Posted on October 6, 2021
Here’s how to unlock your phone with Face ID while wearing a mask
We’re 18 months into the pandemic, and we all know that face masks are critical to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
But we also know that it’s impossible to unlock our phones in public using facial recognition while wearing our masks. While this sounds like a problem of privilege, there are many people who must wear masks in their workplaces all day (think nurses, food service workers and other essential employees) and need to use their phones without removing their masks.
If you’re still struggling to quickly unlock your phone in public while wearing a face mask, we’ve got you covered. In this week’s tip, we’ll show you how to unlock your iPhone or Android device while wearing a face mask using facial recognition or Face ID.
How to unlock your iPhone using Face ID while wearing a mask
Instructions if you own an Apple Watch
Early in the pandemic, there were few good solutions for Apple users who wanted to unlock their phones with Face ID while wearing a face mask. In the months since, Apple has introduced a clever solution, but it requires an extra Apple device — an Apple Watch — which will act as a secondary authentication device to unlock your phone. Here’s how to enable this feature:
Before you begin:
- You must own an iPhone that uses Face ID (iPhone X or later) and has iOS 14.5 or later, as well as an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7.4 or later
- Make sure your Apple Watch and iPhone are paired and that both have Bluetooth and WiFi enabled.
- Ensure your Apple Watch has a passcode, and wrist detection is turned on.
How to enable & use the feature:
- Put on your Apple Watch & unlock it. Then, put on your mask.
- Go to Settings > tap Face ID & Passcode and type your passcode.
- Find Unlock with Apple Watch, then turn on the feature next to your watch’s name.
- To unlock your phone while wearing your mask, raise or touch your phone to wake it up.
- Glance at the screen, which should unlock it. Then, you can slide the screen up to begin using it.
If you’re having trouble, visit this help page at Apple. If you have a new iPhone 13, you may need to update your iOS. If all else fails, you can still use a passcode to unlock your device.
Train your phone to recognize your mask (maybe)
This is an unofficial tip, but you may be able to train your iPhone to recognize your face while wearing a mask. There are many anecdotes and YouTube videos claiming this is possible. You’ll need to set up an alternate appearance with your mask on or partially on.
We haven’t tried this for ourselves, so we can’t vouch for its effectiveness. The folks at 9to5mac detail some possible steps you can take if you’d like to reset your Face ID or set up an alternate appearance using this method. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
Unlock your Android with facial recognition while wearing a mask
We must preface this by saying this is also an unofficial tip so we cannot guarantee success. However, Android also has a version of facial recognition that can unlock your phone without entering a passcode or pattern — and may work if you’re wearing a mask.
To enable it, you have to set up an alternate appearance similar to the steps for the iPhone noted above. Here’s how, but please note that these instructions may vary or not work depending on your device’s manufacturer or version of Android OS.
- Unlock your device and put on your mask.
- Go to Settings > Security (or Security & Location, or Biometric & Security)
- Tap Face Recognition
- Tap Add Alternative look
- Follow the on-screen instructions to add a new trusted appearance
Posted on October 5, 2021
Vote for Earth Guardians, Hollaback!, and Supermajority this October
Every month, CREDO members vote to distribute our monthly donation to three incredible progressive causes – and every vote makes a difference. This October, you can support climate justice, ending harassment and women’s rights by voting to fund Earth Guardians, Hollaback!, and Supermajority.
Earth Guardians
Earth Guardians works to inspire and empower youth globally, to participate and lead in creating impactful solutions to the climate crisis. Youth leaders connect through the arts, storytelling and community organizing.
CREDO funding will directly support youth empowerment to create powerful change using arts, storytelling, organizing and legal action. Your vote will enable Earth Guardians to inspire impactful solutions to the critical issues we face as a global community.
Hollaback!
Hollaback! works to end harassment in all its forms by transforming the culture that perpetuates hate and harassment. The organization carries out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.
Your support will provide free bystander intervention trainings at a time of increased need. With CREDO members, Hollaback! can meet this moment, providing people with effective skills to de-escalate and end harassment against impacted communities.
