Type A Digital Solutions, Frisco, TX (2026)

04/07/2023

I give this advice to anyone who will listen because cell phone cameras are only getting better, so the pictures we take will only get larger in file size.

And we need somewhere to store those photos.

Yes, cloud storage is great, but I am a huge believer that you should “own your photos”. That means having the original photo stored on your device (as well as copies on another device and in the cloud).

I recommend buying a computer with at least 1TB of storage and a phone with at least 256GB.

Do you have enough device storage?

04/06/2023

I know that changing a password is a chore, but do you know what else is a chore? Having an account hacked.

If you don’t have time to change a bunch of passwords, start changing some as you go. Like next time you buy something online at Amazon, simply take a few additional minutes and change your password then.

Are your passwords secure?

04/05/2023

I love apps and I’ve spent lots of time testing different apps to find my favorites:

📱 Spark - this is an email client that you could use instead of Apple Mail, Outlook or your mail service’s app (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). It’s free and I absolutely love it. It’s easy to add all of your email addresses and color code them. You can also customize your inbox to have a smart inbox, which easily helps you manage your emails.

📱 Todoist - this has been my to do list app for a long time. I love the ability to make multiple lists for work, personal tasks, etc. There is also an app for your Mac and program for PC. It’s free, but if you’d like to take advantage of some premium features (like setting reminders), you can upgrade for $36/year (I use the free version).

📱 OurGroceries - I love a good grocery list app and I have used lots. This one is my favorite because it has a watch app, so I don’t even need to take out my phone to shop. You can create multiple lists for different stores, you can share your lists via text, email or AirDrop, you can scan barcodes, and save a picture. There are lots of options to customize. Plus they have a website version. I did pay for the premium account ($10 one time fee), but they do have a free version.

📱 GasBuddy - I just use this to find the cheapest gas near me. It has other features if you create an account and enter in gas prices you see, but I don’t use them.

📱 Overcast - I love listening to podcasts (mostly about tech and true crime). This podcast app makes it easy to organize my podcasts, as well as customize how the podcast plays. You can shorten silent moments and set the speed you want to listen to each podcast.

📱 Libby - I read a lot, but I’d go poor if I purchased every book I’ve read. So Libby allows me to borrow books from the library and send them to my Kindle.

What are your favorite apps?
Todoist Planta GasBuddy

04/03/2023

AirTags are one of those Apple products that aren’t exciting…until you need them.

They are tiny tracking devices that you can attach to your keys, luggage, basically anything you don’t want to lose. My daughter has one on her cat’s collar 😂

AirTags work by using a secure bluetooth signal and you can track them in the Find My app. So if you have one, once you set it up, you can easily see where your device is and get notifications if you leave it behind.

Some AirTag tips:
*️⃣ You can use Siri to find a lost item
*️⃣ Play sound to easily find item (Find My app, click the item and click “Play Sound”)
*️⃣ If your item is lost, enable Lost Mode and choose what contact info you want to provide to whoever finds your item
*️⃣ If the AirTag’s battery is low, it will alert you in the Find My app
*️⃣ If you find an AirTag, simply tap and hold the white side to the back of your phone and click the notification that pops up. If the owner marked it as lost, you’ll see contact info.

You may also get a notification if an AirTag is following you and separated from its owner (even on an Android device).

So what can you do if you get a notification of an AirTag moving with you:
1️⃣ Click the message
2️⃣ Click “continue”. If you don’t see the AirTag, click “play sound”
3️⃣ Click “Learn about this AirTag” to check its serial number and see if it has been marked lost. There may be instructions from the owner on how to contact them
4️⃣ You can disable the AirTag, so it won’t continue to track its location (because the owner can see that)

NOTE: If you feel unsafe (like maybe someone is trying to track you), contact law enforcement.

Do you have an AirTag?

03/31/2023

🎉 Happy World Backup Day!

Here are some ways to celebrate 😉:

📱 iPhone - go to Settings → iCloud (your name & image) → iCloud → iCloud Backup, make sure it’s clicked green and see what it says for “last successful backup”.
📱 Android - go to Settings → System → Backup, make sure “backup to Google Drive” is on. Under “Active Backups”, you can view the last time it was backed up.
💻 Mac using Time Machine - go to System Preferences, click on Time Machine and check to see when the last backup was.
💻 PC using Backup - go to Settings → Update & Security → Backup → Create a system image, under “Backup” check to see if it’s set up.
☁️ Online cloud service - log into your account and check the last backup.

Note: if you choose to manually move files from either a Mac or PC to an external hard drive, simply plug in the drive and check to make sure the files are there.

Still have questions? I’m happy to help (remotely or if you’re in the DFW area, I can come to you)! DM me or here: https://www.typeadigitalsolutions.com/contact

03/30/2023

Did you know that there is an app on your iPhone and iPad called Tips?

This is an app made by Apple that is exactly what it sounds like, but it’s much more.

Here is a list of collections in the Tips app:
💡 Navigate your iPhone (iPad) - quick list of gestures and buttons that help you use your device better
💡 Protect your information - learn how to keep your data secure
💡 Be prepared - learn about the emergency features of your device
💡 Set up the essentials - everyone needs this, it shows you things to do to properly set up your device, contact info, app settings, storage, etc.
💡 Personalize your iPhone (iPad) - this shows you how to make your phone yours (wallpaper, widgets, Control Center, text size, sounds, and notifications)
💡 Discover more - What’s new in iOS 16, the Health app and Siri
💡 Accessibility - discover the built in features, such as magnifier, flashing lights, back tap, live captions during FaceTime, and calming sounds
💡 Photos and Camera - learn how to take the best photos, as well as edit and share your photos
💡 User Guide - a very detailed guide to your device

And if you have more Apple devices on your account, it will have a section for those too (AirPods, Apple Watch, etc).

Have you used the Tips app?

03/27/2023

Spring cleaning is more than decluttering your garage or closet. Don’t forget to spring clean your digital photos, phone, and even your computer!

This includes, but is not limited to:
🌺 Delete photos off your phone’s camera roll that you don’t need to save (blurry photos, screenshots, bursts, memes, food pics, etc.)

🌼 Mark your favorite photos on your phone to easily find (or create albums)

🌸 Remove apps from your phone you no longer use

🌷 Update your phone’s operating system

🌻 Clean out your contacts list

🌹 Update your computer’s operating system (BACKUP FIRST!) and delete programs you no longer need

💐 Clean up your desktop

🌿 Go through your email inbox and delete old emails and save ones you need in labels or folders

Need help? DM me to schedule a free short phone consultation!
https://www.typeadigitalsolutions.com/contact

03/24/2023

There are plenty of articles to scare you about all of the data some apps are collecting about you (and yes, you should read them).
�But I want to help you use these apps in a more secure way, so here are some tips.

TikTok:
🔴 Set your account to private (in “Privacy and settings)
🔴 Control comments (also in “Privacy and settings”)
🔴 Set who can duet with you
🔴 Select who can send direct messages - everyone, friends or off
🔴 Don’t let people download your videos
🔴 Avoid linking other social media apps

Facebook:
🔴 Set everything to private (in the Facebook app settings - privacy)
🔴 Turn off your location (this needs to be done on your device settings)
🔴 Set all settings to “Friends”
🔴 Set your Timeline and Tagging Settings (so you can review who can post on your timeline and who tags you)
🔴 Turn off face recognition (this is a big one for privacy!)
🔴 Avoid linking your profile to third party apps
🔴 Use a secure password

And last, but not least - for all of your accounts, use two-factor authentication when you can!

03/22/2023

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you have the Files app preloaded on your phone and you may not be aware of what it is or what it does.

