Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.6.2, which means that if you've upgraded to iOS 26, you're no longer able to downgrade to a version of iOS 18. Apple released iOS 26 a week ago.
When software is "signed," it means that it has passed a server-side verification check that Apple performs when a new version of iOS is downloaded on an iPhone. An update can't be installed unless it passes the verification check.
Unsigning software prevents Apple customers from installing outdated, less secure versions of iOS.
Apple isn't forcing users to install iOS 26, and there is an option to continue using iOS 18, but once a device has been upgraded to iOS 26, there's no going back.
Apple has also stopped signing iPadOS 18.6.2 and tvOS 18.6, so there's also no downgrade option available for iPads.
Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.1 today, just a week after launching iOS 26. iOS 26.1 mainly adds new languages to Apple Intelligence, but there are a few other features that are worth knowing about.
New Apple Intelligence Languages
Apple Intelligence is now available in Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese.
AirPods Live Translation Languages
AirPods Live Translation works with additional languages in iOS 26.1, including Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified).
Phone
The Phone keypad now uses Liquid Glass for the numbers.
Apple Music
You can swipe on the music player in Apple Music to switch songs. Just slide a finger over where the song title is listed, and it'll go to the next song or back to the previous song.
Photos
The slider for scrubbing through videos in the Photos app has been updated.
The navigation bar also has a slightly more frosted look that makes it easier to see on light backgrounds.
Calendar
In the Calendar app, some of the views now show events from different calendars with a full color background.
iOS 26 on left, iOS 26.1 on right
Safari
The Tab Bar (Bottom) in Safari is wider with less padding around the edges.
Background Security Improvement
Apple appears to have changed the name of Rapid Security Updates to Background Security Improvement, which is mentioned in the iOS 26.1 code.
"Background Security Improvement improves the security of your iPhone by installing security improvements and system files before they are available in iOS Software Updates. In rare instances of compatibility issues, these deliveries may be temporarily removed and then improved in a feature software update."
More Features
Know of something new in iOS 26.1 that we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
With iOS 26.1, Apple Intelligence is gaining support for additional languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese.
Apple announced plans to expand the languages that can be used with Apple Intelligence last year, and now the added language support is here. Apple Intelligence is now available in the following languages:
English (U.S.)
English (Australia)
English (Canada)
English (New Zealand)
English (U.K.)
English (South Africa)
English (India)
English (Singapore)
Chinese (Simplified)
French
Japanese
Spanish
German
Italian
Korean
Portuguese (Brazil)
Danish (iOS 26.1)
Dutch (iOS 26.1)
Norwegian (iOS 26.1)
Portuguese (Portugal) (iOS 26.1)
Swedish (iOS 26.1)
Turkish (iOS 26.1)
Chinese (Traditional) (iOS 26.1)
Vietnamese
The iOS 26.1 update also adds more languages that work with AirPods Live Translation, including Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified).
iOS 26.1 is available for developers right now, but Apple will likely expand it to public beta testers in the coming weeks.
Woot today has Apple's AirPods Max with USB-C for $449.00 in four colors, down from $549.00. These are in new condition on Woot, and they come with a one-year Apple limited warranty.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Colors available include Purple, Orange, Blue, and Starlight. Although this isn't an all-time low price on the AirPods Max, it's been a few weeks since we last saw that discount, and Woot's is a solid second-best offer.
In other Apple deals at Woot, you can also still get 70 percent off a huge collection of Apple Watch bands right now. This includes Solo Loop options for just $14.99 and Braided Solo Loop for $29.99, with many colors to choose from on Woot's storefront.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the fall? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Apple today provided developers with the first betas of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The new betas are the first updates to the iOS, iPadOS, macOS 26, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS releases that came out last week.
The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.
We don't yet know what's included in the beta software, but there are a couple of features that didn't make it into the launch version of iOS 26, like Wallet support for passports. We'll share details when we learn what's new.
The iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1, betas are limited to developers right now, but Apple will likely release some of the updates to public beta testers in the future.
