Best deals on Mac antivirus
Macworld With Apple already including built-in antivirus protection for Macs you might be wondering “Do Macs need antivirus software?” especially when confronted by pricy monthly subscriptions for services. In this article we’ll explain why you need an extra layer of protection and how to get the best cheap Mac antivirus software with the best deals. Mac security software adds another layer of protection to what Apple already provides, with features that can help to protect your identity, passwords, and financial details. These are the things that criminals are after, and they’ll often use cunning ways to extract them rather than spending time trying to break past Apple’s defenses in macOS. Although some of the packages here are solely focused on macOS, others will also protect Android and Windows devices you might also own, and that makes the price of protection much cheaper per computer. There are lots of other great options if you are looking for cheap antivirus software for Mac. We’ve evaluated antivirus for Mac solutions from several companies, including free and low-cost options as well as some more feature-packed alternatives. See our round-up of the Best antivirus for Mac and our guide to How to remove a Mac virus for free, where we also run through the best free options. Here we will share the best free antivirus options as well as the best deals we have seen on the paid-for antivirus solutions. Our best deal is our top choice of Mac Antivirus Software: Intego Mac Internet Security X9 – you can get it for $24.99/£20.99 a year for one Mac, normally $49.99/£49.99 a year get the deal here. Get our top choice: Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Best free antivirus for Mac While macOS includes built-in security features like XProtect and Gatekeeper, these native tools primarily focus on known malware and may not be updated as frequently as third-party solutions. If you are looking for the best free antivirus for Mac, several reputable companies offer “freemium” versions that provide the same core scanning engine as their paid counterparts. Several companies offer free antivirus software for Mac, one of our top recommendations is Intego VirusBarrier Scanner, we also liked Avast Security for Mac. However, you should always be cautious using a free antivirus and don’t expect all the features of the paid-for options. SoftwareKey FeaturesExpert VerdictDownloadIntego VirusBarrier Scanner (read our review)Reliable virus scanner; free version of the top-rated paid suite.Excellent for on-demand scans and a worthy candidate for emergency use.Get Intego hereAvira Free Antivirus for Mac (read our review)Includes Smart Scan, Web Guard, and AI-powered scam protection.Strong core protection, but includes frequent ads and upgrade prompts.Get Avira hereAVG Antivirus For Mac (read our review)Offers Smart Scan, email protection, and web protection.Reliable and simple, though some advanced features are locked behind a paywall.Get AVG hereAvast Security for Mac (read our review)Admirable scanning engine; includes a junk cleaner and a limited VPN.Good user interface, but many features (like the uninstaller) require a subscription.Get Avast hereBitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac (read our review)Lightweight; easy to scan specific folders or external volumes.Effective for clearing out malware, though the free version is quite basic.Get Bitdefender hereMalwarebytes Antivirus for Mac (read our review)Specialized in hunting down and removing persistent malware.Excellent for manual removal of “pesky” infections that others might miss.Get Malwarebytes here Cheapest antivirus deals for Mac Free versions, like the ones above, typically offer a strong core antivirus engine but may lack real-time protection, firewalls, or advanced web guards. Paid versions generally provide better technical support and more comprehensive features like identity theft protection.  You’ll find the following Mac antivirus recommendations in our round-up of the Best antivirus for Mac. We’re just presenting the lower-priced options here, but if you look at the roundup you may find alternative deals that suit you better. You can rest assured that we will only share deals here if we think they’re good enough to be worth buying. Everything we share below is a great saving on a service we trust. 1. Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Pros Built for Mac Easy to set up Cons No protection from phishing links in email Price When Reviewed: From $24.99 for first year, usually $49.99 a year (1 Mac) Using our link First year, 1 Mac, Internet Security X9$24.99First year, 1 Mac, Mac Premium Bundle$29.99First year, 1 Mac, VirusBarrier X9 only$19.99See all plans & pricing at Intego Intego Mac Internet Security X9 offers a useful set of security utilities that help keep your Mac safe and running smoothly and its user-friendly interface is right at home with Apple’s macOS aesthetic. We have a special deal for Intego Mac Internet Security X9, which bundles Intego VirusBarrier and NetBarrier, so you can get it for $24.99/£20.99 a year ($2.08/£1.75 a month) for one Mac: get the deal here. Intego also regularly discounts the Mac Premium Bundle that includes Mac Internet Security X9 as well as NetBarrier, Washing Machine, Content Barrier and Personal Backup apps. The deal is currently: $29.99/£23.99 a year ($2.50/£2 a month). Get the deal here. There’s also a deal to get Intego VirusBarrier X9 for $19.99/$17.99. Get the deal here. Read our full Intego Mac Internet Security X9 review 2. Norton 360 Pros Fast, good performance and stability Minimal performance impact Cons Unable to scan .zip archives Price When Reviewed: Standard (3 devices): $39.99 for first year, usually $94.99 a year; Deluxe (5 devices): $29.99 for first year, usually $119.99 a year 1 year, 3 devices (Standard)$39.991 year, 5 devices (Deluxe)$49.991 year, 3 devices (Amazon)$19.99 The user interface is clean and friendly and the program ran both its foreground and background tasks briskly, with no crashes or slowdowns. There are some differences between the UK and US versions of Norton 360. Read our full Norton 360 review 3. McAfee Total Protection Pros Good, customizable set of security tools Background scanning feature Cons Can be laggy Price When Reviewed: Single: $29.99 (1 device) for first year, usually $89.99; Essential: $39.99 (5 devices) for first year, usually $119.99 a year 1 year, 1 device$29.991 year, 5 devices$39.99PCWorld Software Store$19.99 McAfee Total Protection offers some good tools with good background protection and customization as well as an easy means of keeping your devices secure. Read our full McAfee Total Protection review 4. Avast Premium Security Pros Impressive malware detection and network tools Easy to specify antiviral scan types and target volumes Cons Descriptions of suspect files lack detail Price When Reviewed: From $49.08 for first year, usually $77.99 a year (1 Mac). First year, 1 Mac$49.08First year, 10 devices$69.48 This suite offers a good suite of tools at a good price. The best functions such as VPN, disk cleanup, and anti-tracking tools are only available on the “Ultimate” subscription tier. Read our full Avast Premium Security review 5. Surfshark One Pros Good speed and performance Impressive anti-virus/anti-malware shielding Identity alert and protection Cons Multi-year contracts Occasional trouble accessing Google services Price When Reviewed: Surfshark One, 24 months at $2.29 a month with 3 free months (Total for 27 months: $67.23); 12 months at $3.39 a month with 3 free months (Total for 15 months: $50.85); or $17.95/month. 15 months, 1 Mac$50.8527 months, 1 Mac$67.231 month, 1 Mac$17.95 Surfshark One offers a genuinely excellent suite of tools that combine its VPN with anti-virus/anti-malware and privacy-focused identity protection. It’s price is high compared to other options here, but it’s saving you the price of a VPN too. The VPN module includes tools such as IP configuration, an Internet kill switch, rotating IP addresses, and Invisible on LAN features. While Surfshark One’s real-time protection tool was able to catch dozens of our sample malware installers. Get the deal here Read our full Surfshark One review 6. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac Pros Easy to scan external volumes such as flash drives Nice user interface Cons Occasional freezes Limited VPN Price When Reviewed: $24.99 per year for 1 device (usually $39.99), $29.99 per year for 3 devices (usually $59.99) 1 year, 3 devices$29.99 (usually $59.99)1 year, 1 device$24.99 (usually $39.99) Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac offers a handy, customizable user interface and good features. Bitdefender Total Security is currently $29.99 (usually $59.99) in the U.S. for a one-year subscription for one device. In the U.K. it’s £17.99 (usually £29.99) for a year and one device: get the U.S. deal here / get the U.K. deal here. Read our full Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review 7. Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Pros Good malware detection Low system load Cons Fewer extra features than less-expensive options Price When Reviewed: $24.95 for first year, usually $39.95 a year (1 Mac) 1 year, 1 Mac$24.95 Trend Micro Antivirus is a good program with well-rated antivirus protection and a simple, straightforward interface that users will appreciate. Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is currently $29.95 for first year for one Mac, usually $39.95: Get the U.S. deal here / Currently £19.95 for first year for one Mac, usually £49.95: Get the U.K. deal here. Read our full Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac review 8. Eset Home Security Pros Good level of antiviral and real-time protection Excellent customization options Cons Slow drive scan Didn’t include the promised password manager or encryption features Price When Reviewed: Essential: $49.99 a year for one device; Premium: $79.99 a year for one device 1 year, 1 Mac (Premium) $79.991 year, 1 Mac (Essential)$49.99 ESET Home Security Premium completes its primary task of antiviral and malware prevention and there’s an excellent level of customization. We did encounter a few bugs when we tested it though. The ESET Home Security Premium is $39.99/£39.99 (usually $79.99/£64.99) for first year for one device. There’s also the cheaper ESET Home Security Essential: $24.99/£24.49 (usually $49.99/£34.99) for first year for one devices. Read our full Eset Home Security review What should I consider before buying an Antivirus for Mac  Choosing an antivirus for your Mac requires balancing the need for extra security against potential impacts on system performance and your budget.  When evaluating your options, consider the following factors to ensure the software meets your specific needs: Performance Impact: One of the most critical factors is how the software affects your Mac’s speed. If an app slows down your machine, you are more likely to disable it, leaving you unprotected. Built-in tools like XProtect have a negligible impact because they are integrated into the OS, whereas some third-party suites can cause lag or system freezes. Essential Features: Look beyond basic malware scanning. Essential utilities often include real-time protection, a robust firewall, and anti-phishing tools . Some premium bundles also offer parental controls, password managers, and VPNs. Ease of Use: The interface should be intuitive. If a program is too complicated or bombards you with confusing alerts, it becomes a hindrance rather than a help. Tailored for Mac: Some antivirus programs are essentially “cut-back” versions of PC apps. It is often better to choose software specifically tailored for macOS, such as Intego, which is designed to feel native to the platform. Multi-device support: Do you have multiple devices to protect? Do you need to protect an iPhone as well as your Mac? Do you have a PC or PC using friends, clients and colleagues? If you have multiple devices, look for “Total Security” or “Family” plans that cover Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS, as these often provide the best overall value. How to find a good antivirus deal Most Mac antivirus products are sold as yearly subscriptions. Many vendors offer significant first-year discounts, but prices often increase upon renewal. Many of the best deals spread payments over a number of years. This can save you money because the price of a deal that covers you for one year can increase significantly in the preceding years. In some cases antivirus discounts can be huge, often at more than half price. But these are typically first-year deals, and at renewal you’ll pay the regular price. Our recommendation is that when you sign up for a year or two you make a note of the renewal date and switch to a different subscription to take advantage of another deal. We also recommend taking a look at our article all about the best Mac antivirus to help you get a better understanding of which services we like most and why.

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MacOS Tahoe nuked my Time Machine backups
Macworld For the past decade, my Apple Time Capsule has faithfully backed up my Mac. I’ve been through several upgrades over the past decade—my current machine is an M3 Max MacBook Pro—and I’ve never had an issue with my Time Capsule. It’s been one of the most reliable devices I’ve ever owned, and I’ve barely had to even think about it since I bought it in 2016. Until recently, that is. I don’t know the exact date, but I installed macOS Tahoe 26.2 sometime near the end of 2025. I was hoping it would fix the lingering issues I had with Spotlight, but otherwise didn’t think much of it until I got a message from Time Machine telling me my backup disk was full. I’ve had occasional issues with Time Machine backups over the years, but they’ve usually been fixed by simply running the backup again. This was a new persistent error that seemed to indicate something was actually wrong with my backup system. So I started to