iPhone Threads
Join the How-To Geek community chatting about all things iPhone.
Are You an Early Adopter of New Phone Technology?
Do you consider yourself at the cutting edge of phone technology, or do you prefer to wait a bit for things to be widely adopted? For example, perhaps you always buy the latest and greatest device, or you were happy to dive into AI assistants and apps the moment you could.
Have Phones Made Our Lives Better or Worse?
If you're reading this, chances are you own a mobile phone—you may even be reading it on that very device. Do you think the everyday prevalence of phones has made your life better or worse?
How Soon Do You Use Your Phone in the Morning?
Once you wake up, how long is it until you reach for your phone? Perhaps you keep it by your bedside and you grab it immediately, or maybe you keep it in another room and don't check it until after midday. Whatever your habit, sound off below.
How Often Do You Replace Your Phone Case?
Most people put a case on their phone to keep it protected, but I wonder how often you replace your phone case? Perhaps yours gets worn down quickly or you like switching it up with a fresh design. Or maybe you don't replace it at all, until you get a different phone.
If You Could Only Use One App, Which Would it Be?
Let's pretend that your phone was only capable of holding a single app and you couldn't replace it. Which app would you choose? Perhaps you'd opt for an app to assist with navigation, one that lets you chat with friends, or a video streaming service for entertainment.
What Do You Always Have on Your Phone?
Is there a specific app, customization, or setting that you always have on your phone? For example, perhaps you've used the same wallpaper for years or your homepage always has a particular widget.
Do You Ever Use Your Phone Without a Case?
I never use a case on my phone because I prefer how it looks and feels. It's risky because it could get damaged if I drop it, but I generally take good care of my electronics so I'm not worried. Do you ever go caseless, perhaps when around your home, or is your phone always protected?
What's Your Biggest Phone Pet Peeve?
I don't like how so many phone manufacturers and app developers are pushing pointless AI features. I immediately disable most of these. What's your phone pet peeve? Perhaps it's constant notifications, your battery draining quickly, or something else.
Do You Keep Your Old Phones?
It's often best to trade in your old phones or recycle them, but I know some people like to keep their old tech around as memories. Do you have a stash of all the phones you've used through the years, or are you quick to get rid of them?
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Do You Ever Send Voice Notes on Your Phone?
Voice notes are a handy feature on many messaging apps that let you quickly send a recording rather than typing a message out. They're convenient, since you can do other things while recording your message, and are often more personal. How often do you use voice notes?
What's the Best Photo You've Captured With Your Smartphone?
For the average person, smartphone cameras do a great job at capturing a moment, whether you're on vacation, at a gig, or just want a funny photo of your pet. I'd like to see the best photo you've ever taken with your phone. You can attach the image directly to your comment.
Which App Went Downhill the Most?
It's uncommon for an app to stay the same, assuming the developer is still active. Apps are often updated to add new features, refresh the design, and provide support for newer operating systems. But sometimes these updates aren't well received, and a once great app can go downhill. Of all the apps you've ever used, which started out good but ended up bad?
Do You Watch Movies or Shows on Your Phone?
Every major streaming service has a phone app, often with support for offline viewing, which makes it a breeze to watch movies and TV shows on the go. Personally, I don't like watching on a small screen and I prefer the full experience of a TV, so I never watch movies or shows on my phone.
Have You Ever Regretted Buying a Phone?
Phones are an investment and it seems with every generation they get more expensive, which is why it's so disappointing if you buy a phone and you're not completely happy with it. Have you ever bought a phone and then realized you didn't like it? If so, which phone and why?
Have You Bought the iPhone 16e?
The iPhone 16e is Apple's latest phone, intended as an entry-level device. It's missing some features from the regular 16 and 16 Pro, like an ultra-wide camera and MagSafe support. It's available now, and I'm wondering whether you've bought one or intend to do so.
Do You Use Google Apps on Your iPhone?
If you use an iPhone, have you stuck with Apple's default apps? Or have you installed Google's alternatives, like Maps and Drive? Perhaps the best approach is a mixture, or using another provider entirely.
Do People Turn to You for Phone Advice?
When your friends and family are looking to buy a new phone, or need tech support with their current one, are you the person they turn to? If you are, don't forget that How-To Geek is always here to answer your questions and make you look like a genius!
Do You Share Your Phone's Internet Connection?
You can turn your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows you to share your phone's internet connection with other devices. It's handy if, say, you're traveling and need to use your laptop online. Do you make use of this feature? If so, where does it come in most useful?
Do You Let Your Kids Use Your Phone?
If you have children who aren't old enough to have their own phone, do you let them use yours? I'm thinking about situations where you need to keep them entertained, or perhaps because they're a budding photographer. Or is your phone strictly off-limits, away from their grubby hands?
How Long Does Your Phone Last on a Single Charge?
I recently upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy S25, which has a fantastic battery out of the box. I can get around two days of comfortable use on a single charge. Of course, that will wear off over time. How long does your phone last before you need to plug it in?
What Color Will Your Next Phone Be?
In the past, when buying a new phone and choosing a color, I would always opt for black because it doesn't show wear and tear as much as other colors. But in recent years, I've branched out and I don't regret the decision. I've still stuck with darker colors, but for my next phone I might get something bright. When it comes time to upgrade your phone, what color will you get?
Do You Insure Your Phone?
Phones are mighty expensive, so it's important to look after them carefully. Accidents do happen though, and theft is always a concern, which is why insurance can be helpful. Do you insure your phone? If so, share your experience—have you ever had to claim, for example?
What's an App You Deleted and Don't Miss?
Some apps stick around on our phones forever because they are fundamental and always useful, while others we use for a while and then ditch completely. I'm interested in that latter group. Name an app that you once used, but then uninstalled and realized your life was better without it.
Which Email App Do You Use the Most?
While most people use Gmail or Apple Mail, those certainly aren't your only options. Popular email app clients include Outlook, Spark, Proton Mail, Thunderbird, and more. So, which email app is your favorite, or which one do you use the most? Why?
What Was Your First Apple Product?
Like a lot of people my age, my first Apple product was an iPod. That was the gateway to me eventually getting a MacBook, then an iPhone, then basically everything Apple. But what did you start with and do you still use it?
Do You Use Apple's Mail App or Third-Party Clients?
I've never liked Apple's Mail app. The main reason is that I have multiple email addresses and I like to color-code them in a single inbox, but Mail offers no way of doing that. Instead, I've used Spark for years. What do you use for your emails?
Do You Pay for Premium Smartphone Apps?
Many smartphone apps are free, but some also have a premium version with additional features or no adverts. This can take the form of a one-off payment or an ongoing subscription. Personally, I'm happy to pay to support apps that are genuinely good and I use often. What about you?
Is Your Phone the Only Camera You Use?
If I ever need to take a photo, I use my phone. I always have it with me, so it's convenient, and it takes photos in high enough quality for my satisfaction. Are you in the same boat, or do you prefer snapping with a dedicated camera?
Do You Use Your iPhone in Light or Dark Mode (or Both)?
The iPhone, like most devices these days, lets you choose between Light or Dark mode in the settings. You can even have the device automatically switch to Dark mode when the sun goes down. So what's your preference?
