If you are eager to download iOS 17.5 beta 4 on your iPhone, just follow the steps below.

Before you begin, please note:

• Betas can be buggy sometimes. Before proceeding, make sure you back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer. Alternatively, installing iOS 17.5 beta 4 on a secondary device would be best.
• iOS 17.5 beta 4 can be downloaded in two ways: one using your Wi-Fi network (which most users prefer) and the other using your iPhone’s cellular network.

iOS 17.5 beta 4 supported devices

• iPhone 15 series
• iPhone 14 series
• iPhone 13 series
• iPhone 12 series
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (2020)
• iPhone SE (2022)

How to install iOS 17.5 beta 4 on iPhone

1. Launch the Settings app → General → Software Update.
2. Tap Beta Updates.
   
   
3. Select iOS 17.5 beta 4.
4. Tap the Back option and hit Download and Install option from the interface appearing on your screen.

After installing iOS 17.5 beta 4, you may need to enter your iPhone passcode and Apple ID password to keep iCloud and similar settings updated.

Download and install iOS 17.5 beta 4 using Finder

If you cannot download the iOS 17.5 beta 4 directly, you can use Finder on macOS Monterey or later to do so. Here’s how:

1. Download the iOS beta software restore image from the Apple Developer download page.
2. Launch Finder and connect your iPhone to your Mac.
3. Select your iPhone.
4. Press and hold the Option key in the Summary panel, and click Restore iPhone.
5. Choose the iOS beta software restore file and open it.
6. Now, click Restore to begin the installation.

Once the beta has been installed successfully, your iPhone will restart. The device will need an active network connection to finish the activation.

This is how you can download and install iOS 17.5 beta 4 on your iPhone and try the new features. If you have additional questions, please put them in the comments below.

Video: How to install the iOS 17 developer beta

The post How to download and install iOS 17.5 beta 4 on iPhone appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

Have you found your Mac running at a snail’s pace? It’s high time to track down all the unwanted files and delete them right away to not only recover some valuable storage but also speed up your Mac. Aside from purging useless files, many of these software can also play a pivotal role in providing the needed safeguard for your personal info.

1. Cleaner One Pro
2. Daisy Disk
3. CleanMyMac
4. OS Cleaner Pro
5. MacKeeper
6. OnyX
7. Disk Inventory X
8. MacCleanse
9. EaseUS CleanGenius
10. CCleaner
11. App Cleaner & Uninstaller

What is the best Software to clean your Mac?

CleanMyMac is my go-to Mac cleaning software. However, my team and I have tested a bunch of cleaning apps, considering several factors, including the apps’ reputations, safety to download, cleaning features, payment methods, etc., so you can choose the right software for your budget and needs.

1. Cleaner One Pro

Cleaner One Pro is an all-in-one cleaner app for Mac. It optimizes disk usage, keeps the hard drive clean, frees up space by removing duplicate photos, etc.  

One of the nifty features that impressed me was the ability to perform a quick disk clean right from the status bar. It also has a similar feature found on macOS Ventura: the ability to find and sort similar photos.  

You can also customize a one-click scan of big files. Moreover, the app has an intelligent app manager that automatically cleans leftover files from deleted apps.  

Apart from cleaning abilities, the app displays real-time CPU and Network usage.  

Price: Free (Annual Subscription at $29.99)

Download

2. Daisy Disk

“Daisy Disk” has been one of the most reliable Mac storage cleaners for long. It provides a visual breakdown of your disk space, thereby making it a bit easier to spot the space wasters. Therefore, capturing and purging unwanted files becomes pretty straightforward.

One notable feature of this software is its ability to scan multiple disks accurately and quickly. The integrated QuickLook features let you easily preview file content.

You can also use Daisy Disk in several languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and more.

Price: $9.99

Download

3. CleanMyMac

“CleanMyMac” is second to none when it comes to wiping out redundant files easily. This software scans your entire system and suggests you clean up the files based on their usability.

It also recommends deleting all useless content related to an application. Hence, you don’t have to spend much time tracking down what’s killing the storage.

With just a click, you can remove all unnecessary files, including large mail attachments, duplicate photos, cache, etc., and recover plenty of valuable storage space.

Price: Free

Download

4. OS Cleaner Pro

Having used OS Cleaner Pro to flush out junk files with ease, I can tell that this Mac cleaner works well. The app allows you to track down redundant data and get rid of it fast.

Plus, you can use OS Cleaner Pro to monitor the CPU, storage, and memory. Use the adware doctor to nab adware and malware. Also, keep a close eye on app information, such as its version and size.

Check out the crashed apps and also find out the firewall status. Besides, you have the option to upgrade this Mac cleaner to unlock several useful features like removing mail attachments, duplicates, and large files.

