Apple this morning announced a second 2020 event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through a livestream. Apple is expected to unveil the new iPhone 12 lineup and we could also see the launch of rumored products like the AirTags, smaller HomePod, AirPods Studio, and Apple Silicon Macs.
There are multiple ways to watch the event on October 13, with details listed below. We've also included a useful guide on when the event will take place in your particular time zone.
Apple Events Website
With the Apple Events website, you can watch the event live on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, PC, or any other device with a web browser. The Apple Events website works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and other main browsers.
Just navigate to www.apple.com/apple-events/ using a web browser at the appropriate time to watch. You can visit the site now to add an event reminder to your calendar.
YouTube
Apple also plans to stream the event live on YouTube, which is perhaps the easiest and most efficient way to watch because the YouTube livestream can be viewed on every platform where YouTube is available, which is pretty much all platforms, from smartphones and tablets to consoles and smart TVs.
Apple already posted a placeholder for the October 13 event on YouTube, and you can visit it now to set an event reminder through YouTube.
Apple TV App
Apple used to have a dedicated Apple Events app on the Apple TV, but ahead of WWDC in June, it folded into the Apple TV app. On event day, there will be a prominent Apple TV app section dedicated to the livestream, which can be watched on any device where the Apple TV app is available.
This includes the Apple TV, iPhones, iPads, Macs, and some smart TVs. If you have an Apple TV, the Apple TV app is perhaps the easiest way to watch the event live. Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV app with the new event as of yet, but it should be added soon.
Event Time Zones
Apple's event will take place at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, like most of Apple's events. Event times in other time zones are listed below.
Honolulu, Hawaii — 7:00 a.m. HAST
Anchorage, Alaska — 9:00 a.m. AKDT
Cupertino, California — 10:00 a.m. PDT
Phoenix, Arizona — 10:00 a.m. MST
Vancouver, Canada — 10:00 a.m. PDT
Denver, Colorado — 11:00 a.m. MDT
Dallas, Texas — 12:00 noon CDT
New York, New York — 1:00 p.m. EDT
Toronto, Canada — 1:00 p.m. EDT
Halifax, Canada — 2:00 p.m. ADT
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — 2:00 p.m. BRT
London, United Kingdom — 6:00 p.m. BST
Berlin, Germany — 7:00 p.m. CEST
Paris, France — 7:00 p.m. CEST
Cape Town, South Africa — 7:00 p.m. SAST
Moscow, Russia — 8:00 p.m. MSK
Helsinki, Finland — 8:00 p.m. EEST
Istanbul, Turkey — 8:00 p.m. TRT
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — 9:00 p.m. GST
Delhi, India — 10:30 p.m. IST
Jakarta, Indonesia — 12:00 a.m. WIB next day
Shanghai, China — 1:00 a.m. CST next day
Singapore — 1:00 a.m. SGT next day
Perth, Australia — 1:00 a.m. AWST next day
Hong Kong — 1:00 a.m. HKT next day
Seoul, South Korea — 2:00 a.m. KST next day
Tokyo, Japan — 2:00 a.m. JST next day
Adelaide, Australia — 3:30 a.m. ACDT next day
Sydney, Australia — 4:00 a.m. AEDT next day
Auckland, New Zealand — 6:00 a.m. NZDT next day
MacRumors Coverage
If you're not able to watch or just want to follow along with us as we watch the event unfold, visit MacRumors.com for our liveblog or follow us on Twitter at MacRumorsLive for our live tweet coverage.
Both the MacRumors site and our Twitter account are excellent ways to discuss the new announcements with other Apple enthusiasts as Apple unveils new products.
Apple has ordered "The Supermodels," a documentary event series that explores the careers of high-profile models that include Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington.
According to Apple, the docuseries will feature "exclusive access" and interviews with the models, who plan to revisit their careers and the "collective disruption of the 90s fashion scene."
"The Supermodels" travels back to the 1980s, when four women from different corners of the world united in New York. Already forces in their own right, the gravitas they achieved by coming together transcended the industry itself. Their prestige was so extraordinary that it enabled the four to supersede the brands they showcased, making the names Naomi, Cindy, Linda and Christy as prominent as the designers who styled them. Today, the four supermodels remain on the frontlines of culture through activism, philanthropy and business prowess. As the fashion industry continues to redefine itself - and women's roles within it - this is the ultimate story of power and how four women came together to claim it, paving the way for those to follow.
The show will be directed and executive produced by Barbara Kopple and executive produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and all of the models who are participating. There's no release date for the series at this time.
