Quick & Easy Tech Tip: Edit or Unsend iOS iMessages

Starting with iOS 16, you can unsend or edit a sent message when texting someone who also has an Apple device. An easy way to tell if you are messaging a person with iMessage is the color of the messages. If the person also has an iPhone or iPad, the messages are blue. If the person you are messaging is not using an iPhone or iPad, the messages are green.

In order to unsend a message, it needs to be within two minutes from when the message was originally sent. To edit a message, it needs to be within 15 minutes of when the message was originally sent.

Unsending a Message

Screenshot of context menu that is shown when a message is long pressed.

To unsend a message, long press on the message you want to unsend. Next, tap on either undo send.

If you unsend a message, the message will disappear from the other person’s message view. Please note: the person you are messaging must have iOS 16 or higher installed on their device. Additionally, they will see a notification that you unsent a message.

Screenshot showing the view when a message is unsent.

If you edit a message, there will be a note next to your message saying it was edited. A video example of a message being unsent:

If the person is looking at their phone, they will see a message notification and be able to see the message, but will no longer be able to see or read it once the message is unsent (as long as they have iOS 16 or higher).

Editing a Message

Screenshot showing the view when a message is edited.

If the person who received the message taps on the edited text, they will be able to see a history of the edit or edits.

Screenshot showing how previous edits are displayed when a message is unsent.


The previously edited message or messages will display slightly faded. If there are multiple edits, they will all be shown.

Have you unsent or edited a message? Let us know in the comments!

A Quick Way To Name a Song With Your Smartphone

You’re listening to the radio or watching TV and a song comes on that you don’t know. You like the song, but how can you find out what it is? Luckily, there are built in features on your smartphone that allow you to name a song in seconds!

Apple

Screenshot of Shazam listening to identify a song

Starting with the release of iOS 14.2 in 2020, Apple devices offer built in song recognition, just by asking Siri, the built-in digital assistant. In your Siri settings, if you have “Hey Siri” enabled, simply say, “Hey Siri, what song is this?” when a song is playing. Another way to quickly activate Siri is to hold down the Home Screen button iPhones with a home button or hold down the power button on iPhone 9 and later.

You’ll get a screen that Siri is listening and then a screen will pop up with the name of the song.

Screenshot of Shazam identified song

To see a history of songs you have identified, download the Shazam app from the App Store. To see more detailed instructions, check out this helpful article from Apple.

Android

On Android phones, there is a similar method. Touch and hold the home button or say “Hey Google” and then ask, “What’s this song?”

Screenshot of Android listening for a song

Google Assistant will name the song and give you options to share the song, watch the video on YouTube, or add to a playlist on YouTube Music. Google has written a helpful article with more detailed instructions.

Use the Google App

You can also identify songs with both iOS devices and Android devices by using the Google app. The neat thing with the Google app is that in addition to identifying a song by playing it, you can also sing or hum it yourself. This is handy in case you have a certain lyric or melody stuck in your head.

Screenshot

Open the Google app and tap on identify song by listening. Another option is to tap on the microphone icon and then tap search for a song.

When I attempted to sing a song, I got a 48% match of the song I was singing.

Then again, my singing voice isn’t the greatest, so you may get better results. I only got a 34% match when I attempted to hum a song.

Have you tried identifying a song with your smartphone? Let us know in the comments!

Discover a Unique Way to Search with Google Lens

Have you ever been out and about and wondered what kind of flower or species of bird you spotted? Now there is a way you can find out, with the help of your smartphone’s camera.

Google Lens allows you to search for an item with your camera or with an existing photo. It is available on both Android and iOS (Apple) devices.

Android Devices

On Android devices, there are a few ways you can access Lens. On most new Android devices, Lens is enabled by default and can be accessed directly from the camera app. Open the camera app, aim at the item (be it a flower, animal, type of water bottle, etc), and then tap the Lens button. Next, tap the magnifying glass icon to search for the image in your camera’s viewfinder.

Screen shot of mode options on Android devices

Depending on your device, you may need to tap the modes button to access Lens. To learn how to add more modes, check out this helpful video.

If you don’t have Lens within your camera app, you can download it from the Google Play Store.

Searching using the Google App

Alternatively, you can search a live photo view and a previously taken picture with the Google app.

Open the Google app and scroll down to Discover. Next, tap the Google Lens icon in the search bar. The Lens icon is shaped like a camera.

Screen shot of search bar in Google app

You can search for either a live view of an item in your surroundings or by using a previously taken picture. To search a live view, point to an object with your camera and tap Search Search To search with an existing image, tap Photo picker Gallery and select a photo. You’ll have the option to search the whole photo or part of a photo.

To search for a specific object in the image: If available, on the object, tap the Select icon . To search for part of an image, tap Select image area , then drag the corners of the box around your selection. Next, scroll to the bottom to see your search results. To refine your search, tap add to your search and add keywords.

