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How to turn off your iPhone 17 in various ways

by Emily Long

While you might be eager to explore new iOS 26 features, mastering the basics of your iPhone 17 is equally important. Even simple tasks like powering down your device might feel different from previous models, especially if you’re upgrading from an older iPhone.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Whether you need to conserve battery life, troubleshoot an issue, or simply restart your device, Apple has made the process of shutting down an iPhone 17 straightforward with multiple shutdown methods. For those new to the latest generation of iPhones, these methods are designed to be more intuitive and accessible than ever, even if they feel unfamiliar at first.

The Difference between Sleep Mode and Shutting Down

Normally, when you briefly press the side button on your iPhone 17, the screen on your device turns off, but the iPhone stays running. This is called sleep mode or lock mode. While it turns off the screen, it doesn’t completely power off the device.

In contrast, shutting down your iPhone starts a special software shutdown process where your iPhone begins to tidy up and prepare for power-off. Then, your iPhone turns off completely. We’re going to show you how to completely turn off an iPhone 17 in the steps ahead.

How to turn off iPhone 17

You can shut down your iPhone 17 using four different methods. These methods take just seconds to complete once you know how. Let’s explore the simplest ways to turn off your iPhone 17.

1. How to Shut Down an iPhone 17 Using Physical Buttons

The quickest way to turn off your iPhone 17 is using the physical buttons. Press and hold the side button and either volume button simultaneously until you see the power off slider appear on screen.

Simply drag the slider from left to right, and your iPhone 16 will begin its shutdown process.

2. How to Shut Down an iPhone 17 Using the Settings App

If you prefer using the touchscreen, you can also turn off your iPhone 17 through Settings. Navigate to Settings, tap General, scroll down to find Shut Down, then drag the power off slider to complete the process.

This method is particularly useful if your physical buttons aren’t working properly.

3. How to Shut Down an iPhone 17 Through The Control Center

If you want to shut down your iPhone 17 without holding any physical buttons. All you’ve to do is swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Control Center and press and hold (then release) the power button for a second. Next, drag the familiar power slider to turn off your iPhone 17.

4. Shut down iPhone 17 Using Siri

If you need to turn off your iPhone 17 quickly at any time, the easiest way to do so is by using Siri. All you need to do is say, "Hey Siri, turn off my iPhone." Siri should respond with a confirmation, asking, "Just to confirm, you want to power off this device?" Then, tapping on the turn-off button shuts down your iPhone 17 right away.

How to Turn Your iPhone 17 Back on Again

Now that your iPhone 17 has been turned off, what next? If you’re troubleshooting, you can wait a few moments, and then turn it back on again. Waiting 10 seconds is a good rule of thumb when power-cycling gadgets in general.

If you wanted to save power, then you’re already set: Your iPhone won’t use any battery power while it’s powered off. (But batteries naturally and slowly drain over time, so if you put your iPhone in a drawer and come back to it in a year, its battery level will be a bit lower than you left it.)

To turn your iPhone 17 back on, just press and hold the side button on your iPhone until the Apple logo appears. After a few moments, you’ll see the lock screen, and you’re back in action.

Manage your always-on display

Your iPhone 17 comes with an Always-On display feature enabled by default. If you want to conserve battery without fully shutting down, you can turn this off by going to Settings, Display & Brightness and toggling off the Always On Display option. Good luck!

Tag: iPhone 17
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Here’s How to Soft Reset Your iPhone 17

by Dave Johnson

It’s normal for the iPhone 17 to have a hiccup now and then. Fortunately, you can often resolve the problem at home without any cost. The solution is to soft reset your iPhone 17.

Let’s first quickly look at what an iPhone soft reset does. Then, we’ll go through the steps on how to soft reset an iPhone 17.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

What Is an iPhone Soft Reset?

A soft reset is also known as a force restart. A soft reset differs from a "normal" restart. The latter simply involves turning off your iPhone and turning it on again.

Take note that a soft reset also differs from a hard reset. When you hard reset or factory reset your iPhone, the procedure erases your iPhone’s data and restores your device to its blank, default state, as though you just bought it.

You’ll likely soft reset your iPhone 17 when it’s completely frozen. For example, when your iPhone 17 is stuck on the Apple logo. A soft reset does not erase any data.

How to Soft Reset an iPhone 17

Follow these steps to soft reset your iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max:

  1. Press the Volume Up button once and release it.
  2. Press the Volume Down button once and release it.
  3. Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo. You can now release the Side button.

It’s important to press each button in immediate succession. However, you don’t need to rush through the steps urgently. Pacing it at one button per second is sufficient.

Carry Out an iPhone 17 Soft Reset Easily

Whenever you face issues with your device, a quick go-to solution is to simply soft reset your iPhone 17. The methods are similar on iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and they’re easy to carry out once you know the steps.

However, if the problem persists, you might need to put your iPhone 17 in recovery mode and reinstall iOS. Just don’t forget to back up all your data before you do that.

See also: How to Put Your iPhone 17 in DFU Mode

Tag: iPhone 17
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How to Put Your iPhone 17 in DFU Mode

by Chris Smith
  • DFU mode is a way to recover your iPhone using a computer.
  • To put an iPhone 17 into DFU mode, you’ll need to use either iTunes or Finder.

Most of the faults your iPhone 17 software will develop can be solved with a few tricks or by resetting it using Recovery mode. On rare occasions, however, those options may not work. Before you search for the nearest Apple repair center, you should try to restore your iPhone 17 using DFU mode instead.

In this article, we’ll check out how to put your iPhone 17 in DFU mode and also how to exit this mode.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

What Is DFU Mode?

Device Firmware Update mode — or DFU mode for short — is a state that an iPhone can be put in to get your device back into working order.

DFU mode is similar to the BIOS on Windows computers or Recovery Mode on a Mac. It exists "below" the operating system level — iOS — but can still communicate with iTunes or Finder on a Windows or Mac computer.

In DFU mode, your iOS device is accessible to iTunes or Finder at a more privileged level. This allows for more to be changed than normal. However, going into DFU mode on its own does not change anything on the iPhone.

Quick tip: DFU mode can be useful for installing older versions of iOS if a beta release does not allow you to install an update.

Does DFU Mode Delete iPhone Data?

Unfortunately, if you use this mode to install something or restore your iPhone 17, all of your iPhone’s data will be erased. This works similarly to the iTunes restore method, which also deletes all of your data.

It completely erases your iPhone, erasing all of your videos, photos, messages, apps, and even the previously configured settings. When you’re finished with this mode, you’ll have to reset your device to use it. We recommend backing up your files before entering DFU mode, then restoring them after the process.

Put an iPhone 17 in DFU mode

To put an iPhone 17 into DFU mode, follow the steps below.

Before you begin:

  • Back up your iPhone if you can, as a DFU restore will erase your iPhone data.
  • Install the latest version of iTunes or macOS on your Windows or Mac.
  • Do not disconnect your iPhone when iTunes or Finder is actively reinstalling the system software and firmware.
  • If your iPhone 17 is damaged in any way, and especially if it’s water-damaged, a DFU restore may break your iPhone.

It is necessary to note that using DFU mode to downgrade iOS or jailbreak your device can cause damage and void the warranty.

Entering DFU mode on an iPhone 17 involves a combination of pressing, holding, and releasing different buttons. You will also need a compatible USB cable to connect the device to a Mac or a Windows PC running the latest version of macOS or iTunes.

Important: Macs running macOS Catalina and later will use Finder. PCs and Macs running macOS Mojave or earlier will need iTunes.
3.

Follow these steps to enter DFU mode on an iPhone 17:

  1. Quickly press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button until the screen goes black.
  2. As soon as the screen turns black, press and hold the volume down button while continuing to hold the side button.
  3. After 5 seconds, release the side button while continuing to hold the volume down button until your iPhone shows up in iTunes or Finder.
  4. As soon as it appears in iTunes or Finder, release the volume button. Ta-da! Your iPhone 17 is in DFU mode.

Note: If the Apple logo is appearing on the screen, you held down the volume down button for too long. Start the process over from the beginning and try again.

How to Exit DFU Mode on an iPhone 17

  1. Quickly press and release the Volume up button.
  2. Quickly press and release the Volume down button.
  3. Press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo appears on your phone screen.

DFU Is Powerful, But Not Perfect

If your iPhone 17 isn’t working and you’ve tried all the other solutions, you might still be able to fix it using DFU mode. However, a DFU restore is not the ultimate fix for all iPhone 17 problems Some issues may be plain hardware faults and cannot be fixed with system software or firmware restore. If your iPhone 17 stubbornly refuses to enter DFU mode, or the issues persist after performing a reset, consider seeking a professional repair instead.

Tag: iPhone 17
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How to Put Your iPhone 17 in Recovery Mode

by Abigail Shilets

You might need to put your iPhone 17 in recovery mode to fix all manner of software problems, from a short battery life to totally unresponsive phone. Recovery mode is also especially useful if you’re having trouble updating or restoring your iPhone 17.

Before we get started, you should know that you’ll need a computer (running macOS or Windows) and a cable to connect it to your iPhone 17. If you’ve got everything you need, follow the steps below to learn how to put your iPhone 17 in recovery mode.

Note: Information in this article applied to iPhone 17, ipPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Data Loss Concerns With Recovery Mode

If you need to put your iPhone 17 in recovery mode to restore it, you can ignore this section because you’re going to erase all your data anyway. However, if you’re using recovery mode to update or troubleshoot your iPhone 17, you should know that it comes with a risk of data loss.

This isn’t always the case; usually you can enter and exit recovery mode without losing any data on your iPhone 17. But if something goes wrong, you may need to erase and restore your iPad to get it out of recovery mode again.

For that reason, we strongly recommend that you back up your iPhone 17 before putting it into recovery mode.

How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 17

The iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max use the same set of steps to enter recovery mode. The below steps will work with the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

  1. Make sure that your Mac is up to date. If you’re using a PC, make sure you have the latest version of the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
  2. Connect your iPhone 17 to your computer with a USB cable.
  3. Open the Finder on your Mac, or open the Apple Devices app on your PC. If your PC doesn’t have the Apple Devices app, or your Mac is using macOS Mojave or earlier, open iTunes instead.
  4. Keep your iPhone connected and wait until the Connect to computer screen appears.
  5. Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button until you see the Connect to computer screen.

After Putting an iPhone 17 in Recovery Mode

Once your iPhone 17 is in recovery mode, you need to use Finder or iTunes on your computer to update or restore the device.

Select your iPhone from the sidebar in Finder or from the top-left corner in iTunes, then go to the Summary or General tab and click Update or Restore, depending on your needs. Update will install the latest version of iOS without erasing any data. Restore will update iOS while also erasing all the data and resetting your iPhone 17 to factory settings.

Force Restart Your iPhone 17 to Exit Recovery Mode

If you need to exit recovery mode, but you don’t want to update or restore your iPhone 17, you should be able to do so by force restarting your iPhone 17. To do this, disconnect your iPhone 17 from the computer, then quickly press and release the volume up button, then quickly press and release the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

And if recovery mode didn’t help solve your software issues, consider using DFU mode with your iPhone 17 instead, which offers a deeper level of software reset for your device.

iPhone 17 Recovery Mode, Made Easy

We’ve seen how to enter recovery mode on an iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. It’s a simple process once you know it, but the increasingly confusing button combinations are a bit obtuse. Hopefully, you won’t need to use these often, if ever.

See also: How to Put Your iPhone 17 in DFU Mode

Tag: iPhone 17
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How to fix iPhone Camera issues after iOS 26 update

by Stacey Butler

With iOS 26, Apple introduced a new camera interface. I like it a lot. It’s much cleaner and organized. So what do you do if your iPhone’s camera isn’t working after iOS 26 update?

Here are the most common problems you might have come across with your iPhone camera after updating to iOS 26, along with everything you can do to fix them.

1. iPhone Camera Shows a Black Screen After iOS 26 Update

Some users have complained that the camera app opens to a black screen after iOS 26 update. I experienced this problem as well. After installing iOS 26 on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, i had issues with my camera not initializing. The app opened up to a black screen, and I was unable to take a picture. I also noticed that occasionally it will take a picture but not save the image.

If you launch the Camera app on your iPhone after iOS 26 update and see a black screen, try the following steps to fix it:

  • Make sure nothing is blocking the camera lens. You may have put the case on incorrectly or there may be something stuck to the back of your iPhone.
  • Try using the official iPhone Camera app, rather than any third-party alternatives. This app is more reliable than the alternatives and more likely to work properly.
  • In the Camera app, switch between the front and back cameras to see if both of them are working or not. To do this, tap the camera flip icon on the right side of the screen. If only one camera works, that might indicate a hardware problem.
  • Restart the Camera app. To do so, swipe up to the middle of the screen, then close the Camera app by sliding it off the top of the screen.
  • Turn off your iPhone by holding the Side button (along with either Volume button, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds before pressing the Side button again to restart your iPhone. If that doesn’t work, force restart your iPhone instead.

2. iPhone Camera is Blurry After iOS 26 Update

When i updated my iPhone to iOS 26, i realized my back camera was not taking clear photos; it was all blurry and was not focusing on anything. I took off my camera screen protector, hoping that would help, but nothing.

If the photos you take with your iPhone camera are blurry or out of focus after iOS 26 update, try these fixes:

  • Clean the front and back camera lenses with a microfiber cloth. If you see dirt or debris behind the glass, take your iPhone to an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider for a repair.
  • Remove any metallic or magnetic iPhone cases and camera accessories. They can interfere with the optical image stabilization on an iPhone.
  • Keep your hand steady while tapping the shutter button. Sometimes it’s easier to press one of the Volume buttons to take steady pictures instead. Be careful in the dark when the shutter needs to stay open for longer.

3. iPhone Camera Flash Isn’t Working After iOS 26 Update

Although most photos look better without a flash, sometimes you need that extra light for dark environments. If your iPhone camera flash stopped working after iOS 26 update, try these tips:

  • Test the LED flash on your iPhone by turning on the flashlight from the Control Center.
  • Make sure you set the flash to On or Auto in the Camera app. To do this, tap the lightning bolt icon on the left side of the screen to see your flash options (you can’t use the flash for panoramic photographs or time-lapse videos).
  • Be careful when using the flash for long videos or in hot environments. If your iPhone gets too hot, it might disable the flash entirely until it has cooled down again.

4. iPhone Photos Are Flipped the Wrong Way

This problem can often happen when you turn your iPhone horizontally to take a landscape-oriented photo. After snapping the picture, it flips back to portrait orientation in your photo library. If your iPhone photos are flipped the wrong way after iOS 26 update, try these tips to fix it:

  • Open Control Center on your iPhone and tap the lock icon with a circle around it to turn off Rotation Lock.
    • To open Control Center, swipe down from the top-right corner on your iPhone.
  • Before snapping a photo, take a moment to make sure that the icons in the Camera app have rotated to their new horizontal orientation. If not, rotate your iPhone back and forth until they do so.
  • You can always edit your pictures later from the Photos app, or other third-party iPhone image editing apps.
  • If you’re wondering why your selfies always appear mirrored, that’s simply how Apple designed the front-facing camera. The camera works like a mirror, but the photo flips over as if someone took it for you.

5. The Camera App Is Missing or Keeps Freezing After iOS 26 Update

If you can’t find the Camera app on your iPhone after updating to iOS 26, or if the app freezes when you switch between cameras, it may be due to your iPhone restrictions. You can check this out from the Screen Time settings:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  2. If Content & Privacy Restrictions is turned on, tap on Allowed Apps and enter your Screen Time passcode if you have one.
  3. Make sure you turn the Camera app on; the toggle should be green.

6. General iPhone Camera Software Fixes

If you experience any other oddities with your iPhone camera not working after iOS 26 update, it’s a good idea to try some general software troubleshooting tips. Test your iPhone camera again after each of the tips below.

  • Close all the apps on your iPhone.
  • Restart your device.
  • Update iOS by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
  • Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This doesn’t delete any of your content—such as photos or apps—but it does reset all your iPhone settings.
  • Finally, factory reset your iPhone and set it up as a new device. This erases everything and is the last resort, but should resolve any iOS 26 glitches that stop your iPhone camera from working.

7. General iPhone Camera Hardware Fixes

If you’ve tried everything above and your front or back iPhone camera is still not working, you might have a hardware problem instead. Try the troubleshooting steps below to fix it:

  • Double-check that the camera is not obstructed by a case or sticker.
  • Make sure there are no smudges, dirt, or debris on the camera lens. Smudges and fingerprints should wipe away easily with a microfiber cloth.
  • Contact Apple Support to arrange a hardware repair at the Apple Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Get Back to Taking Great Photos With Your iPhone

These tips cover the most common reasons your iPhone camera might not be working after iOS 26 update. If you didn’t see your exact issue, hopefully the general tips helped you fix iOS 26 camera issue you are experiencing. Otherwise, you may need to speak to Apple about a hardware repair.

Tag: camera
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How to fix iPhone keyboard issues after iOS 26 update

by GeeksModo Staff

Is your iPhone keyboard not showing up, typing the wrong letters, or slow after updating to iOS 26? We’ll go through the iOS 26 keyboard issues users are facing and the corresponding solutions you can try.

1. iPhone Keyboard Isn’t Showing Up After iOS 26 Update

If the entire on-screen keyboard isn’t showing up on your iPhone when you need to type something, it’s probably because the cursor isn’t in a text field yet. Try tapping a text field or search box on your screen for the keyboard to appear.

If it’s a specific language that’s not showing up on your iPhone keyboard, it’s likely because you haven’t added the language yet.

To add a language to your keyboard, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard. From the list, select the language and your preferred input method if needed, then tap Done.

2. iPhone Keyboard Typing the Wrong Letters and Words After iOS 26 Update

Almost everyone has had a text message needlessly autocorrected by their iPhone. But if you started facing this issue after updating to iOS 26, here’s what you should do.

Test Your iPhone Screen

If the on-screen keyboard seems to type on its own and input the wrong letters and words, the issue may lie with your iPhone screen. Test to see if your iPhone works normally when you’re not using the keyboard.

If your iPhone is also opening apps randomly when you’re not touching the screen at all, this is a problem known as “ghost touch.” You can try solutions such as cleaning your iPhone screen and replacing the screen protector to fix ghost touch on your iPhone.

But if the cause of ghost touch is damaged hardware—for example, you dropped your iPhone recently, and there are visible screen cracks—you probably need to replace your iPhone’s display. While we recommend getting it fixed by Apple, you have options if you want to fix your iPhone’s screen for cheap.

Check Your Text Replacement Setting

Let’s say you’re typing the phrase “I’m studying” in a message, but it autocorrects to “I’m napping” every time. This is probably caused by a text replacement setting.

The purpose of iPhone text replacement is to help people save time by completing phrases from preset abbreviations. However, it can also be used by a family or friend to set up a prank, hence the endless “correction.”

Head to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. If there’s an unwanted phrase in the list, swipe left on it and tap Delete.

3. iPhone Keyboard Is Lagging After iOS 26 Update

If you’re typing swiftly on your iPhone keyboard but the text takes a while to show up on the screen, the cause might be a temporary iOS 26 glitch or an incorrect iPhone setting. Try the solutions below.

Reset the Keyboard Dictionary

Your iPhone’s keyboard dictionary doesn’t only autocorrect misspelled words. It also learns from what you type and provides predictive text accordingly.

You can try resetting the keyboard dictionary if your iPhone keyboard has been lagging since updating to iOS 26. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary to do so.

Review Your Touch Accommodations Settings in Accessibility

It’s also possible that the iOS 26 update changed accessibility settings that affect how sensitive the screen (including the on-screen keyboard) is to touch. Therefore, these settings may cause a delay between typing on the keyboard and the text actually appearing on the screen.

To remove this, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accommodations. Toggle off Hold Duration, Ignore Repeat, choose Off for Tap Assistance, and toggle off Touch Accommodations.

4. No Sound or Vibration When Typing on iPhone Keyboard After iOS 26 Update

By default, when you type on your iPhone keyboard, there should be a soft tapping sound. However, you can customize it to include haptic feedback for each key press in the Settings app. And if you don’t hear a sound while typing, you can check if it’s enabled here.

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback and toggle on Sound and Haptic, depending on what you’d like.

If you still don’t feel a vibration when you type, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and make sure Vibration is toggled on. Also, make sure you have Silent mode turned off on your iPhone.

  1. General Troubleshooting Methods to Fix iOS 26 Keyboard Issues

If your iPhone keyboard is still not working after going through the above troubleshooting methods, you can try a few generic solutions. First, restart your iPhone by turning it off and on again. However, if the on-screen keyboard is frozen, you may need to force restart your iPhone instead.

