Tech can be confusing sometimes. As your friendly neighbourhood tech experts, we get asked all sorts of questions to ask a tech company. From Wi-Fi headaches to Printer woes, we’ve seen (and solved) it all!

We love coming to the rescue and fixing your tech troubles in person. So, we’ve taken it a step further and compiled a handy guide featuring questions to ask a tech company! We’ll be providing both the common questions we get asked and the answers you’ve been looking for. No extra Googling required!

Let’s get started!

How to download apps on to your phone?

Downloading apps can seem a little daunting but it’s a relatively straightforward process. Before you hit install though, it’s best that you exercise some caution to ensure that you’re not downloading anything malicious!

First up, make sure you are downloading apps from official and trusted app stores. For Apple devices, that would be the Apple App Store and for Android devices, the Google Play Store.

Next, it’s a great idea to look at the app’s reviews and ratings! This will give you an idea of the current user experience and if there are any major issues.

Finally, check the app permissions. If an app requires permissions that don’t seem necessary, this should serve as a red flag. App stores will usually list the app’s permission requests, so give this a thorough once over before you hit install!

To download an app on your iPhone, find and open the App Store (The blue app with an “A” which is already installed on your iPhone) > Tap the Search button (magnifying glass) at the bottom of the screen > Type the name of the app you want > tap Search on your keyboard. When you see the app, tap the button that says Get > If asked, enter your password, use Face ID, or Touch ID to confirm it’s you > wait for the app to download (when it’s done, you can tap Open or find the app on your home screen).

To download an app on your Android, find and open the Play Store app (a white app with a multi-coloured triangle which is already installed on your phone) > Tap the Search bar at the top of the screen > Type the name of the app you want, then tap the Search button on your keyboard > When you see the app, tap the Install button > Wait for the app to download (When it is done, you can tap Open or find the app on your home screen or in your app list).

How to update to a new macOS?

If you’re attempting to install the latest macOS update, then good on you! It’s important that you update your device’s operating system. This is because updated versions will have new security patches, updated bug fixes as well as the latest optimisations.

To find out how to find and update your macOS, read our other helpful blog now!

What to do when the internet goes down?

If you’re sat wondering “why is my internet not working?”, there are a few easy steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue.

Make sure everything’s plugged in

First up, you want to make sure all the necessary cords are plugged in correctly, both at the wall and at the router. Next, make sure all the necessary lights are blinking green. We suggest googling the make and model of your router to check what lights should be blinking what colour.

Is your Wi-Fi enabled?

Next, it’s worth checking that you haven’t accidentally disabled your Wi-Fi on the device you are using. To do this, go into your device’s Settings > tap Wi-Fi then make sure that the toggle next to Wi-Fi is turned on! If it’s not, tap the toggle to switch it on.

Turn it on and off again

Now you’ll want to try turning your router and ONT (That’s your fibre box) on and off again. We suggest leaving them off for at least 15 seconds. This gives everything enough time to fully power down before you switch them back on again!

Check your address

That didn’t work? Your internet provider might be experiencing an outage. Using your smartphone’s data, go to Chorus’ Outage Map and search your address to see any outage updates in your area.

Call your provider

Finally, call your ISP provider. Find your internet provider’s contact details for help and support, then call the provided number. There is always a possibility that your provider could remedy the situation on their end.

Is your Wi-Fi working but it’s patchy and running painfully slow? Read our blog on Improving your Wi-Fi network for faster connectivity

How to get rid of junk/spam emails?

While the term “junk” or “spam” might sound threatening, most emails sent to this folder are usually just harmless advertising. That said, it’s still wise to stay cautious. Although not all spam is dangerous, some messages may contain phishing attempts, scams, or malware.

As most of these kinds of emails are unwanted or unsolicited, you might be wondering how to get rid of junk email? Before diving into filtering and deleting junk or spam emails, there are a few simple steps you can take to help reduce the amount you receive in the first place.

How will your email be used?

First up, before giving out your email, whether for a receipt, rewards program, or giveaway, take a moment to check how it’ll be used. Once it’s on file, companies often start sending bulk emails. This can quickly clog up your junk folder, and even your main inbox. If you’re shopping online, check the privacy terms. In-store? Just ask what your email will be used for before you provide it! Remember, you can always change your mind later and unsubscribe from mailing lists. Just be sure the email you are unsubscribing from is a legitimate one. Some scammers use fake “unsubscribe” links to get recipients to click on a link that directs them to a malicious website.

Create a seperate email

Next up, consider creating a separate email address just for sign-ups. It helps keep your main inbox clear and makes it easier to spot genuinely suspicious emails. Rather than having them buried among promotional clutter in your junk or spam folder.

Empty your junk/spam folder

If you simply do not like having emails sitting in your junk or spam folder, you can either delete them individually or just empty your entire spam or junk folder.

Using Outlook on your computer? Right-click the Junk folder and select Empty to clear it all at once. Or, open the folder, hover over an individual email and click the trash icon to delete it and other emails one by one.

Using Gmail on your computer? Open the Spam folder, tick the box at the top left (next to the refresh icon), then click Delete forever to clear everything at once. To remove individual emails, just hover over one and click the trash icon.

Set up filters

If you want to ensure that more emails are going directly to your junk or spam folder rather than your main inbox, you can set up filters!

If you’re using the Outlook application on your computer, click the Tools drop down menu in your toolbar (If you’re using Outlook on your browser click the gear icon instead) then click Rules… Next, click Add new rule, select a condition and for the action choose Mark as Junk.

If you’re using Gmail on your chosen browser, click the gear icon in the top right next to your profile icon. Next, tap See all settings, click Filters and Blocked Addresses then click Create a new filter.

How to set up a Wi-Fi extender?

When it comes to setting up a Wi-Fi extender NZ, we’ve got a few suggestions before you get started.

First up, make sure the extender isn’t too far from your router. Or, the area where you need to improve your Wi-Fi coverage.

Secondly, you’ll want to consider what obstacles could be obstructing the signal between your router, your extender and your device/s. For example, physical obstructions such as walls and floors, and electrical interferences such as microwaves can affect your signal.

Lastly, once you have your new network set up, you’ll want to make sure you name it something different than your main Wi-Fi network. This eliminates the risk of potential network conflicts.

In all seriousness, if you’re looking for the best Wi-Fi extender NZ, our top recommendation might surprise you… Skip the extender altogether and toss it in the bin! Yup, you heard that right. There are much better options these days for reliable, whole-home coverage Wi-Fi.

Not convinced? Read our blog on why we ultimately think Wi-Fi extenders are no good!

Want the answer to stronger, more reliable Wi-Fi connections, no matter the size of your property or the number of devices connected? Click here now!

Why is my printer offline?

Does your printer say it’s offline? This means it’s lost its connection and needs to be reconnected. Since every printer is a little different, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. So instead, we’ve pulled together a handy list of do’s and don’ts to help point you in the right direction!

DO’s:

• Ensure you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
• Restart the printer by turning it off and on again.
• Restart the computer you’re attempting to print from, by turning it on and off again.
• Securely connect any printer cables.
• Clear the print queue! For a guide on clearing the print queue on a Windows device click here! For a guide on clearing the print queue on a Mac device, click here!
• Make sure the correct printer is set as the default. Click here to find out how to set a printer as the default on your Windows device, or click here if you are a Mac user!

Don’ts:

• Click any buttons that fit the following descriptions. The link/connected symbol, cellular network symbol, Wi-Fi symbol or the bluetooth symbol. This can put your printer back into setup mode, which in turn can make it harder to fix in the long run.
• Delete or remove the printer you are trying to connect to from your computer’s list of printers.
• Throw the printer out the window (no matter how much you may want to!)

What Windows version am I on?

In October 2025, Windows 10 will reach it’s end of life, and therefore its end of support. If your PC is currently running the Windows 10 version, you need to update to Windows 11 before Windows 10 end of life. If that is possible for your device. Otherwise, your device will no longer receive free security updates or technical support by October 2025, ultimately putting your device at risk. Learn more about the impending system update. Read our blog on Windows 10 end of life and get prepared!

Find out which version of Windows you’re running and how to update your Windows version by reading our handy guide here!

So, whether you’re troubleshooting at home or just curious about how things work, we hope this list saves you time, stress, and maybe even a few frantic Google searches. If you need some hands on help from the experts themselves, Book a Geek today! We can help you with anything techy with fair and upfront pricing, from Internet and Wi-Fi Solutions to Computer Laptop and Repairs!

