Everyone has tech issues and they are usually because things are more complicated then they have to be. Listen and learn how to simplify your tech life. With Frank Bravo.
Your phone goes everywhere with you — which means it’s also one accident away from disaster. Whether it slips into a snowbank, lands in a bowl of holiday leftovers, or… yes… takes a dive into a porta potty (it happened to a friend), the big question is always the same:
👉 “Will I lose everything?”
In this episode, Frank breaks down the simplest, quickest way to make sure the answer is always no. January is the perfect “set it and forget it” moment to lock in your phone backups for the year, and you only need a few minutes to protect your photos, messages, contacts, and more.
We’ve talked about backups on this show before — full computer backups, cloud storage, organizing your digital life — but we’ve never dedicated an episode to phone backups. And considering how much of our lives now live on these devices, it’s long overdue.
Get ready for a practical, calm walkthrough you can follow step-by-step.
💡 What You’ll Learn
Why phone backups matter more than ever (and why most people think they’re backed up when they’re not)
The difference between sync and backup — and why it matters
The 5-minute backup setup for both iPhone and Android
How to protect your photos, messages, and app data without stress
Which apps don’t back up automatically (and how to fix it)
How to create a simple local backup for extra peace of mind
A super quick monthly check to make sure everything’s still working
🛠️ Key Takeaways
Turn on cloud backup
Turn on photo backup
Turn on message backup
Add one local backup if possible
Verify it’s all working
Set a monthly reminder to check again
Backing up your phone is one of the highest-impact, lowest-effort tech tasks you can do. Do it once, keep it running, and you’ll never panic if the unexpected happens.
🎧 Listen to the full episode
👉 Available now on your favorite podcast app and at YourTechMakeover.com.
❤️ Support the Show & Get a Bonus
If you enjoy this podcast and want to support it, visit YourTechMakeover.com.
Listeners who contribute $25 or more get $25 off a one-on-one consultation with Frank — perfect for fixing something, simplifying something, or finally getting an annoying tech task off your plate.
📦 Mentioned in This Episode
iCloud Backup
iCloud Photos
Messages in iCloud
Google One Backup
Google Photos Backup
Samsung Smart Switch
WhatsApp Chat Backup
Backup options for authenticator apps
Password manager syncing
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More recent episodes
🧹✨ Digital Declutter Day: Clean Up Your Tech in Just 30 Minutes
🧹✨ Your end-of-year reset for phones, laptops, and everything in between.
It’s the end of the year — the time when we clear out closets, toss old paperwork, and try (once again) to start January feeling somewhat organized. In this episode of Your Tech Makeover, we’re doing the digital version of that… in just 30 minutes.
If your phone keeps warning you about storage, your laptop fans sound like they’re preparing for takeoff, or your digital life just feels messy, this quick, focused cleanup is your reset button. We’re breaking it into four simple blocks — Files, Photos, Apps, Email — plus a two-minute backup check to make sure your most important data is safe.
No perfection required. Just progress.
🧭 What You’ll Learn
Here’s what you’ll be able to do after listening:
🗂️ File Cleanup (8 minutes)
• Clear out your Downloads folder without overthinking
• Sweep your Desktop in two minutes
• Identify and delete space-hogging files
• Make sure your cloud sync (Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive/iCloud) is actually working
📸 Photos & Media Cleanup (8 minutes)
• Delete screenshots in bulk
• Merge duplicate photos
• Remove “video monsters” that take up gigabytes
• Build two simple albums to create future organization momentum
📱 Apps & Notifications (5 minutes)
• Delete unused and duplicate apps
• Quiet the nonstop alerts that drain your focus
• Keep only the notifications that truly matter
📧 Email Reset (9 minutes)
• Use the “Sort by Sender” trick to clear hundreds of messages fast
• Unsubscribe from the three senders cluttering your inbox
• Perform the “Clean Slate Move” for instant inbox relief
• A callback to one of the very first episodes: How I Keep My Email Inbox Empty — Really
💾 Bonus: Backup Check (2 minutes)
• Confirm your phone is backing up automatically
• Make sure your computer has a recent, successful backup
• Avoid the heartbreak of data loss (because this podcast really cares about backups)
💡 Mentioned in This Episode
• Troubleshooting 101 – Simple Fixes for Everyday Tech Problems
• How I Keep My Email Inbox Empty — Really
• iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive
• Apple Photos duplicate finder
• YourTechMakeover.com (listener contributions)
🙏 Support the Show
If this episode helps simplify your tech life, consider supporting Your Tech Makeover. Your contribution keeps the podcast independent and listener-driven — and as a thank-you, supporters who give $25 or more receive $25 off a one-on-one tech consultation with me.
