Thursday, 4 April 2019

How to disable Siri suggestion on Apple iPhone�s lock screen

If your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS, you may have noticed that Siri has now started offering �Shortcuts� suggestions among other functionalities on the iPhone�s lock screen. The suggestion feature allows Siri to provide regular prompts for certain tasks, alarms, bedtime and more. For instance, if you navigate from your home to office daily at a given time, Siri will automatically prompt the necessary details related to that trip. But at times this could be annoying as you may not want Siri filling your iPhone screen with details all the time. In case you don�t want Siri to show suggestions, there�s a way to disable the feature. Wondering how?

Follow our simple to use guide.
Pre-requisite:
The latest version of iOS must be installed on the iPhone
1.Disable Siri suggestions for individual apps
- Open �Settings� app on your iPhone
- Tap on the �Notifications� option
- Under Notification settings page, look for the option �Siri Suggestions.�
- The next screen will show all the app that supports Siri Suggestions feature.
- Locate the app for which you don�t want to see the suggestions and switch the toggle to off state placed in front of that particular app.

2.Disable Siri Suggestions for all apps
- In case you want to turn off this feature for all the app at once, here are the steps one need to follow. Please note, that after this, users Siri won�t show any suggestions at the lock screen.
- Head to �Settings� app and tap on the option �Siri & Search�.

- Under Siri & Search menu page, scroll down and turn off the toggle for �Suggestions on Lock Screen�. And voila, you�re done.
To turn the feature back on for any app, head to the same settings page by following the steps as mentioned above and flick the toggle button.

Wednesday, 3 April 2019

How to change Apple ID on iPhone and iPad

There could be several reasons why people want to change the Apple ID associated with their iPhone or iPad. For example, when switching from a third-party email ID to an @icloud email account. Also, users can use two different Apple IDs for iTunes and iCloud at the same time if they want to keep two separate accounts for their apps and backup.

Wondering how? Here�s our how-to guide on how to change Apple ID on iPhone and iPad.
First things first:
Users must be running the latest version of iOS on their device
Login details of old and new Apple IDs
Working internet connectivity
How to remove existing Apple ID from the device
-Head to the �Settings� app on iPhone or iPad

-Scroll down and tp on the option iTunes & Apple Store
-Now, Tap on the Apple ID at the top of the screen
-Once done, tap the �Sign Out� option from the pop-up menu.
How to add another Apple ID on an iOS device
-Open �Settings� app on the iOS device
-Under the Settings app, tap on the option iTunes & App Store
-Tap on the Apple ID at the top
-Tap �Sign In� option from the screen

-Then, it will ask users to enter their Apple ID and password
-Enter the Apple account credentials on the given screen and hit the Sign In button to log in.
In case, users don�t have a new Apple ID yet and still want to change the Apple ID on their device. Pressing on Sign In button will prompt users to create a new Apple account. Tapping on the option will redirect users to the account creation page. Users need to fill in all the details to create a new Apple account.

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Forgot Wi-Fi password? Here�s how to find it

Have you ever forgotten the Wi-Fi password of your home network connection and left with no other option than resetting the Wi-Fi router? Most of the time we realise this while connecting to a new device to the Wi-Fi network or when a friend or family visits your place and ask for the password. Well, there�s a way to find out the password of the router without resetting it. Wondering how? Here�s our how-to guide on how to find the Wi-Fi password.

First things first:
There are several ways users can look for the password -- using Windows and Mac device or by accessing the router�s settings page. But for both the methods to work, there should be at least one device that should be connected to the Wi-Fi network.
In case users don't have any device connected to the Wi-Fi network, they can connect it using WPS push button from the back of the router or can use Ethernet cable to connect and access the router�s settings page.

