MacRumors

When December 31st rolls around this year, it will mark not only the end of 2019 but the end of an entire decade - the 2010s.

Over the course of the last 10 years, Apple released products ranging from the original iPad to the Apple Watch to the ill-fated butterfly keyboard on the MacBook Pro. We asked MacRumors readers on Twitter which Apple product of the decade was their favorite, and received well over 1,000 responses.

Below, we've made a list of some of those picks, highlighting the top 10 Apple products of the decade as chosen by MacRumors readers.

Original iPad (2010)

With Apple's full iPad lineup that consists of multiple models at varying price points, it's hard to believe that it's only been 10 years since the original iPad was released.

Then Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad in January 2010, and it launched just a few months later in April, marking Apple's first 9.7-inch tablet-sized device that was revolutionary at the time because it was essentially a bigger iPhone with a touchscreen, an at-the-time super fast A4 chip, and a display perfect for reading, gaming, working, and more.

Since then, Apple has continued to expand the iPad lineup and now we have everything from the 7.9-inch iPad mini to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

MacBook Pro (2012, 2016, and 2019)

Apple's MacBook Pro has been around since 2006, but over the course of the last decade, it received some notable improvements and revisions.

In 2012, Apple released the first-ever MacBook Pro with a super clear high-resolution Retina display, a feature has since expanded to the entire Mac lineup. It featured a unibody design that was thinner and lighter than the prior models.

Apple in 2016 overhauled the MacBook Pro again, this time introducing an even thinner, lighter design with a redesigned butterfly keyboard and a better-than-ever display. The butterfly keyboard was touted as a superior typing experience and it was also thinner than before, allowing Apple to slim down the machine, but it ultimately turned out to be a mistake.

The butterfly keyboard was prone to failure when exposed to dust and small particulates, leading Apple to create a replacement program for all butterfly keyboards.

Apple stuck with the butterfly keyboard until 2019 when the 16-inch MacBook Pro was released with an updated keyboard that has an older, more reliable scissor mechanism. The 16-inch MacBook Pro was many people's top pick given its excellent display, long battery life, and return to a more functional keyboard.

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (2014)

A number of MacRumors readers who shared their favorite products picked the iPhone, and choices ran the gamut from the super small 3.5-inch iPhone 4 to the iPhone 5s that introduced Touch ID to the iPhone 6 and later models.

We chose to highlight the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus as these devices marked the first major design shift of the decade, with Apple releasing two iPhones for the first time. The iPhone 6 measured in at 4.7 inches, while the iPhone 6 Plus came in at 5.5 inches and marked Apple's largest iPhone to date.

Apple stuck with these sizes for the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, and 8 Plus, giving us four years with the same general design. The iPhones in this family all featured a similar look, with large bezels and Touch ID Home buttons, though each one added new features ranging from camera upgrades to 3D Touch.

Many people were unhappy with Apple's size choices, especially when it came to the 5.5-inch iPhone as it was considered not as pocketable as early iPhones. Some people still hope for smaller iPhones like the 2016 iPhone SE, but for better or worse, the iPhones introduced in 2014 marked a shift in Apple's design philosophy toward larger phones and larger displays, which has continued into 2019.

Apple Pay (2014)

Apple in 2014 introduced Apple Pay, a contactless payment service that allows Apple devices to be used to make payments without a physical credit card present. Apple Pay was slow to catch on when it was first released, but as of 2019, it is the most popular mobile payment platform in the United States.

Apple Pay is now available on the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac, and it is accepted anywhere contactless payments are accepted. It has also expanded to many countries and is available in more than four dozen countries and regions around the world.

MacBook (2015)

Apple in March 2015 introduced a super thin and light notebook called the MacBook, which was even thinner than the MacBook Air. The MacBook had a 12-inch Retina display and an incredibly thin body that was just two pounds.

The MacBook was the first machine with Apple's butterfly keyboard, and it offered a 10 hour battery, impressive for 2015. The 12-inch MacBook used less powerful Core-M processors and it had a high price tag, starting at $1,299, but it was notable because of just how thin and light it was.

It was believed that the MacBook would ultimately replace the MacBook Air given its thinner design, but that didn't end up happening. Apple kept the MacBook around and refreshed it in 2016 and 2017, but it was ultimately discontinued in 2019. Apple didn't even keep the form factor, and reverted to the MacBook Air as its thinnest, lightest machine.

Apple Watch (2015)

Released in 2015, the Apple Watch was Apple's first wrist-worn device, and it was one of the most popular choices for best Apple product of the decade given its extensive health features.

At launch, the Apple Watch was slow, didn't have a super long battery life, and wasn't the most useful device Apple has ever released, but it did track heart rate and since it debuted, Apple has added a ton of new features that have made it indispensable.

The newest Apple Watch models can take EKGs, watch out for falls, and send alerts when abnormal heart rates are detected, features that have saved countless lives. Apple also now makes cellular Apple Watch models that can be used without an iPhone, allowing people to be connected at all times and just a few button presses away from being able to keep in touch with loved ones, check messages, contact emergency services, and tons more.

Fourth-Generation Apple TV (2015)

The Apple TV is another Apple product that's been around for quite some time, but in 2015, Apple introduced the fourth-generation Apple TV that overhauled the way the Apple TV works.

The 1080p fourth-generation Apple TV was the first with a dedicated App Store and deep Siri integration, allowing users to download apps and games and ask Siri to find specific content. The new Apple TV ran "tvOS" with an iOS-style interface that was simple to navigate.

Apple has since updated the fourth-generation Apple TV with a fifth-generation 4K model, and has overhauled the interface with the Apple TV app and features like Apple TV+ and channels.

AirPods (2016)

Along with the Apple Watch, the AirPods were one of the top products of the decade as chosen by MacRumors readers, which is unsurprising given their wild popularity.

Introduced in late 2016, AirPods were some of the first truly wireless headphones on the market, marking Apple's most significant push towards the elimination of wired headphones. AirPods featured an Apple-designed chip that let them connect to and swap between Apple devices, they offered impressive battery life, and the little included case kept them safe when not in use and added even more backup battery.

AirPods quickly became one of Apple's most popular products, and many people called them Apple's best product in years. Apple sold a ton of AirPods and they even became something of a status symbol.

AirPods popularity has not died down, and in 2019, Apple debuted both the AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case and the AirPods Pro. Both models improve upon the original AirPods with new features, better sound, and better connectivity, with the AirPods Pro also offering Active Noise Cancellation.

iPhone X (2017)

Of MacRumors readers who chose the iPhone as their favorite Apple product of the decade, a large majority picked the iPhone X, which isn't surprising as it was the second significant design change Apple has introduced in the last 10 years.

The iPhone X eliminated the Touch ID Home button used in every iPhone since the iPhone 5s and replaced it with Face ID, Apple's secure 3D facial recognition platform. At the time, Face ID technology was cutting edge and it's still not a feature that most Android manufacturers have been able to successfully replicate.

With Face ID, there was no need for a Home button, so Apple nixed it in favor of an all-screen design with slim side bezels and a "notch" at the top for housing the front-facing camera and the TrueDepth camera system. Love it or hate it, the notch and the iPhone X once again marked a major shift in Apple's design philosophy.

Apple sold the iPhone X alongside the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus (with Touch ID) when it launched in 2017, but in 2018 and 2019, Apple did away with new Home button iPhones and launched a series of all-screen iPhones that include the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max.

iPad Pro (2018)

With the launch of the 2018 iPad Pro models in 11 and 12.9-inch sizes, Apple brought the Face ID and full-screen design of the iPhone to its tablet form factor.

The latest iPad Pro models are Apple's most advanced, with thin bezels all around and no Home button, giving us much more display to work with for watching movies, sketching, reading, working, and more.

Apple has focused on the iPad as a computer replacement in recent years, and the iPad Pro models are as powerful as many of Apple's desktop machines with their A12X Bionic chips complete with Neural Engine for advanced machine learning capabilities. The iPad Pro models are Apple's first non-Mac devices to use USB-C, and they also work with the Apple Pencil 2, an updated Apple Pencil Stylus that Apple designed just for these devices.

Conclusion

The responses we received from MacRumors readers included almost every product Apple made over the last decade, but the ones listed above were cited most often or were some of the most impactful on Apple's product line.

If you disagree with the above list, what do you think Apple's best product of the decade was? Let us know in the comments.

Apple in December began testing an expansion of its more detailed Apple Maps app in the Central and Southeastern parts of the United States, along with Alaska, and that updated Maps content is now rolling out to all customers.

The revamped Maps app features more extensive geographical details, with updated buildings, roads, parks, sports fields, parking lots, foliage, pools, pedestrian pathways, and bodies of water.

To get its mapping data, Apple uses its own vehicles equipped with LIDAR sensors and cameras. Apple has been using this method to collect mapping information for years now.

Apple began rolling out its updated mapping app to customers starting in iOS 12, and at the 2019 Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple said all customers in the United States would receive the improved Maps app by the end of the year.

Apple has made good on that promise with the rollout of the new mapping terrain to large swathes of the United States, and the updated Maps are now becoming available across most of the country. It could still take some time for all users in the Central and Southeastern areas of the U.S. to see the new content. Apple plans to bring the new Maps app to additional countries in 2020.

(Thanks, @tricil and @NateThompson!)

Update: Though Apple has begun releasing the new mapping updates across the United States, updated Maps features are not yet showing up for all users in the Southeast at this time.

Update 2 — Jan 30, 2020: The rollout of revamped ‌Apple Maps‌ in the Southeast and Central United States now appears to be complete. This includes the addition of traffic lights and stop signs in ‌Apple Maps‌ on CarPlay.

Apple in the last few days updated its online Apple Store with new products that include cases for the AirPods Pro and the Sonos One SL Wireless Speaker.

Apple is stocking the Incase AirPods Pro Case made from Incase's proprietary Woolenex material, with the case priced at $30.

Apple is also selling a new Catalyst Waterproof Case for the ‌AirPods Pro‌, which is also priced at $30 and is available in black. The Incase ‌AirPods Pro‌ case is shipping out in mid-January, while the Catalyst case will arrive to customers in late January. Apple retail stores will have the AirPods cases later in the month as well.

Alongside the two new ‌AirPods Pro‌ cases, Apple is also now offering the Sonos One SL Wireless Speaker in its online store. Apple previously had a partnership with Sonos and offered several Sonos speakers for sale, but there hasn't been a Sonos speaker in stock from Apple for quite some time.

The Sonos One SL Wireless Speaker features AirPlay 2 support, which allows it to work alongside other ‌AirPlay‌ 2 speakers like the HomePod.

Apple is selling the Sonos One SL Wireless Speaker for $180, but the Sonos website has the same speaker on sale for $30 off through Sunday, so the Sonos website is a better buy at the current time. Amazon is also offering the speaker at a $30 discount.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Sonos and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Anker today debuted a new Made for iPhone (MFi) certified LED flash accessory that's designed to connect to the ‌iPhone‌ 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max through the Lightning port.

Though a product link is not yet available, The Verge says that the new accessory is launching next month and is priced at $49.99.

The flash accessory will be recognized by the new iPhones and can be triggered by the default Camera app and third-party camera apps. It will last for approximately 10,000 shots per charge and comes with a detachable diffuser option.

Compared to the built-in ‌iPhone‌ flash, Anker says that the flash can achieve twice the range and four times the brightness.

Anker's new flash option is the first Made for ‌iPhone‌ flash accessory that's been designed, but as Apple has now opened up its Made for ‌iPhone‌ program to these kind of camera accessories, we can expect additional Lightning-based flashes to be released in the future.

‌iPhone‌ flashes are not new and there have been other options available in the past, but this is the only one that is Apple certified and able to be synced with the ‌iPhone‌'s camera through Lightning.

Apple is rumored to be working on updated 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with iPhone-style triple-lens cameras, and alleged renderings of the new iPads have been shared by iGeeksblog and OnLeaks.

