iMessage Contact Key Verification is an optional security feature that allows you to manually verify who you are messaging with by comparing verification codes in person or on a phone call. The feature launched on the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac starting with iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, watchOS 9.2, and macOS 14.2 last year.
iMessage Contact Key Verification also includes "advanced protections" that can help prevent attackers from impersonating anyone in a conversation, according to Apple. These protections only apply if both parties in an iMessage conversation have turned on the feature. Apple provides more details in a support document.
Thanks to Ryan Isaacs for alerting us to this change.
Tuesday October 13, 2026 5:26 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple on Monday announced Remnants, an immersive horror film that will be released exclusively on the Vision Pro on Friday, October 16.
The film will be in the Apple Immersive Video format, meaning it will be a 3D video recorded in 8K resolution with a 180-degree field of view and Spatial Audio.
Apple shared a short video of people reacting to the film while wearing the Vision Pro....
Monday October 26, 2026 10:46 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released visionOS 27.2, the first big update for the visionOS 27 operating system that runs on the Apple Vision Pro.
visionOS 27.2 can be downloaded by opening the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing Software Update. Installing the update requires the headset to be removed, and a progress bar appears on the EyeSight display.
The visionOS 27.2 update...
Monday October 5, 2026 11:20 am PDT by Juli Clover
Alongside new betas of iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, and macOS Golden Gate 27.2, Apple has released the third betas of watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2, and visionOS 27.2. The betas come two weeks after Apple released the second betas.
Registered developers can download the betas through the Settings app on each device.
With iOS 27.2 and watchOS 27.2, Apple is testing the new Health app that it showed...
I consider myself a very "standard" user of most of the Apple ecosystem, and I've never heard of or used this feature. So for the posts above me that this should have been a day one feature, I say "Uh, sure. Ok."
Nor should they. The vast majority of people should wait until it's a more mature OS, and product.
Totally agree. BUT I think the point is, if the vast majority should wait for a more mature OS and product, the vast majority should probably wait to be so effusive with their complaints about what is missing from version 1. Sure some constructive criticism and what they would like to see is helpful, but calling a product a fail because they should wait, seems to be over the top.
Seems like Apple needs to hire more software engineers. Things that should’ve been day one features had to be pushed off. And let’s not forget the bugginess on other platforms