iFixit today announced the launch of a new iFixit app that's available to download from Apple's App Store (and the Play Store on Android devices). It includes all of the iFixit repair guides in a format that's ideal for mobile devices, along with a workbench that keeps track of repairs, a battery lifespan predictor, and an AI repair buddy called FixBot.


The iFixit repair app is able to monitor an iPhone's battery in real time, providing graphs of how a battery deteriorates over time. The graphs provide users with advanced notice of when a battery might need to be replaced.

FixBot is able to provide AI assistance to solve issues with smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more. Users can describe a problem with text or voice, and FixBot will provide help with diagnosis and repair. FixBot can respond to questions verbally for hands-free use, and there's also an option to share images with the AI.

iFixit says that FixBot is trained on millions of successful iFixit community repairs rather than generic information, which makes it a useful repair tool. FixBot is available in the iFixit app, and it can also be used on iFixit's website.

The app includes all of iFixit's repair guides, but it is aware of what smartphone the user has and will default to showing repair information for that device for quick information on fixes.

There are options for purchasing repair parts directly from iFixit, with the app able to check for device compatibility before a purchase is made.

iFixit did have an app that was available up until 2015, but Apple pulled it from the App Store after iFixit tore down an Apple TV developer kit. Apple said that iFixit violated the Apple terms of service with the teardown, and banned the iFixit developer account. Ten years later, iFixit was allowed to return to the ‌App Store‌.

The iFixit app can be downloaded from the App Store for free, and more information on the app is available on iFixit's website. Access to FixBot is free for now, and later, there will be both a free version and a $4.99 per month Enthusiast plan with document uploads.
This article, "iFixit Launches Free iOS Repair App With AI-Powered FixBot" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

You almost have to feel sorry for Alan Dye at this point. It was pretty clear he expected news of his departure from Apple to be something of a bombshell, and Meta clearly thought their acquisition of Apple’s former VP of Human Interface Design would be perceived as a coup.

Instead, the prevailing opinion among Apple commenters appears to be succinctly summarized as a collective sigh of relief …

more…

Apple has announced the availability of Tap to Pay on iPhone in Hong Kong, allowing independent sellers, small merchants, and large retailers in the region to use ‌iPhones‌ as a payment terminal.


Tap to Pay allows iPhones to accept payments via Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets‌‌‌. All transactions are encrypted, and Apple has no information about what is purchased or the person who made the purchase.

No additional hardware or credit card machine is required‌ to use Tap to Pay on iPhone. The feature uses NFC technology to securely authenticate the contactless payments, plus the feature also supports PIN entry, which includes accessibility options.

From today, Adyen, Global Payments, KPay, and SoéPay are the first payment platforms in Hong Kong to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone. Apple says the rollout cuts across key sectors, including taxi, retail, food and beverage, and professional services.

Tap to Pay on ‌iPhone‌ launched in February 2022 in the United States, and since then, Apple has expanded it to more than 50 countries and regions around the world.
This article, "Apple Launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in Hong Kong" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple @ Work is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Mosyle is the only solution that integrates in a single professional-grade platform all the solutions necessary to seamlessly and automatically deploy, manage & protect Apple devices at work. Over 45,000 organizations trust Mosyle to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.

In this episode of Apple @ Work, Apu Pavithran from Hexnode joins the show to talk about AI’s impact on Apple IT work and much more.

more…

Google is developing two pairs of smart glasses with artificial intelligence that will launch in 2026, the company said today. The first set of glasses have AI integration and are designed for screen-free assistance with built-in speakers, microphones, and cameras for speaking to Google Gemini.


Users will be able to take photos using the camera, and then ask Gemini questions about their surroundings for real-time help.

The second set of glasses has the same AI capabilities along with an in-lens display that is able to display helpful information like turn-by-turn directions or live translation captions. Both sets of glasses will connect to a smartphone, with processing done on that device. The glasses will run Android XR, Google's platform for wearables.

Google is partnering with Samsung to develop the glasses, plus it is working with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, two companies that design eyeglasses. Google says that its glasses options will be stylish, lightweight, and comfortable enough to wear all day.

