Mac Ninjas

Mac Ninjas We help people get the most from their Apple technology At Mac Ninjas, we help people get the most from their Apple software.

We specialize in taking the geek speak and making it understandable to the everyday person. Our focus is on things like backups, security, passwords, spinning beachball, Mac so slow that nothing gets done and more. Most of our customers are between ages 40 and 85 years old we definitely know how to work with those who are great at what they do and less than awesome at dealing with technology.

03/25/2026

On March 24, Apple released iOS 26.4 and macOS 26.4, and it’s safe to update your devices. This update is designed to make your iPhone, iPad, and Mac run more smoothly and securely. This update includes quite a few bug fixes and security updates and even has some new features.

The the keyboard bug has been fixed, devices and apps freezing from time to time, apps closing unexpectedly, messages not sending correctly, and some Wi-Fi connections dropping unexpectedly. You may also notice small improvements in how things look and work, making everyday tasks a little easier. Most importantly, this update includes important security fixes that help keep your data safe.

Do you have questions about doing this update or other issues you are facing? Please reach out and let’s get them resolved.

12/26/2025

Happy Holidays!

11/03/2025

Today, Apple released iOS 26.1, macOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and all the other related updates. These updates bring refinements and practical additions to your experience.

One of the biggest changes is call blocking and identification. Apple now allows apps and carriers to work together with the iPhone’s built-in system to make the filtering more accurate, especially for identifying robocalls and telemarketers. You also see labels like “Spam Risk” or “Telemarketing” right on the call screen, giving you the choice to answer or ignore.

Another change is with the new look of 26: Liquid Glass. There are quite a few enhancements to the look as well as the option to tone it down for people who have issues with vision and Liquid Glass.

Beyond the visible features, 26.1 includes performance and security improvements under the hood that help your devices run safely and more smoothly.

Do you have questions or need help getting it to work for you? Please reach out and let’s have a conversation.

10/28/2025

Face ID is one of the easiest and safest ways to unlock your iPhone and protect your personal information. It scans your face and makes sure it’s really you by using its cameras. Unlike a passcode that someone might guess or see you type, Face ID checks your facial features, which are almost impossible to copy. It can be used not only to unlock your phone as well as to approve app downloads, sign in to websites, and make secure payments with Apple Pay.

In order to use FaceID, you MUST have a passcode set on your iPhone or iPad. The information saved in your iPhone or iPad for FaceID unlock is ONLY on the device, not in the cloud. If you wipe your iPhone or iPad, you will have to set it up again.

Apple also offers Face ID with a mask option. This version focuses on the area around your eyes to recognize you quickly and safely. It is designed for times when your face is covered, not just by a mask, but also by a scarf or some other item. Many people keep this feature on because it makes Face ID faster and more reliable.

Using Face ID and Face ID with a mask keeps your iPhone secure while making it easy to access what you need. It balances safety with convenience, so you can protect your data without slowing down your day.

One security feature that requires FaceID is Apple’s Stolen Device Protection, which is designed to keep your iPhone and data safe if it ever gets lost or stolen. Most people worry about someone getting access to their phone and personal information, especially if the thief knows their passcode. Stolen Device Protection reduces that risk by adding extra steps before sensitive actions can be taken.

When this feature is turned on, your iPhone uses your location to decide how secure it should be. If the phone is in an unfamiliar place that it’s never been to or it’s only been to a few times, it adds extra protection. For example, if someone tries to change your Apple ID password, turn off Find My iPhone, or access saved passwords, the phone will ask for Face ID or Touch ID instead of just a passcode.

There are 2 options to this setting: Require security delay when away from familiar locations or Always. When this is on, it adds a 1-hour security delay before making any changes to your AppleID password or iPhone unlock code, which gives you time to mark your device as lost or erase it remotely.

This feature works in the background and does not affect normal use. It is designed to protect you without slowing you down. With Stolen Device Protection, your personal information stays secure even if your iPhone does not.

To check if it’s on or not, there are 2 places to access it: Settings - FaceID/Touch ID & Password or Settings - Privacy & Security then scroll to the second line from the bottom.

Do you have more questions? If so, let’s have a conversation.

09/17/2025

At Mac Ninjas, we help people and businesses get the most from their Apple technology and how it interacts with the rest of the world. On September 15, Apple launched iOS 26 and macOS 26, bringing updates for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. These new versions focus on making devices faster, safer, and easier to use. iOS 26 improves battery life, adds better security to protect against online threats, and includes small design changes to make apps and settings clearer. macOS 26 also brings stronger protection and better connections with iPhone and iPad, so everything works more smoothly together. Both updates are free, though it would be wise to wait to update until 26.0 is released in mid October, unless you're someone who updates on the first day to test out all the new features.

