Apple Music and Apple TV Experiencing Outage
Apple Music and Apple TV are experiencing an outage that could be causing issues for some users, according to Apple's System Status page. The outage started at 2:53 p.m. Eastern Time, and it is impacting ‌Apple Music‌, ‌Apple TV‌, and ‌Apple TV‌ Channels. Apple says that some users may run into intermittent problems, though specifics have not been provided. There don't appear to be a large number of complaints about the services on social media at this time. We'll update this article when Apple's services are back up and running.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iPad 12 Rumored to Get iPhone 17's A19 Chip, Breaking Apple Tradition
The next-generation low-cost iPad will use Apple's A19 chip, according to a report from Macworld. Macworld claims to have seen an "internal Apple code document" with information about the 2026 ‌iPad‌ lineup. Prior documentation discovered by MacRumors suggested that the ‌iPad‌ 12 would be equipped with an A18 chip, not an A19 chip. The A19 chip was just released this year in the iPhone 17, and it would be unusual for Apple to use a current-generation chip in the low-cost ‌iPad‌ due to cost. Apple's most affordable ‌iPad‌ has not had a current-generation chip since the ‌iPad‌ 4, which is back when Apple was still designing AX chips for its tablet lineup. The ‌iPad‌ 5 that came out in 2017 used the A9 chip that was originally introduced in the 2015 iPhone 6s, and since then, the ‌iPad‌ has been equipped with an A-series chip that's a generation or two behind the chip in the most recently released ‌iPhone‌. The current ‌iPad‌ 11 that was released in March 2025 uses the A16 chip that first debuted in the ‌iPhone‌ 14 in 2022, for example. The ‌iPad‌ 10 (October 2022) used the A14 (September 2020), the ‌iPad‌ 9 (September 2021) used the A13 (September 2019), and the ‌iPad‌ 8 (September 2020) used the A12 (September 2018). A 2024 A18 chip for the 2026 ‌iPad‌ would be in line with prior launches. The model numbers listed in Macworld's report are also unusual. It says that J581 and J588 are the codenames for the upcoming 12th-generation ‌iPad‌, but codenames are typically sequential. Codenames are how Apple references unreleased devices in its software. In prior code leaks, J581 and J582 appeared to reference the low-cost ‌iPad‌ 12. Prior leaks have suggested that the iPad mini will use the A19 chip, but the ‌iPad mini‌ was previously referenced in Apple code as J510 and J511. Apple sometimes changes its plans and makes updates to unreleased devices, so the A19 chip for the ‌iPad‌ can't be ruled out entirely. It is not yet clear if Macworld is correct about the A19 chip for the ‌iPad‌ given previous information, but other parts of the report seem more in line with expectations. Macworld suggests the next-generation iPad Air will use an M4 chip, and that both the upcoming ‌iPad‌ and ‌iPad Air‌ will be equipped with Apple's N1 networking chip. The ‌iPad Air‌ typically gets an M-series chip that's a generation behind the chip in the iPad Pro, and since it's been updated to the M5, the M4 makes sense for the next ‌iPad Air‌. Apple has also been adding the new N1 networking chip to newly released devices, starting with this year's iPhones. The N1 chip is an Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip that's more energy efficient than chips designed by third-party companies. Apple is expected to release the new ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad‌ models early in 2026.Related Roundup: iPadBuyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Most Downloaded iPhone Apps of 2025: ChatGPT, Threads, and Google
Apple today shared a list of the most downloaded U.S. App Store apps and games in 2025, highlighting the top free and paid iPhone and iPad titles. ChatGPT was the number one free app that ‌iPhone‌ users downloaded in 2025, followed by Threads, Google, TikTok, and WhatsApp. Google Gemini was the only other chatbot app to make the list, coming in at number 10. Top paid ‌iPhone‌ apps included HotSchedules, Shadowrocket, and Procreate Pocket. Top free iPhone games included Block Blast, Fortnite, and Roblox, while Minecraft, Balatro, and Heads Up were among the top paid ‌iPhone‌ games. YouTube was the number one free ‌iPad‌ app downloaded in 2025, followed by ChatGPT, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Procreate, Procreate Dreams, forScore, ToonSquid, and Nomad Sculpt were the top paid ‌iPad‌ apps. Roblox, Block Blast, and Fortnite were the top free ‌iPad‌ games, with Minecraft, Geometry Dash, and Stardew Valley taking the top three spots on the paid ‌iPad‌ game list. Apple also included the most downloaded Apple Arcade games. NFL Retro Bowl '26, NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, and Balatro+ were at the top of the list. Apple's full list of top downloaded apps and games across 2025 can be found in the ‌App Store‌.Tag: App StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Tim Cook Goes to Washington to Fight App Store Age Verification Legislation
Apple CEO Tim Cook was in Washington, D.C. today to meet with US lawmakers about the upcoming App Store Accountability Act, reports Bloomberg. The App Store Accountability Act would require Apple to verify a person's age when an Apple Account is created using a "commercially available method or process," and get parental consent for each app that a child under 16 downloads. Apple is against the ‌App Store‌ Accountability Act because it does not want to be legally responsible for verifying user age, obtaining parental consent, or ensuring that developers follow the rules, nor does it want to collect the required documentation. It is Apple's opinion that age verification should be the responsibility of app creators. Cook pushed lawmakers not to require app store platforms to collect data for age verification purposes, instead suggesting that parents should be providing the age of a child when creating a child's account (which is how account creation works now). To head off legislation, Apple has introduced new age assurance features, such as simpler tools for parents to oversee children's Apple accounts, new age categories for app content, and the Declared Age Range API that provides developers with a privacy-forward way to ensure kids aren't exposed to in-app content meant for adults. Apple has argued that it already has extensive parental controls with Screen Time, and that the legislation would require it to collect excessive amounts of information from all users just to verify the age of children. Apple says that it could be required to collect data like a driver's license, passport, or Social Security number, which is "not in the interest of user safety or privacy." The House Energy and Commerce Committee will consider the bill on Thursday morning. Texas recently passed a similar bill, SB2420. Starting on January 1, 2026, Apple users located in Texas will need to confirm whether they are 18 years or older when creating an Apple Account. Apple will need to verify age and parental identity, and the ‌App Store‌ will need to provide additional information to parents.Tags: App Store, Tim CookThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Pay Promo Offers 30% Off Mattel Toys
