Ask Different (Apple)
Q&A for power users of Apple hardware and software
Latest Questions
1
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1
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324
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How can I automatically add music from a playlist into a folder?
I am switching from the default music player on my iPhone to using Spotify to play music. The recent updates have meant that I can't use the music player in the same as I used to and I much prefer Spotify in general.I still want to use iTunes on my Mac to organise playlists. What I need to set up is...
I am switching from the default music player on my iPhone to using Spotify to play music. The recent updates have meant that I can't use the music player in the same as I used to and I much prefer Spotify in general.I still want to use iTunes on my Mac to organise playlists.
What I need to set up is essentially a reverse smart playlist. I have 2000 songs in my iTunes library but I only want 500 of those on my phone. Is there a way to have the songs that get put into my smart playlist (that gets synced to my phone) getting automatically copied into a folder in Finder and have that as the 'Local File Source' in Spotify? Or would I just have to do this manually?
Hopefully that makes sense, and any kind of help would be awesome!
Thanks
Max
(11 rep)
Sep 18, 2015, 10:52 AM
• Last activity: Aug 3, 2025, 04:02 PM
2
votes
1
answers
737
views
How to prevent my iPhone from charging my Mac?
I often leave my phone plugged into my MacBook over night. After switching to an iPhone with USB-C, it started charging up my Mac from the phone battery if the Mac isn't connected to power, which results in my phone being dead in the morning. I'm unsure whether the Mac's battery is already flat when...
I often leave my phone plugged into my MacBook over night. After switching to an iPhone with USB-C, it started charging up my Mac from the phone battery if the Mac isn't connected to power, which results in my phone being dead in the morning. I'm unsure whether the Mac's battery is already flat when this happens, or if it happens when the Mac is still sleeping. The battery settings on the iPhone show power being used by "USB-C Accessories".
Is there any way to disable this reverse charging behaviour?
Stefano Palazzo
(526 rep)
Nov 3, 2024, 06:50 AM
• Last activity: Aug 3, 2025, 10:00 AM
2
votes
2
answers
592
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How can I configure my iPhone so that it rings if my Apple AirTag gets less than 1 kilometer away from my phone?
I've linked an Apple AirTag with my iPhone (i.e., I see the AirTag in the "Find My" app). The AirTag is currently in some bag far away, but it will get back to my place soon. How can I configure my phone so that it rings if the AirTag gets less than 1 kilometer away from my phone?
I've linked an Apple AirTag with my iPhone (i.e., I see the AirTag in the "Find My" app). The AirTag is currently in some bag far away, but it will get back to my place soon. How can I configure my phone so that it rings if the AirTag gets less than 1 kilometer away from my phone?
Franck Dernoncourt
(3616 rep)
May 3, 2024, 05:32 AM
• Last activity: Aug 3, 2025, 01:04 AM
1
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0
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26
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How to find out which sender address I am using in each individual iMessage conversation?
On my iPhone running iOS 18, in iMessage, I have multiple sender addresses including 3 phone numbers and 3 email addresses. Different from https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/468103/how-to-use-different-sender-address-in-imessage-when-messaging-different-contact, where the OP wanted to use dif...
On my iPhone running iOS 18, in iMessage, I have multiple sender addresses including 3 phone numbers and 3 email addresses.
Different from https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/468103/how-to-use-different-sender-address-in-imessage-when-messaging-different-contact , where the OP wanted to use different sender addresses intentionally, I only want to know which address I am actually using in each existing conversation.
Contacts are not all using the same default address to contact me, because I notice that iMessage will use the address that I received the message from to send responses.
This starts to become an issue as I plan to remove one of these email addresses that I no longer want to use. I would like to know which contacts I need to send this update. Likely there are not many such contacts, so I don't want to send the update to everyone. Also, if I just remove it blindly and start to send messages using my new default address, then some contacts could spam my messages automatically because they don't have my new address in their Contacts.