09/10/2025

Apple held its annual product event on September 9, 2025, and announced a wide range of new devices and software updates. The highlight was the iPhone 17, which brings a new 6.3 inch OLED display with ProMotion for smoother scrolling and brighter colors. The iPhone 17 features an improved camera system on the back and an 18-megapixel front camera with Center Stage, which automatically adjusts during video calls. A new feature allows you to record from the front and back cameras at the same time. The new iPhone offers longer battery life and quicker charging.

Apple also announced the Apple Watch Series 11, along with updates to the SE and Ultra models. The new watches focus on health, including improved sleep tracking and blood pressure monitoring. The Ultra 3 version includes satellite connectivity, which can help in emergencies when there is no cellular service.

On the software side, Apple confirmed that iOS 26 will arrive on September 15. It includes a new design called Liquid Glass, which gives the system a translucent and modern look. iOS 26 also adds live translation, better call screening, new tools in Messages like polls, and a redesigned Phone app. iPadOS 26 shares many of these features but also includes updates for multitasking and note-taking, making iPads even more useful for work and study.

For Mac users, Apple introduced macOS Tahoe. This release also uses the Liquid Glass design and brings updates to core apps like Mail, Safari, and Messages. It improves performance, adds tighter security features, and makes it easier for Macs, iPads, and iPhones to work together.

These announcements show Apple’s effort to improve both hardware and software across its devices. The iPhone 17 delivers stronger performance and camera upgrades, the Apple Watch 11 adds important health features, and the new software releases create a more connected and polished experience. With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe arriving soon, Apple users will see major improvements that are designed to make everyday tasks simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.

For those who are not early adopters and want to have the most stable version of software, Apple will also release a minor update to the current operating systems on September 15: iOS 18.7, iPadOS 18.7, macOS Sequoia 15.7. I’d suggest doing these instead of the brand new operating system until mid October so you can miss out on the bugs and get the new features once early adopters have caught the major bugs. I would actually do the update when the .1 version is released to the public.

Do you have questions about buying your new iPhone or how this update is going to work for you? Let’s have a conversation.

Apple’s Advanced Data Protection: What It Does and Why You Should Use It?Apple offers strong security for your data, but...
06/09/2025

Apple’s Advanced Data Protection: What It Does and Why You Should Use It?

Apple offers strong security for your data, but not everything in iCloud is protected the same way automatically. Your iCloud data is secure and Apple has the encryption keys, so they can help you recover access to your data if you forget your password. However, this also means your iCloud backups, Notes, Photos, Messages in iCloud, and other data could potentially be accessed if someone got into your Apple account or if Apple were ever required to hand over data, such as with a warrant.

Advanced Data Protection is a feature you can turn on to up your privacy and security dramatically. When it’s on, your data is protected with end to end encryption. This means that only your devices can read the information, and not even Apple can unlock it. Protected categories include iCloud backups, Photos, Notes, iCloud Drive, Messages in iCloud, and more.

Apple doesn’t have the keys to unlock your data, so you are required to have a 28 character recovery code that you, ideally, keep in a lockbox/safe or some other very secure place. It also strongly encourages you to set a close friend/family member as a recovery contact. That family member or friend can generate a code to get you back into your account if you get locked out. If both of those become unavailable and you lose your password, there is no way for Apple or anyone else to recover your account.

Advanced Data Protection is one of the best tools Apple offers to keep your personal information safe even if your Apple ID is compromised or if someone tries to access your iCloud account without your permission.

If Advanced Data Protection is off, some Apple services such as iMessage, FaceTime, Health Data, Passwords/Keychain, Apple Wallet are end to end encrypted. With Advanced Data Protection on, the only services that are not encrypted are Mail, Contacts, and Calendars.

I very strongly suggest to my clients that they turn on Advanced Data Protection to keep their data safe. Do you have a question or want to talk about how to use Advanced Data Protection for yourself? Let’s have a conversation.

05/26/2025

Apple has built a strong reputation over the years for making secure products, and that reputation still holds in 2025. Both macOS, which runs on Macs, and iOS, which powers iPhones, are designed with security and privacy in mind. Apple controls both the hardware and the software on its devices, which allows the company to create a more secure experience than many other platforms. As more people use Apple products for everything from banking to healthcare, they have also become more attractive to hackers. Even though Apple devices are generally safer, no system is completely immune from threats.

There is a very real reason for Apple’s security: control of where Apps come from. On iPhones in most of the world, apps can only be downloaded through the App Store, which is reviewed by Apple for safety and quality. This usually helps prevent malware and other harmful software from reaching users. On Macs, the system is more open: you can still download apps from websites, but Apple includes protections which check apps before they are opened and ensures that software comes from a trusted source.

