How to make fonts and menu darker in iOS 7.1 to improve legibility

Apple has included a number of options in iOS 7.1 to improve accessibility. iOS 7.1 also includes an option under Accessibility settings that allows you to darken of the fonts, menu and other color highlights to improve legibility.

Follow these simple steps to improve contrast to increase legibility:

• Launch the Settings app

• Tap on General, followed by Accessibility in the next screen

• Then scroll down and tap on Increase Contrast

• Now tap on the On/Off toggle to enable Darken Colors

Here’s a before and after screenshot to give you a good idea how it looks after enabling the toggle.

Settings app with Darken Colors option disabled (left), Settings app with Darken Colors option enabled (right) – Check the change in color of the Accessibility back button

Settings app with Darken Colors option disabled (left), Settings app with Darken Colors option enabled (right) - Check the change in color of the “Featured” tab

Fonts and menus are not the only elements that can be made darker, some other color highlights in iOS 7 and stock apps.

Does the darker colors increase legibility? Let me know what you think in the comments.

How to Install iOS 7.1 Update on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Apple just released iOS 7.1 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, which includes interface refinements, bug fixes, improvements, and new features.

You can follow these simple instructions to install the iOS 7.1 update on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Warning for Jailbreakers

Apple has patched number of vulnerabilities in iOS 7.1 that was used by evasi0n7 jailbreak, so jailbreakers should avoid upgrading to iOS 7.1 until further notice as you will lose the jailbreak and won’t be able to jailbreak your device.

Install iOS 7.1 update wirelessly Over the Air (OTA):

Before you start the download, plug in your device so the battery doesn’t drain during the update process. It can take anywhere from 15 mins to an hour for the update to download and install, depending on how Apple’s servers are handling the load and your internet connection. You may also want to connect your iPhone to your local WiFi network, so you don’t get charged for downloading the update over your cellular connection.

Once you are plugged in and connected via Wi-Fi, open the Settings app and tap on General > Software Update. iOS will automatically check for available updates and will inform you that iOS 7.1 software update is available.

Tap Download to download the update. Wait for the download to complete and then tap Install to apply the update. If you get tired of waiting for the download to finish (it could take a while) then go do something else. Your iPhone or iPad will continue to download the update and will send you a notification when the update is ready.  Go back to Settings > General > Software Update and then tap Install Now to install the now downloaded iOS update file.

A note to Jailbreakers: If you’ve used evasi0n, OTA updates will be disabled, which is convenient if you plan to delay updating. If do want to upgrade, you’ll have to restore your device via iTunes as described below.

Install iOS 7.1 update via iTunes

Some folks prefer to physically connect their iOS device to a computer via a USB cable and update their phone via iTunes. Since you are not dealing with Wi-FI signal, there is less chance of an error occurring during the download and install process.  Before you plug in your iOS device. take a moment to make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes. Click on iTunes in the menu bar and then click  on “Check for updates.” You can also go directly to Apple’s iTunes download page, which is now allowing you to download iTunes 11.1.5, the most recent version of the media manager.

Once iTunes is all squared away, it’s time to turn your attention to your phone. Connect your iOS device to your computer using an USB cable. Wait for iTunes to open and connect to your device. Click on your device in iTunes and then click the “Check for Update” or “Update” button as you can see above in the Summary pane. If an update is available, iTunes will prompt you to download and install the update. Wait patiently and do not disconnect your device until the update has finished.

Install iOS 7.1 update using firmware file via iTunes

If for some reason, the iOS 7.1 update isn’t available via OTA update or via iTunes then you need to follow these instructions.

• Download the appropriate iOS firmware file for your device.

iPad:

• iPad Air (Model A1474)
• iPad Air (Model A1475)
• iPad mini (Model A1489)
• iPad mini (Model A1490)
• iPad (4th generation Model A1458)
• iPad (4th generation Model A1459)
• iPad (4th generation Model A1460)
• iPad mini (Model A1432)
• iPad mini (Model A1454)
• iPad mini (Model A1455)
• iPad Wi-Fi 3rd generation
• iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for ATT)
• iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for Verizon)
• iPad 2 Wi-Fi
• iPad 2 Wi-Fi (Rev A)
• iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (GSM)
• iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (CDMA)

iPhone:

• iPhone 5s (Model A1453, A1533)
• iPhone 5s (Model A1457, A1518, A1528, A1530)
• iPhone 5c (Model A1456, A1532)
• iPhone 5c (Model A1507, A1516, A1526, A1529)
• iPhone 5 (Model A1428)
• iPhone 5 (Model A1429)
• iPhone 4s
• iPhone 4 (GSM)
• iPhone 4 (GSM Rev A)
• iPhone 4 (CDMA)

iPod touch:

• iPod touch (5th generation)

• Connect your iOS device to your computer using an USB cable. Wait for iTunes to open and connect to your device.

• Click on device button to the left of the iTunes Store button in the top right corner in iTunes.

• Hold down on the option key (Mac) or the shift key (Windows) and click the “Check for Update” button in the Summary pane. Browse to the .ipsw file you downloaded and select it. 
  

• Do not disconnect your device until the update has finished.

• If necessary, restore your device from the previous backup and sync with iTunes.

Let us know how it goes in the comments. Hope this helped and feel free to drop us a line in the comments below.

How to add a repo/sources in Cydia

Whenever you jailbreak your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch Cydia is installed on it. Cydia by default has most of the popular repositories added including the Bigboss repo, ModMyi repo etc so you don’t have to add yourself. This is very convenient and most of the time you don’t need to add any other repo or source to Cydia in order to download stuff. However there are times when you need to add a repo in Cydia to download some tweak or app that is not available on the main repositories.

Adding a new repo in Cydia is pretty simple but can be tricky if you have no clue about how to do it. In this post we are going to show you how to add a repo in Cydia. The whole process will require a few steps to complete. Remember you will need an internet connection and a valid repo link to do so.

1 ) Launch Cydia on your jailbroken iOS device and tap on the ‘Manage’ button located at fourth position in the bar below.

2 ) On the ‘Manage’ screen you will see a menu with links to Packages, Sources and Storage. Tap on Sources. This is where you can add a repo in Cydia.

3 ) Now on the Sources screen click on the ‘Edit’ button located on top right side of your screen.

4 ) Next you need to click on the ‘Add’ button. From here you can also delete a repo which has already been added if you want to.

5 ) Now Cydia will ask you to Enter Cydia/APT URL. You need to enter the URL of the repo you are trying to add exactly as it is.

 6 ) Once you have written the address of the repo you are trying to add tap on ‘Add Source’ button. Now Cydia will verify the URL you have entered.

7 ) Once the address has been verified Cydia will warn you about the repo. It doesn’t warn users about all the repos but if it does then tap on ‘Add Anyway’ button to proceed.

8 ) Now Cydia will download data from the source you have just added. This will take a few seconds.

Done! That’s how you add a repo in Cydia.

Your source has been added and you can download anything you want from this repo. The source you have added will appear in the list of sources in Cydia and you can delete it from there whenever you want.