Android Police

Guides About Phones

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Here's why Android manufacturers throttle phone perfromance

App throttling exists, and it could be affecting your performance. Here's why it happens

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As consumers, we get a bad taste in our mouths when we hear something is "throttled." That usually means telecom companies are throttling our data and ruining our online experience. It also means that not-so-unlimited data plans get throttled when you go beyond a certain amount of data in a month. Throttling practices like these are widely denounced as unfair and annoying.

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Cracked smartphone display? Here's how much you'll pay to replace it

Using your phone with a cracked screen is never a good idea

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Even though you are extra cautious with your expensive smartphone, an accidental drop may crack its screen in no time. While phone companies go to great lengths to create a shatter-resistant display, it's hard to escape from a broken phone screen during an unfortunate incident. Instead of using your phone with a cracked screen (and further increasing the damage), you should get it fixed by the manufacturer or a third-party service.

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How to change your AirDrop name

Avoid sending files to the wrong person

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AirDrop is a fast and convenient way to transfer files between Apple devices. It works seamlessly on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, allowing you to share files and receive virtually any type of document with almost no prior setup.

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How to use Google Pixel's Call Screen and say goodbye to spam calls

Google can tell you who's calling and will ignore robocalls with Call Screen

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Google's Pixel phones have great hardware, but they set themselves apart with their software. By creating great software features consistent across flagship and budget phones, Google's A-series of phones is a perennial member of our list of the best budget Android phones. One of the best Pixel software features is Call Screen, which automatically answers phone calls on your behalf, saving you time and frustration. This guide discusses what the Call Screen feature is and how to use it so that you'll never answer a spam call again.

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Samsung RAM Plus slowing your phone down? Here's how to disable it

Free up performance and make your phone as fast as it should be

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The RAM Plus feature introduced with Samsung's One UI 4.1 was meant to bring performance improvements to a variety of Samsung devices, including Galaxy smartphones and tablets like the Galaxy Tab S7. While it has been supplanted by One UI 5.0 (based on the excellent Android 13 OS), many of its features are still kicking around, including the problematic RAM Plus tool.

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Get started adding bots to your Discord server

Bots can help take your Discord server experience to the next level

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Discord is one of the largest social apps that's entirely community-driven. Moderating growing community Discord servers can be a daunting task. Still, it's necessary to improve the quality of our social spaces on our favorite Android phones, which is why we call on the aid of handy Discord bots. Adding bots to your Discord servers reels in some fantastic benefits; these include comfier security, additional server features, and free entertainment.

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Google's Pixel phones are the best place to experience the latest Android features thanks to the quarterly Pixel Feature Drops, which occasionally include updates for the Pixel Watch (future Feature Drops will likely cover the Google Pixel Tablet).

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How to recover deleted apps and games on Android

Get your apps back with these easy-to-follow steps

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Is something missing from your Android phone? It's nowhere near as uncommon as you might think. Apps can get mixed up or lost even on the latest Android phones, particularly apps in beta or early access. With Google's storefront and policies in constant flux with the addition of frequent updates and improvements, it's important to know how to keep track of Android's best apps. So hunker down and enjoy this step-by-step guide to help you find and reclaim your lost or deleted apps.

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How to use wireless ADB on your Android phone

Wirelessly debug your Android phone!

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The Android Debug Bridge, or ADB, is a utility that can debug your Android device, sideload apps, and install custom ROMs. You can use ADB commands on your Android device with a computer that runs Windows, macOS, Linux, or even one of the best Chromebooks. ADB also lets you remove bloatware on any Android device to make them snappy and recover some storage space from unwanted apps. And when running Android 11 or higher on your Android smartphone, you can use the ADB wireless feature for a more convenient on-device experience.

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Phone not charging? These tips will help you get connected

You may not have to buy another one just yet

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Our phones have taken a ubiquitous place in our daily lives, as they help us communicate with each other, work, get around, entertain ourselves, and more. While most of the best Android phones offer a respectable battery life, they must be charged to work correctly. Running into charging problems can easily ruin your day, as your smartphone would quickly run out of power.

