WhatsApp has announced its official iPad app, which has remained in Testflight beta for almost two years now. So, you no longer need to resort to WhatsApp Web as the native app brings some much-requested features users have been asking for, like the ability to make voice and video calls. Yep, this basic functionality is still absent from WhatsApp Web, so iPad users were left with only texting.

To put things in perspective, here’s a list of new features that have arrived on WhatsApp for iPad:

• Place voice and video calls
• You can send and see view-once photos
• Can send a message offline
• Use iPad features like Center Stage, camera reactions, Studio lights, and Portrait blur.

Since we have got an early hands-on of WhatsApp on our iPad, let me take you on a quick tour of how things work around here.

The iPad app for WhatsApp takes advantage of the larger screen real estate, as evident from the main conversation page. It hasn’t changed much since we last tried the first iPad beta back in 2023. You get a split layout with your chat list in the left pane and conversations in the right pane.

At the bottom, you have tabs for Updates, Calls, Communities, Chats, and Settings. If you have used WhatsApp on your iPhone, then you will feel right at home here.

When you open a chat, you can spot the video and voice call options at the top of the chat window. Tap on either one of the icons to place a call. If you have used iPad’s exclusive video calling features like Centre Stage, reactions, and Studio lights before, then you have them all here as well.

Moreover, you can finally send some not-so-safe-for-work memes to view once photos from the iPad on WhatsApp. Again, it works similarly to how you send them on your iPhone. You can also enable voice transcripts from settings that will transcribe any received voice note with the help of AI.

Of course, the biggest perk of having an official iPad app is that you can also receive message notifications on time. You no longer need to keep a Safari tab active or open it every time you want to check new messages.

Oddly enough, I couldn’t find some of the more fun and useful features that recently arrived on WhatsApp. There’s no option to create chat filters that help you organise your chats. Chat themes are also absent, so expect to wait a little longer before you can try out WhatsApp’s new colorful themes. It is also worth highlighting that you need to set it up as a linked device as before.

I suppose WhatsApp stuck to the basics, but hey, I’m not complaining. We now have a native app. The experience is buttery smooth and perfectly in sync with what we’ve come to expect. So, unless you’re one of those beta-testing elite, stop dilly-dallying and get WhatsApp for iPad from the App Store today!

The post Official Launch of WhatsApp on iPad: An In-Depth Exploration appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

Why You Can’t Use Apple Journal on Your iPad (Yet)?

Though Apple hasn’t provided an official explanation, there could be a few reasons why the company has decided not to bring the Journaling app to the iPad.

Apple’s Journal app leans heavily on journaling suggestions to make it stand out from the crowd. But they might also be the reason behind iPad not making the cut because of associated privacy reasons. While Journal entries themselves are encrypted and stored in iCloud, the prompts are generated and processed entirely on-device. Even the Journal app itself does not have access to the prompts you don’t want it to.

Now, journaling suggestions are based on your activity — photos you take, locations you visit, workouts you complete, music you listen to, etc. Out of the iPhone and the iPad, the former gets to go to most places with you, making it the perfect device to capture contextual moments and generate journaling prompts.

Journal and iPad Could be The Perfect Match

If there’s one device that’s tailor-made for a journaling experience, it’s the iPad. Sure, the iPhone is great for quick entries — especially with features like journaling prompts that encourage you to capture your thoughts about things you never would have imagined otherwise. That’s what makes the Journal app perfect for beginners just beginning their journey into gratitude journaling.

But journaling isn’t always about jotting down fleeting thoughts. Sometimes, it’s about deep reflection, which includes more than bite-sized information you can write on the iPhone. The iPad is practically perfect for it. With accessories like Apple Pencil and keyboard, the versatility it’ll bring to the journaling experience is currently unmatched.

If suggestions are a barrier to porting the Journal app to iPad, maybe not all devices need to have them. But let us make new entries or expand on existing entries in the Journal app on iPad. Journal entries are already being synced to the cloud, after all.

It’s also possible that Apple is simply following its slow rollout strategy with the Journal app, which we have previously witnessed multiple times. Calculator, Health, and Weather all took years to come to the iPad. So, the Journal app could be coming to the iPad. Let’s just hope the Journal app doesn’t take Apple another 14 years, like it in the case of the Calculator app.

The post Uncovering the Reasons Behind the Absence of Apple Journal App on iPad appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

Change Apple ID on iPhone and iPad

Switching Apple IDs on an iPhone or an iPad is a straightforward affair. Here’s how you can do this.

• Go to Settings -> Your Name -> Sign Out

• Enter your Apple ID password and tap on “Turn Off“. Then, choose the data you want to keep on your iPhone and tap on “Sign Out“.

• Once you’re signed out, go back to Settings and tap on “Apple Account“. Follow the prompts on-screen to sign in with your preferred Apple ID.

That’s basically everything you need to do in order to switch Apple ID on iPhone. If you’re using an iPad, the process is basically the same, so you can just follow the steps mentioned above to change your Apple ID on your iPad as well.

What Happens to the Data When Switching Apple ID

If you’re worried about your data when switching your Apple ID, here’s what you need to know. First, when you sign out of your Apple ID, you will get the option to keep a copy of the following data on your iPhone:

• Contacts
• Calendar
• Health data
• Keychain information
• Safari data
• Stocks data

On the other hand, if you’re worried about the photos and videos on your iPhone, all that data will be backed up to iCloud if you use iCloud Photos. However, that does mean that photos that have been offloaded to iCloud to save storage space on your iPhone will be removed from your iPhone when you switch Apple IDs. They will still remain available on iCloud, as well as on any other devices that are signed in with the original Apple ID.

Well, that’s pretty much everything you need to know about switching Apple IDs on your iPhone or iPad. Do make sure that you back up your photos to iCloud Photos or Google Photos, or a similar cloud storage service to ensure you don’t accidentally lose any data.

Can I transfer everything from one Apple ID to another?

Apart from the aforementioned data, there are chances that some data might go missing once you switch Apple IDs. For instance, all the photos and videos that you have optimized to save space will be removed from your iPhone/iPad. But, fret not. Your data will still be available on iCloud and you can easily restore it. Plus, the original photos/videos will still be available on other devices thanks to the iCloud Photos.

Can I change my Apple ID without losing my apps?

While the data remains safe, it won’t be the case with apps. Apps downloaded when signed into an Apple ID won’t be transferred to another Apple ID. But if you simply edit your Apple ID, apps and purchases made via it will remain there itself.

Will changing my Apple ID delete anything?

If you simply intend to change your Apple ID, your data won’t go anywhere. But if you’re switching to another Apple ID, some data will be removed from your device. Although, you can always restore it if saved on iCloud.

The post Seamlessly Change Your Apple ID on iPhone and iPad Without Data Loss: A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

Use Apple Pencil to Open Control Center

One of the most common things that you might want to do while using your iPad with the Apple Pencil is to open Control Center to adjust brightness, volume, or other settings. Here’s how you can open the Control Center with an Apple Pencil:

Simply tap on the “battery” in the top menu-bar on your iPad with the Apple Pencil.

This will open up the Control Center on the iPad and you can easily adjust anything that you need to change. Once done, you can just tap on the blank area around the Control Center to dismiss it once more.

Use Apple Pencil to Open Notification Center

Similarly, if you want to check on your notifications, you can open the Notification Center with your iPad as well.

Just tap on the “date-time” in the top menu-bar on your iPad with the Apple Pencil

This will open up the Notification Center on your iPad and you can check and dismiss notifications here. Once done, you can just swipe up to dismiss the Notification Center.

Use Apple Pencil to Go to Home Screen

Now, the Apple Pencil is capable of opening the Control Center and the Notification Center. However, it is strangely unable to go back to the home screen on your iPad. Whether you try tapping on the home bar, or swiping up using the Apple Pencil, it simply won’t do anything to take you to the home screen of your iPad.

That said, there’s a workaround you can use to be able to head to the Home Screen with the Apple Pencil.

• Open the Shortcuts app on your iPad and tap on the plus icon to create a new shortcut

• Add the action “Go to Home Screen” in the shortcut

• Tap on the back arrow to save your shortcut
• Open the control center and long press on the empty space to enter edit mode

• Tap on “Add a Control”

• Scroll down to “Shortcuts” and tap on the “Shortcut” option

• Tap on “Choose” and select the “Go to Home Screen” shortcut

• Tap anywhere in the blank space to confirm the changes

Now, whenever you need to go to the home screen with your Apple Pencil, you can open the Control Center and tap on the Go to Home Screen shortcut to do so. It’s obviously not as good as having a native method to go home, but it’s a workaround that works really well, and is decently fast as well.

Well, that’s how you can navigate around your iPad using the Apple Pencil. Hopefully, the next time you’re using your favorite iPad apps, you can easily use your iPad with the pencil without having to constantly switch between using the Apple Pencil and your fingers. In case you have any doubts, let us know in the comments, and meanwhile, let’s all hope that Apple adds a native gesture to go to the home screen with the Apple Pencil soon.

The post Mastering iPad Navigation: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Apple Pencil appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

Soft Reset iPad

If your iPad is slowing down or some apps are misbehaving, you don’t need to perform a complete reset. Instead, you can soft reset your iPad, which is just another term to restart to iPad. It is one of the most effective ways to wipe off any temporary bugs or improve the overall performance of your device without deleting any settings or data. Before you try other ways to reset your iPad, we recommend performing a soft reset. Here’s how to do it:

• On iPads without a Home Button, press and hold the Volume Up/Down and Power button (on the top) until you see the Power off slider.
• On iPads with a Home Button, press & hold the Top button until the Power Off slider appears.
• Now, drag the slider to the right and wait for about 30 seconds to turn off your iPad.

Reset iPad using buttons (Force Restart)

There can be instances when your iPad has frozen or becomes unresponsive, and the slider menu won’t open up. In such cases, you can reset your iPad with buttons. Commonly known as force restart or hard reset, this method clears apps stored in the memory to fix common software issues on your iPad without deleting any data.

Here’s how to reset an unresponsive iPad without a Home button:

• Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
• Right after that, press and release the Volume Down button.
• Finally, press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo. Your iPad will restart and boot up normally.
• In case this isn’t working for you, try again and be faster in pressing and releasing the buttons.

On iPads with a Home Button, press & hold the Power and Home button simultaneously until your iPad turns off. Once done, the iPad will restart on its own.

Reset All Settings on the iPad

 If the above steps don’t work, you can reset all settings on your iPad to fix bugs or glitches that are interfering with the overall functionality of your device. It’s worth knowing that this method will restore all your iPhone settings to their defaults, fixing any misconfigured settings. When you reset all settings on your iPad, it won’t delete any downloaded data or media. It will only reset network settings, location settings, privacy settings, keyboard dictionary, and Apple cards.

Follow the below steps to reset all settings on your iPhone:

• Open the Settings app on your iPad and navigate to the General section.
• Here, scroll down to the bottom and tap on Transfer or Reset iPad.

• Next, select Reset All Settings from the available options.

• When prompted, enter your iPad password and hit the Reset All Settings button again to confirm your decision.

Prepare your iPad for Factory Reset

There can be instances when the above methods don’t work or you’re facing complex issues like an iPad showing a black screen, overheating, excessive battery drain, etc. In that case, you may consider going for a complete factory reset. This method can fix most iPad issues, but will also wipe off all your downloaded data and saved settings. Therefore, we need to do some important tasks beforehand to avoid any issues later.

