Genshin Impact is not available on Xbox, and the company itself acknowledges that not having the game on their side has hurt the company in more than one way. HoYoverse’s hit RPG has mustered up more than 63 million players across platforms, with Microsoft missing out on the action.

What is Genshin Impact?

For those unaware, Genshin Impact is a free-to-play roleplaying game developed by Shanghai-based studio miHoYo (later rebranded to HoYoverse). The game’s core idea is to explore the open world, complete quests for rewards, collect and upgrade characters and weapons, and fight enemies and bosses to progress through the game.

The game clearly draws inspiration from Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with its art style and strategic elemental combat options. With the game’s story, you play as a traveler who arrives in a fantasy world, Tevyat, where they get separated from his sibling. The game’s objective is to essentially find your lost sibling and explore the seven nations of Tevyat.

The story of the game is arguably one of its weaker points. With little focus on the main objective — finding your lost twin — to complicated magical jargon within cutscenes, it’s hard to ignore the lack of coherence. But the game’s strong RPG systems, its beautiful world, and its decent combat system are part of why Genshin Impact has become more popular by the minute.

READ MORE: How to Fix Genshin Impact Crashing on Windows? ➜

Which Platforms is Genshin Impact Available On?

At the time of this writing, Genshin Impact is available on all major consoles on the market, excluding Xbox. HoYoverse’s hit title is available to play on:

• Windows PC
• Sony PlayStation 5
• iOS
• Android
• Sony PlayStation 4

Nintendo, Mac, and Xbox users will have to wait to see if the developers plan to release the game on other platforms. However, given the strategy and the results outlook, there’s a huge possibility that the game will remain a PlayStation console exclusive.

Nintendo Switch & macOS Release

There have been numerous reports since the game’s release for a Nintendo port, but that move has yet to see the light of the day. HoYoverse, however, confirmed that the game was in development back in 2022. Genshin Impact’s official YouTube channel even uploaded a Nintendo Switch trailer for the game in January 2020, but even after 4 years, there are no strong insights as to whether the game will be ported to the Switch in the near future.

With macOS and Apple’s increased focus on the gaming sector, it’s possible that the next few years may see HoYoverse bringing the Genshin Impact to Mac. At the time of this writing, however, no official statements have been made in this regard.

READ MORE: How to Fix Genshin Game files Download Error? ➜

Why is Genshin Impact a PlayStation Console Exclusive?

Genshin Impact was released to the public in late 2020, prior to which there was quite a strong feeling between the two console giants, Sony and Microsoft, about making the game an exclusive on either platform. For the first two years after its release, the general sentiment was that miHoYo was not interested in developing an Xbox version, with speculation that this decision was related to poor Xbox One sales in the East.

In a 2022 Reuters report, a Microsoft spokesperson revealed that Microsoft had been in contact with the developers during the development phase of Genshin Impact but failed to reach an agreement. The company regrets this, particularly since the game has made Sony a lot of money—the exact figure is unknown, but we know that it’s huge.

Genshin Impact has sold over 60M copies, most of which comes from the mobile segment, where the title has racked up north of a whopping $5 billion in consumer spending within 40 weeks, coming ahead of titles like Clash of Clans. But, with this report, it was seen that more than half of the audience came from China and Japan, two areas where Microsoft has seen weak console sales and needs a lot of catching up to do behind its rival, Sony.

READ MORE: When is Phasmophobia Coming to Xbox? 2024 Release Date ➜

Is Genshin Impact Coming to Xbox Soon?

Xbox players shouldn’t get their hopes up just yet. As of this writing, there’s little to no mention of a port for Genshin Impact coming to Xbox. The game won’t be available on Xbox’s next-generation consoles anytime soon. HoYoverse’s recent release of its latest mainline RPG, Honkai: Star Rail, exclusively on PlayStation consoles further excludes Microsoft from the mix.

It is speculated that HoYoverse may have an internal agreement with Sony to keep its games PlayStation console exclusives. If this is true, Microsoft seems to have alternative plans – ones that involve developing a game similar to Genshin Impact, incorporating the core Gacha mechanic and RPG elements reminiscent of the hit title. This plan of action was revealed back in 2022, but the company has remained silent on the matter ever since.

READ MORE: Microsoft Reportedly Bringing Gears of War to PlayStation ➜

Should You Wait for Genshin Impact on Xbox?

The short answer is no! The developers have no plans to release an Xbox port of the game anytime soon, partially due to the great reception on other platforms. However, the counterargument to this could be that the game would be open to new audiences. In any case, it’s best to search for an alternative route if you wish to play the game right now.

Microsoft seems aware of the missed opportunity. The company’s internal insights and perspectives on not having Genshin Impact on their console line are no secret. Microsoft’s spokesmen have already stated that the company “regretted” not reaching an agreement with miHoYo in 2019. This experience now seems to be a major factor in Microsoft’s strong interest in independent, indie Chinese studios.

READ MORE: Microsoft Considering ARM CPU For Its Next Xbox Console ➜

Conclusion

Genshin Impact is inarguably one of the more popular titles at the moment. This, coupled with the game’s strong core RPG elements, has quickly turned it into a cash cow for the platforms it released on. Unfortunately for Microsoft, they missed out on the opportunity, resulting in consequences that the company regrets to date.

The post Is Genshin Impact Available on Xbox? When is it Releasing? appeared first on Appuals.

It’s no secret that Baldur’s Gate 3 is, for the most part, an open world. It is a massive game, to the point where a lot of sources even miscalculate the actual proportions of its main map. But even with such a gigantic exploration opportunity, there’s always room for more, and that is where mods come into play. This guide will go over a specific error — Failed to Read PAK — that comes up while using the Vortex mod manager for Baldur’s Gate 3.

What is “Failed to read PAK Vortex” in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Vortex — in simple terms — is a mod manager for video games that provides a nice little interface to manage and set up your mods. It’s mainly useful for titles listed on the Nexus Mods‘ website. In the context of Baldur’s Gate 3 and the described error message, it means that Vortex is having trouble reading the game’s PAK files, which are important for mods to function.

Most users who’ve encountered the issue have reported on online forums that when this happens, the game fails to load and instantly crashes. This is because you have mods enabled in Vortex, but Divine, within LSLib, is having issues reading the mod (PAK) files. The section below will first address the purpose of each of these files, followed by steps to resolve the issue.

READ MORE: How to Disable Baldur’s Gate 3 Cloud Saves on PC [3 Steps] ➜

What are PAK Files?

The PAK file is an archive format mainly used in video games to compress multiple files within a single archive format. It is commonly used to store assets such as the game’s graphics, textures, models, and sounds, which are important if the game is to be modded since these files would then be modified with a different set of assets.

Why Can’t Vortex Read Them?

There isn’t one answer that fits all to the reasoning behind the issue, but there are a couple of more common reasons as to why Vortex may be having trouble reading these files.

1. Outdated LSLib or Vortex: LSLib, the external library Vortex uses to interact with game files, might be outdated. While this shouldn’t be an issue, the older versions might have some missing dependencies, which is why the software might have trouble reading the game’s PAK files.
2. Corrupted BG3 Game Files: In most cases, the issue is attributed to Vortex, but it’s also possible that the PAK files themselves are corrupted or missing specific files needed to enable certain mods.
3. Missing .NET Dependency: Newer versions of LSLib (1.19.4+) may require a more recent version of .NET installed. Vortex relies on .NET 6 for its core functionality. However, LSLib may require .NET 8, which might not be installed on your system.

READ MORE: What are desktop.ini files and how to hide them? ➜

How to Fix the “Failed to Read PAK Vortex” Issue?

With Vortex, it is hard to single out the exact point where you went wrong. Perhaps you tinkered around with a file you shouldn’t have or recently updated Vortex or any of its dependencies. The section below aims to isolate and, subsequently, resolve the issue, which is why it is advised that you follow the guide stepwise, going through each of the solutions.

