Facebook Memories can be good for a laugh or a fond memory, but do you want them popping up all the time and possibly causing embarrassment. Here’s how to customize your Facebook settings to hide them on the mobile app.
1. Open the Facebook app on your phone.
2. Tap the Menu button. On Android it will be in the top-right corner of the screen, and on iPhone it will be in the bottom-right corner.
3. Tap Memories.
4. Tap the Gear icon in the top-right corner to access Memories Settings.
5. You can choose between All Memories, Highlights or None. All Memories means Facebook will show you all your memories from that day, Highlights will only show you special videos and collections, and None means you won’t get notifications for any memories.
If you want something more specific, you can choose to hide memories involving specific users. Follow the steps above, but instead tap People in the Memories Settings page. You can type in a user’s name that you want to hide from your memories. They won’t be notified, and your selections are saved automatically.
You can also tap Dates in the Memories Settings page to hide memories from a specific date range. You can enter almost any span of time — a day, a week, month or an entire year — going back in time to 1900. When you’re done, tap Done and then tap Save.
A smartphone can be a very expensive purchase, especially if you want a high-end model like an iPhone 15 Pro Max or a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but there are ways to reduce the cost.
That can mean waiting for the ideal time to buy, getting some money out of your old phone, choosing a different handset to the one you might have been considering, or various other things.
To help you out, we’ve highlighted five tips for saving money when buying a phone.
1. WAIT FOR THE BIG SALES
Many smartphones can often be found for reduced prices during sales, with the biggest two arguably being Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
2. SHOP AROUND FOR THE CHEAPEST PRICES
If you don’t want to wait for a sale then it’s worth at least shopping around, as not all stores or carriers will charge the same amount for a phone. Some may also have offers outside of the major sales periods listed above, so keep an eye out for that too.
3. TRADE IN YOUR OLD DEVICE
One easy way to take the sting out of the price of a new smartphone is to trade in your old device towards it. Many carriers offer trade in programs, and sometimes they even have special deals where you’ll get increased credit when trading in your old device.
4. BUY A PRE-OWNED HANDSET
Just as you can sell your old phone to save some money on a new handset, you could also choose to buy someone else’s old phone, since this will be cheaper than a new handset. There are also plenty of refurbished options available from sites such as Ebay.
5. GET AN OLDER MODEL
Ok, so you might not want to buy a pre-owned handset, but it’s equally worth considering a new but older model. So rather than buying an iPhone 15 you could buy an iPhone 14 for example.
QR codes have become a popular way to open websites and pay for products and services. But not all of them are secure. Cyber criminals can use QR codes to steal personal and bank details. Here we tell you what you can do to avoid QR scams.
Quick response or “QR” codes are like barcodes. When we scan them with a mobile phone camera, a link to the information they hold appears.
In today’s digital world, QR codes are used to browse restaurant menus, to connect to public Wi-Fi, to pay for parking, and to redirect users to a website.
For cyber criminals, the QR code fad creates an opportunity to steal people’s identities or hack into their bank accounts and make off with their money.
QR code scams
QRshing is a form of phishing. It uses QR codes to send users to a fake website that spreads malware or elicits confidential information. Cyber criminals posing as real companies send phishing emails with a QR code and ask users to scan it. Then, they attempt to obtain information or spread virus-infected files.
Another common scam is the false QR code stuck on top of an original one, like in restaurants and street advertising. False QR codes can even be found on parking meters, linking to a credible but fake payment site to steal money or credit card information.
Scams that use inverted QR codes are also gaining traction. Scammers first create a malicious code and then use it as a presumed payment method. But the code does exactly the opposite: it solicits money from whoever scanned it. Instead of paying the merchant for an item or service, the malicious QR code makes the merchant pay the scammer. This type of scam is also used to steal personal information and bank details.
How to avoid a QR scam
Before scanning a QR code, like in a restaurant or some other public space, check that it hasn’t been tampered with or got a sticker placed over an original code.
Installing anti-virus software to verify original QR codes that do not contain malicious links will help you avoid having a virus or other malware downloaded onto your mobile.
Double-check the preview of the QR code link. When you scan a QR code, a preview of the URL should appear. Make sure the website address is legitimate. Look for a padlock symbol and an address that begins with “https://”. Only those URLs are secure.
Think twice if the app or website you’re being directed to asks you to provide personal details. If it does, make sure it’s authentic.
Has swipe to unlock on your tablet or phone stopped working? Do you have green squares appearing and a voice? Maybe you pressed and held down the volume button by mistake instead of switching on. This has activated TalkBack mode. In theory pressing down the volume up/down buttons together for 3 seconds should turn it off again but if this does work then it becomes more difficult. Another way is to say “Hey Google”, then say “Turn off TalkBack”.
If this does not work then you will need to navigate to the TalkBack option in settings, accessibility but to navigate there with TalkBack switched on can be tricky. You will need to double tap within the green box to unlock the screen and navigate to settings. Use two fingers to drag the green box to accessibility, double tap it then navigate using 2 finger drag to talkback. In talkback you can double tap on the “on” button to switch it off.
Impersonation scams happen when a fraudster contacts you pretending to be from your bank, the police, or another trusted organisation to convince you to send them money.
They’ll create a sense of urgency, a reason to panic to stop you from thinking straight. They may tell you that you’ve been a victim of an attempted fraud or had an overpayment that needs to be returned. They may even give you details of a false spend on your account which you don’t recognise, or that your account is no longer secure and that you need to take urgent action. They’ll insist that, in order to keep your money safe or prevent further losses, you need to move your money to a ‘safe’ or newly opened account.
Many fraudsters use something called ‘spoofing’. This is where someone deliberately falsifies how their contact number appears on the caller ID, messenger name, or email address to disguise their identity and try to convince you that they’re someone else.
Common impersonation scams
Fraudsters will use a variety of methods to contact you, so always be cautious and check that the request is genuine. See below for some examples of impersonation methods.
Telephone, text, or email
This is when someone contacts you claiming to be someone they’re not, for example your bank, Amazon, HMRC, a parcel company, or even the police. Fraudsters want you to act urgently and try to pressure you into clicking a link, revealing your security details, or to transfer or withdraw your money.
Social media
Fraudsters send messages or make contact through messaging services like WhatsApp, direct messages, Facebook and any social media platform. They may pretend to be a friend or loved one in need of help.
Online banking is becoming a necessity, with benefits such as keeping control of your finances from home or on holiday via a website or app.
If that’s not liberating enough, you can transfer money between accounts, send money to people you know, and set up or cancel direct debits and standing orders – all without visiting a branch.
Most banks give lessons to help, while Age UK has terrific advice on its website and offers computer classes. Here are a few of our essential tips:
Do set up your online banking carefully, download the correct app and follow your bank’s instructions to the letter.
Don’t share those details with anyone unless it’s an emergency or you completely trust them, such as a next of kin.
Do take some time to play with the app’s features and familiarise yourself with the layout.
Don’t mistake online banking for being unsafe. Most have the highest levels of digital security and log you out automatically after use.
Do look for ‘HTTPS’ before the website name in the address bar of your web browser. The ‘S’ stands for secure and means it is protected.
Don’t reuse the same passwords for different accounts.
Do be cautious with public computers. The one in your local library might not be secure, so check with staff.
Don’t share passwords or PIN numbers. Banks will never ask you for these in full. If they do, it’s fraudulent.
Do view your balance frequently to check for irregularities and raise any concerns immediately.
Technology is all around us. There is no escaping it these days. But the longer you avoid it, the worse your apprehensions will get. In my experience of working with people and techie things, I’ve found that fear of looking or feeling stupid is the main issue. People at a certain age begin to believe they are “dumb about technology” because they didn’t learn about it in school.
Let’s start with this supposition: nothing about using a phone, working on a computer, or a tablet is intuitive. Therefore, you need to learn basic skills to establish a foundation to use technology.
Trying something new is definitely scary. But, if you can release your fear, believe that we all start with zero knowledge, and build on that, you will develop the confidence needed to get through the bumps.
Here are some tips to help you start to feel comfortable with technology.
Start Small
You don’t need to learn everything at once. You can’t. Be patient with yourself. Break it down and focus on one thing at a time to help you gain confidence and make the world of technology feel more manageable.
Concentrate on one aspect of your phone, such as texting, that you need to use every day. Nowadays, if you don’t know how to text, you’ll be the odd person out of fun and frequent “chats” between friends and family. Once you accomplish that, pick the next app or most-used feature, like the phone app.