Apple has secured several documentary television shows and films for Apple TV+ in addition to "The Supermodels," including "Beastie Boys Story," "Boys State," "Home," and "Dads."
Apple plans to add the iPhone 5c and the Mid 2014 version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro to its vintage and obsolete products list in all countries on October 31, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors.
In the past, vintage Apple products were no longer eligible for repairs at the Genius Bar or at Apple Authorized Service Providers, but Apple began offering extended repairs of select vintage products in 2018. Both the iPhone 5c and the Mid 2014 model 15-inch MacBook Pro will remain eligible for service indefinitely, subject to parts availability.
Introduced alongside the iPhone 5s in September 2013, the iPhone 5c was essentially an iPhone 5 repackaged in a colorful plastic shell, available in blue, green, pink, yellow, and white. The lower-end device was aimed at budget-conscious customers, with pricing for the 16GB model starting at $99 with a two-year contract in the United States.
Apple today announced a second 2020 event, which is set to be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. As with Apple's September event focusing on the new iPad and Apple Watches, the October event will be digital only, with Apple likely providing pre-taped segments for each new product that will be announced.
Since the new iPad Air, eighth-generation iPad, and Apple Watch Series 6 have already been announced, the October event is expected to be Apple's iPhone-centric event with Apple introducing the new iPhone 12 lineup.
iPhone 12 Lineup
We're expecting four iPhones in three sizes in 2020. The iPhone 12, which will be the more affordable iPhone model available, will come in 5.4 and 6.1-inch size options. The 5.4-inch iPhone will be the smallest iPhone that Apple has released in years, and rumors suggest it could even be called the "iPhone 12 mini."
The higher-end flagship iPhone models, expected to be called the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, will come in 6.1 and 6.7-inch size options, with the 6.7-inch iPhone featuring the largest display size that Apple has introduced to date.
All four iPhones will feature edge-to-edge OLED displays with Face ID functionality and front-facing TrueDepth cameras. Despite some early rumors of smaller notches, it doesn't look like the notch is shrinking on most models, but we can expect a proportional notch on the smallest 5.4-inch model. This will be the first time that Apple has used OLED display technology across the iPhone lineup.
Apple is also expected to introduce 5G support for all of the iPhone 12 models, though the fastest mmWave 5G could potentially be limited to the higher end models while more affordable models get Sub-6GHz 5G. Sub-6Ghz 5G is the 5G that's expected to be used in most places (with mmWave coming to urban areas) and you can read more about the differences in our guide.
The 2020 iPhone lineup will feature a redesign with the iPhones adopting an iPad Pro-style look that does away with the rounded edges that have been used since the iPhone 6 in favor of more squared, flat edges.
New camera technology is expected, with the high-end Pro iPhone models expected to gain LiDAR Scanners similar to the LiDAR Scanner introduced in the iPad Pro. All of the new iPhones will use the faster 5-nanometer A14 chips that Apple first introduced in the 2020 iPad Air, which should bring solid performance and efficiency improvements.
Because 5G technology is expensive, Apple is planning to eliminate the power adapter and earbuds that traditionally come with an iPhone, instead offering a separate power adapter for purchase. A braided Lightning to USB-C cable could be included, however, and the power adapter rumor has been all but confirmed by the Series 6 Apple Watches, which were also shipped without a power adapter.
Apple has stuck to September events and releases for new iPhones for years now, but the global health pandemic delayed the launch of new iPhones, and given the delay, Apple also decided to delay its traditional September event. Apple in July confirmed that this year's models would launch "a few weeks later" than the normal September timeframe.
Rumors suggest that the first iPhone 12 models will see an October launch, perhaps not too long after the event is held, but some of the iPhone models, such as the iPhone 12 Pro Max, could be delayed even longer. We may not see the availability of the full iPhone 12 lineup until November.
Apple is working on high-end over-ear headphones that are a part of the AirPods family, offering an over-ear alternative to the AirPods and the AirPods Pro. Rumors suggest the AirPods Studio will cost $349 and will offer Active Noise Cancellation and a retro-style design.
A leaked image allegedly featuring the AirPods Studio
AirPods Studio are expected before the end of the year, so Apple's October event alongside new iPhones would be an ideal time for Apple to introduce them.
AirTags
AirTags are Apple's long-rumored Bluetooth trackers that can attach to items like wallets and keys, letting them be tracked right in the Find My app alongside iPhones, iPads, and Macs. We've been expecting AirTags for quite some time now and we could finally see them in October.
Smaller HomePod
There's supposed to be a smaller, less expensive HomePod in the works to accompany the existing HomePod, and rumors indicate that it's coming before the end of the year.
Arm-Based Mac
We're expecting the first Arm-based Macs this year, which could come in the form of a refreshed MacBook Air and a redesigned 23 or 24-inch iMac. Most Arm-based Mac rumors suggest a launch later in the year, so there's no confirmation that we're going to see them at the October event.
MacRumors Event Coverage
Apple plans to stream the fall iPhone event live on its Events website, on YouTube, and on the Apple TV when it kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. For those unable to watch, MacRumors will be providing full event coverage both on MacRumors.com and through the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Apple's Events website, when viewed on an iPhone, includes a tappable augmented reality image that features an animated logo for the event that expands from a series of concentric circles into 3D spheres with the October 13 date image.
Accessory maker Arlo today introduced the Pro 4, a new version of its security camera that connects directly to Wi-Fi for easier setup as a standalone security solution, eliminating the need for a separate base station.
Like its Pro 3 predecessor, the Pro 4 features 2K video resolution with HDR, a 160-degree viewing angle, an integrated spotlight and siren, color night vision, two-way audio, and a wire-free, weather-resistant design. A removable, rechargeable battery continues to provide up to six months of battery life per charge.
Unfortunately, the Pro 4 is not compatible with HomeKit at launch, according to the Arlo website. The Pro 3 gained HomeKit support five months after it launched, so it is possible that the Pro 4 will receive HomeKit in a future software update. We've reached out to Arlo for comment on their HomeKit plans and we'll update this story if we hear back.
Arlo also introduced the Ultra 2, a new HomeKit-enabled security camera with improved range and connectivity compared to the original Ultra, expanding placement options beyond traditional cameras that require an outlet.
The Pro 4 is available for pre-order at Arlo.com and Best Buy starting today for $199.99, while Ultra 2 one- and two-camera kits start at $299.99 and are available for pre-order at Arlo.com, Best Buy, and Amazon. Each camera comes with a complimentary three-month Arlo Smart trial, providing extended 30-day rolling cloud storage for video recordings.
Update: Arlo informed MacRumors that it is "working to have Apple HomeKit available on products," but it has no updates to share regarding the Pro 4 at this time.
SuitCase is a premium hard case for the MacBook that's made of a water-resistant twill fabric and includes a layer of hard plastic to ensure protection if dropped.
The accessory includes a suspension system that holds the MacBook in the case, and allows you to work on the notebook without removing it from the SuitCase.
Other features include a retractable leather handle, dual weather-resistant zippers, and an interior pouch for cables and other accessories.
The SuitCase is priced at $69.99 for the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, and $79.99 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Twelve South. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Otter Products, maker of the popular Otterbox mobile accessories, has announced a "strategic investment" in Brydge, in a move that is set to support future collaboration and product development.
The new agreement between the companies will allow Otter and Brydge to leverage each other's supply and distribution networks. Most interestingly, the companies seem intent on developing new products and "innovations" collaboratively under the OtterBox brand.
"Our company has always been dedicated to innovating in ways that will enable our customers to get more from their mobile technology," said Otter Products CEO Jim Parke. "Brydge has the same philosophy, and we recognize that we can tap into the strengths of each organization to be even more effective in achieving this goal, especially as all of our relationships between home, school and work are evolving."
Brydge is known for its MacBook-like iPad keyboard accessories, docks, and hubs, while Otter is known for its portfolio of protective cases and screen protectors.
"Brydge has always admired OtterBox. From modest roots to what is now a global brand and leader, we have always felt there is a natural synergy with our values, vision and products," said Nick Smith, Co-CEO & Founder of Brydge. "This partnership represents a huge opportunity for both brands to continue to drive growth and success in the market."
While the companies are yet to announce any specific new products, this early announcement represents a notable event in the technology accessories industry and loyal customers of both brands will likely follow new developments with interest.
Amazon is offering a few solid discounts on the latest 27-inch iMac this week, including the model with a 3.3GHz 6-Core tenth generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD for $1,899.00, down from $1,999.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This $100 discount is also being matched at retailers like B&H Photo and Adorama.
Secondly, the 27-inch iMac with a 3.1GHz 6-Core tenth generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD is on sale for $1,699.93, down from $1,799.00. We've seen this model about $20 cheaper in the past, but Amazon's sale is still the best you'll find online right now.
