June 2025

There were 1,837 posts published in June 2025 (this is page 146 of 184).

How to Set Up and Start Using Your New Nintendo Switch 2

So, you’ve braved the pre-order sites, or maybe you’ve just gotten lucky while waiting in line—either way, you’ve got yourself a Nintendo Switch 2. Congratulations! But before you start gaming, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind while setting up your console. Nintendo is known for being user friendly, but also a bit particular. Case in point: You can only do a full transfer of your Switch 1 data to your Switch 2 during setup, and if you miss this opportunity, you’ll have to reset your device to try again, or manually copy over your games and save data piece-by-piece later on.

Luckily, I’ve got your back. Read on for a quick guide on how to set up your Nintendo Switch 2, and the three other features you should set up before you start playing.

How to start setting up a Nintendo Switch 2

For the most part, setting up a new Switch 2 out of the box is straightforward, but you’ll still want to pay close attention to each step before moving on, especially when it comes to transferring console data.

First, remove your Switch 2 and your joy-con controllers from their packaging. Then, plug your joy-cons into their respective slots (they’ll attach magnetically, so it’s much simpler than on the first Switch). If you don’t know which joy-con goes where, the one with red highlights goes to the right of the screen, and the one with blue highlights goes to the left.

Next, plug your Switch into power using the included charging brick and cable, and power it on. On the screens that follow, select your language and region, then read and accept the end-user license agreement.


Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

You’ll see a screen to connect to the internet and download the console’s day-one system update. This technically isn’t mandatory, and skipping it (with the X button on the right joy-con) will instead take you to time zone settings. However, most features will be locked down, including backward compatibility, until you download it, so I recommend doing it during setup if possible. If you do skip this step, you can access the update later under Settings > System > System Update.

Once you’re connected to the internet and you’ve started downloading the update, you’ll be able to continue setup while it downloads. Now, you’ll pick your time zone and click through a couple of tutorial pages. These will instruct you about portable and TV play, tell you how to use the kickstand and extra USB-C port, and walk you through detaching your joy-con from the console (press in the button on the back of the joy-con, underneath the trigger, and pull). You can also click through an optional tutorial on connecting your Switch 2 to a TV, if you like, after which you’ll get quick guides on using the included joy-con grip accessory and the joy-con wrist straps.

If your console hasn’t finished updating, it’ll finish that now, and then take you to your first big decision: do you want to transfer your Switch 1 data to your Switch 2?

Transferring Switch 1 data to the Switch 2

During Switch 2 setup, Nintendo will allow you to transfer your Switch 1 data to your Switch 2, but there are a few caveats.

You’ll know you’re ready for this once your system update is downloaded and you’re on a screen that says “To Nintendo Switch Console Owners,” above a graphic of someone holding a Switch 1 and Switch 2. 

Next to the graphic, you’ll see two buttons: Begin System Transfer, Don’t Transfer Data, plus a third button below that explains the process to you, but leaves out a few key details.

Before you make your decision, the most important thing to remember is this: There are actually two ways to transfer data from the Switch 1 to the Switch 2, and despite what you might have read elsewhere, locally transferring your Switch 1 data to the Switch 2 during setup will not factory reset your original Switch. Unless you’ve taken extra steps beforehand, this is the option Nintendo’s setup process will recommend to you, so most users don’t need to be scared about accidentally erasing their original consoles.


Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

If you stick with a local transfer, it will simply copy over your data to your Switch 2, so that it exists on both systems. There are a few specific cases where some data will get removed from your original device as it makes its way over to your new one, but for the most part, you’ll be able to keep using your original device as usual after the transfer, and there are ways to get that data back later on (I’ll get into that). Just know that save data for specific games, as well as some free-to-play games, may have been deleted from your Switch 1 and moved over to your Switch 2. Don’t worry— Nintendo will warn you about which software will be affected during the transfer process. Additionally, screenshots and video captures stored on a microSD card attached to the Switch 1 will need to be moved over manually later on.

How to transfer your Switch 1 data locally

With that in mind, if you want to transfer your data locally, which is what most people should do, click the Begin System Transfer button and follow the instructions—this involves signing into your Nintendo account, keeping your original Switch powered on and in close proximity to the Switch 2, and activating the transfer on your original Switch under Settings > System Settings > System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2.

How to transfer your Switch 1 data using Nintendo’s servers

The confusion about factory resets comes from this data transfer option, which involves using the Nintendo servers. This will factory reset your Switch, and is best if you plan to sell it anyway, or if you expect to be away from your original Switch during Switch 2 setup and don’t mind setting up your original console from scratch when you get back to it. To start this kind of transfer, power on your original Switch, navigate to the System Transfer page mentioned above, then select I don’t have a Nintendo Switch 2 yet. Take note of the Download Deadline for later. Conveniently, that does point to one upside to this method: you can start it before you even have a Switch 2 in hand.

Now, click Next, then Upload Data, then OK, followed by another OK. Click Start Initialization to begin factory resetting your original Switch. 

From here, your original Switch will revert to how it was before you bought it, and you’ll need to move over to your Switch 2, click Begin System Transfer, and sign into your Nintendo account. If the system detects that you have transfer data to download from the cloud, it’ll walk you through the process. Note, however, that if you don’t download your transfer data before the deadline you jotted down earlier, you’ll lose access to it.

If you want to skip the data transfer process…

If you’d rather not transfer your data, that’s also fine, but you won’t have an opportunity to do so later, and will instead need to move games and save data over manually. Click the Don’t Transfer Data button, then Continue to move to the next step.

Adding a user and parental controls

With system transfers out of the way, you’re through the hardest part of setting up your new console. Now, you’ll be prompted to add a user to the system. Here, you can sign in with your Nintendo Account to get access to your Switch Online subscription and your collection of downloadable games, or create a local user profile. After that, you can add more users as you like, or you can save that for later (simply navigate to System Settings > User > Add User).

