Latest news with #iCloud
CNET
20 hours ago
- CNET
Declutter Your iPhone Ahead of iOS 26 and Delete Duplicate Photos Now
It's a common experience: You open your iPhone's camera to snap a quick pic and you end up taking multiple shots that all look identical. But another common experience is forgetting to later delete the duplicates, which end up consuming precious storage space on your iPhone or in your iCloud. Fortunately, there's an easy way around this issue built into your iPhone if you have iOS 16 or later. Apple introduced its "duplicate detection" feature in 2022 and it works just as its name suggests. The tool uses on-device AI to identify identical images and aggregate them in an easy-to-find album in the Photos app. Apple says the iPhone classifies duplicates not only as exact copies but also as photos that appear to be the same but have unique resolutions, file formats or other slight differences. Make sure to turn on iCloud syncing before going through the step-by-step process below. For more, check out every new feature we're expecting Apple to drop with iOS 26 this fall. Remove duplicate photos and videos to get more storage on your iPhone. Nelson Aguilar/CNET Here's how to use the iPhone's built-in tool to free up storage space: 1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone. 2. Tap on the Albums tab at the bottom of the screen. 3. Scroll down to the Utilities section and tap Duplicates. This is where you can view all the duplicate photos on your iPhone and delete them, either individually or at once. 4. For the latter option, tap Select in the top right corner. 5. Tap Select All to merge all the duplicate photos your iPhone detects and delete them at the same time. 6. If you want to delete duplicates individually, scroll up and tap Merge on your chosen selection of duplicate images. Then tap Merge [number] Copies to delete duplicates. Go down the line and repeat this step for all the identical photos you want to delete. Merging keeps the best version of the photo in your library. The duplicates are moved to the Recently Deleted album. If you found this iOS feature helpful, check out CNET's cheat sheet for iOS 18. For more advice on how to save space, read our full list of tips for clearing your iPhone's storage.
Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
How to Change Your Apple ID Email Address Safely and Easily
Keeping your Apple ID email current is a crucial step in maintaining the security and functionality of your Apple account. Whether your email is outdated, compromised, or no longer accessible, updating it ensures uninterrupted access to Apple services and protects your personal information. The awesome video below from Daniel About Tech provides a detailed walkthrough to help you update your Apple ID email while preserving your data and ensuring seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem. Watch this video on YouTube. Why Updating Your Apple ID Email Matters Your Apple ID email serves as the central hub for your Apple account. It is used to sign in to devices, access services like iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime, and manage your account settings. If your email is no longer secure or accessible, it can leave your account vulnerable to unauthorized access and disrupt your Apple experience. By updating your email, you safeguard your account and ensure that all Apple services remain fully functional. Additionally, an updated email ensures you receive important notifications, such as account activity alerts, billing updates, and security warnings. Neglecting to update your email could result in missed communications that are essential for managing your account effectively. Steps to Update Your Apple ID Email Changing your Apple ID email is a straightforward process that can be completed directly from your Apple device. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition: Access Apple ID Settings: Open the Settings app on your Apple device. Tap your name at the top of the screen to enter your Apple ID settings. This section allows you to manage account details, including your email address and security preferences. Open the Settings app on your Apple device. Tap your name at the top of the screen to enter your Apple ID settings. This section allows you to manage account details, including your email address and security preferences. Locate the Email Option: Within the 'Sign-In and Security' section, find the 'Apple ID' option. Tap it to view your current primary email address. Within the 'Sign-In and Security' section, find the 'Apple ID' option. Tap it to view your current primary email address. Modify the Email Address: Select your current email to initiate the update process. You can either replace it entirely or add a new email as the primary address. It is important to ensure that the new email address you choose is one you actively use and can access, as it will become the primary point of contact for your Apple account. Adding and Verifying a New Email Once you've initiated the process to update your email, you'll need to verify the new address to complete the change. Follow these steps to add and confirm your new email: Enter the new email