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How to set up Windows Subsystem for Android on your Windows 11 PC
No emulators were harmed in the making of this guide
Gone are the days when you needed an emulator to run Android apps on Windows. The latest Windows release, Windows 11, ships with Windows Subsystem for Android, which allows you to install Android apps on your PC easily. Unlike some of the best Chromebooks that come with the Google Play Store preinstalled, installing Android apps using Windows Subsystem for Android isn't that easy if you live in an unsupported region. However, a clever way to install Android apps on any Windows 11 PC exists, and we show you how in the guide below.
Most of Apple's services, including iCloud, don't technically have Android apps or a built-in way to access your cloud storage. That makes it complicated if you use both iOS and Android platforms or are switching from Apple to a different brand, like moving from an iPad to an Android tablet.
How to change app icons on Android
Customize your Android phone's homescreen by changing the app icons
Customization has always been Android's key strength, from using a custom launcher to changing your device's font and theme settings. Google has continued to build upon this concept, with Android becoming more user-friendly after every new major release. These days, you have much better control over your device experience than in the past. It's now just as easy to tweak and customize your fancy new tablet's icons to match your smartphone. In this guide, we focus on how you can change your app icons to fit your custom theming needs better.
Tails OS explained: Portable anonymity in your pocket
Here's everything you need to know about the Tails operating system
Have you heard of Tails? No, not Sonic's buddy. We're talking about the Linux-based operating system known for its privacy features, focus on anonymity, and deep adaptability. While PC and Android users may be familiar with browsers like Tor as the pinnacle of online privacy, Tails extends Tor's anonymity to the entire system, keeping it encapsulated and transferrable while steadfastly refusing to acknowledge who you are or if you've ever used it before.
Android 12L explained: What is it, and which devices support it?
Android is finally ready for the big screen
Android's large-screen experience always left something to desire. The poor user experience and the lack of apps optimized for big displays were among the key reasons Android tablets never took off. But then COVID-19 hit, and tablet sales picked up. Google realized the Android experience was behind the competition and decided to do something about it.
Chromebooks are a great alternative to traditional laptops and PCs. Running ChromeOS, they are cheap, powerful devices that provide all the functionality you could ask for. Even better, the best Chromebooks on the market are relatively inexpensive. But you don't need to buy a Chromebook to try out ChromeOS. Google lets you experience the OS on your old laptop or PC through ChromeOS Flex.
How to take a screenshot in Android Auto
Taking a picture of your car's dash isn't the right way to do things
Modern user interfaces are designed to make it easier for humans to interact with machines, but describing what's on the screen may not always be an easy task. Whether it's to explain an issue you're facing or to help someone out, sharing a screenshot usually makes it easier to convey the proper message.
How to manage your screen time on an Android phone or tablet
Time to keep a tab on your phone usage habits
Monitoring your screen time is a good way to improve your smartphone habits. For example, after reducing the number of notifications you receive, you can check your screen time use to see if you are actually using your phone less.
A Google account is a great way to sync data across your Android devices. For example, if you picked up a budget Chromebook for work on the go, you'll want to ensure that all your data stored in your Google account is easily accessible.
What is Android Auto?
It makes your driving experience a lot better. Here's its history and how to use it
For decades, we were accustomed to using a different interface for each car manufacturer we encountered. But in the mid-2010s, things changed as big brands brought their platforms to vehicles. Google was no exception. Android Auto lets you use any Android phone, including budget smartphones, to run a modern and user-friendly interface on almost any car's infotainment system. Let's go through Android Auto's history and functionality, including how to set it up in compatible cars.
How to zoom in and out on Windows 10 and 11
Controlling the zoom on Windows is quite easy, and there are a few ways you can do it
Higher-resolution screens are becoming more common, which means less stress for our eyes. But higher resolutions can also make some features so detailed you need to zoom in to get the full picture, find the right accessibility settings, or examine an image in detail. While this is intuitive on a smartphone, such as with the accessibility options in Android 13, it's not as clear on other platforms, such as Windows PCs.
Google passkeys will replace passwords — here's how to set them up
Passkeys are faster, stronger, and more protected than passwords. Here's why they're the future of personal login security
Are you tired of passwords? We're tired of passwords, even when they're made easier with a password manager app. Companies like Google are tired of passwords, which create too many potential vulnerabilities for user security. Everyone knows it's a problem. And now a solution is on the rise. Welcome to the world of passkeys.
ChromeOS: The AP guide to Google's desktop operating system
ChromeOS is common on Chromebooks, but is it right for you? Let's take a look at everything that makes ChromeOS unique
While Microsoft produces computers designed for Windows and Apple MacBooks are built for macOS, Google computers like Chromebooks have their unique operating system called ChromeOS. If you're thinking about making the switch to Google's bespoke OS, we're here to make a formal introduction.
How to make your Android phone and MacBook work well together
Apple’s ecosystem might be the best solution, but Android users aren’t left in the cold
The Apple ecosystem is the perfect solution for anyone who wants a seamlessly integrated environment where their phone, laptop, and wearable play together without a hitch. This might tempt many people to switch from Android to iOS. But if you prefer to use one of many great Android phones, there are things you can do to make it play better with your MacBook. You might never reach the same level of integration as an iPhone owner, but you can make your life easier, and things might be better than you imagined.
It sure feels like Android 13 is getting long in the tooth, given that the Android 14 preview program is underway. Even though Google Pixel phones and all the latest and greatest Samsung phones are at the forefront of receiving new system updates, it doesn't mean that's the case for all smartphones. Many phones are still waiting for their Android 13 update. Read on for a full overview of when and if you can expect an update for your favorite smartphone in the U.S.
More often than not, most Android phones or tablets, including the best handsets on the market, you've purchased are likely to have shipped preloaded with applications that you may never use or even want. This bloatware eats up storage space and decreases the speed of your device. These tend to be even more common on devices with carrier firmware, while other devices like the Google Pixel 7 Pro ship without unnecessary apps.
So you made the switch from iOS and bought a new Android phone. First off, welcome! You're in for a treat. Assuming you don't want to start from scratch on your new device, you may want to bring some of your old stuff over from your iPhone. The prospect of migrating your data from one ecosystem to another may seem daunting, but modern Android phones make it a painless process.
10 ingenious ways to use the Windows Command prompt
There might be a few methods that you didn't know about
The Windows command prompt is a valuable and dedicated tool that some might use to sideload the latest version of Android using ADB or Fastboot. You can even sync one of the best Android phones with your Windows computer to enhance your experience by adding new functionality. But you don't have to treat the command line interface as something you only use to run code. The Windows command prompt has other hidden uses. This guide covers some examples of unique ways to use the Windows command prompt with features that might be useful to you.
How to use Maintenance mode on Samsung Galaxy phones with One UI 5
Use Maintenance mode when submitting your Galaxy phone for repair
It's a pain to hand over your favorite Android phone to a service center for repair work. Even for quick repairs, there's a concern that the technician could go through your private photos and files stored on the device. And due to this, you are forced to factory reset your phone before you submit your phone for repair. Samsung has a unique solution to this problem with Maintenance mode, which keeps your private data safe and secure when you submit your phone for repair.
How to change ringtone on an Android phone
You don't need to check your phone when someone else's rings
Using the same ringtone as your co-workers, employees, friends, or family members can be confusing. Or maybe you find that the default ringtone on your budget Android phone isn't for you. Android allows you to change the ringtone and assign a custom tune for a specific contact. When the default ringtone on your Android phone is too basic, is the same as everyone else's, or is something that doesn't fit your personality, change it. You can pick one of the built-in ringtones or select a custom tune from the file manager.