12 popular iPhone myths you can flat out ignore
Macworld I’m known as the Apple guy in my social circle. Friends and family routinely ask for purchasing advice, and I often end up reviewing their iPhones to see whether they’re missing useful apps, features, or settings. In many cases, I find people misusing their devices or disabling core functions due to unfounded worries. You have probably heard at least one of these 12 misconceptions before, and if you’re new to iOS or simply unsure how the platform works, you might believe them. Let us give you a clearer understanding of how your iPhone operates. 1. App-closing assumptions I frequently hear users—particularly recent switchers accustomed to Android—complain about needing to close iPhone apps manually. Many Android phones have long offered a button to close all active apps at once, while iOS still requires you to swipe up on each app in the App Switcher individually. Apple intentionally doesn’t offer a Close All Apps button on iOS because the system automatically puts inactive apps to sleep. They’re not constantly running in the background—even when they’re listed among other open apps in the App Switcher. In fact, repeatedly force-closing and relaunching everyday apps can actually drain your battery more, as initiating a fresh session consumes more power than reviving a hibernating one. You should only kill an app if it is misbehaving and requires a reset. 2. Network-killing nonsense During the smartphone’s early days, connectivity features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS would consume significant power. For many users, the norm was disabling their respective toggles when not actively relying on apps that need them to minimize battery drain. In modern phones, the relevant networking chips really use very little power when idle. As such, iOS has removed the ability to completely disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth via the Control Center and instead disconnects accessories when toggled. You shouldn’t turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS in the Settings app, as essential features like Find My, Apple Watch sync, AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, and other Continuity features rely on them. You may want to stick to the Control Center toggles, as they disconnect your peripherals without affecting the ecosystem’s underlying foundation. Turning off Bluetooth or Wi-Fi when not in use simply won’t extend the battery life of a modern iPhone a noticeable amount—it’s just placebo effect and confirmation bias for those who think it does. 3. Eavesdropping rumors No, a certain social media app is not secretly accessing your microphone and camera to deliver targeted ads. While developers are coming up with innovative (and arguably unethical) ways to track users’ online activity, directly listening to your real-life conversations isn’t one of them. When an app accesses your microphone or camera, iOS displays a clear orange (microphone) or green (camera) indicator dot up near the front camera that developers cannot conceal. If you want to prevent an app from ever accessing these sensors, you can also deny microphone and camera permissions when prompted. It’s not possible for an app to bypass these boundaries—assuming you haven’t tampered with the operating system. You can open Control Center (swipe down from the upper-right edge of your display) and tap a little privacy indicator at the top of the Control Center screen to see which apps are currently and have recently accessed your camera, microphone, and location. Foundry 4. Charging chatter It’s widely believed that leaving your iPhone connected to a power source overnight can overcharge and damage its battery—that’s not entirely true. Your iPhone carefully manages its power draw as the battery fills up to minimize excessive wear and damage. When the battery hits 100%, it only draws a small trickle to stay full. Furthermore, features like Optimized Battery Charging and Charge Limit can optionally learn from your routines and prevent your iPhone from fully charging every day—unless you want it to. You can safely leave your iPhone on its charger all night long, especially after enabling these settings. 5. Dated OS delusions Many users intentionally avoid updating to the latest iOS version, thinking it’s going to slow down their iPhones or break features. While a major OS release may potentially run slower on a five-year-old iPhone, newer models tend to work just as fluidly after an update (and often faster). In fact, you’re advised to download the latest iOS build available, as it packs critical security patches—beyond the user-facing additions. Keeping your iPhone on a dated operating system version increases the risk of vulnerability exploitation. This myth persists because, immediately following a big new software update, your iPhone often performs a number of background tasks like indexing files and analyzing photos to recognize objects and people in them, all to make search and advanced features work properly. This can take a day or two, and much of it happens when your iPhone is plugged in and not in use, but the first few days after a big update can see slightly slower performance or shorter battery life. This will go away quickly. 6. Display disinformation The always-on display feature doesn’t just leave your screen on 24/7 and quickly drain your battery. The display drops to a dim 1Hz mode that barely consumes any power. Plus, iOS automatically shuts it down depending on certain factors, like your sleep routine and how you typically use your iPhone. While disabling it will save a bit of power, the impact is negligible—typically only a few percent per day. Foundry 7. Face ID fallacies Newcomers often worry about Face ID’s security and reliability. Contrary to common misconception, the TrueDepth camera system works in pitch-black environments, letting you securely unlock your iPhone even at night. Additionally, the biometric authentication feature doesn’t work with photos of your face or when you’re not making eye contact with it. As such, it’s very unlikely for someone holding your iPhone to bypass Face ID without your knowledge or consent. Face ID data is never sent to Apple or anyone else. It resides in a physically isolated section of your iPhone’s processor called the Secure Enclave and cannot be accessed by any application, only by the core iOS system when a legitimate Face ID request is invoked. 8. Camera confusions Customers on an annual iPhone upgrade cycle sometimes complain about the lack of camera improvements in the latest model. Apple doesn’t change every camera sensor every year. For example, the iPhone 17 Pro revamped the selfie and telephoto cameras only. The wide and ultrawide cameras, on the other hand, are pretty much identical to their predecessors. So, unless you’re taking a selfie or a zoomed-in shot, you won’t be noticing any major camera enhancements this year. Most people get a new iPhone after 2-4 years, though. Those incremental year-to-year improvements really add up, so if you’re coming from an iPhone 14, the iPhone 17’s camera will be much improved. Foundry 9. Resistance rumors iPhones are, to an extent, very resistant to water and dust—but they’re not actually waterproof. Depending on your model’s IP rating, it will likely survive being submerged in water up to a specific depth and for a limited period of time. As your iPhone ages, it may lose some of its resistance and become more susceptible to water damage, especially if it has some mild damage. It’s best not to intentionally test the limits of its water resistance, but you should be fine washing it off with soap and water, for example, or accidentally dropping it in the sink. 10. iMessage illusions Some users turn off iMessage when they lose internet access, believing it’s the only way to send SMS to their iPhone-using contacts. While iMessage is the default for conversations between iOS users, you can still bypass it whenever either party is offline or the service is down. Just tap and hold the pending text, then select Send as Text Message. This forces the message through your carrier instead of Apple’s servers. It’s pretty uncommon these days to have cellular SMS service but not cellular internet access, but it can happen, especially if you’re traveling somewhere remote or on a limited data plan. Foundry 11. App Store absurdities Many users complain about Apple randomly charging their bank cards, despite them not making any recent App Store purchases. These are typically recurring subscription fees that they’ve opted for at some point in the past. You can easily check all of your App Store spending—including subscription services, paid app downloads, and in-app purchases—using the Purchase History section of the App Store. Open the App Store, tap your initials/icon in the upper right, then tap Subscriptions or Purchase History. Any unwanted subscriptions can be canceled from the Subscriptions subsection found under your name in the Settings app. 12. iTunes inaccuracies Apple Music and Apple TV don’t require you to buy listed songs and movies individually. While you can access your separate iTunes purchases directly in the Music and TV apps, the company offers unrelated subscription services similar to Spotify and Netflix. For fixed monthly fees, you can listen to and watch any of the available content on all of your compatible devices.

