New Smartphone?

Smartphones can be expensive, and you'll want to keep your personal information secure. So here are 5 tips to keep it running smoothly and secure.

• Create a lock password or PIN so that if you ever lose your phone no-one else can use it or access your personal information. Don't use a sequence of letters or numbers such as 1234, and stay away from your date of birth. If your phone has a fingerprint scanner, it is recommended that you set this up and use it - look for the option under Settings.
• Check for updates. These are released to fix bugs or add new features. Chances are there has been an update since the phone was packaged ready for sale, so apply this immediately. Find under Settings.
• Get a backup in place so that if you have to factory reset your smartphone, you won't lose any of your contacts, pictures and messages. Go to Settings and turn on the Backup option. Your phone should then regularly back up the phone either to iCloud (Apple handsets) or your Google account (Android).
• Protect your (probably expensive) phone against damage with a screen protector to help stop the glass shattering if dropped, and a case to protect the rest of the handset. 
• Turn on voice control. Voice assistants (e.g. Siri and Cortana) allow you to ask questions or give instructions but need to be switched on and given a chance to learn your voice, so do this sooner rather than later.
• Tip for parents. If buying for a child, make sure you know which mobile network the phone uses and ask for adult content filters to be turned on. This will stop children accessing websites that contain material aimed at over-18s when using mobile data. Step-by-step guides for Apple, Google and Windows handsetscan be found at goodhousekeeping.co.uk/consumer-advice

Feature in Good Housekeeping, February 2017.

Easy to Use Smartphone

Not everyone is confident about using technology, but mobile phones are useful even for the unconfident. This was reviewed and recommended in Good Housekeeping, but I've not seen it myself.

The Doro 8030 has a very simple handset, with only three large buttons for Call, View and Send on the home screen.

The set-up process is easy too. The My Doro Manager app can be used by a trusted person to remotely change settings and options, which is great for someone who regularly calls up family members for help.

It is not as fast at opening apps, but the simplifed interface will keep many people happy.

Currently (April 2017) £180 from johnlewis.com.

For tips on making any mobile easier to use, visit goodhousekeeping.co.uk/simplify-smartphone.

Source: Item in Good Housekeeping, April 2017

Moving Files From Phone to Computer

Q: Can you suggest a way to quickly move files from my phone to my computer? Emailing them to myself works but is a bit long-winded.

Try a tool called Ssavr which you can find at www.ssavr.com; this allows you to swap files with other machines that are on the same network as you. The tool is free to use.

To copy pictures from your phone to your computer, make sure both devices are on the same wifi network, then using your phone's browser, go to the Ssavr address. Click on the upload button and choose your photographs.

Then on your computer, open up the same page and click the download button, and you'll see a list of all the photographs that you can then copy/download.

You can do this with files and plain text as well, so it is useful to share something quickly with colleagues.

Internet Q&A by Phil Bradley, in CILIP Update, October 2016

Moving Contacts to a New Smartphone

If you are moving to the same type of phone, use iCloud, your Google account or Microsoft account (depending on which type of phone it is) to back up your current device. (For a how-to, visit goodhousekeeping.co.uk/back-up-your-smartphone).

Switch the new device on to be walked through the steps for setting it up. When you come to the screen that asks you if you have an Apple ID, a Google or Microsoft account (again depending on the type of phone you have) enter the account details and make sure youselect the option that says 'Restore from last back up of this account'.

To move contacts between different makes of phone, see goodhousekeeping.co.uk/how-to-move-contacts.

Feature in Good Housekeeping, September 2016

Changing Mobile Phones, Tablets or Computers?

Before you pass on or sell an old device, make sure you clear it of all pesonal information.

iPhone or iPad with an iCloud account? Sign out before getting rid of the device. Go to Settings > iCloud, then scroll to bottom and tap Sign Out. Press Sign Out again from the warning displayed on screen.

Remove SIM card (and MicroSD card if you use one). Run a factory reset; this will remove any files stored on the device, and erase any accounts such as Facebook or Twitter.

• On iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings > General and scroll down and press Reset. From here, select Erase All Content And Settings. If you have a passcode on the phone, you will need to enter that before the resest can take place.
• On Google. Go to Settings > Backup & Reset. From here, select Factory Data Reset, then Reset Phone on the screen displayed.
• On Windows. Go to Settings app and select System. Choose About, and press Reset Your Phone to make a factory reset.
• On a Windows tablet. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery (in options on left hand side of screen). Under Reset This PC, tap Get Started, then Erase Everything from the options displayed.

Computers with hard drives or solid state drives (SSD). These have a type of memory that cannot be wiped as easily as smartphones and tablets. You should remove the hard drive before selling or recycling and smash it with a hammer to ensure your personal data stored on it cannot be retrieved. You can buy a replacement hard drive, or state that the device does not have one when you sell it.

Feature in Good Housekeeping, May 2016

Mobile Phone Serial Number

Mobile phones are oftern stolen, so here's a tip

To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following sequence into your phone:  * # 0 6 #

A 15 digit code will appear on your screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it safe. Should your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the Sim card your phone will be totally useless. If you don't get your phone back, at least you know the thief won't be able to sell or use it either.

It is also worthwhile registering it (and other electronic items like tablets) on the Immobilise website (https://www.immobilise.com/).

Mobile Phone Tips

A few things will make life easier.

Assign different ringtones to different contacts, such as your partner, boss, children or school, so you'll know if it's someone important calling before you've even got your phone out of your bag.

When you go on holiday, turn off your voicemail so callers can't leave a message, which you'll be charged for listening to if you're abroad.

To conserve a phone battery, turn the screen brightness down, cloase any apps running in the background that you don't need, and turn off 3G/4G, as these all sap power.

Various sources

Beat 118 Service Costs

There 118 prefix is used by directory enquiry services. While these can be useful, be aware that some people are getting big phone bills along with the phone number for their local Chinese takeaway. In 2014, service 118118 received a £80,000 fine from regulator Phonepay Plus for not fully informing customers of the cost of its service.

But no directory enquiry numbers are cheap - especially from your mobile phone. Charges can be up to £5 per minute - and on top of that, connection charges can cost up to another £5. So try the following instead.

• Google it - search online quickly for free or minimal cost (using some of your smartphone's data allowance).
• Use the free 0800buster free directory enquiries service 0800 118 3733 - calls are converted to local call rates, which will be covered under your contract's minutes. NB. It's automated so you'll have to listen to ads.
• Select your mobile provider's own directory enquiry service.  2014 costs. Orange charges £1.29 in total to use its 118000 service (£2.25 initial call charge plus £2.25 per minute to call 118118 from an Orange phone). Vodafone charges 85p per minute to use its 118881 service (up to £3.75 per minute to dial other 118 numbers from a Vodafone phone). O2 charges £1 per minute for its 118042 service (£5 per minute to other 118 services from an O2 phone). Three charges £1 per minute for its 118333 service (up to £5 to call other 118 services from a Three phone).
• Do not ask to be connected. After receiving your number, hang up and dial yourself - or you'll be charged the premium rate for the rest of the call.

Feature in Good Housekeeping September 2014

Immobilise: The National UK Property Register

Immobilise (https://www.immobilise.com/) is the world's largest FREE register of possession ownership details and together with its sister sites the Police's NMPR and CheckMEND, forms a very effective tool in helping to reduce crime and repatriate recovered personal property to its rightful owners.

Immobilise can be used by members of the public and businesses to register their valued possessions or company assets, and exclusive to Immobilise all account holders registered items and ownership details are viewable on the Police national property database the NMPR.

This online checking service is used thousands of times each day by UK Police forces to trace owners of lost and stolen property.

As a direct result of Immobilise there are hundreds of cases a week where property is returned or information collected that assists the Police in investigating criminal activity involving stolen goods.
Immobilise is also the only ownership registration service supported by all UK Police forces, the Greater London Authority, and the Mobile Phone Industry.

Details above from Immobilise website.


Original source was a feature on the Mobile Equipment National Database (for mobile phones) on the BBC News website 5 Nov. 2004 which noted: To register a mobile phone, you'll need the unique IMEI number (a 15-digit number which can be found by keying in  *#06#  into the phone.

Block Nuisance Phone Calls

Fed up with cold callers at home?

• To reduce them, register with the Telephone Preference Service at tpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 070 0707.
• When you buy online, opt out of receiving marketing materials
• And ask your telephone landline provider about its call blocking services.
• Look at new handsets which include TrueCall blocking software.

Prolonging Mobile Phone Battery Life

iPhone

• Reduce brightness  by going to settings Settings>Wallpapers>Brightness
• Check your settings to see if you you have an auto power saving mode and use it. It keeps a mobile running for longer when the battery reaches a certain level by adjusting settings (e.g. how quicky the screensaver appears) and turning off functions like the camera flash.
• Switch off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi by going to Settings; GPS at Privacy>Location and mobile data at Settings.
• Double click on the home button and all the apps will appear. To stop one from running, simply swipe it upwards.

Android

• Reduce brightness  by going to settings Settings>Display>Brightness
• Check your settings to see if you you have an auto power saving mode and use it. It keeps a mobile running for longer when the battery reaches a certain level by adjusting settings (e.g. how quicky the screensaver appears) and turning off functions like the camera flash.
• Switch off 3G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi by going to Settings>Wireless>Network; GPS can be turned off using the Location and Security option.
• Go to the Google Play store online and download the free Watchdog Task Manager app to monitor your all usage.

Good Housekeeping, April 2014

Drying Out a Mobile Phone

Dropped your smartphone in the bath? Try this:

•  Turn off the phone straight away, even if it still seems to work - because water likes creating circuits inside the phone that shouldn't be there, ultimately damageing your phone.
• Next, go into the kitchen, bury the phone in a bowl of uncooked rice, and place the bowl at the back of the airing cupboard for at least 36 hours. 
• The rice draws the moisture out of the phone - and will hopefully save your device.

Mobile phone insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense, but if you are tied into a mobile phone company contract, they won't sell you another subsidised phone, and you'll be faced with paying a large sum to replace it or to repair it. You may have mobile phone insurance included as an 'extra' with your bank account, so check this out.

A final tip - don't use your phone in the bath.

Will Guyatt, Gadget Guy column in the Wiltshire Times, 29 Aug. 2014