Why does this happen? Well lets explore a couple of culprits;

Bluetooth Problems; Just like any wireless headphones AirPods rely on Bluetooth technology to transmit audio. If there are connectivity issues or interference it can result in no sound even if the connection seems established.

Outdated Software; It’s important to ensure that both your iPhone software and AirPods firmware are up, to date. Outdated versions of operating systems or firmware can lead to syncing and pairing problems.

Incorrect Output Setting; Sometimes the audio output might accidentally be set to play through your iPhone speaker of automatically routing it to the AirPods.

App Permissions; Certain applications require additional permissions in order to send audio output via Bluetooth devices. This could explain why sound works in some apps but not others.

By addressing these causes and following troubleshooting steps accordingly you should be able to resolve the issue of your AirPods staying connected while the sound plays through your iPhone speaker.
Potential Hardware Issues; In instances problems like debris stuck in the charging ports, battery malfunctions or other hardware faults with the AirPods themselves might be causing the problem.

How to Resolve AirPods Playing Sound from iPhone Instead

Before attempting any troubleshooting steps it’s always best to start with the basics;

Restart Both Devices; Power off and then power on both your iPhone and AirPods. This will refresh their connections.

Check AirPods Fit; Ensure that both AirPods fit properly in your ears and that there are no obstructions affecting the sound.

Bring Devices Closer; During testing place your iPhone and AirPods within range in the same room to maintain a strong Bluetooth connection.

If you’re still experiencing issues with sound playing reliably through your AirPods proceed to try these steps;

1. Access Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone. Select “Forget Device” for your AirPods. Then. Hold the button on the back of the AirPod case to re pair them.

2. Confirm Audio Output Settings; Go to Settings > Bluetooth > tap on the “i” next to your AirPods. Choose “iPhone” as the audio source.

3. Check App Permissions; Under iPhone Settings locate and select each app > Bluetooth. Toggle on permissions to allow access to Bluetooth.

4. Update iOS Software; Make sure you have installed all software updates, for both your iPhone and AirPods firmware.

5.
To reset the network settings on your iPhone go to the “General” menu then select “Reset ” and finally choose “Reset Network Settings.” Just be aware that doing this will cause your device to forget all saved Wi Fi passwords and other network related preferences.

Next inspect the charging ports of AirPods for any signs of dust and debris. If you notice any issues carefully then clean them out.

Try using your AirPods with a device like an iPad or Mac. If the problem persists on another device it might indicate a hardware problem with the AirPods.

During troubleshooting pay attention to the sound cuts out. If it disconnects immediately before stopping it could suggest issues compared to cases where there was never proper audio routing from the beginning.

The key is to re establish and verify every link in the audio chain. Once you’ve ensured that basics like fitting, pairing and output are functioning correctly you can fine tune permissions and check for updates. It’s best to rule out software related culprits before delving into hardware problems.

Are you experiencing sound coming from your iPhone instead of your AirPods? In that case it might be necessary to replace your AirPods if you’ve already tried all troubleshooting steps such, as resetting them cleaning their ports updating firmware and checking app permissions. Intermittent sound disruptions, volumes that sound muffled or distorted at times during playback are common signs of a potential hardware defect.If your AirPods are giving you troubles it might be more worthwhile to consider getting a set rather than spending money on extensive troubleshooting or repairs. It’s also an idea to check out AppleCare for future protection of your AirPods investment.

The key here is to understand the symptoms and systematically try out different solutions starting from the simplest ones and moving towards more complex ones. Before assuming that there’s a hardware issue make sure to review Bluetooth settings and software configurations. With the troubleshooting approach you should be able to enjoy uninterrupted sound, from your AirPods in no time.

The post AirPods Connected But Sound Coming From Phone appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through several methods to identify your iPad’s model and year it was released to determine its age.

Check Your iPad’s Settings

The easiest way to find out your iPad’s age is to check its settings.

To view your iPad’s model and year:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad’s home screen.

2. Select “General” and then “About.”

3. Under “Model,” you’ll find details about your specific iPad model.

4. The model year is typically in the name itself or in parentheses right next to it.

For example, you might see “iPad Air 2 (2015)” or “iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021).” This tells you your exact model and the year it was released.

Match Your Model Number

You can also find your iPad’s age by matching its model number to its release year.

To find your model number:

1. Go to Settings > General > About like in the steps above.

2. Scroll down to “Model Number” and you’ll see a long alphanumeric code. This is your iPad’s specific model number.

3. Search online for “[your model number] Apple” to bring up specific details about your iPad model. Online specs will list the release date or year it first went on sale.

For instance, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch 5th generation has a model number iPad13,1. Searching for this brings up results showing this specific model was first released in April 2021.

Use Your iPad’s Serial Number

Still unsure on the manufacture date? You can use your iPad’s unique serial number to look up the exact date it was produced.

To find and check your serial number:

1. Locate the serial number printed on the back of your iPad near the bottom. It will be a long combination of letters and numbers unique to your device.

2. Go to Apple’s Online Service Assistant tool and enter your serial number. This will look up details linked to that serial and show you the exact date your iPad was manufactured.

3. Subtract the production year from the current year and that gives you your iPad’s age.

So if your serial number shows a June 2017 production date, and it’s currently 2024, your iPad would be nearly 7 years old.

Identify Physical Features

Sometimes it’s possible to estimate your iPad’s age by examining its physical features alone. Things like the logos, connectors, cameras, and bezels can provide clues as to whether you have an older or newer generation.

For instance, an iPad with a 30-pin dock connector is likely older than one with a Lightning port. An iPad mini with touch ID built into the home button indicates a newer 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation versus a 1st gen.

While the physical design cues alone won’t tell you an exact age, they can help you roughly narrow it down before investigating further using the steps above.

Check Your Purchase History

If you purchased your iPad directly from Apple or a major electronics retailer like Best Buy, you may be able to find the order date in your purchase history.

Dig through old emails for receipt confirmations from Apple or look up past orders on websites of major retailers. The exact purchase date, if available, will tell you precisely how long you’ve had your iPad.

Rebuild from iCloud or iTunes Backup

If none of the other methods provide a clear idea on your iPad’s age, you may be able to pinpoint it by examining any stored backups of the device.

When you back up an iPhone or iPad to iCloud or iTunes, details like the date and iOS version are associated with that backup snapshot.

You can view backup metadata by going into your iCloud settings or iTunes app preferences on a computer. Look for the date of the latest available backup of your iPad. If the date was when your first got your iPad, this can indicate how long you’ve had it.

In Summary

Figuring out your iPad’s age and model details is fast and simple by following our guide:

– Check Settings > General > About to see Apple’s model name with year
– Match the iPad’s model number to online specs showing release year
– Lookup manufacture date via serial number on Apple’s tool
– Examine physical design features for clues pointing to general age
– Retrieve purchase date from old receipts and order history
– View backup metadata in iTunes or iCloud settings

Knowing exactly how old your iPad is helps with troubleshooting, determining resale value and whether to upgrade. Follow the methods above to easily discover your iPad’s age.

The post How Old Is My iPad? appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

Understanding Hotel Wi-Fi Limitations

Hotels strive to provide quality internet access for all guests, but gaming consoles consume significant bandwidth for online gameplay, downloads, and streaming. To ensure availability for everyone, hotels commonly implement:

Speed reductions for high-bandwidth devices
Blocking of gaming-related ports
Splash screen login requirements
MAC address filtering to restrict unauthorized devices
Bypassing these restrictions is often possible by taking the right approach.

