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Space fans rejoice! Saturday October 12 is International Astronomy Day. And while most of us don’t have a giant telescope in our back gardens, it doesn’t mean you can’t get great snaps of the sky at night. Modern smartphones increasingly come with features especially designed to take stellar astronomy pics. So, all you’ll need to join in is a modernish mobile (make sure it’s charged!) and a tripod. We’ll provide the tips, tricks and best apps for capturing the night sky.Plus, don’t miss your chance to enter our giveaway for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 256GB - read on for all the details and how you can enter! Check your phone.  So, what phone do you need? It will really help if you have a mobile with a dedicated astrophotography mode. This is a mode you’ll most likely find on your camera app which will help you capture as much light and detail as possible. This might surprise you, but nighttime is quite dark and stars are quite far away. So, your phone camera is going to

We've put together the steps you need for wiping data on iPhone, Android, and Samsung Galaxy. Plus, we'll explain how to delete stuff remotely if your phone ever gets stolen. Reasons why you should delete your phone’s data.  Phones are great for managing our personal and professional lives. But with all that convenience comes the risk of people getting access to all your personal data. So, here are some of the key reasons why you should give your device a spring clean before you move it on:Protect your personal details: Your phone's a treasure trove of info about you — storing your name, address, photos, and much more. Wiping it clean makes sure that your data doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Safeguard your online accounts: Your smartphone is probably connected to many of your online accounts — including social, email, and banking apps. You won't want a stranger taking control of these. How to erase data on iPhone.  Apple's made deleting iPhone data pretty straightforward. Here's how

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since the iPhone 15 was unveiled. This remarkable device continues to offer incredible value, making it a top choice for users even now with features such as USB-C charging and the ever-handy Dynamic Island. Let’s take a look back at these standout features and how they’ve held up over the past year. Design and display.  The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come in five gorgeous colours – black, blue, green, yellow, and pink. There’s also a subtle design tweak with a slight curve at the back, making these new iPhones even more comfortable to hold.The most noticeable change? The Dynamic Island, which first appeared on the iPhone 14 Pro, is now available on both models. This pill-shaped cut-out at the top of the screen helps you keep an eye on alerts and activities in real time and can even change size to display just the right info.Display-wise, the iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch screen, and the iPhone 15 Plus boasts a larger 6.7-inch display. Bo

With National Google Day around the corner on September 15th, what better way to mark the occasion than by diving into the latest from the Made by Google event? Whether you’re eyeing the sleek Pixel 9, the powerhouse Pixel 9 Pro, or the game-changing Pixel 9 Pro Fold, there’s something for everyone. Let’s explore what makes the Pixel 9 series stand out this year! Pixel 9.  The Google Pixel 9 is packed with impressive features and specs. It boasts a 6.3-inch Actua display that’s both bright and sharp, running at up to 120 Hz for smooth gaming and scrolling. Driven by the Google Tensor G4 chip and 12 GB of RAM, it delivers swift performance for all your needs. Its battery lasts over 24 hours and can reach 55% charge in just 30 minutes. The Pixel 9 is also built to last with durable, damage-resistant glass and a sleek, curved frame.Its standout features include the advanced Pixel Camera, which excels in any lighting condition. The 50 MP wide camera and Night Sight ensure vivid low-light p

Just because Summer's over, it doesn't mean all the big festivals are too. 2024 still has plenty of life left in it, with some huge international events coming up this autumn. From Oktoberfest in Germany to the MassKara Festival in the Philippines.So, when are they happening? This article is your tour guide to some of the most fun and vibrant cultural celebrations you can see before the end of the year. And we've recommended some top phone apps to help you make the most of them too. Oktoberfest.  When: September 21st – October 6thWhere: Munich, Germany This Bavarian bash isn't all about beer. But let's be honest, it's a huge part of it! From late September to early October, the city of Munich turns into a massive party of traditional costumes, hearty food, and yes — litres upon litres of frothy beer as far as the eye can see.The origins of the festival can be traced back to 1810, as a celebration of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria to Princess Therese. And over two centuries