Wi-Fi 7 has increased bandwidth, in part because it allows for data transmission over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously, with a supported device and router. Wi-Fi 7 is theoretically up to 4× faster than Wi-Fi 6, but real-world speeds are typically bottlenecked by internet service providers and other factors.
In the latest iPhones, the N1 chip also supports Bluetooth 6, which would offer lower latency and other benefits compared to the current Apple TV's Bluetooth 5.
A17 Pro Chip
The current Apple TV is powered by the A15 Bionic chip, which debuted in all iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models in 2022.
Other devices with the A17 Pro chip include the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPad mini 7, and all of those devices support Apple Intelligence.
With the A17 Pro chip, the Apple TV should get an increased 8GB of RAM.
Other Rumors
FaceTime Camera and Gesture Controls?
tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for video calls with the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.
In April 2024, Gurman said Apple had "discussed" offering an Apple TV with a built-in camera for FaceTime and gesture-based controls, but it is unclear if Apple is moving forward with that plan for the next model in particular. He did not elaborate on the gesture aspect, but it sounds like the Apple TV would recognize various hand movements.
Apple says tvOS 26 enhances FaceTime in several ways — fitting for an Apple TV with a camera:
With tvOS 26, users can enjoy a more personalized FaceTime experience that's consistent with iOS. Contact Posters on Apple TV make it easier and more personal by displaying a contact's customized photo and name when starting a FaceTime call on Apple TV. Live Captions expand to include French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, enabling Apple TV to use on-device intelligence to display Live Captions for FaceTime conversations, so users can follow what's being said in even more languages. Additionally, FaceTime audio and phone call notifications will appear onscreen for the active profile, allowing users to answer on connected HomePod speakers or their iPhone, and ensuring that communication with loved ones remains at the forefront.
Lower Price?
On the same day as the current Apple TV was announced in October 2022, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expected the next Apple TV to be "more affordable." He said that a sub-$100 price would be the "sweet spot" for the Apple TV, but he did not say if Apple will actually achieve that price point.
Both the 2010 and 2012 versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the 2012 model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV. Other companies like Amazon and Roku offer low-priced streaming sticks, with sale prices going as low as $19.99.
In the U.S., the current Apple TV starts at $129 with 64GB of storage, and a 128GB model with an Ethernet port for wired internet is priced at $149.
Timing
The next Apple TV will be released "toward the end of the year," according to Gurman. At this point, it is likely the device will be announced in October, but November is also a possibility. December is less likely, historically.
Here is when the previous four Apple TV models were announced:
Apple and its content partners are working on new immersive films designed for the Vision Pro headset, including sports, travel, music, and nature-themed films. Immersive video is a major selling point of the Vision Pro, because it makes you feel like you're in the middle of the action.
Tour De Force from CANAL+ and MotoGP is available today through the Apple TV app, and can be watched on the Vision Pro. Apple retail locations will be providing an extended preview starting next month, so if you don't have a Vision Pro, you can visit an Apple Store to watch.
Tour De Force follows MotoGP rider Johann Zarco, documenting his win of the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in May 2025. It was filmed using four of Blackmagic Design's URSA Cine Immersive cameras, paired with ambisonic microphones for spatial audio.
Later this year, Apple will debut World of Red Bull, a new sports-themed series. The first episode coming in December will feature backcountry skiing, while the second coming in 2026 will highlight big-wave surfing.
This October, Apple Vision Pro users will be able to watch Julaymba, a documentary that features the Daintree Rainforest of North Tropical Queensland, Australia. A new series from CNN's Bill Weir will feature a scientific expedition to Antarctica to find emperor penguins next spring.
Experience Paris, a travel film, will include visits to a three-Michelin-star kitchen, the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre's historic streets. For music-related content, Apple this fall will debut a film on BBC Proms, a classical music festival, and a film featuring K-pop boy band CORTIS.
Several of Apple's existing Immersive Video series are also getting new updates, including Wild Life and Elevated.
