Android Police

Alan Truly-Freelance Evergreen Writer

Alan Truly

Freelance Evergreen Writer

About Alan Truly

Alan is a Tech Writer living in Nova Scotia, Canada. A tech-enthusiast since his youth, Alan stays current on what's new and what's next. With over 30 years experience in computer, video, and photo equipment, you can expect useful tips and insights in his writing. Alan has a degree in programming, many years focused on design, editing, and animation. A period of managing logistics and e-commerce operations for a mobile accessories company rounds out a diverse background. Alan is a true jack of all digital trades in this ever-changing computer-enriched world. To stay flexible in mind and in body, he practices yoga, light cardio, and eats a whole food diet, based on minimally processed plants.

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What is Kindle Unlimited?

Our complete guide to Kindle Unlimited explains what it is, how it works, the cost, the type of content available, and why you should try it

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If you received a book recommendation along with the helpful tip that "it's on Kindle Unlimited," you might be intrigued to find out more. In short, it's an e-book subscription service from Amazon that launched in 2014. You can access a massive library of digital books, audiobooks, comics, and magazines for a monthly fee.

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How to delete yourself from the internet

Want to delete yourself from Google Search, social media, and the entire internet? Our guide gives you all the details with links to get started

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So you're done with the internet, or maybe it's done with you. Whether it's the privacy challenges, the threat of identity theft by hackers, addictive and abusive social media behavior, or a haunting past that you can't shake, you might want to delete yourself from the internet and make it disappear.

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How to add a Zoom link to Google Calendar

Zoom integration can be easy on any device. Learn how to send Google Calendar invites with Zoom links in minutes

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Google Calendar makes adding a conference call to an invitation remarkably easy, but only when the video chat service chosen is Google Meet. It makes sense for Google to use its solution for Google Calendar integration for appointments and video calls, but a Zoom link is still one of the most popular ways to have an online meeting.

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How to delete a YouTube channel

Need to delete your YouTube channel? We show you how and give alternative solutions to solve problems without losing your channel and all your videos

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Google makes it relatively easy to delete YouTube channels, but it's a drastic step that might not be necessary. It all depends on why you want to remove your channel. Temporarily hiding your channel, eliminating one or more videos or playlists, or changing your channel name and description could be better solutions. We explain step-by-step how to make these adjustments to your YouTube channel from a computer, an Android phone, and iPhone, with helpful tips to make the process go smoothly.

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How to cancel your Netflix subscription

Straightforward but impossible in the app

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The online streaming landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, and Netflix is no longer the clear leader in the industry. Despite gaining over two million subscribers over the summer last year, the online media giant was likely rattled by seven-digit subscriber losses earlier in 2022, leading to the cancelation of a host of shows and the closure of its animation department.

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How to use WhatsApp on your tablet

Access WhatsApp chats on your tablet

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With over two billion monthly active users, WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app. The Facebook-owned app offers a simple and intuitive user interface, notable features, and hidden tips and tricks, making it a joy to use.

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How to reverse image search on Google

Google reverse image search and Google Lens are available on Android, iPhone, iPad, and in a desktop browser so you can find it with a photo

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You've probably used Google Images before. It's the tab in a desktop browser or the button on Android and iOS that's conveniently placed below the search bar. That makes it simple to search for images with a few keywords. However, it's not as apparent how to begin your search with an image.

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How to turn off dark mode on Google

Learn how to turn dark mode off in Google Search when using a smartphone or computer

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It's important to be able to turn off dark mode on Google Search to increase productivity. Studies show most people have better reading performance when using a light theme. However, a dark theme offers some advantages, such as retaining night vision, extending battery life on a mobile device, and perhaps looking more aesthetically pleasing.

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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 delete your Venmo account

A complete guide to deleting your Venmo account without losing access to your funds or how to keep your Venmo and avoid scams

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Venmo can be a convenient tool when you want to split a bill or share expenses with friends. However, there are plenty of other ways to do the same thing. If you signed up for Venmo some time ago but no longer use it, you might want to delete your account. Security concerns could be another reason to close your Venmo account.