Here at iD Mobile, we've bagged some pretty big awards! Uswitch, Which? and other top industry names have crowned us winners in a whole host of tough categories. Now, we know us Brits aren’t ones to brag, but here’s a full rundown of all the awards we’ve scooped up so far. If you're looking for a reason to switch to iD Mobile, this might just be it… Uswitch.  The folks over at Uswitch didn’t just give us one award, oh no. They gave us two! I guess you could say that we’re twice as good as everyone else. What makes it even better though, is that both were voted for by you, the public.First up was the ‘Best Network for Data’. We like to think that we offer pretty generous mobile data caps (that also don’t cost an arm and a leg), and it seems like you lot agreed. Apparently, our free EU roaming was a big plus for us too. Hot on its heels was the ‘Best Handset Contract Value for Money’ award. We’re all cutting back a bit at the moment with the cost-of-living crisis, so it’s super important

Apple’s September Event has wrapped for another year and we’ve got all the exciting details about the latest iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Whether you’re curious about the new iPhone 16 lineup, the sleek Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2, or the innovative AirPods updates, we’ve got you covered. iPhone 16 Pro & 16 Pro Max.  The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are all about pushing boundaries, powered by the super-fast A18 Pro chip. With Apple Intelligence on board, your phone gets to know you, making everyday tasks like editing photos or summarising emails easier, while keeping your privacy in check.The displays are bigger than ever - 6.3” on the 16 Pro and a whopping 6.9” on the 16 Pro Max - wrapped in the slimmest borders yet. Creators will love the upgraded camera system, featuring a 48MP Fusion camera that records in stunning 4K120 fps, plus an Ultra Wide and 5x Telephoto lens for capturing every moment.The design? Super lightweight yet strong, with a titanium finish av

As the new season kicks off, iD Mobile is thrilled to continue our support for Crystal Palace Football Club. We're eagerly anticipating the action at Selhurst Park, where our brand will be proudly displayed on the dynamic LED boards and featured on the club's website. Here's to an exciting season ahead with Crystal Palace! Read more about our partnership with Crystal Palace Football Club here.To celebrate the start of the new season we are giving you the chance to win a signed Crystal Palace shirt AND Apple AirPods, simply tell us what player you are most excited to see play this season on the Community article below  Here’s how to enter:  Simply tell us what player you are most excited to see play this season on the Community article below. The lucky winner will be chosen at random.Entries close on 23:59 on 29th August 2024 , and we'll announce the lucky iD community winner shortly after.Good luck!

Podcasts are big business. In the early days, they were seen as pretty niche. But now, there are pods out there covering anything and everything. Football. History. Politics. Current affairs. Gaming. Comedy. Cooking. Music. Whatever you’re into, there’s almost definitely a show talking about it. And because they’re audio-based, you can pop on an episode while you drive, work, or do the washing up. All the big streaming services support them too. So, fire up Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and dive in! And now they’re so popular in fact, that they’ve even got their very own date in the calendar. This year, International Podcast day lands on September 30th. It’s a day where fans and creators come together to celebrate the sheer number of great shows out there and the talented people behind them. Whether you’ve been into pods since day one or hadn’t even heard of them until now (where have you been?), it’s a chance to get involved and find your future go-to show. Who knows, it might even inspi

Android 15 is here, and it’s packed with exciting new features designed to enhance your mobile experience. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just curious about what’s new, we’re here to break down the five biggest highlights of Android’s latest iteration. Notification cooldown.  Notification cooldown is a handy new feature that helps manage the flood of alerts by reducing the volume when you receive multiple notifications from the same app. So, if you're in a busy group chat and your phone starts pinging non-stop, Android 15 will automatically lower the volume for the next notifications. Even better, you can choose to apply this setting to just your conversations or across all your apps. Partial screen recording.  With Android 15, screen recording just got smarter. Now, you can opt for partial screen recording, which means you can record just one specific app instead of the entire screen. This way, you can keep everything else on your screen, like notifications and other apps, comple