What�s the password to your Wi-Fi network, anyway? Whether you�ve changed the default password or not, it�s simple to find your Wi-Fi password. You can also look up any Wi-Fi network password if you�ve previously connected to that network from a Windows PC or Mac.
Case 1: When Wi-Fi is connected to any of the Windows or Mac device.
1.For Windows device
- Right-click on Windows Wi-Fi option from the taskbar
- Select the option �Open Network and Sharing center�
- At the next screen, click on the option �Change adapter settings�
- Double-click on the �Wi-Fi� option
- At the Wi-Fi status page, select the option �Wireless Properties�
- Click on the �Security� tab from the top and hit the �Show password� option to view the password.
2.For Macintosh device
- Click on the Wi-Fi icon at the top
- Choose the option �Open Network Preference�
- At the next screen, click on the �Show Password� option to see the password.

Case 2: When Wi-Fi is not connected to the device
1.Use Ethernet cable and connect it to a Windows device
- Connect the RJ45 cable to the Windows PC and open the router�s configuration page
- Enter the login information (by default admin is both ID and password in most of the routers. However, for more details refer to the router�s user manual)
- Once logged in, click on the Wi-Fi option of the router and look for the password or security option
- Hit �Show password� option to view the password.

2.Use the WPS button to connect any device
WPS allows users to connect to the Wi-Fi network without the need of the password. Users need to press the WPS button located at the back of the router (in most case) and connect their device. Once connected, users can either access their router�s setup page or use the Case 1 method to know the password.


Wednesday, 20 March 2019

How to prevent your smartphone from overheating

Often we find a regular smartphone user complaining about their device getting heated up. And very common are the use cases of overheating- charging, playing games or streaming a video. This gains more ground when the smartphone industry is heading towards devices with higher battery capacity of 4000mAh and more.

One of the causes behind overheating could be a hardware problem as well. But there are some precautionary measures that can help you fix the problem. Here are some tips to consider:
1.Avoid direct contact with sunlight
Long-term exposure to direct sunlight can heat up the smartphone. This is the case particularly with plastic back design phones. As per a study, the device�s touch-screen gets affected when left out in sun for long period. It is advisable to carry the mobile in bags, especially in warm weather.
2.Avoid keeping device on sofa or bed while charging

A smartphone emits heat while charging. Keeping it on surfaces like bed or sofa blocks the excess heat dissipation, instead it further rises the device�s temperature. It is advisable to leave the handset on hard surfaces while charging.
3.Remove the back case cover
Again, a back case cover traps the heat generated and increases the mobile temperature. Removing it will avoid the heat build up and allow the device to cool.
4.Do not leave your smartphone for charging overnight
Leaving the phone to charge overnight is something that many of us do. This not only heats up the device, but also impacts the battery in long-run.

5.Remove apps that exhaust the processing power
There are multiple apps that keep running in background and exhaust processing abilities of the smartphone. This also results in overheating of the phone. So, it is better to remove such apps from the device.
6.Do not use third-party chargers and batteries
If possible, avoid using third-party chargers to power the smartphone. This directly impacts battery and overheats the mobile. Same is advisable for third-party batteries as well.

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

How to permanently erase data from an Android device

Smartphones have almost become everyone�s digital extensions. They are one gadget that people have with them almost the entire time. That said, smartphones are not only used for communication, but also hold a whole bunch of personal user information like contacts, photos, email and more. So if one plans on selling off their smartphone or giving it away to someone else, it is important to ensure that all the data on it is securely erased and the device is digitally wiped clean.

It�s a common misconception that doing a �Factory Reset� is the ultimate way of securely deleting data from a smartphone. But that�s not the case, as a file is not actually erased when it�s deleted. Only the information it contains is marked as deleted/hidden into some other free location on the storage.

Factory reset reverts a device to its default state. And although majority of data gets deleted this way, small bits of information like multimedia, email etc. might remain in the internal memory.
No worries, as it�s easy to �permanently� erase anything and everything from and Android device. For those who are considering disposing off their old smartphones, this can come in really handy. Here are two ways of securely erasing data from an Android device.

