How to enable stolen device protection

In iOS 17.3, Apple has introduced a new Stolen Device Protection feature to provide your iPhone with added security. This article explains what it does, why you might want to turn it on, and how to go about doing so.

In 2023, reports began emerging about a new method thieves were using to steal iPhones and access users’ highly sensitive data. Thieves would surreptitiously spy on their victims in public while they entered their passcode, before going on to steal the device. With the passcode known to them, criminals could empty bank accounts, steal passwords, and make the iPhone untraceable.
Enter, Stolen Device Protection
To make it harder for a thief to access passcode-protected data on a stolen iPhone, Apple in iOS 17.3 included Stolen Device Protection. With the feature enabled, Face ID or Touch ID is required to access passwords in iCloud Keychain, Lost Mode settings, options for erasing the device, and making purchases in Safari.

In addition to the new biometric requirements, the feature also imposes a one-hour security delay on actions like changing an Apple ID password. In other words, if someone tries to change Apple ID login information, Face ID authentication is required, and then an hour must pass before the password can be changed. The only time this wait period is not imposed is when the device at a trusted location like home or work.

Note that Stolen Device Protection is only available on iPhones that are able to run iOS 17, which includes the iPhone XS and newer. Also, make sure your iPhone is up-to-date and running iOS 17.3 or later (Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update). Here’s how to enable the feature.

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Apple Vision Pro: how to Screenshot or Record your view

If you want to share what you see when you’re wearing Apple Vision Pro, you can capture the entire view as an image, or alternatively, make a video recording. On Vision Pro headsets, Apple has built in a function that lets you capture a still picture of your entire field of view that gets saved as an image file, making it convenient for sharing.

It works similarly to the way you take screenshots on iPhone and Apple Watch. Except with Vision Pro, everything you see is included, including your physical room, active Environments, and any apps you are using.

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How to use Safari’s Built-in 2FA Code Generator

With online account hacking becoming increasingly widespread, Mac users should make sure they’re taking every security measure available to them. In other words, consider using Apple verification codes to protect your accounts.

One of the best ways to protect any online account is by using two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA offers hardened security during login attempts by requesting that the user provides an extra piece of information only they would know, such as a randomly generated code from a third-party.

In macOS Monterey and later versions of its Mac operating system software, Apple’s Safari browser (version 15 and later) includes a built-in two-factor authenticator that can generate verification codes for additional sign-in security. This means if a site offers 2FA, you can set up verification codes for it without downloading a third-party app.

Verification codes are backed up via iCloud, and once set up, the codes will autofill when you sign into the site using any Apple device linked to your Apple ID. This makes using 2FA on iPhone and iPad much more streamlined.

Enabling 2FA on the Account or Service
First, make sure you have the latest version of Safari (Safari 17). Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to enable the use of a 2FA app on whichever website or service you are trying to secure. Note that if you’ve already enrolled an account with 2FA on a mobile app, you’ll either have to unenroll from 2FA or use the current 2FA code from your mobile app.

You may need to explore the security or privacy settings of the site to enable the use of an authenticator app. On X (formerly Twitter) accounts, for example, the 2FA option is found under Settings and privacy -> security and account access -> Security.

Using Setup Keys
Once you’ve enabled 2FA on the account or service in question, you’ll be asked to either enter a setup key on your device or scan a QR code using your device’s camera. Note that you’ll need to ensure that Safari’s AutoFill feature is enabled (Safari ➝ Settings ➝ AutoFill) and the website’s login credentials are saved in Safari for the 2FA code generator to work properly.

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How to turn On Noise cancellation for just One AirPod

AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which is designed to adapt to the shape of your ear and block out the outside world so you can focus on what you’re listening to. ANC is typically used when you have both AirPods in, but there is a way to use it when you’re wearing just a single AirPod.

The feature fully realizes its design aims when both AirPods are in your ears, but there may be occasions when you only want noise cancellation in one ear and not the other. Perhaps you sleep on your side and like to wear a single AirPod when you’re resting in bed, with your other ear pressed into the pillow. With noise cancellation still active in the one AirPod, you’re less likely to be disturbed by external noise while you drift off to sleep.