The Google smart glasses will compete with the Meta Ray-Bans and any upcoming products from Apple. Meta already has Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses with AI and Ray-Bans with an in-lens display. Rumors suggest that Apple is working to unveil its first set of AI smart glasses as soon as 2026.
This article, "Google's First AI Smart Glasses Coming in 2026" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser that was first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to allow users to test features that are planned for future release versions of the Safari browser.


‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 233 includes fixes and updates for Animations, HTML, MathML, Rendering, Web API, and Web Inspector.

The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines running macOS Sequoia and macOS Tahoe, the newest version of macOS.

The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded the browser from Apple’s website. Complete release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple’s aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while it is designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download and use.
This article, "Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 233 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

A new report from Counterpoint Research shows that Apple once again dominated global smartphone sales last quarter, with the iPhone 16 leading the pack. Here’s the breakdown.

more…

The winners for this year’s edition of MKBHD’s Smartphone Awards have just been revealed, and Apple scored four recognitions out of the 10 categories, one of which isn’t exactly a reason to be proud of. Here are the details.

more…

iPhone users in Japan are now able to use Apple's Messages via satellite feature, Apple said today. Messages via satellite works on the ‌iPhone‌ 14 or later and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, allowing users who have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection to use satellite connectivity for messaging.


When attempting to send a message with no cellular or Wi-Fi connection, ‌iPhone‌ users in Japan will see a message that prompts them to connect to the nearest satellite. After connecting, users can send and receive iMessages, SMS messages, emoji characters, and use the Messages Tapback feature.

Messages sent via satellite offer the same end-to-end encryption as messages sent over Wi-Fi or cellular.

Japanese users already had access to emergency SOS via satellite and the option to share location via satellite in the Find My app, so the new Messages via satellite option joins those two features.

iOS 18 or later is required for Messages via satellite on ‌iPhone‌, while the feature needs watchOS 26 or later on the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 3‌. Satellite connectivity continues to be free for all ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch users with supported devices.
This article, "iPhone Users in Japan Can Now Send Messages via Satellite" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The developer behind the ICEBlock app that Apple removed from the App Store at the Trump administration's request is suing for suppression of free speech. The lawsuit names Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, and other government officials, accusing them of First Amendment violations (via NPR).


Key to the lawsuit is a statement from Bondi, who claimed Apple removed the app after the government asked Apple to do so. "We reached out to Apple today demanding they remove the ICEBlock app from their ‌App Store‌ -- and Apple did so," said Bondi.

ICEBlock allows iPhone users to report the location of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents when the agents are spotted in public. The app was removed from the ‌App Store‌ in early October, though people who downloaded it before it was pulled are still able to use it. ICEBlock had over a million users when it was removed from the ‌App Store‌.

Joshua Aaron, the app's developer, argues that the creation, distribution, and promotion of ICEBlock is lawful and protected by the First Amendment. He claims that the government officials named in the lawsuit used the authority of their offices to pressure, threaten, and coerce Apple to remove the app.

This lawsuit challenges these government officials' unconstitutional threats and demands against Apple, which pressured it to remove the ICEBlock app from the App Store. In particular, Attorney General Bondi's coercion of Apple has censored Aaron and ALL U Chart,Inc., which owns ICEBlock's intellectual property, by making ICEBlock--their speech--unavailable to the public.

Apple is not named in the lawsuit, and is not being targeted by Aaron. When the app was removed from the ‌App Store‌, Apple said that the app violated guideline 1.1.1, and made it clear that it was removed at the behest of the government.

Information provided to Apple by law enforcement shows that your app violates Guideline 1.1.1 because its purpose is to provide location information about law enforcement officers that can be used to harm such officers individually or as a group. For this reason, your app will be removed from the App Store

Aaron asks that the court allow ICEBlock to be reinstated, and that government officials be prevented from threatening or pressuring ICEBlock distributors.
This article, "ICEBlock App Developer Sues Trump Officials, Claims Apple Was Pressured to Remove App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

iOS 26 has a bunch of new AirPods features, but one that lots of users might appreciate is flying under the radar. Thanks to a new setting added in iOS 26, you can finally stop AirPods’ audio from automatically getting hijacked by other Bluetooth speakers, including your in-car speakers.