1) Update Vortex and LSLib

Your first plan of action should be to update Vortex before anything else. Usually, the app is programmed to update automatically, but it also shows a prompt when a new release is available. This way, you can manually update Vortex from within the app. However, if this prompt is dismissed, the updates are automatically installed in the background when the program closes.

For most people, the main issue lies in updating LSLib. When updating to a newer version, the mods often don’t work, and Vortex is unable to read the game’s PAK files. In this situation, if you’re looking for an instant fix, try reverting to a version of LSLib older than 1.19.4, preferably 1.18.7. You can download LSLib from GitHub, courtesy of Norbyte.

2) Install .NET 8 for LSLib

All versions of LSLib above 1.19.4 require .NET 8 to work. Previously, the library worked with .NET 6, which Vortex uses for its core functionality. As a result, .NET 6 was installed alongside it. Users who updated LSLib and did not have .NET 8 were mainly the ones who encountered the aforementioned error. The simplest and most probable solution to the problem of Vortex being unable to read PAK files is to install .NET 8.

It’s not important to dive into the intricacies of this toolkit since it’s outside the scope of this guide, but if you wish to install .NET 8, you can do so by visiting Microsoft’s official website.

3) Verify Game Files

Before verifying game files, make sure you have installed .NET 8 on your system. Once done, it is crucial that you verify the game’s integrity by running a “Verify Game Files” check on Baldur Gate 3’s main game via Steam. This is crucial to ensure that no files from the main game, that are important for it to work, are missing.

We have a separate, more detailed guide on verifying game files on Steam. It contains step-by-step instructions to not only fix a single title but also verify your entire Library folder. After verifying your game files, restart the game and check to see if the issue still persists.

READ MORE: How to Verify Integrity of Steam Game Files and Library  ➜

4) Reinstall Vortex

If all else fails, your best bet is to reinstall Vortex. It’s possible that the problem lies with Vortex itself or one of its specific settings. In either case, try uninstalling Vortex, download a fresh version from the official website (preferably the latest version), and install it on your PC. After that, try installing the mods again and see if the game works.

Conclusion

While it is unlikely that you would run into the aforementioned error out of the blue, it is always a good idea to go through the patch notes to verify if there are any changes to the required dependencies. In most cases, the issue should be resolved via installing the newer .NET toolkit, but if it doesn’t, the problem most definitely lies in the game files.

The steps to resolve each issue systematically are already described in detail above within the guide. These aren’t situation-specific solutions but those that have worked for a wider range of people on the Internet.

The post How to Fix “Failed to Read PAK Vortex” in Baldur’s Gate 3 appeared first on Appuals.

Fortunately, users outside of the EU could actually sideload apps onto their iOS and iPadOS devices, though at the expense of a bit of security, via SideStore. However, as with most loopholes on Apple devices, they become popular and are soon patched.

This guide will go over the potential reasons why this service may fail to work on your device and the recommended solutions to implement, not just to restore functionality, but also to ensure that your device remains safe.

What is SideStore?

SideStore, as the name suggests, is a third-party, untethered alternate app marketplace or “App Store” that allows you to sideload apps onto your iPhone or iPad. The service essentially allows you to circumvent certain restrictions and app distribution limitations set by Apple’s Developer Program.

Contrary to popular opinion, these services are not to be taken with a negative connotation. Sometimes, they include beta versions, tweaked apps, or those that are limited to serving a specific purpose for a very niche audience. The SideStore, in particular, is a fork of the more popular AltStore and is generally preferred by an average user since it saves the hassle of refreshing the app each week via PC.

 How Does SideStore Work?

It’s no secret that Apple flaunts its device security and, in fact, uses this as an argument to oppose loosening its restrictions for sideloading. However, iOS’ seedy underbelly, with services like SideStore and AltStore, leverages the company’s policies to bypass App Store’s sideloading restrictions. In fact, part of how SideStore works is linked to Apple’s Developer Enterprise Program.

This program or its provisioning profile system is meant for developers to test apps. These apps then use a personal developer account to sign and install them on the device using Apple’s official methods.

Apple also uses certain services to verify app authenticity. To bypass these, SideStore uses a temporary third-party VPN to establish an alternate connection to route the installation process for external apps outside the standard App Store’s verification flow.

READ MORE: How to Sideload Apps on Google TV & Android TV ➜

Potential Issues with SideStore

SideStore, with the way it works, isn’t the perfect sideloading solution. It is criticized for a lot of stability issues, mainly due to the way it operates. Most of these issues stem from the need to refresh sideloaded apps weekly.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the more common issues assosiated with the service:

1. Crashes During Weekly App Refresh: SideStore must refresh third-party apps’ signatures with new, valid certificates. Most of the time, however, the service crashes before it can refresh itself. There is a dedicated GitHub discussion forum that addresses this issue.
2. Can’t Refresh Apps via Shortcuts: The “Refresh all Apps” functionality within the Shortcuts app may sometimes fail to work. This is because the service can’t find a “pairing file” that is to be stored locally on your phone. There is a dedicated GitHub discussion forum that addresses this issue.
3. Unable to Launch SideStore: The app sometimes crashes after a fresh install before the expiry period ends. This issue is discussed in detail below.

READ MORE: How to Sideload Android Apps on Windows 11? ➜

How to Fix Issues with Launching SideStore?

This section will list all possible steps to take to identify and subsequently resolve the issue with SideStore not launching. Make sure that you proceed stepwise and follow all possible recommendations until the app opens without crashing.

1) Close and Reopen SideStore

If any app on your iPhone is buggy, laggy, unresponsive, or starts crashing altogether, try closing it from your recent apps. In the context of SideStore, particularly if you’ve correctly installed the app and have been using it for a long time, it’s more than likely that the issue lies within your device.

To close any app on your iPhone,

1. Swipe up to the Home Screen.
2. From the Home Screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen, pausing in the middle this time.
3. Swipe right or left and find SideStore within your recent apps (even if it crashes, you’ll still see the app in your Recents).
4. Swipe up on the preview (which most likely would be a blank screen) to close the app.

2) Restart Your iPhone

If SideStore isn’t responding or fails to open altogether, try restarting your iPhone. This method should be used as a basic troubleshooting step for all issues, as it can sometimes solve issues that are otherwise hard to explain.

To restart your iPhone,

1. Press and hold either of the two volume buttons on the left side and the power button on the right side.
2. When the power-off slider appears, release these buttons and drag the slider to the right to power off your device.
3. If your iPhone is completely unresponsive, force restart it by pressing and releasing the volume up and then volume down buttons, followed by holding the power button on the right side.
4. To power your device back on, hold the power button on the right side till the Apple logo appears.

READ MORE: iPhone Force Restart Not Working? Try These 9 Easy Fixes ➜

Since SideStore is used to sideload apps from within the app, it can easily eat up a huge chunk of your device’s storage—sometimes even more than 10GB. This can reduce the free storage space on your iPhone to the bare minimum. As this happens, the phone will try to compensate and will slow down.

To solve this issue, it’s advisable to offload (not uninstall) SideStore. The reason for doing this is that iOS and iPadOS don’t have a dedicated option to clear app data like Android does. Offloading the app keeps the app data but removes the app itself. You can then reinstall the app, which will be comparatively lighter and consume fewer resources than before.

It is important to note that while this will free up a bit of storage space, you may need to sideload some of the already installed apps again on your device. To offload an app on iOS,

1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Go to General > iPhone Storage.
3. Scroll down and tap on SideStore or the app you want to offload (we’ll be using WhatsApp as an example for this guide).
4. Tap “Offload App.”

READ MORE: What are Haptics on iPhone? Taptic Engine Explained ➜

4) Check for Proper Installation Procedures

Users who have recently installed SideStore are aware that the service itself has to be sideloaded onto their device via an external PC. The process can be a bit tedious, especially for Windows users, which is why it is possible that the correct installation procedures aren’t followed.

