iOS 817: Digital Backpack – Best Apps for Back to School - iOS Tools for Students & Lifelong Learners

Are passwords really on their way out, or are we stuck with them a bit longer? Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard dig into Apple's latest moves in credential management and reveal why the end of passwords is only "dead-ish." Find out why this shift matters for both convenience and security, and how it could upend your digital habits. Apple Passwords app evolves: features, security, and sharing explored Passkeys adoption, magic links frustration, and passwordless future Passkeys security benefits and everyday use cases discussed Verification code autofill and cleanup Real-world quirks and reliability of code autofill features Shared groups and Wi-Fi credentials streamline family password management Comparing Apple Passwords vs. third-party managers: features and limitations Password best practices debunked: phase out bad habits App Caps: ESR magnetic matte screen protector and Spark Daily Learning Puzzles Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Apple's latest iPhone event is around the corner, but are you actually ready to upgrade? This episode digs into the essential, often overlooked steps that could make or break your next device swap. Apple Upgrade Program and comparing phone purchasing options Tips and tricks for trading in or handing down your old iPhone Importance of backups: iCloud, local, and encrypted with iMazing Steps for safely transferring data and activating eSIM Verifying new phone setup: calls, texts, Apple Pay, and Watch How to properly erase the old device before trade-in Reviewing device storage and considering foldable iPhone rumors News: Apple's Surprise and Shine event and iOS 27 rollout anticipation Shortcuts Corner: Building a share sheet shortcut for photo management App Caps: Apple Arcade Sneaky Sasquatch crossover and Anker power bank accessory Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsors: outsystems.com/twit NetSuite.AI/IOS

As iOS updates roll out new icons and smarter Siri voices, today's students are relying on apps that make studying more interactive, collaborative, and personal than ever! See how a fresh lineup of iOS and iPadOS apps could completely reshape your back-to-school routine. Structured: Visual daily planner with focus and accessibility features GoodNotes vs. Notability: Digital note-taking and annotation Quizlet: Study aid, flashcard maker, and AI-powered practice tests Otter: Group project meetings and lecture transcription made easy Essayist: Academic writing and streamlined reference management Duolingo: Gamified language learning for students (and Klingon fans) Notes and organization skills as keys to academic success News: iOS 27 updates, Siri voices, search improvements, better battery life App Caps: Moonlitt and Sunlitt for moon and sun tracking, CGP Grey video picks Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Get the details from Mikah and Rosemary on which AI apps stand out for real-world tasks, where system integration blows open new possibilities, and why a truly local, on-device AI might finally justify the hype. Siri's AI upgrades spark frustrations, unpredictability, and deeper device integration Comparing ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini apps on iOS Solaire AI brings free offline local AI to iPhone News: App tracking transparency changes prompt regulatory scrutiny in Germany, and Sonos adds live activities with real-time playback status App Caps: 8BitDo Flip Pad for gaming and MOFT Snap Tablet Stand for iPad Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: joindeleteme.com/twit-biz

Fed up with groggy wake-ups and noisy notifications? Discover how automating Focus modes and Shortcuts can totally transform your nights and mornings using clever iOS tricks. Built-in sleep tracking features on iOS and Apple Watch explained Setting sleep goals, schedules, and using Sleep Focus mode How to customize Focus modes for a better sleep environment Allowing exceptions and adjusting notifications during Sleep Focus Screen, home, and lock screen customizations for sleep time Insights into Apple's sleep score metrics and calculation Apple Watch features: sleep apnea and breathing disturbance notifications Third-party sleep tracking app recommendations and comparisons Shortcuts Corner: automating sleep and wake routines with iOS Shortcuts App Cap: Pelican waterproof floating phone pouch for outdoor adventures (https://amzn.to/4ws5KF5 affiliate link) Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsors: horizon3.ai/iostoday shopify.com/ios

From tide tracking that saves your beach day to instant wildfire warnings that beat government alerts, this episode spotlights the apps that truly have your back during summertime outings. Using iOS Photos app for editing, sharing, and managing albums Editing summer videos in Photos and iMovie, including Magic Movie feature Watch Duty Wildfire and Floods app for live fire and emergency alerts Sky Guide app brings AR stargazing and celestial event notifications My Tide Times app helps plan beach visits with tide, sun, and moon info AllTrails app guides summer hikes with maps, filters, and community data CARROT Weather app delivers customizable alerts for sun, storms, and air quality Sun Seeker app helps track sun position for outdoor planning and photography App Caps: RNI Films for film-like photo edits and Parcel for package tracking Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: NetSuite.AI/IOS

If you care about leveling up your reading life, don't miss this deep dive into the most powerful and lesser-known iOS apps that turn your device into a book-lover's playground. Discover why your iPhone might just be the ultimate reading companion, from audiobooks to custom libraries and beyond. Apple Books app features, usability, audiobooks, and reading goals Refining ebook library organization, user guides, and personal reading habits Customizing reading experience: themes, fonts, line guides, and accessibility Apple Books for audiobooks versus dedicated apps like Audible Audible app exploration: usage stats, features, series tracking, and purchase changes Prologue app connects to the Plex library for personal audiobook streaming Spotify for audiobooks and comparison with Audible exclusives Storygraph tracks reading progress and integrates with Kobo eReaders Libby app for digital library borrowing of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines App Caps: Make-roscope keychain microscope Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: cirasync.com/ios

If you thought calculators were stuck in high school, check your phone! This episode finds the formula behind conversions, math notes, and custom shortcuts that could totally change how you crunch numbers on your everyday Apple device. Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard run the numbers and reveal which apps truly multiply your productivity. iOS calculator app features: history, copy, mode switcher, and conversions Math Notes and Apple Pencil support for handwritten equations on iPad Spotlight's built-in calculator vs. dedicated calculator app usage Deep dive into PCalc: customization, layouts, and advanced features Soulver 4 brings notepad-style, sentence-based calculations and variables (Not Boring) Calculator offers simplicity and a clean design for basic math News: Public beta releases for Apple operating systems explained App Caps: Safari's new webpage monitoring vs. Distill Web Monitor app, and Microsoft Copilot for streamlining messy data into formatted documents Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

If you're the person who packs weeks early and triple-checks every detail, this episode is your tactical guide to using iPhone apps for travel planning, collaboration, and on-the-ground navigation. Vacation planning tips and why offline maps are essential Downloading and managing offline Apple Maps for travel Using shared Apple Notes and Reminders for trip organization Comparing Notes, Reminders, and Freeform for vacation planning Top travel apps: TripIt, Tripsy, and Wanderlog privacy considerations Flight tracking and airport anxiety reduced with Flighty Data choices abroad: eSIM setup and Citymapper for urban navigation Feedback: Autoplay settings in Apple Podcasts Shortcuts Corner: Automating photo sharing, saving, and cleanup workflow Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsors: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT shopify.com/ios

Apple's sports app puts the World Cup and every major match at your fingertips, with live activities and seamless Apple TV integration. Discover how your iPhone can keep you in the loop, even if sports aren't your thing. In-depth look at the free Apple Sports app and top features Apple Arcade and mobile soccer games: EA Sports FC, Mini Football Legends, Score! Hero, eFootball Using Apple News to stay updated on World Cup events and scores News: Apple's Siri AI gains integration with third-party apps in new betas Feedback: accessibility apps, VoiceOver favorites, and accessory habits Shortcuts Corner: automation for Apple Card transaction notifications App Caps: Make-roscope mobile microscope and Anker Nano Power Bank picks Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord. Sponsor: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT