How to fix an iCloud sign in unknown error occurred problem

Ok, so if you follow me you'll probably know I change my mind and processes a lot and when trying to go back to iOS 18.5 I had an issue signing into my iPhone. When signing into my account I was getting "unknown error occurred" with my AppleID - which worked on my Mac fine. I checked in with Apple support and it seems there is an issue with sign in when connected to your home WiFi - it's a known issue. To fix…

http://ljpuk.net/2025/08/02/how-to-fix-an-icloud-sign-in-unknown-error-occurred-problem/

Yeah.. I didnt last long on iOS 25 and iPadOS 25. Moving back to iOS 18.6 and I'll stop this cycle of going back and forth (thanks ADHD). I'm done with moving to an OS that I just don't like, I need to remember that I don't like it. Let's see how long I last this time.

At this point it seems almost impossible to find an iPad YouTube video not sponsored by paperlike lol.

How am I supposed to be able to read yellow text on a grey background #ios26

Great looking lock screen though. That’s about all I like about iOS 26 at this point.

I’m a couple of hours in and already thinking about going back to iOS 18! Apple Notes feels slower to navigate with unnecessary animations and glitches. I know it’s a beta but the liquid glassness of it all feels a step backwards.

Guessing there’s no way to make these icons look better as in remove the white edges?

Don’t hand write notes into the Journal app on iPadOS 26 just yet

I’m testing the latest beta across my devices now, I’m not a huge fan of Liquid Glass but it’ll need to go on my devices eventually so I may as well start to use and report bugs. I was excited to try Journal on the iPad but it’s not great yet unfortunately. If like me you hand write notes using Apple Pencil then it’s not fit for purpose just yet.

http://ljpuk.net/2025/08/02/dont-hand-write-notes-into-the-journal-app-on-ipados-26-just-yet/

Should you leave a VPN on all of the time?

I’ve been a Nord VPN user for a couple of years and tend to leave it on all of the time. I find that it doesn’t affect the battery life in a noticeable way and using quick connect its performance is great too. I’ll use their widget to disconnect if I run into performance issues but rarely use it. Even off home WiFi I’ll keep it on.

http://ljpuk.net/2025/08/01/should-you-leave-a-vpn-on-all-of-the-time/

Impulsivity in ADHD is a struggle but when I’m down a rabbit hole and almost buying the same product for the 4th time I always read my reviews and thoughts I had on it before. This stops me 90% of the time. Example https://ljpuk.net/2023/10/05/g-shock-gbd-200-long-term-review/

Anyone else using Fantastical widgets with your phone in dark mode? They flash white for a split second when locking or unlocking my phone and it stops me using the app.

https://glass.photo/ljpuk/5oPtU1G9uTQFbct451nz9A #photography

https://glass.photo/ljpuk/VsmZG8sFbs7g8FcQxa5mB #photography

Why I use the iPad Mini

I’ve been using an iPad again for about a month since deciding to ditch pen and paper in favour of something that works better for the way I work. The iPad in question is the Mini, my favourite iPad. The reason it’s my favourite iPad mainly comes down to two things. First off the size and portability and secondly it’s not my main computer.

http://ljpuk.net/2025/07/30/why-i-use-the-ipad-mini/

How to make iOS 26 easier to read

I’ve been testing iOS and iPadOS 26 and I still go back to iOS 18, for one main reason - accessibility. For me iOS and iPadOS 26 isn’t in a usable state for someone that needs any display accommodations such as display zoom mode. The main offender is the way liquid glass handles colour underneath text and transparency. I also don’t like the way menus go over your content rather than just leaving it at the bottom of the screen not…

http://ljpuk.net/2025/07/30/how-to-make-ios-26-easier-to-read/

Swatch MoonSwatch long term review

I just realised that I’ve owned my Mission to the Moon MoonSwatch for 8 months and thought it was about time I shared how I felt after wearing it longer term. I’m wearing my Omega Speedmaster a little less currently as I have bills to pay and I’m thinking about selling it to pay it all off in one go, so that means the MoonSwatch gets a lot of wear.

http://ljpuk.net/2025/07/29/swatch-moonswatch-long-term-review/

Spending tracking apps

I’m at a point where my financial situation has changed drastically, I’m struggling to track what I’m spending and adjusting to a new budget. This is where my technology must be able to help me right? I started on pen and paper but when I spend it’s away from a notebook and I don’t get receipts. My technique has been to create a master sheet using the Apple Numbers app but on this small iPhone screen (foldable would come in handy for this use).

http://ljpuk.net/2025/07/27/spending-tracking-apps/

https://glass.photo/ljpuk/6k2zqtdnjT8gsKzPLf5xqL #aviation #photography

The Fantastic Four First Steps, out of the cinema thoughts

I’ve been to see the new Fantastic Four today and won’t talk or spoil anything here in this post but I enjoyed it. I’m a massive fan of the comic book, my favourite in fact. Spidey is a close second by the way. It was fun, felt in line with the era and feel of the comic book and introduced one of my favourite baddies in the Marvel Universe. Great score too.

http://ljpuk.net/2025/07/26/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-out-of-the-cinema-thoughts/

https://glass.photo/ljpuk/KwsvOkvbY1eSxzJ0jPIBz #photography #aviation