We’ve also made a handy table that lists all iPhone models. Just click on your model’s name and we’ll show you exactly how to force restart it. So, whether your iPhone is brand new or a bit older, we’ve got the fix for you.

iPhone Models

Look for your iPhone model in the table below. Then, click on the model name to learn the right way to force-restart your iPhone.

Method 1.

1. Press Home button + Sleep/Wake (top of the phone) for about 10 seconds until Apple logo appears.
2. Give it about 10-20 seconds until the Home Screen reappears.

This method works for the following iPhone models:

iPhone (2007), iPhone 3G (2008), iPhone 3GS (2009), iPhone 4 (2010), iPhone 4s (2011), iPhone 5 (2012), iPhone 5c (2013), iPhone 5S (2013), and iPhone SE (2016)

Method 2.

1. Press Home button + Sleep/Wake (right side of the phone) for 10 seconds until Apple logo appears.
2. Give it about 10-20 seconds until the Home Screen reappears.

This method works for the following iPhone models:

iPhone 6 (2014), iPhone 6 Plus (2014), iPhone 6s (2015), iPhone 6s Plus (2015), iPhone 7 (2016), iPhone 7 Plus (2016).

Method 3.

1. Quick-press volume up.
2. Quick-press volume down.
3. Press and hold Sleep/Wake
4. Release when Apple logo appears.

This method works for the following iPhone models:

iPhone 8 (2017), iPhone 8 Plus (2017), iPhone X (2017), iPhone XR (2018), iPhone XS (2018), iPhone XS Max (2018), iPhone XR (2018), iPhone 11 (2019), iPhone 11 Pro (2019), iPhone 11 Pro Max (2019), iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 12 (2020), iPhone 12 mini (2020), iPhone 12 Pro (2020), iPhone 12 Pro Max (2020), iPhone 13 Mini (2021), iPhone 13 (2021), iPhone 13 Pro (2021), iPhone 13 Pro Max (2021), iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 14 (2022), iPhone 14 Pro (2022).

The post How to Force-restart or Reboot an iPhone (All Models) appeared first on Hongkiat.

Sounds familiar?

Or did your iPhone, too, get stuck on the “Verifying update” screen when you tried to install the latest version of iOS 15 or iOS 16?

This article will come in handy as we explain why this problem occurs and how to fix it so you can update your iPhone without any issues.

Why is my iPhone stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen?

After downloading the update, the iPhone will verify it before beginning the installation process. This is a necessary step.

Typically, the iPhone verification process for the update takes only a few seconds or minutes to complete. If it takes more than 10 minutes, it’s probably a sign that something is wrong, but you can still wait a bit longer.

If it takes more than 30 minutes and still nothing happens, you’re essentially stuck. When you’re stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen, you can’t actually go back to Settings, quit, or even turn off your iPhone.

So, why is your iPhone stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen?

Busy Apple servers, software glitches, unstable network connections, insufficient storage space, etc., can all contribute to this issue. In any case, you’ll now have to get rid of the stuck “Verifying Update” screen before you can continue using or updating your iPhone.

Here are three ways to fix an iPhone stuck on “Verifying Update” without losing data.

Method 1: Try a Force Restart on your iPhone

Is your iPhone stuck on the “Verifying update” screen? You don’t need to panic. A force restart could be the solution. It simply means turning off your iPhone completely to clear the unresponsive screen, and then switching it back on for a clean start.

Here’s the easy step-by-step process:

First, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then do the same with the Volume Down button. Right after, press and hold the Side button (or the Sleep/Wake button, depending on your model) until you see the Apple logo on your screen.

As soon as the logo shows up, release the button and allow your iPhone to restart. Rest assured, this process won’t delete any of your data. It’s just a simple trick to fix software glitches that might be making your iPhone freeze or become unresponsive.

For details see How to force-restart any iPhone models.

Step 2 – Try again to update your iPhone

If your iPhone has successfully restarted, you may now attempt to update it again if desired. To prevent your iPhone from becoming stuck on the "Verifying Update" screen once more, follow the instructions below:

1. Ensure that your iPhone is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network and has at least 5GB of available storage.
2. Navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, locate the update in the list of apps, and tap Delete Update. This will remove the previously downloaded update.
3. Proceed to Settings > General > Software Update, then re-download and install the latest update.

Method 2: Update Your iPhone with iTunes or Finder

If a forced reboot does not help and your iPhone remains stuck on the “Verifying Update” screen, you may need to update your iPhone using iTunes or Finder on your computer.

Step 1

Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable and force a reboot to enter Recovery Mode.

If you are using an iPhone 8 or later, the steps to enter Recovery Mode is as follows, in sequence:

1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the side button until the recovery mode screen appears.

Step 2

When your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, launch iTunes on your Windows computer or Finder if you are using a Mac.

Step 3

iTunes or Finder will automatically detect your iPhone and display a dialog box with “Update” and “Restore” options. Choose the “Update” option.

Step 4

Choose “Update” again to confirm, and iTunes or Finder will automatically download the latest software update and install it on your iPhone.

Method 3: Fix Stuck "Verifying Update" with iSumsoft iOS Refixer

Sometimes, updating your iPhone with iTunes or Finder can also fail or become stuck. We’ve seen instances where Finder or iTunes gets stuck while preparing for a software update. Therefore, another alternative to fix an iPhone stuck on the "Verifying Update" screen is to use iSumsoft iOS Refixer.

iSumsoft iOS Refixer is a specialized iOS system recovery tool that can fix various iPhone issues, including update failures and screen stuck problems, without losing data.

Download and install the software on your Windows PC, then follow the steps below to get your iPhone out of the "Verifying Update" screen and updated to the latest version of iOS.

Step 1

Launch iSumsoft iOS Refixer on your computer, select "Standard Mode", and on the next page, click "Start" to confirm that you want to use this option to fix your iPhone.

Step 2

When prompted to connect your device, ensure your iPhone is connected to your PC via USB cable, and then force restart it to enter Recovery Mode.

Step 3

Once your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, click"Next" on the software, and it will automatically detect your iPhone.

Step 4

Click the "Download" button to begin downloading the latest firmware package required to fix and update your iPhone from the Apple server. Wait a few minutes for the download to complete.

Step 5

After the firmware is downloaded, click on the "Repair" button, and the software will immediately start repairing your iPhone. This process will fix any software bugs that may be causing your iPhone to get stuck on the "Verifying Update" screen and install the latest version of iOS on your iPhone.

Step 6

Wait a few minutes, and you will see the message “iPhone Repaired Successfully” on the software page. Your iPhone will then restart automatically. Afterward, you can continue using your iPhone without any issues, and you won’t need to update it again because it is already up-to-date.

The post Fixed: iPhone Stuck on Verifying Update and Won’t Turn Off appeared first on Hongkiat.

This will allow you to create a passkey, simplifying the process of signing in to your Google account. In this article, we will explore how to integrate Google Passkey with your Google account.

What is a Security Key?

Security keys are small physical devices that can be used to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts, and in this case, your Google account. They work by generating a unique code that is required in addition to your usual password when logging in to your account.

What the security key does is, you simply plug it into your computer or connect it via Bluetooth to your mobile device, and then enter your username and password as usual. The key then generates a unique code that is sent to the server and compared to the expected code. If the codes match, you are granted access to your account.

The security key is a great way to protect your online accounts from hackers and other malicious actors, as they are much harder to hack or replicate than passwords or other forms of authentication.

What is a Passkey?

Passkeys, on the other hand, serve as a convenient and safe substitute for passwords. By using a passkey, you can access your Google Account through your fingerprint, facial recognition, or the device’s screen lock, such as a PIN, depending on what your device supports.

These passkeys offer the most robust defense against risks such as phishing. After setting up a passkey, you can effortlessly log in to your Google Account.

What Does This Mean for Me?

Passkeys significantly simplify the process of signing in to your account. To provide some context, here is a comparison of the steps required to log in to your Google account using a security key, such as the YubiKey 5 NFC, and a Google Passkey.

Using a Security Key:

1. Enter your username.
2. Enter your password.
3. Plug in the security key.
4. Press the button on the security key.
5. You are now signed in to your account.

Using a Passkey:

1. Enter your username.
2. Verify your identity using facial recognition or fingerprint authentication on your phone.
3. You are now signed in to your account.

How to Set Up Google Passkeys

You can set up Google Passkeys either on a desktop browser or a mobile phone browser. The latter option is easier and more direct. This guide will demonstrate how to accomplish this task on both platforms.

Setting Up Google Passkeys on Desktop

1. To begin, navigate to g.co/passkey and sign in using your Google account credentials.
2. On the following page, you will see a list of your existing security keys, if any. To create a new passkey, click “Create a passkey” and then click “Continue.”



3. This action will generate a passkey for google.com on your current device. Click “Continue” once more to proceed.



4. Depending on the browser you are using, you may receive a prompt stating that the browser needs to verify your identity on google.com. Enter your device’s password and click “OK” to continue.



5. When you see this screen, it indicates that the passkey has been set up.

You will also notice a new section called “PASSKEYS” added, displaying information about your device.

Setting Up Google Passkeys on Mobile Device

1. Open a browser on your mobile device and sign in to your Google account.



2. Once signed in, you will be prompted with a screen asking if you want to set up a passkey. Click “Continue” in your browser. If you are using an iOS device, ensure that “iCloud Keychain” is enabled. To enable it, go to Settings > iCloud > Passwords & Keychain, and turn it on.



3. Next, tap “Continue” when prompted by your mobile device.



4. Finally, click “Continue” once more, and your setup is complete.

Now what?

Once completed, you can effortlessly sign in to your Google account (Gmail or other services) on mobile devices. Simply enter your email address, and then verify your identity using either facial recognition or fingerprint authentication. There’s no need to enter a password or go through a second step of verification.

The post How to Integrate Google Passkey for Your Google Accounts appeared first on Hongkiat.

There’s an easy way to do just that.

Enter the Image Capture.

Image Capture is a useful app that ships with macOS. It allows you to transfer photos/videos from iOS/iPadOS devices to your Mac or any external devices connected to your Mac, i.e., an external hard drive or a NAS.

How to Backup with Image Capture

Instructions:

1. Connect your device to your Mac with a cable.
2. Unlock your device, and launch the Image Capture app on the Mac. You may need to select “Trust” or “Trust this device” wherever you are prompted if you are doing this for the first time.
3. Image Capture will then retrieve and display all your device’s photos and videos.



4. In Image Capture, Command + A to select all your photos/videos.



5. Go to “Import to:” and select the location to which you want them transferred. Select Other if you don’t see the desired location.



6. Click “Download All” to initiate the transfer.

That’s it. All photos and videos will now be downloaded from your device to your selected location. Now, this may take a while, depending on the number of photos and videos you have.

Last but not least, here are a few things you should know:

• The transferred items remain on your device.
• The green check icon in Image Capture indicates that the file has been downloaded/transferred.



• You can also use Image Capture to bulk delete photos/videos on your device. To do that, select the photos/videos you want to delete, right-click, and select “Delete items”.

The post How to Backup iPhone Photos to Mac (or External Device) appeared first on Hongkiat.

This post will highlight some ways to back up the data on your iPad. We will show you how to backup iPad to your Mac or Windows computer, or on the iCloud.

Method 1. Backup iPad on Mac

macOS Catalina eliminates the use of iTunes to connect and control your Apple devices. Instead, it uses the Finder app.

Instructions:

1. Connect your iPad to your Mac with a cable. Tap “Trust” if required.
2. On your Mac, launch Finder. In the sidebar, under "Location", select your iPad. Click “Trust” if required.



3. On the top of the Finder window, click the "General" tab, then check “Back up all the data in your iPad to this Mac”.
4. Click "Back up Now".

