It’s the Perfect Time for Spring Cleaning – Here is a Tip to get your started.

by | Apr 4, 2019

Many of us grew up with the annual tradition of spring cleaning.  In many houses this is where the really deep cleaning would occur as the household was beginning to appreciate warmer spring weather.  I’m sure many Senior Tech fans can tell stories of spring cleaning traditions.  

You can also do spring cleaning on your iPhones and iPads.  In fact, the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Better Business Bureau are encouraging you to do a digital declutter this spring.  They offer a Tip Sheet not unlike the checklist that you might have with your home.

The tip sheet recommends that you: 

Clean up your email:  Save only those emails you really need and unsubscribe to email you no long need/want to receive. 

Let’s start with a tip for cleaning up emails, notes, text messages and more.  In fact, this week’s featured Nugget is a tip that you can use to delete many device elements that are presented in a list.  It’s as simple as swiping left.  

Do a Digital Declutter This Spring

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) are encouraging all consumers to freshen up their online lives by conducting a thorough cleaning of their cyber clutter.

In April, the Senior Tech Club will offer tips that will help with your digital spring cleaning.  Let’s make it an annual ritual to help protect your personal data.

Featured Nugget

Many of us like to keep things tidy.  So it is natural that we like to delete old messages, books, emails, notes, reminders and more from our iPhones and iPad.

There is a common but hidden delete function that is often available when items are presented in lists.  Simply swipe left on the item that you want to delete.

Swipe left to delete a note from the Notes list

Tap the button below to read more from this Nugget and where this spring cleaning tip can be used.

News & Events

There are multiple events on the Senior Tech Club calendar in the coming two weeks for members and fans living in the Twin Cities area.  Here are some highlights:

March 2020 Classes

Here are the upcoming classes scheduled for the month of March along with links where you can receive more information.

Senior Tech Time (iPhone) – St Anthony Community Services March 23 2-4 pm

Stay Safe with your iPhone. This class will review the basic security and safety setup for your iPhone and iPad. This includes Touch ID, Face ID, Emergency SOS, Driving with your iPhone, Setting up Medical ID, Blocking TeleMarketers and general recommendations about avoiding phishing and malware.

St. Anthony Community Services – 612-706-1166 or website

Senior Tech Time (Android) – St Anthony Community Services March 25 2-4 pm

How to Make your Android SmartPhone Smarter. This class explores the features of the Android smartphone that are most useful for older adults. This includes bringing widgets to the home screen, managing notifications, using Google assistant and activating do not disturb.

St. Anthony Community Services – 612-706-1166 or website

 

Contribute to Medical Research & Get an Apple Watch for $49

iPhone users who are 65+ are invited to join the Johnson & Johnson Heartline Study and receive an Apple Watch for $49.  This is not only a great price for an Apple Watch but an opportunity to learn about heart health and participate in medical research.  

See the eligibility requirements, application and frequently asked question on the Heartline website. 

Magical Ending to Disney World Trip

A fun and heart-warming story from this past week involved the family of an iPhone 11 user from Montana.  They were visiting Disney World with their six-year old girl.  It was a dream of her short lifetime.

Starting with the iPhone 7, our iPhones have become increasingly waterproof.  The iPhone 11 is the most waterproof iPhone Apple has manufactured.  But dropping your iPhone into the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney World is not in the specifications.  And certainly having it submerged for nearly two months is beyond belief.  It survived!

You can read the story at the MacRumors web site and then take some comfort in knowing that your iPhone is capable of surviving a dunk in a pool, ocean or lake.  But don’t ever submerge your phone to wash it.  

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