📧 Heads-up, Gmail users: Google’s phasing out text message 2FA codes for logging in. If you don’t update your security settings in time, you could get locked out. You’ll now need to set up a passkey or use an authenticator app instead. To update: Go to Google Account Settings > Security > How you sign in to Google > and choose passkey or app.
These tech tips will make you too powerful
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When you’re the tech-savvy friend, it’s basically your job to fix everything that plugs in. Who saves the saviors? Me! Now, depending on your OS, model, updates and general tech karma, your screen might not match mine exactly. Don’t panic, just keep moving forward. You’ve got this!
Secret Windows restart trick
A simple reboot can fix most computer issues. Instead, try a Shift shutdown to close all processes and apps and clear the RAM completely.
- Hold down the Shift key before you hit Restart.
- Keep holding it until your PC powers down.
- Choose Continue when it turns back on.
♻️ Did you know … Windows is more environmentally friendly than macOS? Windows puts your deleted files in the Recycle Bin; macOS just throws them in the Trash. (Bet you never thought of that before!)
Wipe your location from photos
Your phone is a snitch. Every photo you snap is packed with metadata, the time, camera settings and location (hello, stalkers). Here’s how to turn it off.
- On iPhone, open the image you want to share and tap the share button (square with an arrow pointing up). Next, select Options and toggle off Location.
- On Android, open your Gallery, select the photo, then go to More options (three dots) > Details > Edit > click Remove location information (red minus icon) and tap Save.
Fix your phone’s call audio
Let’s say you’re on the phone with a pal, and your background is so noisy that your friend can’t hear you. Good news if you have an iPhone: There’s Voice Isolation mode.
- Place your call, and when your recipient picks up, swipe down from the top right of your screen to access the Control Center.
- Tap Phone Controls at the top. Under Audio & Video, choose the button labeled Voice Isolation.
On a Samsung phone, open Settings > Sounds and vibration > Sound quality and effects. Here, you’ll see Adapt sound. You can customize this or choose a preset option. Super easy.
Wi-Fi slow? It’s probably this
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You pay for high-speed internet, but your current connection is slower than your mom who took nine months to come up with a good joke. Something’s off, and no, it’s not Mercury in retrograde (this time).
Enter: DNS.
About 43.5°F
That’s the average refrigerator temperature in thousands of homes across Europe. The FDA says yours should be at 40°F or colder. Anything warmer, bacteria grows on your ready-to-eat food. So yeah, check your settings. If your cheese grabs you back, maybe turn that dial down.
Losing your cursor on Windows 11? Make it bigger or change the color so it’s easier to spot. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. Slide the Size bar to make it bigger, then pick a pointer style. Try the inverted option to have it adjust to any background, or pick a custom color you like.
Your smart thermostat is basically a nosy roommate
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Charles in San Antonio asked, “Kim, I have one of those smart thermostats. It must collect a lot of my data. Where does it all go?”
Buckle up, Charles, because your thermostat might know more about you than your best friend, your doctor or your cat. If you’ve got a Nest, Ecobee or any of those sleek little screens controlling your HVAC, they’re managing temperature while they basically stalk you, politely and with your permission.
Check your kid’s phone for this app now
Briana from Houston is like so many moms I know. She’s busy, loving and doing everything she can to raise smart, safe kids in a digital world that changes faster than you can hit “update.”
She told me that when her 12-year-old daughter asked to download an app called Zepeto, it seemed harmless enough. Create a cute avatar. Dress it up. Play games. Chat with friends.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: On iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to check if you need a replacement battery. Brillant, I know.
Browse control: Google’s SafeSearch filters out explicit content from search results. But it’s not on by default for anyone over 13. Open Search Settings, click SafeSearch and check the setting you want to turn on. Pro tip: If your teen uses Chrome, you can manage it through Google Family Link.
📱 Be our guest: Android’s Guest mode creates a temporary profile that keeps your stuff separate if you lend your phone. Open Settings > System > Multiple users. Toggle on Allow multiple users and Delete guest activity to wipe their data when you switch back. Press Add guest > Switch to Guest to launch it.
🛡️ App armor: Fake Google Play Store links are out there. One wrong tap and you’ve downloaded an app full of malware. Turning on Improve harmful app detection lets Google scan shady apps for a safety check. Open the app, tap your profile icon (top right) > Play Protect > Settings > toggle it on.
🔞 Google Messages now blurs unwanted nudes: If someone’s about to send you a spicy pic, you’ll get a heads-up and the option to view it or block the sender. Accidentally sending one? You’ll get a reminder like, “Are you sure you want to send this?” FYI, it’s on by default for kids, but you can double-check under Settings > Protection and Safety.
Weather the storm: Get alerts about severe weather and earthquakes right on your phone. On Android, go to Settings > Notifications > Wireless emergency alerts. For iPhone, open Settings > Notifications. Under “Government Alerts,” toggle on Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts.
🛜 Off the grid? Check Gmail anytime, even without an internet connection. Just log into Gmail, tap the gear icon > See all settings > Offline tab > click Enable offline mail. Click here to go right to that page. Choose your offline data settings and hit Save. This only works in Chrome and not in Incognito mode.
🤓 Lost your glasses? Save a digital copy of your prescription, so it’s always handy while you’re away from home. On iPhone, open the Health app > Browse > Body Measurements > Vision Prescription > Add a Prescription. Tap Add once you’ve filled in your info. Android crew, scan your card and upload it to Google Drive. The future is 20/20, but only in your file storage settings.
📺 Cast away: Got an Android and a Roku? Share your phone right to your TV without extra gadgets. On your Roku, go to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring and toggle it on. Then, grab your phone, head to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Cast. This won’t work for Apple folks, so fire up AirPlay. Now your screen can be blurry in 60 glorious inches.
🚨 Don’t fall for this Zoom scam: Hackers are tricking people into installing malware. It starts with a fake podcast or interview invite. They ask you to share your screen. Then they request remote access but change their display name to “Zoom” so it looks like the app. Click Approve, and they’re in! Tip: Disable remote control in your settings.
📱 Swipe to write: Try swipe typing to write faster by sliding your fingers over your keyboard instead of tapping each letter. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > toggle on Slide to Type. For Android, head to Settings > General management > Keyboard settings > Swipe, touch, and feedback > Keyboard swipe controls > turn on Swipe to type. These names may vary by Android.
✋ Hands off: Don’t let slippery fingers fast-forward your YouTube binge. Lock the screen and keep your place. In the YouTube app, tap the video player and hit Settings (gear icon) > Lock screen. When you’re done watching, tap anywhere and press Tap to unlock. Head over to my channel and give it a try. It’s like baby mode for adults who aggressively snack.
🗣️ Speak not: Don’t let strangers use your phone with just their voice. On iPhone, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Under Allow Access When Locked, toggle off Siri. For Android, say, “Hey, Google, open Assistant settings.” Tap Lock screen and turn off Assistant responses on lock screen.