Frequently, the features you use the most, but don’t understand, cause frustration and resistance because that’s when you feel “dumb.” Stop the negative self-talk: “I can’t use this phone.” Instead, try, “I really need to learn how to use [insert feature of choice] so I can stop having these issues.”
Pick one new social media or online platform that interests you, like YouTube. YouTube is a great place to start with learning because you can get tutorials about anything you need once you are skilled in using it.
Focus on Fun
Start with things you are interested in. For example, if you are a movie buff, focus on using Netflix. If you love photography, put your efforts into learning how to use your phone’s camera. Directing your energy into things that are fun will make the learning process feel less like a chore.
Ask for Help
Remember, not everyone has the patience to teach you. Find a reliable family member or friend who will take the time to answer a specific question. Just 10 minutes of their time can alleviate a lot of frustration.
One of the keys to seeking help is to make sure you have a specific set of questions or problems. Don’t approach your loved one and say, “I need you to teach me how to use the computer.” It will be less daunting for you and your person of choice if you say, “I don’t understand folders and documents. Do you have time to show me a few things?”
If you don’t feel comfortable asking someone you know, find an expert in your area or virtually. Senior Centers, extension classes, local community centers are all good resources for learning. Many such places offer ongoing classes you can take or a once-a-month help session, one-to-one, for specific issues you are dealing with.
Trust Your Gut
Don’t be afraid to play around and learn as you go. You won’t break anything by touching an icon you are unfamiliar with. On the other hand, once you get over the mental block of thinking you don’t understand, you might be surprised by how much you can figure out on your own by just touching or clicking.
I often encourage my clients to “put their baby on.” Think about the two-year-old that grabs the parent’s phone and begins to tap and touch and take pics. They aren’t scared. They don’t have the verbal understanding we have, life experiences, or reasoning levels we do. But they aren’t afraid.
They react to the pictures, colors, icons, and cues given on the phone by touching, not freezing, or staring. They aren’t waiting for words to guide them.
Educate Yourself
Be proactive with reading booklets, articles, newsletters, or blogs. Watch video tutorials. Google your question. There is so much free content on the internet that spans all levels of knowledge. You also may want to consider paying for help. Buying lessons or enrolling in an actual class will pay dividends in the future.
Technology isn’t going anywhere. Giving in to your fears is going to put you in a deeper hole. Everything from your car, your oven, your phone is becoming a smart device. Being open to learning is the first step to getting comfortable with technology and using it in everyday life.
What is your biggest fear with technology? Have you overcome your fear? Do you have any tips to share on what worked for you?
You’ve probably had the (legitimate) fear that your smartphone is listening or watching you. Your iPhone certainly isn’t without privacy risks, and you should absolutely audit your settings and all of your app permissions, but one helpful feature that Apple has built in is a visual warning when your device is queued up to record you.
There are two indicator lights in the status bar in upper-right corner of the iPhone screen that tell you when one or both of your recording functions are in use. A yellow or orange-looking dot appears when your device’s microphone is active. You’ll see a green dot when your camera (or camera plus microphone) is being accessed.
You’ll commonly see these indicator lights when using social media apps that allow you to record and post videos—Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, for example—but other apps that have requested access to your phone’s camera will also trigger the dots.
Smartphone photography is often associated with quick and easy snapping away. That’s because you can just walk around, point at something, click – and there’s your photo!
I’d like to take a different approach to smartphone photography. It is amazing that modern technology has put a camera in the back pocket of so many people. But I also know that it takes a lot more than the push of a button to make a photo that has meaning.
Wouldn’t it be great if by just a few adjustments you could elevate your smartphone photos from a simple record of the events and people in your life to photos that tell a story, have meaning, and are still beautiful to look at years from now?
You know, it really doesn’t matter what kind of camera you have. It’s about the person behind the camera and what that person is capable of.
With these 5 smartphone photography tips, you’ll be able to go from quickly snapping away to mindfully shooting with intent so you can start making beautiful smartphone photos.
Find Your Subject
The first thing you should be asking yourself when you pick up your smartphone camera is, what’s my subject? And secondly, why do I want to make this photo?
When you have an answer to these questions, it becomes easier to make a photo that tells a story, is full of meaning, and is interesting for other people to look at.
This may seem a little complicated to you, and I get it. But there’s no need to overthink this. It can be as simple as the desire to photograph a colourful flower, an overwhelming landscape, or the gorgeous faces of your grandkids.
Just stop and think for a few seconds about what you’re about to photograph. Why does it touch your heart? Why did it grab your attention?
You see, the next step is to figure out what the best way is to show that. It’s a lot easier to do that when you’re aware of what delights you in your subject.
Once you’re used to photographing like this, I can assure you the process of taking pictures with your smartphone will bring you more joy and your phone photos will become a lot better.
It’s very common for smartphone photographers to shoot in a vertical orientation. Probably because that’s how you normally hold your phone. It’s also quick and easy to take a picture with just one hand.
And of course, there’s nothing wrong with a vertical photo. It’s more about the somewhat automatic way most smartphone photographers shoot vertically.
Because the truth is, a horizontal orientation is a better fit for a lot of photos.
So I’m encouraging you to change your default ‘shooting vertically’ mode to a default ‘shooting horizontally’ mode.
Photographing in a horizontal orientation seems like a simple thing, but it will have an impact on your mindset while you are photographing.
Why? Because when you photograph horizontally with your smartphone you need both hands. And somehow it’s difficult to take a photo with both hands and keep on walking without tripping over your own feet.
It forces you to stand still and pay attention to what it is you’re photographing. Which is a very important aspect of photography.
Photographing horizontal also has a big impact on the photo itself. It influences your composition as well as how you experience the photo.
Because there is a difference in the way we perceive a horizontal and a vertical image.
A horizontal photo is usually more dynamic and engaging. It’s easier to connect to because we have a horizontal view ourselves.
A vertical photo is usually more formal and static.
Turning on the grid in your settings will help you to take photos with straight horizontal and vertical lines.
Use Natural Light
A smartphone camera has a small sensor, the thing inside that captures the photo like the film in the old days. Because it’s so small it loves to have a lot of light. And natural light is the best!
It’s full of mood, flattering and beautiful. It also influences the colours, it emphasizes textures, and creates attractive contrasts.
Natural light can give the most simple things a magical touch.
So, take advantage of the natural light whenever it is present.
It’s also a good idea to have your flash turned off by default. Because then you can decide to turn on your flash when there’s no way around it.
If you leave it on Auto Flash, the camera will make this important decision for you, and that’s not something you want to leave up to the camera.
Using natural light to your advantage is not something you learn overnight. And certainly not by reading a blog post. But you can start by becoming a student of light.
You don’t even need a camera to study light. You can do that all day long just by observing the light and discovering all the different ways natural light touches your surroundings.
Don’t Use Your Zoom
I understand it’s very tempting to use your zoom when you want your subject to be closer. But the thing is your smartphone camera has a digital zoom and not an optical zoom like most regular cameras.
This means your camera is fooling you!
It ‘zooms in’ by showing only a part of the whole, making it seem like you’ve brought the image closer. But all it does is cropping the image on the sensor and showing you an enlarged image.
That’s why zoomed-in photos always look a little blurry and pixelated.
If you want your subject to be closer, it’s better to walk towards it.
Your photos will remain crisp and sharp, while also making you into a more active and involved photographer.
It becomes more natural to walk around your subject and try out different things. So not only will you keep the image quality high, it also makes you a more creative and intentional smartphone photographer!
Change Your Point of View
And that brings me to my last smartphone photography tip.
A lot of beginning smartphone photographers shoot from the same eye level perspective all the time. Eye-level is the way we usually see the world. It can work fine in a lot of circumstances but it’s not always the most interesting take on the world
So, next time try a different point of view.
You can kneel down and photograph from a low point of view. You can hold your smartphone camera high and get a bird’s eye view. Or how about photographing someone at the back?
You can also walk really close to a subject and photograph an interesting detail.
Changing your point of view is a great way to create variety in your photographs. And you can infuse your photos with personality and meaning. Because your point of view in photography can say something about your perspective on life.
Final Thoughts
As you’ve probably noticed, every tip is about photographing with your full attention. When you shift your mindset to shooting intentionally, you can create wonderful photos with that seemingly common camera you have with you all the time.
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I hope these tips are useful. Please let me know if there is a subject you would like me to cover
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Screenshot: Jordan Calhoun
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