Adobe Firefly Upscale Image Review: AI-Powered Resolution Enhancement Built Into Your Photoshop and Lightroom Workflow
Macworld AI image upscaler: Sharpen your images free online Enlarge images instantly with AI — preserves visual quality Try Firefly (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); For photographers and retouchers, the moment a client asks for a large-format print from a file that was never shot at that resolution is a familiar kind of dread. The usual options are limited: reshoot at real cost and time, or export to a third-party upscaler and hope it treats skin texture, fabric, and fine product detail the way a photographic eye would. Adobe Firefly’s Upscale Image feature is built to remove that dilemma entirely by putting AI-powered resolution enhancement directly inside Photoshop and Lightroom. The problem with upscaling outside your workflow Most upscaling today happens the hard way: export the file, run it through a separate tool, then re-import it back into your existing edit. Every step is a chance to lose color fidelity, introduce compression artifacts, or simply eat up time you don’t have on a deadline. Worse, most consumer upscalers are trained on general images, not photographic content specifically—meaning skin texture, fabric weave, and fine product detail can degrade or smooth over in ways a trained eye catches immediately. And when the file belongs to a client, running it through a third-party tool raises its own rights questions that many photographers would rather avoid altogether. Firefly’s Upscale Image addresses each of these directly by keeping the entire process inside the tools you’re already using. Adobe Built into the workflow, not bolted onto it The core value here isn’t just that Firefly can upscale an image well—it’s that it does so without ever leaving Photoshop or Lightroom. There’s no plugin to install, no file to export and reimport, no interruption to the edit you’re already mid-way through. Upscaling becomes another native step in your process, the same way sharpening or color correction already is. That matters more than it might sound. For photographers delivering high volumes of client work, every extra tool in a workflow is a place where time, quality, or consistency can slip. Removing that step doesn’t just save minutes—it removes a point of friction that compounds across every large-format order. Adobe Trained for photography, not just images in general Firefly’s upscaling model is optimized specifically for photographic content, which shows in how it handles the details that matter most to working photographers: skin texture in portraits, fabric detail in fashion or product work, and background sharpness that holds up rather than smoothing into mush. The result is enlargement that preserves edge detail, texture, and tonal information well enough to hold up at actual print resolution—not just on a screen, where flaws are easier to hide. This makes it viable for the kind of work that used to require a reshoot: a client requesting a larger format than the original file supports, a low-resolution logo that needs clean edges for a design deliverable, or an old scanned photograph that needs new life for a modern project. Adobe Rights clarity that doesn’t slow you down For photographers doing client or commercial work, the question of who owns what after AI processing isn’t trivial. Firefly’s upscaled output is covered by Adobe’s standard IP policies, so there’s no additional rights research required before delivering an upscaled image to a client—one less thing to check before an invoice goes out. Adobe What it means for your day-to-day If you’re already on Creative Cloud with Photoshop or Lightroom, Upscale Image is available with a single click, enlarging images by 2x or 4x within the same session you’re already working in. It’s included with relevant Creative Cloud plans, with generative credits applying, and even free Adobe account holders get daily generations to try it. For a workflow that’s currently held together with third-party plugins or the occasional expensive reshoot, that’s a meaningful simplification—one that’s worth testing directly inside the tools you already trust.

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Adobe Firefly Upscale Image: AI-Powered Resolution Enhancement Built Into Your Photoshop and Lightroom Workflow
Macworld AI image upscaler: Sharpen your images free online Enlarge images instantly with AI — preserves visual quality Try Firefly (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); For photographers and retouchers, the moment a client asks for a large-format print from a file that was never shot at that resolution is a familiar kind of dread. The usual options are limited: reshoot at real cost and time, or export to a third-party upscaler and hope it treats skin texture, fabric, and fine product detail the way a photographic eye would. Adobe Firefly’s Upscale Image feature is built to remove that dilemma entirely by putting AI-powered resolution enhancement directly inside Photoshop and Lightroom. The problem with upscaling outside your workflow Most upscaling today happens the hard way: export the file, run it through a separate tool, then re-import it back into your existing edit. Every step is a chance to lose color fidelity, introduce compression artifacts, or simply eat up time you don’t have on a deadline. Worse, most consumer upscalers are trained on general images, not photographic content specifically—meaning skin texture, fabric weave, and fine product detail can degrade or smooth over in ways a trained eye catches immediately. And when the file belongs to a client, running it through a third-party tool raises its own rights questions that many photographers would rather avoid altogether. Firefly’s Upscale Image addresses each of these directly by keeping the entire process inside the tools you’re already using. Adobe Built into the workflow, not bolted onto it The core value here isn’t just that Firefly can upscale an image well—it’s that it does so without ever leaving Photoshop or Lightroom. There’s no plugin to install, no file to export and reimport, no interruption to the edit you’re already mid-way through. Upscaling becomes another native step in your process, the same way sharpening or color correction already is. That matters more than it might sound. For photographers delivering high volumes of client work, every extra tool in a workflow is a place where time, quality, or consistency can slip. Removing that step doesn’t just save minutes—it removes a point of friction that compounds across every large-format order. Adobe Trained for photography, not just images in general Firefly’s upscaling model is optimized specifically for photographic content, which shows in how it handles the details that matter most to working photographers: skin texture in portraits, fabric detail in fashion or product work, and background sharpness that holds up rather than smoothing into mush. The result is enlargement that preserves edge detail, texture, and tonal information well enough to hold up at actual print resolution—not just on a screen, where flaws are easier to hide. This makes it viable for the kind of work that used to require a reshoot: a client requesting a larger format than the original file supports, a low-resolution logo that needs clean edges for a design deliverable, or an old scanned photograph that needs new life for a modern project. Adobe Rights clarity that doesn’t slow you down For photographers doing client or commercial work, the question of who owns what after AI processing isn’t trivial. Firefly’s upscaled output is covered by Adobe’s standard IP policies, so there’s no additional rights research required before delivering an upscaled image to a client—one less thing to check before an invoice goes out. Adobe What it means for your day-to-day If you’re already on Creative Cloud with Photoshop or Lightroom, Upscale Image is available with a single click, enlarging images by 2x or 4x within the same session you’re already working in. It’s included with relevant Creative Cloud plans, with generative credits applying, and even free Adobe account holders get daily generations to try it. For a workflow that’s currently held together with third-party plugins or the occasional expensive reshoot, that’s a meaningful simplification—one that’s worth testing directly inside the tools you already trust.