investigate the issue, and the process ended up bricking my Time Capsule. Time keeps on spinning Apple introduced Time Capsule in 2008 as “a backup appliance that automatically and wirelessly backs up everything on one or more Macs.” At the time, it was a novel concept, combining an AirPort base station with a “server-grade” hard drive. It was essentially a personal NAS drive before personal NAS drives were a thing. I owned a couple over the years, and before Apple eventually discontinued Time Capsule in 2018, I bought one of the last models ever made, the 802.11ac (WiFi 5) AirPort Time Capsule mini tower. It’s been running ever since. My Time Capsule has worked dutifully for over a decade.Foundry I have a 2TB Time Capsule backing up a Mac with about 250GB filled up, so space has never been an issue. Moreover, I’ve been using the same MacBook since Sonoma, so there’s no reason why it should suddenly run out of space. I routinely clean out all backups when upgrading to a new OS and start fresh, and I keep the bulk of my files backed up on a 2TB iCloud Drive, so the physical space should be more than enough. So I went to my AirPort settings to inspect my Time Capsule. But it wouldn’t accept my password, the same password that I have used for at least five years and have saved in my password manager.  OK, that was weird, but still, I chalked it up to user error. I reset my Time Capsule using a paper clip and changed the password. I checked the space, and it said it had less than a gig available. Also strange. My Mac isn’t anywhere near 2TB, I don’t keep old backups around, and Time Machine is supposed to automatically delete the oldest backups to clear space on a full disk and keep on running. Unfortunately, there’s no way to see what’s filling up a Time Machine “Data” file, so I was left with one option: Erase the drive. Tahoe’s revenge Apple announced last summer that it would no longer support AirPort or other Time Capsule disks for Time Machine backups with macOS 27 coming later this year due to deprecated support for Apple Filing Protocol.  So I was already preparing for the day when I had to retire my 10-year-old drive in order to stay on the latest version of macOS.  I’ll admit that 10 years is a long time to use any device, let alone a 3.5-inch SATA drive. But I didn’t expect any issues with Tahoe. I thought I could clear the drive and simply start over while amassing eight or so months of backups until macOS 27 came along in September. It’s easy to erase a Time Capsule disk–I just wish I wouldn’t have done it.Foundry At this point, I probably should have put two and two together and realized something was wrong. But somewhat naively, I pressed on. Erasing the Time Capsule was simple. The Disks tab in AirPort Utility has a “Quick Erase” option that takes just a few seconds. I clicked through the standard, “This cannot be undone” dialogue box, but didn’t get any warnings about Tahoe specifically. The light went from amber to green, showed I now had 2TB of space, and all seemed well. When I went to set up the disk in the Time Machine settings, however, I got a new message: “‘Data’ can only be used if it contains existing Time Machine backups for this Mac. The next major version of macOS will no longer support Time Capsule disks for Time Machine backups.” No matter how many times I try, Time Machine refuses to back up to my Time Capsule.Foundry The second part I already knew. The first part was information that would have been useful before I erased my disk. I’ve searched for a solution and I’ve reached the conclusion that my Time Capsule backup disk is essentially a brick. To use it I’d need to downgrade to Sequoia, back up my machine, upgrade to Tahoe, and continue the backups until the disk filled up again, at which point I’d be back where I started. The search for a solution To recap: Either a bug or a feature in macOS Tahoe 26.2 caused my Time Machine backups to eat up all the available space on my Time Capsule disk, and erasing it rendered it useless. I’m still not sure if the password issue was related to Tahoe, but I suspect it was. But it doesn’t matter—since Apple has already announced the Time Capsule won’t work with future versions of macOS, I’m left with a retro paperweight. So after a decade-plus of effortless backups with Time Capsule, I’m left to find a new solution. Macworld has a roundup of the best external hard drives or SSDs for wired Time Machine backups, as well as the best NAS drives. There are some great options in there, but I want to find the best replacement for Time Capsule, so I’ll be testing a few wireless drives on my Mac with Time Machine to try to find the most affordable alternative. So stay tuned.

