iPhone and Android annoyances: How to fix the 5 most annoying things for good

When it comes to consumer tech, there’s a massive list of things that can drive us all bananas.

Take your slow Wi-Fi. You can’t stream or join a video meeting, and it always happens at the worst time. Tap or click for clever ways to speed up your home’s connection.

What about wading through thousands of photos, looking for the one you want? Tap or click for a quick shortcut, along with four more smart tech fixes — like a hidden way to know a scammer is calling without picking up your phone.

Our smartphones help us get a ton done, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to chuck them out the window sometimes. Here are the top complaints I hear about and ways to fix them.

1. Your screen brightness keeps changing

Apple’s Face ID does more than unlock your phone. It also can tell when you’re paying attention to your phone. If you look away, your screen dims, and your alert volume decreases.

The fluctuating brightness can be frustrating. You can switch this feature off.

  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Face ID & Attention.
  • Turn off Attention Aware Features.

On Android, adaptive brightness or auto-brightness uses a sensor to adjust the screen based on your environment. Sometimes it works well, but not always.

Steps will vary based on your phone’s model, but here’s a starting point.

  • Go to Settings, then Display.
  • Look for Adaptive brightness and toggle it off.

2. The person you’re talking to can’t hear you

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All the new features coming to your Android smartphone

Android fans rejoice! The recent Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona was held, where some major Android updates were announced. You’re going to love some of the new features.

Read on for new Android and Wear OS features that will change the game.

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🔊 Low volume on iPhone calls? The culprit could be the noise-cancellation feature. Disable it: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and toggle off Phone Noise Cancellation (green means it’s on). FYI: This only works with iPhone 12 models and older.

Affordable, quality tech: You don’t have to spend $200 or more for high-quality earbuds. Raycons have studio-quality sound, noise cancellation, 32 hours of battery life, and they fit comfortably in every ear with precise fittings. They also pair with two devices so you can share them. Grab ‘em for 20% off (and free shipping!) right now at BuyRaycon.com/kim.

Can't hear the dialogue in shows and movies? Here's how to fix that

Subscribing to more than a few streaming services will make you gasp at your monthly bill, but there’s a trick to catch your favorite TV shows and movies without breaking the bank. Tap or click here to save hundreds of dollars a year on streaming.

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4 simple ways to customize your Apple AirPods

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