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How to lock apps on your Android phone to prevent unauthorized access
Lock your apps to keep your data safe from prying eyes.
Smartphones are a big part of our lives today, and the best smartphones serve as more than just phones. They hold memories like photos and videos but also protect other important things, like passwords and confidential apps. Many of us have banking apps or investing apps on our phones, and allowing the wrong person access to those apps could be detrimental to our online security portfolio. Luckily, there are steps you can take to secure applications on the best Android phones, including locking applications individually.
How to transfer files between Android and Windows PC
Need to move a file from your Android phone to your Windows PC or vice versa? Here are a few ways to do that.
Moving files between your Android phone and your PC has never been easier, so much so that you might not be aware of all your options. These days, there are a ton of ways you can link your phone and PC to transfer files, plus some internet-based methods. If you're interested in knowing all the options available for moving files between an Android phone and your laptop or PC, you've come to the right place. We have a wide range of options here for just about any and all needs.
PC vs Android gaming handhelds: The battle is closer than you think
Does the extra power of a PC gaming handheld automatically make Android handhelds a worse option? As it turns out, it's not that simple.
If you want to play games on the go, you have a few options. Of course, there are the mainstream choices, like the Nintendo Switch or smartphone gaming with a mobile controller. Then you have PC gaming handhelds, like the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally, which offer unmatched performance and flexibility in the handheld form factor. However, most people have forgotten about Android gaming handhelds. They won't impress you on the spec sheet, and some might think they are obsolete in an era where smartphones are more powerful than ever and PC gaming handhelds are flourishing. When comparing the actual gaming experience, though, PC and Android gaming handhelds are more similar than you might think.
Android Developer Options Explained: Everything you can do with these settings
Android ships with a whole bunch of Developer Options that can unlock experimental and debugging features. Here's what these options do.
Android smartphones and tablets have hundreds of settings that let you change everything from wallpapers and notifications to sound, system colors, and more. But if you think you've seen and tweaked all the settings, then think again because we're about to look at some more options that are tucked inside the Developer options menu. These hidden Developer options are mostly intended to help with creating Android applications, but some of them can come in handy for other situations too.
Bluebubbles vs AirMessage: Which is the best way to get iMessage on Android?
AirMessage and BlueBubbles are two ways to get iMessage on your favorite Android devices, but which client is best?
iMessage is a big reason that people stick with the best iPhones as their daily smartphone, even if Android alternatives like Google Messages have come a long way. But there are advantages that come with owning an Android phone, such as using a foldable smartphone as your daily driver. If you want the best of both worlds, you might explore getting the iMessage experience on Android. In fact, in recent months, we've seen a lot of companies try to bring iMessage to Android. That includes the likes of Beeper, Sunbird, and Nothing Chats. Now, all of those services are dead, and it's the stalwarts BlueBubbles and AirMessage that are still around.
How to pair and use AirPods with an Android phone
Your premium earbuds are compatible with your non-Apple device
Apple sells a wide range of premium wireless earbuds, with the AirPods Pro 2 being the latest and, arguably, the greatest yet. And while it's easy to recommend AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max to Apple users, things get trickier in the Android department. Do these flagship buds work with non-Apple phones and devices? If so, how do you set them up exactly? Let's unpack!
How to setup and use a VPN on your Android smartphone
Setting up a VPN on Android is very simple, and it only takes a few minutes.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an essential tool to keep your internet activity private and secure. It can help you browse the web privately, mask your actual location while browsing the web for added privacy, unblock certain geo-restricted websites and content, and more. There's no shortage of VPN providers out there, so there are plenty of options across different platforms. Most of the best VPNs out there charge you a monthly or an annual fee, but you can pick from our selection of the best free VPNs to get started. Almost all these VPNs have an app that you can use on your Android phone, and here's how to set it up.
How to use iMessage on Android with AirMessage
iMessage has great features, and they aren't accessible to Android users. But, you can run iMessage on Android devices with the help of a Mac.
A big perk that comes with owning an iPhone is iMessage, which happens to be one of the best messaging services around today. Unfortunately, Android users can't participate in the blue-bubble fun. There has been a lot of buzz around iMessage lately, with everyone from government leaders to big tech competitors chiming in. We've also seen a few failed attempts at bringing iMessage on Android, like Nothing Chats and Sunbird. The fate of Beeper Mini is unknown, too.
Beeper Mini hands-on: It's back, at least for now
Coming on the heels of a few iMessage clients for Android that were security nightmares, Beeper Mini finally figured it out. But is it sustainable?
There's been a lot of momentum around getting iMessage on Android lately, both in terms of third-party solutions and from official sources. Apple even surprisingly announced RCS will come to the iPhone next year. However, that isn't cross-platform iMessage. The few third-party options to debut recently also came with some alarming security concerns.
How to access NAS on your Android or iPhone
Want quick and easy access to your NAS drives on Android or iPhone? Here's how
Need to access your network-attached storage (NAS) on Android or iPhone? Well, the beautiful thing about NAS is that you can connect to it on almost any device — including a smartphone or tablet — and it's surprisingly simple, especially if all your devices are connected to the same network. Once you set everything up, you'll be up and running in no time.
