Creating invitations should feel easy, not stressful. Apple’s Invites app makes it simple to create free digital invitations with built-in RSVP tools, even if your guests do not use iPhones.

You can design the invite, track responses, and share photos after the event, all from your iPhone. Below is a clear step-by-step guide with exact instructions so you can get it right the first time.

Oh, and if you want more options beyond Apple’s Invites app, we also cover the best invitation apps for both iPhone and Android.

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Why Apple Invites makes event planning easier

Apple Invites keeps everything in one place. You design the invite, manage RSVPs and share memories without switching apps. You can:

• Create invitations for parties, meetings and family events
• Let guests RSVP from any device
• Share photos, playlists and links after the event

Apple Invites system requirements

Before you start, confirm these basics. You need:

• An iPhone running iOS 18 or newer
• An iCloud+ subscription to create invitations

Guests can view and RSVP without an iCloud+ subscription. The steps in this article were tested on an iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 26.2.

Download Apple Invites from the App Store

First, install the Apple Invites app.

• Open the App Store.
• Search for Apple Invites.
• Download the app named Apple Invites to avoid confusion.

Open the Invites app after installation.

How to create a free digital invitation with RSVP on iPhone

You are now ready to build your invitation.

Start a new invitation in Apple Invites

• Open the Invites app.
• If this is your first time, tap Create Invitation.

If you have created invites before, tap the plus icon in the top corner.

Add a background image to your invitation

• Tap Add Background.
• Choose one option:PhotosCameraPlayground using Apple Intelligence on supported modelsYou can also select Emoji, Photographic or Color backgrounds.
• Photos
• Camera
• Playground using Apple Intelligence on supported models
• You can also select Emoji, Photographic or Color backgrounds.

Grant photo or camera access if prompted.

Add event details like title, date and location

Next, fill in the key information.

• Tap Event Title and enter the name of your event.Choose from four available fonts.
• Choose from four available fonts.
• Tap Date and Time.Select a start and end time or mark the event as all day.
• Select a start and end time or mark the event as all day.
• Tap Location.Enable Location Services if prompted.
• Enable Location Services if prompted.
• Tap Add a Description to include event details or notes.

If you add both a date and a location, the app automatically shows:

• The weather forecast for that day
• A Maps link with directions

Add optional features like photos, links and playlists

You can add several optional features to enhance your invitation.

• Add a shared photo album so guests can view and upload photos by tapping Create Album
• Add a website link, such as a gift registry, by tapping Add a Link
• Add a shared Apple Music playlist guests can listen to and add songs to by tapping Add Playlist

Add a Tile to bundle photos, playlists or links in one place by tapping Add Tile

Preview and create your invitation

Before sending, review everything.

• Tap Preview.
• Review how the invitation will look to guests.
• Tap Next in the upper-right corner.
• Wait a few seconds while the invite is created.

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How to send invitations and manage RSVPs on iPhone

Once your invitation is live, you can share it in two different ways.

Invite guests using a public link

• Under Invite with Public Link, choose how you want to share the link:MessagesMailShare LinkCopy Link
• Messages
• Mail
• Share Link
• Copy Link
• Toggle Approve Guests on if you want to review RSVPs before guests are added.
• Leave Approve Guests off to allow anyone with the link to RSVP automatically.

Guests who accept the invite will appear in your guest list.

Invite guests individually

• Scroll to Invite Individuals.
• Tap Choose a Guest.
• Then you’ll be prompted to access your contacts and click Continue.
• Click Select Contacts
• Select only the contacts you want to include for this invitation and click Continue 
• Tap Allow Selected Contacts 
• Select a contact to send a one-time invite link.
• Then click Messages, Mail or Share Link

This option sends a unique link to a single guest.

Guests can RSVP even if they do not own an iPhone.

How to send invitations and manage RSVPs on iPhone

Once your invitation is live, you can share it in two different ways.

Invite guests using a public link

• Under Invite with Public Link, choose how you want to share the link:MessagesMailShare LinkCopy Link
• Messages
• Mail
• Share Link
• Copy Link
• Toggle Approve Guests on if you want to review RSVPs before guests are added.
• Leave Approve Guests off to allow anyone with the link to RSVP automatically.

Guests who accept the invite will appear in your guest list.

Invite guests individually

• Scroll to Invite Individuals.
• Tap Choose a Guest.
• Then you’ll be prompted to access your contacts and click Continue.
• Click Select Contacts
• Select only the contacts you want to include for this invitation and click Continue 
• Tap Allow Selected Contacts 
• Select a contact to send a one-time invite link.
• Then click Messages, Mail or Share Link

This option sends a unique link to a single guest.

Guests can RSVP even if they do not own an iPhone.

Manage event settings and RSVP notifications

You stay in control after sending.

• Tap the Settings icon inside the invite.
• Adjust guest permissions and RSVP options.
• Enable notifications to receive alerts when guests respond.
• Set plus one limits or block additional guests if needed.

Your invitation appears on the app home screen under Upcoming.

Edit an invite after sending it

Plans change, and edits are allowed.

• Open the invite from the Upcoming list.
• Tap the More Button (three horizontal dots in the upper-right corner)
• Click Edit to update details.
• Changes sync automatically for guests.

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Pro tip: duplicate invitations for recurring events

If you host a recurring event, such as a book club, save time.

• Open an existing invitation.
• Tap the More button. (three horizontal dots in the upper-right corner)
• Select Duplicate.
• Adjust the date, time or details as needed.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Apple Invites makes event planning feel simple again. You can create free digital invitations, send them in seconds and track RSVPs without chasing people down. Everything lives in one place, from guest lists to shared photos, which saves time and reduces stress. Best of all, guests do not need an iPhone to respond. That makes Apple Invites practical for real life, not just Apple users. Whether you are planning a birthday, a family dinner, or a casual meetup, this app helps you focus on the event rather than the logistics.

Would you consider replacing paper invites or group texts with Apple Invites, or are you still planning events the old way? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Nvidia’s RTX 5080 rollout for its GeForce Now cloud gaming service is now complete, so it’s ready to announce some additional features for subscribers. In the coming months, Nvidia is planning to launch native GeForce Now apps for Linux and Amazon’s Fire TV devices, alongside flight control support for its cloud gaming service.

The native Linux app is a highly requested feature for GeForce Now, especially as subscribers have had to rely on unofficial apps or browser tweaks to get access to the service. A beta of GeForce Now for Linux will be available initially for Ubuntu 24.04 and newer soon, nearly a year after Nvidia made it easier to access GeForce Now on the Linux-based SteamOS.

“Right now, the GeForce Now Linux app is going to launch first as a beta on Ubuntu 24.04 primarily because this is a long-term support release that enables stable graphics drivers and consistent system libraries,” says Michael McSorley, product marketing manager at Nvidia, in a briefing with The Verge. “As we continually test the app, we’re going to be expanding formal support to additional [Linux] distributions in the coming weeks.”

Nvidia is also further expanding GeForce Now into the living room with support for Amazon Fire TV devices. The app will launch early this year for Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and 4K Max initially, allowing owners to stream PC games to their TV with just a controller.

If you’re a fan of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Nvidia is also introducing full flight control support for GeForce Now so that devices from Thrustmaster and Logitech will work on its cloud gaming service. That means you can connect a joystick or yoke to an underpowered laptop and stream a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with the controls all working in the game.

Nvidia is also enabling automatic sign-in for Battle.net accounts on GeForce Now this week, with Gaijin.net account support soon. And if you’re wondering when GeForce Now will finally launch in India, as Nvidia promised last year, it has been delayed to “sometime in Q1, 2026,” according to McSorley.

Chrome extensions are supposed to make your browser more useful, but they’ve quietly become one of the easiest ways for attackers to spy on what you do online. Security researchers recently uncovered two Chrome extensions that have been doing exactly that for years.

These extensions looked like harmless proxy tools, but behind the scenes, they were hijacking traffic and stealing sensitive data from users who trusted them. What makes this case worse is where these extensions were found. Both were listed on Chrome’s official extension marketplace.

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Malicious Chrome extensions hiding in plain sight

Researchers at Socket discovered two Chrome extensions using the same name, “Phantom Shuttle,” that were posing as tools for proxy routing and network speed testing (via Bleeping Computer). According to the researchers, the extensions have been active since at least 2017.

Both extensions were published under the same developer name and marketed toward foreign trade workers who need to test internet connectivity from different regions. They were sold as subscription-based tools, with prices ranging from roughly $1.40 to $13.60.

At a glance, everything looked normal. The descriptions matched the functionality. The pricing seemed reasonable. The problem was what the extensions were doing after installation.

