| Two-step sign-in | Apple Account | - On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Tap Sign-In & Security.
- Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication, if it is not already on, and follow the steps.
On a Mac: Apple menu > System Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security. Most Apple Accounts already have it on. | Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security | APPLE-2FA 2026-10-19 |
| Two-step sign-in | Google Account | - Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in.
- Select Security & sign-in.
- Under How you sign in to Google, select 2-Step Verification.
- Select Turn on 2-Step Verification and follow the steps.
Older guides call the tab Security. | Google Account > Security & sign-in > How you sign in to Google > 2-Step Verification | GOOGLE-2SV 2026-10-19 |
| Two-step sign-in | Microsoft account | - Go to account.microsoft.com/security and sign in.
- Select Manage how I sign in.
- Under Additional security, find Two-step verification.
- Select Turn on and follow the steps.
| account.microsoft.com/security > Manage how I sign in > Additional security > Two-step verification > Turn on | MS-2SV 2026-10-19 |
| Recovery info | Google Account | - Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in.
- Select Security & sign-in.
- Under How you sign in to Google, select Recovery phone and check the number.
- Go back and select Recovery email, and check the address.
- Go back and select Recovery contacts to add one, if offered.
Google asks for a phone that gets texts and is yours, not a Google Voice number. | Google Account > Security & sign-in > How you sign in to Google > Recovery phone, Recovery email, Recovery contacts | G-RECOVERY-OPTIONS 2026-10-19 |
| Recovery info | Apple Account | - On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Tap Sign-In & Security.
- Tap Two-Factor Authentication and read the trusted phone numbers listed.
- Go back, tap Recovery Contacts, then Add Recovery Contact, and follow the steps.
A recovery contact needs an Apple device of their own. Trusted numbers: Apple, About trusted phone numbers. | Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Two-Factor Authentication (trusted numbers); Recovery Contacts > Add Recovery Contact | APPLE-RECOVERY-CONTACT 2026-10-19 |
| Recovery info | Microsoft account | - Go to account.microsoft.com/security and sign in.
- Select Manage how I sign in.
- Check each phone number and email address listed.
- Select Add a new way to sign in or verify to add one.
Changes to security info can take 30 days when two-step verification is on. | account.microsoft.com/security > Manage how I sign in > Add a new way to sign in or verify | MS-SECINFO 2026-10-19 |
| Recovery info | Yahoo | - Sign in to the Yahoo Account Security page.
- Under Ways of signing in, check the phone numbers and emails listed.
- To add one, click Add email or Add phone number, then Next.
- Follow the prompts to verify it.
Locked out: use Yahoo's Sign-in Helper. | Yahoo Account Security page > Ways of signing in > Add email or Add phone number | YH-RECOVERY 2026-10-19 |
| Which system and version | Mac | - Open the Apple menu at the upper left.
- Choose About This Mac.
- Read the macOS name and version number.
| Apple menu > About This Mac | APPLE-MAC-ABOUT 2026-10-19 |
| Backup or recovery codes | Google Account | - Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in.
- Select Security & sign-in.
- Under How you sign in to Google, select 2-Step Verification.
- Select Backup codes.
- Select Get backup codes, then Print codes.
Ten single-use codes of 8 digits. Shows only once two-step is on. | Google Account > Security & sign-in > How you sign in to Google > 2-Step Verification > Backup codes > Get backup codes | GOOGLE-BACKUP 2026-10-19 |
| Backup or recovery codes | Microsoft account | - Go to account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional and sign in.
- Find Recovery code.
- Select Generate a new code.
- Print the 25-character code or write it on paper.
A new code cancels the old one. | account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional > Recovery code > Generate a new code | MS-RECOVERY-CODE 2026-10-19 |
| Password manager | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap AutoFill & Passwords.
- Turn on AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys.
Saved passwords are in the Passwords app. | Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords > AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys | APPLE-PASSWORDS 2026-10-19 |
| Password manager | Mac | - Open the Apple menu.
- Choose System Settings.
- Click General.
- Click AutoFill & Passwords.
- Turn on AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys.
| Apple menu > System Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords | APPLE-PASSWORDS 2026-10-19 |
| Password manager | Google Account | - On a computer, open Chrome.
- Click More (three dots).
- Click Passwords and autofill.
- Click Google Password Manager.
