Missed the signs? Check these secret apps and files cheaters use to cover their tracks. Be ready for what you find.
👀 A note about Google watching your texts: I told you about this yesterday, and the link worked for some people but not all. It’s surprisingly tricky to turn off Google’s Gemini AI text tracking. You’ve gotta manually yank its permissions. Think of it like breaking up with a clingy ex who still has a key. Head to gemini.google.com/apps and toggle the switch off for Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, etc. These might not pop up on your end, yet, but anticipate a rollout sometime before July 7.
😊 Add emojis fast: Want to add some spice to your messages? You don’t have to hunt for the right emoji or symbol. On Windows, press the Windows key + period (.). On Mac, hit Control + Command + Space. The full emoji panel will pop up right where your cursor is.
🕳️ Google reads your texts: They’re doing it again. Starting July 7, Google’s Gemini AI will tap into your Phone, Messages, WhatsApp and more, even if you’ve opted out of activity tracking. Google calls it “good news.” I found the secret steps to stop this nonsense here. Otherwise, your texts will be stored, scanned and possibly read by a human along with the things, up to and including being sold to who knows who. Not cool.
🙈 No peeking: Disabling message previews keeps prying off your texts. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Messages. For Android, it’s Settings > Notifications > App Notifications > Messages > Lock screen. Now that “urgent code” from your bank won’t show up while your phone’s unattended at a café.
Thank-you texts are in: Millennials are making a habit of sending warm, heartfelt messages after hanging out with friends. Something like, “Had such a great time, so nice to see you!” Polite? Nope, just easing post-hangout anxiety about whether everyone had a good time.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: In Facebook Messenger, type @everyone to notify everyone in the chat. It’s great for urgent messages.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Send your exact location via text: Tap the “i” or “+” in your Messages app and choose “Send My Location.”
⌨️ Shrink your iPad keyboard: Hate how the keyboard takes up half the screen in apps like Messages? You can make it smaller. Just place two fingers on the keyboard and pinch inward. It’ll turn into a smaller, floating keyboard you can drag anywhere. Want it back to full size? Pinch outward with two fingers.
💬 Wrong number scams: It starts with a random text like “Emily from the gym?” You reply “wrong number.” But instead of leaving you alone, they get friendly, pull on your heartstrings, then pitch an investment scam. Blame AI. It’s now easier to craft messages that feel personal. If you get one, don’t reply. Just block the number.
Email that deletes itself
Gmail has a hidden mode that makes your messages vanish. Here’s how to use it.
Selfies at the Pope’s funeral — May 3rd, Hour 4
Snapping pics with the Pope’s body? The Vatican wasn’t ready for smartphone culture. Plus, a new app uses AI to analyze your messages and tell you how compatible — or cringe — your past relationship was. I also talk to Stephanie from Mesa, Arizona, who fell for an online Ponzi scheme.
🛑 Stop creepy DMs: Take charge of who can message you on Instagram. Open the app, tap your profile > More (three lines) > Messages and story replies > Message requests. Choose if you want DMs from followers or others to go to your Message Requests folder or not. Finally, an option between let everyone in and total digital hermit.
Her entire life is being faked online — April 19th, Hour 4
Oscar from Texas says a man is obsessed with his daughter. Now, he’s impersonating her online. Fake accounts, false messages, even rumors she’s pregnant. Plus, 3 things you can do with a dead iPhone, and the dark side of influencer culture.
Not all “Hey, babe” DMs are created equal: Oh, shocker! Two guys are suing OnlyFans because, brace yourself, they weren’t actually chatting with the models they subscribed to. Turns out, some creators outsource fan messages. That flirty “I love your cooking 🥺” message was probably written by Chad in a WeWork.
💔 When will people wake up? A 63-year-old woman was ready to leave her husband for a scammer pretending to be Enrique Iglesias. Over two years, he talked her out of thousands of dollars. When her cash dried up, he told her to steal it. Hubby traced the messages to Nigeria and begged her to stop. She even went on TV and still swears it’s Iglesias. So sad.
Delete an email? It’s not gone
Free email services can recover messages days or weeks after you hit delete. Here’s what to know.
✨ Drag and drop like a boss: On your iPhone or iPad, no more copy and paste. Move text, images, files, links and photos between apps with just your finger. Press and hold on something, like a photo in Safari or a chunk of text in Notes, until it lifts slightly. Let go where you want it to land (like Mail, Messages or Files), and boom! There it is!
⚡Elon Musk fake electricity scam: Fraudsters are sending out messages promising to cut your electric bill by 90% with a special gadget “invented by Elon Musk.” The phony message might even include your real name to seem legit and links to a sketchy site with domains like “esavrr, gimelove or eaelon” to buy it. Please don’t.
🔒 It’s about time: Apple is finally going to encrypt messages between iPhones and Androids. That means any RCS messages sent between the two will be secure, with only the sender and receiver able to read them. Not Apple, not Google and not your phone carrier. As for how to enable it? Sit tight. It’ll update automatically.