Price: Free

Download

5. MacKeeper

Mackeeper has one of the cleanest user interfaces and experience among the lot. A click to scan your Mac and another to clean/fix the issues. Other than that, you are also privy to adware cleaner, safe cleanup, duplicate finder, smart uninstaller, and memory cleaner.  

Alongside cleaning, Mackeeper ensures that your Mac stays protected, all thanks to a built-in antivirus and an ad-blocking browser extension. Another excellent feature of this app is its 24/7 customer support.

Though a bit expensive, all these features will make your investment worthwhile, especially if you’re buying the yearly subscription package. The app is free to download and gives you one free fix, so you can test it thoroughly before you commit.

Price: $5.95 per month

Download

6. OnyX

No list of top Mac cleaning software would be complete without OnyX. It’s been a highly trusted and efficient tool for deleting useless files and keeping the computer clutter-free.

You can use this tool to quickly nab all the problematic files and folders that need to be purged soon. Having given it a long spin, I can say that it can live up to the demand fairly well.

One notable feature of this software is the accuracy with which it unearths junkies. That means there is less chance for the clutters to survive!

Price: Free

Download

7. Disk Inventory X

Disk Inventory X is a lightweight software but very efficient in getting rid of unneeded files. It’s up to the mark in scanning the disk and displaying the usage in the treemap format.

Thus, you can examine all the files and folders that are useless. Once you have tracked down the less important files, deleting them is dead simple. You will really appreciate its simplicity.

Price: Free

Download

8. MacCleanse

With “MacCleanse,” you are looking at an all-in-one solution. This software works well in erasing various types of files, such as caches, empty logs, cookies, and web histories. You will be able to locate useless and old files and clear them immediately.

MacCleanse has a unique feature that instantly identifies unnecessary content in an app. The software also offers detailed information about each file it deletes and claims to delete files with US Department of Defense-level security.

Price: $19.99

Download

9. EaseUS CleanGenius

Wiping out large files can free up precious disk space. “EaseUS CleanGenius” can keep your Mac clutter-free and boost its performance.

This cleaner app scans through the entire computer to find out the system logs, caches, along with all the files that are hogging tons of storage. You can navigate through the storage-hogging files and remove the ones that are useless or need to be cleaned up.

The app also lets you get rid of browser plug-ins, extensions, and cookies. However, it keeps the browsing history, bookmarks, as well as downloaded files.

Price: $4.99

Download

10. CCleaner

CCleaner can work exceptionally well in reducing the clutter of your Mac and making it run smoothly. Apart from letting you get rid of junkies and unused files, the software can also help you quickly spot the storage hogging apps.

This tool offers you the flexibility to pick and choose exactly what you want to keep or remove. After you have discovered the unwanted files, eliminating them all will hardly take a click or two.

CCleaner also wipes out browser history to safeguard your personal information. As a result, you can safely browse the web.

The free version of the app has limitations, and you have to buy the premium version (around $30) to use all the features.

Price: Free

Download

11. App Cleaner & Uninstaller

App Cleaner & Uninstaller is a fully-featured Mac cleaning tool. The quality that makes it exceptionally user-friendly is the ability to spot all the temporary files and leftovers of the apps you have already deleted. Thus, you are able to wipe out all the useless data that has cluttered the device or threatened to do so.

You can preview all the installed apps and extensions and quickly remove the ones that are no longer needed. You can also check out login items and remove them if they are of no use.

Turn off launch agents and startup items to speed up the device. Furthermore, you can use it to manage all of your files and optimize your Mac’s performance so that it runs smoothly.

Price: Free

Download

And that’s it, folks!

What’s your favorite cleaning tool?

I assume you have found the right Mac cleaner app to keep it clean and optimised. Which one is it, and what qualities have you found appreciable in it? It would be great to hear your feedback in the comments.

You might want to refer to these posts as well:

• Best Task Manager Apps for Mac
• Calendar Apps for Mac
• Best macOS apps to optimize your Mac

The post Best Mac cleaner software and apps to keep your Mac clean in no time appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

How to restore accidentally closed Safari tabs on iPhone or iPad

Multitasking challenges, interface confusion, or the use of accidental gestures—whatever caused you to mistakenly close Safari tabs, these solutions will surely help.

1. Shake your iPhone or iPad to undo closed Safari tab

Believe me, the iPhone’s Shake to Undo feature is a lifesaver. For the uninitiated, this is an Accessibility feature that allows you to quickly undo or redo certain actions. For example, you can quickly undo or redo typing and restore recently closed Safari tabs.

This feature comes enabled by default. So, when you accidentally close an active Safari tab, simply shake your iPhone → Pick Undo Close Tab from the pop-up to reopen the web page.

If you are unable to use this feature for some reason, you may need to enable it manually. 

