Auto-Delete Old Messages Chats on iPhone

Deleting old messages from your iPhone or iPad is a good way to save on your device’s storage space, but going back through your old conversations and deleting them individually would be a tedious and long-winded process.

Fortunately, there’s a simpler way to say goodbye to old messages in iOS – Apple’s mobile operating system can be automated to discard messages that have been on your device for longer than a specific period of time.

For example, it’s possible to have iOS automatically remove any conversations that are older than 30 days, or any messages more than a year old. You can choose your preferred cut-off for old messages by following the steps below. Note that when messages are removed from your device, they’re gone for good.

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Adjust TV App Video download settings on iPhone

If you have an Apple TV+ subscription or you’ve rented or purchased movies via iTunes, you can download the videos to your iPhone and iPad over Wi-Fi or cellular using Apple’s TV app, which allows you to watch them offline.

Apple gives iPhone and iPad users granular control of TV app video download settings. So if you want, you can choose high quality video if you don’t mind them taking longer to download and taking up more storage space. Alternatively, you can prioritize faster downloads that take up less storage, but at the price of video quality.

You can adjust these settings independently for when you’re downloading over Wi-Fi or cellular, which is particularly handy if you don’t have an unlimited data plan or you don’t want to hog your household’s bandwidth. Simply follow the series of steps below to adjust the download quality over the data connection that applies to you.
Adjusting Video Download Settings Over Cellular

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Genmoji in iOS 18.2: create custom Emoji in Messages

Apple’s new Genmoji feature lets you create personalized emoji that aim to perfectly match what you want to express, going far beyond the limitations of standard Unicode emoji. Want an emoji of a break-dancing astronaut or a dog playing bagpipes? With Genmoji, you can make it happen.

Unlike standard emoji that are fixed Unicode characters, Genmoji are dynamically generated using on-device AI. They work seamlessly in text, appearing as inline emoji characters in supported apps like Messages and Notes. You can even create Genmoji based on people in your Photos app, making them more personal and expressive.

Requirements and Availability
Currently, Genmoji is only available in the iOS 18.2 beta for developers and public beta testers. The feature also requires Apple Intelligence, which is limited to iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 16 series models. Apple Intelligence does not currently work in the EU.

Even with a compatible device in a supported region, you’ll need to join a waitlist for Apple Intelligence features like image creation (Settings ➝ Apple Intelligence & Siri). Apple will notify you when access is granted. Note that Apple Intelligence is only available when your iPhone and Siri are set to the same language.

Apple Intelligence is available in English (US) in most regions around the world, while iOS 18.2 adds Apple Intelligence support for English (Australia), English (Canada), English (Ireland), English (New Zealand), English (South Africa) and English (UK).

Compatibility
While Genmoji work best between iOS 18.2 devices, they’re also viewable on devices running iOS/iPadOS 18.1 and later, as well as Macs running macOS Sequoia 15.1 and later.

On older Apple devices or Android phones, Genmoji appear as regular images rather than inline emoji characters. Third-party apps need to specifically add Genmoji support to enable creation and proper display of these custom emoji.

Creating Custom Emoji in Messages

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iOS 18.1: How to Record and Transcribe Phone Calls

From business meetings to family memories, there are countless reasons to record a phone call, but until now, iPhone users have had to rely on third-party apps or complex workarounds. That changes on October 28 with the release of iOS 18.1, which introduces native call recording and transcription powered by Apple Intelligence.

searchable transcripts and AI-generated summaries, all while maintaining Apple’s commitment to privacy and transparency. When you start recording, all participants automatically hear an announcement, ensuring everyone knows they’re being recorded. A visible indicator also remains on screen throughout the call for as long as the recording continues.

To further protect user privacy, all recordings are stored locally in the Notes app with end-to-end encryption, and the new Apple Intelligence-powered transcription happens entirely on your device, meaning conversations never leave your iPhone. Here’s how to make your first phone call recording in iOS 18.1.

Recording a Phone Call

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Hide your iPhone Find My Location without raising suspicion

Ever need a moment of privacy without raising suspicion? If you’re secretly shopping for a gift or planning a surprise party, you might want to temporarily obscure your actual location in Apple’s Find My app on your iPhone without completely turning off location sharing.

Here’s a clever trick that lets you keep sharing enabled while displaying a different location – all by using another Apple device you own.

To hide your actual location, you’ll need to have at least two Apple devices signed in to your Apple Account with Find My enabled. This method works by telling Find My to use a stationary device’s location instead of your iPhone’s.

Start by leaving the device you want to use as your displayed location (like an iPad or Mac) in a convincing spot – perhaps your home or office. Then, take your iPhone and follow these steps:

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iOS 18: Send messages without a Wi-Fi or cellular connection

In iOS 18, Apple further enhanced its satellite connectivity features for iPhone users with the introduction of Messages via satellite. Keep reading to learn how it works.

Available in the United States and Canada to owners of iPhone 14 models and newer, Messages via satellite enables users to exchange iMessages and SMS texts, including emoji and Tapbacks, through satellite connections when traditional networks are unavailable.

Apple is using the infrastructure that it set up for Emergency SOS via satellite for this feature, but you don’t need to be in an emergency situation to use it, and the service is currently offered at no additional charge.

When an iPhone detects it’s out of cellular or Wi-Fi range, it prompts users with an alert offering quick access to satellite-enabled services. These include Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Find My, and Messages. Users can also access the feature directly from the Messages app when off the grid, with iOS providing on-screen guidance to help point the iPhone toward an available satellite.

iMessages sent via satellite are end-to-end encrypted. However, it’s worth noting that while iMessage functionality is fully supported, SMS capabilities are more limited to prevent abuse from automated systems. Emergency contacts and designated family members can initiate SMS contact at any time, but for other contacts, the iPhone user must send the first satellite SMS to enable responses.

To familiarize yourself with this potentially life-saving feature, Apple has included a demo mode in iOS 18. You can access this demonstration by following these steps:

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iOS 18: how to schedule Messages to send later

Apple has introduced a significant update to its messaging capabilities with a new “Send Later” feature in iOS 18. This addition to the Messages app now allows users to schedule text messages for future delivery, enhancing the chat platform’s flexibility and convenience.

Available exclusively for iMessage conversations, the Send Later function enables users to compose messages in advance and set a specific time or date for them to be sent. This feature is particularly useful for remembering important dates or managing communication across different time zones.

Apple’s implementation seamlessly integrates with the existing iMessage framework. The feature works for both individual and group chats, provided all participants are using Apple devices with iMessage enabled. However, it’s important to note that this functionality is not available when messaging Android users or in standard SMS conversations.

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How to enable Apple Intelligence if you’re Outside the US

Apple is introducing a set of AI features in iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 under the banner “Apple Intelligence.” These features are officially only currently available in beta to developers in the US, but it’s actually pretty easy to get it up and running on iPhones and iPads in most other locations with the exception of the European Union and China.

The main reason Apple has limited access to Apple Intelligence is that it only supports US English at this time, but if you can work with that – and you have a compatible device – then there’s no technical reason why you can’t start exploring the new AI features.
Supported Devices
Apple Intelligence encompasses a range of capabilities, including composing text and emails, automating actions across various apps, generating images, summarizing documents and texts, and more. However, these features require a lot of on-device computing power, so before you do anything, it’s worth checking if your device is compatible. iPhone users need either an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to run Apple Intelligence, while only iPads powered by M1 or later Apple silicon processors are compatible.
Install Beta Software
If your device is supported, the first thing you need to do is install the latest developer beta for your device. Once you’ve followed the instructions provided in the linked article and your device is up and running with the latest beta (the third beta as of writing), follow these steps on your iPhone or iPad.

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iOS 18: Show iPhone lock screen clock in rainbow colors

In iOS 18, currently in beta, Apple has added a new rainbow swatch to the Font & Color customization options on the Lock Screen, so now you can display the time in rainbow colors against your chosen wallpaper.

With ‌iOS 17‌, Apple added an option to customize the font and the color of the time on the Lock Screen, and in ‌‌iOS 18‌‌, there’s a new rainbow color option that adds a variegated rainbow shade for the time.

Unlike the other color swatches that iOS includes for the Lock Screen, the multicolor option does not currently apply to widgets and the date, which turn white when the rainbow effect is applied. Here’s how it’s done.

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