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Guide to Buy a Used Google Pixel 3 – Everything You Need to Know

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Looking to grab a used Google Pixel 3 and enjoy the best of Android straight from the company that has built it? Here’s a definitive buyer’s guide to purchase a second hand Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL smartphone, and how you can fetch one without overpaying or settling for a subpar device.

How to buy a Used Google Pixel 3?

Back in the early 2000s when Android OS was first developed, the intention was to create a software platform for digital cameras. Google Inc. was quick to notice the potential behind this mobile operating system and acquired Android OS, along with the team that worked on it in the year 2005. Just a couple of years later, Google, in partnership with Taiwanese tech company HTC, released the very first Android OS powered smartphone – the HTC Desire. In the beginning, Google needed to support of big names in the tech manufacturing space, thus creating the Nexus series of devices.

Over the years, the Mountain View company collaborated with brands such as HTC, Samsung, LG and Motorola to release different iterations of the Nexus series of smartphones and tablets. However, in the year 2016, the very first Google Pixel was unveiled, which officially kick started Google’s bidding in the premium smartphone wars. Deemed as the flagship Android smartphone straight from Google, the Pixel series has become a benchmark by which all other Android flagship phones are measured, and the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are no different.

With the premium hardware specs that the flagship mobile phone from Google, you also get a hefty price tag. Each year, the Google Pixel gets updated with design refinements and significant hardware upgrades, so are you willing to shell out nearly a thousand dollars for the high-end variant of the flagship phone? If you’re among the power users who want the best of Android straight from Google, but don’t want to put a serious dent in your budget, buying a used Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL is your best option.

There is no shortage of second hand Google Pixel sellers in the market and online, so how do you find an affordable one that’s in the best possible condition? Purchasing a used electronic device can be an unnerving experience, but only if you don’t know what to look for and do the due diligence to find out that device you’re about to buy is worth the ask. We’ve rolled up our sleeves and done the work of understanding how you can buy a used Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL in the best condition possible, without making any compromises, and pay considerably less than what you would for a new one.

For our highest rated refurbished iPhone reseller, use Swappa. All their used iphones are unlocked and tested for quality and function.
 Our Second Highly Rated Option is Amazon.com. There are lots of certified vendors who offer iPhones and more price options.  Plus Amazon provides a solid return policy and fast delivery with Amazon Prime. .

Why buy a used Google Pixel 3?

Reason #1 – Premium hardware and software

Google has designed its official phone to be a flagship device that is the measurement standard for all other Android smartphones. Google Pixel devices almost always beat every other Android OEM phone on benchmark scores, all thanks to the latest and great hardware configuration, and the Google Pixel 3 lives up to this promise. Packing the Snapdragon 845 processor that is paired with 4GB of RAM capacity, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have the highest DxOMark score among all Android phones.

Thanks to the combination of the camera hardware and software optimizations done for the Google Camera, you get to capture fleeting moments better than ever. Additionally, each and every software update that is rolled out for the device, comes straight from Google, which means reduced wait times. So when you get yourself a Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, you can expect nothing less than the best of Android OS, with support for two years of major software updates right out of the box.

Reason #2 – Great value for money

The Google Pixel is built up to be the iPhone among Android devices, being the go-to choice for users who want the most from their smartphone. Back in the day, upgrading to the latest mobile phone seemed like a justifiable act, since each and every update came with significant hardware improvements. However, the Pixel series of devices from Google, just like many other premium Android smartphones, packs a powerful punch in terms of hardware processing.

Since you get seamless software support for 2 years and additional security update for a year more, your phone is far from being outdated within a year of use. Even if you choose to buy a used Google Pixel device, you still get the latest software updates straight from Google, before all other Android OEMs. Getting yourself a second hand Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL instead of a new one can mean big savings, since any electronic device loses value once it is out of the original packaging.

Reason #3 – Free of contracts

Purchasing a brand new Google Pixel on easy installments may require you to be restricted to a particular carrier, or you might have to select a carrier-locked variant to enjoy some rebates. However, when you choose to buy a used smartphone, you have the ability to go for an unlocked variant of the Google Pixel. Since most of the used Pixel devices that you find online are either in factory unlocked, or carrier unlocked state, you don’t have to worry about being bogged down to a single network.

You might not require the need to have network unlocked capabilities if you have been linked to a specific network carrier for years. However, the ability to use your phone with any SIM card comes in handy, especially if you’re traveling and want to save up on international roaming costs.

How much does it cost?

Just as you would expect and hope for, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are offered at a far more affordable price when purchased in used condition. The actual price of the device is evaluated based on the physical condition of the phone, how long it has been used, whether or not the phone comes carrier unlocked or not, and the accessories that are being offered by the seller with the device. Either way, you can expect to save up big when buying a second hand Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL instead of a brand new one.

  • 64GB Google Pixel 3  – Starts at $422
  • 128GB Google Pixel 3 – Starts at $566
  • 64GB Google Pixel 3 XL – Starts at $476
  • 128GB Google Pixel 3 XL – Starts at $630

Where can I buy a used Google Pixel 3 online?

Being able to take a look at the device that you’re about to buy, especially if it’s a used one, certainly has its benefits. While it helps you make your purchase confidently, getting a phone from a reseller means that you end up paying more than you would have to if you chose to buy directly from the seller themselves. All thanks to the online marketplaces at facilitate the buying and selling of used electronics, you can get a wider variety of devices to check out and competitive pricing as well, which makes the following ways to buy a used Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL ideal.

OUR TOP RECOMMENDED CHOICES ARE AMAZON AND SWAPPA

Swappa – Top Recommendation

Designed to be your one-stop shop for all of your used electronics needs and wants, Swappa offers everything from mobile phones and tablets, to gaming consoles and home tech. A platform by the users, for the users, Swappa has become the face of second hand tech marketplaces online ever since its inception back in the year 2010. Hosting a gargantuan listing of mobile devices categorized based on the brand manufacturer and sorted out into unlocked and carrier-locked variants, the simplified user interface that is put in place by Swappa makes sorting through thousands of devices easier than ever.

When taking a deeper look at the products that are sold on Swappa, you will realize the depth of how this marketplace performs. Each and every product listing is first verified by moderators before being made public, and these listing must adhere to the strict guidelines put in place. Pictures from all angles are mandatory when selling a product on Swappa, and you need to do so while displaying a verification code provided, which ensures that the used product that you’re displaying in the images is the one that’s up for selling on the used

The listings are separated based not just on the network carrier status of the device, but the condition too. You can choose a product based on its evaluated physical state, which can be determined by choosing between Good, Fair, Mint, and even New state. Additionally, each of the seller is given a star rating, which helps you determine how trustworthy they are before you go ahead and spend your hard-earned money on a used gadget. Additionally, Swappa comes with PayPal Protection, which means that your money is always in safe hands.

Pros:

  • Online marketplace that is dedicated to selling only used and refurbished electronic items, guaranteeing a cheaper price.
  • The platform is designed to be intuitive and categorized for ease of use, based on type of product, brand, network carrier status, and more.
  • Mandatory visual inspection with images and full disclosure about any damage or defects in the device.
  • Users can communicate directly with the sellers, clear any queries they may have regarding the device, and even negotiate prices in the comments section.

Amazon

Shop Google Pixel 3 on Amazon

With potentially millions of products sold each day all across the world, Amazon certainly is the giant among e-commerce platforms. While the e-retailer is not exactly known for being a dedicated reseller of used and refurbished products, you can find a wide variety of it on its website. Whether you’re looking for used devices, refurbished products sold by the brand manufacturer, or open box products which have been returned by unsatisfied buyers, Amazon can help you cut a good deal on your second hand electronics purchase. The sheer size of this e-commerce giant is what attracts thousands of sellers to it, which also help you, the buyer, enjoys plenty of choices to pick from.

Similar to the way Swappa dictates that the buyer maintains complete transparency, Amazon also mandates that the seller mentions details regarding the condition of the device being sold. However, Amazon does not make it compulsory to add images of the product with a verification code for assurance like Swappa does. However, most of the used devices that sold, are secured through Amazon Purchase Protection, so you don’t have to worry about losing your money in case the product fails to meet your expectations.

Since Amazon is not an exclusive store just for used products, you might have to do more digging in comparison to Swappa. However, you can expect the general price point to be somewhat lower on Amazon, along with a larger selection of products to choose from. However, you do not get a direct channel of communication that helps you easily communicate with the seller, although you do get to send out messages. Additionally, if you do have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can even enjoy one-day delivery if your chosen product qualifies for it.

Pros:

  • Almost every major electronics item on Amazon is available in multiple buying options, giving you a larger selection of second hand devices to choose from.
  • Prices of the used products is highly competitive among the sellers, which enables you to find the right device for a cheaper price.
  • Amazon Purchase Protection secures your investment when buying a used device, while Prime service guarantees quicker delivery to your doorstep.

Cons:

  • Product details are not as descriptive as you would be able to view over at Swappa.

eBay

If you’ve been shopping online long enough, the eBay brand should not seem unknown, since it is one of the oldest one in the business. The guidelines to start listing products on eBay are fairly simple, which is why you can expect to find a higher density of used Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones on this platform. Additionally, you can expect the prices of the phone to be lower on eBay compared to other used device marketplaces, since the commission charged by eBay to the sellers is lower. You don’t have to worry about your money either, since eBay also comes with PayPal Protection in place, so you can always take things up with PayPal if you aren’t satisfied with your purchase.

The loose guidelines might make the task easier for the sellers, but at a buyer, not being able to verify the physical condition of the device through pictures may be a deal-breaker for some. You don’t get a dedicated shipping service from eBay, and the entire process has to be done by the seller themselves, which means that you’re at their mercy when it comes to having the product shipped out on time and delivered to you. eBay also has a single-dimensional rating system for its sellers, where a seller in any category of products can go ahead and put up a second-hand device on sale, while their high rating might fool customers into thinking that their purchase is coming from a top-rated electronics seller.

eBay certainly has its merits apart from the competitive pricing, which is apparent through the filtering system that allows you to find the cheaper device right away. One unique feature of this e-commerce platform is the auction system, which allows you to bid for the product you want to buy. This way, you can compete with other buyers to bag the item, while being assured that you did not end up paying a cent more than what the device is worth. Most of the reputed sellers on eBay are responsive and even offer a return policy with 100% refund if you aren’t satisfied with the product You will, however, have to manage the return process yourself and have the product shipped back, which can be quite the ordeal.

Pros:

  • The number of listings available are higher in number since any user is allowed to create a private listing and start selling.
  • The auction system that is put in place allows the buyer to find the most suited price to buy the item and make big savings.

Cons:

  • Moderation of the products sold through the listings is subpar, which may result in a poor buying experience.

Social Media/Craigslist

Users all across the world have been using online classifieds such as Craigslist to buy and sell products such as furniture, cars, and even rent out places. It should come as no surprise that Craigslist is also effectively used for buying and selling of used electronics such as mobile phones, and the ability to create listings for free right away, makes it more accessible to the masses. You can expect significantly lower prices when buying products off Craigslist, since there is no middleman with commission fees.

However, the freedom of being able to buy directly from the seller comes at its own risks, especially without a moderator in place. When purchasing a used Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL from a seller on Craigslist, you need to make a judgement call. You can do so based on the description that the seller provides, pictures of the actual device, and how responsive they are to your queries regarding the listing. Either way, there is a certain amount of risk that comes with buying something from a complete stranger, so the price of the phone should be able to justify it.

If you are willing to go out into the open and look for someone who wants to sell their used phone, why not look into your social circle first? Ask friends and family around if someone they know is looking to sell their used mobile phone, and with a direct connection, you can fetch one for the right price. Asking as many questions as possible when buying a used phone directly through the seller is always a smart practice, so don’t hold back on any queries you may have. Albeit there is no protection in place that can safeguard your money, but that’s the price you have to pay for a cheaper smartphone.

Evaluate a used Google Pixel 3 before buying

Once you’ve decided where you want to buy the second hand Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL from, the work isn’t done just yet. Purchasing a phone that you are most likely going to be using for a year or two should be a well-informed decision that you feel confident about. Covering the basics such as looking closely at the cosmetic condition of the phone is just the first step to qualifying a device for purchase. However, you need to look deeper into whether the device that you have your eyes on is worth your money and the effort you put into buying it.

Step 1: Verify the IMEI Number

The very reason device manufacturers assign the unique IMEI Number to mobile phones and tablets is to curb the illegal trading of phones. Additionally, stolen devices can also easily be tracked using the IMEI Number, and when it comes to purchasing a used Google Pixel 3, you need to be sure about the fact that the device you’re purchasing is neither stolen or blacklisted. Before you go ahead and make the purchase, it is essential to ask the seller for the IMEI Number of the phone for verification purposes.

One of the first things you need to ask the seller is the IMEI Number, and if they fail to provide it, you might want to steer clear of the purchase. A blacklisted IMEI phone will not only be rendered useless, but using one can get you into legal trouble, so regardless of the enticing price tag that it comes with, avoid such products at all costs. If you are able to get your hands on the device, here’s what you need to do to find out the IMEI of the used Google Pixel phone that you’re looking to buy:

  1. From the home screen of the device, head over to the Settings
  2. Scroll down to find the System tab and open it.
  3. Now head over to the About phone
  4. Access the MEID menu, which should give you a view of the IMEI Number of the device.
  5. You can also choose to dial *#06# from the Phone app to find out the IMEI Number.

Step 2: Network unlock the device

If you’re choosing to get yourself a factory unlocked Pixel 3, you don’t need to worry about this particular step. However, if you’re planning to save a few bucks by getting a network locked variant, you might want to consider having it unlocked. Not only is the 15-digit IMEI Number the signaling factor that validates the legitimacy of the seller, but is also essential for unlocking the phone from the network carrier. If the phone does not come unlocked right out of the box, you will need to verify if the phone is unlockable, for which you will need to provide the IMEI Number of the device to the unlocking service provider.

Even if you’re planning to use the Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL with the same network carrier that the phone is locked to, we recommend that you have it network unlocked. Down the road if you decide to change your network carrier for better coverage or cheaper service plans, having an unlocked phone would give you plenty of options to choose from. Additionally, if you travel abroad often and need to stay connected on the go, swapping your SIM card with a local one would help you save big on international roaming costs. This is why we especially like the feature of Swappa that allows you to choose a device which is carrier-specific or unlocked right out of the box.

Step 3: Ensure that Google FRP is disabled

Apple devices come with a security feature called iCloud Activation Lock, which restricts the user from accessing a newly formatted iDevice without entering the owner’s Apple ID and password first. This straightforward security feature works as a deterrent of mobile theft, since it effectively makes the device useless without accessing the iCloud account. Google has adopted a similar security protocol in the form of Google Account Verification, which is also known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

There is no apparent way of knowing whether the FRP feature is enabled or disabled on a used Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL. This is what makes it crucial that you ensure that the feature has been disabled by the seller before they send over the device to you. Since reaching out to the seller after the point of sale may not always be possible, or they may be hesitant to share their Google account username and password with you, this is a process that you need to complete before making the purchase.

To disable the FRP feature on any Android phone, all that you need to do is remove the Google account that is associated with the device.

  1. From the home screen of your Google Pixel device, head over to the Settings
  2. In the Settings app, scroll down to find the Accounts
  3. Tap on the Google icon and find the associated Google account and select it.
  4. Select the Remove account button and confirm your action.

Step 4: Perform a general inspection

Once you have the phone arrive to you in the mail, or you are able to get a hold of the device before making the purchase, a general inspection is in order. Since you will be able to either turn down the seller or send the phone back within the first few days, it is essential that you get to testing things out about the used Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL right away.

Physical condition – With the phone’s display being the main concern, the first thing you should start observing is the wear and tear on the housing of the Google Pixel. If you notice any chips on the side of the screen or hairline cracks that run all the way, that could mean hundreds of dollars in screen repair. While a broken screen is unacceptable, other oddities such as dents on the corner of the phone or abrasions on the back might just help you negotiate for a better price. Additionally, taking a look at the accessories that are provided with the phone, along with any damage in the charging cable should also be considered.

Verify the battery life – The amount out screen on time that you get from your mobile phone is a crucial aspect that you must consider. Since the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are not even a year old, you should expect the battery to be in healthy condition and give you hours of performance for communication, entertainment, and everything in between. You can start off by performing an entire battery cycle, by charging the phone all the way up to 100% and then letting it drain down to 0% until it shuts off. This process should help cleanse the battery and also give you an estimate of how many hours of screen-on time to expect.

Conclusion

The speed with which technology is evolving is mesmerizing, with personal tech devices getting faster, smarter, and more expensive with each iteration. Back in 2016 when Google released the very first Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, it did not hold back on the hardware specs and premium build quality, and that hasn’t changed now either. If you’re a power user who appreciates the pure stock Android experience that Google offers with its Pixel line of devices, but don’t feel that the premium price tag is justified, then saving hundreds of bucks on a used Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL is the way to go.

We’ve closely examined the marketplaces that offer a healthy range of mobile devices and other electronics, and shortlisted the best options for you. If you have any questions regarding how an e-commerce platform such as Swappa works, or need any assistance related to how you can unlock your Google Pixel phone the easy way, just reach out to us in the comments section right down below, and you’ll hear back from us soon.

How to Check iCloud Mail on PC, Mac, And Phone

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How to Check iCloud Mail on PC, Mac, And Phone

Learning how to check iCloud Mail on any device is a one-step process. Once you go through it, then it basically becomes a walk in the park really. That being said, let’s get right into it. 

A Small Note

While you can you freely use iCloud by itself in any device, certain services are locked down to Apple devices only. And you guessed it, the iCloud Mail is one of them. 

Here’s the deal: 

  1. Using iCloud Mail should technically be possible on any device
  2. But the creation of an iCloud Mail account is restricted only to those who own either an iPhone or Mac

In other words, if you only have a Windows or Android device and you tried logging in without spotting the Mail, then that’s normal. Apple won’t let you get a mail account unless you already have one of their devices and you need to create it from there. 

You can still use iCloud normally with the use of a web browser – anything will do. But, the iCloud Mail isn’t going to be available. Again, that is unless you already own an Apple device which you used to create your iCloud Mail. 

Now that we cleared this out of the way, let us move on with the guide. 

How to Create an iCloud Mail Account

If you already have an account, then feel free to skip through this step. You can primarily use two kinds of devices to get an iCloud Mail account: 

  1. Your iPhone
  2. And your Mac

The setup process is extremely easy in both cases. So, just go with whatever you feel most comfortable with. Just do keep in mind that the steps are slightly different for phones that are running iOS 10.3 or earlier and VS iOS 10.2 earlier devices. 

For 10.3 and higher: 

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select your name/Apple ID
  3. Go to iCloud
  4. Enable Mail
  5. Follow any instructions that your phone will give you
  6. And you’ll be good to go

The process on iOS 10.2 devices and earlier is the same with the main difference that instead of clicking on your name, you go straight to the option which says “iCloud”. After that, simply enable your Mail, follow any instructions that your device will give you, and you’ll be set in no time. 

If you don’t get any instructions after enabling the Mail, then chances are that you already went through the necessary steps before and just forgotten about it or something. 

How to Check iCloud Mail Through a Browser

How to check iCloud Mail

This is how iCloud looks through a web browser. The reason that you can’t see Mail on this screenshot is because it wasn’t enabled through an Apple device. But, if you’ve followed our previous steps or you’ve enabled it before, then you should be able to see it and get access to it.

It doesn’t really matter what device or browser that you’re using. You only need to make sure that: 

  1. You are running the latest version of your browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc)
  2. And that you’ve completed the Mail setup

After that, all you have to do is head over to the home page of iCloud right over here, then insert your login credentials (Apple ID, Password, and potentially the security questions.) and you’ll be good to go. 

Once you’re in, all you need to do is select the Mail icon and you’ll be taken to your inbox. Again, this should work with all devices. All you need is a normal web browser and that’s about it. 

How to Check iCloud Mail on Windows

Alright, so, getting access to your mail through a web browser is cool and everything. But, what if you want to do it the old fashioned way? Some of us just don’t feel comfortable without our dedicated programs. Well, Apple has you covered. 

If you’ve got a Windows PC, you can check your iCloud Mail with mainly 3 ways: 

  1. Web browser
  2. Windows app
  3. Universal Windows app

We already talked about the web browser method which works pretty much universally. So, let’s move on to the Windows app. This one should technically work with pretty much any version of Windows including Windows 7 and 8. 

All you have to do is head over to this page, click on the “Download icon”, wait for the download to finish, and install the program. Simple as that. After that, all you need to do is log in with your Apple ID and password, select what services you want (Including Mail), and you’ll be good to go!

How to check iCloud Mail

If you’ve got a Windows 10 machine and you want to use UWP version which is exclusively made for Windows 10, then you can do so by heading over to the MS Store and installing it from there. 

How to Check iCloud Mail on Android

It’s not uncommon for some people to own both an Android and an iPhone or at least a Mac and an Android. So, what if you are on the road with your Android phone and you wanna check on your mail? 

Well, while there’s not a dedicated app for you, you can still use Gmail to access your iCloud related emails. In most cases, it comes pre-installed with your phone. If you don’t have it, you can easily get it on the Google Play Store. 

After that, all you need to do is: 

  1. Head over to your Apple ID settings through any browser
  2. Log in
  3. Go to your security tab
  4. Add an app-specific password
  5. Use something that you’ll remember as you’ll need it for Gmail
  6. Now open your Gmail app on your Android phone
  7. Click on your account on the upper right corner
  8. Select: “Add another account”
  9. Select: “Other”
  10. Insert your Apple ID/Mail and the app-specific password that you just created
  11. And you should be good to go

Gmail allows you to use multiple emails on the same app. So, no need to worry about that. Just try not to get confused with your different Inboxes. 

By the way, the same process applies and can be used with the Windows’ Mail app. But, there’s no reason to go through this rather troublesome process when you can just use the official program for it, right? 

How to To Use The Mail on iPhone And Mac Devices

The Mail service is already pre-installed on your Mac and iPhone device. So, as long as you went through the setup process, you can launch it from your home-screen/apps list and that’s all there is to it. Just make sure that you’ve got it enabled through the settings. 

That’s all for now. If you’ve got any questions or in case that something went wrong, do let us know about it in the comments and we’ll get back to you. 

 

 

How to Track Someones Phone – 3 Best Phone Tracking Apps

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How to Track Someones Phone – 3 Best Phone Tracking Apps

Are you looking for a solution of how to track someones phone when they’ve either lost it or you want to know their whereabouts? Here’s a complete guide on how you can do it on both Android, and iOS, and a list of phone tracking apps that help you always know where your friends and family are.

You may not be the biggest fan of how the current state of social media and instant messaging has taken over like a plague, but there is no denying the fact that smartphone technology has reshaped the way we stay connected to our loved ones all across the world. Whether you consider the ability to video call someone ten thousand miles away, or be able to enjoy high-definition entertainment anywhere at any time, mobile phones have been a blessing right from the start, and just continue to evolve into a piece of technology that is deeply personal.

What makes smartphones even more productive is the fact that they use location-based services to help you find places around you to visit, directions across cities, and even allow you to share your live location with other people to let them know where you are. But what about when you want to know how to track someones phone when they aren’t able to share their location, or are unable to do so because they’ve lost or misplaced their smartphone somewhere? The problem of losing your Android phone or iPhone isn’t a new one and can happen to the best of us, and fortunately, there is a safety net.

How to Track Someones Phone

If you’re worried about a loved one who isn’t responding to your messages and won’t answer your phone calls, or if you’ve misplaced your phone somewhere and worry that it might be stolen, tracking it is the first thing that should come to mind. Although you can expect the best results with the Wi-Fi, GPS, and Mobile Networks available when tracking a phone, there’s almost always a way to get a hold of the mobile phone’s location. By using not just the official services from manufacturers such as Find My Device by Google and Find My iPhone by Apple, but also a bunch of third-party mobile tracking apps available for users to download, you can always know where that loved one is.

Find an Android Phone with Google’s Find My Device

Back in 2016 at Google I/O, the company added an essential ability to Android OS in the form of the Find My Device service. This feature keeps all of your Android devices connected as long as the location services are enabled on the device. As a preventive measure, make sure that the service is enabled from the Settings – Security & lock screen – Device administrators – Find My Device.

  1. Download the Find My Device app from the Google Play Store. You can also choose to access the Find My Device web service using your computer or tablet.
  2. Open the Find My Device app or web service and sign into your Google account.
  3. If you are trying to learn how to track someones phone and not yours, make sure that you sign in using their Google account.
  4. Once you’ve signed in using the Google account, you should be able to see all of the devices that are synced to it.
  5. By selecting the device that you want to find out the location of, you will be able to see where it was last detected on the map by Google.

Apart from being able to see the last seen location of the Android device, you will also be able to perform certain actions which can help you find it.

Play Sound – When you press this button from the side menu, the Find My Device service will trigger playing a sound on the device. This is quite helpful if you’ve misplaced the phone in your vicinity and need some audio assistance to find it. Once you trigger the Play Sound option, it will make the device ring for 5 minutes at a stretch even if the phone is on Silent mode. After you’ve found the device, you can stop making it ring by pressing the Power button.

Secure Device – The option comes in handy when you’ve lost your device and reckon that the phone or tablet and has been picked up by someone. Using the Secure Device option, you can put the device on a lockdown and prevent anyone from accessing it, while putting up a phone number and message on the screen for the finder to contact you on. Although the device will sign out of the Google account after this action, you will still be able to track it.

Erase Device – If you’ve come to the realization that your phone is either lost or stolen for good, the only form of damage control you can do is keep your data on the device away from the perpetrator. Using the Erase Device feature is essentially a kill switch, erasing your device of all the data, including the Google accounts that are synced to it. After you’ve performed this action, you will no longer be able to track the location of the phone or tablet.

Find an iOS Device with Apple’s Find My iPhone

Released with the cloud storage platform iCloud in the year 2011, the Find My iPhone service allows you to keep a lookout on all of your iOS and even Mac OS X computers. As long as your iDevices are well-within the range of a mobile network or a wireless network, you will be able to track the location of it from anywhere. Similar to Android, you use the service to understand how to track someones phone as long as you have access to their iCloud account. You will need to service enabled on the iOS device in the Settings – Apple ID – iCloud – Find My iPhone and make sure that the toggle switch next to it is enabled.

  1. Access the Find My iPhone app from your iOS device or head over to iCloud from your web browser to access the Find My iPhone service online.
  2. Using your Apple ID and password, log into your iCloud account. If you are tracking someone else’s iDevice, you will need to enter their iCloud user credentials to use the Find My iPhone service.
  3. Open the Find iPhone app in the iCloud menu and select the All Devices tab you see at the top of the screen.
  4. You will now be able to see the iDevice on the map and even zoom in to track the whereabouts even closely.

There will be three different modes available on the upper-right corner of the screen for you to perform additional actions:

Play Sound – Selecting this option will begin to play an audible ringtone on your iOS or Mac OS X device even if the device is set to vibrate or silent mode. This mode should help you locate the iDevice if you’ve only misplaced it around the house or in any indoor setting.

Lost Mode – By selecting this option, you get to display a short message on the iDevice’s screen and set it on lockdown with your phone number put up on the screen for the phone’s finder to contact you. A ringtone will also be played alongside for others to be able to notice your misplaced device.

Erase iPhone – The final resolution if you are unable to find your iPhone or iPad and want to keep your private contents of the phone away from others. By selecting this option, you will be erasing all of the content that is present on your iDevice and the iCloud Activation lock will also be activated, which will ensure that the phone becomes unusable.

3 Best Phone Tracking Apps

Although the ability locating a phone that Google and Apple offer are reliable, these tracking services are centered around a single user. If you want to try out how to track someones phone or tablet, you will need access to their Google or Apple ID, which is not always feasible. To solve this problem, third-party app developers have come up with a few nifty solutions through their tracking apps. By simply having any of these apps installed and set up on Android or iOS devices, you can stay connected and know where your loved ones are at all times.

1. Life360: Find Family & Friends

Staying connect to each other in this digital world can sometimes seem impossible, especially when we’re all living our separate lives and surrounded by social media to keep us distracted. This is the very reason Life360 brings you the Family Locator app, allowing you to be well within reach of the people who matter to you the most. Using the Life360 app, you can create your private groups and chat with them for free, while being notified of their real-time location. Smart features of this tracking app include the ability to receive alerts when a family Circle member arrives or leaves a specific destination, so you are always updated of their safe journey.

Download Life360: Find Family & Friends for iOS

Download Life360: Find Family & Friends for Android

2. Prey Anti Theft

Mobile theft certainly isn’t an anomaly, and you never know when you could fall prey to one of the perpetrators out there, which is exactly what this app here is designed to prevent. Prey Anti Theft allows you to track the whereabouts of your device from anywhere using multiple factors such as GPS coordinates and MAC Address as well, helping the federal authorities gather enough evidence to take action. You can set up Control Zones which alert you when your Android or iOS devices enters or leaves a certain area, GPS Geolocation helps in triangulating precise location of your device, Front and Back Camera take silent snaps of the perpetrator, and additional features like Security Alarm and Security Message Alert to stay on top of your anti-theft protection system at all times.

Download Prey Anti Theft for iOS

Download Prey Anti Theft for Android

3. Sygic Family Locator

One of the most popular brand in GPS navigation technology is now personalizing the service by offering you a way to stay connected with your loved ones. The Sygic Family Locator app for Android and iOS allows you to get real-time location of your friends and family members and share messages for free among the inner circle. Designed especially for parents, the Sygic Family Locator app will notify you when your child reaches the school and exits, allows you to set up safe zones, and even get alerted when they go off the grid. The app gives you a complete breakdown of up to 7 days of location history of your family members, along with the built-in features to track and lockdown your stolen or lost phone.

Download Sygic Family Locator for iOS

Download Sygic Family Locator for Android

Final Words

Global Positioning System or GPS as we now call it in general, is a technology that has revolutionized the way we go around this world. Tech giants such as Google have privatized this highly resourceful technology in the form of Google Maps, which has now become the backbone of the industry, and your favorite services such as Lyft, Uber Eats, and many others would not exist without it. One such personalized use of GPS can be to learn to not only keep an eye on the whereabouts of your own devices, but also how to track someones phone and stay connected at all times.

Whether you choose to implement the Find My Device service for your Android phone or tablet, pick up the Find My iPhone app to have a closer look on where your iOS and Mac OS X devices are, or wish to go independent and choose one of the reliable phone tracking apps that we’ve mentioned above, you’re sure to stay connected with those who matter to you the most. If this guide helped you in finding a way to make phone tracking simpler and more convenient, be sure to let us know in the comments section down below.

Phone Charging Slow Lately? Here’s How to Fix It

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Is your phone charging slow and there doesn’t seem to be anything that can help you get it up to speed? Here’s our complete guide on what you need to do to get your phone all charged up faster and understand the reason behind the extended charging time.

Back in the day when mobile devices were used for nothing more than phone calls and the most basic texting, battery capacity was not a concern. Early-age mobile phones such as the Nokia 3310 were legendary for the screen-on time that they offered, allowing users to go days on a single charge. There was nothing revolutionary about the quality of the battery that was offered in the older mobile phones, but rather the limitations that these devices posed when compared to the modern smartphone. Comparing the mobile phones from the 90s to the modern iPhone and Android phones, the two are incomparable.

The latest and great smartphones are capable of handling communication through video calling, stream high-quality content through Wi-Fi, play hours of music, and do so much more with thousands of apps that are out there. But all of this firepower comes at the cost of screen-on time, where even the meatiest smartphones such as the Galaxy S10 offer nothing more than one day of screen-on time. While the technology behind batteries has somewhat remained the same, the one area where mobile phones in general have evolved is the charging time required to juice up. From taking overnight to charge all the way up to 100%, to requiring just a few hours, fast charging has been a game changer.

