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  • New iPhone setting in iOS 18.4 — Not Everywhere Though

    New iPhone setting in iOS 18.4 — Not Everywhere Though

    The next iPhone update, iOS 18.4, brings a feature many people have been asking for, but it’s not available everywhere yet.

    Picking Your Favorite Navigation App

    With iOS 18.4, you can choose a navigation app other than Apple Maps to be your go-to. This is great news if you prefer apps like Google Maps or Waze. However, this option is only for people in the European Union (EU). To set it up, just go to the Settings app, tap Apps, then Default Apps, and pick your navigation app under Navigation. Apple added this because of a new EU rule called the Digital Markets Act. We wish this choice was available for everyone around the world!

    A Little Something for U.S. Users

    For those in the U.S., Apple didn’t leave you out completely. With iOS 18.4, you can pick a default translation app. So, if you like Google Translate better than Apple’s own Translate app, you can make it your main one. It’s not as big as the navigation change, but it’s a nice touch.

    When’s It Coming?

    Right now, iOS 18.4 is being tested in its beta version. Apple says it’ll be ready for everyone to download in early April. That’s according to their official website.
    This update shows that Apple is listening to what people want, even if some features are limited to certain places. Hopefully, more options like these will roll out globally soon!

  • Apple pushes back new Siri features to 2026

    Apple pushes back new Siri features to 2026

    Apple has decided to hold off on releasing some exciting Siri upgrades planned for iOS 18, according to a company spokesperson speaking to Daring Fireball. These changes, part of Apple Intelligence, will now come out later than planned.

    What’s New with Siri?

    Apple shared that making Siri more personal and helpful is taking extra time. They expect to launch these updates “sometime next year.”

    “Siri already makes life easier by finding info and finishing tasks fast,” the spokesperson said. “In the last six months, we’ve made Siri chattier, added options like typing to Siri, taught it about our products, and linked it with ChatGPT. Now, we’re working on a Siri that knows you better and can do more with your apps. It’s a big job, so it’ll take longer than we hoped.”

    These new Siri tricks were shown off at WWDC when iOS 18 was announced. They were supposed to arrive in an iOS 18 update, but now they’re delayed. Here’s what’s coming:

    Knowing You Better

    Siri will soon remember details from your emails, texts, files, and photos. This will help it assist you with things like:

    • “Show me the files Sarah sent last week.”
    • “Find the text where Sarah talked about hiking.”
    • “What’s the movie Sarah suggested?”
    • “Where’s that cookie recipe from, Sarah?”

    Seeing Your Screen

    Siri will also understand what’s on your screen and act on it. For example, if a friend texts you an address, you can say, “Add this to their contact.” Or if you’re viewing a picture, just tell Siri, “Send this to Mom.”

    Working Across Apps

    Siri will handle bigger tasks in and between apps. Think moving files, editing a photo and sending it, or even saying, “Get me home and tell Sarah when I’ll arrive.”

    When Will It Happen?

    Rumors hinted that these features might hit in iOS 18.4, but they weren’t ready for the early betas. Apple’s next update, iOS 18.5, might bring them, though it could stretch into 2026. For now, “next year” means sometime in the next 12 months. Siri’s already gotten a makeover with typing support, a fresh design, and better conversations in Apple Intelligence. More goodies are still on the way!

  • What’s coming to your iPhone with iOS 19

    What’s coming to your iPhone with iOS 19

    The iOS 19 update is still a few months away, but exciting whispers about what’s next for your iPhone are already spreading. Here’s a simple rundown of what we’ve heard so far.

    A Fresh Look for the Camera App

    One big rumor is a brand-new Camera app. Back in January, Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech shared a YouTube video showing off what it might look like. The standout change? See-through menus for camera settings, inspired by the sleek style of visionOS, which runs Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

    This redesign lets you see more of the camera’s viewfinder than in iOS 18. The controls are split into Photo and Video sections at the bottom. You’ll find options like recording spatial videos, setting a photo timer, and tweaking video resolution or frame rate, which pop up at the top when needed. It’s unclear if this cool, visionOS-like style will spread to other parts of iOS 19, but it’s a possibility!

    A Smarter, Chatty Siri

    Siri is getting a major upgrade in iOS 19. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says it’ll be “more talkative” thanks to smarter tech, making it act more like ChatGPT. This means Siri could handle trickier questions and tasks. Apple might show off this new Siri when they announce iOS 19, but it won’t fully launch until spring 2026—likely with iOS 19.4. For now, iOS 18.2 brings ChatGPT to Siri, with Google Gemini joining later, plus other handy upgrades in iOS 18.4 or 18.5.