One such error relevant to the situation is that SideStore does not refresh right after installation. While the app does show a 7-day expiry period, a bug causing early expiry will prevent you from opening the app altogether. This happens because SideStore itself is operating on a temporary license certificate that needs to be refreshed periodically.

To fix this, refresh the app immediately after installing SideStore. The developers have mentioned plans for a future update that will automatically update and refresh the app, but this must be done manually for now.

5) Manually Refresh SideStore

If SideStore fails to launch or crashes, the most reliable solution is to refresh the app itself. You will generally find the option to do this within the app. However, for most users, all apps except SideStore refresh normally.

The solution to this issue is to find a newer version of SideStore in the .ipa format. You can usually do this by joining the company’s Discord server. From there, install the IPA file as you would for any other app, and voilà, SideStore will refresh itself.

What if it Doesn’t Work?

In a lot of scenarios, SideStore might fail to update. More often than not, the issue here is tied to the app’s pairing file, which needs to be refreshed.

To refresh the pairing file:

1. Open SideStore and go to Settings.
2. Under the Debug section, look for the option of “Reset pairing file.“
3. Download Jitterbug from GitHub onto your PC.
4. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the PC and run jitterbug.exe. A prompt will pop up on the phone asking for trust permissions.
5. Re-run jitterbug.exe, and it will create a new pairing file.

READ MORE: iOS 16 Jailbreak – Current Status & Everything to Know [2024] ➜

Conclusion

SideStore is riddled with all sorts of bugs and glitches, which can start to surface as new versions of iOS or iPadOS are released. Nevertheless, the issues with using it require a bit of technical know-how to troubleshoot. This guide has listed all the necessary steps to be taken to ensure that the issues with the app not launching are identified and subsequently resolved.

The post Unable to Launch SideStore? Try These 5 Easy Fixes! [2024] appeared first on Appuals.

Soon after the launch, the game saw a lot of performance hiccups, crashes, matchmaking errors, and more. Some users reported that they could not join their friends when queuing up for a mission. This guide will explain the issue in detail and provide possible fixes to troubleshoot the error.

What is the “Failed to Join Game Lobby” Error?

The “Failed to Join Game Lobby” error in Helldivers 2 is commonly faced by users when trying to join a different lobby, either public or from their friends list, for matchmaking. As of now, Arrowhead has not issued a public statement or patch to address this issue, but many speculate that it is tied to backend server problems.

Back in Feburary 2024, Arrowhead saw a massive spike in concurrent player count, and hence, decided to cap the server capacity to 450,000 players. However, even after the number of players dropped well below this, users experienced connection issues, primarily with connecting to their friends’ lobbies.

With this, it has been suspected that the developers have a limit for how many lobbies can exist within a geographical region that the server is handling. From the user’s perspective, there is a chance that the problem could stem from either server-side issues or even issues at their own end.

READ MORE: How to Fix Helldivers 2 Not Launching on Your PC ➜

How to Fix the Can’t Join Friends Error?

For every user, the issue — and the solution they implement — may be different. Generally, most users found the issue to be on the game’s end. Sometimes it’s due to the lobby limit for a region, other times it’s related to your internet’s IP address. Not just this, but it has been reported that sometimes a server bug can also prevent you from joining not just your friends’ lobbies, but any lobby at all.

The section below outlines the possible steps one could take to mitigate the issue. It is important to note that the problem may also lie on the user’s end, so it is advised that each step in the list should be checked off before proceeding to the next one.

1) Restart the Game

If you’re unable to connect to your friends’ lobby, and are continuously running into the same error message, your first course of action should be to restart the game. This can potentially remove the possibility of any bugs, or temporary glitches within the game.

A simple restart can sometimes fix issues that are otherwise hard to explain, so it should be the first thing you do if you come across any unusual error messages in-game. Helldivers 2, at launch, was known for its performance hiccups, and most of the time, a mere restart seemed to resolve most issues.

2) Check for Server Status Updates

It could be very much possible that the server for your region is down at the moment, though it is rare. If you, or your friends are having issues connecting to a lobby, chances are that the issue lies at the server-end.

At the moment, there isn’t a dedicated channel or forum where the devs post regular updates, but you can find any announcements or statements from the Helldivers team on X. Alternatively, you could also check out the Helldivers subreddit for updates from the community.

READ MORE: How to Fix “Unable to Establish a Connection to Game” Error in Helldivers 2 ➜

3) Use the Friend Code to Join a Lobby

Helldivers 2 allows you to generate a unique friend code to enter a lobby without manually inviting a user. This can sometimes help to eliminate any issues with external services like Steam or PSN. In the game, Crossplay is enabled by default, and this is important if you need to generate a friend code.

To generate a friend code, simply follow the steps down below:

1. Open your Social tab. On PC, you can do this by pressing the ‘O‘ button. On PS5, it’s the R3 joystick button.

   

2. In the bottom on the menu, where it says “Your Friend Code,” press “TAB” on PC, or ‘Y‘ on PS5 to generate a unique 8-digit code.

   

3. On the receiver’s end, this code should manually be pasted in the Search bar within the Social tab.

   

4) Use a VPN and Switch to a Different Region

On the internet forums, a lot of users have explained how the issue can be bypassed using a VPN. This would not only allow you to avoid the geo-restrictions for a certain lobby limit in your region but also allow you to switch to an area with lighter traffic, which generally increases the possibility of avoiding traffic-related errors.

If you’re looking to play regularly using a VPN, it is advisable to choose a safe option. We have compiled a list of the best VPNs suited for gaming, if you’re interested. For playing Helldivers 2 with your friends, this might be useful, not just for improving latency-related issues, but also for a secure connection to the server, ensuring that Steam doesn’t flag you for any suspicious background activity.

READ MORE: The Best VPN For Streaming and Gaming in 2024 ➜

5) Disable IPv6 to Force IPv4

At launch, a lot of players who had bought the game simply weren’t able to log in to the game, which prompted a serious backlash. However, as the community later found out, the game doesn’t work for most users on an IPv6 connection.

To eliminate the issue, you’d need to force IPv4 on your connection. The steps below showcase how to do just that on your PC.

1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
2. Type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter. This will open the networks connections window.

   

3. Right-click on your connection and select “Properties.”

   

4. Underneath the networking tab, scroll down to “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).”
5. Uncheck the checkbox on the left of this property, and then click OK.

   

6. Restart your computer.

READ MORE: How to Fix IPv4/IPv6 ‘No Internet Access’ Error ➜

6) Restart Your Internet Router (Dynamic IP)

Since most of the times, the cause of this error seems to be the connection, particularly the player’s IP address, it’s best to try the game with a different address. This can be done by force-changing the IP address. To do this, you will need to turn off your router, wait for some time, usually ~ 5 minutes, and then turn it back on. Your ISP will assign you a new IP address, which you can then use to try reconnecting to the game.

7) Request a New IP Address (Static IP)

For users with a static IP turning off the router won’t work, and the only course of action for them is to request a new IP via their ISP. However, it is important to know that this may come with a huge list of downsides, so it is vital for you to understand the reasons for having a static IP in the first place, before trying and requesting a new one.

8) Wait Before Trying Again

For the reasons mentioned above, namely busy servers or the lobby limit being reached for a region, it is commonly advisable to wait for a while before trying again. This will not only allow the developers to manage the high traffic load but might also clear up some lobby space as users leave the game.

Helldivers 2 did see an unexpectedly high concurrent player count during its initial launch phases, and it took the developers some time to adjust their servers to meet the demands of this highly passionate Helldiver community.

9) Wait for a Patch Fix

At launch, Helldivers 2 was a mess. It had unexpected bugs, glitches, and, to top it all off, inconsistent performance. Initially, the developers issued numerous patch fixes, often weekly, to try and fix the game. It took them some time, but as of this writing, the game is in considerably better shape than it was at launch. Hence, it is better to wait for the developers to push a patch update that permanently fixes the connection issues.

READ MORE: How to Fix “Failed to Create Lobby” Errors in Helldivers 2 ➜

Conclusion

If you can’t join your friends’ lobby in Helldivers 2, make sure that you single out the cause. Try and follow the steps mentioned in the guide one-by-one, and using the process of elimination, it’ll be easier for you to solve the issue. The game is still under fire for being underdeveloped and buggy, but the developers are rolling out weekly updates to try and solve most issues that players have with the game.

The post 9 Ways to Fix Helldivers 2 “Unable to Join Friends” Error [2024] appeared first on Appuals.

Sony’s first console, the PlayStation (commonly known as PS1), was inarguably a major stepping stone into gaming for an entire generation. Not just the hardware, but titles like Final Fantasy, Crash Bandicoot, and Gran Turismo became instant classics and are still etched in the memories of many.

In fact, it can be easy to remember the olden times, but not so easy to find an actual, working PS1. After all, it’s been three decades since its release. For this reason, and because no one uses a CRT TV anymore, a lot of people have turned to emulation on PCs and even mobiles (we have a separate guide on playing PS1 titles on mobiles if you’re interested).

However, these emulators do require something to mimic the actual hardware — a BIOS file. This guide will explain the purpose and importance of the BIOS file and how to find the right version for whatever purpose you need.

How Does a BIOS Work?

In the most basic sense, the BIOS, which stands for “Basic Input/Output System,” is the first layer of software that interacts with your device when it is powered on. It contains basic instructions to check if all necessary components of the device are in a working state and able to function.

After this, the BIOS initializes these components, performs a POST (Power-On Self-Test) to ensure everything is functioning correctly, and loads a particular piece of code, usually the bootloader for the operating system, into memory. This initiates the boot-up process.

READ MORE: What is Power-On Self-Test in Computers? POST Explained ➜

The PlayStation (PS1) BIOS

While “BIOS” is technically a term that originates from PC architecture, the PS1 has a “firmware” that performs in, more or less, the same way. For one, it contains the very basic instructions to initialise the system hardware, making sure that all components are ready to use, when the system is turned on.

When you insert a CD into the console, the firmware, or BIOS, doesn’t directly load the game itself. Instead, it first verifies if the disc is a valid PS1 title by reading the boot information and region codes on the game disc.

Once the disc is verified, the BIOS locates the game’s boot sector, which contains the instructions to load the main game executable. The BIOS provides hardware-level support to the boot process, such as memory allocation and initializing hardware components. After these initial steps are completed, the BIOS hands over control to the game code, which is then executed by the console.

⤷ Why Do You Need It?

At this point in time, the main reason for getting hold of a PS1 BIOS file is to emulate the iconic games of the console. Emulators typically require a BIOS file to replicate the functionality of the original hardware on a different device.

You might also have an old PlayStation and wish to revive it by flashing it with a new and supported BIOS file. Some people may also be interested in studying how the BIOS works, although this is pretty much very uncommon.

For the vast majority of PS1 emulators, you will certainly need a compatible BIOS file since they rely on low-level emulation, which replicates the hardware functions closely. Some more modern emulators also use high-level emulation, which emulates the console’s functionality without replicating its inner workings.

READ MORE: How to Fix a PC that Keeps Booting into BIOS Menu? ➜

How to Download and Install the PS1 BIOS?

Before you proceed, it’s important to note that acquiring the BIOS for PS1 can be a legal grey area and is clearly illegal in certain regions under specific circumstances. The BIOS files are Sony’s copyrighted material.

Step 1: Finding the Right PS1 BIOS Version

For the PS1, it’s important that you use the right version of BIOS to emulate its functionality. This is because Sony’s first two consoles, the PS1 and PS2, were region-locked for games, meaning you won’t be able to play a Japanese game on a European BIOS.

⤷ BIOS Revisions

The first PlayStation didn’t see a simultaneous global release. It launched in Japan in December 1994, and later in North America and Europe in September 1995. Over its production run from 1994 to 2000, Sony made a number of hardware revisions to the console.

These revisions, coupled with efforts to combat piracy, led to the release of multiple BIOS versions, with nearly over 30 different versions documented. These can be found on resources like the PlayStation Wiki.

⤷ Regional Compatibility

To find the appropriate BIOS version, look for the game you wish to play and where it was released. The BIOS revisions are divided into the television video standards for each corresponding country. For a more detailed insight, Sony has a list of countries with what video format is used in a particular country.

For the PS1 BIOS, regions were divided into NTSC and PAL formats. NTSC was used in countries like the United States, Japan, and parts of South America. PAL was used in Europe, Australia, China, and most of Asia, Africa, and parts of South America.

Step 2: Downloading the BIOS Files

Once you’ve narrowed down the exact BIOS version that suits your needs, the next step is to find reputable resources that are not only safe to download from but also provide the specific BIOS files with the appropriate video standard.

For this guide, we won’t go into detail about the full procedure of downloading the files for legal reasons. However, if you need an extensive library of the PS1 BIOS, you can check out the ROMS Megathread on Reddit. For matching up the BIOS version, the file hashes list from GameTechWiki should suffice.

Step 3: Using the BIOS With an Emulator

A number of PlayStation emulators, such as ePSXe, RetroArch, Bizhawk and DuckStation, make use of the PS1 BIOS for low-level emulation. This approach is actually preferred by a lot of users since it replicates the exact functionality of the original hardware.

In the past, people had to obtain the BIOS file from the console itself, which was a process that wasn’t suited for beginners and was a tad bit complex. But as emulation continued to grow, a lot more BIOSes were dumped onto the internet. Now, some emulators like DuckStation often come with a compatible BIOS file without the need to manually feed it a file. However, there’s also an option to import your own file if you wish to do so.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Emulating Pokémon Games on PC ➜

The Future of PS1 Emulation

While emulation is generally considered a legal grey area, it is important to note that it plays a huge role in the preservation of older consoles. PlayStation is currently the most popular gaming console and it’s vital for upcoming generations to understand where it all started, and how the landscape of gaming, not just in terms of hardware, but the software too, grew.

The legal issues with emulation stem from the use of copyrighted software, such as BIOS files and game ROMs. Developers often use legal alternatives like high-level emulation (HLE), which replicates the functionality and graphical interface of the console using modern hardware and graphic libraries without using the original BIOS.

Some people, however, don’t prefer this approach since it can sometimes look ‘better’ than the original console, potentially interfering with the “raw PS1 gaming experience.“

It is important to know that emulation, in general, is statistically shown to grow with time, not just for the PS1. This is mainly due to improved hardware, especially on handheld devices like your phone or even handheld consoles like the Steam Deck.

The drawback of this, however, is that it can sometimes be incredibly unoptimized, sometimes bursting your fans to their limit, drawing the maximum amount of power, all for a game that was developed more than two and a half decades ago.

READ MORE: The Best PlayStation 3 Emulators for PC – Working in 2024 ➜

Conclusion

The PS1’s BIOS went through multiple revisions during its six-year production run. These revisions were often tied to a specific region, as the console was region-locked. However, in today’s time, it is easy to find a compatible BIOS due to the influx of resources available on the Internet. Some modern emulators don’t even use the actual BIOS, simply to circumvent the legal consequences.

The post How to Download & Install PS1 Bios for Emulation in 2024 appeared first on Appuals.

While Terraria’s best days might be behind it, there isn’t to say that the game does not have an active player base. Even today, the game has a proper, dedicated community with over 30,000 concurrent players, solely on Steam.

For new players, this doesn’t mean the game is dying. In fact, one of the key factors that led to the game’s popularity was how easy it is to get into, and with developers continuing to introduce new features, the game remains welcoming to newcomers.

What Platforms is Terraria Available on?

Terraria is currently available to play on Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, macOS, Linux, Google Stadia, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.

A Brief History

Terraria was originally released on Windows in May 2011. Since then, it has been ported to every popular platform to accommodate for the growing hype and attract new audiences. The project was initially developed by the then-indie studio Re-Logic, which did not port the game to other platforms for the first two years after its release.

The game sold 200,000 copies nearly a week after its release, and with strong performance numbers, Re-Logic sought to bring the game to the popular consoles of the time. Hence, in September 2012, it was announced that Terraria would be ported to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Shortly after its console debut in March 2013, 505 Games announced that Terraria would be coming to Android, iOS, and Windows Phone, with the ports developed by the Dutch studio Codeglue. Late in the same year, both Sony and Microsoft announced the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, respectively. A year later, Re-Logic released Terraria for both of these consoles.

As the game continued to gain traction, Re-Logic announced macOS and Linux versions, which were released in August 2015. This was followed by a Nintendo 3DS release in December 2015. The next year, Terraria was brought to the Wii U.

After a brief gap, during which the development teams for both the console and mobile versions were changed, a Switch port was announced in 2019. Terraria was subsequently released on Google Stadia in 2021.

READ MORE: How to Fix Terraria Crashing? ➜

Is Terraria Cross Platform?

Despite being available on all major gaming platforms, Terraria only supports cross platform play on mobile devices, across iOS and Android. This means that anyone looking to play with friends on the mobile platform can do so, via the in-game Multiplayer mode.

However, Terraria does not support cross-play between different consoles. PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch users cannot play together. Nevertheless, the game does offer backwards compatibility within the same console family. For example, the PS4 version is playable on the PS5. This backwards compatibility allows PlayStation users to play together across PS4 and PS5.

In the same way, Xbox One and Series X/S players can play together. For the Nintendo Switch however, you can’t login to the same world from a different device.

READ MORE: Is Dying Light 2 Crossplay with Console & PC in 2024? ➜

How to Enable Cross-Play on Terraria Servers?

While there is no official way for users on different platforms to play together on a single server, the modding community has developed third-party plugins to enable this. These plugins allow Windows and Mobile (iOS & Android) users to log into the same server.

TShock, the server management tool for Terraria, supports cross-platform play through the “Crossplay” plugin. To set this up:

1. Set up TShock for your Terraria server.
2. Download the “Crossplay for Terraria” plugin from GitHub.
3. Upload the Crossplay.dll file to your server’s plugin directory on TShock. To do this, go to your server’s FTP directory, navigate to /ServerPlugins/, and upload the file there.
4. Restart your server.

This will enable cross-platform play on your Terraria server.

READ MORE: How To Play PC Games on your Android Phone – Comprehensive Guide ➜

Conclusion

Terraria, Steam’s most popular side-scroller, supports cross-play, but only in a limited capacity on mobile devices. The game also offers cross-platform support within the same console family, but it doesn’t include external cross-play functionality. PS4 players can play with PS5 players, but not with Xbox players. Re-Logic, the developers of Terraria, have not announced any plans for broader cross-platform functionality.

The post Is Terraria Cross Platform with Xbox, PS, Mobile & PC? [2024] appeared first on Appuals.

How Quitting Apps Works on Mac

Closing down apps on a Mac slightly varies from how the procedure normally is on Windows systems. Within macOS, closing the app window, using the red cross in the title bar usually doesn’t quit the app entirely. The app icon will still appear in the Dock with a dot underneath, showcasing how it’s still running in the background.

1) Quitting the Apps Normally

The red cross within the title bar won’t quit the app, but it would, in normal circumstances, close the window you’re working on. This may not apply to some apps that are open in a single window. For this reason, to completely quit the app, you can use either of the three methods listed below:

1. Keyboard Shortcut: Press Command (⌘) + Q on your keyboard to close any app. To verify the app you’re about to close, check the top-left hand side of the menu bar that would have the name of the app in focus written besides the Apple logo.
2. Menu Bar: In the menu bar, click on the app’s name (on the right hand side of the Apple logo, in the top left corner). From the dropdown menu, select “Quit.”

   

3. Dock: In the Dock, for an app with a small white dot beneath it, right-click on its icon, and select “Quit.”

   

2) Force Quit

If an app becomes unresponsive or fails to close normally, you can choose to force quit it. Keep in mind however that this approach immediately terminates the app, without allowing it to perform any sorts of cleanup routines. What this means is that any work that you potentially may have unsaved, within the app, will be lost.

READ MORE: How to Fix a Non-Responsive Finder on Your Mac (appuals.com)

How to Force Quit on Mac

On Mac, you can force quit an app in different ways, depending on the convenience and how it sits in with your workflow. You can either choose to close the app via keyboard shortcuts, the Dock, force quit menu, or the built-in Terminal.

Method 1: Force Quit Applications Menu

macOS has an integrated force quit menu, where you can choose multiple apps to terminate, all at once. You can either use the keyboard shortcut — Command + Option + Esc — to open this window, or click the Apple logo on the top left hand side and select Force Quit.

With this window open, you’ll simply need to select the app to close and click “Force Quit” in the bottom right-hand side of the window.

Method 2: Force Quit via Dock

In certain scenarios, apps take a long time to load before starting up. This can sometimes eat up a lot of system resources, and can make your system unresponsive. In such cases, you can force quit the application by Control-clicking its icon in the Dock and selecting “Force Quit.“

Method 3: Mac’s Activity Monitor

Similar to the Task Manager on Windows, macOS has its own “Activity Monitor,” which functions in, more or less, the same way. To force quit an unresponsive app, select it in the Activity Monitor window and click the “Force Quit” icon located in the top left corner.

While there isn’t a direct keyboard shortcut to launch Activity Monitor itself, you can access it quickly through Launchpad or by using Spotlight Search with the keyboard shortcut Command + Space.

Method 4: Terminal

To force close an application with multiple ongoing processes in the background, it is recommended to use the Terminal. Simply, open it up and type in “killall [appname]” and press Enter. This command will terminate all running instances of the application, including its background processes.

READ MORE: How to Delete a User on Mac in 2 Easy Steps [2024] ➜

Why & When to Force Quit

At times you may come across situations where an app is buggy, or unresponsive; meaning it won’t quit on its own. In that case, you may need to force close an application. However, there are other scenarios too, to keep in mind, for when you should force quit an app, or in some cases, the system itself.

1. The app in focus is behaving unusually.
2. If your screen displays unusual artifacts out of nowhere.
3. If you accidentally opened an app that takes a long time to load and won’t close normally.
4. The app or service is taking a considerable amount of your PC’s resources for no apparent reason. Keep in mind that some system apps are actually meant to serve a purpose behind the scenes.
5. If your entire system is completely frozen.
6. If your mouse or keyboard input becomes unresponsive, but the screen and other apps are still functioning properly.

 Is it Safe to Force Quit an App?

While force quitting out of an app is generally considered to be a mandatory action, some people may find it unsafe, and hence would rather wait for a frozen system to respond again than to say, try and force quit an app. Even worse, some myths claim that even using the power button to force shut down the system is dangerous.

Many people consider turning off their PC via the power button an “unsafe” way to do so. However, in reality, it serves the exact same purpose as using the built-in shutdown command, which means that there is no harm in using the physical button to force-shut down your system as a last resort if you can’t even force-quit a particular app.

READ MORE: How To Play Windows Games on Mac – Detailed Guide ➜

Conclusion

While closing unresponsive apps can be incredibly frustrating, macOS has several methods to forcefully close them, ranging from using the Dock to terminating all instances via the Terminal command-line tool. Since all of these essentially do the same exact thing, either of them can be used by users depending upon what suits their workflow the best.

The post How to Force Quit Any App on Mac: 4 Easy Ways [2024] appeared first on Appuals.

This guide will try and explain how smartphone batteries and power banks work, and then, address the question of whether power banks can damage a smartphone’s battery.

How Smartphone Batteries Work?

On the most basic scale, smartphones contain lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries that convert chemical energy to electrical energy. Li-ion is one of the most popular types of rechargeable batteries that exist today and is exclusively used in almost all modern-day consumer smartphones. At the very core, they rely on the movement of the lithium ions between two electrodes.

Li-ion Batteries’ Working Mechanism

For a brief overview, the way Li-ion batteries work is that they consist of a cathode (which is usually a thin lithium oxide compound), an anode (graphite), an electrolyte (a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent) and a separator (keeps the anode and cathode separate, but allows ions to pass through).

When you connect your phone to a charger i.e. an external power source, the current (electrons) start to flow towards the cathode. Lithium ions then flow internally via the electrolyte from the cathode to anode. As these lithium ions then embed themselves within the anode, its chemical potential rises. The difference in chemical potentials between the cathode and anode create a potential difference which is how the battery is able to store energy.

The complete opposite of this happens when you use your phone. The process reverses and electrons flow from the anode through the external circuit of your device (essentially powering it) towards the cathode. The Li+ ions however move internally again, from the anode to the cathode.

READ MORE: Very Slow Charging Speed on MacBook? Try these fixes! ➜

How Do Power Banks Work?

Power banks consist of an internal battery that is used to store electrical energy, which can then be transferred to any device you wish to charge. Similar to the mechanism described above, power banks also use Lithium-ion cells, and can charge or discharge in a similar way as a phone.

The battery capacity within a power bank also varies, and is measured in mAh or Wh. This means that a higher capacity allows for charging your device more times. Like the name suggests, a power bank is essentially a supply of electrical energy, stored chemically within its own battery.

READ MORE: Reverse Charging – How to Use Your Phone as an Improvised Power Bank ➜

Do Power Banks Damage Phone’s Battery?

Power banks can damage your phone’s battery if they don’t meet safety regulations. This might happen if they’re made by unreliable manufacturers, priced surprisingly low, or are incompatible with modern smartphone charging standards.

When looking for a power bank, try and opt for something that is compatible with the device you’ll be charging, and with these, it’s best to not compromise on quality under any circumstances. A low-quality power bank can not only shorten the lifespan of your phone’s battery but also pose a safety risk due to the lack of safety features like overcharging protection or temperature regulation.

READ MORE: Is Wireless Charging Bad for Your Smartphone Battery ➜

When are Power Banks a Risk to Your Phone’s Battery?

Not all power banks are made the same and are more different than they are similar to one another. Some would be perfectly normal to use on a day-to-day basis, while others could be a ticking bomb, waiting to destroy your battery.

This is why it is important to keep certain elements about these in mind before opting for a suitable power bank for your phone.

1) Insufficient Capacity & Low Voltage Rating

Make sure that any power bank you choose has a battery capacity that is larger than the capacity of your device. It doesn’t have to be a phone per se, but any device you want to charge. Not doing this will result in a scenario where the power bank would drain out before your device is fully charged, even once.

Moreover, try to look for power banks that match your phone’s voltage ratings. This shouldn’t be an issue with modern-day power banks, but let’s say, for example, your phone battery charges at a minimum of 5V and the power bank used to charge it is <5V, say 4.5V, the phone won’t even charge in most cases, and not only that, but whatever juice you have left in your phone will eventually drain out.

2) Poor Quality Internal Circuitry

With the influx of cheap power banks making far-fetched claims in the market, it’s no surprise that manufacturers may cut corners on quality to reduce costs. More often than not, the internal circuitry is the first to be compromised, even if it means improving aesthetics to boost sales.

Using a power bank with poor quality internal circuitry immediately puts your device at risk. While most modern mobile phones have built-in safety measures to prevent damage, they aren’t completely foolproof.

You don’t necessarily need to pry open the power bank to check its quality, but clues like a suspiciously low price compared to the claimed features, aggressive marketing tactics, and a lack of brand reputation can be good indicators of a potentially risky product.

3) Lack of Compliance with Safety Regulations

The most crucial part of a power bank is inarguably how safe it is in real-world scenarios. When buying one, look for certification marks that show the product complies with safety standards and has undergone testing to ensure those standards are met. Look out for standards and directives like UL, RoHS, WEEE, and FCC.

4) Poor Quality Charging Cables

In some cases, even with the right power bank, there might be issues with the intermediary: the cable. This charging cable acts as a bridge that supplies electrical current from the power bank to your device. If the cable mismatches your device or, worse yet, doesn’t comply with safety standards, it can just as easily damage or degrade your smartphone’s battery.

Make sure that the charging wire you choose is high-quality and follows set standards. Try and go for manufacturers that are reputable and have an established standing in the industry with a reputation for quality and safety.

READ MORE: [FIXED] Why Does My Charger Keep Going On and Off? ➜

How to Charge Your Phone Properly?

It’s important to note that regardless of the power bank you use, certain charging habits can make your battery degrade faster over time. One of the main disadvantages of Li-ion batteries is that they gradually lose capacity over time. This is why, it eventually boils down to the user to slow down this process as much as possible.

1. Avoid Full Charge Cycles

Try and prevent charging in full cycles. Instead charge your phone in intervals from when the battery percentage is 20% up to 80%. This would not only help elongate the battery health, but also with fast charging support in most phones nowadays, charging in full cycles is unnecessary in most cases.

2. Avoid Charging in Extreme Temperatures

Avoid charging your phone in extremely hot or cold temperatures. Keep in mind that the phone’s battery will generate additional heat while charging, even if the outside temperature doesn’t feel too hot. Modern smartphones usually now come with built-in safeguards and will automatically refuse to charge if they detect really high internal temperatures.

3. Use Certified Chargers and Power Banks

This couldn’t be stressed enough—use good quality charging hardware. This is because a charger is an important part of shaping your smartphone experience. You might not realize it when using a newer device, but poor charging habits and hardware can damage it sooner than you think.

It’s not strictly necessary, but try to use the manufacturer-recommended hardware for charging all of your devices. For instance, popular companies like Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi have their own dedicated charging solutions, which are not only safer options but also integrate better into the overall ecosystem.

In recent times, charging methods and hardware have become much more sophisticated and smarter. In most cases, the phone itself knows when to stop charging, even when plugged into a charger. Some phones will automatically detect dangerous chargers or power banks and refuse to charge.

Phones also now have the option to smartly charge up to only 80%, and since they learn your charging habits, they gradually charge from 80% to 100%, especially when they expect that you’ll unplug the phone soon.

READ MORE: Myths vs Reality – Can You Use Your Phone While Charging? ➜

Best Power Bank Recommendations

Now that we’ve covered what to consider when buying a power bank, let’s look into some of our recommendations. We’ll see what each option brings to the table to help you choose the best one for your needs, that suits your budget.

1. Best Under $50: Anker Portable Nano

The Anker Portable Nano comes in at almost $30, offering 22.5W of fast charging and a 5,000mAh battery capacity.

While it may not be the fastest charger or have the most capacity, it’s very small, lightweight, and easy to carry around. On the plus side, its design allows you to use your phone while simultaneously charging it, and it plugs in directly to your phone via USB-C, so there’s no intermediary to worry about.

2. Best Under $130: Anker 737

The Anker 737 comes in at almost $110, offering 140W of back and forth charging support and a 24,000mAh battery capacity.

This power bank is priced a bit higher for its feature set, but offers great quality and a robust build, which is exactly what you may need for a device coming in at 1.4 pounds. It can charge itself in less than an hour and is plenty to refuel not just your phone, but also any laptop you may have.

It also has a digital display that shows its remaining battery percentage, wattage output from each port, time remaining to charge the device connected and the charge cycles remaining.

3. Best Overall: SHARGEEK Storm 2

The SHARGEEK Storm 2 comes in at almost $200, offering 100W of charging support and a 25,600mAh battery capacity.

The see-through design of this device is what makes it stand out from the rest. Not only that, but it has a decent battery capacity, enough to charge most of your accessories simultaneously, at least once. It also packs an IPS screen, with information such as the battery remaining, input/output wattage, current, voltage, battery temperature and operating time.

READ MORE: 10 Methods For How to Make Your Phone Charge Faster ➜

Conclusion

While charging your phone via power banks may not be a risk in itself, it is important to understand and look at the different kinds that are available on the market today. Some are totally normal to use, while others can straight up kill your smartphone’s battery.

