iPhone/iPad – Page 2 – Tech Savvy Life

Enable Advanced Data Protection for Your Apple Devices

Apple has disabled Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for iCloud in the UK due to government demands for law enforcement access. This compromises data security, as backdoor access could be exploited. In contrast, ADP offers end-to-end encryption unavailable to Apple, ensuring only users can access their data. Users outside the UK retain this protection.

Insert dRAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
April 1, 2025 – 6 minutes read time

Overview

Recently. Apple took the unusual step of turning off its highest level of iCloud encryption, Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for customers in the UK. The British government has reportedly demanded that Apple provide a method for law enforcement to access encrypted data as part of criminal investigations. But that creates a serious security problem, because this type of backdoor access can also be exploited by criminals or untrustworthy governments.

Why You Will like This Tip

Have the best encryption for your Apple devices.
Prevent hackers from accessing and viewing your data.

System Requirements

See below for the Apple software versions. These screenshots were captured using iOS 18.3.2 on iPhone 14 Pro.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

United Kingdom vs United States

For people in the UK, ADP can no longer be enabled. If you are currently using ADP, you will need to turn off the feature at a future date.

If you are outside the UK and concerned about who can see your data, ADP adds an extra layer of security by making it unreadable even by Apple. If ADP is disabled, your data could be at risk because it can still be unlocked by Apple, a legal request or a data breach.

Let’s explore how to turn Advanced Data Protection on, and how it differs from the default iCloud encryption methods.

How Does ADP Work

The key difference between ADP and how Apple encrypts data by default is how accessible your information is when stored on Apple’s servers.

In what Apple calls standard data protection, information sent between points, such as files stored on iCloud Drive and iCloud backups of your devices, is encrypted and transmitted securely. If someone intercepts that data between the two points, they will see only gibberish.

That data remains encrypted when it’s stored on Apple’s servers, so you can access it from other devices, for instance. However, Apple can still access the encryption keys to unscramble and read the data; and provide it to law enforcement following a legal request.

By contrast, when you enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, the data is end-to-end encrypted, meaning only your trusted devices possess the encryption keys to read it. The information remains encrypted on the servers, and not even Apple can access its contents. (Not all iCloud data can be end-to-end encrypted. Apple breaks out-which types of information, such as iCloud Mail messages, that remain covered by standard data protection even when ADP is turned on.)

The UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, the “Snooperd’s Charter”, makes that inaccessibility illegal, which is why Apple is turning the feature off for UK customers.

Some services are end-to-end encrypted regardless due to the sensitivity of the data, such as passwords, information stored in the Health app and payment information.

Setup Your Account for ADP

Note! Setting up ADP applies to all devices in your Apple account.

To set up ADP on your account, first make sure you have met all the prerequisites for the feature:

Your Apple Account must use two-factor authentication.
You must have a recovery method set up in case you lose access to your account. That can be a 28-character Recovery Key or a person you have designated as a Trusted Contact.
Every device connected with your Apple Account must be able to run at least
iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, MacOS 13.1
WatchOS 9.2
TVOS 16.2
HomePod 16.0

For Windows computers, make sure iCloud for Windows is at version 14.1 or later.

If any of your devices do not qualify, you will be warned during the ADP setup process. If any of those are too old or you no longer have access to them, head to:
Settings > Remove Devices and delete them from your list.

Refer to the below image:

How to Setup

To turn on ADP on an iPhone, iPad or Mac do the following:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud. On a Mac, open System Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.

2. Scroll down to Advanced Data Protection, which likely says Off, and tap that to enable. This will take some time, and the screen will appear to be unresponsive; Just be patient. Later, if you want to disable ADP, repeat the above steps and select the Turn Off button.

See the below image:

3, If there are any of the aforementioned impediments to setting up ADP, such as needing to update other devices on your account, you will review them on the next screen.

4. In the following screen, tap Review Recovery Options. You need to have a Recovery Key, Recovery Contact or both to ensure that you can get your data if you lose access to your iCloud account.

5. Enter your device’s passcode to finish.

See the following image:

Activating ADP on one device means it’s on for all of your devices using the same Apple account, so you only need to set it up once.

Disclaimer

Technology is constantly evolving, and smartphone and desktop tech rarely remains static. Therefore, the information in this post is only accurate as of the date it was written. Blog posts that are older than six months may contain instructions that are no longer compatible with your device or operating system. We hope that the content from previous posts continues to function as intended. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life, where technology works for you.

Quote For the Day

. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”

-Albert Einstein

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Author’s eBook

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Setup Time to Leave Notifications on iPad and iPhone

Apple has introduced the Time to Leave feature for iOS 18, which alerts users when it’s time to depart for calendar events. By enabling Location Services and adjusting settings in the Calendar app, users receive timely notifications that include traffic conditions, ensuring they arrive on time to their destinations.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
February 11, 2025 – 3 minutes read time

Overview

Have you ever wished your iPad or iPhone would not only remind you of calendar events but also give a calendar alert when it’s time to depart? Well, now you can. Apple has just introduced the new Time to Leave feature, which automatically calculates when you need to leave your current location so you can arrive at your destination on time. Let’s explore how to use the Time to Leave feature.

