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  • iOS 18.6 Release Candidate: Latest Bug Fixes, Changes, and Improvements Discussed on MacRumors Forums

    iOS 18.6 RC

    The release date for iOS 18.6 is scheduled for July 21, 2025, with the build number 22G84. This update is accompanied by the Darwin Kernel version and includes various features along with resolved issues and known remaining challenges. Developers and testers are encouraged to report any bugs they encounter via the Feedback app. Even if beta settings are disabled, users can access the app by entering a specific URL in Safari.

    To install the beta version over-the-air, users should enable Beta Updates in their software settings, ensuring they are logged into the right Apple account. After selecting the desired beta (public or developer), users can refresh and proceed to back up their data before installation. Once completed, it is advisable to turn off the Beta Updates option. For those looking to install using a Mac, there are specific steps to follow.

    First, ensure you have the Xcode beta or the appropriate MobileDevice.pkg. A full backup is necessary before starting the installation process, which includes holding the Option key while checking for updates and selecting the downloaded IPSW file. Keep in mind that restoring wipes all data on the device, so backups are critical. The update applies to various iPhone series, from the iPhone 16 series to older models.

    Additionally, there are significant details regarding carrier versions worldwide, ensuring users have the latest updates for their specific networks. Lastly, historical beta release charts provide context for previous updates and their modifications, offering users a glimpse into the evolution of iOS versions.

  • Is the iPad Mini 1 Still Relevant in 2025?

    Hello everyone,

    I recently came across a clean and affordable iPad Mini 1 on eBay. I’m curious if this device would still have practical uses, despite it being limited to iOS 9.

    I realize that using it online could pose security risks, so I’m not inclined to do much browsing. I wonder if anyone out there still owns an iPad Mini 1 or uses it for specific tasks.

    Given its age, I’m aware that the app compatibility may be an issue, but I’m interested in hearing how others manage to make use of older devices like this one. I’m contemplating potential non-internet-related uses, such as using it as an ebook reader for PDFs or basic documents, or even as a digital photo frame.

    Are there other creative ways to repurpose an iPad Mini 1 that I might not have thought of? Your insights would really help me decide whether investing in this older model is worthwhile or if I’d be better off looking for a more current device.

    I appreciate any feedback or personal experiences you can share!

  • Preparations for the Foldable iPhone in iPadOS 26

    I had a thought that might actually hold some weight. Apple seems to be preparing for the release of a foldable iPhone next year, and they may have already started laying the groundwork.

    The introduction of iPadOS 26 could be part of a strategy to encourage developers to update their apps for free window resizing. This move appears to align with the discussions at the recent WWDC session that focused on iPad multitasking.

    The goal behind this could be to prevent any scaling issues when the foldable iPhone is introduced. By ensuring that apps are adaptable to different screen sizes a year in advance, Apple can minimize potential problems tied to the new aspect ratio.

    There’s also the intriguing possibility that the outer screen might operate on iOS while the inner screen runs iPadOS, which would make sense given its larger display size. This dual-system approach could give Apple a significant advantage over its competitors.

    A tablet operating system is inherently more efficient for multitasking on larger screens compared to a phone operating system that has simply been scaled up. As a result, the foldable iPhone would be able to provide window management capabilities similar to a computer, while other brands might struggle in this area.

    Moreover, if iOS 27 incorporates Stage Manager features as rumored, it could further enhance the multitasking dynamics of the foldable iPhone. While this idea may seem extensive, it presents a plausible future for Apple’s innovative device lineup.

  • Top Automated Action Recorder for Mac Sequoia: Recommendations from MacRumors Community

    I recently installed iTunes on my M4 Max Studio using an impressive hack I found on MacRumors, so thanks to bogdanw for that! I’m thrilled that I can once again connect my 5th generation iPod to my Mac through iTunes. However, there’s a frustrating downside: my 21,000+ songs across hundreds of playlists did not retain the Show View Option settings I previously set.

    In an attempt to fix this issue, I recorded an automated task using Automator’s “Watch What I Do” feature, but it failed to register mouse clicks, such as toggling View Option selections. I also tried using ScriptEditor, but as someone who isn’t too familiar with scripting, I had the same result. I’m curious if there is an automation tool available that can accurately register and execute mouse clicks during action runs.

    I made sure to adjust the Accessibility settings under Privacy & Security in System Preferences for the relevant apps, so I don’t think it’s a permissions issue. I’m reaching out for help or any guidance you can offer on this matter. Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Also, if I’ve mistakenly posted this inquiry in the wrong section, I apologize. I can easily delete it and move it to the appropriate place. Thank you in advance for your assistance!

  • Introducing PaletteGenius: The Ultimate Color Picker and Palette Manager for Designers and Developers

    PaletteGenius is an innovative screen color picker and palette management tool designed specifically for designers and developers seeking to enhance their productivity. This application serves as a superior alternative to the standard system color picker by offering support for hex values and facilitating easy format conversions. Users can quickly access and utilize popular colors from well-known UI libraries and established standard palettes, making it easier to create visually appealing designs.

    PaletteGenius stands out with its versatility, supporting multiple code formats, including iOS, Android, Swift, ObjC, CSS, and more. This feature ensures that developers can seamlessly integrate color selections into their projects, regardless of the platform they are working on. Additionally, the application includes keyboard shortcuts, allowing for swift copying of color codes, which saves users valuable time during their workflow.

    The interface of PaletteGenius is designed with a modern aesthetic in mind, offering both light and dark mode options to suit user preferences. This clean and intuitive layout ensures that navigating the app is a breeze, providing an enhanced user experience as designers and developers focus on their creative tasks. In summary, PaletteGenius merges functionality and user-friendly design, making it an essential tool for anyone involved in the creative or development processes.