The post Is it True That Power Banks Damage Your Phone’s Battery? appeared first on Appuals.

This guide will go in detail to explain the different ways to get support in Windows, and also disable the potentially annoying “Get Help” pop-up.

What’s the Get Help Pop-up in Windows?

On Windows devices, pressing the F1 key typically redirects you to a Bing webpage with “how to get help in Windows” displayed in the search bar. This pop-up can be quite frustrating, especially for users who frequently mistype and accidentally press F1.

How to Disable this Pop-up?

Most of the users who have reported the issue on online forums have stated that it stems from accidental presses, often while gaming or during work sessions. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to know that this functionality can be completely disabled by modifying a few settings for “helppane.exe” within the Registry Editor.

READ MORE: How to Remove Windows Help Desk Pop Up Adware? ➜

Why Get Help in Windows?

As a Windows user, you can come across many ambiguities and anomalies while using the operating system. Here are some of the reasons why you may need help in Windows:

1. Specific Error Messages: You may come across an error message or a prompt that doesn’t have a solution available online. In such cases, consulting Microsoft Support directly might be your best course of action.
2. Unexpected Behaviour: Windows can sometimes behave unexpectedly with programs crashing and features malfunctioning. In specific scenarios like this, it is better to consult the professionals themselves.
3. Troubleshooting Complex Issues: There are some issues that are beyond your troubleshooting capabilities or require deeper system modifications. For these, it is advisable to get help directly from Microsoft Support, that in turn can direct you to qualified technicians.
4. Data-Related Queries: Some users may want to access, organise, or use certain files in a particular way—or probably need help recovering their lost files. In that cases, Microsoft support can come in handy.
5. General Use: Windows is used by over a billion devices worldwide, and not everyone using an electronic device is a tech expert. That’s why anyone could require help with Windows, even for the minutest of issues.

READ MORE: When Was YouTube Created & Why: Past, Present & Future ➜

How to Get Help in Windows?

Microsoft has quite a user-friendly and comprehensive support system for anyone needing help with their products. This includes not only Windows, but also Office, Xbox, and even their hardware. Here’s how to get help in Windows.

1) Use the Search Bar

Microsoft has recently integrated Copilot AI, which is based on similar technology as ChatGPT, into Windows’ search. This means that any questions or issues you have within the OS will immediately be addressed by this AI.

You simply need to open the Windows search and type in the issue you’re facing. On the right-hand side of the search menu, you will see Copilot’s results, often summarised in points, which will give you a good idea of the issue at hand.

READ MORE: How to remove Pride Flag from search bar in Windows? ➜

2) Get the Help App

Windows has a built-in “Get Help” app that lets you find answers to any queries you may have by scraping through forums and official documents available on the internet. To use this app, follow the steps down below:

Step 1: Open the Get Help App

The “Get Help” app comes pre-installed with all versions of Windows 11 and 10. Here is how to open the app:

1. On the taskbar, click on the Windows’ Start menu icon.
2. Type “Get Help.”
3. From the search results, select the app icon to open up the app.

Step 2: Type Your Issue in the Search Bar

The app has a really simple interface where you will see a prominent search bar in the middle, with some common search queries listed below. Simply type your issue in the search field.

Once entered, the app will prompt you with follow-up questions to better understand the issue. Select the appropriate options from these questions, and the app will suggest procedures based on what it thinks is the right solution.

Step 3: Contact Support via Web Browser or Phone Call (Optional)

If you wish to contact the support staff or get in touch with a professional, select the “Contact Support” button on the bottom left-hand side of the window.

The app will then prompt you to select the service for which you need help, such as Windows, Xbox, or Office services. Choose the appropriate option, and the app will prompt you to chat with a live agent via the web browser, or by a phone call. Keep in mind that the latter is a paid feature that comes as part of the Microsoft 365 subscription.

READ MORE: 3 Legit Ways to Get Free Money on Cash App [& Avoid Scams] ➜

3) Use the Get Started Feature

Another one of Windows’ built-in features is the “Get Started” app that lets you learn and understand how Windows works altogether. It’ll give you a better idea of how to customize the experience to match your workflow and will also suggest apps that complement the way you use your PC.

When you open the app, simply tick all the boxes for how you plan on using your device. It’ll automatically adjust those settings for you within Windows.

4) Use the Built-In Troubleshooter

There may be times when you may run across problems with your PC that you can’t diagnose or fix yourself. In such cases, it’s advisable to troubleshoot using built-in tools first. If the problem persists, then consider contacting support.

Windows has a number of troubleshooters for different aspects of your PC, including but not limited to Network & Internet, Audio, Updates, and more. Just open Settings and go to System then click on Troubleshoot. You’ll see a list of options with the “Run” button right next to them.

5) Visit Microsoft Support Website

If you’re looking for online help, Microsoft’s own website is the best place to start. It is possible that the issue or the product you need help with has a common solution, and the support website might already have a documented fix for your problem.

6) Look for Contextual Help

Almost any native app that you may use on Windows comes with its own set of ‘Help’ options. Most of the times, you’ll find this as a small question mark symbol enclosed within a circle. Some of the apps will use this button as a hyperlink to the Microsoft Support website.

READ MORE: The Top 5 Most Intelligent ChatBots in 2024 – ChatGPT, Replika, Mitsuku & More ➜

7) Use Quick Assist to Remotely Get Help

If you’re considering getting help from someone remotely, the Quick Assist feature in Windows 10 and 11 can be very useful. This pre-installed app allows you to grant temporary access to another person, allowing them to view or control your system for troubleshooting purposes.

To connect to a remote PC, simply open Quick Assist on both devices and sign-in with your Microsoft account. You will then be prompted to choose between “Get help,” or “Help someone.” The person on the other end should choose the latter and they’ll see a code on their screen that you’ll need to enter on your device.

Keep in mind however that you should always use this feature with caution and only allow people you trust to access your PC, as it quite easy to fall prey to people who’ll try to extract sensitive information out of your device.

8) Visit the Microsoft Community Forums

Microsoft has its own set of Community forums where you’ll sometimes find the company’s own professional staff to participate in discussions with official, more reliable solutions to users’ queries. These forums are often used to make Microsoft’s services function better since they then become part of the “Get Help” functionality.

READ MORE: This is How to Get Karma on Reddit in 2024 – Fast & Easy ➜

9) Look for YouTube Tutorials

At times, you’ll come across situations where you won’t find the solution through any of the official channels. In that case, it is advisable to consult video guides on YouTube, majority of which are made by third-party creators. These will often include solutions to issues that are separate from the conventional route.

Conclusion

Microsoft has plenty of ways for everyone to seek help in Windows. New features, error messages and sometimes bugs can be difficult to deal with, but knowing the right set of services and resources will certainly help improve your Windows experience.

The post 9 Easy Ways to Get Help in Windows 10 & 11 [2024 Edition] appeared first on Appuals.

Calls are rightfully given the highest priority, considering they fulfil a phone’s primary function. But what happens if you miss an important call, and even worse, the notification for the missed call never appears? This guide will go in detail to explain the reasons behind the issue and try and break down the steps to isolate and eliminate the problem.

What Does “Missed Call Notification Not Showing” Mean?

The phrase ‘missed call notification not showing‘ doesn’t inherently indicate an error, but rather a bug or underlying issue. It means that when you receive a call, there’s no notification displayed in your notification pane afterward.

Most people wouldn’t notice this problem immediately. They might only discover it later when checking their call logs. In some cases, older calls might appear in notifications, but new incoming calls would still not be shown there.

READ MORE: iPhone Not Receiving Calls? Explained & Resolved ➜

Why are You Missing Your Call Notifications?

