phone Archives

Winsage

July 10, 2026

You can’t fully disable Microsoft’s GDID Windows 11 tracker, but these settings limit what it captures

A 19-year-old named Peter Stokes was detained at Helsinki airport in April 2026 while traveling to Japan, carrying two 2TB hard drives. He was subject to an Interpol Red Notice and faced a federal complaint from U.S. prosecutors by July for his alleged involvement in the Scattered Spider hacking group, which breached a U.S. luxury jewelry retailer in May 2025, leading to a ransom demand. The Global Device Identifier (GDID), developed by Microsoft, is a persistent identifier that uniquely identifies a Windows installation on a device. It links online activities back to a single identity, which law enforcement can use to trace a device's owner. The GDID is generated when a user signs into Windows with a Microsoft Account and remains through updates but does not survive a clean reinstall. Stokes' use of the same Windows device allowed investigators to trace his activities through the GDID, which linked him to the hacking incident. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the lack of consent for GDID assignment and the potential for surveillance.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

This open-source app fixed my notification chaos when Android couldn’t

Megan Ellis shared her experience using the app DoNotNotify, which helped her manage and reduce the number of notifications on her smartphone. She found that many apps, including Pokémon Go and Temu, sent numerous vague notifications that were difficult to filter effectively. Despite Android's notification channels, she often had to disable notifications entirely for certain apps. DoNotNotify allowed her to customize her notification preferences without requiring personal data or account creation. The app features tabs for History, Rules, and Blocked notifications, enabling users to track and manage alerts. Ellis successfully used DoNotNotify to block unwanted notifications, particularly from games and shopping apps, and appreciated its privacy-focused design and adaptability to changes in notification content. She recommends the app for users overwhelmed by notifications.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Arrest and extradition of Scattered Spider hacker shines light on how Windows telemetry GDIDs can identify and track users — Microsoft device identifier is just one digital fingerprint in a software world rife with them

Peter Stokes, a 19-year-old from Estonia, was arrested and extradited to the United States on charges related to digital crimes, with the FBI using telemetry logs from Microsoft Windows to trace his online activities. These logs included his Global Device Identifier (GDID) and records of websites he visited. Stokes likely had his telemetry settings configured to Optional/Full, which allowed the transmission of URL data. The FBI connected Stokes to his ngrok account and linked his travel records to a New York IP address and a rental at the Empire Hotel, aided by photos he shared. Google and Apple assisted in the investigation by tracing Stokes' phishing phone number back to the same IP address used for his ngrok account. Stokes attempted to obscure his digital footprint using a VPN and other services, but modern digital identification methods made it difficult to remain anonymous.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Pixel users: Is Google Recorder refusing to save your recordings?

A segment of Google Pixel users is experiencing issues with the Google Recorder app, specifically that recordings are failing to save. A user on the Google Pixel subreddit reported that the app initiates recordings but does not store them, and several other users have confirmed similar experiences. Despite attempts to troubleshoot, such as clearing the app's cache and restarting devices, the issue persists for some users. However, others report that the app functions correctly on their devices. A poll on the subreddit shows that 60% of respondents are having issues with the app.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Android Auto just became much more useful for motorcycle riders with this app update

Sygic has launched its Motorbike Mode, now integrated with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, providing a dedicated navigation experience for motorcyclists. This mode allows riders to explore twisty roads, offers real-time elevation changes, monitors lean angles, and provides weather updates, along with offline maps. The integration enhances usability with larger maps on motorcycle displays, high-visibility alerts for hazards, speed limits, and weather changes, and allows navigation controls through the motorcycle's native buttons. Voice guidance is available through Bluetooth helmet systems. The update, version 26.4, responds to user feedback for a motorcycle dashboard experience. It is compatible with select models from manufacturers like Honda, Harley-Davidson, and Indian, while some premium features are exclusive to Sygic’s Premium+ subscription.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Pixel Studio is dead, but there are still a few ways you can make fun stickers on your Pixel phone. Here’s how

