Echo sound muffled? You’ll know — it’s like your smart speaker is underwater. To fix this, unplug the Echo, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. The magic restart trick! Yep, it works.
Quickly access the secret menu on your Android phone
When cell phones first came out, they did one thing: Make phone calls. Our smartphones now are supercomputers stored in our pockets, and most of us don’t tap into their true potential. Tap or click here for seven things you didn’t know your Android could do.
From hacks and tricks to secret options, iOS and Android have hidden ways to get the most out of your expensive accessory. If you own an Android phone, there’s a hack that you might find handy.
If your phone is malfunctioning or you are curious to check out new features, you can locate a diagnostics menu to assist you. Certain Android smartphones have a secret menu, and we’ll show you how to find it.
What’s in the secret menu
This secret menu was developed for technicians to quickly look at your phone and see what was functioning or what wasn’t. As it was designed for technicians, not everyone knows about the menu.
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If your phone is malfunctioning, you can test the diagnostics menu to see if certain features function correctly. You can check the components of your phone like the display, speaker, S-Pen and more.
This feature is only available on specific Samsung models, so not everyone will have access.
How to locate it
Instead of tapping on the back of your phone or swiping a finger, this menu can be pulled up using the dialing pad. Here’s how:
- Open the dialing pad as if you were making a phone call.
- Type *#0*#.
- The menu will appear automatically.
The diagnostics menu will pop up as a grey screen with white buttons. Be careful what you press, though, as this menu was made for trained technicians, not everyday users.
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You may have experienced high-end audio at a movie theater or music festival. Think about sounds coming from different directions. The right settings can make a few speakers sound like a dozen speakers with a small home setup.
The best accessories for your new Android tech
Now that the holiday season is just about past us, you’ve likely already gotten acquainted with your new Android tablet or phone. That means you probably have a good idea of what it can do, and now you’re thinking of ways you can improve it.
Pump it up down: Your iPhone’s speaker goes a lot louder than what’s good for your ears. From Settings, pick Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety > Reduce Loud Audio. This one’s good to adjust for the kids, too.
20 gifts around $25 for the person who has everything
We’re down to the wire on holiday shopping. If you haven’t finished marking off gifts on your Christmas list, you need to get it done soon.
Shopping this year is unlike any other. We’re in the middle of a pandemic, making it harder to peruse the aisles for the perfect gift. Online shopping is a lot safer — and you can find everything you need from your browser. Tap or click here for 15 great tech gifts for everyone on your list as a good starting point.