iPhone , Cryptopal - Smartphone Knowledge Base

5 Best Encrypted Messaging Apps

December 7, 2020

by Finola Brady Android Phone iPhone Smartphone Security WhatsApp

Everyone is after your data. Government surveillance teams are scouting for it, carrier companies want to use it to market you to their advertisers, and cybercriminals will do anything to get their hands on your information. Even the company behind the app may be reading your messages, as was the case with Facebook Messenger, revealed in its own admission following the Cambridge Analytica fiasco.

End-to-end encryption is one of the means you can use to secure your information and make it inaccessible to third parties. Basically, only the sender and recipient of the message can read it – while any third party intercepting it will just see a mass of jumbled data that doesn’t make sense. That way you won’t have to worry about surveillance, the messages being tampered with, the app provider snooping around your private inbox, or your service provider getting hacked and leaking out the sensitive information that is in the messages. Let’s look at the best encrypted messaging apps that you can use to protect yourself.

Signal

This is an open-source software from Open Whisper Systems (OWS), which has seen widespread adoption from regular internet users to activists protesting out on streets. While your phone number is needed to create the Signal account, the rest of the information – including your profile picture and name, to the messages and video calls, are end-to-end encrypted. Signal Protocol actually powers popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, and the defunct Allo from Google. The conversations can also be set to self-destruct.

What about those conversations which you’d like to keep? They remain on the device, but Signal itself doesn’t store the data. This means that you’re protected even when law enforcement agencies go knocking on OWS’ doors. The impact of this can be seen in instances like when a subpoena was issued to obtain information from the app, but the government could not get much. OWS complied with the directive, but since there was no message data stored, all that could be provided were the dates and times that accounts were created, and when they last connected to Signal’s servers.

Additional features that make the app popular include the automatic face blur for the photos taken through the app – which has proved beneficial in protecting the privacy of protesters who are sharing visuals during demonstrations. Being an open-source software, the code can be independently inspected by anyone.

With over 2 billion users around the world as of October 2020, WhatsApp is the undisputed king of messaging apps. Since 2016, it has fully implemented end-to-end encryption on the platform, securing the privacy of the users. Your chats are protected from prying government eyes and snooping third-parties.

Even if WhatsApp were to be breached, the cybercriminals couldn’t read the conversations, thanks to the encryption, plus the fact that the messages are not stored on the app’s servers. Some security flaws are disconcerting though. For instance, if the WhatsApp servers are compromised by sophisticated hackers, or the staff themselves coerced by law enforcement agencies, they can easily add new people into a private group chat. This uninvited member can then access any new messages posted there.

Unlike other apps on this list, Telegram’s messages are not end-to-end encrypted by default. Instead, the default encryption is between the cloud server and user. This cloud model enables you to seamlessly sync chats on different devices, but since Telegram has the encryption key, it can read the messages stored on the servers.

However, you can get the end-to-end encryption by using the “Secret Chats” feature. Here are more reasons why this feature stands out:

Message forwarding is disabled.
Once you delete messages on your end, the party on the other end gets ordered to delete them too.
You can set a specific time after which the messages (including videos, photos and files) will self-destruct after the recipient opens or reads them.
Chats are device-specific, and can only be accessed from the device of origin. They aren’t part of the Telegram Cloud.

You can turn on the “Secret Chats” feature from Telegram’s advanced settings. Once enabled, the chats won’t leave any data on the app’s servers.

Note that Telegram will need basic information like your phone number for you to use the app. You can protect yourself from unauthorised access by enabling 2FA (two-factor authentication). The code is open-source as well.

Viber

Both individual and group chats have been encrypted by default on this cross-platform messaging app, and this extends to voice and video chats. You can also set the chats to self-destruct. This Luxembourg-based app uses similar encryption methods to Signal, but the code is private.

Chats also have colour-coded padlocks to show the encryption and trust level:

Green indicates that you’re connected to a contact you trust, and the chat is encrypted;
Grey shows that the contact isn’t marked as trusted, though the chat is still encrypted;
Red indicates that there is a problem with the authentication key of the contact, like when they are using a different device, or there is a man-in-the-middle attack where a third party tries to access the data.

It’s a nifty feature that adds to the security of the conversations.

Additional features, from playing games to following public accounts, are key drivers behind the popularity of the app, which clocked 1.17 billion users worldwide by March 2020, according to Statista. Note that Viber stores the metadata – basic information about activity on the app, such as the time and identity of the persons who were communicating. Registration information, including the email and phone number are also stored.

Threema

While the other apps on this list are free, Threema comes at a $2.99 cost. But on the other hand, it doesn’t require your phone number or email to register an account. You get a unique Threema ID, which is particularly beneficial in keeping you anonymous.

With this open-source and end-to-end encrypted messaging app, you get to protect your voice calls, files, group chats, all through to the status messages. Once you send a message from the app and it’s delivered to the recipient, it is deleted immediately from the app’s Switzerland-based servers.

You could choose to link your email address and/or phone number to the ThreemaID (it’s optional). In this case, only the only checksum values (HMAC-SHA256 hash) of the number or email are sent to the server. Note that a brute force attack can be used to determine the phone number that’s associated with a particular checksum due to the few digit combinations required. You can remove the phone number or address any time you choose.

Final thoughts

The 5 apps on this list are available for both Android and Apple devices. The messages are encrypted across the different platforms and devices. Note that for the apps that allow messages to be backed up to the cloud, the encryption keys will be controlled by the app providers, which will create a security loophole, since the messages could be retrieved were the server or cloud provider hacked or subpoenaed.

An additional app worth mentioning is Apple’s iMessage, but this only offers the end-to-end encryption between iMessage users. Messages that are sent to non-Apple devices are not protected by the encryption. Another app that’s steadily growing its userbase is Wickr. It comes with the default end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, and even screenshot detection that notifies the other participant in the conversation that a screenshot has been taken. The Android version of Wickr goes further to disable the screenshots altogether.

How To Check If Someone Is Spying On Your Phone

December 1, 2020

by Finola Brady Android Phone iPhone Smartphone Security

Is someone tracking my phone? The thought can be unnerving, but unfortunately quite possible with the wide range of spyware apps available today. Worried about someone anonymous having access to all that personal data in your phone? Feel as though Big Brother is watching? Or perhaps you’re worried that you may have inadvertently installed spyware on your phone as you were carrying out your normal browsing. Phones are basically a one-stop-shop for all our personal lives. The text messages held on them, call logs, emails sent out, voicemails, photos – from those snapped out in the park and events, to those of your private intimate moments, videos of your loved ones, your browsing history and social media profiles – that’s a whole lot of data that you don’t want falling into the wrong hands.

The Lure Of Your Personal Data

So why should someone be interested in spying on you? Well, there are different reasons. Perhaps the position you hold in your business makes you a target for people interested in data about the company operations. It can be a private matter, such as a spouse looking to unravel a potential affair. Alternatively, your wealth may draw unscrupulous individuals who want to hack their way into your checking account. There are those whose jobs increase their risks of being targets of spyware – like journalists, government workers, activists, judges and even scientists. When it comes to phone spying, having a strong password is not enough to protect you. There are lots of apps that can be monitoring your phone activity without you noticing. Let’s delve into the different ways that you can tell if there is someone spying on your phone.

Signs To Watch Out For

Spike in data usage

Have you noticed a sudden surge in the amount of data that your device is using – and yet you know that your own phone habits have not changed? Then there is a likelihood that additional software has been installed on the device, which can be spyware. This is typically seen with the spyware apps that are of a low quality, which tend to used loads of data to send the information that they have picked up form your phone. The high quality software apps on the other hand have been developed to used less data, so this step won’t be of much use here. So read on to other signs that you will notice.

Sudden decrease in battery life

Sure, batteries gradually weaken over time. This, coupled with the numerous apps you’re constantly using, means that the rate of the battery getting depleted will slowly increase. However, when you notice sudden drops in battery life, then this is a red flag. Either the device is actually faulty, or there is unwanted software running in the phone that’s consuming loads of resources while it works in the background.

Phone is acting up while in standby mode.

When the phone is in standby mode, common actions that trigger activity include incoming calls and messages, plus the standard notifications. If you notice that the phone screen is randomly lighting up, or there are sudden unexplained noises, then it means that something is not quite right under the hood.

Random reboots

If the phone keeps rebooting without any clear reason, then it could point to someone else having remote access to the device. This is particularly disconcerting because if one has such access and control such that they can remotely reboot your phone, then getting to the data itself will be far much easier. Don’t lose your wits over this one though. It’s a common feature with buggy phones. However, coupled with the other signs on this list, then you should be more cautious.

Unexplained surge in battery temperature

Activities like playing games or heavy usage will definitely increase temperature. This also happens when the phone is charging, and is expected. However, if you notice that the phone gets hotter when lightly using it, or even when it is idle, then could point to tracking software sending data to another location.

Weird noise when calling

Occasionally, you may find yourself in a location with bad reception, in which case you don’t have to worry about this. However, if you keep hearing a beeping sound, white noise, or echoes when calling, it could indicate the presence of spyware on the app.

Delays or difficulty in shutting down the device

When shutting down the phone, it first closes the active applications before going completely off. This also means cancelling any data transmission from the device. If the phone is taking longer than usual for the shutdown especially after you’ve only been using it for light tasks like calling and texting, then there could be an active app that’s simultaneously running in the background, recording and transmitting data. There are cases where the phone actually doesn’t seem to completely shut down to the black screen. This indicates that the device has been compromised. Here, the backlight doesn’t switch off due to the spy software that’s in the background, which is stopping the device from shutting down.

Dealing With Spy Software On Phones

So, what can you do if you suspect there to be spyware in your phone? Let’s break this down into two:

Android Users

First, try and locate the app manually. Navigate to the “Application Management” options in the settings:

Open Settings
Go to “Additional Settings”
Tap “Application Management”

Go through the list of apps, looking for suspicious names. Remember that the developers of the spyware will try to keep things “normal”, to prevent their app from standing out. Just check for unusual apps – especially those that you don’t remember installing.

Blocking unverified apps

This is a prevention measure, and can be quickly done by toggling the security settings.

Open settings
Go to “Additional Settings”
Select “Safety and Privacy”
Uncheck “Unknown sources” option.

This will prevent apps that are not in Google’s PlayStore from being installed.

Check which apps have access to the camera and microphone

These are the tools that can collect huge loads of data. You want to determine which apps have permission to use the camera and microphone. Toggle the access off for apps that you are suspicious of. Note that this does not mean that the apps themselves are malicious. Ask yourself if you use the app to record videos, take pictures or post them online. Do you actually use them to listen to playback audio? If no, then deny the app access.

Open settings
Go to “Apps and Notifications”
Select “Advanced”
Click “Permission Manager”

Here you will be able to review different permissions, from access to call logs, to the camera and microphone. Once in the preferred category, click on the apps to switch between “Allow” and “Deny”.

Install antivirus software

In addition to sticking to verified apps from Google PlayStore, installing an anti-virus app will give you an extra layer of protection from malware, spyware and other apps that pose a risk to your phone. There are plenty of antivirus software suited to phones, such as Avast Mobile.

iPhone Users

Monitoring the iPhone is pretty hard unless one jailbreaks the phone. Jailbreaking removes the manufacturer restrictions, allowing spyware apps to be installed. Is my iPhone Jailbroken? Are you concerned that someone has bypassed the iOS device security and is installing unwanted apps? One of the ways that you can check this out is looking for the “Cydia” app. It enables one to install software into the jailbroken devices. If you find the app in your iPhone, then that’s a pointer to it already having unwanted software. mSpy – A useful tool that can also be used wrongly This is one of the legal applications in App Store, and it will work on non-jailbroken iPhones. It’s marketed to parents monitoring their kids. However, this does not mean that a business rival, suspicious spouse, or employer cannot install it on your device. They simply need to get access to your iCloud account’s password. Simply changing the password will stop this. Tracking camera and microphone usage The latest privacy features with iPhones operating system monitor the usage of the camera and microphone. For instance, the “recording indicator” feature with the iOS 14 update lets you know whenever any of the apps, including those in the background, are using the camera or microphone. A little orange dot will show up next to the Wi-Fi and cellular data icons. Don’t worry. You don’t have to keep your eyes peeled onto the top right corner of the phone to check if there’s that glowing orange dot. From the Control Centre, you will be able to see which apps in the phone have recently used the microphone or camera. Changing camera and microphone permission settings To do this:

Open “Settings”
Select “Privacy”
Click Camera or Microphone as needed.

You can also go through the app’s privacy policy to determine if the app developer uses the data collected through the camera and microphone. Remember the TikTok backlash? The app was heavily criticised for collecting loads of data, though to be fair the app had actually listed the data collection policies clearly in its privacy notice – you know, those terms that you agree to without reading? Taking some time to go over them can be an eye-opener.

Factory Reset: When All Else Fails

The sure way of ensuring that the spyware is gone without spending much time or energy, is to simply wipe it clean and get a fresh start. The factory data reset will restore the phone to the condition it was when it was first turned on – which you should also do when you get a new phone. Since this route will actually delete everything, you should first backup your important files. – For Android users, this can be found under: Settings> Additional Settings> Backup and reset> Factory Data Reset Here you can choose between erasing all app data and apps, and keep saved data like phones and music; or chose to remove all the phone’s contents entirely. – For iPhone users: Settings> General> Reset> Reset All Settings You can also use iTunes to reset the phone. Simply connect the device to your PC, open iTunes, and select the “Restore iPhone” option.

Update Your Operating System

Spy apps rely on being compatible with the device’s OS to be able to function. Both Google and Apple are heavily invested in rooting out threats to the Android and iOS systems respectively to protect their users – which includes fixing any loopholes that the spy app may have taken advantage of. As such, when you update the phone OS, the spy software may malfunction, thus getting rid of the threat. It’s also strongly recommended that you don’t root your Android device or jailbreak your iPhone. This opens the door for malware to be installed on your phone.

Physical interventions

This is for those who still feel anxious about the camera spontaneously turning on. Physically blocking the hardware until you’re ready to use them will come in handy. For instance, a vinyl sticker can be used to cover the phone’s camera. These are simply peeled off as needed. Emphasis is on vinyl stickers since the regular stickers will leave a sticky residue behind on the camera. You can also opt for hard shell covers that come with sliding mechanisms that cover the camera. For the microphone, there are blockers available which typically use a 3.5-millimetre headphone jack that blocks the port. This will need to be pulled out whenever you want to use the microphone. Remember to secure your phone. It is a personal item, and you shouldn’t allow just anyone to go around snooping in it. Keeping your phone with you, using protectors like the password, fingerprint or pin security will limit the access to your phone’s contents.

How To Backup Your iPhone – Step-By-Step Guide

May 21, 2020

by Finola Brady iPhone

Any smartphone can be lost, damaged, or stolen. That’s why backing up your phone is always recommended.

Don’t worry, it’s fairly easy to backup your iPhone! Just follow our step-by-step guide and get your data protected no matter what happens.

Below you will find the two most common methods for backup: via iCloud or iTunes.

iCloud

iCloud is an included feature on every iPhone (with at least iOS 5). It will back up your iPhone’s data automatically, but first, you have to turn the feature on.

Turning on iCloud Backup:

Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
Tap Settings > iCloud > Backup.
Turn on iCloud Backup if it isn’t already turned on.
Make sure you are on a WiFi connection and tap Back Up Now
Check your backup by tapping Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage, and then select your device. You should see your latest backup listed.

The first 5GB of files with iCloud Backup are free. If you want more than 5GB of storage in your iCloud backup, you’ll have to pay Apple a monthly fee.

iTunes

Backing up via iTunes to your computer is pretty straight forward. To backup using iTunes, you need the following:

A computer (PC or Mac) running iTunes.
Allow your iPhone to communicate with your computer — either through Wi-Fi or by connecting the devices with a USB cord.

Steps for iTunes Backup

Open iTunes
Connect your iPhone to your computer
Click File > Devices > Backup or click “Backup Up Now” from Summary page.

For any other smartphone inquiries, check out our blog and or products.

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How to Restart or Factory Reset your iPhone – Step-by-Step Guide

May 21, 2020

by Finola Brady iPhone

There are many reasons why you’ll want to return your iOS device to factory settings. Maybe you want to sell or give it to someone, or troubleshoot some issues with your iPhone. Whatever it may be, there are a few methods to reset your iPhone.

Below you’ll learn about three different types of resetting your iPhone — from a simple reset to the most drastic method, this guide will provide you the exact steps.

It covers all iPhone models so it doesn’t matter if you own the latest, iPhone 11 Pro, or an iPhone 6S.

Soft Reset

This is the easiest method for a quick reboot. You just have to turn your iPhone on and off again to do a soft reset.

Turn off your phone: Drag the slider across, and your device will turn off.
Turn on your phone: Press down the power button to turn the phone back on.

Power Off Slider

For iPhones released after the original iPhone SE or iPhone 5S

Hold down the side button on your phone until the slider appears.

For iPhone SE, iPhone 5 device or older

Hold down the button on the top of the device to get the slider

Force Restart

Apple uses the term Force Restart as a more serious restart for your iPhone if your device has frozen or it just won’t turn on.

No worries, you won’t lose any data by Force Restart. Instead, it’ll just force your device to turn off and on again.

Method for iPhone 11 series, iPhone XS series, iPhone X, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus:

Quickly press and release the volume up button, and then do the same with the volume down button.
Now press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.

Method for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Press and hold the volume down button and the wake button on the right-hand side of the phone.
Do this until the Apple logo appears, and then release both buttons.

Method for iPhone 6S series, original iPhone SE and older devices

Press and hold down both the wake button (that could be on the right-hand side of the top edge of the device) and the home button below the screen.
Do that until the Apple logo appears.

Once your device has rebooted, you will have completed a Force Restart.

Factory Reset

Factory Reset is the most extreme method of resetting a device. It’s essentially erasing all your traces on your iPhone and wiping clean everything you did with it — account info, apps, media, and everything else you can think of.

A factory reset will turn back to the time when your device was released from, well, the factory.

Backup your iPhone first

Just in case you change your mind, you’ll want to keep all of that data stored somewhere.

Backup your data into the iCloud, either thru your iPhone or using a PC or Mac to access iTunes.

Need to know more? Here’s our blog on How-To Backup Your iPhone

Now, let’s factory reset your iPhone

The process is fairly simple, especially now you’ve backed up your phone.

Tap Settings > General > Reset
Tap ‘Erase all content and settings’
Enter passcode/Face ID/fingerprint
Tap ‘Erase iPhone/iPad’
Enter Apple ID password
Your iPhone/iPad will now factory reset

For any other smartphone inquiries, check out our blog and or products.

Final Sale: 2-year plan with 68% off

3 Ways to Remove iCloud Lock without Password

April 8, 2020

by Finola Brady Android Phone iPhone Smartphone Security

When a person buys an iPhone, they create an Apple ID and Password (Lock Activation details). When done, the iPhone locks itself to this identifier information. This is for security reasons; only they know the Identifier/Lock Activation details.

Scenario: Person buys a USED iPhone that is left locked by the previous owner, that is, the iPhone contains the previous person’s iCloud Activation Lock details – their Apple ID and Password.

Problem: How to unlock it?

Answers:

Way 1: Ask the previous owner to disable the Activation lock from their end

You must ask he/she to:

Login into icloud.com/find with their Apple ID
Click ‘Find my’ button and select ‘All Devices’ and then select the appropriate iPhone
Click on ‘Erase iPhone/iPad’ and then click ‘Remove from Account’

Way 2: Ask Apple to Remove iCloud Activation Lock for You

You can either Call Apple Support or Visit your local Apple Store.

If the iPhone is new:

You will need to show that you own the phone, i.e. proof of purchase showing the serial number of the iPhone and your name.

If the iPhone is second hand:

If you’ve bought a used iPhone, you will need to show proof that ownership was transferred to you from the seller. You will have to provide the sale transaction receipt/proof of payment.

Way 3: Use Third-Party products?

Be careful when choosing third-parties offering unlock services. Some may try to exploit vulnerabilities in Apple’s operating software. Be careful when choosing.

The following is a list of third-party unlock services:

LockWiper
iCloudin
Official iPhone Unlock
Open My iCloud
Doulci iCloud Unlocking Tool

Have a read of these services

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8 Ways to fix WhatsApp Voice Messages Problem

April 8, 2020

by Finola Brady Android Phone iPhone WhatsApp

The following includes ways to fix the WhatsApp Voice message Problem:

Turn up the volume on your phone
If your WhatsApp messages are not playing check your phone volume.
Restart your Phone
If your WhatsApp messages are not playing or not recording, try restarting your phone.
Check WhatsApp Microphone Permissions
If you’re not able to record WhatsApp voice messages, check if your WhatsApp has permission to use the Microphone.
On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions > Microphone (turn on) > Restart your Phone
On iPhone: Go to Settings > scroll down to WhatsApp > Microphone (turn on) > Restart your iPhone
WhatsApp Update
Check to see if there is an update for WhatsApp available in the Play Store/App Store. You could also try uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp.
Check your Proximity Sensor
If you can’t play WhatsApp messages, something might be covering the Proximity Sensor on your phone, e.g. your screen protector. The Proximity Sensor is located at the top of your phone. Google ‘proximity sensor’ for an image.
Turn off any other Apps that use the Microphone
If you are unable to record WhatsApp voice messages, turn off any other Apps on your phone that use the Microphone.
Clear Cache
The cache is where data is stored so that if a request for the same data is made at any point in the future, it loads it faster.

Try clearing the WhatsApp Cache, as follows:
On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear cache > Restart your Phone

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How to Speed Up iPhone

September 10, 2019

by Finola Brady iPhone

Just like human beings, iPhones too age with time. With ageing, phones slow down. Especially when new models come out, you might realise that your iPhone is comparatively slower than the newer ones. Instead of jumping straight to conclusions and buying a new one, read on to find how you can speed up your iPhone.

Does Apple deliberately slow iPhone?

Yes. Apple has admitted that it slows down older iPhones, to avoid battery problems. If you have an old version of iPhone and if you have updated your phone to the most recent iOS version, chances are, you might be experiencing slowdown issues.

Apple claims that the reason for this is to preserve the power and lifespan of batteries. You can, fortunately, turn off the performance management feature to take care of slowdown issues. To do this:

Go to Settings.
Tap Battery.
Tap Battery Health.
Scroll down to the Peak Performance Capability subheading and tap Disable.

How to speed up iPhone?

Free up space

One of the main reasons why your iPhone might be slowing down is because it is filled to the brim with photos, videos, and apps. You can lighten a load of your device by deleting unused apps, random photos, and lengthy never to be seen videos.

To see how much storage you are using on iOS11:

Go to Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage.
Select Manage Storage under the Storage

A colourful chart pops up on the screen. The chart shows the space you are using and the free space you have remaining. You can also see some recommendations to save storage below the chart.

For the older versions, you can manually go through the applications that are on your iPhone and get rid of the unused ones. To delete an app:

Press and hold on the app icon. The icon starts jumping around.
Tap on the X on the top right of the icon to delete it.

To delete multiple applications at once:

Go to Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage.
Tap Manage Storage under Storage.
Tap on the name of the app that you don’t need, and click the Delete App option on the next screen.
Repeat the process for deleting all apps that you don’t need.

You should skim through all your photos/videos and offload the unnecessary ones. Another great idea to reduce storage usage on your phone is to delete old conversations and large attachments.

Use HEIF and HEVC formats.

iOS 11 introduces the HEIF (High-Efficiency Image Format) format for photos and HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) format for videos. If you are like other normal smartphone users, photos, and videos occupy the most space in your iPhone. The HEIF and HEVC formats save your photos and videos in smaller file sizes, thus reducing storage space and increasing speed. To enable high efficiency:

Go to Settings > Camera > Formats.
Choose High Efficiency.

Note: Only devices with at least A 10 Fusion chip (iPhone 7 and later versions) can only snap and save photos and videos with the HIEF or HEVC format.

Update iOS

Updating iOS to the latest version can give you mixed results in terms of speed. Some iOS upgrade versions might introduce efficient code while some versions might add new features that can degrade iPhone speed. The best solution is to review the latest changes in the release and upgrade it only if you are sure.

iOS 12 promises to boost speed in new devices, so upgrading to iOS 12 would be a safe bet. To check if your iOS is updated:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Check for a new iOS version.

Update Applications

If you have updated your iOS version, you might as well upgrade all your apps to the latest version too. Old apps might not run as smoothly or efficiently in the new iOS version. To update all apps to the newest version:

Open App Store.
Tap Updates.
Tap Update All.

Disable automatic updates

By default, iOS runs processes and applications in the background. This might seem to be useful in some cases, but automatic updates hog your device’s CPU and battery. To speed up the iPhone, you should disable automatic updates. You can update your apps as and when required via App Store.

To disable automatic updates:

Go to Settings > iTunes & App Store.
Go to the Automatic Downloads
Toggle Updates to Off.

Disable background app refresh

Apart from updating automatically in the background, apps also refresh their content in the background. For example, Facebook. Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media handles update in the background automatically without having to refresh it manually. It is helpful for sure, but it occupies CPU cycles. Hence, to speed up the iPhone, it is better to disable background app refresh option.

To disable background app refresh:

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Tap the toggle switch off.

You can also enable Background App Refresh at the top and turn it off for individual apps from the given list.

Turn off app notifications

Notifications can help you stay updated on the messages arriving on your phone. However, you do not always need them. For example, you do not need notifications every time someone posts something on Facebook. Turning on notifications for all applications can slow down your iPhone significantly. Hence, to turn off notifications:

Go to Settings > Notifications.
Toggle Notifications to Off for all applications that do not require notifications.

Disable Spotlight searching

Spotlight helps you search across your iPhone with ease. To do so, however, it has to index all items on your iPhone. This can occasionally slow things down. To speed up your iPhone, you can try switching Spotlight off. To do so:

Go to Settings > General > Spotlight Search.
Set all search result items to Off.

Clear Safari cache

Safari app might notice more slowdown than the other apps on your iPhone. This occurs because of full cache memory. To clear Safari cache:

Go to Settings > General.
Tap Clear History and Website Data.

Clearing Safari cache should speed up the Safari app. Web pages may take longer time slightly to load initially, but this problem will be solved as soon as cache starts filling up.

Test your web connection

If Safari and other applications are still running slowly, then the problem is not with your iPhone but with your web connection. It does not matter how fast your iPhone is. If your connection to the internet is weak, then it is sure to slow things down considerably.

Use a speed test app such as Ookla to check your internet speed. A slow internet connection might be the reason why your apps that require an active internet connection are slowed down.

Reduce motion effects

If you have turned off everything and still need a bit more speed in your iPhone, then disable some motion effects is a good idea. To do so:

Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion.
Set Reduce Motion to On.

Reducing motion will undoubtedly provide a slight speed boost to your iPhone.

Turn off location services

Turning on location services is handy for apps like Maps and Facebook. However, Location Services sucks up battery power and reduces performance. It is hence desirable to turn on location services only when required.

To turn location services off:

Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
Set Location Services to Off.

Reboot

After removing unnecessary apps and disabling unnecessary settings, you should reboot your iPhone. Rebooting refreshes the memory of the iPhone and enables it to start from scratch. To reboot your iPhone:

Hold down the Sleep/Wake button at the top.
Slide the Slide to Power Off control slider to power down the iPhone.
Hold the Sleep/Wake button again to start the phone.

When in doubt, reboot your iPhone from time to time to refresh phone memory and speed it up.

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How to switch from iPhone to Android?

August 28, 2019

by Finola Brady Android Phone iPhone

So, you have decided to switch from the green land of iPhone to the promised land of Android. You can be sure that the switch is going to be as challenging as moving into a new country, alone.

Worry not. This guide is all set to make your transition easier. Follow the steps in this guide, and you can sync all your contacts, files, pictures, and videos to your new Android phone with ease. If you are very much invested in the iPhone fraternity, the switch is going to be difficult, but the final result is worth it. The question revolving around which is better; Android or iPhone, paves the way for another discussion at another time. Since you have already decided to switch to Android, let us make the process easier.

Using your new phones’ settings

Before discussing the ways to move over bits and parts of your iPhone data to your new Android phone, let us take a look at the features that your new phone provides.

Most Android devices have inbuilt apps that serve the purpose of easing out the process of shifting critical data from old phone to a new one. When you set up the new phone, you might be asked if you want to copy files from your old (Android or Apple) phone to a new one. This process makes the transition a lot easier.

If you buy a Samsung phone of the recent version, you will get a USB-OTG connector in the box which lets you plug in your iPhone to the new phone. With this, you can copy a lot of files and data to the new phone with ease.

If this process does not work, read on to know how you can transition from iPhone to Android in a breeze.

How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android?

Before selling your iPhone, you will surely want to transfer your contacts to the new phone. The complexity of moving contacts depends on how you have stored it.

Google Account

Are you syncing your contacts regularly with your Google account? If the answer is yes, you can log in with the same Gmail account on your new phone to easily sync your contacts.

iCloud

If you have used iCloud to store your contacts, then the process of transferring contacts from iPhone to a new Android device is pretty simple too. To transfer contacts using iCloud:

1. Turn on Contacts under Settings > Your name > iCloud on your iPhone.

2. Log in to iCloud website on your computer.

3. Click Contacts.

4. Click the gear button on the bottom left side of the screen.

5. Select Export vCard.

6. Log into Gmail and tap the Gmail icon on the top left side of the screen.

7. Click Contacts.

8. Click More.

9. Tap Import.

Third-party apps

You can also use third-party apps like My Contacts Backup app to transfer your contacts from iPhone to Android devices. Install the app, launch it, and carry out the steps that follow.

How to sync your calendar from iPhone to Android?

Syncing your calendar entries from iPhone to Android is also extremely easy if you have been doing so regularly.

Google Account

If you have been syncing your calendar with your Google account, you can transfer your calendar from iPhone to Android. Log in from the Google account in your new Android device, and your calendar is synced automatically.

iCloud

You can also use your iCloud account to transfer your calendar entries to the new Android device.

1. Go to Settings > Your name > iCloud on your iPhone.

2. Toggle on Calendars.

3. Log in to iCloud website on your computer.

4. Click Calendar.

5. Click the Share Calendar button beside the desired calendar.

6. Tick on the Public Calendar checkbox and copy the sharing URL.

7. Paste the copied URL on a new tab of a browser.

8. Change the term webcal in the URL to http and press the Enter key. The web browser downloads a file with random characters. This file is a copy of your iCloud Calendar entries.

9. Save the file to a convenient folder.

10. Log in to Google Calendar in your web browser.

11. Click the plus button on the right of Other Calendars in the Google Calendar interface. Select the Import option.

12. Select the downloaded, exported calendar file.

13. Click the Import button to upload the downloaded file.

The imported entries are now listed in the Google Calendar web interface. Once you log in via this Gmail account, the new entries are also synced to your Android device.

How to transfer your photos and videos from iPhone to Android?

You can deploy many ways to transfer your precious photos from your iPhone to Android. You should follow the best approach to prevent the loss of your precious photos in the process of transferring them from iPhone to Android.

Conventional way

The conventional way of transferring photos and videos from iPhone to Android is to copy all your photos from the iPhone to a computer and transfer them to your new Android phone. This caveman approach works for sure, but it is the most time-consuming way to move your photos.

Google Photos app

You can use the iOS Google Photos app to effortlessly transfer your photos and videos from your old iPhone to your new Android phone.

1. Download the iOS Google Photos app.

2. Turn on the backup feature.

3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network to ensure that your photos are uploaded to your Google account with ease.

4. Download the Photos app on your new Android phone when all your photos from iPhone are uploaded.

5. Set up the Photos app on Android with the same Google account.

All your photos and videos are synced to your Google account automatically. You can use Google Photos syncing as a way to always save and update your photos/videos.

How to transfer music files from iPhone to Android?

You would also want to transfer your saved playlists or music to your Android account. There are several ways to do that too.

Assuming that you are using iTunes, make sure that you download any music that you have purchased. Since iTunes music and audio files are protected by DRM, you might need to use the Apple Music App, or some other third-party applications to transfer music to Android.

Apple Music App

Apple has released the Apple Music app for Android devices. Just like the iOS version, the app allows you to create your personalised playlists and purchase iTunes music. Apple Music app also allows you to download tracks for offline listening.

To enjoy Apple Music on Android devices:

1. Download and launch the Apple Music app.

2. Choose a membership plan.

3. Click Start Trial.

4. Click Use Existing ID. Enter the Apple ID and the password to log in. If you do not have an Apple account, click Create New Apple ID.

Now, you can easily enjoy your Apple Music on your Android devices, create personalised playlists, and download offline tracks.

Convert to MP3 and transfer to Android

Several Android devices do not support the Apple Music app. Hence, an alternative option to using the app is to convert Apple Music to MP3. Use one of the below-mentioned applications to convert iPhone music to MP3:

1. TuneFab Apple Music Converter

2. Apple Mac Soft

3. Sidify Apple Music Converter

How to transfer text messages from iPhone to Android?

Transferring text messages is a lot trickier than transferring photos or videos. Some people like to save precious text conversions intact and transfer them to their new smartphones. It is possible using the iSMS2droid app. This method might not necessarily work for everyone as it requires you to back up your SMS to iTunes and to dig around to find the right file to convert.

Another option is to use Samsung Smart Switch or Kies software to restore iPhone backup. Other premium software options allow you to copy text messages, contacts, photos, and call logs too. Some applications might work for you, while some might not. Regardless of the option you use, turn iMessage off before making the switch. If you don’t do so, your SMS and MMS messages might still go to your old iPhone if the sender is an iPhone user. Apple sends an iMessage instead of SMS or MMS when it detects that both devices are iOS.

To turn off iMessage:

1. Go to Settings > Messages.

2. Toggle iMessage off.

3. Go to Settings > Facetime and toggle iMessage off.

Can you transfer apps from iPhone to Android?

iOS and Android are different to the core. Hence, the apps that run on them are extremely different too. You cannot transfer apps from iPhone to Android.

Popular apps for social network, games, editing tools, etc. exist both in Android and iPhone. You can check Google Play to ensure that the important apps that you use in the iPhone are available in your new Android phone too.

If the crucial app that you use daily is not available in the Android system, then there are a number of replacements that you can use for the app.

Wrapping up

Yes, the transition to Android from iPhone is surely going to be difficult. Switching to a new platform is tiring, but some tools will make your experience much smoother.

Firstly, you will have to re-download all your applications or leave behind some for good. Transferring everything else is easier as it depends on the cloud solution that you use. You can later download all the required files from the cloud as and when required.

You should also remember to turn off iMessage before leaving behind your iPhone. Avoiding this step might create issues with your SMS delivery.

There are some differences in the user experience of Android and iPhone. Learn the differences below:

Navigation

Navigation on Android differs from that of an iPhone. The Home button always takes you back to the home screen. The Back button takes you back one level, one page, or one screen. It can also be used to back out of apps.

Multitasking or recent apps can be found by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. This screen showcases the latest apps that you were using, and you can quickly jump back to an app as and when required.

Customisation

Customisation and widgets in Android differ from that of the iPhone system. Android offers the ability to customise your smartphone and use widgets on your screen.

To customise your phone’s look and feel, tap, and hold an empty section of the home screen. A pop-up menu now allows you to set the wallpaper. You can also add apps, shortcuts, folders, and widgets into your home screen.

Widgets are small windows of applications that can bring new information to you automatically. Not all applications have widgets, but you can hold the empty portion of the home screen to select widgets, and to select how the widgets will appear on your screen.

You can also change the entire aesthetics of your new Android phone by exploring the world of launchers. There are a number of free launchers available, with special effects and styles to choose from.

Final Sale: 2-year plan with 68% off

Recovery Software for iPhone

July 24, 2019

by Finola Brady iPhone

Your iPhone is home to loads of valuable, personal data like photos, videos, and contacts. Sadly, data loss can happen to anyone even when using a highly secure device like an iPhone.

There are several cases when your valuable data might be lost. Some of the major causes of data loss in iPhone are:

Water damage
iOS upgrades
Lost iPhone
Black screen of death
Accidental or intentional Factory reset
iPhone stuck in recovery mode
Stolen Apple ID

Choosing the best recovery software to get back your data can be an arduous task. However, for your ease, we have listed below, the best recovery software for iPhone.

iSkySoft iPhone Data Recovery

iSkySoft recovers data from iPhone, iTunes, and iCloud. You can retrieve your valuable photos, contacts, iMessages, app messages, Safari bookmarks, WhatsApp messages, Notes, Calendar, and voice memo using the software.

iSkySoft has a preview option which displays the recovered data with their names and file structures. The tool also repairs errors in the iOS devices in addition to recovery.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Can recover nine types of lost data for iOS devices.
Easy to use.
Can recover 17 types of lost data from iTunes and iCloud.
Compatible with the latest iOS releases.

Cons:

Cannot recover complete lost data from iPhone.
Scanning time is longer.

EaseUS MobiSaver

EaseUS MobiSaver is another recovery software for iPhone which offers complete iOS device recovery in its Pro version. It can recover photos, videos, songs, contacts, call history, browsing history, reminders, calendars, etc., but its free version is limited to offering five contacts and one photo/video recovery.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Pro version recovers all iPhone data.
Easy to use.
Preview option before recovery.
Allows data recovery in situations like upgrade, formatting, jailbreak, etc.

Cons:

The free version has limited capabilities.
Sometimes has connection issues.
Slow scanning.

iMobie PhoneRescue

The simple, and easy to use interface of iMobie PhoneRescue makes it another good recovery software for iPhone. It can recover 31 lost data types including photos, videos, Safari bookmarks, contacts, playlists, music, notes, Line and WhatsApp messages.

iMobie PhoneRescue also offers a repair feature for iPhones stuck on white Apple logo, Recovery Mode loop, or black screen.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Supports data recovery of encrypted iTunes backup files.
Stores messages and call history in HTML format.
Easy to use.

Cons:

Does not always recover iPhones videos, and does not work on all data loss situations.
Slow scanning.

Leawo iOS Data Recovery

When looking for limited data recovery for iPhone, iPod, and iPad, Leawo iOS Data Recovery is the perfect solution. This tool can recover six data types from iOS devices and 12 data types from iTunes. Its user interface is easy, and it also allows you to search for lost data by format or filename.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X, iPad, iPod.

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Easy to use interface.
Preview option before recovery.
Can recover lost data from iPhone, iTunes and iCloud backup files.

Cons:

Slow scanning.
Limited data type recovery from iOS devices.

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone

The highly intuitive interface of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone makes it one of the best-known recovery software for iOS. Suitable for a novice, the tree view structure of the software allows you to preview and save recovered data with ease. It completely recovers data, even then attachments of char messages. It has a higher iOS data recovery rate and relatively better features than its counterparts.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X, iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, iPad.

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x, 12.x

Pros:

Powerful and easy to use.
Very user-friendly interface.
Fast scanning and quick recovery of lost data.
Supoorts iPhone and iPad.
Recovers encrypted iTunes backup files and allowed selective recovery from iTunes and iCloud.
Scans device comprehensively and can save recovered data to a computer or iPhone.
Works with data loss situations like a broken screen, broken iPhone, water damage, accidental data loss, unintentional formatting of data, and jailbreak.

Cons:

The trial version does not allow saving recovered files.

Dr. Fone iPhone Data Recovery

Dr. Fone iPhone Data Recovery is another iPhone recovery tool that recovers iPhone data from iTunes and iCloud backup with ease. It’s simple interface and its compatibility with the latest iOS versions makes it a preferred recovery software for iPhone.

Device compatibility: iPhone 8, 8 Plus, iPhone X

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Easy to use interface
Preview option before recovery.
Recovers messages, contacts, call history, WhatsApp messages, photos, videos, notes, Safari bookmarks.
Recovers lost data from iPhone, iCloud and iTunes backup files.

Cons:

Expensive than the other vendors.
The free version does not allow saving data.
Cannot recover SnapChat messages.

Primo iPhone Data Recovery

The Primo iPhone Data Recovery software’s easy to navigate interface and extensive recovery support makes it a software that is worth paying for. It recovers media files, call history, personal data, notes, contacts, videos, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Safari history. Its additional feature lets you fix other issues such as iDevice stuck on black screen, white screen and Apple logo mode, along with issues such as upgrade error.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X, iPhone XS, XS Max, XR.

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Easy to use interface.
Allows selective recovery.
Recovers 25 types of iOS content from iPhone, iPad, as well as iPod.
Retrieves data from iDevice, iCloud and iTunes backup.

Cons:

Trial version does not allow to save recovered files.
Does not recover Viber, SnapChat or WeChat messages.

Leawo iOS Data Recovery

Leawo iOS Data Recovery is suitable for limited data recovery from iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It can recover six data types from iOS devices and 12 data types from iTunes.

You can use the Leawo iOS Data recovery application to search for data by file name or format. It is suitable, even for a novice user.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X.

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Easy to use interface.
Recovers lost data from iPhone, iTunes, and iCloud backup.
Preview option before recovery.

Cons:

Limited data recovery types.
Slow scanning time.

Tenorshare iPhone Data Recovery

Tenoshare iPhone Data recovery software supports the recovery of lost data in the iPhone, iTunes, and iCloud. Its competency to recover a huge number of data types makes it a reliable choice. It can recover app data, contacts, attachments, photos, notes, and videos.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X.

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Recovers wide range of lost data types.
Recovers lost data from iPhone, iTunes, and iCloud.
Preview option before recovery.
Allows recovery of selective data.

Cons:

Slow scanning.
Cannot recover complete lost data from iPhone.

Aiseesoft Fonelab iPhone Data Recovery

Aiseesoft iPhone data recovery tool can easily recover lost data, not just from the iPhone, but also from iPad and iPod Touch. It can also retrieve lost data from iTunes and iCloud backup files.

Aiseesoft can recover 19 types of data, including photos, WhatsApp, contacts, call history, iMessage, photos, notes, etc. However, it cannot fully restore photos and videos from iPhone.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X.

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Easy to use interface.
Recovers lost data from iTunes and iCloud.
Recovers HEIC photos from iCloud.

Cons:

The trial version does not recover any lost data.
The application cannot always fully recover data.

Enigma iPhone Recovery Software

The clear and easy to use interface of Enigma iPhone recovery software places it on the list of the best recovery software for iPhone. Enigma offers decent data recovery capabilities from iOS devices, iTunes, and iCloud. It can restore lost messages, photos, videos, KiK, contacts, calls, notes, WhatsApp, and calendar.

The only downside to this Enigma is that it offers video and photo recovery only from iTunes or iCloud backup.

Device compatibility: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6 Plus, 6, 6s Plus, 6s, 7, 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 8, iPhone X.

iOS supported: iOS 6.x, 7.x, 8.x, 9.x, 10.x, 11.x

Pros:

Easy to use interface.

Cons:

Limited data type support.
Slow scanning.
Importing recovered data to the device requires iOS app support.