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Adobe Firefly Image Generator Review: Multiple AI Models, Precision Creative Controls, and Commercially Safe Pro Output
Macworld Online AI image generator: Create images from text Use text prompts to create images quickly and easily Try Firefly (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); For designers and marketing teams doing paid client work, the AI image generator landscape presents a specific problem: the tools that produce the most interesting outputs are often the least clear on usage rights, and the tools with clear commercial terms don’t always deliver the aesthetic a brand needs. Adobe Firefly is built to remove that trade-off, and it does so by living directly inside the Creative Cloud tools professionals already use daily. The commercial risk consumer tools create Most AI image generators weren’t built with client work in mind. Usage rights are often vague, buried in terms of service, or simply untested in ways that create real legal exposure for agencies and freelancers delivering paid campaigns. Add to that the reality that no single model style fits every brief—forcing creatives to juggle multiple subscriptions just to cover the range of outputs a portfolio of clients demands—and the workflow gets expensive and fragmented fast, before you even factor in the disruption of leaving Photoshop to generate an image elsewhere. Firefly AI Image Generator addresses this from a different angle entirely: bring the models to the workflow, not the other way around. Adobe One environment, multiple model tiers Rather than committing to a single aesthetic, Firefly gives you Adobe’s own Firefly Image 4, Image 4 Ultra, and Image 5 Preview alongside partner models including GPT Image 2, Gemini 3 with Nano Banana, and Flux 1.1 Pro—all inside one environment. Image 4 Ultra is optimized specifically for photorealism with prompt-based editing, making it a strong fit for product imagery and campaign photography where accuracy to brief matters as much as visual polish. Every prompt generates four variations simultaneously, and a Fast mode supports rapid iteration before committing to a 2K upscale—useful when a client needs options quickly rather than a single best guess. Adobe Precision controls that keep output on-brand Staying on-brand with AI-generated imagery has typically meant a separate reference-image workflow or manual cleanup after generation. Firefly’s Composition and Style reference controls let you upload an image to define structural layout and visual aesthetic independently, so a generated image can match a brand’s established look rather than approximating it. Content type selection (Photo, Art, Auto), along with controls for effects, color, lighting, and camera angle, adds the kind of precision that turns a vague prompt into a genuinely usable output. Adobe Where it actually lives: inside your existing tools This is arguably Firefly’s biggest differentiator for working professionals. Generate Image is available directly inside Photoshop as Generative Fill, inside Lightroom, and inside Adobe Express—meaning generation happens as a step in your existing edit, not a detour to a separate browser tab and back. For designers already working in Creative Cloud, that’s the difference between AI generation as a genuine workflow tool versus a novelty add-on. Adobe Commercially safe by design Adobe’s own Firefly models are trained on licensed Adobe Stock content and public domain material where copyright has expired, and outputs are backed by Adobe’s IP indemnification. For teams that have hit usage-rights walls with consumer tools, this is the detail that actually changes what’s viable to ship to a client—removing the legal guesswork that comes with most AI-generated commercial assets. Worth testing before your next campaign For designers and marketing teams evaluating AI image tools for real client work, the calculus Firefly offers is straightforward: multiple model styles instead of one, precision controls that keep output on-brand, generation inside the tools you already use, and commercial terms that hold up under scrutiny. If usage rights or inconsistent quality have been the sticking point in your search so far, Firefly’s free AI Image Generator tier is worth testing directly inside Photoshop before committing elsewhere.

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Adobe Firefly Image Generator: Multiple AI Models, Precision Creative Controls, and Commercially Safe Pro Output
Macworld Online AI image generator: Create images from text Use text prompts to create images quickly and easily Try Firefly (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); For designers and marketing teams doing paid client work, the AI image generator landscape presents a specific problem: the tools that produce the most interesting outputs are often the least clear on usage rights, and the tools with clear commercial terms don’t always deliver the aesthetic a brand needs. Adobe Firefly is built to remove that trade-off, and it does so by living directly inside the Creative Cloud tools professionals already use daily. The commercial risk consumer tools create Most AI image generators weren’t built with client work in mind. Usage rights are often vague, buried in terms of service, or simply untested in ways that create real legal exposure for agencies and freelancers delivering paid campaigns. Add to that the reality that no single model style fits every brief—forcing creatives to juggle multiple subscriptions just to cover the range of outputs a portfolio of clients demands—and the workflow gets expensive and fragmented fast, before you even factor in the disruption of leaving Photoshop to generate an image elsewhere. Firefly AI Image Generator addresses this from a different angle entirely: bring the models to the workflow, not the other way around. Adobe One environment, multiple model tiers Rather than committing to a single aesthetic, Firefly gives you Adobe’s own Firefly Image 4, Image 4 Ultra, and Image 5 Preview alongside partner models including GPT Image 2, Gemini 3 with Nano Banana, and Flux 1.1 Pro—all inside one environment. Image 4 Ultra is optimized specifically for photorealism with prompt-based editing, making it a strong fit for product imagery and campaign photography where accuracy to brief matters as much as visual polish. Every prompt generates four variations simultaneously, and a Fast mode supports rapid iteration before committing to a 2K upscale—useful when a client needs options quickly rather than a single best guess. Adobe Precision controls that keep output on-brand Staying on-brand with AI-generated imagery has typically meant a separate reference-image workflow or manual cleanup after generation. Firefly’s Composition and Style reference controls let you upload an image to define structural layout and visual aesthetic independently, so a generated image can match a brand’s established look rather than approximating it. Content type selection (Photo, Art, Auto), along with controls for effects, color, lighting, and camera angle, adds the kind of precision that turns a vague prompt into a genuinely usable output. Adobe Where it actually lives: inside your existing tools This is arguably Firefly’s biggest differentiator for working professionals. Generate Image is available directly inside Photoshop as Generative Fill, inside Lightroom, and inside Adobe Express—meaning generation happens as a step in your existing edit, not a detour to a separate browser tab and back. For designers already working in Creative Cloud, that’s the difference between AI generation as a genuine workflow tool versus a novelty add-on. Adobe Commercially safe by design Adobe’s own Firefly models are trained on licensed Adobe Stock content and public domain material where copyright has expired, and outputs are backed by Adobe’s IP indemnification. For teams that have hit usage-rights walls with consumer tools, this is the detail that actually changes what’s viable to ship to a client—removing the legal guesswork that comes with most AI-generated commercial assets. Worth testing before your next campaign For designers and marketing teams evaluating AI image tools for real client work, the calculus Firefly offers is straightforward: multiple model styles instead of one, precision controls that keep output on-brand, generation inside the tools you already use, and commercial terms that hold up under scrutiny. If usage rights or inconsistent quality have been the sticking point in your search so far, Firefly’s free AI Image Generator tier is worth testing directly inside Photoshop before committing elsewhere.

