass that currently lives in the Wallet app. It's thought that the new name will be Apple Account Card once iOS 15.5 ships to the public.

Apple made iOS 15.5 available to developers today and while it's only the first beta release, one change appears to foreshadow a bigger one coming later this year. 9to5Mac reports that internal iOS files point to a new Apple Account Card replacing the iTunes Pass card within the Wallet app.

The current iTunes Pass card uses your App Store and iTunes credit and can be used to buy products in Apple Stores via its included QR code. The new Apple Account Card appears to be more similar to Apple Card in the way it looks and functions, allowing it to be used like any other Apple Pay-enabled card.

Apple hasn't enabled the feature, even for beta testers, so it's likely we're still some way off it being formally announced. It might not even make it to iOS 15.5, although it does seem likely that it wouldn't be in the first beta if it wasn't going to make it into a final release. We'll all be keeping our eyes on future betas, and Apple's Newsroom, for more information over the next days and weeks.

It only took a few years of rumors and speculation, but 2021 was the year that Apple finally released the AirTag. The AirTag is Apple's first entry into the crowded market of item trackers, like Tile and Chipolo. It's even made the news because some bad apples end up using these tiny trackers to track people, instead of items, but that can be said for any of the other Bluetooth item trackers out there. But when the AirTag first launched, it was missing the big feature of receiving a notification when you leave an AirTag behind, which is a feature some of the competition, namely Tile, had for years.

Thankfully, with iOS 15, Left Behind alerts are now possible for AirTags, as well as other item trackers utilizing AirTag technology, like the Chipolo ONE Spot. Here's how to turn on Left Behind alerts for AirTags on iPhone and iPad.

How to enable left behind alerts for AirTags in iOS 15

1. Launch the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the Items tab.
3. Tap on an AirTag that you want to enable alerts for.

4. Scroll down until you see the Notifications section.
5. Tap Notify When Left Behind.
6. Tap the toggle for Notify When Left Behind to ON (green).
7. To customize this further, tap New Location under where it says Notify Me, Except At.
8. Adjust your target area location as you prefer.
9. Tap Done.
10. Tap Done again to save your alert.

And that's it. Once this setting is enabled, you'll get an alert whenever you leave the vicinity you've specified without that particular AirTag. The option to add specific locations that won't trigger this give you an additional layer of customization, so you can tailor it to fit your needs best.

Don't forget though, if you are positive you've misplaced your AirTag or think it's lost, make sure to put it into Lost Mode. This way, you can utilize the entire Find My network to track down where your missing AirTag is.

Never leave it behind again!

As you can see, with iOS 15, it's super easy to turn on Left Behind alerts for AirTags on your best iPhone or iPad. Honestly, it's a feature that I've been wanting on AirTag since day one, so it's nice to see it coming through in a software update rather than new hardware. With left behind alerts, it puts AirTag back up there with the competition in terms of best item trackers.

Updated March 2022: These steps for enabling left behind alerts remains the same in the latest version of iOS.

What you need to know

• Apple is launching its first Driver's license and State ID in Apple Wallet.
• Arizona is the first state to get the feature.
• It is also coming to Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and Puerto Rico.

Apple has today announced that it is launching its Driver's License and State ID in wallet feature in Arizona.

The company stated:

Apple's VP of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, Jennifer Bailey, said Apple was "thrilled" with the move, that would "provide Arizonans with an easy, secure, and private way to present their ID when traveling."

Additional states getting the feature in the future announced today are:

The ID or license can be used at TSA terminals in participating airports at security terminals, where you can show your ID with devices like the Apple Watch Series 7 and iPhone 13. Users will also be shown information requested by the TSA and can consent to provide it with Face ID or Touch ID without having to unlock their iPhone or show their ID card. It is also shared digitally so that they don't have to show or hand over their device to do this. The TSA takes a picture of the traveler for verification purposes, also.

The new feature requires iOS 15.4 on an iPhone 8 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 8.4.

One of the best features of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS 15 is SharePlay. The tool makes it possible to enjoy various forms of content with friends over FaceTime, including video and audio. The list of apps that support SharePlay will no doubt continue to grow. We'll update this list as often as possible when content gets added.

