How to find your Wi-Fi password on your Android phone or tablet
Using a password manager makes this easier
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How to forward your number on every major US carrier
Forwarding calls to another number is easier than you think
Call forwarding allows you to redirect calls to a different number. When you're unavailable or left your phone at home, you can forward calls to a partner, assistant, or office number. Though you've likely heard of call forwarding, you may not know that it's an easy-to-activate option available on most modern phones, including the latest Android devices. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Google Fi all support call forwarding. However, the method to turn it on is different for each. Read on and learn how to turn on call forwarding on your device, whoever your provider is.
How to enable, disable, and use RCS Chat in Google Messages
It's probably time we moved on from the old SMS standard
The RCS messaging protocol has been a long time coming. While iPhone owners have had interactive iMessages for years, Android users had to use third-party messaging apps for years, as carriers were slow to warm up to RCS. Google Messages' adoption of the RCS standard has made the app even better, as it lets you enjoy secure and interactive texting on your Android phone.
The Google Pixel 8 is here with a stylish but ergonomic design and powerful AI features. But it's not all good news. While our review praised the feature-packed flagship, there are a few issues you should be aware of, whether you're considering picking one up or are trying to solve problems you encountered.
How to make your favorite song your ringtone on Android
Might as well make answering your phone a little more fun
Every device nowadays comes with incredible customization options. This includes aesthetic customization with cases and straps and internal personalization with custom wallpapers and ringtones. Stock ringtones pre-installed on your new Android smartphone sound good enough. That said, they cannot make the phone sound unique to you.
When talking about any technological hardware, the subject of batteries frequently comes up, and for good reason. Whether a device is wired or chargeable, batteries are the heart of any equipment that runs off electricity, from flashlights to satellites. Elements like Lithium are often associated with batteries, but another element is more relevant to your favorite bargain Android phones and tablets: Graphene.
How to automatically delete OTP verification and 2FA codes from your iPhone
Find out how to automatically delete OTP and 2FA codes on your iPhone
Security is of the utmost importance when using any modern device. It's not enough to rely on a combination of e-mail and password. Two-factor authentication on Apple devices works similarly to the way it does on Android-powered tablets and smartphones. In addition to a password, it requires a one-time use code to log in to your account. This code is sent to your phone number or an authenticator app that generates the code. While the codes generated by a third-party app are promptly replaced, codes sent via SMS accumulate over time. It can quickly make your iPhone seem cluttered with outdated codes.
Every smartphone needs a SIM card that assigns you a phone number and lets you call, text, and use the best data plans. But, there's more than one type of SIM card, and the user experience varies between each.
The Pixel Personal Safety app: What it is and how to use it
Learn how to set up Google's Pixel Personal Safety app for help after a car crash or in an emergency and location check-ins when you feel vulnerable
The last few years have seen many Android companies create or strengthen their safety services. Google's Pixel Personal Safety app was designed to bring help when you're in danger or to keep track of your location and situation when you feel vulnerable. Originally a Google Pixel exclusive, the Personal Safety app is now compatible with several Android phones. To see if the Personal Safety app works on your phone, visit the Play Store. If you own a Samsung device, the company has its own implementation called Samsung SOS.
Phones have become an integral part of who we are. They're our means of communication, contain important memories and precious files, and can be our secondary productivity tools. It's unimaginable to go anywhere without one, just like your keys or your wallet. But just like keys and wallets, your phone is susceptible to being lost. And because of their smaller form factor, losing track of your Samsung phone is easier than a more sizable Samsung tablet.
How to improve the battery life on your Google Pixel Fold
Get the best out of your Google Pixel Fold battery
The Google Pixel Fold marks Google's first entry into the world of foldables. With a unique hinge, class-leading camera, and wider external screen, there is a lot to like about Pixel Fold. However, in our Pixel Fold review, we found the 4821mAh battery cell to be just enough to get through a typical day.
