Mobile gaming has come a very, very long way. What once started as pixelated time-killers on tiny screens has turned into a global industry rivalling console and PC gaming! Chances are, whether you’re a gamer or not, you’ve played at least one of these games… or watched someone next to you on the bus play them a little too intensely.

To celebrate us turning 20, we’re taking a look at just how far mobile games have come. The past 20 years have been filled with titles that defined eras, drained batteries, and somehow made “just five more minutes” a universal lie. So strap in, buckle up, and let’s take a drive through memory lane, highlighting 5 of the best mobile games of the last 20 years!

Subway Surfers (4 Billion+ Downloads)

Long before the game was used to satisfy Gen Z’s diminished attention span on TikTok brain-rot videos, it was once the most downloaded mobile game of the decade. Released in 2012, this endless runner became a global phenomenon thanks to its bright visuals, simple controls, and extremely addictive gameplay.

The premise is straightforward: run, dodge, jump, and slide your way through train tracks while escaping a grumpy inspector. But what really made Subway Surfers stand out was its accessibility. Anyone could pick it up, play for 30 seconds or 30 minutes, and feel like they were improving!

What’s helped Subway Surfers stay relevant for so long is how often the developers refresh the game. Regular updates, themed locations, seasonal events, and new characters keep the game feeling familiar but never stale! It’s the kind of game that lives on phones for years. It quietly waits to steal your attention whenever you have a spare moment.

Pokémon GO (1 Billion+ Downloads)

When Pokémon GO launched in 2016, the world briefly agreed on one thing: we were all going outside! Parks, beaches, and footpaths suddenly filled with people staring at their phones, hunting virtual creatures.

By blending augmented reality with real-world exploration, Pokémon GO changed what people expected from mobile games. It encouraged players to get outside and interact with the real world in ways mobile games hadn’t done before. You didn’t just play it on the couch; it pushed you to walk, explore, and even travel.

The social side of the game also played a huge role in its success. Community days, raids, and in-person events turned what could have been a solo experience into something shared. Even years later, it’s still one of the best examples of how mobile games can bring people together. Pokémon GO’s unique ability to bring the masses together during its prime easily makes it one of the best mobile games of the last 20 years!

Clash of Clans (790 Million+ Downloads)

If you were in school during the peak of this game’s popularity, you’d know few games have dominated lunch breaks and spare moments quite like Clash of Clans. This strategy game launched in 2012, introducing millions of players to base building, resource management and the joy (and frustration) of waiting for upgrades to finish.

At its core, Clash of Clans is about patience and planning. Build your village, train your troops, and defend against attacks from other players around the world. Join a clan, and suddenly the game becomes as social as it is strategic.

Its long-term success comes from how invested players become in their progress. Villages take months or even years to perfect, which creates a strong sense of ownership. Add regular updates, balance changes, and competitive events, and you’ve got a game that keeps players coming back long after the initial download!

Plants vs. Zombies (500 Million+ Downloads)

Plants vs. Zombies is one of those games that looks innocent… until you realise how much time you’ve sunk into it. Released in 2009, this tower defence classic combined humour, strategy, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting! The concept is delightfully odd; players place an army of plants on a front lawn to defend a house from waves of zombies. Each plant has a specific ability, and success depends far more on planning than fast reflexes.

What really sets Plant vs. Zombies apart is how approachable it made strategy games feel. It slowly introduced new mechanics without overwhelming players, making it perfect for casual gamers while still offering depth for those who wanted a challenge. It’s clever, funny, and surprisingly tactical. Which is why it’s still fondly remembered and played today, making it one of the best mobile games of the last 20 years!

Angry Birds 2 (450 Million+ Downloads)

The original Angry Birds was everywhere when it launched in 2009, and Angry Birds 2 built on that success with new mechanics, better visuals, and more strategic gameplay.

The idea behind the game is to sling birds at mischievous pigs in poorly constructed towers. Each bird has different abilities. The player has to find successful strategies for each level to pop the pigs hiding within and around the towers. Angry Birds 2 added depth without losing the pick-up-and-play charm that made the original so popular. The creators of the game have since made different versions, such as Angry Birds: Star Wars and Angry Birds: Transformers. But Angry Birds 2 remains their most popular title, with the game still receiving updates 10 years after its original release.

