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Everything You Need to Break Up With Your Phone, From Free Tricks to Phone Safes
by Elissa Sanci
Your phone knows how to pull you in. Here’s how to reclaim your attention span.
Ask Wirecutter: Can You Help Me Stop Mindlessly Scrolling on My Phone?
by Annemarie Conte
We have some solutions to help make the time you spend on your phone more intentional.
The Best Wireless Portable Chargers and Power Banks
by Sarah Witman
ESR’s HaloLock Kickstand MagSafe Battery Pack can wirelessly charge most phones up to three times, and its built-in kickstand is among the sturdiest we’ve seen.
The Best MagSafe Accessories for Your iPhone
by Sarah Witman and Nick Guy
We’ve assembled a lineup of our favorite MagSafe accessories, including iPhone cases, magnetic chargers, charging stations, power banks, and desk mounts.
The Best iPhone Cases
by Haley Perry and Roderick Scott
After you spend hundreds of dollars on an iPhone, you’ll want to protect your pricey purchase with a protective case.
The Apple Watch Is the Best Smartwatch for iPhone Owners
by Caitlin McGarry
The Apple Watch Series 9 is the best smartwatch for most people, but Apple also has cheaper and more expensive options.
The Best iPhone Screen Protectors
by Roderick Scott and Nick Guy
A screen protector can be a critical shield against breaking that expensive iPhone, and we’ve researched dozens to find the best, easiest-to-install options.
Which iPhone Should I Get?
by Roderick Scott
USB-C, and better screens and cameras, make the iPhone 15 easy to recommend, but iPhone 14 owners don’t need to upgrade.
iOS 17 Is Out Now. Here Are the Best New Features.
by Max Eddy
Apple’s latest version of iOS is available to download. These are the features you should try first.
How to Switch From iPhone to Android
by Roderick Scott
Switching from iPhone to Android is a big change, but it doesn’t have to be a hard one.
Apple’s iPhone 15 Event Recap: New Phones, New Watches, and USB-C
by Caitlin McGarry, Roderick Scott, and Arthur Gies
Apple’s annual fall event brought iPhone 15 models, USB-C, new watches, and more.
iPhones No Longer Come With a Charger or Headphones. Here’s What to Get If You Need Them.
by Lauren Dragan and Nick Guy
Apple’s newest phones won’t ship with a charger or headphones. If you don’t already have something that’ll work, here’s what we recommend.
Apple’s iPhone 15 Is Switching to USB-C. That’s a Good Thing.
by Dave Gershgorn
The big news from Apple’s iPhone 15 unveiling is the switch to USB-C, which means fewer cables all around.
The Phone Setting That Every Parent Should Try
by Lauren Sullivan
I stumbled on a feature in my iPhone’s settings late at night, and I was delighted the next morning by what awaited me.
The Best Micro-USB Cable
by Sarah Witman
Micro-USB cables are cheap and ubiquitous, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for a bad one. We tested six top brands to find the best at a great price.
Google Pixel Fold: An Excellent Foldable Phone With One Big Problem
by Roderick Scott
Google’s first foldable phone is better than Samsung’s. But foldables are still way too expensive for most people.
iPhone vs. Android: Which Is Better for You?
by Andrew Cunningham
How to Clean Your Phone
by Nick Guy
Regardless of whether your phone is actually covered with more germs than a toilet is, you should still clean it regularly.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Has a Great Camera. You Don't Need It.
by Ryan Whitwam
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra offers impressive photography features, but the Google Pixel 7 is still the best Android phone for most people.
RIP, Passwords. Here’s What’s Coming Next.
by Thorin Klosowski
Usernames and passwords may soon be going away. Passkeys will replace them.
Why You Should Enable Apple’s New Security Feature in iOS 16.2 Right Now
by Thorin Klosowski
Apple just rolled out end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups. Here’s how to set it up.
11 Practical Privacy Tips for Your Android Phone
by Thorin Klosowski
With a few easy changes to the privacy and security settings, you can control how much information Android and Google—and the apps you use—collect about you.
Simple Online Security: Search for Information Online as Privately as Possible
by Thorin Klosowski
That incognito window isn’t actually keeping your searches secret, but there are other ways to keep things more private.
How to Lock Down Sensitive Photos on iPhone and Android
by Thorin Klosowski
There are some pictures on your smartphone you may want to keep private. Here’s how to do it.
The Best iPhone Case for iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max
by Nick Guy and Roderick Scott
We don’t think you should carry any Apple iPhone 14 around without a protective case. We have suggestions for just about everybody’s preference.
How Mobile Phones Became a Privacy Battleground—and How to Protect Yourself
by Thorin Klosowski
Smartphone privacy has changed over time, and owners have more controls than ever. Here’s where the controls came from, and how to keep your phone private.
16 Practical Privacy Tips for Your iPhone
by Thorin Klosowski
With a few easy changes to the privacy and security settings, you can control how much information your iPhone—and your apps—collects and uses.
All the New Privacy and Security Features in Apple iOS 16
by Thorin Klosowski
Apple’s new iOS mobile operating system adds a handful of new security and privacy features.
We’re Impressed With Everything From Apple’s Fall 2022 iPhone Event—With One Exception
by Arthur Gies, Dave Gershgorn, and Lauren Dragan
We’re excited for the new iPhones and Apple Watches, which come packed with features at surprisingly good prices. Not so much the new AirPods.
What Is 5G, and Does It Actually Make a Difference?
by Rob Pegoraro
5G may seem like a confusing mess of buzzwords, but it’s not all marketing hype. We explain the situations where it can provide tangible benefits.
Your Phone’s Location Access Reveals a Lot. Here’s How to Turn It Off.
by Thorin Klosowski
Lots of phone apps request access to your location, but that tends to be some of the most personal information you have. Here’s why that matters.
The Jubilant Weirdness of My Custom iPhone Case
by Dorie Chevlen
Every time I pick up my phone, I see Jack Nicholson’s maniacal snarl—and it sparks joy.
Ask Wirecutter: My Friend’s Phone Keeps Dying. Can You Help?
by Annemarie Conte
How to improve cell phone battery longevity.
The Amazing Practical Utility of the iPhone’s Live Text Feature
by Mark Smirniotis
Apple regularly adds lots of features to the iPhone, but few are as immediately, practically useful as Live Text.
Simple Online Security for Online Dating and Sexting
by Thorin Klosowski
We recommend a few tips to avoid revealing more information than you intend when you’re using dating apps or sexting.
Simple Online Security for Selling or Donating Devices
by Thorin Klosowski
Before you get rid of phones, laptops, or other gadgets, make sure you’re not handing your data to strangers.
Simple Online Security for Borders and Protests
by Thorin Klosowski
If you’re concerned about your privacy being invaded by governments at border crossings or protests, you have a few options to protect your information.
Simple Online Security: If You Think You’ve Been Hacked
by Thorin Klosowski
If you think your accounts or devices have been hacked, there are a lot of resources to help you recover and lock things down.
Simple Online Security: Secure Your Sensitive Data
by Thorin Klosowski
Health and financial data is particularly sensitive, and a few tips will help you keep it more secure online.
Simple Online Security for Social Media Accounts
by Thorin Klosowski
Don’t ignore the privacy and security settings on social media accounts and cloud platforms.
Simple Online Security: Sending Messages and Files Safely
by Thorin Klosowski
Picking the right app and adjusting a few settings can make messaging and sharing files much more secure.
Step 5 to Simple Online Security: Track or Wipe a Lost Device
by Thorin Klosowski
Losing a phone or laptop stinks, and it can be a security risk if it holds important data. Here’s how to enable “find my device” on a variety of device types.
The Things That Matter From Apple’s Spring 2022 Event
by Signe Brewster and Dave Gershgorn
In March 2022, Apple announced a new iPhone SE (3rd gen) and iPad Air (5th gen), plus a new desktop, the Mac Studio, and a matching monitor, the Studio Display.
How to Use a Microfiber Cloth to Clean (Almost) Every Device in Your Life
by Kimber Streams
The humble microfiber cloth is one of the most essential and underrated cleaning supplies in anyone’s toolkit.
Paying More for Nano-Textured Glass (Probably) Isn’t Worth It
by Ellen Airhart
The technology behind nano-textured glass is impressive, but the steep price of displays means it’s not worth the investment for most people.
The Best iPhone Case for iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
by Nick Guy
Apple’s iPhone 13 models are here, and with them a deluge of new case options to keep them safe. These are our favorite cases for almost any scenario.
The Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro Phones Look Good. Most People Still Don’t Need Them.
by Mark Smirniotis
Google announced the new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones, and we’ll be considering them as new picks in our guide to the best Android phones.
Considering the New Apple Watch Series 7? Here’s What You Should Know.
by Christina Williams
The Apple Watch Series 7 has finally launched, and it has some standout features. Here’s what you need to know about the newest model.
How This Phone Mount Finally Allowed Me to Use a Smartphone From My Wheelchair
by Claire Perlman
A smartphone, and all the access it grants, was out of reach for this writer—until she found a simple phone mount for her wheelchair.
The Things That Matter From Apple’s Fall 2021 Event
by Mark Smirniotis
Apple announced the iPhone 13 lineup, the new iPad and iPad mini, and the Apple Watch Series 7. We’re not blown away.
The Best iPhone Cases for the iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
by Nick Guy
We’ve tested dozens of iPhone 12 cases—and iPhone 12 mini, Pro, and Pro Max options too—to find great options for a range of styles and needs.