Supermajority
Supermajority is a racially diverse, intergenerational community of over 5 million women who are organizing and voting for a more equitable future. The organization is uniting women with shared values of safety, dignity, and respect to transform our country.
Funding from CREDO will support women as voters. Supermajority is sharpening online tools and resources to make organizing and volunteering easier than ever and pushing conversations forward on women’s priorities like care, paid leave, and a living wage.
Your vote this month will determine how we divide our monthly donation among these three progressive groups. Be sure to cast your vote to support one, two or all three by October 31.
CREDO members who use our products and services everyday are the reason we are able to make these donations each month. Learn more about CREDO Mobile and CREDO Energy and join our movement.
Posted on October 5, 2021
CREDO’s Progressive Crossword Challenge: Can you answer all 11?
Do you Reduce, Reuse and _ _ _ _ _ _ _? Did you “Feel The _ _ _ _?” Do you know how much CREDO has donated to progressive organizations since we were founded in 1985?
If you can answer these, then you should have no trouble with CREDO’s Progressive Crossword Challenge!
Test your progressive knowledge by answering all 11 crossword puzzle clues — either on-screen or printed out — then check your answers on our blog.
Try your hand at our new progressive crossword below, then scroll down for the answers. Don’t cheat!
DOWN
1 – An organization not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit
2 – Pride month
3 – Post-9/11 government surveillance act
5 – “Feel the _ _ _ _”
7 – Most common natural disaster around the world
8 – Year Roe v. Wade was decided
ACROSS
4 – State with the most restrictive abortion la as of Sept. 2021
5 – Acronym for a social movement dedicated to fighting racism and police brutality against Black people
6 – An action you take during elections
9 – Last of the three Rs
10 – Total amount donated by CREDO Mobile so far
11 – Phone company that donates $2 million annually to progressive nonprofits
CLICK HERE TO SEE ANSWERS.
Posted on October 1, 2021
Our September grantees thank you for your support
Each month, CREDO members vote on how we distribute funding to three incredible nonprofits. Those small actions add up – with one click, you can help fund groups working for voting rights, climate justice and women’s rights. In September, CREDO members voted to distribute our monthly donation to Democracy for America, Inside Climate News, and Women’s March.
These donations are made possible by CREDO customers and the revenue they generate by using our services. The distribution depends entirely on the votes of CREDO members like you. And for that, our September grant recipients thank you.
Democracy for America
$50,105
“Thank you CREDO Members! Your support will allow us to launch a comprehensive data driven organizing campaign in support of our candidates up and down the ballot. Your commitment to social change empowers our volunteers to be able to reach voters all over the country.” – Yvette Simpson, CEO Democracy for America
To learn more, visit https://www.democracyforamerica.com.
Inside Climate News
$46,941
“Thank you for your continued support and partnership! CREDO members like you make it possible for Inside Climate News to continue to raise the bar for groundbreaking, independent journalism focused on the escalating climate crisis.” – David Sassoon, founder and publisher
To learn more, visit https://insideclimatenews.org/.
Women’s March
$52,954
“Thank you for your support of our movement. CREDO members like you make Women’s March’s work possible– CREDO grants have supported the millions of women in our base to take action for gender, racial, and economic justice.” – Rachel O’Leary Carmona, Executive Director, Women’s March
To learn more, visit womensmarch.com.
Now check out the three groups we are funding in October, and cast your vote to help distribute our donations.
CREDO members who use our products are the reason why we are able to make these donations each month. Learn more about CREDO Mobile, the carrier with a conscience.
Posted on September 30, 2021
How to transfer your data to a new smartphone
It’s one of the most common questions we get: How do I transfer all the data and information from my old smartphone to my brand new or gently used phone?
The good news is that moving your information to a new phone these days is really easy — and only takes a few simple steps to get up and running on your new device.
In this week’s tip — just in time for the brand new iPhone 13 — we’ll run through how to transfer your data and settings to a new device in a few easy steps.
