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Looking to make your iPhone and Mac do more for you? The latest episode of iOS Today spotlights the must-have utility apps that simplify everyday tasks, from turning your iPhone into a high-quality webcam to instantly scanning documents and organizing your digital text notes.

Why Utility Apps Matter Right Now

With the sheer number of apps on the App Store, knowing which ones truly add value can save you time, boost productivity, and make your devices adapt to your needs. Whether you want to enhance video calls, declutter paperwork, or create a frictionless writing environment, the right utility app can be a game-changer, especially if you often work remotely or manage a busy digital life. On iOS Today, hosts Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard sorted through the noise and focused on practical apps they personally use and recommend.

Top Utility Apps Recommended

Camo: Transform Your iPhone Into a Powerful Webcam

Camo stands out as the go-to choice for anyone needing a crisp, reliable webcam setup. Before Apple introduced native "Continuity Camera" support, Camo allowed users to connect their iPhone to a Mac (or even PC) and use its advanced camera hardware for video calls or recordings.

Why It’s Useful:

• Access all your iPhone’s lenses, including wide and ultra-wide for flexibility in framing.
• Add overlays, custom filters, and fun effects.
• Works across Zoom, Teams, and other major platforms.
• Free to try; advanced features require a subscription (as of the episode, ongoing cost after initial free use).

Who It’s For: Anyone wanting better video quality without buying a dedicated webcam, as well as streamers, remote workers, or anyone presenting online.

Simple Scan: Effortless Document Scanning and OCR

Tired of losing receipts or paperwork? Simple Scan by Agile Tortoise lets you quickly digitize anything—from multi-page documents to odd-shaped books—and export as high-quality PDFs with built-in optical character recognition (OCR).

Key Features:

• Automatically detects document edges, even with unconventional shapes or backgrounds.
• Easy sharing via AirDrop, email, or cloud.
• Basic version is free; paid upgrade for unlimited scans (about $9.99/year or $30 lifetime).

Who It’s For: Anyone who needs to scan, organize, or share paperwork on the go.

Drafts: The Ultimate Inbox for Text

When you need a fast, distraction-free way to grab ideas, lists, or anything text-based, Drafts shines. It launches instantly into a new note, supporting voice dictation, widgets, and seamless integration with other apps through customizable actions.

Notable Functions:

• Powerful automation—great for processing feedback or preparing show notes.
• OCR support for text in scanned documents.
• App is free with basic features, and additional features via subscription.

Who It’s For: Writers, professionals, and power users who want to capture and act on ideas fast before distractions set in.

Discovery: See What’s on Your Network

For networking enthusiasts, Discovery scans for all devices and protocols talking on your local Wi-Fi. It’s invaluable for troubleshooting, understanding what's connected, or finding devices’ management URLs.

Use cases:

• Identify all printers, smart devices, and servers quickly.
• See which protocols (like Bonjour or HTTP) are active.
• Free on the App Store.

Who It’s For: Anyone managing smart homes, office setups, or just curious about their network.

Transloader: Send Downloads from iOS to Mac Remotely

If you stumble upon a Mac-only download link while browsing on your iPhone, Transloader lets you send those links straight to your Mac—ideal for large files or software installers.

Highlights:

• Target specific Macs if you have more than one.
• Handles downloads requiring login via built-in cookie management.
• Free 28-day trial; priced via Eternal Storms’ website and available on SetApp.

Who It’s For: Heavy downloaders, frequent cross-device users.

What to Remember

• The right utility app can upgrade your daily workflow without requiring extra hardware or complex setups.
• Camo and Simple Scan address real-world problems: video quality and document chaos.
• Drafts acts as a digital catch-all that can integrate into bigger automation or note-taking projects.
• Apps like Discovery and Transloader are ideal for managing more technical or device-heavy environments.

If you want to get the most from your iPhone or Mac, integrating a few carefully chosen utility apps can save you time, reduce frustration, and handle tricky tasks elegantly. Try the free versions to see which fit best, and consider paid upgrades if you rely on them regularly.

Catch the full discussion and more in-depth app demos on iOS Today, episode 775: https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today/episodes/775