Instructions

Step 1: Connect PS5 to Hotel Wi-Fi

In PS5 Settings menu, go to Network settings. Select the hotel Wi-Fi network and enter password from room paperwork or check-in info. If Wi-Fi requires web login via another device first, connect a phone/tablet/laptop to that portal before connecting PS5.

Step 2: Resolve Connection Problems

If PS5 has no internet access, try restarting it to clear any network conflicts. Check for hotel Wi-Fi terms restricting bandwidth without request. Contact the front desk to inquire about policies. Verify PS5 MAC address status – request authorization if filtered.

Step 3: Adjust MTU Settings

Lowering MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) value may fix connectivity issues by optimizing packet size.

In Settings, go to Network > Settings > Advanced Settings. Select MTU Settings. Change the default 1500 value to 1300 or 1400. Test connection to see if lowering MTU helped.

Additionally, enable alternate PS5 ports (443 and 1935) in Network settings which may bypass gaming port blocks.

Workaround: Use Phone as Mobile Hotspot

Activate smartphone mobile hotspot feature. Connect phone to hotel Wi-Fi for internet access. Connect PS5 to phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot instead of hotel network. Test games and connection. PS5 now leverages phone’s internet access.

Conclusion

By adjusting MTU settings, switching ports, contacting hotel staff and utilizing phone mobile hotspot workarounds, connecting a PS5 to hotel Wi-Fi is achievable, allowing you to game online while traveling. Share any other hotel gaming tips in the comments!

The post How To Connect PS5 To Hotel WiFi? appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

But what exactly causes Nest batteries to prematurely drain? And how can you properly recharge while avoiding continuous low battery conditions plaguing your thermostat? From battery basics to charging tips and replacement decisions, this article explores the ins and outs of maintaining optimal power for your Nest smart home climate controller. Read on to give your thermostat the battery boost it deserves.

What Drains A Nest Thermostat Battery?

The built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery within Nest Learning and E Thermostats generally lasts multiple months on a charge with moderate usage. So when low battery warnings creep up frequently, something is excessively taxing that power pack. Common battery drain culprits include:

• Frequent temperature adjustments and Home/Away mode switching

• Overly bright screen illumination and aggressive motion activation

• Connectivity issues forcing constant WiFi/Bluetooth reconnections

• Defective or aging batteries unable to hold max charge

Additionally, extreme cold weather demands added heating system workload, compelling the thermostat hardware to consume extra electrical current. So winter necessarily draws more battery charge compared to temperate seasons.

How To Recharge The Nest Thermostat Battery

Rather than allowing your Nest thermostat to fully discharge, best practice is charging proactively once battery levels dip around 15-20% to ensure continuous climate control. Here are your at-home recharging options:

Plug In USB Charger
Simply connect any USB charging cable (like from your smartphone) into the USB port on the thermostat’s base then plug the other end into any USB power adapter.

Dock On Charging Base
The Nest Stand charging base (sold separately or sometimes included) provides an integrated dock to magnetically attach and charge the thermostat continuously – just be sure the base is plugged into an active wall outlet.

Enable HVAC Power Accessory
Some heating and cooling systems feature integrated C or G wire power connectors that a professional can splice into to provide constant power if recharging proves frequently necessary in your environment.

Maximizing Battery Life

Beyond reactive charging when your Nest reports low, employing a few battery maximization best practices keeps your thermostat fully powered longer term:

• Install latest software updates for efficiency fixes

• Set Eco Mode to minimize usage during very low/very high periods

• Reduce motion detection sensitivity to limit actuation

• Lessen display brightness and duration settings

• Ensure charger or Home/Away Assist features enabled for sleep mode optimization

When To Replace The Battery

If your Nest thermostat battery flashes empty within days or weeks of a full charge, the internal rechargeable lithium-ion power cell likely reached its usable lifespan – replacement becomes necessary. Contact Nest support for details on battery replacement options, or consider upgrading to a newer model altogether.

Prevent Future Low Battery Headaches

Rather than continually reacting to low power warnings, avoid battery frustrations by:

• Purchasing a Nest Stand charging dock for 24/7 charging

• Connecting C wire directly if compatible HVAC system for constant power

• Configuring notifications for proactive alerts before battery fully drains

While occasional circumstances might still tax batteries faster than expected, applying charging accessories, maximization tips and notifications should keep your Nest Smart Thermostat battery humming along smoothly through many heating/cooling seasons ahead.

The post Nest Thermostat Low Battery? appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

With the latest watchOS software update, Apple finally enabled the capability to easily clear notifications right on the watch itself. Read below for full details on quickly deleting individual messages or entire threads to keep communication clutter under control. Take advantage of the Apple Watch’s messaging versatility without the usual deletion hurdles!

Why Delete Apple Watch Messages?

Before diving into the deletion details, let’s review why periodically clearing notifications directly on your Apple Watch proves important:

Regain Screen Space – Messaging alerts occupying space vertically in the notifications center quickly pushes older alerts out of view. Deleting conversations liberates room for visibility.

Maintain Privacy – Relying on automatic message deletion settings on a paired iPhone isn’t always reliable enough when sensitive messages arrive on all devices.

Reduce Distractions – Work meetings or appointments require avoiding unnecessary electronic intrusions. Deleting alerts allows focus.

Improve Accessibility – Lengthy notification history becomes increasingly difficult to parse visually on such a compact screen. Deleting obsolete messages enhances accessibility.

Conserve Storage – While not a prime storage hog, keeping thousands of message notifications does occupy storage better used for apps and media.

How to Delete Apple Watch Messages and Threads

watchOS 9 introduces a quick action menu activated by force pressing any messaging notification from the watch face or notification center:

1. Navigate to the message you wish to delete.

2. Firmly press the display over that specific message notification for 2 seconds until haptic feedback vibrates.

3. A contextual menu pops up – select Delete to remove that individual message alert or Delete Thread to erase the entire conversation history.

4. Further choose to remove that notification from all devices to sync deletion across iPhone and other connected devices.

Previous watchOS Software Workarounds

Before this watchOS 9 enhancement, Apple Watch users had to rely on a couple indirect deletions methods like:

– Scrolling to bottom of notifications list then selecting Clear All Notifications option to wipe everything.
– Accessing messages on paired iPhone notifications settings and deleting specific threads to remotely sync removal back to the watch.

Neither allows targeted conversation removal right on the wrist like now possible.

Key Deletion Takeaways

Becoming adept as selectively removing obsolete messages or wiping entire notification history directly makes interacting with notifications way more practical day to day. Just remember:

– Haptic touch individual alerts then confirm delete onscreen
– Remove both messages and source threads to maximize space
– Leverage new remote sync deletion to apply across Apple devices
– Use regularly to maintain only relevant alerts visible

Fumbling through cluttered notification center chaos is finally avoidable. Everyone receiving regular messaging pings on their Apple Watch should absolutely utilize these updated deletions capabilities to keep just current conversations within sight.

Between dictation, scribbling and now deletion right from the wrist, handling communication and notifications proves smoother than ever thanks to the Apple Watch’s remarkable versatility and practicality!

