Tag: iPhone

How to open Control Center on your iPhone without swiping from top: 4 easier ways

You shouldn’t have to perform finger gymnastics just to adjust your screen brightness. Try these alternative ways to open Control Center – no stretching required.

Do me a favor: Grab your iPhone and try opening Control Center one-handed. Bet you can’t, or at least it isn’t easy.

It’s a shame, because that’s where Apple tucks all its quick toggles — from Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode to screen brightness and orientation lock. You’d think these iPhone settings would be easy to reach with one hand, but nope. As screen sizes have ballooned to 7 inches, swiping down from that top-right corner often feels like a literal stretch (especially if you’re juggling coffee or keys).

Fortunately, there are simple workarounds beyond the standard swipe that let you easily and quickly open Control Center.

How to launch Control Center (without swiping from top)

Here are four methods — you just need an iPhone running the latest version of iOS. 1. Reachability

Shift the screen down to your thumb

Reachability is an iOS feature that shifts the top half of your iPhone screen to within your thumb’s reach, making it much easier to tap the Control Center. To use Reachability, simply swipe down along the bottom edge of your display. This built-in gesture works anywhere you can swipe — whether you’re on the home screen or in an app. But you might need to enable it first. 

To enable Reachability, open Settings, then go to Accessibility > Touch, and toggle on Reachability.

To use Reachability on iPhone:

  • With your phone in one hand, swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen.
  • Tap the Control Center area in the top right, which should now be within reach.
  • Swipe up on the bottom edge again (or tap a blank area at the top) to return to full screen.

2. Back Tap

Double- or triple-tap your iPhone’s back

Have you heard of Back Tap? It’s a virtual button on the back of your iPhone. Once enabled, you can summon iOS features — including Control Center — with two or three quick taps. To enable Back Tap, open Settings and go to Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap, then choose Double Tap or Triple Tap, and assign Control Center.

To use Back Tap on iPhone:

  • Hold your iPhone like you normally would. 
  • Tap the back of the phone twice (or thrice).
  • If you’ve setup Control Center, it should instantly slide down.
  • The best part? Back Tap works even with a case on your iPhone. And you can use it anywhere, whether you’re on the home screen, scrolling TikTok, lurking in Instagram, or using any other app.

3. Home-screen shortcut

Create a home screen icon for Control Center

Old habits die hard, and tapping icons on the home screen is one of them. It’s a visual cue we use every day. 

If you want to turn Control Center into a home screen icon (essentially bookmarking it), all you need is Apple‘s Shortcuts app. Don’t worry — it’s not complicated and takes just a few seconds to set up.

To create your shortcut, open the Shortcuts app, tap the + button, search for and add the Show Control Center action, then hit Done. Back in the All Shortcuts view, tap the ••• on your shortcut, open its top dropdown menu, choose Add to Home Screen, and — if you like — customize the name, symbol, and color before tapping Add.

To use your home-screen shortcut on iPhone:

  • From any home-screen page, tap your new Control Center icon.
  • If you’re in another app, swipe to your home screen first and then tap your new Control Center icon.

4. Action button

Press your Action Button to toggle Control Center

OK this last one is exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and 16 models with a physical Action button. Basically, with a press, it can run a shortcut and open things — like Control Center. 

To change what the Action button does, you’ll repeat some of the steps above. Open the Shortcuts app, select your Control Center shortcut, and edit the action from Show to Toggle (so it both opens and closes). Now, configure the Action Button: Go to Settings > Action Button, select Shortcut, and choose Control Center.

To use the Action button on your iPhone:

  • Press the side button once.
  • If set up, Control Center will slide down or disappear immediately.
  • By default, the Action button is set to silent mode. But you can access that setting in the Control Center.

What is Control Center?

Control Center is the iPhone‘s quick-access panel for settings like brightness, volume, connectivity options, media controls, and more. It’s all in one place and highly customizable, so you can choose what appears there. On newer iPhones without a Home button, swipe down from the top right of your screen to open it. Don’t swipe from the top left — that opens Notification Center.Do these workarounds work on all iPhones?

