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For years, FaceTime was the envy of Android users, due to its superior video and audio quality. In an interesting turn of events, Apple slightly loosened its grips on iMessage in 2021. The change allowed people with an Android phone, tablet, or Windows PC use FaceTime in their web browser. Apple users can also set these browsers as their default apps, which is a big step since the company doesn't allow the replacement of its native apps.
How to make Google Maps the default navigation app on your iPhone
Need a break from Apple Maps? Make Google Maps the first app you see when you need directions
For a long time, most Google apps on Android phones have been available on iOS, but not vice versa. A few years ago, with the release of iOS 14, Apple opened its walled garden slightly, allowing iPhone users to swap out Safari for Google Chrome and the Mail app for Gmail. And while you can install the Google Maps app from the App Store, you can't make it the default navigation app.
How to enable an SD card for storage on a Chromebook
Put your downloads on an SD card instead of your Chromebook's precious internal storage
Whether you're rocking a top-of-the-line Chromebook or our favorite budget ChromeOS devices, at some point, you may want to expand your storage. Downloading content from apps like Netflix or Plex takes up a lot of space, so you'll want to install an SD or MicroSD card to avoid filling up your laptop's internal storage.
How to unsend an iMessage
If your iMessage was a big mistake, there are ways to unsend that text. Here's how
We've all sent messages and suddenly realized, "Ahhh! I need to take that back!" From disastrous autocorrects to heat-of-the-moment misfires and shooting a message to the wrong person, our texts sometimes need a redo button.
What is Google Fast Pair and how to use it
It makes pairing Bluetooth devices to Android devices a breeze
Modern smartphones have a few connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 4G, and 5G. However, connecting a new device can be confusing, especially for people unfamiliar with the device pairing process. Imagine the frustration of setting up your new wireless earbuds and struggling to connect them. However, if they're compatible with Google Fast Pair, connecting them to your Android device or Chromebook is a seamless task that's completed in seconds.
How to set up and use Bedtime mode on your Android phone
Use Bedtime mode effectively to reduce distractions and get better sleep
Bedtime mode helps you put away your favorite gaming phone. The feature uses Do Not Disturb (DND) mode to mute calls, texts, and other notifications, earning you some shut-eye. With the One UI 5.0 release, Samsung replaced the feature with its robust Modes system. Bedtime mode is now "Sleep" and is one of five new modes to replace Focus mode. Non-Samsung smartphones can still access Bedtime and Focus modes as these are standard Android OS features.
How to use Maintenance mode on Samsung Galaxy phones with One UI
Use Maintenance mode when submitting your Galaxy phone for repair
The best Samsung phones come with a handy Maintenance mode that makes your life easier when you submit your device for repair work. In such cases, there's always a concern that the repair technician can go through your private photos and files on the phone. This is where Samsung's Maintenance mode comes in, which keeps your data safe and secure from prying eyes. And it achieves this without requiring you to reset your Samsung Galaxy phone.
How to unblock a number on your Android phone
When you realize that number you blocked was your long-lost cousin and not a telemarketer
Blocking a phone number is the simplest way to prevent the person on the other end of the line from contacting you. It comes in handy for preventing scammers, telemarketers, annoying contacts, and other unwanted calls. But how do you unblock a contact or phone number? You can easily unblock them if you blocked someone by mistake or changed your mind about a connection you deliberately blocked. This tutorial shows how to remove someone's phone number from the blocked list on the top budget Android phones.
How to merge contacts on Android
Think you know too many people? Look again. Your contact list has duplicates, and it's time to clean them up
Syncing your Google account to a device can mess up your contact list if you're not careful. Adding an extra SIM card may also do the same, whether it's an eSIM-compatible phone or a regular one. Other times, you forget that you stored someone's digits on your phone and then do it again. Any of these actions causes contacts to appear more than once. While duplicate contacts don't pose a serious threat, they can delay sending a message or making phone calls. You'll have to open each occurrence to be sure you have the correct number.
Here's every Samsung phone, tablet, and wearable that will get four years of Android updates
Samsung may offer four years of updates, but we know you're upgrading way more often
For nearly a decade, iPhone users could hold one thing over their Android-using friends' heads: update support. It wasn't uncommon to see the majority of smartphones, no matter how powerful, lose software support after a couple of years. Meanwhile, the rolled-out updates were often delayed by months as OEMs worked to customize Android to their liking.