The post How To Delete Messages On Apple Watch? appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

How To Turn Off Apple Watch’s Theater Mode — 4 Easy Steps

The first method for turning off Theater Mode is through your Control Center:
Tap your Apple Watch display to wake up the device, or press its Digital Crown.
Swipe up from the lower part of your screen, and go into the Control Center
Find the Theater Mode icon—with the default icon settings, it appears as a pair of theater masks. If the Theater Mode is turned on right now, the icon will be highlighted in yellow. Tap the icon to turn off Theater Mode. Once it’s off, the yellow highlight will disappear. You can activate Theater Mode once again by tapping the icon.

What Does Theater Mode Do On The Apple Watch?

As we’ve mentioned above, Theater Mode basically stops your display from automatically turning on based on wrist movement. However, it’s a bit more than that — there are other ways in which Theater Mode prevents you from disturbing others. For instance, with Theater Mode on, you’ll also find that haptic feedback and audio are muted. Plus, the screen won’t turn on automatically; in this mode, it only responds to a button press. So, how is it different from Do Not Disturb? You’d be right to ask this question, seeing as the two sound familiar based on our description. However, unlike in Do Not Disturb, your watch will still receive alerts and notifications; they just won’t be followed by sound or on-screen changes. Once you decide you don’t need Theater Mode and switch it off, all of your notifications will be there. And you can still see them even in Theater Mode, you just need to turn on Apple Watch’s display manually.

Troubleshooting Guide

Don’t worry; it’s common to occasionally encounter minor issues while operating tech devices like the Apple Watch. That’s why we’ll discuss a couple of prevalent problems you might face while trying to deactivate Theater Mode on their Apple Watch, along with solutions. For instance, you might tap the Theater Mode button in the Control Center, and nothing happens. If the button doesn’t respond, the simplest solution is usually to restart your Apple Watch:
Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off button. Press it to turn off the watch. To turn it back on, hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Another issue could be that the Control Center won’t open when you swipe up. This is often due to an active application or the watch face not being the active display. To solve this, follow these steps:
Press the digital crown to ensure you’re on the watch face. Try swiping up again. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your device. If the problem persists, it could be a touch sensitivity issue or a bug that might require professional assistance or a software update.

Other Useful Modes on the Apple Watch

While Theater Mode is a great solution when you want to avoid disturbing others in quiet or dark areas, it’s far from the only option in such situations. Luckily, Apple Watches come equipped with several other handy modes aside from Theater Mode. Some of these can enhance your experience when you need to be more discreet as well. Here are a few suggestions:
Do Not Disturb Mode – Silences calls and notifications, but your watch will still light up when you lift your wrist. It’s ideal when you want peace without complete silence.
Sleep Mode – Activates Do Not Disturb and prevents your watch’s screen from waking while pairing with the Sleep app to track your rest.
Workout Do Not Disturb – Automatically enables Do Not Disturb when a workout is detected, avoiding unwanted distractions, sounds, and alerts from your device.
Airplane Mode – Goes a step further by disconnecting your Apple Watch from all wireless connections, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Useful when you are on a flight or want to conserve battery life.
If you want to use your Apple Watch more effectively or in a more personal way, these are all useful modes to try out besides Theater Mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we’ve discussed ways to turn off Theater Mode on an Apple Watch, we’ll go over some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve come across on this topic—read on for detailed answers!
Why Can’t I Turn Off Theater Mode?
One of the reasons you might have a hard time switching Theater Mode off is that you can’t access the Control Center. There are a number of reasons why this might be happening:
Your screen protector might be worn out, making it less responsive to gestures
Your hands might be damp or wet, preventing you from swiping on the screen properly
You might be experiencing a software error

How to Turn off Theater Mode on Apple Watch When I Can’t Swipe Up?
If your Control Center is unresponsive, one of the easiest ways to deal with the issue is to switch to another Apple Watch Face. After that, try accessing the Control Center again from that Watch Face. This should also fix any issues with swiping and gestures, if they were software-related. Besides swapping out your screen protector for a new one, you should also try to simply restart your watch. Do this by holding the side button until the Power Off option appears. Then, wait a few minutes and power the Watch on again.

The post How To Turn Off Theater Mode On Apple Watch? (It’s Easy) appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

Apple AirTags is among the most reliable item finders on the contemporary market. By using Apple’s Find My app, owners of AirTags can harness the extended Bluetooth-finding range, which makes it nearly impossible to “not” find your phone, backpack, or other items with an AirTag placed on it. And I’m talking about precision finding here, iPhone owners!

It’s easy to get accustomed to this little gadget, but how long can you keep using it before you’ll need another one? Apple AirTags work on a replaceable battery, but I can’t give you a short answer to how long it will last since the answer depends on several factors. If you want to learn everything about your Apple AirTag battery life, you’ll find valuable information in the sections below.

How Long Do AirTags Last?

All Apple AirTags are equipped with a coin-shaped CR2032 Lithium battery. On average, the AirTag battery life is about a year. The frequency of use of this Apple device affects its battery lifespan. The more you use Apple’s Find My app, the more Apple AirTags are used, and the lower the battery’s life will be.

Apple Airtag’s battery is supposed to last about one year. It cannot last much longer than that but it can last much shorter for various reasons. People who have a habit of losing their items a bit too often will likely use the Find My app (and their Apple Airtags) every other day.

Replacing the provided battery with an off-brand C2032 of subpar quality may reduce battery life. Proper storage is also an important factor, as keeping the items with Apple’s AirTags in extremely hot, cold, or humid conditions can reduce the overall AirTag battery life as well.

Today, I want to help you understand what Apple AirTag’s battery is, which factors reduce its battery life, and ultimately, what to do when it dies.

What is CR2032 Battery?

The battery all Apple AirTags are supplied with is called CR2032. It is a Lithium 3V battery with approximately 235 mAh capacity-wise shaped like a coin with an operating temperature of 0-60 degrees Celsius.

One of the most important things you should know about CR2032 batteries is that they are non-rechargeable. More specifically, it’s not that you just can’t recharge them, you won’t need to, since they pack enough strength to last an entire year.

Another important thing to note is that you can’t buy CR2032 replacement batteries in Apple stores. Fortunately, dozens of brands sell these batteries with the most prominent being Duracell, Panasonic, Maxell, Renata, and Energizer.

Of course, dozens of other brands are making CR2032 batteries as well, but their methods, techniques, and ultimately battery lifespan of said batteries can’t compare to the leading firms I just mentioned.

Avoid Bitter-coated CR2032 Batteries

Not long after Apple released AirTags on the market, many users reported that the AirTag CR2032 replacement batteries they bought didn’t work. As conveyed by Apple’s spokesperson, this is mainly the issue for people that have bought bitter-coated Lithium CR2032 batteries, continuing that these should be avoided.

How to See the Battery Level of Your Apple AirTags?

Early on, you could see the battery status of your AirTag by opening the “Find My” app, selecting the “Items” tab, and clicking on the specific AirTag you want to inspect. However, Apple decided to disable this feature at some point. You shouldn’t worry, though, because you’ll receive a notification when the battery of your AirTag is low.

How to Maintain Optimal AirTag’s Battery Life?

Apple AirTags feature a non-rechargeable Lithium battery that can last for approximately a year before a replacement needs to be installed. By rationing the frequency of usage, ensuring that the AirTags attached to your items aren’t in harsh environments, and choosing reputable brands for replacement batteries, your AirTags will last the longest.

Like all other batteries, the CR2032 Lithium batteries Apple AirTags use will eventually run out of power. Unlike rechargeable batteries, the ones supplied to your AirTag can last about a year, but only if certain conditions are met.

