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It's important to update your iPhone's software, so why not make iOS updates automatic? Instead of getting notified to update the software, and understandably keep putting it off for later, you can enable your iPhone can do it by itself when the update becomes available. All you'll need to do is leave your iPhone locked and charging in Wi-Fi for the update to happen. And if you charge your iPhone overnight on a regular basis, you're already doing that. Here's how to enable automatic iOS updates on your iPhone.

Apple has offered biometric locking features since it introduced Touch ID with the iPhone 5s. With the iPhone X, biometric authentication took the leap to Face ID, and that feature is also included in Apple's newest iPhones, the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. There's a convenient new feature with the latest operating system, iOS 12, that allows facial recognition for not just one, but two people. Now if you'd like to share your iPhone with a partner, friend, or child, you don't have to give them your passcode or open the phone yourself before handing it to them. Let's get started setting your iPhone X and later to recognize a second face. 

We all want our kids to avoid screen addiction and be safe online, but that can be hard to accomplish when children have open access to the internet via their iPhone or iPad. iOS 12 features Screen Time controls that make parental control not only easy, but also free, whereas in the past you might have to pay for parental control apps to make sure inappropriate content wasn't getting through on your kids' devices. Let's get started learning how to set up Screen Time settings on your child's iPhone and iPad, and how to lock those settings so your curious kids can't access the content you've blocked. 

I love using a thesaurus when I write, so the fact that this option has been missing from the Look Up feature in Safari has been a sore spot for me. With iOS 12 I'll no longer need a thesaurus app, because we can now add a thesaurus to Look Up on iPhone and iPad for free! Let's get started learning how to add a Thesaurus to Look Up, so we can find a synonym or antonym whenever we need one, and expand our vocabularies. 

If you have a child who uses your iPad or iPhone, you'll love this tip. Keeping our kids from seeing inappropriate content online can be a struggle, but with iOS 12, Apple makes it even easier to set content restrictions on your personal devices (we will cover how to use Parental Controls to set restrictions on a child's personal device in a future tip.) If you ever hand your iPhone to the back seat to keep your kids occupied on a long car ride or let them watch a movie on your iPad while you get dinner together, you'll want to read this tip to make sure they're only accessing age-appropriate material. 

Apple's new operating system, iOS 12, has a set of Screen Time features that can be used to combat smartphone and device addiction by setting app limits. There are some apps, though, that you may want to have constantly available; luckily you can choose some apps that will always be allowed in your Screen Time settings. Let's get started learning how to set Always Allowed apps on iPhone and iPad. 

If you're worried that your child is spending too much time on their iPhone or iPad, and may even have a screen addiction, Apple's new operating system, iOS 12, is here to help. With iOS 12, parental restrictions are easy to put in place, and you can limit not only the total amount of time spent on a device but also set restrictions for individual apps, as well as content and privacy. Let's get started learning how to set up Screen Time restrictions for a child or teenager on iPhone or iPad.  

Apple's new operating system, iOS 12, is supposed to bring improved battery performance to every iPhone, even older ones. You don't have to take anyone's word for it though, because one of the new features being rolled out with iOS 12 is improved battery health tracking (Battery Health was first introduced with iOS 11). Your iPhone's battery usage is broken down app by app in this new set of data so that you can see not only the percentage of battery life used by each app but also how long you spent on individual apps. Let's get started learning how to check your iPhone's battery health. 

Screen addiction is a very real issue for many smartphone users and Apple is taking the problem seriously. With the rollout of the latest operating system, iOS 12, there's a new feature called Screen Time that can help iPhone and iPad users become aware of how much time they spend on their devices, then cut back if they feel the need. One of these settings is called Downtime, and it's exactly what it sounds like; a set time of day where your device reminds you that it's time to unplug and do something else. Let's get started learning how to set up Downtime in iOS 12 now. 

If you have favorite shows in the Podcasts app, but keep forgetting to check for new episodes, you'll probably benefit from turning on notifications so you can find out whenever there's new content waiting for you. On the other hand; if you're subscribed to lots of podcasts, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the notifications about new episodes. Let's learn how to customize your notifications from Podcasts, so you're informed about the shows you really want to listen to, while silencing the ones you only occasionally tune into. 

If you have an older iPad, you may have noticed that it's not as fast as it used to be and asked yourself, "why is my iPad so slow?" There are lots of different reasons why your iPad may be running more slowly than it did when you first bought it, and luckily there are just as many ways to speed it back up again! Whether you have an original iPad, iPad 2, older iPad mini, or a more recent version of Apple's tablet, we'll go over all the possible reasons why your iPad is running slow and lagging, and explore some fixes for these problems. Some of the slow iPad solutions we'll cover include how to check Wi-Fi connection and internet speed, updating to the latest iOS version, how to reset your iPad, how to delete apps on iPad, how to clear the cache or cached data, and even what to do with an old iPad that just can't keep up with your needs any longer. Let's get started! 