How to install the Google Play Store on any Android device
It can be tricky, but these steps might just work for you
When Apple released its first iPhone, the device came without the App Store, as the company believed most third-party software should run through the built-in Safari browser. It didn't take long for developers to build third-party app stores, such as Installer.app and Cydia, which weren't under Apple's control. Things have evolved since then, with the official App Store being the go-to marketplace for iPhone users looking to install an application.
If your Android device runs slow, freezes, or crashes, you can diagnose and isolate the root cause by putting it in Safe Mode. Doing so lets you identify if a third-party app is the source of your problems. Occasionally, these apps can unintentionally run in the background or have critical bugs that need to be addressed by their developers. Booting your Android smartphone or one of the best Android tablets with Safe Mode temporarily deactivates your installed third-party apps. This is an excellent first step toward getting your device back to normal.
15 simple ways to transfer files from your Android to your PC or Mac
File transfers are way easier than you'd think
Although the top Android phones have a minimum of 128GB of storage as standard, it may not be sufficient for everyone. Perhaps you'd like to back up photos to free up storage space or move music to your desktop that you downloaded on your phone. Because of Android's open and transparent nature, there are many ways to do it. You can use a USB cable, Bluetooth, a third-party app, or a local wireless connection.
How to get rid of the Google Discover page on your Android phone
You can only read so much Discover clickbait
Google's Discover page is a key part of an Android phone's homescreen. It is the leftmost homescreen panel on most phones and a great source to discover new content and stay up to date with the latest world happenings and topics that interest you. Google Discover was initially a Pixel-exclusive. However, the homescreen panel has become a part of most premium and budget Android phones. If your phone doesn't provide access to Discover from the homescreen, you can access it from the Google app.
ChromeOS Flex: What it is, and why you should use it
Turn any old computer into a sleek fast Chromebook
E-waste is a problem as people buy and replace more devices for themselves and their families. Keeping devices for longer is a great way to reduce e-waste, but that can be difficult when your Windows or macOS device feels underpowered and laggy. You could replace it with one of the best Chromebooks, but Google created another way to make your old computer new again. This operating system, called ChromeOS Flex, can help breathe new life into your old device. Let's look at what ChromeOS Flex is, how to use it, and how it compares to normal ChromeOS.
How to update Google Play Services
Update Google Play Services to experience new features firsthand or fix the existing bugs
Google Play Services is one of the core components of the Android operating system that is crucial to the whole experience. It handles everything from allowing you to manage your Google accounts to ensuring your Google apps work together. It provides specific functionality between your installed Android apps and the operating system. Google's apps and many third-party apps rely on them to offer unique cloud services, targeted user ads, and more. And like smartphones, the best Android tablets also benefit from Google Play Services.
How to easily install the Android 14 Beta on your Pixel
The Android 14 Beta Program is almost over, so here is your last shot to install it on your Pixel
The Android 14 Beta Program is currently underway, with at least one more release full of fun, testing, and discovering ahead of us, no matter if you have the Pixel 7 Pro or another Google device. It won't take long until it goes stable, and the last beta before the big release seems to be as good as ready for everyone out there. If you're curious to give it a try on your Pixel device just before it launches, there is an easy way to install the pre-release version of Android 14 on your phone that feels almost like getting a regular system update. In this guide, we'll also walk you through the manual installation process, though. Just keep in mind that if you have another great Android phone that isn't a Google Pixel phone, you might have to wait a little longer.
How to reset Adaptive Brightness settings on your Android phone
Adaptive Brightness is awful, but a quick reset may save your from dreaded screen blasts
The Adaptive Brightness feature can be found on smartphones and the top Android tablets. It automatically adjusts your screen's brightness based on the ambient lighting conditions. Ideally, it makes reading on your phone in different lighting conditions easier, and as a bonus, it can help you conserve the phone's battery life.
How to find your Wi-Fi password on your Android phone or tablet
Using a password manager makes this easier
If you're like most people, you probably kept the random password on the bottom of your home router.While that random password is pretty safe, it's not so easy to remember. If you already have your login details on your Android phone or tablet, there's no need dust off and flip over your gateway.
How to remove a Google account from your phone
It's helpful to know when you're selling or trading in your device
A Google account is essential these days. It unlocks all the relevant apps and services like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, Keep Notes, the company's productivity suite, Maps, and more. You can add multiple Google accounts to your phone. However, there comes a time when you need to remove an unnecessary personal, work, or school Google account from your phone.