Next up, parental controls. Like with additional users, you can set these up later under System Settings > Parental Controls, but there’s no harm to setting them up now as well. To do so, click Set Parental Controls. 


Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

You’ll have a few options. Most of these will prompt you to use Nintendo’s Parental Controls app, but you can also click the X button on the right-hand joy-con to set up limited parental controls directly on the console. Doing so will allow you to select from a number of presets that will block access to certain games and communication features, but not much else. Using the app, meanwhile, will let you set a daily play time limit, bedtime settings, restrictions on the new GameChat feature, and see reports on play time and games played. It also doesn’t require a Switch Online subscription, so it’s worth using if you have a smart device.

To set up parental controls using the app, first download it for either iOS or Android using the information on the screen, then click the “If You’ve Already Downloaded the App” button. Enter the registration code from your app into your Switch 2 system, then follow the instructions in the app to finish setup. Which buttons you’ll need to click will depend on the controls you’d like to activate, as well as for which users and systems, but it’s fairly straightforward.

MicroSD card limitations

Just a couple more screens. First, a quick warning about microSD cards. Unlike the Switch 1, the Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards, which are faster, but options for them are also a bit more limited—in other words, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to use the same microSD card from your Switch 1 on your Switch 2. To use a microSD card on Switch 2, it’ll need either of the two logos shown in the image below. A bit of a bummer, but at least a microSD card is optional (it’ll help you store more games, but the included storage on the Switch 2 is more generous than on the Switch 1).


Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Oh, and like on the Switch 1, the microSD slot is hidden under the kickstand, in case you’re having trouble finding it.

Virtual Game Cards

You’re technically through setup at this point, but there are still a few features you’ll probably want to configure before you start gaming. The most obvious of these is Virtual Game Cards, Nintendo’s new system for managing games purchased digitally.

Essentially, like the name implies, these work similarly to physical game cards, but over the internet. This means that, unlike with your Steam library, you can only load a game to one console at a time. “Loading” is Nintendo specific term, but for the most part, it just means your game is downloaded and ready to play.”(Technically, you can still play the same game on two separate consoles at the same time, even if it isn’t loaded on one, but doing so is a bit obtuse—click through here for more details.)

To access your Virtual Game Cards, click the Virtual Game Card icon in the bottom row on your Switch 2’s home screen—it’ll look like a game cartridge. From here, if you’ve signed into your Nintendo account, you’ll see all your digital purchases and will be able to download and play them from here. If you haven’t signed into your Nintendo Account, you’ll have the option to do so.


Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Now, you’ll have a few options. First, if a game isn’t loaded onto your original Switch, you can simply download it to your Switch 2 by clicking Load to This Console. If the console isn’t set as your primary device (likely the case if you didn’t do a transfer), you might see a warning if you try to open a game, depending on how up-to-date your original Switch’s software is. If your original Switch doesn’t have the Virtual Game Cards update yet, you can click the If You Don’t Have That Console button to download your game anyway. It will simply cease being playable on the other console while you use it on this one, although that’s always the case when moving a Virtual Game Card between systems.

Otherwise, you might need to link your two systems by bringing them close together and following the instructions on screen before you can load a Virtual Game Card on your new device. If you’re not able to do this, like if you’ve gotten rid of your original Switch while it’s still set as your primary device, you can remove your old Switch from your account by deregistering it. After deregistering your old console, you can set your Switch 2 as your new primary device by connecting it to the eShop. If you’re able to link your old console to your new one, this won’t be necessary for simply accessing your library, but it will extend any Nintendo Online benefits to all users on your new primary device, rather than the one associated with your Nintendo Account.


Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt

Alternatively, if you’ve managed to link your devices, you can use the device that currently has your Virtual Game Card (i.e. your Switch 1) on it to load it to your new one (i.e. your Switch 2). Simply open your games, click Load to Another Console, and follow the instructions on screen. This will have the same effect as the Load to This Console Button. Also, if you’d like to be able to continue playing a game on a device even after moving its Virtual Game Card to another device, you can enable Use Online License under System Settings > User Settings > Online License Settings to do just that. You’ll need to be connected to the internet for this to work, whereas you can play a Virtual Game Card offline, but it’s better than nothing. Plus, this enables that workaround from earlier in this section that allows you to play the same game on both devices at once.

How to lend a Virtual Game Card to someone else

You’ll also notice that you can lend a Virtual Game Card to members of a “Family Group.” To do this, you’ll first need to set up a Family Group online. On Nintendo’s website, log into your Nintendo Account, then click the Family Group tab on the left hand side of your account page. Here, you can invite members to join your Family Group via email, or create a Family Group account for your child. Note that if you have a Nintendo Switch online Family Plan subscription, members of your Family Group will be able to use its benefits (for up to eight accounts), although accounts that are part of your family group can also still use their individual subscriptions.

With a Family Group set up, on the Virtual Game Card page, click the game you’d like to lend out, then Lend to a Family Group Member. Next, bring your Switch 2 in close proximity with that Family Group Member’s device—this needs to be done in person.

Finally, click Select a User to Lend to. You can lend up to three games to three different accounts at once, and borrowers will be able to play these games for 14 days. During that time, you won’t be able to play the Game Card, and the borrower won’t get access to your save data while borrowing. However, they will keep their own save data for their next borrowing period, or if they choose to buy the game themselves. There are no limits to how often you can lend out a game, and you can re-lend games immediately upon the borrowing period expiring. Also, while you’ll need to lend out your games in person, they’ll return to you remotely.

Transferring save data

Even if you didn’t transfer your Switch 1 data to your Switch 2 during setup, you can still access its save data on your new device. You have a couple of options here.

First, the free option. On your original Switch, go to System Settings > Data Management > Transfer Your Save Data. Click Send Data to Another Console, then pick the user whose saves you want to send to your Switch 2. Pick the saves you want to send over, then click OK. Note that these saves will be deleted from your original console once moved over.

