Unfortunately, Huawei’s road to success has since been cut short were due to a trade war between the US and China, the US government has placed Huawei on the Entity List which prevents US companies from doing business with them. This includes Google which means that Huawei cannot use Google’s products or services on their smartphones.

As a result, Huawei’s smartphones since the Mate 30 have been shipping without Google Play Services installed. Thankfully, there is a way to fix that and if you own a Huawei phone or plan to buy one, then this method should get Google Play Services installed on your Huawei phone.

Install Google Play Services on your Huawei phone using Googlefier

Previously, it was possible to install Google’s apps and services on your Huawei smartphone, but the process can take quite a while and might feel a bit daunting to those who aren’t too tech-savvy, but thanks to the work of XDA Developers forum member bender_007, he has developed an app called Googlefier that will help simplify the overall process, and here’s what you need to do.

Before you get started, you might want to consider factory resetting your phone and wipe it back to a brand new state. This is because there might be existing apps or settings that could interfere with the process that could lower your chances of getting this up and running successfully.

You are of course welcome to try it with your phone as it is right now, but if it doesn’t work, then maybe you might want to look into a factory reset. You will also want to make sure your phone is backed up and all your important files are stored elsewhere in the event something goes wrong. Now that we got that out off the way, let’s start.

1. Download and install the Googlefier app
2. Launch Googlefier
3. Grant the app the permissions it requires
4. Follow the instructions on the screen
5. The app will then replace the existing backup app and restore LZPlay
6. Sign into your Google account when prompted
7. You’re done!

It should be noted that Googlefier does not work on Huawei smartphones with EMUI 11 or newer, so if you have a device that has EMUI 11, then maybe you might want to consider downgrading to EMUI 10 or older for it to work. Other than that, you should be pretty much all set.

The post How to install the Google Play Store on any Huawei smartphone with Googlefier appeared first on Phandroid.

Unfortunately, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra being the best that Samsung has to offer, it does not come cheap. There is a good chance that to make it more affordable, some of you have opted to buy it through an installment plan via your carrier. That’s fine, but the problem is that most carriers will end up locking the SIM of the phone.

If you want to use it with a different carrier or SIM or if you’re traveling overseas and want to use it with a local carrier, not to worry because we’ll show you how to unlock the SIM of your Galaxy S24 Ultra for free or through a paid service like Android SIM Unlock. The overall process is quick and simple, so read on!

Unlock the Galaxy S24 Ultra SIM for free

To go the free route, you will have to call your carrier to unlock it for you. Carriers are usually fine with unlocking your phone’s SIM, but there are a couple of things you’ll need to check first, which includes:

• You need to be in good standing with your carrier, meaning that you don’t have any outstanding bills and that the contract with your carrier for the phone has expired
• You’ll also need to make sure that you have owned the device for at least 60-90 days

If you meet those requirements, then follow the instructions below:

1. On your Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra handset, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to pull up your phone’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down somewhere so you can refer to it later
3. Call your carrier and request for your SIM unlock code
4. You will probably be asked to provide the IMEI for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s
5. If you meet all the requirements that we mentioned above, the SIM unlock code will be sent to the email address you provided in the next 2-5 days.
6. Once you’ve received your code, swap out the SIM with a SIM from another carrier
7. Enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email when prompted and you’re set!

Take note that different carriers may have different requirements. It’s best to call your carrier and check with them first.

Using Android SIM Unlock

For whatever reason, your carrier may decide to not unlock the SIM of your Galaxy S24 Ultra for free. If that is the case and you cannot convince them otherwise, it’s not the end of the road. Instead, you can use Android SIM Unlock’s services to unlock the SIM of your phone for a very small fee.

The process is also very simple so just follow the steps below to get started.

1. On your Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra phone, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to get the device’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down
3. Go to Android SIM Unlock’s website
4. Enter your device’s IMEI number
5. Complete the checkout process with your payment and contact information
6. Once payment is made, you should then receive the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s unlock code either through SMS or email
7. The moment you’ve received your code, you can then swap out the SIM on your phone with a SIM from another carrier
8. You should be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email, and once you’ve done that, you should be good to go

We’ll like to remind you that unlocking the SIM of your Galaxy S24 Ultra does not release you from any contractual obligations. If you’re still locked to a contract, you’re expected to keep making those payments and whatever bills you incur. The only difference is you now have the freedom of using your phone with whichever carrier or SIM that you want.

Note: this article may contain affiliate links that help support our authors and keep the Phandroid servers running.

The post How to SIM unlock the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for FREE appeared first on Phandroid.

Regardless, it’s not a cheap phone. This is why many people might turn to their carriers and buy the phone on an installment plan. The good news is that this makes owning the phone more affordable. The bad news is that going the carrier route usually means that the SIM of your phone is locked.

Carriers do this to prevent customers from running away and to lock them to their network and use their services. Thankfully, unlocking your phone’s SIM is pretty easy and we will highlight a couple of methods below you can check out. One of which is free and the other will use a paid service from Android SIM Unlock.

Unlock the Galaxy S24+ SIM for free

To go the free route, you will have to call your carrier to unlock it for you. Carriers are usually fine with unlocking your phone’s SIM, but there are a couple of things you’ll need to check first, which includes:

• You need to be in good standing with your carrier, meaning that you don’t have any outstanding bills and that the contract with your carrier for the phone has expired
• You’ll also need to make sure that you have owned the device for at least 60-90 days

If you meet those requirements, then follow the instructions below:

1. On your Samsung Galaxy S24+ handset, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to pull up your phone’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down somewhere so you can refer to it later
3. Call your carrier and request for your SIM unlock code
4. You will probably be asked to provide the IMEI for the Samsung Galaxy S24+’s
5. If you meet all the requirements that we mentioned above, the SIM unlock code will be sent to the email address you provided in the next 2-5 days.
6. Once you’ve received your code, swap out the SIM with a SIM from another carrier
7. Enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email when prompted and you’re set!

Take note that different carriers may have different requirements. It’s best to call your carrier and check with them first.

Using Android SIM Unlock

If on the off chance your carrier refuses your request to unlock the SIM of your Galaxy S24+, don’t worry. This is where services like Android SIM Unlock come in. For a small fee, you can unlock the SIM of the Galaxy S24+. The process is also pretty quick and simple, just follow the instructions below and you should be all set.

1. On your Samsung Galaxy S24+ phone, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to get the device’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down
3. Go to Android SIM Unlock’s website
4. Enter your device’s IMEI number
5. Complete the checkout process with your payment and contact information
6. Once payment is made, you should then receive the Samsung Galaxy S24+’s unlock code either through SMS or email
7. The moment you’ve received your code, you can then swap out the SIM on your phone with a SIM from another carrier
8. You should be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email, and once you’ve done that, you should be good to go

We want to remind you that unlocking your phone’s SIM does not free you from any contractual obligations you might have with your carrier. If you’re still on an installment plan, you’re expected to keep paying the fees. You’ll also have to pay your bills on time. Unlocking the SIM of the phone basically frees it up to use it on any carrier. This is useful if you’re traveling overseas and want to use it with a local carrier instead of paying for roaming.

Note: this article may contain affiliate links that help support our authors and keep the Phandroid servers running.

The post How to SIM unlock the Samsung Galaxy S24+ for FREE appeared first on Phandroid.

Unlocking through your carrier for free

Unlocking the Galaxy S24’s SIM for free is obviously the most ideal method. Generally speaking, carriers are more than happy to do this for customers, but there are some requirements you may have to meet. Note that these requirements may vary from carrier to carrier, but in general:

• You need to be in good standing with your carrier, meaning that you don’t have any outstanding bills and that the contract with your carrier for the phone has expired
• You’ll also need to make sure that you have owned the device for at least 60-90 days

Assuming you meet those requirements, then the process of unlocking the SIM is pretty easy, just follow the steps below:

1. On your Samsung Galaxy S24 handset, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to pull up your phone’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down somewhere so you can refer to it later
3. Call your carrier and request for your SIM unlock code
4. You will probably be asked to provide the IMEI for the Samsung Galaxy S24’s
5. If you meet all the requirements that we mentioned above, the SIM unlock code will be sent to the email address you provided in the next 2-5 days.
6. Once you’ve received your code, swap out the SIM with a SIM from another carrier
7. Enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email when prompted and you’re set!

Using Android SIM Unlock

At this time of writing, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is still a new phone. This means that there is a good chance your carrier won’t unlock it for you just yet. You can always try your luck, but in case your carrier refuses to do so, not to worry. This is because there are other services, like Android SIM Unlock, that will unlock the phone’s SIM for you.

For a small fee, the service will be able to unlock the SIM of your phone in a similarly quick and painless manner. Android SIM Unlock also works for a bunch of other phones so they might be worth checking out if you have other handsets that require unlocking as well.

Instructions

1. On your Samsung Galaxy S24 phone, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to get the device’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down
3. Go to Android SIM Unlock’s website
4. Enter your device’s IMEI number
5. Complete the checkout process with your payment and contact information
6. Once payment is made, you should then receive the Samsung Galaxy S24’s unlock code either through SMS or email
7. The moment you’ve received your code, you can then swap out the SIM on your phone with a SIM from another carrier
8. You should be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email, and once you’ve done that, you should be good to go

Following these steps should result in a Galaxy S24 with its SIM unlocked. You can now use the phone with other carriers or foreign carriers if you’re traveling overseas. Note that if you bought the phone on contract, you’ll still be obligated to pay for the monthly installments and bills. Unlocking the SIM does not free you from those obligations, but it does give you the freedom to choose which carrier you want to use your phone on.

Note: this article may contain affiliate links that help support our authors and keep the Phandroid servers running.

The post How to SIM unlock the Samsung Galaxy S24 for FREE appeared first on Phandroid.

As the name suggests, this is a feature aimed at providing enhanced protection to users if their iPhone gets stolen. It was released after Joanna Stern of the Wall Street Journal reported there has been a sudden increase in iPhone theft cases in public cases. In a sensational reveal, she mentioned thieves now observe iPhone users entering passcodes and use that information to lock them out of their accounts. They can easily steal passwords and even money through Apple Pay.

Stolen Device Protection makes biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) mandatory for performing certain tasks. These include turning off Lost Mode, accessing sensitive information, applying for a new Apple Card, using your iPhone to set up a new device, and more. The feature also works when you are in an unfamiliar location, like outside your home and work. This is an optional that you need to enable manually and here is how you can do it.

Enable Stolen Device Protection on iPhone

1. The first thing you need to ensure is that your iPhone is running iOS 17.3 or higher.
2. Turn on Face ID or Touch ID biometric authentication on your iPhone if you have not already.
3. Open Settings on your iPhone and look for the Face ID & Passcode settings. It would be Touch ID & Passcode if your iPhone model has Touch ID.
4. Scroll down until you see the Stolen Device Protection feature. It is disabled by default.
5.  Tap on the option to enable Stolen Device Protection.

Apart from forcing biometric authentication, Stolen Device Protection adds another functionality called Security Delay. Apple will add an hour delay when you want to perform certain actions like changing your Apple ID password, signing out of Apple ID, adding/removing Face ID/Touch ID, changing your passcode, and more.

The post How to use Stolen Device Protection on iPhone appeared first on Phandroid.

Since it is a new feature, you might be wondering what is Circle to Search and how to use it. You do not need to feel confused anymore as we are here to help.

What is Circle to Search?

Circle to Search is a new Google feature that makes it quicker and a lot more convenient to search for anything that you see on your smartphone. Its purpose is the same as Google Lens but it is the functionality that differs.

The feature lets you draw a circle over anything that you see in a photo or video on the phone. It provides you with relevant search results as per the selected object. Apart from drawing a circle, you can also choose to select an object by scribbling, highlighting, or tapping.

The best part is it lets you look for objects of interest without having to exit the app you are using. You can even ask questions related to the highlighted object to get more precise and related answers.

How to use Circle to Search on Android?

1. When you come across something you want to know more about, simply long press on the navigation bar or power button to trigger Circle to Search.
2. Select the object of interest by drawing a circle/line, scribbling, or tapping on it.
3. You will see an overlay popping up featuring relevant search results. Swipe up to browse all search results that Google has to offer.
4. You can ask a question to get more refined results and tap on any particular result to know more.
5. Once you are done, swipe away the overlay to continue whatever you were up to.

The whole USP of Circle to Search is that it does not interrupt your flow of work. You do not have to juggle through apps to search for whatever you are interested in.

What Android smartphones support Circle to Search?

As mentioned in the beginning, Circle to Search is currently available only on the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. The feature will expand to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro on January 31. It is unknown if and when other Android smartphones will receive it.

The post How to use Google’s amazing new Circle to Search feature appeared first on Phandroid.

You don’t have to worry iPhone users, there is nothing shady about this. Nor is there anything that requires knowledge like jailbreaking or anything that affects your warranty. This is a service that Samsung offers gratis, and it’s as easy to swap back and forth.

So if you’re ready to dive into the world of Samsung without the commitment; let’s get started!

Requirements

• Internet connection
• An iPhone 7 or newer
• Latest iOS update for that device
• Safari
• A sense of humour

I’m using my iPhone 13 Pro Max as an example for this, so you’ll get a sense of what iOS 17.2.1 looks like.

Setup

1. 

   Step 1

   Navigate to your iOS app library and look for Safari

2. 

   Go to trygalaxy.com on your Safari browser. If you need to swap languages, there is a drop-down menu that shows up to 20 different languages. Depending on where you are in the world, this should auto-direct you to the language of your location. But, in case it doesn’t, you’ll have the option to change it here.

   Be sure that you change it here, as there will be no option to change it later. 

3. You will notice on the previous screenshot that there is an arrow pointing towards the bottom asking you to add to the library. You do so by pressing the icon and you’ll see the following screen.
4. When you press Add to Home Screen you’ll see the following screen, press the top right button to add it to your Home Screen.
   

   Step 6

5. When it’s done, you should see a new icon on your Home Screen.
   

   Step 5

6. Press the TryGalaxy button/bookmark on your home page to start the Samsung Galaxy Experience.

How to use it

1. When you open the Samsung Experience you’ll be greeted to some basic information on Privacy and how to navigate between the features. A lot of this will be self-explanatory, but we’ll go through the basics regardless!
2. You’ll be greeted with the main Samsung Home Screen, one of many default screens you’ll find in Samsung. You’ll be prompted with basic navigation tools like going backwards and navigating to the home screen. Amongst others.
   

   Step 2

3.  For now, let’s change the theme, press the Galaxy Themes button on the screen and you’ll see the following options to choose from.
   

   Step 3

    

4. We’re going to choose Black Onyx for this example. We click on Black Onyx and then we press Apply.
5. 

   Step 15

   When it’s done applying our theme will have changed to black.

6. It looks like we got a notification for a message! To check it we press on the messaging app, and we should get a message from Sam. As you can see, the keyboard is fully functional and you can send a message back if you want. (Standard SMS/MMS rates will apply per your carrier I’d imagine)
   

   Step 6

   7. There are other things we can interact with too! If we go back to the Home Screen and press Gallery you’ll see a fully functioning Gallery app.

Step 16

This was fun but How do I go back?

Going back is as simple as can be!

1.  When you’re ready to go back you’ll notice you still have your white bar at the bottom of the screen.
   

   Step 15

2. 

   Step 2

   Swipe up like you normally would to bring you to your app carousel.

3. Swipe up again to get rid of the Samsung Experience from your recently used apps. It should look like this.
   

   Step 3

4. And ta-da! Everything is back to normal.

So whether this is something you wanna try yourself as an iPhone user, or just want to play a harmless prank on a friend. This is a cool little tool that should be experienced.

The post How to try Samsung on your iPhone in 2024 appeared first on Phandroid.

This means that throughout the years, you would have a ton of apps, photos, videos, audio files, documents, and so on that you’ve collected that’s just sitting there collecting digital dust. A good way to free up storage would be to start deleting files and apps that are no longer in use. Sounds good, right?

Unfortunately, during this process, you might accidentally delete an important file or photo or document that you didn’t mean to, and only later on when you try to look for it, you realize that it is gone! This is where you might panic, but thankfully, restoring and recovering data from your Android smartphone is pretty easy, and the best part is that you don’t have to root your phone to do so, and we’ll show you a couple of ways to do so.

Checking the recycle bin

Like a computer, files that you delete from your Android smartphone are usually sent to the phone’s recycle bin. The recycle bin on your phone isn’t quite as obvious as a PC, but it’s there. Just launch your phone’s gallery app, tap on the menu and you should see an option for “Recycle Bin”. Tap on it and you should now see a folder with all your deleted photos or videos. Simply select the ones that you want to restore and you’re good to go!

If you’ve accidentally deleted photos or videos from Google Photos, it also has its own recycle bin. Just go to the Google Photos website, select the “Trash” folder, and then look for the photos or videos that you accidentally deleted and restore them.

Using Stellar Data Recovery for Android

The method we mentioned above is great if you’re trying to restore photos or videos, but what if the data you’re trying to recover is a file or document? This is where third-party tools like Stellar come in.

There are many data recovery tools online, but some of them might require you to root your Android phone in order to do so. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of rooting, or if you’d prefer not to void the warranty of your phone or do something that you don’t quite understand, Stellar could be the software for you.

One of the things we like about Stellar is how it has a clean and simple user interface that makes navigating the software easy to understand, where all the options are laid out clearly. Recovering your lost data is done in a matter of clicks, and depending on how much data you’re trying to recover, it can be done in a matter of seconds or a few minutes.

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery for Android from its website
2. Launch Stellar Data Recovery for Android
3. Choose from the menu what kind of data you want to recover. You can choose all sorts of data including photos, videos, audio, contacts, messages, call history, and documents.
4. Connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable
5. On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone > Software Information
6. Scroll down to Build number and tap on it seven times to enable Developer options
7. Once that’s done, go back to Settings, scroll down to Developer options, and toggle on “USB debugging”. You will be prompted whether or not to allow the feature, tap OK to enable it
8. Assuming you’ve done all those steps, your phone should now show up in the Stellar Data Recovery for Android. Click on “Scan” to begin
9. You will now be prompted whether or not you want to install the Stellar app on your phone, so tap on Install and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation
10. Once the installation is complete, the desktop app will begin scanning your phone which can take several minutes. Once the scan is complete, you will see different folders to the right, so click on any of them to find what you’re looking for
11. Select the data that you want to recover and then click on “Save”
12. Choose the location of where you want to recover those files and click “OK” and your data should now be recovered safely on your computer

If you’re interested in the Stellar Data Recovery for Android tool, it is available for purchase from the company’s website. It is priced at $29.99, a discount of $30 from its usual asking price of $59.99 and could be worth checking out.

The post How to recover data from Android device without rooting appeared first on Phandroid.

In this guide, we’ll talk through what you need to know to make the move as smooth as possible.

Transition Timeline

The migration tool, accessible through Google Podcasts, allows users to transition smoothly. Users can opt to move subscriptions to YouTube Music or export them as an OPML file for integration with alternative podcast apps. Additionally, users can add shows directly to their YouTube Music library via the podcast’s RSS feed. This allows podcasters to tap into a whole new subsection of listeners. In the US, Google Podcasts will be available until March 2024, with users having until July 2024 to migrate or export subscriptions.

Investment in Podcasts Across YouTube

If you have concerns about moving to YouTube music from Google Podcasts don’t worry. There have been significant enhancements made to the podcasting experience across YouTube and YouTube Music:

•  A more seamless listening experience allows users to resume podcasts precisely where they left off.
• Discovery features like shelves on the YouTube Music homepage give users a hassle-free experience finding what they want. It also allows podcasters the opportunity to further engage with their listeners.
• Automatic downloads of new podcast episodes for subscribed users ensure ready offline listening.
• Users can add any podcast to their YouTube Music library using the podcast’s RSS feed URL, streamlining content expansion.
• Integration with Google Assistant has been improved, making it more convenient for users to play podcasts through YouTube Music.

This is all very encouraging that YouTube is committed to having a dedicated platform for podcasts, and is taking it seriously.

How to Migrate Podcast Subscriptions

Move to YouTube Music

1.  Open the Google Podcasts app.
2. Click on “Export subscriptions.”
3. Tap “Export” under “Export to YouTube Music.”
4. Open the YouTube Music app.
5. Tap “Transfer” and confirm on the YouTube Music home screen.

Migrate to Another Podcast App

1. Open the Google Podcasts app.
2. Click on “Export subscriptions.”
3. Select “Download” under “Export to another app.”
4. Use the downloaded file to upload subscriptions to another podcast app supporting imports.

Important Note: As of now, this transition plan applies to the US, with no scheduled rollout to the EU. Stay tuned for further updates regarding Google Podcasts’ availability and the global release of the migration tool.

The post How to Migrate Podcasts from Google Podcasts appeared first on Phandroid.

Fortunately, Google is working on changing that with a server-side update for its Messages texting app which enables a new Spam Protection feature. While Google doesn’t explain exactly how its Spam Protection feature works, when the feature is turned on, data of the messages you receive is sent to Google’s servers. Before you protest yet another invasion of your privacy by Google, the Spam Protection feature does not send the “actual content” of the messages you receive or your phone number. The information that Google aggregates from millions of users will likely be used to identify patterns from numbers that are sending messages in bulk and weed out spam messages.

If you’re all in on the new Spam Protection feature in Messages or don’t want anything to do with it, the step-by-step instructions below show you how to enable or disable it.

Enable/Disable Spam Protection in Messages on Android

• Open the Messages app on your Android smartphone
• Tap the 3-dot Menu button in the top right corner
• Tap Settings
• Tap Advanced
• Tap Spam protection
• Toggle “Enable spam protection” on/off

The post How to block spam text messages on Android appeared first on Phandroid.

If you choose to buy it through a carrier on contract, it makes it an easier pill to swallow. One of the downsides of buying through a carrier is that as part of your contract, the carrier may lock the SIM to its network to prevent you from using the phone with a different provider or to resell it.

This can create issues, especially if you’re going overseas and want to use a local SIM, which is usually cheaper compared to paying for roaming fees. Luckily, there are a couple of ways to unlock the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s SIM either through your carrier or using a service like Android SIM Unlock, so read on if unlocking the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s SIM is something you might be interested in.

Unlocking your iPhone 15 Pro Max’s SIM for free

If you want to unlock the SIM of your iPhone 15 Pro Max for free, you can actually do it through your carrier, but there are several requirements you’ll have to meet first, which usually includes:

• The iPhone 15 Pro Max needs to have been paid off in full. If you bought it fully unlocked then this shouldn’t be an issue, but if you bought it on an installment plan, then you need to ensure those monthly repayments have been paid in its entirety.
• You will also need to make sure that you have owned the device for at least 60-90 days, so if you just bought the phone, you might be out of luck
• You will need to be in “good standing” with your carrier. This means that your bills need to be all fully paid up and that you don’t owe them anything else.

Generally speaking, different carriers will have different requirements when it comes to unlocking the SIM of your iPhone 15 Pro Max. The above mentioned requirements are just a general guideline, so it’s probably best to call your carrier in advance to see what they might need from you before you proceed with the unlock request.

1. On your iPhone 15 Pro Max device, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to pull your device’s IMEI number and write it down somewhere you can easily access later on
2. Call your carrier’s customer care hotline and ask request for a SIM unlock
3. You will then be asked to provide the service rep with your iPhone 15 Pro Max’s IMEI number which you should have already written down
4. Assuming you have met all the requirements that we mentioned above, the SIM unlock code will be sent to the email address you provided in the next 2-5 days.
5. Once you’ve received the code, take out the current SIM on your iPhone and put in the new one
6. You will be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code
7. Enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email and you should be set

Getting the unlock code from Android SIM Unlock

In the event that you don’t meet the requirements or if your carrier refuses your request to unlock the SIM of your iPhone 15 Pro Max, that’s where third-party SIM unlocking services like Android SIM Unlock come in handy. For a small fee, you will be able to get the SIM of your iPhone 15 Pro Max unlocked in no time.

1. On your iPhone 15 Pro Max handset, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to display your phone’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down somewhere where you can refer to it easily
3. Go to Android SIM Unlock’s website
4. Select the country you are in and the carrier you bought the phone from and also the currency you wish to pay in
5. Enter the device’s IMEI number
6. Complete the checkout process with your payment and contact information
7. Once that’s all settled and done, you should then receive the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s unlock code in a matter of hours up to a few days (depending on the package you’ve chosen)
8. The moment you’ve received your code, you can then swap out the SIM on your phone with a SIM from another carrier
9. When you put in the new SIM, you should be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email, and once you’ve done that, you should be good to go

Note: this article may contain affiliate links that help support our authors and keep the Phandroid servers running.

The post How to SIM Unlock the iPhone 15 Pro Max appeared first on Phandroid.

If you’ve watched a vlog on YouTube in the past couple of years, you’ve probably seen a time lapse. A time lapse is made by speeding up a slow-moving scene in video (see the GIF above). Common examples include clouds moving, sunset, traffic, and plants growing. You can create your own visually stunning time lapse with your Android phone.

A time lapse is basically just a long video sped up into a shorter video, but that’s not the way you should do it. Time lapse apps will record short clips in intervals and stitch them together. The advantage of this method is you don’t have to deal with super long videos with giant file sizes. You will still have to put your phone in one spot for an extended time.

Read Also: Things to do with an old Android phone, Turn an old phone into a Google Home

What You’ll Need

Since you’ll need to keep your phone in an undisturbed spot for a long time, this is a great reason to break out an unused old phone. That way you won’t be without a phone while you’re recording the time lapse. Obviously, you’ll want a phone with a decent camera, but don’t worry about filming in 4K unless you’re super serious.

The most important thing you’ll need is a time lapse app. Some phones have a time lapse feature built right into the main camera app. If you have a new-ish Samsung, LG, or HTC phone, there’s a good chance you already have the feature.

1. Open the camera app
2. Switch camera modes
3. Look for “time lapse” or “hyper lapse”

If you don’t see anything like that in your camera app, you’ll need to download a 3rd-party app from the Play Store. Thankfully, there are plenty of great time lapse apps available. Try one of these apps:

• Framelapse
• Microsoft Hyperlapse
• Lapse It
• Time Lapse Camera

How to take a Time Lapse

Now that you have the appropriate tools, it’s time to actually record the time lapse. The first thing you need is a good subject to record. Anything that moves slowly will look great in a time lapse. This could be the movement of clouds, a building being constructed, the sun setting, a busy intersection, etc.

The next thing you need is a stable place to set your phone. A tripod with a phone mount is the obvious choice, but you can literally use anything to prop up your phone. If you want to get really fancy, you can get a panning tripod mount to pan across the time lapse. A stable, static spot is a good place to start.

Some apps will allow you to adjust the frame intervals and speed. Frame interval is the amount of time between recorded frames. For a short recording, you’ll want shorter intervals. A longer recording can have longer intervals. This is something you’ll have to tinker with to find the best results.

That’s it!

Taking a time lapse is not rocket science. Once you have the phone set up, it’s basically just a matter of hitting record and waiting. For the best results, you’ll want to record for a long time. The clouds moving across the sky for 12 hours is going to be much more dramatic than just an hour. Check out this example of a time lapse I made a few winters ago.

The post How to take an awesome time lapse with your Android phone appeared first on Phandroid.

This also means that if someone wanted to find out information about you, they could easily search your name, your home or email address, or phone number, and find websites that might contain data about you.

If you hate the idea that you can be so easily searched, Google actually has a tool that lets you remove your personal data from search results. This works by Google notifying you whenever it finds your personal information online, after which you will be given the option of removing them.

If this feature sounds familiar, it is because it is slightly similar in concept to Google’s other feature that removes private results. The main difference here is that this feature lets Google proactively search for your personal data, as opposed to you doing the legwork. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, then here’s how to get started on it.

Get notified when your personal information appears in search results

1. Launch your browser and go to https://myactivity.google.com/results-about-you
2. Select “Results to review”
3. Choose “Get started” and then follow the steps
4. Enter your personal info like name, address, email, phone number, and so on
5. Confirm this information
6. Choose how you want to be notified, either by email and/or push notifications
7. Now just sit back and wait for Google to notify you whenever they discover your personal data, in which you will then be given the option to remove it from Google Search

Keep in mind that this only removes it from Google’s search results. The websites that contain your personal data will continue to exist, it’s just that it will be slightly harder for people to Google your information. Considering how Google is pretty much the dominant search engine in existence right now, removing it from Google’s search results can still be pretty effective at maintaining your privacy.

The post How to delete your personal data from Google search appeared first on Phandroid.

This includes the use of the new A17 Pro chipset which was built on the 3nm process, meaning that the iPhone 15 Pro will be one of the fastest and most battery-efficient smartphones that you can find around.

Now, if you bought the iPhone 15 Pro through a carrier, chances are that part of the contract involves locking the SIM to your carrier’s network. If you’d like it unlocked, then this guide will show you a couple of different ways, such as getting your carrier to unlock it for free, or using a paid service like Android SIM Unlock.

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Unlocking your iPhone 15 Pro’s SIM for free

If you want to unlock the SIM of your iPhone 15 Pro for free, you can actually do it through your carrier, but there are several requirements you’ll have to meet first, which usually includes:

• The iPhone 15 Pro needs to have been paid off in full. If you bought it fully unlocked then this shouldn’t be an issue, but if you bought it on an installment plan, then you need to ensure those monthly repayments have been paid in its entirety.
• You will also need to make sure that you have owned the device for at least 60-90 days, so if you just bought the phone, you might be out of luck
• You will need to be in “good standing” with your carrier. This means that your bills need to be all fully paid up and that you don’t owe them anything else.

Different carriers usually have different requirements. The points we mentioned above are some of the general requirements but it may vary from carrier to carrier, so the best thing to do is call your carrier before you unlock it to see what they might need from you. Assuming you do meet those requirements, then follow the steps below.

1. On your iPhone 15 Pro device, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to pull your device’s IMEI number and write it down somewhere you can easily access later on
2. Call your carrier’s customer care hotline and ask request for a SIM unlock
3. You will then be asked to provide the service rep with your iPhone 15 Pro’s IMEI number which you should have already written down
4. Assuming you have met all the requirements that we mentioned above, the SIM unlock code will be sent to the email address you provided in the next 2-5 days.
5. Once you’ve received the code, take out the current SIM on your iPhone and put in the new one
6. You will be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code
7. Enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email and you should be set

Getting the unlock code from Android SIM Unlock

In the event that you don’t meet the requirements or if your carrier refuses your request to unlock the SIM of your iPhone 15 Pro, that’s where third-party SIM unlocking services like Android SIM Unlock come in handy. For a small fee, you will be able to get the SIM of your iPhone 15 Pro unlocked in no time.

1. On your iPhone 15 Pro handset, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to display your phone’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down somewhere where you can refer to it easily
3. Go to Android SIM Unlock’s website
4. Select the country you are in and the carrier you bought the phone from and also the currency you wish to pay in
5. Enter the device’s IMEI number
6. Complete the checkout process with your payment and contact information
7. Once that’s all settled and done, you should then receive the iPhone 15 Pro’s unlock code in a matter of hours up to a few days (depending on the package you’ve chosen)
8. The moment you’ve received your code, you can then swap out the SIM on your phone with a SIM from another carrier
9. When you put in the new SIM, you should be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email, and once you’ve done that, you should be good to go

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Note: this article may contain affiliate links that help support our authors and keep the Phandroid servers running.

The post How to SIM Unlock the iPhone 15 Pro appeared first on Phandroid.

Unfortunately, there is the dreaded “Apple tax” where you’ll have to fork out a substantial amount of money to own the phone. Luckily, carriers are more than happy to allow you to buy it via installment plan, meaning that you can repay the phone’s full amount over a period of 2-3 years.

This also means that the SIM of the iPhone 15 Plushas been locked to the carrier. The good news is that if you want the freedom to be able to use the iPhone 15 Plus wherever you go, then this guide will show you a few different methods that will help you unlock the iPhone 15 Plus SIM, whether through a free method via your carrier, or paying a small fee to services like Android SIM Unlock.

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Unlocking your iPhone 15 Plus’s SIM for free

If you want to unlock the SIM of your iPhone 15 Plus for free, you can actually do it through your carrier, but there are several requirements you’ll have to meet first, which usually includes:

• The iPhone 15 Plus needs to have been paid off in full. If you bought it fully unlocked then this shouldn’t be an issue, but if you bought it on an installment plan, then you need to ensure those monthly repayments have been paid in its entirety.
• You will also need to make sure that you have owned the device for at least 60-90 days, so if you just bought the phone, you might be out of luck
• You will need to be in “good standing” with your carrier. This means that your bills need to be all fully paid up and that you don’t owe them anything else.

Keep in mind that these requirements may differ from carrier to carrier, so your best bet would be to call your carrier and find out what they need from you in order to unlock the SIM.

Assuming you meet those requirements, then here’s what you need to do next:

1. On your iPhone 15 Plus device, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to pull your device’s IMEI number and write it down somewhere you can easily access later on
2. Call your carrier’s customer care hotline and ask request for a SIM unlock
3. You will then be asked to provide the service rep with your iPhone 15 Plus’s IMEI number which you should have already written down
4. Assuming you have met all the requirements that we mentioned above, the SIM unlock code will be sent to the email address you provided in the next 2-5 days.
5. Once you’ve received the code, take out the current SIM on your iPhone and put in the new one
6. You will be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code
7. Enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email and you should be set

Getting the unlock code from Android SIM Unlock

In the event that you don’t meet the requirements or if your carrier refuses your request to unlock the SIM of your iPhone 15 Plus, that’s where third-party SIM unlocking services like Android SIM Unlock come in handy. For a small fee, you will be able to get the SIM of your iPhone 15 Plus unlocked in no time.

1. On your iPhone 15 Plus handset, launch the Phone app and dial *#06# to display your phone’s IMEI number
2. Write the IMEI number down somewhere where you can refer to it easily
3. Go to Android SIM Unlock’s website
4. Select the country you are in and the carrier you bought the phone from and also the currency you wish to pay in
5. Enter the device’s IMEI number
6. Complete the checkout process with your payment and contact information
7. Once that’s all settled and done, you should then receive the iPhone 15 Plus’s unlock code in a matter of hours up to a few days (depending on the package you’ve chosen)
8. The moment you’ve received your code, you can then swap out the SIM on your phone with a SIM from another carrier
9. When you put in the new SIM, you should be prompted to enter the SIM unlock code that you received in your email, and once you’ve done that, you should be good to go

With your iPhone 15 Plus SIM unlocked, you’ll now have the freedom of using whatever SIM you want with it. This is useful, especially if you’re traveling abroad and want to use a local SIM instead of paying roaming charges which are typically much more expensive.

Another thing to note and something we should remind you is that unlocking the iPhone 15 Plus SIM does not release you from any contractual obligations you have with your carrier. You’ll still have to pay your bills and whatever monthly installments you have left, along with any other additional charges you may incur from using the carrier’s network.

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• WHAT'S INCLUDED? You get the new iPhone 15 Plus, complete with unlimited talk, text, and data on America's Smart Network. We...
• DYNAMIC ISLAND COMES TO IPHONE 15 — Dynamic Island bubbles up alerts and Live Activities — so you don’t miss them while...

−$929.98 $0.01

See on Amazon

Note: this article may contain affiliate links that help support our authors and keep the Phandroid servers running.

The post How to SIM Unlock the iPhone 15 Plus appeared first on Phandroid.