Reachability, Back Tap, and Home Screen shortcuts require iOS 14 or later.

The Action Button option is exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models.

Can you combine methods?

Sure. There’s no harm in using all of them, and it’s handy to have multiple options for different scenarios.

Apple Face ID not working? Here’s how to fix it

Every recent iPhone, except the iPhone SE, and some iPads use Face ID as the biometric authentication option instead of a fingerprint scanner. It’s easy to set up Face ID on your iPhone or iPad, and you can use it to unlock your phone, sign in to apps, confirm Apple Pay transactions, autofill passwords, and more. Face ID is a quick and convenient security step on your device, but only when it works. Some users face problems with Face ID not working, but there are ways to solve the issue. If Face ID isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad, here’s what you can try to fix it.

QUICK ANSWER

To fix Apple Face ID not working, go to Settings > Face ID and passcode and check the various settings. Ensure that you’ve enabled Face ID for Apple services and third-party apps. You can also add an alternate appearance, train Face ID to work with glasses and masks, or reset Face ID and go through the setup process again. Don’t forget to update the device’s software, and simply restarting it might be enough if Face ID isn’t working because of a software glitch. Your only option is to send the device for repair if Face ID isn’t working because of a hardware issue.Why is my Apple Face ID not working?

Unless your iPhone or iPad has physical damage from an accidental bump or drop, Face ID not working is likely because of a software issue. If it is physical damage, your only option is to send the device in for repair. If your Face ID isn’t working, you’ll see error messages like “Face ID not available” or “Face ID has been disabled.” Other signs to look for include needing multiple attempts to unlock your phone and if you see a prompt to enter a passcode.

There are a few instances where the device may disable Face ID. The feature will stop working after five unsuccessful scans. You may need to enter your passcode if you’ve just turned on or restarted the device or if the device hasn’t been unlocked in more than 48 hours. Face ID will also not work if you’re on the Emergency SOS screen or if you’ve entered the device into Lost mode using the Find My app.

However, Face ID may also not work if there is an issue with the settings, something is blocking the TrueDepth camera, if you’re wearing a mask, the software isn’t updated, and general software bugs and glitches. There are some quick troubleshooting steps you can try, which should fix the problem if it is a software issue.How to fix Face ID not working

Check Face ID settings

There might be an issue with the Face ID settings, especially if it isn’t working with third-party applications. Go to Settings > Face ID and passcode and ensure that Face ID is enabled for the available features. You can enable Face ID to unlock the device and for Apple services like iTunes, the App Store, Wallet, Apple Pay, and Password Autofill.

If you’re having problems using Face ID with third-party apps, go to Settings > Face ID and passcode > Other apps and toggle on the apps you want to use with Face ID.Ensure that nothing is blocking the TrueDepth camera

Your iPhone or iPad uses the front-facing TrueDepth camera for Face ID. You might have to clean smudges and debris from the screen to prevent them from blocking the camera. A shattered screen, scratched screen protector, and some thick and ultra-rugged iPhone cases might also block a part of the sensor and impact Face ID functionality. If the device detects something blocking the TrueDepth camera, you will get a “camera covered” error message.Avoid blocking your face

Face ID is designed for full-face recognition and works best with an unblocked view of your eyes, nose, and mouth. There shouldn’t be a problem using Face ID while wearing hats, scarves, glasses, and sunglasses. However, polarized sunglasses won’t work, so you’ll have to remove them and try again.

While Face ID should work in most instances, it may have trouble recognizing you if you frequently change your glasses, grow facial hair, or if there’s any drastic shift in appearance. In this case, you should set up an “alternate appearance.” Go to Settings > Face ID and passcode and tap on Set up and alternate appearance. On the Face ID and passcode page, you will also find the option to “Add glasses.” You can add up to four pairs of glasses.

You can set up Face ID to work with a mask if you have an iPhone 12or newer device running iOS 15.4 or later. Go to Settings > Face ID and passcode and enable Face ID with a mask. Go through the Face ID setup process again with a mask on. Face ID will work if you’re wearing a mask and glasses. But it won’t with sunglasses since the “with mask” option requires a clear view of your eyes and the area around them.Check your phone hardware

A known TrueDepth camera issue might stop Face ID from working. You will likely have to send your device for repair if you see an error that says, “A problem was detected with the TrueDepth camera. Face ID has been disabled.” To check your device’s hardware, go to Settings > General > About > Parts and service history.