more…

Netflix’s massive $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery raises big questions for Apple TV, but at least one potential issue has seemingly been resolved. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos says Warner’s TV division will continue selling shows to rival streamers.

more…

In preparation for a law that will prohibit Australians under 16 from having social media accounts, Apple is highlighting the App Store tools that developers can use to ensure their apps comply. Here are the details.

more…

Last October’s ICEBlock was removed from the App Store following pressure from the US government. Now, the app’s developer, Joshua Aaron, is suing 14 representatives of the administration. Here are the details.

more…

Travel chargers are often a series of compromises. They are either too big, too slow, or missing support for one of the devices you actually needed to charge. The Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1 Qi2 charger is the rare accessory that gets almost everything right (except for one thing). It delivers 15-watt Qi2 fast charging for the iPhone, supports fast charging on the Apple Watch, and has a dedicated spot for AirPods. It folds down into a really compact circle that fit into any bag and has enough flexibility to work on your nightstand in Standby mode, a hotel desk, or a tray table on a plane. Read on to learn more about the Satechi OntheGo 3-in-1.

more…

The holiday season brings noise: endless shopping lists, Christmas deals, distractions, last-minute meetings, deadlines, you name it. The Winter Clarity Bundle includes four tools that help you focus on what really matters. They cut through the chaos like a laser, pointing directly at what matters most to you. So you can enter 2026 with nothing holding you back and a clean slate for what’s ahead.

Launching today, the Winter Bundle brings together four best-in-class apps that form a complete toolkit for clarity and focus.

more…

From tracking your fitness to keeping you connected wherever you go, Apple Watch is a must-have this holiday season.

To make it easier to know what to buy, we are tracking huge savings on the entire Apple Watch lineup.

• 40mm Apple Watch SE 3: from $200 (Reg. $249)
• 44mm Apple Watch SE 3: from $230 (Reg. $279)
• 42mm Apple Watch Series 11: from $299 (Reg. $399)
• 46mm Apple Watch Series 11: from $329 (Reg. $429)
• Apple Watch Ultra 2: from $549 (Reg. $799)
• …head below for more!

Whether you’re a newcomer to the Apple Watch ecosystem or looking to upgrade your aging wearable, there’s a deal in here for you.

more…

Apple and Google are teaming up to make it easier for users to switch between iPhone and Android smartphones, according to 9to5Google. There is a new Android Canary build available today that simplifies data transfer between two smartphones, and Apple is going to implement the functionality in an upcoming iOS 26 beta.


Apple already has a Move to iOS app for transferring data from an Android device to an ‌iPhone‌, while Google has an Android Switch app that can migrate data from an ‌iPhone‌ to an Android smartphone. The new method will apparently replace the existing apps, offering a transfer function when setting up a new ‌iPhone‌ or Android device.

The collaboration will apparently add "more functionality" and support for transferring data types that are not available to transfer with the current tools.

Both Apple and Google are facing regulatory pressure around the world, with multiple countries scrutinizing practices that might keep customers locked into a platform. Making it simpler for users to transition from one platform to another will be beneficial to both companies.
This article, "Switching Between iPhone and Android Will Get Easier With New Apple and Google Collaboration" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Satechi and MacRumors have partnered up this week to offer our readers an exclusive 30 percent discount on select products for a limited time. This sale is available only on Satechi's website, and it will run through December 15.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Satechi. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

To get the discount, add anything from the lists below to your cart and head to checkout. Once at checkout, you can enter the code MRHOLIDAY to get 30 percent off your order for this week only. This discount code takes 30 percent off each item in your cart, so you can purchase multiple accessories at once.




Products in this sale include Satechi's newest Qi2 charging stations and travel chargers, including the 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station for $91.00, down from $129.99. You can also get both of Satechi's On The Go chargers on sale for 30 percent off with our exclusive code, priced at $56.00 for the 2-in-1 model and $70.00 for the 3-in-1 model.

It's also worth noting that some products are under a "last chance" discount, leftover from Satechi's Cyber Week sale, and our exclusive code stacks with these markdowns. This means you can get ultra-steep discounts on Satechi's 2-in-1 Headphone Stand and Wireless Charger ($39.20, $40 off) and Thunderbolt 4 Dock ($147.00, $152 off).


