weekend_genius

4 Very Different Ways to Unlock Your Mac

cris@brightsocialagency.com (Cris Haest) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:04:07 GMT

How do you like to unlock your Mac? Apple's Touch ID, introduced in 2016, is an ingenious way to unlock your Mac—but it wasn't the first.

Even though the traditional password method is far from obsolete, Mac users can choose from several new ways to unlock their computers. If you don't like typing, scan your fingerprint. If you don't like fingerprint sensors, wear an Apple Watch.

There are several ways to unlock a Mac, some of which are new and some are tried and true. Let's discuss them all.

Using iPhone apps that will unlock your Mac

Macs are great, but they're not perfect. One of their few shortcomings is that they only come with one administrator account.

If you've got a Mac in a shared space like an office or school, it can be frustrating to watch people walk up and log into their own user accounts without your knowledge or permission. You can't see what they're doing, and you have no control over what they do.

Fortunately, there are ways around this limitation. You can use third-party apps to unlock your Mac with just a few clicks!

Many third-party apps can unlock your Mac, but one of the best is called MacID. It is trouble-free and easy to use, and it doesn't require any technical knowledge.

MacID allows you to unlock and lock your Mac using Touch ID. As mentioned above, the same developer has a second application that works with Face ID.

In both situations, the associated Mac app is free. In addition, you can use either to stream music from your Mac to your iPhone or Watch.

Use Password to Unlock Your Mac

When unlocking your Mac with an outdated password, you have multiple options. Enabling File Vault is a perfect solution if you are concerned about privacy and security and need to encrypt your internal drive.

If privacy and security are not a concern, you may wish to choose a traditional administrator password. A powerful password and an administrator account are excellent ways to protect your device in later versions of macOS.

However, without enabling File Vault, someone can get access to the contents of your unencrypted drive if they are willing to put in the effort.

When you choose to log in to your Mac by typing a password, you will need to enter that same password every time you log back in, even if you are just unlocking preferences panes or performing other admin tasks.

If the traditional method has served you efficiently, you can continue to do things the old way without sacrificing privacy and security.

However, encrypting your Mac is a good idea if you want to protect any sensitive data from prying eyes. to enable FileVault encryption, you will have to go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault. Switch the FileVault feature ON.

You can change your admin password in System Preferences > Users & Groups.

Unlock Your Mac by Using Touch ID

If you are a Mac user, Touch ID is one of the simplest ways to unlock your Mac device, but there are various more reasons why you should use Apple's Touch ID.

Once you've registered a fingerprint with System Preferences > Touch ID, you can use Apple's Touch ID tool in multiple areas, including:

Password AutoFill
Fast user switching
iTunes Store, App Store, and Apple Books
Apple Pay
And unlocking your Mac

Unlock Your Mac by Using an Apple Watch

Why bother with annoying passwords and fussy fingerprint scanners when your Watch can unlock your Mac?

You can configure your Apple Watch and Mac to work together so that your Mac automatically unlocks whenever you're nearby and wearing your Apple Watch. This will ensure that your security remains intact.

Here are the specifications for using your Apple Watch to unlock your MacBook:

macOS 10.13 or later
Bluetooth and wifi turned on
It is essential to sign in to iCloud using the same Apple ID, enable two-factor authentication, and set a strong passcode on your Apple Watch.

To unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and tick Use Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac or Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac.

When set up properly, you should be able to unlock your Mac with just a tap on your Apple Watch.

What is the Best Way to Unlock Your Mac?

Macs are generally very secure, and as a result, it can be hard to unlock your Mac if you don't know the password.

There are a couple of ways to try to unlock your Mac without knowing the password, but they all involve some risk. The best thing to do is just back up your data and get a new computer if you need one. The best technique to unlock your Mac is by using a password.

If you need powerful security, you should use an alphanumeric password and a password hint. You can also use Touch ID instead of a password if you have an iPhone or iPad with Touch ID.

Your iPhone Won't Connect to Your Computer | Best Fixes

cris@brightsocialagency.com (Cris Haest) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:04:04 GMT

When your iPhone won’t connect to your computer, it's not a good feeling, is it? Instead of panicking and considering a new phone, let's find out what's going on.

Check the Lighting Cable

First, you should check that your Lightning cable isn't damaged. The most common issue with Lightning cables is fraying or splitting near the end of the cable where it plugs into your iPhone.

This can cause issues when trying to sync or charge your device, so it's important to ensure that this area isn't damaged before assuming that the problem lies elsewhere.

In this case, try a new lightning cable. You can find replacement cables on Amazon and other retailers.

Try a Different USB Port

If your lightning cable works fine, it might be the port. A USB port on your PC may have stopped working.

Try connecting your iPhone using a different port on your computer with a cable you know is working to rule out this possibility. If it connects, you have got a bad USB port.

Update or Reinstall iTunes

If you've ruled out cable and USB port issues and your issue still exists, consider updating iTunes. If you are using an unsupported iOS version for your device, the issue may be fixed by updating to the most recent version of iTunes.

You should update iTunes to eliminate bugs and software incompatibility. iTunes is automatically updated whenever you download macOS software updates.

Go to System Preferences > Software Update to check and install the latest iOS update. To update iTunes on earlier versions of macOS, go to the App Store and click Updates in the toolbar.

However, your device connects to your Mac via Finder on macOS Catalina and later. The best way to update Finder is by updating Mac's system software; otherwise, you're stuck with old application versions.

If you want to ensure that you have the most recent version of iTunes on your computer, open the iTunes application and go to Help > Check for Updates.

If you download iTunes from the Microsoft Store, you need to check for and install updates to iTunes.

If you're still having issues after reinstalling all of your apps, try reinstalling iTunes if updates don't make a difference. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, uninstall everything related to iTunes, iCloud, and Bonjour, then download a new copy of iTunes from the Apple website or Microsoft Store.

Update Your Computer

The latest version of iTunes is compatible with Windows 7 and higher.

If you are still using an outdated version of Windows, such as Windows XP, you'll need to upgrade your operating system to use the most recent version of iTunes.

It may be possible that your PC has a bug preventing your iPhone from connecting. Try to install the available Windows updates on your PC.

To see if this is the case, select Start > Settings > Windows Update.

It's a good idea to check the iTunes for Windows system requirements before installing iTunes on your computer, as you may find that some of your hardware is too old to run it properly.

Fix Driver Errors on Windows Computer

If you have been trying to fix a problem by updating Windows and that effort has been fruitless, you might need to check your computer's drivers. Device drivers are responsible for how external devices communicate with your Windows PC.

If your device drivers are outdated or damaged, you might not be able to sync your iPhone with iTunes. So it would help if you learned how to find and replace outdated Windows drivers so that your iPhone can be synced successfully.

There are different ways to fix this problem. If you installed iTunes from the default location, you need to reinstall the Apple Mobile Device USB driver. If you installed iTunes from a different location, you need to install the Apple Mobile Device Support driver.

Downloaded iTunes From Apple's Website

Follow the below-listed steps to download iTunes from Apple's site:

Go to the "Home" and reconnect your iPhone. If iTunes opens up, close the application.
Open the File Explorer window.
Enter the following location and press Enter in the address bar of the File Explorer:
%ProgramFiles%\CommonFiles\Apple\ Mobile Device Support\Drivers
Right tick o the usbaapl64.inf or usbaapl.inf file and select Install.
Disconnect your iPhone and restart your computer. After that, reconnect your iPhone and open iTunes.

Downloaded iTunes From the Microsoft Store

We recommend installing iTunes from the Microsoft Store if you're using Windows, making it easier to update your software. If you've already installed the Microsoft Store version, follow these steps to reinstall the Apple Mobile Device USB driver:

Ensure that your iPhone is not connected to your PC, then unlock it and connect it again. If iTunes opens, quit the app first before proceeding with the following steps.
Right tick on the Start button and select Device Manager.
Find and expand the Portable Devices section.
When you cannot find your iPhone, right-click the device in Device Manager and choose Update Driver.
Select "Search automatically" for an updated driver to install the latest compatible version.
After updating your computer, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and make sure no other updates are pending.
Check if your computer recognizes your iPhone by opening iTunes.

Troubleshooting the iPhone's USB Driver

If your iPhone still doesn't connect to your computer after following the steps above, try troubleshooting the Apple Mobile Device USB driver further. Follow the below-listed steps to troubleshoot iPhone's USB driver.

Right tick on the Start button and select "Device Manager."
Find the "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" segment and find the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver.
If your iPhone doesn't appear in iTunes, try connecting it with a different cable or syncing it with another PC.
If you see the driver and third-party security apps are not blocking your device from connecting, you will be able to communicate successfully.
If you turn off your antivirus tool and try to connect again, it's worth reinstalling the usbaapl64.inf or usbaapl.inf file.

Reset Your iPhone and Computer

If you have tried the above-listed solutions and still cannot log in, your last option is to reset your iOS device and your Windows PC or Mac.

Follow these steps to reset your iPhone:

Go to Settings.
Click General.
Tick Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tick Erase All Content and Settings
This process will remove all data on your iPhone. As you cannot back up using iTunes, it is recommended that you make an iCloud backup before proceeding so you do not lose any data.
To reset your Windows computer, go to Settings > System > Recovery. For more details, go to our Windows factory reset guide. It's important to back up your data before doing this because resetting your machine will erase all of it. If you are using a Mac PC, you can use macOS Recovery to reset macOS to factory defaults.

Use an iTunes Alternative

If iTunes and Finder fail to recognize your iPhone, you may want to switch to a third-party manager.

If you want to sync your devices without wires and back up your files to the cloud, consider using iMazing. It offers features that other apps do not, such as two-way sync, one-click backups from any iOS device, and more. You can also select to sync only specific items like music and photos.

Conclusion

It's happened to most users at some point: We connect our iPhone to our PC, but it does not show up. We have listed the best fixes before muscle memory kicks in and you restart your computer.

How to Use AirPods as Hearing Aids in 2022

junaid@brightsocialagency.com (Junaid Ahmed) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:03:57 GMT

Live Listen is a smart feature that significantly turns your iPhone into a microphone and strengthens the noise it picks up through your AirPods. As long as your AirPods range from your iPhone or iOS device, they essentially act like hearing aids.

Less than 15% of users who would benefit from a hearing aid wear one, even though untreated hearing loss can lead to added health issues. Many users say that high prices keep them from getting hearing aids, and others worry about a pessimistic stigma around hearing loss. Whatever the reasons, millions of people are struggling with their hearing.

Fortunately, wireless earbuds like AirPods can be used as hearing aids for many users with mild hearing loss when paired with a smartphone. AirPods are cheaper than hearing aids, and the wearer does not have to let anyone know that they are using the devices to amplify sounds. Let's look at setting up and using your AirPods to help with hearing.

Can AirPods Be Used as Hearing Aids?

AirPods use a Live Listen feature that uses your device as a microphone. Live Listen helps cover background noise and increase sound to hear better in a packed space or hear someone speaking in the room more clearly. If you have an issue hearing someone at dinner in a noisy restaurant, this Live Listen feature could help you.

While this Live Listen feature helps you use your AirPods to improve hearing, it does not replace a hearing aid. Hearing aids do more to improve sound and are highly specific to your particular type of hearing loss, ear anatomy, and needs. An audiologist can help you know what is right for you. Getting the right equipment for those with more severe hearing loss is very important; people who let hearing loss go untouched are at a higher risk for depression and dementia.

What Devices are Compatible with Live Listen?

Your iPhone needs to be running iOS 14.3 or later to use Live Listen. To check whether your device has the necessary updates, follow the below steps:

Go to " Settings. "
Tick " General ."
Click " Software Update ."
Check to see what OS your device is using .
If you need to, upgrade by clicking " Download and Install ."

Additionally, you will also need a pair of AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or PowerBeats Pro .

Live Listen Feature: How to Use AirPods as Hearing Aids?

To use AirPods with the Live Listen, you will have to add it to your "Control Center," the screen meant to house your most used features.

Step 1: Go to your settings again and click " Control Center. "

Step 2 : Scroll down to find the " Hearing " sign and click the green " + " sign next to it.

Step 3 : Ensure the hearing icon is up in the " Included Controls " section.

Step 4: Click "Settings" at the top of your screen to save changes.

Now that you have added the Live Listen feature to your Control Center, here is how to use the Live Listen feature.

Step 1: Connect your AirPods to your iPhone and open your settings. Click " Bluetooth ."

Step 2 : Click your wireless listening device so that it reads " Connected. "

Step 3 : Open your Control Center and check that the hearing icon was added. To access the Control Center , either

Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone's screen ( iPhone X or later ).
Swipe up from the bottom of the iPhone's screen ( iPhone SE, iPhone 8, and earlier ).

Step 4 : Click on the hearing icon .

Step 5 : Click where it says " Live Listen ." This will turn the Live Listen feature from " Off " to " On ."

Step 6 : Put your device in front of whatever sound you need to hear and adjust the volume to where you need it.

Step 7 : Continue using your iPhone by clicking out of the box and clicking or swiping out of the control panel .

Can You Spy with Your AirPods?

Yes, you can use your AirPods to spy on people by leaving your phone in one room and then moving into another room to listen to what they are saying. It is no different from leaving your voice recorder on except that you get the audio in real-time rather than recording it.

Also, you need to be in the range of your device's Bluetooth connection. You cannot leave it in a room and then leave the house because your AirPods will automatically disconnect from your iPhone once you are out of the range.

6 Fixes AirPods Not Switching Automatically Between Apple Devices

junaid@brightsocialagency.com (Junaid Ahmed) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:03:55 GMT

The AirPods, a device created by Apple Inc., is a convenient way to listen to music and make phone calls on the go.

However, if you cannot use this feature because of an issue with automatic device switching, it becomes difficult to take advantage of all the benefits provided by this product.

AirPods are supposed to connect automatically to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac when you make a call, play music, or watch videos on these devices.

Apple released an Automatic Device Switching feature in iOS 14, which allows your AirPods Pro to switch seamlessly between devices signed in using the same Apple ID.

However, several reasons—including incompatible devices and outdated system software—can result in AirPods switching between devices.

For example, if you want to connect your AirPods Pro to your Apple Watch, just switch on your AirPods Pro and start playing any form of media on it. Then your AirPods Pro will automatically switch over to it, even though you are still connected to your iPhone.

However, some users found that it did not switch automatically. Other users said nothing seemed to make any difference.

Try the following steps to fix it if you've encountered this problem.

1. Make Sure Your AirPods Are Compatible

All AirPods except the first-generation model support automatic device switching. The first- and second-generation AirPods look identical, but you can identify the model number stamped on their back to determine which generation they are. Here is how to identify the AirPods:

Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
Open the Settings application.
Choose Bluetooth.
Click the Info sign next to your AirPods.
Check the Model Number. If your AirPods have A1523 or A1722 next to them, then you have a pair of first-generation AirPods that do not support automatic audio switching.

If you see A2031 on your AirPods charging case, your AirPods are compatible with automatic switching. If this is the case, you should consider moving on to the rest of the fixes.

2. Update Your System

To use AirPods with your Apple Watch Series 4, you must have iOS 14, iPad 14, or macOS 11 Big Sur or later installed on each device. Check the operating system version on your Apple devices and upgrade them if necessary.

Even if you have the latest major operating system update installed on your iPhone, you may still want to apply any available incremental updates.

That should resolve any known bugs or issues preventing your AirPods from switching between devices automatically.

How to Update the Operating System on iPad and iPhone?

Open the Settings app, tap General, and then tap About when using your iPhone or iPad. Under Software Version, you can see your device's current version of iOS or iPadOS.

To upgrade your iPhone or iPad to iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 , tap Software Update on the previous screen. If your device is compatible with iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 or later, you'll see an option to update the system software in this section.

How to Update the Mac Operating System?

To identify the Mac operating system version installed on your Mac, open the Apple menu and select About This Mac. This Mac. If you're running macOS 10.15 Catalina or older, click Software Update to update to a newer system software version.

3. Make Sure that You're Using the Same Apple ID

If multiple Apple devices are connected to multiple Apple IDs, automatic AirPods switching won't work. To resolve this issue, make sure that all the Apple devices have the same Apple ID.