AI assistants are evolving rapidly, each offering unique features. In this article, we’ll compare Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Apple Intelligence, and ChatGPT to help you choose the best fit. Whether you need productivity boosts, smart integration, or top-notch conversational AI, we’ve got the insights you need. Google Gemini. Google Gemini is the latest AI from Google, designed to blend powerful search capabilities with seamless integration across all your Google services. Available on Android devices, Google Pixel, and ChromeOS, Gemini is all about bringing you relevant information faster and more intuitively. Let the AI explain what it does best. “Imagine having a personal assistant who's always available, knows everything, and can do anything you ask. That's me, Google Gemini. From planning trips to writing essays, I'm here to make your life easier. I can help you learn new things, translate languages, and even write different kinds of creative content. Need to summarize a len

Whether you’re stressed from work or just need to take a moment of calm, it can be hard to remember to fit it in when you have a busy schedule. There is even a day to help people do just that - National Relaxation Day, celebrated annually on August 15th. On that day, we’re encouraged to take a break from stress and anxiety and do something they truly find relaxing. Whether it’s going on spa break or just reading a book – it’s all about having time to chill in a way that works for you.And if you’re looking for another kind of chill, be sure to check out our competition at the bottom of the page. We’re giving away a Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan. Not only is it super powerful, it’s whisper quiet too. So, it won’t interrupt your moment of peace.One of the best ways you can reduce stress in your day is with a little meditation or mindfulness. And there’s no need to run off to a yoga retreat. There are loads of amazing apps that can help you get into the healthy habit of taking some quiet t

Ever got ready to leave the house for work on time, only to discover that your keys aren't by the front door? Yup, that’s probably most of us. And we know it can be infuriating hunting around for them knowing that the clock's ticking away.If you spend too much time looking for things, a Bluetooth tracker can be a total gamechanger. But what are they exactly? And how do they work? Let's find out… What is a Bluetooth tracker?   Bluetooth item trackers are nifty little devices you can attach to your valuables — like a set of keys, your wallet, a bag, or a laptop — to help you find them if they ever get misplaced. This makes them a must-have if you go travelling on the reg and want to reduce the risk of losing your luggage. Or if you're just forgetful in general! How do Bluetooth trackers work?  Bluetooth trackers work by connecting to your phone or tablet using, you guessed it — Bluetooth. You can then use an app to find the location of the belonging you've attached the tracker to. Most B

With the summer holidays flying by, it’s probably a good time to start thinking about the new term. And speaking of new, it might also be the perfect excuse you need to upgrade to a fresh phone. So, we’ve rounded up some class acts that’ll power you through the day – whether you’re going back to college or heading off to another part of the country to start your uni course. Or, if you’re happy with what you’ve got, there’s always our great value SIM only plans. It’s really up to you! Right with that out the way, let’s help you make a great call… Samsung Galaxy A15 5G.  Got a full day of classes on the books? No worries. The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is rocking a mega 5000 mAh battery, which’ll easily last your journey over to campus, a full day of lectures and your trip home. You won’t even need to take the charger with you. And if you need to do some last-minute cramming on your bus ride in, that 5G has you covered too. You’ll have super-fast connectivity pretty much anywhere you go. Yep,

Planning a last-minute getaway to somewhere fabulous? We totally understand. Even though the sun has finally made an appearance (fingers crossed), you can never fully trust the British weather! And if you want to make calls, send texts, and browse the web on your phone while abroad without returning to a massive bill — you’ll need to ensure your device is ready for roaming. Fortunately, we’ve got all the tips you need to dodge those roaming charges. What is roaming?  Roaming is what your mobile phone will do when it goes outside of your network provider's coverage area (i.e. when you go abroad). It'll try and look for a foreign network to connect to so you can still make and receive calls, send messages, and access the internet just like when you use your phone at home. Roaming works because loads of providers from all over the world will have agreements in place to allow customers to use each other’s networks. But many foreign networks will apply roaming charges for using their servic

On July 10, 2024, Samsung hosted its Galaxy Unpacked event from Paris, and revealed their latest flagship products. The headline acts were the eagerly awaited Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 - two foldable phones that push the boundaries of mobile tech. Alongside these, we saw the debut of the new Galaxy Watch 7 series and the intriguing Galaxy Ring. Audio lovers weren't left out either, with the launch of the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro. Here’s what we learned about this new tech during the event…  Z Fold 6: your ultimate multi-tasker.  If you’re looking for a device that can do it all, the Z Fold 6 is your go-to gadget. This foldable phone-tablet hybrid is all about productivity and entertainment on the go. The main highlight is its expansive 7.6-inch inner display, which gives you a tablet-like experience in a compact form factor. Multitasking has never been easier, thanks to the enhanced Flex Mode that lets you use multiple apps simultaneously. The AI-powered camera system takes amazing pic

Because we rely on our phones so much, losing yours or having it stolen can feel like a mini-crisis. Suddenly, your connection to the world, your photos, messages and even financial information are all at risk. While it’s very easy to be hard on yourself when it happens, the truth is that it most of us have lost our phones at some point. According to Uswitch, more than half the UK population have had their phone lost or stolen at one time or another.And because it’s so common, it means that industry giants like Android and iPhone are here to help. Whatever type of phone you have.We’ll break down the steps of what to do if it happens. Then we’ll let you know what you can do to protect yourself in the future.Stay calm and assess the situationFirst things first, take a deep breath. Panicking won't help. Try to remember where you last had your phone or when you last used it. Did you leave it at a restaurant, in a taxi or was it taken from your bag? It’s easy to think the worst when all alo

One of the best things about smartphones is that manufacturers are always making them better with frequent software updates. These keep your mobile running smoothly by fixing bugs, improving features, and defending it against any nasty new viruses. In this article, we'll explain all the reasons why you should keep your phone updated. Plus, we'll show you how to check for updates on your iPhone, Android, or Samsung phone. Benefits of updating your phone.  Updating your phone can feel like a bit of a chore and it's easy to keep putting it off. But there are many reasons why you should probably install that new update sooner rather than later: Better performance: Updates are usually rolled out to make your phone faster, so it feels smoother to use with less waiting around for apps to load. Stronger security: Hackers keep trying to find new ways to steal our data, but phone brands are fighting back. That's why mobile updates almost always include new security patches. Bug fixes: Some s

At iD Mobile, we understand that life can be unpredictable, and you might have to tweak your finances to stay on top of things. We're here to support you through it and help you manage your mobile expenses effectively. So, here are some friendly tips and tricks to save some money and stay in control of your mobile costs. Bill Capping. Bill Capping is a money-saving feature available on all iD Mobile plans. You can set or adjust your Bill Cap anytime in the iD Mobile app. For more information on how to set or adjust your Bill Cap, check out our bill capping page here. Data Rollover.  Provided as a free feature on all iD plans, you can use data rollover to carry over any unused monthly data to the next month, giving you a second chance to use it. Find out how to take advantage of data rollover here. Direct Debit.Setting up a Direct Debit means your payment will be taken automatically from your account. You can change your Direct Debit payment to a day of the month that works for you.Here

Great news! We’ve improved our ‘Refer a Friend’ scheme. It’s now on an all-new webpage, and most importantly the rewards are even better - we’re dishing out cashback instead of gift cards – kerching! Here’s all you need to know about our ‘Refer a Friend’ revamp. Have you referred a friend before 23rd April 2024?  If you referred a friend before 23rd April 2024, you might still be waiting for your reward as they can take up to 90 days to process. If you’d like to check the status of an outstanding reward, simply visit the old Refer a Friend webpage, and log in for more information. Our all-new webpage. Our new Refer a Friend webpage is now up and running, so feel free to check it out. We’ve made the dashboard much more intuitive and user-friendly, and it’s now really quick and easy to manage your rewards. You can see an overview of your referrals, their status, and the rewards you’ve earned all on one page. How the Refer a Friend scheme works. Referring a friend and getting rewarded is