Apple introduced new iMacs in August 2020, updating its desktop computers with tenth generation Intel processors, more RAM, more SSD storage, faster AMD GPUs, and True Tone support for displays. Similar to previous generations, the iMac features an "ultra-thin" design and support 4K on the 21.5-inch model and 5K on the 27-inch model.
You can keep track of ongoing sales on Apple's iMac line by visiting our Best iMac Deals guide. There, we keep track of the best iMac offers from Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo, and other retailers, so be sure to check back often if you're shopping for an iMac for the first time, or thinking of upgrading.
HomeKit's new Adaptive Lighting feature has appeared for Philips Hue beta testers in Germany, according to iphone-ticker.
At WWDC earlier this year, Apple announced a new HomeKit feature called Adaptive Lighting, which allows smart lighting to dynamically adapt according to the time of day, with warm hues fading in around sunset, and cooler hues fading in around midday.
At any given time of day, the color of smart lights with Adaptive Lighting would be slightly different and change as time passes, similar to Apple's Night Shift feature on iOS, iPad OS, and macOS. Although this behavior was theoretically possible before, albeit not as effectively, via complex automations, the Adaptive Lighting feature offers a single button to turn the feature on or off.
Adaptive Lighting was not present in any of the iOS 14 betas before its public release, and was instead promised to arrive later in the year as smart lighting manufacturers such as Philips Hue implement it. Adaptive Lighting will only be available where manufacturers actively support the feature via a firmware update, so its absence in the iOS 14 betas does not seem to be due to a delay at Apple's end.
Philips Hue has now reportedly rolled out a bridge firmware update to support Adaptive Lighting to its own beta testers in Germany. Only White and Color Ambiance bulbs support the feature at this time, according to Philips Hue.
Not much has been known about how Adaptive Lighting will work in practice until now, and it seems that users simply need to tap and hold on the specified light in the Home app, and in the color picker, one of the six saved colors has been replaced by an icon to activate Adaptive Lighting.
A number of other HomeKit features were announced alongside Adaptive Lighting, such as activity zones and face recognition for cameras, doorbell announcements, and camera feeds on Apple TV.
It is unclear when Adaptive Lighting will be publicly released for Philips Hue users, but the news of a firmware update for beta testers in Germany suggests that the company is on track to deliver the feature as planned.
The Gmail app is set to get a new icon as part of a broader rebrand of Google's G Suite software, which includes Gmail, Docs, Meet, Sheets, and Calendar.
Replacing the classic Gmail envelope logo is an M made out of Google's blue, red, yellow, and green brand colors. The new design aligns Gmail with Google's core brand as well as Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Chrome, and other Google products.
According to Fast Company, Google considered dropping the M altogether or fully removing the red color from the Gmail icon, but user research studies showed that people weren't happy with those changes.
Google has also redesigned its Calendar, Docs, Meet, and Sheets logos to match the new Gmail design, while G Suite has become "Google Workspace" in an attempt to merge Gmail, Chat, and Docs into a more integrated whole.
Instagram is ten years old today, and the photo-based social platform is celebrating by introducing an easier way to find old Stories, custom icons, and new tools to prevent online harassment.
As reported by TechCrunch, a new private Stories Map and calendar offers users a retrospective of the Stories and photos they've shared over the last three years so they can look back at their favorite moments and re-share them if desired.
Users can access the new Stories Map and monthly calendar view from the "archive" menu under their profile.
Instagram has also announced new anti-bullying features that aim to automatically hide potentially abusive comments. Hidden comments aren't completely deleted, however, and can still be viewed by tapping a "View Hidden Comments" button.
Instagram is also expanding its comment warnings when people repeatedly attempt to post potentially offensive comments.
The platform already has a feature that notifies users when their comment may be considered offensive by giving them a chance to reflect and make changes before posting it. Now this feature will target repeat offenders and suggest that they take a moment to step back and reflect on their words and the potential consequences of posting them.
Lastly, to celebrate 10 years, Instagram is allowing users to switch up the app's icon on their Home Screen. Users can choose between a range of new and classic icons in shades of orange, yellow, green, purple, black, white and more.
To access the new icons, open the settings section within the app and do a long swipe down on the screen. A column of emojis should appear at the top of the menu, after which the icons will be revealed.
To get the new features, make sure you've updated to the latest version. Instagram is a free download for iPhone on the App Store. [Direct Link]
Intel Macs that use Apple's T2 Security Chip are vulnerable to an exploit that could allow a hacker to circumvent disk encryption, firmware passwords and the whole T2 security verification chain, according to team of software jailbreakers.
