- 10 hours ago
If you've ever unplugged your phone during an update, DON'T. Your phone is likely to start malfunctioning. The home screen might stop working properly and you won't be able to access some of the files. In tech-savvy language it's called "your phone was bricked". What does it mean? What happens to your phone when the battery hits 1%? And also what happens when you put your phone on the pillow? The answers to these questions are here!
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00:00Your phone was just in the middle of an update, and it accidentally got unplugged.
00:06It finished downloading the latest OS online,
00:09but the bad part is that you didn't realize it was unplugged for half of the time it was installing
00:14the update.
00:15You try to let it finish, but notice that your phone is off.
00:19You plug it back in, and it continues downloading.
00:22After a while, your phone powers up with the latest software.
00:26You're excited and can't wait to check out the new features.
00:28But your iPhone is somehow malfunctioning.
00:32The home screen isn't working properly, and it keeps lagging.
00:36Some of the existing apps don't work properly, and you can't access some files.
00:41In the tech world, that would mean your phone was bricked.
00:46Yeah, just an expensive brick in your hands.
00:50Firmware is software embedded in the hardware.
00:53Or software for hardware for short.
00:56It's not like your regular software that can be transferred from device to device,
01:00or something that can be uninstalled whenever you want.
01:03Many gadgets have them, like phones, cameras, gaming consoles, routers, and computers.
01:09Each firmware is unique to each device, which is why it's very sensitive when installing.
01:14So, when your device bricks, basically everything in your device that was updating got stuck midway.
01:21The firmware is only half overwritten by an external interruption and can't normally run anymore.
01:27The good news is that not all cases are the same.
01:30Some phones can be as useless as a, well, a brick, while some can be salvaged.
01:36If it's still half-functioning, then there's a way to use your phone when it happens.
01:41The bad news is that a bricked device can't be fixed by normal means,
01:46which is why they always prompt you with a,
01:48do not turn off device when installing message.
01:51You may be able to get away with a few seconds of a power outage,
01:55but it's better to keep your device plugged in whenever an update happens.
01:59And this applies to all devices that have firmware.
02:02Apple always has OS updates,
02:05and encourages users to always back up their iPhones before updating if something like bricking happens.
02:11You can easily do that by plugging in your iPhone to your computer,
02:15opening iTunes, and clicking on Backup.
02:17Or you can always use the iCloud and other cloud services out there.
02:22That way, you'll be safe and can walk around happily with the latest firmware update.
02:26You open your drawer and find that old first-generation iPad you got when you were just a teenager.
02:32You charge it up, and it works.
02:35You're excited and saved yourself some money.
02:38You have your old account running, and it still works.
02:41So you go to the app store and discover that you don't even have some of the essentials,
02:46like Netflix, Facebook, or Instagram.
02:49You try downloading them, but there's some error.
02:52These apps aren't compatible with your device, so you can't install them.
02:56Before sliding it back in the drawer to collect more dust, you figure something out.
03:00To download any new apps on an old OS in Apple,
03:04you have to have an existing account on a new iOS device.
03:08This doesn't work on Macs.
03:10If you already have an existing account on a new iPhone or iPad,
03:14you have to log in to those credentials on the old iPad.
03:17Once you do it, open your apps,
03:19and you can see a list of all your downloaded apps that are present on your phone.
03:24So you're not downloading them from the app store,
03:26but rather downloading them from your app list.
03:30Now you can enjoy all the new apps on the old device.
03:33If you're feeling nostalgic,
03:35you can even download an old gaming console emulator on your Android device.
03:39It will allow you to play the old games you loved when you were younger.
03:43Still, be cautious about where you download apps.
03:47Any app downloaded outside the app store or Google Play store
03:50can contain viruses or malware that might damage your device.
03:54It's possible to have two messaging apps on your Android phone
03:58that supports dual SIM cards.
04:00Each brand of Androids has different names for it,
04:03but you can generally find the way to do it
04:05by opening settings and searching for dual apps,
04:08clone apps, twin apps, or dual messenger.
04:11Once you activate it,
04:13you can open a new messenger app for your new contacts on the new SIM card.
04:17Taking care of your phones is vital.
04:20If you have an OLED or AMOLED display on your phone,
04:23you can significantly save a lot of battery life
04:26by applying dark mode on the system and the running apps.
04:29On the other hand,
04:31LCD screens light up your phone with a backlight that's always on,
04:35even if your phone doesn't have high brightness.
04:38AMOLED or OLED displays activate each pixel to produce light.
04:42So, by having your phone on dark mode,
04:45fewer pixels are lit,
04:46which makes you save battery.
04:48And to push it into a higher gear,
04:50you can ditch your home and lock screen picture of your dog
04:54and opt for a plain black image.
04:56That way, when you unlock your phone and use it,
04:59you'll barely consume any battery life.
05:02Sometimes you get kind of bored with the same interface all the time.
05:05If you own an Android phone,
05:07you can easily download a new launcher
05:09and change the entire setup of your phone.
05:12Eh, don't worry.
05:13It'll save all your data and keep your settings as is.
05:16You can download many types of launchers to suit your needs.
05:19If you want fewer distractions on your phone,
05:22you can get a launcher that minimizes everything from settings to homepage
05:26and just lets you use the apps that are essential to what you need.
05:29It can hide some social media apps
05:32that always distract you whenever you're working or doing something important.
05:35And just like there are launchers that minimize your interface,
05:38there are some that bring out the best of it.
05:41You can install a launcher that shows details of your phone's performance
05:45and redesign the whole thing to look attractive.
05:48Best of all, you can switch back to your original launcher whenever you want.
05:52You can properly multitask if you're using an Android phone or tablet.
05:56The option can open three different apps at once.
05:59So, if you're watching an intense video and someone messages you,
06:04then you can split-screen it at the top and bottom to enjoy the video and type back.
06:09And if you need to read a quick email,
06:11you can easily pop that one in
06:13and have the video playing, chatting with your friend,
06:16and your email open simultaneously.
06:18There's a hidden folder in Settings for the Samsung users out there
06:22that allows you to access new options to customize your phone.
06:26Go to the Settings option and tap on the About Device or About Phone.
06:31Scroll down a bit until you see Build Number.
06:34Tap that button seven times.
06:37After you've done that,
06:38you'll have to enter your PIN or password
06:40and activate the Developer options.
06:42Congratulations!
06:43You're now a developer!
06:45With this option, you can set up a mock location anywhere around the world.
06:49Just download a third-party app that pins you anywhere around the world.
06:53If you are in New York and want to appear like you're in Paris,
06:56run the app and pick a place you want to be.
06:59Your GPS will now show you the roads, traffic, and other things happening around you.
07:05You just got yourself the latest phone on the market with more than 100 megapixels.
07:10You're snapping all kinds of pictures with every different setting.
07:13But when you look through the pictures and compare them to your friend's phone,
07:17you realize that your images aren't as good as theirs,
07:20even though her phone's camera is around 64 megapixels.
07:24Many phone companies like to market, in bold,
07:27highest megapixels on the phone in the market today!
07:30But megapixels are only a measurement of image size rather than quality.
07:35So even if you have a very high megapixel count,
07:38you're still going to have an average image quality
07:41if the sensor on your phone is weak.
07:43The one cool thing you can do is print the image on a large billboard
07:47for such a high megapixel count.
07:49But it won't have the color, depth, contrast, saturation, detail,
07:53and other things that make an image good.
07:56So good sensor processing is the key.
07:59Many DSLR cameras don't have that many megapixels.
08:03They're low compared to smartphones these days.
08:05But their sensors are far more superior.
08:08Both modern smartphones and DSLRs can have the option of manually selecting the settings
08:14to get the best image quality.
08:16But in the end, the DSLR wins.
08:19Now, one reason why your 1% battery might last a long time is that your phone's playing it safe.
08:26It has 1% battery left for you to use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, stream a movie,
08:31all while downloading a system update.
08:33But if you're just scrolling your feed, 1% is going to last a while.
08:38There's also a bit of psychology in it.
08:40When you see that your phone's about to turn off, it kind of encourages you to plug it in ASAP.
08:46By the way, modern batteries can't be fully charged or fully drained.
08:52If you live somewhere cold and your iPhone keeps turning off whenever it's below zero outside,
08:58go to Settings, Battery, and check the battery health.
09:01If it's less than 85%, you might want to think about changing the battery.
09:07Otherwise, it'll turn off every time you leave the house.
09:10Ouch!
09:10Even if you just upgraded your old phone to a brand new one,
09:14don't forget to charge your old buddy regularly.
09:17Lack of charge may impact battery life.
09:20As long as you want to keep your old phone, just in case,
09:23make sure you charge it at least a few times a year.
09:26Same goes for old game consoles and laptops.
09:30Embrace the dark mode if you want your phone to keep its charge as long as possible.
09:34The brighter your background is, the more energy it eats up.
09:38If you have dark mode installed, it'll use less power.
09:42If your laptop is a Mac and it has a backlit keyboard, change your settings to save some battery.
09:48Whenever you're not using your keyboard, the backlight should power off.
09:52Go to Keyboard Settings and choose how long you want the keyboard to stay on for.
09:57I have mine on for 5 seconds.
09:59To boost your Android, just turn off your data when you don't need it.
10:04If you disable the always-on mobile data, you'll have a longer battery cycle.
10:08Other things you can do are reduce brightness, opt for wired headphones instead of Bluetooth ones,
10:14and switch to airplane mode when you don't need active data.
10:18The last 20% of a battery takes longer to charge than the rest.
10:23That's because lithium-ion batteries are kind of complex.
10:26When the battery's low, the charger supplies a fixed current.
10:30It's all kind of complicated, but just keep it in mind.
10:33Your smartphone has a protection circuit in it to save its battery.
10:37When it shuts down and says you have 0% battery, there's actually a tiny bit of juice left in
10:43there.
10:44But your device is designed not to use it.
10:46If a modern battery somehow magically got to actual zero, you wouldn't be able to charge it again,
10:52and you'd have to get yourself a new phone.
10:55Now, don't drain the thing down to zero, then recharge it back to 100.
11:00Specialists say that the best range is between 20% to 90% if you want your battery to last
11:05longer.
11:06If you let the battery go down to zero all the time and then juice it back up,
11:11you can damage the inside materials, and it can even cause battery corrosion.
11:16Now, it's not true that all chargers are created equal.
11:19The best thing you can do for your phone is to use its original charger.
11:24Yeah, some generic Abo cable or adapter may look just as good as the original one, but why risk it?
11:31It might actually be a good charger, but it may be the wrong voltage.
11:35You don't know which country it came from.
11:37Different voltages can potentially damage your gadget.
11:41Plus, generic chargers usually don't include any mechanism to protect your phone from energy surges.
11:47If the phone just won't charge, here's a few reasons why.
11:51A faulty cable, low current power source, or even a broken USB port.
11:56The most common problem is a damaged cable.
12:00Those things have to endure a lot.
12:01We constantly wrap them, fold them, twist them, drag them.
12:04I feel kind of bad now.
12:06Try a few different cables to see if that was the problem.
12:09If the cable just won't work, try cleaning the cable jack.
12:14Sometimes, some random lint is hiding out in there, blocking the charge from going through.
12:19You can usually just blow on it.
12:22That won't work if the jack's rusty, though.
12:24Speaking of phone charging, it's also important to learn how to do it right.
12:29If you don't lock your phone when you're not using it, it may eat up too much of your battery.
12:34Phones usually have a default screen lock set for about 2 minutes, and that can eat into your battery life.
12:41Another tip is to avoid using mobile data, especially if the connection is poor.
12:46Your gadget's going to waste its charge just trying to find a connection.
12:50Temperature's important, too.
12:51Don't expose your phone to direct sunlight.
12:54Overheating can drain your battery.
12:56Now, if there's no obvious reason why your phone's losing its charge so fast, you should probably pay attention to
13:03your cybersecurity settings.
13:04It could be a sign that someone's spying on you through an app or something else you downloaded.
13:10Leaving the phone cover on while it's charging isn't really a big deal, but it's not recommended either.
13:16The cover can trap the heat in, making the whole charging process way less effective.
13:21You shouldn't leave your phone under your pillow either, for the exact same reason.
13:25If you get super unlucky, it might even catch on fire.
13:30If you just can't fall asleep without your phone, set a timer on it and leave it propped up on
13:35your bedside table.
13:36If you want to stop it from overheating, turn on airplane mode and leave your screen's brightness on minimum while
13:43charging it.
13:44If for some reason you want to stop using your phone for a while, charge it to 50% and
13:50turn it off.
13:50This percentage is said to be the healthiest for a lithium-ion battery.
13:55You can store it for a month like that with the least possible damage to your gadget.
13:59Don't forget to turn it on once every few months and top up the battery.
14:04Charging your phone overnight is something almost everyone's guilty of.
14:09Now, it may seem okay, especially if you have a smart charger that stops charging as soon as your phone
14:14gets to 100.
14:15But as soon as it drops below that, the charger will automatically top it up.
14:21This endless cycle goes on all night, until you wake up and unplug it.
14:26Just like normal batteries, lithium-ion batteries don't like to be either fully charged or at zero.
