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Hey {{first_name|there}}!
Happy Holidays! I can’t believe we’re just two weeks away from Christmas already. 🎄
Here’s what I have for you today:
Two quick and easy ways to share your Wi-Fi password with guests over the holidays
Check in: How are you feeling about Liquid Glass?
ICYMI: How to keep your Apple Music recs safe from holiday music
A rundown of the Apple gear we’re using in late 2025 on Basic AF
And as always, my hand-selected news roundup
A quick note: the next newsletter is scheduled for Christmas day but I’ll be sending you that one on Tuesday, the 23rd, instead.
I’ll be sharing my favorite apps and services of 2025, so keep an eye out for it.
🎁 The Fastest Way to Get Guests on Your Wi-Fi
“Hey, what’s your Wi-Fi?”
If you're hosting family or friends over the holidays, you'll surely get asked for your Wi-Fi password. And if your password looks anything like mine — a ridiculously long mix of letters, numbers, and an occasional % or @ — typing it out for everyone gets old fast.
Luckily, Apple provides a couple of excellent features that make sharing your Wi-Fi password almost effortless. Here's how.
How to share via iPhone or iPad
Before you start:
Both devices need recent versions of iOS or iPadOS.
Wi-Fi + Bluetooth enabled.
Personal Hotspot turned off.
Each person must have the other's Apple ID email or phone number in Contacts.
Once everything is in order:
Keep the two devices close together.
Have your iPhone or iPad unlocked and already connected to the Wi-Fi network you’re sharing.
Ask your guest to open their device's Wi-Fi settings and tap your network's name.
When a prompt appears on your device, tap "Share Password" — then tap "Done." Their device will connect automatically.
Sharing Wi-Fi password on iOS
This feature is typically solid, but if the share prompt doesn't appear, restart both devices and try again.
Pro Tip: Use the QR code method - it's faster and great for groups
While the method above is really good for one or two people, the QR code method is my go-to, especially for larger groups. It's faster and easier.
Wi-Fi Network QR Code in the Passwords app
Open the Passwords app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and follow these steps:
Tap on the Wi-Fi section.
Locate the Wi-Fi network you're connected to in the list.
Tap "Show Network QR Code".
Have the person you're sharing with open the camera app on their device and point it at the QR code.
They'll see a "Join network…" banner. Tap that, and they'll get connected.
If there are multiple people that need access, do the same thing with them.
This is by far the fastest method, especially with a larger group, and it's my favorite way of getting friends and family connected.
📈 Poll
We’re about three months in now, what’s your take on Liquid Glass?
🎙️ Basic AF: The Apple Gear We’re Using in Late 2025
Episode 76
In this episode of Basic AF, Jeff and I revisit all the Apple hardware we use every single day. From Macs to iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePods, and even a brief Vision Pro confession, we break down what’s still great, what’s aging surprisingly well, and what upgrades we’ve made along the way.
Listen to and follow the show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all the other podcast apps, as well as on YouTube and YouTube Music.
👋 If you missed it in my last email…
Last time around, I shared a great tip on how to keep your recommendations in Apple Music from getting wrecked by holiday music. It struck a chord (no pun intended) with some of you:
Turning off music listening history via shortcut so I can jam to frosty and Rudolph without messing with my heavy rotation and recently played lists is perhaps the best and most important thing I’ve ready today. That should be on billboards and t-shirts!
If you didn’t catch it last time, it’s posted on my site and you can read it now.
📣 News to Know About
Here’s a quick rundown of noteworthy things that I’ve hand-selected just for you:
