If you're wondering, "how can I stop spending so much time on my phone," Screen Time settings can help you combat smartphone addiction. Apple offers Screen Time settings on your iPhone and iPad with a section called App Limits that tracks and limits how much time you spend on particular activities, sites, and apps. Read on to learn how to set restrictions on the iPhone and iPad and limit screen time for specific apps.
Leanne Hays
How to Get Notified When a New Podcast Episode Comes Out
By Leanne Hays
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 keep up to date. On the other hand; if you're subscribed to lots of podcasts, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the new episode notifications. Let's learn how to customize your Podcasts notifications, so you're informed about the shows you really want to listen to, while silencing notification about the ones you only occasionally tune into.
App Saturday: Tomorrow App for Writing a Will on iPhone
By Leanne Hays
Every morning, five days a week, we publish iPhone how-tos to help you get the most out of your phone. But just as important as understanding how your Apple devices work is finding the best apps to use with them. That's why every Saturday we share one of the apps the iPhone Life Team has used and loved with our readers.
According to AARP, only four out of ten American adults have created a will. Writing a will is an important step for every adult, particularly for those of us with children, because we don't want those we've left behind unprotected and confused about our final wishes. Since I'm one of the six out of ten who haven't made a will yet and don't want to spend the time and money to visit a lawyer, I've made it my mission to find a way to write a do-it-yourself online will, preferably for free. I've found an iPhone and iPad app called Tomorrow that not only helps users write a will, including designating heirs, executors, and guardians for children and pets, but also walks us through the process of purchasing life insurance and setting up a trust for our beneficiaries. To learn more about how the Tomorrow last will and testament app works, read on.
How to Use Live Camera Effects in Messages on iPhone
By Leanne Hays
iOS 12 has added tons of helpful and fun new features to your iPhone's software, one of my favorite new ones is the ability to add cool effects and Animojis (and Memojis!) while taking a picture or video in the Messages app.
If you haven't used Focus modes on your iPhone yet, it's a great way to prevent distractions from calls, texts, and apps. It's incredibly versatile and useful with features like location-based activation. Learn how to turn on a Focus for specific locations, so your device doesn't start buzzing and beeping just when you need it to be quiet.
How to Use Zoom on the iPhone 11 Pro & the iPhone 11 Pro Max
By Leanne Hays
If you have an iPhone 11 Pro or an iPhone 11 Pro Max with 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom, you can easily select the exact amount of zoom you'd like to use with each shot with the zoom slider. With Ultra-Wide thrown into the mix, your zoom menu has changed to make it easier for you to swap back and forth between your cameras. Learning how to use the zoom on the iPhone gives you more freedom to play with photography, so let's get started learning how to use the zoom slider on your iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.
Airbnb App: Convenience, Savings & Comfort on Your Next Trip
By Leanne Hays
I'm on a summer road trip right now with my kids and sister; an adventure I've been planning for the last two months. My favorite booking tool for accommodations has been, by far, the Airbnb app. This free travel app has saved me not only money, but also loads of time and effort in researching and budgeting for our lodgings from Iowa to the East Coast and back again. Whether you're planning a business trip or a family vacation, going to somewhere rural or to a big city, there's an Airbnb room, apartment, or house just right for you. Let's go over what the Airbnb app is, how it works, and why you should try it out if you haven't already.
If you're into iPhone photography and filming, there will come a time when you feel the need to start investing in accessories to improve your results. One of the most basic yet helpful extras you can buy is an iPhone tripod. A phone tripod can help you get your best shots by stabilizing your iPhone, thereby eliminating unwanted movement and jiggling while you film or live stream. A tripod is also very handy when the time comes for a selfie or group shot where you'd like to include everyone. Whether you have the newest iPhone or an older version like the iPhone 6, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 plus, there's a tripod out there that will help you take your filming and photography to the next level. Let's get started learning about three of my recommendations for your upcoming purchase.
How to Send a Location from Apple Maps (iOS 17)
By Leanne Hays
We've probably all had the experience of finding a cool new restaurant or amazing bookstore, only to struggle to remember which block it was on when we try to go back. Now, when I find a place that I know friends and family will love, I can easily send the exact address directly from my Maps app so they can find it, too. Read below to learn how to send a location on iPhone using Apple Maps.
How to Report & Block Spam Text Messages
By Leanne Hays
Tired of receiving spam texts? You can report spam texts right in the Messages app. Once you've made your report, you can block the number that the potential text message scam came from, and never receive a call or message from that number again! Let's get started learning how to report junk text messages on your iPhone.