Use a MagSafe charger for convenience, not a Lightning cable that frays over time.
The Satisfying Click vs. The Frayed Shoelace
Using a Lightning cable is like fumbling with a frayed, worn-out shoelace in the dark. You have to poke and prod to get it into the tiny hole, and over time, the end just falls apart. A MagSafe charger is like a sleek, magnetic clasp on a beautiful piece of jewelry. You just bring it close to your phone, and it finds its home with a deeply satisfying, perfect ‘click.’ It’s an effortless, elegant, and durable connection that makes the nightly ritual of charging your phone feel like a small moment of magic.
Stop buying cheap, uncertified charging cables. Do invest in MFi-certified ones instead to protect your battery.
Junk Food vs. a Healthy Meal for Your Phone
Plugging in a cheap, uncertified cable is like feeding your iPhone a greasy, gas-station hot dog. It might provide a quick burst of energy, but it’s full of junk that will damage its long-term health. An MFi (Made for iPhone) certified cable is like a balanced, organic meal. It has a tiny chip inside that speaks to your phone, delivering a clean, safe, and regulated flow of power. It’s a smart investment that protects your battery from damage and ensures your device lives a long and healthy life.
Stop using your iPhone without a case. Do get a simple, protective case to prevent expensive repairs.
Walking a Tightrope Without a Net
Carrying a caseless iPhone is like being a trapeze artist performing on a high wire sixty feet in the air without a safety net. It’s a thrilling and beautiful sight, but one tiny slip, one moment of distraction, results in a catastrophic, heart-stopping, and irreversible disaster. A simple case is that safety net. It might not look as daring, but it’s the smart, inexpensive precaution that saves you from a single, clumsy moment turning into a shattered screen and a wallet-emptying repair bill.
The #1 secret that case makers don’t want you to know is that most “military-grade” protection is just marketing.
The Movie Prop Armor
The term “military-grade” on a phone case is like a suit of armor from a Hollywood movie. It looks incredibly tough and impressive on the poster, but it’s often just plastic painted to look like steel. It’s a marketing buzzword, not a real standard. True protection isn’t about slogans; it’s about smart design—a raised “lip” that protects the screen when it falls flat, and hollow corners that absorb shock like the crumple zone on a car. Don’t buy the movie prop; buy the case with good engineering.
I’m just going to say it: A pop socket on a brand new iPhone Pro is a crime against design.
The Bumper Sticker on a Ferrari
Imagine a team of the world’s best designers spending years sculpting a beautiful, sleek sports car from a single piece of aerospace-grade steel. The lines are perfect, the balance exquisite. Then, the new owner proudly slaps a giant, plastic, cartoon-character bumper sticker right in the middle of the hood. That is what putting a pop socket on a new iPhone Pro feels like. It’s a clunky, plastic appendage that completely undermines the billion-dollar design and precision engineering you just paid a premium for.
The reason your screen protector is always bubbly is because you’re not applying it in a steamy bathroom.
Surgery in a Dust Storm
Trying to apply a screen protector in your living room is like performing delicate surgery in the middle of a dust storm. There are thousands of invisible dust particles floating in the air, and every single one of them is a potential bubble. The ultimate hack is to turn your bathroom into a surgical clean room. Run a hot shower for a few minutes. The steam in the air acts like a magnet, pulling all the dust down to the ground, creating a perfectly clean, particle-free environment for a flawless, bubble-free application.
If you’re still using the free EarPods, you’re losing a massive amount of audio quality and convenience.
The AM Radio vs. The IMAX Theater
Listening to music with the old, wired EarPods is like hearing your favorite band on a crackly, tinny AM radio. You can make out the basic tune, but you’re missing all the rich bass, the crisp details, and the depth of the sound. Upgrading to modern wireless earbuds is like stepping into a private IMAX theater for your ears. Suddenly, the sound is all around you, every note is crystal clear, and you’re free from the annoying, tangled mess of wires. It’s a world of difference.
The biggest lie you’ve been told about iPhone accessories is that you have to buy Apple’s official ones.
The Name-Brand Cereal vs. The Identical Store Brand
Believing you must buy Apple’s official accessories is like thinking you can only buy the famous, name-brand cereal at the grocery store. Right next to it on the shelf is the store brand. It comes in a different box and costs half as much, but it’s often made in the exact same factory with the same high-quality ingredients. Reputable third-party brands are that store brand. As long as they’re “MFi-Certified,” they offer the same safety and quality, without the premium price of the famous logo.
I wish I knew that a good screen protector was cheaper than a screen replacement when I dropped my first iPhone.
The $15 Helmet vs. The $300 Hospital Bill
A screen protector is like a $15 bike helmet. It might feel like a minor hassle, and you hope you’ll never actually have to use it. A screen replacement is the $300 hospital bill you get after you take a nasty fall and crack your skull. That one small, proactive investment in the helmet is the difference between shrugging off a minor accident and facing a major, expensive, and painful ordeal. It is the cheapest and most effective insurance policy you can buy for the most fragile part of your phone.
99% of users make this one mistake with their cases: never taking them off to clean the phone.
The Clothes You Never, Ever Take Off
Your phone case is like a set of clothes your phone wears every single day. Now, imagine wearing the same shirt and pants for an entire year without ever taking them off. It would be disgusting. Tiny particles of dust and grit inevitably get trapped between your case and your phone. Over time, this trapped grit acts like fine-grain sandpaper, rubbing against the phone’s finish and creating a constellation of tiny scratches. Taking the case off once a month to clean both is a simple act of hygiene that keeps your phone looking pristine.
This one small action of getting a MagSafe battery pack will change how you travel forever.
The Canteen That Snaps to Your Backpack
A traditional power bank is like a bulky, heavy water bottle you have to carry in your hand, connected by a clumsy hose (the cable). A MagSafe battery pack is like a sleek, modern canteen that is designed to snap perfectly and magnetically onto the back of your hiking pack. There are no dangling hoses. It becomes a seamless, integrated part of your gear, providing power without getting in your way. It’s an elegant, cable-free solution that makes staying charged on the go feel effortless and futuristic.
Use a glass screen protector for clarity and feel, not a plastic one that scratches easily.
The Plate Glass Window vs. The Plastic Wrap
A plastic screen protector is like stretching a thin layer of plastic wrap over a beautiful painting. It protects it from dust, but it’s easily scratched, gets cloudy over time, and feels cheap to the touch. A tempered glass screen protector is like installing a perfect, invisible sheet of museum-quality plate glass in front of that same painting. It provides superior protection from impact, it resists scratches, and your finger glides over it with the same smooth, satisfying feel as the original screen. It preserves the original experience completely.
Stop thinking you need the most expensive case. Do buy one that fits your actual lifestyle and risk level instead.