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Best VPN deals 2026: Get a cheap VPN for Mac, iPhone or iPad with these discounts
Macworld If you want to unblock regional content on streaming services like Netflix, iPlayer, and Prime, or access websites that aren’t available in your region, or without ID, a VPN is an essential tool. A good VPN will work with all your Apple devices, including a Mac, iPad, iPhone, and even an Apple TV in some cases. VPN services can also give you online privacy as well as letting you securely connect to open Wi-Fi networks in cafes, hotels, airports and other places. It’s something well worth packing when you go on vacation. VPNs tend to have complex pricing structures, with long-term contract pricing and offers that seem to offer huge discounts, making identifying a good deal more complex than it is with other types of software. We have tested the Best Mac VPNs and Best VPN for iPhone and iPad and we use them daily, so we know which ones offer the best features and we know which ones offer the best value for money. In this article, we will help you find the cheapest VPN to suit your needs. Every month we assess the best VPN for Mac deals so we can keep an eye out for the best discounts on offer right now and let you know the latest prices and best deals so you can find the VPN that suites you at the best price. Before we share the best VPN deals you may be hoping that you can get a VPN for free… Best free VPN There are a few free VPNs on offer but our advice is usually to be very cautious about them. Companies that give stuff away will be making money somehow, and you can’t be sure they aren’t selling your data. One decent VPN that does offer a free tier is Proton VPN (read our review). You can use Proton VPN for nothing, as long as you’re happy with U.S., Japan, and Netherlands as your server locations. It’s also limiting in that you can only connect a single device, and speeds are slower than the paid plans, but the free version is available on all platforms and if you like it you can always subscribe to get the whole package which will unblock a host of features, including an ad and tracker blocker and improved speed of up to 10 Gbit, as well as an expanded 10-device limit. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, too, as well as a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out. Get Proton VPN free Best VPN deals and cheap VPNs VPN providers tend to offer year-round discounts, however with most deals you will be locked into a monthly fee for a couple of years, so we recommend setting a reminder in your calendar to cancel and look for a new deal to replace the one you had at the end of the contract period. Deals change all the time. The deals below save a significant amount compared to paying for each of these services on a rolling monthly subscription. We some great VPN deals for shoppers in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia below. One deal to take a look at is FastestVPN’s Lifetime plan – which with 93% off is an absolute bargain as you pay once and have access to the VPN for life. It’s a one-off $40 (approx £33). The company says that the full price would be $600. Read How to use a VPN on a Mac for more information, and if you still aren’t sure why you need a VPN read: Should I use a VPN on my Mac/iPhone? 1. NordVPN Pros Incredibly easy to use Plenty of server options Price When Reviewed: Basic plan from $3.39 a month for two years. Usually $12.99 a month 2-Year Plan $3.39 a month1-Year Plan$4.99 a monthMonthly Plan$12.99 a month NordVPN is a fully featured VPN option that’s secure, easy to use, and unbelievably fast compared to its competitors. Read our full NordVPN review 2. Surfshark Pros Simple to use No device limits Price When Reviewed: Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $15.45 a month. Starter 2-Year Plan (+ 3 free months)$1.99 a monthStarter 1-Year Plan (+ 3 free months)$3.19 a monthStarter Monthly Plan$15.45 a month Surfshark is a great VPN option that’s as easy to use as the best of them, while maintaining security across an unlimited number of devices – something we don’t see often. Read our full Surfshark review 3. Private Internet Access Pros Lots of power features Privacy-minded Great value Price When Reviewed: From $2.03 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Unlimited devices. 2-Year Plan (+2 free months)$2.03 a month6-Month Plan$7.50 a monthMonthly plan$11.99 a month Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a robust feature set that makes it one of the more impressive VPNs out there. Read our full Private Internet Access review 4. CyberGhost Pros Simple to use Decent speeds Plenty of servers Price When Reviewed: $2.02 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $12.99 a month. 2-Year Plan (+ 4 free months)$2.03 a month6-Month Plan$6.99 a monthMonthly Plan$12.99 a month CyberGhost takes a lot of the complexity out of VPN usage, for better and for worse. On the one hand, some users may want more power-user features. It’s fully refundable for 45 days, according to the company. Read our full CyberGhost review 5. hide.me VPN Pros Dedicated streaming servers Impressive free tier Cons Slightly clunky UI Price When Reviewed: From $2.49 per month for two years (+4 months extra) 2-Year Plan (+ 2 free months)$3.84 a month1-Year Plan$6.67 a monthMonthly plan$9.95 a month Hide.me is a solid VPN with a great free tier, but the UI isn’t particularly intuitive. Read our full hide.me VPN review 6. ProtonVPN Pros Simple to use Free plan Great speed Price When Reviewed: Proton Free; VPN Plus from $2.99 a month for two years. Usually $9.99 a month. 