Visit YourTechMakeover.com to learn more.
📬 Stay Connected
Have a question? A topic suggestion? A digital mess you want help untangling?
Email me anytime at frank@yourtechmakeover.com.
You can find past episodes, resources, and more at YourTechMakeover.com.
The holidays are here and so are the people asking, “Hey, what’s your Wi-Fi password?”
Before you start shouting “capital Q, lowercase x, seven, nine,” take a breath. In this episode, Frank Bravo walks you through the easiest and most secure ways to share your Wi-Fi with guests, without turning into the household tech support desk.
Whether you’re hosting family for the holidays or just want to make it simple for friends to connect, you’ll learn how to keep things quick, friendly, and secure.
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
🔐 How to set up a Guest Network and give visitors internet access without exposing your devices.
📱 How to share your Wi-Fi with a QR code, the fastest, no-typing-required way to connect.
🤝 How to use tap-to-share features on iPhone and Android for trusted friends and family.
⚙️ Myths and must-dos for Wi-Fi security and why hiding your network name isn’t actually safer.
🚀 Quick troubleshooting tips for common connection issues and slow speeds.
🏡 Why It Matters
Holiday gatherings often mean a parade of new devices—phones, tablets, smartwatches—all hungry for Wi-Fi.
Learn how to keep your guests happy and your smart home secure with a few simple settings you can change in minutes.
💬 Mentioned in This Episode
Guest Network settings (available on most routers like Eero, Nest Wi-Fi, Orbi, and TP-Link)
QR code sharing in iPhone and Android Wi-Fi settings
Apple’s “Share Password” pop-up for iOS and Mac devices
Android “Nearby Share” for quick Wi-Fi sharing
Router firmware updates for better security and performance
This week on Your Tech Makeover, professional photographer and Stanford University instructor Don Feria joins Frank Bravo to share real-world tips for taking better photos with the camera you already own, your phone.
Just in time for the holidays, Don and Frank break down what separates a good phone photo from a great one. From lighting and composition to phone-specific settings, you’ll learn how to capture the moments that matter most, whether that’s a Thanksgiving feast, a Christmas tree glow, or kids and pets who refuse to stay still.
🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
📱 Why mobile photography has changed the way we capture memories — and how to use that “studio in your pocket.”
⚙️ The real difference between High Efficiency and Most Compatible camera settings on iPhones.
🖼️ Simple composition tricks to make your photos instantly better (and what to watch for in the background).
💡 Lighting made easy — how to find soft, flattering light indoors and outdoors.
🍗 Holiday photo tips for food, family group shots, and fast-moving kids and pets.
✨ Editing basics that make photos pop without overdoing it.
🗂️ Quick ideas for keeping your photo library organized (and backed up safely).
🧠 Key Takeaways
Even small changes — like moving a few feet for better light — make a big difference.
You don’t need fancy gear; understanding your phone’s features goes further.
Practice before the big day: try shooting scenes with both shadow and light so you’ll know how your camera reacts.
If you enjoy Your Tech Makeover, please consider supporting it with a small donation — listeners who contribute $25 or more will receive a free 30-minute tech consultation to help simplify your own digital setup.
So, what’s one photo tip you plan to try this holiday season? Let me know what you think — and, as always, if you have ideas for topics you’d like me to cover, reach out at frank@yourtechmakeover.com.
Thanks for listening to Your Tech Makeover. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and visit YourTechMakeover.com for more episodes, transcripts, and show notes.
