The Latest From Kevin The Tech Guy for Sept 6 2025

Lock down your iPhone apps, switch photos to JPEG, clear space with Clever Cleaner, browsers that protect against scam links, change your Gmail password, and a surprising landline comeback.

Sep 06, 2025

Hi everyone,

This week’s lineup is packed with iPhone tips you’ll actually use. iOS 18 now lets you lock or unlock apps with Face ID, so you stay in control what someone sees when they borrows your phone. I’ll also show you how to switch your photos from Apple’s HEIC format to the more compatible JPEG, and share the cleanup app I swear by for freeing up space on my iPhone.

On top of that, I’ve got a quick browser safety test that might make you rethink which app you use to go online, plus a few honorable mentions you don’t want to miss. And in case you missed it, Google is urging Gmail users to change their passwords after a huge breach.

Stick around to the end for something a little lighter. A story about a Maine family who brought back the old landline for their kids, and why it’s catching on.

Oh, and per the image, meet my 9 1/2 year old cat Nala. She decided to distract me for a minute while I was recording this week. :)

—Kevin

What’s On Tap

🔒 Lock any iPhone app with Face ID – iOS 18 finally lets you secure the apps you choose, not just the ones developers allow.
📸 Switch from HEIC to JPEG – make your photos more share-friendly without dealing with weird formats on your computer.
🧹 Clever Cleaner pick – the easiest way I’ve found to clear space and organize cluttered iPhones (and it’s free).
🌐 Browser safety check – some browsers shut down scam links instantly, others don’t. Here’s which ones to trust.
🛠 Honorable mentions – Proton Authenticator, changing default apps, and keeping an eye on your app subscriptions.
📧 ICYMI – Google is telling 2.5 billion Gmail users to update their passwords after a massive breach.
☎️ Something fun – meet the Maine family bringing back landlines for their kids, and why other families are joining in.

Quick Tip: Use Face ID to Lock or Unlock Any iPhone App

The Short Version: iOS 18 finally lets you lock any iPhone app with Face ID, not just the ones developers choose. Here’s how to set it up and keep your apps private when you share your phone.

Know More: Ever hand your iPhone to someone and feel uneasy about what they might open? With iOS 18, you can lock any app with Face ID, so only YOU can open those specific apps. Now that app won’t open without your face to confirm it’s you. It’s a quick way to keep your private apps secure, whether you’re lending your phone to family, friends, or coworkers.

Quick Tip: How To Switch From HEIC Images To JPEG on Your iPhone

The Short Version: iPhones save photos in HEIC to save space and enable features like Live Photos. If you’d rather use the more compatible JPEG format, here’s how to change it.

Know More: In this Quick Tip, I'll show you how to change your iPhone's default image format (HEIC) when saving photos to the more widely compatible JPEG image format. Modern iPhones have plenty of space, and HEIC images can be a pain when they end up on your computer where it's not clear what to do in terms of sharing with people who don't use Apple devices.

You can change the image format to use JPEG/PNG automatically instead.

Kevin's Picks: Why Clever Cleaner is the Best iPhone Cleanup App I Have Ever Used

The Short Version: Free up space on your iPhone with Clever Cleaner. This app organizes and easily clears duplicates, screenshots, and large files. Early adopters get every feature unlocked at no cost.

Know More: Managing storage on an iPhone is often a challenge. Photos, videos, and screenshots build up quickly, leaving less and less space available. Rich DeMuro of RichOnTech.tv suggested an app called Clever Cleaner, and it is the most effective app I have ever used for organizing and clearing out unnecessary files.

What makes it different is not just the range of features, but also the fact that it is completely free right now with every option unlocked for early adopters, and apparently it will stay that way.

Quick Tip: The Browser That Protects You The Best From Scam Links

The Short Version: A quick test showed big differences in how browsers handle scam links. Some blocked them instantly, while others let them load.

Know More: If you’re on an iPhone and using Safari by default, you might not be as safe as you think. Switching your default browser to Chrome or DuckDuckGo can give you stronger protection against phishing scams, fake shopping sites, and those scary “your device is infected” pop-ups.

ICYMI:

Google warns Gmail users to change passwords after data breach

Google is warning about 2.5 billion Gmail users to change their passwords or install a passkey following a data breach that has led to a surge in “phishing” email attacks.

Something Fun

Maine mom creates landline pod for her children

A family in Maine is fending off the lure of smartphones by installing an old-fashioned landline for their kids to talk to friends. Now other families are joining in as South Portland’s landline pod is growing.

Closing Thoughts

That wraps things up for this week. iOS 18 now lock apps with Face ID from potential prying eyes.

If photos are more your concern, switching from HEIC to JPEG makes sharing much simpler and takes up much less space on your iPhone, especially when you are sending them to people who do not use Apple devices.

For storage problems, Clever Cleaner is the best app I have found to organize and free up space without much effort, so check that out.

On the security side, choosing the right browser really does matter. Some block scam links immediately, while others let them slip through.

If you are a Gmail user, now is the time to update your password and add a passkey to stay ahead of phishing attempts, or at the very least some kind of 2FA.

To end things on a lighter note, that story about the Maine family who brought back a landline for their kids shows that sometimes simple ideas still work best. Part of me really misses having a landline without the distractions.

I will be back with more useful tips and finds next week.

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— Kevin

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