The Files app is a file management program for your iCloud account. It allows you to saves files to the cloud and access them from all of your devices. Think of it as Apple’s version of Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

Tips for using the File app:
🗂 You can save important files as favorites, making them easy to find
🗂 If you only want to store a file locally (on your iPhone or iPad), you can. In the Browse tab, you can see files “On my iPhone (iPad)”.
🗂 You can see your Dropbox, OneDrive, or Amazon Drive account in the Files app if you want. In the Browse tab, click the circle with three dots in the upper right and click “edit”, if you have Dropbox, OneDrive, or Amazon Drive installed on your phone, you can add them to the Locations.
🗂 You can preview files without opening it: hold down the file and click ”Quick Look”.
🗂 You can drag & drop files, like you can on a Mac.
🗂 Quickly scan a document using the app and it will automatically save in your files: click the circle with three dots in the upper right and click “Scan documents”.
🗂 You can use tags, just like you can on a Mac.
🗂 If your file is large, you are able to compress and decompress the file right from the app.
🗂 You can share a file, just like you would share a photo, through AirDrop, Messages, Mail, and more.

Do you use the Files app?

03/17/2023

Do you have family memories or important files on digital media storage - DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, USB drives, or external hard drives?

Cloud storage has become more affordable, so it’s a great time to move those memories. Especially - with the warmer weather coming - if those tapes or DVDs are in an attic or garage that’s not climate controlled.

Imagine having home movies from your childhood on your phone, so you can show your friends and family and laugh at those hairstyles & outfit choices.

DM me for info on how I can help you enjoy old memories and save important files.

I work with VHS, VHS-C, MiniDV, 8mm tapes, CDs/DVDs & cassette tapes. As well as SD cards, older USB flash drives, and external hard drives.

03/16/2023

If you own an Apple Watch, you probably know that you can swipe up on the watch face to open Control Center and ping your iPhone.

But did you know that if your phone was lost and you suspect it may have been stolen, you can also mark it as lost?

1️⃣ Open the Find Devices app (it’s green and has an outline of a laptop & phone)
2️⃣ Click on your iPhone, click Lost Mode
3️⃣ You’ll get a confirmation email, and there will be a message on the phone’s Lock Screen. And Apple Pay will be disabled

But that’s not all Find Devices can do on your Apple Watch:
⌚️ You can find other devices on your Apple account - iPad, Mac, AirPods, or Beats headphones
⌚️ You can get directions to a device
⌚️ You can set it up so you can receive a notification if you left a device behind

Did you know about these features?

03/15/2023

I know of two people who had their Instagram account hacked in the last week.

Here are ways to protect your social media accounts from getting hacked:
✅ Turn on 2-Factor Authentication - if available, this will give the account permission to send you a numeric code either by text or email to confirm your identity. You can also use an authentication app.
✅ Use a password manager - not only do they help you remember your passwords, but they can generate secure passwords for your accounts. Because you probably shouldn’t use Instagram1 for your Instagram password 😉
✅ Be careful when linking 3rd party apps - the more apps that have your private info, the more likely you are to get hacked. Make sure that you only allow 3rd party apps that you really need. Examples of linked apps for Instagram are any additional filter apps, Boomerang, TimeHop, AutoHash, Buffer, Shopify, etc. You can check in Instagram settings under Security - Apps and Websites. You can revoke access for anything you no longer need.
✅ Keep your phone’s operating system and apps updated. These updates don’t only include fun new features, they also include security updates.
✅ Do not use social media as photo storage - I cannot stress this enough, your photos are not entirely secure on services like Facebook & Instagram. Also, they are not storing your full resolution photos, so the quality is compromised. And good luck if you ever want to download all of your photos from these two, it’s not easy. Social media is for sharing photos, not saving them!
✅ When out, know that everything you do on a free WiFi network is not secure. So only use well-known WiFi hotspots.

Have you ever had your social media account hacked? If you have, the first thing you need to do is contact Instagram.

Type A Digital Solutions

04/07/2023

04/06/2023

04/05/2023

04/03/2023

03/31/2023

03/30/2023

03/27/2023

03/24/2023

03/22/2023

03/17/2023

03/16/2023

03/15/2023

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category