You’re hitting the road and your phone battery is low: Rats. Set the route in your GPS app before you leave, then switch your phone into Airplane mode. You’ll still follow your route thanks to your phone’s built-in GPS, but you’ll save battery life by cutting off data-hungry apps. Smart.
This might be the best iPhone feature you never knew existed
It’s no wonder iPhones are so popular. Even though the high-end models will set you back $1,000 or more, they’re undeniably easy to use and packed with incredible features.
Did you know you can use the Notes app as a document scanner? You can upload a document and share it however you like in just a few clicks. Tap or click to try this super easy tip.
How about this trick: If your service is sketchy, switch to Airplane Mode, wait five seconds, switch it off and try again. I’ve got four more insider wireless tips for better signal strength here.
If you’re thinking, “Why didn’t I know that sooner?” keep reading. This powerful iPhone feature is one that you can customize to your heart’s content.
Give Back Tap a try
Apple introduced a helpful new accessibility feature with iOS 14 called Back Tap. It allows you to customize shortcuts by double and triple tapping on the back of your phone.
Instead of remembering a ton of button combinations and contorting your fingers, you simply tap your iPhone two or three times. This action triggers anything from opening the Control Center to looking at notifications or even launching an app.
You can’t set an action for just one tap — think about how often you’d accidentally set that off — but you can do almost anything with a double or triple tap. Here are some of the most useful:
- Take a screenshot
- Open the App Switcher
- Go to your Home screen
- Mute
- Open the Notification Center
- Open Siri
- Turn the volume up or down
- Magnify or zoom
- Scroll up or down
How to enable Back Tap and set up actions
Back Tap is an extension of Apple’s accessibility features. You’ll need an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 14 or later to enable it.
- Open Settings, scroll down and tap Accessibility.
- Under the Physical and Motor category, tap on Touch.
- Scroll to the bottom and choose Back Tap.
- From here, tap on Double Tap to set up double-tap and Triple Tap to set up triple-tap.
- Select whichever function you’d like for your desired tap. Once you tap on a function, you’ll see a blue checkmark verifying it’s enabled.
- If you don’t like the Back Tap feature you choose, tap None at the top of the screen on the Back Tap settings page. This will clear your selection so you can choose again and keep it blank.
Weak signal? How to get better Wi-Fi on your Android
You rely on your phone for a lot. It helps to give your tech a checkup now and then to avoid more severe and costly problems later. Tap or click here for six ways to get started.
What’s more frustrating than lousy Wi-Fi when you’re trying to get something done? Your Android phone loses much of its functionality without a solid network connection. The problem could be coming from several sources, and we’re here to help you narrow them down and get your internet back on track.
Make life easier with these 9 essential Android Quick Settings
With so many helpful Android features, there are probably at least a few that have bypassed your radar. Tap or click here for hidden Android features you should be using.
There’s another cool Android trick that you probably use daily. We’re talking about Quick Settings. So, what are they? They let you quickly adjust Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Do Not Disturb and more.
Customize your iPhone's Control Center with these hidden options
We’re getting to the point where a smartphone can completely replace a wallet. You already can pay and carry important documents on your phone, including car insurance, proof of vaccination, boarding pass, event tickets and more.
Windows 11 smarts: “Quick settings” lets you control Airplane mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Battery-saver mode and lots more, all in one place. To open it, left-click on the taskbar where the speaker icon is. To edit what you see, click the pencil icon. Unpin anything you don’t use. Easy-peasy.
No bars: When your cell service is wonky, switch your phone to Airplane mode, wait a few seconds, then change it back. This will reconnect you to the nearest cell tower.
📶 No bars: When your cell service is wonky, switch your phone to Airplane mode, wait a few seconds, then change it back. This will reconnect you to the nearest cell tower. Sweet!
Airplane mode for the movies: Wear an Apple Watch? Theater mode silences your notifications when you don’t want your watch to light up or make a sound. Swipe up from your control center and tap on the Theater mode button (it looks like a happy face and a sad face side by side).
Tech tip: How to get more life out of your phone battery when it's about to die
Our phones control just about everything we do. We use them to communicate with our friends, pay our bills and track appointments, among numerous other things. This is convenient as long as your battery stays charged.
No cell signal? Best ways to boost signal strength when your calls won’t go through
Today’s tech means we’re always connected — when our connections actually work the way they should.
Is your Wi-Fi crawling? No one has time or patience for that. Tap or click for 10 smart ways to fix your slow internet connection. Know the tricks before you need them.
5 ways to boost your iPhone’s signal strength
You probably know the best place in your home to make a call on your smartphone. It’s usually going by a window or stepping outside, away from any interference. I own a modern house built primarily with steel, and it’s like living in a Faraday cage.
No bars? 4 ways to get better service on your iPhone
It’s no secret that Americans love their iPhones. Just take a walk down the street and you will see pedestrians snapping selfies, listening to music, or texting. Want more ways to get the most out of your iPhone? Tap or click here for 10 tricks that will make you an iPhone master.