Moving data from your old iOS device to a new iPhone or iPad
Apple has made moving your data from one phone to another incredibly easy with a system called “Quick Start.” Here’s how to automatically move your important data to your new device.
Before you start:
- Have your Apple ID and password ready.
- If you have an Apple Watch, unpair it from your old phone.
- Make sure you have a backup of your old device before beginning. Here’s how to back up your phone.
Transfer your data (courtesy of Apple)
- Choose a time when you will not need to use both your old and new devices. The process may take a little while.
- Plug in both devices; ensure your old phone is turned on. Place both devices near each other, and turn on your new device.
- A screen appears on your current device that offers the option of using your Apple ID to set up your new device. Make sure that it’s the Apple ID that you want to use, then tap Continue. If you don’t see the option to continue on your current device, make sure that Bluetooth is turned on.
- Wait for an animation to appear on your new device. Hold your current device over the new device, then center the animation in the viewfinder.
- Wait for a message that says Finish on New [Device]. If you can’t use your current device’s camera, tap Authenticate Manually, then follow the onscreen steps.
- When asked, enter your current device’s passcode on your new device. Then follow the instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID on your new device.
- When you see the Transfer Data from [Device] screen, tap Continue to begin transferring your data from your previous device to your new device. Or you can tap Other Options to transfer apps, data, and settings from your most recent iCloud backup or transfer from a backup on your computer.
Quick note: This method is only available if your devices are running iOS 11 or later (Here’s how to check).
If you are unable or do not want to use Quick Start to move your data, you can also check out how to use iCloud or iTunes or Finder from Apple’s website
Moving data from your old Android device to a new one
Transferring your data from an old Android to a new one is just as easy. You will still need to backup your old phone, but the process to transfer your data is quite simple.
Before you begin:
- Charge both phones
- Double-check that you are able to unlock the old device
- On your old phone, go to Settings and sign in with your Google account.
- Backup your data: Go to Settings > System > Backup, then choose Backup Now > Continue. (Note that these instructions may be different depending on your device’s manufacturer)
Transfer your data (courtesy of Google)
- Turn on your new phone.
- Tap Start. If you don’t see “Start,” you can copy your data manually.
- When asked, choose to copy apps and data from your old phone.
- If you have a cable to connect your phones, follow the on-screen instructions to copy your data.
- If you don’t have a cable:
- Tap No cable? > Ok.
- Tap A backup from an Android phone.
- To copy your data, follow the on-screen instructions.
If you are having trouble, you can copy your data manually from one phone to the other. Here’s how.
How to transfer your data from iOS to Android — or Android to iOS
Some new and existing CREDO members sometimes make the switch from Android to a new iPhone, or vice-versa. While transferring data to a new operating system isn’t difficult, it does involve a few extra steps.
That’s why we have a separate blog post to walk you through this painless migration. Check out our previous post “How to migrate your phone’s data from Android to Apple iOS — and back.”
Posted on September 22, 2021
How to instantly speed up a sluggish smartphone
Is your smartphone not running as quickly as it used to? Is it acting slowly when you open new browser tabs or switch from app to app?
We know how frustrating it can be — but don’t worry! The fix could be something as easy as cleaning up some space or clearing out your cache. Here are a few simple tricks to get your phone running like new again.
If you’ve noticed that your smartphone feels generally slower than it did when you first unboxed it, then you might need to clear your device’s cache, the temporary storage of data that keeps your phone from having to download the same data over and over again.
Your phone’s cache usually keeps your device running quickly, but if it gets full, it’s time to empty it out. Clearing your browser and app cache will free up valuable space, especially on older models, and hopefully speed up internet browsing and general phone performance at the same time. Here’s how:
Instantly Speed up your Apple Device
Clearing cache on an iPhone or iPad using Safari (via Apple)
- Go to Settings > Safari
- Tap Clear History and Website Data, then confirm.
If you use another common browser on your iPhone or iPad, here are the instructions for Google Chrome and Firefox.
Offloading apps on Apple device to clear space
You may also see improvement by deleting data or cache for individual apps on your smartphone, especially if you have a device that has limited storage.