Next, with your Switch 2 in close proximity to your Switch 1 (this also needs to be done in person), navigate to System Settings > Data Management > Transfer Your Save Data. Click Receive Save Data. 

To move data from your Switch 2 to your Switch 1, simply perform these steps in reverse.

Second, the paid option. If you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you can also use cloud saves to move save data between devices. By default, these are enabled automatically and will keep both of your systems up to date with the most recent saves. However, you can also manually download cloud saves either from a game’s software menu (press + or – while hovering over it on the Switch home screen) or from System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud. You can also disable automatic save data download from here, if you like.

Lock your home screen behind a passcode

Finally, you can lock your Switch 2 with a PIN for some added security, kind of like a cell phone. To set this up, simply go to Settings > System > Console Lock. Click OK, then follow the instructions on the screen that pops up to enter your PIN.

There’s plenty more to dive into with the Switch 2, which I’ll cover over the following week. For now, though, this should be enough to get you started. Happy gaming!

Mets at Rockies: How to watch on SNY on June 6, 2025

The Mets open a three-game series with the Rockies in Colorado on Friday at 8:40 p.m. on SNY.

Here’s what to know about the game and how to watch…

Mets Notes

METS
ROCKIES
Brandon Nimmo, LF Jordan Beck, RF
Starling Marte, DH Thairo Estrada, 2B
Juan Soto, RF Hunter Goodman, C
Pete Alonso, 1B Ryan McMahon, 3B
Jeff McNeil, 2B Brenton Doyle, CF
Tyrone Taylor, CF Ryan Ritter, SS
Brett Baty, 3B Keston Hiura, 1B
Francisco Alvarez, C Mickey Moniak, RF
Ronny Mauricio, SS Tyler Freeman, DH

What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider’s website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the “Watch” tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the “Games” sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here. 

Automated ball-strike coming soon & Jerry Reinsdorf’s future sale of White Sox | Baseball Bar-B-Cast

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Get ready to start seeing a lot of ball players tapping their heads in the MLB in 2026. Why, might you ask? That is the signal to initiate a review with the impending automated ball-strike system. Rob Manfred has announced clear intentions that ABS is coming in 2026 to baseball. What was a test case in Spring Training is becoming reality and there’s mixed feelings across the league. Jake and Jordan give their thoughts on how this will impact the game and if they are for or against it.

The Chicago White Sox are up for sale… eventually. Don’t start breaking those piggy banks open just yet White Sox fans. Jerry Reinsdorf appears to have already decided on his heir apparent. The 89-year-old Chicago owner announced that as soon as 2029 he has the option to hand the team over to Justin Ishbia. Ishbia, brother to Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia, is already a minority owner with the team. It has been made clear no movement will be made by Reinsdorf until 2029. The guys break down all of the behind the scenes info on how exactly this came to fruition.

Jake Mintz, baseball extraordinaire, hit a home run at Yankee Stadium! Did it actually leave the park? Well, no, but he scored off of his hit. You can be the judge as Jake tells us about the latest edition of the Yankees/Red Sox media members game.

Finally, the best way to close out the week arrives as the guys play another edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

Enjoy your Friday at the Baseball Bar-B-Cast.

Automated ball-strike system to be implemented in 2026 Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images
Automated ball-strike system to be implemented in 2026

Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

(1:33) – Automated ball-strike system

(19:47) – White Sox for sale

(35:47) – Jake plays a game at Yankee Stadium

(46:48) – The Good

(48:59) – The Bad

(54:06) – The Uggla

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Automated ball-strike coming soon & Jerry Reinsdorf’s future sale of White Sox | Baseball Bar-B-Cast

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Get ready to start seeing a lot of ball players tapping their heads in the MLB in 2026. Why, might you ask? That is the signal to initiate a review with the impending automated ball-strike system. Rob Manfred has announced clear intentions that ABS is coming in 2026 to baseball. What was a test case in Spring Training is becoming reality and there’s mixed feelings across the league. Jake and Jordan give their thoughts on how this will impact the game and if they are for or against it.

The Chicago White Sox are up for sale… eventually. Don’t start breaking those piggy banks open just yet White Sox fans. Jerry Reinsdorf appears to have already decided on his heir apparent. The 89-year-old Chicago owner announced that as soon as 2029 he has the option to hand the team over to Justin Ishbia. Ishbia, brother to Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia, is already a minority owner with the team. It has been made clear no movement will be made by Reinsdorf until 2029. The guys break down all of the behind the scenes info on how exactly this came to fruition.

Jake Mintz, baseball extraordinaire, hit a home run at Yankee Stadium! Did it actually leave the park? Well, no, but he scored off of his hit. You can be the judge as Jake tells us about the latest edition of the Yankees/Red Sox media members game.

Finally, the best way to close out the week arrives as the guys play another edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

Enjoy your Friday at the Baseball Bar-B-Cast.

Automated ball-strike system to be implemented in 2026 Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images
Automated ball-strike system to be implemented in 2026

Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

(1:33) – Automated ball-strike system

(19:47) – White Sox for sale

(35:47) – Jake plays a game at Yankee Stadium

(46:48) – The Good

(48:59) – The Bad

(54:06) – The Uggla

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Samsung’s AI-Powered Galaxy Watch 7 Is $200 Right Now

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

If you’re looking for a last-minute Father’s Day gift, this bespoke Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is currently 38% off and priced right at $200. Available in multiple colors, it combines a sleek aesthetic with high-tech AI-enabled features, including comprehensive trackers that monitor various health metrics, such as heart rate, sleep, and blood oxygen levels. It has over 100 workout modes and can detect sleep apnea via tracking breathing disruptions. The Wellness Tips and AI-powered Energy Score features collect data, translating it into customized, personalized recommendations to help you optimize your daily activities, making this device a helpful accessory for wellness junkies and fitness lovers alike.

SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 7


$199.99
at Amazon
$319.99
Save $120.00

With a 40mm screen (you can upgrade to 44mm for an estra $29.99), the face of the watch features AMOLED tech, ensuring visibility even in direct sunlight. Most users find the watch easy to set up and connect to a compatible smartphone. However, it’s worth noting that it’s specifically designed for Samsung devices. Multiple Amazon reviewers mention that it doesn’t function properly with iPhones and Android phones.

The battery life receives mixed reviews, and since it lacks a charging port, it requires a magnetic charger. This PCMag review tested the watch and found that it lasts 22 hours, so if longer battery life is a priority (for instance, during camping trips), you may want to opt for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra instead, which is powered with up to 100 hours on a single charge.

With an average of 4.5 stars and over 2,500 reviews on Amazon, this watch is a well-reviewed choice for fitness enthusiasts or those wanting to live a healthy, balanced life. It combines multiple health trackers while blending aesthetics with functionality, and it doesn’t have the bulky look of many smartwatches. If you’re a Samsung owner, this discounted Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 might be worth the splurge.

Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes to undergo Tommy John surgery, says manager Torey Lovullo

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes will require Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Manager Torey Lovullo announced that the pitcher will miss the remainder of the 2025 season to reporters Friday, via the Arizona Republic’s José M. Romero. 

Burnes left his last start versus the Washington Nationals on Sunday after suffering an arm injury in the fifth inning. With two outs, the right-hander threw a high 91.5 mph cutter that CJ Abrams hit to right field for a single. Burnes then called for help from the dugout and yelled out in frustration. He stepped off the mound and pulled his cap up, signaling that he wasn’t feeling right. 

When an athletic trainer came out to check on Burnes, the pitcher appeared to say that he hurt his elbow. He then left the game, having thrown 70 pitches over 4 2/3 innings, the last of which was clocked 1 or 2 mph lower than he had been previously throwing.

Following the game, Burnes told reporters that his elbow “got to the point where the tightness was too much” and that it was a sensation he never felt before during his career. He added that he didn’t feel any “pop” in the elbow. 

The elbow reconstruction will be performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who recommended the procedure after examining Burnes for a second opinion, according to MLB.com.

Burnes, 30, was in his first season with the Diamondbacks after signing a six-year, $210 million free-agent deal with the team. It was the largest deal in franchise history and includes an opt-out after the first two seasons. Now, he’ll likely be out until late in the 2026 season, at best. In 11 starts for Arizona, Burnes registered a 2.66 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. 

The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner, Burnes had averaged 196 innings during the past three years. In eight MLB seasons, he’s compiled a 3.16 ERA and 63-38 record while averaging 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings with the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles and Diamondbacks. Including Sunday’s game, Burnes has thrown 968 innings during his MLB career.

Ryne Nelson will take Burnes’ spot in the D-backs’ rotation, according to Lovullo. In 13 appearances (three starts) this season, he has a 3.43 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 43 innings. Last year, Nelson made 25 starts (in 28 games) for Arizona, finishing with a 4.24 ERA and a strikeout rate of 7.5 per nine innings. 

I Made Sense of Garmin’s Forerunner Models so You Don’t Have To

Garmin’s Forerunner line contains some of my favorite watches—the 265, which is arguably still the best of the bunch; the 570, which newly replaced it and has some snazzy new features, and the 955, which is a heck of a deal for something so feature-rich despite its age. If these numbers mean nothing to you, read on—they’re actually pretty easy to understand once you know the two rules Garmin uses to pick what number goes with which watch.

The last two numbers describe its generation

Both of the watches released this year end in -70. The watches that came out in 2023-2024 all end in -65. They were preceded by a generation that ended in -55, and before that was -45, and so on. Could Garmin have just made the last two numbers reference a year, like 23 or 24? Sure, but at least there seems to be some internal logic here. (Go back too far, and the naming scheme gets a little less predictable, but this rule will help you understand pretty much everything released in this line in the last 10 years or so.)

Here’s another important rule of thumb: everything from -65 on up (so, for now -65 and -70) has an AMOLED screen, where it’s glowy like your smartwatch. The older models, up to and including -55, have MIP screens that are reflective and always “on,” but aren’t as sharp or bright. I have a rundown on MIP vs AMOLED here.

The first number tells you how fancy (or expensive) the watch is

Take a look at the first number in the watch name, and think of it as being on a scale of 0 to 9. The higher the number, the nicer the watch. This tells you that the 965 has more features and a higher price tag than the 265; likewise, the 970 has more going for it than the 570. The exact feature set changes from generation to generation, but here’s an important fact to remember: the 9xx watches are the ones with maps. The 570, 265, and so on have breadcrumb navigation but no maps.

With this background, we can now understand why the newest Forerunner line includes a 570. The previous lineup had a 165, 265, and 965, with nothing in between the “2” and “9” levels. Meanwhile, the 165 and 265 were pretty different in terms of features, with the 265 boasting dual-band GPS and compatibility with power meters, to name a few. Garmin apparently wanted to signal that its mid-range watch was truly in the middle of the range, so they added a few extra features the 265 didn’t have—like heat acclimation, which used to only be on the 9xx series—and bumped it up to a “5” rather than a “2”—with an upgraded price to match.

I Changed These Settings to Turn My iPhone Into a ‘Dumbphone’ and I’m Loving Using It Less

Your smartphone has ruined your life. You’re hopelessly addicted to the empty dopamine drip doled out by apps and algorithms that know you better than you know yourself. You recognize this. But also, you’re no hermit: You need to be able to keep in touch with friends and family with phone calls and text messages, just minus the baggage that comes with a modern iPhone or Android. A dumbphone might seem to be the answer to all your problems, but it’s probably not.

I am often inundated with articles and videos trying to convince me that switching to a dumbphone is the key to living a balance, fruitful life—so much so that I really considered getting one. I still might, someday, but the more I’ve thought about the matter, I’ve come to the conclusion that a dumbphone solves a few problems while introducing many more.

