At Home with Tech

It’s not as complicated as it looks. Tech tips for your life.

Category: apple

September 7, 2025

How to Hear Important Texts on a Muted iPhone with Emergency Bypass

If your iPhone is running silent, you might miss an urgent text when it comes in. Turning on Emergency Bypass in your iPhone’s Settings is the fix, but it can also lead to other problems if you’re not careful. Here’s what happened to me and what I learned.

I’m embarrassed to report that my iPhone almost interrupted a video shoot at work recently. My device inexplicably projected a singular text ping during the recording. I was standing in the back of our studio, but it was loud enough for the video producer ten feet in front of me to notice.

He shot over a slightly concerned glance. (Yes, of all people, I’m supposed to know better.) I rolled my eyes in apology. Fortunately, we were between takes, and nobody else noticed. (We both smiled.) 

No real damage was done (other than to my tech ego). But how could I make this 101-tech-mistake that any kid can easily avoid?

Yes, of course, my producer had previously reminded everyone in the studio to silence their phones before we started. But I took no action, because I believed my iPhone was already muted. In fact, I had already taken steps to permanently silence it. So, I proudly thought I was way ahead of this moment.

And yet, I wasn’t.

Do You Really Know How to Silence Your iPhone?
So, how did I find myself in the center of this tech embarrassment? How does anyone for that matter? It’s not like it’s hard to mute your phone. 

But isn’t there’s always someone in the room who can’t seemingly do that? 
(present company included) 

Well, this kind of mistake is often less about tech failure (I mean… human failure) and more about good intentions.

As I mentioned, I had already set up my iPhone to operate in a totally muted state. I took those steps long ago… I just couldn’t handle all the disruptive sounds my phone projected (however cute or lyrical).

But more recently, I made one other iPhone setting change. I selectively activated the ‘Emergency Bypass’ mode for our teenage son’s texts to me.

What is that exactly? 

Text Tone: Emergency Bypass

This setting disables audio restrictions regarding how your phone reacts to certain people in your Contacts app. If you don’t want to miss an incoming text from someone, Emergency Bypass helps to ensure you’ll hear it, even if your iPhone is muted.

Our son doesn’t text us all that much, and when he does reach out, I want him to get through. It’s usually important, requiring a timely ‘parental’ response. 

Here’s how to set up Text Tone: Emergency Bypass on your iPhone:

  • Open the Contacts app
  • Select your important person
  • Go to Text Tone
  • Turn Emergency Bypass to ‘On’

This hack is amazing. I did the same for my wife’s phone number (more on this later). Now, whenever I hear a text come in from my otherwise silenced iPhone, I know it’s either from my wife or our son.

I think you can see where this is going.

Ringtone and Alerts – Change with Buttons

Yes, the Text Tone: Emergency Bypass setting is a powerful setting to help you stay connected to those who matter most. But it can still expose you to an embarrassing moment if you need to entirely lock down your phone’s sounds and forget that you really haven’t.

So, I realized after my little ‘ping-gate’ episode that I needed to adjust one more iPhone setting to quiet my phone further, even when my son or wife reach out. 

Here’s the fix to the fix:

  • Go to Settings
  • Sounds and Haptics
  • Ringtone and Alerts
  • Change with Buttons- Tap to Green

Now, with this ‘Change with Buttons’ setting activated for ‘Ringtone and Alerts,’ you can easily toggle down (and then back up) the volume from your iPhone’s pings and rings with the side buttons.

The manual control enables you to temporarily shut off the sounds from your emergency bypass list.

Only then can you be sure your iPhone will really behave in the quietest of moments. (Just don’t forget to turn up the volume again after your mandatory session of silence!)

One Ping Short
Yes, despite my advanced solutioning for how my iPhone’s little speakers operate, I had still fallen one ping short. But I’ve learned from my mistake and made the appropriate patch in my iPhone’s Settings.

I later texted my wife about my little audio incident at work. (It was, in fact, her own text to me that had broken through.) She wrote back and asked helpfully if I knew how to silence the notifications on my phone. 

I blinked a couple times as I took in the layers of irony surrounding this last chapter of my story. 

And then I smiled.

Silence is Golden
My cautionary tale is just another reminder that you can’t always set it and forget it when it comes to your tech. And maybe when someone tells you to mute your phone… you simply do that.

