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How to Wrangle the Chaos of Your Digital Clutter

Tips to stay sane and keep tidy in this extremely online world, from killing zombie apps to scraping yourself from people-finder sites.

Corrie Evanoff

Read when you’ve got time to spare.

Looking to finally unclog your device storage, or keep companies from hoarding your personal data? Check out these digital organization and clean-up tips from the pros, from how to take control of your search results to finding the hidden, sanity-saving settings on your phone. Plus, how to avoid losing that beloved bevy of open tabs. (You’re welcome.)

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Not Using a Password Manager? Here’s Why You Should Be

Experts recommend password managers for convenience and enhanced online safety, yet few of us use them.

How To Clear Out Your Zombie Apps and Online Accounts

All those services you signed up for but forgot about? They’re a security risk. Here’s how to get rid of them.

How to Digitize Old Photos With Your Phone

Bring memories back to life by taking your old pictures into the future. We tested three popular photo scanning apps against a scanner.

The 5 Apps I Depend on to Keep My Life and Data Organized

If your life and data are becoming harder to sort, it’s time to use software that helps you avoid chaos.

How to Scrub Yourself From the Internet, the Best That You Can

You will never be able to fully delete all traces of yourself but you can minimize it.

BONUS READ: How to Remove Your Data From People-Finder Sites via Popular Science.

How to Save Open Tabs on Any Web Browser

Step away from the internet and save all your browser tabs to come back to later. We’ll show you how on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.

The Best Note-Taking Apps for Collecting Your Thoughts and Data

There are a variety of note-taking apps available to collect your data.

How to Stop Spam Robocalls From Clogging up Your Phone

A few years ago, the FCC passed a measure to help block the annoying (and illegal) calls.

This IPhone Feature Will Filter Out Spam and Texts From People You Don’t Know

An easy-to-miss setting makes managing your texts a lot easier. On iPhone, go to your message settings to find this helpful feature.

Android Settings You May Not Know About

From using less mobile data to live captions for videos, these settings will make your phone run more smoothly.

The Right Shortcuts Can Give Your iPhone Superpowers. Here’s How.

Take the pain out of tedious tasks with Apple’s Shortcuts app.

How to Find the Hidden Files on Your Phone or Computer

You shouldn’t mess with some of them—but there are others you should be aware of.

BONUS READ: How to Properly Archive Your Digital Files via WIRED.

Companies Are Hoarding Personal Data About You. Here’s How to Get Them to Delete It.

Here’s where to find the right forms and email addresses — and why data rights requests under the consumer privacy act are so complicated.

How To Fix Your Super Slow Computer

Don’t toss it, just give it some love (and much-needed storage space).

How to Organize Your Tech and Purge That Random Box of Cables

You will never need that weird charger from 2012. These tips to tidy up your tech will help you sort out your cable collection, organize your gadgets, and get rid of aging ones.

Want More? Here’s How to Make Peace With Your Phone

The siren call of your phone’s latest beep or buzz can feel irresistible. Nir Eyal shares strategies for taking back some control.

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