52 best tech life hacks of all time

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This page was translated using AI and machine learning.

(Pocket-lint) - There are a whole host of tech-related tips and tricks that can streamline your daily routine and make your life a whole lot easier.

For example, Apple's charging cords for iOS devices and Macs tend to fray after a few years, so you often have to spend money replacing them (unless you don't care that they catch fire and ruin everything you own and love). Well, we know of a nifty hack that will save your Apple cords from fraying in the first place.

In fact, we know of loads of different hacks - and everyone will make you wonder how you survived so long without them.

Pixabay | Hans

Use your keyboard to scroll through web pages

This tip might be well-known, but we thought it was still worth including: Use the spacebar to scroll any web page.

You can even hold down the Shift key and the spacebar at the same time to scroll up.

Pocket-lint

Your headphones double as a microphone

Need a microphone but don't want to buy one? Easy.

Grab any pair of headphones lying around, then plug them into the microphone jack and start talking. It's not exactly secret knowledge, but if you don't know it, we think it will blow your mind. Sure, the quality isn't amazing, but you can't have it all.

Grammarly

Help with spelling, grammar and definition

If you want a little extra help when writing online, we highly recommend Grammarly. This tool gives you tips and suggestions for grammar, spelling, and general sentence construction, whatever you're doing on the web.

You can even double-click a word to highlight it and get suggestions for other words to use instead. There's a Google Chrome plugin to make sure you can easily edit the text no matter what website you're on. And it's free!

Pocket-lint

Use emoji on desktops

If you thought emoji were limited to mobile devices, think again. You can also use them on the desktop.

For Mac: Press Ctrl+Command+Spacebar to get the Emoji menu.

For PC: the latest version of Chrome has an emoji menu. Just right-click anywhere you can type and click "Emoji" from the menu to access all available emojis.

Pocket-lint

Quickly reopen a closed tab

If you just accidentally closed an important tab in your browser, you can easily reopen it by pressing command+shift+t on a Mac or Ctrl+Shift+t on a Windows PC. This can also be used multiple times, so keep pressing to open any tabs you've recently closed. It works even after fully closing and reopening your browser.

Pocket-lint

Find the cheapest place to stream a movie from

For those of you who are cable cutters, you will love this site: CanIStream. It tells you where any movie is available to stream - and at the lowest price too.

Pocket-lint

No Internet? Play a game

When your internet connection goes down and the Google Chrome browser shows you an error page, press the spacebar to start a T-Rex game. At least you won't be bored waiting to reconnect. If you find your internet is coming back and ruining your game, don't worry, you can continue online here.

Pocket-lint

Hide people on Twitter without blocking them

Twitter's mute button is a little-known trick that's highly underrated. It allows you to continue following an account but hides their tweets and retweets from your timeline.

It's a simple way to get someone off your Twitter without unfollowing and offending them. They will never know when you cut them! Just click the settings menu to the right of someone's profile, then select Mute. Peasy easy.

Pocket-lint

Log out of Facebook remotely

The privacy tips are always worth mentioning, especially when it comes to Facebook, since everyone and their mothers use the social network. Have you ever looked at Facebook on a weird device and realized you forgot to log out?

Don't worry, you can always disconnect remotely. Go to the "Settings" drop-down menu on your Facebook, then select "security" and navigate to "when logged in".

From here you can see all open sessions and close any of them.

Pocket-lint

Improve your Wi-Fi signal

If you find your home's Wi-Fi to be a little flaky, it may be because you're experiencing interference from your neighbor's Wi-Fi overlapping with yours. The Wifi Analyzer app may be the answer to your problems. This app analyzes frequencies and makes recommendations on the optimal channels to use on your network to avoid overlap. The result is faster WiFi with far less hassle.

Pocket-lint

Find direct download links to music

To find a direct music download link, search for "[album or song name] -inurl:(htm|html|php|pls|txt) intitle:index.of "last modified" (mp3|wma |aac|flac)" .

