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5 ways to charge your phone faster than ever before

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5 ways to charge your phone faster than ever before

Do you get annoyed by how long it takes to charge your phone? Do you want to charge it faster and avoid running out of battery? That is exactly what Lloyd in Alpharetta, Georgia, is looking to do. He asks:

“What is the fastest way to charge my iPhone?”

Well, Lloyd, you’re in luck. We’ve got five easy ways to speed up the charging process on your phone. Some of these tips may require you to buy some new accessories for your phone, but most of them are simple and free.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS, AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

1. Use a higher-wattage charger

One of the easiest ways to charge your device faster is to use a high-wattage charger. The wattage is the amount of power that the charger can deliver to your device. The higher the wattage, the faster it will charge your device.

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For example, if you use a 5W charger, it will take much longer to charge your device than if you use a 20W charger. You can check the wattage of your charger by looking at the label on the adapter.

Make sure that the charger is compatible with your device, is certified and that it does not overheat your device.

MORE: BEST PORTABLE PHONE CHARGERS OF 2023

“20W” is shown on the back of an Apple charger. (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

2. Use a USB-C charger

Another way to charge your device faster is to use a USB-C charger. USB-C is a type of connector that can deliver more power and data than the traditional USB-A or micro-USB connectors.

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If you have an iPhone 8 or later, a USB-C charger can charge your iPhone up to 50% in just 30 minutes. You will need a USB-C to Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to the charger. If you have an Android device that supports USB-C, you can use any USB-C cable and charger to charge your device faster.

MORE: BEST ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR PHONE

5 ways to charge your phone faster than ever before

Image of USB-C charger (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

3. Turn on Airplane Mode

A simple way to save battery and charge faster is to turn on Airplane Mode on your device. Airplane Mode will stop your device from searching for Wi-Fi and cellular signals, which drains your battery. It will also disable Bluetooth, GPS and other wireless features that you may not need while charging.

To turn on Airplane Mode, swipe down from the top of your screen and tap on the airplane icon. You can also go to your settings and toggle on airplane mode. Remember to turn it off when you are done charging.

5 ways to charge your phone faster than ever before

Airplane Mode is displayed on an iPhone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: 5 REASONS WHY YOU WANT TO USE AIRPLANE MODE MORE OFTEN

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4. Remove your case

You may not realize it, but your case can affect the charging speed of your device. Thick cases can prevent heat from escaping, which can slow down the charging process. Heat can also damage your battery and reduce its lifespan.

Therefore, it is a good idea to remove your case before you plug in your device. This will allow your device to cool down and charge faster. You can also avoid charging your device in hot or sunny places, such as near a window or a radiator.

5 ways to charge your phone faster than ever before

Image of two iPhone cases (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: 5 BEST CELLPHONE BOOSTERS

5. Close out the apps you don’t need

Another simple way to save battery and charge faster is to close out the apps you don’t need. Many apps use up power and make your phone hot when they run in the background. They can also send you notifications and updates that can interrupt your charging.

For iPhone

To close out of an app on iPhone, you need to force quit it. This will stop the app from running in the background and save battery power. To force quit an app, follow these steps:

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  • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen. This will show you the app switcher, where you can see all the apps that are currently running or recently used.
  • Swipe left or right to find the app that you want to turn off.
  • Swipe up on the app’s preview to force quit it. You will see the app disappear from the app switcher.
  • Repeat this process for any other apps that you want to turn off.

For Android

To close out of an app on Android, you need to force stop it. This will stop the app from running in the background and save battery power. To force stop an app, follow these steps:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

  • Go to Settings on your phone and tap on Apps or Applications.
  • Find the app that you want to turn off and tap on it.
  • Tap on Force stop and confirm your choice by clicking OK. You will see a message that says the app has been stopped.
  • Repeat this process for any other apps that you want to turn off.

MORE: BEST PRODUCTIVITY GEAR

Pro tip: Avoid using your phone while it is charging. Using your phone while it is charging can slow down the charging process and generate more heat. This can damage your battery and reduce its lifespan.

Try to resist the temptation of checking your messages, playing games or watching videos while your phone is plugged in. If you need to use your phone, unplug it first and then plug it back in when you are done.

Kurt’s key takeaways

There are many ways to charge your phone faster. Some do require you to purchase new gear for your phone, but most are simple and cost-free. By following these five tips, you can charge your device quicker than ever before instead of having to wait around for a slow charge.