How to Use All the New AirPods Pro Features in iOS 17
Or maybe your hearing isn’t as good in one ear, and you want the benefit of ANC on only that side of your head for blocking out ambient sounds so that you can better make out what you’re listening to. Either way, the following steps show you how to allow AirPods to be put into noise cancellation mode when only one AirPod is in your ear.

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How to make custom WhatsApp stickers on iPhone

WhatsApp has introduced a custom sticker creation tool for iPhone users running iOS 17 or later. Keep reading to learn how to use it.

In the world of instant messaging, stickers offer a dynamic and playful way to express your emotions and thoughts. But instead of using standardized stickers from an existing stock, wouldn’t it be better if you could create your own? WhatsApp on ‌iPhone‌ has supported basic sticker creation for a while now by dragging and dropping images from your photos gallery, but the latest update introduces more advanced customization options.

Note that if your ‌iPhone‌ runs anything older than ‌iOS 17‌ then you can only edit stickers, not make them in this way. And if you’re on Android, you can only view and react to stickers. Be sure to update to the latest version of WhatsApp before you get going.

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iOS 17.2: How to translate Speech with iPhone’s action button

Overcome communication barriers with the new custom Translation option for the iPhone’s Action button in iOS 17.2.

If you have an ‌iPhone‌ with an Action button, such as the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple’s iOS 17.2 software update brings a new translation option for the button that allows you to translate live conversations into multiple languages.

According to Apple, the translation is not just accurate but also context-aware, ensuring that nuances and colloquialisms are captured effectively. The feature should be a boon for travelers, students, and anyone learning a language.

Before you use the Translate function, it’s important to choose which language you want to translate. You can do this via Apple’s built-in Translate app. On the app’s main screen, use the chevrons next to the languages to make your selection.

Assign Translate to Action Button
Once you have chosen your languages, you are ready to select the Translate option for the Action button.

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Connect two pairs of headphones to Mac simultaneously

Next time you’re on a flight with someone and you both want to watch a video on your Mac without disturbing other passengers, try this convenient solution for sharing your Mac’s audio among two pairs of headphones.

The method described below should work regardless of whether you’re using one wired pair and one wireless pair of headphones, two pairs of Bluetooth headphones, or even several pairs.

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How to send original quality photos and videos in WhatsApp on iPhone

WhatsApp has rolled out a new option that lets users on iPhone share photos and video over the messaging platform in their original quality.

Previously, WhatsApp users could only send media in high resolution or “HD quality.” But while that is a welcome improvement that addressing the service’s low quality media sharing limitation, it still involves compression. Fortunately, a new feature gets around that.

WhatsApp’s latest feature avoids compression altogether by allowing photos and video to be shared as files, thereby preserving their original quality. WhatsApp says the new option is rolling out “over the coming weeks,” so you may not immediately see it on your device, depending where you are. Here’s how to use it.

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iOS 17.2: how to lock your iPhone journal

Apple announced in June 2023 announced it was bringing its own journaling app to iOS 17, and it has since been confirmed that the app is included in iOS 17.2, which is currently available to download as a beta. Apple’s Journal app lets you record your daily thoughts and activities, incorporating data like photos, music listened to, workouts, and more, plus it suggests topics to write about.

Of course, privacy and security are paramount when it comes to personal journaling. That’s why the Journal app comes with security features including encryption and passcode protection, to safeguard your journal from unauthorized access.

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iOS 17.2: How to set a journaling schedule on iPhone

Apple in iOS 17.2 added its long-awaited Journal app to iPhone. This article explains how to set a journaling schedule and get reminders for when it’s time to write. Apple announced in June 2023 announced it was bringing its own journaling app to iOS 17, and it has since been confirmed that the app is included in iOS 17.2, which is currently available to download as a beta.

Apple’s Journal app lets you record your daily thoughts and activities, incorporating data like photos, music listened to, workouts, and more, plus it suggests topics to write about.

Of course, anyone can start a journal with the best intentions, but many people find journaling with any frequency hard to sustain. Thankfully, Apple understands that staying consistent with journaling can be difficult, which is why it has included a scheduling feature.

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