The Apple Social Network: Coming To An iPhone Near You…


The Apple Social NetworkPin

Apple is building a social network inside iOS and most people have no idea it is even happening. No wonder Facebook is worried. It should be…


That might sound crazy. But in just a few short years, Apple’s vision for how social networks work could be the one that wins out. Especially if Facebook’s revenues take a hammering once Apple’s new no-tracking rules kick in inside iOS 15.

Do you know how many iPhones Apple sells a year? Or how many people use iPhones? It’s a lot. More than enough to create a social network. And if you connect the dots inside Apple’s last few iOS updates, this is exactly what Apple seems to be doing.

Apple is Laying The Foundation For Its Own Social Network

Plus, Apple’s users are loyal to a fault too. They use Apple apps for music, for IM, for video-calling. Even for TV, with Apple TV+.

Apple is building a grand, unified platform with social elements built-in at its core.

It’s not about one app, or FaceTime, or even Apple TV+ or Music. Instead, it is about ALL of Apple’s apps being connected and working together to form a cohesive, social environment where people can engage with one another.

Apple’s “Private” Social Network

The Apple Social NetworkPin

Facebook’s business model is all about harvesting data and then selling that data to advertisers. This business model has come under increasing fire from security and privacy experts for obvious reasons.

And in iOS 15, Apple will prohibit Facebook from tracking its users by giving them the opportunity to opt out (and make no mistake: nearly all of them will).

This could cost Facebook BILLIONS. This is also why Emperor Zuck is writing blog posts about Apple and its stance on things like privacy and tracking.

Meanwhile, Apple has been busy making its core apps more social. Things like iMessage and FaceTime are now more social than ever. You can do group sessions, listen to music together, watch movies together.

Viewed individually, you wouldn’t notice anything. But there are telltale signs that Apple is looking to make its walled garden an actual social network, a place where you can interact with your contacts in a secure environment without being tracked.

And it is this “new direction” that could one day become how social networks actually work. And the best part of this vision, from Apple’s perspective, anyway, is that you will do it all inside iPhone – or, iOS or macOS – without having to ever leave.

Apple’s plan to engineer more social elements into its apps also aligns well with its push toward ramping up revenue from services. Over time, once Apple users grow accustomed to socializing inside these exclusive apps, they’d be more willing to continue investing in platforms like Apple TV+ or even upgrading to the Apple One bundle which gets you access to all of Apple’s services in one subscription.

LaptopMag

The Contacts App Will Be Your New Facebook Profile

I was talking about connecting the dots earlier. If you look at the Contacts App on your phone, see how it has changed over the years, it is rather easy to see that it could one day become a sort of profile page for Apple’s walled garden social network.

Instead of just having things like a phone number and FaceTime links, a user – or your contact – could easily share updates and pictures inside here, as well as links to news posts. Apple has a News app, after all.

The Contacts app then would become the foundation of Apple’s social network. From inside it, you could see what your contacts are doing, what they’re sharing, and, if you choose, interact with them inside any number of applications – from Music to Apple+ and FaceTime.

The Apple Social Network: Coming To An iPhone Near You…

Apple has all the elements to make this work. It has all the applications, all the control, and the resources and user base to pull it off. Facebook wouldn’t get a look in. And this could all happen really quickly.

Think how fast FaceTime caught on. Or iMessage. Think about how many of your friends hate Facebook and use an iPhone. Now, imagine if they could maintain contact with their closest friends, share stuff with them, without having to use Facebook or download any additional apps?

Exactly. Millions of people would start using the new platform overnight.

I say, new platform, but it wouldn’t be a new platform. It’d just be iOS or ipadOS or macOS – they’re all the same thing these days.

And, best of all, if this ever did happen, it would actually be a proper social network based on interacting with people you actually know. There would be no brands or businesses on there. Just people you know in real life that you want to connect with.

I know I’d much rather use something like this than Facebook. The only problem is that I’d have to get an iPhone. And I guess that’d be the entire point of this venture: make something better and more secure than Facebook and use it to sell gazillions of Apple products and subscriptions to its services.

It’s genius, really. No wonder Facebook is looking worried about its future…

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • Mint Mobile 15GB Plan

    If you don't use a lot of data, this plan is a great option. You'll get 15GB of data per month and 5GB hotspot data allowance. It's not a lot but for light users, it is likely more than you'll ever need

    +

    Data: 15GB

  • Visible+ Pro Plan

    Visible+ Pro is built for heavy users who want it all: 4K streaming, ultra-fast hotspot speeds, and premium 5G access on Verizon’s best network. No throttling. No compromises. Just pure, high-performance mobile.

    +

    Data: Unlimited

  • Visible+ Plan

    If you’re tired of overpaying for unlimited data, Visible is one of the best alternatives out there—especially right now. For a limited time, you can get Visible’s unlimited plan for just $20/month, and that price is locked in for an entire year when you use code SAVE5 at checkout.

    +

    Data: Unlimited