ByteBard
(45 rep)
Aug 2, 2025, 11:24 PM
0
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1
answers
36
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Unable to move the voice memos i have from my iphone11 to my windows 11 using iTunes
I have iPhone 11 with latest OS 18.6 (as of today). now I have some voice memos on my iPhone, and I want to move them to my Windows 11, so I did the following but it did not work:- 1) Download and Install iTunes inside windows 11 2) Connect my iPhone to my laptop using USB cable. 3) Open iTunes, cli...
I have iPhone 11 with latest OS 18.6 (as of today). now I have some voice memos on my iPhone, and I want to move them to my Windows 11, so I did the following but it did not work:-
1) Download and Install iTunes inside windows 11
2) Connect my iPhone to my laptop using USB cable.
3) Open iTunes, click on the phone icon >> under music, I select to Sync, so it says that it is performing 4 steps, then iTunes mentioned that it is waiting for changing. and nothing got moved to my laptop.
I tried to create new test memos, and those did not get moved as well. So, what about this is not workable? and can i benefit from the "Phone Link" app inside windows 11?
microsoftdeveloperdesigner
(109 rep)
Aug 1, 2025, 08:56 PM
• Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 07:51 PM
-1
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0
answers
35
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Do modern iPhones' battery still use a dual-cell design?
I remember that iPhone X featured a dual-cell battery design. I see that the iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max features a L-shaped battery, while the vanilla and Plus model is a rectangle design. But I don't see any analysis mentioning whether it is still dual-cell inside?
I remember that iPhone X featured a dual-cell battery design. I see that the iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max features a L-shaped battery, while the vanilla and Plus model is a rectangle design. But I don't see any analysis mentioning whether it is still dual-cell inside?
Arkyo
(99 rep)
Aug 2, 2025, 01:11 PM
6
votes
12
answers
24406
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What's a good iPhone running app with a heart rate monitor?
I'm looking for a combination of an app like [RunKeeper][1] that tracks my running speed, with an app (+hardware?) to track my heart rate. I'm currently running with RunKeeper (to track my speed) and also wearing an chestband+wristwatch (to track my heart rate). It would be nice to get rid of the wr...
I'm looking for a combination of an app like RunKeeper that tracks my running speed, with an app (+hardware?) to track my heart rate.
I'm currently running with RunKeeper (to track my speed) and also wearing an chestband+wristwatch (to track my heart rate). It would be nice to get rid of the wristwatch, if there's some app (and chestband receiver hardware?) to combine the data.
I've seen some apps that only do heart rate monitoring, but I don't want to switch between 2 apps while running.
Torben Gundtofte-Bruun
(2935 rep)
Sep 7, 2010, 11:27 AM
• Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 12:28 AM
0
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1
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156
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Move entire Notes.app database from iPhone to Windows PC?
I'd like to move the entire Notes.app database (all the notes, all the folders, all the file attachments inside the notes) from iPhone to Windows PC? I've scanned a lot of documents with my iPhone's Notes.app, and I want to back them up (and view them on my PC should the need arise).
I'd like to move the entire Notes.app database (all the notes, all the folders, all the file attachments inside the notes) from iPhone to Windows PC?
I've scanned a lot of documents with my iPhone's Notes.app, and I want to back them up (and view them on my PC should the need arise).
InfiniteLoop
(171 rep)
Nov 12, 2023, 09:35 AM
• Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 12:21 AM
7
votes
5
answers
25528
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How can I check if an Apple service exchange iPhone is new or refurbished based on its serial number?
I want to make sure that the Apple Service replacement iPhone I am being given is new, not refurbished. Given the serial number, is there any way to tell if an iPhone is new or has been refurbished?
I want to make sure that the Apple Service replacement iPhone I am being given is new, not refurbished.
Given the serial number, is there any way to tell if an iPhone is new or has been refurbished?
antonpug
(295 rep)
Dec 1, 2011, 03:00 AM
• Last activity: Aug 1, 2025, 12:46 PM
1
votes
1
answers
102
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Is there any way to pair Pixel 9 to Apple watch?