Still, with your iPhone running completely silent 24/7, that emergency-bypass sound setting can be essential. I still highly recommend trying it out. 

You just need to remember how to control it. 

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August 24, 2025

Best Case Designs to Protect Your iPhone’s Camera Lenses

Am I the only one who worries about scratching my iPhone’s camera lenses? I thought I had found the perfect case with lens protection two years ago, but it didn’t hold up. Here’s the story of my new search, and how I finally found a better case.

Are you frustrated when you search to buy a product, and it doesn’t seem to exist? Welcome to my world. 

A couple years back I decided that I wanted to give extra protection to the three camera lenses on the back of my iPhone 15 Pro Max. The obvious solution was a case with a removable cover for the lenses.

Sure, I know the iPhone’s lenses are coated with a layer of synthetic sapphire. Yes, they’re supposed to be totally scratch resistant. Every Apple genius I’ve talked with has confirmed there’s no need to worry about the lenses. (Just don’t point a diamond-tipped drill bit at them.)

iPhone Cases Should Offer More Lens Protection
As a result of this collective consensus, just about every iPhone case leaves this part of the iPhone entirely unprotected (except for a raised rim).

But this doesn’t feel quite right to me. Other camera lenses (for ‘traditional’ cameras) are offered the protection from a lens cap.

I simply want a similar safeguard for my iPhone.

Case Closed?
First off, I shunned the option to buy those clear, pop-on caps for each iPhone lens. Sure, they may protect the lens, but I think these caps must degrade the resulting quality of the iPhone pictures.The good news is I eventually found an iPhone case with a little ‘door’ over the lenses that I could simply flip open. 

It’s the UBMag XT case made by SUPCASE, and it was exactly what I needed. That is… until the frame recently started to crack and separate. (To be fair, I got almost two years of protection from my SUPCASE. Maybe that’s all anyone should expect.)

So, I began my search for a replacement. I decided to look for a different brand that might offer a more durable case.

Sliding Towards Disappointment
After extensive Googling, here’s what I came up with:

  • Were there any more cases with flippy doors out there?
    No, none that I could find. 
  • What about cases with little plastic sliding doors to protect the lenses?
    Yes, there were a few cases like that on Amazon.

But unfortunately, all those cases with a sliding door received mediocre reviews. It felt like I’d find these cases at the bottom of a Cracker Jacks box. 

I was not inspired.

A New iPhone Case Category Emerges
No flippy-door cases. Cheaply made ‘sliding’-door cases. Now what?

My little research project had revealed that today’s iPhone case market has seemly matured into a mind-numbing number of inexpensive options from unknown brands that are impossible to properly assess. And I’m not even talking about my (unreasonable?) need to cover up my iPhone’s camera lenses.

So, with hundreds of iPhone cases to choose from, there wasn’t one for Barrett? 

Well, not entirely. Across my journey, I accidentally came upon a solution built for a different requirement.

iPhone Cases Designed to Mount External Lenses
I discovered an iPhone case market for add-on lenses that enhance an iPhone’s photographic chops. (You mount these ‘mini’ premium lenses on top of an iPhone’s native lens using a specialized iPhone case or a clip.) 

Now, you may think that’s a freaky concept. Why would anyone want to start bolting a Frankensteinian lens on top of their uber-svelte iPhone?

The answer is the massive 48-megapixel camera sensor that iPhones now use for the main 1X camera. That feature attracts certain photographers and filmmakers. With better glass, an iPhone can be upgraded beyond its original photographic parameters.

You can buy telephoto, anamorphic, fisheye and macro lenses to push your iPhone closer into DSLR/mirrorless camera territory without spending thousands of dollars more.

No, I wasn’t looking to do any of this. (Not exactly.) But when I realized a class of iPhone cases exists designed to house these add-on lenses, I decided to take a closer look. 

The structural design of these cases recesses the iPhone’s native lenses, creating the necessary clearance to attach an external lens.

More importantly, this lens-mount design also creates the solve for my lens protection obsession. Even though the iPhone’s lenses are still exposed, they’re perfectly cocooned within their circular openings.

Eureka!