To use SharePlay, all attendees must have the latest operating system installed on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. The feature is activated on iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, and tvOS 15.1, respectively. It's also available for Mac through macOS 15.1. SharePlay works on the best iPhones and best iPads.

Videos and other entertainment

When Apple announced SharePlay, it emphasized its support for video-based apps the most. This makes sense since many of us now watch our favorite TV shows and movies through a streaming service.

• Apple TV+
• Digital Concert Hall
• Disney+
• (New) ESPN: Live Sports & Scores
• HBO Max
• Hulu
• MUBI: Curated Cinema
• NBA: Live Games & Scores
• (New) Pantaya
• Paramount+
• Pluto TV
• SHOWTIME
• (New) Shudder
• (New) STARZ
• (New) UFC

Audio

Many music and podcast apps are likely to support SharePlay over the long run. But, for now, the list is pretty short.

• Apple Music
• (New) BetterSleep
• (New) Meditation Moments
• Moon FM - The Podcasts App
• Relax Melodies: Sleep Sounds
• SoundCloud - Music & Songs
• (New) TuneIn Radio
• (New) Unplug: Mediation
• Vinyls

Games

• Heads Up!
• Kahoot! Play & Create Quizzes
• SharePlay Guessing Game
• Shhh!

Workout

Get in shape with your friends with these workout apps.

• Apple Fitness+
• (New) Asana Rebel: Get in Shape
• BetterMe: Health Coaching
• Mapless Walking Directions
• SmartGym: Gym & Home Workouts
• Workout Plan Bot - Workout Log

Extras

These apps come from many different categories, including education, weather, astronomy, etc.

• Apollo for Reddit
• Bluebird - Focus Timer & Tasks
• Cameo - Personal celeb videos
• CARROT Weather
• Doneit: Planner & Reminders
• Flow: Sketch, Draw, Take Notes
• LookUp: English dictionary
• MasterClass: Learn New Skills
• (New) Navi - Subtitles & Translation
• Night Sky
• Piano With Friends
• (New) Popshop Live
• Redfin Real Estate: Find Homes
• TikTok
• Translate Now - Translator
• (New) Whiteboard Explain Everything

Staying up-to-date

We'll continue to add to this list, which will grow as SharePlay catches on and becomes more popular. Until then, happy sharing!

Updated March 2022: Includes newly supported apps.

What you need to know

• Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.3.1.
• Users are now unable to install iOS 15.3.1 on their iPhones.
• The only version of iOS that is now available to be installed is iOS 15.4.

Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.3.1, meaning that it is now blocking downgrades to that version of iOS on the iPhone. This means that anyone who wants to install a version of iOS must now install iOS 15.4.

Apple is known to stop signing older versions of iOS as it releases newer versions in order to make sure that users are running the latest version of Apple's software for the iPhone. Newer versions of each software not only include new features and bug fixes but performance improvements and security updates as well.

Now, anyone who attempts to restore an iPhone will have only iOS 15.4 as Apple is now blocking downgrades to iOS 15.3.1. Those who are on the developer and public beta train can, of course, still install the latest iOS betas.

While some do enjoy the option of downgrading to an earlier version of iOS as a backstop to issues with a newer version of the software, that opening is usually short. If you are running iOS 15.4 and experiencing issues, you'll need to wait until Apple releases a newer update.

iOS 15.4 is the latest public version of iOS 15 and brought with it the ability to unlock your iPhone with a mask and a number of other smaller features.

What you need to know

• Apple's watchOS 8.5 and iOS 15.4 now allow people to restore their Apple Watches using an iPhone.
• People would previously have had to send their watches to Apple for service.

Apple's new iOS 15.4 and watchOS 8.5 updates now allow Apple Watch users to restore their wearable from a nearby iPhone as confirmed by a new support document.

The feature, which requires that both devices be connected to Wi-Fi and have Bluetooth enabled, is designed to make it easier for people to fix an Apple Watch should something go wrong that requires a software update or restoration. Apple outlines the feature in a newly-published support document.

The new feature requires that people have watchOS 8.5 and iOS 15.4 or later installed, with Apple suggesting that people follow these steps to get back up and running.