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Adobe Firefly AI Video Generator Review: Top Models, Precision Controls, and a Production Workflow All in One Place
Macworld Create videos with Adobe's simple, free AI video generator High-quality video clips from a prompt or image Try Firefly (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); If you’ve spent any time evaluating AI video tools, you’ve likely hit the same wall repeatedly: pick a model, accept its house style, then export your clip into a separate editor to make it usable. Adobe Firefly is built around a different premise—that generation and production shouldn’t be two separate tools with two separate workflows. The problem with most AI video generators Most standalone AI video tools lock you into a single model with a fixed aesthetic. If that model’s style doesn’t match your brand or project, your options are limited. Getting granular control over camera angle, shot size, or motion direction from a text prompt is often a matter of luck rather than precision. And once you’ve generated a clip, moving it into Premiere or Final Cut for real editing adds another round of friction to a process that was supposed to save time. Then there’s the commercial question: can you actually use this footage in client work or a paid campaign? Many tools leave that unclear. Adobe Adobe’s Firefly AI Video Generator addresses each of these directly, and it’s worth understanding how before you commit to a subscription anywhere else. Adobe One workspace, multiple leading models Rather than betting on a single model’s aesthetic, Firefly gives you access to the industry’s top AI video models—Google Veo, Runway, Kling, and Adobe’s own Firefly Video Model—inside one environment. That means you can generate the same prompt across multiple models and compare realism, motion style, and pacing side by side, then pick whichever result actually fits your project instead of settling for whatever one tool produces. Firefly’s own model adds a level of control that’s rare in single-model tools: precise camera angle, shot size, and motion direction, plus start/end keyframe uploads to anchor a clip to specific visual references. Combined with detailed text prompts—describing style, color grading, subject, and effects—you get far closer to your original vision than a generic prompt-to-video tool typically allows. Adobe Text-to-video or image-to-video, your choice You’re not limited to writing prompts from scratch. Upload a photo, illustration, 2D or 3D render, or concept art, and Firefly’s Image to Video brings it to motion, guided by a text prompt describing how you want it to move. This is particularly useful for product teams and brands who need generated video to stay visually consistent with existing assets rather than starting from an unrelated AI-generated look. Adobe From generation to polished export, without leaving the workspace This is where Firefly separates itself from pure generators. The built-in Firefly AI Video Editor includes a multi-track timeline, audio tools, color adjustment controls, and direct access to over 800 million Adobe Stock assets. You can trim and reorder clips, swap models mid-edit, regenerate or extend a segment that isn’t quite right, and add voiceovers, music, and sound effects—all without exporting to a separate application. When a project does need more complex editorial work, direct Premiere Pro handoff means the transition is seamless rather than a disruptive file-format scramble. Adobe Commercial use, resolved For content creators and marketing teams, usage rights are often the deciding factor in whether a tool is viable at all. Video generated with Adobe’s Firefly Video Model is commercially safe and covered by Adobe’s IP indemnification—removing the ambiguity that comes with many standalone AI video tools. Adobe Built for real production work Whether the goal is a product video, cinematic B-roll, a social clip, a storyboard, or early concept visualization, Firefly’s range covers it. Motion graphics, AI-generated spokespeople, and environmental animation added to still images all sit inside the same workspace, exportable in multiple formats and aspect ratios for whichever platform you’re publishing to. Adobe Worth trying before you subscribe elsewhere For anyone still comparing AI video tools, Firefly offers a straightforward solution: instead of picking one model and living with its limitations, you get access to several top models, precision controls over your output, a full editing environment, and commercial usage rights—all without leaving one workspace. If multi-tool friction and licensing uncertainty have been the sticking points in your evaluation so far, it’s worth testing Firefly’s free tier before committing to a subscription anywhere else.

