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
iOS 26: Customize iPhone Alarm Snooze Duration (Finally!)
iOS 26 finally breaks free from the tyranny of the 9-minute snooze. Apple's latest update (currently in beta) lets you customize your iPhone's alarm snooze duration anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes, which may well put an end to years of morning routine frustration.
Whether you only need a quick 2-minute buffer before rising from your slumber, or prefer a longer window to properly wake up, iOS...
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This Iconic iPhone Ringtone Gets a New Remix in iOS 26
In iOS 26, Apple has quietly added a fresh take on one of its most recognizable sounds: the classic default iPhone ringtone.
The iconic "Reflection" ringtone – introduced in 2017 alongside the iPhone X – now has an alternate version. While the original tone retains its familiar pellucid xylophone melody, the new "Alt 1" variant brings a different energy to the mix.
Eagle-eyed beta...
iOS 26: See How Long Your iPhone Will Take to Fully Charge
In iOS 26, currently in beta, your iPhone gains a handy new charging feature that takes the guesswork out of knowing when your device will be fully powered up. Instead of waiting around or checking your battery percentage every few minutes, you can now see exactly how much time remains until your device reaches 100%.
A real-time estimate appears right in your Battery settings while your...
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus
Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve).
The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with...
iOS 26: Set a Custom iPhone Ringtone in Seconds
Setting custom ringtones on your iPhone is dramatically easier in iOS 26. Apple has eliminated the need for the cumbersome process of exporting a track from the GarageBand app, and now provides a simple four-step process that works directly from the Files app.
The new streamlined approach means you can transform any MP3 or M4A audio file that's less than 30 seconds into a personalized...
How to Install macOS Tahoe Public Beta
Apple has made the macOS Tahoe public beta available for testing before the new Mac operating system's official release in the fall. Keep reading to learn whether you should install it on your Mac, and if so, how to go about it.
Getting access to the macOS Tahoe public beta is simple, and can be done by enrolling your Mac in Apple's free Apple Beta Software Program. The steps you need to...
iOS 26 Finally Fixes This Annoying Messages Problem
In iOS 26, Apple is introducing several new features for its Messages app, and this one in particular is likely to make interacting with message bubbles way less frustrating.
When you tap and hold on any message bubble, a new "Select" option now appears alongside the familiar copy and reaction choices, finally solving one of Messages' most persistent frustrations.
The Select feature...
Charge AirPods (or Even an iPhone) With Your iPhone
If you own an iPhone or iPad with a USB-C port, the port can be used to charge AirPods, an Apple Watch, or even another iPhone, which is handy for times when you don't have a spare charger or power outlet available. Here's how it works.
If your AirPods or Apple Watch run out of battery while you don't have access to a charger, you can use the battery in your iPhone or iPad for a little extra ...
tvOS 26 Brings New Aerial Screen Saver Controls, India Footage
Apple's upcoming tvOS 26 update brings some neat new features to Apple TV, including a redesigned TV app, a new profile selector on wake, and a design overhaul matching Apple's new multi-platform spanning Liquid Glass aesthetic. However, another of its less talked-about enhancements has to do with Apple TV's visually impressive Aerial screen savers.
With tvOS 26, you can now manually select...
Top 5 Free VPN Services for iPhone
Online privacy is a perennial hot topic, but so is having to pay for yet another digital subscription. There are many subscription-based virtual private network (VPN) services on the market, but if you want to protect your iPhone and iPad from prying eyes for free, there are a handful that actually deliver decent protection without the monthly fees. Just be ready for a few trade-offs.
Free...
When Is iPhone 17 Air Coming Out?
Apple's all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is expected to debut in September 2025. This release follows Apple's recent trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall.
To unveil the iPhone 17 Air and the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple is expected to hold its annual iPhone announcement event during the week of September 8, 2025, with September 9 or 10 emerging as the most...
How to Get These 4 New AirPods Features Today
Like previous iPhone software updates, iOS 26 adds several new features to Apple's AirPods. While iOS 26 will be officially released this fall, there's nothing stopping you from installing the latest iOS 26 beta – and getting access to the new AirPods features today.
New AirPods Features
Apple's upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe updates add the following new features to AirPods, ...
All the Gestures to Trigger Reaction Effects in FaceTime
Since iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, Apple has included Messages-like reactions in FaceTime that lighten up your video with visual effects. But rather than triggering them with words, you can trigger them using physical hand gestures.
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When you're on a FaceTime video call on an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, or an iPad running iPadOS 17 or...
Proton Releases Free Two-Factor Authentication App
Proton today launched Proton Authenticator, a free two-factor authentication app available across all major platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The open-source app generates time-based one-time passwords as an additional security layer beyond regular login credentials. Unlike competitors such as Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator, Proton Authenticator...
Dropbox Passwords Is Shutting Down in Phases Starting Next Month
Dropbox has announced it will discontinue Dropbox Passwords on October 28, ending the five-year run of its credential management service.
The shutdown is going to follow a phased approach, according to the company. The password manager will become view-only from August 28, meaning new entries and autofill features will be disabled. The mobile app will then stop working on September 11, but...
iOS 26: How to Use the New Music Pins Feature
If you've ever found yourself scrolling endlessly through your iPhone's music library to find that one album you play every morning or the workout playlist that gets you pumped, then you should find iOS 26's new Music pins feature a welcome addition to the app.
Basically, Apple Music lets you pin your most frequently accessed songs, playlists, albums, and artists directly to the top of your ...
How to Downgrade From the iOS 26 Beta to iOS 18
If you installed iOS 26 Beta or iPadOS 26 Beta through Apple's Developer Program or Software Beta Program, you may decide you want to downgrade because of usability or stability issues. Keep reading to learn how it's done.
Apple's beta versions of its major software updates can be notoriously buggy, especially the early releases. You may find apps not working properly, poor battery life,...
iPhone Feature for Tracking Lost Baggage Expands to Saudia Airlines
Saudia, the flag carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, now supports Apple's iPhone feature that makes it easier to share the location of AirTag-equipped baggage at airports, according to local media.
With iOS 18.2, Apple introduced a new Find My feature that lets you temporarily share the location of an AirTag-equipped item – such as a bag – with others, including participating airline staff, ...
Apple Expands Video Shopping Service to India After US Launch
Apple has announced that customers in India can now connect with an Apple Specialist over a live video session while shopping for Apple products on its regional online store. It's the first expansion of the service outside of the U.S., where it debuted in March 2023.
The service connects customers with an Apple Store team member via a secure, one-way video call to browse the latest Apple...
iPhone 17 Models May See $50 Price Hike, Says Jefferies
Apple is expected to implement a $50 price increase across its iPhone 17 lineup when the new models launch in September as a way to offset rising component costs and China tariffs, according to a new investor note by Jefferies analyst Edison Lee.
The price hike is expected across all iPhone 17 models, including the regular iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air (replacing the Plus model), iPhone 17 Pro,...