My son has a Pixel 9. We'll probably switch him over to an iPhone in the future. I want to get him an Apple Watch, but only if we can pair it with his Pixel 9. From what I've read online, this is not possible with routine approaches, but I'm wondering if there's a hacky way to do it. If not, I'll pr...
My son has a Pixel 9. We'll probably switch him over to an iPhone in the future. I want to get him an Apple Watch, but only if we can pair it with his Pixel 9. From what I've read online, this is not possible with routine approaches, but I'm wondering if there's a hacky way to do it. If not, I'll probably just wait until he gets an iPhone before buying him an Apple Watch.
anonuser01
(787 rep)
Jun 10, 2025, 01:02 PM
• Last activity: Aug 1, 2025, 12:10 PM
2
votes
2
answers
2068
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Where can someone buy a refurbished iPhone?
When I go to Apple's [webpage for refurbished and clearance products](http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals), I can find links to buy Macs, iPods and iPads, but none for buying refurbished iPhones. Is it possible to buy a refurbished iPhone: * online, on the Apple Store? * in a physical...
When I go to Apple's [webpage for refurbished and clearance products](http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals) , I can find links to buy Macs, iPods and iPads, but none for buying refurbished iPhones.
Is it possible to buy a refurbished iPhone:
* online, on the Apple Store?
* in a physical Apple Store?
* online or offline with a phone carrier?
* other options?
Jean Hominal
(121 rep)
Jul 8, 2013, 11:43 AM
• Last activity: Aug 1, 2025, 11:59 AM
0
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0
answers
36
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Can any proper iPhone stand work both for standby mode, and macOS continuity camera?
I'm looking at purchasing a stand (not any in particular) for my iPhone to use for standby mode as an alarm clock, but ideally it could also be used for continuity camera (hypothetically it can be raised to position my phone above the macbook screen).
I'm looking at purchasing a stand (not any in particular) for my iPhone to use for standby mode as an alarm clock, but ideally it could also be used for continuity camera (hypothetically it can be raised to position my phone above the macbook screen).
Oneechan69
(249 rep)
Jul 30, 2025, 06:43 PM
• Last activity: Jul 31, 2025, 01:43 PM
1
votes
1
answers
1292
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How to get Siri to play songs in my library?
Last night I was driving home and said "hey siri, play metric". Metric is a local band and I have one of their albums on my iPhone. Siri responded by subscribing me to Apple Music and playing the songs from there. I have noticed similar things in the past. I will ask it to play an artist or album th...
Last night I was driving home and said "hey siri, play metric". Metric is a local band and I have one of their albums on my iPhone. Siri responded by subscribing me to Apple Music and playing the songs from there.
I have noticed similar things in the past. I will ask it to play an artist or album that I have on my phone, and it previously would tell me I don't have Apple Music and would not play it.
Is there some way to turn this off, or some magic phrase I can use to tell it to look only in my local library? I do not have Apple Music and will never subscribe, I simply want to listen to the (large amount) of music I already have.
Maury Markowitz
(1566 rep)
Nov 13, 2022, 01:46 PM
• Last activity: Jul 31, 2025, 09:08 AM
1
votes
1
answers
334
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What can I do if I have noticed activity on my iPhone that seems like a hacking attempt to stop it before it goes any further?
On Tuesday, July 8, 2025 something very weird happened to my iPhone 16 on T-Mobile with an eSIM in the U.S.; personal device. Sharing the just in case anyone else experiences similar. This all happened on an iPhone 16 (MYD33LL/A) running iOS 18.5. At around 7:00pm, I was looking at my iPhone home sc...
On Tuesday, July 8, 2025 something very weird happened to my iPhone 16 on T-Mobile with an eSIM in the U.S.; personal device. Sharing the just in case anyone else experiences similar.
This all happened on an iPhone 16 (MYD33LL/A) running iOS 18.5.
