How to – Page 9 – TickTechTold

export-youtube-playlists-csv-excel-xls-format-offline

3 Ways to Export YouTube Playlists [CSV, Excel formats]

How to / September 1, 2023

Creating YouTube playlists is useful and makes it easy to bookmark and revisit videos of interest.

What if you want to export these playlists in an offline format?

This article will show you the different ways to export all your favourite YouTube playlists into CSV and Excel XLS file formats.

Table Of Contents

How to Export YouTube Playlists into offline formats (Excel, CSV format)

How to Export YouTube Playlists into offline formats (Excel, CSV format)

Here are the three (3) ways to do so.

Method 1. Using YouTube Playlist Backup – [CSV format]

Make sure your YouTube Playlist privacy settings are set to <Public> or <Unlisted>

youtube-playlist-privacy-settings-set-as-public-unlisted — *Set YouTube Playlist privacy settings*

Copy and paste your playlist URL into the YouTube Playlist Backup and click <Export>.

Your CSV backup file will be ready for download.

youtube-playlist-backup-download-csv-file

The CSV file will look like this below;

youtube-playlist-backup-open-csv-file-format — *Example of a YouTube Playlist CSV file*

Use the Youtube video ID (ID column on the left) to get the exact URL to the video.

Follow the standard YouTube URL below and replace the <paste-ID-here> with your ID characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paste-ID-here

Method 2. Using Google Takeout – [CSV format]

YouTube is a service by Google, and the company has a feature that allows users to export selected content to their Google Account and its associated services. This includes exporting YouTube playlists as well.

Follow the steps below to export your YouTube playlist via the Google Takeout feature.

To begin, go to the Google Takeout page.
Deselect all, and select only <YouTube and YouTube Music>.

google-takeout-select-youtube-and-youtube-music

Click on <All YouTube data included>
Select only <playlists>
Choose your preferred download link (e.g. via email, google drive or dropbox)
Click <Create export>
The download link will soon appear in your email inbox.
Download and unzip the compressed file.
Your CSV playlist file is under Takeout > YouTube and YouTube Music > playlists > your-playlist.csv

The CSV file from Google Takeout will look like this below.

google-takeout-csv-file-format-export-youtube-playlist

Example of a YouTube playlist export from Google Takeout

Method 3. Using Google API – [Excel XLS format]

This straightforward programming method uses the Google API to export YouTube playlists in Excel (XLS) format.

Go to the Williamsport Web Developer site and paste your YouTube playlist URL.

The Excel file will be automatically downloaded onto your computer

The Excel file will look like this below.

export-youtube-playlist-xls-excel-file-format — *Example of an Excel (XLS) file containing exported YouTube playlists*

Note that this method conveniently reveals the full URL of each YouTube video in the playlist.

3 Ways to Export YouTube Playlists [CSV, Excel formats] Read More »

How to Completely UnInstall & Open an App Using Mac Terminal

How to / September 1, 2023

When using a Mac computer, you can use the Terminal to open an app, as well as uninstall & deleting the app.

This article will show you how to;

Use Mac Terminal to Uninstall and Delete an App

Use Mac Terminal to Open an App

Table Of Contents

How to Uninstall and Delete an App using Mac Terminal?
- Alternative Methods
How to Open an App using Mac Terminal?

How to Uninstall and Delete an App using Mac Terminal?

To open the Mac Terminal app, go to Spotlight Search (magnifying glass icon on the top-right) and type <Terminal>.

Use the following command to uninstall and delete an app.

sudo uninstall VLC.app

Replace <VLC.app> with the application that you want to uninstall.

Always use a .app extension at the end of the app name
To know the exact name of the app before typing it into Terminal, you can go to Finder > Applications

Alternative Methods

Here are the other different ways you can delete an app from a Mac computer

S/no	Method	Comments
1	Use CleanMyMac or MacKeeper to uninstall and delete an app from your Mac completely.	Cleanest Method
2	Drop the App into the Trash	Simplest Method

How to Open an App using Mac Terminal?

Here are the three (3) steps to do so.

Step 1. Navigate to the /Applications folder

mac-terminal-navigate-applications-folder-open-uninstall-apps

Open the Terminal app, type the following command and hit <Enter>;

cd /Applications

You will be in the main Applications folder, where all your apps are installed.

Step 2. List all the names of the apps

list-apps-ls-command-mac-terminal-open-uninstall-applications-folder

Before you open an app, you may want to know the exact name.

List down all the apps on your Mac using the following command and hit <Enter>;

ls

Step 3. Open the app you want

Now you know the exact name of the app, to open it, use the following command;

open VLC.app

Your app will now be launched. You can check for it on your dock.