The Full Suit of Armor vs. The Simple Helmet
You don’t need to wear a full, 100-pound suit of medieval armor to ride a bicycle. A simple helmet is more than enough protection. Similarly, if you work in an office and are careful with your phone, you don’t need a bulky, expensive case that’s designed for a construction worker. The best case isn’t the one that costs the most; it’s the one that provides the right level of protection for your actual, day-to-day life, balancing safety with a design that you enjoy carrying.
Stop letting your AirPods die. Do use the battery widget to keep an eye on their charge level instead.
The Fuel Gauge for Your Ears
Using your AirPods without knowing their charge level is like driving a car that doesn’t have a fuel gauge. You’re just driving along, enjoying the ride, until you suddenly sputter to a silent, inconvenient halt on the side of the road. Adding the battery widget to your Home Screen is like installing that fuel gauge on your dashboard. It gives you a clear, at-a-glance view of the charge level of your AirPods and their case, so you can “refuel” them before your music or your meeting comes to an abrupt and frustrating end.
The #1 hack for better audio is using AirPods Pro with personalized Spatial Audio.
The Surround Sound System for Your Head
Standard headphone audio is like having two really good speakers placed directly on your ears. Personalized Spatial Audio is like sitting in the perfect center of a state-of-the-art, 7.1 surround-sound home theater, but the entire theater is inside your head. It uses your phone’s camera to map your unique ear shape, creating a custom sound profile that makes music and movies feel like they are happening all around you. It’s a mind-blowing, immersive experience that transforms listening into a three-dimensional event.
I’m just going to say it: iPhone cases with built-in wallets are a terrible idea.
Putting All Your Eggs in One, Very Stealable Basket
A wallet case seems convenient, like keeping your house key and your car key on the same ring. But it’s a massive security risk. It’s the physical version of putting all your eggs in one basket. If you lose your phone, or if it gets stolen, you haven’t just lost your phone; you have instantly lost your ID, your credit cards, and your cash at the exact same time. It’s a single point of failure that turns a single, terrible event—losing your phone—into a catastrophic, life-disrupting nightmare.
The reason your charging cables fail is because you’re yanking them out by the cord, not the plug.
The Garden Hose and the Faucet
Your charging cable is like a garden hose. The hard plastic plug is the sturdy brass fitting that connects to the faucet, and the cable is the flexible hose itself. If you yank the hose to disconnect it, you put all the strain on the weakest point where the hose meets the fitting, and eventually, it will tear. But if you grip the brass fitting itself to pull it off, it will last for years. Always pull the plug, not the cord, to ensure your digital lifeline doesn’t fray and fail.
If you’re still using a standard car mount, you’re losing the seamless experience of a MagSafe car mount.
The Clumsy Claw vs. The Magnetic Handshake
A standard car mount is like a clumsy, spring-loaded claw. You have to use two hands to pry it open, awkwardly shove your phone inside, and hope the clamps don’t press the side buttons. A MagSafe mount is like a smooth, effortless, magnetic handshake. You just bring your phone close to it, and it snaps perfectly into place with a satisfying click, charging and held secure. It’s a one-handed, instantaneous action that makes getting in and out of the car feel seamless and futuristic.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that waterproof cases are necessary for modern iPhones.
The Scuba Gear for a Walk in the Rain
Modern iPhones are highly water-resistant. They’re like a person wearing a really good raincoat. They can easily survive being dropped in a puddle, getting caught in a downpour, or a spilled drink. Buying a big, bulky waterproof case is like putting on a full set of deep-sea scuba gear just to walk to your car in a light drizzle. It’s an unnecessary, expensive, and clumsy precaution that’s only truly needed if you plan on taking your phone for an actual swim in the ocean.
I wish I knew that the Apple Watch was the best iPhone accessory I could ever buy.
The Remote Control for Your Life
The Apple Watch is not just a watch; it’s a tiny remote control for your iPhone that’s strapped to your wrist. It’s the ultimate accessory because it allows you to leave your phone in your pocket. You can glance at notifications, reply to texts, track your workout, and pay for groceries, all from your wrist. It untethers you from your main device, filtering your digital life down to the most essential interactions. It’s a powerful tool for being more present and less distracted by the mothership in your pocket.
99% of people put their screen protector on crooked on the first try.
Hanging a Picture Without a Level
Trying to apply a screen protector by just “eyeballing” it is like trying to hang a heavy picture frame on the wall without using a level. You’ll step back, tilt your head, and realize with sinking frustration that it’s just a tiny bit crooked, and it will bother you forever. Most good screen protectors now come with a simple, plastic “alignment frame” that snaps onto your phone. This is the level for your picture frame. It guarantees a perfect, straight, and centered application on the very first try, every single time.
This one small habit of keeping a spare charging cable in your bag will save you from “low battery anxiety.”
The Spare Tire in Your Trunk
You don’t drive a car without a spare tire in the trunk. You hope you’ll never need it, but you have it for peace of mind, just in case. A spare charging cable in your backpack or purse is the spare tire for your digital life. That feeling of panic when you’re out for the day and realize you’re at 10% battery is a real anxiety. Knowing you have that spare cable tucked away is a powerful antidote, providing the same quiet confidence and peace of mind as knowing you’re prepared for a flat.
Use a GaN charger to power your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook with one small brick, not carrying three separate chargers.
The Universal Power Adapter for Your Trip
Traveling with a charger for your phone, your tablet, and your laptop is like packing three different-sized wrenches for three different bolts. It’s a bulky, inefficient mess. A modern GaN charger is like a single, compact, universal socket wrench. It’s tiny, but it’s smart enough to deliver the exact right amount of power to each of your devices, from the low power your phone needs to the high power your laptop demands. It’s the one magical brick that can replace the three bulky bricks in your travel bag.
Stop using Bluetooth speakers for personal listening. Do use AirPods for a more considerate experience.
The Boombox vs. The Walkman
Playing your music on a Bluetooth speaker in a public space, like a park or on a hiking trail, is the modern equivalent of carrying a giant, obnoxious boombox on your shoulder in the 1980s. You are forcing your musical taste on everyone around you, shattering their peace and quiet. AirPods are the modern Walkman. They provide you with a private, high-quality, and immersive soundscape that only you can hear. They are a sign of social awareness, allowing you to enjoy your world without disrupting anyone else’s.
Stop buying a new iPhone when your battery dies. Do get the battery replaced for a fraction of the cost instead.
The Flat Tire on a Perfectly Good Car
When your car gets a flat tire, you don’t drive the entire car to the junkyard and buy a brand new one. That would be absurd. You simply replace the tire. The battery is the “tire” of your iPhone. It’s a consumable part that is designed to wear out over time. When your battery health gets low and it no longer holds a charge, the phone itself is likely still a perfectly good car. Getting the battery replaced is a simple, inexpensive “tire change” that can make your old device feel brand new again.
The #1 secret for keeping your AirPods clean is using a small piece of Blu-Tack.