Best MagSafe accessories for Android phones in 2023
Apple created a great magnetic connection standard in MagSafe, but Android users can make use of this connectivity with these accessories
Apple recently debuted new iPhones with support for the Qi2 wireless charging standard, which will make magnetic connections with accessories universal for all phone models. The iPhone 15 represents the first lineup of phones to support Qi2, and it'll make its way to Android soon enough. That means MagSafe, a magnetic connection system exclusive to the iPhone, will eventually come to Android devices. Though most Android phones don't feature Qi2 yet, there are still ways you can use MagSafe accessories with non-Apple devices. Since some of the best phones in 2023 are Android devices, that's good to keep in mind.
4 hardware changes the iPhone made before Android phones
Apple has been a trendsetter for years with its iPhones, especially when compared to Android
Apple is notorious these days for arriving late to the party, particularly in the mobile department. The company has a history of taking its sweet, sweet time before launching new additions to the masses and catching up on current trends, like a USB-C port. While iOS users consequently miss out on the latest mobile technology available on some Android phones, they still get to enjoy a stable, familiar experience.
Best MagSafe adapters for Android in 2023
Want to use MagSafe accessories with your Android? Here's a collection of adapters you can use to do that.
As an Android user, it’s understandable to be curious about Apple's MagSafe technology. You also might be wondering if MagSafe works with high-end Android phones. The answer is yes! MagSafe is just like Qi wireless charging but with magnets thrown in for alignment purposes. Still, MagSafe is a pretty clever concept, and since there are a lot of interesting third-party MagSafe chargers (and tons of MagSafe accessories) out there, you might be interested in picking one up for your Android device.
Best apps to get iOS 17's StandBy mode on Android
Android users might be a little jealous of iOS 17's StandBy mode, but they can join in on the fun too with these great apps.
Rumors have swirled of Apple making a smart display for years, especially after it dived into the smart home market with the HomePod and HomePod mini. Well, the company is getting a lot closer to that proposition with StandBy mode on iOS 17. It's not out yet, but the StandBy feature will roll out to users with the release of iOS 17 in Fall 2023. However, Android app developers have already started making applications that bring StandBy mode features to the best Android smartphones in 2023. We've tried out all of them for ourselves and have compiled a list of the best ones below.
How to prevent unwanted tracking with Android's unknown tracker alerts
Though AirTags are great personal item trackers, they can be used for nefarious purposes. Here's how you can thwart them with an Android phone.
Personal item trackers have been around for a while, with Tile being the most recognizable brand in the market for years. But that all changed when Apple released its long-awaited AirTag, a small personal tracker that retails for just $30 and connects with over a billion active Find My devices. It's estimated that you can't walk a block with an AirTag in a major city without the tracker's location updating. While this sounds great for finding your lost items, it also makes it great for people who want to use personal item trackers for less-than-legal means. In the years since AirTags debuted, people have used them to stalk others, steal items, and more nefarious purposes.
How to scan documents as PDFs or images on Android and iOS
Let's take a quick look at how you can scan documents and save them as PDFs or images on Android and iOS devices.
Scanning documents is one of those things that we all deal with every once in a while in both our professional and personal lives. Thankfully, we don't have to rely on a big, clunky machine for digitizing our documents. All you need is a phone with a camera, really. There are plenty of ways to scan documents using your smartphone, and they're all fairly simple. The process is slightly different in the case of Android phones compared to iPhones, so let's go through the different ways you can scan documents as PDFs on both platforms.
How to use iCloud services on your Android phone
Apple services don't always work great with Android devices, but you can get iCloud on your Android phone through these steps.
Part of the reason you don't often see people with Android phones using other Apple products is that the two ecosystems aren't designed to work together. While Google offers a plethora of applications on Apple operating systems, only a few Apple apps are available natively on the Google Play Store. But that doesn't mean using Apple services with an Android phone is impossible. Workflows like owning one of the best Android phones and a Mac are possible thanks to the iCloud web client. With this web client, you can add a shortcut to Apple's services right on your home screen and get the iCloud experience on your Android phone. It won't look like it was accessed on one of the best iPhones, but it gets the job done.
Best email apps for Android in 2023
If you're tired of using Gmail on your Android phone, then consider trying these alternatives to see which one you like better.
One of the best parts of being in the Android ecosystem is the sheer volume of apps on the Play Store. While some users may see it as overwhelming, we would rather look at this situation in a positive light — there are a lot of amazing applications for us to try. Be it camera apps, podcast apps, games, music, or email apps, there are a lot of options to choose from.
How to automatically delete 2FA texts from Android phones
With Google Messages, you can make your one-time passwords automatically delete after a 24-hour period.
Passwords are increasingly vulnerable these days, with data breaches and brute-force attacks becoming more common each year. That's why aside from using one of the best password managers, it's also a good idea to use two-factor authentication (2FA). While SMS authentication is a relatively weak way to set this up, it's also one of the most common forms of 2FA since all it needs is a phone number associated with an online account for verification. This works well, but 2FA codes can easily clog up your text message inbox. That's why you should set up your Messages app to auto-delete 2FA codes.
How to unzip files on Android through third-party apps
Not sure how to unzip a file on Android? In this guide, we'll tell you how to unzip or extract a file using a file manager or an archiver.
Archive files are used to compress files and folders. These are very useful when you're transferring files between devices and want to do it quickly, as compressed files take up less storage space than uncompressed files and can be transferred quicker. While some of you may only be familiar with ZIP files, archive files have several different formats, including RAR, TAR, and 7Z. To decompress or unzip these files on an Android device, you'll need an archive manager or a third-party file manager. You can download one of the options recommended below and follow the step-by-step instructions to unzip or extract files on your Android phone or tablet.