Macworld Every year, we are introduced to a new version of iOS (alongside Apples other operating systems) at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. It then marches through an extended beta-testing period before being released in September. But some of the key features of iOS are often planned to be introduced in subsequent updates. With iOS 18, the key Apple Intelligence feature didnt arrive until iOS 18.1 , with additional AI features in iOS 18.2 , with even more coming in iOS 18.4 nearly

Macworld Microsoft has released details on a security vulnerability that was fixed with the macOS Sequia 15.2 update , which was released in December. The flaw could have been exploited by an attacker to bypass macOSs System Integrity Protection (SIP), which stops unauthorized code from running. Documented as CVE-2024-44243 , the vulnerability involved macOSs Storage Kit daemon and its entitlements. According to Microsoft, Storage Kit has many SIP bypassing capabilities that a hacker can exploit

Macworld The new year is always a good time to start upgrading your charging gear. Like maybe a new charger: The excellent Anker Nano 3 is now 43 percent off , which means you can get your hands on it for $13. This 30W charger is pretty much perfect for most of your gear, including your iPhone and iPad, and most definitely for your earbuds and Apple Watch. The Anker Nano 3 is also fairly small, and the prongs are foldable, making it ideal for traveling or throwing into your laptop bag. Given its

Macworld macOS Sequoia has been available for compatible Macs since September 2024, but further updates to Sequoia are expected over the next few months, with the latest major update being macOS 15.2, which arrived on Wednesday December 11. If you want to know what the new features are, whether you will be able to enjoy all of them, and if your Mac is even compatible with Sequoia, read on. We are also tracking any problems, the latest updates, and whats new in the beta. The new version of macOS

Macworld Apple updated its entry-level iPhone in March 2022, adding a few nips and tucks here and there along with a quiet price increase. It kept the iPhone 8 design with its Home button and small form factor that appeals to some, but the aging design and minimal upgrades meant the new iPhone SE was coolly received by the masses. The iPhone SE is in desperate need of a big upgrade, and it looks like it will get one in the spring of 2025 . Updated 01/16/25: Prominent leaker Sonny Dickson has ima

Macworld Prominent phone leaker Sonny Dickson posted to X a pair of images that he says are the first look at the iPhone SE 4 dummy. While we dont get a clear look at the front to know just how big the notch is, the two images reveal some key features of the next budget phone. The iPhone SE 4 dummy looks to be exactly what we expected: essentially an iPhone 14 with a single rear camera. In keeping with rumors, it shows flat edges, a mute switch, and no Touch ID button but rather a full edge-to-e

Macworld Text messages have a reputation for being informal and inconsequential, but you might have really critical information in there. So, if youve deleted some texts to clear up space on your iPhone and accidentally got rid of one thats important, or wiped your iPhone and discovered your messages were no longer there when you recovered it, dont panic! Theres a chance you can retrieve your deleted text messages on iPhone. The process has six potential avenues that we cover below. None of the

Macworld If you are concerned about your privacy and security online using a VPN could give you some reassurance. Apple provides various measures in macOS that make Macs more secure , but if you want to ensure that the connection between your Mac and the internet is protected, rather than the computer itself, you need a VPN. Using a VPN essentially makes you invisible on the webyour data is encrypted, your IP address is hidden, and you can even make it look like you are surfing from another coun

Macworld At a Glance Expert's Rating Pros Great pricing with lifetime license option Impressive speeds Added features since last time Cons Fewer servers than some rivals Our Verdict FastestVPN packs impressive VPN performance, but thats only one facet of what makes it worth a look. Its also relatively cheap compared to many rivals, and has seen a bunch of improvements since we last took a look in 2021. The app is sleek and easy to use while 10 simultaneous connections is a real boon. Despite the

Macworld A fresh leak has given us a look at Apples release calendar for the next 12 monthsand its jam-packed. Starting in just a few weeks, the company plans to launch more than a dozen new products before the end of 2025, with nearly everything in its catalog getting a refresh. Heres a look at Apples plans based on the rumors so far: February MacBook Air : A minor refresh to the 13-inch and 15-inch models with an M4 chip and FaceTime camera. March iPhone SE : A major overhaul with a design bas

