Plain-English Tech Guides

Browse the latest Savvy Silver Tech guides for phones, computers, online safety, and everyday technology questions.

Free

How to Use FaceTime Screen Sharing and Remote Control

Share an iPhone or iPad screen during FaceTime and safely let a trusted person point, demonstrate, or take temporary control.

Free

How to Schedule a Text Message on iPhone or Android

Write a message now and have your iPhone or Android phone send it later with these simple, step-by-step instructions.

Security Alert Free

Paying a Bill Online? The First Search Result May Be an Impostor

The FTC warns that paid search ads can look like a company's official payment page while sending you to an unrelated service that may charge surprise fees. Use a trusted bill, statement, bookmark, or typed web address instead.

Tech Tips Free

How to Share Your Home Wi-Fi Without Reading the Password Aloud

Help a trusted visitor connect to your home Wi-Fi with an iPhone password-sharing prompt or an Android QR code—without hunting for, spelling, or typing a long password.

Tech Tips Free

How to Scan a Paper Document with Your Phone and Save It as a PDF

Turn a letter, receipt, form, or medical document into a clear PDF using the tools already on your iPhone or Android phone.

Tech Tips Free

How to Turn On Live Captions for Calls and Videos on Your Phone

Live Captions can put spoken words on your screen during videos, podcasts, and some calls. Here is how to turn the feature on and make the text easier to read on iPhone and Android.

Security Alert Free

If a Caller Says You Won a Lottery But Must Pay Fees First, Hang Up

A July 22 Justice Department case is a fresh reminder of an old scam: criminals call older adults claiming they won a lottery, then demand taxes or fees before the prize can be released. Real prizes do not work that way.

Security Alert Free

FBI Warning: Fake IC3 Helpers Are Using Deepfake Videos and Spoofed Websites

The FBI says scammers are pretending to be the IC3 and FBI personnel to trick past victims into losing even more money. Some are using AI-made videos and fake websites that look official.

Security Alert Free

If They Insist on Gift Cards, Crypto, or a Bank Transfer, It Is a Scam

The FTC says the fastest way to spot many scams is to notice how someone demands payment. If they push gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or bank transfers, stop right there.