Google has discontinued its Pixel Studio image generation feature. Pixel phone users can still create custom stickers using the Google Photos app and other alternatives like the Gemini app and WhatsApp. To create a sticker in Google Photos, users need to locate an image, open a chat in Google Messages, tap the smiley face icon, select Photomoji, and send the sticker. The Gemini app allows users to transform images into stickers by providing specific instructions, though the output will have an opaque background. In WhatsApp, users can convert images into stickers by selecting the stickers option and tapping the "create sticker" button. Users are advised to update their phones and applications for the latest features.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

7 Habits That Are More Important Than Using Antivirus on Your Phone

Antivirus software was once standard on personal computers, but modern smartphones have evolved with enhanced security measures from Apple and Google, making them less vulnerable to traditional malware. Smartphones isolate applications, allowing them only to access user-permitted information, and if a malicious app infiltrates, it faces significant challenges due to built-in defenses. Apple requires thorough vetting of apps through the App Store, which enhances security but limits antivirus capabilities. Android allows sideloading apps from outside the Google Play Store, which introduces risks but also includes built-in security features like Google Play Protect and regular updates. Despite these advancements, smartphones can still be compromised, and cybercriminals increasingly target user accounts through phishing tactics rather than malware. Security experts recommend focusing on phishing awareness, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication. For enhanced security, users should keep devices updated, download apps from official sources, review app permissions, use strong passwords, utilize a password manager, enable two-factor authentication, and be cautious with unexpected communications. While most users may not need antivirus apps, those who frequently sideload or download from unfamiliar sites may benefit from additional security tools.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Why There’s A Briefcase Symbol On Your Android Phone’s Screen (And How To Turn It Off)

Android has introduced a feature called Work Profile that creates a dedicated workspace on devices, separating professional applications from personal ones. This allows users to maintain distinct versions of applications, such as having separate Gmail accounts for work and personal use. The data within the Work Profile is encrypted and accessible only to an organization's IT administrators, ensuring privacy for personal applications and data. Users can identify work apps by a briefcase icon in the status bar, which disappears when the app is closed. To temporarily pause the Work Profile, users can access the Quick Settings panel or navigate to the app drawer and select the Work tab. When paused, work apps will vanish from the app drawer, and notifications will cease. Users can reactivate the Work Profile through the same methods. Additionally, Android's Digital Wellbeing settings allow users to schedule the activation and deactivation of the Work Profile. To permanently disable the Work Profile, users must delete it from the device, which removes all associated work apps and data. This can only be done if the device was originally owned by the user or if ownership has been transferred. The steps include accessing the Settings app, selecting Passwords and accounts, navigating to the Work tab, and tapping on Remove work profile. A factory reset can also delete the Work Profile but will erase personal apps and data as well.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Your Android phone backup now counts against your Google storage — but the impact is smaller than you think

Google now counts Android backups, including SMS, call history, and device settings, toward your Google storage quota as of July 7th. New backup controls allow users to select which data to back up. The average size of an Android backup is around 40MB, suggesting minimal impact on most users' storage. Users can access these options through Settings > Accounts and Backup > Google Backup. The update is being rolled out, with existing accounts receiving the functionality in the coming months.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Russian Hotels Ordered to Use State Messenger Max for Guest Check-Ins

Hotels in Russia will be required to use the state-supported messaging application, Max, for checking in guests without an internal passport starting September 1. Establishments with over 50 rooms must invest in necessary hardware and train staff to operate Max. This regulation follows a framework introduced on April 1 allowing Russian citizens to check in with alternative identification forms, while foreign guests must present physical passports. Max, launched in spring 2025 as a Kremlin-approved alternative to WhatsApp and Telegram, is already pre-installed on smartphones and computers sold in Russia and is accessible only to Russian citizens and users from “friendly” nations. The government aims for Max to become a comprehensive "super-app" integrating various services.