It tells Google to show web pages that offer direct download links to the music you're trying to find. Here is an example for the album Straight Outta Compton:

Google search this phrase: straight outta compton -inurl:(htm|html|php|pls|txt) intitle:index.of "last modified" (mkv|mp4|avi)

This is what Google will surface.

Click on any of the main links, like this one, to get direct download links for the songs on the album.

Remember that downloading copyrighted content from the Internet is illegal. You better use Spotify.

YouTube | myoldreteacher

DIY cord protector

Here's a nifty trick to keep your Apple charging cables and other cords from fraying: take the spring of a ballpoint pen, then stretch it and wrap it around the part of the cord that tends to bend , and it will keep it straight forever, preventing it from wearing out over the years.

Stack rewards and benefits on all your existing cards with this Curve Mastercard By Pocket-lint International Promotion

This awesome system will save you time and effort every time you pay.

Here is a good video tutorial that shows what to do.

Pocket-lint

Use Spotlight search as a calculator

You'll never have to use a calculator again with this trick - as long as you have a Mac: use command (⌘) + space to perform quick calculations in Spotlight search.

Pocket-lint

Quickly call back your last caller

Want to call back the last number dialed or received? The fastest way is to press the call button on your phone. He will call back their number. There is no need to access your contacts or call lists.

Pocket-lint

Never press the full stop button again

Who knew you had never pressed the period key on a smartphone? All you have to do is press the spacebar twice for a period, and the next letter will also be automatically capitalized. If you're using a custom keyboard like Swiftkey, you can program it to do other smart things like predict your phrase too.

Modernistic design | Blogspot

DIY cord/cable holder

LEGO Mini Figs are perfectly shaped to hold your Apple lightning cords and other cables. Simply stick a LEGO brick on your desk, then attach a mini-fig and thread your strings through its hands. Yeah, you can thank us later.

Pocket-lint

Shortcut to pause a YouTube video

We think the little stuff is fun too. For example, when you press K or spacebar while watching a video on YouTube, the video will pause or play. How neat is it? And it works regardless of where you last clicked on the page.

There are also other shortcut keys:

Pocket-lint

Search YouTube without going to YouTube

Searching YouTube has never been easier than with this trick: when using the Google Chrome browser, you can type YouTube.com in your address bar, then press the Tab key and search YouTube directly from from your address bar. Gone are the days of going to YouTube to find something.

This little trick also works with other sites. You can search Amazon, Netflix, even Pocket-lint right from your address bar.

Pocket-lint

Know the best time to pee during a movie

This one is just plain fun... Download the RunPee app on your iOS, Android, or Windows device, and it'll tell you the best time to go to the bathroom while watching a movie so you don't miss an amazing scene or plot twist. of the plot.

Pocket-lint

Convert Wiki Pages to Books

You can render any Wikipedia page electronically in PDF, ZIM, or OpenDocument format, or ordered as a printed book. This page shows you how to create a book from Wikipedia articles in four steps.

Pocket-lint

Use Google to find your Android

Google offers an Android device manager that allows you to find a lost or stolen device, but you can also Google "find my phone" to locate your Android device. Remember that you must be logged into the Google account associated with your Android.

Pocket-lint

Google can help you study

Whenever you need to study for an important college or high school exam, just google "site:edu [subject] exam", and you'll get links to tons of sample exams with solutions and everything.

Here is an example :

Google search this exact phrase: site: python edu exam

This is what Google will surface.

Pocket-lint

Get promo codes with Honey

Download the Honey add-on extension to your Chrome browser to instantly start saving money. It automatically applies coupon codes during checkout at any online retailer. Wow!

Pocket-lint

Check if your email is involved in a data breach

Again, we love the privacy tips. We are sure you will too. There is a brilliant website known as HaveIBeenPwned.com. This site simply monitors your email address to alert you if and when it is compromised by a data breach. It also works retrospectively.

Any publicly revealed hack that includes your email address will be highlighted with this tool. If you check it and find your email in one of the lists, we strongly recommend that you change your passwords and use a password manager to secure things in the future.

Pocket-lint

Easily close any online account

Sometimes it's super annoying to close online accounts because services bury the option under settings and help menus. Well, say hello to a website called AccountKiller.com. It provides step by step guides on how to delete online accounts from popular websites easily.

howtogeek

Turn an old phone into a dashcam

If you have an old phone lying around collecting dust, you can put it to better use by using it as a dashcam. With a good charging cable, a monitor mount, and a dedicated dashcam app, you can create an awesome dashcam device for very little money. See an excellent guide here.

Instructables

TP roll cable organizer

Every tech enthusiast has a draw, box, or bag full of cables somewhere around the house. But how often do these cables get tangled up and become an unbearable mess? Instructables has a guide on using empty toilet paper rolls to hold your cables and keep them separated.

Reddit

Cleaning the keyboard with Post-it

If your keyboard is a little dirty, full of dust and lint, then a few sticky notes should sort you out immediately. Rub the sticky end through the crevices to give it a quick and easy cleanup.

Reddit

Microwave more than one thing

Cooking dinner for two but don't have enough space in the microwave? You can use this trick to cook two meals at once. You'll have to leave them longer because the instructions will only be for one meal and they wouldn't be cooked properly otherwise, but at least both meals will be ready at the same time.

sugru

Fix just about anything with Sugru

If you have a frayed power cable that needs some love and care, then Sugru is the answer. This Play-Doh-esque moldable glue that can be used for a variety of repairs, including siding threads. There are also many other uses for Sugru, from repairing to improving household items. We strongly recommend that you check out the list of ideas.

CNET

Turn your old phone into a security camera

Much like the hack to turn disused phones into Dashcams, you can also use an old phone as an alternative to a smart home camera. With a simple app called Manything, you can reuse the old device. CNET has a full tutorial on how to do this.

Pocket-lint

Find your password

If you have asked Google Chrome to save your passwords at any time, you can access this password through the browser settings. The easiest way to access the setting is to enter it into your browser's address bar - chrome://settings/passwords. Then you can reveal the password for any site to use elsewhere.

Pocket-lint

Watch age-restricted YouTube videos without logging in

Pocket-lint

Determine how long a book will take to read

Those of you who are super efficient would probably like to know how long it will take you to skim through a specific book before you sit down to start reading it.

Well, a website called HowLongToReadThis.com actually estimates how long it takes to read a book. And it's very accurate too, in our tests anyway.

Pocket-lint

Go to bed at the ideal time

If you're an insomniac, you'll love a website called sleepyti.me. It helps you calculate the best time to go to bed and wake up for optimal sleep. The idea is that waking up in the middle of a sleep cycle leaves you feeling tired and groggy, but waking up between cycles keeps you fresh and alert.

This site takes care of everything for you - so you can wake up between cycles.

Pocket-lint

Use WhatsApp on the web

WhatsApp is not limited to your mobile phone.

There's a web app that syncs everything from your phone. If the Chrome browser is installed on your computer, go to the WhatsApp webpage, scan the QR code and follow the instructions for your phone.

Pocket-lint

Use Google to set a timer

If you need to keep track of the timer or set off an alarm for a while to remind you to do something, Google is here to help. Just type "start a timer" into the search engine to do just that.

Pocket-lint

Edit an image online in MS Paint

If you want to edit an image in Paint, you can copy it or save it from the web. But did you know that you can simply copy the URL of the image and "open" it in Paint by pasting the URL directly into the filename box of the open window? This will certainly save you a few seconds of adjustments.

Twitter

Boost your tracks

If your smartphone speakers aren't up to snuff or you need a little extra volume for your morning wake-up call to help you get out of bed, here's a simple fix. Put your phone in a cup and it will improve the sound making you feel like you have more volume.

StitchesForInches

Create a WiFi QR code for your guests

This hack is a two-step process, but it's worth it. In the end, you will never have to give out your WiFi password again. First, visit this site and use it to create a unique QR code based on your network details. Then visit Etsy for a QR code cross stitch to really add a touch of class to the ensemble. Mounted in a frame, it will definitely be something special.

Pocket-lint

Save Money on Amazon with CamelCamelCamel

Here's another money-saving tip: If you use Amazon a lot, make sure you start taking advantage of a website called camelcamelcamel.com. It tracks products for you and alerts you when prices drop. It's also a great way to check if an item on sale is actually at a good price or if it was cheaper before.

Pocket-lint

Convert YouTube videos to GIF

Want to convert any YouTube video to GIF? Just add gif before youtube in your address bar URL link. Here is an example :

Original Video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OVg8uov78I

GIF Download - www.gifyoutube.com/watch?v=_OVg8uov78I

Pocket-lint

Use Preview to create a digital signature

If you have a digital document that you need to sign, now is the time to finally use the Preview app on Mac. Instead of printing the documentation to be signed, you can open the Tools menu in Preview, then choose Annotate > Signature > Manage Signatures, and a Capture Signature dialog box will appear. Just use your mouse to draw a signature that you can save/insert into any document.

Here is a good tutorial for more details.

Pocket-lint

Find “nearby” Wikipedia pages

Want to know more about your neighborhood? Wikipedia has a nearby tool that displays a whole host of different pages about nearby places and things. Just go to this site, give your permission for it to access your location, and then you'll see a list of Wikipedia articles based on where you are. Wonder balls.

Pocket-lint

Easily look up word definitions on your Mac

Macs have a handy shortcut that will let you look up word definitions in a split second. To look up a definition, highlight any word you see, then press command+control+D, and a dialog box with the information will appear.

Pocket-lint

Find direct download links to movies

To find a direct download link to a movie, search for "[movie name] -inurl:(htm|html|php|pls|txt) intitle:index.of "last modified" (mkv|mp4|avi)".

It tells Google to show web pages that offer direct download links to the movie you're trying to find. Here is an example for A Clockwork Orange:

Google search this phrase: A Clockwork Orange -inurl:(htm|html|php|pls|txt) intitle:index.of "last modified" (mkv|mp4|avi)

This is what Google will surface.

Click on any of the main links, like this one, to get direct download links for the movie.

Remember that downloading copyrighted content from the Internet is illegal. You better use Netflix, Amazon Prime or another video streaming service.

Pocket-lint

Find the perfect username

Want to check if a username is used or available on popular sites? Just use Namechk.com. It even checks domain names.

Pocket-lint

Browse safely by checking sites first

Before visiting a suspicious site, Google "safe browsing: [website name]" and then select the link to that site to view a 90-day history of malware attempts on the site. Here is an example :

Google this exact phrase: safe browsing: Pocket-lint

Google will then display these results.

Click on the Google Safe Browsing Tool one, and you should see this.

of_james

Remote temperature monitoring

Smoking food is a wonderful way to preserve it that takes time and requires regular temperature measurement.

This smart body used a video baby monitor to remotely monitor the temperature gauge so they didn't have to keep going out to check the barbecue. Genius.

GowBeyow

pizza stand

Tired of holding your phone? Cut a leg out of a pizza topping and it becomes a nice little stool to prop up your smartphone on. Don't put pizza grease on it while you're doing it.

dumbogaming123

cheap headphone stand

Looking for a place to hang your headphones or gaming headset when not in use? A cheap banana hanger may be the answer. It doesn't have RGB but it's a good hack for storing your gear.

@hwitteman

Free learnings

This professor has shared some interesting nuggets for those looking to save money on interesting reading.

Written by Maggie Tillman and Adrian Willings. Edited by Britta O'Boyle.