Apple Vision Pro can be purchased in Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S.
Apple's latest iPhone models launched on Friday, and some early adopters of the devices are experiencing intermittent Wi-Fi issues.
Affected customers say Wi-Fi connectivity periodically cuts out on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air, with hundreds of comments about the issue posted across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community over the past four days. It is unclear how widespread the problem is.
Specifically, affected users said Wi-Fi briefly disconnects and then reconnects after they unlock the iPhone. And since Apple's CarPlay system in vehicles relies on a Wi-Fi connection, the issue can result in CarPlay disconnecting too.
Many users said the issue occurs while they are wearing an Apple Watch that is paired and unlocked, but it is unclear if that is always a contributing factor.
MacRumors has been unable to reproduce the problem, but it has reached out to Apple for comment on the matter. This story will be updated if Apple responds.
It is unclear if this is a hardware or software problem, but Apple is often able to fix these sorts of issues with a software update. iOS 26.0.1 is coming soon, but it is unclear if Apple will have identified and implemented a fix in time for that version.
All four of the new iPhone models are equipped with Apple's first-ever custom-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity, whereas previous iPhone models rely on a Broadcom chip for wireless networking.
"One of the things people may not realize is that your Wi-Fi access points actually contribute to your device's awareness of location, so you don't need to use GPS, which actually costs more from a power perspective," said Arun Mathias, Apple's vice president of wireless software technologies. "By being able to do this more seamlessly in the background, not needing to wake up the application processor as much, we can do that significantly more efficiently."
In its press releases for the new iPhones, Apple said the N1 chip also improves the performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
Unfortunately, though, it appears the N1 chip is not so reliable for Wi-Fi for some users right now.
The Apple Watch SE starts at $249, providing an accessible, low-cost option for those interested in owning an Apple smartwatch. The company also now offers the Apple Watch Series 11, which starts at $399, so what exactly do you get by spending an additional $150 and is it worth it? Our comparison helps to answer the question of which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.
The Apple Watch SE 3 is designed to be a low-cost option that still offers many of the Apple Watch features that have made the device so popular over the years, while the Apple Watch Series 11 offers a more feature-rich experience with additional health monitoring capabilities.
With the latest generation, the Apple Watch SE has a lot more in common with Apple's higher end watches, offering an always-on display, body temperature sensing, sleep apnea detection, 5G connectivity on cellular models, media playback, 64GB of storage, and the S10 chip.
There are still some significant differences between the two devices. Our comparison helps to answer the question of which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Same design as Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6
Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
40mm or 44mm case size
42mm or 46mm case size with edge-to-edge display
Aluminum casing
Aluminum or titanium casing
IP6X dust resistant
Ion-X glass front
Ion-X glass (aluminum) or sapphire crystal (titanium) front
Thicker borders around the display
Thinner borders around the display
40mm: 1.57-inch display 44mm: 1.78-inch display
42mm: 1.79-inch display 46mm: 1.99-inch display
LTPO display
LTPO3 display (faster refresh rate in always-on mode, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch faces)
Wide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)
40mm: 324 by 394 pixels with 759 sq mm display area 44mm: 368 by 448 pixels with 977 sq mm display area
42mm: 374x446 pixels 989 sq mm display area 46mm: 416x496 pixels 1,220 sq mm display area
Up to 1,000 nits of brightness
Up to 2,000 nits of brightness
2 nits minimum brightness
1 nits minimum brightness
Color-matched nylon composite back case
Metal back with larger charging coil and integrated antenna
Second-generation optical heart sensor
Third-generation optical heart sensor
Blood oxygen sensor and Blood Oxygen app
Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
Hypertension detection
Cycle tracking
Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
Water temperature sensor
Depth gauge to 6m
Depth app
Oceanic+ app for snorkelling (available on the App Store)
Precision Finding for iPhone, providing distance and direction, as well as visual, haptic, and audio guidance to a misplaced iPhone
HomePod integration (when a user gets within four meters of a playing HomePod, the Apple Watch launches Now Playing to control playback. If nothing is playing, media suggestions appear at the top of the Smart Stack.)