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Adobe Firefly AI Video Generator: Top Models, Precision Controls, and a Production Workflow All in One Place
Macworld Create videos with Adobe's simple, free AI video generator High-quality video clips from a prompt or image Try Firefly (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); If you’ve spent any time evaluating AI video tools, you’ve likely hit the same wall repeatedly: pick a model, accept its house style, then export your clip into a separate editor to make it usable. Adobe Firefly is built around a different premise—that generation and production shouldn’t be two separate tools with two separate workflows. The problem with most AI video generators Most standalone AI video tools lock you into a single model with a fixed aesthetic. If that model’s style doesn’t match your brand or project, your options are limited. Getting granular control over camera angle, shot size, or motion direction from a text prompt is often a matter of luck rather than precision. And once you’ve generated a clip, moving it into Premiere or Final Cut for real editing adds another round of friction to a process that was supposed to save time. Then there’s the commercial question: can you actually use this footage in client work or a paid campaign? Many tools leave that unclear. Adobe Adobe’s Firefly AI Video Generator addresses each of these directly, and it’s worth understanding how before you commit to a subscription anywhere else. Adobe One workspace, multiple leading models Rather than betting on a single model’s aesthetic, Firefly gives you access to the industry’s top AI video models—Google Veo, Runway, Kling, and Adobe’s own Firefly Video Model—inside one environment. That means you can generate the same prompt across multiple models and compare realism, motion style, and pacing side by side, then pick whichever result actually fits your project instead of settling for whatever one tool produces. Firefly’s own model adds a level of control that’s rare in single-model tools: precise camera angle, shot size, and motion direction, plus start/end keyframe uploads to anchor a clip to specific visual references. Combined with detailed text prompts—describing style, color grading, subject, and effects—you get far closer to your original vision than a generic prompt-to-video tool typically allows. Adobe Text-to-video or image-to-video, your choice You’re not limited to writing prompts from scratch. Upload a photo, illustration, 2D or 3D render, or concept art, and Firefly’s Image to Video brings it to motion, guided by a text prompt describing how you want it to move. This is particularly useful for product teams and brands who need generated video to stay visually consistent with existing assets rather than starting from an unrelated AI-generated look. Adobe From generation to polished export, without leaving the workspace This is where Firefly separates itself from pure generators. The built-in Firefly AI Video Editor includes a multi-track timeline, audio tools, color adjustment controls, and direct access to over 800 million Adobe Stock assets. You can trim and reorder clips, swap models mid-edit, regenerate or extend a segment that isn’t quite right, and add voiceovers, music, and sound effects—all without exporting to a separate application. When a project does need more complex editorial work, direct Premiere Pro handoff means the transition is seamless rather than a disruptive file-format scramble. Adobe Commercial use, resolved For content creators and marketing teams, usage rights are often the deciding factor in whether a tool is viable at all. Video generated with Adobe’s Firefly Video Model is commercially safe and covered by Adobe’s IP indemnification—removing the ambiguity that comes with many standalone AI video tools. Adobe Built for real production work Whether the goal is a product video, cinematic B-roll, a social clip, a storyboard, or early concept visualization, Firefly’s range covers it. Motion graphics, AI-generated spokespeople, and environmental animation added to still images all sit inside the same workspace, exportable in multiple formats and aspect ratios for whichever platform you’re publishing to. Adobe Worth trying before you subscribe elsewhere For anyone still comparing AI video tools, Firefly offers a straightforward solution: instead of picking one model and living with its limitations, you get access to several top models, precision controls over your output, a full editing environment, and commercial usage rights—all without leaving one workspace. If multi-tool friction and licensing uncertainty have been the sticking points in your evaluation so far, it’s worth testing Firefly’s free tier before committing to a subscription anywhere else.

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Word, Excel, PowerPoint & other Office apps for Mac—yours for just $43
Macworld TL;DR: Pay $42.97 just once for Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams Basic, and OneNote. Mac users who don’t want another subscription hanging over now have a way out. Instead of paying for Microsoft 365 every month, take a look at this Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 lifetime license. It comes with many of the same apps, but it’s only $42.97 for life while it’s on sale (reg. $219). Here’s what’s included: Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook Teams (Basic) OneNote (free version) These apps run natively on macOS, so everything feels like normal desktop software without any weird compatibility issues. Activation is simple. Redeem your code within seven days, sign in with your Microsoft account, and the license attaches to your Mac. The suite works with current macOS versions like Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe. If you want the classic Office apps on your Mac but don’t feel like dealing with another Microsoft 365 charge, this license keeps things simple. Right now, it’s only $42.97 to get a Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime license, but this sale ends on Aug. 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon needed. Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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How to shut down, restart or force restart an iPhone or iPad
Macworld In this tutorial we show how to shut down, restart and reboot an iPhone or iPad. That old IT standby: turn it off and on again, can be an effective solution if your Apple device has frozen or slowed down, or is otherwise malfunctioning. The way you restart or reboot depends a bit on the model you’ve got, although most recent devices use the same method. We will explain the steps you need to take to turn off and restart an iPhone or iPad below, as well as what to do if your iPhone or iPad is frozen and won’t let you restart in the standard way. How to shut down an iPhone or iPad – At a glance How to shut down an iPhone or iPad via Control CentreThe easiest way to turn off an iPhone or iPad (in iOS 18 or later) is to swipe down from the right corner to open Control Centre and tap on the Close icon in the top right. You will then see the slider to shut down the iPhone. Swipe this to shut down the iPhone. How to shut down an iPhone or iPad that has Face ID You can also shut down the iPhone or iPad by pressing and holding a volume button at the same time as you press and hold the Power button (on the side or top). To avoid taking a screenshot press and hold the Volume button first and then add the Side button.How to shut down an iPhone of iPad in SettingsAnother way to shut down your iPhone or iPad is via Settings. Go to Settings > General then find Shut Down and tap it. The slider to shut down the iPhone or iPad will appear. How to force-restart an iPhone or iPadIf your iPhone is unresponsive you may need to do a restart. This requires you to press Up Volume then Down Volume and then press the Power button on the side or top. If you keep pressing the Power button eventually the iPhone or iPad will shut down. Press the Power button again to restart. How to shut down an older iPhone or iPadOn an older iPad or any iPhone with a Home button, you could press and hold the Power button on the side or top until the slide to power off message appeared. How to force-restart