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How to remove a Google account from your phone
It's helpful to know when you're selling or trading in your device
To get the most out of your Android smartphone experience, you must sign in with your Google account to access much of what makes Android great. Without it, for example, you can't rely on the Google Play Store for your apps or Gmail for your emails, and you won't be able to sync your online contacts. Staying signed in with your Google account on the best 5G Android phones allows you to enjoy everything it offers. However, there may come a time when you want to remove at least one or more Google accounts from your phone.
How to easily install the Android 14 Beta on your Pixel
The Android 14 Beta is here, so install it on your Pixel today
The Android 14 beta program has arrived, which means there is a lot of fun, testing, and discovering ahead of us. It will still take a few months until Android 14 will go live in stable, but you don't have to wait for that if you have a Pixel phone. There is an easy way to install the Android 14 Beta on your phone that feels almost like getting a regular system update, but we'll also walk you through the manual installation process. Just note that if you have another great Android phone that isn't a Pixel, you might still have to wait a little longer.
10 ingenious ways to use the Windows Command prompt
There might be a few methods that you didn't know about
The Windows command prompt is a valuable and dedicated tool that some might use to sideload the latest version of Android using ADB or Fastboot. You can even sync one of the best Android phones with your Windows computer to enhance your experience by adding new functionality. But you don't have to treat the command line interface as something you only use to run code. The Windows command prompt has other hidden uses. This guide covers some examples of unique ways to use the Windows command prompt with features that might be useful to you.
How to use Maintenance mode on Samsung Galaxy phones with One UI 5
Use Maintenance mode when submitting your Galaxy phone for repair
It's a pain to hand over your favorite Android phone to a service center for repair work. Even for quick repairs, there's a concern that the technician could go through your private photos and files stored on the device. And due to this, you are forced to factory reset your phone before you submit your phone for repair. Samsung has a unique solution to this problem with Maintenance mode, which keeps your private data safe and secure when you submit your phone for repair.
How to change ringtone on an Android phone
You don't need to check your phone when someone else's rings
Using the same ringtone as your co-workers, employees, friends, or family members can be confusing. Or maybe you find that the default ringtone on your budget Android phone isn't for you. Android allows you to change the ringtone and assign a custom tune for a specific contact. When the default ringtone on your Android phone is too basic, is the same as everyone else's, or is something that doesn't fit your personality, change it. You can pick one of the built-in ringtones or select a custom tune from the file manager.
How to share your location on Android
Your loved ones won't have to worry about where you are anymore
Whether you're driving and want to share your live location with people or want your friends and family to know where you are all the time, Android phones provide an easy way to do that, permanently or for a limited time. The easiest way to share your location is by using Google Maps, at least if you're not doing it for a short time. There are other methods to consider, such as sending it in a message. Read on to find out which option is the best for your needs.
Chromebooks are a great alternative to traditional laptops and PCs. Running ChromeOS, they are cheap, powerful devices that provide all the functionality you could ask for. Even better, the best Chromebooks on the market are relatively inexpensive. But you don't need to buy a Chromebook to try out ChromeOS. Google lets you experience the OS on your old laptop or PC through ChromeOS Flex.
How to install the Google Play Store on any Android device
It can be tricky, but these steps might just work for you
These days, most Android devices come preloaded with the Google Play Store installed and ready to be used. That gives users access to millions of apps and games — the vast majority are available as a free download — by logging in with their Gmail account. Still, there will always be a handful of popular gadgets that bypass Google Play Services. Whether it's Amazon's lineup of the best Fire Tablets or a random Android tablet you found through a deals site, finding out a device you were excited about lacks the Play Store can be a real headache.
Chromebooks are the perfect device for many people due to their simple user interface and relatively low cost. If you're willing to spend a little more money, you'll find many of the top Chromebooks include premium features like fingerprint scanners, and 4K screens. ChromeOS, Google's custom operating system that's based on the Chrome browser, is more capable than many people think.
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 updates that rolled out were often delayed by months as OEMs worked to customize Android to their liking.
How to unblock a number on an 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, 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 Google Pixel phones and other Android phones.
Clearing app cache is a controversial topic when it comes to maintaining your Android phone. Many people clear app cache instinctively to free up additional storage on their phone or to keep their phone and apps from getting sluggish. But should you clear the app cache on Android? If so, how? Does it even do anything, or is it just a placebo?
12 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 come with a minimum of 128GB 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.
If your Android phone is running slow, freezing, or outright crashing, you can diagnose the root cause by putting it in Safe Mode. When you boot Android phones in Safe Mode, it disables third-party apps and various useful Android widgets. If your device works normally in Safe Mode, that means a third-party app is the culprit.
Android Auto is a convenient option to make your car's navigation screen smarter, thanks to an intuitive and familiar interface, as well as innovative apps. It works with virtually any phone, including our selection of the best budget Android handsets, which ensures you don't have to break the bank to benefit from Android Auto's intuitive interface.
Software is a set of codes and instructions behind the scenes that make up an application or program on a computer or smartphone device. The software tells the hardware what to do and how to do it. This is half of the user experience while interacting with any device. When comparing the best Android phones on the market, each manufacturer offers a different and unique software experience catered to its specific users. This guide covers what makes open source software sought after and how it compares to other available options, such as closed source software and freeware.
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 the most interesting Android phones. 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 install GrapheneOS
A step-by-step guide to get you started with the best privacy/security ROM on Android
Rooting and modding an Android device was once a popular pastime for those who enjoyed customizing and tinkering to their heart's desire. For some, it was the rush of adding new features and fine-tuning their experience, while others relied on certain unique apps that required full root access. Grabbing one of the best budget Android phones and installing a custom ROM can take your device experience to the next level. And although not as popular in this modern era of Android, installing a custom ROM still has its uses today by the power user community.
What is GrapheneOS and how does it improve privacy and security?
An overview of this private and secure mobile operating system
Smartphones have become the most widely adopted gadget we use today, bringing significant security and privacy concerns in recent years. Because we live in an always-connected and online society, social media giants, third-party entities, and various big-name companies can snoop on your personal data. To the average smartphone user, shielding themselves from the constant data harvesting in the background by their apps and accounts may be challenging. And unlike some of the best Android phones from popular device manufacturers, GrapheneOS is built to reduce user data tracking.
How to back up your Chromebook
Chromebooks mostly live online, but it's good to back up your data every now and then
Chromebooks are great computing devices for many people since most things are done on the web. They're especially great for those who need a cheap device that just works. If you run into an issue and need to reset your device or receive a new device and want to move your data over, Chromebooks make that easy. All Chromebooks, including our favorites, are web-based, so there isn't a lot of data that is saved locally. Nonetheless, some items need to be backed up, and here's how to do so.