Phones and Mobile - Tips & How-Tos

Not all iPhones can run the new iOS 17. Find out which version of iOS is the latest that's available for your iPhone and how to install it. 

While using Snap Map is a fun way to stay connected, it has inherent privacy risks, leaking data about your movements that you may not be aware of.

These seven tips will help you keep your phone in good shape well beyond when you've stopped paying off your two-year contract.

Use FaceTime on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to share a view of your screen in real-time to browse the web, watch videos, or even provide tech support.

If you have photos and videos on your phone that you don't want friends and family to stumble upon, you can secure them in a locked folder. Here's how.

Google Maps does so much more than get you from point A to point B. Here are our favorite features, along with some hidden tips and tricks. 

Getting a great-sounding pair of in-ear headphones is in part about the fit. Here's how to get the most out of your pair.

Notes give you a short-form, casual way to share status updates in short posts with a limited audience. Find out how you can use it to express yourself.

Capturing fireworks can be hard if you stick with the auto settings on your smartphone. So, try these simple tricks for photos you'll want to share.

Instagram Highlights are curated collections of Stories you can use to showcase your passions on your profile. Here's how to get started creating them.

Chat Lock secures conversations with Face ID or your fingerprint, hides your chat list, and anonymizes chat notifications. Here's how to enable it.

Are you puzzled by why you sometimes see green iPhone messages instead of blue? We explore why this happens, how to fix it, and why sometimes you can't.

Warnings from the FBI about hackers stealing your data when you plug into free charging stations isn't new news, but the potential risks are still real.

There's no need to be confused by Snapchat's emoji indicators — we'll tell you the difference between a golden heart and a pink heart, plus the rest of Snapchat's symbols.

You can easily request a refund from Apple for apps, in-app purchases, or subscription services you either don't want or that you purchased accidentally.

As long as you have access to WiFi, you can set up and use your smartphone for free without a SIM, including calling and texting with a virtual phone number.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) prevents hackers from gaining access to your accounts even if they have your password. Here are the best practices for using 2FA.

Here's how to keep your Android phone clean and free from bacteria and viruses, while avoiding the chemicals that can permanently damage your display.

Saving what you see on your computer (Windows, Mac or Chromebook) or phone (iOS or Android) is simple if you know the right combination of buttons to push.

We explore the nine ways your phone can be hacked, the tell-tale signs to look for on your device, and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

Whether your phone is missing or you've misplaced it with the ringer off, there are easy ways to find your iPhone or Android phone.

Discover what's draining your iPhone battery and what you can do about it without significantly impacting the way you use your phone.

If you have forgotten your Apple ID password, it is possible to reset it so you can regain access to your account. Here’s how.

All major cellular providers have programs to monitor your mobile activities to serve more targeted ads. Here's how to opt out of sharing your data.

I researched and analyzed the nationwide iPhone repair providers to clearly establish the costs, benefits, and drawbacks for each of the options. 

Your iPhone can automatically share important medical information and notify emergency contacts in case of a serious emergency, if you opt in first.

Apple has built shortcuts into iOS that make launching video recording from your iPhone's lock screen or while using your iPhone nearly instantaneous.

When you're on the go, you can get the info you need on that product, place, or landmark by snapping a picture with these apps.

A pop-up claims you have a virus and need to call tech support. Or maybe you're just getting annoying pop-up ads. Has your phone been hacked? Here's how to tell.

These free personal safety apps can alert others that you need help, even if you're unable to send an SOS yourself.

In Android 11 and higher, you’ll find a basic screen-recording tool built-in that can capture your phone’s video and audio, as well as sound from the mic.

Here’s how you can make your smartphone and laptop screens more readable without resorting to reading glasses.

Passwords you save when using Chrome can sync across all your devices. Here's how to use Google Password Manager on your computer, phone, and tablet.

We did the research to find reputable sellers that have used iPhones that work like new and are backed up by a good return policy and warranty.

Even when you can't get a signal, you can still call and text on your Android phone with WiFi calling. Here's how to easily set it up on your phone.

Google keeps making browsing more efficient. So even if you've been using Chrome for years, check out our 12 tips to see what you may be missing.

Here are our favorite apps, services and products to get your photos off your phone and into your hands as physical prints.

Want to know if your friends have read your messages? Facebook Messenger will tell you when your message has been sent, delivered and read.

We compare the details of plans offered by the carriers, Apple, Samsung, and aftermarket providers to determine which plans provide the best coverage.

Easily set your favorite song as your ringtone, edit or customize sound files to make custom ringtones, and assign unique ringtones to important people.

Find out how to use your iPhone's essential features more efficiently and which battery-draining features you can turn off without impacting daily use.

Follow our 5 tips and you'll be maximizing your charging speed, whether its with your current charger or one of the new superfast ones we recommend. 

With just a few taps, you can send photos to one person or a whole group of people much faster than using email or text using our step-by-step instructions.

After testing the solutions, we found the best ways to connect for the most popular models of TVs and phones.

Here’s how to find your subscription status and stop paying for app subscriptions on your Android or Apple device.

We show you how to delete personal data found in your online search and browsing history, as well as in Spotlight search and app data shared with Siri.

We found two apps that reliably record incoming and outgoing calls on Android phones.

Phone insurance and extended protection plans aren't cheap, but the investment can save you big down the line should your phone get lost, stolen or damaged.

Apple’s AirPods can pair just as easily with your Windows PC as any other pair of Bluetooth headphones. Here’s how.