an older iPhone or iPadIn the case of older iPhones and iPads you needed to press and hold the Home button and the Power button (on side or top) for about 10 seconds in order to force-restart the device. What’s the difference between restarting, force-restarting and rebooting? Wondering whether you need to restart or reboot your iPhone? It’s essentially the same thing, just a different word for “turning it off and on again”. The stock response for any IT department looking to solve computer-related ills. A force-restart, sometimes called a hard reboot, is used when your iPhone has frozen or become completely unresponsive, and the normal shutdown method doesn’t work, perhaps because the screen is unresponsive. The key difference is that a force-restart bypasses the operating system’s normal shutdown sequence. Importantly, a force-restart does not erase your data – it’s simply a more forceful way to reboot a stuck device. However, it should only be used when a standard restart isn’t possible, as it’s a more abrupt process. To summarize: restart/reboot is the normal, safe way to turn your iPhone off and on; force-restart is the emergency method for when the screen is frozen or the phone won’t respond to normal commands. We’ll describe both methods in this tutorial. How to shut down and restart an iPhone or iPad the easy way It’s so easy to shut down your iPhone using Control Centre.Foundry One of the best but perhaps least known features introduced with iOS 18 was the ability to power off or shut down your iPhone from within Control Centre. All you need to do is: Swipe down on your iPhone screen from the top right to open Control Centre. Press on the small power icon in the right corner of the screen. The power off slider will appear. Swipe that to shut down your iPhone. Once your iPhone has shut down, press and hold the side button, you will then see the white Apple logo. Sometimes it takes a while to restart. You will have to enter your passcode at startup, even if you usually use Face or Touch ID. How to shut down and restart your iPhone using buttons Press volume up and then volume down before pressing the power button on the other side of the iPhone. Foundry For years shutting down an iPhone or iPad just required users to press and hold a button on iPads and iPhones. This method has changed over the years for a number of reasons. It first changed with the arrival of Siri, because pressing and holding that button would trigger Siri, and it changed again when Apple stopped selling devices with a Home button on the front. Even now, the process for shutting down an iPhone or iPad can trigger a screenshot if you don’t press the buttons in exactly the right way. Here’s what to do: Press and hold Volume Up or Volume Down. Press and hold the Side button. The power off slider will appear. Swipe that to shut down your iPhone or iPad. Once your iPhone or iPad has shut down press and hold the side button, you will then see the white Apple logo. Sometimes it takes a while to restart. Enter your passcode at startup. How to force-restart an iPhone or iPad Press the Volume buttons in quick succession followed by the Side button, to force restart. Foundry If you are unable to use Control Centre because your screen is unresponsive, there is an option that doesn’t require you to touch the screen, it does involve pressing a number of buttons in succession though. This is a force-restart (sometimes known as a hard reset), and should hopefully fix any issues you were having. Press Volume Up. Press Volume Down. Press and hold the Side button. The power off slider will appear. You can swipe that to shut down your iPhone or iPad, but if your screen is unresponsive just continue to hold the Side button and your iPhone or iPad will shut down. Once your device has shut down, press and hold the side button – you will then see the white Apple logo. Sometimes it takes a while to restart. You will have to enter your passcode at startup, even if you usually use Face or Touch ID. What to do if restarting your iPhone or iPad doesn’t fix the problem If, following the restart, things are still not as they should be, then you might need to reset your device to factory settings and use a backup to recover your iPhone or iPad. A factory reset means your whole device will be wiped and the settings will return to the default settings that it left the factory with. If even that doesn’t solve the problem, a trip to the Apple Store may be in order. Sadly, this often results in a fixed device but with all the data wiped clean, which makes it vitally important that you backed up your iPhone or iPad beforehand, either with iCloud or via the Finder. With that safety net in place you can restore your device when it starts to have problems. Read about how to back up your iPhone or iPad.

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AirPods with cameras are real, and Apple just showed how they’ll work
A leaked Apple demo shows how camera-equipped AirPods could make the world around you "savable." (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Wild leak straight from Apple shows camera-equipped AirPods in action
Macworld Apple’s iPhone event is in just a few weeks, and one of the surprises we’ve been hoping to see are a new pair of AirPods Pro with built-in cameras. And now Apple might have confirmed that they are ready to launch. Hidden in the macOS 26.7 release candidate, which landed Monday night and includes “important security fixes,” are two references to the rumored AirPods project. The first is a mention of the code name B790, which doesn’t amount to much more than a confirmation that the earbuds are indeed in development. But the other leak is far more interesting. As spotted by Macrumors contributor Aaron Perris, a video hidden in the macOS 27 release candidate code contains a full video of the AirPods cameras in action. The video, which shows a user wearing a pair of AirPods and holding a book, includes a voiceover with the following explanation: “With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later.” Here is your first look at AirPods with Cameras in action using Visual Intelligence.This video file came from macOS 26.7 RC pic.twitter.com/yo7RI4MCeu— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 18, 2026 You can see the right earbud in the user’s ear, but it’s indistinguishable from the current AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4. Presumably, the cameras face outward and will snap a photo of what’s in a user’s line of sight and send it to a paired iPhone. Visual Intelligence is getting a major upgrade in iOS 27, including a new “Siri” mode in the Camera app, nutritional information when looking at a package or photo, bill splitting, and Siri AI app integration.  Perris also reports that the new AirPods will alert users about anything blocking the field of view, with a message, “To get the most accurate information about things in your environment, make sure AirPods are not covered.” It’s unclear whether these new AirPods will replace either of the current models or occupy an “Ultra” space above the AirPods Pro. Apple is expected to hold its iPhone event in early September, so we might find out very soon.

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A demo video of AirPods with cameras has leaked via a macOS Tahoe RC
Apple has accidentally left a lot of data within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, including a demo video showcasing AirPods with cameras. It is our best look yet.AirPods with cameras will closely resemble AirPods ProThe new AirPods with cameras have been rumored since January 2025. Not much is known about the product, but a lot of debate has been had over whether or not Apple's earbuds would actually gain "cameras."In a video found within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, AirPods with Visual Intelligence are clearly shown and referenced. The video was shared by the code sleuth @aaronp613, which has a Siri voice saying a short tutorial. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AirPods with cameras get their clearest leak yet
Included in today’s macOS 27.6 Tahoe Release Candidate is a short video that appears to show Visual Intelligence in action on Apple’s rumored camera-equipped AirPods. Watch it below.

