How to set up Android's Data Saver mode
Apply some brakes to abnormal cellular data usage on Android
While most carriers offer unlimited data with their monthly plans, there are some out there that still limit cellular data usage. With dozens of Android's best apps and services running in the background, you may run out of your monthly mobile data rather quickly. So instead of paying for expensive mobile internet every month, you can enable the data saver mode on your top budget Android phone and restrict apps from consuming data in the background. Here's how you can start conserving your data with ease.
How to check notification history on your Android phone
You can check your missed notifications without switching between apps
Similar to the Inbox Zero philosophy for email, many prefer to keep their Android phone's notification center clean. Although swiping away notifications can give you a sense of accomplishment, you might miss an important alert. If you inadvertently dismiss a promotional alert from Amazon or a new comment on a Google Docs document, you don't need to open the app to check the missed alert. With a few taps, you can find the lost notification in the notification history menu in your Settings. Here's how to do it on a stock Android and One UI running on the best Samsung Galaxy phones.
Samsung is one of the biggest TV and smartphone manufacturers in the world. It's logical for the company to bundle its streaming service with TVs, top Galaxy smartphones, and tablets. In 2015, Samsung introduced Samsung TV Plus, a free, ad-supported streaming service with live TV channels, on its televisions and later expanded it to Galaxy devices. Here's everything you need to know about Samsung TV Plus.
How to enable SIM lock on your Android phone
Prevent malicious SIM card use by adding an extra layer of security
A SIM card allows you to have conversations and send text messages through carriers worldwide. It's also a gateway to your bank, social media, and other personal information. In case of phone theft, you can block your SIM card quickly by contacting your carrier. While the thief can't use your phone due to a PIN or password protection, the person can remove the SIM and use it with another phone with ill intent. We suggest enabling SIM card lock in the settings to add an extra layer of security to protect your SIM card on Android if your device has a SIM card slot.
If your smartphone fails to receive various notifications, be prepared for confusion and frustration. You may miss important messages, meeting details in an email, potluck invitations, the latest news, and calendar events when real-time alerts don't work on your Android phone or tablet. Manually opening every app to check messages is time-consuming and inconvenient.
As the number of products and services available online grows, it can be tricky to assess if something is worth purchasing or if better alternatives are available. People rely on user reviews to make these decisions, whether it's for the latest Netflix TV series, a new release from Disney, a new pair of over-ear headphones, or a hotel in London.
Amazon's Silk browser explained
Amazon Silk takes a different and innovative approach to web browsing
Although Amazon's Fire Phone was short-lived, the e-commerce giant has a steady device lineup with top Fire tablets, Amazon Fire TV streaming devices, and smart displays like Echo Show. The company's Silk browser does the duties of surfing the web on these devices. Powered by Amazon's cloud platform (AWS), the Silk browser carries all the usual features and some innovative add-ons to up your web-browsing experience on Fire tablets and the Fire TV Stick.
Twitter is often known as the fastest news source in the world. The social media platform has grown in popularity, with more active users after its acquisition by Elon Musk. Although Twitter has been at a brisk speed churning out new features, the usual quirks remain the same. Whether you use Twitter on an iPhone or a top budget Android phone, it's common to run into issues like notifications not working, the app not opening, Twitter not refreshing your feed, and more. Let's go through the common problems and fix them to get back an ideal Twitter experience.
How to hide personal photos on your Android or iOS device
It’s in your best interest to protect sensitive media
Whether you're sharing vacation photos or letting your little ones watch funny videos, the last thing you want is someone stumbling on sensitive media files on your device. It's important to safeguard your private photos and videos on the top budget Android phones, so no unsuspecting eyes can accidentally uncover them.
How to know if someone read your text messages on Android
You should know if someone is lying through their teeth about missing your text
Most communication apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, and the default Google Messages on the best budget Android phones allow you to see if someone read your text. When your friends, family, or co-workers make excuses about missing your messages, use the tips below to tell if the person checked your text.
How to update Google Chrome to the newest version
Keep Google Chrome up to date to protect you and your data
Like many modern browsers, Google Chrome automatically updates in the background. The search giant frequently releases new features, fixes bugs, and keeps you protected with the latest security patches. When a new update is available, Google Chrome may not install it immediately on desktop PCs or the top Chromebooks. So, if there's a new feature you want to try or a new security update that you need, speed up the process and update the browser manually.
11 great ways to improve the Samsung Keyboard
Samsung's keyboard can be improved — here's how to make it better
The keyboard is an essential part of any smartphone experience. The biggest Android manufacturer, Samsung, has supercharged its built-in One UI keyboard with plenty of customization options on the top Samsung Galaxy phones. Some of its features may overwhelm you, and Samsung disables them by default. However, when used right, they can elevate your typing experience. Here are 11 top tips to improve the Samsung Keyboard.
How to unblock a number on a Samsung Galaxy phone
Patch up your differences and unblock a number on your Samsung phone
Samsung allows you to block contacts on the top Galaxy phones. When things go south with someone, you can block their number on your phone to avoid calls and messages. If you accidentally blocked an unknown number or sorted out the differences with your friend or family, you should unblock their number on your Galaxy phone.
When you have Google Home, several of the best Google Assistant speakers, and Nest Hub smart displays in different rooms, you can use Google Assistant's broadcasting feature to make announcements. The broadcast feature is similar to a modern intercom. You can tell your kids that dinner is ready, inform them when you go to the supermarket, or ask them to come down when guests arrive. The possibilities are endless.
Gmail: The ultimate guide for advanced search filters
Find the exact email you've been looking for, or finally reach Inbox Zero
Signing up for dozens of apps and web services with your primary Google ID can leave you with a crowded email inbox to manage. You can always create a fake email address, but it's not a feasible solution for everyone. Even with Gmail's default inbox categorization and search bar, finding the email you're looking for can be challenging.
Google Chrome: How to change your homepage
Google Chrome has no homepage by default, but you can fix that
When people talk about homepages on web browsers, they usually mean the website that appears when they first open their browser and the page they visit when clicking the home button. In many modern browsers, including the default browser on the top Chromebooks, Google Chrome, these are two separate things.
How to change your Android device's name on the Play Store, Google Assistant, and more
Your phone deserves a real name; SM-A102U1 won't cut it
Every phone, tablet, smartwatch, TV, top Chromebook, and other Android-powered device has a model name assigned to it by the manufacturer. The name appears in a few places, including the desktop Play Store website, the super robust Google Assistant, and Google's Find My Device tool. Sometimes the model name is easily recognizable (for example, "Google Pixel 3" or "Nokia 7.2"). In other cases, it can be an incomprehensible string of characters and numbers, leading to inconvenience. Whether you use a desktop or an Android phone, changing your Android phone name is easy.
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.
Microsoft 365 (AKA Office) for Home vs. Google Workspace Individual: Which productivity suite is best?
Let us simplify Microsoft and Google's business offerings to you
Microsoft and Google offer productivity software and services to help individuals and businesses breeze through meetings and store important files. Plus, you can create project proposals, presentations, and spreadsheets on a Windows or Mac desktop; you can even use both productivity suites on a good Chromebook. However, if you're not a business owner or entrepreneur looking to improve your productivity, one of their business plans might be overkill. Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace offer plans tailored for a broader audience, perfect for anyone looking to up their productivity without overdoing it. But which one is best for you? Let's find out.
Reddit app developers don't seem to share the same enthusiasm as their fellow Redditors. The official Reddit apps are average at best, and users have long complained about Reddit's glacial pace of updates. Here's where third-party developers come in and save the day. Both the Google Play Store and App Store are packed with capable Reddit apps, and we hand-picked the best options for you.