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The best photo editing apps for your phone or tablet

Skip Photoshop and try one of our favorite smartphone photo editing apps instead

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While many Android manufacturers offer basic photo editing functions in their default gallery apps, Google Photos and third-party apps tend to be more robust. The Google Play Store has dozens of apps to make your pictures stand out on social media or annotate screenshots for friends and co-workers. Given the huge selection, choosing a photo editor can become daunting.

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How to enable, disable, and use RCS Chat in Google Messages

It's probably time we moved on from the old SMS standard

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When RCS chat is enabled in Google Messages, you can enjoy secure, interactive messages on your Android phone, something that previously required a third-party app or an iPhone. RCS chat is quickly becoming one of the world's most popular texting standards, as it adds many advanced features like advanced media sharing, inline replies, typing indicators, and encryption.

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How to turn your Android phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot

One device to connect 'em all

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Android phones have a handy feature that lets you share your cellular connection with other devices, turning your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot. In many situations, this can be a lifesaver. If you own a 5G Chromebook, like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, or a 5G tablet, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+, getting online won't be a problem. For many devices, a connection to Wi-Fi or a cable is required to access the internet.

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How to use Google Fact Check Explorer

Misinformation is prevalent, but there's a solution

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The internet is an excellent resource for keeping current on the latest news. However, fake news is still rampant despite ongoing prevention, monitoring, and cleanup efforts. That's why you need to learn about Google's fact-checking tool.

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Google Docs: How to add drop-down menus to your document

Google Docs dropdowns feature also works in Sheets to save time and prevent typos. Learn how to make menus, use presets, data ranges, and more

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Google Docs is a fantastic online word processor, and it's easy to streamline repetitive tasks using dropdowns. With a few helpful tips, you'll be able to take advantage of this powerful feature in your documents.

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How to make Google your default search engine on any browser

How to set Google Search as the default search engine in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Opera browsers on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone

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Almost everyone agrees that Google Search is the best way to find information online. Whether you're looking for the best Android phone, how to travel with a minimal carbon footprint, or wondering what something looked like in the past, Google is your friend. For many years, Google has reigned as the most popular search engine with the most reliable results. Despite Bing's recent gains after adding an AI chat feature, Google Search is still the undisputed leader.

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What is the Google Advanced Protection Program?

A service that will boost your online security

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Digital threats have become increasingly clever, and even the most tech-savvy people can be caught off guard. The number and variety of cyberattacks have also increased dramatically. If you've been putting off a security checkup, it's time to take action.

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The Pixel Personal Safety app: What it is and how to use it

Learn how to set up Google's Pixel Personal Safety app for help after a car crash or in an emergency and location check-ins when you feel vulnerable

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Google designed its Pixel Personal Safety app to bring help when you're in danger or keep track of your location and situation when you feel vulnerable. Once a Google Pixel exclusive, the Personal Safety app is now compatible with several Android phones. To see if the Personal Safety app works on your phone, visit the Play Store. If you own a Samsung device, the company has its own implementation called Samsung SOS.

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How to create an appointment calendar in Google Calendar

You can use Google Calendar to reign in the chaos of a busy schedule with its powerful appointment calendar and booking page options

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An appointment calendar can be an invaluable tool for managing a busy schedule. There are three ways to accomplish this in Google Calendar: appointment schedules, appointment slots, and shared calendars. Some require a work, school, or individual Google Workspace account. However, it's possible to set up a separate calendar for appointments with a Google personal account.

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How to download images on Google

There are billions of images on Google. Here's how you can find and download the perfect one

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Google Search is a powerful tool and one of the best ways to find almost anything on the internet, including images. It's relatively simple to download pictures from Google, but some valuable tips make this easier and safer.