More specifically, if you know the factors that affect your AirTag’s battery life, you can ensure that it will serve you for the longest duration possible. These factors include usage, operating temperature, and the quality of the battery itself.

Using Your AirTags

Apple designed its AirTag so that it is permanently on. This product wouldn’t be too useful if you had to worry about activating it right before you lost some of your valuable items. However, this does not mean that your AirTags have to be on all the time. In fact, if you keep them constantly powered, the battery will certainly degrade far quicker than usual.

It wouldn’t hurt to develop a habit of turning your AirTags off when they are not needed. For example, if you mainly use an AirTag to ensure you never lose your backpack while traveling, turn AirTags off when you’re at home after you’ve confirmed that your belongings are safe.

Disabling Your AirTags

Some articles I’ve read suggest that you should remove AirTag’s battery to turn the device off. Even though this is one method, it is impractical in certain situations and certainly not warranted when a safer, “gentler” alternative exists.

You can disable your AirTags remotely even if the battery is still inside the device with your “Find My” app. All you have to do is disconnect it from the “Find My” network, and it will go into a passive state. This “passive” state means that it will no longer give you information about your lost items, that only you can’t activate the “Lost Mode”, and nearly all of its primary features will now be disabled.

To do so, open the Apple Find My app, click “Items”, and choose the AirTag that you wish to disable. Tap “Instructions to Disable”, and you will see a text appear on your screen, guiding you through the rest of the process.

Keeping Your AirTags Out of Harm’s Way

Apple’s AirTag products are fairly durable, and the same can be said about the coin-shaped Lithium battery they are supplied with. However, CR2032 batteries aren’t impervious to elemental damage. One of the main tricks to ensuring the battery survives for a full year revolves around proper usage & storage.

Before diving any deeper, let me first say that the operating temperature of the AirTag’s battery spans between 0 and 60 degrees Celsius. Quality-made CR2032 batteries can endure freezing temperatures better (as low as -20 C), but you shouldn’t risk it anyway.

When you’re not using your AirTags, keep them in a dry, cool place, preferably not under direct sunlight or in excessively humid areas (e.g. next to an air humidifier, AC system, etc.).

If your AirTags are active and you’re visiting a place known for its harsh atmosphere, try to respond to the AirTag’s alerts as soon as possible.

Let’s say you went mountain climbing in a particularly cold region or went for a swim and you left the object with an AirTag on a smoldering hot beach. You’ll receive period alerts if you forgot to pick this item up, so keep this information in the back of your mind.

AirTags are IP67 Water Resistant but not waterproof

The IP (ingress protection) rating of 67 indicates that a device is highly water-resistant. AirTags boast this level of water resistance, meaning that they are completely dust proof and can survive immersion in water up to one meter for about 30 minutes. Act quickly if you went diving and dropped an AirTag-equipped item into the water.

FAQ

I wanted to answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Apple AirTag’s battery to give you even more insights into how to optimize its use.

Does AirTag run out of battery?
Yes, all Apple AirTag products are supplied with replaceable CR2032 Lithium batteries that are estimated to work for approximately one year.

Do you charge AirTags?
No, AirTags do not require recharging. Periodically check the remaining battery life, and once it is low, consider replacing the current battery with a new one.

Wrapping Up

All AirTags come equipped with the same battery, but it’s up to you how long this battery will last. The estimated lifespan of CR2032 batteries is about a year, so keep your AirTags away from extremely hot/cold environments and remember to disable them when you don’t need them.

The post How Long Do AirTags Last? (All About AirTag Battery Life) appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

People love the app, its simplicity, and the fact that it’s available on both PC and mobile devices, regardless of which system you’re using.

However, some people may not be aware of its web version, the Spotify Web Player. Spotify Web Player eliminates the need to install the Spotify app, although people who want to use its features still need a Spotify account. In this article, I’ll help you understand how to use Spotify Web Player and give you a quick breakdown of its most notable features, as well as provide you with a few valuable tips on how to utilize all the benefits Spotify Web Player has to offer.

Is Spotify Premium Worth It?
Yes, Spotify Premium is well worth the money because it is fairly cheap and provides access to the strongest features this app has to offer. The Spotify Premium plan unlocks a variety of exclusive features that both music listeners and creators can greatly benefit from, such as downloading
songs, improved functionalities of playlists, group sessions, and more.

I’ll return to the features of Spotify Premium in a bit, but before I dive into explaining how you can use Spotify Web Player in your browser, I wanted to recommend experiencing Spotify in its full light, and that is by subscribing to the Spotify Premium plan. All Spotify users are given an opportunity to try the free 1-month trial of Spotify Premium, which is more than enough time for you to get familiar
with its exclusive features. After the first month, the monthly subscription fee is a mere $9,99.

You’ll get to hear or upload your favorite songs in the highest quality possible, organize group sessions remotely, download any content available in Spotify’s massive database, and enjoy vastly enhanced playlists. Several premium plans are available at different monthly prices, but first, let’s see how you can even use Spotify Web Player before explaining your options.

How To Use Spotify Web Player in Your Browser?
To start using Spotify Web Player, simply type “open.spotify.com” in the address bar of your browser and log into your account. In order to use Spotify Web Player in your browser, all you need is a Spotify account and a stable internet connection. Spotify users who have subscribed to Premium can use some of its features offline by downloading tunes and/or podcasts. The web browser version of Spotify is nearly identical compared to the app version. If you have used the Spotify app on your phone or PC so far, you may notice that the user interface of the web version is just slightly
different, although all the main features and settings are in the same place as always.

Using Spotify Web Player is a piece of cake for those who’ve used its app-based counterpart for years, but if you’re new to this streaming service, there are just a couple of things you should keep in mind. In the following sections, I’ll provide more details about finding the Spotify Web Player, creating an account, listening to music, and uploading songs.

How to Find Spotify Web Player
The easiest way to use the Spotify Web Player is to simply Google search “Spotify Web Player”, and click on the first result. It’s easy to confuse the Spotify PC/smartphone app with its web version since the latter is titled “Spotify – Web Player” while the former doesn’t have a dash after Spotify.

To avoid confusion and unnecessary frustration, open whichever browser you are using, tap on the address bar, and type “open.spotify.com”. Hit the enter key, and you’ll open Spotify Web Player instantly.

How to Create a Spotify Account
Spotify Web Player, similar to its smartphone & desktop app counterparts, requires its users to have an active account. Without one, Spotify users can only browse the platform. To make a new Spotify account, tap the “Spotify Web Player Login” button at the top-right corner and fill in the boxes. Alternatively, you can choose to sign in with your Google or Facebook account.

After opening the web browser version of Spotify Web Player, the first thing you’ll see is some of the most popular playlists comprised of trendy and new music, as well as all-time hits. Assuming that you haven’t made a Spotify account yet, this software doesn’t keep tabs on your preferences
and will instead recommend music most people like.

Spotify will “remind” you that you can make a new account, log into an existing one, and register for free. The “Free Sign Up” part will pop up at the bottom of your browser while the “Login” and “Sign Up” buttons are located at the top-right part of your screen. You can browse Spotify without an account, although you can’t listen to music, stream music, upload new music, download any content, or access
pretty much everything this streaming giant has to offer. You can make a free Spotify account in a couple of minutes by tapping the “Sign Up” button. Let me take you through the process.

