how-to

404 'how-to' stories August 2011 - January 2023

See All Stories

A collection of tutorials, tips, and tricks from the NewGeekGuide team helping you fix and get the most out of Android, Google Assistant, Chromebooks, Android TV, and more.

android auto is now only available for car screens

How to enable developer mode in Android Auto, and why you might want to

Andrew Romero Jan 25 2023 - 12:12 pm PT

Just like for an Android device, Android Auto allows you to enable developer mode to get access to setting you wouldn’t otherwise see. This guide will take you through enabling it and what you can actually do with developer mode turned on.

Expand Expanding Close

geforce now set ultrawide

How to set GeForce Now to Ultrawide mode on your 21:9 monitor if it doesn’t switch automatically

Andrew Romero Jan 24 2023 - 12:56 pm PT

With the latest set of upgrades GeForce Now has undergone, users are now able to play all of their favorite games on ultrawide monitors. This feature is available now for users with 21:9 screens to try. This guide will take you through how you can set GeForce Now to display on ultrawide displays if it hasn’t switched automatically.

Expand Expanding Close

Google Nest Thermostat fix error codes

Here are a few things to try if your Nest Thermostat is giving you error codes

Andrew Romero Jan 24 2023 - 11:14 am PT

Smart home devices that tie into heavier equipment like HVAC systems can relay serious problems when broken down. This guide will take you through some tips to fix your Nest Thermostat if it shows you certain error codes.

Expand Expanding Close

Connection issues on your Pixel 7? Here are a few tips to fix it

Andrew Romero Jan 23 2023 - 9:44 am PT

pixel 7 connection issues fix

The Pixel 7 series is no stranger to network issues here and there. While it’s a small issue that can be addressed, how does it get fixed? This guide will take you through a couple of steps you can take to fix your Pixel 7 connection issues when they arise.

Expand Expanding Close

How to pair your Stadia controller to anything via Bluetooth

Andrew Romero Jan 18 2023 - 9:27 am PT

Recently, Google pushed a new tool that allows users to unlock their Stadia Controllers with Bluetooth. This guide will take you through getting your Stadia Controller set up in pairing mode, so you can start playing your favorite titles again.

Expand Expanding Close

How to block any number in Google Messages on your Android phone

Andrew Romero Jan 17 2023 - 1:30 pm PT

There’s absolutely no reason anyone needs just to accept random spam texts or otherwise uninvited messages. This guide will take you through how to block a number in Google Messages on your Android device.

Expand Expanding Close

How to find your Chromebook’s update schedule and how many updates you have left

Andrew Romero Jan 13 2023 - 1:27 pm PT

Chromebooks are incredible tools, so long as they’re able to receive updates to keep them up and running properly. This guide will help you find the schedule of exactly how long your Chromebook should receive updates so you can be confident in using it for years to come.

Expand Expanding Close

Back up your Cyberpunk 2077 Stadia game saves

How to export & download your game saves from Google Stadia

Kyle Bradshaw Jan 10 2023 - 12:45 pm PT

With Google Stadia now set to come to a close in a matter of days, many gamers may be wondering what will happen to their years of progress across Stadia’s library of games. Thankfully, many of your saves are perfectly safe and can be easily moved to a PC or other platforms! Here’s how you can export and download your game saves from your Stadia account to use on Steam or Epic Games on PC/Mac.

Expand Expanding Close

disable location android

How to see which apps have access to your exact location on Android and how to disable them

Andrew Romero Dec 27 2022 - 1:00 pm PT

Location tracking has become the norm for a majority of apps across Android devices. In each initial setup, we opt for location tracking because it’s the easiest option, though it can be a substantial privacy risk for some. Here’s how you can see what apps have location access and how to adjust those permissions – even disable them on Android.

Expand Expanding Close

Play Store on Android

Where to spend your Google Play Gift cards

Andrew Romero Dec 27 2022 - 7:37 am PT

Google Play Gift cards can be incredibly useful in a variety of ways. Beyond the Google Play Store, you can also use that credit towards media content. This guide will take you through redemption and where to spend that sweet, sweet Google Play credit.

Expand Expanding Close

YouTube Primetime Channels

YouTube Primetime Channels: How to subscribe to multiple streaming services in one spot

Andrew Romero Dec 22 2022 - 4:05 pm PT

To combat the growing complication of subscribing to multiple streaming services to find the shows and movies you want to see, YouTube has devised a new feature called Primetime Channels. Primetime Channels allow you to view 30+ streaming services all from the YouTube app. Here’s how it works.

Expand Expanding Close

Gmail
how-to

Gmail features you might not know existed

Andrew Romero Dec 21 2022 - 7:00 am PT

On the surface, Gmail seems like a basic email platform for simple sending and receiving. Under the hood, there are tons of functions you can make use of – schedule send, label organization, theme changes, and even Google’s Gmail chat. Read along to find out how each of these useful features works.

