Phones and computers
Getting comfortable with your device
The buttons may differ, but the same habits work on a phone, tablet, or computer.
Apps, files, and storage
An app is a program for doing a job. A file might be a photo, document, or video. Files take up storage space on your device. Cloud storage keeps copies on an online service, usually through an account; it still needs a connection to sync changes.
Updates and restarts
Updates can fix bugs and security problems. Install them through your device’s normal settings or the app’s official store. Restarting a device is a useful first step when something stops working, but save your work first.
Back up what matters
A backup is a separate copy of important files. Photos and documents are easier to recover if you have a copy on another drive or a trusted cloud account. Check occasionally that the backup is actually completing and that you can find a file in it.
When something looks wrong
- Pause and read the whole message.
- Check whether the app or website name is the one you expected.
- Close suspicious pop-ups without calling the number shown in them.
- Ask someone you trust before granting remote access or paying for a “repair.”