1. Open Settings → Head to Accessibility.  
2. Tap Touch under the Physical and Motor section. 
3. Now, toggle on Shake to Undo if it is not already.
   
   

You can use the Shake to Undo feature to restore one Safari tab. But what if you want to reopen multiple closed Safari tabs?

2. Reopen web pages from Recently Closed Tabs on iPhone or iPad

Well, there’s a secret Safari trick that helps you do that. I am sure that even the most experienced Safari users won’t know about the existence of a Recently Closed Tabs list. You can go there and reopen the web pages you closed recently.

1. Open Safari → Tap the Tabs icon at the bottom right corner. 
2. Tap and hold the + (plus) icon at the bottom left corner.  
3. Doing so will open the list of all the Recently Closed Tabs. 
4. Then tap the web page you want to reopen.
   
   

3. Restore closed Safari tabs from History

Another way to retrieve closed tabs in Safari on iPhone is to head to the browsing history and reopen the desired tab. This trick works not only in Safari but on most other iPhone browsers as well. 

1. Open Safari → Tap the Bookmark icon below the address bar. 
2. Go to the Personal History tab (Clock icon ) at the right. 
3. Navigate to your desired day or date. Select the Web Page you want to reopen.
   
   
4. Alternatively, you can tap and hold the page and select one of the options that appear in the pop-up. 

Accessing your Safari browsing history can also help if you are dealing with the disappearing Safari tabs issue on your iPhone.

Conclusion:

And that’s it; this is how you restore closed Safari tabs on iPhone. By now, you must have understood that there is no need to fret when you accidentally hit the close (x) button on a Safari tab, as you can reopen it easily.

Whether you prefer to shake your iPhone or use the traditional Recently Closed Tabs menu and browsing history method, Safari has your tab revival covered.

The post How to restore closed Safari tabs on iPhone and iPad appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

While there are tons of smart bulbs available on the market, not all are worth checking out. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of the best HomeKit light bulbs below. Let’s get started.

1. Philips Hue Smart LED Light Bulb Compatible with Apple HomeKit

Philips is a proven market leader of smart bulbs, mostly thanks to its feature set and compatible nature. The Philips Hue white and color ambiance LED smart light bulb is no different as it works perfectly with Apple’s HomeKit.

The Starter kit comes with three A19 Smart Bulbs and one Hue Hub. It comes with various light presets and also allows users to create custom scenes through the Philips Hue app. Since it is voice-activated, iOS users can control it via Siri virtual assistant.

The Philips Hue white and color ambiance LED smart light bulb also includes the ability to schedule the custom light scenes based on the requirement. It can also detect when you’re home and turn on the lights automatically, and turn them off as you go to bed.

USP: Lights can be synced based on the scene and mood

Check out on Amazon

2. HomeKit Enabled White Smart Light Bulb from Philips Hue

Another product in the best HomeKit light bulbs is the Philips Hue White A19. This 60W equivalent LED smart bulb is Energy Star certified that fits most lamps and overhead lights.

You can control the smart bulb with your voice; moreover, you can set timers and control it from anywhere through your smartphone. The smart bulb supports up to 16 million colors and the Hue hub supports 50 lights throughout the home.

The Philips Hue White A19 60W smart bulb’s starter Kit contains four A19 White smart Bulbs and one Hub. These are claimed to last up to 22 years, which is impressive.

USP: The ability to set daily schedules

Checkout on Amazon

3. LIFX Mini White Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb

Here’s an easy-to-use lightbulb that’s fully compatible HomeKit and other smart systems like Alexa and Google Home. You have to download the app, connect to Wi-Fi, and you’re ready to go. No hub needed.

It offers full lighting control via Wi-Fi, and you can access your bulbs anywhere, anytime via the cloud. It’s also dimmable according to space, time of day, and your mood. Experience how subtle adjustments in brightness can uplift the comfort of any room.

USP: Easy setup and intuitive control

Checkout on Amazon

4. VOCOlinc Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb Compatible with Apple HomeKit

VOCOlinc Smart Wi-Fi LED light bulb A2 is also one of the best HomeKit light bulbs available on the market. It supports voice control, 16 million colours and can go as bright as 850 lumens. It allows customizing the lights based on the ambiance or one can even select from the available preset effects.

Like with most smart bulbs, the VOCOlinc smart bulb can also be automated with scheduled turn on/off the ability.

The Smart Bulb doesn’t require a hub or remote and can be controlled from anywhere via smartphone; however, it needs 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. There’s a customizable wake-up/daylight mode that brightens the lights gently without creating too much lighting at once, which can cause strain to eyes.

USP: Doesn’t require a Hub

Checkout on Amazon

5. White Ambiance Smart White LED Bulbs from Philips Hue (2 Packs)

It is your Hue White Ambiance smart bulb. The bulb works with Apple HomeKit and can be controlled by the Philips Hue app as well. The Philips Hue motion sensor accessory (requires to be purchased separately) can automatically turn on the smart bulb when it detects you’re near the bulb and, similarly, turn off when you leave.

The Philips Hue White Ambiance smart bulb supports a range of warm white to cool daylight colors, adding a pleasant experience to the room. The smart bulb provides around 50,000 shades of white light, which is just impressive.

USP: Wider-compatibility

Checkout on Amazon

6. Smart LED Light Bulb from KMC

A portable smart light bulb that works when connected to a Wi-Fi network. It offers the ability to set timers to on or off at your preferred timings and can be controlled via a voice assistant.

Also It doesn’t require a hub, and since it’s an LED bulb, one can save up to 60% energy consumption compared to a standard bulb. It offers a total lifespan of over 30,000 hours or 27.39 hours with regular three hours of usage per day. The bulb provides 800 lumens and is of 7.5Watts.

KMC Smart LED Light Bulb has secured FCC, CE, RoHs certification ensuring the durability. Users can control the bulb from anywhere through the smartphone app; when connected to the internet, the bulb is accessible from anywhere. The Smart Life App allows multiple users from a family to control the bulb.

USP: Customise colors based on mood

Checkout on Amazon

7. LIFX White Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb

This Wi-Fi-enabled smart LED light bulb is compatible with Apple HomeKit and also works with Alexa. The product comes with built-in Wi-Fi and a LIFX cloud that gives access to bulbs from anywhere. It can be automated by setting one-touch automation.

LIFX Mini has an output of 800 lumens, the equivalent of a 60W traditional incandescent bulb with the benefit of only 9W energy use. The bulb offers natural white light that is less strain on the eyes, and the dimming feature sets the right mood for any time of the day.

One can download the LIFX app and follow the on-screen instructions for installation. The company also says that it would offer regular software updates to further improve the performance of the smart Light bulb over time.

USP: 800 lumens of brightness

Checkout on Amazon

8. A19 Smart LED Bulb Works with Apple HomeKit from SYLVANIA

The SYLVANIA general lighting LED bulb connects via Bluetooth and is compatible with the Apple iOS device through the HomeKit app. The bulb can be controlled via Siri, which can dim lights, set a scene, turn on or off and more. The RGBW LED supports 16 million colors and tunable white color temperatures ranging from soft white to daylight. It is an energy-saving bulb, thanks to the 10W LED.

The OSRAM LIGHTIFY Gateway is not needed to use this light bulb with Apple HomeKit as it directly pairs via Bluetooth. However, it requires a Home Hub setup for additional features such as away from home control, scheduling, and automation.

USP: No Hub needed as it directly pairs via Bluetooth

Checkout on Amazon

Signing off…

The trend of smart homes is on the rise across the globe, and while there are tons of smart products, bulbs are the first step in home automation. With the ability to control through voice or smartphone from literally anywhere in the world, set schedules to turn on or off, smart bulbs offer the luxury of setting up custom scenes based on the ambiance. So, if you’re on the lookout for smart bulbs, these are the best HomeKit Light bulbs to consider.

Read more:

• Best HomeKit-compatible smart switches
• Best HomeKit-compatible air purifiers you can buy
• Best HomeKit garage door openers

The post Best smart light bulbs for Apple HomeKit in 2024 appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

The process is simple. Read along to find out!

How to hide Instagram active status on iPhone

1. Launch the Instagram app.
2. Head to the Profile section → Tap the hamburger icon (three lines).
3. Tap Messages and story replies below How others can interact with you.
4. Choose Show activity status → Toggle off Show Activity Status.
   
   

How to turn off Instagram active status on Mac

1. Launch a web browser.
2. Head to instagram.com.
3. Click the More icon (three lines) → Settings.
   
   
4. Select How others can interact with you.
5. Toggle off the button next to Show Activity Status.
   
   

Voila! In this way, you can easily hide your active status on Instagram.

What happens after turning off Instagram’s active status?

Once you hide your active status on Instagram, the default green dot on your profile disappears. So people can’t tell anymore whether you’re online. However, they can still tell you’re online by checking the last time you post a reel or a story on Instagram.

Get invisible!

Hiding your Instagram active status makes your followers believe you’re not online even when you are. However, while you’ve learned the trick, I wouldn’t say it’s ideal if you run your client base on Instagram. I bet you want them to know you’re online. Else, you might end up veiling your business as well.

Regardless, with your active status hidden, you can catch all the fun you want on Instagram while your followers keep wondering whether you’re online or not. Why did you hide your Instagram active status? Let me know in the comments section below.

Read more:

• How to see your first liked post on Instagram
• How to fix Instagram not sharing to Facebook
• How to turn off message requests on Instagram
• How to download and view your Instagram data

The post How to turn off Instagram active status on iPhone and Mac (2024) appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

What is a UDID used for?

