Parental Controls and Content Filtering: A Quick Guide Smartphones are windows to the world, right there in the palm of your hand. They give you the ability to watch, browse, read, play, chat, and discover, wherever you are. And that barely scratches the surface.These days, kids are learning to use tech at a younger age. In fact, many infants can use a smart device like an iPhone long before they’re able to write their name. That shows just how quickly the digital world moves.However, the digital world isn’t always child friendly. While kids become savvier with technology, it’s down to parents, guardians and of course, tech companies, to prioritise their safety online, set limits and help them get the best out of the web.Whether your child uses your device, or you’ve treated them to their first phone, there are a number of ways to help

How to Make Your iPhone More SecureOur phones carry more personal data the more we use them. It’s not just contacts, messages, and WhatsApp. They also store account passwords, financial data, location data, the websites we browse and the searches we make online.As you’ll have seen in our April Newsletter email, your phone privacy, safety, and security are important to us. We want you to have the best experience possible, whether it’s ultra-secure account sign-ins or being pickier with app permissions.Luckily, iPhones make security and privacy a front and centre feature, so keeping your personal info personal couldn’t be easier. Apple’s privacy policy:

How to Make Your Android Phone More SecureOur smartphones carry an entire library of personal data to be as useful and versatile as they are. It’s not just contacts, messages, files, and photos. Think about all the account passwords, banking info, location data, websites you’ve visited and searches you’ve made. It’s a lot!As you’ll have seen in our April Newsletter email, your phone privacy, safety, and security are important to us. Your Android experience should always be as good as it can be, and a few quick security provisions can help make it so.Android offers plenty of customisation options, letting you tailor your own phone experience. When you delve into the settings, it’s easy to take control of your data, passwords, and activity. Here are a few things you can do to make

Mind Over Matter: Top Apps to Help You Find Your CalmIt’s been nearly a year since the first national lockdown was imposed and since then, none of us have been strangers to staying at home, away from our peers and in our own company. While some relish the chance to spend quality time developing skills, honing creativity, or simply basking in the relative peace and quiet, for others it’s not so easy.Of course, in the times we’re all currently going through, it’s only natural to occasionally feel overwhelmed, miss our friends and family, and struggle to complete tasks as efficiently as we might. The trick is to take a step back and work on our mental health, not to fully eliminate challenging emotions, but to effectively work past them when they do pop up.Just as you might exercise three times a week to get in better shape physically, practi

iPhone: What’s new?Every year brings a new iPhone and with it, new innovations that make the experience that much better. Whether it’s ground-breaking smartphone camera tech, ever-smarter AI or an all-new, intuitive iOS operating system, the latest iPhones can do things that simply weren’t possible even just a few years ago. So, how does iD Mobile’s current iPhone line up compare to previous generations? iPhone SEThe 2020 iPhone SE is a more entry level offering from Apple among the current range, but nonetheless a great way to get the best of the iPhone experience. At 4.7-inches in size, it’s by no means a big-screen phone, but that does mean it’s super-comfy whether you’re using it single handed or storing it in your jacket pocket. The

Do you miss the mobile quizzing excitement of HQ Trivia? Are you looking for a new quiz game that pits your wits against your family and friends? Then make Quiz Planet your next destination. Who remembers HQ Trivia? It was our favourite quizzing app for oh, almost a year or so. The chance of winning real cash prizes really had us hooked. Then, after a few months, we realised that the chance of winning real cash prizes was almost non-existent. So we lost interest. The fact that HQ Trivia’s quizzes were only held at set times each day was another drawback. It meant we couldn’t just pick up and play the game when we wanted to. Very annoying. And so it came to pass, that HQ Trivia died a death in the UK. On 5 Dec 2018, a message on its Twitter feed said goodbye. Luckily for us mobile quiz fans, we soon found something else to take its place. Quiz Planet is an awesome Facebook Messenger game, and if you haven’t played it yet

Does your phone feel like it’s getting slower performing basic tasks? Is it struggling to get through the day on a full charge? These could be signs that your once reliable and efficient handset is on its last legs. But these aren’t the only indicators. There are other, more subtle signs that, if ignored, could mean reduced functionality or worse performance further down the line.So, we’ve put together a list of a few of those warning signs. If any of these apply to you, it might be time to consider how long you’ve had your phone and if it’s still up to the task! Failing battery and random shutdownsA sure fire sign your phone’s on the way out is when the

There’s a new flagship phone in town. Get set for next-gen photography, share-ready footage and bundles of power…We love seeing new innovations in the smartphone world, and Samsung have kicked things off early in 2021 with the launch of three new flagship handsets – The Galaxy S21 5G, S21+ 5G and S21 Ultra 5G. From budding photographers to box set bingers, the S21 range has something for everyone to love. Let’s take a closer look: Samsung Galaxy S21 5GThe Galaxy S21 5G is compact but packs a serious punch. With a Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.2-inch display, every movie, game and web page looks bright, bold and beautiful. The screen refreshes all the way up to 120 Hz too, making in-game motion feel butte

Happy new year! Think you’ve missed the chance to treat yourself to a great phone deal now that Christmas is over? Think again!At iD Mobile, we’re all about great offers all year round. And this month, we’ve got some pretty epic deals on Google’s Pixel range. With the best elements of the Android experience combined with 5G connectivity, a powerful chip, a crystal-clear OLED screen and incredible cameras, Google Pixel phones can handle it all.Both the Google Pixel 4a 5G and the

Thinking about treating yourself to a brand-new phone? We’re here to make it easier for you. New smartphones get released all the time and each one promises to top the last, making it tricky to find the phone that truly stands out and suits you. So, we’ve shortlisted what we think are among the best smartphones around right now.  These 5 phones do it all and look great doing it – and they’re all available right now with iD Mobile. Let’s take a look: iPhone 12 ProMake no mistake, the iPhone 12 Pro is a powerhouse. While its screen may be notably smaller than the iPhone 12 Pro Max, they both share the same incredible Super Retina XDR OLED display and A14 Bionic chip.Elsewhere, 5G compatibility and a pro-style camer

We love Christmas, who doesn’t? It’s a time to take a step back from the daily stresses of life, share memories with those closest to us, exchange gifts and gorge on fantastic food. Can you tell we’re excited?It’s also the perfect time to bag yourself a winning deal on a new phone or SIM only plan with iD Mobile. We’ve got some unmissable offers lined up.Hunting for a top deal on a powerful handset? Look no further. We’ve got amazing offers on a range of phones to suit everyone. With our exclusive Christmas event, you’ll get a Currys PC World gift card worth up to £100. So, you can treat yourself to some top of the line tech, view all our great offers here.Among the great range of smartphones on offer, we have fantastic handsets from OPPO. Get superfast downloads and eye-popping night-time footage with the Reno4 Z 5G. Go pro with the incredible OPP

Stay Safe Shopping Online this ChristmasPlanning to buy your Christmas presents online this year? You’re not the only one. Roughly £6 billion is projected to be spent over Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2020, with two thirds of shoppers opting to get it all done on the net.However, if you’re not too careful when you shop online, that bargain you find may not be quite what you bargained for. Scammers are always devising new ways to cheat deal-hunting customers out of their cash, and unfortunately, the festive period is their big season. But don’t worry - here are a few things you can do to keep safe online while bagging a gift to make them smile. Don’t use public Wi-FiRule Number 1:

 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

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

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 o

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 instea

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 l

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 &

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   G

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 righ

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!

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. Tha

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 chan

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

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