The new ‌iPad Pro‌ models are said to feature the same dimensions as the 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models, and based on the renders, the design will also be close to identical with the exception of a triple-lens camera.

There were some rumors indicating Apple would release new ‌iPad Pro‌ models in 2019, but that didn't happen, and current information from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple plans to release an ‌iPad Pro‌ update during the first half of 2020.

We've already seen dummy models said to be of the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models, which featured a triple-lens camera, but those may not be quite accurate when it comes to the camera design.

The new ‌iPad Pro‌ models could potentially feature a time-of-flight (ToF) camera system that is also rumored to be coming to 2020 iPhones. A time-of-flight camera system uses a laser to determine the distance between objects to create a 3D image of the surrounding area.

This kind of technology could allow for more accurate depth perception, improved augmented reality capabilities, and perhaps photos with more advanced depth information.

The new ‌iPad Pro‌ models are rumored to be coming in the first half of 2020 and the time-of-flight camera is expected to be a 2020 iPhone feature, so it's not entirely clear if Apple plans to put the time-of-flight functionality in the iPad as the company may first want to bring the feature to the ‌iPhone‌.

If there is no time-of-flight camera capability, the ‌iPad Pro‌ models could still get the same triple-lens camera system that's in the current ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro and Pro Max models, featuring telephoto, wide-angle, and ultra wide-angle lenses.

We've also heard that in late 2019, Apple could be planning to release a 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ with a mini-LED display, so it's not clear if Apple will release two ‌iPad Pro‌ updates in 2019 or if the early 2020 release timeline includes just the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ model.

Update: According to OnLeaks, the ‌iPad Pro‌ models were rendered with both aluminum and glass backings because he has no information on the casing material, so he wanted to depict both possibilities. The original iGeeksblog article suggested that one ‌iPad Pro‌ model would have a glass backing and one would have an aluminum backing, which is incorrect. Our article has been updated to reflect this new information.

Apple is donating funds to support fire fighting efforts in Australia, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced on Twitter yesterday.

For the last two months, bushfires have been burning across Australia due to one of the worst droughts in history and record-breaking heat waves. More than nine people have died and more than 800 homes have been destroyed. Koalas and other wildlife have also been impacted by the ongoing fires.

More than nine people have died and more than 800 homes have been destroyed. Koalas and other wildlife have also been impacted by the ongoing fires.

Apple often provides donations during major disasters and most recently donated money to help fight the wildfires in California.

2019 is coming to a close in just a few days, and we thought we'd share some of our favorite apps this year.

Over the course of the 2019, we've highlighted useful Mac and iOS apps primarily picked out by MacRumors readers in a YouTube series. For today's video, we've rounded up five iOS apps and five Mac apps that MacRumors readers found most useful from those videos.

Mac Apps

• One Switch ($4.99) - One Switch is a Mac menu bar app that adds various switches to the Mac's menu bar. You can add toggles that will do things like hide desktop options, activate dark mode, keep the Mac awake, connect to headphones, toggle on Do Not Disturb, activate Night Shift, bring up the Screen Saver, and more. Options are customizable so you can make your One Switch menu do just want you need.
• Stack (Free) - Stack is a Mac app that's sort of an internet launchpad for web apps, describing itself as an "internet OS." It houses all the websites you might want to keep tabs on like Facebook, Messenger, Gmail, Slack, and more, keeping them in one convenient place. You can organize your different apps into categories, and the app provides unified notifications so you don't miss anything.
• Pock (Free) - Pock is a simple app that's designed to make your Touch Bar more useful by adding your dock to your Touch Bar so you can quickly access your apps and even files within folders. The Pock options are customizable, so you can choose what you need most, adding options like a now playing widget for controlling music, a status widget for getting info like WiFi connection of battery level, and more.
• Moom ($9.99) - Moom is designed to let you quickly and easily move and resize windows on your Mac. It has preset sizes and locations, and also lets you draw grids to create custom window display sizes. There are also custom controls for moving, zooming, moving windows to a secondary display, centering, resizing and more, and window layouts can be saved.
• Little Snitch ($45) - Little Snitch monitors all of the traffic on your Mac so you can see what apps are sending data, and where. It basically makes all of your Internet connections visible and gives you control over them, letting you approve or restrict what's being sent from your Mac. There's a world map so you can see where connections are being made, and there are modes for getting instant notifications or letting it run in the background.

iOS Apps

• Spotify Stations (Free) - Spotify Stations is a standalone Spotify app that came out earlier this year. It's designed to let you create radio stations based on your favorite songs and artists, much like Pandora. Radio stations in Spotify aren't new, but Spotify Stations makes the feature a lot easier to use.
• Microsoft Math Solver (Free) - For our readers still in school, we wanted to highlight Microsoft Math Solver, which is a super handy app that can help you with math problems. Microsoft Math Solver lets you write a math problem on screen or use the camera to snap a photo of a problem and it provides you with a step-by-step explanation on how to solve it. The app can also generate similar math problems so you can practice. It works with elementary math, pre-algebra, algebra, word problems, basic calculus, and statistics.
• Halide ($5.99) - Halide is a camera app that offers up full manual controls for shutter speed, ISO, and white balance, along with a live histogram for perfecting exposure. The swipe-based interface is easy to use, and you can capture photos in RAW, JPG, TIFF, or HEIC formats. There are depth controls for newer iPhones, manual and autofocus tools, and for iPhone XR, there's a Depth Capture feature that works with pets, food, and other items, unlike the native Depth Control feature.
• Unsplash (Free) - Unsplash is a community-based image sharing app that provides royalty-free photographs for you to use as wallpaper or for other purposes. It's not focused solely on wallpapers, but there's an interesting range of content and a huge number different options. There are featured categories along with a robust search tool for finding just what you're looking for. Along with an iOS app, Unsplash also has a website so you can get Mac wallpapers too.
• What the Golf? (Free, but requires Apple Arcade) - ‌Apple Arcade‌, which offers tons of games for $4.99 per month, is a great deal, and we've come across quite a few games that make the subscription price worth it. One such game is What the Golf, a fun action game that takes golf to new places. What the Golf is described as the game for people who hate golf, so don't let the name fool you - this is a fun little game where the goal is to get an object (not always a golf ball) to a hole. There are fun puns, silly levels, ragdoll mechanics, and genuinely difficult content to contend with. It's the perfect game to pick up for a few minutes when waiting in line.