The Silly Putty for Your Speakers
The speaker grills on your AirPods are tiny, intricate honeycombs that are a magnet for earwax and debris. Trying to clean them with a sharp object is dangerous. The secret weapon is a small piece of Blu-Tack or a similar reusable adhesive. It’s like a magical piece of silly putty. You simply press it gently into the speaker grill, and when you pull it away, it lifts all the gross, stubborn gunk out of those tiny holes without causing any damage, leaving your AirPods looking and sounding brand new.
I’m just going to say it: Clear cases turn yellow and look gross after a few months.
The White T-Shirt That Gets Stained
A brand new clear case is like a crisp, pristine, white t-shirt. It looks clean and beautiful. But just like a white t-shirt, it is destined to get stained. Over time, exposure to the UV radiation from the sun and the oils from your skin causes the flexible plastic to undergo a chemical reaction that turns it a dingy, sickly yellow. It’s not because it’s dirty; it’s a permanent, irreversible “stain.” No amount of scrubbing can save it from its eventual, yellowed fate.
The reason your MagSafe wallet falls off is because you’re using a non-MagSafe compatible case.
The Weak Magnet on a Thick Piece of Wood
Imagine you have a strong magnet. If you stick it directly to your refrigerator, it holds tight. But if you try to stick it to your fridge with a thick, wooden cutting board in between, the magnetic force will be too weak, and it will slide right off. A non-MagSafe case is that wooden cutting board. It’s too thick or doesn’t have the right magnets to create a secure connection. A “MagSafe compatible” case has its own set of magnets built-in, ensuring that your wallet snaps on with the same satisfying, secure grip as it does to a naked iPhone.
If you’re still using wired headphones, you’re living in the past.
The Horse and Buggy in the Age of the Automobile
Insisting on using wired headphones in the age of high-quality, affordable wireless audio is like choosing to take a horse and buggy to work when everyone else is driving a car. It might be charming and familiar, but it’s also incredibly inconvenient. You are literally tethered to your device, constantly getting your cord snagged on doorknobs and zippers. The wireless world offers a profound sense of freedom and convenience. It’s time to unhitch the horse and embrace the future of audio.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need a brand-name case for good protection.
The Name-Brand vs. The Well-Made Jacket
Some people believe that the only jacket that can keep you warm is the one with the famous, expensive logo on it. This is a lie. A well-made jacket from a less-famous brand, with good insulation and strong stitching, will do the job just as well, or even better. The same is true for phone cases. You are paying for the brand name, not necessarily for better protection. A well-engineered case from a reputable but less-hyped company can offer the exact same level of safety for a fraction of the price.
I wish I knew that a braided charging cable would last ten times longer than the one in the box.
The Rope vs. The Thread
The standard white cable that comes with an iPhone is like a single piece of thin, plastic thread. It’s prone to fraying, kinking, and eventually snapping at the point of stress near the connector. A braided nylon cable is like a thick, sturdy rope. It’s woven from hundreds of individual fibers, making it incredibly resistant to bending, tearing, and daily abuse. It’s a small, inexpensive upgrade that transforms the most fragile part of your charging setup into the most durable, saving you from the frustration of constantly replacing broken cables.
99% of users don’t realize their iPhone is water-resistant, not waterproof.
The Raincoat vs. The Scuba Suit
Your iPhone is wearing a really, really good raincoat. It can handle being splashed, caught in a downpour, or even briefly dropped in a puddle without any issue. This is water resistance. A scuba suit, on the other hand, is what you need to go swimming deep underwater for an extended period. That is being waterproof. Your phone is not wearing a scuba suit. Don’t take it swimming or try to take pictures underwater; its raincoat is good, but it’s not designed for a deep-sea dive.
This one small action of buying a multi-device charging station will de-clutter your nightstand forever.
The Power Strip vs. The Tangle of Extension Cords
Your nightstand can quickly become a chaotic rat’s nest of separate charging cables for your phone, your watch, and your AirPods. It’s like having three different messy extension cords plugged into one outlet. A multi-device charging station is like a single, elegant, and perfectly organized power strip. It provides one clean, central location to neatly charge all your devices at once. It’s a simple, beautiful solution that instantly tames the cable clutter and brings a sense of calm and order to your personal space.
Use an AirTag for your keys and wallet, not just accepting that you’re a forgetful person.
The ‘Find My’ for Your Entire Life
We accept that the “Find My” feature for our phone is magic. An AirTag is a tiny, magical button that you can sew onto anything else in your life. It’s like giving your perpetually lost keys or wallet their own spot on the “Find My” map. Instead of frantically searching your house for 20 minutes, you can just pull out your phone and have it lead you directly to them. It’s not a cure for being forgetful; it’s a powerful technological superpower that makes being forgetful completely stress-free.
Stop using a selfie stick. Do use the ultra-wide camera and the timer instead.
The Awkward Fishing Pole vs. The Panoramic View
A selfie stick is like a long, awkward fishing pole that you have to carry around just to get a slightly better angle. It’s clumsy and makes you look like a tourist. Your iPhone’s ultra-wide camera is like having a panoramic lens built into your eye. It can capture a huge, sweeping view, easily fitting in a large group of people or a stunning landscape behind you. By switching to the ultra-wide lens and using the simple 3-second timer, you can get a beautiful, natural-looking group shot without any extra, embarrassing hardware.
Stop balancing your iPhone on things to watch videos. Do get a simple, cheap stand instead.
The Leaning Tower of Books vs. The Simple Easel
Trying to watch a movie by propping your phone up against a coffee mug or a precarious stack of books is a frustrating balancing act. It’s like trying to display a beautiful painting by leaning it against a wobbly chair. It will inevitably slide down and fall flat. A simple, inexpensive phone stand is the easel for that painting. It provides a stable, secure, and perfectly angled base for your screen, allowing you to relax and enjoy your video without the constant, distracting fear that it’s all about to come crashing down.
The #1 hack for gamers is a dedicated mobile gaming controller like the Backbone One.
The Touchscreen vs. The Console Controller
Playing a complex game using the touchscreen controls is like trying to drive a race car by drawing on the windshield with your fingers. It’s imprecise, your thumbs cover up the action, and it just doesn’t feel right. A controller like the Backbone One is like getting behind the wheel of that same car and being given a proper steering wheel, pedals, and a gearshift. It snaps onto your phone and gives you real, physical joysticks and buttons, transforming your device into a powerful, portable gaming console with the tactile feedback and precision you need.
I’m just going to say it: The iPhone’s built-in speakers are surprisingly good.
The Tiny Orchestra in Your Pocket
For a device that is so thin and small, it’s easy to assume the speakers will sound like a tiny, tinny radio. But that’s a mistake. The stereo speakers on a modern iPhone are a marvel of engineering. They are like a tiny, surprisingly powerful orchestra that has been cleverly hidden inside your phone. They produce a rich, full, and spatially separated sound that is more than capable of filling a room with music or making a movie feel immersive. They consistently punch far above their weight, delivering an audio experience that has no right to be that good.
