Important Steps to Take Before You Sell Your Phone
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
Selling your used phone is a great way to help cover the costs of an upgrade or get extra value out of a phone that would otherwise sit around collecting dust. But before you hand over your phone to the lucky buyer or ship it off to that trade-in service, you’ll want to be sure you’ve protected your important […]
Why You’re Getting Texts From 2300, 7726, or 2220 (And What They Actually Mean)
- Published
- Author
-
The Informr Team
If you’re receiving text messages from short numbers like 2300, 7726, or 2220, these are not scams, not personal messages, and not signs your phone has been hacked. These are automated system alerts from your wireless carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). They appear when: They are normal, and in most cases, they simply indicate that your carrier’s filters and notification systems are doing their […]
Do Phones Have FM Radio? Why Some Dropped It & How to Use It
- Published
- Author
-
The Informr Team
Yes—some phones still have FM radio. No – most modern flagships don’t. Whether your phone can tune into local FM broadcasts depends on your brand, model, region, and carrier. Many Android phones still ship with FM hardware (especially budget and mid-range phones), but carriers or manufacturers often disable it. iPhones have never included FM radio—no exceptions. Here’s what […]
How to Tether Your Phone & Create a Mobile Hotspot
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
Tethering — sometimes called using a personal hotspot or mobile hotspot — is a great way to provide Internet access to other devices using your phone when you don’t have access to Wi-Fi. In this guide, we’ll break down how tethering works, cover some important considerations before you tether your phone, and answer common tethering […]
Wet Phone? Here’s How to Dry Out Your Phone Quickly & Safely
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
So your phone is wet and you’re not sure what to do… Before you read any further: 1. Turn off your phone. 2. If it has a removable battery, take it out and set it aside as well. With those critical steps out of the way, you’ll want to focus on encouraging drying and waiting […]
Not Sure Which iPad Model You Have? Here are 3 Simple Ways to Check
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
“Which iPad do I have?” With so many versions available, that’s a question we see a lot… Since the first release on April 3, 2010, the iPad line up has grown to include 23 releases — not counting carrier-specific variants or the various configurations of each model available. So, how do you tell which iPad you have? […]
Phone Number Porting Guide (Plus How to Keep Your Number when Switching Carriers)
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
When you sit down and think about all the things tied to your phone number, the idea of losing it is scary… You’d have to contact your bank, utilities, doctors, and go through the hassle of setting up any two-factor authentication you have on services again. That doesn’t include all the family and friends you have who […]
Bringing Your Phone to a New Carrier: What You Need to Know
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
How much are you paying for your cell phone bill every month? $30? $50? $100? For the average American, the answer is about $60 a month. That’s a lot of money! Especially when you add on the phones of family members. The good news? Prices are actually dropping. Increased competition, a lack of unique new […]
Will My Phone Work with Other Carriers? A Complete Guide to Phone Compatibility
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
Whether you’re signing up for a new plan or looking to switch providers, being able to bring your own phone (or buy one outright) often means savings in the long run. It also means you can switch providers should service not meet your needs or your find a better deal later. But how do you know which phones work with […]
Enough Already! Here’s How to Stop Robocalls
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
Does it seem like every other time your phone rings, it’s some sweepstakes, scam or telemarketer? An endless barrage of robocalls that keep coming no matter how many numbers you block. You’re not alone… The FCC estimates that half the calls we receive might be Robocalls. Enough is enough. It’s time to fight back. This guide will […]
15 Ways You Can Lower Your Cell Phone Bill
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
It starts like any other day. Coffee, email, work. Then it happens. You get a notification that your cell phone bill is due. Panic sets in as you wonder what it’s going to be this month. You want to curl up and hide in the corner. You’re not alone. Bills have a habit of creeping […]
What is Wi-Fi Calling?
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
Wi-Fi calling is one of the latest features touted by carriers. It’s even the backbone of a few new virtual carriers. But what is it and why would you want to use it? We’re about to break down everything you need to know about this new feature–including any pitfalls you might face should you enable […]
How Does Getting a Cell Phone Affect My Credit Score?
- Published
- Author
-
The Informr Team
If you want to avoid hefty deposits, unlock the best device financing deals and enjoy maximum flexibility with your cell phone plan, good credit is essential. But what happens to your credit score during the plan application process or over the course of your contract? Let’s break things down and see what’s really going on […]
How to Get a Cell Phone Plan With Bad Credit
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
While carrier ads might make it seem like anyone can pop into a store and walk out with a shiny new smartphone and great rates, the reality is less pleasant. Unless your credit is pristine, there’s a good chance you’ll walk in and face a hefty deposit–if you qualify for a monthly plan at all. […]
How-To Tell if Your Phone is Unlocked
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
The benefits of unlocked phones are many. They allow you easily to switch carriers to lower your monthly bills, you’ll save when traveling abroad, and they tend to sell for more than their locked counterparts. But how can you tell for sure if your phone is unlocked? If you bought your phone direct from Apple or Google, it’s probably unlocked […]
How to Save Data (27 Clever Tips You Can Use Now to Reduce Usage)
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
It’s happened to all of us right? You get your monthly cell phone bill, pop open the envelope or email and there it is. A huge number jumps out and you nearly fall out of your seat. How did this happen?! This can’t be right! Oh wait…there it is…another data overage. While our smartphones are […]
Use Safe, Free Wi-Fi to Reduce Your Mobile Data Bills
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
Making good use of Wi-Fi is one of the simplest ways to reduce your data usage. You probably already use it at home and, if allowed, at work. However, if you’re not actively scouting out Wi-Fi connections around the places you shop, eat or hang out, you’re missing an excellent opportunity to shave a chunk […]
How To Secure Your iPhone or iPad With Two-Factor Authentication
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
In the past, we showed you how to use Apple’s two-step verification to better secure your iPhone or iPad. But there’s a new game in town and it’s called Two-Factor Authentication. Two-Step vs Two-Factor: What’s the Difference? The older two-step method (still active by the way) relies on security keys sent via text to a supported iOS device. It uses […]
How To Secure Your Apple ID With Two-Step Verification
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
Update: While this method still works, Apple now offers a more secure method called two-factor authentication. Apple, like many other companies, offers increased security for your Apple account by way two-step verification. Two-step verification is a simple and proven technique for stopping hacks that take advantage of stolen passwords and other sensitive information. As it is […]
Selling Your Used Cell Phone
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
With the sheer power of today’s mobile devices and the consistent release of new upgrades, there’s a good chance that you have one collecting dust in a drawer. If you’re the type that likes to sport the latest handset, you might even have a few. With a little effort, you can turn your old phones […]
How To Import / Export Contacts on Android
- Published
- Author
-
Jon Stone
Whether you are upgrading to a new Android phone or just want the peace of mind that your contacts are safe and sound, Android makes it easy to import and export contacts on your mobile device. Exporting contacts supports both SIM card and local storage methods to ensure that you always have access to your […]