address in the designated field. Apple will send a verification code to the new email address. Check your inbox for this code. Input the verification code into the appropriate field on your device to confirm ownership of the new email. This verification process is essential to ensure that the email address is valid and functional. Without completing this step, the update cannot be finalized. Making sure Seamless Service Integration After verifying your new email, Apple will automatically integrate it with all associated services, including iMessage, FaceTime, and iCloud. To confirm the update, navigate to the settings for these services and check that the new email is listed as the primary contact. This ensures that communication and functionality across your devices remain uninterrupted. If you encounter any issues, such as services not recognizing the updated email, restarting your device or signing out and back into your Apple ID can often resolve the problem. Preserving Your Data and Purchases One of the advantages of Apple's ecosystem is its ability to maintain data continuity during account changes. Updating your Apple ID email will not affect your stored data, app purchases, or passwords. However, it is always a good practice to back up your device before making significant account changes. This precaution ensures that your data remains safe in the unlikely event of an issue during the update process. To back up your device, you can use iCloud or connect your device to a computer and create a backup through iTunes or Finder. Having a recent backup provides peace of mind and an extra layer of security for your personal information. Enhancing Account Security Updating your Apple ID email is also an excellent opportunity to review and strengthen your account's security settings. Consider allowing two-factor authentication if it is not already active. This feature adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a verification code in addition to your password when signing in to your account. To enable two-factor authentication, go to your Apple ID settings, select 'Password & Security,' and follow the prompts to activate this feature. By doing so, you ensure that only you can access your account, even if someone else obtains your password. Additionally, take a moment to review your account recovery options, such as trusted phone numbers and backup email addresses. Keeping these details up-to-date ensures you can regain access to your account in case of an issue. Maintaining a Secure and Functional Apple Ecosystem Changing your Apple ID email is a simple yet essential step to protect your account and maintain seamless access to Apple services. By following the outlined steps, you can update your email without disrupting your data or purchases. Regularly reviewing and updating your account settings, including your email and security preferences, ensures that your Apple ecosystem remains secure, efficient, and up-to-date. Taking proactive measures to manage your Apple ID not only enhances your account's security but also ensures a smooth and uninterrupted experience across all your Apple devices and services. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content that you may find of interest on Apple ID email update. Source & Image Credit: Daniel About Tech Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Gbyte Recovery Review 2025: Can It Retrieve WhatsApp Chats Without Backup?
We've all been in a situation where a precious WhatsApp chat vanishes into thin air. Maybe your phone crashed. Perhaps you switched devices and forgot to back up. Or maybe you just pressed the wrong button after a long day. Either way, your messages, along with photos, voice notes, and those adorable baby videos, are gone. Or maybe, they're not. Gybte Recovery is a data recovery software solution that can help you retrieve your WhatsApp messages even if you don't have a backup. So does it live up to the hype? Can it really recover WhatsApp chats without backup? You'll find out here. What Makes Gbyte Recovery Special? Gbyte Recovery isn't just another recovery app. It brings unique strengths to the table, making it a powerful ally in digital emergencies. With a mix of exclusive tech, privacy-first design, and its impressive compatibility, Gbyte stands out in a crowded market. 1. No Need for Backup With Gbyte Recovery, the panic of "no backup" is significantly reduced. It can perform a deep scan of your iPhone's internal storage directly, even if your device is unresponsive, dead, or has been factory reset. Beyond the device itself, Gbyte can also comb through your iCloud account without needing physical access to your iPhone. This means your seemingly lost chats and files aren't truly lost if Gbyte can find residual data or access an available cloud backup. 2. Broad-Spectrum Data Support Gbyte isn't limited to just a few common data types; its interface clearly showcases its comprehensive capabilities. It seamlessly handles "Basic data" such as your photos, contacts, notes, reminders, mail, and calendar entries. Furthermore, it excels in recovering "Advanced data" exclusive to its capabilities, including a vast array of social app messages (WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, WeChat, Line, Kik, Snapchat), call logs, voicemails, Safari history, and even Wi-Fi passwords, ensuring truly versatile recovery. 