You will find the option for TrueDepth camera on an iPhone 12 or newer. If everything is working as expected, it should say “genuine Apple part.” But if there’s a problem, you’ll see an “unknown part” error or “Face ID issue detected.” Try updating the device to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS to see if the problem goes away. However, your only option might be to get the device repaired.Hold the device correctly

Using Face ID is almost second nature for iPhone and iPad users. But there is a correct way of holding the device to ensure that the feature works correctly. You can use Face ID in portrait and landscape orientations on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 running iOS 16 and any iPad that supports the feature. If you have an older iPhone, you will have to use it in portrait orientation. Make sure that the device is within arm’s length (10-20 inches) and that you are facing the camera.Restart your device and reset your Face ID

If Face ID is not working because of a software bug, restarting your iPhone or iPad may be enough to fix the problem. If nothing works, it’s best to reset your Face ID and set it up again. Go to Settings > Face ID and passcode and tap Reset Face ID. Then select Set up Face ID and go through the setup process again.

How to pair an Apple Watch with your iPhone

The Apple Watch and the iPhone are made for each other and both augment the functions of the other. Regardless of which Apple Watch model you own — the brand new Apple Watch Series 10, last year’s Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch SE, or an older model — you’ll need to pair it with your iPhone.

Setting up your Apple Watch to work with your iPhone is just the beginning. For more ways to benefit from your watch, have a look at our guides covering the essential Apple Watch tips, the best Apple Watch faces, and the best Apple Watch apps, which promise to make your watch as integral to your life as your phone.

Before you get started, make sure that both your Apple Watch and your iPhone are updated to the latest version of their respective operating systems. Right now, that would be iOS 15 and WatchOS 8. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and make sure both your watch and phone are fully charged or plug them in to replenish the charge as you pair. The pairing process is virtually identical in iOS 13 and WatchOS 6, iOS 14 and WatchOS 7, and iOS 15 and WatchOS 8.

  • You can use the latest WatchOS 8 with Apple Watch Series 3 or later and pair it with an iPhone 6S or later running iOS 15. The setup assistants on your iPhone and Apple Watch work together to help you pair and set up your Apple Watch.
  • Start by strapping the watch onto your wrist and then press and hold the side button (the one underneath the Digital Crown) until you see the Apple logo appear.
  • Move your iPhone near to your Apple Watch and observe the welcome pairing screen on your iPhone, and tap Continue.
  • Easier still, just launch the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap Pair New Watch.
  • Tap the Start Pairing button, and at the prompt, place your iPhone above the watch so that your Apple Watch appears in the viewfinder. This pairs the devices and you will see an alert that confirms the pairing.
  • If you already had a watch paired on this device, you may see a screen prompting you to either restore your watch from a backup or set it up as a new watch.
  • Tap the wrist you will wear the watch on (left or right) and the location preference of the crown (top or bottom).
  • Agree to the terms and conditions and decide whether you want to share information with Apple.
  • Create or wait on a passcode. If you intend to use Apple Pay, you will need to set up a passcode.
  • Choose whether to update your watch automatically or manually and whether to enable SOS and fall detection. If your Health app designates you as 65 or older, the fall detection feature will be enabled by default.
  • You can choose to install all apps at pairing or wait to choose which specific apps you want. You can always delete individual apps later.
  • Wait a few minutes for the setup to complete and for the two devices to sync, and after that’s done, you’ll see a welcome screen.
  • If your Apple Watch features cell service, you can activate the cellular service on your Apple Watch now or later in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. While cell service is not available everywhere, your iPhone and Apple Watch must use the same cellular carrier to set up and run it.