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Never stress about a misplaced wallet again with these slim trackers for 25% off
Macworld TL;DR: Get a three-pack of KeySmart SmartCards — ultra-thin Bluetooth trackers that work with Apple’s Find My — for $89.99 and make your wallet, luggage, or badge instantly locatable. Misplacing your wallet is stressful enough — especially when you’re not sure where it ended up. The KeySmart® SmartCard helps you track it down fast by turning your wallet, or any small item, into something you can locate in seconds. They work just like AirTags, and right now, you can grab a three-pack for $89.99 (MSRP $119.97). The SmartCard looks like a credit card, but it’s actually a discreet Bluetooth tracker that works seamlessly with Apple’s Find My app. Once it’s connected, you can locate your wallet on a map, make it play a sound, or activate Lost Mode to share your contact info with whoever finds it. Unlike bulkier tracking devices, these cards are designed to fit where AirTags can’t. Slide one into a wallet, tuck it behind your ID badge, or drop it in your luggage tag without adding any bulk. They’re also IPX8-waterproof, so even a rainy day or spilled drink won’t get in the way of tracking down your missing items. Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or just prone to leaving things behind, the SmartCard makes it easy to keep tabs on the essentials. And with three in the pack, you can keep one for yourself and use the others for your bag, passport wallet, or even a shared item at home. During this limited-time sale, you can get a three-pack of KeySmart® SmartCards for $89.99. KeySmart® SmartCard – Works With Apple Find My | Wireless Charging (3-Pack)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Upgrade your sky views with a smartphone telescope — now just $240
Macworld TL;DR: Hestia uses your smartphone to capture sharp, magnified views of the Moon, Sun, deep-sky objects, and landscapes—now just $239.97 (MSRP $299) with free shipping. Well, smartphones can officially do it all. The Hestia is the first ever smartphone-based telescope. And now that the Ultimate Pack is just $239.97 (MSRP $299) with free shipping, stargazing just got way more accessible—and a whole lot cooler. Hestia is designed for curious beginners and seasoned sky-watchers alike. It uses your phone’s main camera along with Vaonis’ patented optical system to deliver 5x sharper images and 25x magnification. Lunar craters? Sunspots? Your first deep-sky object? Hestia says, “Let’s go.” Setup is simple: mount it on the premium tripod, open the Gravity app, align your phone, pick your cosmic destination, and boom—instant universe access. No batteries, no cables, no fiddling. Just optics, your phone, and the sky. And because it works day or night, Hestia becomes a year-round companion. Explore solar activity by day, follow the Moon’s phases at night, or switch to Scenery Mode when you want close-up terrestrial shots. This Ultimate Pack sweetens the deal with a solar observation kit, a hardshell travel case, and a visor for daytime viewing. Don’t miss grabbing the sky-gazing Hestia Unlimited Pack while it’s on sale for $239.97 (MSRP $299) with free shipping. Hestia: First Ever Smartphone-Based Telescope (Ultimate Pack)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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MacBook A19 Pro: All the rumors about Apple’s low-cost laptop
Macworld New MacBook with A19 Pro: In summary Apple is said to be planning to launch a budget MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. Analyst claims production underway. Possible spring 2026 launch. Apple’s MacBook lineup could be in for a major shakeup. The company is reportedly planning on releasing a new laptop that can compete with Windows laptops in the budget market. Such a laptop could bring the Mac to a whole new class of users. This new, low-cost MacBook could be a very popular one, which means you’ll want to keep track of its developments. Well, look no further. This article will keep track of the rumors and reports of this upcoming product, as well as offer our perspective on the device, so keep an eye on this page for the latest. A19 Pro MacBook: Release date Rumored late 2025 release Spring 2026 more likely One recurrent rumor in 2025 has predicted that Apple plans to launch a lower-cost MacBook model based around an A-class (probably A19 Pro or A18 Pro) iPhone processor. Until now, the timeframe of such a project has been relatively vague, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who began the original rumor about the low-cost MacBook, back in June 2025, has claimed that the new MacBook will enter mass production during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025. Kuo had previously suggested that Apple would start production of the new iPhone chip-powered MacBook Pro at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 or in the early stage of the first quarter of 2026, but he is now suggesting that production will start in 2025, so, it follows, the device could be with us a little sooner than previously thought. If Kuo is using Apple’s financial calendar, the end of Apple’s Q4 2025 is on September 27. So, it might be possible that the laptop is available for the 2025 holiday shopping season. Kuo isn’t the only one pointing to a possible 2025 launch. On August 11, DigiTimes reported that the new budget MacBook could ship “by the end of the third quarter of 2025.” However, it’s worth emphasising that these dates refer to the manufacturing process rather than the announcement or shipping timeframe. If that began near the start of Q4–in the middle of October, for instance–then it’s possible the product could be with us by the end of the year. But at this point it seems more plausible that it’ll arrive in early 2026, potentially at a spring event. More