If you’ve ever downloaded an app that promised to “change your life,” only to end up deleting it a week later… same. Most of us don’t need more tech. We need the kind of simple, low-effort tweaks that make our phones, laptops, and smart devices behave like helpful assistants instead of needy toddlers.
That’s the vibe behind TechChick.co.uk—practical tips, no jargon, and a focus on what genuinely improves your day-to-day. And in this guide, I’m pulling together the top Tech Chick-style tech tips that actually make life easier—the ones that save time, reduce digital stress, and quietly make you feel like you’ve got your life together.
Let’s get into it.
Quick wins first: 10 tips you can use today
If you only do a few things from this article, do these:
- Turn on Find My (phone + laptop) so losing a device is an inconvenience, not a crisis.
- Use a password manager and let it generate strong passwords. (Also: stop reusing passwords. Future-you will thank you.)
- Learn 5–7 keyboard shortcuts you’ll use daily.
- Set up automatic backups using the 3-2-1 rule (it’s simpler than it sounds).
- Add at least one offline backup for ransomware-proof peace of mind.
- Create a “Tap to do a thing” shortcut on iPhone using Back Tap.
Now let’s break these down with real steps and use-cases.
Why these tips matter more than ever
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most digital trouble isn’t “hackers in hoodies.” It’s small human mistakes and everyday exposure—weak passwords, missed updates, clicking the wrong thing, or forgetting where your data lives.
The Verizon 2025 DBIR highlights that human involvement in breaches hovered around 60%, and ransomware appeared in 44% of breaches reviewed.
That doesn’t mean you should panic. It means the boring basics—backups, updates, safer logins—are the real life-easers. Because fixing a problem once is annoying. Fixing it again (or losing your files) is the kind of stress nobody needs.
Tech Chick phone tips: make your smartphone do the boring stuff
1) Use Back Tap to trigger your most-used actions (iPhone)
This is one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” features.
With Back Tap, you can double- or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to do things like:
- Take a screenshot
- Open Control Center
- Turn on the flashlight
- Run a Shortcut (like “Text my partner I’m on my way”)
Apple documents how it works and where to set it up.
Suggested setup (simple but powerful):
- Double tap: Screenshot
- Triple tap: Flashlight or “Open Notes”
It’s tiny… but you’ll use it constantly.
2) Make “Find My” non-negotiable
You don’t have to be a forgetful person to misplace a phone. It happens in cafés, taxis, sofas, hotel beds—basically anywhere humans exist.
At minimum:
- Turn on device location
- Make sure you can sign in and lock/wipe if needed
Google’s “Find your phone” flow is designed for this exact moment.
Real-life scenario:
You leave your phone in a ride. If Find My is set up, you can lock it and display a message within minutes. If it’s not set up, you’re stuck hoping a stranger is kind and tech-savvy.
3) Set up “focus by default” notifications (not endless buzzing)
This isn’t about being a productivity robot. It’s about not being interrupted 57 times a day by apps that don’t pay your bills.
A good rule:
- Allow calls from favorites (or repeated calls)
- Allow time-sensitive alerts
- Everything else can wait
If you want a Tech Chick approach: make your phone politely quiet most of the day, and loud only when it matters.
Laptop & desktop tips: get time back with shortcuts and automation
4) Learn shortcuts that remove daily friction
You don’t need 80 shortcuts. You need the ones you’ll hit 20 times a day.
Microsoft’s own shortcut guide is a good starting point.
My “actually-used” shortlist (Windows + Mac equivalents):
- Copy / Paste: Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V (Cmd+C / Cmd+V)
- Search: Win+S (Cmd+Space for Spotlight)
- Switch apps: Alt+Tab (Cmd+Tab)
- Screenshot: Win+Shift+S (Cmd+Shift+4)
Habit trick: pick two shortcuts for a week. Then add one more. Don’t try to become a shortcut wizard overnight.
5) Use templates for the things you type over and over
If you write the same kind of email, proposal, or meeting notes repeatedly, stop rewriting from scratch.
