Technologies

My Favorite iPhone 17 Features That You’re Not Using

Commentary: Invisible buttons, AirPods that go silent when you fall asleep and some unconventional ways to use Apple’s iPhone Crossbody Strap.

The iPhone 17, iOS 26, and even the new AirPods Pro 3, are packed with valuable features and tools, but it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time and where to find them.

I review phones for a living and have been using the iPhone 17 Pro for over two months. As I’ve tested the new Apple phone and accessories, I’ve amassed my share of hidden tips and tricks to quell my friends, family members (and strangers) who ask me, «What’s a good iPhone feature that I should try?» Or «how do you do that thing with your AirPods that I saw on TikTok?»

These tips may not be new to everyone or exclusive to the iPhone 17 line (most require iOS 26), but they’re the less obvious ones that I use the most.

1. Photos app Wallpaper Suggestions

Over the years, Apple has given the lock screen and home screen a major visual overhaul. There are endless options to customize the look of your apps, the lock screen clock, and add trippy spatial effects to bring your wallpaper to life.

However, one of my favorite recent discoveries is Wallpaper Suggestions in the Photos app, which selects wallpaper-worthy photos from your library and crops them to fit your screen. There is even a 3D animation effect that can be added to really give your wallpaper some pizzazz. Above is a photo of my phone with a wallpaper of one of my cats (from the Suggestions), for example. It delights me to no end that it looks like her head is popping up from the corner of the screen as if to say, «Are you unlocking your phone?!»

If you don’t see Wallpaper Suggestion in the Photos app, go to Settings, then to Photos, and check that Show Featured Content is enabled. Subsequently, if you don’t want to see Wallpaper Suggestions, you can turn them off here. But why would you?

2. Use raw photos to make the moon pop

This tip is for you, Pro iPhone owners and is an easy way to ensure you get a great photo of a high-contrast scene. Think of a bright subject in a dark environment, such as this one of the Mineral Point Opera House marquee lit up at night, or a dark subject in a bright environment, like the black cat wallpaper shot from my previous tip.

Last week, there was a full moon over San Francisco, and I loved the way Karl the Fog –- yep, San Francisco’s marine layer has a name — rolled through the moonlight. However, when I tried to take a photo of it, my phone exposed the image for the bright moon, making everything else look dark. And when I tried to expose the image to brighten the buildings in the background, the moon just blew out entirely to white.

Instead, I turned on the raw photo setting in the Camera app and got a great shot of the moon. Then, I was able to edit it after the fact within the default Photos app to enhance the shadow details in the dark background and highlights in the moon. The result: Both the moon and the buildings looked exactly the way I wanted them. You could also use a third-party app to edit raw images.

Raw files contain more image data than a JPEG or HEIC, allowing you to make more extensive edits after you take an image. I don’t take raw photos all the time because the file sizes are big: the raw photo of the moon is 13.6MB compared with a JPEG I took that was 1.5MB.

To try this out, you first need to turn on the raw files master switch. Go to Settings, then the Camera menu. Select Formats and turn on ProRAW & Resolution Control. I use JPEG Lossless for the ProRAW format.

Once enabled, open the Camera app. If you’re running iOS 26, you should see a button that says JPEG, HEIC or raw on the top left side. Tap on it to see controls for Format and Resolution. Raw images can be captured at 48MP on the iPhone 17 Pro.

3. The AirPods Pro 3 case is the button

Apple recently launched the AirPods Pro 3. They come with several nifty features, including the ability to check your heart rate and translate conversations in real-time. But when I first went to pair them with my phone, I was stumped: Where is the pairing button?

Just me? Probably not.

To pair the AirPods Pro 3, you just keep them in the case and open the lid. They should automatically pair with whatever Apple device you have on hand. But if you’re trying to pair them to an Apple device that doesn’t have the same iCloud account or a non-Apple device, you’ll need to open the lid and double-tap the case to enter pairing mode.

And that’s not the only AirPods tip I have for you (pun unintended).

4. The AirPods automatically turn off music when you doze off

If you’re someone who listens to music, a podcast, or white noise to help you fall asleep, you can set up your AirPods to automatically pause whatever you’re listening to as soon as you fall asleep. To turn this on, have your AirPods in their case, bring the case next to your iPhone and open the lid. Now go to Settings and tap on the name of your AirPods. Next, scroll down to Pause Media When Falling Asleep and turn that setting on. Now sit back, put your AirPods in and enjoy that 80-minute podcast about Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol while you’re lulled into a nice slumber.

This feature is part of iOS 26 and works with:

AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C
AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning
AirPods 4 with ANC
AirPods Max with USB-C

Also, if you haven’t explored your AirPods settings menu before, you can access many nifty features like Head Gestures, Live Translation and Camera Remote.

5. The iPhone’s invisible button

Back Tap isn’t a new feature, but it’s one that a lot of people don’t know about. Your iPhone has an «invisible» button that you activate by tapping on the back of the phone. It’s customizable and can do things, like open apps, turn the flashlight on, or, as I use it, show/hide the Control Center.

To set it up, open the Settings, go to Accessibility, select Touch and then scroll down and tap Back Tap. You can set up multiple actions, one triggered by a double-tap and another by a triple-tap (I wish I could do this with the iPhone’s Action button). As you can see from the actions menu, Back Tap can perform dozens of different actions and shortcuts.

When I want to open the Control Center — especially if I’m holding the phone with one hand — I can double-tap the back of the phone, and it appears. If I double-tap again, it goes away. Additionally, when you use Back Tap, a small Dynamic Island banner appears to explain what’s happening. You can turn this off in the Back Tap settings menu if you don’t want to see it.

6. Use the iPhone Crossbody Strap for cameras and passes

We’ve seen phone straps from other phone makers, such as Motorola for its Razr and there are numerous third-party options available. However, this year Apple launched its own crossbody strap for the iPhone. The strap costs $60, which seems steep for a thin piece of fabric, but it actually has more «tech» to it than meets the eye. Apple’s Crossbody Strap is lined with magnets to keep the two «pieces» of the strap (where it folds over itself) from separating or accidentally adjusting the length as you wear it.

It also has use cases beyond just being attached to a phone. On TikTok, numerous videos like this show people using the cross-body strap as a camera strap. But why stop there? Use it to hold passes or IDs for amusement parks or conventions.

The strap is long, which is nice if you’re a larger person like me and still has enough length to go across your body and keep your phone or camera at your hip. Apple created another accessory that is having its moment right now: the iPhone Pocket. Like the crossbody strap, you can wear it across your torso, but I’m not sure it would hold anything but an iPhone that well.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Nov. 18, #421

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 18, No. 421.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a fun one. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Expertise.

Green group hint: Nike is one.

Blue group hint: Pete Carroll is one.

Purple group hint: Not winter.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Special ability.

Green group: Running shoe brands.

Blue group: NFL head coaches.

Purple group: Summer ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is special ability. The four answers are flair, gift, skill and talent.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is running shoe brands. The four answers are ASICS, Brooks, Hoka and Saucony.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is NFL head coaches. The four answers are Harbaugh, Payton, Ryans and Vrabel.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is summer ____. The four answers are league, McIntosh, Olympics and Sanders.

Toughest Connections: Sports Edition categories

The Connections: Sports Edition puzzle can be tough, but it really depends on which sports you know the most about. My husband aces anything having to do with Formula 1, my best friend is a hockey buff, and I can answer any question about Minnesota teams.

That said, it’s hard to pick the toughest Connections categories, but here are some I found exceptionally mind-blowing recently.

#1: Series A Clubs, Jan. 11. Answers: Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma.

#2: WNBA MVPs, Jan. 21. Answers: Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles and Stewart.

#3: Premier League team nicknames, Jan. 17. Answers: Bees, Cherries, Foxes and Hammers.

#4: Homophones of NBA player names, Jan. 26. Answers: Barns, Connect, Heart and Hero.

Technologies

Is Leaving Your Phone Plugged In Bad for the Battery? Apple, Samsung and Google Weigh In

If you leave your phone plugged in overnight, here’s what manufacturers say you should know.

If you’re still sprinting to unplug your phone the second it hits 100% because you’re terrified of «overcharging,» you can officially relax. That advice is ancient history. Modern smartphones are smart enough to cut off the power once they’re fully charged, so leaving your iPhone or Android plugged in overnight isn’t going to destroy the battery.

But let’s be clear: Just because it’s safe doesn’t mean it’s optimal. While you can’t technically overcharge the battery, keeping a lithium-ion cell pinned at 100% creates voltage stress, and the heat generated from sitting on a charger is the real enemy of longevity.

It’s not about immediate damage; it’s about how fast your battery ages over time. Understanding the difference between what won’t break your phone and what will actually help it last is key. Here’s the truth about your charging habits.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

The science behind battery wear

Battery health isn’t just about how many times you charge your phone. It’s about how it manages voltage, temperature and maintenance. Lithium-ion batteries age fastest when they’re exposed to extreme levels: 0% and 100%.

Keeping them near full charge for long stretches puts additional voltage stress on the cathode and electrolyte. That’s why many devices use «trickle charging» or temporarily pause at 100%, topping up only when needed.

Still, the biggest threat isn’t overcharging — it’s heat. When your phone is plugged in and running demanding apps, it produces heat that accelerates chemical wear inside the battery. If you’re gaming, streaming or charging on a hot day, that extra warmth does far more harm than leaving the cable plugged in overnight.

Apple’s take

Apple’s battery guide describes lithium-ion batteries as «consumable components» that naturally lose capacity over time. To slow that decline, iPhones use Optimized Battery Charging, which learns your daily routine and pauses charging at about 80% until just before you typically unplug, reducing time spent at high voltage.

Apple also advises keeping devices between 0 to 35 degrees Celsius (32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) and removing certain cases while charging to improve heat dissipation. You can read more on Apple’s official battery support page.

What Samsung (and other Android makers) do

Samsung offers a similar feature called Battery Protect, found in One UI’s battery and device care settings. When enabled, it caps charging at 85%, which helps reduce stress during long charging sessions.

Other Android makers like Google, OnePlus and Xiaomi include comparable options — often called Adaptive Charging, Optimized Charging or Battery Care — that dynamically slow power delivery or limit charge based on your habits. These systems make it safe to leave your phone plugged in for extended periods without fear of overcharging.

When constant charging can hurt

Even with these safeguards, some conditions can accelerate battery wear. As mentioned before, the most common culprit is high temperature. Even for a short period of time, leaving your phone charging in direct sunlight, in a car or under a pillow can push temperatures into unsafe zones.

Heavy use while charging, like gaming or 4K video editing, can also cause temperature spikes that degrade the battery faster. And cheap, uncertified cables or adapters may deliver unstable current that stresses cells. If your battery is already several years old, it’s naturally more sensitive to this kind of strain.

How to charge smarter

You don’t need to overhaul your habits but a few tweaks can help your battery age gracefully.

Start by turning on your phone’s built-in optimization tools: Optimized Battery Charging on iPhones, Battery Protect on Samsung devices and Adaptive Charging on Google Pixels. These systems learn your routine and adjust charging speed so your phone isn’t sitting at 100% all night.

Keep your phone cool while charging. According to Apple, phone batteries perform best between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 22 degrees Celsius). If your phone feels hot, remove its case or move it to a better-ventilated or shaded spot. Avoid tossing it under a pillow or too close to other electronics, like your laptop, and skip wireless chargers that trap heat overnight.

Use quality chargers and cables from your phone’s manufacturer or trusted brands. Those cheap «fast-charge» kits you find online often deliver inconsistent current, which can cause long-term issues.

Finally, don’t obsess over topping off. It’s perfectly fine to plug in your phone during the day for short bursts. Lithium-ion batteries actually prefer frequent, shallow charges rather than deep, full cycles. You don’t need to keep it between 20% and 80% all the time, but just avoid extremes when possible.

The bottom line

Keeping your phone plugged in overnight or on your desk all day won’t destroy its battery. That’s a leftover myth from a different era of tech. Modern phones are smart enough to protect themselves, and features like Optimized Battery Charging or Battery Protect do most of the heavy lifting for you.

Still, no battery lasts forever. The best way to slow the inevitable is to manage heat, use quality chargers and let your phone’s software do its job. Think of it less as «babying» your battery and more as charging with intention. A few mindful habits today can keep your phone running strong for years.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Nov. 18 #625

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Nov. 18, No. 625.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is kind of tough. Some of the answers are very difficult to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go in depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: All mixed up

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Shaken and stirred.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

BLAM, FOOT, HUMS, BLED, MODE, LOUT, MARBLE, FORD, SHED, FORE, TIRED

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers: