Dr Wireless Favorite iPhone Tips, Tricks, & Fixes...

Before going to an Apple store, calling your carrier to complain, or pulling your hair out,  try the following...

For all radio frequency related connectivity issues (cellular, GPS, BlueTooth, Wifi etc...) 
​Most people will turn off their device and then turn it back on. This will solve many problems but takes forever.  The smarter move is to first try putting your device in airplane mode. Simply slide your finger from the bottom of the screen upwards to open the quick menu. Press Airplane mode at top left for 10 seconds. Then take it out of airplane mode. All radio settings are disconnected and forced to immediately reconnect, often solving the connectivity issue.

For the dreaded "Black Screen of Darkness"
Don't do a master reset, simply do a soft reset to restore your device back to normal. This does not erase anything and is easy to do. Press and hold the Home (SIRI) button and the Power button simultaneously. The phone should wake back up.

When your battery seems like it is dying too quickly
Try double clicking the Home (SIRI) button and then scrolling from left-to-right. This will reveal all of the windows that you left open. Simply swipe each one up to close them. Open windows use up the battery quickly. If you're not using BlueTooth, Location Services (GPS) and Wifi, temporarily disable them.

When you're in an area that has weak cellular service but has wifi
Under settings>Phone, make sure you enable Wifi calling. This is a feature T-Mobile has offered for nearly 10 years but is brand new with most other carriers. If you do not see this option, you're probably an AT&T subscriber and need to call them to enable it. This feature allows you to make calls from your IP instead of cellular carrier. Another big advantage of wifi dialing is being able to call back to the US from anywhere in the world for FREE over wifi networks. This has saved Dr WIreless subscribers tons of $ in global voice roaming costs.

How to quickly "Turbo" Charge an iPhone with low battery
If you are not expecting any calls, simply put your device in Airplane mode and charge it. If you do need to receive calls and messages, turn off BlueTooth, Wifi, GPS and Location services while charging.

Ask SIRI to do all the Math for you
The quick screen also has a calculator but who needs it when you can ask SIRI to do it for you. Try asking her to do a mathematical problem and you'll be surprised at how quick she gives you the answer.

When noticing Applications that "Disappeared".
Check to see if they were  moved by accident to the Utilities or productivity folders. If not there, go to Application store and re-download them. As this is cloud stuff, nothing is lost except the icon.

Ask SIRI who won a ballgame, when your team is playing next, or to send a text or e-mail for you
SIRI is one of the most amazing features yet so few people take full advantage of "her". I strongly recommend pressing the Home (SIRI) button and then asking, "What Can I say". She will show you everything and you should get in the habit of talking to her instead of typing. It's much safer
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Message Time Stamps are beside each message.
The trick is you must swipe right to left to see them. This is helpful when you need to know what time it came in.

Ask SIRI where the nearest gas station, restaurant or other land mark is. 
Obviously, it is necessary to have location services on for this. SIRI will launch the MAP application if you ask her for directions. Remember, SIRI can launch applications and send sms and e-mail by voice command. To find out everything you can say to her, simply ask her, "What can I say"?

Avoid Dangerous open wifi networks
​Why take chances on using wifi at Starbucks or any other "FREE" network. It's not that the establishment is doing anything malicious. It's the fact that anyone can name their network anything and get people to log on. Since all of the better wireless plans offer 10GB of mobile hotspot these days, that is a much more secure option.

Turn on Wifi Dialing
I'm not sure why T-Mobile has offered this for nearly 10 years while AT&T and Verizon just began supporting wifi dialing recently, but very quietly. This feature accomplishes two things. It allows your phone to default to your home or office internet provider to make phone calls instead of your cellular carrier. Why would you want this? First, it will allow users with little or no reception to make calls. Secondly, savvy wireless travelers know that they can make free calls from anywhere in the world back to the US when using wifi dialing.

If all of the above fails to solve the problem, you may need a one week vacation to Corky's Mexico Surf Adventure.
That works for me!

Joel "Dr Wireless" Saltzman has been activating SmartPhones for small, medium and enterprise sized businesses for over 20 years. He also activates personal accounts. As a professional independent unbiased carrier consultant, Joel can provide unvarnished advice because as he is paid by all of the carriers. It doesn't cost any more to deal with Dr Wireless, versus the retail stores or the internet. The difference is with Dr Wireless, we make sure you make all the right choices and get and maintain the best possible wireless deal and experience.

For a FREE Wireless Plan consultation, contact Dr Wireless. 
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