Apple has teamed up with Mattel for a 30 percent discount on Mattel toys when using Apple Pay to check out on the Mattel website. The discount is available for Barbie, Hot Wheels, Masters of the Universe, and other Mattel branded toys. The ‌Apple Pay‌ deal is available from December 8 to December 14 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. To get the discount, users will need to use ‌Apple Pay‌ for their purchase on the Mattel website, and enter the promo code APPLEPAY at checkout. The deal excludes shipping and handling, gift cards, taxes, and Mattel Creations Memberships. There are no minimum or maximum purchase limits listed, so the deal should apply to all purchases made on the website through December 14.Tag: Apple Pay PromoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Unveils New Stores in India and China
Apple today unveiled its fifth retail store in India, at the DLF Mall in Noida. The store opens to customers this Thursday, December 11, at 1 p.m. local time. Apple Noida The store features familiar amenities, including an Apple Pickup station for in-store pickup of online orders, and a Genius Bar for tech support and repairs. Apple operates four other stores in India: Apple Saket in New Delhi Apple BKC in Mumbai Apple Koregaon Park in Pune Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru In addition, the Apple Store app launched in India earlier this year. Earlier this month, Apple opened a new store in China, at the Livat Centre in Beijing. This store also has an Apple Pickup station and a Genius Bar, plus a dedicated seating area where customers can demo the Apple Vision Pro. Apple Livat Beijing Apple remains committed to expanding its retail presence in international markets, such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.Tag: Apple StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Amazon Takes $50 Off Apple Watch SE 3, Starting at $199
Amazon this week has the Apple Watch SE 3 on sale at all-time low prices, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These prices are matching the Black Friday discounts we tracked last month, and they are some of the few sales that have consistently stuck around since that event ended. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum options, with multiple sizes on sale as well. As of writing, all models can be delivered in time for the Christmas holiday. $50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00 $50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00 In addition to the Apple Watch SE 3 discounts, Amazon has $100 off the Apple Watch Series 11 right now, which are new record low prices on the wearables. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Check Out These Fun New Apple Cash Stickers in the Messages App
Apple today updated its Apple Cash feature to introduce a set of stickers that can be used in the Messages app. The stickers are Apple Cash themed, featuring emoji that you might want to use when sending or receiving a payment. Each sticker is animated, and has an iridescent texture that gives a glinting effect as the sticker moves. The Apple Cash stickers are rolling out to users starting today. You can find them by opening up the Messages app and selecting a conversation, then tapping on the "+" button next to the text bar. From there, tap on the "Stickers" option and swipe over to Apple Cash. Apple Cash stickers will show up in the Messages Sticker list automatically, and there is no option to download them from the Sticker App Store. The stickers also aren't able to be removed, because Apple Cash is not an app that can be uninstalled. Tags: Apple Cash, MessagesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Twelve South Introduces 20% Sitewide Discount Exclusive to MacRumors Readers
Twelve South today is kicking off a 20 percent sitewide discount that's exclusive to MacRumors readers, allowing you a chance to save on the company's most popular accessories just in time for the holidays. To get this deal, enter the code MacRumors2025 at checkout to take 20 percent off your cart. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Twelve South. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Our code works sitewide on Twelve South, and takes 20 percent off your entire cart, so you can purchase multiple accessories at once for more savings. Once you enter the code MacRumors2025 at checkout, you should start seeing it automatically applied as you browse Twelve South's website. Note: Use code MacRumors2025 at checkout. 20% OFFMacRumors Exclusive Sale at Twelve South This deal will run through Friday, December 19, so you have a little over a week to take advantage of the sale. As of today, Twelve South is still guaranteeing holiday delivery with its economy shipping option, and the cutoff for choosing the ground economy option is December 15. Twelve South offers a large variety of accessories built for Apple products. Some of its newest accessories include the MagSafe Wallet Stand for iPhone 17, Curve Nano for iPhone, ButterFly SE 2-in-1 Qi2 Charger, and PowerBug Wall Charger. You can get 20 percent off these accessories and many more with our exclusive code. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat Features Now Available in ChatGPT
Starting today, many Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, and Adobe Express features are available to use directly in ChatGPT, allowing you to edit photos, transform PDF documents, design event invitations, and more with conversational prompts. After connecting the apps, you can use prompts such as "add creative effects to the background" or "create an invitation for my dance party." Here is what you can do, according to Adobe: Easily edit and uplevel images with Adobe Photoshop: Adjust a specific part of an image, fine-tune image settings like brightness, contrast and exposure, and apply creative effects like Glitch and Glow — all while preserving the quality of the image.Create and personalize designs with Adobe Express: Browse Adobe Express' extensive library of professional designs to find the best one for any moment, fill in the text, replace images, animate designs and iterate on edits — all directly inside the chat and without needing to switch to another app — to create standout content for any occasion.Transform and organize documents with Adobe Acrobat: Edit PDFs directly in the chat, extract text or tables, organize and merge multiple files, compress files and convert them to PDF while keeping formatting and quality intact. Acrobat for ChatGPT also enables people to easily redact sensitive details.After connecting the apps to ChatGPT in Settings → Apps & Connectors, you can find them by clicking on the plus sign next to the chat field and selecting "More." ChatGPT can also automatically surface the apps if you use a prompt such as "Adobe Photoshop, help me blur the background of this image" or "Adobe Acrobat, help me edit this PDF." Adobe's app integrations are available to all ChatGPT users worldwide, for free, across ChatGPT.com and the ChatGPT app for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Adobe Express for ChatGPT is also available on Android, with support for Photoshop and Acrobat for ChatGPT on Android coming soon, according to the announcement. If you want to use more advanced features, you an seamlessly move from ChatGPT to Adobe's standalone apps and pick up right where you left off.Tags: Adobe, ChatGPTThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple's Pro Display XDR Is Six Years Old Today