The same passwords show at passwords.google.com in any browser. | Chrome > More > Passwords and autofill > Google Password Manager (or passwords.google.com) | GOOGLE-PM 2026-10-19 |
| Password manager | Windows | - Open Microsoft Edge.
- Select the three dots at the top right.
- Select Settings.
- Select Passwords and autofill.
- Select Microsoft Password Manager.
Microsoft Authenticator no longer fills passwords. | Edge > Settings > Passwords and autofill > Microsoft Password Manager | MS-PWMGR 2026-10-19 |
| Password check | iPhone and iPad | - Open the Passwords app.
- Tap Security.
- Read the list of reused, weak and leaked passwords.
On a Mac, the Passwords app has the same Security list. | Passwords app > Security | APPLE-PASSWORDS 2026-10-19 |
| Password check | Google Account | - Go to passwords.google.com and sign in.
- Select Go to Password Checkup.
- Select Check passwords.
- Read the lists of compromised, reused and weak passwords.
In Chrome: More > Passwords and autofill > Google Password Manager > Checkup. | passwords.google.com > Go to Password Checkup > Check passwords | GOOGLE-PM 2026-10-19 |
| Passkey | Google Account | - Go to myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/passkeys and sign in.
- Select Create a passkey.
- Unlock your phone or computer when it asks (face, fingerprint or screen lock).
Make one only on a device you own. | myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/passkeys > Create a passkey | GOOGLE-PK 2026-10-19 |
| Passkey | Microsoft account | - Go to account.live.com/proofs/manage and sign in.
- Select Add a new way to sign in or verify.
- Choose Face, Fingerprint, PIN, or Security Key.
- Follow the steps on your device.
| account.live.com/proofs/manage > Add a new way to sign in or verify > Face, Fingerprint, PIN, or Security Key | MS-PASSKEY 2026-10-19 |
| Passkey | Windows | - Open Settings.
- Select Accounts.
- Select Passkeys to see the passkeys saved on this PC.
| Settings > Accounts > Passkeys | MS-PWMGR 2026-10-19 |
| Software update | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If an update is waiting, tap Update Now or Download and Install.
- Tap Automatic Updates and turn on the options shown.
Automatic install runs overnight while charging on Wi-Fi. | Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates | APPLE-UPDATE-IOS 2026-10-19 |
| Software update | Android phone and tablet | - Open Settings.
- Tap System.
- Tap Software updates.
- Install any update shown. Connect to Wi-Fi and charge first.
Pixel shown; other makers' menus differ. The security update date is under Settings > About phone > Android version. | Settings > System > Software updates | GOOG-ANDROID-VERSION 2026-10-19 |
| Software update | Windows | - Select Start, then Settings.
- Select Windows Update.
- Select Check for Windows updates.
- Select Download & install if updates are listed, and restart if asked.
Windows 10: Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. | Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for Windows updates | MS-WINUPDATE 2026-10-19 |
| Software update | Mac | - Open the Apple menu.
- Choose System Settings.
- Click General.
- Click Software Update.
- Install any update shown, and turn on automatic updates.
Needs the Mac's login password. | Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update | APPLE-UPDATE-MAC 2026-10-19 |
| Software update | Chromebook | - Select the time at the bottom right.
- Select Settings.
- Select About ChromeOS.
- Select Check for updates.
- For the end date, select Additional details and read Update schedule.
Updates download by themselves; select Restart when asked. | Time > Settings > About ChromeOS > Check for updates | GOOG-CB-UPDATE 2026-10-19 |
| Screen lock | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode (Touch ID & Passcode on a phone with a Home button).
- Enter your passcode if asked.
- Tap Turn Passcode On or Change Passcode.
- Choose a passcode of six or more digits.
Passcode Options offers a longer number or letters and numbers. | Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Turn Passcode On or Change Passcode | APPLE-PASSCODE 2026-10-19 |
| Screen lock | Android phone and tablet | - Open Settings.
- Tap Security.
- Tap Screen lock.
- Choose PIN (six digits or more) or Password.
Pixel shown; other makers' menus differ. | Settings > Security > Screen lock | GOOG-ANDROID-SCREENLOCK 2026-10-19 |
| Screen lock | Mac | - Open the Apple menu.
- Choose System Settings.
- Click Lock Screen.