The reason your third-party accessories don’t work well is because they are not MFi (Made for iPhone) certified.
The Off-Brand Key vs. The Licensed Copy
Imagine your iPhone’s charging port is a high-tech, precision-cut lock. An MFi-certified accessory is like a key that has been officially licensed and cut by the original locksmith. It’s guaranteed to fit perfectly and work smoothly every time. A cheap, uncertified accessory is an off-brand key that was copied by a questionable street vendor. It might look the same, but the cut is slightly off. It might not work at all, it might damage the lock, or it might just stop working after an update. Always look for the official “locksmith’s” seal of approval.
If you’re still using a bulky battery case, you’re losing the slim design of the iPhone.
The Cumbersome Lifeboat Strapped to Your Speedboat
An iPhone is designed to be a sleek, slim, and beautiful speedboat. A bulky battery case is like permanently strapping a giant, heavy, and ugly lifeboat to the side of that speedboat. Yes, it provides extra security and range, but it completely ruins the hydrodynamics and the aesthetic of the original design. A much more elegant solution is a slim MagSafe battery pack. It’s like a smaller, detachable life raft that you can snap on when you need it, and take off when you want to enjoy the slim profile of your boat.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that more expensive HDMI adapters work better.
The Gold-Plated vs. The Standard Garden Hose
An HDMI cable transmits a digital signal, which is like water flowing through a garden hose. The signal is made of ones and zeroes—the water is either “on” or “off.” A super-expensive, gold-plated HDMI adapter is like a garden hose with fancy, gold-plated fittings. It might look impressive, but it doesn’t make the water any “wetter” or flow any faster. As long as the standard, affordable adapter is well-made and certified, the digital signal will arrive perfectly. The gold plating is just a way to get you to overpay for the same water.
I wish I knew about the camera lens protectors before I scratched the lens on my old iPhone.
The Sunglasses for Your Camera
Your iPhone’s camera lenses are like its eyes. They are the incredibly complex and important windows through which it sees the world. A tiny scratch on that lens is like a permanent, ugly floater in its vision, ruining every single photo it takes from then on. A camera lens protector is like a cheap, simple, and perfectly clear pair of sunglasses for those eyes. It provides a sacrificial, replaceable layer that takes the hit from keys and grit, keeping your phone’s actual vision pristine and scratch-free.
99% of people make this mistake: buying all their accessories at the Apple Store and overpaying.
Buying Your Groceries at the Airport
The Apple Store is a beautiful, convenient place to buy accessories. It’s also like buying your groceries at an airport convenience store. You will find high-quality products, but you will also pay a significant “convenience” premium on every single item. Reputable online retailers and electronics stores are the regular grocery store down the street. They sell many of the same high-quality, certified products from other great brands, but at a much more reasonable, everyday price. Don’t pay the airport tax unless you absolutely have to.
This one small investment in a quality car charger will ensure your phone is always topped up on the go.
The Trickle Charger vs. The High-Speed Fuel Pump
A cheap, low-power car charger is like trying to refuel your car with a tiny trickle of gasoline from an eyedropper. Over a long drive, you might gain a few percentage points of “fuel,” but it’s a painfully slow process. A modern, high-quality car charger with Power Delivery is like pulling up to a high-speed racing fuel pump. It can deliver a huge amount of power, fast. It can take your phone’s “tank” from empty to 50% full in the time it takes to drive to the grocery store.
Use a tripod with an iPhone mount for stable videos, not just propping it up on a stack of books.
The Wobbly Stack of Books vs. The Solid Easel
Trying to film a steady video by propping your phone on a stack of books is a recipe for disaster. It’s like a painter trying to create a masterpiece on a canvas that’s wobbling on a rickety chair. The slightest vibration will ruin the shot. A tripod is the solid, sturdy easel for your digital masterpiece. It locks your phone into a perfectly stable, level position, allowing you to create smooth, professional-looking videos without any of the jitter and shake that screams “amateur.” It’s the most essential tool for taking your videography seriously.
Stop using cheap wireless chargers. Do use a reputable MagSafe or Qi-certified charger instead to protect your battery health.
The Unregulated Space Heater vs. The Smart Thermostat
A cheap, uncertified wireless charger is like a dumb, unregulated space heater placed right next to a priceless painting. It might generate a lot of heat, but it could also damage the painting over time. Heat is the number one enemy of battery health. A certified MagSafe or Qi charger is like a smart thermostat. It is in constant communication with your phone, managing the flow of power, minimizing excess heat, and ensuring a safe, efficient charge that protects the long-term health and lifespan of your battery.
Stop thinking you need an external lens kit. Do learn to master the built-in lenses instead.
The Bag of Lenses vs. The Three Master Primes
For 99% of people, buying a clip-on lens kit for their iPhone is like being a new photographer and buying a huge, heavy bag of a dozen mediocre lenses. It’s mostly a gimmick. A modern iPhone Pro is like having three incredibly high-quality, perfectly calibrated prime lenses already built-in: a wide, a standard, and a telephoto. Instead of fumbling with clumsy attachments, focus on mastering the powerful and versatile tools you already own. You can create incredible images by simply learning which of your three “master” lenses to use for the shot.
The #1 secret for podcasting on the go is an external microphone that plugs into the Lightning or USB-C port.
The Built-in Mic vs. The Studio Microphone
Recording audio using your iPhone’s built-in microphone is like trying to record a professional singer from the back of a noisy concert hall. You’ll get their voice, but you’ll also get the echo of the room and the chatter of the crowd. Plugging in a small, external microphone is like handing that singer a professional, studio-quality microphone to hold. It captures their voice directly and with incredible clarity, isolating it from the background noise and giving your recording that rich, clean, and professional podcast sound.
I’m just going to say it: Leather iPhone cases look terrible once they start to wear out.
The Polished Dress Shoe vs. The Scuffed-Up Mess
A brand new leather case is like a pair of beautiful, polished, high-end dress shoes. It looks sophisticated and classy. However, just like those shoes, the moment it gets its first deep scuff or the edges start to get dark and grimy from the oils on your hands, that elegance is shattered. Unlike a good leather jacket that gets a nice “patina,” a phone case just ends up looking like a pair of old, beaten-up shoes that you should have thrown away months ago. The “wear” is rarely as graceful as advertised.
The reason your wireless charging is slow is because your phone isn’t centered on the coil.
The Bullseye on the Dartboard
Inside your phone and your wireless charger are two small, copper coils. For charging to work efficiently, these two coils need to be perfectly aligned, like hitting the bullseye on a dartboard. If you just casually toss your phone onto the charging pad and it’s slightly off-center, it’s like hitting the outer ring of the dartboard. You’ll still get some “points” (a charge), but it will be a slow, inefficient trickle. MagSafe solves this by using magnets to automatically guide the “dart” to a perfect bullseye every single time.
