In today’s world, technology is everywhere. Whether you’re using your smartphone to connect with friends, managing your schedule on a computer, or simply browsing the web, technology has become an essential part of daily life. However, not everyone is a tech expert, and that’s perfectly fine. Thankfully, there are plenty of simple tech hacks that can make your digital life easier and more efficient. Here are some easy-to-follow tech hacks for non-techies to help you navigate the digital world with ease.

1. Keyboard Shortcuts: Speed Up Your Workflow

One of the simplest yet most effective tech hacks is learning a few basic keyboard shortcuts. These can help you navigate through your computer or device faster, saving time and reducing the need to constantly use your mouse or trackpad.

• Copy: Ctrl + C (Windows) / Command + C (Mac)
• Paste: Ctrl + V (Windows) / Command + V (Mac)
• Undo: Ctrl + Z (Windows) / Command + Z (Mac)
• Switch between apps: Alt + Tab (Windows) / Command + Tab (Mac)
• Open a new tab in your browser: Ctrl + T (Windows) / Command + T (Mac)

These are just a few shortcuts, but mastering them can make your computing experience much faster and smoother.

2. Organize Your Smartphone with Folders

Smartphones can easily become cluttered with hundreds of apps, making it hard to find what you need. A quick fix is to organize your apps into folders based on categories such as “Social,” “Finance,” “Productivity,” and “Entertainment.” Not only will this declutter your home screen, but it will also make it easier to access the apps you use most often.

• How to create a folder on iPhone or Android: Tap and hold an app until it starts shaking or a menu appears, then drag it on top of another app to create a folder.

3. Voice Commands: Let Your Device Do the Work

Both Android and iOS devices come with built-in voice assistants—Google Assistant and Siri, respectively—that can help you perform tasks hands-free. Whether you’re driving, cooking, or multitasking, voice commands allow you to use your device without lifting a finger.

• Set reminders: “Hey Siri, remind me to call mom at 2 PM.”
• Send texts: “Hey Google, send a text to John saying I’m on my way.”
• Get information: “Siri, what’s the weather today?”
• Play music: “Hey Google, play some relaxing music.”

By using voice commands, you can streamline your daily tasks and make your smartphone even more helpful.

4. Simplify Your Passwords with a Password Manager

If you’re still writing down your passwords or reusing the same ones for every account, it’s time to switch to a password manager. These tools securely store your passwords and automatically fill them in when you visit websites, so you don’t have to remember every single one.

Popular password managers include LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password. Once you set one up, you can generate strong passwords for each site and never have to worry about forgetting them.

5. Use “Incognito” or “Private” Mode for Browsing

When you don’t want your browsing history to be saved, or if you’re shopping for a gift and want to avoid targeted ads, try using your browser’s “Incognito” or “Private” mode. This feature prevents the browser from saving cookies, your search history, and form data.

• How to activate it:
  • Chrome: Click the three dots in the upper right corner and select “New Incognito Window.”
  • Safari: Click “File” in the menu bar and select “New Private Window.”

This simple trick can provide a more private and secure browsing experience.

6. Use Cloud Storage for Easy File Access

Say goodbye to external hard drives and USB sticks—cloud storage is an easy and secure way to back up and access your files from any device. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud make it easy to store, share, and sync your files, photos, and documents online.

By saving your files to the cloud, you can ensure they’re accessible from anywhere and that they’re safe in case something happens to your device.

7. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Extra Security

Cybersecurity is important, but many people avoid complex security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) because they sound complicated. In reality, 2FA is quite easy to set up and adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts.

With 2FA, you’ll need both your password and a second form of identification (like a code sent to your phone) to log into accounts. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your accounts.

• How to enable 2FA: Go to your account’s security settings and look for the “Two-Factor Authentication” or “2-Step Verification” option.

8. Automate Repetitive Tasks with IFTTT or Zapier

For non-techies looking to streamline their day-to-day tasks, services like IFTTT (If This Then That) and Zapier allow you to create automated workflows between different apps. For example, you can set up a workflow that automatically saves email attachments to your Google Drive or posts your latest Instagram photos to Twitter.

These tools allow you to set up “recipes” or “zaps” that eliminate the need to manually complete tasks.

9. Scan Documents with Your Smartphone

Gone are the days of needing a scanner to digitize your documents. You can now use your smartphone to scan and store documents in seconds. There are many apps that offer this feature, such as Adobe Scan or CamScanner.

Simply open the app, point your phone’s camera at the document, and the app will automatically crop, enhance, and save the scan as a PDF or image.

10. Use Email Filters to Organize Your Inbox

If you’re overwhelmed by a cluttered inbox, email filters are a simple way to organize incoming emails and keep your focus on what matters. Most email services, like Gmail or Outlook, allow you to create rules that automatically sort your emails into folders based on criteria like sender, subject, or keywords.

• How to create a filter: In Gmail, go to the search bar, click the down arrow, and choose the criteria for your filter. Then, click “Create filter” and select what action to take, such as applying a label or archiving the email.

Conclusion

You don’t need to be a tech expert to take advantage of all the digital tools available to you. By using a few simple hacks, you can make your tech devices work smarter for you, whether it’s speeding up your work, organizing your life, or increasing your online security. These easy-to-follow tips are perfect for non-techies looking to get the most out of their devices without the steep learning curve.