Android Police

Zach Traverso-How-to Writer

Zach Traverso

How-to Writer

About Zach Traverso

Zach has been a fan of Android for a long time, and he became a freelance writer at Android Police in January 2022. He specializes in Chromebooks, Pixel phones, Google products, and Android apps. You'll find him writing how-to guides on various topics, but you may also see him dabble in other content areas. Zach loves unique and fun hardware and software features as well as products with a sustainability focus. He holds a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Energy Engineering, giving him unique insight into new renewable energy and battery technologies. Zach's first Android phone was a Motorola Droid Turbo 2 he got in 2016 after switching from an iPhone 5S. Even though the rest of his family has switched to iPhones, he could never do it. His current daily driver is a Pixel 7, and he writes all his articles on an HP Chromebook x2 12. When he's not writing, Zach works as an energy consultant. In his free time, he loves hiking and spending time with his family. He is one of the few people who used Google Stadia, which he misses dearly. He also is a fan of Magic the Gathering.

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How to add and remove credit cards to Google Wallet

Add or remove credit cards in seconds

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Google's digital wallet, called Google Wallet, can store transit passes, loyalty cards, and gift cards, just like its competitor Samsung Pay. It can be an adequate replacement for your physical cards, but you'll need to know how to add and remove them to use the app effectively.

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15 ChromeOS tips and tricks for your new Chromebook

Use these tips to become a Chromebook power user

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Computers should be simple and easy to use for everyone. Windows and macOS devices are okay in this regard but have some complexities that sometimes make them difficult to use. Chromebooks have a streamlined user experience that is almost as easy as using the Google Chrome browser. This is because the operating system used on Chromebooks, called ChromeOS, is based on Google Chrome.

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What is a Chromebook?

To truly understand what a Chromebook is, it helps to take a closer look at everything a Chromebook can (and can’t) do

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There are four main computer operating systems: Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux. Many of these have been around since the invention of the computer, but ChromeOS is a relative newcomer. ChromeOS is the operating system that powers all Chromebooks, including the best available Chromebooks. Since Chromebooks are newer than Windows or macOS devices, many people are unsure what they do. This article looks at what a Chromebook is, what it can do, and its limitations.

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How to redeem a Google Play gift card

A Google Play gift card is useless unless you know how to redeem it

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A Google Play gift card is a great gift for anyone using Android devices. Whether they have one of the best Android phones or use one of the best Android tablets, there's a good chance something on the Google Play Store has caught their eye.

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The top 8 Android Apps you need to install on your Chromebook

Use the power of Android apps on a larger screen

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Chromebooks are capable devices that work well for most people. Surfing the internet is great on one of our favorite Chromebooks since the ChromeOS operating system is based on the Chrome web browser. Even though Chromebooks can't download programs as easily as a Window device, they have access to something Windows laptops do not: the Google Play Store.

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How to schedule an email in Gmail

Set up an email to send while you're off having fun

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Emails are an essential means of communication for personal and professional items. Sometimes you may write an email, but not want to send it immediately. Usually, you'd draft the email and keep it in your drafts folder until you're ready to send it. This can work, but if you forget or want to send it when you can't access your email, you're out of luck.

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How long will my Google Pixel get updates?

Google's Pixel phones are some of the longest-supported Android phones

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Even though they may not sell as well as Samsung phones, Google's Pixel line of phones is a perennial favorite with Android enthusiasts. Pixel phones continually show up on the list of our favorite Android phones for a good reason. Whether it's the amazing cameras or the awesome Pixel-exclusive features, you can't go wrong with a Google Pixel phone.

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How to use Chrome Canvas drawing app on your Chromebook

Do some virtual drawing with Chrome Canvas

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Touchscreens are found on all kinds of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Many of these devices now have a stylus to use the touchscreen more easily. Because of the convenience, many people use these devices to compose art instead of a traditional sketchbook. And there are several applications that allow people to compose many kinds of artwork on their devices quickly and easily.

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Most people have several devices that they log in to in a number of ways. You may have a password on your laptop, a fingerprint on your phone, and a pin or pattern on your tablet. These differing login methods can be frustrating and tedious to remember. However, if you have an Android phone and one of our favorite Chromebooks, Google included a feature to unlock your Chromebook with your phone. This feature is called Smart Lock, and this guide details how to set up, use, and troubleshoot it.

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How to find deleted files on your Chromebook

They're not gone forever if you know where to look

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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.

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How to access free app offers on the Google Play Store

Get them while they're free!