Things to do before you reset iPad to factory settings

•  Since a factory reset will wipe off everything and restore your iPad to default settings, you should backup your iPad so you can restore your personal data anytime later. You can back up your iPad using iCloud storage, Mac, computer, or third-party cloud storage services.
• If you’re selling your iPad, you must disable the Find My service on your iPad. This Apple feature lets you track your missing iPad or even erase it using the Find My app. No one can disable Find My without your Apple ID password, which you obviously won’t share with anyone. So, make sure to disable this feature yourself. Also, make sure to remove your iPad from your Apple ID before you give away your iPad.

How to Reset iPad Without a Computer

You can factory reset an iPad with or without a computer. The first method we’re discussing doesn’t involve the use of a computer. The iPad’s Settings app offers a factory reset option that can easily delete all your data to reset your iPad to its default settings. You can easily perform this method, provided you know the passcode and your iPad is unlocked.  Follow the below steps to factory reset your iPad without a computer:

• Open the Settings app on your iPad and visit the General section.
• Tap on Transfer or Reset iPad from the bottom of the screen.

• From the list of available options, tap on Erase All Content and Settings.

• You’ll see a screen showing information on what data will be erased. Once ready, click Continue.
• When prompted, enter your iPad Passcode and proceed.
• Now, you’ll see another screen showing a backup. If you’ve backed up your iPad already, choose Erase Now. The factory reset process will now begin and it might take some time.

Once completed, your iPad will greet you with a setup screen. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to set up your fresh iPad or restore it from a backup.

How to Factory Reset an iPad Without Password

There can be instances when you wish to reset your iPad, but don’t know the password. But, you need not worry a lot as you can factory reset your iPad with a computer. This method comes in handy when you wish to reset your iPad with a forgotten passcode or a disabled iPad. For this method, you need a Mac or PC with iTunes installed. 

• Connect your iPad to your Mac or PC.
• When prompted to enter the passcode or allow any permissions, simply follow them.
• On Macs running macOS Catalina or later, open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar. On older Macs or Windows computers, open iTunes and click the iPhone icon.
• Once selected, you will see your iPad details along with the iPadOS version. From the available options, find and tap on the Restore iPad button.

• A dialog box will now open up asking if you want to make a backup.

• Next up, hit the Restore Button to confirm your decision and let the factory reset begin. This process can take up to 15 minutes.

Once the process completes, your iPad will restart and show an initial setup screen. Disconnect your iPad from the computer and restore it from a backup or set it up as new.

That’s how you can reset your iPad. Soft reset comes in handy when your iPad is slowing down or some apps are misbehaving. A hard reset helps you fix an iPad with a frozen screen. Finally, factory resetting an iPad helps you fix the most complex issues on your device. Hopefully, you were able to easily fix issues with your iPad and enjoy optimal performance. In case you’re facing any issues, let us know in the comments.

What is the difference between soft reset, hard reset, and factory reset?

A soft reset means restarting your iPad to fix minor software issues and erratic behavior on your iPad without any data loss. The hard reset lets you do the same when your iPad’s display is frozen or not responding. On the flip side, factory reset deletes everything from your iPad and restores it to the default settings.

How to force restart an iPad?

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. Immediately after that, press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.

Does a factory reset delete everything?

Yes, a factory reset will delete all of your saved settings and downloaded data, including media, download apps & data, text messages, email accounts, and more.

The post Ultimate Guide to Resetting Your iPad: Step-by-Step Instructions for Every Model appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

1. Mini Metro

Mini Metro is a really fun game from the developers behind the Apple Arcade-exclusive Mini Motorways, and it’s a good way to spend hours without realising it. All you have to do, is connect various points to each other via Metro lines, and ensure a smooth travel experience for the people using your transport system.

The challenge here lies in the fact that you only get a limited number of lines, tunnels, and trains, in the game, and you have to ensure that none of the stations get overcrowded, or it’s game over.

You can tackle the metro lines for various well-known places including London, Paris, and New York City. As you play, you can unlock even more cities. Plus, the game features an Endless mode for a relaxed gameplay, and even an Extreme mode if you’re looking to be really frustrated and tear your hair out.

Download Mini Metro from the App Store ($3.99)

2. Alto’s Odyssey

I love Alto’s Odyssey and have done ever since the game first released years ago. It still remains one of the best games to kill some time, and since it works offline, it’s a wonderful addition for your commute and flights as well.

Alto’s Odyssey is an endless game of the same ilk as the previos Alto’s Adventure. However, this time around, you’re not snowboarding across snow-capped peaks, but sandboarding across… well, sand dunes. It’s an endless runner, and you have to perform tricks to earn high scores, collect stars, and upgrade your equipment. You can even unlock a flight suit which can help you get over bigger chasms, and even chain together multiple stunts for a higher bonus.

It’s a really fun game and will surely make you forget your long commute.

Download Alto’s Odyssey from the App Store ($4.99)

3. Offline Games

Yes, this is actually an app called “Offline Games” and as the name suggests, it brings a collection of fun offline games for your iPad. You get the classics like Solitaire and Freecell, along with other games including Pool, Table Tennis, and more. The best part is that while you can play these games alone against the AI, you can also play local multiplayer games with a friend if you so desire.

Personally, I found myself really enjoying the casual version of Pool and Table Tennis on the large screen of the iPad. And, since there are over 20 offline games to choose from, you can rest assured that you’ll certainly find something to your liking here as well.

Download Offline Games from the App Store (Free, with in-app purchases)

4. Pocket City 2

If city-building games are more to your liking, Pocket City 2 is definitely the iPad game for you. In this game, you are the mayor of a city, and you have to build out everything from residential and commercial zones, to landscaping, electricity supplies, banks and more.

You get a limited amount of starting cash, and you have to use it to build a self-sustaining city. As your city grows, you get more money (and you can even increase or decrease tax rates), which you can use to further improve your city.

You can buy surrounding land to get more area for your buildings, and you also have to face-off against many natural disasters that the game will throw your way. It’s a fun game with a decent amount of challenge, and if you just want to relax, you can play in the sandbox mode where you get unlimited money and can just build the city as per your liking without worrying about any disasters, cash crunch, etc.

Download Pocket City 2 from the App Store ($4.99)

5. Into the Breach

Into the Breach is a turn-based strategy game from Netflix that’s perfect for spending hours on end without getting bored. In this game you’re in charge of defending various sections of the map against the threat of Veks, which are weird alien threats attacking your world.

On your turn, you can reposition your troops, attack Veks, and ensure that they’re unable to damage your buildings. There are different types of attacks, including those that cause damage, and some that simply push the enemies to a different block. This can come in handy to derail the enemy’s attacks and even to cause enemies to attack each other if you plan your moves properly.

Since this is a Netflix game, you do need to log-in with your Netflix account once, which does require an internet connection. However, once you’ve logged in, you can play this game completely offline.

Download Into the Breach from the App Store (Free, Netflix subscription required)

6. Skies of Chaos

Another Netflix game that will get you through long flights and commutes, Skies of Chaos is an amazingly fun top-down shoot ‘em up game. You’re an ace pilot in the rebel army and you have to take to the skies to defend against waves of enemies.

As you play more levels, you will unlock different types of planes, guns, and even side-kicks to assist you in getting better and better at handling your enemies. Plus, you can upgrade your equipment for more firepower, better health, and more.

The game is set in a beautiful pixel-world, and you will be helped along the way by your helpful teammates. Overall, this is a really fun game to pass some time. However, just like Into the Breach, you will need to log-in once with your Netflix account. After that, however, you can play this game completely offline as well.

Download Skies of Chaos from the App Store (Free, Netflix subscription required)

7. GTA San Andreas

One of the most popular game franchises of all time, GTA is a game that you can play completely offline on your iPad, and if you’ve been missing the fun of San Andreas, you must check out this game.

I don’t think I really need to explain the plot or the point of this game, but in case you don’t know about it, you play the role of CJ. Newly returning home from prison, you have to complete missions across San Andreas to save your family, basically.

The story here is amazing, and it also comes with controller support, so you can pair your PS5 controller to your iPad and start playing easily. Or, you can use the touch screen controls as well. There’s a Netflix version of this game available as well, so if you have a Netflix subscription, you can download San Andreas for free and play.

Download GTA San Andreas from the App Store ($6.99) (Netflix version)

8. The Battle of Polytopia

The Battle of Polytopia is a turn-based strategy game similar to the incredibly popular Civilization series. In Polytopia, you start off with a single city, and you have to use your turns and your energy wisely to grow your city into an empire.

Along the way, you will find enemies and allies, and you have to strategically use your turns to ensure your victory, and even defend your city from attacks.

There’s a tech tree as well, where you can spend energy to unlock new technologies, units, and gain advantages over other civilizations. The game features a single player mode which can be played entirely offline, and it’s a lot of fun — pretty much guaranteed to have you wishing your flight was longer so you could continue playing just for some more time.

Download The Battle of Polytopia from the App Store (Free, with in-app purchases)

9. Retro Goal

Retro Goal is another fun offline iPad game for fans of soccer. It’s a mixture of a football manager and a football simulation game in one, and that makes for a really fun gameplay. You start off as a new manager for one of the lower-ranked clubs, and you have to manage the club to bring in better days.

This involves setting up the training regime for star players, upgrading the stadium and other facilities, and even answering press questions after matches. Plus, when your team is in a match, you can control your players and make them pass, shoot, and take free kicks completely in your control, which makes the game a lot more fun than just setting the formation and letting the game automatically give you the results.

It’s a fun game to spend hours on, especially because once you get the hang of things, you will find yourself rising the ranks of the managers and even get offers for bigger and better clubs over time.

Download Retro Goal from the App Store (Free, with in-app purchases)

10. Dungeon Abyss

If you love dungeon crawlers, Dungeon Abyss is the perfect offline game for your iPad. The game features procedurally generated dungeons, complete with various traps and enemies for you to grapple with.

You can move around the dungeon, interact with various objects and figure out solutions to different puzzles to clear each stage and proceed to the next floor. There are traps, hidden traps, and enemies, which you can either avoid, or try to defeat. Plus, you can interact with the environment as well, which means if you see an enemy over spilled oil, you can light the oil on fire to defeat them, among other things.

Overall, Dungeon Abyss is the kind of game that can keep you hooked for hours and will definitely be a good addition to your arsenal of offline games.

Download Dungeon Abyss from the App Store (Free)

11. The Silent Age

The Silent Age is one of the few games on this list that got me so hooked to figuring out the plot that I completely forgot that I had to write this article for a good 30 minutes. The SIlent Age is a point-and-click adventure game where you’re handed a time-machine by a time traveller from the future who ends up dying in your timeline.

Now, it’s up to you to figure out how to find him in the future, and save humanity from going extinct. The game features two episodes, with multiple chapters, and it will definitely have you engrossed in the story in no time. It starts off pretty easy, but soon you’ll find yourself jumping between timelines to try and solve various puzzles and get through doors, jump into alleys, and basically doing everything you can to save the human race.

Download The Silent Age from the App Store (Free, with in-app purchases)

12. Monument Valley 2

Last on the list, but definitely not the least fun, is Monument Valley 2. This sequel to the critically loved Monument Valley game brings even more magical and illusion-filled architecture to your iPad. You will find yourself figuring out puzzling levels filled with pathways that look impossible to navigate. However, you can rotate and move things around to uncover paths that were previously not visible (or obvious).

Apart from the simple yet charming graphics, the game also features a beautiful soundtrack that will engross you further in the world of Ro and her daughter.

This is a perfect offline game for people who love puzzles and isometric-designs in games. There’s a Netflix version available for the game as well, so if you’re a Netflix subscriber, you can download the game for free using the link below.

Download Monument Valley 2 from the App Store ($3.99) (Netflix version)

Well, those were the 12 best offline games for iPad that you should install and set-up before your next long flight. Hopefully you were able to find some games to your liking, and if there are any other games that you think should be on this list, do let us know in the comments.

