If Amazon’s Alexa feels a little too chatty for you, there’s a fix for that. It’s called Brief Mode, and it’s easy to enable.
Tips
macOS: Use Time Machine to Recover Lost Email
Time Machine is the built-in backup solution in macOS.
macOS: Turning Off Calendar and Contacts Suggestions
Today’s Quick Tip is all about those grey suggestions in Calendar and Contacts that may be coming from other apps around your Mac. If you’ve made a flight reservation and see that event show up automatically on your calendar, that may be handy! But if you’d rather someone’s business phone number not get added to her contact card, for example, you may find the feature less helpful. We’ll tell you how to stop this from happening in either program!
iOS: Choosing How Far Back to Sync Events
You can actually choose how far back you’d like to go when syncing your calendars to your iPhone or iPad—just a month, say, or the whole kit and caboodle. In today’s Quick Tip, we’ll tell you how to configure this setting!
PSA: Be Sure to Write Down Your AirPods Serial Number
Apple doesn’t say why it won’t replace the case without the number.
macOS: How to Update Your Mac in the Terminal
When you use the Terminal method, you can keep using your Mac as the update downloads and the initial installation will take place in the background.
How to Discover Free iOS Apps on the App Store With IFTTT
One is to get email notifications and the other will give you regular notifications via the IFTTT app.
macOS: Use Apple Configurator 2 to Rearrange iOS Apps
Apple Configurator 2 lets you deploy iPads, iPhones, iPod touch, and Apple TVs in your school or business.
Apple Watch: How to Use Power Saving Mode During Workouts
The Apple Watch has a built-in mode that’ll disable cellular functionality and the heart-rate sensor when you’re working out, meaning that you’ll get a big boost to your battery life. Today’s Quick Tip is all about how to enable this handy feature!
Here's How To Protect Yourself From The iCloud Extortionists (Update)
You may have read in the news that a hacker group is holding a number of iCloud accounts for ransom. If Apple doesn’t pay a certain amount of money by April 7, the hackers will reset the accounts and remotely wipe iOS devices. Andrew Orr shows us how to protect your Apple ID.
macOS: How to Empty the Mac Trash with a Keyboard Shortcut
Watch out though, this shortcut can be dangerous.
iOS 11: Closing All Open Safari Tabs
Today’s Quick Tip is all about how to close tabs in Safari on your iPhone or iPad—without having to interact with each one individually. Yes, you can get rid of all of them at once, and it’s simple!
Private Browsing Mode isn't Just for Porn
Not sure why you might need to use private browsing mode in Safari, Firefox, or Chrome on your Mac? Here’s how to enable the feature, and some ideas on how it can help online.
macOS: How to Change Your Mac AirDrop Settings
Finding AirDrop on the Mac is easy. The default Finder setting has it appear in the sidebar to the left.
Here's How to Check and Troubleshoot the Wattage on Your MacBook's Charger
Curious to see if your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro charger is outputting the wattage you expect? Here’s how to check it out and troubleshoot any problems you may find.
How to Listen to a Rain Storm on Your HomePod
Want to listen to a gentle rain storm on your HomePod or Amazon Echo to help you relax? It’s easy if you know what to say.
iOS: How to Change iOS AirDrop Settings on Your iPhone and iPad
AirDrop is a feature on Apple devices that lets you wirelessly share files with other Apple devices.
How to Disable Amazon's Photo on Delivery Feature
Amazon may be snapping pics of your house with its Photo on Delivery service. If that’s a little too creepy for you here’s how to turn it off.
How to Manage Hey Siri With Multiple Apple Devices
HomePod responds to most Hey Siri requests, even if there are other capable devices nearby.
Problems with Alphabetizing Mac Launchpad
It turns out that it’s not an issue with macOS High Sierra.
How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams, and How to Recover if You Get Hooked
Here’s what to do if you think you were just tricked by a phishing email or message, and what to look for to minimize the risk of getting hooked.
Here's How to get HomePod to Recognize Updated Apple ID Payment Information
If you change the credit card linked to your Apple ID because it expired or was stolen, your HomePod probably won’t recognize the new information and stop streaming Apple Music. Here’s how to get HomePod to see your updated information.
macOS: Prevent Settings Changes by Hiding System Preferences
If you don’t want anyone messing with certain System Preferences options, hide ’em! In this Quick Tip, we’re going to tell you how to do this on your own Mac—or even on someone else’s. If you have to do tech support for your family members, this could be sanity-saving.
How to Manage Slack Notifications on macOS and iOS
Andrew Orr shows us how to tame the beast called Slack.