Why You Will Like This Tip:

Get notified when it’s time to get in your car and head to your appointment or meet-up.
With built-in drive time reminders, you need never be late again!

System Requirements

The steps below will only work on an iPhone updated to iOS 18. The screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 18.3.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

You will also need to be sure Location Services is enabled. Head to:

Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services

and turn the toggle to the ON position.

Setup and Use Time to Leave Feature

First, navigate to:

Settings > Apps > Calendar

Refer to the below image:

Next, tap the Default Alert Times option. See the below image:

Time to Leave 2 — Select the Default Alert Times option

Now, toggle Time to Leave to the ON position.

Note! the Event must be set to None for this feature to work!

See the following image:

Time to Leave 3 — Enable Time to Leave toggle

Next, open the Calendar app. Refer to the below image:

Now, create a calendar event as you normally would, then tap the Add icon. You will see that your Time to Leave alert has been automatically added to the event. See the below image:

Time to Leave 5 — Create a calendar event

Next, open your Calendar and find your event. Tap the event to see its details. Notice the Time to Leave alert. See the following image:

At the designated time, you will receive a Notification about the event that includes traffic conditions and travel time to reach your destination. Refer to the below image:

Time to Leave 7 — Your Time to Leave notification

Now you know how to enable and use Time to Leave alerts in your iPad and iPhone Calendar settings

Disclaimer

Technology is always changing. Rarely is there static tech for smartphones and desktops. Thus, the contents of this post are only valid at the time of writing. Blog posts older than six months may have directions incompatible with your device or OS. Hopefully, older post content will continue to work as advertised. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life for Technology at Work For You.

Quote For the Day

The great myth of our times is that technology is communication.

Libby Larsen

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Author’s E-Book

Author’s eBook

https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Tra-Bong-Vietnam-Aftermath-ebook/dp/B07K39LNBR

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Maximize Your iPhone Control Center Layout in iOS 18

The Control Center on iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 simplifies access to frequently used features by allowing customization and multiple screens. Users can manage Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume, and more, enhancing organization. By arranging controls and adding shortcuts, users can optimize their experience, making navigation more efficient and personalized.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
December 3, 2024 – 6 minutes read time

Overview

For quick access to frequently used apps and settings, Control Center is just a swipe or click away. And with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, it’s even easier to customize and use.

Navigating the settings on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac can be difficult. That’s where the Control Center comes in, providing quick access to a variety of features that might otherwise be hidden within the device’s menus. From the Control Center, you can easily adjust settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirDrop, as well as control brightness and volume. It also allows you to manage Focus mode, access music controls, switch to dark mode, and enable screen mirroring. Additionally, you can customize the Control Center by adding or removing features as needed.

For many years, the Control Center on your iPhone and iPad was restricted to a single screen. If you wanted to change the controls, you had to navigate into the settings of your device. However, with the introduction of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, you can now set up multiple screens and customize them directly within the Control Center. Let’s explore how to personalize the updated Control Center.

Why You Will Like This Tip

Organize the Control Center so that your most frequently used controls are easily accessible at the front.
Maintain a tidy and organized Control Center..

System Requirements

This tip is for iPhones running iOS 18 or later. The screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 18+.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Customize the Control Center

First, swipe down from the upper right edge to open the Control Center. Refer to the below image:

CC 1 — Swiping down to access Control Center

Next, rap and hold in an empty area. See the below image:

Now, the controls will have minus symbols next to them, indicating that you are in Edit mode. Tap Add a Control to get started. See the following image:

Next, find a control you want easy access to and tap on it to add it to the Control Center. Refer to the below image:

Now, if your first page becomes too full, a second page will be automatically created. You can swipe up and down to navigate between the Control Center pages. Each page is indicated by a dot on the far right side of the screen. Please note that we have a total of six pages. See the image below:

Next, to change the size of a control, tap and drag the corner. Keep in mind that some controls only have one size. See the following image:

CC 6 — Selecting Playback control to resize

Now, view your resized Playback control. Refer to the below image:

CC 7 — Playback control has been resized

Next, to remove a control, simply tap the minus symbol next to it. See the below image:

CC 8 — Selecting to remove the Focus control

Now, you can place controls anywhere without worrying about order. Our Control Center has been rearranged from six pages to only three pages, as indicated by the dots on the right side. See the following image:

FAQ

Why does my iPhone say SOS in the top right corner?

If your iPhone cannot connect to a cellular network or Wi-Fi, it may display ‘SOS’ in the top right corner. This indicates that your device can only make emergency calls.

What does 5GUC mean?

