There’s a new Priority Notifications feature in iOS 18.4 to ensure important messages and alerts get prominent Lock Screen placement. But a different feature entirely was added in a recent iOS update—‘Critical Messages’—that enables apps to send your iPhone highly important messages via SMS. Here’s how it works.

Apple TV+ is currently airing Severance season two, a hit that’s even surpassed Ted Lasso in viewer numbers. But if you haven’t yet tried Apple’s streaming service, there are a variety of ways to access Apple TV+ completely free—from trials and free periods to ongoing subscriptions. Here’s how.

eufy cameras have long been some of the best options for outdoor HomeKit cameras. I had the original model of the in my old house, and I loved them. They were a breeze to install, and the battery life was fantastic. They worked great with HomeKit Secure Video, but they also worked great as HomeKit motion sensors and recording back to the eufy base station. Overall, I had zero complaints. I recently picked up the eufy E30, and it’s a fantastic HomeKit camera if you’re looking for an indoor camera that supports HomeKit Secure Video.

Apple has released some of the first video ads for the iPhone 16e on its release day, including six new shorts plus a traditional video ad. The videos hit on a variety of talking points and feature promotions, but all seemingly supporting a single message: the iPhone 16e is the best iPhone for the average person.

While we are still tracking a host of big-time deals on major Apple releases, including the latest Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Pencil Pro, M3 MacBook Air configurations at up to $420 off the original prices, and more, today’s deals are largely focused on big-time accessory offers. Firstly, the 4-pack of AirTags has now dropped to its best price ever at $64.50 (that’s $16 per AirTag). Next we move over to official Apple Watch bands – the Solo and Braided Solo Loops are now starting from $15 (that’s over 70% off) while the army green-style Alpine Loop is seeing a massive 55% price drop at $45. You’ll also find some M4 MacBook Pro deals and more awaiting below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

Apple has updated its support document for the recently introduced purchase migration tool, removing the EU and UK from the availability exclusion. India is the only remaining region listed where the Apple Account purchase migration tool isn’t offered.

President Trump has chimed in on the UK’s attempt to force Apple to add a global backdoor to iCloud, likening the demand to “something that you hear about with China.”

The biggest Apple series yet, Severance, will wrap up its second season in the weeks ahead. But Apple TV+ has several buzzy new March releases planned to keep subscribers around: Dope Thief will join the streamer’s growing slate of crime thrillers, Seth Rogen’s The Studio looks hilarious, and the new Mythic Quest spin-off Side Quest debuts. Here’s everything coming to Apple TV+ in March.

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by ChargeASAP: Check out the Flash Pro Ultra, featuring a new 275W power bank with an OLED screen that can charge up to 6 devices simultaneously, including your MacBook, phone, smartwatch, and more!

It turns out the has been playing a crucial role in helping hockey referees manage NHL games. That’s thanks to a purpose-built app called NHL Watch Comms for on-ice NHL Officials. The app will be used for the first time in an outdoor setting for tomorrow’s Stadium Series in Ohio.

Apple’s newest member of the iPhone family, the iPhone 16e, has now officially arrived. The new device is available now at Apple Stores and other retailers. Here’s everything you should know about the iPhone 16e and its features.

It’s the end of an era for web calls: Skype is shutting down soon. Microsoft announced it will be retiring the legacy communication platform soon and pushing existing users to adopt Teams instead. Here are the details.

I’m a relatively early adopter of smart home products. While I didn’t dive in during the X.10 days, I’ve been using a variety of smart home devices for well over a decade now, and jumped in on HomeKit as soon as it crossed the Atlantic.

But a recent experience of something as simple as replacing a failed light-bulb really drove home how much further we have to go before we can expect non-techies to climb on board …

Welcome to Neural. AI moves fast. We help you keep up. OpenAI has officially unveiled GPT-4.5, the latest version of the fastest ChatGPT model. While GPT-4.5 excels in a number of areas including accuracy and emotional intelligence, OpenAI emphasizes that GPT-4.5 is not its most advanced model for now.

The iPhone 17 Pro concept image above seems more and more likely to be exactly what Apple will reveal this fall. Sonny Dickson has shared additional images from CAD files claiming to show the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max design and dimensions.

Benjamin and Chance wrap up the iPhone 16e reviews that dropped this week, and bemoan the UK forcing Apple to remove Advanced Data Protection in the region, before turning their attention to the fun news of the week that is the new beta season. iOS 18.4 and visionOS 2.4 include a bunch of features, from new Apple Intelligence updates to an entirely Food section in News+.

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin finally has a new standing desk set up. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by ChargeASAP: Check out the Flash Pro Ultra, featuring a new 275W power bank with an OLED screen that can charge up to 6 devices simultaneously, including your MacBook, phone, smartwatch, and more!

iPhone 16e will arrive in stores tomorrow, but the press has already published the first reviews of the new entry-level iPhone – and many of them have praised its battery life. But what exactly is its battery capacity and how does it compare with the rest of the iPhone lineup? Read on as we break down all the numbers below.

This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: Apple’s foldable iPhone breakthrough, the AirTag 2 release window narrows, iPhone 17 Pro and 17e reports, and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

Earlier this week Apple shipped new firmware for AirPods Max models with Lightning. Today, the company has followed that up by releasing a beta version of new firmware for all models. Here are the details.