Pair multiple watches with your iPhone

You can pair more than one watch with your iPhone, but only one watch can be active on your phone at any specific time. The WatchOS platform doesn’t support wearing two watches at once, nor does it support the simultaneous sharing of watches between multiple users. Not all carriers support multiple, active cellular plans at the same time, so make sure your carrier supports the feature. The steps are very similar to the pairing procedure above. There are slight differences between iOS 13 and WatchOS 6 and iOS 14 and WatchOS 7, including the ability to set up separate watches for various family members. The interface for iOS 15  and WatchOS 8 is virtually identical to the previous version.

How to back up your iPhone and Android phone

You know how important it is to back up your computer, but are you also remembering to back up the data on your smartphone? Thankfully, backing up your phone is simple and can be completed in just a matter of moments. So if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, you won’t have to worry about how you’ll get all those irreplaceable photos and videos from your device back.

Asurion Experts are here to help you with all of your tech care needs. In this article, they’ll share everything you need to know to back up your iPhone® and Android™ devices.

What does backing up your phone do?

Backing up your phone makes sure that you don’t lose any of the data that’s important to you, such as your:

Contacts.

Photos and videos.

Wi-Fi network and passwords.

Music.

Apps and app settings.

Email.

Passwords.How to back up your phone to a cloud service

Cloud storage services like Google Drive™, part of Google One™, and Apple® iCloud® provide spaces to save files, photos, and documents, via the internet. Ensuring that personal data is securely backed up and retrievable from anywhere.How to back up your Android phone

Directions on how to back up your Android phone can vary—the instructions for a Samsung Galaxy® S22 will be different than, say, the Google Pixel™ 6. An easy solution is to use Google Drive to save a copy of your photos, videos, messages, and other items in your cloud. Using Google One, you’ll get 15 GB of free Google Drive cloud storage and be able to access your content on your phone, computer, tablet, or another device with the Google One app installed.

To back up your Samsung phone to Google Drive:

Open Settings.

Tap Accounts and backup.

Tap Back up data. If prompted, enter your Google username and password.

Make sure the Backup by Google One switch is on, then tap Back up now.

From this screen, you can also choose to set up automatic backups going forward. If you’d like to only back up while using Wi-Fi in order to save battery and data, be sure the Back up using mobile data option is turned off.

To back up your Pixel phone to Google Drive:

Go to Settings.

Tap Google, then tap Backup.

If prompted, enter your Google username and password.

Make sure the Backup by Google One switch is on, then tap Back up now.

Need help restoring your backup onto a new Android device or after you’ve completed a factory reset? Check out our guide on how to restore your Android phone.

How to back up your iPhone to iCloud

Backing up your iPhone keeps personal data and information safe in case of device damage, loss, or replacement. It’s also a great way to free up storage space.

Before you get started, make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi and that you have your Apple® ID and password to sign into iCloud—if you need help, check out our guide on how to set up iCloud.

Tap Settings, then tap on your name.

Tap iCloud.

Tap iCloud Backup.

Tap Back Up Now.

Be sure to stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the process completes. To make sure that the backup finished, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. The time of the last successful backup should appear on the screen.

How to back up your iPhone on your computer

On a Mac running macOS® Mojave 10.14 or earlier or a PC, you’ll use iTunes® to back up your iPhone. Here’s how:

Open iTunes.

Connect your device to your computer with a cable. Enter your passcode if prompted.

Click on the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner.

Click Summary > Back Up Now.

On a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, you’ll use the Finder® to back up your iPhone. Follow these steps:

Open Finder.

Connect your device to your computer with a cable. Enter your passcode if prompted.

Click on your device under Locations in the left column.

Click General, then select Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.Click Back Up Now.

Once you’re backed up, you’re now protected in case you need to perform a factory reset on your iPhone or if you get a new phone and need to easily transfer your data. Check out our guide to how to restore your iPhone for next steps on getting your information back on your device.

Foldable and slim iPhones could soon become the new norm

Apple’s iPhone lineup is about to go through a huge shift, at least if this leak is to be believed — as will our list of the best smartphones. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo outlined the predicted release window for every single iPhone up until the second half of 2027, and we’re seeing new products becoming the new norm, and a shift in Apple’s usual release strategy to make room for them.

