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How to

It isn’t enough to have great new devices, apps, and games — you also have to know how to use them. Here at The Verge, we offer step-by-step how-tos for experienced and new users who are working with online, macOS, Windows, Chrome OS, iOS, and Android apps, services, phones, laptops, and other tools. From simple instructions on how to install and use new devices, to little-known strategies on how to take advantage of hidden features and the best methods for adding power or storage, we’ve got your technological back.

Victoria Song
Victoria Song
The best defense for layoff anxiety? Back up your stuff ahead of time.

2023 has seen a lot of layoffs — which categorically sucks. And while there’s no such thing as a “good” layoff, knowing that you don’t have to worry about losing your contacts or work files can make them slightly less awful. Here’s how.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
Is your phone’s battery bad, or is it being drained by your apps?

It’s really frustrating when your phone or laptop hits that 15 percent mark halfway through the day. But don’t always blame the battery — the responsibility may lie with the apps you’re using. Here’s how to check to see which apps are pulling the most power, and how you can (maybe) fix things.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Your iPhone can now tell you if your house is on fire.

A new Sound Recognition feature on Apple HomePods will send an alert to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch if the smart speaker hears a smoke or CO alarm going off. Here’s how to turn it on.

How to upgrade to the new Apple Home architectureHow to upgrade to the new Apple Home architecture
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
If you’re also getting phishing attempts on your Twitter account, 2FA is the best way to stay safe.

And we’re not talking about text-based two-factor authentication — especially because you now have to be a paying member of Twitter Blue to use it.

Instead, if you want to keep your account safe, an authentication app is not only cheaper, but better. Here’s how to set one up for Twitter and for several other services.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
How many people are signed into your streaming service account?

It’s tempting to share your Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max (excuse me, Max) accounts with family, friends, and that nice neighbor across the street. But sometimes, things can get out of hand. If you want to check who you’ve shared your account with — and maybe drop a few no-longer-friends from it — here’s how.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
Are your meetings being recorded even when you’re not there?

Otter, a popular recording / transcription service, has introduced a new service called Otter Assistant that, unless it’s properly configured, could be recording all your meetings — including the ones that you (or the other attendees) don’t want recorded. Here’s how to manage Otter Assistant so it only does what you want it to.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
Two more Twitter alternatives have raised their hands: Post and Substack Notes.

Post offers a chance to share and comment on new items from a variety of sources, including those behind firewalls, while Substack Notes now lets you write Twitter-like short entries (which may be one of the reasons Elon Musk is so pissed at it).

We’ve added them to our list of Twitter alternatives, which includes others such as Mastodon, Tumblr, and, yes, Facebook.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
11 ways to make your PS5 game better.

When you get a new PlayStation, it’s a temptation to just set it up and start playing immediately using the standard settings — but there are a number of ways you can tweak those settings to suit your gaming style. We explain how.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
If you’re a Windows user with AirDrop envy, stay cool — you now have Nearby Share.

Google’s Nearby Share app, which lets you share files and folders with other devices, has introduced a beta version for Windows PCs. Here’s how to install and use it to make moving files between your laptop and phone a lot easier.

Umar Shakir
Umar Shakir
Want to give the iOS 16.5 Public Beta a test spin?

It’s easier than ever to install a beta version of Apple’s iOS and iPadOS software on your iPhone or iPad now that the upgrade to iOS 16.4 added a simple switch in the settings menu.

The iOS 16.5 beta comes with new features like being able to ask Siri to start a screen recording. It’s not much, but if you’re all about staying on the bleeding edge, then check out our how-to.

How to install the latest iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 public betasHow to install the latest iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 public betas
Umar Shakir and Cameron Faulkner
Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
When a friend calls for tech help, you can try to talk them through it — or you can do it yourself.

Instead of spending an hour on the phone trying to help a tech-phobic person get on a Zoom call, take a screenshot, or deal with some other problem, sometimes it’s easier to just take over their screen and show them what to do. There are several apps out there that let you do that, but if you and that special someone both use the Chrome browser, then Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop is the way to go. Here’s how to get it up and running.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
It’s tempting to just start playing with a new Xbox, but there are some helpful adjustments you may want to make.

It’s easy to just go with the standard settings on an Xbox X / S, but if you take the time to do a bit of tweaking, you can up your game by remapping the controller buttons or enhance your security so your roommate won’t change your score. Here are 11 tips on how to improve your Xbox gaming.

Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
If you’re not a fan of Google’s Discover page, you can get rid of it.

The Discover page on many Android phones is supposed to uncover relevant content for you to browse through. But sometimes, what Android’s algorithms think you want to read — isn’t. If that’s the case, and you just don’t want to deal with the Discover page anymore, here’s how remove it from your phone’s display.

How to choose between the AirPods Pro and Beats Fit Pro

Apple’s second-gen AirPods Pro outperform the Beats in sound quality and noise cancellation, but the Beats Fit Pro have some strengths of their own — especially if you’ve got an Android phone.

Chris Welch
Barbara Krasnoff
Barbara Krasnoff
Sometimes it’s better to see the world in shades of gray.

If you’re trying to spend less time on your smartphone, or need to rest your eyes, or just want a new view on life, you can change the display of your iPhone, Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, or other Android phone from colorful to grayscale. Here’s how.

How to turn your phone screen to grayscaleHow to turn your phone screen to grayscale
Barbara Krasnoff
Where to preorder Sonos’ new Era speakersWhere to preorder Sonos’ new Era speakers
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
How to clean bloatware off your PCHow to clean bloatware off your PC
Monica Chin