If you’re still using the 5W charger that used to come in the box, you’re losing hours of your life to slow charging.
Filling a Swimming Pool with a Teaspoon
Charging your modern iPhone with the tiny, old 5-watt cube is like trying to fill an entire swimming pool with a single teaspoon. Yes, if you wait long enough, you will eventually get the job done, but it is a painfully, ridiculously, and unnecessarily slow process. A modern 20W+ fast charger is like turning on a high-pressure fire hose. It can fill that same pool to 50% in just 30 minutes, giving you back hours of your life that would have otherwise been spent waiting for that teaspoon to do its work.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to buy a new charger with your new iPhone.
The New Lamp and the Old Outlet
Buying a new iPhone and thinking you need to buy a brand new power adapter is like buying a new lamp and thinking you need to hire an electrician to install a special, new outlet in your wall. It’s completely unnecessary. Any of your existing USB-C power adapters—from your laptop, your iPad, or your old Android phone—will work perfectly and safely. The “outlet” in your wall is the same. As long as you have the right cable, you don’t need to buy another “power station.”
I wish I knew that the physical mute switch was one of the iPhone’s best hardware features.
The Emergency Off-Switch for Sound
The physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone is like a big, red, satisfying emergency off-switch for a loud machine. In a world of software buttons and on-screen controls, it is a rare and beautiful thing: a physical, tactile switch with a guaranteed result. You can flip it in your pocket without looking, right before you walk into a movie theater or a meeting, and have absolute, 100% confidence that your phone will not make a sound. It is a simple, brilliant piece of hardware in an increasingly complex software world.
99% of users don’t use the Action Button on the new iPhone Pro models to its full potential.
The Customizable ‘Secret Agent’ Button
The Action Button is like a secret agent’s customizable gadget button. By default, it’s just a mute switch. But you can program it to be anything you want. You could make it the shutter button for your camera, a one-press button to start a voice memo, or even a shortcut to turn on all your smart lights at home. It’s a powerful, physical button that you can tailor to your most-used action, turning a multi-step software process into an instant, satisfying, real-world click. Most people just leave it on its boring factory setting.
This one small accessory, a Lightning to headphone jack adapter, can be a lifesaver.
The Universal Translator for Your Ears
In a world that is rapidly moving to wireless and USB-C, the small, white headphone jack adapter is like a universal translator that you should always keep in your travel bag. It’s the one magical little accessory that can connect your modern iPhone to the vast world of older audio equipment. It lets you plug into the auxiliary jack in a rental car, use the high-end headphones at a recording studio, or connect to the sound system at a party. It’s a tiny, inexpensive dongle that provides a crucial bridge between the present and the past.
Use a MagSafe pop socket for a better grip that’s also removable, not a permanently stuck-on one.
The Removable Handle on Your Coffee Mug
A permanently stuck-on pop socket is like a coffee mug that has a giant, non-removable handle permanently glued to its side. It’s useful for holding, but it makes it impossible to lay the mug flat or fit it into a cup holder. A MagSafe pop socket is like a high-tech handle that you can magnetically snap on when you want the extra grip, and then instantly pop off when you want to charge your phone wirelessly or slide it flat into your pocket. It gives you the best of both worlds: a secure grip and a sleek profile.
Stop putting your wet iPhone in rice. Do let it air dry instead.
The Gummy, Starchy Mess
Putting a wet phone in a bag of rice is a myth. It’s like dropping your wet wallet in a bowl of flour. Not only is rice a terrible drying agent, but the tiny grains of starch and dust can get into the charging port and speaker grills, creating a gummy, corrosive mess that can cause more damage than the water itself. The correct method is simple: turn the phone off, place it in a dry, well-ventilated area (perhaps with a fan), and let the most powerful drying agent on earth—simple air—do its job.
Stop complaining about the notch/Dynamic Island. Do learn to embrace its functionality.
The Empty Space vs. The Smart Dashboard
The notch was like a small, dead space on a car’s dashboard. It was just an empty cutout. The Dynamic Island is like the designers took that same space and turned it into a smart, animated, and interactive mini-dashboard. It’s no longer a dead zone; it’s a living, breathing part of the interface that shows you your timer, your music, and your incoming calls. Instead of seeing it as a cutout from your screen, see it as a new, incredibly clever and useful screen that has been added to your phone.
The #1 hack for using your iPhone in the winter is getting gloves with touchscreen-compatible fingertips.
The Bare Hands vs. The Magic Gloves
Trying to use your iPhone in the freezing cold is a painful choice: either take your gloves off and suffer from numb, frozen fingers, or leave them on and be unable to reply to a simple text. Touchscreen-compatible gloves are like a magical upgrade. They have special, conductive thread woven into the fingertips that acts just like your skin. They allow you to keep your hands warm and toasty while still being able to type, swipe, and scroll as if you were not wearing gloves at all. They are an essential winter superpower.
I’m just going to say it: The best iPhone color is always the new one.
The Fashion Statement of the Season
Choosing an iPhone color is not just a technical decision; it’s a fashion statement. The “new” color that is unique to each year’s lineup—the Deep Purple, the Sierra Blue, the Pacific Blue—is like the “it” color of the fashion season. It’s a subtle but clear signal that you are carrying the latest and most current piece of technology. While the classic black and white are timeless, choosing the new, unique color is a fun, temporary way to participate in the annual cultural moment of a new iPhone release.
The reason you can’t hear callers is because your earpiece speaker is clogged with debris.
The Clogged-Up Shower Head
Your earpiece speaker is like a tiny shower head with dozens of little holes. Over time, those holes can get clogged up with dust, makeup, and pocket lint. Just like a shower head that goes from a powerful spray to a weak dribble, a clogged earpiece will make callers sound muffled, distant, and quiet. Often, the speaker isn’t broken at all. A gentle cleaning with a soft, dry brush can dislodge the debris and unclog the “nozzles,” instantly restoring the sound to its full, crystal-clear volume.
If you’re still using a cabled car connection, you’re losing the convenience of a wireless CarPlay adapter.
The Garage Door Opener Remote vs. The Automatic Sensor
Plugging your phone in to use CarPlay is like having to press a remote control button every time you want to open your garage door. It works, but it’s a manual step you have to remember. A wireless CarPlay adapter is like installing an automatic sensor in your car. The moment you get in your car, it senses your phone is with you and automatically “opens the garage door,” wirelessly connecting your phone and putting CarPlay on your screen. It’s a seamless, magical experience that makes your car feel significantly smarter.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that a screen protector will make your screen less responsive.