Phone Charging Slow Lately? Here’s How to Fix It

Qualcomm has developed fast charging technology such as Quick Charge and brands such as OnePlus offering Warp Charge that goes from 0 to 50 in less than 30 minutes. These high-speed charging standards may cause you to expect nothing less than a couple of hours of charging time. However, there are aspects that can slow down the charging speed of your mobile phone, which sometimes may be obviously noticeable, and other times, it may not seem too obvious. There can be multiple factors behind the reason why the phone charging slow problem, and here’s how you can resolve each of them:

Issue #1 – Damaged Charging Cable

If you’ve had your mobile phone for a couple of years now, chances are that you’ve been using it with the same USB cable that came in the box. While most cables these days are built with good quality materials, thousands of cycles of plugging in and out can cause wear and tear over time. Even when the charging cable may seem fully-functional from the outside, broken pins at the either ends of the cable can affect the flow of charge from the adapter to the device.

The very first course of action should be replacing the USB cable with a newer, preferably the one that supports high-speed charging. Additionally, it doesn’t hurt to choose a USB cable that comes with a braided or thickened inner and outer layer, which will prevent the integrity of the charging cable to be hindered even after years of use. You can also test the charging cable with another device to confirm whether the issue lies with the USB cable or not.

Issue #2 – Inefficient Power Source

Apart from the USB cable that brings the power supply to your phone, it is equally important to consider if enough juice is being supplied to your phone in the first place. You can expect optimal charging speeds with the charging adapter that is included with the device. For instance, if you choose to charge your OnePlus device with another charging adapter, the Warp Charge technology will not work, thus causing the phone charging slow down significantly.

Using the USB port on your computer is not the most efficient way of charging your device either, since it offers less than 1A of energy output. You can try replacing the power adapter with a newer one, especially with a Qualcomm Quick Charge adapter (if your phone supports the fast charging standard). You can then expect to reduce the time that is required by your smartphone to charge all the way up to 100%.

Issue #3 – Battery Problems

Several users across the board have reported that the phone charging time seems to increase as the device gets older. Although this specific issue should not occur on newer mobile devices, but it wouldn’t be unheard of, if your new phone also begins to experience battery problems. While new phones can be serviced (for free in most cases), older devices will either need a battery replacement to fix the problem for good.  

For those who still seem to own mobile devices that come with a rear panel that can simply be popped out (like the Galaxy S5, LG G5, and others), replacing the battery is fairly simple. However, for the newer generation of mobile phones can come with batteries coffined inside a glass or metal back panel, visiting a professional to have the battery replaced with a new one is the only way out of the slow charging issue.  Or you can replace your battery yourself.  For iPhone battery replacement or Samsung Battery replacement, read these articles.

Issue #4 – Usage Pattern

Although this should be a no-brainer, but the amount of time to keep that phone turned on significantly affects the time period required to charge the phone. The biggest power-hungry element of your smartphone is the screen, and with the latest crop offering Full-HD and Quad-HD displays, you can expect the juice to drain out significantly faster when you keep using the phone while its charging.

The processing power, combined with the display and even the speakers, can all come together to cause your phone charging slow down. In addition, if you have a weak power source or a damaged power cable that is feeding a reduced power supply to your device, you might even end up losing a couple of percent of battery charge even while it is continuously being charged.

Issue #5 – Background Processes

While everything on the surface may seem fine, there could be a collection of apps and services that may be wreaking havoc on the battery life of your phone in the background. If you have a high-graphic game running in the background, it can take up enough processing power to slow down the charging speed of your mobile phone, even when the screen is turned off and you’ve exited the app. To get a better understanding of what’s eating away at the battery life, you can check it out in the Settings app here:

  1. From the home screen of your mobile phone, head over to the Settings
  2. Through the Settings menu, scroll down to find the Battery tab and open it.
  3. In the Battery menu, you will be able to see a list of apps, along with a percentage right next to them, which will highlight the amount of power it has consumed.

The list of apps can help you find the hidden culprit behind the battery draining and phone charging slow issue that the phone is experiencing. You can also ensure that all of the background apps and services have been closed while you leave the phone to charge.

Issue #6 – Faulty Charging Port

This may seem like a far-fetched possibility, but you’d be surprised how often the charging port of mobile phones can get damaged. The probability of you ending up with a wonky USB port increases significantly if your smartphone has a MicroUSB slot for charging. While the reversible USB Type-C makes the likelihood of USB port damage significantly less, there can still be issues regarding obstruction by debris and corrosion.

Carrying around the phone in your pocket can cause all sorts of dirt and grit to get lodged into the tiny USB port, which can, in some cases, affect the charging speed. Be it from the humid climate or moisture that may have made its way into the USB port, there’s always a chance of corrosion as well, which can also cause severe issues. Either way, we recommend that rather than taking up the job of fixing the problem yourself, you have the phone serviced by a professional.

Issue #7 – Software Problem

The way the mobile manufacturer designs the system software also generally affects the battery life of the smartphone. Although you usually expect a software update to improve the performance of your device, the manufacturer can “pull an oopsie” and roll out a software update that breaks more things than it fixes. There have been numerous where Apple and Android OEMs have released software updates that have caused charging issues with the devices.

If you recently updated your smartphone and have started to experience the phone charging slow lately, then the two could be connected. You can reach out to the software support team and expect the issue to be fixed by an upcoming update, or take matters in your own hand and perform a factory reset. Wiping clean the mobile phone would most likely do away with the broken elements of the system update that is messing with your phone’s charging capacity, so it’s a good idea to use the action as a last resort.

Final Words

Maybe the advent of fast charging technology has spoilt us a little, but not having your phone all juiced up within a few hours can be infuriating. As you can see from the list of possibilities above, the reason behind your phone charging slow is not tied down to a single factor. However, we’ve gathered the intel from users and community forums all over the internet to see what seemed to affect their phone’s charging time, and how they were able to fix it.

Are you among those who have been experiencing slow charging issues on their mobile phones lately? Have you uncovered a specific reason behind the problem that we might’ve overlooked? Be sure to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section right down below.

 

How to Fix Android Black Screen

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Coming across an Android black screen is one of the most terrifying situations that you can get yourself into. Especially if you own an expensive device or if you can’t afford another one at the moment. 

Assuming that your phone or tablet isn’t completely bricked, there are a few solutions to this problem. The exact process will differ depending on the reason that you’re getting a black screen in the first place. So, without any further ado, let’s dive right into it!

1: Make Sure That Your Screen Isn’t Disconnected

First of all, make sure that your display isn’t connected or that your screen’s cable that connects the display to the phone isn’t done for. You see, your phone’s display isn’t actually “glued” to your phone. There is a very short cable that connects it and it kinda looks like this: 

Android black screen

If you drop your phone hard enough, the shock can pull out the cable from its slot. Of course, it’s much more likely that your actual display will shatter. But, trust me. I’ve seen this happen before. 

And the thing is that you can’t really see it. So, how do you tell? Well, the way I see it, you’ve two options: 

  1. See if there’s anything that the phone displays at all while booting
  2. Open your phone and take a look inside or take it to a pro to do it for you

So, the first choice is rather easy. If you see anything while booting the device, then chances are that this is not to blame. You could’ve damaged the software or something else in the device. But, more on that later. 

In case that you actually don’t see anything, yet you still get some sort of vibration or any sign that the phone itself isn’t entirely dead, then your only option is to either open it yourself and see if the cable is to blame or take it to a pro to do it for you. 

2: Try Charging

How to fix android black screen

I know this sounds dumb. But, listen for a moment… Or actually read. There was a time where a little bit of moisture made it into my phone. I got the Android black screen problem with everything else working just fine. Sound, touch, calls, you get it. 

Then it runs out of battery and when I try to plug it in, it just refuses to charge. A few days pass and I decide to plug it in once more. Again, nothing happened. But, after a minute or so, the phone came back into life fully working and it has been fine ever since. Maybe that’s the case for you as well. 

Try plugging it in and leave it there for a couple of minutes. See if that helps. If you happened to gather moisture or water as well, make sure to put it into rice first as that’s great for absorbing water. 

3: Wipe Your Cache Partition And/Or Perform a Factory Reset

How to fix android black screen

The first time that your screen refuses to turn on, it’s common sense to think that it’s a hardware related problem. However, there is also a chance that your operating system is to blame. 

If your phone goes through the first boot stage, meaning that you can see the icon, but goes black before booting into Android, then this is most likely what you’re going through. To solve it, you can either: 

  1. Wipe your cache partition
  2. Perform a factory reset
  3. Install a whole new ROM

The first two options are rather easy. You need to turn off your phone then: 

  1. Hold down the power and volume up buttons (Exact combination may differ from phone to phone. In such cases, Google is your friend)
  2. Select “Wipe Cache Partition”
  3. Reboot and pray that this will work

Wiping your cache partition shouldn’t cause you any problems as it mostly contains temporary files or data from previous updates and generally stuff that don’t affect you too much in case that you end up deleting them. So, you can go ahead and try it. 

Performing a factory reset, however, will end up deleting everything that is saved on your phone’s internal storage. So, do keep that in mind. If the previous step did nothing for you, then you basically need to follow the previous steps. Except, this time, you need to select “Wipe data/factory reset”. Then simply reboot and wait to see if that worked. 

Installing a new ROM is your last resort and unfortunately, we can’t guide you through it. After all, the process differs from phone to phone while some devices do not allow you to touch such things in the first place. So, again, Google is your friend. 

Still Can’t Solve The Android Black Screen Of Death? 

 

Still can’t get out of the black screen? Then there’s a chance that your phone is bricked. Especially if you dropped it into water. And even if you did nothing wrong, electronics do have a limited lifespan. Smartphones are actually extremely endurable. But, every now and then someone gets unlucky. 

Then again, you know what they say: “Hope dies last”. There are still a few miscellaneous fixes. But, don’t expect too much from them. 

  1. Try removing your SD card if you have one installed. Some users have reported that this fixed their problem – not sure why. 
  2. Remove and re-insert your battery if it’s removable. 
  3. Try booting into safe mode. The exact button combination differs from phone to phone. For example, the Galaxy Note 9 boots into safe mode by turning it off, powering up again, and holding the volume down button as soon as the Samsung icon pops up. 

Android Black Screen Issue: Wrapping up

This problem can occur with both hardware and software related issues. So, make sure to go through all of the above-recommended steps and hopefully one of them will work for you. 

If you feel like we forgot to mention something important or that we got something wrong, then do let us and everyone else know about it in the comments section down below!

How to Transfer Apps from Android to Android the Easy Way

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Got a new phone and looking for a way of how to transfer apps from Android to Android right away? Here’s how you can transfer apps easily across devices the official and the unofficial way through file transfer apps.

Mobile phones may have existed since the 90s, but it wasn’t until the age of “smartphones” in the late 2000s that changed the game. Google took an up and coming mobile software platform under its wing, and transformed it into a platform that runs on billions of devices today. Android OS has been pivotal in creating a strong network of communication between people across the world. As other means of communication such as social media, instant messaging, and video calling have been developed, apps have become a central resource that is redefining the way we use our mobile devices.

Whether you consider it a good aspect or an example of how technology has enslaved us, either way, we’re highly dependent on the mobile apps we have on our devices. Occasionally when you’ve either decided to switch to a new device or need to use another phone on a temporary basis, you might need to learn how to transfer apps from Android to Android. While there are plenty of apps out there that help you transfer files, media content, and even contacts from one Android device to another, there aren’t too many that can help you move an entire app.

How to Transfer Apps from Android to Android

If you are among those who have been looking for a solution to make app transferring easier, here’s a complete guide on how you can move apps from one device to another effortlessly using the official Google approved method, or through the means of a third-party app.

Method 1: Transfer Apps using Google Account

Since apps and the data included in them is an integral part of the Android user experience, Google pays close attention to it. This is why with the release of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Google included the ability to backup apps and the related data to the Google Drive. To make sure that your apps get synced when you sign it to the Google account on the second Android, here’s what you need to do:

  1. From the home screen of your Android device, head over to the Settings
  2. Scroll all the way down in the Settings screen to find the Backup & Reset (The option may be under Sync or the System tab on different phone models)
  3. Under the Backup menu, ensure that the toggle switch next to Back up to Google Drive is enabled in the first place.
  4. If you have multiple Google accounts connected with the device, select the one that you want to set up on the second Android device.
  5. Now scroll down to see the App Data tab and tap on it to sync the data.

Now that you have the app data synced with the Google account, you can choose to use the same account to get all of your synced apps and the included data over to the new device. However, make sure that you are connected to the internet when syncing the App Data option so that everything gets synced.

Method 2: Transfer Apps using the SHAREit App

While Google offers you a great way to move all of your apps to a new Android device, this method of how to move apps from Android to Android does not work for single apps. You either end up moving all of your apps and data to the new device, or none of it at all. For those times when you want to move just a selective number of apps from one Android phone or tablet to another, the SHAREit app is a great way to do so.

  1. Download and install the SHAREit app on both the Android devices amongst which you wish to transfer apps (Download Link).
  2. On the first Android device from which you wish to move the apps, open SHAREit and select the Send
  3. On the second device to which you wish to receive the apps, open SHAREit and select the Receive
  4. On the first Android device, you will be able to see the icons of all the apps that are installed on the system, so start selecting the ones you wish to transfer.
  5. Once you have select the apps you want to transfer, press the Send
  6. The SHAREit app will begin to look for the second Android device which is ready to receive the app data.
  7. Once the device pops up in the radar, tap on it to begin the transfer of apps in the form of APK files.
  8. You can then tap on the individual APK files to install the app on your second Android device.

Apart from being useful in transferring selective apps, SHAREit may be the only option to download apps on certain devices. For instance, Android devices that do not come packed with the Google Play Store app like Amazon Fire Tablet, are restricted to only a handful of apps. This is where the SHAREit app can help you install any app on the device seamlessly and within minutes.

Bonus: Use Samsung Smart Switch (for Galaxy Devices)

Since a massive chunk of the Android mobile market is dominated by the South-Korean tech giant, it makes complete sense that Samsung would develop its own software that can help you on how to transfer apps from Android to Android easily. The Samsung Smart Switch service allows you to move not just your apps, but contacts, messages, settings, home screen layout, and even media content in one go.

  1. Make sure that the Samsung Smart Switch is installed on the old Android and the new Galaxy device (Download Link).
  2. Open the Samsung Smart Switch app on your old Android device and tap on the Send data
  3. You now need to connect the old Android device to the new Galaxy device. You can choose to connect via a Cable, or go for the Wireless connection option.
  4. Once you have connected the old device to the new one, you will be prompted on the new device to accept the connection, so press the Yes
  5. Now you will be able to choose the content that you wish to move between the two devices.
  6. Select the Apps button to move the installed apps from your old Android device to the new Galaxy device and press the Send
  7. On the new Galaxy device, press the Receive button to begin the transfer process.
  8. Once the process has been completed, press the Done button and head back to the home screen to see all of the apps from our old phone installed on the new one.

Final Words

The Google Play Store has changed to face of the modern mobile phone by bringing more functionality to smart devices than ever thought possible before. However, for users in restrictive regions such as China or with those whose devices don’t support the Google Play Store framework, manually installing APK files is the only way out. Additionally, understanding how to transfer apps from Android to Android can be a lifesaver under certain circumstances, especially when you have tons of them installed.

We hope that this guide will help you easily move apps and installed data from one Android to another seamlessly. If you do have any queries regarding the process, or want to mention a way to transfer apps across devices that is better than ours, all you need to do is reach out to us in the comments section, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

GarageBand for Android – Here are the Best Alternatives

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Are you in search for the ultimate GarageBand for Android alternative out there but can’t find one? Here’s our collection of the best virtual music studio apps for Android that are just as good, if not better than the GarageBand app.

For as long as humans have existed, we’ve had a knack for everything that is musical, with instruments of music that have existed for thousands of years. However, as the world of technology has progressed, so has the world of music, with an entire industry built around it that is worth billions today. Thanks to the advent of smartphones, music has become easily approachable, and dedicated streaming service such as Spotify and Apple Music have made it easier for consumers to get their fair share of tunes anywhere and anytime.

Mobile devices are capable of doing a lot more than just help you listen to music – they can help you create music too. With platforms such as SoundCloud that allow independent artist to get recognized, the need of a virtual music studio is now more than ever. Apple has already seen the potential in the billion-dollar music industry and launched the GarageBand suite that allows you dive into the world of music as a creator, but there is no official GarageBand for Android yet, and since Apple likes to keep things exclusive, this won’t be changing any time soon either.

What is GarageBand?

Announced all the way back in 2014 for Mac OS by Steve Jobs himself, GarageBand was tuned up and released for iPhone and iPad back in 2017 with a slew of new features that best suit the mobile platform. Packed with a bunch of features that help you craft your very own tunes through virtual music instruments such as bass, drums, keyboard, guitars and many more, the GarageBand app is a one-stop solution to discovering the musical artist within you.

GarageBand for Android Alternative to Try Out

While the GarageBand app for iOS may have its advantages of being a well-rounded virtual music studio suite, the exclusivity of it restricts the user base significantly. Additionally, Google has not been as warm towards the idea of helping users develop music, which is why there is no official GarageBand for Android alternative either. But thanks to the open-source nature of Android, there has been plenty of support from the community, which has led to the development of third-party apps that give GarageBand a run for its money.

Whether you’re looking to test out your musical side with just some of the basic features, or want to dive into the serious business of music by creating your unique beats and tunes, there are virtual music studio apps out there to help you get there. We’ve hand-picked some of the best ones and listed them down below for you to try out. 

1. Music Maker JAM

Built as a fully-featured music mix studio app that has already been used by millions of audiophiles around the world, Music Maker JAM helps you design new tracks, customize them to the last beat, and share them with the world. Packed with thousands of beats, sample and loops that are nothing short of studio level quality, the genre includes Rap, EDM, Funk, Rock, Hip Hop, and so much more along with it.

When it comes to recording your talented mixes, you get the power of a full-fledged 8-channel mixer that also helps you take complete control of the tempo and the harmony. With thousands of real-time sound effects included in the suite, you can create remix tracks, record your vocals right from the phone itself, and even share your creations with a bunch of artists, producers, influencers, DJs, and more through the Music Maker JAM community online.

Get the Music Maker JAM App

2. BandLab

As far as GarageBand for Android alternatives go, BandLab cuts quite close with the immersive user interface and a wide range of abilities that help you create great music on the go. Apart from the features that allow you to produce sound tracks with the 12-Track Mix Edition and more than 100 different presets, BandLab is essentially designed to be a social network for music lovers across the spectrum.

You can create followers for your style of music and even follow other up and coming artists on the platform to get your inspiration from. As far as music production goes, the unique features of the BandLab app such as the cross-platform support, built in Looper to help you create professional-grade Loop Packs, and a Tweaker that works on quantization and FX seamlessly throughout.

Get the BandLab App

3. Soundtrap

Now here’s an app that comes directly from the multi-million-dollar music app Spotify, which has been designed to bring the power of producing sound tracks in the hands of consumers. The way Spotify has designed the Soundtrap app to work is to help you create your unique flow, while empowering you with a large collection of professional loops that can be synthesized within the tracks to give it a refreshing vibe.

This GarageBand for Android alternative comes with the ability to help you seamlessly record vocals, acoustic, guitar, bass, and other instruments, or even make use of the large selection of guitar, bass, and even vocal effects that have been hand-picked by the developers. By having a professional-grade music synthesizer on your Android device or tablet, you can create professional music on the go.

Get the Soundtrap app

4. FL Studio Mobile

While most of the music studio apps on the list so far are ideal for beginners as well, the features, as well as the high price point of the FL Studio Mobile is best suited for professionals and serious audiophiles. Incorporating the latest and largest collection of sampler, synthesizer, drum kits, and sliced-loop beats, the service comes with premium features such as Step sequencer, virtual musical instruments for live recording and more.

There are plentiful options available for exporting music files in different raw formats with the FL Studio Mobile for when you want to work on the big screen, along with a high-quality audio engine to help sample the tunes that you’ve crafted. The layout of the app makes it easier for you to browse samples and presets, use the Mixer module, save and even load song tracks to edit them for a remix version of your own.

Get the FL Studio Mobile App

5. Audio Evolution Mobile Studio

As a music enthusiast, you may just uncover the next great beat while on the bus to school or the cab to work, and for those times when you’re on the road, you can carry a full-fledged virtual music studio in your pocket with the Audio Evolution Mobile Studio app. While covering the basic features of offering multi-track audio recording and playback, MIDI sequencing, and loop playback, the mixer app can do a lot more.

There are plenty of automation features built into the music mixer app as well, along with virtual instruments for live recording that are based on SoundFonts. This GarageBand for Android alternative app comes with unlimited editing facility, support for importing sound files in virtually every format, and also includes a drum pattern editor for you to create beats on the go with all the professional help that you can get.

Get the Audio Evolution Mobile Studio App

Final Words

The music industry has dramatically shifted from being a big-label play for the stars to a platform for emerging artists to vocalize their talents for music fans to hear worldwide. From Ed Sheeran to Shawn Mendez, the world of music for independent artists is now more inclusive than ever, and with the help of services like GarageBand, the art of music is now within reach of users everywhere. However, to make the ability of creating your very own sound tracks and beats even more accessible, there have been plenty of music mixer apps developed by third-party studios, which easily stand as some of the best GarageBand for Android alternatives that you can find out there.

Are you among those who has been looking to get the best of GarageBand but does not own an iPhone or iPad? Did these top-rated alternative virtual music studio apps help you get what you need to become the next big talent in the music business? Be sure to share your thoughts on which of these apps is of most interest to you, and for any questions, just ask away in the comments section.

Best Wireless Chargers for Android and iPhone

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Looking for the best wireless chargers around? Cause that’s what we’ll be looking at today. Wireless charging is a great way to make your life easier by getting rid of cables – almost. Not to mention that it eliminates port degradation. After all, with wireless charging, you don’t need to plug-in and out cables all the time for charging.

With all of that being said, it’s no surprise that wireless charging is slowly, but surely becoming the new standard. So, here are some of the best wireless chargers that you can grab right now!

1: Yootech Pad

Best wireless chargers

Starting at 13 bucks with more than 6,000 positive reviews, the Yootech is definitely one of the best wireless chargers that you can get right now. It’s affordable, gets the job done, and also Qi certified. 

It can charge iPhones at 7.5 watts and Qi certified Android devices at 10 watts. That’s assuming, of course, that your phone is compatible. The LED light also comes in handy so that you’ll know if your phone is charging or not and when it’s charged.

While the description mentions that the charger stays adequately cooled, not a whole lot of information has been provided about it. So, take that with a grain of salt. 

As for cases, it can charge your device with a case on, but only if it’s less than 4mm in terms of thickness. And even in that case, taking off the case is recommended for the best results.  

Overall, it’s a solid choice for those who want to get into the world of wireless charging without spending too much. 

The only small downside is that it doesn’t come with a charging adapter and that fast charging is pretty much non-existent. But, at this price point, we really can’t complain. Not to mention that you most likely already have a charging adapter. And even if you don’t, or if you want an extra one, most chargers are extremely cheap. 

Get Yootech from Amazon

 

2: Anker PowerWave Stand

Best wireless chargers

The Anker PowerWave is another great wireless charger. If there is one advantage that it has over the other wireless chargers, then that would be its ability to charge through the thickest of cases. 

The official description mentions that about 5mm of thickness is the limit. However, most people haven’t complained about anything like that. 

If there’s one problem that people had with this is charging near magnets or with cases that contained any kind of magnet. Still, as far as we know, that’s a common issue with any wireless charger out there. They generally don’t play well with any kind of metallic objects. The charger does have foreign object detection, but that’s about it. You’re better off keeping any other foreign objects away from it. 

