Apple rolled out iOS 13.7 today. Update your device, and you’ll now be able to see if your state supports the COVID-19 Exposure Notifications Express system. More importantly, you’ll be able to opt-in to receiving these alerts without having to find and set up a standalone app. (Nobody likes app sprawl.)
For the majority of you whose states haven’t yet opted into the program, you’ll at least be able to receive a notification if, or when, yours chooses to jump on board. (And, no, these settings don’t activate the hidden COVID-19 sensor in your phone, because that doesn’t exist.)
To get started, pull up the Settings app and tap on General > Software Update. Download and install the update. Once your phone reboots, you’ll want to revisit the Settings app and scroll down a bit until you see the new “Exposure Notifications” section (under “Emergency SOS.”)
Tap on that, and then tap on the big blue “Turn on Exposure Notifications” link. (By default, “Availability Alerts” should be enabled, which you can turn off if you really don’t want to know that exposure notification tracking is finally active in your state.)
From there, you’ll be presented with the main “COVID-19 Exposure Notifications” screen. I’d normally just click on the “Continue” button to get going with the setting, but if you’re at all concerned about the privacy of this system, I recommend tapping on the “How Exposure Notifications Work” link and reading up. It provides a very simple walkthrough of the system that should help allay any fears you have about the government tracking your whereabouts or other tinfoil-hat theories.
Tap “Continue,” and you’ll be asked to pick your country and state. Odds are good you’ll see this screen:
If you’re in one of the lucky states that’s already using the Exposure Notifications API, you’ll probably see a screen that looks like this:
I checked a bunch of states, and none are set up to currently use the Exposure Notifications Express system—including four that should be among the first out of the gate: Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Nevada. All the more reason to keep that “Availability Alert” enabled, because a contact-tracing system becomes a lot more effective when everyone uses it. And for that to happen, everyone has to opt-in to using it, hence the importance of these availability notifications.
It’s that time again: a bunch of crappy apps have made their way to the Google Play Store, and it’s on you to make sure you don’t have them on your An
Cybersecurity researchers from Zscaler recently discovered 17 shady apps containing the “Joker” malware on the Google Play Store. The researchers repo
Google Meet’s Android and iOS apps offer a streamlined version of the video chat service’s desktop interface. The basic controls are simple and should
If you’ve been longing for a Dick Tracy-like setup for using Spotify on your Apple Watch, you won’t have to wait much longer. A new update to the app
I’m a bit forgetful, which is why I always use a password manager to remember all of my quirky and complex passwords for everything. Even then, I occa
Disney announced an impressive roster of series coming to Disney Plus over the next few years, with the most exciting news coming from Lucas Films and
One of the most notable features of the iPhone 12 is the 5G speeds. However, many users may find that the constant turbo-boosted 5G is detrimental to
An inconvenient side effect of a power outage, especially one that extends for days at a time, is the inability to charge your devices—especially thos
We are a comprehensive and trusted information platform dedicated to delivering high-quality content across a wide range of topics, including society, technology, business, health, culture, and entertainment.
From breaking news to in-depth reports, we adhere to the principles of accuracy and diverse perspectives, helping readers find clarity and reliability in today’s fast-paced information landscape.
Our goal is to be a dependable source of knowledge for every reader—making information not only accessible but truly trustworthy. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our content and services, connecting the world and delivering value.