Follow the steps to check your Apple ID on your iPhone and iPad:

Open your iPhone's Settings .
Click on the Profile icon .
You will see your registered Apple ID .
If the ID is not the same, tick on Sign Out .
Sign In from the registered ID as the rest of your Apple devices.

Follow the steps to check your Apple ID on Mac:

Open System Preferences on your Mac .
Select Apple ID .
If you see a different Apple ID from the rest of your Apple devices, go to the Overview tab and then Sign Out .
Sign In from the registered ID that is the same as the rest of the Apple devices.

4. Enable Automatic Audio Switching

You can use the automatic switching feature in your AirPods to automatically switch between your Apple devices. You should make sure that this feature is enabled on each iPhone, iPad, and Mac you own.

Follow the steps to Enable Automatic Audio Switching on iPhone and iPad:

Connect the AirPods to your device.
Open the Settings application and select Bluetooth .
Click the Info sign next to your AirPods .
Choose "Connect to This iPhone."
Choose Automatically .

Follow the steps to Enable Automatic Audio Switching on Mac:

Connect to the AirPods to your Mac .
Open the Menu and choose System Preferences .
Select Bluetooth .
Choose the Options button next to your Apple AirPods .
Open the Apple menu next to " Connect to This Mac " and select Automatically .
Select " Done " to save your changes.

5. Upgrade AirPods firmware

When you use AirPods with an iPhone or iPad , they will not switch to another Apple device if they don't run firmware version 3A283 or later.

However, you may not need to worry about this because your AirPods usually upgrade to the latest firmware.

If you started using a new pair of AirPods , double-check that they're updated by going to the Settings app and tapping on Bluetooth .

Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
Open the Settings application and select General .
Click About .
Click your AirPods .
Check Firmware Version .

If you see outdated firmware on your AirPods, you should install the latest firmware. There's no option to do this manually, but there is a way to " nudge " your AirPods into upgrading.

To update your AirPods' firmware , place your AirPods in their charging case and connect them to a power source. Then, place your iPhone next to your AirPods and check again after 15–30 minutes . Your AirPods will automatically update their firmware while you're away.

6. Reset Your AirPods

If your AirPods are still experiencing problems after trying the solutions above, it's time to reset them. Resetting your AirPods should resolve many common issues that prevent them from working properly.

Remember that resetting them will reset their settings, but it shouldn't take long to change everything after you do.

Follow the steps to reset your AirPods:

Put your AirPods in the charging case , or charge them in the Smart Case .
To charge your AirPods , open the lid of the charging case. Press and hold the Noise Control and Digital Crown buttons simultaneously for 15 seconds until the status pointer changes from flashing white to amber.
Now that your AirPods are restored , you can set up and connect them again to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac .

Pairing your AirPods to each of your Apple devices once is enough; they will automatically connect using your Apple ID.

Conclusion

Automatic device switching is an Apple feature that allows your Apple AirPods to switch between iPhone , iPad , and MacBook seamlessly. Unfortunately, this function occasionally doesn't work as it should. This blog post has discussed how you can activate the automatic device switching function on your iOS device and enjoy the hassle-free pairing experience . To get your Apple devices fixed, hire our experts without hassle.

5 Common Apple AirPods Problems and How to Fix Them

junaid@brightsocialagency.com (Junaid Ahmed) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:03:47 GMT

Are you having problems with your AirPods? When something goes wrong with wireless technology, it can be hard to know where to start. Apple AirPods are no exception.

AirPods are a great wireless earphone set that works perfectly with Apple products. They allow you not to connect them to your devices using wires and are also very comfortable to wear for extended periods.

Buttons on these AirPods are all touch-based, meaning you don't have separate buttons for different functions (like volume up / down or play / pause).

Luckily, most problems are easy to solve. If your issues persist, try these tricks. It's important to remember that AirPods are only one part of the wireless earbud equation; other factors, including your source device, ear wax, and aging batteries, can disrupt the connection.

Currently, there are 5 known problems that you might face with your AirPods, and we will be discussing them today. Here is a troubleshooting guide for resolving common issues with Apple's AirPods.

How to Reset Your Apple AirPods?

Apple’s wireless earphones can be reset by turning them off and back on. To restore your AirPods to their original factory settings, reset them. After this, simply pair your Airpods with your phone again, and everything should work as normal.

Follow the steps to reset your Apple AirPods:

Put the left and right earbuds back in the charging case.
Press and hold the Setup button on the case for 15 seconds. The LED will flash to indicate that you have entered the Setup mode. The LED may be inside the lid of your charging case.
Open the lid of your AirPods case near your iPhone and follow the pairing procedure.

Going forward, you will not need to pair AirPods with every Apple device because the earphones automatically pair via iCloud. It is also worth checking if you have a genuine pair of AirPods as many knockoffs are available.

If you are still experiencing problems with your AirPods, the following troubleshooting tips can help you resolve them.

Fix Most Common AirPods Problems

There are many problems with the AirPods, such as the unusual shape, connectivity, sound quality, and many other things. This guide will give you a lot of tips and tricks to solve the most common problems for the AirPods.

1. How to Find Lost AirPods

Apple's Find My tool can help you find your AirPods, but there are a few important warnings to remember before using it. Find My Tool will use your connected device for a location fix if your devices are still powered on. When AirPods are in their case or have run out of battery, their last known location is displayed on your iPhone and Apple Watch.

To find your AirPods:

Go to iCloud.com in your internet browser.
Sign in and tick on Find iPhone.
Tick the all devices dropdown list at the top of the screen,
Choose your AirPods to see their location.

If your AirPods are somewhere in your house and you're having trouble finding them, click the Play Sound option on your iPhone or iPad; the beeping sound will help you locate your AirPods. This will not work if both devices are powered off inside the case.

2. Solving Inconsistent Audio and Static Issues

If you have audio problems with your AirPods, they might be too far from the source. Apple’s AirPods have a range of around 100 feet, but this can be reduced dramatically by obstacles or interference from other devices.

This will eliminate the convenience of carrying your source device in your pocket. Since static sources like a computer can’t transmit sound waves, you must stay within range of the device to listen to the audio at the highest quality.

There is a possibility that the range of your AirPods can be reduced by interference from other wireless transmissions. In particular, Wi-Fi can interfere with the W1 chip inside your AirPods. Turning off Wi-Fi on your iPhone or moving to another area to take a call can help reduce this problem. AirPods with the H1 chip work better than first-generation AirPods.

3. AirPods Keep Pausing and Playing Randomly

AirPods include proximity sensors that detect when they are in or out of a user's ears. Doing so will automatically play or pause content unless a different behavior has been specified. If your AirPods keep pausing randomly while still in your ears, one possible cause is a sensor malfunction.

You can disable Automatic Ear Detection in your AirPods settings under Settings > Bluetooth. Click the "I" button next to your AirPods and toggle Automatic Ear Detection off. This will reduce the battery life of your AirPods, but at least you won't be interrupted by unwanted pauses when you remove them from your ears.

If that doesn't work, try resetting your AirPods, as mentioned above. If you believe your AirPods have a defect that cannot be fixed, don't hesitate to contact Apple Support for a possible repair or replacement.

4. Automatic Ear Detection Not Working

The Automatic Ear Detection feature pauses your music or other audio when you remove the AirPods from your ears. For automatic ear detection to work, you must turn the feature on in your settings. Tap Settings > Bluetooth, tap the "I" next to your AirPods, and make sure Automatic Ear Detection is on.

Next, clean your AirPods! A dirty proximity sensor will not work properly. This can cause your earphones to behave as if they are in your ears, even when they aren't. Make sure you clean the case regularly to prevent this from happening.

5. AirPods Would Not Connect to Your iPhone

If you are having an issue connecting your AirPods to your iPhone, try putting them back into their charging case and waiting 15 seconds. Take them out and try reconnecting again. To force a connection manually, open Control Center, tap in the top-right corner of the Now Playing box and select your AirPods.

If the problem persists, it may be isolated to your iPhone. Try disabling Bluetooth by turning Airplane Mode on and off again (access Control Center, tap on the plane icon, wait a few seconds, then tap it again).

If this still doesn't work, restart your iPhone by pressing and holding the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds until you see the red slider. Slide to the "power off" sign and then turn on your phone again.

Still, got issues? Reset your AirPods as mentioned above and try pairing them again. When no LED is visible on your AirPods, they are out of battery. Charge them for a few minutes, then try again.