Macworld If youve misplaced your wallet , theres no need to rush to cancel your credit cards as long as you have a MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker. These small trackers work just like Apple AirTags but are designed to fit easily into your wallet or even your passport. Right now, you can get one for just $26.99, marked down from $42. The MagTag syncs with the Apple Find My app, allowing you to track your wallets location on a map or play a sound when youre nearby. Dont worry about tossing your tracker

Macworld Apple went big on iPads in 2024, announcing new iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini tablets. But one model missed out: the standard, basic iPad. Other than getting even cheaper (it got an aggressive price cut to $349/329 last year) Apples cheapest tablet is still exactly the same 10th-gen model that came out way back in 2022, and its looking overdue for an update. Fortunately we wont have to wait much longer before that happens. From likely release date to new features, design changes and

Macworld Plug your MacBook in and out of a multi-port docking station to swiftly add devices and external displays to your laptop. We tested a bunch to find the best Thunderbolt and USB-C docks available to owners of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Thunderbolt 3, 4, USB4 or USB-C The connectors all look the same (technically known as a Type-C connector), but there are significant differences, particularly on data-transfer speedwith USB-C maxing out at 10Gbps (usually 5Gbps) compared to the 40Gb

Macworld A VPN is an essential tool for iPad users wanting to access streaming services in countries where they dont exist (such as HBO Max in the U.K. or BBC iPlayer in the U.S.) or to watch content that isnt available where you are on services like as Disney+ , Netflix , or Amazon Prime . While this is likely to be against the terms and conditions of these services, if you are paying to watch the content its got to be better than piracy. If youre traveling abroad and missing out on your favori

Macworld At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Fast charging Compact and heavy Cons Apple Watch charging slot difficult to open High price Our Verdict The Nightstand Charger Pro 2 is a great charging stationand not just for the bedside table. It combines high charging speeds with a premium choice of materials and excellent workmanship. The only drawback: the charging slot for the Apple Watch could be a little easier to access. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for p

Macworld Life is expensive, but it may be a little easier to manage if you start consolidating your errands into one location: Costco . Sure, a Gold Star Membership costs $65, but now it also comes with a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card. Thats $45 to spend in person or online at Costco. Heres how to make that happen: First, you have to either be a new member or have had your membership expire for 18 months or longer. If youve been putting off renewing your membership, heres your sign. Next, youll b

Macworld Just like iPhones and iPads, Apples chargers and cables also have tiny computers inside that need occasional updates. Today its the MagSafe Chargers turnfor the first time since May 2023 . Apple has issued an update for the 25W MagSafe Charger to bring the accessory to a new firmware version from the previous version (128.0). This is the fifth firmware update the accessory has received but the first for the newest 25W model. There doesnt appear to be a separate update for the older char

Macworld The MacBook Air M2 is a great deal at $999 especially now that it has 16GB of RAM. But right now, you can save $200 at Amazon , not quite the same fantastic discount we saw on Black Friday, but not far off either. This is one of the best laptops you can possibly get because its affordable, super light and thin, and perfectly capable of getting you through the day, whether you want to work, stream content, or have fun. The M2 chip is fast, powerful, and perfectly capable of handling ever

Macworld The newest iPad mini is starting the year down to an absolutely amazing pricethe best weve ever seen in fact. For the very first time, the A17 Mini is down to $399 , a massive $100 under its MSRP. This is a tablet that got a 4-star rating from us , with our review appreciating the new fast CPU and the graphics it delivers, as well as the fact that it supports Apple Intelligence and all the goodies that come with it. In fact, thats the main upgrade were seeing in this new iPad mini over

Macworld WhatsApp is an incredibly popular iPhone app, connecting more than a billion active members around the world every day. It lets you send messages to friends, or groups of friends, over Wi-Fi or 4G/5G and make savings on your phone bill. (Of course, you may end up paying for data if you go over your limit, so dont go crazy!) Unfortunately, right now WhatsApp is only available for iPhonethere isnt a version of the app for the iPad despite the fact that WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart (in Janu

