MacLife

Mac|Life is the leading independent magazine devoted to all things Apple. For over five years, Mac|Life has helped both new and veteran users get more out of their iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more, with coverage that cuts through today's glut of apps and accessories to find what matters most. With a bright, clean design and casual tone, Mac|Life offers an easy and enjoyable way to keep up with the latest Apple trends and topics.

SHORTCUTS GUIDEBOOK

THE TEAM

Cloud security enhanced • Optional new features to protect your data

> Apple Music updates • New karaoke feature and Replay experience

> Freeform released

News in brief • A bite of the Apple

> THE SHIFT • MATT BOLTON wonders what the future development of Macs looks like after the unrepeatable revolution of the M chips

LETTER OF THE MONTH

CRAVE THE GEAR WE’RE LUSTING AFTER

THE BEST FREE APPS for Mac, iPhone and iPad • We take a look at some of the best downloadable software that won’t cost you a penny

Must–have freebies for Mac • Boost your Mac’s toolset without busting your bank account

Did you know?

VLC

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test • FROM blackmagicdesign.com NEEDS macOS 10.13 or later

Indispensable additions to your iPhone • Our selection of the very best apps for iOS devices, from creativity to organization

Finest apps for iPad • Make your iPad more capable without having to splash the cash…

Did you know? • If there’s a website you regularly use on your iPhone or iPad and would prefer to have it on the Home Screen like an app, open the site in question and tap the Share icon. Scroll up until you see the Add to Home Screen option. Tap it, and you’re given the chance to edit the site name and URL. Tap Add and it appears on the Home Screen as an icon — now you can launch the site as if it was an app.

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE OVER 71%

HOMEKIT: THE COMPLETE GUIDE • HomeKit is better than ever — now’s the time to get your smart home in order with help from your Mac or iPhone

How HomeKit works • One app to rule them all (with some help from Siri)

HOME HIERARCHY • The smart home market is a mess of competing — and incompatible — technologies

MATTER AND THREAD

Setting up devices in the Home app

Controlling your devices • How to take full control of your smart home

Hidden HomeKit • There are some powerful features available within HomeKit, but they’re not always easy to find

HOMEKIT ROUTER(S) • How to provide additional security for your smart devices

BEYOND HOMEKIT • Going where the Home app fears to tread

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS • What to do if your HomeKit devices do not appear to work as expected

Smart home products • Some of the best HomeKit gear for making life easier

LIGHTS, ACTION! • Build a smart lighting system with these HomeKit bulbs

HOMEKIT SECURITY • A smart security camera is a good investment for any home

REVIEWS • TOUGH TESTING, TRUSTED RATINGS

InnoCN 27M2U 4K Mini LED monitor • A fantastic–value display for creatives

Twelve South AirFly (2nd Gen) • Convenient and easy–to–use travel companion

Razer Kishi v2 • A premium battle booster for your iPhone

Logitech MX Mechanical Mini for Mac • A compact, tactile keyboard for Mac

NovaPlus Pencil A8 Duo • A great alternative, but Apple Pencil is still king for creatives

Zagg Pro Mouse • Not as pro as you’d expect

GROUP TEST 2TB SOLID–STATE DRIVES • Fast external storage for better backups, and more

CRUCIAL X8 • Excellent all–rounder with the best bang for your buck

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2023...