Apple Reader Questions for April 2023 – Get all the answers here

Readers share their experiences with us every day. These were the top questions readers asked about Apple in April 2023.

iMac to scrap

My iMac is from 2015 and I can’t install macOS Ventura because it’s too old. I already have a VPN and strong antivirus software, can I safely continue working now or should I scrap my “expensive device”? Thank you, Adeline Beck

Your Mac certainly doesn’t need to be unrooted. The 2015 iMac has either macOS Monterey or macOS Big Sur as the latest version available. Both operating systems are still being updated with security updates, so you’re still safe. You can even update your iMac with OpenCore to Ventura. You can read more on this subject here.

background components

Dear Editor, I can’t turn off “Background Items Added” notifications in macOS Ventura. Do you have any idea? Sincerely, Jean Moles

This is a fairly persistent bug in macOS Ventura, for which there is currently no good solution. We also get the report regularly in the editorial office. We are waiting for an update from Apple that will solve the problem.

Siri’s distrust

Dear iCreate, I’ve had a HomePod mini for a few weeks now. Siri usually understands what I’m asking. But sometimes — far too often — Siri will ask, “Who’s talking?” Can I mitigate my distrust of Siri? Jerry Signify

Perhaps this has to do with the voice recognition functionality that was recently added to the HomePod. You can have a look at the Home app on your iPhone, tap on the three dots on the top right and then go to “Home Settings>”[Je naam]Here you disable “Recognize my voice” – this should solve the problem.

AirDrop Yes

Good day, I have an iPhone XR and I use AirDrop regularly. Whenever a shared file comes in, the phone makes a sound that drives my dog ​​crazy. And I can’t find anywhere on my phone where I can set AirDrop sounds! Help! J Van Bommel

You can just mute AirDrop with the switch on the side, which puts the phone into silent mode. So unfortunately you can’t turn off the AirDrop ringtone separately. Apple, are you reading with iOS 17?

iMac as a second monitor

I used my old iMac as a second monitor for my Macbook Pro. Since updating to macOS Ventura, this is no longer possible. Do you have a solution for this? Sincerely, Peter Diltgens

Unfortunately, Apple removed this feature from the iMac in version 10.14 without explanation, and from the MacBook in version 10.15. There is no good substitute to replace it. So you’ll either have to downgrade your Mac(s), or use a capture card (like Elgato) to transfer the image from your MacBook to your iMac—but that’s a somewhat expensive and cumbersome process. the job.

Battery problems

Hello Editors, I have a somewhat older iPhone 7 Plus (with a 76% battery state) that starts working after a night of charging, but then turns off unexpectedly even though it says it’s fully charged. After it restarts, it says it is only a few percent charged.

Then I charge it a second time, but it’s so fast (less than an hour) that the battery is unlikely to show the real battery percentage. After that, the iPhone works normally for the rest of the day. What could be wrong? Sincerely, Walter

We think the battery state at 76% is still pretty decent for a phone from seven years ago – but that’s where the problem comes from. Since the battery can no longer reach its normal peak performance, there are times when the iPhone demands more power than the battery can provide and thus cuts out.

This is unfortunately normal with a battery of this age and condition. You may consider replacing the battery. You usually lose 79 euros for that. However, you still have the problem that your iPhone 7 Plus is no longer receiving (major) updates, so you need to see if this is worth it for you.