Even with these protections, Apple devices are not completely safe from attacks. Apple regularly releases security updates to patch security problems. That is why it is so important to install updates as soon as they are available. Updates often include fixes for serious security issues that attackers may try to take advantage of.

Phishing remains a common issue, even on Apple devices. These scams often trick people into clicking fake links or giving away passwords. Apple has built tools into Safari and Mail to help spot these tricks, but awareness is still your best defense. Also, different web browswers have different levels of security. If you are a user of Chrome, remember that the security is NOT the same as it is on Safari. Always be cautious when you receive unexpected messages asking for personal information.

macOS and iOS continue to offer strong security for everyday users. Apple is actively improving these systems to stay ahead of new threats. As long as you keep your device updated, avoid suspicious messages and apps, and pay attention to your privacy settings, you are likely to stay safe. Security is not just about technology—it is also about staying alert.

Do you have questions about your security and want to make sure everything is working right? Let’s set up a time to speak and get your questions answered and your computer checked.

05/25/2025

My business is software support for all things Apple software, which definitely includes iPhone and iPad issues. I want to work with people who don’t have the time or desire to make an appointment at the Genius Bar, or would rather hire a professional to get their tech working correctly the first time.

Recently, I worked with a gentleman who could not connect his Mac to his iPhone hotspot and asked me to troubleshoot what was going wrong. In the first few minutes of our conversation, he let me know he hadn’t been able to update either of his devices in 6 months and was having messages randomly disappear on his iPhone and a lot of spammy messages and notifications show up on his iPhone at random times. I asked him how long this had been going on and does he use his iPhone for “interesting” websites, which he said he does periodically.

After taking a brief look at his computer, it became glaringly obvious that his iPhone was compromised. He said he thought he could do anything he wanted on his iPhone because “iPhones don’t get viruses”, to which I said that nothing is impossible. Yes, iPhones and Macs are relatively safe, but anything that can be created by one human can be hacked by another. This is one reason that it’s hugely important to update when a new software update comes out; the security updates. iOS 18.5 is the most recent of these updates that is primarily about security. Yes, there is 1 time per year to skip an update, which this year is the first public release of iOS 19 in September; every other update should be done ASAP when it is released as all of them have security updates in them.

While we were talking about iPhones and staying secure online, we were doing a backup of his data to iCloud, then a wipe and upgrade of the affected iPhone. When this comes up, I’m always clear that I don’t want to scare you as much as make sure you are protecting yourself online. That includes a conversation about phishing emails, good passwords, don’t just click on every link and more.

05/13/2025

Apple has released iOS 18.5 and macOS 15.5, and these updates bring useful improvements that make your iPhone, iPad, and Mac better and more secure. Yes, this update is safe to do, and I would encourage people to update ASAP.

First, both updates include important security fixes, which include ways to make your devices safer from hackers and bugs. Even if you don’t notice these changes immediately, they help protect your data and privacy.

Second, iOS 18.5 brings better performance and smoother animations. Apps open faster, and switching between screens feels more responsive. If your phone has been feeling a little slow, this update could help. Also, if you use CarPlay, you will have a smoother performance than before.

macOS 15.5 improves how your Mac runs. It brings small changes that make the system more stable and apps more reliable. Apple has made updates to Safari, Messages, and Mail, so things just work better overall. Also, 15.5 includes all the same security and bug fixes included in iOS 18.5, so it’s a wise idea to do this update ASAP.

If you have questions on how to update, your devices are having issues, or you’re afraid of losing your data when you upgrade, please feel free to reach out, and we can talk.

05/09/2025

Recently, we worked with a general contractor who is allergic to technology; whenever he sneezes, all his tech screws up. He was having problems with his Mac talking to his new iPhone and as well as mail and web browsing problems. We ended up fixing an AppleID issue, which was part of the problem, as well as something he downloaded from the itnernet that was causing unintended behaviors on his Mac.

Once we cleared his issues, we had a conversation about security, which included VPNs, password management, and a conversation about security vs ease of use. In his case, he definitely cares about security, but wants his devices to work seamlessly, without any extra steps.

If you have questions like this in the Apple world and want to ask some specific questions, we’d be happy to talk.

05/09/2025

Recently, I worked with a senior whose email account was hacked. While discussing the issue and changing her password, I noticed she frequently clicks on ads and phishing emails.

Many assume they’re safe online due to using iPhones or Macs, but nothing is invincible. What one person creates, another can exploit. So, exercise caution before clicking on links, especially if they seem too good to be true. Choose strong and unique passwords and use common sense when browsing or reading emails.

If you or someone you know recently clicked on something unusual and is concerned about fraud, scams, or malware, we're here to help.

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