Choosing the Right Wireless Earphones

Apple’s AirPods are a good choice for iPhone users since they pair automatically, charge via Lightning ports, and use Apple’s W1 chip for low-power communication.

However, they are not the only wireless earphones or headphones that can allow you to listen to music and make phone calls seamlessly.

How to Factory Reset Your Mac Before Selling Or Giving it Away?

junaid@brightsocialagency.com (Junaid Ahmed) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:03:43 GMT

Technology can be complicated, especially regarding Macs, although it shouldn't be.

You should be able to hand off your Mac or give it away, and there shouldn't be any issues — as long as everything is properly set up and configured.

Mac can be a very useful and well-designed computer, but because it's a bit expensive, many people tend to sell or give away their Mac when they are done with them.

If you want to sell or give away your Mac, you must perform all necessary procedures, such as resetting tips, so the next owner can start fresh. You might be wondering how to erase the hard drive before selling or giving your Mac away.

In this guide, Weekend Genius will help you reset your Mac quickly and easily by erasing its OS X hard drive and also how to sell a Mac online.

What to Do Before You Factory Reset Your Macbook?

You've been having issues with your Mac. Maybe it's running slow, or perhaps it's just not working the way you want it to. In any case, you've decided that the best thing to do is reset your Mac.

Resetting your Mac will erase all the data and settings on your computer, so before you do this, make sure you have a backup of everything.

You can use Time Machine or a cloud service like iCloud or Dropbox to back up your files and folders, but make sure that you have at least one external hard drive that has copies of all of your important files stored somewhere safe.

Back up your data : The first thing you should do before resetting your Mac is back up all of your data. If you're using iCloud Backup, it's pretty simple since it will automatically do all the work for you when it seems that the device is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. However, if you don't use iCloud Backup , or if it's not working for some reason on your specific model, then consider using Time Machine or other third-party backup software.
Deauthorize iTunes and apps : If you have iTunes installed on multiple computers, then deauthorize one of those computers before resetting your Mac. This will ensure that you don't have any issues with apps being unable to connect to iTunes after completing the reset. Deauthorizing iTunes is easy enough — just open your iTunes. From the top menu bar of your window, tick "Account> Authorizations > Deauthorize this PC." Then, enter your Apple ID and choose "Deauthorize."
Sign out of iCloud : Tick on the Apple logo on the top-right side of the window and choose "System Preferences." Then, tick Apple ID. Finally, pick Overview in the left sidebar and select " Sign Out."
Remove peripherals first : Remove any external storage devices such as CDs and flash drives before resetting your Mac because they could get damaged during the process. Also, disconnect any printers, monitors, or other peripherals from your computer before starting the reset process. If any of these devices aren't connected properly when you begin resetting, they could become damaged and stop working forever (or at least until someone fixes them).
Delete unnecessary files from your hard drive . Resetting your Mac erases everything from your hard drive (except for necessary system files). If there's something on there that isn't important — like old downloads or caches — it's best to get rid of it before the reset, so it doesn't take up space during the process. You can use a third-party app like AppZapper or Disk Drill to help with this process. If you're unsure what needs to go and what doesn't, manually delete anything unnecessary before proceeding with the reset process.
Unpair Bluetooth Devices : Navigate to System Preferences > Bluetooth. Then, right-tick or control-tick the device you need to unpair and select "Remove from the pop-up menu that appears.

How to Reset a Mac Using Recovery Mode?

The Mac operating system has an excellent built-in recovery tool that can be used to restore your system to its factory default settings. This is useful when you're selling or giving away your computer or if you want to reset it for any other reason.

Note : This will remove all the data on your hard drive, including any files stored in iCloud Drive and third-party cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive. Make sure you have everything backed up before performing this procedure.

To reset your Mac, restart your PC . Then press the Command + R until you see the Apple logo. After that, navigate to Disk Utility > View > View all devices , and select the top drive. Next, tick Erase , fill out the needed details, and click Erase again . In the end, close Disk Utility and then reinstall your MacOS .

Restart your Mac : You can restart your computer by clicking the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and selecting Restart. If you reset a MacBook, make sure it is plugged into a reliable power source. To avoid accidentally removing an external hard drive, unplug all your devices except your mouse and keyboard .

Note : If your computer freezes and you cannot restart it, press Control + Command + Eject (or the power button) to force restart your computer.

2. Hold down the Command and R keys until you see the Apple logo appear. New Paragraph

Once you see the Apple logo on your screen, you can release the keys. When the progress bar is complete, your Mac will boot into Recovery Mode. From here, you will remove your hard drive and install the operating system that came with your computer.

3. After that, select Disk Utility.

4. Next, select Continue .

5. Click View in the Disk Utility window.

6. After that, select Show All Devices. When you see the View button on the top-left area of a window, click it. A drop-down menu will appear.

7. Select the hard drive you need to erase . In some cases, you have to delete the whole hard disk, which is the biggest option on the internal list. This ensures that you will delete all your old data on the drive so that you can install macOS on a clean hard drive.

8. After that, tick Erase.

Note : Your MacBook has a copy of the original macOS it came with stored on a disk partition of your main hard drive. So that if you erase your hard drive , you can reinstall that version of macOS later.

9. Enter a name for your Mac PC and pick your format and scheme.

Name : It is recommended that you do not use personal information for your drive’s name. If you do, other people will be able to see the name when connected to the same network.
Format : You can pick either APFS ( Apple File System ) or macOS Extended as the format for your Mac's startup volume. The Disk Utility will show the suitable format by default, but if you want to double-check which format is currently in use, click on the lowest option on the Internal tree. If you purchased the computer with an internal solid-state drive ( SSD ), you should leave it in APFS format. Most older computers will be formatted as Journaled; most modern laptops come preformatted in APFS by default .
Scheme : If a pop-up appears, select GUID Partition Map.

Note : This is the last procedure before all your data will be deleted. To save any documents you've created or downloaded, click the Apple icon on the top-right corner of your screen and select 'Restart'.

10. Tick Erase . If you see Erase Volume Group , tick that instead. The Erase Volume Group option is different from the Delete Volume Group option , which should not be selected.

11. Be patient as the disk is erased, and then click Done.

12. After that, tick Disk Utility .

13. Then, tick Quit Disk Utility . To close Disk Utility, click the red button in the top-left corner of the window.

14. Select Reinstall macOS and tick Continue .

Note : If you stop the method now, your data will be erased. If you need to make it easy for whoever you give or sell your Mac computer to, you should reinstall macOS on your computer.

15. Click Continue .

16. Next, tick Agree.

17. Then, tick Agree again.

18. After that, choose your boot disk . Selecting the wrong boot disk can cause problems, so make sure you choose your main hard drive.

19. Then, tick Continue .

20. Wait for the installation process to complete . It may take some minutes, depending on your computer's speed and your internet connection.

Your Mac will restart after the countdown timer runs out, and another installation process will begin with a countdown timer. This installation will take several minutes.

When you finish installing, press the Command + Q keys on your keyboard at the same time. When you see a pop-up on the screen that says, “ Select Your Country, ” you can safely turn off your computer. The next user will complete the setup process on their own.

In the end, tick Shut Down .

When you are done, you can unplug the PC or close the laptop. Now, when you give your MacBook t o someone else, they will be able to start the setup process and enter their own settings and information without having to call you for help.

Conclusion

If you're selling or giving away your MacBook , resetting the system will permanently erase all of your personal data. This blog will show you how to do that in one click, so you'll be able to sell or give away your machine with complete confidence. If you are looking for a professional to help you reset your Mac, then Weekend Genius is the one stop shop.

How to show hidden files on a Mac

junaid@brightsocialagency.com (Junaid Ahmed) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:03:40 GMT

Apple hides certain files from the average Mac user, as it's harder to break something when you can't see it.

Sometimes, you need to access the files stored in your Mac's Library folder (or " ~/Library" ) to fix something that is not working perfectly on your computer.

Alternatively, you may wish to make some space on your Mac by deleting some files. By using a Mac, you have the opportunity to organize and store files in different ways. You can create computer folders or save them on an external drive.

Apart from saving files in the public area of your hard disk, you can also keep them in the hidden areas where most of your files and operating system files are stored.