Despite being very different, these are often called some of the best mobile games of the last 20 years. They share simple controls, strong visual style, and the ability to hook players almost immediately. Easy to pick up but hard to put down, they fit perfectly into spare moments throughout the day.

Over the last 20 years, games like these have helped shape how we use our phones. Pushing demand for better screens, faster processors, and smoother performance. The downside is that all of that power comes at a cost, especially when it comes to battery life and device longevity.

If your phone is running hot, draining faster than it used to, or struggling to keep up, mobile gaming could be part of the reason. Modern games are far more demanding than they once were, and older devices can really feel the strain. That’s where we can help! Whether it’s optimising performance, sorting battery issues, or helping you decide when an upgrade actually makes sense, we’ve got your back. Can’t be having your phone crashing right before a high score!

Unfortunately, none of us are immune to losing our phones or having them stolen. What we’re trying to say is… it happens! That’s why we want to help you stay better prepared in case it happens to you. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry. We’ll help you answer the question “What to do if I lost my phone?” by giving you a step-by-step guide on what to do if your phone goes missing!

Call it!

If you’re Googling what to do if I lost my phone, take a breath and start simple! Before anything, and that includes before thinking the worst and panicking, give your smartphone a call! You can do this using a friend or family member’s device. But you will have to know your contact number!

As long as your device isn’t on silent mode, do not disturb, or airplane mode, you should be able to hear if it’s within earshot or not! Just give it a few calls while retracing your steps. Because, it very well could have slipped down the side of the couch. Or, been left on your car seat when you ran your errands in town.

Sometimes, you might even get an answer from a stranger who has picked up your phone, or had it handed in to them. In that case, you can organise a pickup safely.

Pro tip: Enable flashlight alerts so that if you do misplace your phone and it’s on silent, you might still be able to find it by seeing the flashing notification. This works especially well at night, of course.

Track it!

If you’ve retraced your steps, called your phone a few times, and still had no luck… It’s best to track your phone to confirm its whereabouts!

You can track the location of your device with either ‘Find My’ for Apple users or ‘Find Hub’ for Android users. But first, you’ll need to make sure they’re enabled on your smartphone. It’s worth noting, you won’t be able to enable tracking after your phone goes missing. So, it’s important to get it sorted now, just in case!

To enable ‘Find My’ on your iPhone, open Settings > tap [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone > Slide the toggle on.

To enable ‘Find Hub’ on Android, make sure you are signed into Google on your device before you do anything. Next, go to Settings > Google > All services > Find My Device > Slide the toggle across to turn it on.

Now you’ve got these awesome tracking tools enabled on your smartphone, you’re ready to find my lost phone!

Wondering how to find a lost phone’s location when you don’t actually have your phone on you? If you’ve set up tracking tools in advance, you can use another device. Whether that device is yours or someone else’s, to help locate it.

If you’re using another one of your own devices that’s signed in with the same account as your lost phone, just open the ‘Find My’ app on Apple or the ‘Find Hub’ app on Android, if you have them pre-downloaded. There is also the option to use the website version for both Apple and Android. This is your easiest option!

If you’re using someone else’s device to find a lost phone, that’s okay too! On an Android, you’ll need to sign in as a guest using your Google account. On an Apple device, it either needs to be logged into your Apple ID, or the person you’re borrowing it from has to have already shared their location with you.

Here’s how to find a lost phone’s location for iPhone users! Open the ‘Find My’ app > Devices > tap your lost device > find the location and get directions.

To find your Android location using the app, open the ‘Find Hub’ app > under ‘My devices’ locate your missing device.

Lock it!

There are plenty of preventative measures your smartphone offers beyond just tracking options. That is if you’re still up in the air about what to do if I lost my phone.

Using your smartphone’s find my lost phone features on both an Android and Apple device, you can also remotely lock your device as a security measure. This means no one will be able to access anything on your device. Here’s how!

To lock your iPhone, open the ‘Find My’ app > Devices > tap your lost device > tap Lost Mode under Lost iPhone? > Continue > Enter contact number (obviously not your own) > Enter message > Activate!

On the other hand, to lock your Android, open the ‘Find Hub’ app > under ‘My devices’, tap on your lost device > tap the gear icon which reads Find Hub > Remote Lock > toggle on Remote Lock.

