Holidays are a time for connection, celebration, and creating lasting memories with loved ones. Navigating the complexities of managing multiple devices, tracking personal information, and privacy doesn’t have to be stressful. Apple’s latest updates in iOS 18 offer powerful tools to enhance security and simplify family technology. Whether protecting passwords, sharing subscriptions, or tracking lost items, these features make it easier to stay connected throughout the holidays.
We thought we’d dive into five ways to optimize family technology for a safe and efficient holiday experience.
1. Password Management and Privacy Protection
Security is more important than ever, especially when families share devices and share logins for accounts. Apple’s Passwords app and privacy features in the iOS 18 update work together to help manage digital life securely and privately. The app simplifies password management by storing and syncing your login credentials across all your Apple devices through iCloud. Your passwords are protected with the added security of Face ID. The Password app makes it easier to access your apps and websites, plus notifies the primary account holders if saved passwords are compromised in a data breach.
How to access:
Go to Settings > AutoFill & Passwords to start managing your passwords securely.
IOS 18 ramps up its privacy settings to protect sensitive data. If you are concerned about prying eyes, especially when sharing devices with family, you can now lock or hide apps using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Your personal information, whether business details or holiday shopping lists, remains private. These features give complete control over passwords and sensitive information, helping your family stay secure and private while enjoying the holiday season.
How to set up privacy protections:
Go to Settings > Privacy to manage app locks and privacy settings.
2. Enhance Family Sharing
Families can share subscriptions, locations, and other digital services. Whether you’re hosting or visiting, Apple’s Family Sharing makes it easier to manage accounts. Are your in-laws visiting? Share Wi-Fi passwords, streaming services, and even locations without having to repeatedly share information manually. Family Sharing links up to five family members. Subscriptions are organized to gain better control over shared devices, track security, and manage purchases.
How to set it up:
Go to Settings > [your name] > Family > Set Up, and follow the prompts to invite family members and share features.
3. Manage Devices and Purchases with Loved Ones
The holiday season is a time for family fun, but it can also be a time for managing devices and spending. With parental controls, Apple makes it effortless for younger children to stay safe online. With parental controls, there is more control over apps and content children can access. You can also manage your family’s shopping habits. Parents can approve which apps can be downloaded, set purchase limits, and monitor their child’s activities from unwanted charges or stumbling upon inappropriate content.
How to set up Parental Controls:
Go to Settings > [your name] > Family > Add a Family Member > Set Up for a Child to customize restrictions for each child.
Apple Card Family offers another way to control spending. When you add family members to an Apple Card account, you can set spending limits for each person, especially for younger family members. This allows them to make purchases and track transactions. Apple Card Family gives parents peace of mind in keeping their digital life secure and their budgets intact throughout the holiday season.
How to set up Apple Card Family:
Add family members through the Wallet app, and manage purchases and spending limits with ease.
4. Connect Family Technology with RCS Messaging
Staying connected with family, especially when multiple platforms are involved, can be a challenge. The iOS 18.1 update introduces RCS Messaging (Rich Communication Services), a feature that allows you to send higher-quality images, videos, and group messages between Apple and Android users. No more awkward group chats! RCS improves the overall messaging experience, such as typing indicators and media sharing. This is an ideal solution for “mixed” families. For a smoother and more cohesive texting experience with Android users, RCS is the way to go.
How to enable it:
Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging, then toggle the feature on or off.
5. Worry Less About Losing Devices
It is easy to misplace devices when traveling. Apple’s AirTags and Find My Network help track devices and personal items. If an item is misplaced, you can share its location with family and get real-time tracking updates. This works great for recovering lost luggage, too. When traveling this holiday season, dropping an AirTag in your luggage helps you keep tabs on it if it is lost in transit.
How to use it:
Open the Find My app, select your AirTag or accessory, and share the location link with others. The link will expire after seven days or once the item is recovered.
Transform Your Digital Experience
Apple’s updates make sharing, managing, and securing your family’s technology effortless. By embracing tools, you may spend less time managing tech and more time enjoying the moments that matter most. And if you are interested in learning more, we dipped into the topic of family sharing last year.
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