Tim Hardwick
Tim is a Senior Editor at MacRumors and has been writing for the site since 2016. Formerly a magazine journalist, his work has appeared in over 30 newsstand print publications and online brands covering a range of topics, from the latest trends in technology to the mysteries of ancient history.
Based in the UK, Tim's current role at MacRumors involves editorial oversight and how tos, in addition to covering daily news and contributing occasional reviews. Tim can be reached at tim@macrumors.com, Telegram (@waxeditorial) or Twitter.
Based in the UK, Tim's current role at MacRumors involves editorial oversight and how tos, in addition to covering daily news and contributing occasional reviews. Tim can be reached at tim@macrumors.com, Telegram (@waxeditorial) or Twitter.
Tim Hardwick's Articles
iPhone 15 Pro: How to Transfer Data Over USB-C at 10Gbps Speed
All of Apple's iPhone 15 models come with a USB-C port instead of Lightning, but not all devices in the lineup offer the same port data transfer speed.
The iPhone 15 switch to USB-C brings several conveniences, such as the ability to use the same charging cable for Macs, iPads, iPhones, and other USB-C accessories. Now that the iPhone 15 models have a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port, ...
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How to Adjust Camera Focal Length on iPhone 15 Pro
On Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models, the Main camera now allows users to switch between three focal lengths when shooting. Keep reading to learn how it works.
To take advantage of the enhanced camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple has added three popular focal length options for the main camera's optical zoom. There's the default 24mm (equivalent to 1x optical zoom)...
Switch Between Mute/Silent and Ring Mode on iPhone 15 Pro
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max introduce a new programmable Action button that replaces the traditional ring/silent switch above the volume buttons.
The Action button can be programmed to perform several different functions, but don't worry – the ability to switch between Silent and Ring mode has not gone away. They are simply activated differently.
By default, the...
iPhone 15 Pro: How to Set a Default Camera Focal Length
On iPhone 15 Pro models, Apple has introduced three focal length options for shooting with the main camera. This article explains what the options are, and how to set a preferred default focal length for taking photos.
To take advantage of the enhanced camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple has added three different focal length options for the main camera's optical...
How to Prevent Your iPhone 15 Battery Charging Beyond 80%
All iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that when enabled prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times.
The new setting is separate from the pre-existing Optimized Battery Charging feature on iPhones, which intelligently delays charging past 80% until a more appropriate time by learning the device's daily charging routine. When the 80% hard...
How to Check Battery Cycle Count on iPhone 15
On all iPhone 15 models, Apple has made it possible to check the number of completed battery cycles, which is a valuable metric to determine your device's battery condition.
Previously, finding out an iPhone's battery cycle count was not an option in Apple's mobile operating system, and curious users had to resort either to unofficial methods (via third-party apps like CoconutBattery, for...
Customizing the Action Button on iPhone
Apple's iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro models feature a programmable Action button that replaces the traditional Ring/Silent switch above the volume buttons. Keep reading to learn what the Action button is capable of, and how you can customize it.
The Action button on iPhone replaces the traditional iPhone switch that activates Ring and Silent. By default the new button still activates these...
iPhone 15: How to Take Portrait Mode Photos
On iPhone 15 models, Apple has added a new way to take portrait photos. This article explains what's changed.
Apple's Portrait Mode has become a popular way of taking impressive shots using a depth-of-field effect known as bokeh, allowing iPhone users to shoot a photo that keeps the subject sharp with a blurred background.
With the launch of the iPhone 15, Apple has upped its portrait...
iPhone 15: How to Turn Photos into Portraits After Shooting
On iPhone 15, if you take a photo of a person, cat, or dog, the camera detects them in the frame and captures rich depth information automatically — allowing you to turn it into a stunning portrait right away or later on in the Photos app. Here's how it's done.
Apple's Portrait Mode has become a popular way of taking impressive shots using a depth-of-field effect known as bokeh, allowing...
'Categorically Terrible,' and Other Early Reactions to Apple's New FineWoven Accessories
Apple has stopped selling leather accessories, and the company claims its "FineWoven" range of iPhone cases and accessories are overall more environmentally friendly. But in the court of public opinion, early reactions to Apple's alternative material choice appear to be trending towards the negative end of the spectrum.
