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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. Apple's default six-digit numeric passcode is already pretty hard to crack, but you can change your iPhone passcode to one that's even more secure. You can change the passcode on your iPhone to an alphanumeric code that's six digits or longer. That combination of letters, numbers, and length will bring your iPhone security to the next level. In addition to setting up Face ID or Touch ID, your passcode helps keep your iPhone safe from prying eyes. 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.

With AutoFill, you can have your credit card information stored right on your iPhone, so you won't need to go through your wallet for online purchases made through the Safari browser. If you have iCloud set up and iCloud Keychain enabled, iCloud Keychain will securely store AutoFill information from Safari, including credit card information, across all your devices. Here's how to update credit card information, so your AutoFill data is always 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. 

Apple just announced its new iPad Pro, and a new Magic Keyboard with a trackpad. If you want to buy some iPad accessories or to sell your iPad online so you can purchase a new iPad Pro, seventh-generation iPad, or the previously released iPad Air or iPad mini 5, you might be stuck on one question, "what iPad model do I have?" We've already shown you how to find your iPad's serial number, but the easiest way to identify which iPad version you own is to find your iPad's model number. With so many models of Apple's tablet available, this is the quickest way to discover the type and generation of iPad you own, so you can buy parts for needed repairs, or sell your iPad online and upgrade to a newer, faster, more versatile device. Whether you have an iPad Pro, an iPad Mini, an iPad Air, or you're just not sure which type of iPad you have, it's time to learn which of the Apple iPad models is yours. Our iPad comparison list of generations and models includes this year's new iPad, so you'll be able to find your device no matter when it came out. 

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! 

Before buying a used iPhone, you'll want to check one of three different ways to know if your new or used iPhone is unlocked or not. You can check if the iPhone is unlocked in Settings, with the SIM card, or using an online resource. We’re going to go over each of those methods so you can easily check if your iPhone is unlocked or locked. But what does "unlocked phone" mean? An unlocked iPhone is not associated with any particular cell phone service provider and can therefore connect to any carrier. Unlocked iPhones, when sold used, are worth more as well. There are a few reasons you might have a locked or unlocked iPhone, which we’ll go over in detail below. Once we cover what it means when an iPhone is unlocked, I’ll show you how to check if your iPhone is unlocked.

Face ID can be used to unlock apps on iPhone. For example, when I open my Day One journaling app, it pretty quickly recognizes it’s me and lets me in. This saves me from needing to enter the passcode. Whether or not Face ID works with an app depends on the app’s developers and what they’ve programmed it to be able to do. But you can easily see which of your apps will work with Face ID within Settings; you can also turn Face ID on for apps in the same place. Here’s how to turn on Face ID for apps in settings on iPhone.

When you want lines to draw within or a grid to help you stay on track, you can choose a one-time paper style or set up a default paper style to automatically appear in your Notes. To change the style of paper to a lined or grid pattern in the Notes app, tap on the export icon and select Lines & Grids to open the style sheet. When you type, the paper style disappears in that part of the tip; but for drawing by hand in the Notes app, choosing the paper style can make a big difference. Here’s how to change the paper style in Notes on the iPhone.

We’ve talked before about how to schedule Do Not Disturb on your iPhone, but did you know that certain alerts can barge right through that setting? These include AMBER Alerts (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response), and government alerts about imminent threats, such as extreme weather. These alerts are extremely important to leave on as they can literally save lives, but you may have the occasional need to turn them off. One recent example I can recall is when a tornado warning set my phone blaring. My kids, dogs, and I went to the basement and were as prepared as we could be, but the alerts kept going off.  This was not helpful in my efforts to calm everyone down, and I didn’t want to turn off my phone because I was messaging friends and family to tell them we were safe.

I wish I had known then what I know now!

Do you find it totally creepy when an ad pops up on your iPhone for just exactly the sort of thing you’d like to purchase? Does it seem like your phone has just a little too much inside information about your preferences, and you’d like to establish some boundaries between yourself and the wide world of capitalism? If so, it’s time for you to learn how to limit ad tracking in Apple Apps on your iPhone.

It’s wonderful to be constantly connected to friends, family, and coworkers… until it’s not. An iPhone can make you more available and productive, so you can do things like pick up last-minute items at the grocery store or lend your expertise to a client halfway around the world, but it can also encroach on time set aside for family, rest, and relaxation. Fortunately, you can utilize Do Not Disturb to mute intrusive calls, texts, alerts, and notifications.

What are haptics? Haptics are a tactile way for your iPhone to respond to touch, pressure, or both, in the form of a small vibration. For example, on the iPhone 7, there isn't a physically pressable Home button, so Apple added Haptic Feedback, which you feel when "pressing" the static Home button. If you're wondering, "how do I turn off System Haptics?", you can easily do so from within your iPhone Settings. Here’s how to turn off haptics from 3D or Haptic Touch on your iPhone.

When using my iPhone, I often download apps to try out. Later, when I unlock my iPad, all of the apps I downloaded to test on my iPhone are suddenly on my tablet. Most of the apps I use on my iPhone aren't apps I use on my iPad, so I have to go and delete them all. Some people prefer the automation of all their apps showing up on all their devices. But for me, it's a problem; here's how to stop apps you purchased on one device from downloading automatically on your other devices.

The beautiful edge-to-edge display of the iPhone X leaves no room for a Home button. But if you find yourself missing the old Home button, you can add an on-screen Home button to your iPhone X screen thanks to the accessibility features. This is actually something that anyone with an iPhone can do, and it comes in handy if you have an older iPhone with a broken Home button. For iPhone X users, however, it’s the only way to retrieve the lost Home button. It’s not for everyone, but it’s great for those who want it. Here’s how to add an on-screen Home button to your iPhone X.

One of, if not, the most talked about features of the iPhone X is Face ID. And it works eerily well. The process is so fast that you’re tempted to make sure it doesn't just let anybody in (don't worry, it doesn't). The iPhone X prompts you to set up Face ID when you set up your device for the first time, but if you skipped that part or feel like it didn't do as good of a job as you wanted it to, use this tip to set up Face ID in Settings. Here's how to set up Face ID on the iPhone X.

In Safari on iPhone, you can add an article you come across to your Reading List, which makes it easy to come back later and read all of the articles you saved. But with iOS 11, you can tell Safari to save those article so that you can read them even if you’re offline. This is an easily overlooked feature that’s actually really cool. Here’s how to save your Safari Reading list for offline viewing with iOS 11 on iPhone.

Apple has long used biometric identification as a privacy and security feature for the iPhone and iPad. The iPhone X was the first to use facial recognition or Face ID instead of Touch ID, and it's now incorporated into the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, as well as the latest iPad Pros. If you haven’t set up Face ID or you’re wanting to set it up again, read on for a step-by-step. Once Face ID is set up, your device will give you the option to look at your iPhone or iPad to unlock it, pay for purchases with Apple Pay, download apps from the App Store, buy music from iTunes, and unlock and open apps. Let's get started learning how to enable facial recognition on your iPhone or iPad.