Case Brands to Consider
I discovered these seven companies that manufacture iPhone lenses and their associated lens-mount cases:

  • Freewell
  • Moment
  • Neewer
  • PolarPro
  • Reeflex  
  • SANDMARC 
  • ShiftCam

None of the cases from these companies are designed with a flippy or sliding door for the base iPhone lenses. I finally had to let that dream go.

But this case category has its own advantages. Here are some important differentiators:

Lens Cap from Freewell
Freewell is the only brand to offer an actual pop-off lens cap for its iPhone case. (It’s magnetic.)

Lens Plate from PolorPro
The PolarPro LiteChaser case with a defender plate offers a slide in-and-out lens cover. (It does the same job as a lens cap.)

Protection Vs. Speed
These two options would satisfy my need to cover and protect my iPhone’s camera lenses. But even though I found what I was looking for, I still wasn’t satisfied. Why?

I realized that from a usability perspective, every time I wanted to use my iPhone camera, I would have to first remove the lens cap or defender plate and put it in my pocket. Only then could I turn my attention back towards taking the picture or video.

And that extra step takes a few seconds. Is it such a big deal? Yes, in fact, I think it is.

Often, when I take a photo, it’s very much in the moment… meaning the perfect image is right in front of me. A few seconds later is often too late. The moment is gone.

Spending any time fiddling with a removable lens cover would contribute to me missing that moment. (A flippy door or slide-aside solution is so much faster.)

Plus, there’s the added baggage of forever having to keep track of the little black cover and worrying about losing it.

All my enthusiasm drained away again. Even though I found what I was looking for, I realized it still wasn’t right for me.

So, now what?

Hello, SANDMARC
Yes, I had to compromise on my definition of ‘protection.’ 

Even without a lens cap or removable plate, these ‘pro’ cases still protect the native iPhone lenses with their lens-mount design. And that’s a big step in the right direction for me.

One company’s marketing tuned particularly well into my lens protection concerns. 

It’s SANDMARC. 

This brand from San Diego makes a variety of travel bags and iPhone gear and specifically promotes its iPhone Pro Case as “a case designed to protect your iPhone camera.”

SANDMARC’s website hooked me with this line: “Whether you’re a photographer or not, this is the case to get for the everyday.”

Huh.

The tank-like 17mm lens mount block is aluminum, and the case is designed for MagSafe wireless charging.
(Note – The leather version of this case is not MagSafe.)

Nice.

SANDMARC’s Pro Case costs $45, which is double the cost of most cases out there. That said, it does have a microfiber inner lining and metal buttons.

Plus, if it does the job, I’m fine with that price point.

And after many hours of research, I decided that I had finally reached my destination. Click.

My SANDMARC iPhone Pro Case was shortly on its way with free shipping.

Runner Ups
A few of the other brands did come close to reaching the finish line but ultimately fell short.

  • Moment
    This brand is perhaps the best known in this market. I just didn’t like the half-twist mount solution for the T-series mobile lenses as much. It didn’t seem quite as secure. (Yes, I can’t hide that I was already wanting a Frankenstein lens.)
  • Reeflex
    I originally decided that this was the case for me. But I had a question about shipping costs from Italy. Reeflex’s website promised amazing customer service (though only through email). I tried twice with my question but never heard anything back. This is certainly not a good way to begin a relationship with a company. So, I bailed.
  • ShiftCam
    I just couldn’t get beyond the fabric finish of their case. Maybe that’s cool, and yes, it’s great that it’s machine washable. But I’m not going to do that. 

Lens Protection Achieved!
All that mattered is I finally found the right case for Barrett. I’ve introduced my new SANDMARC iPhone Pro Case to my iPhone, and I’m satisfied with this new union. 

My iPhone’s camera lenses are doing just fine sitting recessed in the case. Mission accomplished.

End of story? Well, not quite.

A New Lens Comes Next
This SANDMARC case also offers my iPhone a new superpower if I simply screw in any of those nifty, little add-on lenses. I think you’ve already guessed where this is going.

Next time – Barrett goes microscopic!

My new case is already taking me on a new photographic journey…

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June 15, 2025

Here’s Why Attaching a Bumper to Protect your Apple Watch is a Smart Idea

This image of my shattered OtterBox integrated bumper and screen protector for my Apple Watch illustrates why you should consider using one. However, snapping this on comes with some risks. There is a downside.

