The next big app? You heard about it here first. Gen Z is buzzing over a new messaging app called Daze that’s set to drop on Nov. 4. With over 200,000 people already on the waitlist and promo videos racking up millions of views, the hype is real. That’s the thing about tech: There’s always something new coming.
How to quickly find and search photos you’ve sent
A friend sent you the name of a great hotel in Palm Springs, but you can’t find the message. Try searching your texts. Tap or click here for tips to find any message you’re looking for in seconds.
You can do the same with your photo album. Instead of scrolling forever, try searching for “sunset,” “Hawaii,” “dog,” or anything else you want to see. Tap or click here for pro tricks to hunt down any image in a snap.
Then there are the photos and videos you send out on your smartphone. Here’s how to find and search your shared media.
See a record of what you’ve sent and received
For better or worse, what we do online leaves behind digital clues. You can easily browse the photos and videos you’ve shared with a contract or group — and the ones they’ve shared with you. Here’s how on iPhone:
- Open Messages.
- Tap on a conversation, then tap on the contact/group name or profile photo.
- Scroll down to the Photos section and tap See All to see your shared photos and videos.
More phone smarts: Having a hard time sending videos from your Android to an iPhone? Use this app
Use an Android phone? Follow these steps to see all your shared media.
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap the search bar at the top. Select images or videos.
- From here, you can scroll through all the photos or videos shared with you or that you have shared in text messages.
Did you lose an important text? Here’s how to get it back on your iPhone. Before that happens, make a backup of your messages. Tap or click for the easy options to get the job done.
Finding media in third-party messaging apps
Now that you know how to find shared media on your phone’s built-in messaging apps, here’s how to do the same with Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.
Worried someone is snooping on your iPhone? Here's how to record evidence
Safety Check for iPhone lets you quickly stop sharing your information or review and update sharing with people and apps. It’s among several safety features introduced with iOS 16, which you can read about here.
You’ll want evidence if you’ve experienced harmful or suspicious activity on your phone and must report it. Screenshots can help, but that might not always be enough. Here’s how to record what’s happening on your screen.
Facebook Messenger is better than ever - Here's what's new
End-to-end encryption is an excellent defense against prying eyes when sharing digital messages between devices. While it’s been available on Facebook Messenger for a while, many noticed that enabling it pared away at some of the more advanced features non-encrypted users could utilize.
There's a hidden second message folder in Facebook - Here's how to find it
We’ve published quite a few stories about messaging apps and how to use them efficiently. Tap or click here for 12 clever tricks for WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage and Google Chat. If you’re using Facebook Messenger, there might be a few more features you don’t know about.
⚠️ Scammers’ new tactic? Using social media and messaging apps like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram to tell you you’re hot or offer tips to show you how to make money. About 86% of victims are tricked into transferring money themselves — without the crooks ever accessing their accounts. Come on! Please don’t fall for it.
Tech tip: How to send GIFs without downloading any extra apps
Messaging has come a long way since the first text was sent. You no longer need to be witty or expressive with just your words. Your phone has built-in features to help you show your meaning and mood. Tap or click here for ways to create your own emoji.
Tech how-to: Create your own custom QR codes
When you entered a restaurant years ago, you received a paper or laminated menu, and that was that. Since then, many establishments have adopted QR code menus. Scan the code and view the menu. This concept has moved to retail establishments and service providers like doctors, mechanics and universities.
10 hidden Google Maps tips and tricks
Google Maps is more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It’s also a way to learn more about the world around you and even play games. For instance, Smarty Pins is a trivia game within Google Maps. It asks you geography-based questions, and you move your pin around the map to answer.
Mozilla warns: Avoid these 3 messaging apps if you care about privacy
Chatting online isn’t anything new, but the pandemic has fueled the use of video calling and messaging apps. As social distancing began around the country, these apps saw a surge in popularity. Tap or click here to find out which browser is best for your privacy.
Customize notifications for the texts you care about most
There was a time when you wanted to talk to someone, you had one option. You picked up the telephone and gave them a call. When technology evolved a little further, you still just sent a text message if you wanted to avoid a phone call. Is your Android phone running slow? Tap or click here to make your phone run faster than ever.
Watch out: Clicking these messages can wipe out your chat history
Every so often, a malicious cyber threat appears that targets text messages and messaging apps. These threats are not malware, nor are they able to steal money or data. Instead, these “malicious texts” or “text bombs” are more like practical jokes that can crash your phone and make it annoying to use.
5 alternatives to FaceTime for Android
There’s just something about video chat that makes you feel close to far-away friends and family. Apple’s FaceTime is one of the best options out there for connecting via video, but what if you use an Android phone?
First off, don’t be fooled by apps in the Google Play store branded as FaceTime. They’re fakes, and they’re probably harmful to your device. Tap or click here to learn about other dangerous apps you need to avoid.
Tech how-to: Send texts from your computer
Our phones have become the central hub for all forms of communication. Many of us are often plastered to our devices, even when we’re at our computers. Responding to a never-ending flow of messages while trying to get work done can be exhausting. If only we could reply to texts without having to pick up our phones!