The iPhone camera will now default to taking pictures in a new HEIF format, rather then JPEG. This camera formatting change to HEIF came in the latest versions of iOS (15, 14, 13, 12, 11 and newer), but some iPhone users may prefer to have the camera continue to snap photos in JPEG format for broader compatibility with sharing, copying to a computer, and more.

We’ll show you how you can change the iPhone camera default image file type so that the iPhone will shoot pictures in JPEG format again. We’ll also cover a trick for leaving HEIF image format enabled but have those HEIF images automatically convert to JPEG files upon transfer to a computer.

Read more »

The iPad features an excellent app switcher complete with a nice look and a multitude of nice multitasking features, as well as the ability to perform critical functions like force quitting apps.

This article covers force quitting apps on any iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini, as long as it’s running a modern version of system software. We’ll show you how to force quit out of an app on the app switcher for iPad that comes with iPadOS 14, iPadOS 13, iOS 12, iOS 11, and later releases.

Read more »

Apple has changed how to forcibly restart an iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, with the device now relying on a sequence of three button presses to complete the hard reboot procedure.

If you’ve been trying to forcibly reboot an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus to no avail, it is because all of the prior methods to hard restart an iPhone no longer work with iPhone 8 models. The new approach to a force restart or hard reboot – sometimes called a hard reset – is relatively easy, once you learn how it works on the new devices anyway.

Read more »

Some Mac uses like to create a bootable USB installer drive for macOS High Sierra. A bootable install volume of macOS 10.13 allows users to perform a variety of tasks including formatting and clean installs, updating multiple Macs from the same USB flash drive installer (and without re downloading), and to use as a troubleshooting boot drive should the need arise, amongst other benefits for advanced and more technical users.

This walkthrough will detail how to make a bootable USB install drive for macOS High Sierra.

Read more »

Apple has released the first beta versions of iOS 11.1, macOS High Sierra 10.13.1, tvOS 11.1, and watchOS 4.1. The initial beta releases of system software are for developers only, but public beta versions of eligible system software beta builds will likely become available later.

Read more »

Many Mac users who are attempting to download macOS High Sierra from the Mac App Store will find that a small 19 MB version of “Install macOS High Sierra.app” downloads to the /Applications folder of the target Mac, rather than the complete 5.2 GB Installer application for macOS High Sierra. This is annoying because it prevents a single download from being used on multiple computers, plus the small installer requires an internet connection during usage to download the rest of the High Sierra update files. Additionally, the tiny 19 MB incomplete installer prevents users from being able to create a macOS High Sierra USB installer drive or other custom update options available through the command line, like skipping the APFS update.

This tutorial will show you a workaround trick that allows Mac users to download the full macOS High Sierra “Install macOS High Sierra.app” file at 5.2 GB with the complete installer tool set and all dmg files and associated Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/ tools, rather than the tiny incomplete truncated installer at 19 MB.

Read more »

Most users are able to install iOS 11 onto an iPhone or iPad without any incident, and they are ready to enjoy the best new features available in the new system software version. But that’s most users.

Unfortunately, problems may arise during an iOS software update, either when attempting to install, or with a failed installation, or various issues occurring after the iOS 11 update has completed. The good news is almost all issues can be fixed with a little troubleshooting effort.

Read more »

Apple has released iOS 11.0.1 as a bug fix update for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. iOS 11.0.1 arrives just a week after the wide release of iOS 11, suggesting some notable bugs were discovered in the prior release and are being addressed in the small point release software update.

Read more »

MacOS High Sierra is now available as the latest Mac system software update from Apple, but instead of jumping right into the installation process you might want to take a few moments to properly prepare for the macOS High Sierra operating system update.

We’ll review a few simple steps you can take before diving into macOS High Sierra. Let’s begin!
Read more »

Apple has released the final version of macOS High Sierra, available to download now for the general public. The new software update includes a variety of refinements and enhancements to the Mac operating system, along with a handful of new features.

Read more »

While most users should update to iOS 11 using the standard software update mechanisms within Settings app or iTunes, another more technical option is available that utilizes device-specific firmware (IPSW) to install iOS 11 onto an iPhone or iPad.

In general, using IPSW to update iOS system software is considered advanced and is therefore only appropriate for more technically competent individuals. Nonetheless, it’s not terribly complicated and just about anyone can perform the procedure should they need to, if they follow instructions properly.

Read more »

iOS 11 is now out in the wild, but if you’re not particularly experienced with installing software updates to your iPhone or iPad, you may be interested to know there are several ways to update a device to iOS 11.

This tutorial will show you how to install iOS 11 and update an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest operating system available. You will be able to update directly on the device itself, or through a computer using iTunes.

Read more »

Some users who updated to iOS 11 have discovered their battery life on an iPhone or iPad is running down faster than usual. Experiencing rapid battery drain after iOS updates can be frustrating, but often there are reasons why the iPhone or iPad battery is draining faster than usual after a system software update like iOS 11.

We’ll cover a variety of tips and advice to help remedy battery drain after updating to iOS 11.

Read more »

iOS 11 includes many new features and a variety of subtle changes, but we’re going to highlight some of the best features available in iOS 11 for iPhone and iPad that you will actually use.

From the ability to scan documents with your camera, improving the Control Center, to less distracted driving, better file handling, the new one-handed keyboard, automatically ditching dusty apps, and a wealth of improvements to the iPad multitasking capabilities, read on to learn more.

Read more »

Don’t like iOS 11 on your iPhone or iPad? You can downgrade to iOS 10.3.3 if you act quickly. Maybe you don’t like the update, maybe you find iOS 11 battery life to be poor, or app compatibility to be a problem, or perhaps you think the performance is subpar. Whatever the reason, you can easily downgrade iOS 11 if you need to, but the ability to downgrade is only available for a limited time while Apple continues to sign the prior operating system release of iOS 10.3.3.

We’ll walk through how you can downgrade iOS 11 back to iOS 10 on an iPhone or iPad.
Read more »

Apple has released Safari 11 for macOS Sierra 10.12.6 and Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11.6. The update to Safari includes various security patches, bug fixes, and includes a handful of new features for the Mac web browser.

Read more »

Apple has officially released iOS 11 to all users with a compatible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. The new operating system includes a revised Siri voice, a new look for the App Store, a redesigned Control Center, the inclusion of significant new multitasking features for iPad, and various other changes to the iOS experience.

Read along to learn how to download and update to iOS 11, as well as to find iOS 11 IPSW download links from Apple.

Read more »

Apple has released watchOS 4 and tvOS 11 to users with Apple Watch and Apple TV. The new watchOS 4 and tvOS 11 software updates bring a variety of changes and updates to the Apple Watch and Apple TV experience.

Separately, Apple has also released the iOS 11 software update for iPhone and iPad.

Read more »