The post Top 12 Offline iPad Games You Need to Experience appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

1. TMNT Shredder’s Revenge

If you’re a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this new Netflix game is definitely something you should try. Shredder’s Revenge comes with controller support on iPad, which means you can enjoy this action-packed game while sitting back on your couch.

You can choose to play as any one of the Ninja Turtles, and clear out levels filled with loads of enemies. Personally, I love playing as Raph, and I enjoy the quick-action that his weapons and fighting style bring to the table. However, you can also play as Donnie, Mikey, or Leo — each of whom bring advantages in either speed, armor, or range.

Take down enemies, and throw a wrench in the evil plans of Shredder and Krang. Overall, TMNT Shredder’s Revenge is an insanely fun controller game for iPad that you should definitely try. You can download the game for free, but do note that you will need a Netflix subscription to play it.

2. Dead Cells

Dead Cells is not a new game, but it is, by far, one of the most engrossing controller games for iPad that I have ever played. In this game, you play as “dead cells” quite literally, who control a headless body. You will find yourself thrown into action-packed levels full of enemies, bosses, and traps in this rougevania game.

If your character dies, you restart the game from the bottom and fight again. It’s an incredibly addictive game that’s a lot of fun to play with a controller, and thanks to the constantly changing castle that you fight through, each time you restart the game you will find something different to face.

You will collect souls as you defeat enemies, and use them to upgrade your weapons, life potions, and more stats — which are permanent upgrades. So, the next time you want to try out a game that will have you stuck to your iPad’s screen until the battery gives up, check out Dead Cells for sure.

3. Madden NFL

If you’re a football fan, Madden NFL is definitely a game you should try playing on your iPad. It features licensed teams from the NFL, so you can pick your favourite team and guide them through to victory against their opponents.

You can choose the plays you want to make, control the players as you rush towards the end zone, and pull off some amazing moves thanks to the controller support in the game.

Plus, you can collect player cards and build your own fantasy NFL team as well.

The game also features an improved playbook to give you full control over your team in online matches, which means you can finally live out your fantasy of coaching your very own NFL team and guide them to victory over any and every challenger out there. Plus, if you have ever wanted to be a part of the real NFL season, Madden comes with in-game events that will let you do just that.

4. Playdead’s INSIDE

If you’ve ever played Limbo, you will love Playdead’s INSIDE as well. It comes from the same developers, and it’s an amazingly fun game to play with a controller on your iPad. In INSIDE, you control a kid, and try to get past levels filled with obstacles that will make you scratch your head, all while avoiding flashlight toting guards who will try and capture you if you’re not hiding properly.

The game’s design and music are really well done, and if you enjoy playing games that aren’t just about action-packed levels, but require more well thought out decisions, then INSIDE is definitely something you should check out.

5. Sky: Children of the Light

Another puzzle-adventure game with controller support that you can try on your iPad, Sky: Children of the Light brings a beautiful, animated kingdom to your screen. You’re a child of the light, and you’ll find yourself navigating through various regions, solving puzzles to return stars to their constellations.

The game features a social aspect as well, and you will come across other players in the game, with whom you can join hands (literally) and go on adventures together. Sky brings a wonderful blend of beautiful graphics, friendship, and puzzle-solving, which makes for a remarkable experience on the iPad. If you enjoy games that will relax you, and where you don’t need to worry about combat, then Sky: Children of the Light is a game you should check out.

6. Asphalt Legends

If you’re looking for a racing game with controller support on iPad, try Asphalt Legends. It is the successor to the massively popular Asphalt 8, and it brings improved graphics and gameplay, and thanks to the new TouchDrive system, if you’re not too good at racing, you can still play the game easily. However, hardcore fans of racing games can turn off the TouchDrive system and play the game with full control of their cars as well.

Asphalt 9 features over 250 cars that you can unlock (or buy) as you progress through the game, and it supports multiplayer as well, which means you can race against real players from around the world. This is definitely one of the best racing games with controller support for iPad.

7. GTA San Andreas

Technically, all three GTA games available on the iPad come with controller support. However, personally, I really enjoy playing GTA San Andreas on the iPad. The graphics look amazing in the Definitive Edition of the game, and I have always been a fan of San Andreas’ plot and story.

Since this is an open world game, you get plenty of opportunities to not just follow along with the missions but also to explore the world of San Andreas and do all sorts of crazy weird stuff without any problems (except the cops will chase you down if you’re too much of a nuisance). Apart from that, playing San Andreas with a controller on the iPad is a lot of fun, and you will find yourself not wanting to put it down even after hours of running through the streets as CJ, “borrowing” cars from people, and just getting into all sorts of hijinks.

8. Real Racing 3

Real Racing 3 is another really fun racing game for fans of track racing. Whether you want to get started with a career in F1, or join the WRC, Real Racing 3 brings all these game modes straight to your iPad.

The game is fairly straightforward, and whether you’re a pro-racer or a beginner, you can enjoy racing here. For beginners there are assist features, which make racing very simple, and for pros, you can just turn off the assists and get full control over the car.

Real Racing 3 also features multiplayer, so you can race your favourite cars against your friends or with other racers around the world. Plus, the graphics here are really good, plus the game has sponsors such as Red Bull Racing, Audi, among others, and you get fully licensed cars to race with as well.

9. Katana ZERO

Another really fun controller game that you can play on your iPad is Katana ZERO. This is a Netflix game, which means you do need to have a Netflix subscription to play it, but it’s a really unique game to try.

As the name would suggest, your character in this game is armed with a Katana, and you have to clear out levels filled with enemies by slashing through them. Your character also gets special abilities which will allow you to run through lasers without dying, and even slow down time to move through seemingly impossible obstacles on your way.

After each level, you can watch a replay, and you also get to go home and rest in between levels. However, this too has its own story going, where you get recurring nightmares and you’re also trying to figure out what they mean, alongside carrying out your missions.

It’s a very fun game that you should definitely check out if you enjoy action packed games with an interesting story, and pixel graphics.

10. Bastion

Bastion, the widely loved RPG, is also available on iPad, and it comes with controller support which makes it a lot more fun. The game has you, as the protagonist, exploring over 40 handpainted environments. On your way, you will face off against a variety of enemies, pick up weapons and powerups, and more. Plus, you can upgrade your weapons to have a slightly easier time through the game.

Bastion also features a beautiful soundtrack, and it’s an amazing experience when played with headphones on. You get the beginning part of the game for free, and you can then unlock the rest of the game with an in-app purchase. If you’re a fan of RPGs, and you’re looking for an amazing RPG for your iPad, you should check out Bastion for sure.

Well, those were the 10 best controller games for iPad that you should play if you’re looking for something to pass the time without having to use touch screen controls in your games. If you know of any other games that you think deserve to be on this list, do let us know about them in the comments.

The post Top 10 Must-Play iPad Games Perfect for Controllers appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

What Devices Are Supported by Apple Image Playground?

The Image Playground app is only available in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2, which is currently in beta. Apple is likely to roll out the stable versions of iOS 18.2, iPadOS.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 in early December.

If you’ve already installed the betas, here are other Image Playground prerequisites:

• The Image Playground app is only available on Apple Intelligence-supported devices.
• You must change the language on your device to English (US), English (Australia), English (Canada), English (UK), English (New Zealand), or English (South Africa) to access Image Playground and Apple Intelligence features.

How Long Is the Image Playground Waitlist?

Apart from the Apple Intelligence features waitlist, you have to opt for a second waitlist to access Image Playground, Image Wand, and Genmoji. You can request access in the Settings app, the standalone Image Playground app, or through the emoji keyboard.

Apple says it is rolling out this feature set ‘over the coming weeks’, so you might have to wait for a week or two to use AI-powered image generation features. You’ll get a notification when these features are available to test. On my M2 iPad Pro, I had to wait for around 10 days to get the Image Playground app.

How to Use Image Playground App on iPhone and iPad

On devices running iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta, there’s a dedicated “Playground” app on the Home Screen or the desktop with a purple & black icon featuring a white bear/cat/dog creature in a 3D style. When you tap on it, you’ll be greeted with a splash screen that briefs you about the app.

It’s worth knowing that all the processing for the Image Playground app is done on-device. So, whatever you’re typing isn’t sent to the cloud or shared anywhere else. Since Image Playground is currently in beta, Apple mentions that it is collecting feedback right now.

The app interface is quite straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to get around. You’ll see Suggestions, a ‘Describe an image’ text box, Animation Styles, and more. We’ll explore every section one by one.

Apple Suggestions in Image Playground

If you don’t know where to start or need some inspiration for image creation, Apple offers several suggestions you can add to your image. Tap on the “Show More” option from the bottom right and you’ll see a boatload of themes like Fireworks, Adventure, Birthday, Disco, Halloween, Party, Sci-fi, and more.

When on tap on the ‘Next‘ icon, you’ll see ‘Costume‘ suggestions for Artist, Chef, Astronaut, Superhero, Robot, and more. Next up, there are ‘Accessories‘ to choose from like Beanie, Sunglasses, Bowtie, Flower Crown, Party Hat, Baseball Cap, and several others. Finally, Image Playground lets you choose from various Places, including City, Dessert, Forest, Stage, Space, Stadium, Volcano, and more.

Whenever you fall short of ideas, you can use these built-in Image Playground suggestions to create or fine-tune images.

Generate AI-Powered Images With Descriptions in Playground App

Image Playground lets you create fun images in seconds by simply providing a description of what you want. It’s worth knowing that Apple doesn’t want to generate images that can fool anyone so you can’t create photorealistic images. The app offers two styles- Animation and Illustration. Animation is a 3D-looking style that looks straight out of a Pixar movie. On the other hand, Illustration is a flatter, 2D image. Apple mentioned there would be three styles: animation, illustration, and sketch. The giant might add the Sketch style at a later date.

Here’s how to generate images with the Image Playground app in iOS 18:

• Open the Playground app. At the bottom, you’ll see a ‘Describe an image’ text box that lets you type in a word or phrase to generate images with the app.

• As you start typing, the Image Playground app starts working to create an image. You can type in anything like a ‘cat wearing a chef hat’ or ‘mouse riding a skateboard’.
• As soon as you hit the Send button, the app will create an image based on the description.
• You can also modify the image using the available Apple suggestions or additional word descriptions. To do this, tap anywhere on the screen and make the changes. As you make the modifications, Image Playground will refine the result to accommodate the changes.

• The app will show you four images for each description, and you can swipe through them to choose what you want. Also, you can remove the words to fine-tune the final image.
• You can tap on Style and choose from Animation or Illustration.

• Once you get the desired image, hit the Done button in the top-right corner. This will save the generated image to the Image Playground library so you can edit, delete, or share it later.

Since Image Playground is in beta right now, Apple is collecting feedback. You can use the thumbs-up and thumbs-down icons below the image to submit your feedback.

Create AI Images with Photos on iPhone

Image Playground also lets you create an AI image based on a photo. You can take a photo or choose one from your photo library and use it for your Image Playground creation. The app lets you choose any photo for the main subject or background of the image. Here’s what you need to do:

• Open the Image Playground app. If you’ve created images previously, tap on the “+” icon from the bottom.
• Now, tap on the Photos icon from the bottom right.

• If you wish to use an existing photo from your Photos app, tap on Choose Photo. To take a new photo, tap on Take Photo.

• Within a few seconds, you’ll see four AI-generated images based on your selected photo.
• Swipe to choose the one you like the most. You can further customize the image with descriptions or built-in suggestions.
• You can tap on Style to choose Animation or Illustration.
• Once finished, tap on Done.