Using a Facebook or Google Account for Spotify

The first option you will be provided is to register for a free Spotify account with your Facebook or Google account. This is also the simplest way to make a new account, as the information available on your existing Google/Facebook accounts will be automatically transferred to Spotify this
Way. Regardless of which of these two options you choose, you will still be prompted to verify your selection. You will either receive a notification from Google or be prompted to confirm your identity by Facebook. By accepting, the data will sync with Spotify, and you can freely continue to use the free Spotify features.

Registering a New Spotify Account via Email
If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your Facebook or Google data with Spotify (or simply wish to have an anonymous Spotify account), you can create a new account by typing your basic information into the corresponding fields.

You will need to type in any email you have access to, confirm it, and create a password. Lastly, you will also need to set the name of your profile. Even though Spotify will ask you “what’s your name?”, you can be as creative as you want (as in, you don’t need to set your actual first and last name).

Type in your date of birth, and select one of the provided options regarding your gender (there’s a box if you don’t want to state it, too). There are two additional boxes that you can mark if you wish to receive the latest Spotify news for free and if you want to share your registration information with Spotify data analysts, both of which are optional.

Finally, check if the information you’ve typed is correct and tap “Register” to complete the process.

Logging Into Spotify Web Player: Controlling Your Account After you have created your Spotify Web Player account for free, you will automatically log into your account. You can log out and use a different account, continue with the same account to use the free Spotify Web Player features, or upgrade to a premium plan from here. Now that you have a Spotify account, you have access to all of the platform’s “basic” features. The reason why I say “basic” is that free accounts cannot download songs and must endure the ads interrupting their music.

If you already have a Spotify Premium subscription or a Spotify for Artist account, you can log out of your current account by tapping on your name (upper right corner of the user interface), and selecting “Log Out”. This same menu has several other options, including “Account”, “Profile”, “Upgrade to Premium”, and “Settings” tabs, so let’s explore how you can use your Spotify Web Player account.

Spotify Account

You’ve just made a free Spotify account, so the first thing you’ll want to do is review it. The “Account Overview” is the first panel on the menu, giving you a rundown of information related to your account, including profile details, your Spotify Web Player plan, and more.

This is where you’ll find one of Spotify’s strongest features called “Sign Out Everywhere”. If you think someone has access to your account and you want to keep it safe, click on this option and change your password as soon as possible. This will log you out of the Spotify Web Player, Spotify mobile apps, and Spotify desktop apps instantly.

While the disconnecting process is almost instantaneous for Spotify desktop web browsers, signing out of the Spotify Web Player may take up to an hour.

Edit Profile
Spotify’s algorithms will automatically detect your country or region, but there is a small chance that they won’t get it right. Select this box, and see if there are any other options you can choose if that’s the case. Other than that, every other piece of information should be copy-pasted from the registration screen, including your email, gender, username, date of birth, and so on. After making any changes, you can tap “Cancel” to undo them or click “Save Profile” to update your Spotify Web Player account.

Change Password
As the most popular streaming service on the planet, Spotify has invested a lot in its security protocols and encryption technologies. Even though it is very hard to bypass its defensive measures, passwords can get lost and stolen in a variety of ways.

As I mentioned a second ago, you can always use the “Sign Out Everywhere” function to kick would-be trespassers out of your account. Assuming that these malicious actors don’t already know your password, this may prevent them from regaining access.

If you wish to make sure no one can access your Spotify Web Player account, the best thing to do is to change the password you are currently using. Changing the password will automatically activate the “Sign Out Everywhere” function.

Notification Settings
Discovering different categories of new music, finding other users, and exploring the vast world of Spotify, which currently boasts more than 100 million tracks and nearly 5 million podcast shows, is easy if you use the right notification settings.

Spotify Web Player notifications are designed to keep you up to date with the latest releases of new music and podcasts but they also might serve as reminders about upcoming events. The main reason why I recommend checking this section out is that it’s the easiest way to get Spotify Web Player
recommendations.

To access the notification settings, tap on your Spotify Account from the Spotify Web Player main page; Notifications are just below “change password”, so click on it to reveal a large list of boxes you can enable or disable.

By enabling all boxes, you may be stuffed with a mountain of information that you may don’t want to see. I keep Music, Artist, Podcast, and Audiobook recommendations on “Push” at all times while I diverted Spotify offers, bundles, concerts, events, news, and experiences to email.

Privacy Settings
Most users are aware that they are sharing some data with Spotify, but I’ll argue that only a handful of people took the time to explore the Privacy Settings section. Spotify is extremely transparent about what it does with your information. Furthermore, this streaming service allows you to manage and download your data.

As explained earlier, Spotify Web Player will collect your Facebook or Google data if you opted to use your existing Facebook/Google account instead of making a new one from scratch. If this is the way you created a new free Spotify account, Spotify Web Player will continue to process your Facebook or Google data by default.

You can uncheck the “Facebook Data” box, Spotify Web Player will be limited to using only the data required to sign into the Spotify Web Player. Even if you made a new web player account with your email exclusively, Spotify Web Player can collect your personal data so that the ads you’ll see are more in tune with what you’ll be interested in. The “Process my personal data for tailored ads” option is active by default, so you can uncheck it by tapping the button. It should be gray once it’s disabled.

Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean that you won’t see any ads in your Spotify Web Player; it only means that you’ll see more general-type ads rather than the ones that can be connected to your browsing and typing preferences. The only way to remove ads in your Spotify Web Player is to upgrade to a
Premium Spotify plan.

Recover Playlists
A neat function designed to help users to find and use Spotify playlists that they’ve previously deleted, the “Recover Playlists” tab can be accessed from your Spotify Account just below the “Privacy Settings’ ‘. If you recently made a new Spotify Web Player profile, you’ll only see the message “You haven’t deleted any playlists.”

Receipts
Similar to the “Recover Playlists” section, the “Receipts” tab will be empty if your Spotify Web Player account is new. All purchases you’ve made within the Spotify Web Player, the mobile Spotify app, or the Spotify desktop app will appear here.

Apps
You can connect your Spotify Web Player account with various apps, such as Facebook Messenger, Starbucks, Starz, Discord, Shazam, Google Maps, and more. These integrations can be managed by opening your profile and selecting “Apps” below Spotify Receipts.

You will see the message “You haven’t approved any applications” if your account is new. Whenever you add new integrations to your Spotify Web Player, you can disconnect them by tapping “Remove Access”.

Redeem
Spotify accepts gift cards, which can be used to either purchase any of the Premium plans, upgrade individual Premium plans to larger packages, or continue paying your subscriptions. By clicking on the “Redeem” tab, you will be transferred to another window where you will be prompted to enter a premium code or the PIN located on the gift card’s back.

Spotify Profile
The Spotify Profile section of your Spotify Web Player is essentially “your” page on this streaming service. This is where your profile picture, featured playlists, and pinned tracks will be shown to other users.
Regarding the user interface, this part of Spotify is the same, whether you’re using the Spotify app, Spotify Web Player, or the Spotify desktop app.

This section of Spotify Web Player highlights your profile picture, and whichever music you wish to greet your visitors with. Whether you’re an artist seeking to promote your work or an enjoyer of music, the Spotify Profile can be described as a social media aspect of the Spotify Web Player.

Profile Name
The profile name is actually the username of Spotify users, or at least it will “become” your username after you’ve made any adjustments. You may be wondering why your username was almost incomprehensible after you made a new account on the Spotify Web Player, desktop app, or mobile
Spotify app. A string of random characters is given to new accounts, which Spotify uses as your unique identifier and you can’t really change your Spotify username. However, you can change the display name, which is what matters.