Apple's custom-silicon T2 co-processor is present in newer Macs and handles encrypted storage and secure boot capabilities, as well as several other controller features. In a blog post, however, security researcher Niels Hofmans notes that because the chip is based on an A10 processor it's vulnerable to the same checkm8 exploit that is used to jailbreak iOS devices.
This vulnerability is reportedly able to hijack the boot process of the T2's SepOS operating system to gain access to the hardware. Normally the T2 chip exits with a fatal error if it is in Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode and it detects a decryption call, but by using another vulnerability developed by team Pangu, Hofmans claims it is possible for a hacker to circumvent this check and gain access to the T2 chip.
Once access is gained, the hacker has full root access and kernel execution privileges, although they can't directly decrypt files stored using FileVault 2 encryption. However, because the T2 chip manages keyboard access, the hacker could inject a keylogger and steal the password used for decryption.
According to Hofmans, the exploit can also bypass the remote device locking function (Activation Lock) that's used by services like MDM and FindMy. A firmware password won't help prevent this either because it requires keyboard access, which requires the T2 chip to run first.
For security reasons, SepOS is stored in the T2 chip’s read-only memory (ROM), but this also prevents the exploit from being patched by Apple with a software update. On the plus side, however, it also means the vulnerability isn't persistent, so it requires a "hardware insert or other attached component such as a malicious USB-C cable" to work.
Hofmans says he has reached out to Apple about the exploit but is still awaiting a response. In the meantime, average users can protect themselves by keeping their machines physically secure and by avoiding plugging in untrusted USB-C cables and devices.
Lastly, the researcher notes that upcoming Apple Silicon Macs use a different boot system, so it's possible that they won't be impacted by the vulnerability, although this is still being actively investigated.
Update: The original report incorrectly referred to Niels Hofmans as the cybersecurity expert who carried out the research. Hofmans is in fact an industry consultant who provided impact analysis of the T2 and checkm8. This has now been corrected.
Spotify users can now search for songs by lyrics, following an update to the streaming service's mobile app (via 9to5Mac). Spotify designer Lina shared the news on Twitter.
My team just shipped something on iOS and Android -
now you can find songs by lyrics 😉 on Spotify
Give it a try 😊 pic.twitter.com/bOs4Ob9O84
— Lina (@linafab) October 5, 2020
The feature is integrated into the main search function, which now returns playlist, song, album, and matching lyric results.
The ability to search by lyrics is a welcome addition to the service, especially for times when you know a phrase or chorus line but don't know the name of the song. Spotify is late to the game though – Apple Music subscribers have been able to search by lyrics since 2018.
Earlier this year, Spotify also introduced a real-time lyrics feature, thanks to an agreement with lyrics provider Musixmatch. The feature allows listeners to follow the lyrics to a song or sing along in real time.
Japanese smart payment system PASMO today announced that it has launched support for Apple Pay, allowing users to pay for transit fares and other transactions using their iPhone or Apple Watch. Express Transit is also supported, which allows users to quickly pass through transit gates without having to wake or unlock their devices or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.
PASMO is similar to and interoperable with Suica, a transit system that has been compatible with Apple Pay and Express Transit mode for several years. PASMO is accepted on a number of train lines and bus lines in numerous areas of Japan, although it is most prevalent in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Apple is no longer selling headphones and wireless speakers from companies like Sonos, Bose, and Logitech, as it prepares to launch a new, lower-cost HomePod and AirPods Studio headphones.
According to checks performed by Bloomberg, Apple removed headphones and speakers from Bose, speakers from Logitech's Ultimate Ears brand, and Sonos speakers from its online Apple Store at the end of September. Searching for these products, which were previously sold online and in retail stores, brings up no results.
Employees at Apple retail locations have also allegedly been asked to pull third-party audio products from shelves over the course of the last few days. Retail stores and the online store continue to offer Beats-branded headphones and speakers alongside Apple's AirPods and HomePod.
Apple has made similar moves in the past, eliminating stock of fitness trackers ahead of the launch Apple Watch. Apple told Bloomberg that it regularly makes changes to the products that it offers as new third-party accessories are released and the needs of customers change.
Rumors indicate Apple is working on several new audio products, including a smaller, lower-cost HomePod and high-end over-ear Apple-branded headphones that could be called "AirPods Studio," to be sold alongside the AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Both of these new products are expected to launch before the end of the year, and the removal of the third-party audio products from the online store suggests we could be seeing Apple's new audio devices soon, perhaps as soon as the iPhone-centric October event that's rumored to be in the works.
Current rumors indicate that Apple has an event planned for October 13, and if that's the case, we could see an Apple announcement as soon as tomorrow.
