How to safely let someone borrow your phone or tablet - Beware the 'Deadline Tomorrow' Facebook hoax
Enjoy today's selection of practical, easy-to-follow tech tips.
Rick's Daily Tips Tech Update for Monday, October 25, 2021.
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Today's Quick Tip....
How to safely let someone borrow your phone or tablet
Do you ever allow your child to use your phone or tablet to play a game or use an app?
If so, you probably stress yourself out worrying that the child might exit that game/app and mess with the phone's settings or accidentally make an online purchase.
Well, as luck would have it, both Apple iOS and Android devices have a feature that allows you to "lock" the device to one app. Once this lock is enabled on an app, the only way to exit that locked-in app is to press a special button/icon sequence and then enter your device's PIN.
Apple refers to this feature as "Guided Access" on iOS devices. Google refers to it as "App Pinning" on Android phones and tablets.
This is a very handy feature that will allow you to loan your phone or tablet to a child (or even a stranger) without having to worry about them exiting the app they're using to rummage through your photos or delve into the device's settings.
Besides the example of a child playing a game, there's another very useful application for this feature:
Let's say someone approaches you and asks to borrow your smartphone to make an emergency call...
Using this feature you could lock the phone to the dialer/phone app and then hand it to them. The only thing they'll be able to do is make a phone call - nothing else.
When the call is complete they won't be able to exit the dialer/phone app. You'll be the only person capable of doing that because only you will be able to enter the PIN.
Note: I'm not suggesting that you should loan your phone to a total stranger. That is (and always will be) YOUR call, depending on how comfortable you are with the situation should it ever arise. Just sayin'.
You'll find instructions for using the "Guided Access" feature on your iPhone or iPad right here.
If you want to use the "App Pinning" feature on your Android device, click here.
And now, one last thing...
Important: If you decide use this feature on your device make sure you remember your PIN because you won't be able to exit the "locked" app without it.
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The latest from Rick’s Daily Tips...
• Scam alert: Don’t fall for the “Deadline Tomorrow” hoax on Facebook
This extremely irritating hoax is making the rounds on Facebook yet again. Thankfully, it's easy to recognize and avoid.
• Q&A: Why does Windows 10 use more RAM on my new PC than it did on my old one?
A reader asks for help with understanding a RAM-usage issue on his new Windows 10 PC.
• Click here to see today's 'Picture of the Day'.
Every morning I post a new photo that I find inspiring, intriguing, or just plain beautiful to look at. Jumpstart your day by checking it out.
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Rick's Daily Pick...
Every day I feature a tech item that I’ve hand-picked to be among the best of the best.
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Today's post from 'My Daily Smile'...
Just how massive is the planet Jupiter? The answer might surprise you.
Jupiter isn't just the largest planet in our solar system. It's larger than all the other planets combined.
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Tech news that caught my eye...
• Some Android users will need a new phone to keep using WhatsApp after November 1
• Apple's M1 Pro chip finally gives MacBook Pro fans what they've been waiting for
• FBI, others crush REvil using ransomware gang’s favorite tactic against it
• This monster of a phishing campaign is after your passwords
• How hackers hijacked thousands of high-profile YouTube accounts
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Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse