Security How Tos for macOS and iOS
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How-To
How to use a VPN on an iPhone or iPad
Want to get a VPN on your iPhone or iPad and use it to hide your location and browse in private? Here's what you need to do.
Mac 911
How to check for an unwanted account connected to your Apple ID
If you suspect a stalker, a hacker, or something else, you can make a review.
Mac 911
How protected is your Mac without FileVault enabled?
The account-protection system has less value with modern Macs, but itu2019s still worth considering.
How-To
How to reset an iPhone or iPad
Returning an iPhone or iPad to factory settings will fix many problems and is essential if you're passing on an old device. Here's how to factory reset an iPhone or iPad.
How-To
How to watch U.S. Netflix outside the U.S.
Find out how to get American Netflix in the U.K. or elsewhere using a VPN, then use your normal Netflix account details to log in.
Mac 911
Why iCloud Keychain asks for an old device's password–and why you don't need to worry
iCloud Keychain relies on a special method of ensuring youu2019re who you claim to be that can be bewildering when formerly owned hardware pops up.
Mac 911
How to set up an Apple ID with a trusted phone number already in use
Some readers find Apple wonu2019t let them reuse a number across Apple ID accounts. Google Voice can help.
Mac 911
How to find your FileVault recovery key in macOS
If lost, you're sunk, but you may have opted to store it in iCloud.
Mac 911
How to unlock a deceased person's remaining devices without Legacy Access
Appleu2019s Digital Legacy system requires preparation. But thereu2019s a last-resort device unlock option with the right paperwork.
Mac 911
How to unlock your Mac with its Recovery Key and FileVault active
If something goes wrong with your Mac accounts, you may still be able to gain access with the Recovery Key.
Mac 911
How to prepare an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iCloud in case of death
Someoneu2019s passing could leave their data and devices locked up forever. But there are some preparations and techniques you could try.
How-To
How to find a lost iPhone with Find My iPhone
We show how to track and find a lost (or stolen) Apple device using Find My iPhone, and protect your data even if the battery has died or the iPhone is offline.
Mac 911
How to protect your Mac against attack and disaster
Our data is vulnerable to hardware failure and lapses in trust. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself.
How-To
How to set up hardware security keys with your Apple ID
Recent updates to Apple’s operating systems let you use hardware security keys to protect your Apple ID login instead of code-based authentication.
Mac 911
How to reset a Screen Time password to prevent lockout
If you aren't sure you entered your Apple ID and password when setting up Screen Time on your own device, reset it this moment.
Mac 911
What kinds of passwords, tokens, and keys can Apple manage for you?
Apple keeps layering support for holding more of your secrets securely. Let's look through them all.
Mac 911
How to update your passwords with Apple's Security Recommendations
You can use an Apple tool to find and replace your weakest passwords, along with those found in security breaches or that you reuse across sites.
Mac 911
How Recovery Assistance updates iCloud Data Recovery Service as a backstop
The revised way to have your trusted friends, family, and colleagues help out has a new name and a vastly enlarged data set.
Mac 911
Which keychain is which on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad
The keychain is Appleu2019s catch-all term for different kinds of things on each platform.
How-To
How to reset a Mac without a password
Just got hold of an old Mac, but don't know the password? Need to erase a Mac, but don't have a password? Here's what to do.
Mac 911
How to bypass CAPTCHAs with Apple's automatic verification
The feature rolled out quietly and requires websites to adopt Appleu2019s behind-the-scenes technology to work.
How-To
How to unlock an Apple ID that’s locked or disabled
If Apple thinks your account was hacked it will suspend it – even if it was you who got the password wrong. Here's how to unlock your Apple ID if you can't sign in.
Mac 911
How to block and silence robocalls on your iPhone
If robocalls are making your life miserable, you can use your carrier's free and paid tools to get better protection from them.
How-To
Block Email Tracking: Stop a sender seeing you’ve opened an email
Here's how to stop a sender from being able to see that you have opened their email and ensure that you email isn't being tracked.