What were your favorite Mac and iOS apps in 2019? Let us know in the comments.

MacRumors readers who were lucky enough to receive a new Mac for the holidays will want to check out our collection of Mac how tos and guides to learn the ins and outs of your new machine.

Whether you're new to the Mac or are upgrading from an older model, there's likely to be a useful tip or two here for you. These how tos apply to Apple's latest Macs, from desktops to notebooks, and it includes macOS Big Sur tutorials plus some useful info just for the M1 Macs.

Beginner Tips

• How to Disinfect an Apple Keyboard, Trackpad, and Mouse
• How to Right-Click on a Mac
• How to Copy and Paste on a Mac
• How to Uninstall Apps on Your Mac
• How to Use the macOS Help Menu
• How to Use Emoji on Mac
• How to Set Up iMessage on Your Mac
• How to Force Restart a MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro
• How to Erase and Factory Reset Your Mac
• How to Take a Screenshot on Your Mac
• How to Create a Guest Account in macOS
• How to Use 'Hey Siri' Hands-Free on a Mac
• How to Customize File and Folder Icons on Your Mac
• How to View Folder Sizes on Your Mac Using Finder
• How to Manage File Associations in macOS
• How to Change a File Type's Default App in macOS
• How to Use the macOS App Switcher to Open Files, Hide and Quit Apps, and Launch Exposé
• How to Add a Recent or Favorite Items Stack to Your Mac's Dock
• How to Get Your Mac's Dock to Show Running Apps Only
• How to Group Mac App Icons More Prominently in Your Dock
• How to Use Find My iPhone on Mac or PC
• How to Watch Picture-in-Picture Video on Your Mac
• How to Set Up and Use Apple Pay on Your Mac
• How to Pay for Things Online Using Apple Pay on Your Mac
• How to Create an Apple ID on Mac
• How to Set Up FaceTime on a Mac

Just for M1 Macs

• Apple M1 Chip: Everything You Need to Know
• How to Install Any iPhone or iPad App on an M1 Mac
• How to Tell Which Apps Are Optimized for M1 Apple Silicon Macs
• How to Transfer Files Between an Apple Silicon Mac and Another Mac
• How to Reinstall macOS on an M1 MacBook Air, M1 MacBook Pro, and M1 Mac Mini
• How to Install Rosetta on Your M1 Apple Silicon Mac
• How to Boot in Safe Mode on an Apple Silicon M1 Mac
• How to Repair the Startup Disk on M1 Apple Silicon Macs

Security Tips

• How to Use Secure Code AutoFill
• How to Set a Custom Lock Screen Message on Your Mac in Case It's Lost
• How to Back Up Your Mac Using Time Machine
• How to Forget Wireless Networks on Mac
• How to Request a Copy of Your Apple ID Account Data
• How to Recover Files, Contacts, Bookmarks, Calendars and Reminders in iCloud
• How to Show Hidden Files on a Mac

Continuity and Other Product Tips

• How to Use Your iPad as a Second Screen for Your Mac
• How to Send and Receive SMS Messages on iPad and Mac via Text Message Forwarding
• How to Grab Screenshots and Video From Apple TV Using Your Mac
• How to AirPlay Audio From Your Mac to HomePod
• How to Unlock Your Mac With Your Apple Watch
• How to Turn Off Find My Mac
• How to Manage Parental Controls in macOS

Mac App Features

• How to Get the Most Out of Apple's macOS Preview App
• How to Batch Convert Images Using macOS Preview
• How to Use the Preview Loupe Tool in macOS
• How to View All Events as a List in Your Mac's Calendar App
• How to Quickly Resize Images on Your Mac Using an Automator Service
• How to Float Notes Over Application Windows in macOS
• How to Make Web Pages in Safari for Mac Easier to Read
• How to Control the Behavior of Screenshot Shortcuts in macOS
• How to Convert Several Images into a Single PDF Using Preview
• How to Set Up Out-of-Office Replies in Apple Mail and iCloud Mail

iCloud

• How to Merge and Remove Duplicate Contacts in macOS and iCloud
• How to Share Files Stored in Your iCloud Drive

Hidden Tricks

• How to Use Text Clippings in macOS
• How to Electronically Sign a PDF Using Preview on Mac
• How to Hide and Remove System Preference Panes in macOS
• How to Snap Back to Your Search Results When Browsing in a Safari Tab

Advanced Features

• How to Pair an Apple Remote With an Apple TV or Mac
• How to Get Unique Alerts for VIP Emails Received on Your Mac
• How to Use Your Mac's Media Keys to Adjust Speaker Volume on a DisplayPort, HDMI, or Thunderbolt Monitor
• How to Rebuild the Spotlight Index on Your Mac
• How to Perform a Clean Installation of macOS 10.14 Mojave
• How to Output Your Mac's Audio to Two Pairs of Headphones at the Same Time
• How to Add an AirDrop Shortcut to Your Mac's Dock
• How to Tame macOS Hot Corners Using Modifier Keys
• How to Set Up a System-Wide Word Count Service on Your Mac
• How to Create File Templates on Your Mac With Finder's Stationery Pad Feature
• How to Reset Your Mac's Bluetooth Module to Fix Connection Issues
• How to Update macOS Using a Simple Terminal Command
• How to Rename Several Files at Once in macOS
• How to Use Apple Diagnostics to Check for Mac Hardware Problems
• How to Set a Firmware Password on Your Mac

In-Depth Mac Guides

• 25 Must-Know macOS Tips for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Mac Users
• AppleCare Guide: Is it Worth Paying For?
• macOS Big Sur: Quick Start Video Plus 50 Tips and Tricks

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Get a new iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air or iPad Pro for the holidays? If so, you may want to check out our extensive collection of iPad how tos and guides to learn the ins and outs of your new tablet.