UDID stands for Unique Device Identifier. It is a 40- or 25-character hex code unique to each iOS or iPadOS device. When you set up your Apple device for the first time, Apple registers its UDID. Later, it’s used to identify a device that is using Apple services.

UDID is mainly used by app developers who want to test their new apps. They need it to register devices for beta testing so that the app can be installed on designated devices.

You can also use UDID to activate Find My on that iPhone or other Apple device and ensure it’s not lost or stolen.

Please note that with the rising popularity of TestFlight, the need for UDID is on the decline. The reason for this is that UDIDs allowed the track down of specific devices for testing, causing privacy issues.

On the other hand, TestFlight directly integrates with the App Store. Testers don’t need to share their UDID. They just need to accept invitations from developers to use beta versions of apps, thereby reducing the privacy risks involved. For detailed instructions, check out our guide on how to use TestFlight on your iPhone or iPad.

With that clarification out of the way, if you are still adamant about using the traditional route to test apps, here’s how you can get the UDID of your iPhone or iPad.

How to find UDID of iPhone or iPad in 3 ways

Here are three of the most common methods to get the sacred identification code.

1. How to find UDID of iPhone without Mac

One of the easiest ways to find your iPhone’s UDID is to download the configuration profile using an API. Many tools are available to accomplish this, such as ShowMyUDID, UDID Tech, etc. However, you must do your due diligence and choose a reliable tool to avoid security issues. 

Here, I will show you the steps using the UDID Tech tool: 

1. Launch Safari on your iPhone or iPad. 
2. Go to https://udid.tech.
3. Tap the Get your UDID now button → Select Download.
   
   
4. Tap Allow to download the UDID profile on your iPhone. 
5. Your profile will be downloaded. Tap Close to proceed.
   If you have enabled Stolen Device Protection, you will have to wait for one hour before going through the entire process again.
   
   
6. Now go to Settings → Select Profile Downloaded.
7. Tap Install → Enter your passcode → Select Install when prompted.
   
   
8. It will redirect you to the webpage where you can check your iPhone’s UDID.

You may copy the UDID and save it at the desired location or share it with developers. It’ll also show other information like IMEI, serial number, etc. So, you must exercise caution to protect sensitive information about your device.

To avoid security risks, remove the profile after you have obtained the UDID. Just go back to Settings → Profile Downloaded → Tap Remove Downloaded Profile, and the profile will be deleted.

2. How to find iPhone’s UDID using Mac

If you have a Mac, you can find your iPhone’s UDID using Finder. Here’s how: 

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable. 
2. Open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar. 
3. Click Trust if connecting for the first time. Enter the passcode on your iPhone to authenticate.
4. Click your iPhone model name under your name twice to get the UDID. Make sure your two clicks are slow, one after the other.
   
   

There’s another alternate way to get your iPhone’s UDID via Mac. Follow the steps below:

1. Make sure your iPhone is still connected to your Mac via a USB cable.
2. Go to Apple menu → System Settings → General → About.
   
   
3. Scroll down and click System Report.
   
   
4. From the Hardware section, click USB.
5. Click the connected iPhone.
6. Check out the Serial Number label. Copy the number next to it and paste it into a note. Now, add a – (hyphen) after the 8th digit.
   
   
7. Let’s say the serial number looks like 000011114567899. When you include the hyphen, it will be 00001111-4567899. It’s your iPhone’s UDID.

3. How to get UDID of iPhone using Xcode

For those familiar with Xcode, here’s how to use it to check the UDID of an iPhone or iPad.

1. First off, download Xcode if you haven’t already. It’s free.
   Note: Installing Xcode takes considerable time. At least you’ll have time to work on something else!
2. Now, connect your iPhone to the Mac using a USB cable.
3. Next, open Xcode → Click Window in the menu bar and select Devices and Simulators.
   Alternatively, use this shortcut: Command + Shift + 2
   
   
4. Ensure that the Devices tab is selected in the sidebar.
5. Check out your iPhone’s UDID next to Identifier.
   
   

Now that you’ve got the ID, copy it and use it wherever you want.

Watch our video to get UDID number of your iPhone and iPad: 2 easy ways explained

Trace your iOS ID!

Finding your iPhone or iPad’s UDID is straightforward, and knowing how to do it can be useful, especially for app testing purposes. Whether you choose to use an online tool, your Mac’s Finder, or Xcode, you now have the knowledge to locate your device’s UDID with ease.

If you face any issues, please drop them in the comments below!