The files you would not be able to see are usually preceded by a period, such as .htaccess file, .bash_profile, or .svn directory.

Many of your computer's folders—such as /usr, /bin, and /etc. —are hidden from view by default.

The Library folder, which contains application-support files as well as some data, is also hidden from view.

How to See Hidden Files in macOS

There are several ways to find a secret file in a folder. If you need to locate a hidden file on your computer, open the Finder and press Command + Shift + . (full stop or period). There are other ways to find files in OS X , as we explain below.

To remove the hidden folders from view again, press Command + Shift + .

Where is the Library Folder?

The Library folder is a hidden folder containing all of the files shared by programs on your Mac. It includes items such as fonts and plugins , and many applications use these items.

There are multiple Library folders , some of which are not hidden.

Below, we’ll explain the differences between Library folders on your Mac, including the ~/Library directory.

The Finder , the application that gives users access to the files and folders on their hard drives, has been significantly overhauled in recent years by Apple. As a result, some tutorials may reference features that no longer exist.

For example, the Home folder will have an icon, as well as a name you have assigned.

In macOS Monterey , you will find the Users folder in the root directory of your hard drive. It is not visible by default in Big Sur .

Similarly, the Macintosh HD is whatever you have named your Mac and is not visible by default.

How to find ~/Library on a Mac

The first Library folder we will examine is the hidden one in the home directory. It's sometimes referred to as ~/.Library .

Users can locate the Home folder in a slightly different place than before, as it is no longer called the Home folder . It has an icon resembling a house, but the icon may be associated with your name instead of just " Home. "

There are several ways to access the Home folder in Mac OS X:

1. Open the Finder app and press Command key + Shift key + H .

2. Alternatively, you can click the Go button in the menu and select Home.

3. You can also add this Home folder to the sidebar of the Finder app by opening Finder Preferences, clicking Sidebar, and then clicking the box beside your name in the " Favorite " section.

When you're in the Home folder, press Command + Shift +. (full stop) which reveals hidden files in that folder, including a Library folder.

Another way to open the hidden Library folder (referred to as ~/Library) in OS X is by using the Go menu in the Finder. The following steps will help you to do that:

1. Open the Finder App .

2. Select Go from the Menu bar .

3. Select Go to Folder or press Shift + Command + G .

4. Type ~/Library into the text box and tick Go .

When you use this method, the secret folder will be visible by pressing Command + Shift +. (Full Stop). However, it will no longer be visible when you close the Finder window.

You can find the hidden ~/Library/ folder more easily by following these steps:

1. Open the Finder App.

2. Press the Alt option and select Go from the dropdown menu bar at the top of the screen.

3. You will see the ~/Library folder listed in the Home folder . Tick on it to go straight to the folder.

Related : How to Factory Reset Your Mac Before Selling Or Giving it Away?

How to Find Library in Macintosh HD

The second library folder is not hidden, but it is difficult to locate due to changes Apple made to the Finder over the years.

The Library folder is located inside the Macintosh HD folder. This is often referred to as the Macintosh HD folder, but yours may be named whatever you have called your Mac.

You may not see a Macintosh HD folder in the left-hand column when you open the Finder. To fix this:

1. Open the Finder app.

2. Tick on Finder > Preferences.

3. Tick on the Sidebar tab .

4. You will also find your Mac listed under Locations. Check the box beside it.

After you insert a disk, it will appear in the Locations section of the Finder. This folder includes the Applications, Library, System , and Users folders and many hidden folders and files.

You can reveal them by pressing Command + Shift +. (full stop).

How to Keep The Secret ~/Library Folder Visible on Mac

If you use the Go technique to find the ~/Library folder , the Finder window will remain open until you close it. When you next look at it, the object will have disappeared.

To keep folders visible on your Mac's desktop, press Command + Shift +. (full stop). Point to the green dot on the right of the title bar to hide the current window and click Command + Shift +. again.

To ensure that the ~/Library folder is visible, you can drag the Library icon from the Finder window to the Finder sidebar . This method will make the file accessible even after you have closed the Finder.

How to View Hidden Folders Using Terminal

You can also use Terminal to view the contents of hidden folders and files .

1. Open the Terminal.

2. Run the following script command: $ defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true $ killall Finder .

To switch it back, simply set true to false.

Best Applications For Making Space on a Mac

The best apps for making space on a Mac can be found right here! These most effective and reliable apps will help free up space on your hard drive, remove clutter and junk files, and keep your Mac running smoothly.

CleanMyMac X: This program is great at cleaning up all the junk files accumulated on your Mac over time. It also includes an app uninstaller and a duplicate file finder.
iMazing : This app lets you move data between two devices quickly and easily, which is especially useful when moving files between different operating systems like Windows and macOS. It also enables you to create backups of important files so that if something happens to them, you can restore them easily.
Disk Inventory X : This app helps you get rid of old files and folders from your hard drive by showing you exactly what each folder contains so that no important information gets deleted accidentally!

Conclusion

As you can see, it's easy to show hidden files in Mac OS X with a few simple steps. Still, there are various reasons why you might want to go through this process regularly. If you're working on a specific project, hiding and showing such files can be a lifesaver when it comes time to fix any problems.

How to Use Universal Clipboard to Copy and Paste on iPhone, Mac, and iPad

cris@brightsocialagency.com (Cris Haest) — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 23:59:16 GMT

Copy and paste are a helpful feature to use easily with iPhones and iPad. Apple has multiple ways to copy and paste to share text, photos, images, and videos with other apps and other people. Let's dive into different ways to use this feature in iOS and use it across multiple devices, including iPad and Mac with Apple's Universal Clipboard.

The simplest option is the standard copy and paste. Still, you can copy and share directly with other applications or people with the iOS share sheet and use Apple's Universal Clipboard feature to be even more effective.

What is Universal Clipboard on iCloud Devices?

Universal Clipboard is a perfect feature that Apple has built into the iOS and macOS that lets you copy and paste content from one Apple device to another. It works with everything from text to videos and images, and this idea allows users to share copies of content seamlessly between devices.

A universal clipboard could be useful when working on a presentation on your Mac. You might be working on your iMac and find a quote you need to send to a friend. Simply copy it, open up the Messages application on your iOS device, click and hold the textbox, and your quote will instantly appear.

Does Universal Clipboard work on all iOS devices?

To use Universal Clipboard, you will have to be running macOS Sierra or later on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. The Macs will have to be from 2012 or later, and the iOS will go back as far as the iPhone 6 or the iPad 4th generation. The feature also needs certain criteria to be met in terms of technical specifications.

How to set up the Universal Clipboard feature on Mac and iOS devices

If your software and hardware are up to snuff, you will have to tweak only a few things. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will enable the devices you need to use, and all the devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network and the same iCloud account.

To enjoy this feature on iOS and Mac devices, you have to set up Universal Clipboard correctly.

Here are the steps to set up Universal Clipboard across Apple devices:

Firstly, make sure that your device is running the correct OS version.

Macs need to run macOS Sierra or newer.
iOS devices need to run newer iOS versions.

Sign into iCloud with the same ID on all devices. On Macs, go to the Apple menu, then System Preferences > Apple ID > Sign In. On the iOS devices, go to Settings > your name > iCloud > Sign in.
Turn on your device's Bluetooth. On Macs, Navigate to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth > Turn Bluetooth On.
Turn on Wi-Fi and connect all iOS devices. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Move the slider to green. On iOS devices, go to Settings > Wi-Fi > move the slider to green. On Macs, go to the Wi-Fi menu on the top right side and choose Turn Wi-Fi On.
Enable Handoff. On Macs, go to the Apple menu > Preferences> General > tick the box next to Enable Handoff between the Mac and iCloud devices. On the iOS devices, go to Settings > General > Handoff > move the slider to green.
Place your iCloud devices within about 30 feet of each other.

How to use the Universal Clipboard feature to copy and paste on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

If you have enabled Universal Clipboard according to the above-listed steps, you can use it to copy and paste on iPhone, Mac, and iPad flawlessly. Now use Universal Clipboard on Mac and iPhone as an example.

Copy content on your iPhone. The content could be a block of an image, text, a link, or other content.
The copied content saves to the iPhone clipboard and automatically added to the Mac clipboard.
Paste and copy content on your Mac where it is available in the same way that you usually paste content - using Command + V or tick the paste option from the right-tick context menu.