Apple Devices

To use Lens on an Apple device (iPhone or iPad), download the Google app from the App Store.

Next, give permission for the app to access your device’s camera and if you would like to also photo search using pictures from your photo library, allow access to your photos as well.

Screen shot  of first time open of Google app on iOS devices

Once you have granted the appropriate permissions, you can choose to search a live view or using a previously taken photo.

Screen shot on iOS devices after granting permissions

You can start your search by tapping the camera at the end of the search field . Once you have the item you want to search in view, tap the magnifying glass icon to search.

Example of Google Lens showing a blue tumbler

Next, you’ll see your search results. Scroll down to view more results.

Screen shot showing search results

The tabs (homework, shopping, places, etc.) will give you more specific types of results.

Have you used Google Lens to search? Let us know in the comments!

How to Find Your Lost Device — Apple Edition

It’s a moment of panic we’ve all had at some point. You reach for your phone or device and it’s not there. You try to call yourself from another phone but you don’t hear your phone ring. Fear not! There is a way you can locate your device, even if it’s in a different location.

Apple has an app called Find My. By default, it comes pre-installed on all devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch).

Setting Up Find My on an iPhone or iPad

There are various ways you can access Find My. The first step is to make sure that it’s enabled on your device.

On an iPhone or iPad, go into the Settings app, and then tap on your name at the top.

Screenshot showing the selection of your name on the settings app.

From there, tap on Find My on the next screen.

Screenshot showing app list with Find My as the third item

Next, you can verify if Find My is on for that particular device. You can also choose to turn it off if you’d like. If you have more than one Apple device, it will show which device is sharing your location with friends and family you have chosen to share your location with. If you are sharing your location with anyone, they will be listed below underneath family (if you have set up Apple Family Sharing) or friends.

Screenshot showing Find My settings.

Tapping on Find My iPhone/iPad gives you more options, including the option to turn off Find My (note you will need to enter your Apple ID password if you want to turn it off). Find My Network lets you locate your device even if it’s offline. Send last location sends the location of the device to Apple if the battery is very low.

Screenshot showing advanced options in find my app settings.

Setting Up Find My on a Mac

To set up Find My on your Mac, click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of the taskbar and then click on System Preferences. Next, click on Internet Accounts. On the left panel, click on iCloud and then scroll down to Find My. Click on the Options button next to Find My. The options below apply to Mac OS Monterey and later.

Screenshot showing how to view find my options on a Mac.

Here you can see if Find My Mac is on and you can also choose the option to locate your Mac even if it’s offline. You have the option to turn both of these off. Keep in mind that to turn off Find My Mac, you will need to enter your Apple ID password.

Screenshot showing find my Mac and find my network are turned on.

Setting Up Find My on Apple Watch and Other Devices

By default, Find My is automatically set up on an Apple Watch when you pair it with your iPhone for the first time. For more information on using Find My with your Apple Watch, Apple has written up a great how-to article.

Additionally, Find My is automatically turned on when you pair your AirPods with your iPhone or iPad for the first time.

Using Find My

Now that it’s been set up, you can easily locate your missing devices in several ways. On an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can open the Find My App, which has an icon that looks like this:

Find My app icon.

On a Mac, the Find My app is located in the Launch Pad by default.

When you open the app, you will see a map, along with a dock on the bottom. On the bottom dock, tapping the people icon shows friends and family who have shared their location with you and their locations. The devices tab shows mini icons of your devices and their locations on a map. Your family’s devices are also displayed if you have set up Apple Family Sharing. The items tab is for Find My compatible items such as AirTags. The Me button (on an iPhone and iPad) shows your location and from which device the location comes, as well as the option to turn off sharing your location. On a Mac, these tabs are located on the top left.

Screenshot of Find My App showing a map and bottom dock.

Finding a Device on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac

To find a device, tap on the devices tab and then tap on the name of the device you want to locate. It will zoom into the device’s location on a map and give you the address of your device. You’ll have the option to play a sound, which may help if you are near your device’s location.

Screenshot showing find my app detail for a particular device.

Finding a Device with a Web Browser

If you only have one Apple device, don’t worry, there is another way you can locate your lost device. Go onto a web browser on a laptop, desktop computer, or another mobile device, and navigate to iCloud.com. Next, click or tap on sign in. Log in with your Apple ID and password. Don’t worry if you have two-factor authentication enabled, simply click or tap the Find Devices on the lower left.

Screenshot showing how to log in without having access to a second device for two factor authentication.

Enter your password again, and then a map will appear. Click on all devices in the top center, and select a device to locate. A map will zoom into the location of your device. There are options to play a sound, put the device into lost mode, or remotely erase the device in the case of an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch.

