Wsphonea phone without lock-in: a reference for every platform

An independent reference about smartphones. Not affiliated with the former site on this domain; we sell nothing and do not distribute apps or files. Menu items and feature names on your device may differ.

Glossary

Glossary

Phone settings and help articles are full of words everyone seems to have heard but few can explain. We have gathered the most useful terms and put them in plain language, without technical details an ordinary user will never need.

Syncing and backup are not the same thing: syncing will faithfully copy even your accidental mistake to every device.

— Editor's view

How this section works: definitions are given in plain words and are not tied to a particular platform. On your phone the matching setting may have a different name.

Device and system

Operating system
The phone's main software, which manages the screen, memory and connectivity and runs apps. Examples are Android, iOS and, once upon a time, Windows Phone.
Security update
A small system update that fixes discovered vulnerabilities. When support for a device ends, these updates stop coming.
End of support
The point after which the developer no longer releases fixes for the system. The phone still turns on, but it becomes more and more vulnerable.
Factory reset
Returning the phone to the state it was in out of the box: all data, accounts and apps are deleted.
Forced restart
Restarting a frozen phone with a special button combination when the normal on-screen power off does not work. No data is erased.

Data and backups

Backup
A saved snapshot of the phone's data at a given moment, from which you can restore information on the same or a new device.
Syncing
Keeping data constantly matched between devices and the cloud. Convenient, but something deleted on one device usually disappears on the others too.
Cloud storage
Space on internet servers where the phone sends files and backups. Access to it is protected by your account.
Cache
Temporary files that apps save to work faster. You can clear them to free up space without losing important data.
Account
Your profile with a system developer or service: username, password and the data, purchases and settings linked to them.

Security and connectivity

Two-factor authentication
Signing in with two different confirmations, such as a password and a code. Knowing the password is not enough for an attacker; a second step is needed.
Recovery codes
A set of one-time codes that let you sign in to an account if your main verification method is unavailable.
IMEI
A unique 15-digit mobile device number. On most phones, dialling *#06# displays it.
App permissions
The rights you grant an app: access to the camera, microphone, contacts or location. You can revoke them in settings.
SIM card
A card or built-in carrier module that lets the network recognise your number. Calls, SMS and mobile data depend on it.
  • Security

    Screen lock and account protection, app permissions, what to do if your phone is lost or stolen, and what the IMEI number is for.

  • Tools

    Features built into almost any smartphone: device finder, password storage, backup, parental controls, battery saver and system updates.

  • Guides

    Step-by-step guides: preparing to switch phones, moving contacts and photos, two-factor codes, resetting the old device. The article catalogue lives here too.

What we relied on

  • Official help centres of mobile operating system developers
  • Digital security recommendations for users

Dates and definitions were checked against the official help materials of operating system developers at the time of writing. Mobile systems are updated regularly, so menu names and steps on your device may change over time.