Corroborating an earlier report from The Information, Ming-Chi Kuo laid out Apple’s plans for its upcoming iPhones, and there are a few interesting tidbits in here. First, we might see Apple ditch the release calendar we got used to, as it was in place since 2011.

The iPhone lineup is now said to be split, with the budget phones being released early in the year and the high-end portion of the lineup following in the second half. In fact, this schedule that’s so familiar to us is now said to come to an end in 2025, and 2026 will usher in a completely new release schedule for the iPhone.

Following Kuo’s predictions, we’ll see the iPhone 17 emerge in the second half of 2025. This includes the iPhone 17 Pro Max, the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 17 Slim, and the base iPhone 17. This will be followed by the iPhone 17e, breaking cover in the first half of 2026. That’s a predictable release cadence, with the iPhone 17e launching about a year after the release of its predecessor.

The second half of 2026 is when the shift begins, and the focus moves from base iPhones to Apple’s newer products, including the foldable iPhone and the iPhone Slim. We’ll see the launch of the first foldable iPhone, as well as the iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Slim. Those hoping for the base model of the iPhone 18 will need to wait longer.

This kind of shift lets Apple shine a light on its new, hotly anticipated foldables and the slimmer iPhone, and quite right, too, as they’re set to make a reappearance soon after. The first half of 2027 will see the launch of the base iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e, but the second half will, once again, be littered with exciting products, including the second-gen foldable iPhone, the iPhone 19 Pro Max, iPhone 19 Pro, and the iPhone 19 Slim.

With a focus on the high-end products in the second half of the year, Apple might benefit from the holiday season and push its more expensive, newer products forward. Meanwhile, the base and budget-oriented options will follow later, during a lull in the market, and around the same time as Samsung’s yearly Android release — keeping the spotlight on Apple all-year-round.

Battery Drain Too Fast? The Solutions Are In Your Phone

Vibration: Motor runs using more power than speaker, though not too much. 
Turn off by going:

Settings -> Sound -> Vibrate when ringing / Settings -> Language & Keyboard -> Haptic feedback or Vibrate on keypress

Brightness: Brightness level, colorful background, and live wallpaper eat more battery. So tone down the brightness, and switch to a static and black background.

Sleep / Screen Off: The longer the screen is on, the more unnecessary battery it uses. Go to Settings -> Display -> Auto-lock and adjust the time.

The 4 Pillars of Connectivity: Mobile Data, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth. Turn these off when not in use.

Outdated Apps: At times, update is made to fix bugs or improve functionality that reduces battery usage. Remember to check reviews before update.

Apps Notifications: Apps keep a level of activity in the background to alert you to notifications. Go to Settings -> Notifications -> Pick apps for which you don’t need notifications.

Background Apps: Some of them are silently running in the background. To really dig them out:

Settings -> Application manager -> Installed -> Tap through to see which one has “Force stop” enabled. Remember to not stop those needed by the system.

Widgets: Turn off those that you don’t need.

For iPhones, go to Home screen -> Widgets -> Edit; 

for Android, tap and hold home screen -> Widgets -> Close existing ones on the screen or drag new ones to the screen.

Temperature: High heat may damage your battery, while extreme cold can accelerate  consumption or even stops it temporarily.

Flight Mode: To really go battery survival mode, turn flight mode on. Handy especially while    you’re sleeping. Although it means you’re not able to receive emergency calls.

The Things That Kill Your Battery1. Vibration

Yes, setting your phone on vibrate mode actually drains more than using ringtone. The reason? The motor uses more power compared to speaker. Not much, but a difference is a difference nonetheless. You can turn off vibration by going to:

Settings -> Sound -> Uncheck Vibrate when ringing, or

Settings -> Language & Keyboard -> Uncheck Haptic / Tactile feedback2. Brightness

Both brightness level and colourful background (don’t forget live wallpaper too) will definitely drain your phone.

So if you feel like your phone needs to go on survival mode, lower your brightness and switch to a darker, static background. Preferably black.3. Sleep / Screen Off

“Depriving” your phone of sleep also counts. Not that it dramatically drains your battery (depends on the above factor), but the longer you keep the screen lit, the more unnecessary battery it uses.