Create:
- A “polite follow-up” template
- A meeting notes format
- A weekly status update structure
This is one of those invisible upgrades that makes you feel weirdly on top of life.
Security that also makes life easier (yes, really)
6) Use a password manager (and stop reusing passwords)
This tip saves time and protects you.
NIST’s digital identity guidance focuses on practical security and modern authentication practices.
The point isn’t to memorize 40 passwords. The point is to use long, unique ones without thinking about it.
What this looks like in real life:
- You log in with autofill
- It generates strong passwords
- It warns you if a password is weak or reused
That’s less mental load, fewer “reset password” loops, and far less risk if one site gets breached.
7) Update your software like it’s brushing your teeth
Not exciting. Extremely effective.
The DBIR notes exploitation of vulnerabilities as an initial access route grew and accounted for a meaningful portion of breaches.
Updates are basically tiny “close the door” moments. Don’t leave the door open.
Make it easy:
- Turn on auto-updates where possible
- Pick one day a month to manually check anything that doesn’t auto-update (router firmware, smart devices, etc.)
Backups: the ultimate “future me” life hack
8) Use the 3-2-1 backup rule (without making it complicated)
CISA breaks this down clearly:
- 3 copies of important files
- 2 different storage types
- 1 copy off-site
A simple home version:
- Copy 1: Your laptop/phone
- Copy 2: Cloud backup
- Copy 3: External drive you plug in weekly (then unplug)
9) Keep at least one backup offline
The UK’s NCSC has warned that ransomware incidents can impact not just live data, but connected backups too—hence the value of offline (“cold”) backups.
Translation: if your backup drive is always plugged in, it’s not really a safety net.
A realistic routine:
- Plug in your external drive once a week
- Back up automatically
- Unplug it and store it somewhere safe
Smart home tips that don’t feel like a hobby
10) Start with one smart plug (the gateway upgrade)
Smart homes get ridiculous when you try to do everything at once. The easiest win is a smart plug.
Use it for:
- A lamp (automatic evening lighting)
- A fan or heater (scheduled on/off)
- Charging routines (turn off after midnight)
One plug = immediate convenience. No “smart home remodel” required.
A simple table: best tips by effort vs payoff
| Tip | Setup time | Payoff |
|---|---|---|
| Turn on Find My / device tracking | 5–10 min | Huge (loss protection) |
| Password manager + autofill | 15–30 min | Huge (security + time) |
| 5 keyboard shortcuts | 10 min | Medium-to-huge daily |
| 3-2-1 backups | 30–60 min | Huge (disaster proofing) |
| Add an offline backup | 10 min weekly | Huge (ransomware resilience) |
| iPhone Back Tap shortcut | 3–5 min | Medium (daily convenience) |
FAQs
What are the best tech tips to make life easier?
The best tech tips remove daily friction: turn on device tracking, use a password manager, learn a few shortcuts, automate backups, and keep one backup offline.
What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?
The 3-2-1 backup rule means keeping 3 copies of important data on 2 different storage types, with 1 copy stored off-site.
Why should I keep an offline backup?
Offline backups help protect your files if ransomware hits connected drives or cloud storage. Keeping a “cold” backup reduces the chance your backups get encrypted too.
Are keyboard shortcuts really worth learning?
Yes—because they save seconds that add up all day. Start with a few high-frequency shortcuts (search, screenshot, switch apps) and build gradually.
Conclusion: small tweaks, calmer days (and yes—more time)
Here’s the funny thing about “life-easier” tech tips: they rarely look impressive. Nobody’s going to applaud you for setting up backups or learning shortcuts.
But you’ll feel the difference.
When your phone is findable, your passwords are handled, your files are protected, and your daily clicks shrink… tech stops being something you manage and starts being something that supports you. That’s the whole point—and it’s exactly why TechChick.co.uk and the Tech Chick mindset work so well: practical, calm, and genuinely useful.
If you want a simple next step, pick one tip from this list and do it today. My vote? Password manager + Find My. Those two alone prevent a shocking amount of future stress.
