https://www.xda-developers.com Founded in 2002, XDA is the world’s largest smartphone and electronics community. Looking for the latest tech news and reviews? Want to do more with your Android phone, Windows PC, iPhone, iPad, or MacBook? Look no further than XDA. Fri, 22 Sep 2023 22:00:27 GMT en-US hourly 60 Windows 11 comes with many great new features, but one that's been a part of Windows for a while is support for high dynamic range (HDR) video. This kind of video quality is more immersive than standard-range videos. Your screen will get much brighter and the content you're watching will come alive when HDR video is playing. However, to enjoy HDR on Windows, you'll need a display that supports it first, and will have to tweak a few settings. Keep in mind, that you will also need a supported app that uses HDR and the video has to be full-screen.

]]> Sat, 23 Sep 2023 02:20:31 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-stream-hdr-video-on-windows-11/ So, you decided to go all out and fork over the dough for a shiny, new Apple iPhone 15. Now what? It’s time to set up that device. If you watch the show And Just Like That… you might have laughed at the Season 2 scene when Charlotte and Harry frustratingly tried to figure out how to set up her new iPhone without their kids’ help (she tossed her old one into a pitcher of margaritas in anger). It’s actually not that difficult. Setting up an iPhone 15 involves the same process as setting up any iPhone. Here’s a rundown of what to do.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 22:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-set-up-iphone/ Apple has been looking for ways to boost its revenue beyond relying on the sales of its excellent iPhones, unrivaled Macs, and great iPads. That's why the company offers multiple subscription services that offer different types of digital content. These include platforms that rival Netflix, Spotify, and Google Drive. So, what subscription services does Apple offer exactly? Here's what you need to know.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:01:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/apple-subscription-services/ McAfee was one of the most popular antivirus products back in the day. However, things are vastly different in the PC landscape today as McAfee is seen as more of an optional software rather than an essential app.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-remove-mcafee/ Windows 11 is a beautiful operating system, more so than any of its predecessors. Of course, the design of UI elements like the taskbar, Start menu, and included apps all help with that, but the new desktop backgrounds also contribute to this beautiful experience. And if you don't have Windows 11 on your own PC, you can still get some of that beauty by downloading the wallpapers for yourself.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 16:01:47 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/download-windows-11-wallpapers/ The Steam Deck is a straightforward device. It's a handheld gaming PC that relies on Steam and Linux, making it basically the Nintendo Switch for PC gaming. But while you can just immediately get to gaming on your shiny new Deck, there are some things you might want to do before, during, and after you buy it to get the most out of it.

]]> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/steam-deck-starter-guide/ Checking your CPU temperature can be an occasional or frequent activity, depending on what you put your precious processor through. If you primarily use your PC for work and some casual gaming, you might never think about how hot your CPU is running. However, if you're into AAA gaming, editing, or overclocking your CPU, checking your CPU temperature becomes extremely important. Modern processors tend to run quite hot, especially if you're running one of the top desktop CPUs or using the best laptops on the market.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 22:01:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/check-cpu-temperature-windows-11/ You might know Continuity Camera as the feature that allows you to use your iPhone's rear cameras as your Mac's webcam, and you can use it with these great iPhone mounts. However, before that iteration of Continuity Camera, Apple made it possible to scan documents to your Mac with your iPhone's camera. Though it might not be as flashy as Continuity Camera for webcams, you can still do it, and it's a surprisingly useful feature.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 18:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/continuity-camera/ So, you’re getting ready for an epic vacation or a work trip and you realize that you have let things slide and your passport is about to expire, or worse, it already has. Maybe you don’t even have one yet. Whatever the case, there are very strict requirements for passport photos. You can’t be wearing any headgear (unless it’s for religious reasons and you have a signed statement that verifies the reason) nor eyeglasses. You can’t smile, showing any teeth or changing the dimensions of your face and crinkle of your eyes. You need to be positioned very specifically, facing forward with the head a specific size. The background has to be plain. And the image size has to be a very specific 2x2 inches. The good news? All of these rules are pretty simple to follow. The even better news? You can take a 2x2 passport photos with one of the best iPhones.

]]> Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-take-passport-photo-iphone/ Hyper-V ranks among the top three hypervisors besides VMWare and VirtualBox, and its spot is well earned. In addition to its easy-to-use interface, Hyper-V comes bundled with almost all versions of Windows 11, making it quite accessible as you don’t have to jump through multiple hoops when setting up virtual machines on your system.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 22:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/disable-hyper-v-windows-11/ The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i emerges as a formidable contender in the realm of laptops for content creators. This powerhouse is equipped with 13th-generation Intel Core processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series GPUs, delivering exceptional performance that content creators crave. However, as content creators immerse themselves in high-resolution videos, intricate graphic designs, and expansive multimedia projects, the demand for storage capacity skyrockets. This is when upgrading the SSD in your Lenovo Slim Pro 9i becomes crucial.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:01:29 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-upgrade-the-storage-on-the-lenovo-slim-pro-9i-2023/ Windows 11 may have been released almost two years ago, but that doesn’t mean it's free from bugs. Corruption of Windows system files is more common than you may realize and is the leading cause of stability issues like slowdowns, freezes, and crashes.

]]> Wed, 20 Sep 2023 12:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-repair-windows-11/ Apple Pay is a convenient way to pay for items at contactless terminals without having to fish in your wallet for your credit card or even bring it with you. Meanwhile, Apple Cash is a simple method to use for sending and receiving money from either the Messages or Wallet app. It’s worth getting one or the other (or both) set up on one of the best iPhones or another Apple device like an iPad or one of the best Apple Watches, including the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. It can be a lifesaver if you forget your wallet at home or the office, and it gives you the opportunity to leave your wallet at home altogether when you go to the gym, a concert, or other events. Thanks to the secure and encrypted nature of the feature, including two-factor authentication, using Apple Pay is no different than using a physical card. Some might even argue that it’s safer.

]]> Tue, 19 Sep 2023 18:00:44 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-set-up-and-use-apple-pay-and-apple-pay-cash/ Let’s say you’ve built your enthusiast-grade battlestation of a PC with the most premium components. All’s well with the new system, except it sounds like a jet engine every time you run an application that’s even remotely taxing on your hardware.

]]> Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:00:37 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-make-your-pc-quieter/ Stage Manager is a handy tool that is available on new Macs running macOS Sonoma or Ventura. This multitasking feature enables you to group apps of your choice together and quickly switch among these different groups through a dedicated interface. So those who rely on multiple apps when studying or working will appreciate how they can turn a number of windows into a single entity. To enable and use the Stage Manager feature on a compatible Mac, follow the detailed steps we've listed below.

]]> Tue, 19 Sep 2023 12:01:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-stage-manager-macos/ Windows 11 has been out for nearly two years, and for many of us, it's already old news, but it's still a great operating system. The initial release of Windows 11 brought a brand-new design language, a new Start menu, and other changes, and newer updates have come out to add even more. With releases like version 22H2 and the upcoming version 23H2, Windows 11 keeps getting better. But even though it's getting more popular, many of us are still installing Windows 11 for the first time.

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 22:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/download-windows-11/ Apple's latest Mac computers are excellent devices for students. That's because they support an extensive library of productivity apps, in addition to a wide variety of games. As such, users get to rely on these machines for studies, work, and play. If you happen to be interested in running Steam games on macOS Sonoma or an earlier version, then you can download and install any compatible title by following the steps below.

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:02:07 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-download-steam-games-on-a-mac/ Pip is one of the most important tools to have at your disposal when you're getting started with a Python project. It allows you to install and manage millions of Python packages and libraries to help you set up the right software environment for a project, be it a simple automation task or a complex artificial intelligence or machine learning project. But how do you install Pip on Windows to ensure you have no issues working on Python projects? Thankfully, installing Pip on Windows is a fairly simple task, and you can do it following a few simple steps. There's also a chance that you may already have Pip installed on your system, so read on to learn more about it.

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 16:08:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-install-pip-windows/ Windows 11 is a great operating system for productivity, thanks to features like Snap Layouts, Android apps, and WSL. The best laptops and desktop computers out there let you do all kinds of work with Windows 11. But if it's gaming that you're planning on doing, then we have some suggestions for how you can make your PC even better. You can turn on Windows 11's dedicated Game Mode to optimize performance for digital gaming, tweak Windows 11's security measures to free up your CPU and RAM for gaming, and so much more.

]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 12:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-optimize-windows-11-for-gaming/ Microsoft gave its famous operating system a facelift when it redesigned Windows 11, so you might find the feel to be both familiar and different. One area where Microsoft made a few changes was the taskbar, where the design and positioning of items are slightly different from what you'd find on Windows 10.

]]> Sun, 17 Sep 2023 22:00:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-hide-taskbar-windows-11/ Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard of Threads by now. Meta’s latest social media app is unapologetically a Twitter (or X) competitor, and it's deeply interconnected with Instagram to create an amalgamation of the two. However, access to Threads was only possible through its official iOS and Android apps when it launched. There was no proper web interface at the beginning, although you could directly go to a user's profile.

]]> Sun, 17 Sep 2023 10:30:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-use-threads-desktop/ Steam Cloud is one of the greatest things about PC gaming with Steam; you hardly even need to think about transferring files from your PC to your Steam Deck, for instance. The thing is, there are lots of popular PC games that aren't on Steam and don't get to enjoy Steam Cloud file syncing, like emulators for old console games, and that's a shame since emulation is great on the Deck. However, you can make your own sort of cloud saving system for your PC and Deck, and here's how.

]]> Sat, 16 Sep 2023 22:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/sync-non-steam-save-files-steam-deck/ Our Windows computers are great at locating files and folders in an instant, but that’s not always to our benefit. Sometimes, there’s content on our PC that we want to keep tucked away from prying eyes. Search tools like File Explorer can make any file visible with just a few typed characters, but thankfully, there are a few system customizations you can make to hide certain files and folders. Here are a few of our go-to methods for hiding those treasured bytes in Windows 11.

]]> Sat, 16 Sep 2023 16:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-hide-files-windows-11/ Photo editing is something that people often associate with the best laptops, but if you own a great Chromebook, you can still edit photos. Thanks to support for Linux and Android apps, you can download and install popular photo editors like GIMP or even use the native Gallery app and the Google Photos app to tweak a particular photo. You can even use the web and an online photo editing experience. Here are five methods we recommend.

