New Seventh-Generation iPad mini Adds A17 Pro for Apple Intelligence

Apple has updated the iPad mini with an A17 Pro chip for Apple Intelligence, along with more storage, faster connectivity, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro. It’s still $499 and remains an excellent option for anyone wanting a smaller iPad.

Apple’s Tips App Provides Extensive User Guides and Helpful How-Tos

If you haven’t explored Apple’s Tips app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac recently, check it out. Apple has added a lot more content, including device and app user guides, highlights of new features, and interactive practice guides.

Watch Out for PayPal Invoice Phishing Scams

Beware of PayPal invoice scams that might even appear to come from Apple. Should you receive one, report it to PayPal to help protect other people, but don’t mark the message as spam.

Use Guided Access for Securely Allowing Others to Use an App on Your iPhone or iPad

If you’d like to allow a child, friend, or colleague to enjoy a specific app on your iPhone or iPad while keeping them focused and preventing access to everything else on the device, check out Apple’s Guided Access feature.

Restrict Access to Sensitive Apps in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18

Keep prying eyes — or mischievous children — out of sensitive or important apps by requiring Face ID or Touch ID access before the app opens. You can also hide such apps so they appear only after you authenticate.

“Apple Account” is the new “Apple ID”

Apple has renamed Apple ID to Apple Account everywhere as of macOS 15 Sequoia, iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and watchOS 11. Nothing has changed functionally, but keep it in mind when reading tech articles or support documentation.

Reveal Mac Window Proxy Icons Permanently with This Setting

People who like using the Mac’s window proxy icons (and if you don’t know about them, you should!) can make them visible at all times with an option deep within System Settings. Here’s how to find it and what you can do with proxy icons.

Beware Fake “Sextortion” Scams

Scams are starting to incorporate personal information stolen in data breaches, so you may get “sextortion” threats that purport to know your phone number, address, and more. […]

“No More Ransom” Website Offers Ransomware Decryption Tools

Ransomware primarily affects Windows and Linux computers, but if you, or anyone you know, falls prey to it, visit the No More Ransom website for advice and decryption tools.

Set macOS to Require a Password after Screen Saver Start or Display Sleep

Don’t forget about local security on your Mac. Make sure to require a password shortly after the screen saver starts or the display sleeps to prevent people from riffling through your email, photos, messages, and more.