Whether you’re a gadget newbie or a tech expert, there are always new things to learn about your devices and software. Here are a few helpful tips to keep you on top of your game.
Developers are always coming up with new tricks, shortcuts and hidden features to make your technology even more efficient. Take advantage of these tips to get the most from your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop.
1. Keep it clean
Your mobile device goes everywhere with you and is an everyday part of your life. And like any other piece of technology, your smartphone can pick up germs, viruses and bacteria as it carries your information around.
To keep your phone free of germs, there are a few simple steps to take. First, you should consider how often you clean your phone.
Using disinfecting wipes or other germ-busting products is the best way to remove bacteria from your screen and keep your device clean. But you’ll want to be careful not to overdo it.
For example, it’s not a good idea to use sprays to clean your screen, as they can leave streaks on your display. Instead, you should use a microfiber cloth to wipe down your screen and any other high-touch areas of your smartphone.
Also, you should be sure to clean your case regularly as well. This will help reduce the number of germs that can enter your phone from your case, says Forte.
The best thing to do to keep your phone in tip-top shape is to wipe it down with a microfiber cloth or disinfecting wipe on a regular basis. This will not only keep it clean, but it can also extend the life of your device.
You should also avoid blowing compressed air onto your phone or dusting it with household glass and surface cleaners. While these products are often labeled as cleaning devices, they can be harmful to your phone and can actually damage its fingerprint-resistant coatings. Likewise, you should never use bleach or vinegar to clean your phone, either straight or in a solution. These substances will strip your screen’s coating and cause it to lose its luster.
2. Turn off notifications
Notifications are great for giving you updates on what’s happening around your smartphone, but they can also be a nuisance. They can distract you from work and other important tasks, and they can be hard to ignore, especially when you’re traveling or in a busy public space.
There are a few ways to turn off notifications on your mobile device, including by turning on Do Not Disturb mode or by adjusting settings for each app individually. This can help you stop receiving too many notifications from your favorite apps while you’re on vacation or in a quiet place.
To turn off notifications for an individual app, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications and then scroll down to the app you want to silence. You’ll see a toggle next to Allow Notifications and you can either disable it or switch it back on to receive all of the app’s alerts again.
Android 9.0 Pie includes a “Swipe to Off” feature that lets you disable notifications from a specific app by repeatedly swiping them off without tapping on them. This is particularly useful for deleting annoying or unwanted push notifications from certain apps, like Facebook or Instagram.
Another option is to use the Notification Shade to manage and block notifications. This is similar to Android 8.0 Oreo’s Swipe to Unblock method but is more detailed and easier to navigate, because it shows you exactly what types of notifications each app sends.
The Notification Shade also has a “Snooze” option that lets you snooze a notification for a time you choose, which is especially helpful when you need to take a break from notifications but don’t want to completely turn off your phone. You can snooze notifications from the Notification Shade or from your lock screen, and you can even change the duration of your snoozed notifications by tapping the clock icon.
3. Keep it safe
With the increase in mobile technology and increasing access to information, there is a lot of data being stored on phones and tablets. This information includes contact details, photos, and location data. It can also be used to access personal bank accounts and other sensitive information.
Keeping your mobile devices safe is not an easy task, but there are some simple things you can do to make your phone more secure. These tips can help you avoid a lot of the problems that plague smartphones and tablets, such as viruses and theft.
One of the most obvious ways to protect your data is to create strong passwords that are difficult for hackers to guess. Passwords should be longer than just a PIN, and they should include numbers and symbols as well as letters.
Another way to keep your mobile device safe is to encrypt the data you store on it. This makes it impossible for someone to read the content of your device without knowing the encryption key.
The key here is to ensure that you are using strong encryption software that can be updated regularly. This will keep your data safe from a wide range of threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
Taking these steps will help to keep your mobile device secure, so you can enjoy all the features it has to offer. It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of using your device for work, play and other purposes, but it is important that you remember that you need to take precautions to ensure that your data is protected.
In 1735, Benjamin Franklin said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s the same with mobile devices; just an ounce of effort goes a long way when it comes to security.
4. Keep it charged
The battery is a mobile device’s lifeblood, and it needs to be taken care of to keep it working at its best. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to maximize its longevity and ensure it continues to provide your phone with the power it needs to function properly for years to come.
The biggest trick to keeping your smartphone’s battery at its best is minimizing the amount of charging it requires over time. This will help you save money and keep your battery healthy.
It’s also important to understand the science behind a battery’s lifespan. The lithium-ion batteries used in our smartphones undergo a chemical process that reduces their capacity and decreases their life expectancy over time.
One of the most important parts of that process is heat. Charging your device too hot can accelerate this process and shorten the battery’s lifespan.
To prevent this, try limiting your charges to the minimum required to get you from point A to point B.
Alternatively, you can use an intelligent battery monitor to optimize your charging routine. Some smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, offer optimization features on their iOS devices.
Another way to maximize your battery’s life is by using a wireless charger. This will save you from fumbling with your cords while charging and ensure you’re getting the most out of every charge.
Finally, make sure to turn off your phone from time to time. A little rest goes a long way, and we all know you’re more productive when you can take a few minutes to relax.
5. Keep it organized
There are a lot of hidden features and shortcuts you can use to make your mobile device more useful. It might not sound like a big deal, but they can save you a ton of time and sanity.
For instance, I’ve always taught people to use the search bar on their phone to quickly find the setting or app they’re looking for. The built-in search function makes it super easy to do, and a lot less frustrating than constantly tapping the settings or scrolling through menus to get there.
It’s also a good idea to keep your home screen organized with the apps you use MOST often. This will help you keep your phone tidy and make it easier to navigate. For Android phones, this means sorting your apps in the app tray or drawer alphabetically – but you can also organize them into folders, too. It’s important to do this in a way that makes sense to you so you can easily find what you need and keep your phone clutter-free. The following tech tips will help you do just that!