5GUC stands for 5G Ultra Capacity. This is T-Mobile’s higher frequency 5G network. Other cellular providers have similar higher frequency networks with different names.

What are the icons on the top right of iPhone?

At the top of your iPhone screen, you will typically see the strength of your cellular network represented by bars. To the right of this, there will be an indicator showing 4G, LTE, 5G, or a similar symbol if you are connected to a cellular network. If you are connected to Wi-Fi, you will see a Wi-Fi symbol instead. Finally, you will also find the battery indicator for your iPhone.

What do the iPhone signal symbols mean?

The signal symbols indicate whether you are using cellular data or Wi-Fi, as well as the strength of the wireless connection.

Summary

That’s how to customize the Control Center on your iPhone. We recommend placing your most-used controls on the first page.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

“The march of science and technology does not imply growing intellectual complexity in the lives of most people. It often means the opposite.”

– Thomas Sowell

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Author’s eBook

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Enable iPhone Text-to-Speech for Easy Listening

The post explains how to enable the text-to-speech feature on iPhones or iPads, allowing users to listen to content like web pages or ebooks while multitasking. It details the setup process through the Accessibility settings and provides tips on adjusting voice options and speaking rates for an enhanced listening experience.

If you find it more convenient to listen to some text on your iPhone or iPad rather than read it, you can easily enable that capability. You might, for example, want your device to read a web page, ebook, or another document while you perform household chores.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
November 19, 2024 – 5 minutes read time

Overview

Apple ensured that the iPhone came with a broad array of built-in accessibility features so anyone can use it. Text-to-speech is just one of these accessibility options. Let’s explore how to set up and use text-to-speech.

Why You Will Like This Tip

Listen to web articles or books when you are busy with other tasks.
Have your iPhone or iPad read to you if you have difficulty seeing the screen well.

System Requirements

This tip works on iPhones running iOS 16 or newer. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pri running iOS 18+

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

How to Setup

First, open the Settings app, and tap Accessibility. Refer to the below image:

Read 1 — Selecting the Accessibility option

Next, tap Spoken Content. See the below image:

Read 2 — Selecting the Spoken Content option

Now, tap the toggle next to Speak Selection to enable or disable it. See the following image:

Read 3 — Enabling the Speak Selection toggle

Tap the Highlight Content option to highlight each word as it is spoken (this is optional). Refer to the below image:

Read 4 — Selecting the Highlight Content option

Next, you can tap Voices to choose a different computer-generated voice. See the below image:

Read 5 — Selecting a Voice and its options

Now, you can also select your Default Language. (Ours is set to Current Locale which is English). See the following image:

If you change your Default Language, you can turn the toggle next to Detect Languages to Off. This will let your iPhone read in other languages instead of translating in your default language. Refer to the below image:

Read 7 — Enabling the Detect Languages toggle

The Speaking Rate slider allows you to adjust how fast or slow the text-to-speech voice reads. See the below image:

Read 8 — Setting the Speaking Rate slider

Next, you can add Pronunciations, if the text-to-speech voice is not pronouncing something correctly. See the following image:

How to Use

To use text-to-speech, tap and hold some text to highlight it or use the Select or Select All option. Refer to the below image:

Read 10 — Highlighting text to read aloud

Now, tap the Speak option, and your iPhone will read the text aloud. See the below image:

Read 11 — Selecting the Speak option to read the highlighted text

Next, to stop your iPhone from reading the text, tap the highlighted text, then tap the Pause option. See the following image:

Summary

You can use text-to-speech to have your iPhone or iPad read aloud to you if you have trouble reading everything on your screen, or while doing chores, cooking, or going for a walk.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

“Proverbs are all very fine when there’s nothing to worry you, but when you’re in real trouble, they’re not a bit of help.”

L.M. Montegomery

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Author’s E-Book

Author’s E-Book

https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Tra-Bong-Vietnam-Aftermath-ebook/dp/B07K39LNBR

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

How to Disable AI Overviews in Google Search

This post provides tips for handling AI-generated summaries in Google search results. It explains how to disable these overviews using specific search modifiers.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
July 23, 2024 – 3 minutes read time

This is for devices running Google or Bing. Screenshots are from Windows 10 desktop

Get the Latest Desktop Google Update

Open Google, click the 3-dot menu icon (upper right corner), then click the Settings option. If Google is outdated, it will automatically update.

Why You Will Like This Tip

View your Google or Bing search results without an AI-generated summary.
Narrow your search results to what you just want to preview.

Overview

We rely on Google every day to provide us information. But what happens when our source of knowledge becomes messy and unreliable? AI Overviews utilize Google’s Gemini AI to provide an answer to your query right on the search page; no need to click.

Using the AI Modifier

Still in its infancy, this feature occasionally surfaces incorrect information, so some web surfers look to disable it entirely. There are a few ways to make an AI Overview go away, but no method is as simple as tricking Google itself into getting rid of it. Google uses search modifiers, named operators, which help narrow search results. Here are a few examples:

Use quotations (” “) to search for the exact phrase
Add site: to search a single website
Search for a certain type of file with filetype:
Exclude terms with a minus (-) symbol. The minus symbol stands for NOT.

If we ask “who owns Facebook” an AI-generated summary will be displayed. Refer to the below image:

Google Tip 1 — With AI-generated summary

And if you add the term -AI at the end of the query, an overview is not generated. It’s a very simple solution to the AI Overview problem that can be quickly repeated on subsequent queries without needing multiple steps. See the below image:

Google Tip 2 — Without AI-generated summary

However, it’s worth noting that this does not work because of the -AI modifier. On subsequent tests, we found that putting pretty much anything in there (Ex: -i, –sports, -farm) also did the same thing.

Summary

So, no, Google did not add a secret AI kill switch to its search engine. Instead, AI Overviews are likely only available under certain conditions, and by using a search modifier, you circumvent those parameters. Still, it’s an easy way to game the system until we get an easier way to disable these overlays.

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

“Real gs move in silence like lasagna.”

Lil Wayne

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Author’s E-Book

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Take Control of Your Social Media Feed with These Tips

Social media feeds are controlled by algorithms that track user interactions to serve content. Although helpful, they can misinterpret preferences. To regain control, users can reset their watch history on YouTube, adjust settings on Facebook and Instagram, and modify interests on LinkedIn and Twitter, or even create new accounts for a fresh start.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
October 15, 2024 – 9 minutes read time

This is for devices using Social Media. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.6.1

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Overview

Almost everything you see in your social media feeds today is governed by algorithms. Think of them as the digital rules and intelligence that social media companies use to deliver a steady stream of interesting content to your eyes. They are invisible conductors that note everything you like, click, or comment on and use that information to serve up more content you likely engage with.

Algorithms are far from perfect, though. Sometimes, they pick up on the wrong signals and stuff your feed with things you do not care about. If you find yourself increasingly uninterested in the posts you see in your feed, it’s often possible to reset those algorithms. Doing it correctly can completely change what your social networks show when you log in.

Let’s explore how to take back control of your social media.

YouTube

YouTube feeds you content based on what you watch, search for, and subscribe to. As YouTube says on some pages (accessible below), “Keeping your history makes YouTube more personal.” But familiarity can breed contempt.

First, reset your Watch History. On the mobile app:

Tap your name > Cog icon > Settings > Manage All History

Refer to the below image:

YOUTUBE WATCH HISTORY IMAGE — Manage YouTube history

From here, you have a few options. You likely have Auto-Delete (Off) set up; click that, and you can tell YouTube to delete the tracked history of anything older than 36, 18, or 3 months. The shorter the time frame, the bigger the reset to your suggestions will be.

Alternatively, click where it says DELETE with a down arrow to access a menu to delete what you have seen today, in a custom range of time, or everything for all time. That final one is the nuclear option. Your suggestions will be totally fresh.

While here, click the Saving Your YouTube History link to change what YouTube saves. You may not want it to save searches because you may look for some wacky stuff. Or set it to turn off any YouTube history saving whatsoever. Scroll down the page to YouTube Customize Your Feed Feedback and click Delete to get rid of videos you specifically picked for your home feed in the past.

(On the desktop, click your avatar at the upper right and select Your Data in YouTube. Scroll down to YouTube Watch History and toggle the On button to Off so your history storage is paused. Click Manage your YouTube Watch History to access the menus as mentioned above, like Auto-Delete).

Clicking “Not Interested” under select videos can also impact the algorithm.

For a genuinely full reset, unsubscribe to every YouTube channel you follow.

On mobile, click Subscriptions at the bottom, then click All at the top, and you will see the full list. Click the bell icon to the right of each for a menu that includes Unsubscribe. (On Desktop, use Subscriptions> Manage to get to the list with the menus.)

Facebook

Facebook’s main display is called the Feed. It features updates, photos, videos, and more from people, Pages, and groups you follow. posts based on what it believes you will like.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to adjust the Facebook Feed. Click your avatar profile pic at the upper right on the desktop and go to

Settings and Privacy > Feed

You will see options here to manage your favorites (people/groups you want to see the most), unfollows (people you do not want to dump, but do not want to see as much of), snoozes (people you want to temporarily unfollow), and reconnect (it lets you turn off unfollows). See the below image:

Facebook Feed Settings — Manage Facebook feed

You can also opt to avoid looking at Facebook’s main page. Go right to Feeds (via the left-hand navigation), and then you can view only the Favorites, Friends, Groups, or Pages you want to see.

As you use Facebook daily, be sure to perform hides, snoozes, and unfollows on posts as you encounter them to “train” the algorithm and steer it toward the kinds of content you actually want to see.