2-Year Plan$2.99 a month1-Year Plan$2.99 a monthProton VPN FreeFree account, 1 device Proton VPN’s free tier, ease of use, and impressive speeds put it right near the top of our VPN recommendations. There is a free tier of Proton VPN, but if you want a bit more flexibility and a few more features prices start at $4.49/€4.49 a month for two years. The Swiss-based company doesn’t seem to like pounds, so it’s dollars or euros, unfortunately. Read our full ProtonVPN review How to find the best VPN deal VPN subscriptions typically work out cheaper if you commit for a year or longer, which saves a lot of money. Prices rarely exceed $6/£6 per month with multi-year subscriptions and are often closer to $2/£2… or even less. Many major VPN providers offer discounts through the year, and sometimes even offer permanent discounts. These discounts can look impressive at first. It’s not uncommon to see a countdown timer telling you when the deal ends – but these are almost always to induce FOMO – the fear of missing out – in order to persuade you to sign up immediately. Large discounts are par for the course with VPN services, especially when you’re subscribing for several years. This makes it all the more important to look into the various providers and what each has to offer, before jumping into a long-term commitment. All VPNs we’ve tested offer cross-device coverage too, so you can use them on your Mac, iPhone, iPad and more. For our recommendations of Mac Antivirus Software that we have tested see: Best Antivirus for Mac Top Security Software Compared.

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Reveal hidden macOS features and system tools in plain English with MacPilot for 59% off
Macworld TL;DR: MacPilot lets you customize, optimize, and unlock hidden features — get lifetime access for $39.99 for a limited time. Your Mac has far more under the hood than most people ever use. Beneath the sleek interface are hundreds of powerful options that stay buried and untouched. MacPilot unlocks them — more than 1,200 advanced macOS controls you can adjust without opening Terminal or hunting through obscure menus. For a limited time, you can get lifetime access for $39.99 (MSRP $99). Command your Mac — no coding required MacPilot is like having a hacker mode for your Mac without needing a coding degree. With a few clicks, you can: Reveal hidden system settings: Show hidden files in Finder, disable the startup chime, and tweak icon animations Supercharge your Dock: Add spacers, smart stacks, and hidden menu options Optimize performance: Run maintenance tools, clear cache, and repair system files Get deep system insights: View detailed specs on hardware, RAM speeds, network ports, and more Whether you’re a developer, creative pro, or just someone who wants their Mac running at peak efficiency, MacPilot puts advanced customization at your fingertips — without the headache of Terminal commands. Stop squandering your Mac’s potential and get a lifetime subscription to MacPilot for just $39.99 for a limited time. MacPilot Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Mac users are ditching subscriptions for this one-time $30 Office deal
Macworld TL;DR: Check out this lifetime Microsoft Office license for Mac — no subscriptions, no monthly payments, just the core apps for $29.97. Owning a Mac doesn’t mean you signed up for endless software bills. Still, many people keep paying every month just to write documents or put together slides. An increasing number of Mac users are opting for a quieter Office license that cuts out subscriptions entirely. Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac gives you all the classic apps — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. — for a fraction of the cost of newer versions. And here’s the best part: it’s a one-time purchase. No subscriptions, no monthly fees—just full access to Microsoft’s most reliable productivity tools for life for only $29.97 while codes last (MSRP $229). That’s an absolute steal, especially when you consider that Office 2024 doesn’t really add much unless you’re a productivity wizard who needs every cutting-edge update. For small business owners, freelancers, students, or anyone who just wants a solid, no-nonsense Office suite, this is the perfect buy. It’s the same high-powered software that businesses around the world trust, just without the newest bells and whistles. For a limited time, grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac for only $29.97 (MSRP $229). Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for MacSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Macworld Podcast: iPhone 17e, M5 MacBook Pros, and more coming soon
Macworld Apple is expected to release several products over the next few weeks. What products could that be? We talk about them on this episode of the Macworld podcast.  This is episode 970 with Michael Simon, Jason Cross,  and Roman Loyola.  Watch episode 970 on YouTube Listen to episode 970 on Apple Podcasts

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Siri's AI Overhaul Delayed Again