Note that apps are all case-sensitive. So, for example, a capital “V” is not the same as a small letter “v”.

How to Completely UnInstall & Open an App Using Mac Terminal Read More »

WhatsApp-View-Once-Privacy-Self-Destruct-Disappearing-Photo-Video-Media-File

3 Steps to Send WhatsApp Disappearing Photo [View Once]

How to / September 1, 2023

Since 2021, Whatsapp has rolled out its privacy feature, “View Once”, to all iOS and Android users.

View Once is a new feature where you can send self-destructing media (only photo and video files) to your WhatsApp contact. However, the recipient can only view it once and can’t take a screenshot, save or view it for a second time.

This privacy feature is similar to Telegram (Secret Chat mode), Snapchat, etc.

Table Of Contents

How will the Media File Disappear?
Can You Know If the Receiver Viewed the Media File?
How to Send "View-Once" Disappearing Media File in WhatsApp?
Is it possible to save the media file or take a screenshot before it disappears?

How will the Media File Disappear?

Once the recipient opens the media file and exits it after viewing it, it is automatically deleted from both the Sender’s and recipient’s devices.

Also, if the media file is unopened after 14 days of being sent, it will be automatically deleted as well.

Can You Know If the Receiver Viewed the Media File?

This is what you see as a Sender.

When you send the view-once file, you will see it as <Photo> or <Video>, depending on which file type you are sending.

When the recipient opens your file, it will be changed to <Opened>.

How to Send “View-Once” Disappearing Media File in WhatsApp?

Here are the three (3) easy steps to do so.

Step 1. Attach the media file

Click the attachment icon below and select <Gallery> to choose either a photo or video to send.

Step 2. Tap the View-Once icon

Click on the view-once icon 1

The icon will turn green to confirm that the media file is now a view-once attachment.

Step 3. Tap Send

Click <Send>

Double blue ticks beside the attachment mean that the recipient has opened WhatsApp but has not yet viewed the photo.
When the attachment is renamed <Opened>, the recipient has already viewed the media file.

Is it possible to save the media file or take a screenshot before it disappears?

Yes, it is possible to bypass the WhatsApp view-once restriction using several methods if you intend to do so.

WhatsApp does not allow the recipient to take a screenshot of the view-once media file. In addition, the recipients cannot save a copy of it, copy it, share it, or forward it to anyone.

When opening the view-once attachment, the recipient can only perform the following;

Delete it
Report the media file as Spam
Block the contact

3 Steps to Send WhatsApp Disappearing Photo [View Once] Read More »

3 Ways to Count Exact Number of Words on a Website URL

How to / September 1, 2023

In order to count the number of words on a website, there are a variety of tools you can use. This technique is called “Word Count”.

Depending on the word count you need on selected paragraphs, sentences or the entire page of a website, you will use the appropriate method stated in this article.

Table Of Contents

How to Count the Total Number of Words on a Website?
What's more

How to Count the Total Number of Words on a Website?

The following three (3) methods are all very easy to use and reliable as they are word count automation tools.

1. Use a Chrome browser extension

This is the most accurate way of counting words because you have to highlight the exact length of words for the tool to calculate.

Use the Chrome (or Brave) web browser and install the Word Counter Plus extension.

Once installed, do the following steps;

Go to the webpage you want to count the words
Highlight the paragraph(s) you want to count
Right-click and select “Word Counter Plus“

You will be able to see the word count instantly.

2. Using other Web browsers

If you do not intend to use the Chrome browser, you can still use your favourite web browsers to highlight the selected paragraphs and do a word count using WordCounterTool or WordCounter.

Using this method, you do not need to use the Chrome web browser, and you do not need to install any extensions. Instead, you can stick to your web browsers such as Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.

3. Use online Website Word Counters

This method is the most convenient as you only need to input the URL website address, and it will automatically count the total number of words on that page.

Note that these online word counters count the entire webpage (and not selected paragraphs). It will also include the sidebars (if any), advertisements (if any), menu bar and page footers. In short, it counts everything on that page.

Note that this is not counting the entire website (i.e. all the web pages inside the website).

If this is what you want to count, use any of the below;

What’s more

If you are looking for more than just word count, you can try text analytics.

Input the URL of the webpage into Voyant Tools, and you can see dashboard visualisation such as;

Word Cloud
Word Terms – frequently used words by count
Readability Index
Average words per paragraph
Word Links (which words are linked to each other)
and many more

3 Ways to Count Exact Number of Words on a Website URL Read More »

cloaking-affiliate-links-manually-without-wordpress-plugins

Cloaking Affiliate Links Without WordPress Plugin (Load Faster)

How to / September 1, 2023

When you manually cloak your affiliate links without installing and using any WordPress plugins, your website performance will improve and load faster.