The Pro Display XDR is six years old today, making it one of the oldest Apple products still on sale. Released on December 10, 2019 alongside the redesigned Mac Pro, the Pro Display XDR was Apple's re-entry into the high-end external monitor market, following a three-year hiatus after discontinuing the Thunderbolt Display in 2016. The announcement came at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2019, where the company presented the display as a rival to traditional reference monitors. The XDR in its name stands for "Extreme Dynamic Range," a feature that Apple emphasized as a key differentiator from other high-resolution monitors available at the time. It features a 32-inch Retina display with a 6K resolution of 6,016 by 3,384 pixels, powered by Apple's proprietary LED backlighting system. Apple utilized blue-colored LEDs with custom lenses and reflectors to achieve a maximum brightness of up to 1,600 nits in HDR mode, while sustaining 1,000 nits across the entire screen indefinitely. This allows for what Apple describes as "stunningly accurate colors and contrast," supporting the P3 wide color gamut and delivering a claimed 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The rear of the display features the same lattice pattern used on the 2019 ‌Mac Pro‌, which functions as a heatsink to aid thermal management. The display is also available with matte nano-texture glass to cut down on glare—the first Apple product it's featured on. Upon its release, the Pro Display XDR garnered significant attention for its high price. In the United States, the display starts at $4,999, and users who opt for the adjustable Pro Stand must pay an additional $999. The Pro Stand, which is sold separately, was met with mixed reactions upon its unveiling. Apple justified the cost by highlighting the engineering involved, with the Pro Stand offering height, tilt, and rotation adjustments, as well as support for both landscape and portrait modes. A VESA mount adapter is also available for those who prefer third-party mounting solutions. As of its sixth anniversary, the Pro Display XDR remains one of only two external monitors sold by Apple, alongside the Studio Display, which was released in March 2022. Unlike the Pro Display XDR, the Studio Display comes with an integrated A13 Bionic chip, enabling features such as Center Stage for its built-in webcam, spatial audio, and support for Siri voice commands. The Pro Display XDR, however, has no webcam or any internal Apple silicon chip. Speculation about a second-generation Pro Display XDR has been circulating for some time. In December 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was working on an updated version of the display, this time with an Apple silicon chip to enhance its capabilities. In July 2023, Gurman reiterated that Apple was still developing multiple new displays. Display supply chain analyst Ross Young added that the next-generation Pro Display XDR will feature quantum dot technology, just like the MacBook Pro. Evidence of Apple's work on new external monitors has been spotted multiple times. The third beta of macOS 26.1 suggests that the Pro Display XDR 2 will feature a built-in Center Stage camera. The A19 Pro chip is also a possibility, along with a higher refresh rate.Related Roundups: Apple Pro Display XDR, Apple Studio DisplayRelated Forum: Mac AccessoriesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Faces Scrutiny as Sanctioned Entities Slip Through App Store Controls
Apple's App Store has been unlawfully hosting dozens of apps tied to U.S.-sanctioned companies, according to a new watchdog report (via The Washington Post). The Tech Transparency Project, a non-profit advocacy group, flagged 52 apps in the App Store that had links to entities found on the Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs), a designation that prohibits U.S. companies from doing business with them. Linked organisations included Russian financial institutions such as Gazprombank and National Standard Bank propping up Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, and China's Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), which has been sanctioned for involvement in repression of Uyghur minorities. Another app was run by a company owned by an accused Lithuanian drug trafficker. The linked entities reportedly used name variants, shell developers, or partial references to obscure their sanctions status. Google's Play Store was also found to be hosting 18 apps for similarly sanctioned organizations. Google took down all but one of the apps after being contacted by The Post. Apple removed 35 out of 52 during or after the investigation. Apple disputed that all the flagged apps violate sanctions, but said it was enhancing its review process. Apple previously committed to improving sanctions detection after a 2019 Treasury settlement involving a naming-variation failure. According to The Post, the Treasury could have fined Apple more than $70 million at the time, but said it accepted a settlement of less than $1 million because Apple had self-reported, had not had a violation in the preceding five years, and promised to revamp its sanction search tools "to fully capture spelling and capitalization variations and to account for country-specific business suffixes." Legal experts say that prior agreement increases Apple's exposure now, since the latest similar lapses suggest its promised improvements were insufficient. The findings also call into question Apple's long-standing claim that its App Store provides a "safe and trusted" environment for users.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Spotify Rolls Out Music Videos to Premium Users in US and Canada
Spotify has announced music videos are rolling out now to Premium users in the U.S. and Canada, though the feature remains in beta. The catalog currently includes music videos from artists like Ariana Grande, Olivia Dean, BABYMONSTER, Addison Rae, Tyler Childers, Natanael Cano, and Carín León. Spotify says the initial video catalog is "limited" for now while the feature is in beta, but asks users to "stay tuned" as availability is set to grow "over the coming months." If you're a Premium subscriber and want to check out music videos, open Spotify on you TV, desktop, iOS, or Android device, and a "Switch to Video" icon will appear above the song title in supported music tracks. Tapping starts the song from the beginning with accompanying video within the Now Playing view, which can also be rotated to landscape orientation on iPhone and Android. To find additional music videos – including live and cover videos – scroll down to explore Related Music Videos, or go to an artist's profile and look under the Music tab. You can also watch by genre and era via playlists like 90s Video Hits, Hip-Hop Throwbacks, and Latin Party Hits. Spotify first announced beta support for music videos back in March 2024, but the feature was limited to 11 markets including the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Brazil, Colombia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya. In October, Spotify released a redesigned app for Apple TV that supports music videos, which had by then expanded to 97 countries around the world. Spotify says music videos will be available to all Premium users in the U.S. and Canada by the end of the month. Previously, video content on Spotify has been limited to video podcasts and short repeating music video clips when a song plays. Apple Music has included its own music video catalog for almost seven years now. The feature was introduced with the release of iOS 11.3 in March 2018. Tag: SpotifyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Google Maps Quietly Added This Long-Overdue Feature for Drivers