If you own a Google Pixel, you'll likely perform a factory reset at some point. While factory resetting a Pixel is similar to most Android devices, some unique steps may catch you unaware. Even if you recently bought a flagship Pixel 8 or a new Pixel 7a, it's a good idea to learn how to perform a factory reset safely. This guide explains what happens when you complete a factory reset and shows you how to perform one without issue.
Google's Pixel phones are the best place to experience the latest Android features thanks to the quarterly Pixel Feature Drops, which occasionally include updates for the rest of the Pixel lineup, including the Pixel Watch 2.
These are the apps you can delete from your Google Pixel smartphone
Not every default app is useful on your Google Pixel smartphone
Apart from a class-leading camera, AI features, and a smooth user interface, Google's Pixel lineup is known for offering a bloatware-free experience to Android users. The latest Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro follows the same legacy. While several Google apps are must-haves for your digital life, deactivating or deleting irrelevant ones can de-clutter the app drawer and the home screen.
How to check for software updates on your Google Pixel phone
It's not just you, even I can't wait to get the latest update
Google recently introduced the Google Pixel 8 alongside the Google Pixel Watch 2. The Pixel 7 series proved popular in 2022, and it seems that the Pixel 8 series won't let us down either. The new Pixel phone features significant design changes, has a new processor, and runs Android 14 out of the box. The latest version of the Android operating system is also rolling out to the Pixel 4a 5G and its successors.
Google Pixel 8: 7 settings to change immediately
Change these 7 settings after you've set up your new phone
Google's Pixel 8 series is here with some great new features and upgrades. Google's event on October 4, 2023, showed off the brand series of phones alongside the new Google Pixel Watch 2. Tons of new software tricks and features, alongside some modest hardware improvements, make these the best Pixel phones ever. They also compete well with Samsung's Galaxy S series to be the best Android phones on the market today. When you get your new Pixel 8 phone and turn it on, here are the first settings you should change to get the best Pixel experience possible.
If you're a gaming enthusiast, you likely count on the best gaming Chromebooks and laptops for a top-tier gaming experience. The good news is that innovation in mobile gaming has been moving at an extremely fast pace. Motorola is a case in point. It's bridging the gap and offering a comparable level of convenience and optimization on its smartphones through Moto Gametime. Below, we explore what Moto Gametime brings to the table for mobile gamers.
How to unlock a Google Pixel without a passcode
Check out the other ways to get access to your smartphone
A Google Pixel phone gives you different options to lock and protect it from being misused. You can set up your fingerprint, use your face to unlock it, and set a password or pattern. What if you set a passcode and forgot it, or someone entered the wrong password multiple times and locked your device? This situation can be frustrating and is common among Android phone users.
How to add medical information to your Android phone
Your phone can help save your life in an emergency
Not a day goes by that we don't use our smartphones. For many of us, it never leaves our side. It either sits snuggly in a pocket or is gripped tightly so that we don't drop it and crack the screen. We even keep phone chargers around the house and in our cars, so we never face a dead battery. One thing we don't give much thought to is how helpful our Android phones can be in the case of an emergency. From remembering emergency contacts to collecting medical information, your phone's medical emergency services can be a blessing that you hope you'll never need but are there when you do.
Why text message videos are blurry, and how to fix the problem
Media sent between iPhones looks pristine, but Android phones don't get the same treatment
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Even if you figure out the secret behind taking a fantastic photo with your Android phone, think twice before you send it to a friend. If you send it via a text message, they may receive a blurry image instead of the crystal-clear picture you took. Due to a few factors, media attachments like photos and videos can lose quality when sent over text messages, depending on the receiver and their phone.
It's important to back up your data if you're planning to reset your phone or move on to a new device. You'll also want to back up your SMS to make sure you retain important texts for later reference. It's easy to back up text messages on the Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other Android phones. Once that's done, you can restore your old texts on your new phone.