All you need to do is a few simple, easy steps, explained here in this article.

Table Of Contents

How to Cloak Your Affiliate Links Without Installing Any WordPress Plugin (Manual Way)
What are the Benefits of Affiliate Link Cloaking?
What's more

How to Cloak Your Affiliate Links Without Installing Any WordPress Plugin (Manual Way)

You can do so by quickly editing your .htaccess file. This is found inside your web hosting account, and you should use its File Manager to access it.

Here are the five (5) simple steps to do so.

Step 1: Decide on the URL Slug / Prefix

URL slug/prefix is the word you chose to distinguish easily that it is a link to an external website, typically an affiliate website.

Here are some of the URL slug/prefix examples;

https://www.ticktechtold.com/visit/affiliatesite
https://www.ticktechtold.com/go/affiliatesite
https://www.ticktechtold.com/goto/affiliatesite
https://www.ticktechtold.com/recommends/affiliatesite

You can choose your own URL slug/prefix.

Step 2: Use the File Manager from your Web Hosting

If you are using WPX hosting, you can go to <My Services>, <WordPress Hosting>, click on your domain name and select <File Manager> on the left-hand menu. Then, confirm by clicking on <Open File Manager>.

Step 3. Go to the .htaccess file

Now you need to find the .htaccess file inside your web hosting account. In this example, we will be using a WPX hosting account.

If you have multiple domains (websites), click on <domains>, and you need to select the right one.

If you only have one (1) domain (website), then click on <public-html).

Double-click the <.htaccess> file to open it up.

Step 4: Edit the .htaccess file

You need to insert new codes into this .htaccess file.

## refers to comments I have written, and these words will not affect the file in any way. For example, I use ## to include the words AFFILIATE LINK URLs because it is easier for me to understand the next time I need to edit this file again.

The real codes start with <Redirect 302 ……. >

## AFFILIATE LINK URLs ##

Redirect 302 /go/bluehost http://www.bluehost.com/track/affiliateuserid
Redirect 302 /go/wpxhosting http://www.wpx.net/track/affiliateuserid
Redirect 302 /go/dreamhost http://www.dreamhost.com/track/affiliateuserid

/go refers to the URL slug/prefix I have chosen, followed by the name of the affiliate brand/company. You can enter a short-form name or abbreviation if you wish.

Lastly, you need to provide the full (unique) affiliate link.

Step 5: Edit the robots.txt file

You need to disallow the rule on your robots.txt file to prevent Google from crawling, indexing, and following all your Redirects.

In Step 3, you will see the file <robots.txt>; double-click to access it.

Insert the disallow code as shown below.

User-agent: *
Disallow: /go/

Enter the URL slug/prefix of your own. /go/ is just an example here.

What are the Benefits of Affiliate Link Cloaking?

Here are reasons why cloaking affiliate links is better;

1. Easier to understand for visitors

In reality, the actual affiliate links are unique and lengthy URLs. This may confuse the visitors on where exactly the external link is heading. By cloaking it nicely, you can let your visitors see and understand them quickly.

2. Protect yourself from link theft

There are malicious malware and hacking activities out there that can steal bloggers’ affiliate commissions. The few unique ID characters in the URL are necessary to uniquely identify you as an affiliate marketer. If your webpage is compromised, the hacker can replace your affiliate ID with their own.

3. Easier to maintain when affiliate links get more

As content creators, your content may increase as time goes by. Having a neat and consistent naming for all your affiliate links is important for tracking and preventing errors. Affiliate links are very lengthy and are easier to misspell and mis-type.

4. Easier to share with others

Not all social media platforms can accommodate a lengthy URL. Twitter, for example, only accepts a maximum of 280 characters. When sharing your affiliate links in a neat cloaked URL, your links will not appear spammy and messy to others.

5. Easier Link Tracking

Using link tracking tools to analyse where your visitors are coming from, going out, session times, etc. It is very useful if you have a neat and organised affiliate link-cloaking process.

What’s more

Always use a “nofollow” attribute for all your affiliate links, as stated by Google’s guidelines.

In WordPress, when you insert a new link, you can right-click on it and select <Edit as HTML>.

Now you can insert the “nofollow” attribute into the raw HTML code.

See the example below. The bold text is the “nofollow” attribute.