With the launch of the iPhone 11 lineup and the introduction of the Apple TV+ subscription service in the fall of 2019, Apple gave those who purchased an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV a free year of Apple TV+.
For those who signed up for Apple TV+ right when it was available on November 1, 2019, those free year-long Apple TV+ accounts are expiring at the end of October. A year is a long time to remember to cancel a subscription, so we wanted to warn MacRumors readers not interested in keeping Apple TV+ that charges are imminent. The first subscribers will be charged for Apple TV+ on October 31, 2020.
For Apple TV+, Apple did not allow subscriptions to be canceled right after signup because doing so would end the subscription right away, so there are many potentially active Apple TV+ subscriptions out there. Here's how to cancel.
Cancel Apple TV+ on an iPhone or iPad
Open up the App Store.
Tap on your profile in the upper right hand corner.
Tap on "Subscriptions."
Tap on Apple TV+.
Tap on "Cancel Free Trial" and then confirm.
Cancel Apple TV+ on a Mac
Open System Preferences.
Click on "Apple ID" at the top of the window next to your name.
Click on "Media & Purchases."
Under "Subscriptions," click on "Manage..."
Scroll down in the list until you find Apple TV+ and click it.
Click on "Cancel Free Trial."
Note that Apple TV+ can be canceled on the Apple TV and other platforms, but it's easiest to cancel on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac if you can.
Remember that if you cancel Apple TV+ now, you'll lose access immediately. If you still watch the service and want to make the most of your remaining subscription, set a reminder for October 30 to cancel. We'll also go ahead and remind MacRumors readers again on that date. If you did not sign up for your Apple TV+ subscription right away, it may not be ending at this time, and you can check by following the steps above to access subscription options.
Under these subscription interfaces, you can do nothing if you want to keep Apple TV+ for $4.99 per month or you can pay for another full year upfront for $49.99, which drops the price of the service down to $4.16 per month instead of $4.99 per month. Apple will also soon release Apple One subscription bundles that include Apple TV+ alongside other services like Apple Arcade and Apple Music, with bundle pricing as low as $14.99 per month.
At launch, Apple TV+ had just a handful of shows like "The Morning Show," "For All Mankind," "See" and "Dickinson," but Apple has released additional TV shows and movies over the course of the last year, making a $4.99 per month Apple TV+ fee easier to justify. There are also dozens of additional TV shows in the works, with details available in our Apple TV+ guide.
Alongside the launch of the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, and the new watchOS 7 software update, Apple introduced a Family Setup feature that's designed to allow parents to set up Apple Watches for their children, letting an Apple Watch be used without an iPhone.
While Family Setup is primarily aimed at families with children, it's also useful for setting up an Apple Watch for an older adult or anyone else who doesn't have an iPhone available but wants to take advantage of the fitness and health benefits provided by Apple's wrist-worn wearable.
This guide covers getting started with Family Setup and outlines the available Family Setup features.
Family Setup Requirements
Family Setup is designed to work with a GPS and Cellular enabled Apple Watch Series 4 or later that's running watchOS 7. It is not compatible with earlier Apple Watch models nor with those that do not have a cellular connection.
Cellular Apple Watch models require an accompanying cellular plan, which is generally priced at $10 per month with most carriers in the United States. Note that while a cellular Apple Watch is required to set up a watch under Family Setup, it can be activated without using a cellular plan.
The main person setting up Family Setup must have an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14 installed, and all participants will need an Apple ID and will need to be part of a Family Sharing setup, though these last two requirements can be worked out during the setup process.
Setting Up Family Setup on iPhone
Prior to launching the Family Setup process, it's best to make sure that each child or older adult that will participate has an Apple ID. We have how tos for creating an Apple ID on iPhone or iPad or on a Mac, as well as a tutorial on using Family Sharing. Two-factor authentication is also a requirement for each Apple ID, so make sure that's turned on as well.
If you don't have an Apple ID set up for each member in the family and Family Sharing isn't enabled these can be activated during Family Setup, but it will be a faster, smoother process if the prerequisites are completed ahead of time.
Turn on the Apple Watch and erase it so it can be set up as new if it hasn't been erased already and isn't already a fresh out of the box device.
Open up the Apple Watch app, go to the Apple Watch setup screen, and choose Set Up For Family Member.
Pair the Apple Watch with the iPhone by lining up the graphic on the watch's display with the appropriate area on the iPhone using the iPhone's camera. watchOS 7 is required.
