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7 default settings tech companies don’t ever want you to change
Our devices are packed full of settings that keep us safe and secure. You just need to know which ones to adjust. Tap or click for Windows and Mac security settings to check now.
The same goes for the software and apps we use day in and day out. Google Chrome is safe, but you can make it even safer. Tap or click for five steps you can take.
Default settings are often much better for the company behind them than for you. Grab your phone and computer, then take a few minutes to improve your digital life.
1. Apple, stop tracking my location
Apple keeps track of where you go and how often you visit. It can then make suggestions based on what it calls Significant Locations. You might see these as calendar events or map directions alerts.
Sure, it’s helpful, but not everyone likes it. You can clear this list.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.
- Tap Significant Locations.
- Hit the Clear History button.
Use a Mac? Here’s how to find all the passwords hidden on your computer.
2. Alexa, don’t read my mind
The Amazon Echo monitors and learns your behavior based on requests you make through the Hunches feature. Here’s an example. You say, “Alexa, good night,” and your smart speaker says, “You left the kitchen light on. Would you like me to turn it off?”
If you don’t like it, there’s an easy fix. Just say, “Alexa, disable Hunches,” and you’re good to go.
You can disable Hunches through the app if you’re not near your Alexa.
- Open the Amazon Alexa app > tap More at the bottom of the screen to open the menu.
- Tap on Settings, then scroll down and select Hunches.
- Tap the Settings cog in the upper right, then use the toggle to turn off Hunches suggestions.
Tech drives us all up the wall now and then. Here are four more annoying Alexa settings to change.
3. Google, don’t track everywhere I go
If you use Google Maps, you know Google sees where you go. Beyond that, Google may save where you go even when you aren’t using a specific Google service. You don’t have to let that info sit around in perpetuity.
- Sign in to your Google account. Click on your profile picture, then Manage your Google Account or go to your Google Account page.
- On the left, click on Data & privacy.
- Under History settings, click on Location History.
- You can toggle this off.
Switching this off stops tracking in the future, but it will retain a copy of your history.
To completely delete your location history data, click on the Auto-delete option. You can choose to auto-delete the data older than three months, older than 18 months or older than 36 months. You can still manually delete anything before that.
Speaking of Google, this hidden map on your phone shows where you’ve been and the photos you took there.
4. Apple, stop bugging me for reviews
You can rate and review an app whether you love or hate it — but there should be no pressure or obligation. In-app review prompts are annoying, period.
To turn these off:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > App Store.
- Turn off In-App Ratings & Reviews.
5. Samsung, I’m saying goodbye to Bixby
If you have a Samsung phone, you also have access to Bixby. This virtual assistant is less popular than Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri.
The bad news is you can’t delete Bixby altogether, but you can disable it and reassign the Bixby side button on your phone to do something else, like launching the camera app. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Advanced features.
- Switch off Bixby Routines.
- Tap the Side key.
- You can now change the function of the side button. Click here for the steps to do that.
6. Windows, stop showing me ads
Microsoft places ads and suggested apps in the Start menu. There are enough ads online without seeing them in your Start menu, too.
Here’s how to turn them off:
- Go to the Start menu and open Settings.
- Choose Personalization.
- Select Start from the left pane.
- Toggle off Show suggestions occasionally in Start.
Keep going: 10 default Windows settings you should change
7. Android, I don’t want to share everything I do
Usage and diagnostic data is a clever way Big Tech gets its hands on everything you do. Everything from the apps you use to your battery’s lifespan daily is considered.
You don’t have to send out all this personal info. Opting out is easy. Follow these steps to turn off Usage and diagnostics on your Android:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy > Usage & diagnostics.
- Toggle the switch off.
Privacy matters. Take a few minutes to adjust these settings on your Android.
Keep your tech-know going
My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.
PODCAST PICK: Secret iPhone keyboard, Audacity update, mistakes that ruin tech
In this fun episode, Google Fiber’s 100 Gbps download speed, Starlink slows down, Audacity update, secret iPhone keyboard and five ways you’re ruining your expensive phone, laptop, tablet and TV. Plus, you’ll use this eBay pro tip time and time again.
Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”
What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer, or get Kim’s free podcasts.
Tags: accounts, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Echo, Android, Apple, Apple iPhone, Apple Mac, Apple Siri, apps, battery/batteries, Bixby, digital life, Google, Google Chrome, Google Maps, Hunches, location history, Microsoft Windows, passwords, Samsung, security, security settings, software, Start menu, virtual assistant
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