You also can and should go into Facebook Ad Preferences and change things so you can impact the advertising in your Feed. You can also do this with ads as they pop up. Click the X to hide an ad immediately, or use the three-dot menu to hide or report it. You can also limit advertising topics you see by going to:

Settings & Privacy > Settings > Account Center > Ad Preferences > Customize ads

then click “See All” next to Ad Topics.

You can use Page Moderation to block certain words or phrases so they do not appear, at least in the comments. Go to:

Settings > Followers and Public Content > Hide comments containing specific words

You choose the list of words to block.

Since everything you see on Facebook is tied entirely to who you friend and follow, a complete reset would require you to unfriend everyone. Starting a new profile is more manageable. This is also pretty easy; click your profile pic to see a button that says See all profiles. In the following menu, it shows + Create new profile or Page. A personal profile is just for individuals, but you can make a new one to get a fresh, clean feed. A page is more for a business or organization, that multiple people can control. No matter what you create, you can easily switch back and forth between the profiles/pages. See the following image:

Create Facebook profile

Instagram

Instagram is part of Meta, just like Facebook, so many of the same rules we listed above apply. For example, the Ad Preferences/Ad Topics are similar. Access them by clicking:

Menu > Settings > Account Center > Ad Preferences.

Again, there’s no direct way to reset the algorithm, but you can manipulate things by clicking the three-dot menu on posts to set the person as an unfollow or to add to favorites. Click into the account of someone you see, and on the following menu, you can add a person as Close Friend, Favorite, Mute (Posts and/or Stories), Restrict (which limits interaction without a complete block), or Unfollow.

Under Settings, you will find Muted accounts, Blocked accounts, Close Friends, and other lists you can change as desired.

The best reset is to open a new account. You can do that by logging out of Instagram and creating a new user profile. After that, log in to either account, go to:

Settings > Account Center > Accounts > Add Account

and log into the second one. You can link the two accounts (or even a Facebook account) and switch between them. Remember, if you follow all the same people on the new account, it will look like the previous one.

X (Twitter)

Twitter gives you so little control over your feed that if you want to reset the type of content that the platform serves you, your best bet is to start a totally new account. If that’s a bit too drastic for you, try to adjust your existing feed by going to

Settings & Privacy > Privacy and Safety > Content You See

This will let you uncheck topics and interests the service believes you are into. Sadly, you can not uncheck them all at once. Also, under Privacy and Safety, scroll down to Ads Preferences, and uncheck all that.

When using the service, click the 3-dot ellipsis menu on any ads you do not like to block them. Same with anyone you follow that you have lost interest in. If you want to really get rid of everyone you follow to start fresh, go to Following and click the Following button (it will turn to a red Unfollow) next to every name to unfollow; this will take a while if there are a lot of them. If you do not want to do it manually, there’s a Chrome extension called X (Twitter) Mass Unfollow.

Microsoft’s social network for businesspeople (or those looking for work) does a pretty good job of just showing you the people you follow, but likes to sneak in a few ads based on what it thinks you like. Under your profile, pick:

Settings & Privacy > Advertising Data > Interests and traits

uncheck anything you are not into. Or turn them all off, but of course, then your ads are less relevant. In fact, go through all the “Data collected on LinkedIn” and “Third-party data” entries. If you turn them all off, you will get a totally new feed, albeit probably irrelevant.

Source: Social Media platforms

Disclaimer

Quote For the Day

“Proverbs are all very fine when there’s nothing to worry you, but when you’re in real trouble, they’re not a bit of help.”

LM Montgomery

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That’s it. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

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Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.
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Author’s E-Book

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Customize Back Tap Gestures on iPhone and iPad for Enhanced Accessibility

The post discusses the accessibility features on iPhone and iPad, emphasizing their importance for users with visual or audio impairments. It provides a detailed guide on enabling Accessibility Shortcut and Back Tap gestures, highlighting various options such as AssistiveTouch, Color Filters, and Voice Control.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
August 20, 2024 – 7 minutes read time

This is for iPhone and iPad. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17+

Accessibility is always important since it makes devices easier for those with visual or audio impairments. Apple always does a great job with accessibility, and you will find plenty of accessibility options on your iPhone or iPad to make life easier. Perhaps you need to have more sound on one side of your favorite headphones, or you just need to make text easier to read. No matter what you need, iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are very inclusive, so you will not feel left behind. And to make it even easier to access your favorite accessibility tools, there is the Accessibility Shortcut on your favorite iPhone or iPad.