Switching might free me from endlessly scrolling my social media accounts, but I’d lose access to a high-quality camera that’s always with me. I wouldn’t need to deal with notifications from apps that only care about maximizing my screen time, but I’d lose my personal GPS. And I’d still be able to call and text, but I’d miss tools like iMessage and FaceTime that are critical for staying connected. I’m not ready to give all that up.

It’s true that the dumbphone market is adapting take care of some of these weaknesses, offering devices with features like cameras, navigation apps, note-taking apps, and more. But why bother dropping a considerable amount of money for a device like that when I already have a device I can make adjustments to instead?

So, that’s what I did—I took my very smart, very addicting) iPhone, and made it dumber. Here are the steps I took, plus some extra tips you can try yourself (while the instructions may vary, these tips will apply to Android phones as well):

I deleted as many apps as possible

Apps accumulate on my phone like cables in a junk drawer. I really only use a handful of them, but after testing apps on my phone for years, they’ve really added up. Making my phone dumber provided an opportunity to go through and clean house.

My advice is to be as brutal as possible here. The first app on my list, AdGuard, stays, because I need an ad blocker to make the modern internet usable. (Yes, I want a working internet on my dumb iPhone, and one that blocks predatory apps to boot.) But Amazon? Bye. Bluesky? Adios. ChatGPT? Lol.

The priority is to eliminate apps that distract you or suck you in for hours of meaningless activity. Social media is a prime target, but even that gets dicey. Can you really ditch all social media on your smartphone? Some can, but others will find that extreme, or borderline impossible. (More on that in the next section.)

Here’s a helpful tip: If you can access a social media site in a web browser, do that instead, and delete the app. Don’t keep Facebook’s predatory app on your iPhone, and if you must visit Meta’s flagship platform, do so on Safari. That way, yu’ll have better privacy protections against Meta’s tracking, and you’ll have a worse experience, since the Facebook web app is terrible. Good—that means you’ll spend less time on it.

I set Screen Time limits for any apps I can’t delete

As much as it wastes my time, I can’t delete Instagram. While 90% of my use involves mindless scrolling, the other 10% is legitimate socializing that I would very much miss should I ditch the app entirely. There are other apps on my iPhone I feel similarly about, and it’s been a daily battle to use them responsibly.

If you have a similar crop of apps you can’t part with, I highly recommend setting up Screen Time limits. It’s easy to do, and lets you choose the amount of time you can use an app each day. For example, I have Instagram set to 35 minutes of daily use, but I could choose to give myself more time on weekends, or any day that I feel like. You can also enable this feature for websites, so if you are accessing Instagram via Safari instead of the app, you can set limits for there too.

With this App Limit set, Instagram will run like it usually does until that 35th minute. Once the time limit is up, the app is replaced by a blank screen, letting me know that I’ve used my time allotment for the day. Hopefully, I then decide to do something else with my time (maybe put away my phone?), but I don’t have to: The feature gives you the option to extend the time limit by one or 15 minutes, or disable it for the rest of the day. It’s not the best solution for anyone lacking willpower, and I’ve definitely been guilty of extending my time limits again and again. But more often than not, the lock-out screen gets me to leave Instagram for the day. If I only burn 35 minutes watching reels instead of two hours, that’s fine by me.

You can get started setting Scrren Time limits via Settings > Screen Time > App Limits.

I disabled notifications for everything

Smartphone notifications are out of control. These alerts should tell me whether I have a new message or when some critical update needs my attention. If you use system notifications to let me know your app has an amazing sale going on, I’m instantly deleting it.

But even when notifications are appropriate, they’re too much. Likely part of what you hate about your iPhone are the constant distractions and disruptions from system alerts—not only are the unnecessary ones annoying, the legitimate ones steal your attention too. Before you know it, you’ve wasted another hour scrolling on Instagram just because someone replied to a message with a thumbs-up.

You don’t need a dumbphone to eliminate these distractions, though: just disable as many notifications as you can. Any time you download a new app—which you should do sparingly on your new dumb iPhone—don’t allow any notifications. For apps already on your phone, go to Settings > Notifications and disable notifications en masse. You can also attack them as the notifications come in: Swipe left on alerts in Notification Center, tap “Options,” then choose “Turn Off All Notifications.”

This too is challenging. I keep notifications on for my chat apps, since I don’t want to miss important (or funny) updates from friends and family. I did manage to disable Instagram notifications, which has its pros and cons. I’m not sucked into each and every alert I get, but I frequently miss DMs from friends. There are always tradeoffs when prioritizing your time.

I made my Lock Screen uninviting

Apple has made it easy to make your Lock Screen look awesome. The consequence, however, is that your iPhone looks a bit too inviting each time you pick it up. There’s an easy solution to that: Make it look boring AF.

I set my Lock Screen wallpaper to black, so no graphics or colors catch my eye. I allowed myself to add some Weather widgets, including current conditions, UV index, and sunrise/sunset, as I figure having the weather on my Lock Screen means one less reason to unlock my iPhone. (I used to have a News widget there instead, by it often caused me to open my phone in reaction to crazy headlines, which are in no short supply in 2025.)

My Home Screen is dead simple too

Following suit, my Home Screen is also as bland as possible. I use the same black wallpaper, and I’ve abstained from widgets. As much as I like the aesthetics of the calendar and clock widgets, I don’t want to spend any more time on this page than I have to.

As such, I’ve strategically placed the apps I use most (and which, notably, aren’t brain rot traps) on the Home Screen. I could keep this page totally blank, but why not keep the boring, useful apps at easy reach? That way, my brain doesn’t have extra time to think, “Wait, maybe we should just open YouTube instead” as I swipe to the App Library.

In my dock live my Phone, Messages, Camera, and Music apps. In two layers above it live Notes, Reminders, Maps, and Libby. (My hope is that keeping Libby in sight at all time will encourage me to read more, rather than scroll, scroll, scroll.) For all other apps, I rely on the App Library, which is only a swipe away.

You can really get creative with this. Through different apps or hacks, you can emulate the experience of dumbphones like the Light Phone, which simply shows you a list of app titles to choose from instead of wowing you with graphics and animations. Dumb Phone is one such app: After installing it, you select a group of apps you want to see on your Home Screen, and Dumb Phone lists those in a widget one-by-one. Change the color of your wallpaper to match the widget, adjust a few settings, and presto—you own faux Light Phone.

This isn’t really my cup of tea—I still enjoy a traditional home screen/app icons experience—but if you think you’d prefer the look, give it a try. (Just make sure to hit the “X” in the top right corner during setup if you don’t want to pay for the subscription.)

Go grayscale, baby

If there’s one tip to take away from this piece, it’s that you should turn your phone to grayscale. This color filter makes everything on your smartphone, well, gray, wiping away all of the bright, fun colors that make it engaging and welcoming to use.

This has been common advice for combating smartphone addiction for years, and while it’s certainly not a cure-all, it does really help. Scrolling on Instagram isn’t nearly as addicting when everything looks washed out, and it certainly doesn’t make me want to spend time watching shows or movies on my phone. If you’ve eliminated notifications entirely, you won’t notice the benefit in how a gray notification badge is far less intriguing than its bright red counterpart—but then, you’ve won that battle already.

As always, a caveat: I like my dumb iPhone, but I don’t want to punish myself. If someone sends me a video, or if I see something cool online that deserves to be seen in color, I’ll switch off grayscale temporarily. Does that defeat the purpose of my dumb iPhone? Possibly, but I’m making my own rules here.

Set a greyscale shortcut

The best compromise I’ve found is to assign the grayscale filter to the power button’s accessibility shortcut. You’ll find this under Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. Choose “Color Filters,” then triple-click the power button any time you want to toggle grayscale on or off.

Other ways to make your iPhone dumber and less fun to use

The above is what I’ve done to make my iPhone less addicting, and, overall, it’s helped. I’m not sure if it’s the changes themselves, or how the changes constantly remind me to use my device with intention, but, either way, I’ve been reducing my screen time, and making what remains more productive. That’s a win-win.

There are other ways you can make your iPhone less appealing to use, and, thus, reclaim your screen time as well. Here are some suggestions:

  • Use a matte screen protector: These screen protectors cut down on glare, but also emulate the experience of an e-ink screen. That might help any other Libby users out there who want a more soothing reading experience.

  • Disable Face ID/Touch ID: Remember the days of punching in your passcode each and every time you unlocked your iPhone? It sucked. Force yourself to do it again. Knowing that you’ll need to enter your passcode any time you want to check your phone might break the habit of mindless pickups. (Better yet, set an alphanumeric password. That’ll show you.)

  • Keep Low Battery Mode on at all times: If you have a Pro iPhone, your display has a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Turning on Low Power Mode drops it down to 60Hz, which, while standard for many iPhone users, looks choppy after you’re used to 120Hz.

Will I keep my iPhone dumb forever?

Am I committed to my new dumber iPhone lifestyle? I’m not sure. If I could wager a guess, I think what’s going to happen is this: I’ll eventually switch off grayscale, add a nice Lock Screen and a well-curated Home Screen, but keep my minimal notifications and limited app selection. I like the idea of maintaining a “normal” iPhone experience, but without many of the things that make it a distraction—even if that means ditching some of the more extreme dumbphone-like measures.

Knowing that, I’m thus far happy I did not spend hundreds of dollars on a dedicated dumbphone. Something tells me that I would be itching to switch back to my iPhone in a heartbeat.

Early grades for top 25 MLB free agents from this past offseason

(Mallory Bielecki/Yahoo Sports)

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ difficult start to the season took another unfortunate turn this week when ace Corbin Burnes, in the first season of a six-year, $210 million contract, was ruled out for the season after requiring Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow. Burnes’ velocity had dipped dramatically in the fifth inning of his most recent start, prompting him to call for the team athletic trainer and cut his outing short. The team subsequently confirmed the ever-ominous diagnosis that it was indeed elbow-related, necessitating a visit to Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The worst news was confirmed by manager Torey Lovullo on Friday.

This is a devastating development for a D-backs pitching staff that was already in a rather tenuous position even with Burnes healthy and pitching well. The Snakes stunned the baseball world when they landed Burnes just before the new year, seemingly securing a certified ace to headline a rotation that was already quite talented on paper. Instead, the pitching staff surrounding Burnes, with the exception of Merrill Kelly, who has been solid, has woefully underperformed. Now Burnes is out for the season, and even with an elite offense, the D-backs have quite an uphill battle to climb if they want to stay relevant in the NL West race, let alone the wild-card picture.

While Burnes’ injury feels especially brutal considering the massive contract that was just signed, he’s hardly the only big-ticket free-agent addition whose tenure with their new team is off to a rocky start. Such is the nature of free agency: sometimes these splashy additions completely alter the complexion of the team for the better, but adding star-level talent for star-level prices does not always immediately provide star-level production. While it’s certainly unfair to evaluate the totality of these long-term contracts after just a couple months, here’s an early report card for this past offseason’s biggest free-agent signings, featuring the top half of our top 50 list:

Contract: 15 years, $765M
Grade: B-

Soto’s uncharacteristic 16-game swoon in May, during which he went 7-for-59 with zero homers, put his overall statline in a hole that the spectacular slugger is still digging out of. A player who receives the largest contract in baseball history and is universally hailed as a generational offensive talent should be held to the highest possible standard, and he simply hasn’t met it yet. That’s not to say he has been downright bad on the whole. This modest grade reflects that. We all know how much better he can be. Soto’s recent power surge and renewed shuffling swagger has rightfully restored optimism that he’s trending in the right direction, which is great news for Mets fans and bad news for pitchers.

Contract: minor league deal; $6.5M signing bonus
Grade: C

Without a traditionally titanic free agent contract attached, and as a 23-year-old adjusting to a new league in a new country, Sasaki does not deserve to be graded nearly as harshly as his veteran counterparts on this list. But it’d also be disingenuous to suggest that his first eight starts as a big leaguer were especially encouraging — and that’s before even factoring in the shoulder ailment that now has him on the injured list without any clarity about when he could return to LA’s rotation. There is still ample upside attainable here if Sasaki can get healthy, but there are also clear developmental hurdles for the right-hander to clear for him to become a reliable big league starter. For as special as his splitter is, Sasaki’s fastball is just not a good pitch as currently constituted, and his command remains shoddy at best. There’s plenty of time for Sasaki to figure these things out and become a star, but expecting it to happen in his rookie season may be overzealous at this point.

Contract: 6 years, $210M, opt-out after Year 2
Grade: B/Incomplete

The increased frequency of arm injuries to the game’s best pitchers in recent years unfortunately provides us with some parallels to Burnes’ situation, the most obvious being Jacob deGrom, who needed elbow surgery just six starts into the five-year, $185 million contract he signed with the Rangers ahead of the 2023 season. As we know, the Rangers went on to win the World Series without deGrom that same season, but that feels like an overly optimistic forecast for Arizona at this stage. As for Burnes’ personal trajectory, it now seems awfully unlikely he’ll opt out of the remaining four years and $140 million on his deal after next season — which could be viewed as good or bad news for Arizona, depending how he looks when he returns next season. For now, it’s simply a massive bummer for both player and team, as Burnes has been such an enjoyable constant as one of baseball’s aces over the past half-decade.

Contract: 3 years, $120M, opt-out after Year 1
Grade: A-

For all the drama involving the construction of the roster that has swirled around the Red Sox since Bregman’s arrival, Bregman himself was thoroughly fulfilling his obligations until his quad injury last month. Though he was striking out a bit more than usual, Bregman’s slugging and underlying power indicators had skyrocketed to start the year, suggesting he was on track for a season resembling his 2018-2019 peak more so than the merely very good level he had performed at in recent years with Houston. It’ll be fascinating to see where the currently scuffling Red Sox are in the standings when Bregman returns from his injury later this summer.

Contract: 7 years, $182M
Grade: C-

Durability hasn’t been an issue for Adames, who has started all 62 games for San Francisco, including 61 at shortstop. But Adames’ track record of high-level offensive production from a premium position that warranted his sizable contract has yet to carry over as a Giant. While Adames’ plate discipline metrics remain in line with his career norms, the quality/genre of his contact has suffered this year, with a dramatic decline in how often he is pulling fly balls, which he was near-elite at over the previous two seasons. After batting second for the first 41 games, Adames has been hitting fifth or sixth lately, depending on the matchup as he looks to find his stride. For now, Adames remains one of the more glaring holes in a San Francisco lineup that has collectively struggled to find a rhythm.

Contract: 5 years, $182M
Grade: D/incomplete

Trying to predict which Dodgers starting pitcher was the best bet to stay healthy was a fool’s errand from the beginning, yet it was especially frustrating to see Snell be the first one to hit the injured list this season after just two starts. Snell is reportedly working his way back from his shoulder injury and is scheduled to throw a bullpen in the coming weeks, but for now, he’s just another high-profile hurler on the shelf for the defending champs who has yet to meaningfully contribute on the field for his new team.

Contract: 8 years, $218M
Grade: A

Fried’s excellence would be praiseworthy in any context, but has proven especially crucial for the Yankees in the absence of ace Gerrit Cole and reigning Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. Fried’s consistently crafty deployment of his ultra-deep arsenal has fit in brilliantly within New York’s impressive pitching infrastructure, and he’s formed one heck of a duo of southpaws atop the rotation alongside Carlos Rodón, another recent high-dollar free-agent addition who is enjoying his best season as a Yankee yet.

Contract: 2 years, $54M with an opt-out after Year 1
Grade: A

As disappointing as it may have been for Alonso to not secure a monster contract in his first go at free agency — and several other teams should be regretting not pursuing Alonso more aggressively — this has worked out rather brilliantly for both sides so far. Alonso continues to anchor New York’s new-look lineup with Soto and Francisco Lindor while re-establishing his bona fides as one of the game’s most reliable and fearsome sluggers, priming him for a deserved, if delayed payday this winter if/when he chooses to exercise his opt-out.

Contract: 3 years, $66M
Grade: B

From a slugging and run-producing standpoint, Hernández has hardly missed a beat in his second year in Dodger blue, and remains a key contributor in the heart of Los Angeles’ lineup. It’s also been a strange season for the 32-year-old outfielder by certain measures, as he’s currently running career-low strikeout (23.4%) and walk (3.6%) rates. The improved contact is a pleasant surprise, but his complete refusal to draw free passes has left his OBP (.306) in a less-than-stellar state. In this loaded lineup, Hernández’s sketchy on-base skills are probably not a nit worth picking, but for a player whose value is entirely derived from his bat — the defense remains well below-average — it’s something to monitor moving forward.

Contract: 3 years, $60M
Grade: D+

No, Walker hasn’t been quite as bad as Jose Abreu was in the first year of the nearly identical contract (3 years, $58.5 million) signed to solidify Houston’s first base situation, but he hasn’t been markedly better either. It’s been a discouraging introduction to the Astros for Walker, whose strikeouts have spiked and walks have plummeted. He’s provided terrific defense at first, as expected, and he’s still hitting the ball reasonably hard, so perhaps there is a hot streak ahead of him. But Walker has thus far failed to help backfill the offensive production lost by the departures of Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, and that’s a troubling trend for a first baseman who just turned 34.