Instructions:

1. Connect your iPad to your Mac with a cable.
2. Launch the iTunes app, then click the Device button on the top left corner of the iTunes window.



3. Click "Summary" under "Settings".



4. Click "Back Up Now" below "Backups".

Method 2. Backup iPad on PC

Windows users will require the iTunes app to perform a backup. Make sure you are using the latest version of the iTunes app. Click here to download iTunes if you have not already.

Instructions:

1. Connect your iPad to your PC with a cable.
2. Launch the iTunes app, then click the iPad button on the top left of the iTunes window.



3. Click "Summary".



4. Under "Backups", click "Back Up Now".

Method 3. Backup iPad to iCloud

There are two ways to backup your iPad’s data to iCloud. You can either set up the iPad to backup automatically, or you can do it manually.

Backup to iCloud automatically

Instructions:

1. Go to "Settings".
2. Click on your name/apple ID on the top left.
3. Tap "iCloud".



4. Under "Device Backups", tap "iCloud Backup".



5. Turn on “Backup Up This iPad”.

Once enabled, your iPad (or iPad Mini) will automatically do a daily backup when locked, connected to a power source, and connected to the Wi-Fi.

Backup to iCloud manually

You can also back up your iPad to iCloud manually at any specific time. To do that, follow the steps above, and tap “Back Up Now”.

This may take a while, depending on how much data it needs to send to iCloud. To optimize the process, ensure you are connected to a stable Wi-Fi connection and the iPad is connected to a power source.

The post How to Backup Your iPad and iPad Mini appeared first on Hongkiat.

In this post, I will tell you how to turn your favorite song or music into a personalized ringtone for your iPhone. The best part is you can do everything right on your iPhone.

Requirements:

• TikTok app
• RingtoneMaker app
• GarageBand app

Instructions:

1. Go to the video in TikTok you want to set as your ringtone, and download the video.



2. Go to the App store, search for and download the RingtoneMaker app.



3. Open RingtoneMaker, tap the + icon, and import the TikTok video you just downloaded.



4. Tap Make, and then select Garageband. This will launch the Garageband app.



5. In Garageband, long-press the video and tap Share.



6. On the next screen, tap Ringtone.



7. Finally, give it a name, and tap Export when done.

That’s it. Your customized ringtone is now created and you’ll be able to apply it through your Settings app.

More posts related to mobile ringtones:

• Create and customize ringtones in Android
• Create custom ringtones and text tones for iPhone

The post How to Turn TikTok Video into iPhone Ringtone appeared first on Hongkiat.

Move to iOS is Apple’s official app for Android that enables you to transfer your apps and data from Android device to iOS. Though it works superbly in most cases, but the tool is also vulnerable to unexpected issues.

In this post, we are going to discuss some of the solutions to fix the ‘Move to iOS’ issue while transferring from Android to iOS. These include some using some local methods as well as using a third-party app to fix the issue with ‘Move to iOS’.

Try these following methods first

While transferring from Android to iOS, there can be any number of reasons for the ‘Move to iOS’ not working on your particular device. Here are some quick tips to resolve issues with the ‘Move to iOS’ app through local solutions.

1. Restart your devices

Though it may sound terribly simple, but sometimes the simplest things provide a solution. Restart your Android and iOS devices because at times, a good reboot clears the cache and the app starts functioning properly.

2. Check WiFi

For the ‘Move to iOS’ app to work, both Android and iOS devices need to be connected to stable WiFi. So check if both your devices are connected to WiFi and the WiFi is working.

Also remember that ‘Move to iOS’ will not work on Cellular data, so you better turn it off and convert to a WiFi network.

3. Update device OSs

Your devices need to be updated to the latest or compatible version of the OS for using ‘Move to iOS’. For Android, the compatible version for ‘Move to iOS’ is Android 4.0 (Kitkat) or higher and for iOS this should be iOS 9.0 or higher.

You can check the current version of your device in the settings of both OSs.

4. Turn on Airplane mode

In order to keep your devices from connecting to an unknown or unwanted network connection in the vicinity which may cause ‘Move to iOS’ error, it is better to turn on Airplane mode on both iOS and Android devices.

Now when you turn on WiFi while Airplane mode is turned on, your devices will be connected to a private WiFi network.

5. Check iPhone storage

‘Move to iOS’ transfers all your data, including photos, videos, contacts, messages, and others from your Android to iPhone. However, if the target iPhone does not have enough storage space, then ‘Move to iOS’ transfer will fail.

Make sure your iPhone has sufficient storage space for all the incoming data.

6. Disable network-intensive apps

Android comes built-in with features like Smart Network Switch and Sprint Connections Optimizer. While they may have their uses but when transferring from Android to iOS, they could interrupt data transfer through ‘Move to iOS’.

So it is imperative to turn off such network-intensive features before the transfer process.

7. Ensure iPhone is erased

‘Move to iOS’ is only able to transfer data from Android to iOS if your iOS device is completely wiped. To transfer data to your iPhone, make sure it is either new or factory reset.

And if all else fails…

Now if you’ve tried all the afore-mentioned methods and the ‘Move to iOS’ app is still showing errors and failing to transfer data from Android to iOS then you can go for AnyTrans as a good alternative to ‘Move to iOS’.

What is AnyTrans?

AnyTrans is a versatile tool to manage data transfer from Android to iOS including iPhone, iPad, or iPod. It enables you to transfer 27 different types of data to your iOS device including photos, videos, music, messages, call logs, contacts, documents, calendars, and even notes and ringtones.

It also auto-converts videos and music from Android supported format to iOS supported format. You can also preview the data and select only the things that you want to transfer. Plus, it doesn’t overwrite the existing data, skips duplicated content, and doesn’t require your phone to be factory reset before the transfer.

You can even transfer all data from your WhatsApp on Android to iPhone through AnyTrans and the existing WhatsApp data on Android will not be erased.

AnyTrans can be installed on both Windows and macOS and works with all iOS versions and all iPhone/ iPad models.