Sounds pretty intuitive to me. Anyway, you can adjust the time-till-screen-off by heading to:

Settings -> Display -> Auto-lock

You can tweak the time to best suit your habit.4. Mobile Data (4G), Wi-Fi, GPS, & Bluetooth

Generally, just turn them off when not in use. But for more in-depth info, look below.

i. Mobile Data (4G):

Under the following 2 conditions, it will drain more than usual: i) there isn’t any 4G coverage in your area, ii) constantly crossing between 3G and 4G coverage area. Additionally, you should also switch to 3G when you simply don’t need the speed. Oh, and it consumes more battery than Wi-Fi.

ii. Wi-Fi:

Although its consumption is less than 4G, maintaining a signal still does. It’s even worse in area without Wi-Fi connection: your device will constantly be on the lookout for a network and thus, uses more power.

iii. GPS:

When location service is on, your phone will frequently ping the satellite, and herein lies the power consumption.

iv. Bluetooth:

Newer Bluetooth tech drains lesser battery. But still, there’s consumption.5. The little things about apps: older versions, notifications, and background operationi. Outdated apps:

Starving your apps of updates means you’re not doing your battery a favor. Usually, the developers of OS and apps will fix bugs and improve functions that may reduce battery consumption.

Be that as it may, be sure to ALWAYS check the reviews first before updating—you may never know what lies ahead.ii. Restless Notifications:

The app stores abound with apps that never rest: they always peek their heads out to alert you of whatever’s happening even after you “closed” them. And we can’t think of a finer example than Facebook.

There’s a remedy to this: customizing the apps’ notifications. 

Settings -> Notifications -> Choose from the list of apps whose notifications aren’t worth your attention.iii. Those Stealthy Background Apps:

There’s a garden variety of apps that will run in the background. Oh, those pesky bunch; they are most worthy of the name “vampire” among all.

The thing is, they are tricky too: clearing the RAM can only weed out some, and a good number of them will just restart again. So in comes the other method: going to Application manager in Settings.

In the running (or active) tab, you might see apps that RAM clear failed to wipe off for good. In here, you can manually close the apps. But it doesn’t stop there. You might be surprised at how many are still up and running.

Head to the installed list and try tapping through them; you will find some can still be “Force stop”. Just make sure you don’t stop those essential ones needed by the system.

More on Background Apps:It goes without saying that having more apps running in the background means battery will drop even faster. Whenever you hit home or back out of apps, some will remain mildly active to stay connected to the Internet, alerting you of notifications, and the like. So you can swipe them out or clear RAM to deal with them (though some apps will still restart on its own).However, frequently closing and re-opening apps will result in more battery drain since they need to repeatedly load into the RAM. Hence, you should really consider keeping those apps that you will reuse soon.Another suggestion is to just uninstall those you don’t really need; it’ll save up some space too.

Note: iPhones will automatically close apps that are inactive after a period of time.iv. Vampires in Disguise as Little Fairies (Widgets):

Similarly, having more widgets up will add more load on your battery. If you really need the juice to last, get rid of those you don’t really need.

(iPhone) Go to Home screen -> Swipe till you see widgets -> Scroll down then choose edit -> Add or remove those little fairies to your heart’s content.

(Android) Tap and hold the Home screen -> Tap widgets from the menu that popped out below -> Close the existing one (tap the cross on the widgets already placed on your Home screen) or drag new ones onto the Home screen.

And before we end, some extras for your knowing pleasureTemperature

Exposing your device to extreme ambient (surrounding) temperature isn’t ideal for your battery health. High heat might damage your battery, and the cold might accelerate consumption or if it gets cold enough, stops it entirely.Flight Mode

Getting into flight mode when connectivity isn’t needed, e.g., when you are sleeping, will definitely help in holding the juice. However, that means you’ve shut yourself off from getting any emergency calls.

There you have it: the battery vampires we gathered to help you be a smarter and more conscious smartphone users. As time goes by, we will add more or update the existing ones to ensure you can get the best and updated info as can be.

