Apple

APPLE

Initially, this website only had topics on iOS and macOS. Over time, I realized that there are a number of issues that apply to all Apple products, so in December 2023, I started this page.

September 16, 2024: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams from Apple. If you receive a suspicious email or SMS text message that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple, please email it to reportphishing@apple.com. If you receive a suspicious FaceTime call or link to a FaceTime call in Messages or Mail, please email a screenshot of the call information or link to reportfacetimefraud@apple.com.

APPLE ACCOUNT RECOVERY top

RECOVERY KEY: The Recovery Key is a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card for when a bad guy has changed your Apple ID password and locked you out of your account. It is an optional feature. The actual key is a randomly generated 28-character code that you can use to reset your Apple ID password. This is not required. Creating a recovery key turns off Account Recovery which is a process that helps you get back into your Apple account when you can not reset the password. You are responsible for not losing the Recovery Key. In iOS 16:
Settings > [your name] > Password & Security -> Account recovery -> Recovery Key -> toggle it on. Write it down at this point and save a couple copies. Do not screen shot it as you don't want it stored in iCloud, in case a bad guy gets into your account. You have to enter the key to verify that you know it. It is not case sensitive. If you lose the Recovery Key you can create another one. Beware, however, Apple does not allow their customers to regain access to their account if a recovery key is enabled and they have lost it.
Set up a recovery key for your Apple ID from Apple. Published December 8, 2023
If you did not setup a Recovery Key, then this: How to use account recovery when you can't reset your Apple ID password from Apple. Published March 26, 2024. If you use two-factor authentication and can not sign in or reset your password, you can regain access after an account recovery waiting period.
Recovery Contact: From Help a friend or family member as their account recovery contact from Apple (December 13, 2022) A recovery contact can help a friend regain access to their Apple account if they forget their password. When someone is locked out, they can contact their Recovery person with instructions for generating and sharing a six-digit recovery code. This code, along with other information, allows the locked out user to reset their password. The Recovery Contact person does not have any access to their friend's account. All they can do is provide them with a code when requested. To be a Recovery Contact, you must have two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID.
Apple ID Account Recovery Methods by Gary Rosenzweig (January 2022)

APPLE SELF-SERVICE DIAGNOSTICS

The first question, when something goes wrong, is whether it is a hardware problem or a software problem. Starting in December 2023, Apple lets some of their customers run hardware diagnostics on their devices. This can be a big step in debugging a problem.

December 13, 2023: Apple Self Service Repair Adds Remote Diagnostics and Supports New Devices by Adam Engst for Tidbits. The Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair helps users identify hardware problems. It is currently available only in the United States. Supported iPhones are the 12 and later, running iOS 17.0 or later. Supported Macs have Apple CPUs and run macOS 14.1 or later. First put the device to be tested into diagnostic mode, then enter that device’s serial number into a secondary device.

Start here: Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair

iPhone instructions: iPhone 12 and later: Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair

Mac instructions: Apple Silicon Mac: Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair

ASSORTED

Up to date? See Apple security releases (from Apple) for the latest version of Apple software and a release history.

May 12, 2025: We Bought a Bunch of Used iPhones. Here’s What We Learned. by Dave Gershgorn for Wirecutter. They bought used iPhones from Back Market, Gazelle, Plug and Swappa. Plug offered the best experience by far. They also concluded that it is best to buy a used phone in "Excellent" condition and avoid "Good" condition devices.

December 11, 2023: About Lockdown Mode from Apple. Lockdown Mode is available in iOS 16 or later, iPadOS 16 or later, watchOS 10 or later, and macOS Ventura or later. Additional protections are available in iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma.

May 9, 2023: Apple ID: 3 things to remember when changing this password by Erik Eckel for Tech Republic. Before changing an Apple ID password, be aware that changing an Apple account password starts a series of irreversible events. The article has three things to know before changing Apple ID credentials. Note that the article says that changing passwords regularly is a good thing. This is wrong. Also, sometime in January 2024, Apple will, under some circumstances, delay password changes. This change was made well after this article was written.

June 1, 2023 (last update): Apple Customers Say It's Hard to Get Money Out of Goldman Sachs Savings Accounts by AnnaMaria Andriotis in the Wall Street Journal. Some say it has taken weeks to withdraw their money and that the bank’s instructions have differed. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.