Download AnyTrans

Transferring Data from Android to iOS with AnyTrans

As mentioned above, AnyTrans enables you to transfer all types of data from Android to iPhone in a few simple steps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download and install AnyTrans in your Windows or macOS, then launch the app and select the Phone Switcher option.



2. From the options on the screen, select Phone to iPhone. You will be required to connect your Android device and iPhone to your computer using their respective USB cables.
3. Once the connection is established, you will see both devices and their names on the screen. Click Next.



4. You will be shown all the data from your Android device. Here, select the data that you would want to transfer and click Next.



5. You will see the transferring process through the progress bar and will be notified once the transfer is complete.

That’s it! All the selected data from your Android device will be transferred to your iPhone.

Other things AnyTrans could do

AnyTrans is far from being a one-time use tool and there are many other features worth mentioning . It also lets you backup and manage your iOS data as full or incremental backup as per your requirements. You can also backup your iOS device automatically and wirelessly.

Moreover, you can mirror your device to your computer and capture screenshots/ screen recordings of your iOS device using the tool. There’s also a feature to help you manage your iTunes library more efficiently.

Plus, you can create ringtones of your favorite songs or music and apply them on your iOS device.

Click here to see a list of everything AnyTrans can do.

The post Solving ‘Move to iOS’ Issues: Android to iOS Transfer appeared first on Hongkiat.

Well, you’re not alone in this because the problem of the iPhone getting stuck on the Apple logo screen is more common than you think. Hence, in this post, we will explore five possible ways to remedy the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Try doing a Force Restart

Having trouble with your iPhone because the screen is freezing? Doing a force restart might just be the solution. To do this, follow these easy steps.

Instructions:

1. Press the volume up button once, then release it.
2. Repeat the same for the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the side button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the side button.

Read also: How to Force-restart or Reboot an iPhone

2. Use iTunes’ Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode is usually used to troubleshoot glitches in iOS or the apps on your device. It updates the devices to a newer version if required or restores them to their previous working version.

Here’s how to use the Recovery Mode method to fix the problem on your iPhone 12.

Instructions:

1. Install iTunes on your PC or Mac if you are running macOS Mojave or earlier. Else, connect your iPhone 12 to your computer using the Finder app.
2. Press both the volume up and volume down buttons on your iPhone to enter Recovery Mode. Keep holding the side button as soon as your iPhone 12 connects to iTunes.



3. Select Update from the menu. You can choose to restore if updating does not work.

3. Restore iPhone in DFU Mode

Do note that if you fix it via the Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) mode, all existing data on your phone will be lost. To put an iPhone 12 in DFU mode, do the following.

Instructions:

1. Launch iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone.
2. Press and release the volume up key, then do the same for the volume down key.
3. Then hold down the side key until the screen blacks out (do not let go).
4. Hold the volume down key and release the power key after 5-10 seconds until you see a dialogue box stating, “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.”



5. Click “OK” to continue

4. Fix with Tenorshare ReiBoot App

Tenorshare ReiBoot is a professional system repair software for fixing common iOS problems, including a stuck iPhone screen. The app can also fix most iPhone problems without data loss. Here’s how to get your iPhone fixed with Tenorshare ReiBoot.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Tenorshare ReiBoot. Click the Start button to begin.



2. On the next screen, click “Standard Repair”.



3. Your phone’s specs and the latest firmware required will be displayed. Click Download to begin downloading the latest firmware package.



4. Now, on the next screen, click “Start Standard Repair” to initiate the repair process. This may take a while.



5. If you see “Standard Repair Completed”, that means the phone is successfully fixed, and the app will now automatically restart the phone.

Heres a video tutorial for reference.

5. Get Help from Apple Support

If you still have no luck with all methods mentioned above, then the last resort would be contacting Apple support.

Visit the official Apple support page, and seek help from their support via phone, chat, or even set up an appointment to bring your iPhone down to the nearest store in your area for assessment and repair.

The post Fixing iPhone 12 Stuck on Apple Logo Screen (5 Ways) appeared first on Hongkiat.

Well, through this post, I can solve this issue for all those who want to create and sell their mobile app without any knowledge in app development – that too, for free. Here are the eight best services to build and sell your mobile app. Let’s check the list after the jump.

Glide

Glide helps you in creating an app using your business data. Without prior knowledge in coding or programming, you can create powerful tools from data in any format.

The tool enables you to design your app through an intuitive editor. You can add different elements to your design like color and layout etc., create computed columns, and turn different actions into workflows.

Glide lets you publish your app privately that you can share with your team or publicly with anyone. Plus, your app and data can stay synced so anything you modify in your data reflects in your app.

Bubble.io

Bubble lets you create dashboards, apps, marketplaces, social media platforms, and CRMs quickly and easily. You can create efficient prototypes of your digital products without writing a single line of code.

It offers an intuitive editor that helps you design your digital product. You can add styles, workflow, plugins, and data, and customize styles as your requirements.

The apps created by Bubble are fully scalable without any limits. Plus, you can expand your app’s functionalities with various integrations and API connections.

Adalo

Aldo is a versatile no-code app builder. Anyone can develop a professional and fully-functional web, desktop, or mobile app using this tool.

There are many customization options to add your branding details to the app. The tool also offers a built-in database to manage content. You can also get an analytics dashboard to measure and manage the growth of your digital products.

Mobincube

Mobincube is a great solution for creating native mobile apps for Android and iOS. It is built from the ground up to help you make money through your apps, and offers built-in monetization features , which can be easily activated. Mobincube also lets you build unlimited apps for free, but limits some functionalities.

What I like is it supports push notifications, Google Maps, and Google Analytics natively, allowing you to embed them in your app easily, but what I found odd is its interface that’s not as catchy as that of Dropsource (discussed below).

Some of its additional features include support for a mobile store, audio/video streaming, web embeds, and databases. Also, it lets you code for adding custom functionalities.

Mobincube’s single project works for all supported platforms. Also, you can test the app right in your browser but you need to publish it manually to the stores. Also, as I said before, it poses a few limits on the free plan such as a number of push notifications, the option to remove ads, and cloud, analytics, and optimization features.