Users who have reported this issue on online forums have pointed out different reasons for the error occurring. However, some common ones include:

1. Silenced notifications: Your phone app’s notifications may’ve been manually silenced to avoid any call notifications.
2. Low volume: Your phone’s volume might’ve been reduced, which means you won’t hear or know about any potential incoming calls.
3. Do Not Disturb: The Do Not Disturb mode may be blocking notifications, including those from the Phone app.
4. App icon badges: Missed call indicators might be disabled on the Phone app icon.
5. Software bug: The mobile operating system may be experiencing a glitch or a bug, preventing any sorts of alerts for incoming calls.
6. Network issue: Your network carrier and connectivity problems might prevent your phone from receiving notification data.

READ MORE: [FIX] Why Won’t My Call Go Through to a Certain Number? ➜

How to Fix Missed Call Notification Not Showing?

Here are some of the steps you can take to isolate the issue and potentially prevent missed call notifications not showing up on your device.

1. Adjust the Ring Volume Settings

If you don’t hear your phone ringing for incoming calls, it’s likely that the ringer volume is silenced. Even though you might increase the volume using the buttons, that might not adjust the ringer specifically.

Here’s how to adjust the ring volume on your device:

1. Tap or hold either of the physical volume buttons on your device.
2. A volume slider will appear, often with a menu button on the top or bottom. Tap this menu button.
3. A menu will appear with separate sliders for different volumes, including one for your phone’s ringer. Slide the ringer volume slider all the way to the desired level, one that’s loud enough for you to hear.

READ MORE: How to Disable Absolute Bluetooth Volume in Android ➜

2. Check if You’re Within Network Range

While extremely rare, there can be situations where you might not receive a cellular signal, especially when traveling or in a region experiencing a widespread outage. In these cases, if someone calls you, you’ll only be notified when your phone next catches the network signal.

3. Check if Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode is Enabled

Your second plan of action should be to look at functionality that might be deliberately preventing incoming call notifications. For this, you’ll need to check if Do Not Disturb (DND) or Airplane mode is enabled. DND essentially silences all incoming notifications and vibrations, including calls and text messages. Airplane mode disables all types of cellular and wireless signals from your phone.

Step 1: Disable Do Not Disturb Mode

Here’s how you can locate the Do Not Disturb settings and disable it (if enabled):

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Find “Notifications” and tap on it.
3. Scroll down to find “Do Not Disturb,” and tap on it.
4. If enabled, tap “Turn off now.”

Step 2: Disable Airplane Mode

Here’s how you can locate the Airplane mode settings and disable it (if enabled):

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Find “Network & internet,” and tap on it.
3. Look for “Airplane mode,” and tap the toggle slider once to disable the setting (if enabled)

READ MORE: How to Use Do Not Disturb on iPhone [All iOS Versions] ➜

Method 4: Check if Phone App Notifications are Disabled

If there’s nothing wrong with your phone’s sound settings, chances are that notifications for the Phone app itself might be silenced. Here’s how to check the Phone notifications:

1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Locate and tap “Apps.”
3. Select “See all apps.”
4. Find your default calling app, which is usually labeled “Phone” on most Android phones.

   

5. Tap the app icon, then select “Notifications.”
6. Check if the toggle for “Incoming calls” is enabled.

   

Method 5: Turn off Caller ID and Spam Protection

The Google Phone app has a feature called “Caller ID & spam,” which blocks any incoming call notifications that it deems is likely to be spam or from an unknown number. Sometimes, it can mistake legit numbers and calls from reaching through to you.

Here’s how you can disable Spam Protection within the Google Phone app:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap on the three vertical dots on the top right-hand side.
3. In the drop-down menu, tap “Settings.”

   

4. Tap on “Caller ID & spam.”
5. On the screen that pops up, disable the toggle in front of “Caller ID & spam.”

   

READ MORE: How to Hide or Change Your Caller ID on iPhone in 3 Steps ➜

Method 6: Reset App Preferences

If your calls aren’t ringing or showing up, a bug or glitch in your default calling app could be the culprit. This app is usually Google Phone, but some users might have a third-party option like Truecaller or Hiya. To troubleshoot, you can reset your app preferences. This will clear any default app settings, allowing you to choose a different calling app next time. This can help isolate the issue if it’s related to the caller app itself.

Here’s how you reset preferences for the default calling app:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Tap on Apps > See all apps.

   

3. On the top right-hand side of the screen, tap on the kebab (three vertical dot) menu icon.
4. Choose “Reset app preferences.”

   

Method 7: Restart Your Device

The problem could also come from a more complex issue, like a bug or glitch within the operating system itself. These can be trickier to solve. However, it’s always wise to start with simple solutions, like restarting your device.

In most cases, a restart can refresh your system’s OS and clear any bugs or glitches that might be interfering with calls. It’s also worth noting that some devices may turn off unimportant notifications, including calls, when entering a power-saving state on low battery. In these cases, it is possible that your phone might not automatically switch back to the normal state after charging above a certain level.

READ MORE: 7 Ways to Turn Off Your iPhone or Android (Even if its Stuck) ➜

Method 8: Disconnect All Bluetooth Devices

If you’re receiving a call and see the contact information on the screen alongside a visual prompt, but aren’t hearing an audio cue, it is possible that you have some Bluetooth devices connected to your phone that are sounding the ringtone.

In these cases, your ringtone and other system sounds with be routed to the paired Bluetooth device. When you disable or unpair a Bluetooth connection, the phone will be forced to ring the incoming call via the internal speaker itself.

Here’s how you can disconnect all Bluetooth devices from your phone:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Select Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth.

   

3. Uncheck the toggle in front of “Use Bluetooth.”

   

Method 9: Contact Your Network Carrier

There are often situations where a caller tries to reach you, but you don’t receive the call despite having no apparent issues on your end. This can sometimes be caused by a network error on your carrier’s side. In this case, it’s advisable to contact your network carrier first and inquire about the problem.

Method 10: Update Your Phone’s OS

If you’ve recently updated your device and have started facing this issue, there is a big chance that there is a problem with the new update that was pushed in by the manufacturer. In such cases, if the developer receives a huge number of complaints, a bug fix would soon be pushed out. This is why you should try to constantly check for updates and update you phone as soon as a new version is available.

Here’s how you can update your phone’s OS:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Tap on System > System updates.
3. If an update is available, tap on “Update.”

   

READ MORE: How to update graphics driver in Windows? (AMD, Nvidia, Intel) ➜

Method 11: Factory Reset Your Device

If everything you tried didn’t work, try and isolate if the issue is indeed on the software end. For that, you will need to factory reset your device. Keep in mind that this will remove all data on your phone, so backup important files beforehand. For most users, factory resetting their phones seemed to do the trick and solve the issue.

Method 12: Look for Any Physical Damage

If you’ve already tried all of the methods above and it didn’t solve the issue, look for any physical marks of wear and tear on your device. There is a chance that your speaker is the fault point if you’re not hearing any ringtone while receiving a call.

READ MORE: 10 Ways to Fix Your Xiaomi Phone Flickering Issue [2024] ➜

What to Do if All Else Fails?

If you’re having trouble isolating the cause of the incoming call issue but still want to use your device normally, here’s a workaround.

If you hear a ringing sound but don’t see a notification or any indication of an incoming call, try pulling down the notification shade. This is where you’ll usually find the option to accept or decline the call, along with the caller’s name.

On the other hand, if your ringtone doesn’t play when you see an incoming call, the problem might be with your phone’s hardware or a software bug. The troubleshooting steps above should have helped identify a software issue, so hardware problems are more likely in this scenario.

READ MORE: How to Contact Snapchat Support in 2024 [4 Different Ways] ➜

Conclusion

The reasons for why your phone isn’t notifying you of incoming calls can vary depending on the circumstances. It could be something simple, like Airplane mode being enabled, or something more complex, like a faulty phone speaker. In any case, you should try to go through the guide step-by-step to ensure that the issue is isolated, and consequently, implement a corresponding solution.

The post 12 Easy Fixes for Missed Call Notification Not Showing [2024] appeared first on Appuals.