]]> Sat, 16 Sep 2023 12:01:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-edit-photos-chromebook/ Windows 11 first showed its face on June 24, 2021, and became officially available on Oct. 5 of that same year. Today, most laptops sold come with Windows 11 installed out of the box, but the Windows development cycle never stops, and there's always something to look forward to. That's where the Windows Insider Program comes into play, as it lets fans try out new Windows 11 features in preview before anybody else.

]]> Fri, 15 Sep 2023 20:00:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-features-in-preview/ With the best Apple Watches, you can check your messages right from your wrist. But did you know that you can also reply to them? Whether you want to send a quick reply using voice dictation or predefined short messages or type out a lengthy reply, it's simple to do from the tiny screen of the device.

]]> Fri, 15 Sep 2023 16:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-reply-to-text-and-imessages-from-apple-watch/ The latest iPhones and iPads are undoubtedly some of the best mobile devices you can buy today, offering users a wide range of handy tools. These include a built-in password manager that enables you to store your various login credentials. However, what many people don't know is that it also supports two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. To use it on iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or an older OS version, simply follow the steps below.

]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2023 18:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-2fa-code-generator-ios/ The latest Macs are undoubtedly some of the best laptops around, offering unmatched power in sleek builds. However, if you want to make the most out of your Apple computer, you must keep it up to date. This ensures that you get both the latest features and critical security patches that keep your data safe. To update your compatible Mac to macOS Sonoma, follow the steps below.

]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2023 16:00:29 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-update-mac/ Keeping Windows up to date will ensure that you’ve got the least buggy version of the OS. When it comes to Windows 11, Microsoft has opted for the one update per year strategy, although it continues to make available regular patches and fixes throughout the year to address known issues. New feature sets, such as the Moment 3 release, are also being seeded through the Windows Update framework. This article will serve as the central repository of knowledge base (KB) articles and download links for all updates related to Windows 11.

]]> Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:31:20 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-update-tracker/ If you're a programmer, data scientist, or anyone who codes you're probably familiar with Jupyter Notebook. This is a web-based interactive development environment. It's pretty flexible, so you might want to know how you can use it on the latest version of Windows 11. Even though it is a web-based interface, Jupyter Notebook works best when paired with Anaconda, which will assist in downloading Jupyter Notebook and getting you right into the right dependencies.

]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-install-jupyter-notebook-windows/ Setting up a new iPhone or transferring your data from an old model to a new one is typically a simple process. But one part can often be frustrating: swapping SIM cards. Enter the eSIM, a digital SIM card that removes the need for a minuscule card and the need to install it properly. An eSIM works with any iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone XR, or later as long as the phone is being used with a wireless carrier or provider that supports it. Once ready, you can install eight or more eSIMs to a single phone if desired, even using two phone numbers at the same time.

]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-set-up-transfer-esim-on-iphone/ The Apple Watch is undoubtedly the best smartwatch for iPhone users. Not only does it offer complete integration with iOS, but it also packs some pretty advanced sensors that can help you track your health and fitness habits. However, for you to actually use a new Apple Watch, you first have to pair it and set it up. To do so, follow the steps below.

]]> Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-pair-set-up-apple-watch/ If you recently joined the Apple ecosystem, then Quick Note is one of the essential features you should learn about. This handy offering is available on all products running macOS Sonoma, iPadOS 17, or iOS 17, in addition to other recent OS versions. Expectedly, it also syncs across all of your compatible iCloud devices, allowing you to view and edit notes from your new Mac, iPad, or iPhone.

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 22:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-quick-note/ For the longest time, the only way to change the RGB lighting effects for the peripherals on your Windows 11 PC has been to use the dedicated software from the brand that makes those peripherals. Each of the companies making some of the best gaming keyboards — whether that's Razer, SteelSeries, Corsair, and so on — has its own app, and if you end up buying equipment from different companies, it means you'll also need multiple pieces of software bloating up your device. Thankfully, Windows 11 is finally introducing Dynamic Lighting, a feature that brings together RGB lighting controls to a native Windows 11 interface, so you no longer need all of these apps.

]]> Tue, 12 Sep 2023 18:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-configure-rgb-lighting-windows-11/ At one point or another, you might need to find the specifications — or specs — of your Windows 11 PC. It can be useful for troubleshooting if you're having issues, or maybe you just want to know if your laptop is compatible with a certain app or able to run a specific game. If you're more tech-savvy, of course, you probably already purchased your PC based on the specs, but that's not the case for everyone.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 22:01:24 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-find-specs-windows-11-pc/ If you've bought a new Mac, iPad, or iPhone, then you can take advantage of Apple ecosystem features with your friends. One of these offerings is SharePlay, which works on macOS Sonoma, iPadOS 17, iOS 17, and older OS versions. Through SharePlay you get to enjoy digital content with other Apple users, even if you're physically apart. Below you will find everything you need to know about SharePlay.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-shareplay/ If you have a NAS, then chances are you've been using it to store all kinds of important data. Maybe you have a large collection of movies and TV shows, or something like NextCloud set up as a Google Photos alternative. No matter what, though, you'll want to make sure that data is kept safe, which is why you should protect your data by backing up your NAS.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 12:00:29 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-backup-nas/ If you find yourself logging into a remote server on your Windows machine repeatedly, you probably know you need SSH keys. Besides being a more secure way of authentication, SSH keys are more convenient than conventional passwords, and offer a variety of additional benefits. Generating SSH keys on Windows 11 is fairly simple and you can do it in a number of ways, based on your preferences and what system you're used to. So, let's get into the various methods you can use to generate SSH keys on Windows.

]]> Sun, 10 Sep 2023 22:01:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/generate-ssh-key-windows/ Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that gives you access to Microsoft's suite of apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. While these apps let you make the most out of the best laptops on the market, web apps are available for many of these, and you may want to cancel your membership if you don't need the more advanced capabilities of the desktop apps. Here's how to do it.

]]> Sun, 10 Sep 2023 18:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-cancel-microsoft-365/ The Steam Deck is, of course, a handheld console designed to play games from Steam. But it's also a complete PC, so that means you have options as you do on your PC. Steam has always been able to add games from other sources to your library, and the same applies to the Steam Deck. But what about Epic? How do you play Epic Games Store titles on the Steam Deck?

]]> Sun, 10 Sep 2023 16:01:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-play-games-epic-games-store-steam-deck/ Out of the box, Windows 11 and 10 give you a way to record and share your games, as well as chat with your Xbox friends, manage system resources, and do all kinds of things thanks to plug-ins. All of this is available through the Xbox Game Bar, but what if you don't care about any of these features and they're just using up resources on your laptop? Thankfully, you can disable the Xbox Game Bar so it doesn't bother you. Here's how.

]]> Sun, 10 Sep 2023 12:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-disable-xbox-game-bar-windows/ Ubuntu is one of the most widely used Linux distributions offering a fancy graphical user interface that Windows and macOS users are sure to enjoy. On the other hand, Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers. So, if you want to use Google Chrome on an Ubuntu laptop or any other Ubuntu machine in place of the default and pre-installed Firefox web browser, you can. There are two ways you can install it. You can enjoy a manual download with the default Firefox web browser, similar to how you might use Edge to do this on Windows, or you can install it using the Terminal.

]]> Sat, 09 Sep 2023 22:01:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-install-chrome-ubuntu/ A significant benefit of owning a Chromebook is that you can use all kinds of apps on it, including Linux apps, Android apps, and standard web apps. Most Android apps, in particular, can be downloaded via the Google Play Store, but what if you want to use a specific Android app that's not listed? Well, you can sideload that app.

]]> Sat, 09 Sep 2023 18:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-sideload-apps-chromebook/ The latest iPhones tend to receive major software updates for around five years. And with every annual update, Apple usually introduces a ton of new features and bug fixes that make these devices stabler and more helpful. iOS 17 is the latest iteration of the iPhone's operating system, and below you can check how to install it on your iPhone using different methods.

]]> Sat, 09 Sep 2023 12:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-check-update-ios-iphone/ Virtual private network (VPN) providers usually supply an application to be downloaded, installed, and run to set up and configure the secure connection automatically. Even with an available app from the best VPNs, there may be a time when you need to configure the connection manually within Windows. This is precisely what our guide will aid you with, and it should work for most (if not all) VPNs out there.

]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2023 22:00:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-install-vpn-on-windows/ For many years, Valve has been focused on making Linux a great operating system for Steam, and suffice to say, it's managed to succeed. It's the default operating system for the Steam Deck, and it can easily run non-native games with the Proton compatibility layer. But you can also get Steam on your Linux PC. However, while Steam can easily be installed on some Linux distros, the process is more obscure on others.

]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2023 18:00:01 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-run-steam-linux/ The latest iPhones pack powerful camera systems that can output some breathtaking shots. Though, naturally, Macs offer more storage space and advanced editing features. That's why many users might want to import their photos from an iPhone to a Mac. Whether you have a MacBook Pro (2023) or any other recent model, you can pick between three different methods to transfer your media. All you need is a USB cable, iCloud, or AirDrop.

]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2023 16:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-import-photos-iphone-mac/ All of Apple's latest Macs support macOS Sonoma. However, sometimes when installing a software update, you might run into an unexpected error. This may result in, worst case scenario, a bricked Mac. Specifically, your computer would fail to boot properly, typically resulting in an endless boot loop that displays the Apple logo. However, you don't need to worry; it's possible to revive your bricked Mac. Just follow the steps below.

]]> Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-revive-your-mac/ When you buy a new iPhone or iPad, you may want to get rid of your older iDevice. However, before doing so, it's important to factory reset your used iPhone or iPad to ensure that the new owner doesn't get access to your data or personal information. Factory resetting could also come in handy if your existing iDevice is bloated or misbehaving. Follow the steps below to utilize this essential feature.

]]> Thu, 07 Sep 2023 22:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-factory-reset-iphone-ipad/ When you buy a new Mac, you get to utilize all the advanced features offered by macOS Sonoma. Though, before getting started with those, you may want to familiarize yourself with the basics of this operating system. These include two of the most used tools across all platforms: copy and paste. What's so great about macOS is that there are several ways to copy or cut and paste, and we've listed them below.

]]> Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-copy-paste-on-mac/ Over the years, Apple has worked hard to add new accessibility features to its great iPhones. These features are designed to assist those who might otherwise have trouble using the smartphone for various reasons. They can come in handy whether you have vision limitations, hearing loss, or other impairments to your physical and motor capabilities. With these features activated, using your smartphone can become much more manageable.

]]> Thu, 07 Sep 2023 12:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/cool-hidden-features-apple-iphone-accessibility-menu/ The Razer Blade 14 (2023) stands above most gaming laptops thanks to its powerful hardware. In addition to the blazing fast AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it comes with a premium QHD+ 240Hz display to provide a well-rounded gaming experience.

]]> Wed, 06 Sep 2023 22:01:24 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-upgrade-ram-razer-blade-14-2023/ The more you use your Windows 11 PC, the more important files and memories you gather. Whether you have photos, documents, videos, or even favorite apps, it's natural to want to back things up in the event something goes wrong with your PC. Thankfully, Windows 11 offers three different ways to back up your system. You can back up individual files with File History, copy folders to the cloud with OneDrive PC folder backup, or create a system image of your PC. We have a look at all three for you right here.

]]> Wed, 06 Sep 2023 18:01:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-back-up-windows-11-pc/ One of many accessibility features offered in the best iPhones for those with physical and motor limitations extends beyond the smartphone itself. The feature allows you to control other devices using the iPhone.

]]> Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:00:24 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-control-other-devices-with-iphone/ Smartphones and other cellular-enabled mobile devices feature a slew of identifiers that separate a specific unit from the rest, and consumers largely don't ever need to interact with these identifiers. Things like serial numbers are occasionally used when it's time to service your device, but other than that, most users probably haven't even looked at these numbers since their original purchase. Of these identifiers, a mobile device's IMEI number is probably the most important of the lot. It stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity, and it's a number that all cellular devices have and give it a unique identity. This includes cellular tablets and great smartwatches. Finding and checking an IMEI number can be extremely useful in certain situations, so it's nice to know how to do it.

]]> Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-check-imei-number/ There might come a time when you have to share your laptop, or your Windows 11 PC with someone. In the old days of Windows, there was a dedicated guest mode for these situations, but Windows 11 and Windows 10 have since removed this. It doesn't mean you can't manually add a guest account, though.

]]> Tue, 05 Sep 2023 22:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-create-guest-account-windows-11/ A lot of smartphone users don't typically give much thought to the many software releases rolled out to their devices. Some prefer to set their iPhones to automatically update, so they don't have to worry about doing it manually, while others prefer to just keep the same software version their device shipped with. A select few pick and choose when to update. Regardless of how you prefer to update your device, you may have noticed a new type of software release called a Rapid Security Response. But what does this really mean, and how does it compare to the other types of software releases seeded out to great iPhones?

]]> Tue, 05 Sep 2023 18:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/apple-rapid-security-responses/ Unified messaging platforms, or chat aggregators, are a great way to keep your growing list of messaging apps in check by letting you access and manage multiple apps from one place. This can help you streamline communication across different services and even devices. Beeper is one such unified chat app that I use on my phone and laptop to manage a whopping amount of messaging apps from a single hub.

]]> Tue, 05 Sep 2023 16:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/beeper-setup/ When you invest in a new Mac, you're also getting access to the exceptional set of features offered by macOS Sonoma. This includes both basic and advanced tools that cater to different users and workflows. Screen recording happens to be one of these more interesting utilities.

]]> Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-record-screen-mac/ We all want higher framerates in our games, and sometimes it's not super easy getting them. While some games are just poorly made and don't perform well no matter what, most games respond really well to certain tweaks and techniques you can use to get some more frames. Here are the best methods for getting more gaming performance out of your PC.

]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 22:01:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-increase-fps-gaming/ Whether you have a Mac Studio (2023) running macOS Sonoma, or another Mac model, Apple offers a wide range of privacy and security features to help protect your data. FileVault happens to be on of the default features baked into macOS, and we advise all users to enable it on their machines. So what is FileVault all about, and how do you activate it? Let's find out!

]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 18:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-macos-filevault/ Great headphones and excellent earbuds are ubiquitous in 2023, and they're more powerful than ever. That's great for people who love watching media and listening to music on-the-go, but it can be bad news for your hearing. If you listen to headphones for too long at high volumes, you can cause temporary or permanent hearing damage. As part of Apple's recent sweeping health initiatives, it introduced headphone safety notifications on iPhone and Apple Watch, and you can also find them on the upcoming iOS 17 and watchOS 10 updates.

]]> Mon, 04 Sep 2023 12:01:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/headphone-volume-notifications-ios/ The CMOS battery on the motherboard is responsible for preserving the date, time, and BIOS settings when your PC is powered off. Just like any other battery, it has a fixed lifespan and will get depleted even if you don’t use your system very often.

]]> Sun, 03 Sep 2023 18:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-replace-cmos-battery/ Notifications can be a hugely important feature on our laptops, just like they are on our smartphones. They let us know when something needs our attention, or remind us if we need to get something done. However, as we install more and more apps, things get a bit noisy, and you may want to turn some notifications off. If you want to regain some peace, here's how to customize notification settings in Windows 11.

]]> Sun, 03 Sep 2023 16:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-customize-notification-settings-windows-11/ Android phones and iPhones share more similarities now than ever, but there are a few features that are still exclusive to those using an Apple device. One such feature that's been a topic of discussion and various debates is iMessage, an Apple-exclusive messaging app that marks text messages from an Android device with green bubbles. Apple won't let us have iMessage on Android, Windows, or pretty much any other device outside its ecosystem, so we have to stick with third-party services that allow you to use iMessage without an iPhone.

]]> Sun, 03 Sep 2023 12:01:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-imessage-android-beeper/ Windows 11 is a great iteration of Microsoft's operating system, with many streamlined design elements and new features that make it a big upgrade. As much as we like the fresh, default look of Windows 11, though, it may not be to everyone's tastes. Thankfully, Windows has always been easy to customize, and Windows 11 is no different. It keeps many of the same personalization options from Windows 10, with some new ones, too. In this article, we'll show you how to customize Windows 11 to your liking to make your great Windows laptop or Windows desktop more distinct, both by using the built-in settings and third-party apps.

]]> Sat, 02 Sep 2023 18:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-customize-windows-11/ Apple's latest Macs come packed with features and tools that help users maximize their productivity. That's not to mention the tight ecosystem that ties these computers to customers' other Apple devices. A prominent example of this seamless interoperability is AirPlay support, which enables users to easily mirror media to larger displays.

]]> Sat, 02 Sep 2023 16:01:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/airplay-mac/ The Apple Pencil 2 is the best iPad accessory for digital illustrators and heavy note-takers. It provides a wide range of advanced features and sensor, including support for pressure and tilt sensitivity. Though, what many casual users aren't aware of is that they can customize the double-tap action on their Apple Pencil 2. This allows them to choose specifically what happens when they trigger this handy shortcut. To do so, follow the detailed steps we've included below.

]]> Sat, 02 Sep 2023 13:49:07 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-customize-double-tap-apple-pencil-2/ Thanks to Apple silicon and macOS Sonoma, the latest Macs offer plenty of advanced features that many power users appreciate. One of these welcome offerings is Continuity Camera — an Apple ecosystem feature that turns your new iPhone into a wireless webcam for your Mac. Below you will find a list of Continuity Camera's prerequisites, along with the steps you must follow to use it.

]]> Sat, 02 Sep 2023 12:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-continuity-camera-macos/ The more you browse the web on any of the best web browsers (regardless of operating system or device), the more you might come across the occasional pop-up. These can get in the way of whatever website you were originally on, and we understand how frustrating that can be.

]]> Fri, 01 Sep 2023 22:00:38 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-prevent-pop-ups-desktop-browers/ Android 14 is almost ready for prime time! For lucky owners of the Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, or any Pixel phone as old as the Pixel 4a 5G, you'll be among the first users to see what Android 14 has to offer, as these devices can participate in Google's beta initiative.

]]> Fri, 01 Sep 2023 16:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-download-android-14/ Similar to the best Windows laptops, there are a lot of great accessibility features in ChromeOS to help make best Chromebooks easier to use for everyone. One of those, in particular, is the auto clicker. This feature lets your mouse cursor automatically click once it has stopped moving on the screen after a preset period of time. You have complete control of this through the ChromeOS settings page. Here's a look at how you can enable it.

]]> Fri, 01 Sep 2023 12:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-enable-auto-clicker-chromeos/ Samsung's One UI software has come a long way, offering way more meaningful features than it used to. It has also improved a lot over the years alongside Android to become usable for more people, thanks to all its accessibility features. These are the features that often get overlooked by many, but they're crucial to shaping the smartphone experience for those who may have hearing, seeing, or motor disabilikties. Many of these accessibility features are available out of the box, while others can be easily downloaded from the Play Store. Here's a quick look at all the accessibility features you get on Samsung Galaxy phones right now.

]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2023 18:00:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/accessibility-features-one-ui-samsung/ While Microsoft, Sony, and Nvidia all got into casual gameplay recording in 2013, AMD graphics cards were noticeably lacking in that department. While Nvidia users could use ShadowPlay to easily record games, AMD users had no such equivalent. However, AMD has since caught up with Radeon ReLive, arguably surpassing Nvidia when it comes to recording games. Here's everything there is to know about Radeon ReLive and why it's a key reason that AMD GPUs still rank among the best gaming graphics cards.

]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/amd-relive/ When you buy a new Mac, such as the Mac Studio (2023), you get access to macOS Sonoma and all of its advanced features. These include a wide range of productivity tools and offerings that push users to make the most out of their computers. Shortcuts happens to be one of the handy applications that users on macOS Monterey and newer versions can utilize.

]]> Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/guide-shortcuts-macos/ The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 for 2022 comes with some big design changes, and it's now the thinnest laptop yet in the XPS family. That's because it's not actually a typical laptop, and instead, it's a tablet with an optional detachable keyboard. This form factor does allow for a more compact design, but it often comes with some sacrifices, including ports. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 doesn't sacrifice any ports compared to the clamshell models in the XPS 13 family, but whether that's good or not is up for debate.

]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2023 23:01:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/dell-xps-13-2-in-1-2022-ports/ Did you know that Xbox has built-in support for voice control with Amazon Alexa? But what if you use Google Assistant and a compatible speaker instead? The news is just as positive, with Google Assistant enjoying the same treatment as Alexa. And just as with Amazon's speaker, there is no direct hardware connection. Instead, you use the power of the cloud and Google Assistant.

]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2023 18:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-google-assistant-xbox/ Apple's latest iPhones offer a wide range of features that simplify people's lives. Thanks to the continuous evolution of iOS, those on this platform get to utilize some advanced offerings that help them make the most out of their premium purchase. One of the prominent examples is the ability to create location-aware reminders that are triggered whenever you enter or leave a perimeter of your choosing. To use this feature on iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or an earlier OS version, follow the detailed steps we've included below.

]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2023 16:00:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-receive-geofence-location-reminders-ios/ If you're disillusioned with Windows, Linux is probably the top alternative. While it has been around since the 90s, you might not have used any of its implementations or distributions (distros). Kali Linux is one such popular distro used primarily for cybersecurity. It might not be geared toward the average Linux user, but if you're a professional penetration tester or studying cybersecurity with an aim to get certified, Kali Linux is one of the best tools available.

]]> Wed, 30 Aug 2023 10:31:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/kali-linux/ If you want to get into development, one of my favorite programming languages is Python. It's a multi-paradigm language that supports imperative, functional, procedural, and object-oriented programming. It's wide open, can be used for practically anything, and is a go-to language for many when working in artificial intelligence or machine learning. I use it for a lot of automation, and it's even the language that some of the testing tools that we've used are written in.

]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 16:01:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-python/ Mobile gaming has come a long way in recent years, thanks to the massive influx of extremely powerful and capable smartphones on the market. I wasn't a huge fan of smartphone gaming myself until I recently discovered all the graphics-intensive experiences that are available these days. But there's only so much fun to be had on a smartphone with limited screen real-estate, and that's when I turned to Samsung's DeX platform.

]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:00:24 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-use-samsung-dex-gaming/ For Apple users, iCloud serves as one of the best password managers out there, as it's free and integrated right into the company's products and services. However, once you stretch outside of Apple's ecosystem, the functionality of iCloud wanes. For example, if you wanted to use a third-party browser on your new Mac instead of the default Safari browser, you'd lose the ability to pull saved logins from your iCloud password keychain. This was a pretty big frustration for Mac users who weren't satisfied with Safari or just preferred Chrome's cross-platform functionality.

]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 22:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-use-icloud-password-keychain-chrome/ Having a second monitor on your desk setup can be great for work or for photo or video editing. When set up properly, using multiple monitors can help boost your productivity since you'll have more room to spread out. Did you just buy a new monitor and are wondering how to plug it in and use it in Windows 11? It's actually a very easy process!

]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 18:03:13 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-manage-monitors-windows-11/ Google offers several accessibility features on Android to help users easily perform day-to-day tasks. Those with visual or auditory impairments can use the tools in the Android Accessibility Suite to navigate the UI and perform various actions without outside assistance. Among these is a handy switch-based input system called Switch Access, which lets you use your Android device with one or more switches instead of the touchscreen.

]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-use-google-switch-access/ Jellyfin is one of the best Plex alternatives for a great NAS, and it's one that I personally use. It's a media server that can stream and transcode video for clients, and it's completely free and open source. It requires a bit of setup to get working, but it's well worth it once it's configured and working perfectly.

]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2023 12:01:25 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-install-jellyfin-nas/ For the longest time, iOS was a relatively limited operating system that, for the most part, didn't permit its users to personalize it in advanced ways. Though, with every major, annual release, Apple has been introducing more customizations, providing new iPhone customers with added flexibility and control over their premium devices. For example, those with an iPhone 14 Pro Max or any other model running iOS 17 or 16 can optionally enable (or disable) the large, full-screen album art on the Lock Screen. To do so, follow the detailed steps we've listed below.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 22:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-enable-full-screen-album-art-ios-16/ The popularity of eSIMs (or embedded SIM cards) has skyrocketed ever since Apple replaced the physical SIM slot on the iPhone with the iPhone 14 series in North America. Of course, they've been around for years and have shipped on millions of smartphones, but it's finally safe to say that they've hit the mainstream.

]]> Sat, 26 Aug 2023 12:01:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-use-esim/ WhatsApp is arguably the best messaging app, connecting billions of users across different platforms through text, voice, and more. Though unlike Telegram and other alternatives, your chat history is stored locally, rather than in the cloud. So if you sign in to your account on a new device, by default, you won't find your chat history. Fortunately, WhatsApp now allows users with iPhones to migrate their data to an Android phone. All you have to do is follow the steps we've listed below.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 22:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-migrate-whatsapp-data-iphone-android/ The Razer Blade 14 (2023) is one of the best gaming laptops money can buy. It has a great design with a gorgeous display. Storage onboard the laptop can also be configured up to a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD when buying through Razer or other retailers. However, downloading all your games will fill up that storage quickly. Thankfully, you can add an even bigger SSD on your own. The RAM and SSD on this laptop are not soldered on this great laptop, so if you're the technical type and you have experience working with laptops, you can upgrade the storage by following the steps in this guide.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 18:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-upgrade-storage-razer-blade-14-2023/ Foldable flip phones with bigger cover screens are finally upon us. I've been using the Galaxy Z Flip 5 for a couple of weeks now, and Samsung's take on a big cover screen, a.k.a the 'Flex Window,' has converted me to a cover screen believer. Not only is it useful to glance at notifications, but it's also big enough for a handful of apps I spend most of my time on. I also love all the cover screen customization options on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, especially the animated wallpapers.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 16:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-set-animated-wallpapers-galaxy-flip-5-cover-screen/ For the vast majority of users, upgrading your NAS with better storage is definitely a priority. However, after a certain point, you'll also want to upgrade your NAS's RAM to keep it balanced and to avoid a memory bottleneck, where your NAS needs more RAM, but there just isn't any available. Thankfully, the typical NAS isn't any different from a PC, and the process of upgrading the RAM inside a NAS is very simple. You'll definitely want enough RAM if you want your NAS to be on par with the best you can buy.

]]> Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-upgrade-ram-nas/ Even though the IdeaPad Slim 5 (2023) is a quality Lenovo laptop coming with both Intel and AMD CPUs, it's natural to worry about battery life, too. The more you use your laptop, and the more you charge it, there's a chance that the battery health might decline, and you might get worse battery life than when your laptop was new. Luckily, on the IdeaPad Slim 5, not many of the components are soldered down to the motherboard. This isn't uncommon for a lot of new laptops, and it means, that if you want, you can swap out the battery for a new one.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 22:00:24 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-replace-battery-lenovo-ideapad-slim-5-2023/ Personal item trackers have been around for a while, with Tile being the most recognizable brand in the market for years. But that all changed when Apple released its long-awaited AirTag, a small personal tracker that retails for just $30 and connects with over a billion active Find My devices. It's estimated that you can't walk a block with an AirTag in a major city without the tracker's location updating. While this sounds great for finding your lost items, it also makes it great for people who want to use personal item trackers for less-than-legal means. In the years since AirTags debuted, people have used them to stalk others, steal items, and more nefarious purposes.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 18:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/prevent-unwanted-tracking-with-android-unknown-tracker-alerts/ Windows activations are frequently tied to a digital license that's then linked to your Microsoft account. That way, you just need to sign into your desktop PC or laptop to reactivate your license when you switch devices. But if you end up making changes to a PC, like swapping hardware, or if you're building your own desktop from scratch, you might have to reactivate or activate Windows the old-fashioned way.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-activate-windows/ iOS is infamous for its restrictions, particularly when it comes to system customizations and when compared to Android OS. So even if you have the best iPhone, the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it may still feel outdated when compared to an Android phone. Despite that, the Cupertino firm has been listening to user feedback and introducing more advanced personalization tools. These allow iPhone users to change the way iOS looks and functions to some extent.

]]> Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:01:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-disable-ios-sharing-suggestions/ The Apple Pencil 2 complements the company's excellent tablets, allowing users to take precise handwritten notes, sign documents, and illustrate digitally. It supports a wide range of advanced features, too, including pressure and tilt sensitivity, a double-tap shortcut, and more. However, just like many other Apple products, it also offers a few lesser-known features that new iPad users may not be familiar with. These include a handy shortcut that allows users to create a new note or resume the last note with a single tap. It even works when your iPad is asleep and its display is off. To enable and use it, follow the steps below.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 22:01:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-create-note-locked-ipad-with-apple-pencil/ Overclocking is the hallmark of the desktop enthusiast scene and has broad appeal from budget gamers to extreme overclockers working with liquid nitrogen. It's been a great way to get the most out of the best GPUs you can buy today. While the practice of overclocking in general has been going out of fashion for a variety of reasons, it's still a viable way to get more performance out of your graphics card without necessarily getting a new one, and it can also be a fun activity in its own right. Here's how you overclock your GPU.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 20:01:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-overclock-gpu/ Although not big in the U.S., WhatsApp is the most widely used instant messenger globally. It offers a boatload of features, rivaling some of the best messaging apps on the market, and it keeps getting more handy additions with each successive update. However, while useful for some, a couple of these features can be a bit frustrating for others.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:00:26 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-read-deleted-whatsapp-messages/ The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 (2023) is yet another great Lenovo laptop. There's only a 16-inch model available in the U.S., but it comes with either AMD or Intel CPUs, and you get up to a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. However, upgrading storage is usually expensive if you opt to do it at checkout, so you can swap out your SSD for a bigger one down the line as long as you're comfortable working inside your laptop, have the right tools, and have backed up your data.

]]> Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:00:27 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-upgrade-storage-lenovo-ideapad-slim-5-2023/ When it comes to tablets, iPad sales in the U.S. far outnumber its closest rivals, but you can't discount other brands that have carved out their own place in the market. Amazon has persevered with its Fire OS tablets over the years. Despite not having the Google Play Store, Amazon’s affordable tablet pricing and a focus on kids' versions have kept it in good stead and in our best tablets roundup. Just recently, we reviewed the Amazon Fire Max 11, which offers a good display and battery life for a very competitive $230.

]]> Tue, 22 Aug 2023 18:00:28 GMT https://www.xda-developers.com/how-set-up-parental-controls-amazon-fire-tablets/