Social media experts will tell you that it’s important to pick a catchy, unique name, as it will be on full display in a large font so no one can miss it. There’s a not-so-apparent functionality of the Profile Name feature of Spotify Web Player which can be accessed by simply clicking on
it. Select the name that is currently displayed and change it to whatever you want.

Spotify Web Player will warn you if your selected name is in conflict with the terms of use, so I warmly recommend not toying with this feature too much unless you want to risk a ban.

Profile Picture
Tapping on your name opens the “Profile Details” window. For new Spotify Web Player accounts, the picture will be a gray silhouette; click on it, and you will be prompted to upload your profile picture.
On an important note, Spotify Web Player won’t ask permission to access any pictures you upload. In other words, simply uploading “any” picture implies that you agree to share it with Spotify Web Player and other Spotify users.

Furthermore, Spotify Web Player will advise you to make sure you have the right to upload and use the picture you want. A schoolbook example of infringing upon these rules would be to download a picture of a famous artist and use it to personify them.

Change Profile
The icon in the shape of three dots can be dubbed “other settings”. This is the third way to open the window to change your profile name or picture, but it also has another function called “copy link to profile”. In my opinion, both of these features are somewhat unnecessary. You can open your profile name & picture by clicking on either of them, just like you could copy the link to your profile by copying the link in your browser’s search bar.

This shortcut serves the same purpose as copy-pasting the link from the search bar, although I must admit that it can be quite handy for Spotify app users who prefer using the mobile phone version as it is just a tad quicker and simpler.

Settings – Choosing the Language of Your Spotify Web Player Currently, Spotify Web Player has only one setting in this section called “Language”. It can be found under Settings, after clicking on the name of your profile in the top right.

I briefly mentioned that the algorithms of the Spotify app sometimes don’t properly recognize where the user is from. Aside from displaying that the user is from another country or region, another side effect of this little incident is that the language of the mobile phone version of the Spotify app, Spotify Web Player, and the desktop Spotify app version will be assigned that language as well.

