Smart Phone Tips Archives - Page 2 of 65

How to make your phone charge as quickly as possible

Posted on December 7, 2025

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Do you often find that your phone’s battery is running low but you don’t have much time to charge it up?

If so, there’s an easy way to ensure that you’ll get as much charge in the short time available as possible. All you have to do is put your phone in airplane mode.

You probably know that putting any device into airplane prevents it from ringing or making other sounds, but this handy setting actually goes much further than that… [Read more…]

Q&A: Can you recommend a good QR Code scanning app?

Posted on November 27, 2025

Question from Darla: I hope you can help me, Rick.

I gained some weight over the last few years, and it’s really starting to affect my health.

I recently decided to start working out and eating better to try to get back to my “normal” weight.

One of my friends suggested that I download a QR code scanning app so I can get the nutrition info for the foods on restaurant menus.

Can you recommend a good QR code scanning app for my phone? [Read more…]

How to get text message updates about the status of your Amazon orders

Posted on November 25, 2025

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Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

If you shop at Amazon you’re probably familiar with the emails they send letting their customers know when an order has shipped.

But did you know you can have them text you as well?

They will, and it’s very easy to set up. [Read more…]

This app will identify (and block) unknown callers

Posted on November 21, 2025

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Do you hate getting calls from people who use *67 or some other method to hide their name and number from your Caller ID display?

Yeah, me too. And unfortunately it’s happening more and more every day.

But did you know there’s a smartphone app you can use to identify (and block) those unknown callers?

[Read more…]

How to bypass iPhone Locked to Owner (full guide)

Posted on November 11, 2025

The “iPhone Locked to Owner” message, officially known as iCloud Activation Lock, is a potent security feature that automatically activates when the “Find My” feature is enabled on any Apple device.

Its primary purpose is to act as a deterrent against theft: if your iPhone is lost or stolen, it is rendered useless to anyone who doesn’t possess the original Apple ID and password, even after a factory reset. [Read more…]