Dropsource

Dropsource is an innovative solution for creating native mobile apps – right from your browser. This platform offers tools for the whole development process and support docs to help you get started with it. That said, if you have Dropsource, you do not require any other tool to design, review, develop, test, and publish your apps, unlike Mobincube.

Dropsource provides a robust drag-and-drop user interface editor which helps to prototype and build your apps with native elements and customized logic. You can integrate data in your app using REST APIs.

After you are done, you can build and test your app in its browser based emulator, and share it to get feedback from others. When the app is ready, you can download code or publish directly to the App Store or the Google Play Store.

However, I did not like that it creates an app for a single platform per project. That means you need to create two projects, i.e., two apps if you need both Android and iOS apps. Moreover, one cannot publish apps or download source code in its free plan. However, if you are fast enough to create an app during its one-month trial period, then you can download it.

Thunkable

Thunkable is yet another cloud solution to build native mobile apps for Android and iOS. It has a fantastic interface unlike Mobincube; however, it does not offers as many features as offered by the latter. Yet, it does not support creating apps for Windows Phone. However, I liked that Thunkable helps you create and monetize gorgeous-looking apps.

Though Thunkable is not as mature as Mobincube, yet it offers nice documentation, as well as video tutorials for getting started with its platform, which I found, is very helpful for beginners. Some of its features include modern interface elements, support for image and speech recognizers, various databases, Admob, Google Maps, and the IoT.

You can live test your apps on your mobile device or an emulator, and after you are done creating, you can download and publish your app manually. Also, like Dropsource, Thunkable projects are platform-dependent. That said, if you require apps for Android as well as iOS, then you need to create and work on two separate projects.

Andromo

Andromo is one of the known mobile app creators for building Android apps. What I found interesting is that its apps are multilingual by default with support for 20+ languages – a feature I find missing in all other solutions on this list.

It offers built-in features and templates, which are easy to add to your apps. Some of them include an audio player, support for integrating Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube, support for adding content from a website, radio and podcast player, PDF and RSS support, etc. It also features adding the essentials like contact info, about page, and photo gallery.

However, Andromo allows creating just one app in its free plan (unlike Mobincube and Dropsource) and put limits as you can neither disable ads nor opt for its monetization feature. After you have created the app, you can publish it on the Google Play Store, the Amazon Store, and other app stores, and monetize it if you are on a premium plan.

AppsGeyser

AppsGeyser is one of the oldest mobile app makers that does not require coding knowledge, but I find it is the not best-featured solution. What I find lacking in comparison to Dropsource and Thunkable is it is not as featureful and intuitive as the former ones. It does not support creating iOS apps and is best suited for assembling web content into apps.

That said, if you are looking to create beautiful apps, you may consider using any one of the above solutions. However, if you are looking to create a mobile app for your website as quickly as possible, then AppsGeyser can work for you. It offers 70+ app templates to start building your app smoothly and whole process is done right in the browser.

You can include web content in your apps, use HTML5 features, send pop-up notifications, add social sharing and analytics features as well as geolocation features. You can view or test your app in the browser itself and monetize it by showing ads or selling it.

After your app is ready to distribute, you can manually submit the app to the Google Play Store.

The post 8 Best Tools to Build and Sell Mobile Apps appeared first on Hongkiat.

If, for any reason, you would like to convert the images on your iPhone from one format to another, this post will guide you on how to do that. Methods we are covering include:

• Using the native Files App,
• Convert with a shortcut,
• Installing third-party apps, and
• Using a web tool.

Convert Images with Files App

Requirements:

• iPad or iPhone running iOS 16 or later.
• Files App.

The Files app in iOS is more than just a file explorer. You can use it to convert images into different formats. Here’s how to use the Files app to convert images on your iPhone:

1. Locate your image in Files App.



2. Tap and hold to see more options.



3. Go to Quick Actions > Convert Image.

Note: You can convert images into either JPG, PNG, or HEIF using the Files App.

Convert Images with Apple Shortcuts

You can also convert an image format with the Shortcut app in iOS. For this, you’ll first need to create a shortcut that converts images to a specific format, and then you can execute it anywhere on the device whenever needed.

Requirement:

• iPad or iPhone running iOS 16 or later.
• Shortcuts App.

Instructions:

1. Launch Shortcuts, then tap the + sign to add a new shortcut.



2. Tap “New Shortcut” and then select “Rename” and give your shortcut a name.



3. For iOS users, tap “Add Action” and search for the “Select Photos” action.
4. For iPadOS users, search for “Select Photos” directly from the right column.



5. Tap to add it, then tap the arrow beside “Select photos” and turn “Select Multiple” on.



6. In the search bar (bottom in iOS, right side in iPadOS), type in “Convert Image” and then tap to add it to your shortcut.



7. This will allow the shortcut to later convert to JPEG format. Tap on the JPEG to change it to other formats if you prefer. Or tap the arrow to make changes to Quality and Preserve Metadata.



8. Back to the search box, search and add “Save to Photo Album”. This will save converted images to the Recent folder in the Photos app.



9. Tap the Info icon, and turn on “Show in Share Sheet”.

That’s it. Now, click the Run button on top to test run your new shortcut.

Whenever you want to use this shortcut, just tap the Share icon on any selected image or images and select the shortcut you created to convert the images.

Convert Images with a Third-party App

I don’t see a reason to use a third-party app for simple image conversion, but if, for some reason, the above two methods do not work for you, then you can install an app to do just that.

There are many apps out there that convert images for you. Here are a few you can try:

• Image converter: JPG to png
• The Image Converter
• Image Converter: Vector File

Convert Images with Web Tools

Last but not least, you can also rely on the web tool for this simple task. All you need to do is to go to the respective site with your browser to get your images’ format converted.

Here are a few recommendations.

• Online-convert.com
• Convertio
• FreeConvert
• Cloudconvert
• Img2Go
• PicGhost

The post How to Convert Images on iPhone and iPad appeared first on Hongkiat.

But we are mere humans, and humans being humans do, we sometimes tend to be forgetful. And if you, unfortunately, forgot the passcode to your Android phone, you will be locked out, leaving your phone inaccessible.

This post will discuss the workarounds to regain access to your phone if you forget your passcode.

Why Would I Need This?

But first, let’s talk about why you need to guard yourself with the know-how to force-unlock your Android phone.

1 – Forgot the passcode

Like I said earlier in the intro, we tend to be forgetful. Contrary to popular belief, getting locked out of one’s phone because we forget our passcode happens more often than we think.

2 – Acquired a locked pre-owned phone

You might also end up in the same situation if you bought a pre-owned phone but failed to check if it has been unlocked and clean-wiped.

3 – Fingerprint and face unlock fail to work

If, for some reason, the fingerprint and face unlock are not working, then you will also need an alternative workaround to bypass the lock screen.

Use Smart Lock

Smart Lock is a feature that ships with most android phones. It allows you to bypass your lock screen if you have, unfortunately, forgotten your passcode.

However, for Smart lock to work, it MUST BE set up beforehand. If you have already forgotten your passcode but have yet to setup up Smart Lock, then this method will not help.

If you still have access to your phone, then it’s essential to get this set up ASAP as a precautionary measure.

You will require your current passcode to set it up, and you can choose among these options to regain access to your phone.

• On-body detection – The phone remains unlocked if it senses that it’s with you, whether you are carrying it in your pocket or your hand.
• Trusted places – Add a trusted location, and the phone will stay unlocked if it detects that it’s at a particular location.
• Trusted devices – Add trusted devices that the phone can connect via Bluetooth. It can be another smartphone, a wireless headphone, your car play, or even a smart tv. As long as the phone is connected to any of them, it stays unlocked.
• Voice match – Lastly, you can set up a voice unlock. If the voice matches, the phone can be unlocked too.

Use Find My Device

You can also go to the Find My Device website. Created by Google, this web tool is pretty simple to use. And be able to use it to unlock your phone, you must first meet the following criteria:

• You need to sign in to your Google account.
• Your device needs to be connected to the Internet.
• Your device needs to have the Google Find My Device app, and it’s turned on.

With all these criteria met, here’s how to unlock your android device.

1. Go to the Find My Device page, sign in with the Google account that you used to sign in to your Android device.
2. You will see all of your Android devices registered on the same Google account. Select the one that you would like to unlock.



3. Once you select the required Android device, it will receive a notification that ‘Find My Device’ has located this device. You will also see a map highlighting the current location of your device.
4. There are different options for what kind of action you’d like to take – like play sound or secure device etc. However, to unlock your device, you can opt for the Erase Device option. By doing this, you erase all data and settings from your device, including the screen lock. So once the erasing is done, you can access your device and set a new screen lock if required.

Using a 3rd-party App

Unlocking with Smart Lock requires it to be set up beforehand; unlocking with Find My Device requires the app to be turned on beforehand too. You’ll probably have no luck unlocking your phone if you’ve done neither.

A 3rd-party app serves as the last resort if all else fails.

Enter DroidKit. DroidKit is a desktop app that allows you to unlock an Android phone locked with PINs, passwords, fingerprints, or face recognition.

This app works on both Windows and Mac. You only require a USB cable, the locked phone, and a PC or laptop to start the unlocking process.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to unlocking your phone with DroidKit.

1. Download and install DroidKit app on your Windows or Mac.
2. Launch the app, click the Unlock Screen option.



3. Connect the Android phone with your computer using a USB cable. Upon connection established, click Start.



4. You will see a Preparing Device Configuration File screen with a progress bar that shows you the status of the configuring process. When this is complete, click the Remove Now button.





5. Select your device from the options that appear on the screen, then click Next.



6. You will be required to put your device into Recovery Mode and remove the cache partition on your device. For this, follow the instructions for your particular phone manufacturer and do the procedure on your device.



7. Once this process is completed, you will see the Removing Screen Lock screen with the progress bar. The process is going to take a few minutes and once done, you will be able to regain access your Android device again.

Preventing This From Happening Again

Take note of the following ways to prevent history from repeating itself.

• Set up the Smart Lock feature.
• Install and turn on Google’s Find My Device app.
• Keep a copy of your passcode/password somewhere secure. (I.e., password manager)
• Use a strong and easy-to-remember passcode/password.
• Bookmark this article.

The post How to Unlock Android Phone if I Forgot the Password appeared first on Hongkiat.

To prevent the latter from happening, you must guard yourself with the knowledge of how to regain access to your phone again.

In this post, I’m going to share some tips on bypassing FRP on your Samsung model Android phone shall you forget your password and get locked out.

Features of iToolab UnlockGo for Android

AFAIK Samsung hasn’t developed a tool to help bypass FRP, and if you are to regain access to your locked phone, a 3rd party app could be your solution.

Enter iToolab’s UnlockGo for Android.

This app works without requiring any root permission from your device. Within clicks – literally five – it removes Google’s lock entirely.

Here are more features of this app that make it a great Samsung FRP unlocker:

• It has 99.3% effectiveness in bypassing Google FRP lock on Samsung devices from android version 5 to 12.
• It is compatible with most Samsung phone and tablet models.
• It is easy to use for novice users.
• Completes job fast.

How to Unlock Samsung Phone with UnlockGo (Android)?

Below is a step-by-step guide to using iToolab UnlockGo to bypass the Samsung FRP lock. If you are not into reading, there’s a video guide too.

Step 1: Download UnlockGo on Your PC

Download the UnlockGo app from its official website. Install and run the app. UnlockGo is available for both Windows and Mac.

Download iToolab UnlockGo (Android)

Step 2: Start the Process

Connect the locked Samsung device to your PC via a USB cable. Click "Remove Google Lock (FRP)" and then "Start" to continue.

Select "All Android Versions" on the next screen, then click "Next".