At around 7:00pm, I was looking at my iPhone home screen and noticed that the temperatures my weather app on my iPhone 16 (running iOS 18.5) suddenly changed from Fahrenheit (U.S. region) to Celsius. Like it was 80-90F and the app was showing temperatures that were 20-30C. Very odd because I didn’t do anything that would cause that.
***
**PS**: I didn’t receive any SMS messages, emails or notifications of anything about anything. I simply saw temperatures in Celsius and my “Language & Region” set to “world” which is not a region that is offered by Apple during the initial iPhone setup or even afterwards in “Settings -> General > Language & Region.” Very odd.
**PPS**: No other Apple device that is associated with the iPhone Apple ID was affected. Two-factor authentication for the Apple ID is set, its password hasn’t been changed but again, two-factor authentication is set.
**PPPS**: I just sent an email to
product-security@apple.com that is basically a condensed version of this post just in case this is a novel (aka: zero-day) exploit.
Giacomo1968
(5877 rep)
Jul 16, 2025, 01:44 AM
• Last activity: Jul 30, 2025, 04:40 PM
0
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1
answers
72
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How get data from iCloud onto iPhone
I have an iPhone 14 running iOS 17.1.1. I have disabled most iCloud stuff for my iPhone, but I just noticed that `iCloud Drive` under `Storage` in Settings comes with a note saying that files stored in iCloud Drive (and probably data used by certain third party apps) are downloaded on-demand. I want...
I have an iPhone 14 running iOS 17.1.1.
I have disabled most iCloud stuff for my iPhone, but I just noticed that
iCloud Drive under Storage in Settings comes with a note saying that files stored in iCloud Drive (and probably data used by certain third party apps) are downloaded on-demand. I want those files on my iPhone. If I turn off iCloud Drive syncing, then they won't be on my phone and would instead be deleted from my phone. How do I fix this?
Melab
(1039 rep)
Nov 1, 2024, 10:48 PM
• Last activity: Jul 30, 2025, 06:04 AM
2
votes
1
answers
1115
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How to unfreeze phone in Guided Access mode when triple click to prompt passcode won’t work? (iPhone 12)
I put my iPhone into Guided Access. I tried to triple click to prompt my passcode, but it’s not showing up. Holding Volume Up and sleep is not working to shut down my phone. Do I have to wait until the battery dies?
I put my iPhone into Guided Access. I tried to triple click to prompt my passcode, but it’s not showing up. Holding Volume Up and sleep is not working to shut down my phone.
Do I have to wait until the battery dies?
Jamie Arleo
(21 rep)
Mar 6, 2023, 07:29 PM
• Last activity: Jul 29, 2025, 09:08 PM
0
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1
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84
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Recovering photos from an ios backup
I have a backup of my old iphone stored in icloud, and I would like to get just the photos from it without restoring the entire backup to my new phone, is there any way to do this? The old phone cannot be used as it is dead, and the photos in question are not saved in iCloud photos. I have tried the...
I have a backup of my old iphone stored in icloud, and I would like to get just the photos from it without restoring the entire backup to my new phone, is there any way to do this?
The old phone cannot be used as it is dead, and the photos in question are not saved in iCloud photos.
I have tried the solutions from https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/297039/accessing-photos-on-iphone-icloud-backup , but they are deprecated and no longer work.
Krill_Bill
(43 rep)
Feb 28, 2025, 11:06 PM
• Last activity: Jul 29, 2025, 01:05 AM
1
votes
2
answers
680
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How to get iOS and iPadOS devices that can sync via Wi-Fi to show up again under “Locations” in macOS 13 (Ventura) after ejecting the device?
I am running macOS 13 (Ventura) on a 2020 Intel MacBook Air with an iPhone 11 Pro running iOS 16.1 and a iPad mini running iPadOS 16.1. I started to use Wi-Fi syncing for my iPhone and iPad again after years of not doing that. Just decided, “Hey! Why not try it again?” Turned it on while hooked up v...