Using the above-listed steps, you can easily copy contents from your iOS device and then copy them to your Mac. You can use these steps to copy and paste from a Mac to an iPad, an iPhone to a Mac, an iPhone to an iPad, and any other combination you can use, including transferring data files from Mac to Mac with Universal Clipboard.

How to fix the "Universal Clipboard not working" Error?

When you find that the "Universal Clipboard feature is not working" Error on your iPhone, Mac, and iPad, first check if you have accurately set up the Universal Clipboard and meet its requirements. If yes, then try the below-listed solutions to fix this Error.

Disable and enable Handoff.
Turn off Wifi and Bluetooth and switch them on again.
Restart your iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
Update your iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
Sign out of the iCloud account and Sign in again.

How to Scan for Nearby AirTags Using an Android Device

cris@brightsocialagency.com (Cris Haest) — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 02:21:08 GMT

How do you identify whether a stalker has slipped an AirTag into your property? If you have an iPhone, you will easily get an alert that an AirTag is following you. But if you are an Android user, the AirTag will start beeping three days after it starts tracking you.

Note : Apple released an application for Android users to scan for nearby AirTags.

Let's have a look at how to scan for AirTags.

How It Works: AirTags Use Bluetooth

AirTags use Bluetooth, so nearby iOS devices on Apple's Find My Network can easily spot them. If you use a Bluetooth scanner application that shows nearby Bluetooth devices, nearby AirTags appear in the list of nearby Bluetooth devices.

It is a bit more difficult than it sounds. The Apple Air Tags would not appear as an AirTag in the list, but it will pop up as an unnamed Bluetooth device, so it might be easy to spot the AirTag if you do not own any Apple-made Bluetooth gadgets. Also, once you have spotted the device that appears to be an AirTag, you can move your Android device around and pay attention to signal potency to pin down its position.

How to Scan for AirTags on Android Using Apple's Tracker Detect

Tracker Detect is Apple's official application that lets you find nearby AirTags. Still, it does not automatically alert you if an AirTag is following you. You have to scan for the Bluetooth tracker manually, wait for 10 minutes to make sure that the AirTag stays nearby, and then you can play a sound to help find the item.

Note : The Tracker Detect application perfectly identifies nearby AirTag, but fails to activate the Bluetooth tracker's built-in speaker. We recommend you try one of the below-listed methods for finding AirTags using an Android phone if you run into similar issues.

Start by downloading Apple's Tracker Detect app from the Play Store and then open the application on your Android device. From the initial screen, press the "Scan" button.

Your Android phone will start scanning for AirTags. After some time, if any AirTags are nearby, they will appear listed on the Result page. Click on one of the unknown AirTags.

You will need to wait for some time to ensure that the AirTag is near you and does not leave the general area. After the waiting time has passed, you can pick the "Play Sound" button.

If Apple's Tracker Detect application works as desired, it will connect to the AirTag and activate the Bluetooth tracker's built-in speaker. Then you can use the sound to help find the hidden AirTag.

How to Scan for Bluetooth Trackers on Android Device Manually

To scan a nearby AirTag, you will need a Bluetooth Scanner application. LightBlue is a free Bluetooth scanner application available on the Play Store. Install the LightBlue app on your Android device, and perform a scan.

You will see all the nearby Bluetooth devices. If you live in an apartment or are currently in a public place, keep in mind that you may see other users' nearby devices on the list. So, if you need a simple time spotting AirTags in the list, it might be useful to get away from other people's devices. You will have a simple time spotting an AirTag in your bag if you are in the middle of an empty location, then sitting in the middle of an airfield.

The AirTag will appear as an "unknown" device. If you tick on it, you will see that the "Manufacturer-specific data" field says this particular entity is an iOS device, which is a clue that this device might be an AirTag. It could be another piece of hardware made by Apple, of course.

Note : Remember that AirTag's device ID appears as "42:9A:34:E7:98:54" and will automatically change to new random values over time. You cannot rely on the AirTag's ID to spot them over time.

How to Manually Find a Nearby AirTag

If you are confident that there is an AirTag nearby, you can use the device's signal strength displayed in the application to find it. The closer your device gets to the AirTag, the more the signal strength meter will fill up. Moving your Android phone around might better understand where the nearby AirTag is.

Scan with NFC

Once you locate the AirTag, if it is in "Lost" mode and is tracking you, you can scan the AirTag with NFC to look at the contact details and a message the AirTag's holder might have set. Just click the back of your device against the white side of the AirTag.

Conclusion

Obviously, this is not a perfect answer. With the launch of AirTags in 2021, Apple users will get a quicker notification than an AirTag is following them. Still, Android phone users have to wait two or three days to hear a beep sound or scan AirTags using the Tracker Detect application or manually. That's far from ideal.

What will happen if Google releases a similar Bluetooth tracker in the future. Do Android phone users get a speedy notification that a Google Tag is following them, but Apple users must wait for some days to hear a beep sound?

If Google and Apple created a cross-platform standard that would enable Android users easily detect nearby AirTag in the same way, that would be great.

How to Receive and Send Fax with iPhone or iPad

cris@brightsocialagency.com (Cris Haest) — Tue, 31 May 2022 23:44:53 GMT

Even though fax is old technology these days, you would be surprised how many government agencies and businesses still use and rely on Fax for their work. There are some cases where you want to fax a document to someone, and in such a case, you have to run around trying to find a place that can scan a document and fax it for you.

You can handle your fax needs with an application, whether it is rare or regular. Some industries rely on faxes, including healthcare, legal, financial, and government. In some cases, it has to do with powerful security compared to email. For a closer look at why fax machines are useful, keep reading this blog.

As an individual, it would hardly make sense to own a fax machine, but sometimes when you might need access to faxing. Let's look at some options to receive and send a fax with iPhone or iPad.

Send and Receive a Fax with iPhone or iPad

If you wonder how, you can use your iPhone or iPad to send and receive faxes, you've come to the right place. Here are the best apps to receive and send a fax with iPhone or iPad.

iFax

iFax is the built-in iOS fax application launched in 2008, the same year Apple's App Store debuted. Since then, it has been better and updated consistently and used by individuals to businesses like Lyft, 3M, Citibank, the US government, and more.

Features:

No account needed
256-bit military-grade encryption
HIPAA complaint
Import or scan documents
Free for seven days
24/7 Customer support
Simple User interface
Support for iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch

iFax is a faxing application covering the whole world powered by in-app payments. After the 7-day free trial, this application is priced from $9.99 per month or $8.33 per month when paying yearly.

Fax Burner

FaxBurner is another faxing app for iPhone and iPad that allows users to send and receive faxes. It also provides the capability to send five pages at no cost. iPhone's in-app purchases enable sending and receiving more than the free allotment. Fax Burner turns your device into a fax machine. The only application available is where you can get started for free. Every time you want to receive a fax, just push one button, and the app will provide you with a toll-free fax number that you can use for up to 24 hours. Once you receive a fax, the app will notify you, save the Fax on your iPhone and forward a copy to your email.

Fax Plus

Fax Plus is one of the best faxing applications that allow users to send and receive Fax from an iPhone or iPad. Download the app for iPhone or iPad and start sending and receiving faxes on the go. It is a HIPAA compliant online fax service that lets you send and receive Fax from anywhere, anytime, and from any device. To send a Fax from an iPad or iPhone, you have to use the built-in scanner to scan the document you need to fax, add the receiver's fax number and send your Fax right away.

You can attach documents from your local storage or iCloud Drive. Users can get the most out of the app for free.

Scan documents with a camera : Quickly turn your camera into a powerful scanner and fax documents.
Sign documents : Once you get a fax, simply add your signature and send it back.
Access your contacts : You have access to your iPhone's contacts, but you also get to see your Fax Plus contacts within the application.

FreeFax

FreeFax is a faxing application that turns your iPhone or iPad into a virtual fax machine. You can send a document to around 50 countries for free without registration. It is free for one page per day. If you need to send more than one page, you can top it at a bargain price.