How to Recover Files From a Broken Phone

Today’s cell phones are filled with photos, videos, contact information, personal information and a host of other data. We often mistakenly assume that this data is completely safe, until one day our phone becomes unusable and it appears to be lost forever.

If you have broken your phone or one of its critical components and are worried that you have lost all the content stored on your device, don’t panic too quickly.

There are actually different ways to recover data from a broken cell phone, whether it is an iPhone or an Android device. Check out the most popular ones in this article.Useful tips for broken phone data recovery

Before taking any of the data recovery steps explained below, there are some things you should know.

First, if your mobile device’s hard drive or SD card was damaged by water or suffered physical damage, the data might not be accessible. However, with basic data recovery tools and techniques, chances are you can recover data from most devices, especially if the storage functions have not been affected.

Before trying anything else, it’s worth checking the iCloud or Google account associated with your cell phone. Automatic backups are always better than data recovery, and most devices automatically back up items like photos, videos and other personal files to a cloud. All you might need to do is go to Google Drive or iCloud using a computer, log in and search for the data you want to recover.

That said, if the data you need has not been backed up automatically, your best option is data recovery using a technique appropriate for the problem plaguing your phone.Different methods of phone data recovery

Not all common phone problems will affect your device in the same way.

For instance, if you’re just having trouble with your screen or home button, finding another way to access the device will usually be enough to recover your data. On the other hand, if your phone is completely unresponsive, you will need to use a computer or a second phone to remotely recover the remaining data. In short, the recovery method you choose should be prioritized based on the problem.Recover data from a broken phone

To recover data from a broken phone with a non-functional screen, you will need to use a second device to extract the data from the SD card or a third-party application.Recover data from an SD card

Android devices such as Samsung, Motorola and Google Pixel cell phones can hold an SD card where music, videos and photos can be saved. However, depending on the version of your Android system and the settings you have chosen, you may even have applications and other data saved.

That may not be everything you want to recover, but it’s often a good start and it only takes four quick steps to recover the data:

1.Remove the SD card – You can usually find your SD card with your SIM card, either in a tray on the side of your device or behind the battery.

2.Insert SD card into another device – You can use a microSD adapter to put your SD card into a laptop or you can transfer it to a new Android device and connect it to a computer with a USB cable.

3.Explore the contents of the SD card – Open Windows File Explorer and find the new drive that contains the data on your SD card.

4.Find the files you need to recover – Search for the folders you need and copy them to your computer for easy access at any time.

Use a third-party application

There are many data recovery applications and software that can help you recover your data. Here are several options:

  • Fone
  • Enigma Recovery
  • DroidKit
  • And many more

However, before you start, keep in mind that the capabilities of these applications are limited and you may lock your phone if the operation is not done correctly. So be careful!

Recover data from a phone with a broken screen

A cracked screen that prevents touch controls from working can render a smartphone basically useless. However, there are ways to get around this and recover your data.

Using software

There are applications that allow you to control your phone through a computer. Once you have control of your damaged phone, you can copy the files to a new safe location.

We recommend the Droid@screen software or the Vysor extension for Chrome. Vysor is convenient because it works for both iPhone and Android devices.

Using a mouse in OTG

If your screen no longer works with touch but still lights up, you may not be able to unlock your phone unless you use an OTG (USB On-The-Go) computer mouse!

The procedure is simple and works for Android devices. You need to connect an OTG mouse to your smartphone, enter your password or recreate your unlock pattern.

Next, disconnect the mouse and connect your phone to your computer via a USB cable. Then simply open Windows File Explorer and copy and paste the files and folders you want to recover into a folder on your PC.

Recover data from an iPhone with a broken home button

Considering the importance of the home button on the iPhones that preceded the iPhone X (iPhone 8, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, etc.), it only makes sense that Apple has a built-in way to use their devices even when the button is broken.

This mode is called “assistive touch” and works by giving you a fixed menu with various options. You can add all sorts of custom settings, but a button to access the home screen will be present by default. Activate this mode and your broken home button will no longer be an issue.

Take steps to avoid emergency data recovery

In conclusion, there are several methods and techniques you can try if you ever need to recover important data from a broken or damaged phone.