If you’re a Chrome user, you may have noticed that uBlock Origin is no longer working. A trusted and reliable ad blocker used by many internet users in recent years. Google has recently cracked down on browser extensions, disabling those that don’t comply with Manifest V3, the company’s new browser extension framework.
This blog looks at some other options if you’ve found yourself without an ad blocker after the recent Chrome changes.

What Is An Ad blocker?

If you’re not already using an ad blocker but stumbled across this blog, it might be time to consider one. Ad blockers usually come in the form of browser extensions.
Extensions shape the way you use your internet browser of choice. They usually focus on one particular task, from spell checking to blocking ads or maybe protecting your data whilst browsing.

Where you download your browser extensions will depend on what internet browser you use. If you use Safari, you’ll want to head to the app store. Chrome users on the other hand can access the Chrome web store etc.

So an ad blocker, as the name suggests, is a browser extension designed to block ads. That’s likely part of the reason browsers aren’t overly fond of ad blockers. Afterall, most web browsers make a large portion of their revenue from advertising income.

Why would you want an ad blocker? Well the simple answer for many internet users is ads are annoying. They pop up, clutter pages and don’t always look the prettiest. The other major concern is safety. Ads aren’t always safe or legitimate. So if you are concerned about online safety, then removing the possibility of clicking on a malicious ad is a worthwhile step.

Changing Browser

If you are a fan of uBlock Origin and haven’t found an ideal uBlock Origin alternative, then changing browsers may be the only realistic solution. Some users recommend a manual install without using the Chrome Web Store. But, switching browsers might be a simpler option.

This would of course require some getting used to, along with the reinstallation of extensions on new browsers and logging into all of your accounts once again. If all of that sounds like a bit of a hassle then scroll on to check out some other options to keep ads at bay.

Ad blocker Alternatives To uBlock Origin

Decided you don’t want to switch browsers to keep using your favourite ad blocker? Well, fear not! We have a few uBlock Origin alternatives you might want to try for your ad-blocking needs!

AdBlock

With over 60 million users on Chrome, AdBlock is one of the leading Ad blockers available. The AdBlock extension will stop Pop-up style ads and limit exposure to malware by stopping malicious ads. AdBlock will also limit exposure to Facebook ads which can often be used by scammers to target victims on the popular social media app.

AdBlock has a 4.5 star rating from 290,000 reviews on the Chrome Web Store. So, it is a trusted option as a suitable ad blocker in 2025. Boasting such a large user base, it’s hard to look past.

AdGuard

AdGuard is another popular alternative to uBlock Origin and provides many of the same benefits. Perhaps even a few more. With over 15 million users and a 4.7 star rating from 64,000 reviews, it’s no wonder AdGuard is a great alternative.

Overall AdGuard is much like any other ad blocker, helping you navigate the web without annoying ads. AdGuard claims to be the fastest and lightest adblocker extension that effectively blocks all types of ads and trackers on all websites! Install it for your browser and get an ad-free and safe web experience. They also have a suite of other products including a VPN and DNS protection if you’d like to take your internet privacy and security to the next level.

AdblockPlus

Rounding out our list is AdblockPlus, another highly rated adblocker which is still compatible with Chrome’s recent MV3 updates. AdblockPlus has a 4.4 star rating from over 18,5000 reviews and a whopping 42 million users. AdblockPlus is slightly different from the other options above, in that it does allow some ads to be shown. This is achieved through their acceptable ads initiative which removes malicious, annoying and intrusive ads but allows acceptable ads in order to help websites which rely on them to survive. You can always update your settings if you’d like to block all ads.

Has your hunt for a suitable uBlockOrigin alternative come to an end? Whether you decide to switch browsers or try a new ad blocker, make sure you protect your device and your data whilst browsing. We recommend Malwarebytes browser guard, the perfect browser defence for safer surfing. Have you ever clicked on a suspicious ad? There’s a chance that malware may have been downloaded onto your device. For a thorough scan and removal of malware, book a Geek today!

The Morning Shift with Brook Ruscoe, Jordan River and Matua Marc

The Morning Shift is a conversational based podcast that prides itself on real people, real laughs and REAL talk. The podcast airs every weekday at 6AM. It covers a range of topics including culture, entertainment, sports and funny and thought-provoking stuff! And, it’s definitely one of our high-ranking favourite Kiwi podcasts!

The podcast is hosted by Brook Ruscoe, a TV presenter, radio host and former Tall Blacks player who hails from Porirua. Jordan River, an actor and TV presenter from Auckland. And, Marc Peard, a radio producer and presenter also from Auckland.

Check it out on iHeart, Spotify or Apple Podcasts

It’s Personal with Anika Moa

It’s Personal is a podcast with an interview-based format, somewhat similar to The Ellen DeGeneres Show. But, it gets a little more serious! On each episode, Anika Moa, a well-known New Zealand musician from Auckland, has intimate discussions that are both personal to herself and her guests.

The majority of Anika’s guests are also iconic Kiwi celebrities, such as, Robyn Malcolm from Outrageous Fortune and Bella Kalolo from Shortland Street!

Check it out on iHeart, Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Between Two Beers with Steven Holloway and Seamus Marten

Hosted by two best friends of over 20 years, Between Two Beers is another conversational based podcast featuring interesting discussions with equally interesting people! 

One of the hosts is Steven Holloway, the premium sports editor at NZ herald, and Seamus Marten, former manager of the All Whites.

Steven and Seamus welcome an array of awesome guests. Spanning from Olympic rowing legend, Eric Murray to well-known New Zealand media personalities such as Jeremy Wells and Paddy Gower.

Check it out on iHeart, Spotify or Apple Podcasts

A Moment in Crime with Anna Leask

We couldn’t make a list of our favourite Kiwi podcasts without including a True Crime podcast!

Hosted by Anna Leask, a crime and justice reporter at the Herald for more than 10 years, A Moment in Crime gives Kiwis a taster of what’s going on in their backyard!

Podcasts are released on average once a month and delve into some of New Zealand’s biggest cases. With Anna, you will explore notorious offenders and get behind-the-scenes insights into high profile trials and events!

Check it out on iHeart, Spotify or Apple Podcasts

The Agenda with The Alternative Commentary Collective

The Agenda is your go-to Kiwi sports podcast. Hosted primarily by The Alternative Collective’s Head G and sports broadcaster Mike Lane alongside Manaia Stewart and Matt Heath. Delving deep into the world of sports, these three fellas, sometimes accompanied by other hilarious Kiwi personalities and athletes, have engaging discussions about everything sports related!

Episodes range from breaking down and commentating on sports games, interviewing athletes, covering sports news and more!   

Check it out on iHeart, Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Cooking the Books with Frances Cook

Cooking the books is a great podcast if you want to start budgeting, increase your savings or even if you’re looking at buying your first home!

Frances Cook, the best-selling author of “Your Money, Your Future”, guides her listeners with money-based advice that everyday Kiwis might find helpful!

Sometimes with the assistance of industry experts, Frances will impart entry level financial advice and even talk about small Kiwi business success stories to motivate you with your own financial goals!

Check it out on iHeart, Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Now that you know some of the Kiwi made podcasts out there, make sure to give them a listen on your go-to podcast streaming service! Can’t listen to your favourite podcasts cause you’re battling with your technology? Geeks on Wheels can help with all things technology! From tech repairs to smart phone training, we’ve got you covered!

What is it about?

The show uses real scams that have been targeting Kiwis as well as various experiments and tricks Nigel Latta has crafted himself. Together these showcase human traits which make us vulnerable and susceptible to being scammed.

The series was made possible thanks to funding from various New Zealand banks. As well as with the Banking Ombudsman. “You’ve been scammed by Nigel Latta” will arm you with some helpful tips and insightful knowledge to stay safer online. Which is especially beneficial amid a rise in the number of scams targeting New Zealanders.

Every episode focuses on two types of common scams. And, some episodes even include real recordings or messages from scammers along with helpful breakdowns. In episode 1 a real call from a scammer impersonating a bank employee is played. It is then analysed by Netsafe Chief Online Safety Officer, Sean Lyons.

Missed it on TV?

Don’t worry if you missed the show on TV as it is still available to stream via TVNZ+ . With four great episodes each jam packed with useful information on various scams we suggest watching them all! However if you don’t have time, here is a quick video of Nigel’s top prevention tips!

Do you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam? Make sure to report it to the DIA or CertNZ. If you think your device might need looking at, or simply want protection for peace of mind, call Geeks on Wheels on 0800424335. One of our friendly technicians will be happy to assist with malware removal, antivirus installation or a health and security check of your devices.