Apple's long-promised overhaul of Siri has hit fresh problems during internal testing, forcing the company to push several key features out of the iOS 26.4 update that was slated for March and spread them across later releases, Bloomberg is reporting. The new Siri -- first announced at WWDC in June 2024 and originally due by early 2025 -- struggles to reliably process queries, takes too long to respond and sometimes falls back on OpenAI's ChatGPT instead of Apple's own technology, the report said. Apple has instructed engineers to begin testing new Siri capabilities on iOS 26.5 instead, due in May, and internal builds of that update include a settings toggle labeled "preview" for the personal data features. A more ambitious chatbot-style Siri code-named Campo, powered by Google servers and a custom Gemini model, is in development for iOS 27 in September. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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FTC uses selective Apple News study to ask Apple to stop promoting 'leftist outlets'
Apple News is an aggregation app run by human curators and algorithmic feeds, but a poorly handled study failed to catch the right-wing outlets shared, and now the FTC is involved.Apple News is an aggregator the user can customizeWhether or not the FTC can claim jurisdiction over what content can be highlighted by an independent editorial team might be up for debate, but the content of the Apple News app is not. Right-leaning outlets are sometimes featured in the curated Top Stories and Spotlight sections, but one study somehow missed that.The study was cited by various right-wing outlets and shared by the President on his personal social media platform, but none detailed exactly how the study arrived at its conclusion. The report has now led to Trump-appointed FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson to send a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook to warn him that Apple could be in violation of a law. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to manage your iPhone notifications on iOS 26
If you're feeling overwhelmed with the amount of notifications you're receiving, you're hardly alone — that's why we're here to show you how to manage notifications on your iPhone.How to manage notifications on iOS 26For as great as the iPhone is, it can be pretty distracting when you think about it. According to a study done in 2024, the average person receives 146 notifications per day.And, the younger you are, the more notifications you receive. Those in Generation Z received about 181 notifications a day — about one every eight minutes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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FTC chair questions Tim Cook over claims Apple News sidelines conservative publications
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson is asking Tim Cook to review Apple News’ curation policies after claims that the service suppresses conservative publications. Here are the details. more…

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FTC chair questions Tim Cook over claims Apple News sidelines conservative publications
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson is asking Tim Cook to review Apple News’ curation policies after claims that the service suppresses conservative publications. Here are the details. more…

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FTC chair questions Tim Cook over claims Apple News sidelines conservative publications
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson is asking Tim Cook to review Apple News’ curation policies after claims that the service suppresses conservative publications. Here are the details. more…

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Orico MiniPro Dock Case review: Mini Mac Pro, mini bandwidth
The Orico MiniPro Dock Case does turn your Mac mini into a cute mini Mac Pro replica, but it's not just the small size that's limiting.Orico MiniPro Dock Case review: A miniaturized Mac Pro case for a Mac miniThe current generation of Mac mini has become a favorite among enclosure designers, since it can easily be placed inside a casing and made to look like something else. Sometimes, this can look like other retro computers, and do so with great effect.In the case of the Orico MiniPro Dock Case, the intention was to create something that borrowed its appearance from something historically associated with performance. In effect, the Orico MiniPro Dock Case is an enclosure that turns the Mac mini into a cheese grater Mac Pro. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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'Severance' acquired by Apple for $70 million, expect a 4-season run and spinoffs
Apple Studios is now the owner of "Severance," with the original owners, Fifth Season, sticking around as executive producers, and there are plans to expand the IP's universe.Tim C now owns SeveranceAs everyone waits for season 3 of Severance, there's news that may just ensure the series has a long future on Apple TV. It started as a series leased from Fifth Season, but now it will join Apple Studios as an in-house production.The news comes from Deadline, which says the series sold to Apple for around $70 million. The original studio is sticking around as executive producers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple acquires all rights to Severance; showrunners open to spin-offs, prequel, more
Deadline reports that Apple now owns “the IP and all rights” to Severance, and that future plans might include more than just four seasons. Here are the details. more…

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Computer History Museum to celebrate Apple’s 50th anniversary with special programming