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Apple: DOJ’s latest challenge in antitrust case ‘fails at every level’
Apple is pushing back against the Department of Justice’s bid to overturn a court decision allowing the company to seek documents from more than a dozen federal agencies. Here are the details.

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Follow-Up Thoughts on Watermarking Schemes for AI-Generated Text
I want the answers that I read to be cogent, lucid, accurate, blessedly terse — and ideally to strike a consistent tone that is pleasant to my reading ear. The genie is not going back in the bottle.

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macOS Tahoe 26.7 beta references several unreleased products like Home Hub
Apple inadvertently left a lot of feature flags visible in its macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, which include references to products like AirPods with cameras, the OLED iPad mini, and more.References to future iPhone Air, HomePods, and more found in macOS codeDeveloper betas are one of the easiest ways for Apple to accidentally share future product information. It has occurred before, like during iOS 26 testing, and has happened again on Monday.According to information discovered by MacRumors in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, Apple has many new products in development. Some are known from previous leaks, while others have designators that can't be tied to any other product. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED review: Excellent color-calibration, not perfect for Mac users
The Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED model U3226Q is a color-accurate OLED monitor with a full port hub. It makes a strong case as a Studio Display XDR alternative for Mac users, assuming you're fine with not having a Retina-class display.Dell UltraSharp 32 4K QD-OLED review: This monitor has great colors and deep blacksA great monitor can anchor a whole desk setup. For Mac users who can afford it, the obvious choice has long been Apple's displays.Those displays are beautiful, but price and port quantity have always been limiting factors for most. Third-party OLED panels are an alternative, but generally with design compromises. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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macOS Beta: Golden Gate Public Beta 4 now available
Macworld Following its preview at WWDC on June 8, Apple released the first developer beta of macOS 27 Golden Gate, giving developers and Mac users an early look at the next major version of macOS ahead of its expected public release this fall. Rather than introducing a dramatic redesign, Golden Gate focuses on improving the experience established by macOS 26 Tahoe. The update brings Siri AI, deeper Apple Intelligence integration, smarter search tools, and a range of performance enhancements, while refining some of the more controversial aspects of Tahoe’s Liquid Glass interface. As with any beta software, early access comes with risks. Bugs, app compatibility issues, and incomplete features are common, particularly in early developer releases. Before installing the macOS beta, it’s worth understanding what’s new, what issues testers are reporting, and whether it’s stable enough for your Mac. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest macOS beta, including new features, known issues, release dates, and whether it’s worth installing. What’s the latest macOS beta? Apple is currently running two macOS beta tracks for developers: the upcoming macOS 27 Golden Gate and updates for the current release, macOS 26 Tahoe. macOS 27 Golden Gate beta: Apple released the macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta 4 on August 17. Apple released macOS 27 Golden Gate developer beta 6 on August 17, 2026. macOS 26 Tahoe beta: Apple continues to develop macOS Tahoe through regular point releases. When will the macOS Public beta launch? Apple also runs a public beta, which allows enthusiasts and early adopters to test new features before the final version launches in the fall. You need to register for Apple’s public beta to access it. Apple released the first public beta of macOS 27 Golden Gate on July 13, 2026. The public beta was released approximately one month after the developer beta was first unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Subsequent updates tend to follow a day or two after the corresponding developer version. macOS Beta timeline ReleaseDateBeta 1June 8, 2026Beta 2June 22, 2026Beta 3July 6, 2026Beta 3 v.2July 13, 2026Beta 4July 20, 2026Public BetaJuly 13, 2026Public Beta 2July 22, 2026Public Beta 3August 11, 2026Public Beta 4August 17, 2026Release CandidateSeptemberFinal ReleaseSeptember What’s new in the latest beta? New features in macOS 27.Foundry The beta introduces several significant upgrades. Siri AI: Apple has redesigned Siri with personal context awareness and the ability to perform multi-step tasks across apps. Better performance: One of Golden Gate’s goals is improved responsiveness. Early testers report faster app launches, quicker AirDrop transfers, and a generally snappier experience than Tahoe. Smarter Search: A rebuilt indexing engine powers Spotlight, Mail, and Photos, delivering faster and more relevant search results. Safari Automation: Safari gains new AI-powered features, including automatic tab grouping and a new “Notify Me” tool that can monitor webpages for changes. Design refinements: Following criticism of Tahoe’s Liquid Glass design, Apple has refined the interface with improved transparency controls and more consistent window corners. More Apple Intelligence features: Apple Intelligence is integrated more deeply throughout the system. Improvements include smarter automation, enhanced password management, and natural-language shortcuts. Users can create Shortcuts using plain English, while Calendar can generate events from written requests. Photos also gains AI-powered editing tools, including Spatial Reframing and enhanced cleanup features. Xcode 27: Xcode 27 ships with the macOS 27 SDK and includes new AI-assisted development tools, including coding assistance and testing features. See Apple’s developer website for more information about the beta. Should you install the macOS beta? Apple While installing a beta lets you try new features such as Siri AI and enhanced Spotlight months before release, it is generally not recommended for most users because of the stability risks involved. Install if… You need to test apps You want early access to new features You have a secondary Mac available Wait if… This is your primary work machine You rely on niche or specialist software Stability is critical to your workflow Who are you Should you install?A developer testing appsInstall nowAn Apple enthusiast with a spare MacConsider waiting for the Public Beta A public beta testers on main machineWait for the Public BetaMission-critical usersWait for fall 2026 version  What do people think of the macOS beta? Golden Gate is focused less on introducing dramatic new features and more on refining the experience introduced in macOS Tahoe. Early feedback has been positive about the ways Apple is addressing many of the complaints users had about 2025’s Liquid Glass redesign while also improving overall performance. Performance: Reports from beta testers both within our team and across the web suggest that Golden Gate feels faster and more responsive. Some users report that even older Macs feel noticeably quicker when running the beta. Liquid Glass changes: Early testers appear supportive of the updated design. Apple has refined several Liquid Glass elements and introduced greater control over transparency effects. Siri AI: The biggest addition in Golden Gate is Siri AI. However, support outside Apple’s own apps remains inconsistent. Some testers find Siri AI genuinely useful, while others report reliability issues. Read: macOS Golden Gate vs macOS Tahoe: What’s new and should you upgrade? What are the risks of installing beta software? Installing pre-release software on a primary device carries several risks. System instability: Performance problems, freezes, crashes, and other unexpected behavior are common during beta testing. App failures: Third-party applications may crash, behave unpredictably, or stop working entirely. Hardware strain: Early beta builds can increase battery drain and cause Macs to run hotter than usual. Data loss: Software bugs may corrupt files, and downgrading to a stable version often requires a complete system reset. Safety precautions and best practices If you decide to install the beta, take the following precautions: Use a secondary device: Avoid installing beta software on your primary Mac or on any machine used for critical work. Create a full backup: Use Time Machine to create a complete backup before upgrading so you can restore your Mac if something goes wrong. Note that this need to be a Time Machine backup from before the beta was installed and you will lose anything saved subsequently. Install on a separate volume: Consider installing the beta on a separate volume or external SSD rather than replacing your main operating system. Check storage space: Make sure you have at least 15GB of free storage available before beginning the installation. How to install the macOS beta Foundry The process for installing a macOS beta depends on whether you are seeking the Developer Beta or the Public Beta. Apple simplified this process a few years ago, removing the need for a paid developer account to access early builds. The first step is to join Apple’s beta testing program. We explain how to do that in a separate article. You will need to register your account either as a public beta tester or as a developer in order to enable beta updates on your Mac. To install the beta follow these steps: Back up your Mac: Before installing any pre-release software, it is critical to prepare your Mac to avoid data loss. Beta software is inherently unstable and can cause crashes or app compatibility issues. Registered your account either as a public beta tester or as a developer in order to enable beta updates on your Mac:For the Public Beta: Visit the Apple Beta Software Program website, sign in with your Apple ID, and agree to the terms.For the Developer Beta: Register as an Apple Developer on Apple’s website, download the Apple Developer app from the App Store, sign in with your standard Apple ID, and complete the free registration process. On the Mac where you wish to install the beta, open System Settings and navigate to General > Software Update. Click the (i) info button next to Beta Updates. Enable Beta Updates. The beta will appear as an available upgrade. Select the macOS beta you want to instal (e.g., macOS 27 Golden Gate Public Beta or Developer Beta). Click Upgrade Now to begin the download and installation. As long as you are a registered developer or enrolled in the public beta program, when the relevant macOS Beta becomes available, it will also show up on your Mac. Once you are running the beta, the updates will come through to your Mac automatically; you just need to go to Software Update in System Settings and click to install. See How to install macOS. How to get a free Apple developer account If you just want a free Apple Developer account so you can access the beta, you can get this via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app on an iPhone: Get the Apple Developer App from the App Store.  Open the app on your iPhone.  Tap on Account.  Tap on Sign In.  Sign in using your usual Apple ID.  If you wish to actually publish applications to the App Store or receive support, you’ll need to pay $99/£79 per year for a paid account. You can compare the free and paid accounts here. FAQ 1. Who can run the macOS beta? Anyone can run the macOS beta, but to do so, you do need to register for either the developer beta, the pubic beta, or both. Apple offers both developer and public beta programs for macOS, enabling all interested users to test pre-release versions of the operating system. While both betas provide early access to new features, they cater to different user profiles based on technical expertise and risk tolerance. Beta software tends to be buggy so the more stable public beta version may be preferable, but even that will not be bug-free. In the past, the developer beta was only available to developers who had paid to join Apple’s Developer Program (which costs $99/£79). However, for a couple of years now, Apple has opened up the developer beta to registered developers with free developer accounts. We explain how to get a free developer account below. If you decide you no longer want to run the beta version of macOS read this: How to remove the macOS beta. 2. macOS public beta vs developer beta Since 2023, the Developer Beta has been available to anyone who registers as a developer, even if they aren’t a paid-up member of Apple’s Developer Program. As a result, people with a basic free developer account can download the new macOS developer beta (we show you how to register below). Whether you should download the developer beta if you aren’t a developer is another question. We don’t recommend you install the developer beta if you aren’t a developer. Instead, our recommendation is to use the public beta (the first version of which usually arrives in July). There are a few differences between the public and developer betas. The public beta is not the same as the beta that is released through the developer program. The public beta typically launches after the developer beta has undergone initial testing and refinement Developers get updates to their beta first, and possibly more frequently. But you should keep in mind that betas are by nature not stable, and because the public beta comes after the developer beta it could be a little safer to install. The most significant difference is probably the motive of the testers: Developers usually have the aim of ensuring their apps work when the updated macOS is released to the general public, while public beta testers are essentially helping Apple detect bugs and offering feedback on the features. Because of this, developers may get to test new features not available in the public beta.  If you want to get the public beta the first thing you need to do, if you haven’t already, is join Apple’s beta programs read this for more information: How to become an Apple beta tester. 3. Is the macOS beta stable? By its nature, a beta has the potential to be unstable. Therefore, it’s not advised that you install it on a Mac that you rely on. If you have a second Mac that isn’t mission-critical, then install it there. We strongly recommend that you don’t risk all by putting the macOS beta on your primary macOS, especially not in the early days of the beta development.  If you don’t have a second Mac, there are a couple of ways you could run macOS beta on your Mac without running the risk of losing data or finding your Mac stops working: We recommend installing it on a partition, which these days is really a volume (and is much easier to create than a partition was). Read about how to do that here: How to dual-boot Mac: Run two versions of macOS on a Mac. Alternatively, you could install the macOS beta on an external drive and run it on that. We discuss the safety of the macOS beta and the risks you might be taking in more detail in a separate article. If the stability of the beta worries you, then you are probably better off waiting until the final version is out, or at least waiting until testing has been happening for a few months before getting the beta. 4. How to prepare your Mac for the beta Update your software: We recommend you have the latest full version of macOS installed, although Apple says that the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility requires macOS 10.8 or later. Make space: We’d recommend at least 15GB of available space because the macOS betas tend to be very large. If you end up requiring more space, read: How to free up space on Mac. Note that we always recommend that you have at least 10% space free on your Mac at any time, so if you don’t have that, expect problems! Back up: Before you install a beta on your Mac, you should make a backup of your data and files. You can find out how to use Time Machine to back up your Mac. We also have a round-up of suitable backup solutions. 