Updated
How to use Terminal to securely erase free space on a Mac's mechanical drive
Learn how to use Terminal to securely erase free drive space.
How-To
How to create a temporary email address
Avoid spam and the risks of your email address falling into the wrong hands – keep your email address private with this feature.
Mac 911
How to erase your iPhone, iPad, or Mac remotely after a theft
You can ensure your data remains safe through erasure. Here's how you can use the Find My app to remotely wipe out a device.
How-To
How to check if your iPhone is infected by NSO’s Pegasus spyware
Amnesty International has released a tool you can use to search your phone for traces of the Pegasus spyware.
Mac 911
How to protect yourself from phishing emails
Phishing remains a key tool in hijacking accounts, but you can defeat it with a little savvy.
How-To
How to stop apps tracking you on iPhone and iPad
iOS 14.5 stops apps gathering information about you that can be used for targetted advertising. We explain how to set it up.
How-To
How to add a second face to Face ID
Enable a loved one to unlock your iPhone by adding a second appearance to Face ID.
Mac 911
How to check if an unexpected prompt for your Apple ID password is legitimate
If you get a random popup on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, youu2019re right to initially mistrust it.
Mac 911
How to remove an Apple device from your iCloud account without the device
If you lose or sell the device or it’s stolen, you can remove it from your iCloud set remotely.
Mac 911
Why iCloud Keychain may prompt you for a device password used with other Apple hardware you own
It’s a clever way to protect your security, but Apple doesn’t explain it at all.
Mac 911
How to erase an encrypted Mac volume if you don’t need its contents
You donu2019t need a password if youu2019re just trying to erase a drive.
Mac 911
How to recover data from a Mac with T2 or FileVault encryption and without a password
The owner may have died or is incapacitated, or you or someone else has simply forgotten an administrative password, making the contents irretrievable.
How-To
How to disable in-app purchases on an iPhone
In-app purchases can cause surprise bills. Stop this from happening by enabling restrictions in iOS
Mac 911
How to share a password via AirDrop from iOS 14, iPadOS 14, or macOS
Apple makes it easy to pass a password securely and wirelessly to someone in your vicinity.
Mac 911
How to recover iPhone and iPad data from a backup without the device’s passcode
For yourself or someone who has passed away, you might need this backup plan.
Mac 911
Caller ID verification could be coming to the iPhone soon
STIR and SHAKEN finally result in some truly identified Caller ID.
Mac 911
Migrated your FileVault-enabled Mac? Clean up and regenerate your Recovery Key
You might be unable to turn on FileVault and have outdated information in your iCloud account or other records.
Mac 911
How FileVault and the T2 Security Chip work together in newer Macs
Macs with a T2 chip always encrypt their drives. Why is FileVault necessary?rn
Mac 911
Using a school-owned iPad with 2FA? You might run into a problem
An unfortunate side effect of not having access to devices, people, or places could keep you out of your data.
Mac 911
Need to disable Activation Lock on an iPhone or iPad? Here are the 3 Apple-connected options to do so
Without the Apple ID and password, Apple will only perform a manual unlock in limited circumstances.
Mac 911
Your iPhone unexpectedly says you’re trying to log in from far away. Time to change your password!
With Appleu2019s two-factor authentication, any alert you get about a far-away log in should be heeded.
How-To
Complete Guide to iPhone text bombs and what to do
The Sindhi/Italian flag text bombs is the latest in chain of iPhone crashing texts
Mac 911
How to bypass Apple’s multi-device two-factor system with Messages auto-fill
You can click a couple of times to reduce the friction in Appleu2019s two-factor authentication system.
Mac 911
Can’t enable FileVault? An errant set of files may be blocking you
Some users are told that an institutional key has already been set on their Mac, even though theyu2019re not part of an institution at all.
Mac 911
How to switch up your Apple ID if you’re leaving an organization that needs account access
Especially with two-factor authentication, you need to plan before itu2019s too late.
How-To