Straight answers
Short, plain-English answers to the tech questions households ask us most, from landlines and laptops to Wi-Fi, scams and helping older parents.
The old copper phone network is due to finish switching off by 31 January 2027. Providers are moving customers to digital landlines in stages before then, and should write to you before your line is moved.
Landline switchover help →Usually yes, once it's plugged into your broadband router or a digital phone adapter instead of the wall socket. Some older or unusual handsets need replacing. Check any extensions in other rooms too, as old wiring may no longer be used.
Landline switchover help →Not on its own, because the router needs power. Keep a charged mobile phone as a backup, and ask your provider about a battery backup unit, especially if you or a parent rely on the landline.
Landline switchover help →Many do, but it must be checked. Tell both the alarm provider and the phone provider that the alarm uses the landline before the switch, then test the alarm afterwards to make sure it still connects.
Landline switchover guide for families →Rather we sorted it for you? We'll reply within a few hours.
Book a visitOnly if it's still getting security updates. Microsoft's Extended Security Updates for home PCs run until 12 October 2027, but the PC must be enrolled. Check Windows Update for the enrolment option, or upgrade to Windows 11 if your PC supports it.
Windows 10 help →Enrol it in Extended Security Updates to stay protected until October 2027, then plan a replacement. If it's slow or failing anyway, moving to a new laptop now may be the better choice.
Windows 10 help →Back up the old laptop first. Then sign in to your accounts on the new one, move photos and documents with OneDrive, iCloud or an external drive, and reinstall the programs you need. Check printers and email before wiping the old machine.
Get photos off an old laptop →Back up anything you want to keep, sign out of your accounts, then reset it using the option that cleans the drive fully. Many councils and retailers take old computers for recycling.
Rather we sorted it for you? We'll reply within a few hours.
Book a visitWalls, floors and distance weaken Wi-Fi, especially in older brick houses. Move the router somewhere central and off the floor, and if that isn't enough, a mesh Wi-Fi system usually works far better than a plug-in extender.
Fix Wi-Fi dead spots →Evenings are when everyone streams, so your provider's network and your own Wi-Fi are busiest. Run a speed test with a cable to the router: if that's fast, the problem is your Wi-Fi, not the broadband.
Wi-Fi slow in the evening →For larger homes, homes with thick walls or a garden office, usually yes. Mesh uses several units working as one network, so you get strong Wi-Fi in more rooms without switching networks as you move around.
Is mesh Wi-Fi worth it? →Run an outdoor-rated network cable from the house and put an access point or mesh unit in the garden office. If a cable isn't possible, an outdoor wireless bridge with a clear line of sight works well. Plug-in extenders rarely reach far enough.
Garden office Wi-Fi guide →Only if they know the password or your router is insecure. Use WPA2 or WPA3 security with a long password, change the router's admin password, and check the router's list of connected devices for anything you don't recognise.
Secure your home network →Rather we sorted it for you? We'll reply within a few hours.
Book a visitUsually the one that matches the family's phones: an iPad if the family uses iPhones, so you can help and video call easily. Setup matters more than the model: larger text, a simple home screen and only the apps they'll use.
Set up an iPad for a parent →Turn on call and text filtering, register their number with the Telephone Preference Service, and agree a simple rule: the bank will never ask them to move money or share a code. Make sure they know who to call if unsure.
Spot scam calls and texts →Yes. Remote support tools let you see and control their screen with their permission. Only use a tool you've set up yourself, and teach them never to let a caller they didn't expect onto their computer.
Remote tech support →Yes. A home visit lets someone patient set up devices, video calls and scam protection in person, and leave written notes. You can book on their behalf and ask for a summary afterwards.
Tech help for your parents →Rather we sorted it for you? We'll reply within a few hours.
Book a visitDon't call the number. It's a scam. Close the browser, or restart the computer if it won't close. Microsoft never shows a phone number in a warning like this. If you already called and let someone on, disconnect from the internet and get help.
Fake virus warning pop-ups →Never share it, even with a friend's number. It's how WhatsApp accounts are stolen. If you already shared it, reopen WhatsApp and verify your number again, then turn on two-step verification in Settings.
WhatsApp code scam →Use the provider's official recovery page to get back in, change the password to a new one, sign out of all other sessions, check recovery details and forwarding rules, and turn on two-step verification. Then change any other account that used the same password.
Hacked email: step by step →iPads don't need it: keep them updated and only install from the App Store. Macs have strong built-in protection, so for most people keeping macOS updated and being careful with downloads and links matters more than extra software.
Without planning, family can struggle to access them. Set up Apple's Legacy Contact and Google's Inactive Account Manager, use a password manager with emergency access, and keep a simple instruction sheet with your will.
Digital legacy setup →Rather we sorted it for you? We'll reply within a few hours.
Book a visitCheck Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see what's using the space. Photos and messages are usually the biggest. Turn on iCloud Photos with Optimise Storage, delete large old videos, and set messages to delete after a year.
iPhone storage full →Many smart devices only work on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, and some routers combine 2.4GHz and 5GHz under one name. Stand close to the router during setup, and if it still fails, temporarily separate the two bands.
Smart device won't connect →Yes. A home visit can set up a new phone, tablet or laptop, move photos, contacts and WhatsApp chats from the old one, and set up email and security properly so nothing gets lost.
Computer and device help →Rather we sorted it for you? We'll reply within a few hours.
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