AirPod settings and controls can be a bit unintuitive. How can we turn down volume and turn volume up when there are no buttons and no dials? In fact, we have two options for increasing and decreasing volume on our AirPods. We can either use Siri, or our iPhones to raise or lower the volume on our music, podcast, or phone call. Let's get started learning how. 

Did you know that you can customize how you'd like your AirPod's settings to work? Using the iPhone paired with your AirPods, you can decide which functions you'd like to engage when you double tap your right or left AirPod. Let's get started learning how to adjust your AirPod's features with your iPhone! 

Touch ID and Face ID are great iPhone security features, but if you want the best protection for your device, you need an iPhone passcode. Not too long ago, Apple changed from having a four-digit code as the default to an even-harder-to-crack, six-digit code as the default. Better yet, you can set an alphanumeric code that's six digits or longer as your iPhone passcode. If you're looking for the best security code possible, an alphanumeric code is your best bet. Let's get started learning how to set a new passcode on your iPhone now. 

If you love podcasts, and also love iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices, you've probably heard that you can sync your podcasts across your devices. Once your devices are synced you can use the Podcasts app to listen to a podcast on your iPhone, then pick it up right where you left off on your iPad. Syncing across Apple devices includes not only podcast playback positions but also your podcast subscriptions and stations. If this sounds like podcast heaven to you, follow the steps below to sync up your devices and start listening.

When it came to light that Apple was throttling processor speed for older iPhone models, the fallout was ugly. Apple explained that the throttling was meant to prevent iPhone models 6 through 7 Plus from shutting down when their batteries couldn't keep up with the demands of their processors. Apple also lowered replacement battery prices to $29 to assist customers in getting their iPhones back up to speed. Now, with iOS 11.3, Apple is letting go of the automatic throttling plan and allowing iPhone users the ability to decide for themselves whether they'd like to slow processor speeds when their iPhone's batteries aren't able to keep up. Let's learn more about the throttle setting on your iPhone, actually called the applied performance management feature, and where to disable this setting if you choose.

Apple landed in hot water with customers this year when a feature designed to slow the processors of older iPhone models to keep them from suddenly shutting down came to light. Critics maintained that Apple was throttling the speed of earlier iPhone models to push customers towards newer devices, while Apple insisted that the feature was necessary to cope with aging batteries. Now, with iOS 11.3, Apple is letting iPhone users decide for themselves how to manage their iPhone's battery health and processor speed. The first step in this process is making battery health visible, so customers can decide if and when they'd like to replace their battery. Let's get started learning how to check your iPhone's battery health in iOS 11.3, it's quick, easy, and a valuable piece of information about your device. Note that this feature is only available for iPhone 7, 6S, and 6 models.

Safari's AutoFill is a feature that automatically enters contacts, logins, passwords, and credit card information, so you don't have to spend time remembering and typing the same things over and over. AutoFill can even create secure passwords if you're having trouble coming up with your own. If you have iCloud set up and iCloud Keychain enabled, iCloud Keychain will securely store AutoFill information from Safari. Once your AutoFill information is stored, it can be automatically entered across all Apple devices you sign into your iCloud account on. But what happens when some of your information changes and AutoFill keeps entering old data? Don't worry; there is a way to update your AutoFill information right from your iPhone! Let's get started learning how to update credit card information, so your AutoFill data is once again helpful and correct. 

The rollout of iOS 11.2 introduced iPhone users to Apple Pay Cash, a convenient way to send and recieve money right from the Messages app on their iPhones. Apple Pay Cash doesn't need any new accounts or app downloads to work, it functions within your normal iMessages as long as you already have Apple Pay set up. While Apple Pay Cash is a super convenient way to recieve money, not everyone will want to keep all their Apple Pay Cash payments in their Apple Pay accounts. Let's get started learning how to transfer money from Apple Pay to your bank account of choice. 

The Apple Watch is an ideal purchase for on-the-go people who need an ultra portable device that can offer both functionality and durability. Many of the iPhone's best loved features are included in the Apple Watch, including fitness tracking and health monitoring, the ability to play music, and of course text messaging and calling. The Apple Watch also accommodates health apps with safety features designed to notify wearers of medical concerns and offer help to contact emergency services if needed. These features have been credited with everything from alerting Apple Watch owners to life-threatening health crises to enabling the Coast Guard rescue of an Apple Watch user stranded off the California coast after a kiteboarding mishap. Sometimes, though, it can be a little too easy to get in touch with Emergency Services via an Apple Watch; there have been multiple reports of accidental calls to 911 from Apple Watch owners who unwittingly triggered their device's SOS setting. How can you keep from joining their number and accidentally dialing 911 on your Apple Watch? Let's figure it out!