Expand Expanding Close

remove image background android

How to remove backgrounds from your images on Android

Andrew Romero Dec 19 2022 - 10:05 am PT

Image editing software that can automatically complete tasks has advanced so far that it’s genuinely astounding. One neat trick that some apps and phones can do is remove backgrounds from images, giving you a clean new photo with just the subject. Here’s how to get started removing the background in images on Android.

Expand Expanding Close

customize hide youtube tv channels

How to hide or customize what channels you see in YouTube TV

Andrew Romero Dec 15 2022 - 11:41 am PT

YouTube TV sits in a weird spot between traditional cable television and new digital streaming service. As a hybrid, it retains features like the live guide, where you can see every channel and what’s playing on them. This explainer will take you through customizing that page, so you only see the channels you care about in YouTube TV and hide the ones you don’t.

Expand Expanding Close

change music output pixel

How to change your music output on Google Pixel, including to Chromecast devices

Andrew Romero Dec 13 2022 - 12:39 pm PT

Between Chromecast-enabled devices and Bluetooth speakers and earbuds, there are plenty of ways to enjoy music from your Google Pixel. In Android 13, there’s an easy way to switch the output device for your music, so your Pixel plays your favorite songs from the right speaker. This guide will take you through just that.

Expand Expanding Close

Pixel 7 Pro Macro Focus mode

Pixel 7 Pro’s Macro Focus works automatically – here’s how to get the most out of it

Andrew Romero Dec 12 2022 - 8:00 am PT

Undoubtedly, one of the most significant improvements on the Pixel 7 series is the camera, both in software and hardware. With that, a new Macro Focus mode has made its way to the Pixel 7 Pro, and it works rather flawlessly. Here’s how to get started.

Expand Expanding Close

How to play your Ubisoft games with Amazon Luna with just a Prime subscription

Andrew Romero Dec 7 2022 - 11:01 am PT

amazon luna controller

Amazon Luna has become one of our favorite cloud gaming platforms with its ability to tie into Ubisoft+ and make PC games available wherever you are. Now, users can play those games even without a Ubisoft+ subscription – here’s how.

Expand Expanding Close

How to turn on Clear Calling on your Pixel 7, and why you should

Andrew Romero Dec 7 2022 - 8:34 am PT

clear calling pixel 7

Recently added in the December Pixel Feature Drop for the Pixel 7 series – and eventually for the Pixel 6 – Clear Calling is a feature that ensures people on the other end of your phone call can hear you almost perfectly. This guide will walk you through enabling it on your device, and why it might be a good idea.

Expand Expanding Close

Here’s how to set YouTube videos to play at a specific resolution on Android

Andrew Romero Dec 5 2022 - 1:45 pm PT

change resolution youtube

Currently, YouTube on mobile changes default video quality based on usage instead of giving the option to change resolution right away. This guide will go through changing your videos on YouTube to a specific resolution to get the best quality.

Expand Expanding Close

Google Chrome price tracking

How to use Chrome’s new price tracking feature to get the best deals this holiday

Andrew Romero Dec 2 2022 - 10:05 am PT

Google Chrome has an abundance of tools, though the best ones are the features that save you money. This guide will take you through using Google Chrome’s new price tracking feature so you can find the best deals online.

Expand Expanding Close

Pixel 7 Pro VPN

Turn on your free VPN with your Pixel 7 and 7 Pro – Here’s how

Andrew Romero Nov 30 2022 - 5:30 pm PT

Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro both come with a free VPN from Google as an added benefit for its newest Tensor G2-powered devices. This guide will show you how to run it and manage it to keep you safe online.

Expand Expanding Close

Waze Android Auto

How to use Waze with Android Auto

Andrew Romero Nov 30 2022 - 8:56 am PT

Waze provides a lot of function and a little bit of a social atmosphere for drivers on the road. With that, using Waze on Android Auto can prove quite useful. This guide will bring you through how to add and use Waze with Android Auto.

Expand Expanding Close

find google pixel phone

Here’s every way you can find your Pixel when you misplace it

Andrew Romero Nov 28 2022 - 3:15 pm PT

There are few things more annoying than losing your phone moments after holding it in your hand. Fortunately, Google’s Pixel phone series allows for several different finding methods, like finding your phone using your watch, Nest speakers, and more.

Expand Expanding Close

Pixel Watch ECG

How to take an ECG reading with your Pixel Watch

Andrew Romero Nov 22 2022 - 12:46 pm PT

An ECG – electrocardiogram — reading can be a vital piece of data to have on hand. With it, you get a better look into your heart health, which is invaluable. This guide will take you through using your Pixel Watch to take an ECG reading.

Expand Expanding Close