It allows you to send one page per day for free to 50 countries worldwide. FreeFax's inbound faxing needs a monthly subscription of €5 and comes with a dedicated number. You can directly upload your documents into the FreeFax app using iTunes.

eFax

eFax is a free iOS application that puts the power of a fax machine on your iPhone device. eFax allows you to receive, sign, and send faxes from your device. Start sending faxes in minutes with the mobile app from eFax. The application brings more mobility to facing.

Conclusion

If you are still receiving and sending faxes, you might want to consider a new technology that allows you to send and receive Fax via iPhone or iPad instead of using your old fax machine. After reading this blog, you will understand how to receive and send a fax via your device.

The Detail Guide to Taking Screenshots and Screen Recordings on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

cris@brightsocialagency.com (Cris Haest) — Mon, 16 May 2022 23:53:08 GMT

Taking a screenshot on your Macbook, iMac, iPhone, or iPad is a great way to save things. Rather than keep a link to a website, you can take a picture of it and see it closely as it was when you took your screenshot. You may need to do this when you have bought something online and record the purchase confirmation.

You may also want to take screenshots just to remember items you've been shopping for on your iPhone or iPad or send them to friends so they can see what you're up to. You may want to post captured text on social media sites like Twitter or Facebook; maybe even send them in an email. Or perhaps you need some screenshots to demonstrate a problem with your device.

You can take screenshots on macOS, iOS, and iPad, crop them, and annotate them. They save to the Photos app or the Finder on your Mac.

Let's dive into how to take screenshots on all Apple devices.

Shoot and save screenshots on the Mac

Macs include various methods for capturing screenshots. A Grab app was included in past OS versions, but in macOS 10.13 High Sierra and newer, you'll find that app renamed to Screenshot. This more powerful app is available across all Mac models, and you can launch it by double-clicking it or using its system-wide keyboard shortcuts.

Mac keyboards don't have the Print Screen key that many PC keyboards have. Instead, Macs have system-wide keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots.

To take a screenshot of your complete screen on a Mac, press Command-Shift-3; you will hear a shutter sound, and the screenshot will be saved to your Mac's Desktop as a PNG file. The document's filename will include the time and date the screenshot was taken.

Video content protected with HDCP, such as a movie or TV show in the TV app, will be blacked out, but other images on your screen will be captured. You can take screenshots of whatever is on your screen with various keyboard shortcuts for your Mac's operating system, no matter which kind of Mac you use.

Command + Shift +3 lets you take a screenshot of the full screen.
Command +Shift + 4 takes a screenshot of the region. After you press this Command, your mouse cursor turns into crosshairs, and you can tick and drag to save part of your screen. If you press the space bar as you drag, you can move the region around.
To take a screenshot of any window, press Command-Shift-4 and press the space bar. Your cursor turns into a camera, and you can move it over the Window. Press the space bar to save the screenshot. When you press Command + S to save a file, press Command-Shift-4, then the space bar, Return.
Command-Shift-5 lets you display the screenshot control bar. This tool allows you to choose which type of screenshot to take and will enable you to make a screen recording.
If you have a Mac with Touch Bar, you can take a shot of the strip by pressing command-shift-6.

If you tick Options, a menu provides various choices for your screen recording or screenshot.

Here is what you can pick in the Options menu:

Save To : Pick a location to save your screenshots. See below for more on where screen recordings or screenshots get saved.
Timer : You can pick it up if you need a delay before your screen recording or screenshot. This is more helpful for screen recordings than screenshots, and this setting does not apply to screenshots you take using the keyboard shortcuts.
Options : You can pick here if you need your Mac to display a floating thumbnail for a few seconds at the bottom right side of the display to remember your last Window and whether or not to show your mouse pointer.

Take a screenshot of an entire web page in Safari

The above options are not appropriate for capturing an entire web page, as they merely take a snapshot of what can be seen on one screen. You can use the Screenshot extension in Safari to capture an entire web page.

Where screenshots get saved on Mac

Mac users who frequently use the Print Screen key might want to consider creating a Screenshots folder to store these images. They can then be moved to less-cluttered locations for later use. If you use screenshots, you might need to create a Screenshot folder somewhere and change the location where screenshots are stored.

To change the default location for saving screenshots in OS X, you must click Options, located in the menu accessed from Command-Shift-5. If you want to save screenshots in a custom folder rather than in your desktop's default Screenshots folder, click Other Location and select another option from the drop-down menu. If you want to create a new folder for this purpose, click New Folder and enter a name for the new folder. Once you've made these changes, all future screenshots will be saved to this location rather than the desktop's default Screenshots folder.

Crop and annotate screenshots

A thumbnail of your screenshot will be displayed at the bottom right corner of your Mac's display when you take a screenshot. When you click on this thumbnail, you will be able to crop and annotate your screenshot.

Shoot Mac screenshots using Screen Sharing

If you have multiple Macs, you can take screenshots via Screen Sharing, which allows you to focus solely on what you're shooting on one Mac while saving on another.

Open System Preferences > Sharing and check the Screen Sharing box to activate Screen Sharing on a Mac. In the Mac Finder's sidebar, select the shared PC, click Share Screen, and input the username and password you use to access your Mac. The Screen Sharing application will launch, and the shared Mac's desktop will appear inside a window.

To save a screenshot in Connection, use the Save Screen Capture command (with which you can assign a keyboard shortcut in the Keyboard pane of System Preferences).

If the PC you share your display with has a larger resolution than your shared PC, turn off scaling in the View menu. Otherwise, screenshots taken will not be at native resolution—instead, they will be scaled to the size displayed within Screen Sharing. Be mindful that they will look like JPEGs if you take screenshots this way.

Take screenshots on iOS and iPad

Press the side and power buttons simultaneously to take a full-screen screenshot on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you have an iPhone with a Face ID, press the side button and power button, or if there is no power button, press the side and the volume up button simultaneously. If your iOS device has a home button, press the home button and the side or sleep/wake buttons simultaneously.

The next time you want to save a screenshot, tap the thumbnail at the bottom left of the screen. If you click the thumbnail, you have access to editing and annotation tools. The screenshot gets saved to the Photos application if you do nothing or swipe left to remove it.

You can crop a screenshot or use Markup to annotate the image, making it easier to understand. Tap Done when you're finished, and then you can save it to Photos or Files. Or, tap the share button at the top of the screen, and send it by email, Messages, or perform other actions.

Before you even take a screenshot on your Mac, know that you can annotate the screenshot later—or edit it in other ways. If you open a screenshot, you will have access to the tools available in Markup and any other tools you want to add.

Record the screen of your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch

To record a video on the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you need to allow the Screen Recording icon in Control Center. You can go to Settings > Control Center and tap + next to Screen Recording.

You can make a screen recording when you've set this up by swiping down from the top right of your device's display and then tapping the red recording button.

You can switch to another app, and your screen recording will continue in the background until you stop it. To end a screen recording on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, tap the red button at the top left side of your screen, then tap Stop.

A screen recording you make on your iPad is saved to the Photos app, and you can edit it there—trimming the beginning and end, for instance—or edit it after it's synced to the Photos app on your Mac.

Up Your Business Performance with Smart Business

cris@brightsocialagency.com (Cris Haest) — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 19:39:40 GMT

Optimize Everything with Smart Business: Employee onboarding, security services, inventory, processes, & more!

From the moment you open your eyes in the morning to the moment you start planning dinner with friends in the evening, Apple devices are right there with you. You can pay for groceries, listen to music, and get turn-by-turn directions. What if your business could be a part of that?

The easiest way for IT to manage a fleet of devices is to deploy them all at once. This process is called zero-touch deployment, and it’s a snap with Apple Business Manager, which was introduced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2016.

By integrating Apple devices into your workplace, you’re getting access to a whole host of features designed to make things easier and more efficient. Now you can automate your operations, too. From security access, scheduling and tracking staff appointments to checking inventory, Apple devices and platforms can be used to create custom solutions for you.

If you think it might be time to make the switch to Apple in your business or organization, then Weekend Genius can help. Turn to Weekend Genius for assistance with building a smart business from the ground up. We will help you determine how to best use Apple products for your automated processes so that you can increase efficiency and reduce errors within your business.From initial setup consultation through complete deployment and ongoing support of all Apple hardware, software, and services - Weekend Genius has you covered.