However, why not do everything in your power to make sure you won’t have this dilemma? You can avoid these data recovery headaches by making backups on a regular basis.

And if you ever decide to replace your damaged phone, you can avoid paying an exorbitant price for a new device by choosing refurbished phones or used cell phones. At Recycell we offer models as recent as a used iPhone 12 so you can quickly replace your phone without breaking the bank or having to use an outdated device!

Why Does My iPhone Brightness Keep Changing or Dimming?

iPhone features that can affect brightness

If you find that your iPhone brightness keeps changing or dimming unexpectedly, don’t panic! It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s something wrong with your phone. There are a variety of features that can affect screen brightness. It’s a good idea to check them all before jumping to conclusions.Auto-Brightness

Generally, if your iPhone screen keeps dimming, it’s because Auto-Brightness is turned on. This feature automatically adjusts the brightness of your phone screen based on the surrounding lighting.

If you want to stop your phone from dimming automatically due to this feature, go to Settings –> Accessibility –> Display & Text Size and toggle off Auto-Brightness. You’ll see a warning that turning off Auto-Brightness can affect battery life. This is because leaving your phone on maximum brightness all day will drain the battery faster than allowing it to adjust automatically to the ambient light.Night Shift

If your iPhone screen seems dimmer at night, it may be because you have Night Shift turned on. This feature shifts to warmer tones after sunset (using the clock and geolocation of your phone to ascertain when the sun will set) to help you fall asleep.

Go to Settings –> Display & Brightness –> Night Shift. There, you’ll be able to adjust the settings or turn Night Shift off entirely. You can also turn Night Shift on or off from the Control Center if your iPhone is running iOS 11 or later. Open Control Center by swiping down from the upper right-hand corner if your phone has Face ID, or swiping up from the bottom of your screen if not. Simply press and hold the brightness slider in the Control Center to access the Night Shift button.True Tone

True Tone is a feature that automatically adjusts the colour of your phone’s display based on the ambient light, just like Auto-Brightness does for screen brightness. The colour shift may sometimes make your screen appear dimmer. Go to Settings –> Display & Brightness and check to see whether True Tone is on!Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode is a feature that adjusts a variety of settings, including screen brightness, in order to conserve battery life. You can easily check whether your iPhone is in Low Power Mode by taking a look at the battery icon in the top right-hand corner. If it’s yellow, that means that Low Power Mode is on.

Low Power Mode will automatically turn off when your iPhone is charged to 80% or more, but if you’d like to turn it off manually, go to Settings –> Battery and toggle it off.Reduce White Point

Reduce White Point is a feature that lowers the intensity of bright colours on your screen, making the display easier on the eyes. Go to Settings –> Accessibility –> Display & Text Size to access Reduce White Point. If you don’t want to turn it off completely, you can drag the slider further to the left to lessen its effect.Common iPhone problems that can affect screen brightness

If none of the features listed above are causing your screen dimming problem, your iPhone may be experiencing a software or hardware issue. If that’s the case, there are a few simple fixes you can try before taking your phone to a professional for repair. If none of these solutions work, it may be a sign that you need a new phone.Software glitches

Whenever we’re having trouble with a device, the first piece of advice we usually hear is “try turning it off and on again.” While it may seem silly, a simple restart can actually resolve many common phone problems! Your screen brightness issues may be caused by a temporary glitch that can be resolved by restarting your iPhone.

If that doesn’t work, try updating your phone. If a software glitch is the culprit, there may be a fix for it in the latest update.Overheating

iPhones are programmed to dim automatically when they get too hot. This is a built-in feature from Apple that is designed to protect the phone’s internal components and prevent hardware damage, because the brighter a display is, the more heat it generates.

If your phone is getting too hot, it’s important to cool it down and figure out why it’s overheating. Possible causes include running power-intensive apps like mobile games or video players, having too many apps running in the background, downloads and installations and leaving your phone out in the sun. Try putting your phone in a cool place out of the sun, taking off the case and letting it rest for a while. You can even turn it off to try to speed up the cooling process.