With Apple’s 50th anniversary fast approaching, the Computer History Museum is planning a series of programs and a temporary exhibit to celebrate the company’s history. Here are the details. more…

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Apple’s ‘new architecture’ for Home app now mandatory
In 2022, Apple announced a “new Home architecture” for its smart home ecosystem, designed to boost performance, reliability, and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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50 years of Apple history is on display at the Computer History Museum
Apple's 50th birthday is coming up on April 1, and to celebrate, the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, is holding in-person exhibits and promoting online content about the company's history.Apple's 50th anniversary is being celebrated at the Computer History MuseumApple rarely, if ever, looks back on its history — a mentality left behind by Steve Jobs. However, it is difficult to ignore a big number like 50, so even Apple CEO Tim Cook is considering how Apple will celebrate the anniversary.An event with leaders in the tech space will be held on March 11 alongside an exhibit of Apple products, including the Apple I, Apple IIc, Lisa, Macintosh, Newton, iPod, and iPhone. Those interested will need to buy tickets or register their interest ahead of time. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple just can’t get Siri working right
Macworld Apple just can’t seem to get its new Siri off the ground. A new report from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg says that testing of the big Siri overhaul due in iOS 26.4 (soon to enter beta, with a release planned for March) will instead be spread out over the rest of the year. At this point, it’s hard to have confidence that important planned features won’t be delayed further. Gurman’s sources tell him that testing has “run into snags in recent weeks” and that some of the features will be delayed to iOS 26.5 (due in May) or iOS 27 (due in September). To recap the timeline: Apple announced iOS 18 at WWDC in June of 2024, promoting three major new Siri enhancements: the creation of a personal profile that uses personalized data to add context to queries, the ability to understand what is on the screen at the moment, and the ability to perform many actions across both Apple and third-party apps. The company even ran TV ads promoting these features in advance of the iPhone 16 release. But the software wasn’t ready, and got bumped back to a spring release, targeting iOS 18.4. Apple then missed that window, pushing the features back to an unspecified future date that inside sources revealed to be iOS 27. The latest update targeted iOS 26.4, due for release next month. Apple was set to release a new Siri built using foundation technology from Google’s Gemini, which would include the features promised in 2024. It would also introduce an even smarter and more capable Siri, with a more powerful Gemini-based foundation, as a complete conversational chatbot in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 27 this fall. Now, it looks like iOS 26.4 might get some of the new features, with some others pushed back into iOS 26.5 and even iOS 27. The Siri update planned for next month “doesn’t always properly process queries or can take too long to handle requests,” according to Gurman’s sources. The situation remains fluid and can change, but the “personal context” feature seems especially likely to slip. It would have allowed you to make a requests like “play that podcast Mike was telling me about last month” and it would search Messages for the appropriate conversation and play the linked podcast. You could say “what time does mom’s flight get in?” and it would know who your mother is from your Contacts and Messages, find the recent flight info in your Messages or Mail, and look up the current flight info. Engineers working on iOS 26.5 now have a settings toggle to enable a “preview” of that personal context functionality, according to the report. Also being tested in iOS 26.5 is the system of expanded app intents for performing in-app actions, but “they don’t function reliably in all cases.” There are general problems, too. The new Siri apparently has a bug that cuts people off when they’re speaking too quickly, and has trouble with accuracy and long processing times for more complex queries. Oh, and Siri sometimes falls back on the existing ChatGPT integration even when it’s something that Siri should be able to answer. Apple is said to be testing a couple of new features as part of iOS 26.5: a new custom image generator and a web search tool. The image generator uses the same foundation as Apple’s Image Playground feature, which is currently far behind competitors. The web search tool performs much like Perplexity or Google’s AI web search feature: it finds what you want on the web and provides a synthesized summary. It all seems to be going rather poorly at the moment, with some features sure to slip further and even those that aren’t not quite working as well as we would all like. Don’t be surprised if Apple turns the new Siri into a sort of opt-in “beta” to save face.

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iOS 26 gave screenshots a hidden power I’ve started using a lot
iOS 26 brings visual intelligence to screenshots, enabling several new features. But there’s one I only recently discovered that solves the common problem of plain text URLs you can’t easily tap to open. more…

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