Google Maps on iOS quietly gained a new feature recently that automatically recognizes where you've parked your vehicle and saves the location for you. Announced on LinkedIn by Rio Akasaka, Google Maps' senior product manager, the new feature auto-detects your parked location even if you don't use the parking pin function, saves it for up to 48 hours, and then automatically removes it once you start driving again. Saving your parking spot in Maps isn't a new ability in itself. You could already do that manually by tapping your location on the map and then choosing Saved Parking. The difference here is that the whole process is automated for you. Akasaka explains what you need to do to get the feature to work: Get in a car with Google Maps and connect to your car with USB, Bluetooth or CarPlay, and once you're done driving, there's a little pin waiting for you when you open Google Maps next – a personal parking Maps valet, just for you. When you drive again, the pin goes away, just like that.Automatic parking location saving started rolling out on iPhone about a month ago, but since then another feature has gone live that will now use any custom car icons you've set up as a parking icon, instead of the default "P" icon. Google added custom car icons to Maps in 2020, and eight new car shapes and colors were added earlier this year. As things stand, the new auto-save parking place feature only works on iOS. While a similar parking reminder can be found on Android, the icon will only go away if the user manually removes it. (Via 9to5Google.)Tag: Google MapsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Pebble Unveils $75 iPhone-Compatible Smart Ring for Quick Voice Recordings
Pebble today announced the Pebble Index 01, a simple smart ring that's designed for recording information. It is equipped with a microphone and a button to start a recording, but little else. Priced at $75, the Index 01 does not require an internet connection or a subscription, and it doesn't record unless the button is pressed. Recordings are sent to a connected smartphone, and can be saved as a note, added to a calendar, or set as a reminder. Information is processed by open source speech-to-text and AI models locally on an iPhone or Android smartphone. It is customizable, and single or double button clicks can be set to control different actions like switching to a new song, taking a photo, or activating smart home devices. The device is made from stainless steel, and it is available in three colors, including silver, gold, and black. Sizes range from 6 to 13. It is resistant to water, and no charging is necessary. Pebble says the battery will last for 12 to 15 hours of recording, which equates to 10-20 recordings per day that are 3-6 seconds in length. Since there is no replaceable battery and no option to charge, the ring is meant to be recycled when the battery dies. The Pebble Index 01 is priced at $75 and is available for pre-order from the Pebble website. It will ship in March 2026, and after that, the price will increase to $99.Tag: PebbleThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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EU Takes Credit for Apple and Google's Upcoming iPhone-Android Data Transfer Tools
The simplified smartphone switching Apple and Google are adopting is an example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) benefits users and developers, the European Commission said today. Apple and Google are making it easier for users to switch between iPhone and Android smartphones, adding an option to transfer data from another smartphone during the device setup process. Apple and Google are implementing this functionality because the DMA requires services to offer effective data portability to avoid data lock-in to an operating system. The EC says the new interoperability is a "direct result of the DMA." The European Commission welcomes the cross-OS data portability solution that has been communicated by Apple and Google. This is an example of how the Digital Markets Act (DMA) brings benefits to users and developers. This OS portability solution will allow users to easily transfer data from iPhone to Android and vice versa when they set up a new device. It will support many types of data, including: contacts, calendar events, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and even data from third-party apps. It will also work wirelessly. These are major upgrades compared to the currently limited data transfer solutions. The DMA is also the reason why Apple and Google designed a simplified eSIM transfer solution earlier this year. The EC says that both new features were made possible by "extensive engineering work and collaboration" between the two companies, along with "intensive discussions with the Commission." Taken together, the eSIM transfer and the OS data portability solutions will greatly simplify the experience of users who want to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone, or vice versa. This improved data portability across platforms brings more user choice, which drives competition and creates more incentives to innovate. Users should be able to pick a new phone based on innovative features, not based on where their data is locked. Apple and Google are currently testing the new smartphone switching solution. Google implemented it in an Android Canary build, and Apple is expected to add it in a future update to iOS 26. Apple and Google will support transferring contacts, messages, photos, documents, Wi-Fi networks, passwords, information from third-party apps, and more. Though Apple and Google are implementing simplified switching due to DMA requirements, it is functionality that will be rolled out worldwide and not just in Europe. The European Commission is highlighting DMA wins because earlier this year, Apple commissioned a study that said the Digital Markets Act has failed to lower App Store prices for consumers. Apple said the DMA has "failed to live up to its promises," and has only delivered "less security, less privacy, and a worse experience for consumers across Europe."Tags: Android, European Commission, European UnionThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Former Apple COO Jeff Williams Joining Disney's Board of Directors