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Knabbing a hot deal or a promotion feels exceptionally rewarding as a customer. However, we sometimes forget about software deals altogether. But if you're an avid Android user, Google has discounts and promotions tucked away for games and apps within the Google Play Store's new Offers tab. The Offers tab lists delicious sales on apps, games, in-app items, movies, and books — including some freebies cataloged at $0.00. You can snag anything even if you don't own a premium Android phone, tablet, or smartwatch — as long as you can access the store, these apps are yours for the taking, which is why we will walk you through how to grab the latest offers on the Play Store with just a few taps.

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How to use split screen on your Chromebook

Make multitasking work for you

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When you use the same device for work, school, and play, it's hard to fit everything on the screen at once. You may be able to switch between windows with some keyboard shortcuts on one of our favorite Chromebooks, but it can get confusing. To make this easier for Chromebook users, Google includes some great multitasking features in ChromeOS. This guide details how to use the split screen mode on your Chromebook through a variety of methods.

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How to use Grammarly in Google Docs

Make your writing even better with Grammarly

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Google Docs is one of the most popular word processors since it's free and fairly robust. Docs' built-in spell checker is a great tool to double-check your spelling and grammar, but it doesn't fix everything. This is why a third-party spell checker is a nice tool to add to Docs, so you get double the review to make sure your text is written as well as possible.

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Best weather apps on Android in 2023

Never get caught without your umbrella — or your sunscreen

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These days, you can never be too careful when it comes to the weather. The best maps and navigation apps do their best, but sometimes you need a little extra assurance under your belt, and that's where weather apps work their magic. The Google weather app is available on current Android phones, but this service can be temperamental at times, so it pays to have a viable alternative or two that make up some of Android's best apps. If you feel like staying dry, take a look at today's roundup of great weather apps designed for keeping one's eyes on the skies.

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How to fix a slow Chromebook with ChromeOS Diagnostics

Check out how each component of your Chromebook is doing

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Technology is great when it works, and a great Chromebook is no different. Chromebooks are great devices when they work because they're easy to use and relatively affordable. Sometimes, a Chromebook may not function optimally, which can be frustrating and sometimes difficult to diagnose what's wrong. Chrome OS includes a Diagnostics app to make it easier to get your Chromebook up and running again. This app helps users diagnose issues with their devices so that they can efficiently solve the issue. Here's how to access the Diagnostics app and what it can tell you.

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Google Chrome: 13 top tips and tricks for the desktop browser

Become a Chrome expert with these simple but powerful tips

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A web browser is an essential tool to access the internet, and Google Chrome is probably most people's browser of choice. Chrome is available on just about every operating system; you'll find it pre-installed on the best Android tablets and phones, and it's available for Windows as well as in the App Store for iOS and MacOS. You only need a Google Account to take advantage of Chrome's best features.

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The 8 best LGBTQ+ documentaries to stream online

Learn more about the queer movement and its fight for equality for all people

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Representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in media has made some strides over the past few years, but it's still not perfect. Whether it's Pride Month and you want to learn more or if you want to become a better ally, it's worth learning what has been done and how we've gotten to where we are today. The documentaries are available on various streaming platforms, and you can use a streaming device to watch them with friends. We collected some excellent documentaries that showcase both the struggles and successes of the LGBTQ community.

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How to make your new iPhone feel a bit more like Android

A few apps go a long way

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Many people love iPhones due to the simple and sophisticated user experience, which helps the iPhone value proposition. This experience and other factors, such as iMessage, cause some Android users to jump to an iPhone. Even with Google's ever-expanding use of RCS on the best Android phones, such as the Google Pixel 7 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, if everyone around you uses iMessage, it might make sense to switch to an iPhone. If you're a seasoned Android user moving over to iPhone, you may want your iPhone to feel and work more like the Android phone you're used to. Here are the best ways to make your iPhone feel more like an Android phone.

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How to set up Emergency SOS and Fall Detection on your Google Pixel Watch

Take advantage of the Pixel Watch's safety features

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Google's Pixel Watch is one of the best Android smartwatches available due to its fantastic suite of features and charming profile. The best features are Google Assistant integration and Google's exclusive watch faces, but the recently added Emergency SOS and Fall Detection features make Google's value proposition even better. This guide shows you how to enable these features so that you can live a little more safely.

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How to take a screenshot on your Android phone or tablet

It's easier than you think

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Screenshots are essential to capture a variety of information, such as concert tickets, flight details, or important messages. It used to be necessary to employ a third-party app to take a screenshot, but Android has included a built-in option to take a screenshot for a while now. The release of Android 12 saw improvements to this feature, including standardizing a screenshot method across devices and the ability to take a scrolling screenshot. You'll also find that various Android manufacturers have novel shortcuts to quickly get a screengrab.

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