Apple Apps

In the past, searching for a specific text in Messages was a headache. Now, Messages in-app search is not only optimized for text but also lets you browse images, screenshots, and links in a gallery view. You can access the search function by opening the Messages app and dragging down from the top of the screen. Here’s how to use search in Messages to find the information you need.

One of the new features of Apple's latest operating systems, iOS 13 and iPadOS, are Memoji sticker packs for older iPhones right in the Messages app. It's been possible to send Animoji and Memoji stickers in texts before, but now it's easier than ever for a larger number of iPhones and iPads to send Memoji stickers, even if they can't create and send the animated emoji videos. Let's get started learning about Memoji and Animoji stickers, how to create them, and which devices can send and receive them.

Apple's Calendar app has long been one of the best free calendar apps out there for iPhone users. One of the most useful aspects of the Calendar app is the ability to get a map and directions to the locations of your appointments without ever leaving your Calendar. Let's get started learning how to find and use the map and directions feature in your iPhone's Calendar.

Apple's Reminders app for the iPhone and iPad has a useful new feature with the introduction of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13, the ability to add attachments to Reminders. We've previously covered how to set a reminder and how to search for a particular reminder, now we'll get into how to make your reminders even more useful by adding attachments like photos or documents. 

The new folder-sharing feature available with iOS 13 is a great collaboration tool for those who've long enjoyed the convenience of the Notes app, as well as those using it for the first time. We've already covered how to move a note into a folder in the Notes app, so now let's go over how to invite one or more people to a shared Notes folder on your iPhone or iPad. 

Want to know the quickest way to transfer photos and scan documents from your iPhone to your Mac? Here's how to use the Continuity Camera feature on the Mac, which enables you to scan documents or take photos on your iPhone and instantly have them uploaded on your Mac. Your Mac needs to be updated to macOS 10.14 or later and your iPhone to iOS 12 or later. You won't have to use AirDrop or have your device physically connected to the Mac with a cable for this tip. However, both your iPhone and Mac do need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network with Bluetooth enabled and be near each other (like in the same room). Both Mac and the iPhone will also need to be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication.

The Apple Watch Series 4 and later has a feature that will contact emergency services when you fall if you either confirm that you need help or you remain immobile for thirty seconds. Fall Detection on the Apple Watch can be enabled in your watch's Emergency SOS settings, which can be found in the Watch app on your iPhone. It's important to keep in mind that while the Apple Watch has an intuitive accelerometer and gyroscope, it won't register all falls. Also, if you participate in high-impact activities such as sports, those activities may register as falls. If you've previously entered your age in the Health app or while setting up your Apple Watch as 65 or older, Fall Detection will be on by default

If you want to get a better handle on file organization on your iPhone, the Files app can really help. Here's how to make a folder in the Files app. You'll have to have iOS 11 or later, and have set up and enabled iCloud Drive on your iPhone. You'll only be able to create a folder within the iCloud Drive category in the Files app. The On My iPhone category only stores files from apps that are downloaded to your device and can't be manually changed. 

Saving items like notes, documents, and photos to the Files app on your iPhone can help you view and manage several things from one app. Here's how to save items to the Files app, which will help you stay organized. If you use Finder on your Mac, you'll notice that the Files app works in a similar way for your iPhone. By saving items to the Files app, you can use Files as a hub to view or share multiple things from this single app. With the Files app, you'll be able to save items to your iCloud Drive (after you've set up iCloud Drive) or a folder under On This iPhone.

Do you swipe on emails to trash them only to see they've been archived instead of deleted? Here's how to delete emails on your iPhone, by changing the default swipe action from archive to delete. Below I'll show you how to change these settings for two different email apps. The Apple Mail app will need to have its settings changed from your iPhone's Settings app, while the Gmail app settings will be adjusted from within the Gmail app. If you use another third-party email app like Yahoo! and your emails are archived by default, try opening its settings within the app similar to the instructions below for Gmail.

While wearing your Apple Watch, you'll notice arm movements during activities like knitting, playing games, or even just waving will register as steps. Here's how to delete steps from your Apple Watch, which will erase the data and reset your step count closer to the correct number. You can't do this from your Apple Watch; you'll have to use the Health app on your iPhone.

The Apple Pencil is seen by many iPad users as a stylus (much to Jony Ive's annoyance), but its main use is as a tool for markups and creative projects in apps like Procreate or something more simple like Notes. Here are some quick tips for drawing with the Apple Pencil including adjusting opacity and line thickness, shading with the side of the Pencil's nib, erasing, and using the Apple Pencil 2's double tap feature to switch between tools. While there is some overlap with the basics functions of both a regular pencil and an Apple Pencil, you'll find the Apple Pencil has potential to unlock a digital flood of creative possibilties and may help with an artist block or two.

During today's WWDC keynote Apple announced a lot of new watchOS 6 features that will give Apple Watch users more ability to leave their iPhones at home and options to further customize their watch'spotential and appearance. Expect new watch faces, improved fitness tracking, hearing health features, and much needed apps like Audiobooks, Voice Memos, and Calculator to be added to Apple Watch. The watch will also get its own App Store when watchOS 6 is released.

The Photos app can get crowded quickly, but knowing how to use the Photos Tab inside the app can make navigating and organizing your files much simpler. And now it's even easier with the updated Photos app in iOS 13. To use the Photos Tab, open the Photos app and tap the Photos label on the bottom left to view your images by Years, Months, Days, or All Photos. Here's how to navigate the Photos Tab.

If you're trying to find a better way to keep in touch, FaceTime is a great option! FaceTime has features you can use like call waiting, and we have a FaceTime guide you can browse to learn more about this helpful video and audio calling app. Below, I show the first thing you need to know about FaceTime: how to make a FaceTime audio or video call. The person you call will also have to have FaceTime enabled on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

You can add money to your Apple ID account for App Store purchases without buying an iTunes gift card. Here's how to directly add funds to your Apple ID. If you budget your app or iTunes purchases, you can load the balance you want to spend and make purchases accordingly.

Have a song stuck in your head but can't figure out what it is? Starting with iOS 12, you can search for songs in Apple Music by lyrics. Even if the words replaying in your head don't include the title, there's still a good chance you'll find what you're looking for in the search results. Here's how to search with lyrics in Apple Music.

When you're planning a trip, in town or further afield, it can be a good idea to check the hourly weather forecast for your destination. You can do this in Apple Maps, which is especially useful if you already have the app open for navigation purposes.

There are lots of picture apps and photo apps available for the iPhone and iPad, and lots of them are even free, but one of my favorite photography apps for my iPhone is Apple's Photos app. Not only are Apple's native Camera and Photos app free, but they keep on improving with every new operating system. With iOS 12, for example, we can now use multiple search terms to find the photo we're looking for in the Photos app. This feature is a real time saver, and I'll show you how to use it right now so you can search your pictures faster and more accurately than ever before. 

One of my favorite features starting with iOS 12 is the handy Measure app. Apple's measurement app uses augmented reality (AR) to function as a tape measure and level all in one. You'll be able to use this app as long as you have an iPhone SE or iPhone 6S or later. In this tip we'll go over how to use the Measure app on the iPhone and iPad to take measurements; we'll cover how to use the level feature in another tip. Let's get started learning how to use Apple's new, free Measure app.