Image credit: Nilay Patel of The Verge
Apple calls the new fabric option...
Apple Launches Tap to Pay on iPhone in Brazil
Apple has announced the launch of Tap to Pay on iPhone in Brazil, allowing independent sellers, small merchants, and large retailers in the country to use iPhones as a payment terminal.
Introduced in February 2022, the feature allows compatible iPhones to accept payments via Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets, using only an iPhone...
WSJ: Apple's 5G Modem Prototypes 'Three Years Behind Qualcomm's Best Chip'
In the last few years, Apple has spent billions of dollars attempting to develop its own modem chip to replace the Qualcomm modem chips that it uses in iPhones, but a new paywalled Wall Street Journal report suggests Apple's approach to the project has been dogged by unrealistic goals, a poor understanding of the challenges involved, and completely unusable prototypes.
Apple's plan to design ...
How to Share Passwords With Friends and Family on iPhone and iPad
In iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, Apple has added the ability to securely share passwords and passkeys with friends and family members using a new shared password function. Here's how to use it.
Family Passwords allows you to create a group of trusted contacts that you can share passwords and passkeys with across devices. (Passkeys let users sign in to apps and sites the same way they unlock their...
Philips Hue Bridge Matter Support Update Now Available
Matter support is now being rolled out to Philips Hue Bridge owners via a software update, according to the company, enabling the smart home system's interoperability with third-party lights.
Matter is a connectivity standard that enables smart home accessories to work together seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Apple's HomeKit, Amazon's Alexa, Google's Home, and others. For...
Latest WhatsApp Beta Features Native iPad Support
WhatsApp for iPad finally appears to be nearing a release. In the latest version of WhatsApp Beta for TestFlight, Meta has introduced an option to use WhatsApp on an iPad independently of an iPhone, thanks to an update to its Link a Device feature.
WhatsApp currently allows users of the encrypted messaging platform to link up to four devices to their account even when their main smartphone...
iPhone 15 Camera: Apple Explains UI Design Decisions, Limitations, and Hidden Features
Apple's new iPhone 15 series includes several new camera features, but not all of them will be visible to casual photographers, and Apple says it is relying on third-party developers to make these extra controls accessible to enthusiasts and filmmakers.
In an interview with PetaPixel, Jon McCormack, Apple's vice president of camera software engineering, explained the company's rationale...
iOS 17: How to Use iPhone as a FaceTime Camera on Apple TV
With iOS 17 and tvOS 17, you can make FaceTime calls on Apple TV and use your iPhone or iPad as the front-facing camera. Here's how it works and how to use it.
In tvOS 17, there's a new FaceTime app for Apple TV, but to use it you need an iPhone running iOS 17 or an iPad running iPadOS 17. That's because the Apple TV doesn't have a camera or microphone, so the iPhone or...
iOS 17: How to Set and Label Multiple Timers
It's taken this long, but in iOS 17, Apple has added support for multiple timers, and has also made it easy to manage several timers on iPhone with the introduction of labels.
That's right. Believe it or not, iPhones have not included the ability to set multiple ongoing timers until now. In iOS 17, the Clock app finally enables several timers to be set that will run down at the same time,...
Tim Cook Watched Entire Third Season of 'Ted Lasso' on Apple Vision Pro, Which Remains on Track for Early 2024
Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed in an interview with CBS Sunday Morning's John Dickerson that the company's Vision Pro headset remains on schedule for release in early 2024, and revealed that he's already using it on a regular basis.
When asked how he uses the upcoming headset, Cook said he watched "the entire third season of 'Ted Lasso' on the Vision Pro," and admitted there are "some things...
iPhone 15 Pro Cameras to Support Spatial Video Later This Year, But Key Questions Remain
During Apple's "Wonderlust" event earlier this week, Apple claimed that the iPhone 15 Pro camera system "pushes the limits of what you can capture with a smartphone." It was a reference to the device's support for "spatial computing video," but the mention was brief and lacking detail.
For those who missed it, spatial video is Apple's name for what is essentially 3D video. The iPhone...
