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Flight Canceled or Changed? How to Get a Cash Refund, Not Just a Voucher

Federal rules say when an airline owes you a cash refund for a canceled or significantly changed flight. Here is what counts, how fast the money must arrive and the steps to take.

How to Turn On Automatic Updates on Your iPhone, Android, Windows PC and Mac

Updates patch the security holes attackers use. Here is where to switch on automatic updates on an iPhone, Android phone, Windows 11 PC and Mac, using the companies’ own instructions.

Veterans Day Is Nov. 11: How to Request a Free Copy of Your DD-214 and Military Records

Lost your DD-214, or need a late parent’s service records? Here’s how to request them free from the National Archives online, by mail or through milConnect, and how long it takes.

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How to Check Whether an Unknown Tracker Is Following You (iPhone and Android)

Item trackers like AirTags can be misused to follow people. Here is how to turn on alerts, scan manually and handle a warning on iPhone and Android.

How to Turn Down Personalized Ads on Your iPhone, Android and Google Account

A few settings on your phone and Google account limit how much of your activity is used to target ads. Here are the exact steps, with what each one does and doesn’t do.

How to Lock Your Phone Number Against SIM Swap Scams (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile)

Scammers who hijack your phone number can get your login codes. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile all offer free locks that block SIM swaps and number transfers. Here’s where to find them.

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How to Add Emergency Medical Info to Your iPhone or Android Phone

Five minutes of setup lets first responders see your allergies, medications and emergency contacts from your phone’s lock screen. Here’s how on iPhone and Android.

Daylight Saving Time Ends Nov. 1: A Quick Fall-Back Checklist

Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. Use the extra hour to check device settings, test smoke alarms and swap old batteries.

How to Spot a Deepfake Video: 8 Things to Check

Good deepfakes are hard to catch, but most still slip up somewhere. Here’s a quick checklist to run before you believe – or share – a video.

How to Set Up a Passkey for Your Google Account

Passkeys let you sign in to Google with your fingerprint, face or screen lock instead of a password. Here's how to create one, use it on another computer and remove it if a device goes missing.

How to Make a Home Inventory for Insurance (in an Afternoon)

A home inventory can speed up an insurance claim after a fire, flood or theft. Here's how to make one with your phone in a few hours, and where to keep it.

How to Check Your Credit Reports for Free (Every Week)

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion now let you see your credit report free once a week. Here’s how to get yours from the one official site, and what to look for.

What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

From reporting at IdentityTheft.gov to freezing your credit and handling tax fraud with the IRS, here’s the order to tackle identity theft in, and the free tools that help.

How to Find and Cancel Subscriptions on iPhone and Android

Forgotten app subscriptions add up. Here’s exactly where to find and cancel them on iPhone, Mac and Android, plus what to do when a charge isn’t listed.

How to Back Up Your Phone Properly (iPhone and Android)

Losing a phone is bad. Losing every photo and message on it is worse. Here’s how to make sure you’re properly backed up in about ten minutes.

How to Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN Before Tax Season

An IRS Identity Protection PIN stops anyone else from filing a federal tax return with your Social Security number. Anyone who can verify their identity can get one, and it takes minutes online.

How to Turn On Stolen Device Protection on Your iPhone

If a thief learns your passcode, Stolen Device Protection makes it much harder for them to lock you out of your Apple Account. Here’s how to turn it on and what changes.

How to Freeze Your Credit (and Unfreeze It When You Need To)

A credit freeze is free, doesn't hurt your score and blocks most new-account fraud. Here's how to place one at all three bureaus and lift it when you apply for credit.