iD Mobile’s Black Friday Event is Here! To celebrate we’re giving away a £100 Currys PC World voucher – more about that below. Planning to treat yourself or a loved one to a brand-new phone this winter season? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re after the all-new iPhone 12 or a powerful Android such as the Samsung S20E to call, play, stream, and of course, chat in the Community, you’ll find what you’re looking for with iD Mobile.Amongst all the great deals we have on offer over Black Friday, you can save up to £120 on the iPhone 12 or iPhone 11. If you’re more of an Android lover, get cashback when you go for a snappy new Samsung handset, or even save up to a massive £362 on a cracking Android phone. And if you’re looking for a winning SIM only deal with unlimited data, you’ll find it right here at iD Mobile.Here’s some of the great Pay Monthly Phone deals you can get in iD Mobile’s Black Friday Event: Phone Up Front Cost Monthly Cost Allowances Save Up To iPhone SE 64GB

iOS 14 & Android 11 at a glance (Includes a competition)Looking for a new smartphone? Whichever brand or device you choose, the chances are that it’ll all come down to a single question – iPhone or Android? Here, we’ll explain what both can do to help you make the choice. And if you fancy sprucing up that new handset with some fantastic games and apps, read on to find out how to get your hands on a £50 app store gift card!Let’s start with the basics. iOS and Android are the operating systems that most smartphones use. All iPhones use iOS and the majority of other brands run on Android. Both have been around for quite a while now and have been refined again and again over the past decade, making them better, smoother and more intuitive with age. However, there are a few things you should know when making your mind up. iOS (iPhone, iPad)If you’ve already got a Mac or iPad, you’re probably familiar with Apple’s operating system. While every Apple phone, tablet and computer works brill

Looking to upgrade to a shiny new iPhone? iD Mobile have got you covered. We’ve got the latest and greatest iPhones around with everything that makes the Apple experience so good – all new iOS 14 software, incredible cameras and effortless style. And you’re bound to find a top deal that works for you, right here. Let’s take a closer look at the line-up: iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 MiniThere’s loads to love about the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini. Both handsets feature a gorgeous Super Retina XDR OLED display with all the colour precision and sharpness to make your movies and games pop. It’s one of the best smartphone screens around. At 6.1 and 5.4 inches respectively, you can go for big screen entertainment or compact, ergonomic comfort on the go.Backed by the A14 Bionic processor with its 5G compatibility, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini multitask like a dream. They can handle big downloads as you flick from app to app at exactly the same time. Feel free to crank up the settings on your g

The new iOS 12 update is here, and it’s jam-packed with features designed to make iPhones (5s and above) perform better than ever. Here are 9 new features we’re most excited about. 1. Faster performance iOS 12 makes everything faster and more responsive - like launching the camera app, which Apple says will now be up to 70% faster. Typing with the keyboard will also be up to 50% quicker, and apps will launch twice as speedy as before. Good stuff. 2. Neater notifications Notifications let you know when someone’s got in touch at a glance, so in theory, they’re very handy. We all know the reality though - they can be a distraction. That’s why iOS 12 is giving you more control over the notifications you see, with a new ‘Manage’ button. You can use this to have annoying notifications delivered quietly, rather than making a noise or flashing up on your lock-screen (they’ll just go straight to your Notification Centre instead). iOS 12 also brings a more discreet way of displaying not

Is your smartphone secure when you’re out and about? Mobile security attacks are on the increase. So help you out, here are nine mobile security tips to keep your handset safe from harm. Our smartphones are mobile digital assistants that carry a huge amount of data about us. Unfortunately, criminals have cottoned on to this and are targeting them more than ever before. According to a recent MEF (Mobile Ecosystem Forum) report, 66% of smartphone users have experienced some sort of data-related attack. Thankfully, we’re here with some top mobile security tips. 1. Keep your phone locked when not in use An unlocked phone is an easy target for a criminal. So if you haven’t got at least a basic passcode on your lock screen, do it now. Go into your phone’s settings, look under the security heading, and you should see a number of options to lock your phone. Pattern unlocks and PIN numbers are tried and tested ways of locking your phone down. But if you do use one of these methods, w