Screenshot showing device detail on iCloud.com in a web browser.

Putting a Device into Lost Mode

If you cannot find your device, or if it has been stolen, there is also the option to mark the device as lost or remotely erase it. Marking the device as lost causes the following to happen: you will receive a notification on your other devices when its location is available, the activation lock will be enabled so no one can reset your device and link it to their account, a passcode will be required if they try to turn it on, any payments (such as Apple Wallet or Apple Pay) will be suspended, and you will have the option to leave a message on your device displaying a phone number where you can be contacted.

Screenshot showing the option of what happens when you put a device into lost mode.

A device can be put into lost mode from any of the Find My apps or on iCloud.com.

Finding a Device with Apple Watch or with Siri

To find a device with your Apple Watch, check out this helpful article from Apple. If you are in the same location as your device but aren’t sure where it is, you can ask Siri to find it if you have a second Apple device. Simply say, “Hey Siri, where’s my [device name]?” If it’s nearby, she will respond, “your [device name] is nearby, pinging it now” and she will play a sound on the device you’re looking for, including AirPods. If your device is not within range, she will say she can’t find it and suggest that you use the Find My app.

Have you used Find My to locate a device? Let us know in the comments!

How To Stream Video Without an Internet Connection

Streaming video is one of the great entertainment inventions of our time. Before streaming video, you needed a TV with an antenna/cable box/satellite attached or a portable DVD player with physical DVDs to see your favorite shows. Now, you can take them with you on small, convenient devices. This is perfect for those who do a lot of traveling. But what if you are on an airplane or traveling so remotely that there is no internet service? Or what if you are on a limited data plan and want to make sure you don’t get overage charges? Thankfully, most streaming services offer an offline viewing option for just these sorts of situations.

YouTube

Let’s start with YouTube, since it’s probably the most popular video service. In order to make content available for offline viewing, you must have a YouTube Premium subscription.

Downloading

  • Login to youtube.com or the YouTube app using your YouTube Premium account.
  • Go to the video and click “Download” below the video.
  • When the download is complete, the download icon under the video will turn black.

Viewing

  • Visit youtube.com or open the app while logged in with your Premium account.
  • Click/tap on Downloads in the menu to access the list. App users will need to click on Library to see the Downloads menu option.
  • To remove the video from Downloads screen, click/tap “More” next to the video and select Remove from Downloads.
  • Confirm by clicking/tapping delete.

After downloading a video, you can play it offline for up to 29 days. After that, you must reconnect to the internet so the app can confirm the video is still available for offline viewing. If it’s not, the video will disappear.

Netflix

It is important to note that ad-supported Netflix plans do not include downloads. You must change to an ad-free plan before taking these steps.

Supported devices are:

  • iOS devices running version 9.0 or later
  • Android devices running 4.4.2 or later
  • Amazon Fire tablet running 4.0 or later
  • Windows 10 (1709 or later), Windows 11
  • Chromebook and Chromeboxes using the Netflix app from the Google Play store.

The Netflix app has a dedicated tab for “Available to download” in the “Categories” section if you wish to browse. On a Windows device, open the app and select the menu to see the download option. If you know the TV show or movie you want to download, search for it and look for the download icon:

Icon with downward facing arrow pointing to horizontal line

The Fine Print

  • You can have 100 items downloaded across devices.
  • You can save the download to an SD card.
  • Some videos expire 48 hours after you start them, while others don’t.
  • Some titles limit the number of times you can download them, while others don’t.
  • If a title leaves Netflix, your download disappears.

Hulu

In order to download, you need to be a subscriber on the ad-free level using the mobile app. If you have add-on subscriptions (like Showtime), you won’t be able to download add-on content. Likewise, content available on demand through the live TV tier is not available for download. If you are logged in with an ad-free account, you will see a download symbol on any eligible title you search for. Tap the symbol to download.

Supported Devices

Hulu supports pretty much every type of device, unless it isn’t updated: https://help.hulu.com/s/article/supported-devices.

The Fine Print

  • You can only download a total of 25 titles at a time across 5 devices.
  • Unwatched downloaded videos stay on the device for 30 days.
  • After you start watching, you have 48 hours to finish before it is no longer downloaded.

HBOMax

Most of the HBOMax streaming catalog is available for download. Like other services, you need to be signed in with an ad-free level plan to download content. Downloading is only available in the app (phone or tablet), and is done by tapping the download arrow icon on the item. To view your downloads in a list, tap the download icon on the bottom edge of the screen.

The Fine Print

  • Be sure to confirm your preferred language before downloading. You can’t change your audio track once you download.
  • You can only have 5 copies of the same show downloaded across your devices.
  • You can have up to 30 downloads at a time across devices (does not include expired)
  • After you start watching, the download expires in 48 hours.
  • You can renew an expired download from the download list by tapping the ! icon, and then renew.