Secondly, go to Settings > General > Software Update to check if a newer version of iOS 26 is available for your device. Apple frequently rolls out updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements, which may help solve keyboard problems if it hasn’t been working right.

Similarly, if you’ve been using a third-party iPhone keyboard app, it’s best to update the iPhone app to get the latest bug fixes as well.

In my experience, I’ve noticed that several iPhone issues crop up from time to time. We hope our list of iOS 26 keyboard problems helped you find the relevant fixes quickly. However, if the issue persists, it’s best to contact Apple Support for further assistance.

See also: Is your iPhone slow after iOS 26 update? Here’s the fix!

Tags: iOS 26, Keyboard
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StandBy Mode Not Working After iOS 26 Update on iPhone? Fix

by Abigail Shilets

You can use StandBy to turn your iPhone into a bedside clock, a photo frame, a display for viewing widgets or Live Activities in full screen, and more.

However, many iPhone users are having difficulty getting the StandBy feature to work properly after updating to iOS 26. If you’re experiencing a similar problem, you’ve come to the right place, as we’ll discuss a few troubleshooting steps you can follow if StandBy isn’t working on iOS 26.

1. Check if StandBy Is Enabled

Before we get into advanced troubleshooting methods, let’s start with a basic solution: making sure StandBy is enabled. If you haven’t enabled StandBy in your iPhone settings or accidentally turned it off, it won’t work.

Go to Settings > StandBy and make sure StandBy is turned on. If it’s already turned on, try turning it off and back on. Now, try using StandBy again. If it’s still not working, move on to the next solution.

2. Make Sure You’re Using StandBy Correctly

If StandBy is still not working on your iPhone, it could be because you’re not using it properly. To activate StandBy Mode on iOS 26, connect your iPhone to a charger and set it down on its side, keeping it stationary. Press the side button. You can now swipe left or right to switch between widgets, photos, and clocks. Swipe up or down to scroll between options for each of these views.

3. Use an MFi-Certified Charging Accessory

Check whether the USB-C cable or MagSafe charger you’re using to charge your iPhone is MFi-certified if you’re still unable to activate StandBy on iOS 26. That’s because if it’s not MFi-certified, you might occasionally get the This accessory may not be supported pop-up.

Although Apple doesn’t require you to use an MFi-certified charger, we highly recommend it, especially when StandBy fails to activate on your iPhone.

4. Restart Your iPhone

If StandBy is still not working on your iPhone, your last option is to restart your phone. Simply turning your iPhone off and turning it back on is one of the easiest ways to fix any software issue you could be facing with your device. Therefore, a simple restart is also a potential fix when StandBy isn’t working.

However, if you’re still out of luck after a reboot, you should contact Apple Support or make an Apple Store appointment at a Genius Bar for in-person assistance.

Enjoy StandBy on iOS 26 in All Its Glory

We hope one of these troubleshooting steps helped you finally get StandBy to work on your iPhone as intended. Take advantage of StandBy when your iPhone is simply lying on your desk.

Even when you’re not actively using your iPhone, iOS 26’s StandBy feature lets you quickly check any information that might be important or glance at the time without having to press any button or raise your iPhone. But that’s not to say the feature doesn’t have its fair share of annoying quirks.

Tag: iOS 26
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Can’t Download Apps on iPhone After Updating to iOS 26? Here’s The Fix

by GeeksModo Staff

Are you unable to download apps on your iPhone after iOS 26 update? There are several reasons your iPhone might not let you download any apps, from problems with your internet connection to a lack of storage on your device. Here are some solutions you can try if you can’t download apps after updating to iOS 26.

1. Test Your Internet Connection

For your iPhone to download apps from the App Store, it needs a working internet connection. Most of the time, you should connect to Wi-Fi, since cellular downloads use up your data allowance and often only let you download apps smaller than 200MB.

After connecting to Wi-Fi, test your internet connection by streaming a video on YouTube. If the connection is slow or unstable, toggle Wi-Fi off and back on from the Control Center. You can access this by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen.

See also: How to Fix iOS 26 Slow Wi-Fi Issues on iPhone

Problems with Wi-Fi can be caused by temporary service outages or local network hardware failure. You might want to power cycle your router and modem (waiting around 10 seconds between switching devices off and then on again) to rule out local network problems as a cause.

If you need to use mobile data to download apps instead, make sure you allow the App Store to use cellular data on your iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular.
  2. Scroll down to the list of apps and turn on App Store.
  3. Then go to Settings > Apps > App Store, tap App Downloads and choose if you want your iPhone to ask permission before downloading apps over 200MB in size.

See also: iPhone Cellular Data Not Working on iOS 26? How to fix it

2. Disable Your VPN

VPNs are useful and almost certainly worth paying for, but they can cause all sorts of problems too. This could be a temporary problem with your chosen VPN provider or local server, but it could also be so-called “suspicious” activity that Apple has chosen to block. Sometimes, VPN providers that offer a kill switch to disable all internet traffic when the connection drops.

The easiest way to rule out your VPN as a cause is to disable it and try again. To do this, open your VPN provider’s app and disconnect. You can also try switching servers, to see if the problem is caused by your configuration.

Open the App Store and try downloading apps again. Don’t forget to enable your VPN again when you’re done troubleshooting!

3. Make Sure Your Have Enough Free Space

Internal iPhone storage is not expandable. You can’t download new apps on your iPhone if you’ve already filled up your device with photos, videos, music, and other content.

When this happens, an alert should pop up saying “Not Enough Storage.”

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see how much free space you have and take a look at which apps are using the most. There are plenty of ways to create more free space on your iPhone if you need to, such as offloading apps, uploading photos to the cloud, or deleting junk that you no longer need. You can do all of this from the iPhone storage settings.

4. Add a payment method

You might need to have a valid payment method on file, even if the app that you want to download is free.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name.
  3. Tap Payment & Shipping. You might be asked to sign in with your Apple Account.
  4. Tap Add Payment Method.
  5. Enter the payment method details, then tap Done.

If you’ve already added a payment method, it’s possible that the payment details on your account expired, so you should check if you need to update them.

5. Make Sure the Date and Time Are Set Correctly

You may encounter problems downloading apps on iOS 26 if the date and time aren’t set correctly for your time zone. An easy fix to this is to set the date and time automatically by going to Settings > General > Date & Time.

6. Turn Off Content and Privacy Restrictions

The content and privacy restrictions on an iPhone let you limit settings, apps, or features to keep the device safe for children. However, those same limitations explain why you can’t download new apps after iOS 26 update.

To edit your restrictions:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  2. If prompted, enter your Screen Time passcode, which may be different from the standard passcode you use to unlock your iPhone.
  3. Turn off all Content & Privacy Restrictions at the top of the screen or change the following setting:
    • Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases > Installing Apps.
    • Select Allow to enable installing apps.

7. Pause and Resume Your App Download

with pause and prioritize options
Sometimes, if your iPhone won’t download apps on iOS 26, all you need to do to fix it is pause the download, then resume it again. You can do this from the Home Screen on your device.

While an app is downloading, it should appear on the Home screen as a darkened app icon with a progress circle in the middle. Tap it to pause the download—causing a pause symbol to appear. Wait a few seconds, then tap it again to resume the download.

Alternatively, tap and hold on the app icon to reveal a quick-action menu. You can choose to Pause Download or Resume Download from this menu as well.

Alternatively, you have the option to Prioritize Download from the quick-action menu. This is a good idea if your iPhone is downloading other content as well, since it prioritizes this app above all other downloads.

8. Sign Out of the App Store, Then Sign In Again

Though problems downloading apps on your iPhone after iOS 26 update is likely a connectivity issue, signing out of App Store and then in again is also worth a shot. You can do this under Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases by tapping the “Sign Out” button. This will sign you out of the App Store while leaving your main Apple account signed in.

You can then sign in and attempt to access the App Store again, using the same menu.

9. Restart Your iPhone

A quick restart can resolve any temporary glitches that may be preventing your iPhone from downloading apps on iOS 26. You can restart your iPhone by asking Siri to “restart my iPhone” which will power down and then power up your device.

Alternatively, press and hold the Side button with either Volume button. When prompted, slide to power off your iPhone.

Wait 30 seconds after it powers off before pressing the Side button again to restart it.

10. Delete the App, Then Download It Again

Sometimes a download becomes so corrupted that the only way to fix it is deleting the half-downlaoded app and downloading it again from scratch. If you never used the app before, there’s nothing to lose from doing this.

However, if you were trying to update an app rather than download it for the first time, deleting it might also delete any data you have saved in the app. You should make a backup of your iPhone before deleting apps to protect your data.

When you want to delete an app from your iPhone, tap and hold the app icon on the Home Screen. In the quick-action menu that appears, tap Remove App, tap Delete App, then tap Delete to confirm.

After deleting an app, restart your iPhone and download it again from the App Store.

11. Consider Resetting Network Settings

If you’ve tried everything and you still can’t update apps after iOS 26 update, consider resetting your network settings. Doing this will restore settings like DNS and proxy configurations to factory defaults, and you’ll also lose all of your saved Wi-Fi credentials for any wireless networks you have added to your device.

If you’re sure you want to do this, head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and pick “Reset Network Settings” from the list of options that appear. Confirm your choice and wait for the reset to complete.

The first thing you’ll probably want to do is head to Settings > Wi-Fi and connect to your local wireless network. You can then try downloading apps again.

Conclusion

By now, you should be able to download as many apps as you want. If your iPhone still won’t download apps from the App Store on iOS 26, contact Apple Support for more help.

Tags: App Store, iOS 26
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iPhone QR Code Scanner Not Working After iOS 26 Update? Here’s The Fix

by Chris Smith

The built-in QR code scanner is one of the best quality-of-life features of your iPhone. You can access information, make payments, join Wi-Fi networks, and more with a simple scan.

However, users have complained that the QR code scanner feature doesn’t recognize or read the codes correctly after updating their iPhones to iOS 26. This can be frustrating, especially when you urgently need to access the content within the code. Before you give up, here are some fixes you can try to get your QR code scanner to work again.

1. Check if the QR Code Scanner Is Enabled

Usually, pointing your iPhone’s camera at the QR code does the trick. However, if that doesn’t work, there’s a chance the iOS 26 update disabled QR code scanning in the Camera app. Here’s how to enable the QR code scanner on iOS 26:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Camera.
  3. Toggle on the switch next to Scan QR Codes.