Have you tried any of these methods before? How did they work for you? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Fortnite’s Eminem concert teased the future of the game

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Fortnite’s Eminem concert teased the future of the game

Fortnite’s latest virtual concert was more than just Eminem stomping across a destroyed city — it also teased a number of experiences coming to the game in the future.

From there, players were sucked into a number of portals, each with a different theme. First, there was an island full of Lego characters running around, fighting and building things. Then there was a futuristic race. Finally, Eminem appeared, and while he performed “Lose Yourself,” players had to hit notes in time to the music as if they were playing Guitar Hero.

Once that was over a gigantic Eminem appeared, and was basically a kaiju as he performed “Godzilla.” The song was set against a ruined city on fire, and at one point the rapper even breathed fire into the air. (As far as concerts go, Eminem’s virtual performance was the fourth major in-game musical event, following Marshmello, Travis Scott, and Ariana Grande.) Then it was all over.

Given Epic’s recent push into expanding Fortnite’s creative mode, it’s not surprising that the event was designed to reveal upcoming experiences coming to the game that aren’t just traditional battle royale. The goal, it seems, is to make Fortnite more of a platform than a game, similar to Minecraft or Roblox.

Chapter 5 expected to launch on Sunday. If you missed The Big Bang, Epic says that there will be two more showing at 5PM and 11PM ET on Saturday.

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The second ‘Halo’ season has a release date and a teaser trailer

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The second ‘Halo’ season has a release date and a teaser trailer

Master Chief, the Spartan hero from Halo, will continue his live-action adventures with two episodes of its second season premiering worldwide on February 8th next year. Paramount Plus announced the date, along with a teaser trailer, during CCXP in Brazil.

The teaser trailer doesn’t reveal much about the story, of course. But Paramount Plus says in its release that the new season will see Schreiber’s Master Chief trying to prove that the Covenant (the alien antagonists from the show and the games) are preparing to attack Reach — the humans’ military stronghold that fell prior to the story’s beginning in the first Halo game.

If you’ve played that game, you know where this goes, and Paramount Plus hints at it in the release. The Master Chief will go “on a journey to find the key to humankind’s salvation, or its extinction — Halo.” If you’ve played the games, you know… other things about what happens in between now and his arrival at the Halo ring. I won’t spoil anything for anyone who was first introduced to the series by the TV show, but it gets grim.

The first season was, visually, at least, a generally faithful adaptation of the games it’s based on, and it had some decent, gritty sci-fi future chops. I tend to agree with Ash Parrish’s review for The Verge — Master Chief could stand to lighten up a little, and the show’s overall tone could use some tweaking. Halo’s CGI aliens look silly, too (although I found that nostalgically charming). For those who haven’t seen it yet, Paramount Plus made it free to watch on YouTube a couple of days ago.

In addition to Schreiber, Halo’s second season will see the return of Natascha McElhone as Dr. Halsey and Jen Taylor as Cortana. Bokeem Woodbine, Shabana Azmi, Natasha Culzac, Olive Gray, Yerin Ha, Bentley Kalu, Kate Kennedy, Charlie Murphy, and Danny Sapani will also return. Joseph Morgan and Cristina Rodlo will join the series as James Ackerson and Talia Perez.

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7 lucky people prove Apple Watch can save lives

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7 lucky people prove Apple Watch can save lives

In 1989, a catchphrase from a medical alert company, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up,” captured public attention. 

Little did we know this concept of emergency assistance would evolve so dramatically with technology.

By 2018, the Apple Watch Series 4 introduced Fall Detection, a feature that has since become integral to late model Apple Watch SE through Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra series, playing a crucial role in health emergencies.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS, AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

Fall Detection on Apple Watch. (Apple)

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MORE: 8 WAYS TO KEEP SOMEONE YOU KNOW WHO LIVES ALONE PROTECTED

Real-world impact of Apple Watch life-saving features to save seven lucky people

The life-saving potential of the Apple Watch’s Fall Detection has been proven in various real-life scenarios. Here are just a few of some recent instances:

Averting hypothermia: A man at risk of hypothermia activated his Apple Watch’s Emergency SOS, leading to a prompt and life-saving response from emergency services.

Rescuing a senior: A 78-year-old man’s Apple Watch detected a significant fall, leading to immediate emergency aid and potentially saving his life.

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Car accident rescue: Kacie Anderson, with her baby, relied on her Apple Watch to call for help after a severe car accident, highlighting the watch’s critical role in emergencies.

Health alert: Heather Hendershot received an important health warning from her Apple Watch, emphasizing its capabilities beyond fall detection.

Technology reporter’s experience: Toralv Østvang’s Apple Watch alerted emergency services after detecting his immobility from a fall, showcasing its importance in emergency response by contacting the police, who contacted his wife and then told the paramedics where to find him.

Hotel room incident: Bayla Belle Christianson’s Apple Watch, with its Fall Detection, summoned help after she lost consciousness, underscoring the feature’s life-saving potential.

How the Apple Watch can sense a hard fall using sensors and algorithms

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The Apple Watch has a feature that can detect if you fall hard by using the following components:

  • The accelerometer and gyroscope sensors on the watch measure the speed and direction of your wrist movement.
  • A custom algorithm on the watch analyzes the data from the sensors and compares it with the typical patterns of a hard fall.
  • If the algorithm determines that you have fallen hard, it will activate the alert feature on the watch by vibrating, making a sound, and showing you an alert on the screen.
  • You can either call emergency services or dismiss the alert by pressing the Digital Crown, tapping Close, or tapping “I’m OK.”
  • If your watch sees that you are moving, it will not call emergency services automatically. It will wait for you to respond to the alert.
  • If your watch sees that you are not moving for about a minute, it will call emergency services automatically and send a message to your emergency contacts with your location. Your watch gets your emergency contacts from your Medical ID.

Make sure your age is set correctly on your Apple Watch

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This feature is automatically enabled for users who are 55 years old or older, based on the age they entered when they set up their Apple Watch or in the Health app. To make sure that this feature works correctly, check that your Medical ID and your Health Profile have your correct age. This feature is not available for users who are under 18 years old.

Set up your Medical ID and add emergency contacts

  • Open Settings on your iPhone
  • Then tap Health
  • Next, click Medical ID
  • Tap Edit in the upper right corner of the screen
  • Enter your date of birth and other health information
  • To add an emergency contact, tap the add (+) button under emergency contacts. Tap a contact, then add their relationship
  • To make your Medical ID available from the Lock Screen, toggle on Show When Locked. In an emergency, this gives information to people who want to help.
  • To share your Medical ID with emergency responders, turn on Share During Emergency Call. When you make a call or send a text to emergency services on your iPhone or Apple Watch, your Medical ID will automatically be shared with emergency services.
  • Tap Done
APPLE watch 2

Medical ID on an iPhone. (Apple)

ER VISIT TIMES: HERE’S HOW LONG PATIENTS SPEND IN EMERGENCY ROOMS IN EACH STATE

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Set up your Health Profile

  • On your iPhone, open the Health app
  • Tap the Summary tab on the bottom left of the screen, then tap your profile picture in the upper right corner
  • Tap Health Details, then tap Edit
  • Add your information, like your date of birth and blood type
APPLE WATCH 3

Health details on an iPhone. (Apple)

Manual Activation of Fall Detection on iPhone

If you are under age 55, you can manually enable this feature in your Apple Watch settings. Here’s how:

  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone
  • Go to the My Watch tab
  • Select Emergency SOS
  • Toggle on Fall Detection
  • If Fall Detection is on, you can select Always on or Only on during workouts
Apple Watch 4

Steps to activate Fall Detection on Apple Watch. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: THE 3 RANDOM WORDS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

These are the latest Apple watches offering fall-detection

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apple watch 5

Apple Watches offering Fall Detection. (Apple)

Comparison of the latest Apple Watch models

Apple Watch SE – From $299 (GPS + Cellular), From $249 (GPS) – Features include a 44mm/40mm aluminum case, Retina display, S8 SiP, and various health and safety functions.

Apple Watch Series 9 – From $499 (GPS + Cellular), From $399 (GPS) – Offers a 45mm/41mm aluminum or stainless-steel case, Always-On Retina display, S9 SiP, and advanced health and safety features.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 – $799 (GPS + Cellular) – Features a 49mm titanium case, Always-On Retina display, S9 SiP, and comprehensive health, safety and sports functions.

MORE: APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 VS. ULTRA 2: WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY?

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Integration with iPhone 14 & 15

For iPhone 14 & 15 users, Fall Detection notifications can be communicated via the Emergency SOS via satellite system in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

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Kurt’s key takeaway

The Apple Watch is more than just a fancy gadget. It’s a lifesaver. With features like Fall Detection and Emergency SOS, it can sense when you need help and contact emergency services for you. This is why I believe that it’s worth spending a little extra to equip your Watch with the cellular connection option. It can also monitor your health and alert you if something is wrong, which makes it worth every penny as I know of no other consumer watch that can do anything remotely close to powerfully acting as a lifesaving rescue tool.

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Has technology ever come to your aid? Is this a feature that would be important to you or someone you care about? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

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