The Invisible, Perfect Sheet of Glass
There’s a lingering myth from the days of old, thick, plastic screen protectors that they will ruin the feel of your screen. This is a lie for modern tempered glass. A high-quality glass screen protector is like adding a second, invisible, and absolutely perfect sheet of glass on top of your first one. It is so clear and so smooth that your finger, and the screen’s sensors underneath, will not be able to tell the difference. You get all the protection with absolutely zero compromise in responsiveness or clarity.
I wish I knew how to properly clean my iPhone’s charging port with a toothpick when it stopped charging.
The Pocket Lint That’s Blocking the Door
Over time, your charging port is like a tiny garage that slowly gets filled up with a dense, compacted layer of pocket lint. Eventually, there’s so much junk in the garage that you can’t get your car (the charging cable) in far enough to make a connection. Your phone isn’t broken. You can take a simple wooden or plastic toothpick and gently, carefully scrape out the surprising amount of lint from the back of the “garage.” This simple, 30-second cleaning can often bring a “dead” charging port back to life.
99% of people don’t know that the Taptic Engine is one of the most advanced pieces of hardware in their phone.
The Tiny, Precise Drummer in Your Phone
Most phones have a cheap, clunky vibration motor, like a washing machine with an unbalanced load. The Taptic Engine in your iPhone is completely different. It’s like having a tiny, incredibly precise, and sophisticated drummer living inside your phone. It doesn’t just buzz; it can produce a huge range of sharp, distinct “taps” and subtle, realistic haptic feedback. It’s what makes turning a digital dial feel like a real mechanical click. It’s a complex and beautiful piece of engineering that adds a rich, tactile dimension to the flat glass screen.
This one small action of checking a case’s “lip” size will determine if it actually protects your screen.
The Bumper on the Bowling Alley Lane
A phone case without a raised “lip” around the screen is like a bowling alley lane without any bumpers. If your phone falls flat on its face, the screen will make direct, shattering contact with the floor. That small, raised edge—the lip—is the bumper. It ensures that if your phone falls face-down, the case’s bumper will hit the ground first, keeping the fragile glass of your screen safely suspended and untouched. It is the single most important design feature of a truly protective case.
Use a gimbal for cinematic, smooth video, not just relying on the built-in stabilization for professional work.
The Steady-Cam Operator for Your Phone
Your iPhone’s built-in video stabilization is like having a really steady hand. It’s great for reducing minor jitters. A gimbal, however, is like hiring a professional Hollywood steady-cam operator. It’s a gyroscopic, self-balancing device that completely isolates your phone from the clumsy movements of your body. It allows you to walk, run, and pan, and the resulting footage will be uncannily, magically, and perfectly smooth. It’s the single most important accessory for elevating your videos from “good” to truly cinematic.
Stop using an old, slow power bank. Do get one with Power Delivery (PD) for fast charging instead.
The Bucket Brigade vs. The Fire Hose
An old, slow power bank is like a bucket brigade in an old-timey fire. It can deliver “water” to the fire, but it does so one slow, inefficient bucket at a time. A modern power bank with Power Delivery (PD) is like a high-pressure fire hose connected directly to a hydrant. It can deliver a massive volume of “water” (power) incredibly quickly. It’s the difference between charging your phone a few percentage points in an hour, and charging it to 50% in 30 minutes.
Stop worrying about minor scuffs and scratches. Do enjoy your phone as a tool instead of a museum piece.
The Pristine Hammer vs. The Well-Used Tool
Some people treat their phone like a priceless artifact in a museum, terrified of a single fingerprint or a tiny scuff. But a phone is not a Fabergé egg; it is a tool. It is a hammer. A pristine, unused hammer in a display case is useless. A hammer that is a little scuffed and worn from use is a sign that it has been used to build great things. Don’t be afraid to let your tools show a little wear and tear. It’s a sign of a life being lived, not a collectible being preserved.
The #1 secret for AirPods Pro users is trying all the different tip sizes for the best noise cancellation.
The Perfect Seal on a Pair of Earplugs
The noise cancellation on AirPods Pro is like a magical force field against sound. But that force field can only be activated if you have a perfect, airtight seal in your ear canal. If the silicone tip is too small, the seal will be leaky, and the outside noise will flood in. The secret is to try all the different tip sizes that come in the box. Finding the one that creates that perfect, snug seal is like properly inserting a pair of high-end earplugs. It’s the crucial step that unlocks their most powerful and impressive feature.
I’m just going to say it: The iPhone SE is the best value hardware Apple has ever sold.
The Race Car Engine in the Body of a Honda
The iPhone SE is a brilliant sleight of hand. It’s like taking the incredibly powerful, state-of-the-art engine and brain from a brand new Formula 1 race car and cleverly hiding it inside the familiar, unassuming body of a reliable Honda Civic. You get all the mind-blowing speed and performance of the flagship phone—it runs all the same apps and games flawlessly—but you’re paying the price for the simple, classic body. It is an act of engineering that provides unmatched performance for an unbeatable price.
The reason your Face ID fails is because you’re holding the phone too close to your face.
The Photograph That’s Too Close
Imagine trying to take a picture of a friend, but you’re standing so close that their face fills the entire frame and you cut off the top of their head and their chin. Your camera can’t recognize them. Face ID works the same way. It needs to see your whole face—your eyes, nose, and mouth—in its field of view. Holding your phone six inches from your nose is too close; it can only see your eyes. The ideal distance is a natural, arm’s-length position, which gives the camera the full “picture” it needs.
If you’re still buying the largest storage capacity iPhone, you’re probably losing money you could have spent on iCloud storage.
The Giant Mansion vs. The Smart Storage Unit
Buying the largest capacity iPhone is like buying a giant, expensive mansion just so you can have a huge attic to store all your old photo albums. It’s a massive upfront cost for a lot of space you might not need. A much smarter and cheaper solution is to buy the smaller, more affordable house, and then rent a cheap, secure, and infinitely expandable storage unit (iCloud) for those photo albums. For a few dollars a month, you can get all the storage you need without paying hundreds extra for the “attic.”
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need a new phone case every year.
The Perfectly Good Winter Coat
Phone companies often release new cases with their new phones, creating the illusion that you need a new one. This is a lie. A phone case is like a good winter coat. As long as it’s not torn or broken, it will keep you just as warm this year as it did last year. Unless you’ve upgraded to a phone with a different size or shape, your existing, perfectly good case will offer the exact same level of protection for your new device. You don’t need to buy a new “coat” just because the calendar changed.
I wish I knew that MagSafe was more than just a charger; it’s an ecosystem of accessories.
The Universal Docking Port on a Spaceship
MagSafe is not just a charger. It’s like a brilliant, universal docking port on the back of a spaceship. The charger is just the first attachment you can dock there. But you can also snap on a wallet, a car mount, a battery pack, or a tripod. It’s a simple, powerful, and standardized “clamping” system that has opened the door for a whole universe of clever, interchangeable accessories. It has transformed the back of the iPhone from a boring, empty surface into a versatile and functional modular system.
