Faith Leroux
Evergreen Writer
Contributing since May, 2014
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205articles
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2News
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16Features
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36Lists
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145Guides
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1Reviews
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5Deals
About Faith Leroux
Faith writes guides, how-tos, and roundups on the latest Android games and apps for Android Police. You'll find her writing about the newest free-to-play game to hit Android or compiling explainer guides on popular social networking apps like Twitch and Discord. She will occasionally dabble in Samsung's latest features in One UI. On the games side, her area of expertise is in action RPGs and gacha games, but she will play and study the occasional competitive shooter.
Before joining Android Police, Faith studied Chemistry and graduated with an honors specialization in Chemistry in 2016, leading her to spend many hours toiling around the lab as an undergraduate. Eventually, all those hours spent at the lab led Faith to develop her analytical mindset. So now, if you give Faith a problem, she will relentlessly tackle it to find a solution.
Her favorite pastime as a student was always writing reports, presentations, tutorials, and literature reviews, which guided her into completing a graduate certificate in technical writing. Thanks to her time writing for Android Police, she has an ignited passion for user security and privacy and is currently pursuing her certification in Cyber Security.
Faith's first Android phone was the Samsung Galaxy Note II in 2012, giving her a taste of how a small piece of powerful hardware can open anyone up to endless opportunities for their favorite hobbies. She's also been a gamer for over 20 years, starting with Super Mario Bros. on the NES; she has owned over 15 devices for gaming, ranging from handhelds to consoles. Now, with her analytical mindset, passion for writing, and core identity as a gamer, she can finally chase her dreams as a technical writer and gaming journalist. Nowadays, you'll find Faith studying spreadsheets and assembling data to theorycraft new teams and builds for Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. You'll also see her trying to dig deep to discover Android gaming's most hidden gems.
Latest Articles
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review: A sturdy device that excels at productivity
A speedy budget laptop that will meet the majority of needs
Chromebooks have always fit a niche mold where limited specs can make you question if you should buy or skip — how does it benefit you if you already own a laptop or a handy tablet that offers all the apps you need? I've pondered the same question for some time. In the beginning, Chromebooks were rarely up to par with regular low-end laptops: they were too sluggish to perform menial tasks and couldn't handle the load of dozens of tabs opened in your browser.
This phone pushed my Genshin Impact experience to the next level
Genshin Impact's collab with OnePlus is much more than just a collectible
I laid my eyes on Genshin Impact in late 2020. Unfortunately, the Galaxy device I owned at the time, the Samsung Galaxy S10, was barely chugging along to play the game comfortably. It wasn't until a few years ago that I discovered the power of Android gaming phones — how dedicated gaming hardware could shift how a game or an app performs. For example, if you own a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, you won't worry so much about how it handles Genshin Impact, but these phones are over $1300. You can cut that price to almost half by buying a gaming phone, like the Redmagic Pro 9. But not everyone wants to purchase a separate phone for gaming.
How to change the size of your Google Slides
Present your slideshow in the right way
Google Slides has an impressive number of templates for creating beautiful presentations. It's been the go-to choice for many users who don't use Microsoft PowerPoint and an easy-to-access alternative for well-equipped Chromebooks. If your slides are too small or too wide, they may not scale well to the content shown on the screen. This guide teaches you how to change the size of the slides in your Google Slides presentation on a browser to ensure you use the correct size.
Solitaire, also known as Klondike (in the US and Canada), has circulated in computerized form since the early 90s. You can now play Solitaire anywhere on your nifty Android tablet, phone, or even your iPhone or iPad. So, find the right apps when you're in the mood to play a relaxing game of classic Solitaire. Many free card game apps use ads to keep them afloat, and the frequency of ads makes it difficult to navigate through the app.
The 9 best weather apps on Android in 2024
Never get caught without your umbrella — or your sunscreen
The best maps and navigation apps are moderately fine for forecasting upcoming weather events. But, sometimes, you need some extra assurance, and that's where dedicated weather apps come in handy. Even though the Google Weather app is available on the latest Android tablets and phones, the service can sometimes be temperamental and limited. Hence, it pays to have a few detailed alternatives, especially since Dark Sky retired in 2023 and was replaced by Apple Weather. If you want to stay dry or avoid the summer heat, look at our roundup of great weather apps designed to keep your eyes on the skies and give you the most accurate weather readings while on the go.
How to cancel your Xbox Game Pass Core subscription
Simple steps to cancel your Game Pass Core subscription
Like Google Play Pass and Apple Arcade for mobile games, Microsoft requires a subscription to access a catalog of AAA and indie titles on the Xbox platform. If you don't game on your Xbox console and have ventured into other platforms like mobile gaming, the Xbox Game Pass Core may not be the best value for your money. This guide walks you through the cancellation process step-by-step while addressing common questions surrounding the Xbox Game Pass Core subscription.
Can you play Roblox on a Chromebook?
It's possible, but you'll have to do a little work
Roblox is a popular game that's been around since 2006. The aging-game-turned-metaverse shows no signs of slowing down, with more than 500 million downloads on the Google Play Store and countless others across all compatible platforms. It's a great place for young gamers to express their creativity while providing an outlet to create gaming experiences.
How to screen share Netflix on Discord
Pass the popcorn to your Discord friends online by tuning in to your favorite Netflix Original
Netflix only allows account sharing using its premium profile sharing feature, so you'll pay extra on top of your monthly subscription. This leaves only a few options to remotely stream your favorite shows and movies to family and friends. One of the best and most reliable options is hosting a Netflix watch party over Discord, a social gamer and popular video calling app.
How to contact PayPal customer support
Get your PayPal questions answered hassle-free
PayPal is a trusted online payment platform that helps users make purchases and transfer money. Creating a PayPal account is free and seamless for any handy, inexpensive smartphone and web browser-supported device. All payments made through PayPal are secured by end-to-end encryption. Using PayPal for online payment takes the worry out of sharing your credit card information with third parties.
How to identify your Discord ID on mobile and desktop
It takes a few non-obvious steps to find the 18-digit numerical identification code connected to your Discord account
Discord identifies users in two ways: public usernames and a Discord ID. A Discord ID differs from your Discord account username. It contains a unique 18-digit string that doesn't change. Discord IDs publicly identify individual users, messages, Discord servers, and channels. When keeping Discord server logs for registered messages and users, a Discord ID is more beneficial than referring to a user's Display Name. This step-by-step guide shows how to copy and paste a Discord ID from your trusty Android tablet, phone, Windows PC, and iOS-supported devices.
How to see the price history of any Amazon product
Get the biggest bang for your buck while shopping on Amazon
Amazon consistently attracts hundreds of millions of customers every year and is among the most popular online e-commerce websites worldwide. Few competitors can top its range of products and Black Friday prices. Amazon is the one-stop shop for the best deals on Kindle e-readers. The conglomerate is also working on an AI chatbot to improve your shopping experience.
The 8 best free Mahjong games in the Google Play Store
Try your luck with these amazing apps
Playing Mahjong (also called Mah-jongg) isn't only about being the first to obtain the winning hand. It's about experiencing cultural heritage and appreciating tradition while enjoying a competitive sport with family and friends. Mahjong has many variations thanks to its influence outside of East Asia. You can play Chinese Mahjong, Korean Mahjong, Japanese Mahjong, and American Mahjong. The rules vary slightly but ultimately come down to matching identical tile pairs using a game board.
Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2 is a love letter to fans
This is the soft reboot everyone's been waiting for
Honkai Impact 3rd has been around since 2016 and hasn't aged particularly well compared to later games from the developer. The stiff translations and the clunky dated combat in the early game make it difficult to get into in 2024. But thankfully, HoYoverse doesn't want to leave its beloved project in the dust. Last year, HoYoverse announced Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2 would launch in late February; fast forward, it's here, and we've put it through its paces to report on what you can expect when playing on your favorite Android gaming phone.
Google Gemini tips and tricks: Put Google's most capable AI model to good use
Not sure what's up with Gemini? Here are the goods
Google Gemini has replaced Google Bard. Some have wondered if Gemini is another stepping stone until a better, more powerful AI model comes around to take its place. It happened with Bard and Duet AI, and now it's happening with Google Assistant. Despite some minor skepticism, many believe Google Gemini is a game changer for productivity on top-end Chromebooks and mobile applications.
OnePlus unveils its hot new Genshin Impact collab at MWC
The OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition is now available for pre-order
Many surprises are revealed at the world's biggest mobile show, known as Mobile World Congress (MWC). This year at MWC, OnePlus has announced the long-awaited official collaboration between the company and Genshin Impact. If you've followed Genshin Impact's Special Program, you know we've been anticipating the release of a new OnePlus phone, thanks to Da Wei's (CEO of HoYoverse) brief teaser during the Version 4.4 Special Program. During the stream, Da Wei hinted about an upcoming phone that will "give Travelers a more immersive experience when playing on mobile devices." He later iterated that the team has extensively worked with OnePlus to optimize device performance while playing Genshin Impact, "including accelerated loading, backend network keep-alive, and optimized power consumption."
You may have heard your friends getting excited about the upcoming Winter Steam sale, saving their Steam gift cards to snag a hot deal on their favorite games. But what is Steam, and why is it popular? Steam is Valve's prized possession, a platform that has existed since 2003. It digitalized video games for computers, replacing the need to buy physically boxed PC games.
How to change the default language on Google Chrome
From Afrikaans to Zulu, Google Chrome has 153 language options to choose from
Language diversity is a big deal for Google, catering to a worldwide user base of cultures and dialects. Your default language setting on Google Chrome may be English, but there are options for folks who don't speak English. Language barriers are removed with a Chrome feature that translates web page text into your chosen dialect. Here's how to change the language settings on devices running Google Chrome, including useful Chromebooks, Android devices, and PCs, all conducted within Google Chrome.
12 best games like Hogwarts Legacy in 2024
Attending Hogwarts on Android is easier than you think
Publishers using the Harry Potter series brand have a deep history of releasing less-than-stellar titles on multiple platforms. Avalanche Software's (developers) dedication to Hogwarts Legacy was a love letter to Harry Potter fans, delivering an exceptional open world and detailed recreation of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
How to block a TikTok user
Learn how to block and unblock TikTok users with a few simple steps
TikTok is an explosive presence for content creation despite the TikTok alternatives. With fabulous camera phones to capture TikTok short clips, the world is your oyster. The platform's popularity brings unwanted toxicity from other TikTok users and spam. Here's how to block TikTok users using the mobile app and website to keep your TikTok activities undisturbed.
How many Genshin Impact characters are available? (Feb 2024)
Is this game's Pokédex getting out of hand?
Getting into Genshin Impact post-launch isn't as challenging as you might think. Genshin Impact is among the best gacha games, and it's available on Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and even Windows. If you plan to play Genshin on the mobile app, however, you may want to invest in a solid gaming phone.