Even if you've had an iPad before, if you're upgrading to a new model, there are new features to get acquainted with, such as the addition of Face ID and the lack of a Home button in the iPad Pro, the Touch ID power button on the iPad Air, and Apple Pencil support across the entire lineup. Below, we've organized our most useful iPad-related how tos into categories for quick access.

Beginner Tips

• How to Set Up Your New iPhone or iPad Using Automatic Setup
• How to Update Apps
• How to Delete Apps on iPhone and iPad
• How to Back Up Your iPhone and iPad
• How to Factory Reset Your iPhone or iPad
• How to Shut Down or Force Restart Your iPad Pro
• How to Take a Screenshot on Your iPad
• How to Send and Receive SMS Messages on iPad via Text Message Forwarding
• How to Identify and Remove Unnecessary Apps on Your iPhone and iPad
• How to Use the iPad App Switcher
• How to Use Drag and Drop on an iPad and iPhone
• How to Create and Use Memoji
• How to Turn on Automatic Software Updates
• How to Use Instant Hotspot on iPhone and iPad
• How to Clear the Cache on iPhone and iPad
• How to Disable Control Center on Your iPhone or iPad Lock Screen
• How to Set Up FaceTime on iPad
• How to Update the Software on Your iPhone and iPad
• How to Print Screen on a Mac
• How to Enable Dark Mode
• How to Mark an Apple Device as Lost in the Find My App
• How to Use Safe Mode to Resolve Mac Startup Issues
• How to Schedule Sleep and Wake Times for Your Mac
• How to Change Your Mac’s Computer Name
• How to Transfer Files Between Your Mac and Your iPhone and iPad
• How to Use Your iPhone or iPad Camera on Your Mac

Useful iPad Features

• How to Save or Share a Safari Web Page as a PDF
• How to Change Where Safari Downloads Are Saved on Your Mac
• How to Change the Default Web Browser on iPhone and iPad
• How to Use the Magnifier Feature on iPhone and iPad
• How to Take Burst Photos on iPhone and iPad
• How to Share Your Wi-Fi Password With a Friend on iPhone or iPad
• How to Add a Website Bookmark to Your Home Screen on iPhone and iPad
• How to Subscribe to Calendars on iPhone and iPad
• How to Control and Tweak a True Tone Display on iPhone and iPad
• How to Use Apple Pay Cash on iPhone and iPad
• How to Use the iPad's Nifty Flick Keyboard Feature
• How to Record Your iPhone or iPad Screen
• How to Use App Limits and Downtime
• How to Use Screen Time on Mac
• How to Record a FaceTime Call on Your Mac

App Tips

• How to Use the Activity Monitor App on Mac
• How to Locate Friends Using Find My
• How to Share Your Location With a Friend Using Find My
• How to Access the Download Manager in Safari
• How to Use the Find My App on a Friend's iPhone or iPad to Locate Your Missing Device
• How to Use Text Editing Gestures on iPhone and iPad
• How to See Links, Attachments, and Photos From a Messages Conversation
• How to Create a New Window From a Link in Safari on iPadOS
• How to Use the QuickPath Swipe Keyboard on iPhone and iPad
• How to Use the Onscreen Floating Keyboard in iPadOS
• How to Use App Exposé in iPadOS
• How to Set Communication Limits on Your Child's Allowed Screen Time and Downtime on iPhone and iPad

Using a Keyboard and Mouse

• How to Use a Bluetooth Mouse or Trackpad With Your iPad
• How to Connect a Bluetooth Mouse or Trackpad to Your iPad
• How to Remap Modifier Keys on iPad When Using a Keyboard
• How to Use the On Screen Keyboard on an iPad Pro With Keyboard Connected

Hidden Tricks

• 10 Long Press Tips to Reveal Hidden Functions in Safari on iPhone and iPad
• 10 Tips and Tricks for the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard
• How to Change Siri's Voice on iPhone or iPad
• How to Drag and Drop Text Between Apps on the iPad
• How to Close All of Your Safari Tabs at Once on iPhone or iPad
• How to Scan a QR Code Using the Camera on the iPhone or the iPad
• How to Perform a Quick Website Search in Safari
• How to Get Siri to Play a Daily News Digest

Important Security Tips

• How to Use iCloud Keychain on Your iOS Devices
• How to Secure Your Apple ID Using Two-Factor Authentication
• How to Create a More Secure Passcode on Your iPhone or iPad
• How to Use Automatic Strong Passwords and Password Auditing
• How to Use Safari's Private Browsing Mode and Delete Your Browsing History
• How to Access iCloud on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and the Web

In-Depth Guides

If there are iOS and iPadOS features you want to learn more about, make sure to take a look through the list of in-depth guides that we have below. We also have guides covering Apple's most popular services and products.

• Apple News+ Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• Apple Arcade: The Complete Guide
• Apple Card: All the Details on Apple's Credit Card
• Apple TV+: Apple's Streaming Video Service
• HomeKit: Everything You Need to Know
• Siri: Everything You Need to Know
• Sidecar: Turn an iPad Into a Secondary Mac Display
• Sign in with Apple: What It Is and How It Works
• Apple Student Discount Guide: Savings for Students and Teachers
• Apple Trade-In Guide: Getting the Most Money Back
• Everything You Need to Know About the Apple Pencil
• Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro: Everything You Need to Know
• All the iPad Trackpad Keyboard Cases You Can Buy
• Safari iOS 14 Guide: Privacy Report, Built-In Translation, Compromised Password Alerts and More
• AppleCare Guide: Is it Worth Paying For?

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Since their launch in 2016, Apple's AirPods have become wildly popular and are an oft-gifted item. In 2019, Apple released AirPods Pro, and this year the company debuted a pair of over-ear headphones called AirPods Max, offering more choice for consumers this holiday season.

If you received AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max as a gift, make sure to take a look through all of the how tos in this guide, because there are plenty of tips and tricks worth knowing.