How to Enable

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap on Accessibility.
Tap on Accessibility Shortcut; it’s all the way to the bottom. Refer to the below image:

Accessibility 1 — Selecting Accessibility Shortcut option

Tap the action you would like to perform when you triple-click the Home or Side button so that a blue checkmark appears next to it. You can assign multiple functions to the shortcut.
If you want to reorder the options, just drag and drop. Tap and hold the handle on the right side of each option to move it.
Triple-click your Home button (Touch ID devices) or Side button (Face ID devices) to perform the action you have assigned to the shortcut.
If you have assigned multiple options, simply choose the action you want to perform from the menu. See the below image:

Accessibility 2 — Assigning multiple shortcuts and reordering them

Here’s a brief description of the options you have and what they are:

AssistiveTouch: Adds the ability to access many common hardware buttons and gesture controls with single taps; a useful feature for those with motor impairments.
Background Sounds: A new feature in iOS 15, Background Sounds lets you play soothing white noise to help you concentrate. Using the Accessibility Shortcut toggles your selected sound. First, you need to set up your Background Sounds.
Classic Invert Colors: A great option for anyone with a visual impairment such as color blindness. All colors across iOS will be inverted.
Color Filters: Changes the color layout of the screen for those with color blindness.
Full Keyboard Access: This allows you to navigate the iOS interface without using touch input. A physical keyboard is required to use this feature.
Increase Contrast: This will increase the contrast of visual elements on the screen, making it easier to see and read text.
Left/Right Balance: This turns on your custom audio balance setting if you have one set up. For example, if you want more sound on the left or right side of your earbuds or headphones, you will want to adjust that audio balance. Turning this off will go back to the default setting.
Magnifier: Triggers a camera-style viewfinder with sharp zoom controls so you can see small text. You will need the Magnifier enabled to have this option available.
People Detection: With People Detection, your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 uses Machine Learning with the LiDAR scanner to determine if an object in the camera is a person. You will receive audio feedback to help you determine how far away or close a person is to you.
Reduce Motion: This turns on the Reduce Motion setting, which reduces motion in the user interface, including the parallax with app icons. This can also help conserve some battery power.
Reduce Transparency: This reduces the transparency used in apps and websites, including blurred backgrounds. Having this on improves the legibility of text.
Reduce White Point: Reduces the intensity of bright colors for those with sensitivities or color blindness.
Smart Invert Colors: Same as Classic Invert Colors, except it does not change photos, media, and some apps.
Switch Control: This lets you use external switches, or the screen itself, as a switch for motor accessibility.
Voice Control: This lets you speak commands to your iPhone or iPad.
VoiceOver: Allows your iPhone or iPad to speak to you when enabled. Commonly used by folks with visual impairments.
Zoom: Allows you to zoom your content for better visibility. You can then use two and three-finger gestures to tap and pan around.
Guided Access: This keeps the iPhone in a single app and allows you to control which features are available. You need the Guided Access feature enabled before it is available as an Accessibility Shortcut option.

Once you have made your selection for the Accessibility Shortcut on iPhone and iPad, you can simply triple-click the Home button or the Side button on iPhones and iPads with Face ID from anywhere, not just from Settings, and your iPhone or iPad will enable the function you have selected. To disable it, just triple-click the button again. If multiple functions are assigned, tap the option you want to use.

Back Tap

iOS 14 added a new Back Tap gesture. With the Back Tap, you can double-tap or even triple-tap the back of your iPhone for quicker access to some commonly used actions, such as accessing the Notification Center or Control Center. You can also use the Back Tap gesture to launch Shortcuts that you have created, opening up a whole new world of possibilities.

Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Accessibility.
Tap Touch. See the following image

Accessibility 3 — Selecting the Touch option

Tap Back Tap at the bottom.
Tap Double Tap or Triple Tap to choose an action. Refer to the below image:

Accessibility 4 — Selecting Back Tap options

Select an action for your chosen Back Tap. Options include the Accessibility Shortcut that we just created, or you can choose from System, Accessibility, Scroll Gestures, or your own Shortcuts actions. See the below image:

Accessibility 5 — Selecting Double and TripleTtap functions.

Quick Access

As you can see, having an Accessibility Shortcut and Back Tap gestures can make your life easier. It adds another layer of customization to your device, and you do not need to fiddle around in the settings every time to get to certain accessibility actions. Even if you are not visually or hearing impaired, these accessibility features are handy for everyone.

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CG Jung

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Maximize Online Protection: The Power of Password Managers and Unique Access Codes

This post emphasizes the importance of strong, unique passwords and the use of password managers to enhance security. It highlights the risks of using common or personal information-based passwords and provides tips for creating and managing secure passwords.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
August 13, 2024 -9 minutes read time

This is for devices using passwords. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.5.1+

If you are still using “qwerty” or “starwars” as a password, you should stop doing this. Let’s find out what makes a bad password, why you should care, and how to make a good one.

The Case For Strong Passwords

Don’t have the password to get into your bank account? You are out of luck unless you can trick the bouncer into telling you the password is “kangaroo.” A simple password like that would be a terrible choice to protect your access to a bank site. And yet, chances are good you are using something just as bad, because stronger passwords are too hard to remember.

The only safe way to store proper passwords is in a password manager. If you are not using one, you probably rely on a highly crackable password like “baseball” or “12345”, or you have memorized one complex password, like “Jazz2day4Me!” and use it everywhere. Password security is no small matter. Given the enormous risk, you need to keep your passwords safe.