Former Apple chief operating officer Jeff Williams may soon join Disney's board of directors. The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors nominated Williams to be a new independent director, and he will stand for election at the 2026 annual shareholders meeting. Williams was Apple's chief operating officer from December 2015 to November 2025, when he retired from Apple. Williams was in charge of Apple's worldwide operations, customer service, and support. He also led the Apple Watch engineering and health initiatives, and headed up the design team from 2023 until his retirement. In a statement, Williams said that he looks forward to contributing to Disney's growth. "I have long admired Disney's legacy of pairing imagination with innovation--leveraging new technologies in bold, creative ways to bring to life timeless stories and entertain its guests," said Williams. "It is an honor to be nominated to the board of this storied company. I look forward to working with Disney's talented leadership team and contributing to the company's ongoing journey of creativity and excellence." Disney's board will expand to 11 members with Williams, and he is set to join Bob Iger, GM CEO Mary Barra, former Morgan Stanley Executive Chairman James Gorman, former Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch, Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald, and others.Tag: Jeff WilliamsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iPhone Fold Expected to Claim 22% of Foldable Market, 34% of Revenue in First Year
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone is expected to spur strong growth in worldwide foldable smartphone shipments in 2026, according to new estimates shared by IDC. IDC believes the ‌iPhone‌ Fold will capture over 22 percent unit share and 34 percent of the foldables market value in its first year due to an expected $2,400 starting price point. Right now, the foldable market is dominated by Samsung and Google. "The launch of Apple's first foldable iPhone will mark a turning point for the foldable segment," said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at IDC. "This move is likely to boost category awareness and drive consumer interest. Apple tends to be a catalyst for mainstream adoption of new categories. Although foldables will continue to be a niche segment from a volume perspective, it will become a relevant value driver for most vendors offering foldables, as average selling prices will be 3 times higher than a standard smartphone." The overall foldable smartphone market is expected to grow 30 percent in 2026 thanks to Apple joining the market, with some growth also expected from Samsung's Galaxy Z Trifold launching in January 2026. Rumors suggest Apple's first foldable iPhone will debut in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models. The ‌iPhone‌ Fold is expected to feature book-like design that folds horizontally, opening out into a larger iPad mini-sized display. The device will be around 5.5 inches in size when folded, but it will open up to around 7.8 inches. Apple has worked to eliminate the crease with a reinforced hinge, and it could be one of the first foldable devices with no visible crease. Details on what to expect from Apple's foldable ‌iPhone‌ can be found in our iPhone Fold roundup.Tag: IDCThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Offering Up to 3 Free Months of Apple Arcade With Holiday Gift Card Purchase
Apple is offering U.S. customers who purchase and redeem an Apple Gift Card three months of free access to Apple Arcade. Holiday gift card purchases made before January 6, 2026 are eligible for the ‌Apple Arcade‌ trial, as long as the card is redeemed by January 13, 2026. The offer is available to new or qualified returning ‌Apple Arcade‌ subscribers, but it is not an option for existing ‌Apple Arcade‌ subscribers. New subscribers can try ‌Apple Arcade‌ for three months, while returning subscribers get two months of access. There is no minimum denomination required for the gift card purchase, and the gift card can be acquired from the Apple retail store or Apple online store. Apple gift cards from third-party retailers or new value added to an Apple Account balance are not eligible for the ‌Apple Arcade‌ trial. Only one trial per Apple Account is available. Apple will provide the bonus code immediately after gift card redemption to an Apple Account balance. An Apple Account with a payment method on file is required, and the plan will automatically renew at $6.99 per month unless it is canceled. ‌Apple Arcade‌ is Apple's subscription gaming service, offering over 200 games with no in-app fees or ads. Up to six family members can access ‌Apple Arcade‌ with a single subscription.Tag: Apple ArcadeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Google Photos for iOS Gets Redesigned Video Editor
Google is rolling out a redesigned video editor on iOS devices, providing an updated design that is "faster and easier to use." There's a universal timeline with support for multi-clip editing and storytelling, plus an adaptive canvas that makes editing simpler. Tools that you need to edit photos and videos are easier to access, and Google says "everything you need is right where you expect it to be." When creating videos, users can browse the Photos music library and quickly add a soundtrack to a highlight video. There are also several features that are available on Android devices that could expand to iOS devices in the future. Android users have access to templates with pre-set formats that include built-in music, text, and cuts that are synced to a soundtrack, along with the option to add custom text overlays. Google says that the new features will be available to users starting today.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple to Make More Foldable iPhones Than Expected
Apple has ordered 22 million OLED panels from Samsung Display for the first foldable iPhone, signaling a significantly larger production target than the display industry had previously anticipated, ET News reports. In the now-seemingly deleted report, ET News claimed that Samsung plans to mass-produce 11 million inward-folding OLED displays for Apple next year, as well as 11 million accompanying external displays. With Samsung Display serving as the exclusive supplier of these components, the production plan implies that Apple's own target output for the first-generation foldable ‌iPhone‌ is in the range of 10 million finished devices, since suppliers usually produce more components than Apple needs to account for yield and quality variations. This production plan is more than 30% higher than initial industry expectations, which placed early foldable ‌iPhone‌ shipments between six million and eight million units. Those earlier estimates were based on the historical performance of the global foldable smartphone market, which has hovered just above 20 million units annually. The report reiterated that the device is expected to feature a book-style, inward-folding design with a 5.35-inch external display and a 7.58-inch folding internal display. It is believed to contain an advanced hinge design and specialized material properties to minimize the crease in the folding display. Apple reportedly plans to adopt Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE), a method that removes the traditional polarizer layer and integrates its functionality directly into the OLED stack. Eliminating the polarizer can reduce thickness and improve brightness. The device is also rumored to incorporate an Under Display Camera (UDC), allowing the internal display to achieve a more seamless full-screen appearance without a punch hole or visible camera cutout. The first foldable ‌iPhone‌ is expected to launch next year alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro Max.Tags: ETNews, Foldable iPhone, SamsungThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Pay Now Lets You 'Pay Later' With Klarna in Two More Countries