    Features Rolling Out Over Time

    Expect many of iOS 19’s goodies to arrive in stages, from iOS 19.1 to 19.4, rather than all at once.

    Which iPhones Will Work?

    According to iPhoneSoft.fr, iOS 19 should run on every iPhone that supports iOS 18. That includes models from the iPhone XS and XR (released in 2018) up to the iPhone 16 series. Some features might skip older phones, though.

    When’s It Coming?

    Apple will likely tease iOS 19 at WWDC in June 2025, with betas starting then and the full release hitting in September. Get ready for a fresh iPhone experience!

    Compatible iPhones

    • iPhone 16
    • iPhone 16 Plus
    • iPhone 16 Pro
    • iPhone 16 Pro Max
    • iPhone 15
    • iPhone 15 Plus
    • iPhone 15 Pro
    • iPhone 15 Pro Max
    • iPhone 14
    • iPhone 14 Plus
    • iPhone 14 Pro
    • iPhone 14 Pro Max
    • iPhone 13
    • iPhone 13 mini
    • iPhone 13 Pro
    • iPhone 13 Pro Max
    • iPhone 12
    • iPhone 12 mini
    • iPhone 12 Pro
    • iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • iPhone 11
    • iPhone 11 Pro
    • iPhone 11 Pro Max
    • iPhone XS
    • iPhone XS Max
    • iPhone XR
    • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
  • Apple simplifies child accounts and boosts online safety

    Apple simplifies child accounts and boosts online safety

    Apple announced new tools today to keep kids safer online. These updates include a clearer age rating system, an easier way for parents to set up accounts for their children, tweaks to what kids see on the App Store, and a new tool for app makers to check a user’s age range. This ensures kids only get content that fits their age.

    The details are in a new guide called Helping Protect Kids Online, available on Apple’s developer website. The goal is simple: give parents more say over what their kids do online while keeping things private. Apple also wants to avoid broad laws that force the App Store to handle age checks for everyone.

    First, setting up accounts for kids is getting easier. When someone makes a new account, Apple will ask for their age range. This is already in the iOS 18.4 beta. For kids under 13, there’s a “Connect to Family” option. Parents need to approve the account for things like the App Store, but Apple is making this smoother. Instead of needing a credit card, parents can now use their payment history with Apple and confirm it with Face ID or Touch ID.

    Kids can start using their device right away if a parent isn’t around. Age-based limits will kick in for web browsing and messages, but app downloads will need parental approval later. Soon, parents can also fix the age on existing kid accounts if it’s wrong.

    App makers must now share if their apps have user-made content, ads, or need age checks. This info will show up on App Store pages. Apple is also updating its age groups: from 4+, 9+, 12+, and 17+ to 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+, and 18+. Each category sets rules for what’s okay—like no violence for little kids or mature themes for teens. Kids won’t see or download apps beyond their age limit, and the App Store will promote apps that match their age.

    Apple’s new tool for developers, called the Declared Age Range API, shares a user’s age range without giving exact details like birthdays. Parents decide if this info is shared, keeping privacy tight. These changes aim to balance safety and ease for families.

  • Your Safari searches now pop Up in iOS 18.4

    Your Safari searches now pop Up in iOS 18.4

    With the iOS 18.4 update, Apple added a little change to Safari that might catch your eye. Now, when you open a new tab and tap the search bar, your recent searches show up right away. It’s a simple shift, but it could spark some mixed feelings.

    In the earlier version, iOS 18.3.1, things worked differently. Opening a new tab and tapping search kept your history hidden, leaving you on the usual Safari start page. You wouldn’t see past searches unless you started typing something similar, and even then, it only popped up as a suggestion.

    According to 9to5Mac, this new setup in iOS 18.4 could feel a bit awkward. Imagine handing your iPhone or iPad to a friend or family member to use Safari or another app—your recent searches would be right there for them to see. Not everyone might love that kind of openness.

    On the flip side, if you’re someone who never shares your device, this could be handy. Seeing your latest searches with one tap might save time, especially if you look up the same things often. Plus, Apple still has Private Browsing mode, which keeps your searches off the record entirely.