Tap Set Up Apple Watch.
Agree to the Terms and Conditions, select a wrist preference, choose a text size for the Apple Watch, and then select a passcode.
Select a family member from your Family Sharing setup that you prepared prior to the Apple Watch setup process. If the person is not a part of the Family Sharing group, you can choose to Add New Family Member and enter their Apple ID.
If you chose the Apple ID route, you will need to go through some verification steps and enable two-factor authentication if it's not turned on. If you already had Family Sharing set up, enter the family member's Apple ID password to continue.
Opt to turn on Ask to Buy or Location Sharing.
Set up cellular and WiFi access. Setting up cellular access will require going through your carrier, such as Verizon or AT&T. This is a process that varies by carrier and can't be specifically demonstrated, but Apple and your carrier will walk you through the process on screen.
You can also opt to set up cellular access at a later time and rely on WiFi, but cellular is required for continual connectivity without an iPhone. After setting up cellular or skipping it until later, tap to share your WiFi password with the Apple Watch.
Go through the additional setup screens for Location Sharing, Siri, analytics, and more.
Choose whether to set up Apple Cash Family, the feature that lets parents provide small amounts of cash to kids that can be used with Apple Pay for purchases. Parents can choose who their kids can send money to and receive money from. Agree to the Terms and Services, and confirm the legal name of your child.
Continue through the setup process, enabling or disabling additional services such Messages in iCloud, Emergency SOS, Medical ID, Activity and route tracking options, Photos, trusted Contacts, Screen Time limits, Schooltime for limiting access during school hours, and a feature that lets parents view their children's health data, so daily activity can be monitored.
After all of these settings are figured out, the Apple Watch will be ready to use and it will be listed under "Family Watches" in the Apple Watch app that belongs to the parent.
Available Features
There are a lot of steps necessary to get Family Setup ready to use because Apple offers parents quite a lot of control over what's enabled and how the Apple Watch functions.
Parents can choose to add Medical ID information, control Siri access, set an activity goal for daily movement, provide an allowance on Apple Watch, monitor their kids' location, control who kids can contact, and more, so plan to spend a good half hour to hour walking through all of the steps.
Apple added some unique Family Setup features that can be activated for kids, and we've outlined some of the most notable options you'll want to be aware of below. For the most part, all Apple Watch functionality is available and Apple Watches for kids work like Apple Watches for adults, but parents have more management options.
Screen Time and Contacts Monitoring
Parents are able to limit Apple Watch usage and the apps that can be accessed on the Apple Watch. Screen Time limits on Apple Watch are identical to Screen Time limits on iPhones and other devices, and can be managed by opening up the Settings app, choosing Screen Time, and selecting the child's name from the list.
For a more in-depth tutorial, check out our how tos for setting up Screen Time on an iPhone or on a Mac.
Parents can set up shared Contacts that will provide a set list of people that children can communicate with, which originate from the parent's own Contacts list.
Screen Time also includes a Communications Limits feature that lets parents dictate who a child can contact from their Contacts list and the times that those contacts can be interacted with on Apple Watch. This too is controlled through the Screen Time settings, with more info available here.
Schooltime
Schooltime is an Apple Watch-specific feature that was introduced with Family Setup. It lets parents lock down the Apple Watch during school hours with the aim of encouraging children to focus on their schoolwork.
Schooltime is different from Screen Time in that it can be deactivated by the child when the child turns the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch, which is useful for emergencies, but parents are notified in that situation.
Initiating Family Setup allows for Schooltime to be activated during the setup process, but parents can access and edit Schooltime features in the Apple Watch app on iPhone.
Schooltime can be set for specific times during school, and breaks during recess and lunchtime can be scheduled, which will let kids access their Apple Watches when school is not in session. When enabled, Schooltime blocks all apps and complications, as well as activating Do Not Disturb. Emergency calls and Notifications are able to break through the Do Not Disturb limitations, however.
Parents can give their children "allowances" on the Apple Watch using the Apple Pay Cash feature, and kids can then use those funds to make Apple Pay purchases in stores that accept Apple Pay payments.
Apple Cash is sent through the Messages app on iPhone, and parents can send cash by typing in their kids' Apple ID email address and then using the built-in Apple Pay Messages feature to make a payment. Money sent to kids is stored in Apple Cash and can be accessed in the Apple Cash card in the Wallet app, where it can be used to make payments in stores.
Money given to kids is limited to the amount provided, and kids cannot make charges on linked credit cards or in any other way without parental permission. Kids can, however, send their available Apple Pay Cash to others, which is something to be aware of.