1. Make sure that an iPhone is nearby. The iPhone needs to have iOS 15.4 or later, it needs to be connected to Wi-Fi* with Bluetooth turned on, and it needs to be unlocked.
2. Put your Apple Watch on its charger.
3. Double-click the side button (the button below the circular Digital Crown) on your Apple Watch.
4. Follow the steps that appear on the iPhone.

Unfortuantely the support document doesn't clarify which versions of Apple Watch support this feature, perhaps suggesting that any with watchOS 8.5 support are good to go. Apple does offer some troubleshooting steps should things not work, however, saying that using a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network rather than 5GHz might help get things moving if there was an issue.

What you need to know

• Apple has revealed that many of its upcoming software updates will release next week.
• iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS Monterey 12.3 have all been confirmed.
• There is currently no confirmation for watchOS 8.5 or tvOS 15.4.

Earlier today, Apple announced the new iPhone SE, iPad Air, and new colors for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro. It also unveiled the brand new Mac Studio and Studio Display.

While software releases weren't the focus of the event, Apple's press releases for its upcoming products revealed that next week will include more than just hardware releases.

In the press release for the Mac Studio and Studio Display, Apple revealed that macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 will be released to the public next week.

In the press release for the new colors for the iPhone 13 lineup, Apple also revealed that iOS 15.4 would be releasing next week. It will need to if the new green colors, which ship with the new update, are available next Friday.

Apple has not confirmed in those releases if watchOS 8.5 and tvOS 15.4 will be released to the public next week, but it is a safe bet to assume so as most of these releases happen on if not close to the same day.

What you need to know

• Apple has released the fourth developer beta of iOS 15.4.
• The latest beta adds in the new changes to AirTag's anti-stalking measures.
• It also includes a new "American" voice for Siri.

The next release of iOS will bring with it some important anti-stalking updates to Apple's AirTag item tracker.

Today, Apple released the fourth developer beta of iOS 15.4. As spotted by MacRumors, the latest version of the beta includes the new anti-stalking measures for AirTag that Apple announced earlier this month.

The new setup screen for AirTag will warn users that "using this item to track people without their consent is a crime."

The company is also working on an update that will more clearly state when an unknown accessory is detected, an issue that has affected AirPods and caused confusion for users. The update also offers changes to how users customize their AirTag notifications.

Later this year, Apple is also working to make AirTag alerts louder and bring Precision Finding to AirPods. The new developer beta of iOS 15.4 also added a new voice for Siri.

Whether it be games, password managers, photo editors, weather apps, or any of the millions of apps out there, the App Store is the place to go to download them onto your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. However, sometimes you may be looking for a specific app you've already purchased, and you may not be able to find it. Don't worry; we've got you covered.

Sometimes apps you've purchased or downloaded before disappear and you can't find them just by searching the App Store as you normally would. Luckily, Apple has given us a way to see your previously purchased apps and easily re-download them onto any device you want. Here's how:

How to re-download apps you've already purchased on iPhone and iPad

In iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 you can easily find, search, and redownload your previously purchased apps from your Apple ID account in the App Store itself.

1. Launch App Store from your Home screen.
2. Tap your Apple ID. It's the profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Tap Purchased.

4. Tap Not on this iPhone/iPad.
5. Tap the download button of the app you want. It will look like a little cloud with an arrow.

Now you can always make sure that your best iPhone has all the apps you want. You can even use the search bar at the top of the screen to specifically search through the apps, so you don't have to scroll through the list if you remember the name.

How to re-download apps you've already purchased on Mac

You can also find your previously purchased apps in macOS Monterey.

1. Launch the App Store on your Mac.
2. Click your Apple ID. It's the profile icon in the bottom left corner.
3. Click the download button of the app you want.

If you have an M1 Mac that can run iPhone and iPad apps, you'll also be able to search for those by clicking the iPhone & iPad apps tab you see at the top.

Still can't find the app you want?

If you've purchased an app before, and you can't find it on the App Store, and following the steps above didn't help, you may be out of luck. Sometimes an app gets completely pulled off the App Store by Apple — Fortnite is a recent example — and in those cases, there's nothing you can do to re-download said app.

What you need to know

• Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.3.
• Users will no longer be able to install iOS 15.3 on their iPhone.
• The only version of iOS that is now available to be installed is iOS 15.3.1.

Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.3 for the iPhone. This means that anyone who wants to install iOS must install iOS 15.3.1 on their device.

Apple is known to stop signing older versions of iOS to make sure that users are running the latest version of Apple's software for the iPhone. Newer versions of each software not only include new features and bug fixes but performance improvements and security updates as well.

Now, anyone who attempts to restore an iPhone will have only iOS 15.3.1 as an option. Those who are on the developer and public beta train can, of course, still install the iOS 15.3 beta.

While some do enjoy the option of downgrading to an earlier version of iOS as a backstop to issues with a newer version of the software, that opening is usually short. If you are running iOS 15.3.1 and experiencing issues, you'll need to wait until Apple releases a newer update.

iOS 15.3.1 is the latest public version of iOS 15 and brought with it the usual mix of enhancements and bug fixes.

What you need to know

• Apple has released iOS 15.4 beta 3 to developers.
• A new message notes that using Face ID while wearing a mask will require a user's attention.
• Face ID with a mask will require attention even if the normal Face ID attention setting is disabled.

When iOS 15.4 ships people will be able to use Face ID while wearing a mask, but Apple is now warning people that the feature will require their attention even if they have that disabled normally.

Users of Face ID have always been able to disable the "Require attention" feature of Face ID, allowing the biometric security mechanism to unlock their iPhones without them needing to look at it. But with iOS 15.4 beta 3, Apple is now warning people that attention will be required when wearing a mask, regardless of what settings they have.

The new message was first spotted by YouTuber Zollotech — the video below is already at the require timestamp:

The message reads:

Requiring Attention Makes Face ID More Secure

Apple continues to tweak how Face ID works when someone is wearing a mask and has already made clear that it requires clear sight of a user's eyes in order to work. This new message further drives that point home. Regardless, being able to use Face ID while wearing a mask could well be the best iPhone feature we get this year — iOS 16 included!

Apple is likely to make iOS 15.4 available to everyone this spring, although no official timeframe has been given. The new iOS 15.4 beta 3 was only made available to developers recently and there are likely to be more beta updates before the release is ready for primetime.

What you need to know

• Apple has released iOS 15.4 beta 3 to developers.
• iOS 15.4 beta 3 includes a newly updated Podcasts app.
• The new Podcasts app includes options for filtering and browsing that weren't available in previous releases.

Apple's iOS 15.4 beta 3 adds a newly refreshed Podcasts app that brings new filter and browsing options for podcast listeners to enjoy.

Apple made iOS 15.4 beta 3 available to developers earlier today and the folk at 9to5Mac have been poking around ever since. The outlet now reports that an updated Podcasts app adds improved filtering and browsing options that will make it easier for people to find the podcast episodes that they want to listen to.

The same iOS 15.4 update also now allows Podcasts users to filter episodes in specific seasons for the first time, too. Those who update to the new iOS 15.4 update will see a new splash screen explaining the new features the first time they open Podcasts.

Podcasts is one of the best iPhone apps for listening to podcasts no matter who makes them. There are of course plenty of third-party podcast apps in the App Store including Overcast, Castro, and Pocket Casts among others.

What you need to know

• Apple released new software for iPhone, iPad, and Mac this week.
• The company says it has fixed a major WebKit security vulnerability.
• It says this flaw may have been actively exploited, so you should upgrade right away.

Apple has confirmed that software released for its iPhone, iPad, and Macs this week has patched a big security issue that could be actively exploited.

Apple released new versions of iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey this week. From the release notes:

The same issue also found on Macs has also been corrected. It was found by an anonymous researcher and Apple warns that it may have been actively exploited by malicious users.

With that being said, this is probably one new version of the software for your various iDevices that you don't want to ignore. If you're not sure how to download it, you can follow our guide on how to download and install iOS 15.3.1 on your iPhone and how to download and install macOS Monterey 12.2.1 on your Mac.

Apple also released an update for watchOS 8 to patch the same pervading issue, so don't wait to download all of these updates now!