Read more:

• How to find EID number on iPhone: 3 Ways explained!
• How to find Mac UDID for Beta Testing of Mac apps
• How to Find Your Apple Watch UDID to Test Beta Apps

The post How to find UDID of iPhone or iPad (2024 Updated) appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the simple process of sending an iMessage sticker pack as a gift on iPhone and iPad. Additionally, I’ll offer some pro tips to help you find the best iMessage sticker packs worth gifting.

How to send iMessage sticker pack as a gift

Sticker packs in Messages are basically iMessage apps that you can download and use as usual. Therefore, the steps to gifting an iMessage sticker pack are similar to gifting a paid app. Here’s how you do it:

Note: You can send iMessage sticker packs as gifts only to recipients in the same region as you.

1. Locate and open the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Open any conversation → Tap the plus icon next to the text field.
3. Tap Stickers → Swipe right to the left on the top bar to view the available sticker packs.
   
   
4. Now, select Edit at the end of the bar → Pick Get Sticker Apps on the App Store.
5. Find and open a paid iMessage sticker pack you wish to send as a gift.
   
   
6. Tap the Share icon located on the right-hand side → Then, select Gift App.
7. Now, enter the email of the person to whom you wish to send the sticker pack.
8. Optionally, you can add a personalized message → Select a date to send the gift.
9. Select Next.
   
   
10. Now, scroll horizontally to select a theme for the sticker pack cover → Then, tap Next.
11. Finally, review the payment details for the gift → Then, tap Buy → BUY NOW.
    
    

The recipient will get an email notification and can quickly download the sticker pack to add it to their sticker collection in the Messages app.

For a smoother transaction, make sure you have added sufficient funds to your Apple ID beforehand.

If you don’t want to share paid sticker packs, you can follow steps 1-4 → Pick a free sticker pack → Share it with your contact. As easy as that!

Tips to find best iMessage sticker packs

Discovering the perfect iMessage sticker pack to gift can be challenging. To ease this process, consider the recipient’s interests and explore popular and highly rated packs on the iMessage App Store. Alternatively, you can use unique features such as Live Stickers to ensure a delightful and personalized messaging experience.

Wrapping up…

Gifting iMessage sticker packs can be a great way to add a creative flair to plain old iMessage. I have personally enjoyed using this fun feature, and I’d highly recommend you give it a shot, too.

If you have any questions about gifting sticker packs, please leave them in the comments below. I’d be happy to respond.

The post How to send iMessage sticker pack as gift on iPhone and iPad appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

1. Check your internet connection 

First things first: iMessage requires an active internet connection to function. So, you must check whether your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network or cellular data. If not, connect and try sending iMessage with the bubble effect again. 

If the internet connection on your iPhone is working and the bubble effect issue persists, move to the next solution. 

2. Restart your iPhone 

Software glitches on your iPhone can cause the iMessage bubble effects not to appear. For example, you may have sent a “happy birthday,” and instead of the balloons, you see plain text with a label describing the effect. In that case, a simple restart can do wonders!

To restart your iPhone, Press and hold any of the Volume and Power buttons simultaneously until the Power Slider appears, then slide it to the right to turn off your iPhone. 

Once your iPhone turns off, wait a few seconds, then press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears. After the iPhone turns on, check whether the bubble effects are working. 

3. Enable Auto-play Message effects  

The Auto-Play Message effects setting ensures that iMessage effects like bubbles, screen effects, and other animations play automatically upon opening the message. While this setting is enabled by default, it might have been turned off for some reason. 

1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Motion 
2. Toggle on Auto-Play Message Effects.
   
   

If the feature is already enabled, you may toggle it off, restart your iPhone, and re-enable it to refresh its functionality.

4. Disable the Reduce Motion setting 

Does the iMessage bubble effect lag or appear as still images, or the screen effect only partially cover the screen? You might have enabled the Reduce Motion feature on your iPhone. This setting affects certain animations displayed throughout the iOS interface.  

Since the iMessage bubble effects also rely on motion and animation to create a visual effect, the Reduce Motion setting can be the primary reason the iMessage bubble effects are not working on your iPhone. 

Here’s how to disable it: 

1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Motion 
2. Toggle off Reduce Motion.
   
     

5. Check iMessage settings

While the chances of this happening are slim, it could be possible that iMessage is not enabled, or you might have disabled it for some reason on your iPhone in the first place.  

1. Open the Settings app and head to Messages. 
2. Here, toggle on iMessage if it is not already.
    

6. Reset iMessage 

If the issue persists, glitches in your iPhone’s iMessage services might be the reason. In that case, reset the iMessage settings on your iPhone, as this can often solve the underlying issues.  

1. Go to Settings → Messages. 
2. Toggle off iMessage. 
3. Wait for a few seconds, then toggle on iMessage again.
   

Doing so will reset the iMessage services on your iPhone, restoring the bubble effect functionality. 

