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  • Seven additional U.S. states look to add driver’s licenses, state IDs to Apple Wallet app

    Seven additional U.S. states look to add driver’s licenses, state IDs to Apple Wallet app

    Once again, a number of U.S. states are looking to add support for a driver’s license or state ID to be added to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, which can then be used to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.

    The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future.

    The feature can be set up by opening the Wallet app and then tapping on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, select Driver’s License and ID Cards and follow the steps.

    The currently supported states are as follows:

    • Arizona (since March 2022)
    • Maryland (since May 2022)
    • Colorado (since November 2022)
    • Georgia (since May 2023)
    • Ohio (since July 2024)
    • Hawaii (since August 2024)
    • California (since September 2024)
    • Iowa (since October 2024)
    • New Mexico (since December 2024)
    • Montana (since August 2025)
    • North Dakota (since September 2025)
    • West Virginia (since October 2025)
    • Illinois (since November 2025)
    • The feature is also available in Puerto Rico.

    Apple and local DMV offices have announced that the following U.S. states have signed on to adopt the feature, although no timeframes were disclosed:

    • Connecticut
    • Kentucky
    • Mississippi
    • Oklahoma
    • Utah
    • Arkansas
    • Virginia
    • Participating Airports

    Apple Wallet IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports in the U.S., for domestic travel. Given that Apple Wallet IDs are not accepted by law enforcement and lack many other use cases, carrying a physical ID is still necessary.

    This feature requires iOS 26.1 or watchOS 26.1 and later.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Apple

  • Rumor: iOS 27 to focus on bug fixes more than new features

    Rumor: iOS 27 to focus on bug fixes more than new features

    This year’s iOS 27 release may not focus on flashy new features as much as bug fixes.

    Following last year’s iOS 26 updates, which were dominated by the somewhat less-than-splendidly received Liquid Glass UI update (which some users found confusing, if not illegible), Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has noted that “Apple will be focused on improving the nuts-and-bolts performance of the software.”

    As such, Apple may focus on fixing what’s there as opposed to adding new things. That should, hopefully, mean fewer bugs and speedier performance for iPhone owners. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard iOS 27 will be more of a maintenance release skin to Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

    Even so, Apple is rumored to be developing new features to announce at WWDC in June. This includes the next version of Siri, which will hopefully offer contextual capabilities first advertised at WWDC 2024 and based on Google Gemini AI tech. This update is also expected to debut with the iOS 26.4 update, which could follow within a few weeks of WWDC. It’s also been rumored that Apple is developing a chatbot version of Siri, codenamed “Campos,” which could be part of the iOS 27 announcements at WWDC 2026.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via Macworld and Bloomberg

  • FBI struggled with bypassing Apple’s Lockdown Mode following the raid of Washington Post reporter’s home, capture of devices

    FBI struggled with bypassing Apple’s Lockdown Mode following the raid of Washington Post reporter’s home, capture of devices

    Apple’s Lockdown Mode may be more impressive than initially thought.

    Per 9to5Mac, following a recent raid into a Washington Post reporter’s home, the FBI was apparently unable to retrieve data from the reporter’s iPhone.

    As reported by 404 Media, the FBI raided the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson earlier this year, “as part of an investigation into leaks of classified information.”

    Natanson’s profile, per the Post’s profile page, states that she has been “covering Trump’s reshaping of the federal government and its effects,” and that “was part of a team of Post journalists awarded the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.”

    During the FBI’s raid last January, agents seized multiple electronic devices at Natanson’s home, including a MacBook Pro and an iPhone 13.

    Still, the FBI’s Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) is reported to have been unable to extract data from the iPhone thanks to the system’s Lockdown Mode, which “helps protect devices against extremely rare and highly sophisticated cyber attacks,” per Apple’s description.

    The court record mentioning Lockdown Mode was filed on January 30th, around two weeks after the FBI raided Natanson’s residence, indicating the FBI has not been able to access the iPhone during that time.

    It’s unknown whether the FBI’s CART unit has been able to access the device since it was taken in the raid.

    Apple has offered the following explanation as to Lockdown Mode, which is available in iOS 16 or later, iPadOS 16 or later, watchOS 10 or later, and macOS Ventura or later:

    “Lockdown Mode is an optional, extreme protection that’s designed for the very few individuals who, because of who they are or what they do, might be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats. Most people are never targeted by attacks of this nature.

    When Lockdown Mode is enabled, your device won’t function like it typically does. To reduce the attack surface that potentially could be exploited by highly targeted mercenary spyware, certain apps, websites, and features are strictly limited for security and some experiences might not be available at all.

    Lockdown Mode limits a wide range of system features and connections, including blocking most message attachments, restricting certain web browsing technologies, limiting FaceTime calls from unknown contacts, preventing device connections unless the device is unlocked, and turning off configuration profiles and device management enrollment.”

    In short, Lockdown Mode may be a stronger form of protection than initially thought.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac, Reddit, 404 Media, and support.apple.com

  • Apple releases iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3 release candidate builds to the public beta, developer communities

    Apple releases iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3 release candidate builds to the public beta, developer communities

    If you’ve been hankering for the next major iOS and iPadOS updates, they might be just around the corner.

    Earlier this week, Apple released the iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 release candidate builds to both the public and developer testing communities. The updates do not feature many obvious changes. Most of them appear to be bug fixes and security updates.

    The following changes are expected given what’s been seen with the beta builds:

    Easier switching between Android and iPhone: iOS 26.3 brings support for easier iOS/Android switching made in collaboration with Google at the behest of the European Union. You can read more about that here.

    Notification forwarding for third-party devices: Another EU-mandated change, Apple will allow for notifications to be forwarded to third-party devices, like smartwatches other than Apple Watch. There is a new Notification Forwarding section in Settings > Notifications

    Limit precise location for carriers: A new option outlined in this support document will allow you to disable precise location finding for your carrier. It requires iOS 26.3 and a supporting carrier (EE or BT in the U.K., Boost Mobile in the U.S.). This has no impact on location for apps or the OS, it only applies to carrier location tracking, and changes it from precise (exact street address) to coarse (neighborhood).

    If you want to test the iOS 26 beta releases but are not a registered developer, follow these steps:

    • Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
    • Log in to the Beta Software Program.
    • Click Enroll your iOS device.
    • Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
    • In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.
    • It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.

    If you have a developer account (you can easily create a free one if you’d like) and want to test the release candidate builds, follow these steps:

    • Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store.
    • Open the app.
    • Tap on Account.
    • Sign in using your usual Apple ID.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the iOS 26.3 or iPadOS 26.3 release candidate builds, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via Macworld, beta.apple.com, and developer.apple.com

  • iPhone 17e, iPad 12 tech specs, features leaked in two new reports

    iPhone 17e, iPad 12 tech specs, features leaked in two new reports

    Some interesting specs as well as a near-term release date may be in store for the iPhone 17e and iPad 12.

    Per Japanese blog Mac Otakara, which leaked product details on Thursday, both the iPhone 17e and iPad 12 are expected to be released within the next few months.

    As of February 2025, Apple discontinued the iPhone SE and released a new entry-level iPhone 16e. The device features a 6.1-inch OLED display, an A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, an Action button, a USB-C port, and more. The iPhone 17e would be the follow-up, spec-bumped model.

    Per the leak, which cites “reliable sources,” the iPhone 17e will feature a similar overall design as the iPhone 16e, the report defying previous rumors that the Dynamic Island feature would be removed. Instead, the device will continue to have a notch like the iPhone 16e.

    The publication expects three key upgrades for the iPhone 17e:

    A19 chip: This one is no big surprise, but the iPhone 17e is expected to be powered by Apple’s A19 chip, up from the A18 chip in the iPhone 16e. This upgrade will result in faster performance and power efficiency improvements.

    C1X modem: Apple says its second-generation C1X modem for 5G and LTE is up to twice as fast as its first-generation C1 modem in the iPhone 16e. Apple also says the C1X is the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone to date.

    N1 chip: Like the iPhone Air, the report said the iPhone 17e will be equipped with Apple’s N1 chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread. In the iPhone Air, the N1 chip supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and Apple says the chip improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.

    The report indicated that the iPad 12 will likely feature a similar design as the iPad 11, but feature a newer A18 chip that would support Apple Intelligence. The tablet would also offer 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the iPad 11.

    Per Macwelt, Apple is looking to announce the iPhone 17e with a press release on an unusual date: Thursday, February 19. The publication agreed that the iPhone 17e will not have a Dynamic Island, but they do expect the device to feature MagSafe, as previously rumored.

    For fans of MagSafe, unlike the iPhone 16e, it’s rumored that the iPhone 17e will feature MagSafe for up to 20W-25W magnetic wireless charging. The iPhone 16e is limited to Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W speeds. Users will also be able to magnetically attach accessories such as Apple’s MagSafe Wallet to the back of the iPhone 17e. The handset is also rumored to offer a single rear camera.

    It’s unknown what the iPhone 17e’s price point will be, and if it will be similar to the iPhone 16e, which starts at $599.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors, Mac Otakara, and Macwelt