Cult of Mac Today
Posts
Take control of Control Center

Take control of Control Center

Add stuff you need and remove the junk you never use.

Leander Kahney
July 24, 2024

Introduced in 2013 in iOS 7, the Control Center has become an indispensable part of the iPhone’s interface.

Control Center gives you direct access to a bunch of key device settings and lets you perform all kinds of quick actions. It’s so useful, Apple added Control Center to Mac and Vision Pro, too.

I use it multiple times daily to change Focus modes, adjust screen brightness, manage my HomePods, put my iPhone in Silent mode and so on. (Weirdly, I also use it all the time to turn off my iPhone’s flashlight, which often gets triggered for reasons I can’t fathom.)

Control Center is getting a big upgrade in iOS 18, now in beta and due for release this fall.

It’s much more customizable, with more controls than ever and great ways to arrange and rearrange them. Everything you need to know about making your Control Center absolutely fab is here.

Also in today’s newsletter:

We wrote up all the latest changes in iOS 18 beta 4. One big thing’s still missing, though.
If you have some old Apple gear lying around, GoRoostr makes it easy to sell and offers high buyback rates — with plenty of perks.
A new blowout sale slashes up to $600 off M2 iPad Pros.
If a budget Mac is more your speed, you can get a refurbished MacBook Air for less than $300. It’s a couple years away from vintage and no speed demon, but could be great for a kid or older relative new to the Apple ecosystem.
Lots of people love mechanical keyboards for their tactility and sound. We hands-on reviewed a new compact one from Willow, and we like it a lot.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

How to customize the endlessly editable Control Center in iOS 18

You can customize the iPhone Control Center for faster access to the buttons and toggles you actually use, and remove the junk you never use.

iOS 18 beta 4: All the new features and changes

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 beta 4 bring several changes and enhancements. Here's a roundup of all the changes in the latest beta builds.

iPhone 17 camera could get DSLR-like variable aperture

Apple reportedly plans to use a new system on at least one of the iPhone 17 models in 2025 for a better bokeh effect.

^{A message from}^GoRoostr

GoRoostr: A top choice to sell used Apple devices

Need to unload your used Apple gear? GoRoostr offers high buyback rates for individuals, businesses and schools, with plenty of perks.

Stylish new iPad Pro case turns tablet into workstation

With the new Pitaka MagEZ Case 2 for iPad Pro, you get stylish protection for your tablet. And you can use it more like a laptop, too.

Apple Intelligence might let users generate custom artwork for music playlists

You might make your Apple Music playlists on iPhone more fun with AI-generated artwork, a feature supposedly coming in iOS 18.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Best Buy blowout sale slashes $600 off M2 iPad Pro

Right now you can get up to $600 off M2 iPad Pro in Best Buy's Great Summer Sale. That's the biggest deal of the bunch.

Need a budget-friendly laptop? Get a barely used MacBook Air for less than $300.

Need a laptop for less? This deal on a refurbished MacBook Air gets you or a family member into the Apple ecosystem for just $299.97.

iPads set to rush college football sidelines

Two college football conferences ink deals with Apple to use iPads in college football games. And no, it's not against the rules.

Quirky compact keyboard doesn’t sacrifice practicality [Review] ★★★★☆

The Willow Wombat Pro is a great mechanical keyboard without much compromise. Its whimsical yellow color scheme will add flair to your Mac setup.

‘Ted Lasso’ creator spanks ‘Bad Monkey’ in new comedy [Apple TV+ trailer]

The "Bad Monkey" trailer shows ex-detective Vince Vaughn trying to get his job back — if he can get past a furry primate.

Today in Apple history: Mighty Mouse goes wireless -- with lasers!

On July 24, 2006, the world got its first glimpse of Apple's new wireless Mighty Mouse due to an FCC filing. It became an instant winner.

Add some class with a cool keyboard-and-trackpad tray [Setups]

Twelve South MagicBridge and other trays for Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad are a cool way to compartmentalize your setup.

Tweets of the day

iPhone 17 slim compared to iPhone 15 Pro Max 👀
This is interesting
— Arav Arora 𝕏 (@aravarora_)
1:31 PM • Jul 23, 2024

Today I watched a movie on the best screen in the world. With the best 3D available.
It was 11am and I had my baby in my arms. Simply amazing to go to the movies whenever you want...
#AppleVisionPro
— Alberto Carlier ᯅ (@AlbertoCarlier)
10:10 AM • Jul 23, 2024

Apple Maps sure has come a LONG way
remember what it was like on iOS 6?
— System Settings (@app_settings)
6:38 PM • Jul 22, 2024

Wallpaper of the day

— OThingstodo (@othingstodo_com)
10:23 PM • Jul 22, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

When we laid some people off at Apple a year ago, or when I have to take people out of their jobs, it's harder for me now. Much harder. I do it because that's my job. But when I look at people when this happens, I also think of them as being 5 years old. And I think that person could be me coming home to tell my wife and kids that I just got laid off. Or that could be one of my kids in 20 years. I never took it so personally before. Life is short, and we're all going to die really soon. It's true, you know.

— Steve Jobs, 1998.

Today’s poll

Do you use the iPhone’s Control Center?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Do you want a folding iPhone?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.