Purchases that kids make are displayed to parents, and parents can see what kids have bought and how their money has been used through the Wallet app on iPhone.
For younger children (age 13 and under), the Activity app on the Apple Watch will show move minutes rather than a calorie-based activity goal, while older kids will still see the standard calories burned metric. Activity works the same as it does for any other Apple Watch, and kids (or older adults) are able to meet Move, Exercise, and Stand goals that are initially set up by the parent.
Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Run, and Outdoor Cycle exercises have been updated with tuning for children, and coaching notifications are tailored to kids' reading levels and enhanced with emoji.
Parents can also view their kids' data in the Health app if the feature is enabled during the setup process, with the info listed in the Health app under "Shared Health Data."
Apps
Kids can download apps and games for the Apple Watch from the Apple Watch App Store. Parents will need to approve purchases before apps can be downloaded, including those that cost money. Kids will get a prompt to "Ask" their parents for permission to download an app, which can be approved or denied. "Ask to Buy" can be turned off using Family Sharing settings in the Settings app.
Content can be controlled through the Content Restrictions feature of Screen Time.
Other Available Features
Here are some of the other things that kids can do with an LTE Apple Watch that uses Family Setup.
Access the Workouts app and receive Activity awards
Participate in Activity competitions with friends
Access Emergency SOS with the Apple Watch side button
Managing Family Setup Apple Watches
Parents can manage Family Setup Apple Watches through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone. Just open it up, tap on "All Watches" at the top, and then tap on the child's Apple Watch to get to the settings options and controls.
Cellular Connectivity
To initiate Family Setup and add a family member's watch to the iPhone, the watch in question must be a Series 3 or later and it must have LTE connectivity. The LTE connection is required because GPS only Apple Watches without LTE rely on the iPhone for a connection, and with a standalone Apple Watch, there's no iPhone to connect to.
LTE Apple Watches can operate independently without any iPhone, enabling the Family Setup feature. That said, you can set up a cellular Apple Watch with Family Setup and then decline to enable cellular connectivity when prompted, and it will still work when WiFi is available.
Be aware, though, that the Apple Watch will only work with the one known WiFi network used to set it up and it won't otherwise be able to connect for communication and connectivity purposes.
Features for Older Adults
Many of the Family Setup features are aimed at parents with children, but there are also settings for people who want to manage Apple Watches for older adults that do not have an iPhone.
Older adults can take advantage of features like the X-Large watch face that's easy to see, fall detection, Emergency SOS, Medical ID, and irregular heart rhythm notifications.
Family Setup Limitations
Apple Watch Series 6 models that are set up with Family Setup are not able to access the Blood Oxygen app for blood oxygen measurements, a restriction that applies regardless of the Apple Watch owner's age.
Elderly relatives who have an Apple Watch Series 6 may want the Blood Oxygen app, so this is a limitation worth keeping in mind when deciding whether to use the Family Setup feature.
The following limitations also apply:
High and low heart rate notifications are only available for users aged 13 and older.
Irregular heart rhythm notifications and ECG are not available.
Sleep Tracking is not available.
Fall detection is only available for users aged 18 and older.
Apple Cash Family is limited to users under the age of 18.
Apple Pay with a credit, debit, or transit card is not available with Family Setup.
The Podcasts, Remote, News, Home, and Shortcuts apps are not available.
Battery Life
According to Apple, a watch controlled through Family Setup should last for approximately 14 hours before needing to be recharged. Apple bases that on the following estimated activities:
70 time checks
45 notifications
20 minutes of app use
5 minute phone call
30 minute workout with music playback
Battery life will, of course, vary based on usage and by each device. The battery life estimates take into account LTE connectivity and operation over a cellular connection.
Guide Feedback
Have questions about Family Setup on Apple Watch or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.
Apple today shared a short teaser trailer for "Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You," an upcoming Bruce Springsteen documentary that's set to debut on Apple TV+ on October 23.
The documentary will feature Springsteen recording live with The E Street Band for the first time in 35 years, and it will be available exclusively on Apple Music. From the Apple TV+ description of the documentary:
A tribute to the E Street Band, rock 'n' roll, and the way music has shaped Bruce Springsteen's life, this documentary captures Bruce reflecting on love and loss while recording with his full band for the first time since Born in the U.S.A.
The release of the documentary is timed with the release of the "Letter to You" album, which is also launching on October 23. A song from the album, "Letter to You" is already out with a music video available.
The full album features nine newly released songs along with new recordings of three unreleased compositions from the 1970s.
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