TechPals Answers Your Most-Asked Phone Questions

Oct 15

Every week, we hear from people who are trying to make sense of their phones. Whether it’s figuring out how to copy and paste, dealing with endless spam texts, or wondering if they should use Siri — the same questions come up again and again.

At TechPals, no question is too basic. In fact, we love answering the "little" things because those are the things that make the biggest difference day to day.

This guide features some of the most common smartphone questions we’ve heard from TechPals readers, along with friendly, no-jargon answers to help you feel more confident using your phone.

Perfect! Here's the first batch of 3 expanded Q&As from the TechPals post, rewritten to be much longer, more detailed, and conversational — while staying friendly and easy to understand:

1. How Do I Copy and Paste on My Phone?

Copying and pasting on a smartphone isn’t hard once you get the hang of it — but it definitely feels awkward at first. Here’s how to do it, step by step:

To copy text: Press and hold your finger on the word you want to copy. You’ll see small handles appear — drag them to select more text. Once the right words are highlighted, tap Copy from the menu that appears.
To paste the text elsewhere: Tap and hold in the text field where you want the copied text to go. A new menu will appear. Tap Paste and you’re done!
A few quirks: Not all apps support copy/paste (like many banking apps). And if the menu doesn’t show up right away, try pressing a little longer or adjusting your finger’s position.

💡 Tip from TechPals: Practice a few times in the Notes app or a text message to build confidence. If you’re still unsure, we can walk you through it — just book a session at techpals.org.

2. Should I Be Using Siri or Google Assistant?

Siri (on iPhone) and Google Assistant (on Android) are voice-powered helpers built into your phone — and they’re great for simplifying everyday tasks.

What they do: You can ask them to make calls, send texts, tell you the weather, set reminders, and more. Example: “Hey Siri, remind me to take my medication at 8 PM.”
Why it helps: If typing is difficult or you just want a faster way to do something, using your voice is a huge time-saver.
How to try it: Say “Hey Siri” or “Hey Google” and speak your request. You can also hold down your phone’s home or side button to activate them.

💡 Don’t worry if you’re shy: You can also type your questions instead of speaking aloud. Want help setting it up? TechPals can walk you through it.

Related: How Do I Use Voice-to-Text?

3. What’s the Best Way to Charge My Phone?

Believe it or not, how you charge your phone makes a difference — not just for daily use, but for long-term battery health.

Try this habit: Plug in when your battery hits around 20–30%, and unplug when it’s around 80–90%. Going all the way to 100% isn’t harmful once in a while, but it’s best not to do it every single day.
Avoid this mistake: Letting your phone drain all the way to 0% frequently can shorten battery lifespan over time.
Other tips: Keep your phone on a cool surface while charging (not under pillows or in tight bags), and avoid using cheap or knockoff charging cables — they can damage your phone or charge it too slowly.

💡 Not sure if your charger is working right? Visit techpals.org and we’ll help you troubleshoot or recommend a safe replacement.

Here are the next three expanded and bullet-style Q&As — complete with friendly language and helpful TechPals links:

4. Why Does My Phone Keep Correcting My Words?

Auto-correct is a feature that tries to fix typos — but it often guesses wrong, especially with names, slang, or anything it doesn’t recognize.

What’s happening: As you type, your phone compares what you write to its built-in dictionary. If it doesn’t recognize the word, it changes it to something it thinks you meant — even if it’s completely off.
You’re in control: You can turn off auto-correct, tweak predictive text settings, or even add custom words to your personal dictionary.
Where to find the settings:
- On iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Auto-Correction
- On Android: Settings → System → Languages & Input → Keyboard → Text correction

💡 TechPals tip: If you’re tired of fixing words you already typed correctly, we’ll gladly help you fine-tune or turn off auto-correct. Just visit techpals.org and we’ll walk you through it.

Related: How to Turn Off Auto-Correct

5. Why Is My Phone Slower Than It Used to Be?

If your phone feels like it’s stuck in slow motion, it’s probably overloaded with background activity or running low on space.

Common reasons: Too many open apps, low storage space, or skipped updates can all cause slowdowns.
What helps:
- Restart your phone once a week
- Delete apps or photos you don’t use
- Check for software updates and install them
Still slow? Some older phones naturally slow down as new apps demand more power. But you can often improve things with a little cleanup.

💡 Need help speeding things up? TechPals offers one-on-one cleanups to remove clutter and get your phone running faster. Book a session at techpals.org.

Related: Why Is My Phone Acting Weird?

6. What Do I Do If I Get a Scam Text?

Scam texts often look like urgent messages from companies you know — but they’re fake, and designed to trick you into clicking dangerous links.

What to watch for:
- Messages that say things like “Your account is locked” or “Click to verify” — especially from unknown numbers
- Poor grammar or strange web links (like “ezpay-online-login.xyz”)
What to do:
- Don’t click anything
- Delete the message
- Report it by forwarding the text to 7726 (that spells SPAM)

💡 Not sure if a message is real? We help people spot scams every day — just reach out at techpals.org before you click.

Related: E-ZPass Scam Text Warning

7. What Is Airplane Mode, and Should I Use It?

Airplane Mode isn’t just for flying — it’s a quick way to turn off your phone’s wireless features when you need to save battery or reset your connection.

What it does: Airplane Mode turns off cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth with a single tap.
When to use it:
- While flying, as required by airlines
- When your phone is acting up and needs a quick reset
- To conserve battery during the night or when you won’t be using it
You can still: Turn Wi-Fi or Bluetooth back on manually while in Airplane Mode if needed (e.g., to use wireless headphones on a flight).

💡 Try this: If your phone won’t connect or is acting glitchy, turn on Airplane Mode for 10–15 seconds, then turn it off again. It works like a mini reset.

8. What’s the Easiest Way to Avoid Spam Emails?

Junk emails can pile up fast — but with a few habits, you can stop them from cluttering your inbox (or worse, tricking you).

If you recognize the sender: Tap “Unsubscribe” at the bottom of the email (usually safe if it’s from a company you know).
If it looks suspicious: Don’t open it. Definitely don’t click links or download attachments.
Instead: Mark it as “Spam” or “Report Phishing” in your email app. That helps filter future junk automatically.

💡 Tip: Avoid entering your email on unfamiliar websites, contests, or surveys. And if you're unsure, TechPals can help clean up your inbox and teach you what to block.

9. How Do I Know If a QR Code Is Safe to Scan?

QR codes are convenient — especially for menus, tickets, or quick links — but they can also be misused by scammers.

Before you scan: Make sure the QR code comes from a trusted source. Avoid scanning random stickers, flyers, or unmarked signs.
After you scan: Your phone will show a web link. Look at the link before you tap it. If it looks strange or misspelled, don’t open it.
Best practice: Stick to codes in official locations (like on a business website, menu, or product label).

💡 Want extra protection? TechPals can help you adjust your settings so QR codes always preview their destination before opening a page.

Related: What Is a QR Code Menu?

10. What If I Still Feel Confused About My Phone?

This one’s easy — ask TechPals! We help people every day who are learning to feel more confident with their phones.

No judgment, ever. We know smartphones can be overwhelming — but you're not alone.
We can help with: Settings, apps, scams, accessibility, or just making your phone easier to use day to day.
Where to start: Browse our TechPals blog for simple how-tos, or book a session at techpals.org for one-on-one support.

💡 Remember: The only silly question is the one you don’t ask. We’re here to help — patiently, kindly, and without the tech speak.

Jesse Kaplan