Even the best password manager does not guarantee the safety of your accounts; not if you use it to store the same old, tired passwords. You have to switch out your old and weak passwords for new and stronger ones.

Once you have replaced all your lame passwords with strong, unique ones, you can relax, at least until a data breach forces a change. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NST) no longer recommends changing passwords every 90 days. NIST now recommends using long phrases like “Correct-Horse-Battery-Staple” and changing them only when necessary. If you have terrible passwords, “when necessary” means right now.

Just what makes a bad password? Let’s look at some of the attributes of terrible passwords, and then some pointers on improving them.

Ditch the Dictionary

Every few months a news outlet posts a list of the worst passwords. We see a lot of easy-to-type options, like“12345” and “qwerty”. Easy for you to type? Sure. But also easy for hackers to crack. Other common (and poor) passwords consist of simple dictionary words, like “baseball”, “monkey”, and “starwars” in the list of worst passwords. These, too, are easy to crack.

A few of the best password managers (tap or click a button to view):

1Password

DashlanE

RoboForm

Some secure websites lock down after a given number of wrong password attempts, but many do not. For those with no bad guess lockout, hackers can cross a list of email addresses with a list of popular passwords and set up an automated process to keep trying combinations until they get in.

A properly secured website does not store your password anywhere. Instead, it runs the password through a hashing algorithm, a one-way encryption. The same input always produces the same output, but there’s no way to return to the original password from the resulting hash. If the password you type hashes to the same one that’s stored, you gain access. Even if hackers capture the site’s user data, they do not get passwords, just hashes.

But smart hackers can crack weak passwords if they know the site’s hashing function. They start by running a huge dictionary of common passwords through the hashing function. Then they look for the resulting hashes in the captured data. Each match is a cracked password. Sites with the best security enhance the hash function with password salting, which makes table-based cracking impossible, but why take the risk? Just stay out of the dictionary.

Think Differently

What about this perfect password: 1qaz2wsx3edc4rfv. You just “type” it by sliding a finger down four slanted columns of the keyboard. You think it’s so perfect, that you use it everywhere. And that is a big mistake.

Hardly a week goes by without news of a breach at some company or website, exposing thousands or millions of usernames and passwords. Smart victims change their passwords immediately. Those who ignore the problem may find themselves locked out of their accounts after the hackers have reset your passwords.

Those hackers know that all too many people recycle their passwords. Once they find a working username and password pair, they try the same credentials on other sites. You may not be so worried about losing access to your old Dropbox account, but if you used the same login on your bank’s website, you are in big trouble.

Passwords 2 — Using the same credentials on websites

It gets worse. If someone else takes control of your email account, they can lock you out by changing the password. Then they can break into your other accounts by having a password reset link emailed to that account. Worried yet? You should be!!!!

Stay Away From Being Personal

Using personal information as the basis for your passwords is awfully tempting, but it’s a bad idea. Whether your dog’s name is Fifi or Khaleesi, that name probably appears in the dictionaries hackers use for brute-force attacks. Other possibilities such as the initials and birthdate of a family member probably will not fall to a brute-force attack. If someone wants to hack your account specifically, that personal data can fuel a trial-and-error guessing attack.

Do not think for a minute that your personal details are private. There are dozens of sites people can use to find details about anybody: address, birthdate, marital status, and more. Your social media posts can be another source of personal info, especially if you have not properly secured your accounts. A determined hacker (or a nosy neighbor) can probably guess any password you build based on your data.

Shut the Back Door

If you are not using a password manager, you have surely experienced forgetting the password for a site. It’s all too common. That is why virtually every login page includes a “Forgot your password?” link. Some sites send a reset link to your email address, while others let you reset the password after answering your security questions. And that opens a back door to anyone wanting to hack your account.

Most sites offer abysmal options for security questions like:

What is your mother’s maiden name?
Where did you go to high school?
What was your first job?

As noted, your personal life is an open book to anyone with internet searching skills. When possible, ignore the preset questions. Create your own question, with a unique answer you will always remember but nobody else could guess.

It’s harder when the site does not let you define your own questions. In that case, your best bet is to use a memorable answer that’s a total LIE like:

My mother’s maiden name is Fauci.
I went to school at More Science High School.
For my first job, I was a linotype operator.

There is an element of risk since you might forget which lie you chose. We suggest storing these oddball answers in the iPhone Notes app or on Google Drive.

What To Do Now

We hope we have convinced you that using common passwords is a rotten idea, as is building passwords from personal information. Even the best strong, random password becomes a liability if you use it everywhere. If you are ready to spring into action, here are some starting points:

Use a password manager
Switch to a better password manager
Remember an extremely secure master password for your password manager and keep it on another app. Better yet, just remember the master password.
Take advantage of a random password generator to upgrade your old, bad passwords
You could even create your own random password generator in Excel
Enable multi-factor authentication wherever available

If a secure site does not take care of security, you could still lose that site’s credentials to a data breach, but by making all your passwords long, strong, and unique, you can rest assured that you have done everything you can to protect your online accounts from password-based attacks.