Change your passwords!

To air on the side of caution, it’s a good idea to change passwords for important accounts! In particular, it’s a good idea to start with your email. This is so thieves can’t gain access to your other accounts by doing a quick and easy password reset. So, whether you need to change your Gmail password, your Outlook password or any other email account for that matter, make sure you do it first before anything else!

Don’t know how to change your password? The easiest way is usually by clicking the ‘Forgot Password’ or ‘Reset Password’ link. This is more often than not found right on the login page of the service you’re trying to access! After clicking either of these links, follow the on-screen instructions!

Block your SIM!

If someone has got their hands on your smartphone, the last thing you want them to do is make calls or send texts to your contacts pretending to be you. Even with your phone locked, someone could remove the SIM card and still access your number as well as any information potentially stored on it.

How to block SIM card? Just contact your mobile network provider. For example, this could be Skinny, Spark, One NZ etc.. You’ll want to report to them that your phone is stolen and you’d like to temporarily block your SIM. If you later find your phone, you can then contact your provider again to have them unblock your SIM.

How to block a SIM card permanently? The process is similar to temporarily blocking it, but keep in mind, once it’s permanently blocked, it can’t be reversed. Even if you find your phone later, you’ll need to request a new SIM.

Contact your bank!

These days, our smartphones hold a lot of sensitive information. This includes your bank cards, whether saved in browsers or loaded into Apple Pay and Google Pay. The last thing you want is that kind of access falling into the wrong hands!

If you know you’ve got cards stored on your lost phone, then what to do if I lost my phone should definitely include locking or blocking your bank cards to keep your money safe.

You can easily lock or block a banking card through your banking app, which you can log into from another device. For example, in the Kiwibank app you can go to Cards > select the card you want to lock > then toggle on Block this card.

If blocking or locking your card via the app on another device seems a little too confusing, simply call your bank provider and have them do it for you!

If you’re someone who has their bank cards loaded onto their Apple Pay or Google Pay, you can also disable these too. Again, you can do this using another device.

To disable Apple Pay on a Mac go to System Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > select the card you want to remove > click Remove or the minus symbol (-). To disable Google Pay on a Windows PC go to myaccount.google.com and sign in if needed > Privacy & personalisation > Download or delete your data > Delete a service > Google Pay > Delete > Follow the on-screen instructions.

Report it!

If you’ve tried calling and tracking your phone with no luck, it’s about time to report your phone lost or stolen to the police. Remember, for non-emergencies such as this, call the 105 number, rather than 111.

When you report a phone lost or stolen, you’ll ideally want to provide your phone’s IMEI number. This can help the police track or identify your phone.

Since you can only find your IMEI using your physical device, it’s a good idea to note it down now as a preventative! Unless of course this isn’t an option for you. If your device is already lost or stolen, you could find your IMEI on the original packaging of your device. You’ll just have to cross your fingers you still have it!

Find your imei

To find your IMEI on iPhone, go to Settings > General > About.

To find your IMEI on Android, go to Settings > scroll down to About phone.

You can also find your IMEI by simply dialling *#06# on your phone. After typing this out a pop up with your IMEI will appear on your screen.

And there you have it! 7 steps to take if you’ve lost your phone. If you’re reading this as a precaution, now’s the perfect time to switch on your phone’s tracking features and jot down it’s IMEI number. Just in case it ever goes missing.

But if your phone’s already lost, we hope these steps help you track it down. Or, at the very least, keep your personal data safe.

Need help getting your smartphone prepared in case of future loss or damage? Book a Geek! We can help you back up your data, set up long and strong passwords and more! Just give us a call at 0800 4 A GEEK!

You probably hear all sorts of things about technology, some true, some… not so much. While some assumptions might really be interesting facts about technology, others are simply just rumours. As a professional IT company, we’re here to set the record straight and debunk some of the most common technology myths.Think you’ve got your technology knowledge straight? Put yourself to the test with these New Zealand technology facts (or technology myths). Check out if you’re as tech savvy as one of our very own computer experts!

Can Macs get viruses?

You might have been told that Macs don’t get viruses. So, as an Apple user you don’t need to worry so much about online safety. We’ve got to stress this… that is false!

Although Macs are definitely less vulnerable than other computers, they are still susceptible to cyber threats.

No operating system is perfect, and that includes macOS. If you download software from untrusted sources, click on suspicious links or engage in other dodgy online behaviour, there is a high risk that your Mac will be exposed to a computer virus. As Macs continue to grow as a popular computer choice, they will become a bigger target for cybercriminals. This means that unique malware will be developed specifically to attack macOS systems. We have no doubt there is plenty of this malware out there having already been developed.

Does closing background apps speed up your phone?

It is indeed a tech myth that closing background apps will speed up your phone.

When your apps are open in the background of your device, they are in a suspended state. This is where they are readily available. And your phone will do a background app refresh of content and updates behind the scenes.

When you close your background apps, your smartphone is forced to re-initialise the apps when you open them again. This uses more time and system resources than simply restoring them from a suspended state. Ultimately slowing down your smartphone. Although closing your background apps slows down your smartphone, leaving them open also uses battery power and data. So if you’re wondering “Should I turn off background app refresh?” this depends on what improvements you’d rather see. It comes down to whether you want better performance, or prefer to save on battery and data.

Should I shut down my PC once a week?

Of all the technology myths, this is a bit of a tricky one. For PC’s, a restart, rather than just shutting down your device helps your PC run better. It does this by clearing memory, refreshing the system kernel, resetting the cache and finishing pending updates.

Shutting down on the other hand, stores current system data so it can reload quickly. This can also reload existing issues.

With all of this considered, Macs are the exception to this restarting vs. shutting down rule. In fact, the roles are reversed. So, it’s best practice to shut down your Mac regularly, rather than restart it. Don’t know how to restart computer on your Windows PC? Simply click the Start button (Windows key), click the Power button, then select Restart. Alternatively you can press and hold down on the Ctrl key + Alt key + Delete key, then choose Restart.

Does private browsing keep you totally anonymous?

No, unfortunately private browsing or incognito mode isn’t as private as you think!  

What is incognito mode? It’s a function that prevents your browser from storing your activity locally. However, it doesn’t hide your activity from websites, your internet provider or even your employer. Figure you might as well not use it anymore then? Wondering how to turn off incognito mode or how to turn off private browsing? Simply exit the private browsing or incognito mode window or tab. This is done by clicking the “X” next to your tab or closing the browser window. If you have multiple private browsing tabs up, you’ll then to exit them all to exit the incognito mode session.

Should I be charging my device to 100%?

Short answer, no. This is one of many common technology myths! If you’re sat wondering “Why is my phone not charging as efficiently as it was before?”, this is probably because you’ve been stressing your battery with bad charging habits.

Keeping a device constantly at high voltage, for example keeping it fully charged at 100%, speeds up chemical aging and generates more heat. Both of which can shorten the lifespan of your device’s lithium ion battery.

You should also keep in mind that batteries have a limited number of charge cycles before their capacity starts to decline. So, if you charge your device to 100% and use it till it needs recharging, you’ll be using up a full charge cycle. To maintain optimal battery health, you should keep your device’s charge between 20% and 80%. Whether it’s plugged in or running on battery.

Will my device still get infected if I don’t click on anything?

For the last of our technology myths, we have the common misconception that your device can’t get infected if you don’t click on any malicious links. This is false!

Having viruses and malware downloaded onto your device is potentially what happens if you click a scam link. Amongst many other negative possibilities! However, although malicious links are a common tactic scammers use to load your device with viruses, there are other ways your device can become infected!

Your device can also get viruses if you download software from untrustworthy sources, if you visit you visit a fake website or even if a new update has a zero-day vulnerability which hasn’t been patched yet.

This is why you should always exercise caution and have a reliable anti-virus installed on your device. At Geeks, we recommend Malwarebytes!

There you have it! 6 common technology myths that we’ve debunked, just for our Geek fans! Now if you hear someone sharing “interesting facts about technology” and they bring up one of the above misconceptions, you can confidently set the record straight! Geeks on Wheels is expert in all things technology, so if you’re stuck with any tech problems you can’t solve on your own, we’re more than happy to lend a helping hand. Just Book a Geek today!

Emergency contacts

When setting up your smartphone emergency features, consider who you know. Whether it’s family members, close friends or even a neighbour, choose someone that would be likely to pick up a phone call. Ideally, you’d want your emergency contacts to know your health history and live nearby. We’d also recommend having more than one emergency contact, so if your first option doesn’t pick up, emergency services can call your back-up!

For Samsung users, to add emergency contacts go to Settings then tap Safety and Emergency. Afterwards, tap Emergency contacts then add any of your contacts. Someone who you would trust to help you in an emergency, or you would like to be contacted by emergency services.

For Apple users, to add emergency contacts open your Health app then tap Set Up Your Medical ID. Now just tap add emergency contact and fill in as many as you want.

Medical ID

Your smartphone emergency features also allow you to have your medical information readily available. This helps first responders in providing you with appropriate care! For instance, it’s helpful for them to have access to details like your current medical conditions, medications you’re taking, and any allergies you may have, especially in the case of an emergency when quick and informed decisions are needed!

For Samsung users, to enter your medical info, go to Settings then tap Safety and Emergency. Afterwards, tap Medical info and start filling out your important medical information and tap Save!

For Apple users, to enter your medical info, open the Health app then tap Set Up Your Medical ID. Now simply add your important medical information and tap Done.

Locating someone else’s medical ID

Smartphone emergency features aren’t just important for your own safety—they’re also very useful when you need to help someone else during an emergency. So, it’s a smart idea that you know how to locate another person’s medical information on their smartphone. You’ll just have to hope they’ve taken the time to fill in their emergency details!

To access someone’s medical information on a Samsung, swipe up on the lock screen to access the passcode screen. Once there, tap Emergency call then tap Medical info. Here you should find the emergency contacts and medical information of the phone owner.

To access someone’s medical information on an iPhone, start at the passcode screen and tap Emergency. This should take you to the dial screen. Just tap Medical ID and you’ll find the phone owner’s emergency contacts and medical information.

Now that you’ve got the know-how, make sure to take the time to fill in your emergency information on your smartphone–it really can save a life! And if you’re having any trouble navigating your smartphone’s emergency features, give us a call at Geeks on Wheels. Not only can we help you with confusing and complex tech issues, but we can also offer smartphone training, so you feel more confident with your device going forward.  

Galaxy AI uses Google’s Gemini AI model for some features, including Circle to Search. If you’re a fan of AI we’ve got a list of what cool tools you can expect to see.

Circle to Search

Circle to search allows you to search for an item on your phone using simple gestures without the need for switching apps. For example, say you’re scrolling through your favourite social media app. You see an image of an outfit you love and you just have to know what shoes the person in the photo is wearing! Instead of wasting time investigating on Google, simply circle the item and get more information right there. When you’re finished, just swipe away and return to your scrolling!

Live Translate

Travelling the world, conducting international business or speaking to the in-laws? Whatever the reason, an instant translation of a live phone call has been an unobtainable dream for many years. With the Samsung Galaxy AI feature, Live Translate, that is now a possibility!

Whether through messaging or over the phone, speak in your own language and Live Translate will translate your speech in real time into the other speaker’s language. Afterwards, this handy tool will translate their reply back into your language, making communication easier than ever before!

Chat Assist

Ever struggle to find the right words when typing out an important message? Chat Assist can help you formulate a message fit for any occasion. From a professional business text to a heartfelt message to a friend, Chat Assist helps with crafting the perfect message! It offers suggestions to improve grammar, syntax, vocabulary and overall structure.

Photo Assist

Taken a snap on your phone but want to quickly touch it up? With Photo Assist’s AI-powered editing capabilities, you can easily retouch your photos without bringing them into a separate editing app. Photo Assist lets you move or remove subjects in your photo with just a few taps. Subsequently, the tool will then fill in spaces with the assistance of AI-powered intelligent filling. Now you can create the photo you want ed without being an editing genius.

Sharing Wi-Fi on iPhones

If you and your friend have an iPhone, sharing your Wi-Fi login details with them is relatively straightforward. It does however require a couple of steps to make sure you’re prepared. Make sure both devices are updated to the most recent version of iOS available and ensure that the device sharing the Wi-Fi network is logged in.

Both devices need to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on and be logged into iCloud with your Apple ID. Lastly, make sure that you have the other person saved in your contacts with their iCloud email address saved too. More than likely you’ve already got most of these requirements ticked off.

1. Unlock your device and connect it to the Wi-Fi network with Bluetooth enabled.
   
2. Select the Wi-Fi network your guest wants to connect to
   • On your visitor’s device, simply select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to. Do this by accessing the control panel > holding down on the Wi-Fi icon and selecting the correct Wi-Fi network.
     
3. When prompted on your device click “share password”

Now your visitor should automatically be connected to the Wi-Fi network, without the need to ever enter a password. Sometimes this feature can be a little testing and the prompt doesn’t always pop up. If that happens, try locking both devices, disabling your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for a short period before reenabling and then trying again.

Sharing Wi-Fi on Android phones

Android devices have fewer prerequisites for sharing Wi-Fi compared to their Apple counterparts. Plus, your friends or visitors don’t need to be using an Android device for this method to work. Android devices have a built-in feature that creates a QR code to share your Wi-Fi login details.

1. Log into your Wi-Fi network
   
2. Create your QR Code
   • Simply pull down from the top of the screen to access your quick settings panel > hold down on the Wi-Fi symbol > Click the gear icon > click on QR code. These options may vary slightly between Android devices, but the steps will remain relatively similar.
     
3. Share the QR Code

Once a custom QR Code has been generated simply send it to your visitors. Alternatively, hold up your phone for them to scan. To do this they’ll need to open the camera app on their device and then click on the link which appears after scanning the QR Code.

Now everyone is connected to the Wi-Fi network without the hassle of typing in passwords or even looking for the correct network name.

Sharing between devices

Android’s QR code method for sharing Wi-Fi Passwords works well for everyone as the QR Code can be scanned on both Android and Apple devices, giving instant access to the Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, Apple’s method isn’t as inclusive. Only Apple devices logged into iCloud can share the Wi-Fi login details with other Apple devices.

A workaround for this would be downloading a third-party app. However, this could be a bit of a hassle. Alternatively, if you don’t want to get up to read your password off the router or wherever you may have written it down, you can access the password on your iPhone. This is handy if it’s not a custom password you can easily remember!

1. Open Settings
   
   
2. Select Wi-Fi
   
   
3. Select your network
   
   
4. Tap on the info button  
   
   
5. Use your security measures to unlock the password

Bear in mind this method only works for Apple devices with iOS 16 or later. Once you’ve unlocked the password you can easily share it with your guests, allowing them to log in and consequently saving you from rummaging about to find it written on a router. We always advise that you use a different password for all your logins. This means that even by giving guests your Wi-Fi password they don’t have a password for other important logins. It’s also a good idea to change your Wi-Fi password every so often. This is especially true if you’ve recently had an event at your house with a lot of visitors. Another reason might be if you recently had a flatmate move out.

Hopefully, these handy tricks make it a whole lot easier next time you want to share the login details to your Wi-Fi network with a visitor! Is the Wi-Fi slow even without a house full of visitors accessing the network? It might be time to get your Wi-Fi network optimised or make the switch to a mesh Wi-Fi network. Say goodbye to dropped connections and give the friendly Geeks a call today!

What is app tracking?

App tracking is the process of combining information about you from one app and information about you from other apps or websites. Information that is for targeted ads or for sharing with data brokers (an individual or company that specialises in collecting personal data or data about companies). So, when you click ‘Allow’ when asked whether or not you’ll allow app tracking, these are the terms and actions you are agreeing to.

What is tracked?

Data collected via app tracking can include a wide range of information. Commonly tracked data includes, age, gender and location details, and even technical data about nearby cell phone towers or Wi-Fi routers. This combination of data allows for a better understanding of user preferences and behaviour. All of which helps create refined targeting for marketers and advertisers and can also result in a more personalised experience for the user. However, if you choose to select the option “Ask app not to track”, then this information can’t be accessed by an app’s developer.

What does it mean if I don’t allow an app to track?

It’s difficult to say how much of a difference you’ll notice when you don’t allow your smartphone’s apps to track. It is said you might see less intrusive  customised ads. This means you might be able to expect a more natural experience when using apps. But overall, you’ll just have the much sought-after, digital privacy! However, it’s important to note that you won’t notice a complete elimination of ads. The ads just won’t be curated with the use of your personal details.

