10 Great Features of the Apple Ecosystem

Ecosystems are what people talk about: a whole set of devices and services that locks you in and keeps you from switching. In the last few years I’ve been drawn back to the Apple ecosystem, and it’s nice in here. There are a few faults, but overall there’s a lot to love. Individually, Apple’s products are best in class in performance, hardware and design, but with more than one Apple device, you get the benefits of the ecosystem. Here are my favorite features, plus a few I’m looking forward to in macOS Monterey and iOS 15. Setapp sponsored this video.

1. Device setup

If you’re coming from an existing Mac, iPad, iPhone or Apple Watch, it’s easy to copy everything to the new device without reconfiguring settings or reinstalling apps. (Do you realize how long it takes to set up a new iPhone or Mac from scratch? Forever.) For a new iPhone or iPad, unlock an existing device nearby; scan the “crazy orb thing” with the new device’s camera to copy Wi-Fi settings and your Apple ID, then copy data directly or from a backup. On the Mac, copy apps and settings from another Mac or restore from Time Machine.

2. AirDrop

Awesome for moving files between devices: use the share sheet, tap the device, and files copy over a direct Wi-Fi connection. I use it all the time for B-roll footage from my iPhone to my Mac, faster than waiting for iCloud or sending it to myself by email. It decides where to put things (the Downloads folder on a Mac, the Photos app for photos and videos on iOS).

3. Universal Clipboard

Copy on one device and paste on another: copy text or a link on a Mac or iPad, and tap and hold to paste it on the iPhone. It also works for files: I can copy a video from the Files app on my iPad and paste it to my Mac desktop. You have more control than AirDrop over where the file ends up.

4. Instant Hotspot

Tether a Mac, iPad or iPhone to another iPhone or cellular iPad from the Wi-Fi menu, with no password, when signed into the same Apple ID. I’d rather have cellular built into my iPad, but until Macs have it, this works.

5. Continuity Camera

Take photos for your Mac with your iPhone or iPad in Mail, Notes and other apps: choose the Photo attachment icon, pick your device, tap Take Photo, and frame and snap on the device. You can also scan documents or make sketches.

6. Sidecar

Use your iPad as a second display for a Mac. I wanted to try it after buying my first Mac in seven years last summer (has it been a year already?). Select the iPad from the display options in the menu bar. It gives an expanded desktop away from your monitor setup, with basic touch input and Apple Pencil in some apps.

7. AirPods switching

AirPods are one of my favorite things ever made: a small set of headphones in my pocket at all times. iOS 14 added automatic switching: watching a video on an iPad with AirPods and answering a call on the iPhone switches right over, or going back and forth between devices when researching.

8. Text message forwarding

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and pick devices. Then you can send and receive SMS and MMS on your iPad and Mac as you do blue-bubble messages, with no more going back and forth.

9. Auto-filled security codes

With text message forwarding, Macs and iOS devices pop up a suggestion to fill in the annoying one-time codes in Safari and nearly everywhere on iPhone and iPad: a single tap instead of opening Messages, copying and pasting. I probably use it 10 times a day.

10. The App Stores

The App Store for iPhone launched in 2008 and the Mac App Store in 2011, an easy way to find apps and share purchases across devices, without tracking license keys. Many of my Mac apps aren’t on the Mac App Store because of API restrictions or cost.

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What’s coming this fall

From WWDC: Universal Control in macOS Monterey takes Sidecar to a new level, letting you use one keyboard and mouse across multiple nearby devices: move your mouse onto an iPad next to a Mac, or mix up to three Macs, or two Macs and an iPad, each running a separate desktop. I wonder if it makes the base iMac one of the best second displays. SharePlay lets you watch or listen to content together remotely during a FaceTime call; I have questions, like whether both people need subscriptions. What are your favorite ecosystem features?

Links

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