GORGE COMPUTERSConsumer technology · Field guides

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Phones & Tablets guides

Plain-English phones & tablets help from the Gorge Computers archive — 25 guides.

How ToHow to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Any AccountA password alone is no longer enough. Two-factor authentication adds a second check that stops most account takeovers — and it only takes a few minutes per account.September 20267 min read Phones & TabletsHow to Free Up Space on a Full iPhone or Android PhoneThe “storage full” warning always comes at the worst moment. Here is the safe order — check what is taking space, clear the easy wins, and avoid deleting anything you will miss.September 20266 min read Technology ExplainedWhat Is the Cloud (and Where Do Your Files Actually Go)?“The cloud” sounds like your files float away into the sky. They do not — they go to a computer in a building somewhere. Here is what is really happening, in plain English.September 20266 min read How ToHow to Stop Your Phone From Auto-Downloading Apps (iPhone & Android)Learn how to stop iPhone and Android from automatically downloading apps or app updates, including settings that re-download apps from your account.October 20264 min read Fix ItHow to Stop Your Phone From Repeating the Same NotificationsRepeated notification alerts are usually app settings or a stuck notification. Use this checklist to stop the same alerts from repeating.October 20265 min read Quick TricksAccidentally Swiped Away an Android Notification? Here's How to Find It AgainLearn how to use Android notification history to find recently dismissed alerts and messages.September 20265 min read How ToTurn Your iPhone Into a Document Scanner Without Installing Another AppLearn how to scan paper documents with your iPhone using the built-in Notes app.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Find Out Which Android Apps Have Used Your Camera or MicrophoneLearn how to check which Android apps have accessed your camera, microphone, and other permissions using the Privacy dashboard.September 20265 min read How ToWhy Your Phone Storage Is Full Even After Deleting PhotosLearn why deleting photos may not free phone storage and how to safely recover space on iPhone and Android.September 20265 min read Fix ItWhy Your Phone Says It's Charging but the Battery Percentage Isn't IncreasingYour phone shows the charging symbol but the battery isn't increasing. Learn how chargers, cables, temperature, and apps affect charging.September 20265 min read How ToTech for Dummies: How to Scan a Document With Your Phone—No Scanner NeededNo scanner? No problem. Learn how to scan forms, receipts and other documents using an iPhone or Android phone in this hands-on Tech for Dummies guide.September 20265 min read How ToBefore You Trade In an Android Phone, Make Sure You Can Sign Back Into GoogleBefore trading in or resetting an Android phone, verify Google Account access, two-step verification and backups so you do not lock yourself out afterward.September 20265 min read How ToYour iPhone Can Automatically Remove Location Data When You Share Some PhotosiPhone photos can include location information. Learn how to review sharing options and remove location metadata before sending a sensitive photo.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Send Files From Android to a Windows PC Without a CableLearn how to use Google Quick Share to send files between Android and a compatible Windows PC without emailing them to yourself or using a cable.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Find an Android Notification You Accidentally Swiped AwayLearn how Android Notification history can help you find recently dismissed alerts, where to enable it, and why it cannot recover notifications from before it was turned on.September 20265 min read How ToTech for Dummies: How to Make the Words Bigger on Your iPhoneA simple step-by-step guide for making iPhone text easier to read, written for people who aren't comfortable changing phone settings.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Reduce iPhone Data Usage Without Turning Cellular Data OffLow Data Mode can reduce background network activity on an iPhone without completely disabling cellular internet access.September 20265 min read Technology ExplainedStop Closing Every iPhone App to “Save Battery”Apps visible in the iPhone App Switcher are not necessarily consuming power, and routinely swiping all of them away is not a general battery-saving technique.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Archive Android Apps Without Losing Their DataAndroid can remove the installed portion of an unused app while retaining its icon and app data, giving you a reversible way to recover storage.September 20265 min read Quick TricksFive New Android Features Worth Knowing About in September 2026Five Android features worth knowing about in September 2026, including Find Hub memory, Motion Assist, guided vision, collaborative notes, and message themes.September 20265 min read How ToLost Your iPhone? Do These Things Before You PanicLost an iPhone? Learn how to use Find My safely, protect your device and account, avoid follow-up phishing scams, and think carefully before remote erase.September 20265 min read How ToShould You Install iOS 27 Now or Wait?Should you install iOS 27 right away? Here’s how to weigh security, backups, compatibility, and the benefits of waiting a few days.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Which Android Apps Have Used Your Camera, Microphone, or LocationUse Android Privacy Dashboard to see which apps recently accessed your camera, microphone, location, and other sensitive permissions.September 20265 min read How ToHow to Check Which iPhone Apps Can Access Your Location, Camera, and MicrophoneReview iPhone app access to Location Services, the camera, microphone, and other private data using Apple’s built-in Privacy & Security controls.September 20265 min read How ToBefore You Update Your iPhone: 5 Things to Check FirstiPhone updates are normally straightforward, but five quick checks make a failed or inconvenient update much less likely to become a serious problem.September 20265 min read