This is not too common, but there are cases where users decide to create their Spotify Web Player account when they’re abroad, and the algorithm will pick that language by default. In such cases, it can be extremely hard to navigate to the settings to change the language to your preferred one, so let me take you through the process.
Tap on the first menu in the upper-right corner of your Spotify Web Player (it should read your name). From the top downward, the Settings menu is the fourth option, so click on it. Since language is the only option you can change from here, tap on the gray area; this is your currently selected language.
Spotify Web Player will then offer you a selection of all supported languages. To eliminate the guesswork, press the key of the first letter of your language (e.g. key “E” for “English”). The titles of all supported languages are described both in English and in native spelling, so you shouldn’t have any more problems from here.
Using Spotify Web Player in Your Browser
After creating an account and tailoring the settings to your preferences, you can now listen to all your favorite songs, browse various playlists, visit the profiles of other users, access the Spotify library, and enjoy the features supported by your Spotify plan.
Although your Spotify Web Player journey could have started without making a free account, I’m sure your experience wouldn’t be nearly as pleasurable. Without an account, you can only check the accounts of other people, but you can’t access playlists, create new playlists, or even play songs, not to mention download them or listen to your favorite tunes in high audio quality.
For now, let’s stick to the features available to all Spotify users who have a free account, which includes access to all audio content, basic playlist functionalities, personalized Spotify library, the search bar, and liked Spotify content.
Access to All Spotify Content
The main reason why I warmly recommend everyone to create a free account on Spotify Web Player is that you can’t listen to any songs without one. Everyone who has a free account can freely access any song or podcast featured on Spotify Web Player or its mobile phone-based counterpart. With more than 100 million songs and around 5 million podcasts (and new content coming in daily), you’ll have years of binging and exploration before you run out of things to do on Spotify Web Player. The entirety of Spotify content is the same regardless of which platform you’re using (app, desktop, or browser).
Search Bar
What separates Spotify from competing streaming services is how well-organized its search bar, or better said, the entire search section is. Not only is the user interface as intuitive as possible, but the search bar looks as if it was specifically designed to help newcomers find relevant content to enjoy.
You can access the “Search” section by clicking on its namesake; it is the second option from the top, just beneath the Spotify logo in the upper left corner of the page. Once there, you will come across more than 50 recommended categories. From pop, hip-hop, and Latino to rock, metal, and soul to playlists with popular tags, such as love, party, sleeping, trendy, anime, gaming, and more, there are dozens of playlists you can immediately hop into.
If you want, you can also manually search for a specific track or artist, or new music in a certain genre by using the search bar located at the top, to the right of the Spotify logo. The search bar uses keyword-based tags to provide you with relevant suggestions, and best of all, the page is automatically updated as soon as you type in what you’re looking for. Spotify Web Player will recommend the most popular results, new music, trendy songs, artists, albums, playlists, podcasts, episodes, profiles, and “genres & moods” based on the provided keywords.
Personal Spotify Library
The Spotify library is the compilation of your playlists, podcasts, artists, and albums you are following. They are neatly organized in their separate categories, which will appear on the right of the Spotify logo at the top of your screen once you click on the “Library” option. Assuming that you’ve just made an account, your library will be empty. Each of these sub-sections will feature a button allowing you to create new entries or find content to like & follow.
Create a New Playlist
Starting with the Spotify playlists, click on the “create a new playlist” button. It will be named “My Playlist no. 1” by default and will appear on the dashboard on the left side of your Spotify Web Player page. Changing the name and featured picture of your new playlist is the same process as changing your profile name and picture with one small difference – you can now add an optional description of your playlist. You will find a “Search songs or episodes” bar below the options tab. It works similarly to the dedicated search function and utilizes the same engine (works on tags and keywords). Type in the name of the song, genre, or artist, and the closest-matching results will instantly pop up. To add new songs to your new playlist, simply tap “add”, which is a button that will appear next to all songs (but not artists). Freshly added songs will instantly appear in your new playlist; you can add new tracks or remove the ones you no longer want to include in the new playlist whenever you want. Once you’re done adding songs, the artwork of the albums/songs you have included will appear unless you’ve set a picture representing your new playlist personally. You will also be able to see the number of songs included in the playlist and the total listening time below the playlist’s name.
Podcasts
You can access Podcasts by clicking on Your Library on the left below the Spotify logo. After that click on Podcasts and you’ll see the “Find Podcasts” section. This section is slightly different from the previous one. You will automatically receive recommendations of the trendiest podcasts in your country (and several others from various regions). If you don’t like the original draft, simply tap the “Find Podcasts” button to proceed.
This may take a bit of exploration, as Spotify Web Player currently does not feature a search bar for its podcast section. A different batch comprised of the most popular podcast shows will be recommended at the top of the page. You can also manually search for other podcasts by exploring the “Categories” section. Each features hundreds if not thousands of unique shows and episodes.
Currently, there are 12 categories of podcasts for you to dive into, including Stories, Education, Music, Lifestyle & Health, Gaming, Business & Technology, Art & Entertainment, Sports & Recreation, Comedy, Kids & Family, Social & Culture, and True Crime. Clicking on any of the categories will reveal all podcasts with the corresponding tags, so simply tap the ones you feel interested in, and you will be taken to the podcast’s official Spotify Web Player page. Under the photo of the podcast will be a small “Follow” button, so click it to add this podcast to your Spotify library.
Follow Artists & Albums
This section intertwines with Spotify Web Player’s search bar. Whether you want to follow new albums or artists, all you need to do is either browse through the provided categories, or use the search tool at the top of the screen to type the name, keyword, or tag related to your search.
The main difference here is that instead of listing all the artists, songs, playlists, albums, and podcasts with the same tags, Spotify Web Player will narrow its search parameters to artists, albums, playlists, episodes, and profiles exclusively.
Similarly to adding new podcasts, tap on the artist or album you want to follow. After coming to their page, find the “Follow” button below the photo/artwork, and you’ll be able to find it in your library.
Liked Songs
The fastest way to access the songs you’ve previously liked on Spotify is to tap on the “Liked Songs” tab located on the left side of the interface (right under “Create Playlist”). To like any new music or song on Spotify, all you need to do is tap the “heart” symbol on the track itself. The heart is gray until pressed, and it will turn green once the song is liked. All the songs you’ve interacted with this way will appear in your “Liked Songs” section for quick access, where you can listen to them again, add them to your playlists, or unlike them.
Upgrading to Spotify Premium: Why Do It?
All free Spotify accounts can be upgraded to Spotify Premium. Spotify offers several different subscription options, all of which provide robust upgrades to the Web Player’s functionalities, as well as bringing brand-new ones to the table.
With a free Spotify account, you can listen to all your favorite music, find any artist, enjoy all podcasts, make new playlists, and enjoy the ones other Spotify users made. However, there are several limitations of free accounts, with the most notable being the low audio quality. There are numerous benefits to be reaped by subscribing to Spotify Premium, and in this section, I’ll address the most important ones.
No More Ads
By upgrading to Spotify Premium, your favorite music won’t be interrupted by ads and sponsored content. As soon as you switch to a paid plan, you won’t need to activate Spotify’s ad blocker; this feature works automatically and will remain active as long as your subscription is valid.
Download Songs and Podcast Episodes
Users who have a free Spotify account cannot download any content. Premium users, however, can download up to 10,000 songs per account. You can enjoy your downloaded content offline on whichever device you want.
Parental Controls
The Spotify Family premium plan offers all the “regular” features of other premium subscriptions plus the option to block explicit content. If you’re a parent who wants to control what your children are viewing and listening to, Spotify Premium is the way to go.
High Audio Quality
People who use Spotify for free may not be too thrilled about the quality of the songs they’re listening to, and that has nothing to do with the production or execution of said music. Namely, the free version of Spotify limits the audio quality to basic settings (160 kbps). Premium Spotify accounts have access to drastically better-sounding music (320 kbps).
Multiple Plans Available to Choose From
You can upgrade your free Spotify account to one of the four Premium subscription plans, including Individual, Duo, Family, and Student. The Spotify Student is the cheapest subscription costing only $4.99 per month removing ads and supporting offline & online on-demand playback. This is the only plan that requires verified enrolment paperwork verified by any US-based university. Individual Spotify Premium is fairly affordable, costing $9.99 per month. Aside from Spotify Student, Spotify Individual Premium is the only other subscription plan that only supports a single account (user). Spotify Duo was designed for couples or up to two friends who wish to split the bill, paying $12.99 for two separate Spotify Premium accounts. Spotify Family follows the same line of thought but extends the number of supported accounts to 6 while costing $15.99 per month.
FAQ
Although Spotify Web Player is very easy to use, there are dozens of features, settings, and options that newcomers probably know nothing about. In this section, I’ll take you through some of the most frequently asked questions about how to use Spotify Web Player.
Can I listen to music on Spotify without an account?
No, you can only browse Spotify content but you cannot interact with it in any way without at least a free account.
Is Spotify free to use?
All content available on Spotify can be accessed for free, but you can always upgrade to a paid subscription to enjoy the exclusive features of Spotify Premium.
Are the Spotify app and Spotify Web Player the same?
Technically speaking, the app and Spotify Web Player offer the same functions and are nearly identical aesthetically. They are not the same pages, however. The main purpose of the Web Player is to enable people who have not installed the app to use Spotify’s features.
How to open Spotify Web Player?
Either Google search “Spotify Web Player” and tap on the first result, or type “open.spotify.com” in your URL bar and tap the “Enter” key.
Is there a way to remove ads from Spotify music?
You can either upgrade to Spotify Premium or use third-party ad blockers to remove the ads.
How to turn off shuffle on Spotify?
We have an entire guide explaining how to turn off shuffle on Spotify, so definitely check it out! One thing you should keep in mind is that while everyone can do it on the desktop app, turning off shuffle on the mobile app is only available for users with a paid subscription.
What kind of content is available on Spotify Web Player?
Music, albums, playlists, podcast shows, and accompanying artwork form the bulk of Spotify’s content.
My Spotify Web Player keeps pausing, what should I do?
There are several reasons why your Spotify keeps pausing, some of which include poor connection or using Spotify on too many devices. For the full list of reasons and how to fix it, check out this article.
How can I see lyrics on Spotify Web Player?
It’s actually really easy to see lyrics on your Spotify Web Player, just click on the small microphone icon located in the top right corner (while playing a song). If you’re having trouble finding it, check out our full guide.
How do I change my payment method on Spotify?
In order to change the Spotify payment method, all you have to do is access the account overview page from your Profile and click on Update (located slightly below information regarding your next payment).
How do you delete a Spotify account?
To delete a Spotify account you need to first cancel your Spotify subscription as only free members can delete the account. After that, you have to open up Support section of your account and close your account from there. If you need help with this, I suggest you read this article.
Wrapping Up
Mountains of content and profile customization options make Spotify the leading streaming service in the current market. Exploring its basic features may take weeks while uncovering what you can and can’t do on this platform could be incredibly time-consuming if you’re new. I hope that This article helped you have the most pleasurable Spotify Web Player experience.

The post How To Use Spotify Web Player in Your Browser (2023 Guide) appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

Reasons to Turn Off Your PS5 Controller;

Before we delve into the “how ” lets briefly discuss why you might want to turn off your PS5 controller in the place;

Saving Battery Life; The DualSense is quite power hungry so turning it off when not in use will help extend its battery life over time. This way you won’t constantly have to charge it.

Troubleshooting Connectivity; Sometimes turning the controller off and back on can help re establish a connection if you’re experiencing lag, input delays or complete disconnection issues.

Preventing Accidental Inputs; If you have pets or small children powering down the controller will prevent them from accidentally turning it on and messing with its settings while its paired and powered on.
Here are three simple methods to turn off your DualSense controller for the PlayStation 5;

1. Press the PS Button; The quickest and easiest way is to press the PlayStation button located in the middle of the controller. Once pressed the light around the touchpad will turn off indicating that the controller has powered down.

2. Wait for Automatic Shut Off; If you don’t manually turn off the DualSense it will automatically power down after being inactive for 10 30 minutes. This feature ensures that it doesn’t stay on indefinitely when not in use. The lights will flicker to indicate that shut off is about to happen.

3. Physically Flip the Toggle Switch; Underneath the controller you’ll find a switch, with markings “1” and “0”. Slide this switch to the “0” side to instantly power down the DualSense physically. This switch can also be used as a button if you face any connectivity issues.

Customizing Auto Shut Off Time; If you want to customize how long your PS5 controller stays inactive before powering down follow these steps;

1. Go to Settings > System > Power Saving.
2. [Continuation of instructions would be provided here if needed.]Choose the option “Set Time Until Controllers Turn Off.”

You can select a time duration of either 10, 30 or 60 minutes of inactivity.