You can do this by offloading certain unused apps that are using up a lot of space, which will temporarily delete the app from your device, but retain its settings and documents if and when you decide to download the app again.
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage)
- Scroll down to see a list of apps arranged by how much storage space each is using.
- Tap the app that is using up a lot of space.
- If you’re not currently using the app, but want to save its data and documents, click Offload App.
- If you don’t think you’ll use the app again, and you also don’t care about losing associated data, click Delete App.
Alternatively, you can enable your Apple device to offload unused apps automatically when you’re running low on space. You can do this by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage) and click Enable to turn on that feature.
Instantly Speed up your Android Device
Clearing cache on an Android device using Chrome (via Google)
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chrome app.
- At the top right, tap three dots for More.
- Go to History > Clear browsing data.
- At the top, choose a time range. To delete everything, select All time.
- Next to “Cookies and site data” and “Cached images and files,” check the boxes.
- Tap Clear data.
Clearing app cache on an Android device
Similar to the iPhone, you can clear out cache for individual apps to improve performance. (Note: Instructions may vary depending on manufacturer and model)
- Go to Settings > Storage > Internal Storage
- Tap Cached Data
- Tap “OK” to clear out app cache for all apps.
Here are some additional tips from Google on speeding up an Android device.
Restart your device
When all else fails, it’s always a good idea to restart your device, which can free up some memory, stop background processes or unstuck an app that is causing you problems.
- Here are some detailed instructions to restart your iPhone or restart your iPad.
- Here are additional instructions to restart a Samsung device or turn off your Pixel.
Consider upgrading your device
If your phone still isn’t performing the way you’d like, consider upgrading your device. We are offering some amazing deals on the latest smartphones — and your phone bill will help empower climate justice, civil rights and economic justice, at no extra cost. Visit CREDOMobile.com and find the phone that’s right for you!
Posted on September 21, 2021
These corporations are funding the Texas ban on reproductive rights
When an extreme abortion ban went into effect earlier this month in Texas — where 7 million women of reproductive age live — one in every ten women in the country now have had their reproductive rights essentially stripped away.
The right-wing Texas politicians who sponsored this attack on abortion rights are funded by some of the largest household brands in the country, including big names in insurance, technology, automotive and Big Telecom — most notably, the mobile giant known for its blue globe logo and long-time backing of Republican causes.
If you’re looking to change your consumer behavior, or if you want to hold these corporations accountable, check out the top 10 corporations who funded the Texas ban on reproductive rights.
The Texas law, commonly referred to as S.B 8, is one of the most deplorable attacks on reproductive freedom in the country and bans abortion after six weeks, before most people even know they are pregnant. The law rewards private citizen bounty hunters for turning in anyone who helps someone receive reproductive care.
Thanks to the tenacious research and reporting by Judd Legum and his team at Popular Information, here are the top corporations that have bankrolled the sponsors of S.B. 8:
Their analysis also revealed that many of these companies have publicly come out in favor of women’s rights, then privately donated hundreds of thousands to extreme politicians who wage war on women’s rights and restrict abortion care.
Take, for example, AT&T — a long-time funder of right-wing causes and politicians. In 2020, AT&T issued a report on diversity and inclusion saying that “gender equity and the empowerment of women” was a core value of the company. And just last month, it celebrated Women’s Equality Day, saying it was “a day to reflect on the many challenges women in our society still face to achieve equity.”
Challenges, indeed…like seeking reproductive care in Texas. With $301,000 donated to the sponsors of S.B. 8, AT&T is making it much harder for women and those seeking abortion to achieve equity.
It’s not surprising that AT&T is near the top of this list, but it’s still loathsome. As of March of this year, AT&T donated $574,500 to the backers of Texas voter suppression bills. The company donated millions to Donald Trump and hired his criminal associates. Over the last two years AT&T donated $1,079,500 to anti-LGBTQ federal politicians, and another $2.7 million anti-LGBTQ politicians in 2017 and 2018.
Here at CREDO, our customers can be confident that their phone bills will never fund anti-women or anti-abortion politicians. Just the opposite: Since 1985, our members have helped us donate more than $10 million to groups fighting for women’s rights and reproductive freedom, like Ultraviolet, NARAL Pro-Choice America and National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. We are proud to be one of Planned Parenthood’s largest corporate contributors, having donated more than $3 million over the last three decades.
If you’re not a CREDO member yet and want your mobile phone to empower women’s rights, along with climate justice, civil rights, economic justice, visit CREDOMobile.com and find the right phone and mobile plan for you.
Posted on September 16, 2021
Immediately update your phone to protect yourself from this dangerous spyware
Researchers recently discovered a vulnerability that could allow dangerously invasive spyware to be installed on Apple devices, so we are urging all owners of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac products to immediately update your devices to protect yourself from this spyware that can allow someone to control your phone without your knowledge.
While it’s unlikely your phone has been infected with this malicious spyware, known as Pegasus, it’s important you update your devices immediately. The software has been found on the devices of journalists, activists and executives, so we are asking everyone — whether or not you’re a CREDO customer — to update your devices right now to prevent this spyware from being installed on your device.
To learn more and for a quick tip on how to update your Apple devices, please click here.
Pegasus was developed by Israeli cyber-surveillance company NSO Group and allows hackers to access and control your devices without your knowledge. The New York Times referred to it as the “Holy Grail of surveillance because it allows governments, mercenaries and criminals to secretly break into someone’s device without tipping the victim off.”
Apple quickly released updates for its products to address the vulnerability, including iOS 14.8 and iPadOS 14.8 as well as updates for macOS Big Sur, macOS Catalina and watchOS. Here’s how to update your devices to protect yourself from this threat:
How to update your iPhone, iPad or iPod to iOS 14.8
- Plug your device into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update.
If your device says it’s already updated to version 14.8, then you should be all set. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to turn on automatic updates.
How to update macOS
- From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose System Preferences > Software Update.
- Click Update Now or Upgrade Now.
How to update your Apple Watch
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap My Watch > General > Software Update > Tap Download and Install.
Posted on September 13, 2021
With help from CREDO members, DFA is empowering the next generation of progressive leaders
Since 2004 Democracy for America has fought back against conservative tactics with courage and the campaign experience that has made big things possible for grassroots candidates. Each year we work hard to empower the next generation of progressive Democrats with battle-tested, legacy-quality tools and material support. DFA’s proven system of using influential endorsements, strategic campaign support, training, fundraising, and national outreach has elected more than 1,000 progressives to office in all 50 states over the past 17 years.
Through the years we have worked tirelessly to build an unflinchingly progressive, people-powered movement that wins up and down the ballot in all fifty states. Not only has DFA raised over $70 million for candidates we’re also committed to grassroots organizing and providing direct voter contact campaigns, through this work we have made over 24.5 million voter contact calls to help drive turnout in key states.
In 2020, like many organizations, we faced a unique challenge. We had to remove Donald Trump from the White House, expand our majority in the House and flip the Senate. In response to one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime, DFA decided to launch Protect America’s Vote (PAV), to make sure we delivered for progressive candidates. The PAV program was designed to get out the vote by reaching out to voters who vote infrequently. Traditionally infrequent or sporadic voters are an ignored segment of the electorate but throughout our years of work, DFA has consistently seen that reaching out to infrequent voters and helping them make a plan to vote is one of the best ways to expand the electorate and deliver wins for progressive candidates.
The PAV program was able to show voters the importance of the election, help them find where they vote, and make sure they made it to the polls. DFA members signed up from all across the country and were trained by DFA staff on the best practices for GOTV. Our volunteers were able to effectively text and respond and assist voters in Battleground states. DFA members made over 1.6 million voter contacts in Georgia alone in the run-up to the November 3 election — helping deliver the state for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. It was the first time in nearly three decades that Georgia went blue in a presidential election.