- Set Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to a short time.
| Apple menu > System Settings > Lock Screen | APPLE-MAC-LOCK 2026-10-19 |
| Auto-lock | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Tap Auto-Lock.
- Choose a time.
| Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock | APPLE-IPHONE-PASSCODE-GUIDE 2026-10-19 |
| Auto-lock | Android phone and tablet | - Open Settings.
- Tap Display & touch.
- Tap Screen timeout.
- Choose a time.
Pixel shown; other makers' menus differ. Other makers put it under Settings > Display. | Settings > Display & touch > Screen timeout | GOOG-PIXEL-DISPLAY 2026-10-19 |
| Find and erase | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Tap Find My.
- Tap Find My iPhone (or iPad) and turn it on.
- Turn on Find My network and Send Last Location too.
If the phone is lost: icloud.com/find, which needs no code. | Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone | APL-FINDMY-ON 2026-10-19 |
| Find and erase | Mac | - Open the Apple menu.
- Choose System Settings.
- Click your name.
- Click iCloud, then See All.
- Click Find My Mac and turn it on.
| Apple menu > System Settings > [your name] > iCloud > See All > Find My Mac | APL-FINDMY-ON 2026-10-19 |
| Find and erase | Android phone and tablet | - Check that you are signed in to a Google Account on the phone; Find Hub turns on by itself.
- Set a PIN, pattern or password so the Find Hub network can find it offline.
- To test it, open the Find Hub app or android.com/find on another device.
Formerly called Find My Device. | Find Hub app, or android.com/find | G-FIND-HUB 2026-10-19 |
| Theft protection | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode.
- Tap Stolen Device Protection and turn it on.
Needs iOS 17.3 or later and Find My on. | Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection | APPLE-SDP 2026-10-19 |
| Theft protection | Android phone and tablet | - Open Settings.
- Tap Google.
- Tap All services.
- Under Personal & device safety, tap Theft protection.
- Turn on the protections offered.
Not on tablets; varies by maker. | Settings > Google > All services > Personal & device safety > Theft protection | G-THEFT 2026-10-19 |
| Backup | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud.
- Tap iCloud Backup.
- Turn on Back Up This iPhone.
- Read the date of the last backup under Back Up Now.
Backs up on Wi-Fi, on power, with the screen locked. | Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up This iPhone | APL-ICLOUD-HOWTO 2026-10-19 |
| Backup | Android phone and tablet | - Open Settings.
- Tap Google.
- Tap All services.
- Under Backup and restore, tap Backup.
- Tap Back up now.
- Check that each kind of data listed shows On.
Some phones label it Google services. | Settings > Google > All services > Backup | G-ANDROID-BACKUP 2026-10-19 |
| Backup | Windows | - Select Start.
- Type backup.
- Open Windows Backup.
- Turn on the folders you want copied to OneDrive.
Windows Backup syncs folders to OneDrive. For a drive copy: Control Panel > System and Security > File History. | Start > Windows Backup | MS-WINDOWS-BACKUP 2026-10-19 |
| Backup | Mac | - Plug in an external drive.
- Open the Apple menu.
- Choose System Settings, then General.
- Click Time Machine.
- Click Add Backup Disk, choose the drive, then Set Up Disk.
Use a drive at least twice the Mac's storage. | Apple menu > System Settings > General > Time Machine > Add Backup Disk | APL-TIME-MACHINE 2026-10-19 |
| Backup | Chromebook | - Open the Files app.
- Open Downloads.
- Drag files you want to keep into My Drive.
Downloads is temporary; the Chromebook may delete files there. | Files > Downloads > drag to My Drive | G-CHROMEBOOK-FILES 2026-10-19 |
| Storage used | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud.
- Read how much of your iCloud storage is used.
The free amount is 5 GB, shared with photos and mail. | Settings > [your name] > iCloud | APL-ICLOUD-STORAGE 2026-10-19 |
| Who has access | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Safety Check.
- Tap Manage Sharing & Access and review each step.
Stopping sharing may be noticed by the other person. Plan for your safety first if that matters. | Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check | APPLE-SAFETY-CHECK 2026-10-19 |
| Who has access | Google Account | - Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in.
- Select Security & sign-in.
- Select Your devices, then Manage all devices.
- Sign out of any device you do not recognize.
Or go to google.com/devices. | Google Account > Security & sign-in > Your devices > Manage all devices | GOOG-DEVICES 2026-10-19 |
| Text size | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Tap Text Size.
- Drag the slider until the text is comfortable.
- For larger sizes: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text.
| Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size | APPLE-TEXT-SIZE 2026-10-19 |
| Text size | Android phone and tablet | - Open Settings.
- Search for Font size.
- Move the slider until the text is comfortable.
Pixel shown; other makers' menus differ. | Settings > search Font size | GOOG-ANDROID-TEXT 2026-10-19 |
| Reverse image search | iPhone and iPad | - Open the Google app, Chrome or Safari.
- In the search bar, tap Google Lens.
- Tap Photo picker and choose the photo.
- Scroll to Websites with the image.
| Google app > Google Lens > Photo picker | F-GOOGLE-LENS 2026-10-19 |
| Reverse image search | Android phone and tablet | - Open the Google app or Chrome.
- In the search bar, tap Google Lens.
- Choose the photo or screenshot.
- Scroll to Websites with the image.
| Google app > Google Lens | F-GOOGLE-LENS 2026-10-19 |
| Reverse image search | Windows | - Go to google.com.
- Click Search by image.
- Click Upload a file and choose the photo.
- Look for Websites with the image.
In Chrome, right-click an image and click Search with Google Lens. Bing Images has a camera icon that does the same. | google.com > Search by image > Upload a file | F-GOOGLE-LENS 2026-10-19 |
| Built-in protection | Windows | - Select Start.
- Type Windows Security and open it.
- Select Virus & threat protection.
- Check that protection is on, and select Quick scan.
Defender turns itself off if another antivirus is installed. | Start > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection | MS-DEFENDER 2026-10-19 |
| Built-in protection | Mac | - Open the Apple menu.
- Choose System Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down to Security.
- Under Allow apps downloaded from, choose App Store, or App Store and identified developers.
XProtect runs on its own. | Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security > Security | APPLE-MAC-SAFE-APPS 2026-10-19 |
| Built-in protection | Android phone and tablet | - Open the Play Store app.
- Tap your profile icon.
- Tap Play Protect.
- Tap Settings and check that Scan apps with Play Protect is on.
| Play Store > profile icon > Play Protect > Settings | GOOG-PLAY-PROTECT 2026-10-19 |
| Number lock | Verizon | - Go to My Verizon and sign in as the Account Owner or Manager.
- Select Account, then Account settings.
- Select Security settings.
- Edit SIM Protection and Number Lock, choose your numbers, and save.
| My Verizon > Account > Account settings > Security settings > SIM Protection and Number Lock | VZ-LOCK 2026-10-19 |
| Number lock | AT&T | - Open the AT&T app on a phone on the account.
- Tap the person icon.
- Tap Wireless account lock.
- Swipe to lock.
Prepaid: AT&T app > Profile & Settings > Account Info & Preferences > Wireless Account Lock. | AT&T app > person icon > Wireless account lock | ATT-LOCK 2026-10-19 |
| Number lock | T-Mobile | - Open the T-Life app.
- Tap the Manage tab, then the gear icon.
- Tap Security, then SIM Protection.
- Turn it on for your line and save.
- For Port Out Protection: Manage > See Plans > Manage add-ons, then choose the line.
Only the Primary Account Holder can remove it. | T-Life > Manage > gear > Security > SIM Protection | TMO-LOCK 2026-10-19 |
| Security checkup | Google Account | - Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in.
- Select Security & sign-in.
- Follow each recommendation shown (red is urgent, yellow important).
| Google Account > Security & sign-in (Security Checkup) | GOOG-SEC-CHECKUP 2026-10-19 |
| Legacy or inactive-account contact | Apple Account | - Open Settings.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Tap Sign-In & Security.
- Tap Legacy Contact, then Add Legacy Contact.
| Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Legacy Contact | APL-LEGACY 2026-10-19 |
| Legacy or inactive-account contact | Google Account | - Go to myaccount.google.com/inactive and sign in.
- Choose how long the account waits.
- Add up to 10 people and what they may receive.
| myaccount.google.com/inactive (Inactive Account Manager) | G-IAM 2026-10-19 |
| Which system and version | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap About.
- Read the iOS version and the Model Name.
On an iPad the path is the same. | Settings > General > About | APPLE-ABOUT 2026-10-19 |
| Which system and version | Android phone and tablet | - Open Settings.
- Tap About phone (About tablet on a tablet).
- Tap Android version.
- Read the Android version and the Android security update date.
On a Samsung Galaxy: Settings > About phone > Software information. | Settings > About phone > Android version | GOOG-ANDROID-VERSION 2026-10-19 |
| Storage used | Android phone and tablet | - Open Settings.
- Tap Storage.
- Read how much storage is used.
Pixel shown; other makers' menus differ. | Settings > Storage | GOOG-ANDROID-STORAGE 2026-10-19 |
| Device storage used | iPhone and iPad | - Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap iPhone Storage (iPad Storage on an iPad).
- Read how much storage is used at the top.
| Settings > General > iPhone Storage | APPLE-STORAGE 2026-10-19 |
| Junk calls and texts | iPhone and iPad | - Open the Messages app.
- Tap the menu button at the top.
- Tap Manage Filtering.
- Turn on Screen Unknown Senders.
- Then open Settings, tap Apps, tap Phone, and choose how to handle unknown callers.
Phone options are Never, Ask Reason for Calling or Silence (iOS 27). | Messages > Manage Filtering > Screen Unknown Senders; Settings > Apps > Phone | APPLE-FILTER-SENDERS 2026-10-19 |
| Junk calls and texts | Android phone and tablet | - Open the Phone app.
- Tap More options, then Settings.
- Tap Caller ID and spam and check that See caller ID & spam is on.
- Open the Messages app, tap your profile picture at the top right, then Messages settings.
- Tap Protection & Safety, then Spam protection, and check that it is on.
Google's Phone and Messages apps; other makers' apps differ. | Phone > Settings > Caller ID and spam; Messages settings > Protection & Safety > Spam protection | GOOG-SPAM-CALLS 2026-10-19 |
| Text size | Mac | - Open the Apple menu.
- Choose System Settings.
- Click Accessibility, then Display.
- Change Text size.
Zoom: Option-Command-8 turns it on or off. | Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Text size | APPLE-MAC-TEXT 2026-10-19 |
| Text size | Windows | - Select Start, then Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Select Text size.
- Move the Text size slider until the text is comfortable.
Windows 10: Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Display > Make text bigger. Magnifier: Windows key + Plus sign starts it; Windows key + Esc stops it. | Start > Settings > Accessibility > Text size | MS-TEXT-SIZE 2026-10-19 |
| Software update | Samsung Galaxy | - Open Settings.
- Tap Software update.
- Tap Download and install.
Some models say System updates. | Settings > Software update > Download and install | SAMS-UPDATE 2026-10-19 |
| Sign-in Helper | AOL | - Go to login.aol.com/forgot (AOL's Sign-in Helper).
- Type your recovery phone number or recovery email.
- Follow the steps on the screen.
Do not keep guessing: too many tries locks sign-in for a while. | AOL Sign-in Helper at login.aol.com/forgot | AOL-RECOVERY 2026-10-19 |
| Recovery info | AOL | - Go to login.aol.com/myaccount/security and sign in.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Account Security page.
- Check the recovery phone and email listed.
- To replace one, add the new one first with Add email or Add phone number, then remove the old one.
AOL says out-of-date recovery info can keep you out of the account. | AOL Account Security page > Add email or Add phone number | AOL-RECOVERY 2026-10-19 |
| Two-step sign-in | AOL | - Go to login.aol.com/myaccount/security and sign in.
- Next to 2-Step Verification, click Turn on.
- Choose Phone number.
- Follow the prompts.
The authenticator app option appears once the account has two recovery methods. | AOL Account Security page > 2-Step Verification > Turn on | AOL-2SV 2026-10-19 |
| Find and erase | Samsung Galaxy | - Open Settings.
- Tap Security and privacy.
- Tap Lost device protection.
- Turn on the find options offered.
Samsung calls it SmartThings Find or Samsung Find. Find Hub works too. | Settings > Security and privacy > Lost device protection | SAMS-FIND 2026-10-19 |
| Theft protection | Samsung Galaxy | - Open Settings.
- Tap Security and privacy.
- Tap Lost device protection.
- Tap Theft protection and turn on the protections offered.
| Settings > Security and privacy > Lost device protection > Theft protection | SAMS-THEFT 2026-10-19 |