3. Comprehensive Social App Recovery While general data recovery is strong, WhatsApp recovery is certainly where Gbyte Recovery shines, but that's not all it does within the social realm. From individual group messages and voice memos to images, videos, documents, and even specific WhatsApp Business interactions, Gbyte is designed to locate and retrieve it all. 4. Blazing Fast Performance Waiting for hours while data recovery software scans feels like an extra punishment when you're already stressed about lost files. Thankfully, Gbyte's optimization for speed sets it apart. Its scan speeds are up to 3x faster than many other tools on the market. That means significantly less waiting time for you and, critically, more time to act quickly on lost data before it gets overwritten, boosting your chances of a successful recovery. 5. Ironclad Privacy In today's digital age, data privacy is paramount, especially when recovering sensitive information. Gbyte Recovery takes this seriously. Every step of the recovery process happens entirely locally on your computer. There are absolutely no server uploads, no sneaky sharing, and no transmission of your recovered data to Gbyte's servers or any third parties. What you retrieve stays with you and you alone, ensuring your sensitive messages and files remain private. 6. Intuitive User Experience You don't need to be a tech wizard to use Gbyte. Its user interface is designed with simplicity in mind, guiding you through each step of the recovery process with clear instructions. From connecting your device to previewing and selecting files, the experience is straightforward and stress-free. This intuitive design helps reduce the anxiety often associated with data loss, allowing even beginners to confidently attempt data recovery. Does Gybte Actually Recover WhatsApp Chats Without Backup? So, if you really want to know if Gybte can recover WhatsApp data, the answer is a confident yes. If you never backed up your chats via iCloud or WhatsApp settings, Gbyte still gives you a fighting chance. Its Deep Scan Mode combs through your device's hidden storage, looking for deleted messages, media files, and cached data. Even if your phone has been reset, Gbyte can still work its magic using iCloud access alone. All you need is your Apple ID login. No cables. No iTunes. Just results. How to Use Gbyte Recovery for WhatsApp Recovery Step 1: Download and Install Head over to and download the app for Windows or macOS. Install it on your computer. Step 2: Choose WhatsApp Recovery Launch the app and select 'WhatsApp' as your recovery target. You can also recover photos, videos, messages, contacts, and more. Just pick what you need. Step 3: Scan Your Device or iCloud If you have access to your iPhone, connect it directly and let Gbyte scan the internal storage. All you have to do is sign in to your iCloud account securely within the app, and Gbyte will pull recoverable data from there. Step 4: Preview and Select Once the scan is complete, Gbyte shows you a preview of everything it found. Pick what you want to restore. Step 5: Recover to PC Click 'Recover to PC,' and your chats and media will be restored on your computer. It's that easy. What If My Phone is Broken, Locked, or Gone? You don't have to worry about how to recover WhatsApp data if your phone is lost or broken because Gbyte doesn't rely on your physical device. As long as you've ever logged into iCloud on that device, and the WhatsApp data existed at some point, Gbyte can dig it up from the cloud, even if your phone is waterlogged, frozen, or somewhere at the bottom of a lake. Compatibility Gbyte Recovery works on nearly every Apple device and OS combo you can think of. From iPhone 5 to iPhone 16, all iPads and iPad Pros, iOS and iPadOS 10 to 18, Windows 7 to 11, and macOS 10.10 and above. Whether you're using an old iPhone 6 or the latest 16 Pro, you're covered. Pricing Plans Gbyte Recovery has a free version where you can scan and peek at what's recoverable! If you decide to buy, a Monthly plan is $39.99, a Yearly plan is $49.99, and for ultimate peace of mind, a Lifetime plan is just $79.99. All paid plans give you full access and support for all your WhatsApp data recovery needs. Conclusion If you've ever stared at your phone in disbelief after losing WhatsApp chats, Gbyte Recovery is your second chance. It's fast, secure, and doesn't require a backup. Whether your device is broken, reset, or MIA, Gbyte has your back. And with support for iCloud recovery, you don't even need to plug your phone in. FAQs Can I recover messages if I uninstalled WhatsApp? Yes. As long as the data existed in your iCloud or device storage, Gbyte can bring it back. How long does recovery take? Most scans finish within minutes, depending on how much data you're retrieving. Is Gybte safe? Absolutely. No data is uploaded or shared. Everything happens locally and securely. What if I deleted a chat months ago? Gbyte's Deep Scan Mode is designed for exactly that. Even long-lost messages can be recovered.