A few months later with the Senate majority on the line, DFA members continued to contact Georgia voters and help them make an actionable plan to cast their ballots for Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff by January 5. We set a goal of making 3 million additional voter contacts by the runoff election. With the help of our amazing volunteers and partners, we were able to surpass that goal and help flip the senate. In just the last election cycle alone we were able to text over 7 million infrequent voters and newly registered voters in 13 battleground states across the country including Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
In 2021, we are not taking an “off-year”. We plan to work just as hard for our progressive candidates across the country and get voters to the polls this November. In 2020, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia were proof that our 50 State Strategy, when combined with unapologetically progressive messaging, can flip red and purple states to blue. We recruited hundreds of thousands of voters who, for years, hadn’t shown up to the polls. The appeal of progressive candidates and sustained engagement by DFA earned their votes. These votes were transformative in 2020, but without continued investment, we risk losing them in 2021 and 2022. That is why we plan to launch our text out the vote campaign this Fall in states like Virginia and Pennsylvania to make sure we do not lose any of the ground we worked so hard to gain.
Republicans’ fear of the 50 State Strategy and the popularity of progressive ideals have only made their attempts at voter suppression more brazen. The January 6th insurrection is further proof that they will embrace white supremacy, violence, and oppressive authoritarian tactics to win. However, no matter what the other side decides to do we know that grassroots people-powered campaigns win with the right support and resources and DFA will continue to do the work to build a true democracy for America.
Posted on September 13, 2021
Groundbreaking reporting on the climate crisis, from Inside Climate News
The Chemours chemical plant in Louisville, Kentucky, emitted more greenhouse gases annually than all the cars in the city put together – until Inside Climate News came along. Their reporters shined a spotlight on the plant, and in response to ICN’s stories, the company announced it will clean up 90% of its greenhouse gas pollution within two years, the rest within four. The end result will be equivalent to taking 750,000 cars off the road.
This is just one example of how ICN makes a difference. Inside Climate News is the leading voice of independent climate journalism in the country. Its groundbreaking work reduces greenhouse gas emissions, holds polluters accountable, empowers voters, and protects communities suffering from environmental injustice.
Now in its 13th year, Inside Climate News has built the largest dedicated climate newsroom in the country. They’ve published thousands of stories, released investigations that have permanently changed the national conversation, and won dozens of awards, including a Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting.
ICN is, and has been since its founding, ahead of the curve on climate change reporting. In 2015, the ICN team revealed how Exxon worked at the forefront of climate misinformation, denying the science its own researchers had confirmed. ICN’s investigation spawned the global hashtag #ExxonKnew and earned many of journalism’s highest honors, including recognition as a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
Their journalists have decades of expertise reporting on a topic that is still new to many reporters today. They have had a defining impact on national climate coverage, and continue to publish agenda-setting stories. Now they are again breaking new ground in their coverage of environmental justice, and also their work in local news markets, acting as a life-preserver and force multiplier for environmental journalism.
Environmental injustice has long been a beat at ICN, but last year the newsroom moved it to the center of their coverage, focusing on how climate impacts disproportionately affect communities of color and burden vulnerable populations. Since then, almost a quarter of the stories they have published sits squarely at the point where climate change and justice intersect. The newsroom also welcomes, trains, and mentors up-and-coming journalists of color through an ongoing fellowship program.
ICN brings environmental journalism to underserved communities and strengthens the reporting capacity of local newsrooms through its Environment Reporting Network. ICN’s reporters and editors work in partnership with dozens of local news outlets to support and deepen their environmental reporting, and ICN’s local reporting is free and available for partners to co-publish. The goal is to provide a vital and fundamental civic service, to inform underserved readers with accurate and balanced news about the climate crisis afflicting their daily lives.
Unlike their primary competitors, ICN’s work can reach anyone, anywhere – free of charge – with no paywall or subscription fee, filling a public service mission that only ICN, at the moment, can fill.
This month, you can vote to help CREDO distribute a portion of our monthly grant to Inside Climate News and help them further invest in reporting the facts about the climate crisis. Visit CREDODonations.com this September to cast your vote.
