latest
WhatsApp could soon get Instagram's AI photo editing tools
Backdrop, Restyle, and Expand options have appeared
WhatsApp developers are always busy improving existing functionality or, as we saw recently, bringing back features that we thought were gone for good. We've known about Meta's plans to bring AI-generated stickers to the app since August last year, while a dedicated AI chatbot for the app has also appeared in beta releases so far. The latest WhatsApp beta for Android now contains a couple of AI-powered image editing tools that were first teased by Meta in September.
Android Auto apps can enhance your driving experience through music, navigation, or communication. Not all the best apps on the Play Store are available for your car. More are added daily alongside staples like Google Maps and Spotify. We collected the most helpful Android Auto apps on the Google Play Store. These apps are also available for your Android phone, and some are available for our favorite WearOS smartwatches, so you can continue using them after you leave your car.
How to find your T-Mobile account number
You will not need it often, but it's good to know where to find it
You need your account number to switch your T-Mobile phone number to a new carrier or get information about your T-Mobile account. This number is given to you when you buy a SIM card and a plan from T-Mobile. You also need your T-Mobile account number to change sensitive account information, such as your name or date of birth. The account number is a unique identifier that helps your carrier provide you with information about your account.
The best secret codes for Android (short codes/diagnostic)
Unlock hidden features and diagnose your Android smartphone with these secret codes!
Android offers useful customization options and hidden features. In addition to launchers, icon packs, and themes, you can explore shortcodes or secret codes to unlock extra features and run diagnostics on your Android phone. Some shortcodes work on all Android devices, while others are limited to third-party Android skins like One UI for Samsung phones.
Android and iOS are mature mobile operating systems offering similar features and customization options. But there are differences, where one mobile OS could cover your needs better. We all know Apple's ecosystem is polished but restrictive. It excels within its walls, but those walls can feel confining. In contrast, Android offers an open and adaptable experience, catering to your specific needs without limitations set by the operating system or device maker. So, if you are a long-time iPhone user on the hunt for greener pastures, here are five reasons why you should switch from iOS to Android posthaste.
Google Contacts is making it easier to set personalized ringtones
No more navigating through the overflow menu on your device
If you use Google’s services to make calls and manage your contacts, you’ve likely noticed several changes as of late. For instance, slight tweaks to the design of Google Contacts are resulting in a new Organize tab — this is where the contents of Fix & manage are being moved, as the section is starting to outgrow its original label, with Google having used it as a catch-all for several new features. As it turns out, yet another addition is coming to the Fix & manage tab, even as the name change has yet to go live for most users.
How to give any Android phone the Google Pixel Experience
How to make any Android phone smoother, faster, and more customizable
Google offers one of the best Android smartphone experiences, mainly because of its software features. Pixel owners get the best of the best in terms of user experience, thanks to the Google Pixel launcher and regular feature drops. But there's good news for the non-Pixel owners among us: whether you own a gorgeous flagship or just a solid Android budget phone, you can get a similar experience with a few tweaks. This guide will walk you through the steps to make your phone nearly Pixel perfect.
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 change your Android phone's ringtone
You don't need to check your phone when someone else's rings
Tired of hearing your phone's tinny, staccato ringtone? If you're like many people, you probably hear your ringtone multiple times a day. Whether you own a flagship like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or one of our favorite budget phones, you have dozens of ringtone options just waiting to be used in the Settings menu. This guide will teach you how to change your ringtone and assign unique ringtones to people on your contact list.
How to make your favorite song your ringtone on Android
Might as well make answering your phone a little more fun
You can customize nearly every aspect of your Android phone. Whether you own a flagship or budget Android device, you can spruce up the exterior with a sturdy case or straps. Your phone comes with stock ringtones pre-installed, and change it for a unique touch. Separate urgent work calls from personal ones by setting a custom caller tune for your contacts. This tutorial shows how to set your favorite song as your new ringtone with a few taps.
Read update
Every year, Google teases the biggest event in Android with a puzzle — when (or if) the community solves it, the date for that year's Google I/O conference will be revealed, giving us a precise time to expect the developer-summit-turned-media-extravaganza in Mountain View. Like speculation around Android's next desert codename or its hidden Easter egg and mascot, it's a fun tradition with low stakes that we can't help but take way too seriously. And thanks to some skilled individuals, you don't need to solve the puzzle yourself to figure out I/O 2024 is set for May 14th.
Sharing your Wi-Fi password is a vital part of welcoming a guest, but don't direct them to the back of your router. There are easier ways to share your Wi-Fi password, even between iPhone and Android. Wi-Fi sharing between the two device families isn't as straightforward as sharing within their ecosystems, so we’ve created a step-by-step tutorial to make things a little easier.
Chrome for Android could get a (very limited) bottom bar again
A new flag for a bottom-based custom tab interface was spotted, but it will only be available with links opened from the Google app
A long time ago, Google experimented with moving some Chrome interface elements to the bottom on Android devices. The company has long scrapped these tests, and even though Chrome for iOS offers an optional bottom-based interface these days, we don’t see anything remotely like it on Android. This could finally change soon, but it looks like the bottom bar will only be used for some very specific activities.
Google paid out $10 million in vulnerability awards last year
The company held its first ever live-hacking event targeting LLM in 2023
The more complicated software gets, the more likely it is to have bugs or security loopholes. Google and many other companies recognize that, and they want to give hackers and security researchers an incentive to find and report problems. That’s where Google’s Vulnerability Rewards Program (VRP) comes in. Last year, the company paid out a total of $10 million to researchers reporting problems with Google software all around the world.
Google TV needs to get better, and it needs to do it now
Ditching Android 9.0's UI design sure would go a long way
Since the Google Play Movies & TV app’s discontinuation in late 2023, the heat has been on Google TV to fill the gap with a polished new app providing a quality service for enjoying movies and TV shows. As an up-to-date version of Android TV, Google TV is a decent hub platform for all your streaming services, whether you use an external Chromecast dongle or a Smart TV. However, there are some things the app could improve on, especially concerning presentation, convenience, and user agency.
People love smart devices right now; everything from sunglasses to fridges has upgraded counterparts that integrate with other technology to improve the user experience. We can't seem to avoid appliances that want to connect with our reliable Android phones. But while many of these devices are cool, their smart feature lists often aren't very substantial, especially when considering their hefty price tags.
How to report speed traps and hazardous conditions in Android Auto
Android Auto makes it easy to report incidents while driving
Map applications like Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps use crowdsourced data to glean info about road conditions. They also use historical traffic patterns to determine efficient routes and make journeys easier. Community reports inform users about accidents, hazards, speed traps, lane closures, traffic incidents, and road work.
Switching from iPhone to Android will get much easier next year
At least in the EU, thanks to the DMA
The EU-based dominos for Apple continue to fall. On the heels of this week's release of iOS 17.4 — which, among other things, preps the iPhone for third-party app marketplaces to arrive in Europe — we're learning more about what the Digital Markets Act (or DMA) means for Apple's mobile future. In addition to those external App Store rivals, the company plans to add even more functionality to the platform, including an option that might make migrating to Android a whole lot easier.
I tested Apple’s EU-only iOS 17.4, and it doesn't feel any closer to Android (yet)
The EU forced Apple to open up its platform, but there isn’t much to see right now
Last year, the EU introduced new rules for big tech companies deemed gatekeepers as part of its Digital Markets Act (DMA). Among the targeted companies are Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, but also Apple. While Google only had to change a few details about the way it handles Android with some small Android 14 upgrades, Apple was forced to drastically change its iPhone app store model, opening up its platform for third-party app markets and allowing more types of previously forbidden apps.
This popular Android screen-mirroring tool gets better keyboard support and more
Scrcpy v2.4 adds some much-needed refinements
With tools like Link to Windows or ChromeOS’s Phone Hub long available, scrcpy may not be the star of the show anymore. The ADB-based command-line tool allows you to remotely view and control your Android phone from your computer, but ever since Google nerfed its ability to view and record secure apps, it’s not as vital for many people as it used to be. The open-source program is nevertheless still actively developed and used by many people, and the latest update to version 2.4 adds some much-needed refinements.