Encrypt device storage:
Encryption converts data and information stored on a smartphone into a cryptic format before factory reset is initiated. Without proper decryption, the data just appears to be a garbled mess that makes no sense. Encrypting device storage ensures that even if some files are somehow left after a factory reset operation, they just appear as random rubbish and not the actual deal.
To encrypt device�s storage, navigate to Settings > Security (or related setting) and tap on the � Encrypt phone� option. Based on how much data is stored on the device, this may take a while. Once the encryption is done, factory reset can be performed.

Overwrite with throwaway data:
Although encrypting the device and then doing a factory reset is generally enough to erase all the data securely, doing a bit extra doesn�t hurt. To do this, set up the smartphone after factory resetting it. Only this time, make sure no email details are added.
Once the setup is complete, record a junk video for as long as the internal storage on the device doesn't get filled up. Doing this will overwrite the free space with throwaway data.

Saturday, 16 March 2019

Android Q: Here�s how to download and install in simple steps

Google�s Android Q, the upcoming major smartphone OS version that will be widely rolled out later this year is available in the form of developer Beta 1 right now. However, that doesn�t mean non-developers can�t get it. It comes with several new features including Dark Mode, enhanced privacy and more. And it is possible for select users to experience them already.

As it is the case with any Android beta version, the first one is always specific to Google�s own Pixel devices. Similarly, Android Q Beta 1 is also available for Pixel smartphones only. What�s new this time is that Google has included the first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones in the beta testing list in addition to Pixel 2, Pixel 2XL, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL smartphones. So, if you own one of these six handsets, here�s how you can get Android Q simply.

We also recommend you to back up all your smartphone data before starting with the entire process in case anything goes wrong.
Step 1: If you have not enrolled for the beta, visit google.com/android/beta and enrol your Pixel smartphone for the Android beta program.
Step 2: Once you click on �Enrol�, you will get a notification on the registered Pixel smartphone stating that the system update is ready.

Step 3: You will also get the option to install. The process will automatically restart the handset and voila, you will have Android Q Beta 1. To ensure you are running the beta version, go to Settings > About phone > Build Number and check if the build number starts with QPP.
It is also possible to move back to the public Android release by visiting the beta website and clicking on �Opt out�. Your device will get an update within the next 24 hours. The process will wipe the device clean and will restart it with the public Android version.

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

How to transfer iPhone contacts to Android smartphone

If you are making a shift from an iPhone to an Android smartphone, then one of the difficulties you�ll face is shifting all your contacts to the latter. Transferring contacts from your iPhone to an Android smartphone involves two major things: exporting them to cloud and then importing them from there. So, you will first need to export your contacts to iCloud and then import them with the help of Google Contacts. And you can do it through with the help of Windows PC or a Mac device. Here are the detailed steps for transferring your contacts:

-Open Safari or Firefox browser on your computer. The method doesn�t work with Google Chrome.
-Go to iCloud.com.
-Sign in with your Apple ID.
-Click on �Contacts�.
-Then click on �All Contacts� ( present at the top left corner).

-If you�ve got a Windows PC, press the ctrl and the A keys on your keyboard simultaneously. In case you have a Mac, do the same step with Command and A keys.
-Click �Settings� (present in the bottom left).
-Click �Export vCard�. This will save your contacts as a .vcf file in your downloads. If a new window opens, select all of your contacts again, right click, and export.
-Press ctrl+A or command+A and click the Settings button.
-Click Export vCard.
Now, you need to import your vCard. Here�s how to do it.
-Open any web browser on your computer.
-Sign in to your Google account
-Click the Google apps button.
-Click �Contacts�.
-Click �Import Contacts�.
-Click �Choose File�.

-Click on your vCard and open it from your saved folder
-Click �Import�. It will take a few seconds for all of the contacts to appear.
-Click �Find�. If a red message pops, click �Merge� to merge the duplicates.