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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. As technology becomes increasingly connected, there are plenty of methods to share files with other devices, and yet, it can be hard to know all the options available.
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.
How to make your old Android phone run faster and better
Is your Android phone feeling sluggish? These tips can make it faster and better.
Smartphones have gotten a lot better in the last few years, and it's highly unlikely that users will face frequent stutters and lags in day-to-day tasks, even on cheap Android phones. But if you're someone who holds onto their device for more than a few years, you will notice it slow down as time passes. This will be more apparent on low-end devices as they're not designed to be future-proof. While you can easily overcome this by upgrading to a new phone, there are a couple of other ways you can get a better experience without spending any money. If your old Android phone is starting to show its age, here are some tips that will help you make your Android phone run faster and better.
Android will soon let apps stream call audio from your phone to your tablet
A new software library enables apps to stream VoIP calls from your phone to your tablet. Here's how it works.
Google’s finally back in the tablet discussion with the Pixel Tablet, a home entertainment device that doubles as a smart home hub. In his review of the Pixel Tablet, XDA’s Ben Sin says it provides the “best Android tablet software” he’s ever tested. That’s certainly promising to hear because the software experience will hopefully only improve from here as the tablet receives new features through OS and app updates. One such feature it might receive is the ability to stream or transfer calls from your phone to the tablet.
How to use iMessage on Android using BlueBubbles
iMessage is a great way to send messages if you have an iPhone. That is, unless you set up a BlueBubbles Server.
iMessage is one of the best messaging apps out there, but it is limited to Apple devices. However, for Android users looking to send iMessages from their non-Apple devices, there are a few options. AirMessage is a top pick, and we have a complete guide on how to set up an AirMessage Server. But alternatively, you can use BlueBubbles, which is an open-source app that is designed to minimize battery usage. Unlike AirMessage, BlueBubbles doesn't directly connect to your phone when it isn't in use, which is a choice made to preserve power. Here's how it works, and how you can set it up.