Plus, Amazon bricks its health tracker. Surprise, no one wanted to hand over all that info. I talk to Sandy and Ellie, two 80-year-old grandmas that celebrated their milestone birthdays by traveling the world. Tinder’s new video verification, best and worst WFH jobs and sly ways to read a message.
Tech tip: How to use your phone to pay for everything
Get ready to ditch your old wallet for a faster, safer option. Instead of swiping your card at checkout, you only have to hold up your phone. Apple and Android smartphones allow you to pay for everything from your next latte to your new favorite sweater using built-in apps.
You can even use voice commands to send money to friends and family. Saying something like, “Hey Siri, send mom $100,” works as long as you have mom set up in your contacts. Tap or click here for five safe ways to pay online.
You can use Apple Wallet and Google Pay to buy things in stores, online or in apps. It’s easy to set up, too. We’ll walk you through the process. Pro tip: I always keep a $20 bill tucked inside my phone case. That way, if a retailer doesn’t accept digital payments, I always have another way to pay.
How to set up Apple Pay on iPhone
If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to add a card to Apple Wallet. Here’s how:
- Open Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
- Tap Add Card.
- Select Debit or Credit Card.
- If you have the physical card, position it within the frame on the screen. The iPhone’s camera will attempt to scan the card details automatically. Alternatively, you can choose the option to Enter Card Details Manually.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to provide the necessary information, such as card number, expiration date and cardholder name. You may also need to verify your identity through additional security measures, such as entering a verification code sent by your card issuer.
- Once you’ve entered all the required information, tap Next or Add Card to proceed.
- Your card issuer will verify the details and may require additional authentication steps, such as providing a one-time password or confirming your identity through their app or website. Follow the instructions provided by your card issuer to complete the verification process.
- Once the verification is successful, your card will be added to Apple Wallet and you can start using it for contactless payments and other supported features.
NOTE: The card you enter will become your default payment method for new charges.
Here’s how to make purchases using Apple Pay:
- To use your default card:
- If your iPhone has Face ID, double-click the side button. If prompted, authenticate with Face ID or enter your passcode to open Apple Wallet.
- If your iPhone has Touch ID, double-click the Home button.
- To use a different card, tap your default card to see your other cards. Tap a new card and authenticate.
- Hold the top of your iPhone near the contactless reader until Done and a checkmark appears on the display.
RELATED: 10 iPhone tricks you’ll use every day
Pro tip: If you’re on the go and want to use Apple Pay quickly, there’s a way to bypass your lock screen and go straight to your Wallet.
- If you have a FaceID-enabled iPhone, double-click the side button.
- If you have a Home button model, double-click Home instead.
- Your wallet will pop up and you can pay quickly. Then, verify the purchase with your fingerprint or FaceID.
PRIVACY 101: How to get photos of your home off Zillow, Redfin and Realtor.com
Are you thinking of selling your home? Hopefully, you’ve used some of your time to spruce it up. If not, it’s never too late. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, and even minor changes can add considerable value to your sell price later. Tap or click here for five tips on boosting your home’s value.
Scary signs that someone hacked your Amazon account
Returning items to Amazon is easy, but there are always exceptions. Here are four things the retail giant will not take back.
Then again, there’s likely some stuff around your house that Amazon, Target and Walmart are interested in. Trade in your old tech devices for credit.
Social media sites are going to charge for what was free — Here's how much
How many services are you subscribed to between streaming, retail and other platforms? They don’t amount to much alone, but together they could make a significant dent in your bank account every month. Here’s the easiest way to get rid of subscriptions you rarely use.
The high-tech way to protect your logins that’s better than 2FA
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is becoming standard across all your devices and accounts, and for good reason. It’s easy to use and one of four ways to protect yourself from hackers and scammers.
2FA usually consists of two things: something you know (like a password) and something you have (like a smartphone). It can even involve who you are (a thumbprint or facial scan).