What you need to know

• Apple lets users opt-out of improving Siri by allowing the company to review recordings of their voice interactions.
• Apple says a bug in iOS 15 inadvertently enabled the Improve Siri & Dictation setting for a small portion of devices.
• It means their audio was kept and reviewed without their permission.

Apple has revealed that it has recently fixed a bug that inadvertently led to a small portion of users having their Siri audio recordings kept and reviewed by the company.

ZDNet reports a change to the latest iOS 15.4 beta which will ask users if they want to opt-in to helping Apple improve Siri and dictation by allowing Apple to review the recordings. This is because Apple has revealed that it had to fix a bug introduced in iOS 15 that lead to some recordings being kept and recorded inadvertently despite people option out:

Apple says it turned off the setting for "many users" in iOs 15.2 to fix the bug, its full comment stated:

Siri is one of the best iPhone features available for all sorts of everyday tasks such as setting timers or recording reminders, sending texts, and requesting songs on Apple Music.

When Apple released iOS 15, it brought us many cool new features like Focus, a new Safari design and tools, Live Text, and more. But as a whole, iOS 15 felt more like streamlining what came before it, rather than being a big breakthrough release.

However, Apple dropped the iOS 15.4 developer and public beta and it's packing in a lot of big new features. One of these is the ability to add notes to your passwords saved in iCloud Keychain. This should help make it easier for you to remember your various online accounts, and if there's something important about it, you can make a note of it!

Here's how to add notes to your passwords on iPhone and iPad.

What is iCloud Keychain?

When it comes to online security, it's best to use a good password manager. But if you don't want to pay for a password manager, then you can make use of Apple's own solution that is built into every iPhone, iPad, and Mac: iCloud Keychain. As long as you have an iCloud account, then you can access iCloud Keychain.

When you use iCloud Keychain, you can create and store logins and passwords in Safari, as well as credit card details and other personal information. iCloud Keychain can also help you generate strong and secure randomly-generated passwords in Safari too, which is always recommended.

Once you use iCloud Keychain for all of your passwords, then you can access them from the Settings app, with Touch ID or Face ID for security.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

How to add a note to a password

It's easy to add a note to a specific saved password in your iCloud Keychain. Please note that this is still a beta feature, so you will need to be running the iOS 15.4 beta on your favorite iPhone or best iPad.

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap Passwords.
3. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.

4. Tap a password that you want to add a note to.
5. Tap Add Notes.
6. Type out your note.
7. Tap Done to save.

Now when you look at your iCloud Keychain passwords, you will see your notes right away when viewing them.

Keep your passwords secure!

While iCloud Keychain isn't the best password manager for some, it's free and already baked in to iOS itself, so there's no reason to not use it, even if it's a backup. Now having the ability to add notes should make it even more useful.

The usefulness of Face ID has certainly diminished for some people over the last couple of years due to face masks' sovereign becoming part of our everyday life. Apple has made several changes to attempt to address this issue, and I think overall they have done an adequate job — but now they have exceeded expectations with an update to iOS 15.

In the newest iOS 15 beta, there is now a Face ID with a Mask option that will allow users to open their phones using Face ID without having to take off their mask, and I think it's the best solution for everybody.

Why I didn't like the Apple Watch method

This isn't the first time that Apple has upgraded Face ID in an attempt to alleviate the inconvenience of wearing a face mask. You may remember that last year, Apple included a method to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch. Basically, if you put a passcode on your Apple Watch, and your Apple Watch was on your wrist and unlocked, it would unlock your iPhone.

After using that feature for a while last year, I eventually realized that — from a security perspective — it sucked. It didn't scan your face at all, it completely bypassed Face ID and just looked to ensure your Apple Watch was on and unlocked. Yes, I know that your Apple Watch would get a notification and give you the option to lock your iPhone, but it wasn't enough for me.

You can call me paranoid, and admittedly, I am a little bit, but that doesn't change the fact that the Apple Watch method does absolutely nothing to actually authenticate that it is you unlocking your best iPhone.

Why Face ID with Mask is better for everyone

If you want to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask, I believe the best way to do it is using Face ID with a Mask — here's why.

First, and this should be obvious, you don't need an Apple Watch. Not everyone has an Apple Watch, and expecting people to have one is all sorts of wrong. Now, of course, the pandemic was an unforeseen event that Apple has no control over, and I understand why they came out with a workaround last year, but I'm glad the company kept working on the issue.