99% of users don’t use a case with a lanyard or strap for extra security in crowded places.
The Leash for Your Digital Life
A phone case with a spot for a wrist strap or a cross-body lanyard is like putting a secure leash on a very expensive and important puppy. When you’re in a crowded place like a concert or a busy tourist spot, it’s easy for your phone to be accidentally dropped or even snatched from your hand. That simple, inexpensive strap makes a physical connection between your digital life and your body, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind that a simple case can’t offer.
This one small purchase of a USB-C to Lightning cable will let you charge your iPhone from your modern laptop.
The Universal Key for the Modern World
The world has moved to USB-C. Your new laptop, your iPad, and your friend’s Android phone all use it. Your iPhone’s Lightning port can feel like an old, proprietary lock in a world of new, universal keys. A simple USB-C to Lightning cable is the one crucial adapter that bridges this gap. It’s the “master key” that allows your iPhone to plug into the modern ecosystem of power and data, letting you charge directly from your new MacBook without needing a clumsy, old-fashioned USB-A brick.
Use an Apple TV to mirror your screen, not a clunky third-party app.
The Official Bridge vs. The Rickety Rope Bridge
Screen mirroring your iPhone to your TV should be simple. Using an Apple TV is like using a beautiful, wide, and perfectly engineered suspension bridge that was designed by the same company that built both cities. The connection is flawless, instantaneous, and of the highest quality. Trying to use a clunky, ad-filled third-party app or a cheap dongle is like trying to cross that same canyon on a rickety, swaying rope bridge that was built by a stranger. It might work, but it’s going to be a slow, ugly, and unreliable journey.
Stop throwing away your old iPhone boxes. Do keep them to increase the resale value.
The Original Packaging for Your Collector’s Item
When you sell a valuable collector’s item, like a vintage toy or a rare watch, having the original, pristine box can dramatically increase its value. The same is true for your iPhone. When you decide to sell your old phone, being able to provide it in its original, undamaged box, with the original paperwork, signals to the buyer that this device has been well-cared for. It projects a sense of quality and completeness that will allow you to ask for a higher price than someone who is just selling the phone by itself.
Stop using canned air to clean your speakers. Do use a soft brush instead to avoid damage.
The Pressure Washer vs. The Soft Brush
Using a can of compressed air to clean your tiny speaker holes is like trying to clean a delicate, antique painting with a high-pressure fire hose. The intense, concentrated blast of air can be too powerful and can actually damage the fragile speaker membrane inside. A much safer and more effective tool is a simple, soft-bristled brush, like a clean, soft toothbrush. The gentle bristles can get into the small holes and dislodge the dust and debris without any risk of causing permanent damage.
The #1 hack for a cracked screen is putting a glass screen protector over it to prevent it from getting worse.
The Clear Cast on a Broken Bone
When you crack your phone screen, the glass is now a web of tiny, sharp, and unstable shards. Using your finger on it is dangerous, and the crack can easily spread. The best immediate fix is to apply a new, glass screen protector directly over the cracked screen. This is like putting a clear, hard cast over a broken bone. It will hold all the broken pieces together, prevent the cracks from spreading further, and give you a smooth, safe surface to touch while you are waiting to get it properly repaired.
I’m just going to say it: The transition to USB-C on the iPhone is long overdue.
The Last House on the Block with Old Plumbing
For years, the entire neighborhood of technology—laptops, tablets, cameras, and Android phones—has upgraded to a modern, powerful, and universal plumbing system called USB-C. It’s faster and more convenient for everyone. The iPhone, however, has been the last, stubborn house on the block, insisting on using its own old, proprietary pipes. The switch to USB-C is not a radical new idea; it is a long, long overdue and welcome modernization that finally connects the iPhone to the universal standard that the rest of the world has been enjoying for years.
The reason your photos have a weird glare is because your case is interfering with the camera flash.
The Flashlight Bouncing Off a Wall
Imagine you’re standing in a dark hallway and you shine a powerful flashlight at the door in front of you. Now, imagine someone puts a piece of glass right next to your flashlight. The light will hit the glass, bounce back into your eyes, and wash out the hallway in a strange glare. This is what happens with a poorly designed phone case. The cutout for the camera is too small, and when the powerful flash goes off, the light hits the inside edge of the case and reflects back into the lens, ruining your photo.
If you’re still buying accessories from your carrier’s store, you’re losing a lot of money.
Buying Your Milk at the Movie Theater
Buying a phone case or a charger at your carrier’s store is like buying your milk and eggs at the movie theater concession stand. They might have what you need, and it’s certainly convenient because you’re already there, but you will pay an absurd, inflated price for that convenience. They are a “captive audience” market. You can find the exact same, or even better, products from reputable brands online or at an electronics store for a fraction of the price. Don’t pay the movie theater price for your everyday groceries.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that third-party repair shops will ruin your iPhone.
The Independent Mechanic vs. The Dealership
Apple is like the official car dealership. They do excellent, authorized repairs using official parts, but they are very expensive. A good, reputable, independent repair shop is like your trusted local mechanic. They might use high-quality aftermarket parts, but they have years of experience, do excellent work, and charge a much more reasonable price. While a bad mechanic can certainly mess up your car, the lie is that all independent shops are bad. A little research can find you a trusted expert who can fix your screen for a fraction of the dealership’s cost.
I wish I knew that a MagSafe car vent mount would be the most stable and convenient mount I’ve ever owned.
The Magnetic Handshake for Your Dashboard
Traditional car mounts are a clumsy mess of springs, clamps, and suction cups that never seem to hold right. A MagSafe vent mount is a revelation of simplicity. It’s a small, elegant magnet that clips onto your air vent. When you get in the car, you don’t have to do anything. You just bring your phone near it, and with a satisfying ‘thunk,’ it snaps on, perfectly aligned and held with surprising strength. It’s a seamless, one-handed “magnetic handshake” that makes mounting your phone feel like a piece of futuristic magic.
99% of people don’t realize the importance of the oleophobic coating on their screen.
The Rain-X for Your Phone Screen
The oleophobic coating on your screen is a magical, invisible layer of “Rain-X” for your fingerprints. It’s an oil-repellent coating that makes the oils from your fingers bead up and wipe away effortlessly, keeping your screen clean and smooth. When you use harsh, abrasive cleaners or when the coating just wears off over time, you’ll notice that your screen becomes a smudgy, greasy mess that’s hard to clean. It’s an unsung hero of hardware design that is crucial for that pristine, out-of-the-box feel.
This one small habit of cleaning your iPhone with a microfiber cloth will keep it looking brand new.