Step 3: Open Samsung Diagnostics Menu

A pop-up window will appear with instructions on how to enter the Samsung Diagnostic menu. Follow the on-screen instructions, then click "Next" to enable "USB Debugging" on your device.

Step 4: Remove Google FRP

The app will take a couple of seconds to bypass, and the device will be rebooted once the process is complete.

Unlocking Samsung Phone w/o Password or Google Account

Additionally, the UnlockGo app provides a simple way to unlock your android phone without needing a password.

Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Connect Your Device

Connect your Samsung device to your PC or Mac via a USB cable. Click on the "Unlock Screen Lock", then click "One-click remove screen lock from Samsung".

Step 2: Unlock Your Device

Follow the on-screen instructions and click the "Unlock" button to continue. The lock screen then goes away, and your device will restart.

When Bypassing Google Lock is Needed?

I’ve shown you the how; now let’s take a look at the when. Here are some possible scenarios when you will need to bypass Google lock on your Samsung device.

1. Selling a Samsung device, but forgot the password

You can’t and shouldn’t sell your current Samsung device without removing your Google account. If you intend to sell but forgot the password to your Google account, then the bypassing operation will be needed.

2. Bought a pre-owned locked Samsung device

If you have unfortunately sold a locked Samsung device from a merchant or seller, then bypassing it yourself may save you a lot of hassle.

3. Running a phone buyback and re-selling business

If you are in the buyback and pre-owned phone-selling business, you will encounter various problems with the phones you acquire. And the Google FRP problem is definitely one of the most common ones. The ability to bypass FRP yourself should be one of the knowledge you should know.

Bonus: Prevention

Last but not least, if you want to avoid being locked-out entirely, it is recommended that you remove the Google account first before performing a factory reset. And to do that:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Accounts and Backup”
2. Tap “Manage Accounts”, then select your Google account
3. Select “Remove Account”, then confirm it.
4. When prompted, verify your identity and get rid of the Samsung FRP lock.

The post Bypassing Google Lock on Any Samsung Phones with UnlockGo appeared first on Hongkiat.

Here are several methods you can try to resolve the issue. But first, let’s explore the reasons why this happens.

Why Causes the Samsung Logo to Keep Flashing?

• Software bugs: If your phone has an update that’s not yet been installed, the bug may cause the phone to crash or in this case, freeze.
• Failed hardware: A faulty internal hardware component, like the phone’s battery, may cause it to fail to start up properly.
• Stuck after an update: If the phone did not update successfully, then it may not start properly after installing an update.
• Damaged internal storage: If your device’s internal storage is corrupted, not only will it be unable to store data, but it may also cause the device to be stuck at start-up.
• Malfunctioning apps: Apps installed on the phone can be the culprit, too, especially if they are buggy or coming from a not-so-reputable developer.

5 Ways to Fix a Frozen Samsung Phone

Here are five different fixes to solve the problem. You are encouraged to try the next if one does not work for you.

1. Give it a soft reset

First, perform a soft reset to see if it works. Soft reset varies from one device to another.

The typical way is to hold down the Power button for 8 – 10 seconds and then release it. Some models, however, require you to hold down the Power and Volume-up buttons simultaneously.

2. Repair it with Tenorshare’s ReiBoot for Android

If a soft reset does not solve the problem, you can turn to a third-party repairing tool like ReiBoot for Android.

Created by Tenorshare, this app helps troubleshoot and fix various issues on Android devices. One plus point about this app is that rooting your phone is unnecessary.

To fix the phone stuck on the Samsung logo with Tenorshare ReiBoot for Android, follow the steps below:

1. Download and install Tenorshare ReiBoot for Android on your computer. Launch the app, connect your Samsung device to your computer via a USB cable, and click “Repair Android System.”



2. On the next screen, click “Repair Now”.



3. Enter all information regarding the device. That includes its brand, serial number, model, country, and carrier. Click “Next” to proceed to the next step.



4. The appropriate firmware package will now be downloaded, and when it’s complete, click “Repair Now”, and then “Continue”.



5. Proceed according to the instructions on the screen to start the repair process. When it’s done, you’ll receive a message stating that it’s complete.

Your Samsung boot loop or stuck-on logo issue should now be resolved. As soon as your device reboots, it will start working properly again.

Aside from fixing the stuck Samsung logo, Tenorshare ReiBoot also allows you other common problems like blue screen, frozen apps, slow browsing speeds, and more.

3. Pressing the Power Button

You’ve probably done this a few times when the problem arises, but do try it again to see if it works.

If the power button is not responsive, you might want to consider bringing the phone to a technician to check if there’s a problem with the button’s internal wiring.

4. Get help from Samsung Support Center

If you are not getting any luck from the methods above, then it would be wise to get help from the Samsung Support Center to assist you with fixing the phone.

You will likely be required to send the device in for a diagnosis, repair, or even parts replacement. Please be aware that this may involve paying for service.

It might be worthwhile to call or email Samsung Support Center to get an idea of the problem and its estimated cost before going down.

5. Reset to Factory Settings

Factory reset your device may be the last resort if all else fails. By doing this, you will restore the device to its original state with all its existing data (including installed apps) completely wiped.

So before you do that, you are advised to first create a backup of your Android phone.

Here’s how to perform a factory reset:

1. Connect it with a USB Type-C cable to a computer, then hold the Power key for a few seconds to turn off the device. (Press and hold the Power and Home keys together for older devices.)
2. Release the Power button when you see the Android logo on the screen; the Recovery Menu will appear once you continue to hold the other button.
3. Select Factory Reset from the menu by pressing the Volume down key.
4. Confirm your options by pressing the Power key.

The phone will reset itself to factory settings once it has completed the process, and it will automatically restart once the process is complete. As long as it reaches the home screen successfully, the problem will be resolved.

The post Phone Stuck on Samsung Logo? Here’s 5 Ways to Fix it appeared first on Hongkiat.

In case you did a factory reset on your Android phone, there are ways to recover your lost data with or without backup. In this post, I will be discussing some ways to restore your data through backup and even when you don’t have a backup.

Recovering Android Data with Backup

I cannot emphasize enough on the importance of keeping a regular backup of all your data. There are many ways to backup data in your Android device but most common and reliable ones include backing up your data locally within the device or backing up your data in Google.

In the following, I am going to talk about the process of restoring your data from both these backup options.

Local Backup

Android OS offers different ways to backup your data locally. These include backing up on an external storage device like an external hard drive or SD card or on Samsung Cloud (for Samsung users).

Being a few taps process, I backed up my Android device’s data on the Samsung Cloud and here is how you can restore it through the same after a factory reset.

1. On your Android device, go to Settings > Accounts and backup and under Samsung Cloud, tap Restore data.



2. Samsung Cloud will ask for secondary verification. Choose any of the given verification methods.



3. Once verified, you will see your Android device’s name. If you have multiple Android devices backed up on the same Samsung Cloud account, you’ll be able to see all of those there.



4. You’ll see all the backed-up data and you tap Restore to get all of it back on your device.

Google Backup

The above-mentioned method is ideal for Samsung device users. However, a more universal way to backup and restore your data nevertheless of the device you use is through Google One.

If you have your data backup in Google One, here’s how you can restore it after a factory reset on your Android device.

1. Go to the Google Drive app and login to the account that you used to backup your Android device’s data.
2. Tap on the hamburger menu on the left and then tap Backups.



3. You will see all the data backups created on the drive. Tap on the device’s name that you want to restore the backup for and you’ll see all types of data that has been backed up. You can restore any or all of it from here.

Recovering Android Data without a Backup

The aforementioned methods discuss how to recover data when you have a backup either locally or in Google Drive.

However, if for some reason you were not able to backup your Android device’s data and lost all your data due to factory reset, then a third-party app called DroidKit may be able to help you out.

Droidkit

DroidKit is a versatile system solution by iMobie that helps resolve many issues with both Android and iOS devices. From the aspect for data recovery for Android, the tool features different recovery modes

• Quick Recovery – for faster data recovery without rooting your device.
• Deep Recovery – for more in-depth data recovery with device rooting.

There are 13 different types of data that DroidKit can help you recover. These include photos, videos, text/audio messages, WhatsApp, contacts, call logs, calendars, APK files, documents, and a lot more. You can even select only a specific type of data to be recovered to your device.

Moreover, it supports more than 20,000 Android device models from just about any manufacturer and works with all versions of the Android OS.

DroidKit is safe to work with and you can install it on your Windows or Mac computer.

How to Recover Lost Android Data with DroidKit

So you lost all the data on your Android device and want to get it back but without backup available? Well, you can follow these few simple steps to recover your lost data through DroidKit.

1. Download and install DroidKit on your Windows and macOS computer and then launch the program. From the many options on the home screen, click Data Recovery.



2. You’ll be asked to connect your device via USB. Once the connection is successfully established, and the tool completely recognizes your device, click Start to begin with the process.



3. You’ll see 13 different types of data on the screen. Select any or all types of data and click Start to proceed.



4. DroidKit will scan all the data on your Android device and give you a preview of your files.



5. You can select the ones you want to recover and also where you would like to receive them i.e., in your computer or your device. It will give you a preview of the formats. Click Continue.



6. You’ll see the Transfer data progress bar and then the Recovered successfully notification.

That’s it, all the data that you selected for recovery will be restored in your device or computer and you’ll be able to access it again.

Conclusion

It’s always wise to keep a backup of your data on an Android device either locally or using a third-party app. But even if you don’t have a backup of your data and factory reset your device, you can take help from DroidKit to recover most of your data in a few steps.

DroidKit can provide solutions for other types of Android system issues as well. So it won’t be too bad to keep it handy. Try out the tool and let use know of your experience.

The post How to Recover Android Data After Factory Reset appeared first on Hongkiat.

There are several solutions to access your locked iPhone, and using a 3rd party app like EaseUS MobiUnlock is one of them.

In this article:

EaseUS MobiUnlock In a Nutshell

EaseUs MobiUnlock, is an iPhone-unlocking tool created by EaseUS, a one-stop multimedia management solution company, that allows you to unlock your iPhone shall a problem arise.

This tool allows you to unlock your iPhone locked under the:

• 4-digit PIN
• 6-digit PIN
• Touch ID
• Face ID

Apart from unlocking the main screen passcode on your iPhone or iPad, EaseUs MobiUnlock claims to be able to help you unlock the screen time passcode, and Apple ID password and bypass Apple ID security questions as well.

How to Erase iPhone with EaseUs MobiUnlock

In a few simple steps, you can erase and unlock your iPhone in no time. Here’s how to do it, but first, you will need to download and install EaseUS MobiUnlock for your OS.

1. Launch the app, and select the Unlock Screen Passcode.



2. Connect your iPhone to your computer through the USB cable and click Start. Once your device is recognized, confirm the firmware and click Next.



3. Firmware downloading will now commence.



4. Once the firmware is ready, click Unlock Now



5. You’ll be prompted with a warning that this action will erase all the data from your device. If you agree, then type in the code and click Unlock.

And that’s all! All data, including its previous passcodes, has been erased and the iPhone is as good as brand new.

How to Erase iPhone with Password?

Well, if you already know the password to your iPhone and have full access to it, you can erase or factory reset it through the iPhone settings.

For this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.This will remove all data from your iPhone including photos, videos, contacts, call logs, passwords, messages, browsing history, calendar, chat history, notes, installed apps, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping up

Either you bought a second-hand locked iPhone or got locked out of it due to multiple failed attempts at entering the wrong password, there can be any reason to wipe your iPhone.

My experience with EaseUS MobiUnlock is that it gives you a reliable and quick way to wipe your iPhone so you’re able to access it again. If you find yourself in such a situation, do try it out.

The post Erasing Your iPhone Without Passcode with EaseUS MobiUnlock appeared first on Hongkiat.