The other big reason this new method is better than before is that actually scans your face. Face ID with a Mask is said to focus on more details around your eyes and forehead while it scans your face, allowing the software to authenticate that it is indeed you. This alone makes it more secure than the Apple Watch method because it is actually trying to authenticate you. Remember that the information from Face ID is stored on the chip on your iPhone or iPad and not sent to Apple's servers, so your facial identity is kept private. This remains true for Face ID with a Mask. Everything is kept on your device.

Still only in beta

Unfortunately, the feature is only on the developer beta of iOS 15.4 and is not available to the public yet. Plus, it seems the feature is limited to only the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, which is certainly a bit of a bummer. In any case, I'm hoping that the beta process goes smoothly enough that the launch for a feature on the public beta of iOS 15.4 won't be too far behind.

There are still some questions that need to be answered and tested, like just how accurate is Face ID with a Mask? What are the chances it can be fooled? But given how seriously Apple tends to take the privacy and security of their users, I'm sure they wouldn't have launched the feature — even in the developer beta — if there were huge security risks involved. Time will tell when this great new feature will become widely available.

What you need to know

• Web apps currently can't send notifications to iPhone and iPad users.
• Notifications are reserved for apps that are distributed via the App Store.
• iOS 15.4 suggests a new API will allow web apps to send notifications once a user gives the OK.

iOS 15.4 appears to suggest that Apple is working on adding support for push notifications for web apps but it isn't working just yet.

According to changes found in the first iOS 15.4 beta by developer Maximiliano Firtman and reported by 9to5Mac, Apple's iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 are laying the groundwork for giving web apps the opportunity to send notifications to iPhones and iPads by adding a new API.

Similar functionality already exists on the Mac, but it has so far not been supported by either iPhones or iPads. Currently, only apps downloaded via the App Store can send people notifications. That severely limits the abilities offered by web apps and means that developers must get their apps into the App Store if they want to send users notifications. However, that looks like it could be changing in the future.

As Firtman notes, however, testing the new API results in failure. When working properly, the API will present a permission dialog box to users asking if a website can indeed send them notifications. As of iOS 15.4 beta 1, that dialog isn't being presented which means the notifications are blocked. That will change in the future, of course.

Giving web developers the chance to send notifications to users will help make web apps more able to compete with apps that are offered via the App Store, something that will no doubt help Apple's claims that web apps are a viable option for developers.

Developers looking forward to taking advantage of this new notifications API can read more about it on Maximiliano Firtman's blog including information on the testing carried out.

What you need to know

• Some people are reporting issues with Apple Pay and other cards not syncing from iPhones to Apple Watches on the latest software releases.
• watchOS 8.4 and iOS 15.3 appear to be causing sync issues for some people.
• The issue will hopefully be fixed in a future release.

A number of people are experiencing sync issues for cards added to their iPhones — they aren't always appearing on their Apple Watch after updating to the latest versions of iOS and watchOS.

Following the release of iOS 15.3 and watchOS 8.4 last week, a number of people are reporting that Apple Pay and other cards added to their iPhones aren't being synced to their Apple Watches. The issue doesn't appear to be a widespread one, but it is one that Apple will need to fix for those affected.

People have been taking to social media and Reddit to report the issues that were first spotted by AppleInsider.

It isn't clear whether this issue is related to the iPhone or Apple Watch updates specifically, but those who have reached out to Apple have reportedly been told that the company is investigating the problem. No information has been given for when impacted users can expect to see a fix, however.

What you need to know

• Apple's iOS 15.4 beta includes support for adding EU COVID-19 vaccination certificates to the Health and Wallet apps.
• Current testing shows that only the Health app appears to work currently.
• Some EU countries aren't supported at the moment.

People in the EU will be able to put their COVID-19 vaccination certificates into the Health and Wallet apps when iOS 15.4 launches.

According to people testing the iOS 15.4 update in the EU they can now add COVID-19 vaccination status certificates to the Health app, although they don't yet appear to be popping up in the Wallet app. That will likely come in time, however.