Disney+

Like other services, downloading is only available on phones and tablets. There are also very few restrictions, except only being able to download the same title on 10 devices. Once you download a title, you can play it over and over and it never expires. Every 30 days you need to connect one of your Disney+ devices and tap the arrow to download the item. You don’t actually need to wait for it to download again, it just refreshes the download that is already on your device. Just be careful not to logout, or you will need to download all of your titles again. If your subscription expires, you lose access to your downloads.

Download Settings

One thing that is different about Disney+ is that you’ll want to configure your download settings before you download anything. Tap your profile picture, then app settings to enter the settings menu. Scroll to the downloads section.

Select options for video quality, which networks can download content, and where to save the downloads.

Downloading

  • To download a movie, click on the download arrow icon.
  • For a TV series, scroll down to Episodes.
    • To download the entire season, tap the download arrow icon next to Season, then tap the confirmation prompt.
    • Or, tap the download icon next to an individual episode.
    • To view your list of downloads, tap the download arrow icon at the bottom edge of the screen.

Amazon Prime

You can download video using a Fire tablet or through the Prime Video app on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows 10. On Android and Windows, you can choose where to save downloaded content. Due to varying licensing agreements, which titles can be downloaded seems hit or miss.

Downloading

  • For movies, go to the detail page and click the “Download” button.
  • To download an entire season of TV show episodes, select “Download Season” from the season’s detail page.
  • To download a single episode of a TV show, Scroll down to the episode list and click the download arrow icon next to the episode you want.

The Fine Print

  • You can only download an item on up to three devices at a time.
  • There is no concrete answer to how many titles you can download at a time. Several factors come into play, including your location.
  • Once a title is downloaded, you have 30 days to watch it. After starting it, you have 48 hours to finish watching.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ has a smaller streaming library than some of the other services, but the good news is that most titles are available for download. You aren’t limited to the number of Apple Originals you can download, but they do state some of the partner services (like Starz) may have limits on the number of titles you can download on how many devices. If you reach a limit, you will get a notification.

Supported Devices

It probably won’t be a shock to learn that only Apple devices are supported for downloading. You can do so using the Apple TV app on a Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.

Downloading

  • Open the movie or show in the app on your device.
  • Tap the download button, which is next to the episode title for a TV show or on the cover art for a movie.
  • There is no option to download an entire TV season at once.
  • To watch downloaded content, open the app and select Library (icon on the bottom edge), then Downloaded. Open a show to see downloaded episodes.

Deleting

  • To delete in the app, return to the Downloaded list and tap the edit button on the upper-right. Select the items and tap delete. Confirm.
  • To delete on a Mac, hover over the title card or episode title and select the three-dot icon. Choose “delete from library”, then confirm.

Paramount+

Once again, an ad-free plan is needed for the ability to download. Downloads can be done on iOS and Android phones/tablets, unavailable on iOS 12 and Android 4.4 and below. Use the download icon next to a movie to TV show episode title to download. To watch them, tap Menu, then more, then Downloads, and then tap on the title you want to watch.

To delete from the list, swipe left on the title and select Delete. You may want to select the option to auto-delete after you finish watching to save space on your device. This option is in Menu, then More, then Settings. Toggle the option on.

The Fine Print

  • Unwatched videos will remain in your download library for 30 days.
  • One a video is started, you have 48 hours to finish it.
  • Limited to 25 downloaded videos at a time.
  • Limited to 5 copies of the same video across devices.

Peacock

You must be logged in on the app with the Premium Plus plan to download on Peacock. To download, tap the download icon in the bottom-right corner. To watch downloaded content, you must be offline. When you open the app offline, you are directed to your downloaded content. To delete, open the app and select the download icon in the bottom-left corner. On the content to delete, tap the icon that says, “Downloaded” and delete.

The Fine Print

  • Unwatched videos will remain in your download library for 30 days.
  • One a video is started, you have 48 hours to finish it.
  • Limited to 25 downloaded videos at a time.
  • Some pieces of content can only be downloaded twice. Per account. Ever.
  • Logging out or uninstalling Peacock removes downloaded items from the device.
  • Peacock is not clear about which types of devices support downloading.

Other Popular Services

Acorn

This service is pretty vague about limits, stating that there may be some limits to the number of times a title can be downloaded a year, and that titles may expire after some time. Like most services, not all of their content is available for download. To download, tap the down arrow icon next to a movie or TV show episode. To watch a download, open the app while you are offline and tap “view my downloads.”

Britbox

Interestingly, Britbox only allows downloading if you subscribed through Apple TV. They do not allow it on their own app, though they say they are exploring more download options for the future.

Summary

Downloading streaming content can be a great way to save data or enjoy content without an internet connection. Do you ever download streaming content to watch offline? Did you even know you could? Let us know in the comments.