Contract: 5 years, $92.5M
Grade: D-

Besides a career-high walk rate (11.5%), it is awfully difficult to find much positive about the first couple months of Santander’s Toronto tenure. Coming off a 44-homer season with Baltimore, Santander was brought in to help address the Blue Jays’ severe lack of power in the lineup outside of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He has barely made an impact so far. His .304 SLG% ranks last among qualified Blue Jays bats and in the bottom 10 of all qualified big league hitters. Now on the injured list with a shoulder injury, it’s unclear when Santander will have a chance to validate his hefty contract in a Blue Jays lineup that could still use a power boost.

Contract: 2 years, $35M
Grade: B-

Flaherty has been more good than great in his return to the Motor City following a prolonged free agency that didn’t seem to garner much interest from a wide swath of teams. His strikeout-to-walk ratio remains sterling, but he allows a bit more hard contact than you’d prefer from one of your best starting pitchers. That said, Flaherty doesn’t need to be a no-doubt ace for Detroit with Tarik Skubal firmly entrenched as the ultimate frontline arm. He just needs to be good — and Flaherty has broadly met that standard thus far.

Contract: 3 years, $67M
Grade: C

Severino’s performance hasn’t been nearly the biggest problem on a problematic pitching staff that has completely sabotaged the Athletics in the standings in recent weeks. But as the pitcher who received the largest free-agent deal in franchise history, Severino’s effectiveness has been a letdown. One key split worth noting: Severino has a 0.87 ERA in 31 innings across five starts on the road, but a 6.99 ERA at the supremely hitter-friendly confines of Sutter Health Park, the Athletics’ temporary home. Yikes.

Contract: 3 years, $75M
Grade: Incomplete

The popular lefty who endeared himself to the Mets’ fan base last season has yet to throw a pitch for New York this season after suffering an oblique strain during spring training. He’s scheduled to make his first rehab start with High-A Brooklyn this week.

Contract: 3 years, $42M
Grade: F

You fail a PED test, you get an F in this exercise. Profar played just four games before being suspended 80 games for testing positive for a banned substance. He’s eligible to rejoin the Braves’ lineup on June 29, but it’s tough to know what to expect from the 32-year-old outfielder upon his return. He also would be unable to participate in the postseason, though that doesn’t feel like an especially relevant concern at this stage considering Atlanta’s current place in the standings.

Contract: 1 year, $15M
Grade: B+

Torres’ continued defensive deficiencies at second base keep this grade from being an A, but he’s been a fantastic addition to the top of the Tigers’ lineup and is setting himself up well to secure a significant multiyear deal this winter. While he still isn’t slugging anywhere near his early-career peak, Torres’ plate discipline has been elite with Detroit. He has a career-low strikeout rate, a career-high walk rate and the second-lowest chase rate in baseball, with only Soto ranking better.

Contract: 3 years, $63M
Grade: C+

He’s eaten innings and the ERA looks solid, but nothing about Kikuchi’s underlying numbers indicate that he’s having an especially strong season. Most notably, Kikuchi’s command and control have regressed badly — his 12.9% walk rate isn’t just a career-high mark, it’s the highest of any qualified starting pitcher in MLB.

Contract: 3 years, $75M
Grade: A-

Before Eovaldi went on the injured list with triceps inflammation, Texas’ decision to retain the right-hander was looking like one of the best moves any team made last offseason, as Eovaldi was downright dominant across his first dozen starts. This recent injury scare is a relevant data point for a 35-year-old who has had his fair share of ailments over the course of his career, hence the A- and not A. But strictly from a performance standpoint, it’s tough to argue with Eovaldi’s tremendous results.

Contract: 1 year, $21.05M (accepted the qualifying offer)
Grade: B-

Many were surprised when Martinez accepted the QO coming off a quietly splendid season in 2024, and now it’ll be interesting to see what kind of deal he can command this winter. He’s been perfectly cromulent in his second year in Cincy, albeit hardly a standout in a Reds rotation that features some pitchers with far more eye-catching stuff, like Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo.

Contract: 2 years, $29M
Grade: Incomplete

Still working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, Kim has yet to appear for Tampa Bay but is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham.

Contract: 3 years, $49.5M
Grade: D

Much of the frustration surrounding Baltimore’s wayward start to the season has understandably been directed at the ill-equipped pitching staff, but O’Neill’s complete lack of production stands out as another major blemish on the Orioles’ front office’s résumé. Currently on the injured list with a shoulder issue, O’Neill is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon.

Contract: 4 years, $72M
Grade: C-

For years, Scott’s pure stuff from velocity and movement standpoints have been so overwhelmingly good that it hasn’t much mattered that he’d frequently walk batters — he could always find a timely whiff when he needed it to get out of trouble. Suddenly and strangely, Scott is throwing more strikes than ever in his first year with the Dodgers, but his stuff has not been nearly as nasty — and he’s getting hit hard as a result. We’ve still seen flashes of dominance, but Scott’s struggles are a sobering reminder of how fickle relievers can be, even the best ones.

Contract: 1 year, $21.05M
Grade: C+

Amid a tumultuous first couple months for the Red Sox, Buehler hasn’t been a stabilizing force in the rotation. He’s had a handful of quality outings along the way but on the whole, he’s looked like more of a No. 4 starter than the No. 2 starter Boston may have been hoping for after Buehler’s high-profile postseason run last October.

Contract: 2 years, $26M opt-out after Year 1
Grade: Incomplete

Bieber appeared to be nearing his highly anticipated return from Tommy John surgery before reporting soreness after his most recent bullpen session. That’s hardly the news Guardians fans want to hear at this stage, but if Bieber can get back on track and return sooner rather than later, he should provide a much-needed jolt to a Cleveland rotation that has sorely missed him since he went down last April. How he performs in the second half could play a huge part in whether the Guardians can return to the postseason.

Contract: 3 years, $33M
Grade: B

As with Scott, Hoffman represents another example of how volatile relievers can be. The 32-year-old right-hander looked completely invincible through the end of April but then had multiple catastrophic outings in May that completely tanked his statline. On talent alone, Hoffman is clearly still one of baseball’s best bullpen arms, but the performance has undeniably been underwhelming of late.