If you’re a big sports fan, you’re in for a treat this summer. There’s a bumper calendar of sports to get excited about – from the European Championships over in Germany, to the Olympics in the French capital. iD Mobile is proud to offer all customers travelling to Germany with the benefit of unlimited roaming usage of minutes, texts and data for the duration of the tournament (14th June until 14th July). So fans needn’t worry about sharing their celebrations on social media, streaming highlights on their devices, or keeping connected and safe whilst away. We’re also extending this generous offer for fans soon-to-be en route to Paris to get behind Team GB. iD will also enable customers travelling to France to benefit from unlimited roaming usage of minutes, texts and data for the duration of the Paris 2024 Olympics (25th July until 12th August).This special sporting offer is open to all customers on all plans, including pay monthly (SIM only and phone plans) and pay as you go. Now that

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve launched a new iD Mobile app packed with great new features and improvements!Over the past year, we’ve been working hard on completely redesigning the iD Mobile app. The new app has been built with our customers’ feedback at the forefront of design and development, so we’re confident that anyone who used the old iD Mobile app will really appreciate the improvements.So, what’s changed?Manage multiple plans – If you’ve got more than one iD Mobile plan, you can now manage them all from a single login. No more logging in and out! New design - Whether you’re checking your allowances, changing your Bill cap, or updating your personal info, the new app has been designed to make sure you’re able to do exactly what you need – easier than ever before. Improved performance – The new app uses the latest technologies to improve stability, performance, and security.   If you’re new to iD or have the old version of the app, you can download the new version from t

National Ice Cream Day takes place on Sunday, 21st July this year. It’s the perfect excuse to indulge in your favourite frozen treat and celebrate the sweetness of summer. And this year, we’re adding an extra layer of excitement by helping you keep another important part of your life cool - your phone.What, you want more? Okay then - as part of our celebration we’re also giving away a Ninja Creami Deluxe NC501UK ice-cream maker. So, read on for some handy tips, and don’t forget to enter our giveaway at the end. You could scoop a great prize! 10 tips and tricks to stop your phone overheating.  Summertime can be tough on gadgets, especially your phone. Overheating can lead to performance issues, battery drain, and even permanent damage. So here are some simple tips to help keep your phone cool: 1. Don’t stay out too long in direct sunlightYes, we’re starting off with an obvious one, but it’s still worth saying. Your phone is like you—it needs some shade on those scorching days. Keep your

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (or WWDC for short) has wrapped for another year. And with it came a whole bunch of exciting new announcements and features – from first steps into the world of AI, to big updates to the brand’s operating system. iPhone fans are in for a treat!With each release, Apple always bring a bunch of free, fun and useful updates to their iOS. And that’s set to continue with iOS 18. Check these out… Customisation options.  Your iPhone is about to get a whole lot more custom. If you want to pop app icons literally anywhere on your home screen, fill your boots. Drag them wherever and choose exactly how many you have per page. You’ll actually be able to see your background of the family pup now. And let’s be honest, those six rows of four are so 2022 anyway… Photos app.  Photos just got a major update, making it simpler than ever to find and relive your favorite moments. The new design features a streamlined, single view with a familiar grid layout. Fresh c

Despite over half the UK feeling like they pay too much for their mobile package, many still live their “mobile life” blindly loyal to their existing network because…well…just because. In our new campaign, we’re on a mission to help the mobile market ‘See the Light' of ‘mobile done right’!  Why do UK mobile customers need to see the light?  So, what do we mean when we say that UK mobile customers need to ‘see the light’? Well, what about these stats for starters?20% of Brits are unaware of when their contract ends. Be honest – are you? 28% of those who are aware will be sticking to their current plan without exploring other options. 53% of Brits feel like they pay too much for their current mobile package. But 18% of those won’t consider upgrading their phone or switching networks because they think it's too much hassle.And that’s where we come in! All new customers can save an average of £240 a year on phone plans vs. the major networks. You can also save around £14 a month on SIM onl