Additional Suggestions

Here are some suggestions to help you manage and extend the battery life of your PS5 controller;

Reduce the brightness of the lightbar by going to Settings > Accessories.
If not necessary disable. Trigger effects as they consume battery quickly over time.
of using Rest Mode, fully power down your PS5 to prevent any unnecessary drainage when idle.
Consider investing in a charging station or dock for convenient battery top ups.

That’s it! With these three methods to power down your DualSense wireless controller customizable auto shut off settings and additional tips, for saving battery life you’re now fully prepared to keep your PS5 gamepad powered off and preserved during those long gaming sessions. Now go ahead. Enjoy gaming!

The post How To Turn Off PS5 Controller? appeared first on TechdrivenHome.

Why Are My AirPods So Quiet?

Apple AirPods can become more quiet than usual for several reasons:

You left the Low Power Mode on.
Your Volume Limiter is on.
The interior is obstructed by debris.
Running on low battery.
Outdated software version.
Technical difficulties regarding hardware.
Each of these scenarios requires a slightly different approach. So take a deep breath and check out the most common issues and fixes to your “Why are my AirPods so quiet?” problem.

Reason 1: You Left the Low Power Mode On

Apple devices have a convenient function called “Low Power Mode.” It preserves as much battery as possible while enabling you to use most functions, albeit at reduced capacity. When this mode is turned on, your iPhone display won’t be as bright, for example. Similarly, the sounds coming from your device won’t be as loud. Even if your AirPods are fully charged, you’ll have low volume coming out.

Here’s how to disable Low Power Mode:

Open the iPad/iPhone Settings app.
Tap Battery.
Turn off Low Power Mode – if the slider is green (turned to the right), tap it until it grays out (turns to the left).
You can immediately check if this solution has fixed your problem. If not, let’s explore some other potential fixes.

Reason 2: Your Volume Limiter Is On

Volume limiter is an inbuilt function that sets the maximum volume limit on an Apple iPhone or iPad device. This volume control can be quite convenient at work or school, but many people forget to deactivate it. The volume limiter function is both togglable and customizable. Your iPhone/iPad will automatically use the 85 decibels settings when off. Remember that although you can set it up to 100 decibels, using volume settings over 85 decibels for extended periods is not considered safe.

To adjust the volume limit, follow these steps via Sound Settings:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad.
Tap Sounds & Haptics.
Tap Headphone Safety.
Toggle Reduce Loud Sounds to On (green slider turned to the right).
Set the decibels to your desired level using the volume slider shown in the image above.
Reason 3: Your AirPods Are Running On Low Battery

Low battery level is one of the most common reasons why your AirPods aren’t as loud as they should be. This situation is very different from Low Power Mode, as you can’t simply toggle a function to make the problem disappear. The ability to transmit and receive signals is diminished at critically low battery levels. Don’t be surprised if your AirPods periodically disconnect from your Apple iPhone and are a bit quieter than usual. This problem typically occurs when the battery drops to 10% or lower. Solution? Well, just charge your AirPods!

Reason 4: Your Apple Device Needs a Software Update

Dated software can cause a range of bugs, including muffled AirPods volume. Since all iPhone, iPad, and Mac models receive automatic software updates, you’d assume that this is not a common issue. However, there are several reasons why the device couldn’t receive an update. These include internet issues, a pre-existing bug that was not resolved with the latest update, problems on Apple’s end, or something simpler – the user deactivating automatic updates. Whatever the case, you may want to check if software updates are available for your iPad, iPhone, or Mac. To do so, simply tap “Settings,” go to “General,” and tap “Software Update “on your iPhone.

Reason 5: Your Equalizer Settings Are Not Suited for Music Listening

All modern smartphones feature inbuilt equalizers that allow users to customize frequency response and the soundstage of their phone. More specifically, an inbuilt music app is equipped with EQ settings that can be tweaked to make a custom audio setup. You may have lent your phone to a family member or a friend who did not like your equalizer settings and tweaked them to their liking. Consequentially, what used to be loud sounds may now be quieter, muffled, or barely audible noises.

To deactivate the Equalizer function, open the “Settings” app, tap on “Music,” tap “EQ,” and select “Off.”

Reason 6: Bluetooth Connectivity Problems

Bluetooth pairing is a two-way street in that both devices need to recognize and connect to each other. Sometimes, one or both devices may experience difficulties maintaining the connection and will periodically disconnect and automatically try to reconnect. Bluetooth connectivity problems can be easily solved by disconnecting and reconnecting the AirPods via Bluetooth settings.

To unpair your Apple AirPods from the playback device:

Put your AirPods in a case and keep the lid closed. Wait around 30 seconds before opening the lid.
After that, open the Settings app and tap on Bluetooth.
An option with a small “i” icon should appear next to the name of your AirPods. Tap this icon.
Now tap Forget This Device.
Long-press the button located on the charging case for about ten or so seconds. You can let go of the button once the indicator light begins flashing. This will unpair your devices, so pair them back again, and the problem should be solved.
Reason 7: Dust, Debris, Earwax, or Sweat Are Obstructing the Sound

When you bought your Apple AirPods, you received the instructions manual that describes how to charge and store them. Many people already know how to charge Apple products and skip these instructions. One of the most important parts points out that you should keep your AirPods safely tucked inside a case when they are not being used. Even though this describes the charging process, it is also a crucial element of basic maintenance.

Leaving your Apple AirPods out makes them susceptible to dust, sand, and small debris that can infiltrate the buds through tiny openings (which were designed to help the device “breathe”). Even people that are always keeping their AirPods in closed containers after they’ve finished listening to music or podcasts can experience this issue. Namely, earwax can enter AirPods as well. The quick fix I recommend for this situation is cleaning your AirPods thoroughly. To ensure this issue doesn’t come back in the future, I recommend cleaning them with a soft, lint-free piece of cloth and/or cotton swabs.

FAQs About AirPods Volume

The issue of quiet AirPods is fairly common – even if you own AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. And knowing that there are more than a few potential causes, I’m sure you have a question or two about the process, or things like the ear tip fit test. In this section, I will answer some of the most popular questions regarding this topic.

Why is one of my AirPods quiet?

If both of your AirPods are not producing the same volume, dust, earwax, or debris likely entered one of them. Routinely cleaning both AirPods will significantly reduce the chance of this problem occurring again.

How to make AirPods louder?

To make your Apple AirPods louder, you should keep the playback device charged before you play music and deactivate the volume limit (if it’s active). You can also crank the EQ settings up to make AirPods louder at the expense of sound quality.

Why are my AirPods so quiet at full volume?

There are several reasons why AirPods can be quieter than usual. The most common reasons include the low battery on the playback device, poor AirPods maintenance, and outdated software on the playback device. You may also want to deactivate the Low Power Mode and adjust the volume limiter.

Why is the sound coming from my phone even if my AirPods are connected?

If you’re running into this issue, the problem may lie elsewhere. For example, you may need to turn off automatic ear detection. That being said, we have an entire guide surrounding this problem, so make sure to check it out for more in-depth solutions.

3 Most Common Reasons Why Your AirPods Are Too Quiet

I’ll wrap this one up with three of the most common reasons why your AirPods sound quieter:

You left the “Low Power” mode on – fix it by going to Settings > Battery > Turn off Low Power Mode.
Your volume limiter is on – fix it by opening Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety > Turn on Reduce Loud Sounds and set the volume slider to the desired level.
Your AirPods battery is low – fix it by charging them!
I hope I was helpful today. Stay safe!

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