Create an Avatar of a Person using Image Playground

What makes Image Playground more interesting is that you can select a face from your Photos app and whip an AI-generated out of it. This will let you create AI avatars of your friends and family. With this, you can turn your mom into a queen or bestie into a superhero. It’s worth knowing that you can only choose a photo from the People album in the Photos app or select an appearance from the built-in concepts.

Bear in mind, you can only do headshots when creating images of people. Apple doesn’t allow you to do strange or weird things with the bodies, at least not for now. That said, it’s super cool and fun putting yourself or other people into custom outfits and places.

Here’s how to create personalized images of a person:

• In the Image Playground app, tap on the Person icon.

• This will show you a list of people from your photo library, with their names (if you’ve entered them).
• Select the person you would like to create an AI image of. You can only select one person. The Playground app doesn’t support group shots as of now.
• You can also choose an appearance from built-in options.

• When you select a new person for the first time, the app will ask you to choose a starting point. It will show you different renderings based on the different photos of the person in your photo library.
• Swipe to choose the one you like and tap on Done in the top-right corner. 
• Once you’ve selected the person, you can customize your image with suggested themes, costumes, places, or accessories. Also, you can use the “Describe an image” box to type in anything you wish to add or change.

You can also create an image first and then add the person at the end. It will swap the main subject with the person you’ve chosen.

Image Playground in Messages

Apple has baked the Image Playground experience in the Messages app, so you can create and share fun images right for your friends. Let’s see how you can do it:

• Launch the Messages app and head to an existing conversation or create a new one.
• Tap on the “+” icon from the bottom and choose Image Playground from the list of options.

• The Messages app will open a mini Image Playground app that works like the full version.
• Use the built-in suggestions or type in a description and follow the same steps to generate the desired image.

• Once completed, tap on Done and then hit the Send button.

With Image Playground in Messages, you can quickly create cool images and share them with your friends, without switching between the apps. Even better, Apple suggests personalized concepts based on your conversation. For instance, if you and your friends are planning a beach vacation in a group. you’ll see concepts related to your friends, destination, activity, and more. This makes image creation faster and more relevant.

Image Playground in Notes App

Just like Messages, Image Playground is built right into several other first-party apps like Notes, Keynote, Pages, and Freeform. In the Notes app, you can access Image Playground via a new Image Wand option in the Apple Pencil tool palette. This helps you make your notes more engaging and visually impressive by turning rough sketches into beautiful images. Also, you can simply draw a circle on an empty area, and Image Wand will use the surrounding context to generate a complementing picture.

For complete details, here’s our guide on how to use Image Wand.

Share and Use Image Playground Creations in Other Apps

You can easily share your Image Playground creations with others. Here are some ways to do it:

• To share an image you just created, simply tap on the Share icon from the top of the screen. You can then AirDrop the image, send it via message or mail, save it to the Photos app, and do much more. If you’ve installed social media apps like Instagram or WhatsApp, Share Sheet will show you an option to directly upload the image to your social media app.

• To share a previously created image, open the Image Playground Library (the first screen that shows up when you open the app), tap on the image, and then hit the Share icon.

Image Playground Doesn’t Work With Inappropriate Text or Copyrighted Images

Apple has learned from the mistakes of other tech companies that have introduced image-generation tools in the past. Therefore, there are certain built-in restrictions to ensure that Image Playground doesn’t generate inappropriate images. You can’t generate images based on alcohol, drugs, blood, murder, death, and other controversial words. Also, images based on politics or country-specific flags are forbidden in the Image Playground app. To prevent the creation of potentially infringing images, Apple also prohibits generating images of copyrighted characters, such as Spider-Man or Mickey Mouse.

When a word or phrase isn’t allowed, the Image Playground app will display the “Unable to use that description” message on the top. You’ll also see an Undo button to remove it.

Currently, Image Playground is in beta testing, and Apple mentions the app can create unexpected results. After a hands-on experience, I feel the app is pretty fast and does a good job of creating images with a single object, like a rabbit wearing a tutu. However, if you wish to create an image with multiple objects like a cat and a dog, Image Playground doesn’t work accurately. At the moment, the app struggles to work with multiple subjects in one frame. In addition, the app sometimes creates weird and unexpected results for certain descriptions.

Of course, I hope Apple will fix these glitches and inaccuracies in the stable version.

The post Ultimate Guide to Utilizing the Image Playground App on Your iPhone and iPad appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

Use Image Wand on iPad Notes App with a Rough Sketch

You can use the Image Wand to create realistic sketches from your rough ideas within the notes app. Here’s how to do it:

• Create a rough sketch of your idea with the Apple Pencil in the Notes app.

• In the Apple Pencil tools, select the new “Image Wand” tool (highlighted below)

• Circle your sketch and write a basic description of your sketch.

• You will see a number of sketches based on your idea. Choose one you like and tap on “Done”.

Pro-tip:
You can add more descriptions to further fine-tune the output image.

Use Image Wand without a Rough Sketch

If you are really bad at sketching, like I am, you can even use the Image Wand without a rough sketch to start with.

• Simply select the Image Wand tool and circle an empty area in your note.

• Then, write a description of the image you want to generate.

• Choose the sketch that best suits your preference and tap on “Done” to insert it into your note.

Note:
You can even use Image Wand without an Apple Pencil by just drawing with your finger and using the Image Wand tool to generate a realistic sketch from it

Edit Images Generated with Image Wand

Images that you add by using the Image Wand feature can also be edited later on. That means, if you think you want to further edit the image that you generated earlier, you can do so and get a new image instead. Here’s how to do that.

• Tap on the image you had added with Image Wand in your Notes app, and tap on the “Apple Intelligence” icon in the toolbar.

• You can now add more details to the description or remove details from the description to change the image.

• Choose a new generated image, and tap on “Done” to add it to your note.

Use Image Wand on iPhone

If you don’t have an iPad, but you use the Notes app on your iPhone with iOS 18.2 installed, here is how you can use Image Wand on your iPhone.