    Right now, iOS 18.4 doesn’t let you turn off this search history display. That said, Apple might tweak it before the update goes live for everyone, since it’s still in beta. If you want to wipe the slate clean, there’s always the “Clear All” button to erase your search history whenever you like. This small update shows how even tiny changes can make a difference—whether you find it helpful or a little too revealing depends on how you use your device!

  • All the cool Apple Intelligence features you can use now

    All the cool Apple Intelligence features you can use now

    Apple Intelligence is the name for a bunch of smart, AI-driven tools that work on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and soon Vision Pro. These features have popped up in updates like iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, making your devices work in fresh, exciting ways. Here’s a simple rundown of what’s available now, plus a peek at what’s on the way.

    First Up: iOS 18.1 Brings Writing Help, Photo Tricks, and More

    • Writing Help: Fix mistakes, rephrase sentences, or tweak your text anywhere on your device.
    • Photo Clean-Up: Easily erase stuff you don’t want in your pictures.
    • Memory Movie Maker: Tell it what you want, and it’ll whip up a video from your photos.
    • Smart Photo Search: Find the exact pics or videos you need with better search.
    • Notification Highlights: Get short, useful summaries of your alerts.
    • Siri Boost: Siri’s smarter now—better answers, a fresh look, a smoother voice, and you can even type to it.
    • Top Emails First: Your most urgent emails jump to the top.
    • Quick Replies: Get handy reply suggestions in Mail and Messages.
    • Email and Chat Summaries: See short recaps of conversations instead of scrolling forever.
    • Focus Mode Upgrade: Block distractions but let big stuff through with smarter alerts.

    Next: iOS 18.2 Adds Fun Stuff Like Genmoji and Image Tools

    • Genmoji: Create your own emojis for any app.
    • ChatGPT with Siri: Siri teams up with ChatGPT for extra smarts, or you can ask ChatGPT directly.
    • Image Playground: Make cool AI pictures in cartoon or drawing styles.
    • Visual Smarts: Point your camera at something and get info about it.
    • Image Wand: Turn doodles into pretty artwork in Notes.
    • ChatGPT Writing: Let it write fresh text for you in any app.

    Coming in iOS 18.3: Smarter Visual Tools

    • Poster to Calendar: Snap a flyer and add the event to your schedule.
    • Nature ID: Figure out what plants or animals you’re looking at.

    Soon in iOS 18.4 and Beyond

    The iOS 18.4 beta (out in April) might tweak these, but here’s what’s testing now:

    • Key Alerts: Important notifications stand out on your Lock Screen.
    • More Image Styles: Add a sketch look to your AI-made pics.
    • Vision Pro Joins In: Apple Intelligence hits Vision Pro with visionOS 2.4.

    Final Thoughts

    Apple’s just warming up with these AI goodies. Expect more surprises at WWDC in June for iOS 19. Love it or not, these tools will keep changing how you use your gadgets as they grow smarter and blend into your daily life.

  • New iPhone Mail trick solves a pesky problem

    New iPhone Mail trick solves a pesky problem

    For years, iPhone users have wanted Apple Mail to act differently when moving or deleting an email. Before the latest update, after you trashed or filed a message, the app would jump straight to the next email in your inbox. This was frustrating because it marked that next email as read, even if you didn’t mean to open it. People wished the app would just take them back to the inbox list instead. Good news—iOS 18.4 finally makes that happen!

    This automatic jump to another email after deleting one was odd. Most other email apps don’t do this, which is why some iPhone fans switched to options like Spark or Outlook. But Apple Mail keeps improving, especially with cool new features like email summaries and quick replies powered by Apple Intelligence. This small tweak in iOS 18.4 might just convince those users to return to Apple’s built-in app.

    In iOS 18.4, there’s a fresh setting called “Delete or Move Message Action.” By default, it’s set to “View Next Message,” keeping the old habit alive. But if you switch it to “Don’t Select a Message,” the app won’t leap to another email after you delete or move one. Instead, it takes you right back to your inbox list. From there, you can pick whichever email you want to tackle next and keep sorting through your messages your way.

    Want to try it? Open the Settings app, tap Apps, then Mail, and look for “Message List.” Under that, you’ll see “Delete or Move Message Action” to adjust how it works. This little change, which fans have been asking for, comes with iOS 18.4. It’s still being tested in developer and public betas, but it’ll roll out as a free update for all iPhone users around April. It’s a simple fix that makes a big difference in keeping your inbox under control!

