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How-to guides

Task-first guides. Each one answers a single question and gets you to the result in as few steps as the device allows.

140 guides

A SIM card
FeaturedHow-To

Clean a SIM card on iPhone

Clean an iPhone SIM card and tray safely with a dry lint free cloth. Learn what to avoid, how to test the SIM, and when to get a new one if your iPhone says No SIM.

2 min read
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A laptop and a cell phone on a desk
How-To

Move iCloud backup to Google Drive

You cannot move a full iPhone backup from iCloud to Google Drive, but you can move your photos, files, contacts and calendar. See each method and what to expect.

2 min read
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A cellular tower against a clear blue sky
How-To

Find APN settings on iPhone

Find APN settings on your iPhone in Settings › Cellular › Cellular Data Network. Learn why the menu can be missing, what each field means and how to reset it.

2 min read
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A person holding an iPhone in their hand
How-To

How to tell if an iPhone is fake

Check if an iPhone is genuine before you buy. Use the serial number on Apple's Check Coverage page, match the IMEI, review Parts and Service History and check Activation Lock.

3 min read
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A passport booklet on top of white paper
How-To

Turn on data roaming on iPhone

Turn data roaming on or off on iPhone in Settings › Cellular › Cellular Data Options. Check your plan first to avoid charges, and fix roaming when it will not connect.

2 min read
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A close up of an iPhone resting on a table
How-To

Change screen lock time on iPhone

Change how long your iPhone screen stays on before it locks. Use Auto-Lock, fix it when it is greyed out or stuck at 30 seconds, and keep the screen on longer.

3 min read
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Close-up of the camera lenses on the back of an iPhone
How-To

Change shutter speed on iPhone

The iPhone Camera app has no shutter speed dial. Learn how to get a longer exposure with Night mode, Live Photo Long Exposure or a manual camera app.

2 min read
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Close-up of an iPhone home screen with app icons
How-To

See recently deleted apps on iPhone

Find apps you deleted from your iPhone. There is no Recently Deleted folder for apps, but the App Store keeps a list you can reinstall from in seconds.

3 min read
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A person holding a smartphone displaying GPS
How-To

Where is Location Services on iPhone

Find Location Services on your iPhone: Settings, Privacy & Security, Location Services. Turn it on or off, choose which apps see your location and fix it when it is greyed out.

2 min read
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Black rotary dial phone on white surface
How-To

Add a line to your plan

How to add a line to your phone plan on Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile. See the steps, the fees people forget and how to bring your own phone or move a number in.

6 min read
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Pile of smartphones
How-To

Buy a used phone

How to buy a used phone without getting a locked, stolen or worn-out one. Follow a 10-point checklist for IMEI, unlock status, battery, payment and returns.

6 min read
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A person holding a phone
How-To

Is your phone being tracked?

How to check if your phone is being tracked: review location sharing, apps and profiles, run Safety Check and learn what to do safely if you find something.

6 min read
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Black iphone 5 on white textile
How-To

Check phone warranty

How to check phone warranty status in under a minute. Look up your iPhone, Samsung or Pixel by serial number or IMEI and learn what the warranty really covers.

6 min read
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