As is the standard with affordable wireless chargers, this one doesn’t come with a charging adapter either. We suppose that you can use your phone’s charger. But, if you want to play it safe, or if you need it as a secondary option, you can always grab the version that comes withthe charging adapter as well. Just do keep in mind that it costs almost 50 bucks. 

Get The Anker PowerWave from Amazon

 

3: Mophie Travel Kit

If you’re constantly on the road, then carrying around the average wireless charger will definitely be somewhat painful, to say the least. So, if you want the wireless charging experience while also traveling, do seriously consider picking up Mophie’s travel kit. 

It’s one of the best wireless chargers when it comes to traveling, if not the best. After all, it offers pretty much everything you’ll need in one package. 

  1. Carrying bag
  2. Charging adapter
  3. Car adapter
  4. And of course, the charging pad

The only downsides that it has is that it doesn’t charge as fast as the other chargers that we’ve seen till now. Other than that, the charging pad is also a bit too small, but that’s to be expected from a wireless charger that’s meant to be used for traveling. 

One more downside is that it doesn’t play too well with phone cases. Anything more than 3mm of thickness will likely set you back. Or at least that’s according to Mophie.

Still, when everything is said and done, despite its numerous downsides, this still is the best wireless charger for those who are constantly traveling. 

Get Mophie Travel Kit from Amazon

 

4: Samsung’s Wireless Charger

If you own a Samsung device from the S or the Note series, then Samsung’s wireless charger is definitely one of the best chargers that you can pick up at the moment.

It’s not that it won’t work with other phones. Any Qi-certified device should work with it. But, Samsung mentions that only the S and the Note series support wireless fast charging with it. 

Now, we don’t know how much of this is true. But, still, we are only going to recommend it to those of you who own a Samsung device – just to be on the safe side. 

As for features, it comes with everything that you would expect a wireless charger to have at this price point. LED indicators, support for wireless charging even through cases, a charging adapter, etc. 

The price is definitely a bit high when the charger is not on sale. But, we’re talking about Samsung here. They’ve been making some very high-quality products for years now. However, do be very careful of counterfeits. If the seller has lots of negative reviews, then it’s probably for the best if you stay away from him/her. 

Get Samsung’s Wireless Charger from Amazon

 

5: One of the Best Wireless Chargers on a Budget: Seneo

 

Seneo is without a doubt one of the best wireless chargers that you can get, regardless of if you’re a budget or not. Still, at less than 10 bucks, it’s one of the most affordable chargers out there at the moment. 

Of course, at that price point, you can’t expect it to come with a charging adapter. However, the fact that it can offer anywhere from 5 to 10 watts of charging without asking for more than $10, is pretty darn amazing. 

Furthermore, Seneo also claims that it can charge your phone even if you’re using a case with 5mm of thickness. Is that the highest that we’ve seen so far or what? Though, do keep in mind that 4mm is recommended for the best results. 

Overall, no matter how you look at it, Seneo’s wireless charging pad is a great choice regardless of if you’re on a budget or not. So, do check it out!

Get Seneo’s Charging Pad from Amazon

 

Do you feel like there is another wireless charger that deserves being on this list? Why? Do let us and everyone else know about it in the comments section down below!

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Best Cell Phone Zoom Lens for your iPhone or Android Device

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Optical zoom, wide angle lens, smartphones nowadays come with all sorts of camera goodies. But, what if you’ve got an old or budget phone which has a decent camera but not those extra features? Well, that’s where an external cell phone zoom lens can come in handy. 

If you’ve never heard about this accessory, it’s basically just an external lens that you can attach to your phone’s camera. This can give you extra features like zooming, taking wide-angle shots, and more.

And now you might say: “But, George. I can already zoom with my phone. Why do I need an extra accessory for that?” The answer is that if you don’t have an optical zoom lens pre-installed on your  device, then you’re only zooming digitally. Digital zooming harms your image quality while optical zooming leaves it as it is. 

With that being said, there are multiple lenses to pick from; each one with their pros and cons. So, there’s not one best solution for everyone. For that reason, we’ll take a look at some of the best options, and you can choose whatever fits you best. Let’s go!

One Thing to Keep in Mind

Before we start, there’s one thing to keep in mind. Have you noticed how superzoom cameras are almost always being used with a tripod? There’s a reason for that.

You see, when you zoom over extreme distances, typicall from 8-10x and above, the slightest movement creates extreme deviations. That makes it difficult to capture an image or a video. Especially a video.

So, just remember that this is not the lens’s fault. It’s normal. The only thing that you can do is prey that your phone has good digital image stabilization; or you can also get a tripod which is typically included with a cell phone super zoom lens that goes over 10x.

If you’ve got an extremely stable hand, then you can probably forget about all this. But, that’s a rather rare trait. You’ll soon find out that anything above 10x is extremely shaky.

1: Best Cell Phone Zoom Lens for Macro Shots (Budget): Easy-Macro Lens Band

Cell Phone zoom lens

When you think of zooming in, the first thing that comes to mind is just bringing objects that are far away closer to you. This is useful for landscape photography. But, what about taking macro shots? 

A macro shot is essentially just a close-up/focused picture. Our phones can focus on their own, but they don’t do that very well with extreme close-ups. That’s where an external lens like this one can come in handy.

And by the way, the lens straps around your phone with a rubber band. So, it should be compatible with pretty much any smartphone out there.

This particular lens may not be the best around. But, still, if you want to get some macro shots for fun without busting the budget, check it out! It costs like 15 bucks.

Get the Budget Macro Lens From Amazon

 

2: Best Premium Cell Phone Zoom Lens for Macro Shots: Xenvo Pro

Best cell phone zoom lens

We took a look at what is probably the best budget option for macro shots. The problem with budget options is that they are often subpar in terms of quality. After all, that’s how they manage to be cheaper.

So, how about the best then? What if I’m willing to spend more money for the best macro shots that one can capture by using a phone? Well, in that case, the Xenvo Pro is probably your best bet.

For 40 bucks, you get Amazon’s best seller in phone lenses, a rechargable LED light, two lenses with one of them being the macro lens and the other one giving you wide-angle shots, and a travel case so that you’ll be able to carry your stuff without the fear of breaking them.

Let us clarify that you only get one lens and not two seperate ones. It’s  just that it can act for both macro and wide-angle shots without you havaing to swap out different lenses.

The main advantage of Xenvo compared to budget options is that it doesn’t give you that vignette or fishye effect. Furthermore, it’s easier to capture macro shots without everything turning blurry.

Overall, if you want the best macro lens that you can get, we’d highly recommend checking out the Xenvo Pro.

Get the Xenvo Pro From Amazon

 

3: Best Cell Phone Zoom Lens Package/Kit

best cell phone zoom lens

Alright, so, let us be completely transparent here. There is a LOT of false advertising with this product.

  1. It doesn’t imrove the lighting quality of your pictures
  2. There’s no way to achieve DSLR quality with phones. At least not yet
  3. The difference between close-up shots with and without the macro lens isn’t that huge. Smartphones still have the ability to focus up to a certain point
  4. The telephoto lens can indeed zoom over a hundred meters. But the image isn’t going to be that crisp and clear

To summarize. Is this lens kit badly advertised? Yes. But, is it a good kit? Also yes. At least as good as external lenses can get. If you want a little bit of everything, then do seriesously consider checking this one out. It gives you:

  • Optical zoom up to 12x
  • A Wide-angle lens
  • A 180 degree fisheye lens
  • And 2 15x macro lenses

Againa little bit of everything. However, let us not forget to mention that if taking macro shots is your primarily focus, then you’re better off getting the Xenvo Pro.

If you want both the best macro shots that you can capture but also a telephoto lens or anything similar, then you’ll probably have to get the Xenvo Pro and any other lens that you want seperately. The whole package isnt worth it if you’re going to pay for macro lenses twice. Only as a standalone choice.

Get This Kit From AmazonGet This Kit From Amazon

 

What is your favorite phone lens? Let us know in the comments section down below. If you feel like there is another cell phone zoom lens that is worthy of being in this list, do mention that as well.

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