evidence that such a Mac is in the pipeline: MacRumors reported that the identifier “Mac17,1” was found in the code of Apple Intelligence. This identifier does not correspond to any known Macs, nor does it follow the convention of any upcoming Macs. It’s assumed that this is referring to the A19 (or A18) Pro MacBook. On November 4, 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple is planning to release a “low-cost laptop to rival Chromebooks and Windows PCs” in the first half of 2026. It is currently in testing at Apple and “in early production with overseas suppliers.” What will the new MacBook be called? MacBook (probably) No reports have been made about the official name of the laptop, but you can assume it won’t be part of the MacBook Air line. It’s being referred to as the A18 or A19 Pro MacBook, based on the chip it could have. Apple could simply call it “MacBook,” reviving the name of the discontinued 12-inch MacBook that was targeted at a similar market. Apple last updated the MacBook in 2017.Foundry A19 Pro MacBook: Design 12.9-inch display rumored. We haven’t heard much about the design of the A19 Pro MacBook, but we can make some assumptions based on the discontinued 12-inch MacBook. When Apple offered the 12-inch MacBook, it had a simple design that was not unlike the current MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air. So, it’s safe to assume that the design of this new laptop will follow Apple’s current MacBook form, though it might be lighter and thinner than the current Air to create some distance between the two lines. The 12-inch MacBook had only one USB-C port.Foundry Apple’s goal with this laptop is to make it affordable compared to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and one way to cut costs is to make a plastic case instead of an aluminum one. However, since Apple is working to make its products carbon-neutral, it’s doubtful that it would use plastic. So, like the 12-inch MacBook, it’s likely Apple will either use aluminum or some other recyclable or carbon-free material. Apple currently uses a Liquid Retina (LED-backlit display with IPS technology) display in the MacBook Air, an upgrade over the original Retina displays Apple last used with the 13-inch MacBook Pro in 2022. It’s possible Apple could revert to a Retina display with squared-off corners for the A19 Pro MacBook, though it’s more likely that Apple shaves cost by using a smaller display. On August 11, DigiTimes reported that the laptop will have a 12.9-inch display, slightly smaller than the 13-inch MacBook Air. As for color choices. Previously the MacBook was Silver, Space Gray and Gold. Could Apple take inspiration from the iPhone colors, such as a Deep Blue option, Light Gold or even Cosmic Orange? A19 Pro MacBook: Features Could include modem for cellular connectivity. We haven’t heard much about the features of the A19 Pro MacBook, but for now, we can make some guesses based on the target market and what Apple does and has done with the MacBook lineup. Given the seemingly lower price of this new laptop, we can assume it will lack features found in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The feature set is another area where the 12-inch MacBook can provide some insight. The 12-inch MacBook had only one USB-C port, and it’s possible Apple could go a similar route, possibly with the inclusion of a MagSafe port for charging. The A19 Pro does not support Thunderbolt, so the laptop would have USB-C only. It’s also possible that Apple opts not to include a built-in camera. Over the past several years, Apple has promoted the Mac’s Continuity Camera feature that lets you use an iPhone as a Mac webcam, as well as the upcoming macOS Tahoe Magnifier app. Apple could promote this as a webcam solution. This would be a drastic change, since it’s been a long time since Apple shipped a laptop without a camera, but it could be a possibility in order to meet the company’s price goal. A19 Pro MacBook: Processor and specs Expected to use iPhone chip: A19 Pro or A18 Pro. Another way to meet the pricing goals for this new MacBook is to use a chip that isn’t as robust as the chips used in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The initial report stated that Apple will use an A18 Pro, the same chip that was in the iPhone 16 Pro. Now that the A19 arrived with the iPhone 17 this is probably the more likely chip. Read more about what the iPhone 17 can tell us about the MacBook that could use the same chip in: Is Apple’s rumored cheap MacBook hiding in plain sight? The A-series chips are used in iPhones, while M-series chips are in Macs. Both chip families are based on the same general architecture, but the M chips generally offer more processing power. An A19 Pro (and A18 Pro) can technically do everything an M-series chip can, but it will be slower. When comparing Geekbench 6 benchmarks, the A18 Pro offered single-core performance that’s on par with the M3. However, because the A18 Pro has only 6 CPU cores, its multi-core performance is slightly behind the M1, which has 8 CPU cores. If Apple keeps everything the same, an A18 Pro MacBook will perform like an M1 MacBook Air, which, for a lot of people, has more than enough processing power. Should Apple use an A19 Pro we can expect something even better. It will draw comparison with the iPad models that are powered by Mac chips, though. MacRumors reported in December 2025 that references to an A18 Pro MacBook appeared in a set of leaked Apple files. Apple is now using its own wireless networking chip, the N1 in the iPhone 17, bringing Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, and Thread. It’s likely the same chips will make their way into the A19 Pro MacBook. There’s also a chance this new Mac will have cellular connectivity using Apple’s C1, C1X or yet to launch C2 modem. A19 Pro MacBook: Performance