The code also covers 30 percent off Satechi's range of FindAll Bluetooth trackers, including the FindAll Keychain, FindAll Card, FindAll Luggage Tag, FindAll Glasses Case, and FindAll Passport Cover. We've listed every product that works with our exclusive MRHOLIDAY discount code below, so be sure to shop the sale before it ends on December 15.

Wall Chargers

• 67W On The Go Slim Wall Charger - $42.00, down from $59.99


• 165W USB-C 4-Port GaN Charger - $84.00, down from $119.99

Wireless Chargers

• 2-in-1 Headphone Stand and Wireless Charger - $39.20, down from $55.99
  
• 2-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Charging Stand - $56.00, down from $79.99


• On The Go 2-in-1 Charger - $56.00, down from $79.99


• On The Go 3-in-1 Charger - $70.00, down from $99.99


• 3-in-1 Foldable Qi2 Charging Stand - $91.00, down from $129.99

Bluetooth Trackers

• FindAll Keychain - $21.00, down from $29.99


• FindAll Card - $24.50, down from $34.99


• FindAll Luggage Tag - $31.50, down from $44.99


• FindAll Glasses Case - $35.00, down from $49.99


• FindAll Passport Cover - $42.00, down from $59.99

Docks and Hubs

• Pro Hub Slim - $56.00, down from $79.99


• 7-in-1 Slim USB-C Multiport Adapter - $56.00, down from $79.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub Pro - $140.00, down from $199.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Dock - $147.00, down from $209.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Multimedia Pro Dock - $245.00, down from $349.99

Miscellaneous

• On The Go Bluetooth Keyboard - $56.00, down from 479.99


• On The Go Bluetooth Mouse - $21.00, down from $29.99


• Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable - $28.00, down from $39.99

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

---

This article, "MacRumors Readers Can Get 30% Off Satechi's Best Qi2 Chargers, Bluetooth Trackers, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple and Google are teaming up to make it easier to switch between Android and iPhone devices. The two companies say that they’ve developed new features that streamline the process of moving data between each platform as part of a joint collaboration.

more…

Australia's new social media law goes into effect on December 10, 2025, and ahead of that date, Apple is sharing information on developer tools that are designed to help social media apps adhere to the law.


Children under the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to use Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube (except for YouTube Kids), Snapchat, X, Twitch, Threads, and Kick in Australia, and those apps have to take "reasonable steps" to remove underage users from their platforms starting Wednesday. Apps will also need to prevent new signups from users under the age of 16, and there is a one-year transition period before penalties will begin.

To assist developers, Apple provides the Declared Age Range API, which gives developers access to the age range of users. Other tools available include an option for an age suitability URL that provides more information on the app and its age-related content, app description pages that indicate age restrictions, and tools for setting higher minimum age ranges.

Platforms that don't deactivate accounts created by children will face serious fines. Australia may also add more apps to its banned list over time, depending on the apps that kids adopt after not being able to access their current favorites.

Australia is the first country to implement a total social media ban for children.

More information is available on Apple's developer website.
This article, "How Apple is Helping Apps Comply With Australia's Social Media Ban for Kids" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

iOS 26.2 is expected to launch some time this week, but it looks like today might be ruled out. Apple has just shipped a second RC of iOS 26.2 for developers and public beta testers.

more…

Apple today seeded the second release candidate version of iOS 26.2 to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming one week after Apple seeded the first RC. The release candidate represents the final version iOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found.


Registered developers and public beta testers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

iOS 26.2 has a Liquid Glass slider on the Lock Screen to adjust the transparency of the clock, plus it brings AirPods Live Translation to the European Union. The Reminders app now supports alarms for when tasks are due, and there are updates to the Podcasts and Apple News apps. Menu animations have been revamped, and CarPlay supports disabling pinned messages in the Messages app.

We have a full list of all the features available in iOS 26.2 in our guide.

iOS 26.2 will likely see a launch later this week.
This article, "Apple Seeds Second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to Developers and Public Beta Testers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Is Apple Pay faster than alternate payment solutions? The latest video from Apple certainly aims to convince you of the iPhone’s advantage, and does so by showing a high-stakes scenario when speed is of the essence.

more…