5. How to send feedback to Apple Should you come across an error or a bug, you should use the Feedback Assistant app to provide feedback to Apple. Launch the app and follow the appropriate steps, selecting the area about which you’re providing feedback and then any specific sub-area. Then describe your issue in a single sentence, before providing a more detailed description, including any specific steps that reproduce the issue. You’ll also be able to attach other files. You’ll also have to give permission for the Feedback Assistant app to collect diagnostic information from your Mac. It won’t always be obvious whether something is a bug or just not as easy to use as you might have hoped. Either way, if your feedback is that something appears to work in an illogical way, Apple will want to know that. If you are having trouble with a third-party app, you can let Apple know by reporting it through the 3rd-party Application Compatibility category in the Feedback Assistant. However, we’d suggest that you also provide feedback to the app’s developer, who will no doubt be grateful. 6. Will I be able to update from macOS beta to the final version? Beta users will be able to install the final build of the OS on release day without needing to reformat or reinstall. 7. Can I talk about the beta publicly? According to Apple and the license agreement all beta testers must agree to, the beta is “Apple confidential information”. By accepting those terms, you agree not to discuss your use of the software with anyone who isn’t also in the Beta Software Program. That means you can’t “blog, post screenshots, tweet, or publicly post information about the public beta software.” However, you can discuss any information that Apple has publicly disclosed; the company says that information is no longer considered confidential. 8. How to downgrade from the macOS beta You can always revert to an earlier version of macOS, though depending on how you back up, it’s not necessarily a painless process. Start by making sure the data on your drive is backed up, then erase the drive and install the latest public version of macOS. When you first start up your Mac, you can use the Migration Assistant to import your data from the backup. Here’s a more detailed tutorial on downgrading from the macOS beta and we also have a tutorial on downgrading to an older version of the Mac OS. 9. Is the beta free to download?  Yes, the macOS beta is free to download for both developers and the general public. Apple offers two distinct tracks for testing pre-release software: the Developer Beta and the Public Beta, both of which are now accessible without a paid subscription. 10. Can I go back to the stable version? Yes, you can go back to the stable version of macOS from a beta, but the complexity of the process depends on whether the final version of that software has been released yet. If you are running a beta (such as the macOS 27 Golden Gate beta) and want to return to the current stable version (such as macOS 26 Tahoe) before the new OS officially launches in the fall, you must perform a clean installation. Because this requires wiping your internal drive, a full backup is essential, but you will want a backup made before you installed the macOS beta. 11. Should I install the beta on my main Mac? Installing a macOS beta on your primary computer is generally not recommended due to the inherent risks of using unfinished software. While beta programs offer early access to new features, they are designed for testing and often contain significant bugs that can disrupt your daily workflow. 12. Do I need an Apple Developer account to install the beta? You do not need a paid Apple Developer account to install the macOS beta. While access to developer betas was previously restricted to those paying a $99/£79 annual fee, Apple changed this policy in 2023 to allow anyone with a free developer account to access these builds . Alternatively, you can join the Public Beta program, which is also free and accessible to anyone with a valid Apple ID. 13. How often are new beta versions released? New macOS beta versions are typically released every one to two weeks, with the frequency increasing as the final public release date approaches. The beta updates refine features and address bugs identified by testers. 14. Is the macOS beta safe to install? The beta is generally safe to test, but it may contain bugs that cause crashes, poor battery life, app compatibility issues, or data loss. Always back up your Mac before installing. 15. Will my apps work with the macOS beta? Many apps will work normally, but some third-party software may crash, perform poorly, or not launch at all until developers release updates.

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macOS 27 Golden Gate beta 6 adds fifth dynamic wallpaper, get them all here [Gallery]
Included in today’s release of macOS 27 Golden Gate beta 6 is a new dynamic wallpaper of the Golden Gate Bridge, bringing the total count of dynamic wallpapers to five. Download all of the below.

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Apple releases public beta 4 for iOS 27, macOS 27, iPadOS 27, tvOS 27
After releasing developer betas 6 earlier today, Apple is now rolling out iOS 27 public beta 4, alongside corresponding updates for some of its other platforms. Here are the details.

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Apple Wallet Driver's License Feature to Launch in Four More US States
Apple Wallet's driver's license and state ID feature is set to expand to North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia, bringing the total to 18 states plus Puerto Rico. The digital IDs can be used at participating TSA checkpoints and businesses without handing over or unlocking an iPhone, though users are still generally advised to carry a physical ID because acceptance remains limited. MacRumors reports: A few days ago, North Carolina's DMV announced that it plans to launch a mobile ID program later this year. As reported by WRAL, North Carolina residents will be able to set up a digital ID through a new NC Wallet app starting in December, with Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet support to follow in "early 2027." As mentioned, you do not need to unlock, show, or hand over your device to present an Apple Wallet ID in person, ensuring user privacy. Apple Wallet IDs are generally not accepted by law enforcement, so carrying a physical ID is still legally required for traffic stops. In addition, the number of businesses that accept Apple Wallet IDs is still quite small. At least for now, Apple Wallet IDs are designed to be a convenient alternative where they are accepted. "Your mobile ID is a valid form of identification in North Carolina," the DMV said, in a FAQ on its website. "However, as retailers, restaurants and other businesses transition to mobile IDs, some may not be set up to accept them right away. For now, carrying your physical card gives you a backup when needed." According to code seen by MacRumors, Apple Wallet IDs are also coming to Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia, but there is no timeframe for availability. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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