Klarna is now available as a buy-now, pay-later option when using Apple Pay in France and Italy. This financing option lets you pay for your Apple Pay purchase in monthly installments, with the shortest payment plans being interest free. Eligible customers can split purchases into three monthly installments, or choose to pay up to 30 days later, without paying any interest. For higher-value purchases with longer payment plans, Klarna says it offers competitive interest rates. Klarna was already available via Apple Pay in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain, and Sweden, so there are now eight countries supported. Apple discontinued its own buy-now, pay-later service called Apple Pay Later last year, and instead started partnering with third-party providers, including Klarna, Affirm, and Synchrony. Availability of these providers varies by country. When checking out with Apple Pay online and in apps, iPhone and iPad users can select "Other Cards & Pay Later Options" to access installment payment plans from Klarna and other financing partners, where available. Starting with iOS 26, the buy-now, pay-later options are also available for in-store Apple Pay purchases.Related Roundup: Apple PayRelated Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Arcade Adding These Four Games in January
Apple Arcade will be adding four new games on Thursday, January 8, including True Skate+, Cozy Caravan, Sago Mini Jinja's Garden, and Potion Punch 2+. True Skate+ is a skateboarding simulation game with realistic physics. You can flick a virtual skateboard with your fingers to perform various tricks. Cozy Caravan is a kid-friendly, single-player game in which you navigate a caravan through picturesque landscapes, helping communities along the way. Sago Mini Jinga's Garden is another kid-friendly game in which you plant gardens, harvest ingredients, and explore the open world at your own pace. Potion Punch 2+ tasks you with mixing powerful potions. Apple Arcade is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is also bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans. Apple Arcade can be accessed through the App Store and Apple Games apps.Tag: Apple ArcadeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple's M5 iPad Pro Returns to All-Time Low Black Friday Prices at Up to $180 Off
Amazon and Best Buy today opened up big discounts across the M5 iPad Pro lineup, offering as much as $180 off select tablets. Prices start at $899.00 for the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M5 iPad Pro at Amazon, down from $999.00. All deals in this sale match — or beat — the record low prices we tracked during Black Friday. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. For the larger models, you can save up to $180 on the 13-inch M5 iPad Pro on Amazon this week. If you're shopping for the 2TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi model, Amazon has this tablet for $2,219.00, down from $2,399.00, as well as a few other 13-inch models between $100 and $170 off. $100 OFF11-inch M5 iPad Pro (256GB Wi-Fi) for $899.00 $100 OFF13-inch M5 iPad Pro (512GB Wi-Fi) for $1,399.00 In regards to the Amazon discounts, many of the deals are beginning to see delayed delivery estimates, with some arriving after the Christmas holiday. If you're shopping for holiday presents, be sure to get your orders in soon. 11-Inch M5 iPad Pro 256GB Wi-Fi - $899.00 ($100 off) 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,099.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy] 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,474.73 ($125 off) 1TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $1,576.00 ($123 off) 2TB Wi-Fi - $1,851.00 ($148 off) 2TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $1,999.00 ($100 off) 13-Inch M5 iPad Pro 256GB Wi-Fi - $1,197.00 ($102 off) 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,399.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy] 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,756.00 ($143 off) 1TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $1,851.00 ($148 off) 2TB Wi-Fi - $2,129.00 ($170 off) 2TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $2,219.00 ($180 off) If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find this holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iFixit Launches Free iOS Repair App With AI-Powered FixBot
iFixit today announced the launch of a new iFixit app that's available to download from Apple's App Store (and the Play Store on Android devices). It includes all of the iFixit repair guides in a format that's ideal for mobile devices, along with a workbench that keeps track of repairs, a battery lifespan predictor, and an AI repair buddy called FixBot. The iFixit repair app is able to monitor an iPhone's battery in real time, providing graphs of how a battery deteriorates over time. The graphs provide users with advanced notice of when a battery might need to be replaced. FixBot is able to provide AI assistance to solve issues with smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more. Users can describe a problem with text or voice, and FixBot will provide help with diagnosis and repair. FixBot can respond to questions verbally for hands-free use, and there's also an option to share images with the AI. iFixit says that FixBot is trained on millions of successful iFixit community repairs rather than generic information, which makes it a useful repair tool. FixBot is available in the iFixit app, and it can also be used on iFixit's website. The app includes all of iFixit's repair guides, but it is aware of what smartphone the user has and will default to showing repair information for that device for quick information on fixes. There are options for purchasing repair parts directly from iFixit, with the app able to check for device compatibility before a purchase is made. iFixit did have an app that was available up until 2015, but Apple pulled it from the App Store after iFixit tore down an Apple TV developer kit. Apple said that iFixit violated the Apple terms of service with the teardown, and banned the iFixit developer account. Ten years later, iFixit was allowed to return to the ‌App Store‌. The iFixit app can be downloaded from the App Store for free, and more information on the app is available on iFixit's website. Access to FixBot is free for now, and later, there will be both a free version and a $4.99 per month Enthusiast plan with document uploads.Tag: iFixitThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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SMS Delivery Delays to Telenor Network in Hungary
Dec 18, 13:42 PSTUpdate - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays to Telenor Network in Hungary. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 18, 13:29 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with SMS delivery delays to Telenor Network in Hungary. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

