iPhone 12 gains surprise Qi2 support with iOS 17.4 update

Photo: Apple

In a quiet update, Apple enabled 15W Qi2 wireless charging on iPhone 12 with the recent iOS 17.4 release. This means you can now leverage the benefits of supported Qi2 chargers. Macworld first discovered this functionality and confirmed it through testing alongside Belkin. Belkin verified that their Qi2 chargers deliver 15W charging to the updated iPhone 12. Anker has also confirmed similar compatibility for their Qi2 chargers.

As the pioneer of MagSafe on iPhones, the iPhone 12 has always supported 15W magnetic charging. However, other iPhones were limited to slower 7.5W wireless charging unless they used certified MagSafe chargers. This update effectively brings all MagSafe iPhones under the Qi2 umbrella, offering greater flexibility and potentially more affordable charging options.

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Google Photos makes finding documents easier

Image: 9to5Google

Organize screenshots and photographed documents better with the latest update to Google Photos. Now, the app automatically identifies screenshots, receipts, notes, and other documents, making them easier to find and manage.

Open a photo of a document, and you'll see a label in the top left corner. This tells you how Google Photos has categorized it. Tap the label to change the category or view all your documents in one place. You can even assign multiple categories to a single image for even more organization.

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Apple to allow default navigation apps on iPhone (EU only)

Image: Apple

Android users have long enjoyed the flexibility of setting default apps, while iOS users have faced limitations. However, Apple is making a user-centric shift. Starting next year, iPhone users in the European Union can choose their preferred navigation app, like Google Maps, instead of solely relying on Apple Maps.

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Apple's updated approach to wet iPhone care doesn't include a bag of rice

Photo: Apple

If your iPhone gets wet, Apple does not recommend drying it in a bag of rice method. Contrary to popular belief, experts have cautioned against this approach for some time, as tests indicate its ineffectiveness.

Now, Apple has explicitly advised against using rice, highlighting the potential risk of small rice particles causing damage to the device. Instead, it recommends a different approach: gently tapping out any liquid with the phone's connector facing downwards, and then allowing it to air-dry.

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