2. Ensure Your Camera Is in Photo Mode

The QR code scanner on your iPhone only works when the camera is set to Photo mode. If you’ve mistakenly switched to Video, Portrait, Pano, or any other camera mode, the QR code scanner might not work as expected. So, swipe left or right in the Camera app to switch back to Photo mode. Then, point the camera at the QR code and try to scan it again.

3. Position Your Camera Properly When Scanning

For a quick and successful scan, make sure the QR code is positioned within the frame of your camera. Avoid scanning at steep angles, and try to keep the QR code parallel to your device. Also, ensure the QR code isn’t wrinkled, obscured, or damaged in any way, as this can prevent a successful scan.

4. Move Into Better Lighting

Good lighting is essential for any camera function, and the QR code scanner is no exception. A well-lit environment makes it easier for the camera to recognize and read the QR code. If you’re in a dimly lit room or area, move to a brighter spot or shine some light on the QR code to improve visibility.

5. Clean Your Camera Lens

A smudged or dirty camera lens can make it difficult for the iPhone camera to read the QR code. So, if you are still having trouble scanning the QR code on your iPhone, gently wipe your camera lens with a soft, lint-free cloth to ensure it’s clean. Avoid using harsh or abrasive materials that might scratch the lens. If necessary, slightly dampen the cloth with water to remove stubborn smudges.

6. Relaunch the Camera App

It’s possible that a minor iOS 26 glitch is causing your QR code scanner to malfunction. The quickest fix for this is to simply close the Camera app and relaunch it. To do this, swipe up from the bottom of the screen, then swipe up on the Camera app to close it. Wait for a few seconds, then reopen the Camera app and try to scan the QR code again.

7. Add Code Scanner to Control Center

If you’re still having trouble using your iPhone Camera app to scan the QR code, you can add Apple’s built-in Code Scanner directly to the Control Center for easy access. This built-in feature works separately from the Camera app and can sometimes bypass issues that you might encounter while using the Camera app.

Here’s how to add the Code Scanner to the Control Center:

  1. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right of your screen.
  2. Touch and hold the background of the screen, then tap Add a Control.
  3. In the Control Center gallery, tap Scan Code, then tap anywhere on the screen to return to Control Center, then tap the Code Scanner icon to scan the QR code.

When scanning in a dark or dimly lit area, tap the Flashlight icon at the bottom of the screen to turn on your iPhone’s camera flash.

8. Restart Your iPhone

If your iPhone still isn’t scanning QR Codes on iOS 26, try restarting your phone. Sometimes, minor system glitches can cause certain features, like the QR code scanner, to malfunction. Restarting your iPhone can clear these glitches and get everything running smoothly again. Simply turn off your device and then turn it back on.

9. Update Your iPhone

Apple periodically releases software updates, including bug fixes that can clear any operating system glitches. A bug in the iOS 26 version you are running may be causing issues with your QR code scanner, and an update will fix this.

To update your iPhone, head to Settings > General > Software Update to see if there is any available update. If there’s a new iOS version available, tap Update Now. Ensure you connect to a strong Wi-Fi network and that your iPhone is sufficiently charged before starting the update.

10. Check Out Third-Party QR Code Scanners

If your iPhone built-in QR code scanner still doesn’t work on iOS 26 after trying all these fixes, you should consider downloading a third-party QR code reader from the App Store. Many options, both free and paid, offer a wider range of capabilities compared to the built-in QR scanner.

Popular iOS third-party QR code reader apps include QR Code & Barcode Scanner by TeaCapps, Scan Shot by Scanner App PDF Tool, and CamScanner by INSTIG.

Decode QR Codes on iOS 26 Without Issues

QR codes have become a great way to access information with a simple scan. If you’ve tried all our fixes and still can’t get your iPhone QR code scanner to work on iOS 26, you can always take a picture and scan the QR code with your Photos app.

When you open an image in Photos, you’ll notice a tiny Live Text icon in the bottom-right corner of the image when it recognizes a QR code. Also, remember to contact Apple Support or visit your local Apple Store for in-house repairs if you suspect hardware damage to be the cause of the issue.

See also: iPhone battery drain after iOS 26 update? How to fix it!

Tag: iOS 26
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iPhone Can’t Back Up to iCloud After iOS 26 Update? Here’s The Fix

by Dave Johnson

It’s easy to back up your iPhone. So easy, in fact, that your iPhone normally backs up automatically, so you don’t have to do anything. However, this doesn’t always go according to plan; some users have complained that their iPhone can’t back up to iCloud after iOS 26 update.

Irrespective of the exact cause, you don’t have to do anything too complicated to get your iPhone backing up to iCloud again. You just need to work out what the problem is first, and we’re here to help.

Here is how to fix the problem if your iPhone can’t back up to iCloud after iOS 26 update.

1. Check Your iCloud Settings

In order to back up your iPhone to iCloud on iOS 26, you first have to make sure you have the feature switched on. Because if you haven’t enabled it, automatic iCloud backups simply won’t happen. You’ll have to back up your iPhone using a computer instead.

To switch on iCloud backups, you should do the following:

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap your name.
  2. Tap iCloud.
  3. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup.
  4. Turn on the switch next to Back Up This iPhone.

By doing this, you’ll switch automatic iCloud backups on. As such, any time your iPhone is connected to power, locked and on Wi-Fi, it will automatically back up whatever new data you have to iCloud.

If you want to back up your iPhone immediately, tap Back Up Now,.