Zero-touch deployment is a snap for IT. Apple Business Manager makes Apple devices exceptionally easy to deploy and manage. IT can push apps and create Managed Apple IDs, and employees can customize their devices on their own.

Apple devices and platforms are designed to keep your personal data and corporate information secure. Key security features, like hardware-based device encryption, can’t be disabled by mistake. Touch ID and Face ID make it easy to secure every device. And because many of these features are enabled by default, employees and IT won’t need to perform extensive configurations.

Apple products are known for their security features, which is why they're ideal for businesses as well as personal use. Keep your information secure with:

Managed Apple IDs
Managed Mac computers
Managed Open Directory
Advanced device management
Zero-touch deployment

Apple Business Manager lets you assign roles based on job function so that only the people who need specific resources have access to them — no more offering everyone unrestricted access just because it’s easier than managing permissions.

Businesses with more than 1,000 devices can enroll in Device Enrollment Program, which lets them buy new iOS devices and enroll them automatically.

When you hand new employees their devices, they can personalize them on their own using Apple's Device Enrollment Program. They can choose their own passcode, photo, and Siri voice. The employee can also set up iCloud right on the device without having to go through the setup assistant on the Mac or PC.

To deploy multiple devices at once, you set up a single MDM server (instead of one per device), then configure your devices with an enrollment profile that gets pushed out over the air. With Apple Business Manager, there’s no need for IT to install and maintain software on each device or to build an internal app store to manage your apps and profiles. And when you want to revoke a lost or stolen device’s access to company resources — for example, if someone forgets their password — you can erase all business data from the device remotely or lock down access until you reset it yourself

If you need help securing your business information on Apple devices, we will work with you on creating a customized solution that fits your needs. Reach out to our team today to learn about our smart business services .

How To Be The Next Smart Home on the Block

cris@brightsocialagency.com (Cris Haest) — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 22:21:18 GMT

What is a Smart Home?

Smart homes allow homeowners to control their household electronics from anywhere at any time via smartphones or tablets connected to the Internet. Homeowners who use smart home tech enjoy both convenience and cost savings. You can control almost anything using just one home automation system. For example, door locks, television sets, thermostats, household monitoring systems, security cameras, lighting, and refrigerators can all be controlled by one device.

According to Investopedia :

"What Is a Smart Home?

A smart home refers to a convenient home setup where appliances and devices can be automatically controlled remotely from anywhere with an internet connection using a mobile or other networked device. Devices in a smart home are interconnected through the internet, allowing the user to control functions such as security access to the home, temperature, lighting, and a home theater remotely."

Turn your house into a Smart Home with Apple, HomeKit, and Weekend Genius.

What is HomeKit?

HomeKit framework supports the Home app from Apple. One app for all your home accessories. With HomeKit, Apple has created an easy way for people to control their connected devices from one place. Regardless of which compatible accessories you select, the Home app makes setting up and controlling everything simple. 100+ brands from across the globe are working together to provide accessories that are compatible with Apple’s HomeKit framework. Each reviewed and approved by Apple to ensure your security.

What kind of accessories do you need to begin? With leading global brands offering accessories that are compatible with HomeKit and your Apple devices, there’s never been a better time for homeowners to get started! There are so many different devices supported by HomeKit out there that it would be impossible for us to cover every one. Apple has an online list of all the smart home accessories that support HomeKit.

Our favorite Smart Home Accessories help you save energy and can be automated and scheduled .

What can a Smart Home do?

With Home, you can create different "scenes" for various combinations of lights, music, etc., so they're ready at the touch or sound of your request. Create a scene named “Leaving Home” that turns off all the lights, electronics, locks your doors, closes your curtains, and lowers the thermostat. Or a scene called “Movie Night” that turns on your AirPlay 2–enabled TV, lowers the shades, and dims the lights. Our favorite is "Start on chores," which starts the pre-loaded washing machine, pre-heats the oven for dinner, start off the Roomba, plays jazz in the den, stops other media from playing across the other rooms, and turns the light to our favorite evening color settings. We sweep, prep dinner, and finish our task list while everything continues according to our preferred schedules.

You can use the Home app to create "automations," which are rules for controlling your smart home devices without having to manually interact with them every time. You can schedule certain events to occur at particular times of day, or when someone arrives or leaves his/her house (based on his/her iPhone’s current location). One way to create an automated system is through device based triggers from each other. You could turn on lights whenever someone unlocks a front door using a motion sensor or the lock as a device trigger.

Setting Up Your Smart Home Is Easy

If you are only in the beginning stages of planning your Smart Home, our Smart Home consultation service , you'll meet with a technology expert to guide you through device selection, scene setting, and automation identification. We'll purchase all of the requested devices (within your budget) and install every accessory in your home. Our tech will meet with you to go over the desired automations, scenes, and more to ensure you and your family are ready to live your lives, smarter, with Apple Home and Weekend Genius.

weekend_genius

4 Very Different Ways to Unlock Your Mac

Using iPhone apps that will unlock your Mac

Use Password to Unlock Your Mac

Unlock Your Mac by Using Touch ID

Unlock Your Mac by Using an Apple Watch

What is the Best Way to Unlock Your Mac?

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Your iPhone Won't Connect to Your Computer | Best Fixes

Conclusion

How to Use AirPods as Hearing Aids in 2022

Can AirPods Be Used as Hearing Aids?

What Devices are Compatible with Live Listen?

Live Listen Feature: How to Use AirPods as Hearing Aids?

Can You Spy with Your AirPods?

6 Fixes AirPods Not Switching Automatically Between Apple Devices

1. Make Sure Your AirPods Are Compatible

2. Update Your System

How to Update the Operating System on iPad and iPhone?

How to Update the Mac Operating System?

3. Make Sure that You're Using the Same Apple ID

4. Enable Automatic Audio Switching

5. Upgrade AirPods firmware

6. Reset Your AirPods

Conclusion

5 Common Apple AirPods Problems and How to Fix Them

How to Reset Your Apple AirPods?

Fix Most Common AirPods Problems

1. How to Find Lost AirPods

2. Solving Inconsistent Audio and Static Issues

3. AirPods Keep Pausing and Playing Randomly

4. Automatic Ear Detection Not Working

5. AirPods Would Not Connect to Your iPhone

Choosing the Right Wireless Earphones

How to Factory Reset Your Mac Before Selling Or Giving it Away?

What to Do Before You Factory Reset Your Macbook?

How to Reset a Mac Using Recovery Mode?

Conclusion

How to show hidden files on a Mac

How to See Hidden Files in macOS ﻿

Where is the Library Folder?

How to find ~/Library on a Mac

How to Find Library in Macintosh HD

How to Keep The Secret ~/Library Folder Visible on Mac

How to View Hidden Folders Using Terminal

Best Applications For Making Space on a Mac

Conclusion

How to Use Universal Clipboard to Copy and Paste on iPhone, Mac, and iPad

What is Universal Clipboard on iCloud Devices? ﻿

Does Universal Clipboard work on all iOS devices?

How to set up the Universal Clipboard feature on Mac and iOS devices

How to use the Universal Clipboard feature to copy and paste on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

How to fix the "Universal Clipboard not working" Error?

How to Scan for Nearby AirTags Using an Android Device

How It Works: AirTags Use Bluetooth

How to Scan for AirTags on Android Using Apple's Tracker Detect

How to Scan for Bluetooth Trackers on Android Device Manually

How to Manually Find a Nearby AirTag

Scan with NFC

Conclusion

How to Receive and Send Fax with iPhone or iPad

Send and Receive a Fax with iPhone or iPad

Conclusion

The Detail Guide to Taking Screenshots and Screen Recordings on Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Shoot and save screenshots on the Mac

Take a screenshot of an entire web page in Safari

Where screenshots get saved on Mac

Crop and annotate screenshots

Shoot Mac screenshots using Screen Sharing

Take screenshots on iOS and iPad

Record the screen of your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch

Up Your Business Performance with Smart Business

Optimize Everything with Smart Business: Employee onboarding, security services, inventory, processes, & more!

How To Be The Next Smart Home on the Block

What is a Smart Home?

What is HomeKit?

What can a Smart Home do?

Setting Up Your Smart Home Is Easy

How to See Hidden Files in macOS

What is Universal Clipboard on iCloud Devices?