Guides

How to Add Widgets to Your Notification Center in iOS 8

Prior to iOS 8, Apple only allowed its native apps like Calendar, Reminders, and Stocks to push data to your Notification Center. To be sure, there were jailbreak tweaks such as NCWeather that would let you add widgets, but that was not sanctioned by Apple and could've nullified your warranty. With the latest iOS, however, Apple has opened up the Notification Center to third party developers and there are already a bunch of apps with widgets available. For example, if you have the Sports Center app, it now has a widget available that you can add to your NC, which will show you updated scores, news, etc.

If you have updated to iOS 8 and want to add a widget to your iPhone's Notification Center, here's how:

1. Make sure you have an updated version of your app that includes iOS 8 widgets.

How to add widgets to Notification Center in iOS 8

2. Open your Notification Center by swiping down from the top of your screen.

How to Improve iCloud Security with 2-Step Verification

With the recent news of celebrity photos being hacked and distributed around the web, iCloud and Photo Stream users everywhere are considering their own account security. While the hack was not a result of iCloud servers being breached, accounts without 2-step verification and other protective measures can easily be compromised.

Apple ID 2-step verification1

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently increased the security measures available to iCloud users. One sure-fire step to prevent photo leaks is to turn off Photo Stream entirely and remove personal content from iCloud. For those who wish to continue using iCloud services, 2-step verification (or two-factor verification) is an essential part of securing your account.

How to Stop Photos from Uploading to iCloud

Photo Stream can be a convenient way to automatically back up photos from the iPhone to iCloud. It can also mean that private photos are floating around on Apple servers. Just ask the multitude of celebrities who found their Photo Stream had been raided for nude images which were then published online. Remarkably, the intrusion was performed without compromising Apple systems or security procedures.

turn off iCloud

For iPhone users who are worried about iCloud syncing photos to Photo Stream, the service is entirely optional. Photos are normally protected by a strong password and security questions, but those who don't want copies of private photos on a remote server can follow these steps to turn off the service. Once Photo Stream is disabled and photos are removed from My Photo Stream, they will no longer be stored on iCloud.

How to Delete Bluetooth Devices from the iPhone

Once paired with the iPhone, Bluetooth devices are remembered for future use, even after they are disconnected. In some cases, a long list of Bluetooth devices can be confusing, especially if some are duplicates or will never be used again. Removing paired Bluetooth devices from the iPhone can solve this problem.

iOS 7 remove paired Bluetooth device1

Once removed, a device will need to be re-paired from the beginning in order to be used again. To begin the process of removing a Bluetooth device from iOS 7, first navigate to Settings -> Bluetooth. Bluetooth must be switched ON for the list of paired devices to be displayed.

How to Create an Apple ID with No Credit Card

Creating a new Apple ID no longer requires a credit card to be linked to the account. For those who are only interested in accessing free content, skipping the credit card entry can save some hassle. It can also be a good to way to prevent any spending on a device. Without a payment method linked to the Apple ID, purchasing any items that cost money will be impossible.

Apple ID no credit card how to

There is a trick to creating an Apple ID without a credit card. The process must begin in the App Store on an iOS device or in iTunes. First, make sure you are not logged in using an existing Apple ID. Sign out if necessary then open the App Store to follow these steps:

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