KIM KOMANDO

10 tech tips and tricks everyone should know

Oct 13, 2024, 5:00 AM | Updated: Oct 21, 2024, 10:22 am

Tech tricks and tips everyone should know moving into 2025...

(Pexels File Photo)

(Pexels File Photo)

I’m using the new Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max with iOS 18.1. For some reason, Siri responds about 60% of the time when I ask it to call or text someone.

Yes, this garbage even happens to me and I’ve been helping folks with their digital lives by sharing tech tricks for decades.

That’s why I’ve channeled my frustrations into easy ways to make your tech less annoying, too.

Speaking of new iPhones … I’m giving away an iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence! No purchase necessary to enter.

Try these 10 tech tricks and tips

Let’s start with Alexa: Amazon Echo smart speakers repeat what you just said, but you can turn off that default setting with just a few clicks. Open your Alexa app, tap More > Settings > Voice Responses, then turn on Brief Mode. Ah, short, sweet and to the point.

Stop apps asking for ratings: Don’t want to be nagged to leave a rating for an app? On an iPhone, tap Settings > App Store and toggle off In-App Ratings and Reviews. There’s no fix for Android, unfortunately. Hey, Google, fix that!

You’re drowning in tabs: Here’s a faster way to navigate when you have lots of tabs open. Hit Ctrl + 1, 2, 3 and so on to go to that tab number. On Mac, it’s Command + a number. To cycle through tabs, hit Ctrl + Tab on Windows or Cmd + Tab on Mac.

What the heck is that? Music blaring unexpectedly from a browser tab is no fun, especially when you can’t turn it off right away. Most browsers let you deal with this pretty easily now. In Chrome, for instance, simply right-click on the tab header and click Mute site.

Quick text search: You know you sent someone a pic but can’t find it. On iPhone, open Messages, tap a convo, then the person’s profile photo or group name. Scroll to Photos > See All. On Android, open Messages, then tap the search bar at the top.

Fix the ducking autocorrect: This is one reason I rely on voice texting so much. When you type, autocorrect can keep changing the word you meant to write. Adding custom words that don’t get corrected helps. On an Android, head to Settings and choose System > Keyboard > Personal dictionary. From iOS, it’s under Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.

Printer out of black ink? Change the color to #010101. It’ll look black, but it’s really 99% gray. While you’re at it, knock down the font size and switch to Courier New or Garamond. They use the least ink. Bonus: If the prints are just for you, look for draft mode in your document settings.

30-second cleanup: If your phone’s home screen is a hot mess, folders to the rescue! Use a finger or stylus to drag one app on top of another to make a new folder. I like doing this to create folders by category (think one for social media apps, another for shopping apps and so on).

Undo drastic changes: Ever spent hours typing something and then — poof! — it all just vanishes on you? Simply hit “Undo” and it should come back. Press Ctrl + Z on Windows or Cmd + Z on a Mac. Ahhhh, there it is.

Desktop alerts: Notification overload is too much for my brain when I need to focus. Turn them off in Windows via Settings > System > Notifications. In macOS, it’s under your System Systems > Notifications.

Shhh: You can instantly silence incoming calls on your smartphone by pressing the side button, volume up or volume down button once. Nice.

Get tech-smarter on your schedule

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

  • National radio: Airing on 500+ stations across the US – Find yours or get the free podcast.
  • Daily newsletter: Join 509,000 people who read the Current (free!)
  • Watch: On Kim’s YouTube channel
  • Podcast: “Kim Komando Today” – Listen wherever you get podcastsCopyright 2024, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

Kim Komando

smart speaker Amazon Echo technology Kim Komando...

Kim Komando

Set up your smart speaker for emergencies

Got a smart speaker in your residence? Follow these technology tips and tricks Kim Komando has planned in case of emergencies.

3 days ago

Kim Komando has tips on avoiding pig-butchering scams....

Kim Komando

The clever tech powering a wave of pig-butchering scams

Pig-butchering scams are getting more sophisticated — and more costly — by the day. Kim Komando has tips to help you avoid them.

10 days ago

Biometric data details in 2024 tech users should know...

Kim Komando

Biometric data: Is it safe to hand it over to any company that asks?

Various technology companies have been using your face data and fingerprint for security for years. But how does this type of biometric data work?

17 days ago

Tech tricks and tips everyone should know moving into 2025...

Kim Komando

10 tech tips and tricks everyone should know

Need some tech tips and tricks? Kim Komando has channeled her frustrations into easy ways to make your tech less annoying, too.

24 days ago

(Pexels File Photo)...

Kim Komando

Make these changes now to protect your kids online

With increasing pressure from Washington, D.C., and outraged parents, social media platforms are finally starting to act.

1 month ago

spam emails technology safety cybersecurity...

Kim Komando

The $40K scam that almost got me + 3 more spreading now

Eight billion spam emails go out in the U.S. every day. Kim Komando, who calls herself a digital goddess, shares tips you can use to avoid them.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Act Now: Secure Your HVAC Equipment Before Prices Rise in 2025!

Phoenix, AZ – As the year draws to a close, Collins Comfort Masters is urging homeowners and businesses to take advantage of current pricing on HVAC equipment.

...

Morris Hall

West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

Sanderson Ford

3 storylines to get you revved up for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals training camp is just a couple weeks away starting on July 25, and Sanderson Ford is revved up and ready to go.

10 tech tips and tricks everyone should know