7. Update iOS  

Keeping your device updated to the latest available firmware is essential to enhance its overall performance. Fortunately, Apple regularly pushes iOS updates, which contain the latest features and bug fixes for any existing issues, such as iMessage effects not working.  

So, if you can’t send an iMessage with a bubble effect, update your iPhone. To do so, Go to Settings → General → Update Software. If an update is available, download and install it right away. 

8. Contact Apple Support 

If nothing works, contact Apple Support as your last resort for further assistance. Experts there can better diagnose your iPhone and determine the issue affecting the iMessage feature.  

Get back the iMessage fun!

That’s all; this is how you can resolve the iMessage bubble effects not working issue on your iPhone. Remember to practice patience throughout the troubleshooting process, and feel free to seek assistance from Apple support if needed. 

Read more…

• How to change iMessage bubble color on iPhone and iPad
• Best iMessage tips and tricks for iPhone users
• How to know if someone has blocked you on iMessage

The post How to fix iMessage bubble effects not working on iPhone appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

So check out this complete guide to learn how to close opened apps on Apple Watch.

How to close apps on Apple Watch

Just like on iOS, the quickest way to close an app on watchOS is to do it from the App Switcher.

Apple Watch users have been accustomed to opening the App Switcher by pressing the Side button. However, with the watchOS 10 update, this method is no longer available. So, here are the steps you need to follow to close apps in watchOS 10:

1. Double-press the Digital Crown quickly. This will show you all the apps running in the background.
   If you are using watchOS 9 or earlier, press the Side button once.
2. Turn the Digital Crown to scroll through the active apps. (You can also do it by using your finger)
3. Select the app you want to close and swipe from right to left. Tap the large red X that appears beside it.
   
   

That’s all! The app is closed. You may repeat the process to close all apps on the Apple Watch. This will help you manage your device’s performance, battery life, and overall app usage.

However, if an app is frozen on your Apple Watch and doesn’t respond, you must force quit the app. Let’s explore the steps!

How to force quit apps on Apple Watch

Note: Make sure you’re in the app that you want to force close.

1. Press and hold the side button until you see the shutdown screen.
2. Press and hold the Digital Crown until the app closes.
   
   

Troubleshooting tips for Apple Watch apps that are unresponsive or won’t open

If closing or force quitting an Apple Watch app does not solve your problem, you can take a few other steps.

1. Restart your Apple Watch 

Sometimes, restarting your Apple Watch can fix any technical glitches with apps. This closes all running apps on the Apple Watch and refreshes the background activities.

1. Press and hold the side button until you see the shutdown screen.
2. Tap the Power icon at the top right.
3. Drag the Power Off slider.
4. Wait a few seconds → Press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.

If your Apple Watch doesn’t respond, press and hold the side button and the Digital Crown together until the Apple logo appears. It will force restart your Apple Watch.

2. Update watchOS

It’s advisable to always run the latest version of watchOS on your Apple Watch to avoid system bugs.

You can update your Apple Watch by going to Settings → General → Software Update.

You can Download and Install an update if available.

3. Delete and reinstall the problematic app

If an app is having issues, it’s a good idea to delete and reinstall it. This usually fixes any problems and gives the app a fresh start.

1. Press the Digital Crown to be on the Home Screen of your Apple Watch.
2. Tap and hold an app icon until you see a small ‘x’ symbol appear above it.
3. Tap the ‘x‘ and then select Delete App.
   
   

You can then go to the App Store and reinstall the app if you want to.

Video: How to close Apple Watch apps

Signing off

While the method of closing apps on the Apple Watch has evolved with updates, it remains straightforward. Following the steps above, you can quickly close opened apps when needed. 

Keeping too many apps open and running in the background consumes a lot of battery and downgrades the performance. So, close unnecessary apps occasionally for a smoother user experience and better performance on your Apple Watch.

If you face any other issues on your Apple Watch, let us know in the comment below!

You may also like to read these:

• How to Fix Apple Watch Not Pairing with iPhone Issue
• Use Nightstand Mode on Apple Watch
• How to Use Dock on Your Apple Watch
• How to Reinstall Deleted Apple Watch Apps

The post How to close apps on Apple Watch (All models) appeared first on iGeeksBlog.

Luckily, as you’ll see in this guide, there are several ways to stop Apple Music from automatically playing in your car.

1. Force quit Music app

iPhones have a feature that automatically resumes playing content from music apps that you were recently listening to whenever an audio peripheral is connected. This means that when you connect your iPhone to your car’s stereo, the Music app may start playing automatically.

To stop this, you can completely close the app from the App Switcher before plugging in or connecting over Bluetooth.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the App Switcher.
   On older iPhones, you can double-press the Home Button to open it.
2. Swipe horizontally to find the Music app in the App Switcher.
3. Finally, swipe up on the Music app to completely close it.
   