Basic Features

• How to Set Up and Connect Your New AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro
• How to Charge AirPods, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro
• How to Change the Name of Your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max
• How to Use Just One AirPod or AirPod Pro
• How to Clean Your AirPods or AirPods Pro
• How to Find Your AirPods or AirPods Pro Serial Number and Check Your Firmware
• How to Update Your AirPods or AirPods Pro
• How to Answer a Phone Call on AirPods and AirPods Pro
• How to Wirelessly Charge Your AirPods or AirPods Pro

Must-Know Tutorials

• How to Use the 'Hey Siri' Command With AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro
• How to Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection on Your AirPods
• What Does the Light on the AirPods Case Mean?
• How to Pair AirPods to Your Apple Watch
• How to Unpair Your AirPods From iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch, or Mac
• How to Have AirPods Announce Your Calls

Connectivity With iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac

• How to Switch Devices When Using AirPods
• How to Check AirPods Battery Life on iPhone and Apple Watch
• How to Use AirPods With Your Mac and Customize Controls

Tips and Tricks

• How to Use Just One AirPod
• How to Set AirPods Microphone to Just One AirPod
• How to Share One Pair of AirPods With a Friend
• You Can Tap Your Ear to Activate Your AirPods
• How to Get Siri to Announce Incoming Messages Over AirPods

Troubleshooting

• How to Reset AirPods, AirPods 2, and AirPods Pro
• Lose an AirPod? What You Can Do
• How to Troubleshoot Problems with AirPods
• Only One AirPod Working? Here's How to Fix the Problem
• How Long Do AirPods and AirPods Pro Last?

Just for the AirPods Pro

• How to Control the Noise Cancellation Feature on AirPods Pro
• How to Customize the Force Sensor Gesture Functions on AirPods Pro
• How to Perform an Ear Tip Fit Test on AirPods Pro
• How to Control the Transparency Feature on AirPods Pro
• How to Buy Replacement AirPods Pro Ear Tips

Just for the AirPods Max

• How to Set Up and Connect Your New AirPods Max
• How to Customize the Noise Control Button on AirPods Max
• How to Disable Automatic Head Detection on AirPods Max
• How to Reverse the Digital Crown Volume Controls on AirPods Max
• How to Turn Off AirPods Max

AirPods Guides

• AirPods: Our Complete Guide to Apple's Wireless Earphones
• Powerbeats Pro vs. AirPods 2
• AirPods vs. AirPods Pro: Features Compared
• AirPods Pro vs Powerbeats Pro

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If you got a new Apple Watch for the holidays, this is the article for you. We've collected all of our Apple Watch-related how tos and guides to help you learn the ins and outs of your new wrist-worn device.

Even if you've had an Apple Watch before, the newest Series 6 models have updated features like blood oxygen monitoring and an always-on display that you might not be familiar with, and the Apple Watch SE is an all-new model that many people new to the Apple Watch might be receiving.

Below, we've organized our Apple Watch-related how tos into quick access categories, so browse through to see if there's something new to learn.

For Beginners

• How to View Apps on Apple Watch as a List
• How to Delete Apps on Apple Watch
• How to Set Up Express Transit With Apple Pay on iPhone and Apple Watch
• How to Change Your Default Card for Apple Pay Purchases on Your Apple Watch
• How To Eject Water From Your Apple Watch Using the Water Lock Feature
• How to Improvise a Parental Lock For Your Apple Watch
• How to Force-Quit Misbehaving Apple Watch Apps
• How to Reset or Force Restart Your Apple Watch
• How to Add a Passcode to Your Apple Watch and What to Do if You Forget It
• How to Specify Your Activity Type in the Apple Watch Workout App
• How to Customize Your Apple Watch Workout Metrics
• How to Change Activity Goals on Apple Watch
• How to Customize Default Replies on Apple Watch
• Using the Timer, Alarm, and Stopwatch Apps on Apple Watch
• How to Make Icons and Fonts Bigger on Apple Watch
• How to Use Apple Watch to Get Directions
• How to Pair Bluetooth Headphones and Listen to Music on Apple Watch
• How to Answer and Make Phone Calls on Apple Watch
• How to Use the Activity and Workout Apps on Apple Watch
• How to Send and Respond to Messages on Apple Watch
• How to Use the Flashlight on Your Apple Watch

Useful watchOS Tips

• How to Correctly Measure Your Wrist for Apple Watch Solo Loop Bands
• watchOS 7: How to Use the New Apple Watch Handwashing Feature
• watchOS 7: How to Use Optimized Battery Charging on Apple Watch
• How to Set a Sleep Goal on iPhone and Apple Watch
• watchOS 7: How to Eliminate Distractions Using Schooltime on Apple Watch
• How to Set a Memoji or Animoji as Your Watch Face on Apple Watch
• How to Make a Memoji on Apple Watch
• watchOS 7: How to Share Apple Watch Faces
• How to Set Up an Apple Watch Using Family Setup
• How to Set Up Cardio Fitness Levels in watchOS 7.2
• How to Use and Troubleshoot Blood Oxygen Monitoring on Apple Watch Series 6
• How to Use Walkie-Talkie
• How to Start an Activity Competition With a Friend

Hidden Features

• How to Control Apple TV Using Your Apple Watch
• How to Customize the Monogram on Your Apple Watch
• How to Unlock Your Mac With Your Apple Watch
• How to Rearrange the Control Center Icons
• How to Use Theater Mode on the Apple Watch
• Top 10 Hidden Force Touch Features on Apple Watch

Advanced Tricks

• How to Divide Your Apple Watch Workouts into Segments
• How to Stop Your Apple Watch From Launching the 'Now Playing' App When Audio Plays on Your iPhone
• How to Use Emergency SOS on iPhone and Apple Watch
• How to Get More Battery Life Out of Your Apple Watch
• How to Locate a Lost Apple Watch Using Find My
• How to Make Apple Card the Default Card on Your Apple Watch

Apple Music and Apple Watch

• How to Use Apple Music on Apple Watch
• How to Use Spotify on Apple Watch
• How to Sync Albums and Playlists From Apple Music to Your Apple Watch

Using Apple Watch with AirPods

• How to Check AirPods Battery Life on iPhone and Apple Watch
• How to Pair AirPods to Your Apple Watch
• How to Unpair Your AirPods From iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch, or Mac

In-Depth Guides

• watchOS 7 Sleep Features: Sleep Mode, Wind Down, Sleep Tracking and More
• AppleCare Guide: Is it Worth Paying For?
• Apple Fitness+: Everything You Need to Know About Apple’s Workout Service
• watchOS 7: 14 Tips and Tricks for Apple Watch
• watchOS 7: Family Setup Features, Requirements, and Activation Steps

Apple Fitness+

Apple introduced a new Apple Watch-focused service this year that's designed to help Apple Watch owners get fit. Apple Fitness+ lets you watch workouts on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, with your Apple Watch tracking your progress. As you work out, your Apple Watch metrics are displayed right on the screen so you can keep an eye on how you're doing. Make sure to check out our how tos to get up and running, and for more details, we have an Apple Fitness+ guide.

• How to Sign up for Apple Fitness+
• What to Do if You're Not Seeing Your Apple Fitness+ 3-Month Free Trial Offer
• How to Download the Fitness+ App on iPad
• How to Start Workouts In Apple Fitness+
• How to Pause and Resume Apple Fitness+ Workouts
• How to Customize Workout Metrics in Apple Fitness+
• How to Find an Apple Fitness+ Workout
• How to Save an Apple Fitness+ Workout to Your Favorites
• How to Download an Apple Fitness+ Workout for Offline Viewing
• How the Apple Fitness+ Burn Bar Works
• How to See Your Apple Fitness+ Workout Summaries

Must-Watch Videos

We've created a selection of useful videos that highlight tips, tricks, and other information that's useful if you're a new Apple Watch owner. Make sure to check them out!

More Info

Do you have useful Apple Watch tips and tricks that we've missed in our how tos and that new Apple Watch owners should know? Make sure to share them in the comments.

If you want to know more about the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, and watchOS 7, the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch, make sure to check out our Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, and watchOS 7 roundups.

Did you get a new iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max for the holidays? If so, make sure to take some time to browse through this article, which is packed with helpful tips, tricks, and guides for the iPhone 12, 12 mini 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, and earlier iPhone models.

Whether you're new to iPhone or have upgraded to a new model, there's likely to be something in here for you. There are hundreds of features and hidden tricks available on the iPhone, so it can be easy to forget the full range of what the iPhone can do.

Below, we've rounded up our most useful iPhone-related how tos and tutorials, both for general iPhone usage and for getting used to iOS 14.

Tips for Beginners

• How to Set Up Your New iPhone or iPad Using Automatic Setup
• How to Turn on Automatic Software Updates
• How to Stop Your iOS Device From Automatically Installing Software Updates
• How to Identify and Remove Unnecessary Apps on Your iPhone and iPad
• How to Set Up Medical ID on Your iPhone
• How to Control and Tweak a True Tone Display on iPhone and iPad
• How to Add a Website Bookmark to Your Home Screen on iPhone and iPad
• How to Use Apple Pay Cash on iPhone and iPad
• How to Use Do Not Disturb While Driving
• How to Use Screen Time
• How to Access and Set Up Parental Controls
• How to Make a Group FaceTime Call
• How to Use App Limits and Downtime
• How to Capture Better Videos With Your iPhone
• How to Share Your Wi-Fi Password With a Friend on iPhone or iPad
• How to Scan Documents With Your iPhone in Three Quick Steps
• How to Move Multiple Apps on iOS
• How to Rotate Your iPhone Screen and Adjust Orientation Lock
• How to Back Up Your iPhone and iPad
• How to Factory Reset Your iPhone or iPad
• How to Turn Off Find My iPhone
• How to Change the Name of Your iPhone
• How to Locate a Lost iPhone or Other Apple Device With Find My
• How to Remove Annoying iOS Prompts Asking You to Finish Setting Up Your Device
• How to Use Instant Hotspot on iPhone and iPad
• How to Take Screenshots on iPhone
• How to View and Delete Your Call History on iPhone
• How to Update the Software on Your iPhone and iPad
• How to Enable LED Flash Notifications on iPhone and iPad Pro
• How to Transfer Files Between Your Mac and Your iPhone and iPad
• How to Search a Webpage for Specific Text in Safari on iPhone and iPad
• How to Disable Lock Screen Notification Previews on iPhone and iPad
• How to Leave a Group Chat in Messages on iPhone and iPad
• How to Easily Unlock Your iPhone with a Mask

Using iOS 14

• How to Use the Sound Recognition Accessibility Feature in iOS 14
• How to Pin and Unpin Conversations in the iOS 14 Messages App
• How to Filter Messages Between Known and Unknown Senders in iOS 14
• How to Send Inline Replies in the iOS 14 Messages App
• How to Use Mentions in the iOS 14 Messages App
• How to Set a Photo and Name for a Group Chat in the iOS 14 Messages App
• How to Mute Conversations in Messages on iPhone and iPad in iOS 14
• iOS 14: How to Search for Emoji on iPhone
• How to Add a Shortcut From the iOS Shortcuts App to Your Home Screen
• How to Hide Home Screen App Pages on iPhone in iOS 14
• iOS 14: How to Use the App Library on iPhone
• iOS 14: How to Download New Apps to the App Library on iPhone
• How to Create a Widget Stack in iOS 14
• How to Use iOS 14’s Picture in Picture Mode to Watch YouTube Videos
• iOS 14: How to Use Home Screen Widgets
• iOS 14: How to Send an Audio Message Using Siri
• How to Get Siri to Transcribe Your Requests in iOS 14
• iOS 14: How to Get Cycling Directions in Apple Maps
• iOS 14: How to Translate Speech in Apple’s Translate App
• iOS 14: How to Check the Definition of a Translated Word in Apple’s Translate App
• iOS 14: How to Translate Text in Apple’s Translate App
• iOS 14: How to Use Conversation Mode in the Translate App
• iOS 14: How to Reduce Loud Sounds When Listening Over Headphones
• iOS 14: How to Enhance Speech, Movies, and Music When Listening on AirPods and Beats
• iOS 14: How to Use Guides in Apple Maps
• iOS 14: How to Translate Webpages in Safari on iPhone
• iOS 14: How to Set a Sleep Goal on iPhone and Apple Watch
• iOS 14: How to Adjust Your Wake Up Alarm on iPhone and Apple Watch
• iOS 14: How to Set a Sleep Schedule on iPhone and Apple Watch
• iOS 14: How to Use Sleep Mode on iPhone and Apple Watch
• iOS 14: How to Use Wind Down Before Bedtime on iPhone
• iOS 14: How to Change Video Quality in the Camera App
• iOS 14: How to Mirror Your Front Camera on iPhone
• iOS 14: How to Filter Images in Your Photo Library on iPhone and iPad
• iOS 14: How to Set Google Chrome as the Default Browser on iPhone and iPad
• iOS 14: How to Sort Images and Videos in Apple’s Photos App

iOS 14 in More Detail

• iOS 14: Everything New in Messages
• iOS 14 Home Screen: Everything You Need to Know
• iOS 14: How to Use Picture in Picture Mode on iPhone
• iOS 14’s Compact Interface: Phone Calls, FaceTime, Siri and More
• iOS 14: Apple’s Built-In iPhone Translate App That Works With 11 Languages
• iOS 14’s New AirPods Features: Spatial Audio, Better Automatic Device Switching, Battery Notifications and More
• What’s New in iOS 14 Maps: Cycling Directions, Guides, Refine Location and More
• Safari iOS 14 Guide: Privacy Report, Built-In Translation, Compromised Password Alerts and More
• iOS 14 and watchOS 7 Sleep Features: Sleep Mode, Wind Down, Sleep Tracking and More
• iOS 14 Privacy Features: Approximate Location, Clipboard Access Warnings, Limited Photos Access and More
• iOS 14 Photos and Camera: QuickTake Shortcut, Photo Captions, Mirrored Selfies, and More

For iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Owners

• How to Hard Reset or Force Restart All iPhone 12 Models
• How to Take Night Mode Selfies on iPhone 12
• How to Measure Someone's Height with iPhone 12 Pro
• How to Use Night Mode When Taking Portrait Shots on iPhone 12 Pro
• How to Shoot Night Mode Time-Lapse Video on iPhone 12
• mmWave vs. Sub-6GHz 5G iPhones: What's the Difference?
• All the MagSafe Accessories You Can Buy for iPhone 12
• MagSafe: Everything About Apple's New iPhone 12 Charging Technology
• Camera Comparison: iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 11 Pro
• 8 Multi-Device Wireless Chargers Worth Checking Out

Must-Read Security Tutorials

• What to Do If Your iPhone is Lost or Stolen
• Protecting Your Privacy in Safari for iOS
• How to Block Nuisance Calls and Messages on Your iPhone
• How to Discreetly Disable Touch ID and Face ID on an iPhone
• How to Create a More Secure Passcode on Your iPhone or iPad
• How to Use Automatic Strong Passwords and Password Auditing
• How to Use Secure Code AutoFill in iOS and macOS
• How to Use iCloud Keychain on Your iOS Devices
• How to Secure Your Apple ID Using Two-Factor Authentication
• How to Use Safari's Private Browsing Mode and Delete Your Browsing History
• How to Create an Archived iTunes Backup
• How to Add AppleCare+ to Your iPhone After Purchase
• How to Access iCloud on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and the Web
• iOS 14: How to Prevent Network Operators From Tracking Your iPhone or iPad Across Wi-Fi Networks
• iOS 14: How to Limit How Much Access Third-Party Apps Have to Your Photo Library on iPhone and iPad
• iOS 14: How to Prevent Apps From Tracking You Across Sites and Apps
• iOS 14: How to Use the Privacy Report Feature in Safari
• How to Change the Default Web Browser on iPhone and iPad
• iOS 14 Green and Orange Dots: What Do They Mean?

Hidden Tricks and Tips

• Twelve iPhone 12 Details You Might Have Missed
• iOS 14 Hidden Features You Need to Know About
• Top iOS 14 Features: Compact Phone Calls, Back Tap, Widgets, App Library and More
• 10 Long Press Tips to Reveal Hidden Functions in Safari on iPhone and iPad
• iOS 14 Battery Drain: 27+ Tips to Make Your Battery Last Longer
• Five of the Best To-Do Apps for iOS
• Top Five Time-Saving iPhone Tips
• How to Wake Up to a Weather Forecast on Your iPhone's Lock Screen
• How to Call Someone and Put Them on Speaker Without Picking up Your iPhone
• How to Change Siri's Voice on iPhone or iPad
• How to Create a Custom Ringtone Vibration on Your iPhone
• How to Scan a QR Code Using the Camera on the iPhone
• How to Quickly Delete Numbers in the Calculator App

In-Depth Guides

We have in-depth guides on many of the features found on the iPhone as well as Apple's services and iOS features, so make sure to check those out if there's a particular aspect of the iPhone that you're interested in learning more about.

• Apple One: What You Need to Know
• AppleCare Guide: Is it Worth Paying For?
• Apple Fitness+: Everything You Need to Know About Apple’s Workout Service
• Apple ID: Everything You Need to Know
• FaceTime: Everything You Need to Know
• What to Do If Your iPhone is Lost or Stolen
• Apple News+ Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• Apple Arcade: The Complete Guide
• Apple Card: All the Details on Apple's Credit Card
• Apple TV+: Apple's Streaming Video Service
• HomeKit: Everything You Need to Know
• Siri: Everything You Need to Know
• Apple Trade-In Guide: Getting the Most Money Back

Selling Your Old iPhone

If you're planning to sell or give away your old iPhone now that you have a new model, make sure to check out our detailed guide on how to cleanly erase your old devices to get rid of all your data.

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