Adding a certificate appears to be as simple as scanning its QR code and tapping the "Add to Wallet and Health" button. The iOS 15.4 release notes suggest that there are some exceptions right now, however. Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Cape Verde, North Macedonia, and Palestine are currently not supported although that could change in a future beta — this is the first one to be made available to developers and public beta testers, and many more are expected before the update is ready for public consumption.

Apple's iOS 15.1 update added similar functionality for the United States and it appears that EU residents will also be able to follow suit later this year. We don't have a release window for IOS 15.3 just yet but the expectation is that it will be released at some point this spring.

In the EU and running the latest iOS 15.4 beta or in the United States running iOS 15.1 or later? Here's how to add a COVID-19 vaccination certificate to your iPhone.

What you need to know

• iOS 15.4 includes support for setting up custom email domains for iCloud+ users.
• Previously, this could only be done on a Mac by visiting the iCloud website.
• Things could change by the time iOS 15.4 is made available to the public.

Apple's new iOS 15.4 beta includes support for setting up custom email domains with iCloud+, something that was previously not possible. While this is the first beta release and things could change before iOS 15.4 is made available to the public, things are looking pretty good right now.

Previously, setting up custom email domains required people to visit the iCloud website. With iOS 15.4 that is going to change according to a MacRumors report. On iPhone and iPad, everything is handled via the Settings app.

People looking to take advantage of this will need to be paid iCloud+ subscribers, with prices starting at just $0.99 per month. Each user can have up to five different custom domains and Family Sharing means other people can also access their emails via those domains, too.

You will of course need to have iOS 15.4 installed for this all to work and while it is now available to developers, we don't yet know when it will be made available to everyone. Apple only recently made the first developer beta available and will likely need a few more releases before the update is ready for primetime.

What you need to know

• Apple's iOS 15.4 beta includes support for adding text notes to passwords.
• Notes are protected by Face ID and Touch ID.
• There is no new interface for managing passwords.

Apple's new iOS 15.4 beta includes a change that allows people to put text notes with their passwords. The feature is one that is already available in a ton of dedicated password managers and is arguably something that should have been part of iCloud Keychain long before now.

Apple recently made the first iOS 15.4 beta available to developers and one of the changes they have spotted is the arrival of a new notes field in iCloud Keychain password entires. Notes can be typed into that field and as you'd expect they are fully protected by Face ID and Touch ID depending on the device that you are using.

Unfortunately, none of this is housed in a new interface, meaning iCloud Keychain still lives within the Settings app. At this point, that's the biggest problem acing the feature that has grown considerably in recent years. Hopefully, Apple will one day move iCloud Keychain into a dedicated password management app similar to that of 1Password and LastPass, making it easier to manage, edit, and create passwords than is currently the case. Still, the arrival of notes is a welcome one.

Apple's iOS 15.4 will likely be made available to public beta testers shortly and we can expect the public to be able to get their hands on it this spring. This is the first beta to be made available to developers and there are likely to be a few more before it's ready to be made available to all.

What you need to know

• Apple has released iOS 15.4 to developers and it brings the ability to use Face ID even when masked.
• Testing shows older iPhones don't support the change in Face ID functionality.
• It's likely the problem is related to the increased processing power required by the change.

While the first beta release of iOS 15.4 does include support for unlocking an iPhone while wearing a mask and using Face ID, it seems that feature isn't available to everyone. According to tests, iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone 11 devices do not support unlocking using Face ID while wearing a mask.

In tests conducted by MacRumors it was confirmed that iPhone 12 and newer devices work fine. I haven't seen confirmation on whether iPhone XR devices will work, but given their aging A12 Bionic processor, it seems unlikely.

Apple's new Face ID changes focus on the "unique features around the eye area" which may require additional processing power. In testing, using Face ID on iOS 15.4 does take noticeably longer to authenticate when using an iPhone 13 Pro Max, for example. Given that this is the first beta release, that is perhaps to be expected. But it could also speak to the additional processing being done on-device.

There is no indication of when Apple will make iOS 15.4 available to the public but we can expect this feature and others to change and improve before that happens.

Already running the iOS 15.4 beta? Here's how to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask.