Bring the great outdoors home during the heatwave with our top gardening apps.We’ve never spent more time at home than we are right now, so there’s never been a better time to make our homes a much brighter, happier and more relaxing place to be. While it might be tricky to get away this year or go exploring, a peaceful, colourful garden makes the perfect place to chill out at home. And your phone can help you.There are plenty of apps out there that’ll help design your outdoor space, identify the plants in your garden and work out which plants are likely to grow tall and strong. Here are our favourites: SmartPlantFree on iOS & AndroidThis app is the ultimate companion on that garden centre plant-buying spree. Just use the SmartPlant app to scan the code on new plants when you buy them, and it’ll tell you exactly what they are and how best to look after them.It’s not just for starting from scratch. The SmartPlant app lets you chat with experts who can help identify the plants in you

June 20th marks the longest day of the year in the calendar, also known as Summer Solstice, when the Earth is tilted at its maximum towards the sun! Why not celebrate the longest day of the year with these five fun activities.   Stargaze Say goodbye to the Venus moon and welcome Mercury to the night sky! Take this time to look at the stars, and if you want to know exactly what you’re looking at, or if you can’t see any stars where you are, try an augmented reality app like Star Walk 2. Use it night or day to show you the constellations, Milky Way, planets, and the position of the Sun and Moon. App: Star Walk 2 Available on: Android & iOS   Get outdoors (safely) and watch the sunrise or sunset Fancy taking full advantage of the longest day by watching the sun rise and sun set ? Find out the exact times it’ll happen, and see if the weather will hold up with impressive accuracy using the Dark Sky app. App: Dark Sky Available on: Android & iOS   Virtual Stonehenge vi

You probably know Valentine’s Day is on the 14th February, but did you know there was a whole week devoted to romance? So, whether you’re looking to spoil your significant other for a whole week, or you just need to know how long you need to go to ground for, here are all seven days broken down. There’s plenty of opportunities to spoil the people you care about – whether they’re a soul mate or a best mate. 7th Feb, Rose Day On this day you can give different coloured roses to different people depending on how you feel about them. Red roses - give these to the love of your life. Yellow roses – give these to friends. White roses – give these to someone you’re fighting with. With services like eflorist, you can use your phone to order them and get them delivered. Make sure you give the right flowers to the right people. Mixed messages are never a good idea!   8th Feb, Propose Day Don’t panic! This doesn’t mean you have to get down on one knee – though you can if you feel it’s time. In

How to stop nuisance calls and textsThere’s nothing quite like an annoying text or call to take you away from that Netflix episode, platform game or group chat. Whether it’s a call about an ‘accident’ that you never had, a bogus text from the bank or even a legitimate company trying to sell you stuff you’re not interested in, there are a few things you can do to stop it. Here’s what we recommend: Be careful what you’re tickingTo prevent nuisance calls, be careful of any online forms that ask you to fill tick-boxes that say something like “I give permission for third parties to contact me by phone” or “I give you permission to contact me by phone”. Don’t tick them if you don’t want to be contacted!The same thing goes for all kinds of communications, be they email or text. For example, some comparison sites make you enter your personal details when you look for an insurance quote, and it’s easy to end up finding yourself on a mailing list. Whenever you buy or subscribe to something onlin

Introducing the iPhone 12After much rumour and speculation, Apple have finally confirmed the launch of the brand-new iPhone 12 series. And we’re excited.With four different handsets to choose from, the iPhone 12 series caters for everyone, from those who love big-screen entertainment on the move to those who miss that comfy handheld feeling of their old phone. Whichever handset you choose, however, there’s one thing you will get, and that’s 5G power.The smallest iPhone this generation offers is the iPhone 12 Mini. At 5.4-inches, it takes a big turn away from the current smartphone trend of ever-bigger screens, but there’s no doubt it’ll be the most powerful small phone out there.The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both come in at 6.1-inches, while the giant iPhone 12 Pro Max is more of a ‘phablet’ at 6.7-inches. All the screens are made from a type of glass Apple call Ceramic Shield, which they say is the toughest smartphone glass around. That’s handy if you tend to rely on screen protecto