   

2. Disable Handoff to turn off autoplay

Handoff can allow you to seamlessly transition tasks between different Apple devices. While it has many useful applications, it can cause Apple Music to start playing automatically whenever an iPhone is connected to a CarPlay-compatible head unit.

If you want to prevent this from happening in your car, you may disable Handoff, as I have detailed below:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Go to General → AirPlay & Handoff.
3. Finally, toggle off Handoff.
   
   

3. Pause music manually or using Siri

If you aren’t able to resolve the problem after trying out previous solutions, you can always pause the music as soon as it starts playing in your car. You may use the pause button on your car’s dashboard or the steering wheel or the pause button in your iPhone’s Control Center.

Apart from that, if you’ve set up Siri on your iPhone, you can ask the voice assistant to pause the music by saying, “Siri! Pause the music.”

4. Check settings of audio system in car

If Apple Music keeps auto-playing even after closing the app on your iPhone, it’s worth checking the settings on your car’s audio system.

Many modern vehicles have options to disable automatic media playback when a phone is connected via USB or Bluetooth. However, if your car’s stereo doesn’t offer this option, you should check if there’s a way to change the default audio input source for your car.

Since the user interface for infotainment systems from different car manufacturers can be notably different, you should consult your car’s user manual to see if there’s a method to do the following.

5. Turn off Bluetooth

If you want to stop your car from automatically connecting to your iPhone and playing music, you can disable Bluetooth.

However, you will need to turn Bluetooth back on if you need to use it for other purposes, like picking up phone calls.

To disable Bluetooth on your iPhone, you can either tap the Bluetooth icon in the Control Center or turn it off from Settings → Bluetooth.

6. Create custom automation using Shortcuts app to turn off autoplay

Many users have been able to stop Apple Music from automatically playing in the car after creating custom automation in the Shortcuts app to turn off autoplay for CarPlay and Bluetooth.

Although creating a custom shortcut can be lengthy, the three-stage process listed below can help you do this quickly.

Set up the Play/Pause action

1. Locate and open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the + button in the top-right corner → Tap Add Action.
   
   
3. Type Pause in the search bar → Tap the Play/Pause option.
4. Now, tap on Play/Pause → Select Pause → Then, tap Done.
   
   

Create a custom automation for CarPlay

1. Go to the Automation tab → Tap the + button at the top-right.
2. Tap CarPlay → Connects → Run Immediately → Then, tap Next.
   
   
3. Select the Play/Pause shortcut located in the My Shortcuts section.

Create a custom automation for Bluetooth

1. Go to the Automation tab → Tap the + button in the top-right corner.
   
   
2. Select Bluetooth → Tap Choose → Select Any Device → Tap Done.
   
   
3. Now, tap on Is connected → Run Immediately → Then, tap Next.
4. Select the Play/Pause shortcut located in the My Shortcuts section.
   
   

Once you set up this shortcut, Apple Music will be paused the moment your iPhone is connected to your car’s stereo system.

7. Add a silent track to your Apple Music library

If you want a more fancy solution to stop Apple Music from auto-playing, you can add a silent audio track to your library. With an empty track that contains no audio, the Music app will still open, but you won’t hear any unexpected music, and you’ll have plenty of time to hit pause.

1. To do this, you may export an empty audio file using Garageband or download a blank audio track from c0d3rk1d’s blank-audio GitHub project.
2. Once you have the track, rename it to AA, as Apple Music generally plays songs in alphabetical order. Then, synchronize the audio track to your iPhone.

While this might not seem like a practical solution, you should definitely give this a shot if none of the other options work out.

8. Turn off Cellular data for Music app

If you have not downloaded any music for offline consumption, you have yet another way to stop Apple Music from automatically playing in your car.

You can turn off Cellular data for the Music app. This way, you can still connect your iPhone to your car via USB or Bluetooth, but no music will be played.

1. Navigate to Settings → Cellular.
2. Scroll down and toggle off Music.
   
   

9. Disable CarPlay on your iPhone or iPad

According to some users, if your car’s stereo does not support CarPlay, disabling the feature on your iPhone can help you turn off auto-play.

However, this will be a last resort for people using CarPlay-compatible head units. As for them, turning off CarPlay would mean disabling all iPhone services their car can connect to – including Music.

1. Locate and open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Go to Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions.
   
   
3. Then, toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
4. Tap Allowed Apps → Toggle off CarPlay.
   
   

Wrapping up…

While autoplay has its own set of benefits, it can often leave you startled by playing music when you least expect it. However, by following the simple methods outlined in this guide, you can prevent Apple Music from automatically playing in your car.

Which of the above solutions worked for you? Do let me know in the comments below.

The post How to stop Apple Music from automatically playing in car appeared first on iGeeksBlog.