Up to 18 hours battery life
Up to 24 hours battery life
Up to 32 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Up to 38 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes
Charge 0–80% in about 30 minutes
Midnight and Starlight finishes
Aluminum: Available in anodized Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes Titanium: Available in polished Gold, Slate, and Natural finishes
Starts at $249
Starts at $399 (aluminum) or $699 (titanium)
The Apple Watch Series 11 is minor improvement over the previous Series 10 model, offering 5G connectivity on cellular models, a slightly bigger battery, and stronger glass on aluminum models. Yet compared to the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a considerably more feature-rich device with advanced capabilities.
With its larger display, additional health monitoring features, and range of colors and finishes, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the model of choice for those who want more out of their smartwatch. If you feel that the added health monitoring features (such as ECG and blood oxygen monitoring) or more advanced display would be particularly useful to you, or simply like a specific casing and color combination that is not available with the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 11 will be the best model for you.
If you are on a budget and are not particularly attracted to the additional features of the Series 11, the Apple Watch SE is a highly compelling option. It now features an always-on display, fast charging, and several new health features such as sleep apnea detection and body temperature sensing, and there are surprisingly few drawbacks. Both devices have the S10 chip and 64GB of storage, and are equally future-proof.
The biggest flaw of the Apple Watch SE 3 is its design, which is based on the Apple Watch Series 4 from 2018 and is now quite outdated. Nevertheless, as it shares many key features with the Apple Watch Series 11, many customers will be happy choosing the more inexpensive model, unless you particularly value features such as the larger display or advanced health monitoring and can justify the added cost.
The Apple Watch SE is an ideal device for kids and senior citizens who do not have an iPhone thanks to Family Setup, but it is also the go-to model for most customers who are new to the Apple Watch and those who are upgrading from an Apple Watch Series 4, SE 1, or older due to its competitive pricing and generous feature set, allowing users to get a balanced Apple Watch experience at a low price.
Amazon this week has a few notable sales from popular brands like Satechi, Jackery, Anker, and Ecovacs. These include discounts on everything from MagSafe-compatible car chargers to portable power stations, Find My compatible wallets, and robot vacuums.
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.
Highlights of the sales include Anker's 10,000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank for $34.99 ($15 off), Jackery's Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station for $429.00 ($370 off), and Ecovac's Deebot T30S Pro Robot Vacuum for $519.99 ($580 off). Most of these deals have been applied automatically and do not require a coupon code, but there are some exceptions where you'll need to either clip a code or enter one at checkout.
Another discount worth noting is a massive sale on the popular Anker 60,000mAh Power Station with Smart Digital Display and Retractable Light, available for just $79.99, down from $149.99. This accessory is typically around the $100 price point when it's on sale, so today's deal is among the lowest we've ever tracked.
Satechi's Amazon sale is a bundle offer, with 5 percent off any two items, 10 percent off any three items, 15 percent off any four items, and 20 percent off any five items. You can find the products eligible for these discounts on this landing page, and they all support Apple's Find My feature.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
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Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the fall? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
The website ChargerLAB has tested the iPhone 17 Pro Max's USB-C charging speeds with a variety of Apple's chargers, from 18W to 140W.
The device reached a peak charging speed of around 36W with the following Apple chargers:
40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max
61W USB-C Power Adapter
67W USB-C Power Adapter
70W USB-C Power Adapter
96W USB-C Power Adapter
140W USB-C Power Adapter
For comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro Max can reach a peak charging speed of around 30W, so the iPhone 17 Pro Max can charge a bit faster.
The smaller iPhone 17 Pro can likely reach the same 36W peak.
Apple says the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max can be charged up to 50% in 20 minutes with a compatible charger, including the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max. For comparison, the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max can be charged up to 50% in 30 minutes with a compatible charger.
Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is available to order in the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Keep in mind you also need an appropriate USB-C cable for fast-charging capabilities, with the most basic or cheap options sometimes not supporting enough power delivery. If you are unsure, the USB-C cable included in the box with iPhones does the trick.
In iOS 26, Live Translation enables hands-free communication by allowing users who don't share the same language to speak naturally while wearing AirPods. For conversations with non-AirPods users, the iPhone can display live transcriptions horizontally, showing translations in the other person's preferred language. Keep reading to learn how to use it.
In iOS 26, Live Translation is integrated into Messages, FaceTime, and Phone to help users communicate across languages, translating text and audio on the fly.
However, the feature is at its most impressive when both conversation participants wear compatible AirPods with Live Translation enabled. Active Noise Cancellation automatically lowers the volume of the other speaker, helping users focus on translated audio while maintaining natural interaction flow.
Apple's Live Translation was a headline feature when it announced AirPods Pro 3, but it also works with older models running iOS 26, including AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2.
What You'll Need
AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3.
iPhone 15 Pro or later.
iOS 26 or later.
The Translate app downloaded.
The latest AirPods firmware version.
Supported Languages
Live Translation supports real-time translation between English (UK and U.S.), French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. Apple plans to add Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified) support later this year.
Before you can use Live Translation, you'll need to download the language the other person is speaking and the language you'd like to translate it to.
Put your AirPods in your ears and make sure they're connected to your iPhone.
Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap the name of your AirPods.
Under "Translation," tap Languages, then select the languages you want to download.
Start a Live Translation Conversation
Wear your AirPods and connect them to your iPhone.
Make sure Apple Intelligence is turned on (Settings ➝ Apple Intelligence & Siri).
Open the Translate app, then tap Live.
Select the language that the other person is speaking and the language that you want your AirPods to translate it to.
Tap Start Translation.
Once the other person speaks, your AirPods instantly translate their words into your chosen language. If you're in a noisy place, you can boost accuracy by letting your iPhone's microphones join in – just move your iPhone closer to the speaker.
When it's your turn, simply reply as you normally would. The Translate app's Live tab can display a transcript of your words on your iPhone screen, or you can tap the Play button to have your iPhone read the translation aloud.
If the person you're talking with also has supported AirPods set up with Live Translation, they'll be able to hear your response directly through their own AirPods. To stop Live Translation at any time, just tap the X button.
Other Ways to Use Live Translation
To start Live Translation at any time, open the Translate app on your iPhone, tap Live, and then tap Start Translation. You can also set the Action button on your iPhone to launch the Translate app, letting you jump straight into Live Translation while wearing your AirPods.
There are several other quick ways to begin. You can press and hold the stems on both AirPods at once, or ask Siri by saying something like "Start Live Translation." You can also swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center and tap Translate. (To add Translate to Control Center, long press on a space between the buttons, tap Add Control, then search for and select Translate.)
Apple is preparing to open its fifth retail store in the United Arab Emirates.
Apple Al Jimi Mall in the city of Al Ain will open on Thursday, September 25, according to a new listing for the store in the Apple Store app. The store's page has yet to go live on Apple's website, though, so this date is not guaranteed yet.
Apple last year announced that it would be opening a new store in Al Ain at some point in 2025, and it reiterated that timeframe a few months ago. The company has four other stores in the country — two in Dubai and two in Abu Dhabi.
Apple has been expanding its retail presence in the Middle East over the past few years. In July, Apple's online store began operating in Saudi Arabia, and the company said it planned to open several stores in that country starting in 2026. Apple said one of the stores would be in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Next year's rumored foldable iPhone will showcase an ultra-thin design resembling "two titanium iPhone Airs side-by-side," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Writing in the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says Apple's first foldable device will be "super thin and a design achievement," combining Apple's thinnest iPhone form factor with cutting-edge folding technology. However, this engineering feat is still expected to come with a premium price tag of at least $2,000.