  • New handy feature in Apple’s Passwords app with iOS 18.4

    New handy feature in Apple’s Passwords app with iOS 18.4

    The first iOS 18.4 beta is out now, and it’s available for public testers too. Among its updates, there’s a neat little improvement to the verification codes in Apple’s Passwords app. Here’s what you need to know.

    A Timer Shows When Codes Will Refresh

    Aaron Perris shared on X that the Passwords app has a helpful new twist in the iOS 18.4 beta. The verification codes—those short codes you use for extra security—now come with a countdown timer. This shows you exactly how much time is left before they run out and are replaced with new ones.

    When you go to the Codes section in the app, you’ll notice a small ring in the top-right corner. This ring starts empty and slowly fills up with green as time passes. It’s an easy way to see how long your current codes will last. Once the ring turns fully green, the codes expire and refresh automatically.

    You can also check this timer when looking at a specific password’s details. If that entry has a verification code, the countdown will appear right next to it. Perris pointed out that this update isn’t just for iPhones—it’s also in macOS Sequoia 15.4 and works in the Passwords Menu Bar app on Macs.

    This might seem like a tiny addition, but it’s super useful. Before, there was no clear way to tell when a code was about to stop working. Now, with this simple timer, you can stay on top of your security codes without any guesswork. It’s a small step that makes a big difference for something so important.

  • Apple rolls out first test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4

    Apple rolls out first test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4

    Apple has just released the first public test versions of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, watchOS 11.4, and tvOS 15.4. These updates let everyday testers try out fresh features before they officially launch. This comes shortly after Apple shared the same updates with app developers.

    What’s New for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

    Anyone signed up for Apple’s public testing program can grab these updates from the Settings app on their devices. The latest software brings some handy additions. For instance, Priority Notifications, powered by Apple Intelligence, puts your most urgent alerts at the top. There’s also a fun Sketch option in Image Playground for creating cool designs.

    Apple News+ fans will enjoy a new Food section packed with recipes, tasty stories, and healthy eating advice. Plus, a relaxing Ambient Music feature is now available right from the Control Center.

    Special Features Coming in iOS 18.4

    The iOS 18.4 update includes a Vision Pro app for owners of the headset. This app makes it simple to find and download new apps, games, and shows straight from your iPhone. It also lets you control Vision Pro’s Guest Mode from your iPhone or iPad, so friends can easily try out the headset.

    Updates for iPad and Mac

    The iPad and Mac updates bring Mail Categorization, a tool that sorts your emails neatly. Until now, this was only available on the iPhone.

    Want to Know More?

    These test versions give a sneak peek at what’s coming. For all the details on the new features, check out our full iOS 18.4 beta rundown.

    With these updates, Apple is making its devices smarter and more fun to use. If you’re a tester, dive in and see what’s new!

  • Apple’s smart features now available in the EU with iOS 18.4

    Apple’s smart features now available in the EU with iOS 18.4

    The latest iOS 18.4 update brings a bunch of exciting changes for iPhone users. For those in the EU, there’s one massive highlight in the first beta version: Apple’s smart features, called Apple Intelligence, are finally fully available.

    Apple Intelligence Arrives for EU Users with iOS 18.4 Beta

    When Apple first showed off Apple Intelligence at WWDC last June, excitement quickly turned to disappointment for EU users. The company said its AI tools wouldn’t work in the EU at launch due to some tricky local rules they had to figure out. This restriction only hit iPhones and iPads because of specific EU laws under the Digital Markets Act. Macs, however, weren’t affected.

    After a long wait, Apple shared some great news. Just as Apple Intelligence rolled out widely, the company promised EU iPhone users they’d get it too—in April through a software update. That update looks like it’s iOS 18.4. The first iOS 18.4 beta is out now, and EU beta testers can already enjoy Apple Intelligence ahead of the big April release. This update also adds support for more languages, which fits perfectly with the timing.

    No More Limits for EU Users

    Before this, EU iPhone and iPad owners couldn’t use Apple Intelligence at all. It didn’t matter how your device was set up—Apple blocked it based on where you were. Now, that’s history. For beta testers, the only place still missing out is China, but there’s hope that might change soon too.

    If you’re not on the beta, no worries—iOS 18.4 will hit all devices in early April, bringing Apple Intelligence to everyone in the EU. This update marks a big win for iPhone fans who’ve been patiently waiting to try out these clever new tools.

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