What you need to know

• Apple's iOS 15.4 beta allows people to use Face ID and Apple Pay while wearing a mask.
• Previously, Apple Watches could unlock iPhones while people wore masks, but Apple Pay was not supported.
• Apple's first beta of iOS 15.4 is available to developers now.

Apple's new iOS 15.4 beta adds support for using Face ID unlock when you are wearing a mask. More testing has shown that the feature also works with Apple Pay, too.

Apple made its first developer beta of iOS 15.4 available yesterday and the standout feature, at least initially, was the addition of support for using Face ID even when wearing a face mask. That's a huge deal, but it turns out things actually go a step further — with the beta installed you can even use Apple Pay while wearing a mask, too.

While Apple is now comfortable enough with Face ID that it allows it to function while a mask obscures half of your face, it does still believe that it works best when a full set of features can be seen as outlined by the onboarding text people see after installing iOS 15.4.

While Apple has allowed people to unlock their iPhones using their Apple Watch since the arrival of watchOS 7.4 last year, that never supported Apple Pay. This latest move is a huge deal for those wearing masks in stores and has worked relatively well in early testing — especially considering its early beta status.

We don't yet know when Apple will make iOS 15.4 available to the public, but it's likely a public beta release will happen in the coming days assuming no showstopping bugs are discovered.

What you need to know

• Apple's iOS 15.4 update adds support for unlocking with Face ID while wearing a mask.
• iOS 15.4 is now available in its first beta form, but only to developers.
• We don't yet know when this update will be rolled out to everyone.

Update, January (4:35 pm ET): Use Face ID with a Mask is currently limited to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.

Apple has made a change to Face ID that will allow it to function even when someone is wearing a mask. Unlike a previous, similar feature, no Apple Watch is required. The change is part of the first iOS 15.4 beta made available to developers today.

While this feature is specific to iOS 15.4, a previous change also allowed people to unlock their iPhones while wearing a mask. That feature required people to also have an authenticated Apple Watch however, a requirement that this new update removes entirely.

The change was first spotted by YouTuber Brandon Butch and comes with a text that suggests Apple is now focusing more on the area around the eyes seeing as it can no longer see mouths.

People installing iOS 15.4 will be prompted to reconfigure Face ID and decide whether they want to enable it to unlock their iPhones when wearing a mask. Apple also notes that it has made improvements to how Face ID works when wearing glasses, too.

Unfortunately, there is no telling when this iOS 15.4 update will be made available to everyone but it's likely to be a number of weeks before it is ready.

Update, January 27 (4:35 pm ET) — Use Face ID with a Mask is currently limited to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.

As reported by MacRumors, it appears that Apple's new "Use Face ID with a Mask" feature, which is currently available in the iOS 15.4 developer beta, is currently only available on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models.

It's currently unclear why the feature is not available for the iPhone X and iPhone 11. It could be due to technological differences in Face ID that Apple may have implemented when it switched to the iPhone 12. It could also come to the older iPhone models with Face ID in a future beta or public release.

What you need to know

• Some people reported that their HomeKit cameras were not updating correctly in the Home app.
• Thumbnails were not refreshing and displayed old information as a result.
• The new iOS 15.3 release appears to have fixed the static thumbnail issue.

Apple's new iOS 15.3 update fixes an annoying bug that caused some HomeKit users to report that their cameras were not updating in the Home app. The result was stale thumbnails that couldn't be trusted with no way to fix things manually.

Now, the iOS 15.3 update appears to offer some respite for HomeKit users. Multiple people have reported that installing the update has fixed things for them and that thumbnails are now updating as expected as reported by MacRumors.

While not live as such, the Home app's camera thumbnails are supposed to refresh intermittently but people have been complaining that they weren't for some time. While Apple didn't mention the fix in its release notes it's good to see that things are working once again.

Apple released iOS 15.3 alongside iPadOS 15.3, macOS 12.2, watchOS 8.4, and tvOS 15.3 this week. If you're using any compatible device we would always suggest installing these updates to ensure you can take advantage of new features as well as bug and security fixes.

HomeKit Secure Video puts compatible security cameras right into the Home app making them easier to use than ever. Recordings are also saved to iCloud and can be accessed on iPhones, iPads, and Macs as well.