The Daily Dusting of a Prized Possession
Your iPhone is a piece of precision hardware that you touch hundreds of times a day. Over that time, it collects a film of oil, dust, and grime. Using your t-shirt to clean it just smears that grime around. A microfiber cloth is like a magical dust magnet. Its tiny fibers are specifically designed to trap and lift away oil and dirt, not just move it. A quick, 10-second wipe-down once a day is like a gentle dusting of a prized painting, effortlessly restoring that brilliant, box-fresh clarity to your screen.
Use a skin to protect from scratches if you hate cases, not just going completely naked.
The ‘Clear Coat’ for Your Car
You love the beautiful, slim design of your iPhone, and you hate the idea of putting it in a bulky case. But you still worry about scratches from keys and tables. A high-quality skin is the perfect compromise. It’s like adding a professional, protective “clear coat” to your car’s paint job. It’s an ultra-thin, precisely cut vinyl layer that is virtually invisible and adds zero bulk. It provides robust protection against everyday scuffs and scratches while preserving the original look and feel of the device you love.
Stop using a wallet case that holds 10 cards. Do slim down your wallet instead.
The Overstuffed Suitcase vs. The Carry-On Bag
A wallet case that tries to hold all your cards and cash is like trying to staple an overstuffed suitcase to the back of your sleek laptop. It’s a bulky, inefficient, and insecure disaster. The real solution is not to find a bigger case; it’s to slim down your wallet. By digitizing your loyalty cards and carrying only your essential ID and one credit card, you can embrace a minimalist MagSafe wallet. It’s like trading that giant suitcase for a slim, elegant carry-on that snaps on and off with ease.
Stop complaining about the lack of a headphone jack. Do embrace the wireless future.
The Crank Start on a Car
Complaining about the lack of a headphone jack on a modern phone is like complaining that your new Tesla doesn’t have a hole in the front for a hand crank to start the engine. It’s an old, outdated technology that has been replaced by something that is, for the vast majority of people, vastly superior and more convenient. The freedom, audio quality, and convenience of wireless headphones represent a clear step forward. The crank start was fine for its time, but the push-button ignition is here to stay.
The #1 secret for protecting your camera lenses is a case with a raised camera bump ring.
The Tiny Wall Around the Castle’s Windows
Your camera lenses are the precious, fragile windows of your castle. If you lay your phone down flat, those windows are making direct contact with the rough, gritty tabletop. A case with a raised ring around the camera bump is like building a small, protective stone wall around those delicate windows. Now, when you place your phone down, that raised wall makes contact with the table, keeping the glass of your lenses safely elevated and protected from a direct, potentially scratching, hit.
I’m just going to say it: The Pro Max iPhones are too big for most people’s hands.
The Giant’s Sword
A Pro Max iPhone is like a giant, two-handed sword from a fantasy movie. It is incredibly powerful, impressive to behold, and in the hands of a giant, it is a formidable weapon. However, for the average-sized person, it is a clumsy, heavy, and unwieldy tool that is difficult to use effectively with one hand. It often requires two hands to operate safely and can be uncomfortable to carry. For most people, the smaller, more balanced “one-handed sword” of the regular Pro model is a much more practical and comfortable daily weapon.
The reason your wireless charging stops and starts is because of a thick case or a pop socket.
The Radio Signal and the Thick Wall
Wireless charging is like a very weak radio signal being broadcast from your charging pad to a receiver in your phone. A thin, standard case is like a plaster wall; the signal can pass through it without much trouble. But a super-thick, “heavy-duty” case or a plastic pop socket is like a thick, concrete wall. The weak radio signal can’t get through it effectively. It will connect, then disconnect, then connect again, as it struggles to maintain a stable link through the thick interference.
If you’re still using a phone ring holder, you’re preventing your phone from lying flat and using wireless charging.
The Kickstand That’s Permanently Glued Down
A phone ring is like a kickstand that is permanently super-glued to the back of your TV. Yes, it’s useful for propping the TV up on a table, but it also means you can never, ever mount that TV flat against a wall. The ring holder’s permanent bump makes it impossible for your phone to lie flat on a table, and it creates a huge air gap that completely blocks wireless charging from working. It’s a single-purpose accessory that disables two of your phone’s other useful features.
The biggest lie you’ve been told is that you need to spend over $50 on a phone case.
The Designer Brand Raincoat
You can buy a simple, effective, well-made raincoat for $20 that will keep you perfectly dry. You can also buy a raincoat from a luxury fashion brand for $500. It won’t keep you any “drier,” but it will have a fancy logo on it. The same is true for phone cases. A $50+ case from a big brand often doesn’t offer any more real-world protection than a well-reviewed $15 case from a reputable, smaller company. You are paying for the brand name and the marketing, not for a magical new level of safety.
I wish I knew that AppleCare+ was worth the investment for my peace of mind.
The ‘No-Fault’ Insurance for Your Most Important Gadget
AppleCare+ is not just a warranty; it’s a comprehensive, “no-fault” insurance policy for the most expensive and important tool in your daily life. It’s like the best car insurance you can buy. It means that if you have a clumsy moment and your phone tumbles onto the concrete, or if you drop it in the pool, the resulting catastrophic, $500 repair becomes a small, manageable, and predictable deductible. It’s an upfront investment in the complete and total elimination of the financial anxiety that comes with carrying a fragile, thousand-dollar piece of glass.
99% of users don’t test their case’s buttons and mute switch access before buying.
The Beautiful Coat with the Stuck Zipper
You’re trying on a beautiful new coat. It looks great, it feels great, but then you try to use the zipper, and it’s stiff and hard to pull. Or you try to put your hands in the pockets, and the opening is too small and awkward. A phone case is a “coat” for your phone. A common failure is “mushy” or hard-to-press button covers and a mute switch cutout that is so deep and small you can’t reach it with your finger. It’s a critical detail that can make a beautiful case a frustrating daily annoyance.
This one small accessory, an AirTag loop, will ensure you don’t lose the AirTag itself.
The Keyring for Your Key-Finder
An AirTag is a brilliant tool for finding your keys, but the AirTag itself is a small, slippery, button-like object with no way to attach it to anything. It’s like a key with no hole in it. The loop or holder is the simple, essential accessory that turns the AirTag into a usable tool. It’s the “keyring” for your key-finder. It allows you to securely and confidently attach your tracker to your keys, your backpack, or your luggage, ensuring that the device designed to find your lost things doesn’t get lost itself.
Use Find My to locate your lost AirPods, not just your iPhone.
The Homing Beacon for Your Tiny Earbuds
Losing a single, tiny, and expensive AirPod is an easy and painful experience. They can fall out and disappear into a couch cushion or under a car seat in an instant. The “Find My” network is not just for your phone. It’s a powerful homing beacon for your lost earbuds. You can open the app and see their last known location on a map. Or, if they’re nearby, you can make them play a loud, chirping sound, leading your ears to their hiding spot like a game of Marco Polo.