    Whether you are selecting colors for a project or managing palettes, this application offers the features and support you need to work efficiently and effectively.

  • Blocking Safari Ads and Pop-Ups: Discussion on MacRumors Forums

    Over the years, I have tried various methods for blocking pop-ups and ads in Safari. I have explored the settings in the “websites” and “security” sections, and I’ve even installed popular extensions like AdBlock and AdBlock Plus. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, none of these solutions have proven to be very effective. My experience has been frustrating.

    While some ads and pop-ups are blocked, many others slip through the cracks. This inconsistency has left me feeling disillusioned with Safari’s ad-blocking capabilities. In contrast, I have found success with ad-blocking solutions on other browsers, such as Chrome and Firefox. For many years, I’ve been using uBlock Origin Lite, and it has worked exceptionally well.

    The experience in these browsers has highlighted the shortcomings I’ve encountered in Safari. I can’t help but wonder if I’m alone in feeling this way or if others have also noticed that Safari struggles with effective ad and pop-up blocking. I am curious to know if there is any truly effective solution available for Safari users. While I have continuously explored various settings and extensions, the outcomes remain frustratingly similar.

    It seems odd that other browsers manage to provide a smoother experience with ad-blocking while Safari continues to fall short. I would greatly appreciate any insights or recommendations from users who have faced similar challenges. Is there a hidden gem of a solution that could truly help improve the ad-blocking experience in Safari?

  • How to Organize Firefox Search Results Effectively on MacRumors Forums

    I’m uncertain whether this issue is related to the operating system, but I’m struggling with a few basic functions in Firefox. Previously, whenever I conducted a search, there was a menu bar accompanying the search results, featuring options like ALL, VIDEO, IMAGES, NEWS, among others. Now, I’ve noticed that this setup seems to have changed, and I can only see the option labeled ANYTIME.

    This change has made my searches less efficient, as I used to quickly navigate between different categories by simply clicking the relevant option on the menu bar. Currently, it feels limiting since I don’t have access to those specific filters right at my fingertips. Interestingly, I haven’t encountered this issue on my Mac Pro running Monterey with Firefox version 7.1.

    On that device, I can still access the same familiar menu bar without any problems. It leaves me wondering if the discrepancies are due to a version difference or some settings that I have yet to configure correctly on my other machine. I would appreciate any guidance on how to restore the previous functionality to my Firefox browser.

    Finding a way to set these search options up as defaults would be extremely helpful in improving my overall browsing experience. If anyone else has faced this issue or has tips on how to resolve it, I would love to hear your suggestions.

  • Why Did 2 Volumes and Time Machine External Disappear in Sequoia?

    The original message expresses some confusion regarding the necessity of using Recovery Mode on an M1 MacBook Pro (MBP). Having owned the device for over four years, the user notes they have never needed to access Recovery Mode.

    They highlight that even without booting into Recovery, it is possible to create volumes and mount external Time Machine drives while logged in as an administrator or by entering the admin password from a standard account. This raises the question: why rely on Recovery Mode at all?

    The user suggests that Recovery Mode should be a tool used only in emergencies, implying that if one must utilize it, something significant likely went wrong beforehand. The message also touches on the issue of an external Time Machine drive that sometimes disappears.

    This appears to be particularly problematic when there are other drive issues, suggesting that the operating system might struggle to mount drives properly when conflicts arise. The user raises several troubleshooting questions: After unplugging and re-plugging the drive, does it mount successfully?

    What happens if the system and the external drive are restarted? Additionally, checking Disk Utility—does the drive appear greyed out, and can it be manually mounted by right-clicking?

    Furthermore, the user inquires whether the drive can be mounted on another computer. The goal is to isolate the problem to determine whether it lies within the operating system, the hardware of the external drive, or the formatting of the drive itself.

    Identifying the source of the issue is crucial for effective troubleshooting.

  • Display Problems with iMac (M1, 2021) Discussed on MacRumors Forums

    I’ve been experiencing some issues with my M1 2021 iMac. Lately, the lower portion of the screen has been flickering intermittently, and it has become quite bothersome. I’ve attached some images to illustrate the problem. I’m trying to diagnose whether this issue is related to hardware or software.

    Given the symptoms, I’m unsure if it’s a display malfunction or if a software glitch could be the culprit. Unfortunately, I do not have AppleCare+ coverage, so I am hoping to find a cost-effective solution to resolve this problem. If anyone has encountered a similar issue, or if you have any insights into potential fixes, I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you in advance for your help.

  • Booting from External SSD: Storing Your Main HD on MacRumors Forums

    I have an M4 Mac mini, and my goal is to run the system exclusively from the main hard drive. However, I want all my files and data stored on an external drive since I opted for the 256GB version of the Mac mini. My external drive is 4TB, but I’ve encountered a problem: it appears that everything is duplicating on the external drive as shortcuts, alongside the original files on my main drive. I’m seeing a lot of shortcut icons, which is quite confusing.

    Ideally, I want all my data saved on the 4TB external drive, but I do not want to include the operating system. Is this setup achievable? The dilemma seems to stem from how the system is currently configured. The shortcuts are likely linking back to the files on the internal drive, rather than moving the actual files to the external drive.

    To resolve this issue, I need to ensure that I’m transferring my files instead of just creating shortcuts. First, I should manually move my files to the external drive and verify that the shortcuts do not automatically replicate themselves. It may involve adjusting the file organization on the Mac mini to prevent redundancy. Additionally, I need to ensure that the applications and other necessary data are properly stored on the external drive, while keeping the OS on the main hard drive.

    Clarifying this setup will help streamline my workflow and maximize the storage on my external drive without unnecessary duplication. If this process seems complicated, I may consider seeking assistance from a technical expert to ensure everything is configured correctly.