June 26, 2025

iOS Today 758: Spring/Summer Cleaning Your Devices

45 minutes

Spring cleaning in the summer? Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard roll up their sleeves to tackle both physical and digital device maintenance, sharing expert tips for getting your Apple gear spotless inside and out.

Physical iPhone cleaning - Apple's official recommendations for safe disinfecting using 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and Clorox wipes, while avoiding bleach and hydrogen peroxide that can damage device coatings

Specialized cleaning tools - iFixit's Precision Cleaning Kit featuring tiny brushes, foam-tipped swabs, and contact cleaner for getting into speaker grills and ports

Digital decluttering - MacPaw's app CleanMyPhone uses AI to find duplicate photos, similar shots, and organize camera rolls while supporting Ukrainian developers

Mass app deletion strategy - Using Apple Configurator to quickly remove unused apps in bulk, with Rosemary demonstrating how she went from 827 apps to a more manageable number

AirPods deep cleaning - Apple's specific instructions for cleaning earwax buildup using micellar water and distilled water to break down waxes without damaging the mesh speakers

Case and accessory maintenance - Importance of removing iPhone cases regularly to clean both the device and case interior, plus organizing charging cables in labeled mesh bags

Cable management and recycling - Tips for checking cable condition, proper storage solutions, and donating old chargers to homeless shelters for those still using older devices

News

Control Center transparency - Apple reduced the transparency to minimize distractions while maintaining the glass aesthetic

Safari interface tweaks - Tab bar repositioned to the bottom for better usability after user feedback

App Store accessibility section - New feature allowing developers to specify supported accessibility features on product pages

Enhanced Wallet tracking - Siri can now scan emails for package tracking from any merchant, not just Apple Pay purchases

Call transcription updates - Feature renamed to "save call transcripts" with clearer notifications that all participants will be informed before recording begins

Feedback

VoiceOver PDF accessibility - Johnny, a blind user, seeks alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for filling PDF forms, highlighting ongoing accessibility issues with major software companies and poorly designed PDF forms

Shortcuts Corner

HomeKit automation limitations - Bjorn's question about combining multiple triggers (window open/close) into single automations reveals fundamental HomeKit restrictions that require separate automations for each trigger

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

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