14:32If you charge your phone and use it at the same time, you can confuse the battery a little bit.
14:38Hmm, here's what happens.
14:40Your phone gets charged, then whatever you're doing sucks out that energy.
14:44Then the charger tops the battery up again.
14:47These small cycles tire out the battery and shorten its lifespan.
14:51You're probably not going to want to turn your gadget off while it's charging, in case you miss a text
14:57or something.
14:57But try not to use it too much.
14:59One more bad idea is to charge your phone in your car.
15:04They usually have less electricity than any phone actually needs to charge.
15:08Your car's USB ports are most likely low power, so your gadget might swallow up the power much faster than
15:15the port can dish it out.
15:16You might end up ruining your cable and battery, and your phone will barely get any charge.
15:21A rental car is even worse.
15:24You never know who used that port before you jumped in.
15:27Same goes for train stations and even trains.
15:30Data can be easily extracted from your phone, and public USB ports are notorious for juice jacking.
15:37Now, one thing you should probably never leave home without is a power bank.
15:42They're much safer than any public hub.
15:44Just make sure you get one that's meant for your phone.
15:47Check if it's not getting too hot while charging.
15:50The hotter the battery is, the less effective the charge.
15:54You might have downloaded a charge-saving app to help you stay away from the plug as long as possible.
15:59Unfortunately, these apps don't save you that much, and they can sometimes shut down apps you want to use.
16:06Anyway, most apps don't eat up battery when they're on in the background.
16:10Just make sure any apps that track your location are closed.
16:14They're the ones that drain your battery the most.
16:16You can restrict background apps yourself in the settings.
16:22Okay, so if you've long forgotten your teddy bear and replaced it with a smartphone, at least don't put it
16:28under your pillow.
16:29It can cause a fire, especially if being charged.
16:33The heat is trapped under the pillow.
16:35The phone gets hotter and hotter, and you know what happens when there's too much heat.
16:39You could become a hothead.
16:41Also, phones, tablets, and any other gadgets release electromagnetic waves and microwaves.
16:47The thickness of your skull will generally prevent them from getting to your brain, but the risk is still there.
16:53Now, if you're particularly concerned about microwaves, and even afraid of talking on the phone, go for a handset.
17:01Loud speakers, video chat, or even texts are a good way to communicate, too.
17:06Phone holster is an option, too.
17:08At least they create a kind of a barrier between your body and EMF emission.
17:13Plus, a handset is really handy for taking selfies.
17:17You can take a pic not only with the volume button, but simply by hitting the volume button on your
17:22headphone.
17:22Another place you shouldn't charge your phone is in a car.
17:25A rental one is a total no.
17:28The USB port is basically public there, so think about cyber security.
17:33To make your charge safer, you can either use your own power bank or wait until you find a safe
17:39plug.
17:39Not only it's insecure in terms of your battery, but checking your phone and struggling with USB while driving is
17:46a terrible idea, too.
17:48Don't charge your phone in cafes.
17:51Juice jacking is an issue in cafes, too.
17:54Moreover, the USB port capabilities are not powerful enough either, so it's a combo.
18:00But if you use an electric outlet and not a USB port, it's actually pretty safe, unless the plug is
18:06faulty.
18:07If the only thing that actually worries you are the messages that you're kind of curious to read but don't
18:13feel like opening, try this hack.
18:16It works for both WhatsApp and Telegram.
18:18Open the app and scroll to the chat you need.
18:21Now tap and hold.
18:23You'll see the pop-up window.
18:25You'll be able to read the message, but it will stay unread for the sender.
18:29It only works for iPhones, though.
18:31If you accidentally crack the screen on your phone, replace it with a new one as soon as you can.
18:37Yeah, it might not seem a problem since the touchscreen still works, but all the grease and dust will get
18:43through the cracks.
18:44It will eventually damage the inside, so hurry up!
18:48Facial skin is sensitive, and your phone is almost seven times dirtier than a toilet seat.
18:54Hmm, now picture rubbing a toilet seat against your cheek.
18:57That's your cheek, not mine.
19:00Yeah.
19:00So try not to press the phone against your face and always sanitize the screen.
19:06Humidity is probably your phone's worst enemy.
19:09Don't leave it in the bathroom countertop as you shower.
19:12The moisture collects inside the phone.
19:15There's also an army of germs ready to descend on your phone.
19:19A toilet flush spreads bacteria within three feet.
19:23You get it?
19:23But if you enjoy scrolling the feed while sitting on the throne,
19:28remember that not only your hands, but your phone needs disinfecting too.
19:32Your Highness?
19:33Your iPhone has an indicator that shows whether the phone's been in contact with water.
19:39Open the SIM card tray, and under the serial number, you'll see the water damage indicator sticker.
19:45It's a small line.
19:46If it's white, the phone's never been in contact with water.
19:50If it's red, it means the phone was damaged by H2O.
19:54Blue light, brightness, and font size can cause headache sometimes.
19:59Go to Settings and turn on the blue light filter.
20:02It's called Night Shift in iPhones and iSaver or iComfort in Androids.
20:07When you're in a car, don't put your phone in the glove compartment.
20:11The temperature there depends on the season, so beware of cold and heat.
20:15They can ruin your battery and cut your phone's lifespan.
20:19Be careful using the phone on the beach.
20:22Don't leave it in the sun or in your beach towel.
20:24Though it doesn't need sunscreen, and there's no way it can have sunburn,
20:28it can be badly damaged by scorching rays.
20:31Lithium batteries are just like humans.
20:34Their operation temperature range is 59 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
20:39Don't charge your phone if it's over 95 degrees, because it may cause damage to the battery.
20:44Try not to charge it in a cover.
20:46We know cell phones don't really enjoy heat.
20:49The heat gets trapped inside it, so it can ruin your battery.
20:53Never try to cool it off in a freezer.
20:55Lithium batteries are not fans of cold, either.
20:58If your socket is almost at the floor level, and you are a bit squeamish about it, use a shampoo.
21:05All you need is an empty shampoo bottle.
21:07Cut off the lid and make a hole on the back to put the cord through.
21:11Put the phone inside that bottle, plug in, and hang the holder right on the charger.
21:17Counterfeit chargers are not the best choice.
21:20Not only do they damage your battery, but there's also a chance of explosion if you use one.
21:26Don't use your phone while it's being charged.
21:29Stay away from USB charging, too.
21:31It's notoriously slow.
21:34Multitasking doesn't exhaust your battery as long as the apps in the background aren't actually working,
21:39like some location tracking apps or any music player.
21:43If, for some reason, you don't want to close the apps on standby, it's okay to leave them be.
21:49Your phone may malfunction not only because of battery problems.
21:53Unnecessary data can make it work slower, so reboot your phone once a week.
21:59Too many pics or documents don't make it work any faster either.
22:02If you store all the important information in a cloud, you'll also have access to it from any device.
22:09You don't need to go to zero before charging the phone again.
22:13This myth is pretty old and doesn't work for most modern batteries.
22:17The best way to tackle it is a partial discharge.
22:20For example, you can keep your charge in the range of 40 to 80%.
22:24It's pretty complicated, but it will balance your battery use.
22:29If you want to stop using your phone for some time, charge it at 50% and turn it off.
22:35This percentage is said to be the healthiest for a lithium-ion battery.
22:39Don't forget to turn it on once every few months and top up the battery.
22:43If you don't lock your phone when you don't use it, it may eat up too much of your battery.
22:49Phones usually have default screen lock for about 2 minutes, and sometimes it's a bit too much.
22:54Setting it to 1 minute or even 30 seconds could make your battery last longer.
22:59Setting a dark theme helps to save the juice too.
23:03Pockets are one of the worst places to keep your phone, especially the rear pants pockets.
23:08You can lose it or accidentally sit on it and crack the screen.
23:12Also, a phone has a full range of signals that just might not be too good for your health.
23:18Mobile data, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and also NFC are on the list.
23:23By the way, don't use public Wi-Fi if you don't want to leak your personal data.
23:28At least turn on the airplane mode if you still want to keep your phone in the pocket.
23:33Some protection shields can be handy.
23:35If you put your phone inside them, you will reduce radiation by almost 7 times if compared with when you
23:41put it into the pocket.
23:43Don't forget to refresh your iPhone's operative memory every now and again.
23:48It can help your device work better and faster.
23:50To do that, you gotta go to Setting, General, Accessibility, Assistive Touch, and turn it on.
23:57Press Plus, then Minus, then the Power button.
24:02You'll see the Power Off bar.
24:04Press the Assistive Touch and hold the Home button.
24:07The operative memories refresh now.
24:10If you see the Enter Pass notification after you did it, it means you did it all right.
24:15To refresh the operative memory on your Android, go to the Task Manager and select Clear Memory in the RAM
24:23tab.