Depending on how much data you have, or if this is your first time backing up to iCloud, the backup process could take a few minutes or an hour. Check below the Back Up Now button to see the exact time and date your phone was last backed up.

2. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

As mentioned, you have to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network to back up to iCloud. If you are not connected to the internet, you may see a message that says “Your Last Backup Couldn’t be Completed.” Here’s what you can do:

  • Open the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi to make sure that you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Try to back up on another Wi-Fi network.

If your iCloud backup is taking longer than expected to complete, leave your iPhone connected to power and Wi-Fi for 24 hours

3. Make Sure You Have Enough iCloud Storage

Unsurprisingly, iPhone backups occupy your iCloud storage allotment. Therefore, if you don’t have enough iCloud storage space, backups will run into problems. You might see this message on your iPhone: “This iPhone cannot be backed up because there is not enough iCloud storage available.”

Every iCloud account gets 5GB for free. But most people have more than 5GB of data on their phone — or they have more than one iOS device that needs backing up. Hence, 5GB just isn’t enough space. And maybe one day Apple will change its free tier to give us more data and make backing up easier for everyone. But until then, we need to do some calculations to optimize our iCloud accounts.

To figure out exactly how much iCloud space your backup file will take:

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap your name.
  2. Tap iCloud. At the top, you can check how much iCloud storage you’ve used.
  3. Tap Storage.
  4. Tap Backups, then tap your iPhone. Next Backup Size should show you the size of the next backup. It might take a few minutes for your device to calculate Next Backup Size.

If you haven’t backed up your iPhone to iCloud before or in a long time, the Next Backup Size will be a pretty large amount of data. Obviously, if it’s more than 5GB, you must either buy more storage or adjust what you’re backing up.

Lower on the screen under Next Backup Size is a list where you can Choose Data to Back Up. This list will have apps and how much data each has to back up. The list goes from what takes up the most space to the least. If you just need a slightly smaller backup file, uncheck larger data items from the list if you don’t mind whether or not they’re backed up.

If all you wanted to back up was your camera roll, the only setting you’d need to toggle would be iCloud Photos. Besides Photos, there is a list of every other iCloud-enabled app on your iPhone, starting with Apple’s own apps

If you don’t want to turn off apps, buy more iCloud storage with iCloud Plus. Apple does offer six price tiers for storage: the free 5GB, $0.99-per-month 50GB, $3.49-per-month 200GB, $11.99-per-month 2TB, $34.99-per-month 6TB, or $69.99-per-month 12TB per month plans. (Note, Apple doesn’t have annual pricing.)

5. Check iCloud Status

Believe it or not, Apple’s iCloud servers can sometimes go down. This means that no matter what you do you won’t be able to back up your iPhone to iCloud.

If you suspect a problem, you can quickly check the status of the iCloud servers by going to Apple’s System Status page.

Here, look for iCloud Backup. If you see a green light next to it, everything is working as it should. In other words, your backup issue is due to a problem on your end.

6. Sign Out of iCloud

You can sometimes solve iOS 26 backup issues by signing out of your iCloud account, then signing back in. This solves problems related to verification issues.

Here’s how to sign out and back in:

  1. Open the Settings app, then tap your name.
  2. Scroll down and press Sign Out.
  3. Select Sign Out But Don’t Erase.
  4. Tap Continue.
  5. Select Continue Anyway when prompted.

To sign back in, you have to tap Sign in to your iPhone. From here, you should enter your Apple account email address and password. If you have a Mac or other Apple device that’s connected to your Apple account, you’ll get a verification code on it. You need to enter this on your iPhone, then input your iPhone’s passcode.

Once you’ve signed back in, you should try connecting your iPhone to Wi-Fi and a power source. Hopefully, it will begin backing up to iCloud once locked. You can also try leaving it connected overnight, so that the backup has enough time to finish.

7. Restart Your iPhone

Next, you can try restarting your iPhone. This is a simple action, but it resets your iPhone’s temporary memory. By doing this, you can sometimes get your iPhone to back up properly again.

You can restart your iPhone by doing the following:

  1. Hold the Side button and either Volume button. Keep it held until the slide to power off slider appears.
  2. Swipe right on the power off slider.
  3. After shutdown, hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears to start up again.

8. Reset Settings

If a restart doesn’t fix your iPhone backup problems on iOS 26, you should try resetting all settings. This won’t erase your data, but it will erase preferences like your saved Wi-Fi passwords and all phone settings.

It’s a bit of a hassle to change all this back, but because something might interfere with the backup process, it’s worth trying at this point:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select General.
  3. Scroll down and press Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  4. Select Reset.
  5. Select Reset All Settings.

9. Update iOS

It’s possible that some kind of software bug is preventing your iPhone from backing up to iCloud. Accordingly, you should update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS 26, if a new one is available.

Here’s how you can update:

  1. Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Select General.
  4. Tap Software Update.
  5. If an update is available, tap Update Now.
  6. If prompted, enter your passcode.

General iPhone Maintenance Tips

At least one of the steps above should be enough to help you when your iPhone won’t back up to iCloud after iOS 26 update.

However, even if you solve your problem, it’s always a good idea to regularly perform basic iPhone maintenance. By keeping your iPhone in good working order, you’ll be less likely to encounter such problems as backup failure in the future.

Tags: iCloud, iOS 26
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