• Open the Notes app and draw a sketch with your finger. Then, select the Image Wand tool and circle your sketch.

• Add a description of your image. From the generated images, choose the option that best meets your needs and tap on “Done” to add it to your note.

That’s pretty much it. You can use the new Image Wand feature as long as you have iPadOS 18.2 Developer Beta installed on your iPad. If you’re wondering whether your iPad supports the feature, we have a dedicated list of devices that support Apple Intelligence that you can check out. Also, if you have any questions, do let us know in the comments below.

The post Mastering Image Wand on iPad: A Comprehensive Guide for iPadOS 18 Users appeared first on Jugo Mobile.

1. A Binned Version of A17 Pro

The new iPad Mini 7 might feature an A17 Pro chipset that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro models last year, but the iPad has a binned version of that chip. In the iPhone 15 Pro models, the A17 Pro chip has a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU, paired with 8GB of RAM. While the chip in the iPad Mini also has 8GB of RAM for AI capabilities, iPad Mini 7 Tech Specs suggests that it features a binned version of the chip with fewer cores. Specifically speaking, the A17 Pro chip in the iPad mini 7 has a 5-core GPU, compared to the 6-core GPU in the iPhone 15 Pro models. That means you can’t expect an iPhone 15 Pro-like graphics performance on the iPad Mini 7. Even benchmarks have revealed that the iPad Mini 7 is slower than the iPhone 15 Pro.

Well, this isn’t a surprise as Apple has used binned versions of its chipset in some devices before. For reference, Chip Binning is a quality control process used in the manufacturing of computer chips to maximize supply chain yield and reduce waste. Rather than scrapping chips with one defective GPU core, Apple has likely disabled that core to salvage those chips for the iPad Mini 7.

Despite having a binned version, everyday tasks on the iPad Mini 7 shouldn’t be affected. However, it would have been much better if Apple introduced the iPad Mini 7 with A18 or A18 Pro chipset for better future-proofing. After all, Apple doesn’t refresh its ultraportable lineup every year. The new Mini 7 was introduced just over three years after the iPad Mini 6 launch in September 2021.

3. An Outdated 60Hz Display

Before the launch, there were several rumors that the new iPad Mini 7 would arrive with some impressive display improvements. We expected to see an upgraded ProMotion display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t got past its 60Hz refresh rate obsession. The new iPad Mini 7 with Apple Intelligence support still has an outdated 60Hz display. The new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPad Air M2 (2024) are also stuck with the same 60Hz screens, so we might not see it as a dealbreaker on the affordable Mini. However, it could be a damn big deal if Apple hasn’t fixed the jelly scrolling issue. There were strong rumors and speculations that Apple would definitely make some changes to the iPad mini’s display to fix the infamous “jelly scrolling” issue, once and for all.

For reference, Jelly Scrolling is a display phenomenon that gives you the illusion that one side of the display responds faster than the other. This gives a noticeable lag when scrolling in the Portrait orientation. At that time, Apple said it was normal for an LCD screen to exhibit such behavior, but they were serious about minimizing the effect. However, Apple didn’t explicitly mention if the issue has been fixed in the new Mini. If not, it would raise concerns over the display quality. We’ll test the iPad Mini 7 to figure out if Apple has fixed the jelly-scrolling issue or not.

3. No Phone Calls

Despite being packed with a powerful A17 Pro chipset, 5G connectivity, iMessage, FaceTime, and other communication tools, the iPad Mini 7 still can’t make calls natively. We all know that an iPad, even if it’s a cellular model can’t directly access cellular voice or messaging features. A cellular iPad model can only access IP data service. If you wish to make or receive calls on your iPad, you have to set up your iPhone to allow calls on your other devices. Sitting at 8.3 inches, an iPad Mini 7 is pretty big to hold up to your ear, but it would be ideal for phone calls when paired with AirPods or another compatible headset.

No native phone calls feel a major missing, especially when the market is full of tablets that can make calls over LTE. Priced at $649, the Wi-Fi + 5G model of the iPad Mini 7 is still more affordable than the base model of the iPhone 16, which starts at $799. If Apple enabled phone call functionality, the iPad Mini 7 would be a capable Apple Intelligence device that could even replace your iPhones. Imagine a portable and affordable device that can handle everything from phone calls to AI features. This could have been a game changer for students, travelers, and users with a similar preference.

Is it worth buying an iPad Mini 7?

Besides these limitations, the new iPad Mini makes a solid option to experience Apple Intelligence. It would be nice if Apple wiped off the above issues, but it might also make the Mini 7 an expensive affair. It’s clear that Apple hasn’t offered anything premium, but it’s nice to see double storage and AI capabilities, without any price hikes. When paired with little quality-of-life improvements like Wi-Fi 6E support and Apple Pencil Pro support, the Mini 7 would please fans of the most portable Apple tablet.

The lack of the above features holds the iPad Mini 7 back from becoming the perfect device, but it still bags the title of the most affordable device with Apple Intelligence. When Apple releases its AI suite of features, you should be able to use everything, from Writing Tools to all-new powerful Siri.

It’s with knowing that Apple is likely is launch its next-generation affordable iPhone lineup, the iPhone SE 4 in early 2025. The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is anticipated to arrive with an A18 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and Apple Intelligence support. Interestingly, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to launch with a similar $429 price tag, though there may be a 10 percent price increase. Even if Apple increases the price by this margin, the iPhone SE 4 would not exceed the $500 mark, which would make it the cheapest way to enter the Apple Intelligence ecosystem.

Therefore, the iPad Mini 7 will be the cheapest way alongside the iPhone SE 4 once it launches early next year.

What are your thoughts on the iPad Mini 7? Are you planning to buy the new Mini? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

The post iPad Mini 7: Cost-Effective Apple Device with Minor Drawbacks appeared first on Jugo Mobile.