Build your smart home with this top techWith everyone spending more time at home, there’s never been a better moment to make your living space work better for you.From your security to your central heating, the right smart tech puts everything that makes your house your home in the palm of your hand. You can even get your smart tech to team up with ‘routines’. For example, if you’ve got a smart front door lock and smart lights, you can automatically lock the door and shut off the lights just by saying ‘goodnight’ to your smart speaker. Amazing.Here’s some of the best tech you can add to make your home smarter: 1. Smart lights Smart lights can be programmed to turn on to make your house seem occupied when you’re out or away on holiday. Some lights use your phone’s location to switch on lights to welcome you home. Look out for smart lights you can sync with movies and music from your smartphone and colour changing bulbs that can create different moods.Philips Hue is one of the most popul

Everything you need to know about the PS5 and Xbox Series X & SWhether you’re into your games or have friends or family that are gamers, you’ve almost definitely heard that Sony and Microsoft have new consoles on the way.We’ve been gearing up for next-gen gaming for a while, and we can’t wait to discover new journeys in better detail and team up with friends in immersive, virtual worlds. Now that we know much more about both consoles, and with Christmas and Black Friday on the horizon, we’re breaking down the key features to help you make that big decision: PS5 or Xbox?  Sony PlayStation 5True to form, the Sony PS5 is a very stylish console. A new white and black design (with matching controller of course) set to make any gamer’s spine tingle.Sony has confirmed that the PS5 will be available in the UK on 19th November 2020. It’s got a Blu Ray disc drive for all your 4K movies and games, making it a great all-round entertainment device. It’ll be priced at £449, and there will also b

Capture the perfect autumn scene with these top phone camera apps and tipsAutumn is upon us, and that means long country walks, hearty meals and colourful scenery all around. It might be getting a little cooler, but there’s nothing like a wander through nature to cure those post-summer blues.Whether it’s the natural light shining through tree branches, or multicoloured leaves laying on the ground, who could blame you for stopping to capture it all on your phone camera? Don’t just go for the default settings and hope for the best, though. When it comes to shooting nature on your smartphone, the chances are it’s got some neat tricks to nail photos and videos.Here are a few things you can do to get that instantly Instragamable photo: The Rule of ThirdsIf you’re new to photography, there’s a foundational rule that’s helpful for keeping every scenic photo interesting, and that’s the Rule of Thirds. In your phone’s camera app, you should be able to place a grid over your display in the setti

We’re excited to announce that we’ve recently reached a big milestone, we now have over 25,000 iD Community members. We’re proud to have an active Community with people getting involved by helping each other, entering competitions and reading interesting articles.Since its inception, the iD Community has always been about giving our customers direct help and empowering all of you to help each other. And you’ve all been brilliant.Our Community wouldn’t be the handy, helpful, friendly forum it is without our wonderful members. Over 6,000 questions have been asked on this platform, with an average of over 3 responses per question. That shows you guys have done an awesome job helping each other get the most out of your iD Mobile plans and smartphones.We must mention a few of our iD Superheroes, here. These are the iD Community members that are the most active, that answer a huge number of Community questions and have solved queries on everything from switching SIM cards to Wi-Fi calling.Ou

Are you a cash-strapped music fan? Then why not make the most of free (and legal) music streaming? Two of the best music streaming services out there are Spotify and Deezer. And the great thing is, you don’t have to part with your hard-earned cash to enjoy them. Yes, they offer paid subscriptions, but they also give you the option of signing-up and listening to songs for free. You might have to sit through an advert every now and then, but that’s not too much trouble is it? To help you decide which of these music streaming heavyweights to go for, here’s a run-down of each one. Spotify (Android, iOS) There are 170 million active Spotify users worldwide, with 95 million using the service free of charge. Spotify has over 35 million songs and thousands of podcasts available. Each Friday, the latest record releases, exclusive live sessions, and new singles are added to its ‘New Releases’ tab. What you get for free If you’re a free Spotify customer you can listen to any song