A long, diagonal crack mysteriously appeared on my Apple Watch screen. No, there wasn’t an ‘incident’ or moment of impact that I could recall. Yes, it was shielded by its OtterBox integrated bumper and screen protector. 

I could feel that the crack went deep. But I didn’t know how far down it went and whether it reached the surface of my Apple Watch Series 9.

Yes, I was concerned.

Apple Store ER Visit
So, I visited my neighborhood Apple Store and booked an ‘instant’ appointment with an Apple Genius. (Do they call them that anymore?)

My Genius walked over to me like a doctor entering an examination room. He asked me to take off my OtterBox’s bumper. I quickly realized I couldn’t. It was stuck on. Really stuck (like an alien face-hugging Xenomorph). I asked if he could help. He had trouble too.

It took the Apple Genius a couple minutes, and he needed to use a special Genius ‘tool.’ But eventually, he pried the bumper off. The integrated screen cracked further along the way, but it eventually revealed my Apple Watch’s screen… in perfect condition.

Phew!

But a fair amount of ‘particulate matter’ had accumulated in all the nooks and crannies. My Apple Genius happily polished it up for me and then handed over my Apple Watch. 

Time for Another Bumper?
My naked Apple Watch rested in my palm, gleaming. So now what?

No, Apple doesn’t sell bumpers or screen protectors for Apple Watch.

However, my Apple Genius mentioned how much he liked the OtterBox brand and that I could probably buy a replacement bumper online.

I strapped on my Apple Watch as it was meant to be worn… without any third-party protection. But I must admit… I do occasionally hit my wrist against doors and walls. So, my experience may fall outside of Apple’s definition of ‘normal.’

I walked out of the Apple Store with my next mission: Buy a replacement bumper. 

In Search of a Better Bumper/Screen Protector
I jumped back online and searched OtterBox’s website. I didn’t want to buy the exact same OtterBox ‘Eclipse’ bumper/screen combo. Not because it only lasted for barely more than a year. I didn’t appreciate how difficult it was to remove.

OtterBox didn’t offer another choice. So, I expanded my search.

There aren’t many manufactures in this market, and even fewer from brands I recognized. The options on Amazon mostly fell in the sub $10 price point. Sometimes, you’d get two bumpers for ten bucks… even with the built-in screen protector.

How good could any of these really be? 

And I couldn’t find consensus with reviews… the few that I could find. It’s like this was a forgotten/abandoned product category.

Perhaps Apple is right… Apple Watch doesn’t need protection.

Still, I knew that mine did. 

OtterBox EXO EDGE
After my exhaustive search through uncertainly, I eventually ended up back where I started with the one brand I knew.

OtterBox also makes the EXO EDGE bumper without a screen protector. I figured the simple bumper by itself would be more structurally flexible without a rigid screen protector on its top.

So, I gave it a shot… Click.

And in fact, the EXO EDGE bumper does have a bit more give and take. It popped easily onto my Apple Watch. More importantly, I expect it will be simpler to remove when the time comes.

And here’s my Apple Watch with its new EXO EDGE bumper
(and Nomad leather band).

No More Screen Protection?
Case closed, right?

Well, what about the screen? It’s now exposed to any number of dangers with no net. 

Yes, I’d prefer to also have a screen protector on my Apple Watch, but I don’t want to use an integrated solution that can cause damage when removed.

My EXO EDGE bumper should offer sufficient protection from most scenarios. But no, it won’t protect against a sharp object at 90 degrees moving directly towards the screen.

You Can’t Protect Against Every Situation
I could seal my Apple Watch in bubble wrap and duct tape. Or perhaps I should just keep my Apple Watch in my pocket all the time. But, of course, that’s all absurd.

I’ve taken reasonable precaution to protect my Apple Watch’s body and screen with a simple OtterBox bumper. We’ll see how far this sensible approach takes me this time.

This topic falls under a larger question I sometimes have regarding the practicality of manufacturing expensive, shiny surfaces that require constant protection. (Wouldn’t it be great to drive a car with a tough, rubberized exterior?)

Alas, I know you’ve just got to travel your life’s path without worrying about every possible stumble.

But it’s okay to be smart and apply certain protections.

And just try not to trip.

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