Macworld At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Folded into impressive anti-malware suite Killswitch and other advanced features Decent speeds Cons Fewer servers than some rivals InConsistent geoblocking Our Verdict Malwarebytes Privacy VPN service is an added extra for anyone using the companys anti-malware scanner and preventative tools, but is it worth looking into as a standalone product? Wed argue yes, with a suite of safety tools as well as a no-logs VPN that has better performance than many of

Macworld Whereas most of Apples iPad range got some much-needed attention last year, the baseline model suffered yet more neglect. The current 10th-gen iPad arrived in October 2022 and is long overdue for an update. According to a new report, however, the wait is almost over. And, perhaps unsurprisingly given that its been two and a half years since the last model, we can expect a serious upgrade in processing power for the 11th generation . No physical redesign, but a major component refresh. I

Macworld After a busy 2024, Apple is gearing up to launch a full slate of new products throughout 2025, including new iPads, Macs, and, of course, iPhones. But even bigger than a new iPhone SE or iPhone 17 Air, Apple is expected to take a big first step into the smart home. According to Mark Gurmans latest Power On newsletter , Apple is gearing up to lay the foundation for a new smart home ecosystem that includes three main products: a new HomePod mini and Apple TV set-top box, and a brand-new s

Macworld Long-time readers of his column will know that the Macalope is not above grazing on low-hanging fruit. Far from it. First of all, who doesnt like a nice piece of fruit? Second, its right there . At mouth level. Cmon. So, you might think hes going to chomp into a mouthful of Mark Zuckerbergs comments about Apple on Joe Rogans podcast. Yes, the guy who acquired Instagram and acquired Oculus and acquired WhatsApp and acquired Messenger thinks Apple doesnt invent anything anymore . Okay. No

Macworld Apple added the capability to add digital state IDs or drivers licenses to Apple Wallet years ago, with the very first supporting states announced back in 2021 . Its a standards-based approach ( ISO 18013-5 ) that is meant to be more secure and private than physical identification, as well as finally closing one of the last loopholes that make people unable to leave the house without their wallet. There are currently ten states/territories in the U.S. that support this capability, with

Macworld A security researcher has been able to hack Apples USB-C controllers that are used in current iPhones, which would usually raise concerns about security and the ability to jailbreak the iPhone. But theres probably nothing to worry about. The vulnerability is in the ACE3 USB controller, which Apple introduced with the iPhone 15 lineup in 2023. Cyber Security News reports that researcher Thomas Roth used his knowledge of the previous controller, the ACE2, as the basis to hack the latest c

Macworld In the world of sports, its sometimes easier to impress by not playing. When youre in the game, everything you do is judged and all your mistakes happen under a harsh spotlight. But get yourself dropped behind some other poor bloke now getting picked apart for their mistakes, youll find that all is forgiven or, better yet, forgotten. Lets get David Price back in the game, theyll say. Im sure we were wrong about him being physically incompetent and afraid of the ball. I often wonder if s

Macworld Not that customers have stopped buying the declining iPhone, by any means, but Apple would love to correct the perception that its stopped innovating in the smartphone space. As if stung by Mark Zuckerbergs dubious criticisms , Apple will make a big push in 2025 to restore the iPhones momentum. The focus of 2025 will of course be the flagship iPhone launches in September, where (as usual) we will get four new models , but (as not usual) one of them will be super-thin and probably brande

Macworld With Apple already including built-in antivirus protection for Macs you might be wondering Do Macs need antivirus software? especially when confronted by pricy monthly subscriptions for services. In this article well explain why you need an extra layer of protection and how to get the best Mac antivirus software deals. Mac security software adds another layer of protection to what Apple already provides, with features that can help to protect your identity, passwords, and financial de

Macworld Apple is no stranger to unsolicited shots across the bow. The latest comes from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who used his time on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast to take a few shots at the iPhone maker. I feel like they havent really invented anything great in a while. Its like Steve Jobs invented the iPhone and now theyre just kind of sitting on it 20 years later, he said. Mind you, this comes after Apple launched several new products in 2024, including: Apple Vision Pro: A brand new cat

Macworld When you charge as much for a smartphone as Apple does, you need to have a seriously good marketing department. And even then, it helps if you give them something unique to work with. Some years ago, Apple settled on privacy as its unique selling point. This made a lot of sense, strategically: the public at the time were growing increasingly aware of (and in many cases irritated by) tech companies enthusiastic use of their data, and Apple really does have cleaner hands in this respect t

Macworld Good VPNs arent too hard to find. The real problem is finding one that isnt priced like a second internet bill. The solution is to find a quality VPN that also has a lifetime option, and thats where RealVPN really shines. RealVPN is the real deal, letting you connect multiple devices and access worldwide servers for an internet without borders. And the best part is the price: just $39.99 (reg. $249) for a lifetime subscription. As far as VPNs go, RealVPN is pretty simple. Activate your

Macworld You never realize how much you need a pen until you dont have one. Whether its jotting down a million-dollar idea or catching someones phone number before they lose interest, not having one is a real buzzkill. This keychain pen fixes that problem forever. And get this: it writes with titanium, meaning it writes on any surface and is inkless, smudge-free, and capable of writing underwater because you never know when a mermaid might give you her number. The ForeverPen is only $23.99 here

Macworld Apple is opening a new store at the Worldcenter in downtown Miami, Florida later this month, but even if you dont live in Florida, you can take part in the celebration. To mark the new stores grand opening, Apple has made a new wallpaper to Bring your deviceinto full bloom. The colorful artwork features an array of foliage in various colors with an Apple logo in dark teal at the bottom. The images are meant to mimic the stores theme, which is anoasis in the heart of the city, where natu

Macworld When the M3 MacBook Air came out, we summed it up pretty simply as simply the best, but better and we stick by that. While this is Apples most affordable laptop line, we still love seeing it on sale. Right now, you can get one for $899 at Amazon , which is $200 under its MSRP and $400 less than it cost just a few months ago. The MacBook Air gets a nice performance boost, thanks to the M3 chip upgrade. The new dual external display support is a compromise, but its a welcome change in pro

Macworld The Mac Pro has garnered staunch criticism from the crowd that would usually buy onein most cases, its warranted. The Mac Studio is alarmingly good for much cheaper. I, too, bought into the critique of the Mac Pro being a bad buy. But the Mac Pro does have valuea lot of it. As a fan of the 2019 Intel Mac Pro , I tried the M2 Max MacBook Pro and Mac Studio but found that the Mac Pro has advantages that cant be overlooked. Hidden costs of other Macs When I tried to switch over to a MacBoo

Macworld In a new Medium post today , analyst Ming-Chi Kuo outlines a few expectations for the iPhone models coming this year. Most of it corroborates previous iPhone 17 rumors and Kuos own previous statements, but there is one interesting tidbit: The iPhone 17 Air could be a lot thinner than originally reported. While previous rumors have put the iPhone 17 Air at around 6.25mm, Kuo says the thinnest part of the iPhone 17 Air (or whatever Apple calls the super-slim model) will be just 5.5mm. Its

Macworld At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Good backup elements, functional scheduling, and fast copy speeds between volumes Antiviral Protection module caught a respectable amount of viral samples right off the bat Easy to create a viable boot volume to work with Cons Clunky Acronis cloud dashboard interface Errors creating clone archives to the cloud Users are unable to target specific drives to perform antivirus scans on Our Verdict Theres admirable antivirus protection, good copy speeds, and

Macworld There are many varied and even crazy products launched or demoed at the giant Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas every January. We picked out 8 cool CES announcements every Apple fan will want to buy , and here we ceremoniously select our absolute favorites from the show floor. Trying not to be distracted by AI robots, body scanners, and a spoon that supposedly makes your food taste better, we walked the miles of halls to find the best new Mac- and iPhone-friendly accessory products

Macworld In the world of sports, its sometimes easier to impress by not playing. When youre in the game, everything you do is judged and all your mistakes happen under a harsh spotlight. But get yourself dropped behind some other poor bloke now getting picked apart for their mistakes, youll find that all is forgiven or, better yet, forgotten. Lets get David Price back in the game, theyll say. Im sure we were wrong about him being physically incompetent and afraid of the ball. I often wonder if s

Macworld If you are struggling with not enough storage and trying to make more space on your Mac , Apple helpfully outlines ways to save space and shows some mysteriously named elements taking up storage space. In macOS Ventura and later, If you click on the Apple logo > About This Mac > More Info > General > Storage Settings (or in macOS Monterey and older: Apple logo > About This Mac > Storage ), you will see lots of information about what is taking up space on your Mac as well as tips to help

Macworld NOTE: In macOS Monterey and later, Other storage was renamed System Data. Heres how to delete System Data on a Mac released in 2021 or later . Storage space on your Mac is precious, especially if you have a 128GB or 256GB SSD. Your Mac can start to slow down and not perform as well when your storage is almost full, at which point you might see a Your Startup Disk Is Full warning. So its important to know whats using up the space on your disk and clear out redundant files that build up o

Macworld Having the right wall charger is only part of the solution to charging your devices quickly, while the other is having the right cable. It just so happens that this Belkin type-C cable can put out 240W power delivery, which is enough to charge even the power-hungry 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops (with a 140W power adapter ). You can get one of these for $15 right now , a 25 percent discount. The superfast cable is 6.6 feet long, which is particularly fantastic for those who like moving aro

Macworld According to a report from 9to5Mac , Apple could be developing a new Invites app to manage event invitations. The site found code related to Apple Invites back in the iOS 18.2 betas that were gone from the final release but have resurfaced in the second iOS 18.3 beta . As 9to5Mac explains, the app seems fairly basic, displaying a list of the people invited to a specific event along with who has confirmed their attendance. Other similar apps such as Evite or Invitd also allow you to crea

Macworld Im sure this sounds familiar: Youre trying to install the latest iOS release, upgrade to a new iPhone, take photos or record video, or just download that cool app everyones talking about, and your iPhone says the storage is full. Youve already deleted every app you dont think you need, and theres still not enough space on your iPhone . So you open Settings, tap General , then iPhone Storage , and, sure enough, your iPhone is full. Worst of all, a huge chunk of it is just listed as Other

Macworld Are you having problems sending or receiving text messages using your iPhone, iPad, or Mac? Have your usually blue speech bubbles turned green? Are messages not showing up in the right order? Is iMessage telling you that your text hasnt been delivered? Are you wondering why iMessage is not working? In this article, we look at the causes of iMessage failure and offer straightforward troubleshooting tips to help you fix the messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Find out how to tell i

Macworld Macs have a high price so its understandable that many Mac users will want to put off replacing them for as long as they can. But just how long should you expect a Mac to last? You may also be considering buying a secondhand Mac and wondering how old is too old? For example, is that 2017 MacBook Pro for $300/300 a good deal, or would you be better off spending a bit more on a newer model? One factor to consider is the age at which most Macs start to experience issues, such as random shu

Macworld If youre anxious to get your hands on a new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus,iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max, you can buy from Apple directly , either in-store or online, but there are some great deals and promotions offered by popular retailers and carriers. Heres a summary of some of the best deals and promotions offered by retailers and carriers in the U.S. to help you get the best deal on your new iPhone.If youre looking for other models, check out our Best iPhone deals . If you arent

Macworld Between Dropbox, iCloud, and Google Drive, cloud storage often feels like just another bill to pay every month. But it doesnt have to be. Internxt offers a secure cloud storage solution with a lifetime plan, no recurring payments, and no strings attached. Right now, you can get 10TB of storage for a one-time payment of $279.99 (regularly $2,999). Dropbox is done Internxt puts your privacy front and center with end-to-end encryption. Nobody can access your files without your permission,

Macworld When Apple officially announced Mac OS X, it changed the course of history for the company. On this episode of the Macworld Podcast, well look at the history of Mac OS X, the effect it has had on the company, and what we expect in the future. This is episode 916 with Jason Cross , Michael Simon , and Roman Loyola . Watch episode 916 on YouTube Listen to episode 916 on Apple Podcasts Listen to episode 916 on Spotify Get info For more information about the topics discussed on the show, cl