What would Christmas be without the twinkling lights, the Christmas music playlists, and the calls to Santa? All of this is thanks to technology, which plays a big role in the magic of the season. If yours is playing up our friendly Geeks can fix computers and repair devices and best of all we come to you.

Of course, there are also a number of Christmas apps that can help make your holidays all the more merry and bright.

Here are some of our favourites.

Christmas apps for kids

Google’s Santa Tracker

Google’s Santa Tracker is a fantastic app that’s filled with activities and games. It even includes a countdown timer for Santa’s arrival. Your little ones can take a Santa selfie, create elves, and play endless games to fill the time until the man in the red suit comes down the chimney. This is a great way to use technology to bring some extra joy to your Christmas.

Elf Yourself

The Elf Yourself app lets you take a selfie and turn yourself into an elf. You can also add several other elves (fun for the whole family), and create mini-films and fun images to share with friends. You don’t need to be a Geek to be able to set up and use this one either. However, if you are setting up a new device this Christmas or need help installing new software or friendly Geeks can definitely help take a little stress out of the silly season.

Message From Santa

For parents who grew up writing letters to Santa, Message from Santa is a modern-day version. With this app, kids can chat to Santa over the phone and send him texts. You can even create a personalised video message from Santa to show to the young ones.

Christmas apps for grown-ups

DrawNames

Are you participating in, or organising a Secret Santa this year? Make it easy on yourself with the DrawNames website and app. This handy app lets you type in all the names participating and draws them for you. You can make exclusions so certain people aren’t buying for others. Participants can even create wish lists to make it easier to buy for them. You can also use it to create wish lists without drawing names. Making it a handy tool for anyone doing the Christmas shopping this year.

Giftster

Finally, there’s Giftster. This is the app for anyone who doesn’t know what to get their friends and loved ones for Christmas (although it also works for birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions). You can create your own wish lists, create private groups for your family, colleagues, and friends, and take the stress and uncertainty out of gift buying.

And don’t forget, if you’re stuck for a gift and know your friend or loved one could do with a technological hand, you can gift them a Geek+ subscription. Geek+ is our annual IT support package and gives them unlimited Geek Helpline support. It’s free annual IT health check, and discounts on home visits.

Contact us today to find out more or get your Christmas shopping sorted with Geeks on Wheels!

We find that our customers often have outdated technology, however, are not in a position to purchase newer hardware; furthermore, hardware that can genuinely help improve their home IT experience. The alternative is to try and find a good second-hand system, however, unless people know what to look for, this can be a daunting and fruitless task! Geeks on Wheels are here to do the hard work for you! We identify quality second-hand systems from bad ones and, unlike when you buy online, when we resell these systems, they come with our ‘Geek Approved’ stamp of quality.

What is Geek Approved?

Geek Approved is Geeks on Wheels’ range of approved pre-loved computer hardware that delivers unbeatable customer value. We wade through the vast secondhand computer market only buying, refurbishing and selling the highest quality, reliable computer hardware that we would even recommend to our mothers! To give absolute peace of mind and to avert the risk to our customers, we then back it with a 12-month warranty, that’s the same as most new machines! 

Benefits of Geek Approved

• Superb Value for Money.
• Get the benefits of higher specs without the high price tag!
• High Quality and reliable systems that you can trust to perform and they’ve got our Geeks stamp of approval!
• Remove the risk with our Geek Approved 12-month warranty. If we sell it, we support it!

Safe & Secure

We take user data security extremely seriously, every system that we receive in house has its data drives removed and securely erased using a 7 pass overwrite process, once that has happened all drives get destroyed responsibly and securely. We then supply a brand new SSD in all machines to ensure security, reliability and high performance.

Book now and get access to Geek Approved

WHAT WE SELL:

• LAPTOPS
• COMPUTERS
• ALL IN ONE PC’S
• SMART TVs
• MONITORS
• WIRELESS MESH
• ANTI VIRUS AND MICROSOFT LICENSING
• NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE
• APPLE PRODUCTS
• SMART ASSISTANTS
• SMART HOME TECH
• PRINTERS

To book fill in our online form here or call 0800 424 335 

Keep your eyes on the prize! Each month we’ll be having ‘Product of the Month’ within our Geek Approved Catalog this ensures that you get the best steals for the best prices.