How Phantom Shuttle steals your data

Socket researchers say Phantom Shuttle routes all your web traffic through proxy servers controlled by the attacker. Those proxies use hardcoded credentials embedded directly into the extension’s code. To avoid detection, the malicious logic is hidden inside what appears to be a legitimate jQuery library.

The attackers didn’t just leave credentials sitting in plain text. The extensions hide them using a custom character-index encoding scheme. Once active, the extension listens to web traffic and intercepts HTTP authentication challenges on any site you visit.

To make sure traffic always flows through their infrastructure, the extensions dynamically reconfigure Chrome’s proxy settings using an auto-configuration script. This forces your browser to route requests exactly where the attacker wants them.

In its default “smarty” mode, Phantom Shuttle routes traffic from more than 170 high-value domains through its proxy network. That list includes developer platforms, cloud service dashboards, social media sites and adult content portals. Local networks and the attacker’s own command-and-control domain are excluded, likely to avoid breaking things or raising suspicion.

While acting as a man-in-the-middle, the extension can capture anything you submit through web forms. That includes usernames, passwords, card details, personal information, session cookies from HTTP headers and API tokens pulled directly from network requests.

CyberGuy contacted Google about the extensions, and a spokesperson confirmed that both have been removed from the Chrome Web Store.

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How to review the extensions installed in your browser (Chrome)

The step-by-step instructions below apply to Windows PCs, Macs and Chromebooks. In other words, desktop Chrome. Chrome extensions cannot be fully reviewed or removed from the mobile app.

Step 1: Open your extensions list

• Open Chrome on your computer.
• Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
• Select Extensions
• Then click Manage Extensions.

You can also type this directly into the address bar and press Enter:
chrome://extensions

Step 2: Look for anything you do not recognize

Go through every extension listed and ask yourself:

• Do I remember installing this?
• Do I still use it?
• Do I know what it actually does?

If the answer is no to any of these, take a closer look.

Step 3: Review permissions and access

Click Details on any extension you are unsure about. Pay attention to:

• Permissions, especially anything that can read or change data on websites you visit
• Site access, such as extensions that run on all sites
• Background access, which allows the extension to stay active even when not in use

Proxy tools, VPNs, downloaders and network-related extensions deserve extra scrutiny.

Step 4: Disable suspicious extensions first

If something feels off, toggle the extension off. This immediately stops it from running without deleting it. If everything still works as expected, the extension was likely not essential.

Step 5: Remove extensions you no longer need

To fully remove an extension:

• Click Remove
• Confirm when prompted

Unused extensions are a common target for abuse and should be cleaned out regularly.

Step 6: Restart Chrome

Close and reopen Chrome after making changes. This ensures disabled or removed extensions are no longer active.

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6 steps you can take to stay safe from malicious Chrome extensions

You can’t control what slips through app store reviews, but you can reduce your risk by changing how you install and manage extensions.

1) Install extensions only when absolutely necessary

Every extension increases your attack surface. If you don’t genuinely need it, don’t install it. Convenience extensions often come with far more permissions than they deserve.

2) Check the publisher carefully

Reputable developers usually have a history, a website and multiple well-known extensions. Be cautious with tools from unknown publishers, especially those offering network or proxy features.

3) Read multiple user reviews, not just ratings

Star ratings can be faked or manipulated. Look for detailed reviews that mention long-term use. Watch out for sudden waves of generic praise.

4) Review permissions before clicking install

If an extension asks to “read and change all data on websites you visit,” take that seriously. Proxy tools and network extensions can see everything you do.

5) Use a password manager

A password manager won’t stop a malicious extension from spying on traffic, but it can limit damage. Unique passwords mean stolen credentials can’t unlock multiple accounts. Many managers also refuse to autofill on suspicious pages.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com/Passwords) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

6) Install strong antivirus software

Strong antivirus software can flag suspicious network activity, proxy abuse and unauthorized changes to browser settings. This adds a layer of defense beyond Chrome’s own protections.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt’s key takeaway

This attack doesn’t rely on phishing emails or fake websites. It works because the extension itself becomes part of your browser. Once installed, it sees nearly everything you do online. Extensions like Phantom Shuttle are dangerous because they blend real functionality with malicious behavior. The extensions deliver the proxy service they promise, which lowers suspicion, while quietly routing user data through attacker-controlled servers.

When was the last time you reviewed the extensions installed in your browser? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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