With their release of iOS 14.5, Apple introduced the long-awaited opt-in option for users when it comes to app tracking. This means you can either disallow app tracking upon installation of an app by taping “Ask app not to track”, or you can turn it off in your Settings.

To turn off app tracking in your iPhone’s settings go to Settings, tap Privacy, then select Tracking. After that you can go through and do this for all of, or just some of your apps.

Unfortunately, Android makes it a little more difficult to have control over what apps are able to track your data. At least, it’s not as simple as Apple.

You’ll need to go into your Android’s Settings and then tap the Privacy tab. Here you can turn off diagnostic data sharing with Google and the sending of marketing information. If you scroll further down to the Advanced section, you’ll find an option called Ads. If you go into here, you can opt out of ad personalisation within apps too!

Turning off app tracking is crucial in safeguarding your digital privacy. But, keeping it on can also streamline your online experience! That’s why it’s important to understand what app tracking really involves before you enable it or not! If you do need help with smartphone and tablet training, computer and laptop repairs or computer upgrades Book a Geek today! We’ve got the tech know-how, so you won’t have to worry about a thing!  

Taking screenshots on iPhone

Capturing screenshots on iPhone is relatively straightforward but the steps do vary a little between models. If you have an iPhone model with a home button, simply hold down the side button and home button to capture a screenshot.

If you have an iPhone without a home button, which is most models since the iPhone X, then the steps for taking a screenshot change slightly. Simply hold down the side button and the volume up button at the same time.

Now you’re all set to screenshot on your iPhone. Sometimes finding and holding down the correct buttons can be a little annoying, especially if you’re quickly trying to grab a screenshot. Read on for some handy shortcuts and alternative ways to screenshot.

Screenshot shortcuts on iPhone

iPhones have a handy set of functions under their Accessibility menu which allows you to set up shortcuts for custom actions. This means by going to Settings > Accessibility > Touch you can choose to setup Assistive Touch. This will put a small floating icon on your screen.

Alternatively, you can set up Back Tap, this feature allows you to quickly take a screenshot on your iPhone. When in the Touch Menu, simply scroll down to Back Tap and choose Double or Triple Tap. Then you can tap the back of your iPhone 2 or 3 times to take a screenshot without needing to push buttons or touch the screen. How simple is that!

To learn more about the Accessibility features on iPhone, check out the Apple website for a full list of awesome shortcuts and features!

How to Screenshot on Android

Now it’s time to look at screenshotting on Android devices. Most newer devices all follow the same steps to capture a screenshot. So next time you want to take a screenshot on an Android just hold down the Volume Down button and Power button simultaneously. These steps work for Google, Vivo, Oppo and other Android devices.

For Samsung devices follow the same steps but you may need to hold down for 1-2 seconds depending on the model of your device. For older devices, specifically, models released prior to 2018 with a home button, simply hold down the Home and Power (on/off) buttons simultaneously for 1-2 seconds.

Screenshot shortcuts on Android

For many newer Samsung models you can screenshot using gestures, similar to iPhone this cuts the need to find and press buttons. To set up Palm Swipe to capture, head to Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and Gestures and turn on Palm Swipe to capture. Once you’re all set up simply swipe across the screen with the side of your hand to capture a screenshot.

There is also often a shortcut to screenshot on the Quick Settings panel. To access this, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Take Screenshot option.

Sometimes these are labelled differently depending on the phone’s make and model. It may be labelled Screen Capture, Screenshot or something similar. If the Screenshot option isn’t visible tap the + icon to customise your quick settings menu.

Now you’re all caught up with how to screenshot on iPhone and Android! Make sure to check out our handy blog for how to screenshot on Windows and Mac so you know how to capture your screen on your laptop or computer. Need help navigating other features of your smartphone? Geeks on Wheels offers Smartphone training and general tech assistance. Learn all the ins and outs of your devices today. Simply call 0800 424 335 today!

Partial charging

You might have heard from your parents or friends that you should be charging your smartphone’s battery to full capacity and waiting till your batteries fully drained before charging. However, this is a myth. Surprisingly, it is best practice to not let your phone drain below 20% and to not let it charge past 80% to extend the lifespan of your smartphone’s battery.

When you charge your smartphone to 100%, it will go through a process called ‘trickle charging’. This stresses your battery and generates heat, and lithium batteries do not cope well with heat at all!