If you’ve ever lost your phone, you’ll know what a complete nightmare it is. Thankfully there are things you can do to try and locate it again. Should the worst happen, and it’s gone forever, then lower the cost and save yourself some extra hassle by following these simple steps. Step 1: Attempt to find your phone One thing you can do right now is turn on your phone’s location services. Do this, and you’ll be able to log into your account and see its location. Got an iPhone? Then it’s worth having the Find My iPhone app. Sign into iCloud.com to see your phone’s location. Got an Android? Then go to settings, select ‘Security & Location’ and toggle the ‘Find My Device’ to the on position. If you lose your phone, go to www.google.co.uk/android/devicemanager. Your phone’s location will appear on the map. From here you can ring your phone, lock it, or erase its contents remotely. Step 2: Cancel your SIM card If you’ve still had no luck finding your phone, your next step is

It’s that time of year where the kids are getting back into the world of academia. Whether it’s the first day of school, the start of GCSEs or a new journey at university, it can be an exciting and daunting time for both students and parents alike.However, the right tech can help students of all ages adjust to the new academic year and all the hard work that’s needed. Phones, tablets, iPads and laptops may be great sources of entertainment, but they can also make getting creative and staying productive much easier.From tracking classes, staying on top of coursework progress and storing files, to juggling multiple deadlines and keeping focus, there are plenty of apps and software out there that make studying a whole lot more manageable.Here are a few that we think make for a great head start: My Study LifeFree on iOS and Android If your child is starting secondary/high school and they’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the different classes, subjects and homework there's a great app

Technology affects our lives in ways we rarely consider. Improvements to tech in the past 30 years haven’t just changed the way we interact, work, and play, they’ve transformed how we think, and create.There are plenty of industries that are innovative with tech, but one of the main industries leading the charge is fashion. With Fashion Week just around the corner in London, Paris, Milan and New York, there’s no better time to celebrate the contribution that technology is making, from the design stage all the way through to your wardrobe.In recent times, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has helped to train stylists, creatives and colleagues across a whole host of fashion houses and retailers. Designers can now easily reach out to one another across any social channel and collaborate on projects. And our phones can actually help us decide what to wear.It’s made creativity more accessible, too. Anyone can draw up designs, engage with fellow creatives, set up shop online and gain exposure for

Augmented Reality brings new ideas and experiences to familiar surroundings with the help of your phone’s camera and clever tech. Here are a few of the apps that do it best…We love apps that use augmented reality (AR) here at iD. What started with us scouring the great outdoors searching for Pokémon, has become a super-practical tool with an astounding range of useful applications. From strategy games that make your living room the arena, to design programs that help visualise projects, developers are creating apps that use our phone cameras in ways we couldn’t imagine only a few years ago. Here’s our pick of some of the best apps that feature AR: IKEA PlaceFree on Android and iOSHave you got a plethora of cushions lining your sofa hiding years’ worth of food and pet stains? Is your dining room table looking a little tired? Or maybe you’re looking to convert that spare room into a new home office. The IKEA Place app lets you browse their massive selection of furniture, choose the area

Things to do out and about in local citiesThis summer may not be the traditional British summer filled with beach visits, festivals, extended getaways and late nights surrounded by all our mates. However, no matter where you live, you can still make the most of the sunshine and socialise at the same time. Here are just a few things you can do around the country with friends, housemates or family to make this heatwave season one to remember. Check out a drive-in cinemaWhile conventional cinemas aren’t the best option to take advantage of the weather, outdoor drive-ins are the perfect solution. Since the easing of lockdown restrictions, plenty of drive-in picture houses like Luna Cinema, At The Drive In and more have popped up in London, Manchester, and many other cities across the country.The way it works is simple. Just book your tickets and movie snacks online and rock up to the cinema. You’ll be allocated a spot for your car, and your food gets delivered straight to you. With so many