The real danger of those seemingly harmless online quizzes
Social media is an excellent way to stay connected, but sometimes you inadvertently share more than you should. They might seem innocent, but hundreds of quizzes are going around that can expose sensitive information. It’s best to opt for an auditory illusion like this one, which doesn’t require personal answers.
That security email from Instagram is real - Here's how to tell
Companies usually alert you when something suspicious happens to your account. For example, when you log into Facebook from a location you typically don’t, you get a notification.
Similarly, when Instagram detects a new login from an unusual device or location, it can send you an email. This is seemingly the only method for contacting you, as it doesn’t have a dedicated messenger like Facebook. Tap or click here for details on a viral Facebook Messenger scam.
The one word you should never say to a telemarketer or scam caller
You might get dozens of spam calls weekly, but you might not know where the companies got your number. Thousands of data brokers peddle information, and it could be the source of your annoyance. That’s why we started our Opt-Out Tuesday series with instructions on removing data from sites like FreePhoneTracer. Tap or click here for details.
This Twitter mistake could put you in danger
Elon Musk has taken over Twitter, and people are fleeing the social network in droves. Advertisers and public figures are also flying the coop. Over 877,000 accounts were deactivated between Oct. 27 and Nov. 1.
With all the hubbub surrounding Twitter, other apps are trying to capitalize. A German app called Mastodon is emerging as one of the most popular Twitter replacements. Tap or click here for more on Mastodon and why you may consider making the switch.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from PeopleSmart
When was the last time you searched for yourself online? There’s likely plenty of accurate information about you floating around the web that you didn’t know about, such as your full name, address, phone number, family history, employment information and more.
Not everyone needs a blue checkmark on Twitter
Elon Musk plans to charge $8/mo for verification checkmarks on Twitter. Will this plan be a boom or a bust? Here’s my take, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Apollo.io
While tech companies collect your data to build an online profile and track your shopping and browsing habits, other companies sell your personal information to whoever is interested. This can include scammers, hackers, con artists and crazy exes.
If you do this on Twitter, Musk says you’re getting banned without a warning
Social media has had a checkered past regarding privacy and security. It’s where scammers can get your personal details to commit identity theft. Not to mention the fake news problem that’s been going around for years.
Have any crypto invested? Beware of bugs that give criminals free rein to steal it
Despite its popularity, there are still things people don’t understand about cryptocurrency. It can be challenging to figure out the tricks of investing, especially if you are new to it. Before buying crypto, read Kim’s book Cryptocurrency 101: Beginner’s guide to buying, selling, and spending digital currency safely.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Search Systems
You’re never alone when you’re online. Every website you visit and every app or service you use has the potential to gather data on you. Your online profile grows by the day from the ads you click on to your search history.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from FreePhoneTracer
Thanks to public records, your personal information is available for anyone to find online. This includes your full name, address, phone number, police record, property record, employment information and more.
People search sites scrape this information and make it available for anyone to see. Anybody can get the info — hackers, scammers, jealous exes or anyone else who seeks to do you harm. All you can do is opt out from these sites, one by one. Tap or click here for detailed instructions on removing yourself from these creepy sites.
Facebook is BANNING people who missed an email notice - Did it happen to you?
Your credit card details are always in danger of being stolen by hackers and scammers. But while they can cause a lot of personal damage with it, your social media login information could be more valuable to them.
Of the most valuable online accounts to criminals, a hacked Facebook account can regularly sell on the Dark Web for around $65. An associated Instagram account can easily fetch upwards of $45. So, to protect users from getting hacked, Meta rolled out a function to some users called Facebook Protect.
Delete your selfies from ID.me - You don't need this to do your taxes
Filing taxes is a chore that most people don’t want to deal with. Unfortunately, there is no way of getting around them. It should be a painless experience, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) made things more complex late last year.
Apple closed its student discount loophole - but now it's back
(Updated 01/24/2022 – After reporting on Apple closing its student discount loophole last week, the company has reversed course. You are still able to take advantage of its student discount program without proof that you’re a student.)