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iPhone, iPad & Android
Charging, storage, accounts, WhatsApp and more. 30 guides in 6 sections.
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Battery, charging & damage
My phone battery drains too fastA battery that drains quickly is usually down to the screen, apps working in the background, poor signal or an ageing battery.iPhone and Android: phone will not chargeA phone that will not charge is usually down to a worn cable, a dirty port or a faulty plug rather than a broken phone.iPhone and Android: phone will not turn on or is stuck on the logoIf your phone shows a black screen, or keeps showing the Apple or manufacturer logo and never reaches the home screen, there are a few safe things to try before assuming the worst.iPhone and Android: what to do with a cracked screenA cracked screen is very common and often fixable.iPhone and Android: phone is getting too hotPhones get warm when charging, gaming, filming video or using maps for a long time.iPhone and Android: what to do if your phone got wetMany modern phones are water resistant, but that is not the same as waterproof.iPhone and Android: touch screen not respondingIf the screen ignores your taps, lags or does things on its own (sometimes called ghost touch), the cause is often something simple like dirt, moisture or software.
Slow, full or crashing
My phone says storage is fullA full phone cannot take new photos, apps or updates.My phone is slow or keeps freezingA phone that is slow or freezes is usually short of storage, waiting for an update, or has an app that is misbehaving.iPhone and Android: apps keep crashing or will not updateWhen an app closes by itself, freezes or refuses to update, the fix is often a restart, a little free space or a fresh install.iPad and tablets: free up storage spaceIf your iPad or Android tablet says Storage Almost Full, it can stop updates, photos and apps working.
Signal, calls & connections
iPhone and Android: no signal or mobile data not workingIf your phone shows No Service, or you have signal bars but the internet will not load on mobile data, work through these steps.iPhone and Android: call problems, Wi-Fi calling and not hearing the callerCalls that drop out, will not connect or sound too quiet have several possible causes.iPhone and Android: text messages not sendingTexts fail for different reasons depending on whether they are sent as iMessage, standard SMS or RCS chat.iPhone and Android: pairing Bluetooth headphones, speakers and carsBluetooth is handy, but pairing can be fiddly.iPhone and Android: using your phone as a hotspot, and testing if Wi-Fi is the problemA hotspot shares your phone's mobile data with a laptop, tablet or other device.
Backup, new phone & updates
How to back up your phoneA phone backup keeps a copy of your photos, contacts and settings, so if your phone is lost, broken or stolen you can set up a new one without losing everything.iPhone and Android: moving your data to a new phoneSwitching phones does not have to mean losing photos, contacts and messages.Android: how to back up your phoneA backup means a copy of your phone's important information, kept somewhere safe.iPhone, iPad and Android: update the software safelyUpdates fix security holes and bugs, and are worth installing.iPhone and Android: WhatsApp backup, restore, missing messages and new phonesWhatsApp keeps your chats on your phone, so a lost or replaced phone can mean lost conversations unless you have a backup.
Lock, security & finding your phone
iPhone and Android: forgot your passcode, PIN or patternForgetting your passcode is stressful, but there are official ways back in.iPhone and Android: Apple Account or Google account lockedYour Apple Account (formerly Apple ID) or Google account is the key to your phone, photos, apps and backups.iPhone and Android: find a lost phone with Find My and Find HubIf your phone goes missing, a tracking service can show where it is, play a sound, lock it or erase it.iPhone and Android: Face ID or fingerprint not workingFace ID and fingerprint unlock are convenient, but they can stop working when something changes, such as a new case, a cracked sensor or damp fingers.iPhone and Android: spotting scam texts and fake delivery messagesScam texts are very common in the UK.Android: remove adverts and pop-ups caused by malware or adwareConstant pop-ups, adverts on the home screen, unexpected apps or a browser that keeps redirecting can mean adware or malware.
Everyday how-tos
iPhone and Android: notifications not working, Focus and Do Not DisturbIf you miss messages, calls or alerts until you open the app, a setting is usually silencing them.iPhone and Android: screen time and parental controls basicsParental controls help children use phones and tablets safely, and screen time tools help adults too.iPhone and Android: take screenshots and record your screenScreenshots and screen recordings are a great way to show someone a problem, save a ticket or keep a receipt.
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