Let’s face it, sometimes you get back from holiday and feel like you need another one. As soon as you’re back to the commute on a rainy old Monday morning, it can seem like you’ve never been away. So, we’ve put together a few hints and tips, together with helpful links and apps, to help you beat those post-holiday blues and arrive at work with a positive attitude. And, if you haven’t been away yet, read on, a little pre-holiday planning can make it much easier when you do get back.1. Plan to succeedAfter a long, lazy hols that alarm on your first morning back can be tough. So, make things easy on yourself with a little planning the night before. Choose what you’re going to wear, get your bag ready for work, find your security pass, etc. And, make to-do lists of what needs to be prioritised on the first day or week. There are some great apps, like Evernote Wunderlist or Trello that can help you with this kind of prep and planning.If you haven’t been away yet, making plans and to-do list

We’re thrilled to announce that iD Mobile is now a Which? Recommended Provider for MobileNetworks in 2020! Which? Is an independent consumer champion that advises customers nationwide on the bestbrands and services to trust across a huge range of industries.We’re delighted to be a Which? Recommended Mobile Network Provider, having outperformedbigger networks on signal reliability, download speeds, customer service and value for money. Thatmeans when you buy from us, whether it’s a new handset, new SIM or simply an upgrade, you knowyou’re going to get a smooth, reliable service from the moment you order and beyond. We strive to give every single person that chooses iD Mobile the best network service possible,because you should be able to count on your phone whenever you need it. So, we love to hear thatour customers are enjoying using our service. We love helping you, our iD Community Members andcustomers, find your perfect phone and make the most of it with a service you can always rel

Looking for ways to keep fit without heading to the gym? Our pick of the best fitness apps will help you hit your goals anywhere…If there’s one thing that lockdown (and Joe Wicks) has proved, it’s that you don’t need your usual workout-spot to keep hitting your targets. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of space motivation, and a handy app to keep you on track. Here are a few that we love: FitplanFree 7-day trial. Available on iOS and AndroidMissing your gym partner or personal trainer but not ready to go back just yet? Fitplan may have the answer. Combining one-to-one personal training with goal-focused workouts, you can hit your targets with the help of professional trainers and athletes.There’s a huge choice of workouts available, from sessions designed to build strength, to weight-loss focused exercise. Just pick the exercise plan that best suits your motivation and get tracking! Fitplan works on a subscription basis, so you pay for your ideal fitness program at a fraction of the co

Having the latest version of the operating system and apps you use is pretty important. Here’s why, and how to make sure you’re always one step ahead.Whether you’re watching a YouTube clip on your smartphone or browsing the web, update notifications can be an annoying distraction. All too often, it’s easy to swipe them away and forget about them. However, keeping your software and apps up to date is essential. It’s also quick, simple, and can avoid issues later on.For starters, the latest app updates come with security updates too. Many of the apps you use store your personal info, and hackers can take advantage of outdated app design to steal your data. The best way to prevent that is with a quick update.Updates also solve bug fixes. If you’ve ever tried to load an app and found it repeatedly crashing when you tap a certain button, the chances are it’s already been fixed in a newer version. So, it’s always worth checking.As for your operating system, updates are there to improve your

From exclusive podcasts to limitless downloads, there’s an audio streaming app out there for everyone. With the summer months beginning, the weather getting better and barbeque season in full swing, there’s never been a better time to turn to streaming apps for convenient listening, hassle-free downloads and the huge range of choice they provide. But which one should you go for? To help you choose, here’s a run-down of the top 5 music streaming apps for Android and iOS this year, and what makes them so great. Get your sunglasses on, the speakers turned up and that playlist ready!   Spotify   (Android, iOS) There are over 217 million Spotify users around the world right now, and over 100 million of them pay for Spotify Premium. So, what are the benefits? When you subscribe to Spotify Premium, you can download an unlimited number of albums and songs to listen to offline in higher quality. Once you start building your library, Spotify learns what kind of music you like and makes g