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On Call Engineers are Investigating an issue with CTM Numbers Ported are Losing Campaign Details out of the Numbers
Dec 18, 13:14 PSTResolved - We have fully investigated the CTM numbers ported are losing campaign details out of the numbers issue, and it was determined that the impact was limited to a small set of customers, who have been contacted individually to address any concerns. All systems are operational.Dec 18, 13:10 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with CTM numbers ported are losing campaign details out of the numbers. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

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SMS Delivery Delays to MTN Network in Nigeria
Dec 18, 12:16 PSTUpdate - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays to MTN Network in Nigeria. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Dec 18, 12:11 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with SMS delivery delays to MTN Network in Nigeria. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

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SMS Delivery Delays to Multiple Networks in Botswana
Dec 18, 11:50 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Multiple Networks in Botswana. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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GoTo Connect – Softphone call issues
Dec 18, 19:42 UTCMonitoring - Our engineers have corrected the issue and we are confirming that all services are functional.We will continue monitoring the situation and provide a final update shortly.Dec 18, 19:41 UTCUpdate - Users experiencing this issue should reload their GoTo Connect softphone, to benefit from a change preformed by our engineering teams. We will provide another update shortly.Dec 18, 19:33 UTCIdentified - Our engineers have identified the issue and are now actively working towards a resolution.We will provide another update shortly.Dec 18, 19:29 UTCInvestigating - We are actively investigating reports that some GoTo Connect customers may be experiencing call issues when using the GoTo Connect softphone. Our engineers are working to identify the issue and will provide another update shortly.