You may want to switch to using Passkeys or Passphrases.

Source: PC Mag

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Quote For the Day

“Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.”

Dieter F Uchtdorf

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Author’s E-Book

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The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Discover How to Use Apple Indoor Maps on iPhone and iPad

Apple Maps now offers indoor maps for certain malls and airports, accessible through the app on iPhone and iPad. This feature eliminates the need for physical maps, allowing users to easily navigate these indoor spaces. By following specific steps within the Maps app, users can view indoor locations and access additional details.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
July 23, 2024 – 5 minutes read

This is for the iPhone and iPad using Apple Maps. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.5.1

For certain malls and airport locations, Apple has indoor maps viewing directly from the Maps app. You will love this feature because it allows you to figure out where you are without locating a directory or physical map somewhere inside the location. Let’s explore this feature.

First, open Maps on your iPhone. Refer to the below page:

Next, tap the Search box and type in the name of the airport or mall. See the below image:

Indoor Maps 3 — Selecting the Search box

Now, tap it or swipe up to access the menu options until you see the location you want and tap it. See the following image:

Indoor Maps 4 — Selecting your search criteria

Next, depending on what map you are looking at, you will see options for various stores and/or locations within the building. Tap one of the options to see it plotted on the map. Refer to the below image:

Now, you will see all the gates, shops, or other type of location you selected. For example, we are accessing the Charlotte Douglas International Airport airport gates. See the below image:

Next, swipe up for a list of all locations. See the following image:

Indoor Maps 6 — Selecting aGate from the listing

Now, when you tap a location, it will get larger on the map, making it easier to find. Refer to the below image:

For a 2024 Apple Indoor Maps listing, tap here.

And that’s how you view indoor maps! Apple is constantly updating its inventory of indoor maps, so hopefully, we will have access to even more of them in the future.

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Quote For the Day

“You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety.”

Abraham Maslow

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How to Enable Screen Distance on iPhone/iPad

The iPhone/iPad now has a hidden feature called Screen Distance, found in iOS/iPadOS 17 or higher, designed to reduce eye strain by detecting when the device is held too close to your face.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
June 25, 2024 – 4 minutes read time

This is for the iPhone/iPad using iOS or iPadOS 17 or greater. Screenshots are from iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 17.5.1

The iPhone/iPad has a hidden display feature introduced in iOS/iPadOS 17 that everyone with an iPhone/iPad should start using. Screen Distance is designed to help reduce eye strain caused by holding your phone too close to your face. Let’s explore this feature.

What is Screen Distance

Viewing something like a device or book too closely for an extended period can increase eye strain and the risk of myopia. The Screen Distance feature in Screen Time uses the TrueDepth camera to detect when you hold your iPhone/iPad closer than 12 inches for an extended period and encourages you to move it farther away. Screen Distance can help children engage in healthy viewing habits that can lower their risk of myopia and can give people of all ages the opportunity to reduce digital eyestrain.

Enable Screen Distance

First, open Settings. Refer to the below image:

Next, tap the Screen Time option. See the below image:

Screen Distance 2 — Selecting the Screen Time option

Now, tap the Screen Distance option. See the following image:

Screen Distance 3 — Selecting the Screen Distance option

Next, an informational screen will be displayed about Screen Distance. Just tap the Continue button. Refer to the below image:

Now, another informational screen about “How Screen Distance Works” will be shown. Once again, tap the Continue button. See the below image:

Next, toggle the Screen Distance to ON. See the following image:

Screen Distance 6 — ToggleScreen Distancer to ON

If you are too close to your iPhone/iPad, it will pop up a notification splash screen interrupting whatever you are doing at the moment. Refer to the below image:

Screen Distance 7 — Screen Too Close notification

To readjust the Screen Distance feature, move your iPhone/iPad at least 12 inches from your face. A new notification splash screen will appear allowing you to proceed by tapping the Continue button. See the below image:

Screen Distance 8 — Screen Distance notification screen

Once you activate this feature, your iPhone/iPad Face ID sensors take about five minutes to work.

Considering how easy it is to hold your phone up to your face without thinking about it, this feature can be really handy for people who want to help reduce the strain on their eyes.

Of course, if you have trouble reading, you may find that Screen Distance is more annoying than helpful, especially if you prefer to keep your phone close to your face. If so, go back and toggle the Screen Distance feature to OFF.

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Quote For the Day

Being realistic is the most common path to mediocrity.

-Will Smith

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The Case For Strong Passwords

Ditch the Dictionary

Think Differently

Stay Away From Being Personal

Shut the Back Door

What To Do Now

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