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
iCloud outage hits Apple services, Find My, Photos and Mail down globally: What went wrong and current status
Apple has confirmed that all iCloud services are now fully operational following a major outage that disrupted access for users across the globe during the early hours of June 25. The issue, which affected key services such as Photos, iCloud Mail, Find My, and iCloud web apps, appears to have lasted for several hours before being to Apple's system status dashboard, the disruption began shortly after midnight Indian Standard Time (IST) and persisted until approximately 4.30AM (IST). While the company has not provided a detailed explanation for the cause of the incident, it has assured users that normal service has been restored worldwide. At first, the company flagged several services with warnings labelled 'Outage' or 'Issue'. It later revised the status to note that the problems were affecting 'some users'. Once the situation was resolved, Apple updated the page once again, stating that 'all services are operating normally'. The outage continued for roughly five The outage left many Apple customers frustrated, as they found themselves unable to access essential services. The problems were first widely noticed when Downdetector, an independent platform that monitors service interruptions, recorded a surge in user reports beginning around 1AM IST. Data from the platform indicated that half of these reports related to difficulties with iCloud Mail, while 44 per cent involved trouble retrieving files from iCloud Drive. A smaller proportion, roughly 6 per cent, said they were unable to sign in to their iCloud accounts the disruption, users turned to social media to vent their frustrations. On X (formerly Twitter), several individuals reported encountering messages like 'There was a problem loading this content' when attempting to access files stored in iCloud Drive. Others highlighted their inability to log in either via the web or through native applications, even when Apple's status page was not yet reflecting any service issues at the time. advertisement The incident highlights the heavy reliance many individuals and businesses now place on cloud-based services for day-to-day activities. With features such as iCloud Mail, Calendar, Contacts, and iCloud Drive forming the backbone of Apple's ecosystem, any interruption—however brief—can cause significant the outage appeared to impact a broad range of services. In addition to iCloud Mail and Drive, disruptions were reported across Find My, Photos, iWork for iCloud, iCloud Calendar, iCloud Contacts, iCloud Storage Upgrades, iCloud web apps, and the iCloud Account and Sign-In system. The problems seem to have affected users attempting to upgrade their storage plans as well. Apple's system status page now displays all services as operational. For now, users can breathe a sigh of relief as all affected services—including iCloud Mail, Photos, Find My, iCloud web apps, and others—are back online. Customers are advised to check their accounts and ensure that all data and files are accessible as expected. - Ends
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Apple Confirms iCloud Outage Affected Photos, Find My, and Other Services — Here's What Happened
Apple users were hit with a variety of interruptions to services on the 25th of June earlier in the day, when a variety of Apple iCloud outage features include Photos, Apple Find My not working, iCloud Mail and more were affected temporarily. According to Apple's Status page on the System Status webpage, the problems started at 12:06 AM at IST and were solved by 4:30 am. Apple service disruption 2025 was: iCloud Mail Photos Find My iCloud Account & Sign-In iCloud Web Apps ( Its Find My service, which assists users in tracking their Apple devices and share their locations encountered problems between 12:10 AM until 3:00 am. Apple's official description for all services said it was "some users were affected" and might be having "experienced an issue" or "a problem" with access or function. Information from the website that tracks outages -- Downdetector also revealed a substantial increase in reports around 1:15 AM, with the highest number of 908 complaints of iCloud Photos issue. The majority of complaints were connected to email access (50 percent) which was followed by issues with connection to servers (26 percent) and issues connecting or syncing files (24 percent). Users experienced a variety of glitches in the time of iCloud down today. There were numerous requests for users to "sign into account to verify Apple ID," while some users were unable to send or receive email as a result of "sender invalid" errors. Many also noted that synchronizing between Apple devices was no longer completely. What Apple has said Like always, Apple has not issued any specific explanation of the reason for the interruption however they did confirm the services are been restored to normal. At present there is no action from users needed, and the status dashboard for the system shows green all over the board.
