Stay a step ahead: I’m surprised how many people don’t know you can preview directions in Google Maps. Open the navigation screen on Android Auto or Apple CarPlay (while you’re parked, please). Swipe left on the direction card in the top right corner. Google Maps skips ahead, turning the card from green to gray, to show you all the twists and turns coming.
How to run a 5-minute privacy check on your phone
We’ve all got a lot of sensitive info on our phones — texts with loved ones, banking details, passwords and family photos. You don’t want anyone snooping around, whether it’s an app maker on the other side of the world or the guy sitting behind you at the coffee shop.
Take five minutes to run this privacy audit, then pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Check your permissions
Apps request permissions, and the most important are your phone’s location, camera and microphone. Any apps you allow to access these had better be ones you trust. To check:
- Apple iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, and scroll down to Microphone. Then, tap Location Services for Camera.
- Google Pixel: Open Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy > Permission manager.
- Samsung Galaxy: Head to Settings > Security and privacy > Permission manager.
Lock down everything
Your lock screen is an effective barrier to keep out others, and everyone should use one. Whether it’s your PIN, fingerprint or face, anything is better than nothing.
- Apple iPhone: Set this up via Face ID & Passcode.
- Google Pixel: Head to Settings > Security and privacy > Device unlock.
- Samsung Galaxy: Under Settings, look for Lock screen and AOD.
You’ll also want your phone to lock as soon as possible when you’re not using it.
- Apple iPhone: Under Settings, choose Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
- Google Pixel: Head to Settings > Display > Screen timeout.
- Samsung Galaxy: From your settings, tap Display > Screen timeout.
Keep out strangers
The short-range transfer tech built into iOS and Android is super handy when you need to share something with a friend or relative. But what if you don’t want strangers pinging you with unwanted photos, videos and other files?
🚨 Don’t reply to spam — ever: Hackers have a workaround to get phishing links past Apple’s iMessage security measures: Tricking you into replying. Links from unknown senders are disabled, so they send frantic texts about shipping issues or unpaid road tolls that push you to send “stop” or “yes.” The moment you respond, the link goes live and you’re screwed.
Hey, Louis, this is for you: He wrote to ask me for help with a Pixel Watch because there’s no manual online. I found ya the link. If you need it, Samsung Watch manual here and hit this link for Apple Watch.
⏰ Wake up, Apple: The iPhone alarm clock function has been iffy since last April, when a bug fix didn’t work for a lot of folks. The glitch has made thousands of alarms not ring or go off hours late. If you’ve overslept, just show this to your boss. Pro tip: Double-check your alarm volume under Settings > Sound and Haptic. Move the slider all the way to the right.
What do you mean, “only 7,203 steps”? If your smartwatch data seems way off, it might be a sizing issue. Most accuracy problems are caused by loose-fitting watches that slip around on your arm. Buy one with straps you can adjust. I like these for Apple Watches.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
When can iPhones and Androids text each other? Last month, the FBI said cross-platform messages are easy to hack. A leak shows Google is working on MLS encryption that’s better than the current RCS standard. They’ll have to test the heck out of this, then get Apple to play nice with it, too. Unless you’re texting someone secret spy stuff, don’t worry about it.
Who will win the VR war? Meta is retiring its $1,500 Quest Pro headset to focus on the $300 and $499 Quest 3 models. Apple’s Vision Pro is going after businesses now instead of consumers because no one wanted to pay $3,500 for a headset.
Gravy train derailed: Hackers breached data broker Gravy Analytics and got their hands on the location info of millions of people. They also named companies who bought their data, like Uber, Comcast, Apple and Equifax. Last month, the FTC went after Gravy for selling sensitive location data. This is why I use Incogni. They remove you from databases like this.
The apple of my lie: Apple Intelligence is messing up news summaries. Phony notifications include tennis star Rafael Nadal coming out as gay and Israel’s Prime Minister being arrested. The BBC says it’s hurting the credibility of news outlets. Always read past the headlines!
Step change: Mark Zuckerberg is replacing fact-checking with “community notes” on Meta, just like on X (they didn’t even change the name) to “restore free expression.” He’s been cozying up to the incoming Trump admin, but he’s not alone; Amazon, Apple, Meta, OpenAI and others gave $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. Zuck’s trying hard to clean up Meta’s reputation of censorship, especially after the 2016 election.
Very Apple-esque: Dell is ditching iconic laptop names like XPS, Inspiron and Latitude for “simplified” lines: Dell, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max. Each has Base, Plus and Premium tiers. Pro laptops are the new Latitude, and Premium models are replacing the XPS line.
Do you see what I see? Apple opted you into its Enhanced Visual Search feature, which scans your photos for landmarks, and they didn’t ask your permission. Apple promises it’s all anonymous and encrypted, but you know as well as I do that some features don’t always work exactly as they should. To turn it off on an iPhone, head to Settings > Apps > Photos and toggle off Enhanced Visual Search. On a Mac, toggle it off in Photos under Settings > General.
🚨 Android malware alert: FireScam is sneaky Android malware posing as Telegram Premium. It drops malware directly into your device, steals your data and spies on what you’re doing. It’s spreading on fake app store sites, so always download from the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
AirTags in a house with kiddos? Apple skipped an important safety warning for its AirTags related to the small batteries inside. The AirTags are easy to open to get the batteries out. New models follow Reese’s Law, named after an 18-month-old who died after ingesting a button cell battery.
👂 Taking a page from Apple: You’ll soon be able to connect hearing aids to your Android phone. Code strings found in a Google Play Services beta show hearing aids listed as Fast Pair-supported devices. Translation? Pairing them could become as simple as connecting earbuds.
Apple Music trick: Instead of the fullscreen program, try the mini player on your Mac. With Apple Music open, hit Window > Switch to Mini Player. Want it to show all the time? Go to Music > Settings > Advanced and check the box to keep it as the top window.
iPhone storage hog: Apple Intelligence is eating up nearly double the storage space it did at launch. In September 2024, it needed 4GB. Four months later, it’s at 7GB. Why the bloat? Updates and code-heavy features like Image Playground, which creates pictures from prompts. Siri’s major AI overhaul will make it worse.
Only nine hours: A new class-action suit claims Siri activates too easily and Apple shared accidental recordings with advertisers. That explains the “I was just talking about that!” ad moments you’ve had. Expect about $20 per Siri-enabled device. I’ll share the claim link once it’s live. For Apple, the $95 million settlement is just nine hours of profit.