Apple launched its ultra-thin new iPhone Air last week. The device is 5.64mm thick and represents the company's thinnest iPhone to date, though it's still shy of the M4 iPad Pro's impressive thinness at 5.3mm.
Gurman says manufacturing the foldable iPhone will involve Foxconn in China, despite recent speculation about potential production in India. The device remains slated for 2026, dropping around Apple's traditional fall launch window, "give or take" hedges the Bloomberg reporter.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously outlined specifications for the foldable iPhone, including a 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch outer screen, with pricing between $2,000 and $2,500. Apple reportedly plans to forgo Face ID in favor of Touch ID integrated into the side button to optimize internal space. The titanium device is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states.
The foldable iPhone will compete in an increasingly crowded market dominated by Samsung's Galaxy Z series, establishing Apple's late entry into the folding smartphone category after years of the rumored device's development.
On all models in Apple's new iPhone 17 series as well as the iPhone Air, the new 18MP Center Stage front camera transforms mobile photography with its square sensor design and intelligent auto-adjustment features. Unlike traditional front cameras, the system automatically rotates and zooms to capture perfect selfie shots.
The square sensor also captures more image data than rectangular sensors, giving you unprecedented flexibility in framing and composition without sacrificing image quality.
Understanding Auto-Rotate and Auto-Zoom
Center Stage automatically switches between horizontal and vertical orientation when you're lining up a shot, meaning you don't need to physically rotate your iPhone. The camera also dynamically adjusts its field of view based on what's happening in front of it.
When you're taking a solo selfie, for example, Center Stage keeps the frame tight for a more personal feel. As friends join the shot, the view expands to include everyone without cropping anyone out.
Taking Photos with Center Stage
Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
Tap the circular arrows icon at the bottom right to switch to the selfie camera.
The Center Stage button (the icon of a person's profile within a frame) above the viewfinder should appear as yellow, indicating the feature is enabled.
Line up your shot – Center Stage automatically adjusts orientation and zoom.
Hit the shutter button to capture your photo or video.
Manual Camera Controls
You can override Center Stage's automatic functions when you need more control:
Manual rotation: Tap the orientation icon within the viewfinder to switch between portrait and landscape modes.
Manual zoom: Use the zoom icon (arrows pointing in/out) within the viewfinder to adjust the field of view yourself.
How to Disable Auto-Rotate
When the front camera is engaged, if Center Stage detects faces beside you or in the background and rotates to include them when you want a personal selfie:
Tap the yellow Center Stage button.
Tap Off next to "Auto Rotate."
Take your photo normally – the camera will no longer auto-rotate. Alternatively, use the rotate orientation icon in the viewfinder to do so manually.
How to Disable Auto-Zoom
When the front camera is engaged, if Center Stage's automatic zoom adjustments don't match your needs:
Tap the yellow Center Stage button.
Tap Off next to "Auto Zoom."
Use the manual zoom button (with arrows pointing in/out) within the viewfinder to frame your shot exactly as desired.
Center Stage works during FaceTime calls too, keeping your face centered, similar to how it functions on iPads and MacBooks. If you're interested to learn about dual capture video recording on iPhone 17, be sure to check out our dedicated how-to.
Apple just launched the AirPods Pro 3, and today Amazon introduced the first discount on the earbuds at $10 off their original price. You can get the AirPods Pro 3 for $239.00 on Amazon, down from $249.00.
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.
Although not a particularly large discount, considering the earbuds just launched this week it's a noteworthy sale for anyone looking to purchase the brand new model. Free delivery options are estimated for September 25, while Prime members should see delivery windows around September 21 in many cases.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the fall? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
The iPhone 17 lineup brings a new video feature that lets you record from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously. Dual Capture creates picture-in-picture recordings that should be perfect for reaction videos, tutorials, or any scenario where you want to capture both yourself and the action in front of you. Here's what you need to know about the feature.
Dual Capture works across the iPhone 17 series, including the iPhone Air. Here's how to get up and running with the new feature.
iPhone 17: How to Enable Dual Capture Mode
Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
Tap Video at the bottom.