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DUR (Durban) on 2025-12-18
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 20:00 - 22:00 UTCDec 18, 17:10 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DUR (Durban) datacenter on 2025-12-18 between 20:00 and 22:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

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Network Performance Issues in Haikou, China
Dec 18, 15:05 UTCUpdate - We are continuing to investigate this issue.Dec 18, 15:04 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating issues with Network Performance in Haikou, China.We are working to analyze and mitigate this problem. More updates will follow shortly.

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SEA (Seattle) on 2025-12-19
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 19, 10:00 - 15:00 UTCDec 18, 14:48 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in SEA (Seattle) datacenter on 2025-12-19 between 10:00 and 15:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

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MAD (Madrid) on 2025-12-19
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 19, 01:00 - 05:00 UTCDec 18, 14:48 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MAD (Madrid) datacenter on 2025-12-19 between 01:00 and 05:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

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United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Vodafone
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 14:30 - 20:20 PSTDec 18, 05:59 PSTScheduled - Our carrier partner Vodafone United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 18 December 2025 at 14:30 PST until 18 December 2025 at 20:20 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Vodafone United Kingdom customers.Impacted Products: Lookup Identity Match, Legacy Identity MatchAndAttributesWe are aware of the short notice and are working with our Carrier Partners to provide earlier notification where possible.

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Cloudflare Zero Trust: Gateway Issues
Dec 18, 12:15 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating an issue causing increased latency for users connected to Cloudflare Gateway. The issue is in Sacramento - United States.We are working to understand the full impact and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.

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Network Error Logging Issues
Dec 18, 12:00 UTCResolved - Customers using our Last Mile Insights / Network Error Logging feature will observe missing report data between 2025-12-18 11:00 and 11:50 UTC due to an outage impacting the report delivery pipeline.

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DUR (Durban) on 2025-12-19
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 19, 01:00 - 07:00 UTCDec 18, 09:42 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in DUR (Durban) datacenter on 2025-12-19 between 01:00 and 07:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

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SMS Delivery Failure's To A Subset Of Phone Numbers In Israel
Dec 18, 01:03 PSTInvestigating - SMS Delivery Failure's To A Subset Of Phone Numbers In Israel. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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KYT is currently experiencing a critical monitoring outage
Dec 18, 00:41 PSTResolved - This issue relates to an internal tool and this was posted in error.Dec 18, 00:30 PSTInvestigating - . The system cannot update OpenSearch dashboards, which prevents identification of blocks on non-Twilio Toll-Free remediation tickets and detection of new phishing or disallowed content through the primary monitoring system. A backup monitoring solution is available but is less effective. This gap increases the risk of undetected malicious traffic (such as phishing, scam, or spam), potentially resulting in SEV0 escalations from carriers. Immediate support is needed to restore full monitoring functionality. Please note: when the incident was first reported, the data lag was 3 hours; it has now increased to a 4-hour lag. We expect to provide another update in 30mins or as soon as more information becomes available

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Elevated number of 5xx errors in MAD
Dec 18, 06:15 UTCResolved - Between 6:15-6:20 UTC, customers reaching Madrid, ES would have experienced an elevated number of 4xx/5xx errors and latency.

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Network Congestion
Dec 17, 19:55 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is observing possible network congestion in the western North America. We are working to mitigate impact to Internet users in this region. Stream users may see elevated error rates in delivery and upload paths. Video upload or viewing requests may need to be retried due to server side errors.

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SMS Delivery Delays to Multiple Networks in Portugal
Dec 17, 11:32 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to multiple networks. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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On Call Engineers are Investigating an issue with Identity services
Dec 17, 10:45 PSTResolved - We have fully investigated the Identity services issue triggered by our automated alert, and it was determined that there is no noticeable customer impact. All systems are operational.Dec 17, 10:39 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with Identity services are throwing 5xx errors. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

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SIN (Singapore) on 2025-12-18
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 18, 17:00 UTC  -  Dec 19, 01:00 UTCDec 17, 17:31 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in SIN (Singapore) datacenter between 2025-12-18 17:00 and 2025-12-19 01:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

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