I am running macOS 13 (Ventura) on a 2020 Intel MacBook Air with an iPhone 11 Pro running iOS 16.1 and a iPad mini running iPadOS 16.1.
I started to use Wi-Fi syncing for my iPhone and iPad again after years of not doing that. Just decided, “Hey! Why not try it again?”
Turned it on while hooked up via USB cables, have successfully synced a few times with purely Wi-Fi and no issues. Great! Smooth syncing and backups with no wires!
But I experienced an odd issue: If I “eject” the iPhone and iPad mini I can only get them to show up after rebooting the MacBook or oddly just waiting a while. No real logic as to what triggers them to show up again.
Is there any explicit way to get an iPhone or iPad that are set up for Wi-Fi syncing to show up again under “Locations” after ejecting them?
FWIW, I found this official Apple doc titled “Sync content between your Mac and iPhone, iPad or iPod touch over Wi-Fi ” which states:
> “Important: If you don’t see your device in the sidebar, choose Finder > Settings, then select the CDs, DVDs and iOS Devices tickbox.”
But when I go to settings, I get this crazy situation where a search shows “DVD or CD Sharing” in the search results but when I go to the actual “Sharing” settings I see tons of options and 100% no “DVD or CD Sharing” item? What’s up with that? Screenshot below.
Giacomo1968
(5877 rep)
Nov 6, 2022, 02:43 AM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2025, 05:47 PM
3
votes
1
answers
67
views
What do the Phone & FaceTime apps store on iCloud?
I was reviewing my iCloud settings just now and noticed Phone & FaceTime have an entry there. What sort of data do those sync to the cloud exactly? Is it just the call history? Is it all the contacts? Does anyone know? [![iCloud Settings][1]][1] I was also surprised to see clock in the mix. Is there...
I was reviewing my iCloud settings just now and noticed Phone & FaceTime have an entry there. What sort of data do those sync to the cloud exactly? Is it just the call history? Is it all the contacts? Does anyone know?
I was also surprised to see clock in the mix. Is there a way to see what data is in the cloud for a given app?
I was also surprised to see clock in the mix. Is there a way to see what data is in the cloud for a given app?
jxramos
(1015 rep)
Jul 23, 2025, 10:33 PM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2025, 01:16 PM
0
votes
2
answers
881
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How can I ensure photo folders are synced to iPhone in correct time order?
I'm syncing some local folders so they appear as albums "From my Mac" in my iPhone Photos app. It works, but the ordering is wrong. The files in the local folders are actually symlinks into nested folders on a backup drive (actually a Photos.app library) so the paths are mapped like this example: ~/...
I'm syncing some local folders so they appear as albums "From my Mac" in my iPhone Photos app. It works, but the ordering is wrong.
The files in the local folders are actually symlinks into nested folders on a backup drive (actually a Photos.app library) so the paths are mapped like this example:
~/Pictures/example/A75BB473-E7A7-4B52-A184-6BB6D60AFA41.jpeg
->
/Volumes/drive/example.photoslibrary/originals/A/A75BB473-E7A7-4B52-A184-6BB6D60AFA41.jpeg
Note that I am syncing **folders** not albums, and this is for good reason. Syncing albums is [broken](https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/372176/why-wont-photos-import-from-iphone-after-upgrade) for photo libraries on network drives.
The photos import no problem, but the order is weird. I can't align it with any ordering I can replicate in the finder. They are *roughly* time ordered based on the EXIF "Date Time Original" tag, but not quite.
On the iPhone clicking a photo shows the correct date from the EXIF data, but this is seemingly not being used for ordering. Neither is the file name.
The created, modified and access timestamps on the original photos are all the same, so this doesn't seem the principle ordering value either.
How does the iPhone sync process determine the order these appear in the album? What can I do to ensure correct time ordering?
Tim
(111 rep)
Oct 14, 2021, 09:21 AM
• Last activity: Jul 26, 2025, 05:09 AM
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