Google Accounts are gaining a new “selfie video” sign-in method that can be handy if you lose your phone or passkeys.

The set-up process involves looking at your device’s camera and completing a “few short, guided head movements to capture multiple angles.” This is supported on both mobile and desktop. Users with PCs that lack cameras can authenticate using their phones.

If locked out of your Google Account in the future, you just take another selfie video. Google will “match your video against your saved selfie and require you to perform simple movements to prove it’s a live video.”

Google touts “multiple layers of security” to help prevent fake photos or videos (deepfakes) and other impersonation attempts. Other security practices will detect suspicious sign-in attempts.

You can delete the selfie video at any time, and it’s used just for signing in by default, though an optional opt-in lets data be used to improve verification methods.

The selfie video method is for when you “don’t have access to your usual phone or computer.” It joins other methods like passkeys and recovery contacts, with Google recommending you set up multiple.

You can check whether your account is eligible and set up your selfie video today at g.co/signin-selfie.

9to5Google

Instagram announced on Tuesday that users can now swap out the music on their published feed posts and carousels. Until now, users could only change the music on a post by deleting it and then re-uploading it.

With a newly launched “Replace Audio” tool, users can update the music on their post at any time while keeping the post’s existing likes, comments, shares, and reach intact. The Meta-owned company says the new feature is another step in its efforts to build tools that give creators more creative control over their content.

The update removes a limitation that forced creators and brands to choose between keeping a post’s engagement and updating its soundtrack. In some cases, changing a song can help keep content aligned with trends. Other times, people may want to refresh old posts to reflect their evolving music tastes.

The new feature is accessed by navigating to the post where you want to change the audio, then tapping the two-line menu in the top-right corner of the post. You will then need to scroll down to “Edit,” after which you’ll see the option to swap out the audio.

TechCrunch

Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10 in 2025, but the company may have a harder time than expected putting the operating system out to pasture. After promising a year of optional extended update support, Microsoft has changed its policy, tacking on another year to its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. If you are still clinging to Windows 10, you don’t have to do anything but enjoy that extra year.

The last regular updates rolled out to Windows 10 in October of last year, but the Internet can be a dangerous place for unpatched Windows machines. That was a problem for Microsoft, as Windows 11 usage had only barely surpassed Windows 10 when support ended. Microsoft’s solution was to give everyone on the old OS a free year of extended updates.

That program was set to end on October 12, 2026, but Microsoft has updated its policy with hardly a whisper, pushing back the end of extended updates to October 12, 2027. The ESU support page was updated with that date, and Microsoft’s blog post on the program has a new editor’s note confirming the change.

The prevalence of Windows across so many devices and form factors has given Microsoft a massive customer base for decades, but it has also stymied the company’s efforts to roll out new operating systems. Microsoft famously extended the support window for Windows XP numerous times throughout the 2010s as it became apparent that millions of PCs would never be updated. Windows 10 isn’t quite as entrenched as XP was, but it has still been a slog getting people to upgrade to Windows 11 even nearly five years after release.

Ars Technica

Meta is once again updating software requirements to run WhatsApp on Android and iOS devices. Starting Sept. 8, 2026, the app will only be supported on Android 6 or above. And starting Nov. 30, 2026, it will only be supported on iPhones running iOS 15.5 or newer.

WhatsApp’s system requirements are updated every year to ensure the app is protected by the latest security updates. The company says it analyzes operating systems and drops support for the oldest ones with the fewest users. Last year, it raised the minimum requirement to iOS 15.1 and Android 5.0.

“Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates,” WhatsApp says. “These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.”

The change may not impact iPhone users heavily. All devices that support WhatsApp’s current minimum requirement of iOS 15.1 can also be upgraded to iOS 15.5 or later. Just head to Settings > General > Software Update and download the latest possible version.

For Android phones, things could get a little tricky. Meta has updated the system requirements by an entire generation, from version 5.0 (Lollipop) to 6.0 (Marshmallow). Some older smartphones may not allow the jump, and users may need to purchase new devices to keep WhatsApp running without hiccups.

To check your current software version, head to Settings and scroll down to About phone. To upgrade your device to Android 6.0 or newer, go to Settings > System > Software updates. If you’re unable to upgrade, it likely means your device doesn’t have enough storage space, or it doesn’t support any Android version beyond what’s already installed.

PCMag

Today marks the global rollout of the Instagram Plus option, and the company offered more details about exactly what will be included for paying users.

The bulk of the features are about getting people to see content. Story Spotlight prioritizes your profile for friends while Story Extend keeps the disappearing content visible for 48 hours instead of 24. Subscribers can also create multiple audience lists and pick which one will see a given story. There is a tool to preview stories, stats about how often your stories were rewatched and a way to search the people who have viewed a story. And if you don't want a piece of content to show up in the main feed, you can opt to publish a post directly to your profile or highlights.

There are also some customization options. Subscribers can select from a collection of app icons and pick the text font for their bios. They'll be able to pin six items to the top of their profile and send animated super hearts when reacting to friends' stories.

Meta's announcement noted that more capabilities will be added in the coming months. Instagram Plus costs $3.99 a month.

Engadget

Apple today released iOS 26.5.1, a minor update to iOS 26. The software is available three weeks after iOS 26.5 came out, and appears to only be available for the iPhone Air and all models in the iPhone 17 lineup.

The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, the update fixes a previously documented charging issue with *iPhone Air* and *iPhone 17* models.

This update addresses an issue for a small number of users that may prevent wired charging on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models when the battery is nearly drained.

Apple's work on *iOS 26* is winding down as it prepares to introduce iOS 27 at the June 8 WWDC keynote event.

MacRumors