smartphone Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

How to remotely erase a lost or stolen smartphone to protect your sensitive info

Posted on February 24, 2026

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Have you ever stopped to consider just how much of your digital life is stored on your smartphone?

First, there are the names and phone numbers of all your contacts (and possibly their email addresses and other sensitive info as well).

Then there are apps for accessing your bank account, your social media accounts and the accounts for all the other online services you use (and possibly the usernames and passwords to those accounts as well). [Read more…]

Q&A: Is a 6 digit PIN really all that much more secure than 4 digits?

Posted on February 20, 2026

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Question from Andy: My girlfriend and I have a bet that’s riding on your answer to this question:

Is a six digit PIN really all that more secure than a four digit PIN?

It don’t seem like just two digits could make that much of a difference. She says it makes a big difference if someone ever tries to break into my phone.

So who’s right? [Read more…]

10 things the smartphone has replaced (can you add to the list?)

Posted on December 30, 2025

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Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Throughout human history there has been a long string of new inventions that literally changed the ways in which we live, work and play.

For example, the inventions of both the electric light bulb and the refrigerator made life on Earth so much safer and a lot more convenient than it had ever been before.

The blazing speed at which technology is now evolving ensures that there will be plenty more great inventions (or innovations) to come in the future, but if I had to choose one device that changed how we live our daily lives more than any other to date it would have to be the smartphone. [Read more…]

How to safely disinfect your smartphone and avoid damaging the screen

Posted on December 19, 2025

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Well, cold and flu season has arrived, and unfortunately it appears that Covid 19 is destined to hang around forever and rear its ugly head from time to time.

There are things you’re probably already doing to reduce your chances of catching a nasty virus such as being diligent about washing your hands, doing your best to avoid people who are obviously sick and taking supplements that boost your immune system, but did you know one of the easiest ways to expose yourself to viruses and other contaminants is by simply talking to someone on your phone?

[Read more…]

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…]