smart phone Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How do I set Google Play to only auto-update apps over Wi-Fi?

Posted on February 12, 2025

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Question from Kara: I have an Android phone that loves to auto-update my apps over my cellular data connection without any warning.

The problem is I sometimes use up my data allotment before the month runs out.

I realize that downloading app updates doesn’t use up a lot of data, but they do use some, right?

How can I set my phone to only auto-update my apps when I’m connected to Wi-Fi? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can a cell phone damage a credit card or key fob?

Posted on June 27, 2024

Question from Cam : I’ve been wondering about the something and I’m hoping you can set me straight.

I always carry my credit cards, my debit card and the key ring with my car keys and key fob on it all in my purse right next to my cell phone.

My question is could the battery or any parts of the cellphone or the electric current in the phone (which I leave turned on) somehow damage the key fob or erase the data on my bank cards? [Read more…]

Why ‘bigger is better’ when shopping for a smartphone

Posted on April 6, 2024

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

When it comes to smartphones, many folks simply accept as fact that they have to choose between size and convenience. But is that actually true? I really don’t think so.

While it’s true that larger phones are a bit more difficult to carry around and use when making a voice call, I believe that for most people that’s a sensible trade-off to make.

Why? Read on and I’ll explain…

[Read more…]

Find your misplaced phone when you can’t call it from another phone

Posted on March 24, 2023

If you ask 100 people what’s the easiest way to find a cell phone that has been misplaced inside your home, chances are 99 of them will say call it with another phone and track it down by the ringing sound.

That does indeed work most of the time, but what if you don’t have another phone on hand to place the “locator” call from?

[Read more…]

5 tips for fixing a misbehaving smartphone

Posted on August 9, 2022

It’s no secret that smart phones have literally changed the way most of us live our lives.

They allow us to make phone calls and use the Internet from most anywhere, and the list of devices they can replace by simply installing an app boggles the mind.

Truth be told, smartphones are actually just really small computers that can run programs (apps) to perform countless types of tasks.

Unfortunately, like other computers a smartphone can get bloated and inefficient over time as you add more and more apps (some of which can conflict with one another) and its internal storage gets clogged up with digital clutter.

[Read more…]