TL;DR
A set of practical steps for Apple users to form better device habits this year, from sleep tracking with an Apple Watch to pruning subscriptions and tightening privacy settings. The guide covers organization, backups, and notification management to help these changes stick.
What happened
A columnist laid out practical, low-effort ways Apple device owners can set up habits that last beyond early January’s typical resolution drop-off. Recommendations include using an Apple Watch for overnight sleep tracking while charging it during a morning routine, or opting for a smart ring or simple fitness band if less frequent charging is preferred. The piece advises removing or toning down distracting apps and notifications to protect mental well-being, and going paperless where possible. On Macs, the article suggests spending an hour building a clear folder structure — examples given include Finance, Legal, Household, Health and Temporary — and mirrors that approach in apps such as Notes, Mail and Calendar (using nested folders, rules, and multiple calendars). Readers are also urged to audit backups (aiming for multiple copies, with at least one off-site), review subscriptions via iPhone settings, and check app permissions and Location Services to safeguard privacy.
Why it matters
- Small setup tasks can make healthy device habits automatic, reducing friction for long-term behavior change.
- Organized files and mail rules save time and lower the chance of losing important documents.
- Multiple backups and an off-site copy reduce the risk of catastrophic data loss.
- Pruning subscriptions and notifications can trim recurring costs and decrease digital distractions.
- Reviewing app permissions and location settings helps limit unnecessary data sharing and privacy exposure.
Key facts
- Sleep tracking: wear an Apple Watch overnight and charge it during your morning routine so it’s ready for the day.
- If you prefer less frequent charging, a smart ring or a basic fitness band may be a better option.
- To get and stay organized, create a folder structure on your Mac; suggested top-level folders include Finance, Legal, Household, Health and Temporary.
- Notes supports nested folders; Mail supports folders and rules to auto-sort incoming messages; Calendar supports multiple calendars for color-coded scheduling.
- Backups: the article endorses having multiple copies of important data, with at least one copy kept off-site; the author uses local Time Machine plus Dropbox for off-site syncing.
- Dropbox is favored by the author for faster sync and an add-on feature for 30-day recovery of deleted files.
- Check app subscriptions on iPhone at Settings > Your name > Subscriptions, including Apple services, third-party apps and AppleCare.
- A study cited shows the average American spends nearly $1,000 a year on streaming-video apps (used to illustrate subscription creep).
- Privacy advice: review app permissions under Settings > Privacy & Security on iPhone and Mac, and prefer 'While Using' or 'Never' for Location Services when appropriate.
- Unsubscribing from marketing emails and tightening social-media default privacy settings are recommended to reduce unwanted exposure.
What to watch next
- Whether new habits — such as wearing a watch to bed and charging it during morning routines — become automatic after about a week as suggested in the article.
- How much recurring spending you uncover when you review subscriptions (the piece notes the average American spends nearly $1,000 a year on streaming-video apps).
- not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Time Machine: Apple’s built-in macOS backup system that creates incremental backups of your files and lets you restore earlier versions.
- Apple Watch: A wearable device from Apple that tracks health and activity metrics, can run apps, and can be used for features like sleep monitoring.
- Dropbox: A cloud storage and sync service that stores files off-site and can provide versioning or recovery options depending on plan features.
- App permissions: Settings that control what data and device capabilities an app can access, such as location, camera, contacts or microphone.
- Location Services: A device feature that allows apps to access GPS or other location information; settings typically include options like While Using or Never.
Reader FAQ
How can I track sleep with an Apple Watch?
Wear the Apple Watch overnight and recharge it during your morning routine so it’s ready for daytime use; this lets the watch cover both sleep and all-day tracking.
What backup approach does the article recommend?
It recommends multiple copies of important data, ideally at least three copies with one stored off-site; the author uses Time Machine locally plus Dropbox for off-site syncing.
How do I check my iPhone subscriptions?
Open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions to review Apple services, third-party app subscriptions and AppleCare.
What privacy steps should I take on my Apple devices?
Review app permissions under Settings > Privacy & Security, limit Location Services to While Using or Never where appropriate, unsubscribe from unwanted marketing emails, and tighten social media default privacy settings.
Apple Card shake-up may finally happen this year: Here’s the latest Michael Burkhardt Jan 3 2026 Give you and your Apple devices a happy new year with these simple steps…
Sources
- Give you and your Apple devices a happy new year with these simple steps
- Unlock the secret to achieving your New Year's …
- 5 Healthy Tech Habits for the New Year
- Viral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt …
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