Tap the icon made up of dots at the top right of the interface, or alternatively, tap again the selected video option in the carousel at the bottom of the interface.
Select Dual Capture from the pop-up menu, then tap in the viewfinder.
Tap the shutter to start recording via both front and rear cameras.
Once you have used Dual Capture mode, for the rest of the app session the camera interface will show a handy new icon in the top-right corner, allowing you to turn it on and off without involving the pop-up menu.
What You Can Do While Recording
Once you start recording, you gain several useful controls. On iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, you can switch between the 48MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto lenses for different perspectives without stopping your recording.
The smaller front camera window can also be moved around the screen by dragging it with your finger, which is handy if the preview window blocks something important in your shot. Bear in mind that any repositioning of the window gets saved in your final video, though.
Recording Quality and Limitations
Dual Capture records in either 1080p or 4K resolution at 24 or 30 fps. For maximum editing flexibility later, 4K at 30fps will likely deliver the best results.
The feature does come with some trade-offs. For one, you're locked into Apple's single layout design, where the rear camera takes up most of the frame while the front camera appears in a smaller window. Unlike Samsung's similar feature, you can't switch the feeds or choose a split-screen layout that shows both cameras equally.
Lastly, bear in mind that everything saves as one video file, not separate clips for each camera.
Repair site iFixit today did one of its traditional teardowns on the iPhone Air, which is Apple's thinnest iPhone to date and the first major redesign we've seen in the iPhone line in several years.
To fit all of the necessary components in a 5.6mm frame, Apple designed a camera "plateau." The iPhone Air's logic board is partially inside of the camera bump, providing space for a large, metal-encased battery. The position of the logic board also ensures that it's protected from bending stress if the iPhone Air happens to flex, though we've seen in several tests that the titanium frame of the device is almost bend-proof.
iFixit tried bending the iPhone Air frame without any of the components inside, and it wasn't quite as durable as it is when it's fully packed. The frame easily bent, because there are weak points where Apple had to add plastic gaps to prevent cellular interference. As to whether the weak points will be an issue for iPhone Air owners, iFixit says "time will tell."
Earlier this week, iFixit took apart MagSafe Battery that Apple designed for the iPhone Air, and speculated that Apple was using the same battery for the accessory that it used in the iPhone Air. That's now confirmed, and Apple did indeed include an iPhone Air battery inside the MagSafe Battery pack. The battery has a 12.26 watt-hour capacity, and you can take the battery out of the MagSafe Battery pack and put it in an iPhone Air with no issue.
Though the iPhone Air has a thinner design than usual, it's easier to repair than you might think. There isn't room for layers of components, and iFixit says that the thin chassis keeps parts from getting buried. Apple is using a clipped-in display and back glass that's easier to remove. For the battery, Apple is using adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current. It's a design that Apple introduced last year with the iPhone 16, and now it's expanded to other models.
Apple 3D printed the USB-C port for the iPhone Air to get it to fit in the chassis, and iFixit found that the company is indeed using a 3D printed titanium alloy that's not as scratch resistant as the frame, but is "structurally robust." The USB-C port is glued in place, but it is modular and can be removed if needed.
The iPhone Air logic board includes the C1X 5G modem, the N1 networking chip, and the A19 Pro, all of which Apple designed. The iPhone Air is the first iPhone to have so many custom-designed Apple chips. The other iPhone 17 models also have the A19 and the N1, but the iPhone Air also gets the C1X instead of a Qualcomm modem.
Overall, iFixit gave the iPhone Air a provisional repairability score of 7 out of 10, because it's easier to get to the battery and not too difficult to replace a screen. Apple has also made efforts to release spare parts and manuals for iPhone repair, and has scaled down software locks and restrictions on parts pairing, improving its iPhone repairability scores.
Make sure to watch iFixit's full video to see the iPhone Air disassembled piece by piece.
iOS 26 on left, iOS 26.1 on right
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