Smart how-to today: Set up Apple’s Stolen Device Protection setting. This hack only works if you set it up before your iPhone goes missing, so do it now before it’s too late.
Mac and Windows how-to: Add widgets to your desktop
Right on my Mac desktop, I can check my mouse battery (38% and dropping), see where my son Ian is (at work), get the latest weather update (hello, sunny Phoenix!), and even keep track of time with a world clock.
Widgets are like mini windows into your favorite apps, giving you instant info without the hassle of opening them up. Want to set yours up? I’ve got you covered!
For all my Windows pals
These steps may vary if you’ve already played around with widgets. Windows displays widgets in a board you can access by hovering over the weather icon in your taskbar or pressing Windows + W.
- Click the + (plus) at the top to add new widgets, then Pin any you like. To see more options, follow Find more widgets.
- Click the three dots (top left) on any widget to remove or customize it. For the stocks widget, for instance, you can pick which stocks are shown.
⭐ Photos and Shopping are useful, but look around and see what works for you. To put widgets on your actual Windows desktop, not a pop-up panel, you’ll need a third-party app, like the freemium Widget Launcher.
If you’re using macOS
On your desktop, click the date and time in the top right corner. The notification center pops up. That’s where you’ll find widgets.
- Click Edit Widgets at the bottom of the panel to add new ones. You can also hit Cmd + click on the desktop, then pick Edit Widgets to add them directly. You’ll get lots of choices, from news feeds to sticky notes.
Drag widgets down from the notification center to the desktop to move them. macOS will arrange them in a grid to keep your desktop tidy.
Pro tip: If you’ve got a MacBook, you definitely need the battery widget. It’ll remind you how much juice is left in your laptop aka how quickly you need to find a charger.
🤣 Why’d the pirate update his MacBook? His matey told him he needed an iPatch. (Sorry, had to.)
Tech how-to: Switch to a beta browser
play.google.com, google.com, mozilla.org, microsoft.com
Let me tell you a secret: I’m all about staying tech-ahead and not trailing behind, so I’m constantly tapping into apps, programs, hardware and more before they’re released to the public. You can do the same thing in one way, even if you’re not a Digital Goddess®.
‘How do I reset my old router?’
After I shared my router picks (and so many of you realized you have a TP-Link …), my inbox is flooded with this one: “What do I do with my old router after I upgrade?” Good question. A factory reset wipes your username, password, Wi-Fi network name or SSID, and any security settings.
Step 1: Look for a small button on the back or bottom of your router. It’s usually recessed (so you’ll need a paper clip to press it in) and may be labeled “Reset.”
Step 2: Do a 30-30-30 reset. It’s a bit of a pain but works for every router model I’ve come across. Here’s how:
- 👉 With your router plugged in, hold down the reset button for 30 seconds.
- While still pressing reset, unplug your router from the power source and count for another 30 seconds.
- Finally, still holding reset, reconnect the router to the power cord and count another final 30 seconds. Done!
It’s a new year
🥳 So try something new! These all sound like a blast to combat the post-holiday blues.
- This pickle kit lets you ferment and pickle anything your heart desires. My favorite? Red onions, yum!
- Crotchet a cute little dinosaur with a crotchet kit for beginners ($25). The step-by-step video tutorials are so helpful.
- Want to get into podcasts (ahem, like mine)? You need a nice set of earbuds like these* that sound great, have a 32-hour battery life and are a fraction of the price of AirPods.
- This cocktail codex (52% off) shows you the fundamentals of drinkmaking and how to make every kind of cocktail. It even gives substitutes if you’re missing any ingredients!
- Try your hand at calligraphy with this workbook for beginners (29% off, $20).
- An indoor herb garden kit (19% off) lets you grow your own herbs and veggies. It comes with a bunch of different pre-seeded pods that make it easy.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
How long is that video game?
Ready to take on a new video game? I’ve got the downlow on how to see how long it’ll take to beat.
Tech how-to: Get YouTube notifications
This is a smart way to always know when your favorite creators (ahem, me!) have a new video live.
Traveling soon? Don’t mess with pricey roaming fees or sketchy airport SIM cards. I use Saily eSIM — it’s the smart, secure way to stay connected anywhere in the world. Just download the app, choose your plan and you’re online in minutes. Here’s a how-to video. No physical SIM needed!
Windows 10 how-to: Roll back to a previous version
Having trouble with the latest Windows 10 update? Maybe it’s so bad, you wish you’d never updated your PC in the first place. In this Komando DIY, we walk you through how to roll back your Windows version.