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Apple TV releasing Pluribus season finale early next week
It’s happening again. Pluribus viewers won’t have to wait a full week to see the conclusion to season one. more…

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US investors to close deal on 50% ownership of TikTok January 22
TikTok in the United States is about to see significant change as a new US-based algorithm is introduced in the name of "protecting Americans' data and US National Security."TikTok America arrives on January 22After over five years of talks to ban TikTok because of supposed national security concerns, a sale is set to be finalized. On January 22, if the Chinese government approves, TikTok in the United States will be 50% owned by investing firms and meet the requirements of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act signed into law by President Biden.According to a report from the Associated Press, TikTok has signed agreements with Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi state-run MGX. These entities will own 15% stakes each, with other unnamed investors bringing it to 50% US investment, and 19.9% will be held by ByteDance, and 30.1% held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple faces revived App Store antitrust class action at U.S. appeals court
Following U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ reversal of her own certification of a class action suit accusing Apple of monopolizing the iPhone app market, the case was put back in play today. Here are the details. more…

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Asus ProArt PA32QCV Display review: Big screen for big creative work
The Asus ProArt Display PA32QCV is expensive, but it's a 6K-resolution creative professional's dream monitor.Asus ProArt PA32QCVAs a digital illustrator and graphic designer, the color quality, sharpness, and size of monitor displays in my day-to-day life is important to maintain consistent quality and peace of mind.I need monitors that allow me to create and deliver color artwork that is clear and consistent across as many surfaces and media as possible. All while also providing an abundance of real estate for the modern, multi-app/multi-window workflow creatives and designs fall into. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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After years of drama, TikTok’s U.S. sale is set to close next month
Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but it appears that the TikTok sale odyssey may be about to wrap up. Here are the details. more…

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Compromised Apple Gift Card Leads to Apple Account Lockout
An Apple developer was locked out of his Apple Account after redeeming a compromised Apple Gift Card, exposing how automated fraud systems can effectively cut users off from their digital lives with little explanation or recourse. TidBITS reports: After attempting to redeem a $500 Apple Gift Card purchased from a well-known retailer, Apple developer, author, and /dev/world conference organizer Paris Buttfield-Addison found himself locked out of his Apple Account. He writes: "I am writing this as a desperate measure. After nearly 30 years as a loyal customer, authoring technical books on Apple's own programming languages (Objective-C and Swift), and spending tens upon tens upon tens of thousands of dollars on devices, apps, conferences, and services, I have been locked out of my personal and professional digital life with no explanation and no recourse." As far as I can tell from his extensively documented story, Buttfield-Addison did nothing wrong. Personally, I wouldn't have purchased an Apple Gift Card to pay for Apple services -- he planned to use it to pay for his 6 TB iCloud+ storage plan. I presume he bought it at a discount, making the hassle worthwhile compared to simply paying with a credit card. But I have received Apple Gift Cards as thank-yous or gifts several times, so I can easily imagine accidentally trying to redeem a compromised card number and ending up in this situation. [...] For now, we can hope that ongoing media attention pushes Apple to unlock Buttfield-Addison's account. More troublingly, if this can happen to such a high-profile Apple user, I have to assume it also afflicts everyday users who lack the media reach to garner coverage. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Following sweeping App Store changes, AltStore PAL launches in Japan
Japanese users can now download AltStore PAL and sideload apps on their iPhones and iPads. Here’s how. more…

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DuckDuckGo’s AI platform can now generate images
The new Duck.ai feature, still in beta, adheres to DuckDuckGo’s privacy-first approach to AI and to search in general. Here are the details. more…

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Security Bite: This app tells you if your Mac’s webcam or mic was triggered while you were away
9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe is all we do. Our unique integrated approach to management and security combines state-of-the-art Apple-specific security solutions for fully automated Hardening & Compliance, Next Generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive Privilege Management with the most powerful and modern Apple MDM on the market. The result is a totally automated Apple Unified Platform currently trusted by over 45,000 organizations to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple. The Mac’s built-in green LED privacy indicator—paired with those displayed on-screen in macOS—do a solid job of alerting users in real time when the webcam or microphone is active. When you’re actively working on your Mac, they’re hard to miss. But that protection assumes you’re actually there to see the privacy indicators light up. What happens when you’re away from your Mac and malware triggers the camera or microphone to quietly record or eavesdrop—without you being there to notice the green light? How would you ever know? Well, there’s an app for that. more…

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Transform old, shaky videos into stunning 4K masterpieces with VideoProc Converter AI
With this VideoProc Converter AI deal, you get lifetime access to a one-stop AI enhancer for videos, images and audio. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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‘Beat the Reaper’: Apple TV picks up new dramedy, starring Will Poulter
Apple confirmed today that it will adapt Josh Bazell’s 2009 debut novel “Beat the Reaper” for Apple TV. Here are the details. more…

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Apple pours $20.4 billion into Q3 buybacks, the most of any company
Apple led all companies in stock buybacks, investing $20.4 billion in its own shares during the third quarter. As a consistent repurchaser… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Compromised Apple Gift Card Saga Ends Well, but Risks Remain
Paris Buttfield-Addison has regained access to his Apple Account after a tainted gift card locked him out. But his saga highlights serious risks associated with Apple Gift Cards that should make everyone think twice before giving or redeeming them.

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Here’s why you may have to wait until 2027 to get an iPhone Fold
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently made a rare appearance on the MacroMicro podcast, where he shared some new information regarding the iPhone Fold’s production timeline. Here are the details. more…

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Apple plans more ads in App Store in 2026
Apple Ads will introduce additional ads across App Store search queries in the coming year. The company plans… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iOS 26.2 makes one of my favorite Apple Watch features even more useful
One of my favorite Apple Watch features introduced this year is Sleep Score. Sleep is a crucial part of life, and this feature gives you a look at three different facets of it: duration, bedtime, and interruptions. With this week’s launch of iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2, it just got even more useful. more…

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