👀 For your eyes only: The holidays mean a house full of family, friends and curious little ones. With all the hustle and bustle, get into the habit of locking your computer every time you get up. On Windows, press the Windows key + L. On Mac, hit Ctrl + Cmd + Q.
Emergency settings to check on your iPhone now before you need them
Your phone is always with you and can be a lifeline in an emergency. By activating your iPhone’s Emergency SOS feature, you can call local emergency services and update your chosen contacts when needed.
With Apple’s latest iPhone models, you can connect with emergency services even when you don’t have a signal. Here’s how to set up and use the emergency features on your iPhone.
Sending out an SOS
What’s the first thing you do in case of an emergency? Dial 911. This is standard practice, but you can go a couple of steps further. If you share your Medical ID, your iPhone can send your medical information to emergency services when you call or text 911 or use Emergency SOS.
With Emergency SOS, you can quickly and easily call for help and alert your emergency contacts. Let’s go through each of these features.
Set up your Medical ID
Let’s say you pass out and can’t use your phone. If someone nearby calls emergency services, first responders can access your critical medical information from the lock screen without needing your passcode. They can also see who to contact in case of an emergency.
You just need to set up your Medical ID to include the following information about you:
- Name.
- Age.
- Medical conditions.
- Medications.
- Allergies.
- Emergency contacts.
Here’s how to set up your Medical ID:
- Open the Health app and tap your profile picture.
- Tap Medical ID.
- Tap Edit in the upper-right corner.
- To make your Medical ID available from the Lock screen on your iPhone, turn on Show When Locked.
- To share your Medical ID with emergency responders, turn on Share During Emergency Call. When you call or send a text to emergency services on your iPhone or Apple Watch, your Medical ID will automatically be shared with emergency services.
- Enter your health information.
- Tap Done.
RELATED: Here’s what adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry does
7 important iPhone security settings to change right now
The iPhone is Apple’s most popular product, and the Cupertino company does everything it can to keep up with the latest tech developments while adding its own. You may have had an iPhone for years and not know everything it’s capable of. Tap or click here for seven hidden iPhone features you may not know.
Disable these 3 iOS 16 features to improve your iPhone’s battery life
Your iPhone comes preloaded with many features you may not be aware of. Some are for fun, while others are crucial to keeping you and your phone safe.
Your phone can be a lifeline in an emergency. By activating your iPhone’s Emergency SOS feature, you can call local emergency services and update your chosen contacts when needed. Tap or click here for emergency settings to check on your iPhone now before you need them.
Here are 7 Windows key shortcuts you'll use everyday
Keyboard shortcuts make our lives easier, but they’re not always so obvious. Did you know the Shift key does more than just capitalize letters? It actually reverses your other keyboard shortcuts! Tap or click here for five ways to use the Shift key that you may not know about.
For your eyes only: On Android, it’s super easy to keep private convos and notifications off your lock screen. From Settings, tap Display > Lock Screen > Privacy.
None of your business: Quickly hide message previews popping up on your Android lock screen. This is an “A” and “B” conversation, so “C” yourself out, snoopers! From Settings, tap Display > Lock Screen > Privacy.
What REALLY happens when you unsend, edit or delete a text in iOS 16
Should you upgrade to the iPhone 14? It includes crash detection, satellite communication in an emergency, and pro models get an always-on screen. Tap or click here to check out more on the new iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods Pro. Our verdict: If your phone is still working fine, hold off for now.
Update your Android or anyone can use this trick to unlock it
Before facial recognition became a standard feature on many smartphones, the primary method for unlocking the home screen was a secret number combination or pattern. But the problem is that many people can easily forget their PIN, locking themselves out.
5 iPhone security settings you need to change now
Your phone doesn’t come with a user manual. Sure, you can find online guides from Apple or Android, but don’t bet on Big Tech telling you the secrets to best protect yourself.
Default settings are often much better for the companies behind them than for you. Tap or click for 10 default iPhone settings that need your attention.
10 secret keyboard tricks to save you time every single day
Touchscreens are ubiquitous in modern tech, but physical keyboards are still prominent in gaming and office work applications. Along with a tactile feel, keyboards offer shortcuts to help you get more done in less time.
iPhone lagging? Clear your cache and RAM to speed it up
Have you ever had issues with your smartphone to the point where you considered buying a new one? You’re browsing through websites or using your everyday apps and you notice a lag, for example. This kind of slowdown can creep into your phone’s other functions as well, bringing everything to a crawl.
Privacy how-to: Hide notifications on your phone's lock screen
Our phones contain much of our personal lives in today’s digital world. From conversations to social media to our private photos, we have many things we may not want the world to see on our phones. Tap or click here to see six social media privacy mistakes you’re making.
The next iPhone OS lets you edit and unsend texts and check if anyone has your passwords
Big Tech companies love to put on a big show and Apple is no exception. The Cupertino Company just wrapped up this year’s Worldwide Developer Conference and there’s a lot to look forward to if you love all things Apple.
Have guests staying with you? How to tell if someone has been snooping on your phone
Ever have that feeling someone knows a little too much? It happens you get an ad for something you mentioned in passing to a friend. “How,” you might wonder, “did Google know I wanted to take a trip to Montana?”
Live with snoops or just want privacy? Tech smarts for your smartphone
Your phone is your constant coronavirus companion. It’s there for news, entertainment, work, and communication.
It’s more important now than ever to make sure your phone doesn’t have a digital virus. Tap or click here for the tell-tale signs your phone is infected with malware, a keylogger, or worse.
How to share medical information on your phone in an emergency
Over the last few years, mobile devices have become an integral element of health care. Personal health apps, such as fitness tracking and weight loss, lead the pack. Additional health-related apps welcomed by consumers and physicians alike include doctor-on-demand, prescription management, and patient portals.
Adding this to your smartphone could make all the difference in an emergency
When emergencies arise, time is of the essence. Whether you’ve just been in a car accident or are in the midst of a different distressing situation, you need to reach out for help as quickly as possible. Yes, your phone can easily dial 911, but what if first responders need your medical information?
10 tricks you didn't know your Android phone could do
Many Android fans are extremely passionate about their devices. They can tell you every little trick or setting you can get to, from interesting things to do with the voice assistant, to turning on interesting setting or modes. But, there are some things that those experts might not even know. Here are 10 interesting Android tricks you probably did not know.