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How to check your data use on your Android phone or tablet

You might run out of data sooner than you think

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With ample affordable streaming services, millions of apps in the Google Play Store, and solid game streaming platforms at your fingertips, it's easy to use a lot of data on your phone. While some carriers are more generous with data than others, most unlimited plans have usage thresholds. If you exceed this threshold, your service could be throttled or you might get a hefty bill.

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How to change the keyboard on your Android phone or tablet

Don't like the default keyboard? Android's got you covered

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There could be plenty of reasons you might want to switch to another keyboard app on your Android phone. Perhaps you don't like the default keyboard on your top Samsung phone or want to install the one from your old phone because you're comfortable using it. Whatever the case, you can always change it, thanks to Android's open nature. Here's how to swiftly change the keyboard on an Android device.

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How to scan a QR code with a Samsung Galaxy phone

It'll come in handy when ordering at a restaurant

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QR codes play a significant role in a paper-free life. They are everywhere, from the table at the restaurant to business cards and posted placards. Although you may think they're new, they've been around since 1994 and were developed to replace barcodes. These codes were initially used on boarding passes, loyalty cards, and shipping labels. Times have changed, and QR codes now contain information such as contact data, Wi-Fi credentials, links, and more.

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How to find your lost Android phone or tablet

It's worth a shot before buying a new device

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Our phones are part of our daily lives, given they help us keep in touch with people, manage our schedules, make payments, listen to music, work, store photos and videos, and more. For these reasons, it only makes sense that losing your phone can be a nightmare, especially if it's not backed up, which would mean losing all of your data.

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Is TikTok safe? What you need to know

TikTok bans are on the rise around the world: Is it still safe for you to use? Here's what's going on

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Rumors and reports are everywhere about TikTok these days. You've probably heard discussions about if the video app is dangerous, if it spreads misinformation, if kids are addicted to it, if it's a tool of the Chinese government, and on and on. But what are the facts? Who is actually banning TikTok, and why are they doing it? And should you use TikTok or let your family use it?

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How to block a phone number

An important tool for setting digital boundaries

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Knowing how to block a number on your smart device is important when you receive too many unwanted and unsolicited calls and messages. Whether it's corporate spam or someone you don't want to hear from, blocking that number can bring much-needed peace of mind. Knowing how to block a number is handy whether you use an Android or Apple device.

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Why are prepaid phone plans cheaper than postpaid ones?

Is it worth ditching the Big 3?

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Prepaid phone plans can provide better value than postpaid plans, but why is that? Carriers don't commonly advertise these flexible phone plans, so it's easy to miss them when searching for a new one. The best-prepaid phone plans offer the same benefits as postpaid plans but at a more affordable price.

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How to block ads on your Android phone or tablet

Keep those annoying ads away from your Android device

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Unwanted ads can be annoying, distracting, and sometimes malicious. Abusive ads can slow even the best Android phones, drain your battery, and compromise privacy. Advertisements usually appear on a web page, but ads can sometimes be seen in pop-ups, notifications, and Android wallpaper if an abusive app is installed. This guide shows you how to get rid of these bad ads.

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How to get the best astrophotography results with the Google Pixel

A little bit of preparation will go a long way in getting better results from Google's incredible astrophotography mode

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Google's astrophotography mode makes shots of the night sky a breeze, and best of all, you don't need a top-of-the-line Android phone like the Google Pixel 7 Pro to use it. This mode lets you take relatively clear photos of the light sky, thanks to some nifty AI work on Google's end.

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How to use Shizuku to batch restore your Android apps after a factory reset

You don't actually need root access to do batch restores

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Back in the early days of Android, Titanium Backup was considered the go-to backup solution for those with full root access. Its impact on the power user community over the years is undeniable. However, Titanium Backup's days are numbered because the original developer no longer updates the app. This means smartphones and the best Android tablets are out of luck since new device support is nonexistent. You now have other options that are nearly as good. This guide covers how to tap into the power of Shizuku to back up your device.

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