Likewise, when you let your phone’s battery drop to 0% it can go into a state where it’s too discharged causing strain to your battery. Plainly said, when your battery is fully discharged, a certain chemical reaction occurs that is not ideal. Overtime this can reduce the battery’s capacity and overall performance.

If you’re an iPhone user and have IOS 13 or later, you’ll have access to optimised battery charging which can assist you with monitored charging!

Stop buying cheap off brand charging cables

Off-brand charging cables have inferior materials, incompatible specifications and poor quality control.

Basically, when you opt for the cheaper alternative, you run the risk of permanently damaging your smartphone’s battery. Cheap cables can cause overheating and result in under/overcharging which we well know can shorten your batteries lifespan and confuse its capacity.

Generally, the manufacturers of these cheap alternatives also might not have the best quality control standards. Something other well-known more expensive brands do. This means you’re more likely to encounter cables that are faulty which will damage your device and its battery in the long run.

Keep your phone’s operating system up to date

Your battery’s lifespan can deteriorate when you run an outdated version of your operating system on your smartphone. So it’s best practice to regularly update your phone’s software.

Software updates enhance your phone’s security, performance and usability. In particular, these updates also address software bugs and glitches. Put simply, bugs are errors in your software that hinder functionality. They can cause excessive CPU usage, synchronisation issues, battery calibration errors as well as a plethora of other issues which lead to faster battery drain and reduced efficiency.

But by ensuring that you keep up to date with updates, your smartphone will have the latest performance improvements, bug fixes and battery mode enhancements!

Avoid extreme temperatures

Your phone’s battery is made from lithium-ion. Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures because they rely on chemical reactions to store and release electrical energy. So, make sure to keep your smartphone out of direct sunlight, don’t leave it in a hot car and try to keep it in your pocket when in extreme low temperatures.

Why? High temperatures can accelerate the chemical reactions inside the battery. This can lead to a faster breakdown of a very critical part of your battery, aka the electrolyte. When this part of your battery breaks down, this causes a reduction to the capacity and overall performance.

In the opposite circumstance where your smartphone is subject to low temperatures, the chemical reactions will slow down significantly. This will reduce the battery’s ability to deliver power efficiently!

Avoid using while charging

Using and simultaneously charging your smartphone conducts a lot of extra heat! So when your smartphone is ready to be placed on charge, make sure you’re able to leave it unattended while it charges. This can be tricky for some of us who struggle to stop scrolling!

When you use your phone to do heavy tasks while it is charging, it will go into parasitic load, which adds higher voltage stress to the battery and generates heat. Try to avoid tasks such as streaming videos or gaming when your phone is plugged in. Or, best of all don’t use it at all!

So there you have it. Five very simple ways you can preserve your smartphone’s battery! If you do find you need assistance with your smartphone, beyond its battery health, Book a Geek today! Our tech experts are trained in all things tech! We’ve got you covered whether it be for smartphone training or computer repairs in New Zealand!

Resolution and aperture of iPhone 15 camera

A big upgrade from the 12MP cameras of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, the iPhone 15’s advanced dual-camera system can capture Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). It has an aperture of ƒ/1.6, making it perfect for low-light photography. The iPhone 15 camera even lets in more light than the iPhone 14 Pro. This is the perfect upgrade and will allow you to capture crisper images than ever! With up to 4x resolution allowing you to capture incredible detail you can take stunning landscapes and detailed snaps of daily life.

Zoom capabilities

The iPhone 15 also has 2x Telephoto zoom, allowing you to capture high-quality images even when zoomed in. Perfect for framing up subjects that are in the distance, it’s like carrying multiple lenses in your pocket.

Smart HDR 5

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus now have Smart HDR 5 for photos, meaning improved dynamic range and better image quality for on-the-go snaps in harsh lighting conditions.

Updated Portrait mode

Another handy new feature for all iPhone 15 models is the updated portrait mode. There is now no need to switch between portrait mode and regular photo mode when capturing images. The iPhone now recognises when there is a person or pet in the image and using depth information, Portrait mode is automatically applied.

This can be removed later in the Photos app and means you don’t have to keep swiping between portrait mode and regular photo mode.

Check out our full blog on our favourite features of the iPhone 15 for a full list of exciting new features of the iPhone 15 lineup.