<a href="https://google.com" rel="nofollow">Google</a>

Cloaking Affiliate Links Without WordPress Plugin (Load Faster) Read More »

move-access-delete-trash-mac-using-terminal-app

How to Move, Access and Delete Trash using the Mac Terminal

How to / September 1, 2023

You can use the Mac Terminal app for performing various daily tasks, especially deleting and emptying files.

This article will show you how to use the terminal app to move files and folders into the Trash folder and permanently delete them.

To open the Mac Terminal app, go to Spotlight search and type in <Terminal>.

Click on the Terminal.app to launch it.

Table Of Contents

How to Move Files to Trash and Empty Trash using the Mac Terminal?
How to Quickly Delete Files and Empty the Mac Trash Instantly?

How to Move Files to Trash and Empty Trash using the Mac Terminal?

Here are the three (3) ways to do so.

1. Moving Files and Folder to Trash

Using the Mac Terminal, you can quickly move files and folders to the Trash folder.

Type the following command into Terminal.

mv file.jpg ~/.Trash

Replace <file.jpg> with the actual file you want to delete.

2. Accessing the Trash

To open and view the contents of your Trash folder, you need to first grant full disk access to the terminal app.

Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access > Toggle ON the Terminal app.

Now, navigate to the Trash folder

cd ~/.Trash

List down all the deleted files to be emptied.

ls -l

mac-listing-ls-command-trash-folder-files

3. Emptying the Trash

To permanently delete a single file, use the following command.

rm -r file.jpg

To empty the entire trash folder, use this.

rm -rf ~/.Trash/*

If the Terminal asks for higher permissions, you can add a sudo in front. So the command will be like this.

sudo rm -rf ~/.Trash/*

How to Quickly Delete Files and Empty the Mac Trash Instantly?

Use the following command in Terminal.

rm file.jpg

This action will permanently delete the file.jpg without emptying it in the Trash can.

This is an irreversible action, so use it with caution.

How to Move, Access and Delete Trash using the Mac Terminal Read More »

cover-blog-html-add-code-wordpress-theme

Manually Add Code to WordPress Header & Footer [No Plugins]

How to / September 1, 2023

When setting up your Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Cloudflare, or even participating in ad networks, you will often be asked to insert HTML code into your WordPress header or footer files to authenticate and verify yourself as the rightful owner of the domain.

There are only three (3) ways to do this.

Firstly, ask your web hosting service to do this for you. The downside is that you will need to give the technical support staff your WordPress (WP) login credentials. This is not entirely secure.

Secondly, install a third-party WordPress plugin. This will slow down your site, depending on how many plugins you already have. The more plugins you have on your site, the more resource-heavy your site becomes in terms of speed and performance. As a rule of thumb, three (3) plugins are generally all you need for your WP site.

Thirdly, manually insert the HTML code. You can easily add or remove code in this way. It is much cleaner than installing a plugin that inserts codes the same way but requires installation.

This article will focus on how to manually insert HTML code into your WordPress site.

Table Of Contents

How to Manually Add Code to Header and Footer in WordPress Without Using Any Plugins

How to Manually Add Code to Header and Footer in WordPress Without Using Any Plugins

Here are the four (4) easy steps to do so.

Step 1: Log into your WordPress admin site.

Step 2: Go into Theme File Editor

Go to <Appearance> and select <Theme File Editor>.

In this example, I will be using the Astra theme, one of the fastest WordPress themes. Most WP themes will be similar, and you need to look for the Theme Editor option.

Step 3: Edit header.php or footer.php

example-google-analytics-add-tracking-code-wordpress — *An example of Google analytics asking to insert tracking code into the HEAD section of the website.*

Look at the right-hand side of the screen, and you will see all the theme files for your WordPress theme.

Choose header.php if you want to insert code into the header.

Choose footer.php if you want to insert code into the footer.

Step 4: Manually insert the code

Take, for example, Google Analytics, where you must insert code into the <head> section.

Open the header.php file, and look out for the opening <head> tag and the closing </head> tag.

An example is shown below. The <head> and </head> are bolded below. so you can see them easily.

?><!DOCTYPE html>
<?php astra_html_before(); ?>
<html <?php language_attributes(); ?>>
<head>
<?php astra_head_top(); ?>
<meta charset="<?php bloginfo( 'charset' ); ?>">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<link rel="profile" href="https://gmpg.org/xfn/11">


<?php wp_head(); ?>
<?php astra_head_bottom(); ?>
	
	
</head>

You will insert the Google Analytics tracking code JUST BEFORE the closing </head> tag.

This is how you paste the code below.

?><!DOCTYPE html>
<?php astra_html_before(); ?>
<html <?php language_attributes(); ?>>
<head>
<?php astra_head_top(); ?>
<meta charset="<?php bloginfo( 'charset' ); ?>">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<link rel="profile" href="https://gmpg.org/xfn/11">


<?php wp_head(); ?>
<?php astra_head_bottom(); ?>
	

<!-- Global Site Tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=TRACKING_ID"></script>

<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
  gtag('js', new Date());
  gtag('config', 'TRACKING_ID');
</script>

	
</head>

The Google Analytics tracking code is bolded above and pasted before the closing </head> tag.

Step 5: Finalize and Update the File

update-file-header-php-theme-file-editor

Once the tracking code is pasted correctly, click <Update File>, and you are done.

If you are doing this for Google Analytics, you will need to refresh the GA page, and the new changes will usually come within a few hours.

Recommendations (Tested & Proven)

For ease of use, simplicity and having the most competitive prices, only BUY your favourite crypto from;

* Binance
* Coinbase
* Crypto.com
* Bitfinex

Regardless of the country, you reside in, either of the above-tested exchanges will work for you.
All the above accept payment methods such as credit/debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.

Earn (automated) passive income by sharing your residential WiFi or mobile data. Data Configurable.

Install the Honeygain app on the desktop, mobile or both to maximise earnings.
Payout in USD or Bitcoin (BTC).
Start earning with an upfront USD $5 balance in your app now.
The payout threshold is USD $20.

Manually Add Code to WordPress Header & Footer [No Plugins] Read More »

6 Ways to Convert & Save Images [PNG, JPG) into WebP Format

How to / September 1, 2023

Google’s WebP format was developed in the year 2010 and has proven itself over the years that it has significant advantages over its JPEG and PNG counterparts.

Not only does it offers an average compression rate of between 20% – 30% (reduction in image file size), WebP also offers both lossless and lossy compression methods.

Web content creators like bloggers, social media influencers, video editors and graphic designers are all beginning to explore and adopt the WebP format in their digital content.

Here are all the ways available for you to convert and save your images to the new WebP format.

Table Of Contents

How to convert and save images (PNG, JPEG) into the new WebP format?

How to convert and save images (PNG, JPEG) into the new WebP format?

Here are the six (6) different ways you can do so.

Method 1. Using Online Image Conversion

The easiest and fastest way is to upload your images online and let the conversion website converts them into WebP format for you.

Some online services can allow you to perform batch conversion by uploading multiple images at once.

The downside of this method is the sensitivity of your image files. Be sure to consider if it is acceptable for you to do so.

Here are the current image conversion sites that we tested to be useful;

Method 2. Using WordPress Plugins

For WordPress users like bloggers, these are the image compression plugins that can both compress & convert your images into WebP format;

Method 3. Installing 3rd party applications

Sometimes, installing applications on your laptop can be easier, especially when the graphical user interface (GUI) is clean looking, easy to navigate, and you can find what you are looking for.

It is mostly about the GUI appearance here and their support for various operating systems (OS).

The basic functionality should include the ability to encode and decode images (i.e. original image format vs WebP format).

Here are some of the applications you can consider installing based on your OS.

WebP Converter (for Mac)

Batch converts PNG, JPG files and more into WebP format by simply using its drag-and-drop interface. Ability to add your custom-made watermark if you want (optional).

XnConvert (for Windows/Mac/Linux)

XnConvert supports all 3 major operating systems, and it is free for private and educational use. It is a batch image converter that allows you to compress and convert images to WebP and other different formats. It also has several image editing tools, such as resizing, colour adjustments and filters.

IrfanView (for Windows)

A fast, compact and freeware tool for Windows users, IrfanView has been around for several years. Once installed, you can perform image editing and optimisation, with its being a complete graphic viewer. To get the new WebP updates, you must download and apply the additional plugins in order to use them.

Method 4. Installing cwebp on Windows

Find the latest version of WebP for Windows here.

Download, unzip it into a new folder and navigate into the Bin folder where the cwebp and dwebp tools are.

To convert an image into WebP format, use the sample command below.

cwebp -q 65 "original.jpg" -o "converted.webp"

-q 65 refers to the compression rate you can configure to your liking.

-o refers to your desired output file, which in this case, is the “converted.webp” file.

Change the “original.jpg” into your own image file and rename the “converted.webp” into your own preferred filename, but leave the .webp extension at the end intact.

Method 5. Installing cwebp on Mac

For Macbook users, we wrote a detailed blog post on how to install cwebp and how to convert images into WebP formats on Mac.

If you prefer to see the instructional video on how to do so, you can watch it on Youtube.

Method 6. Installing cwebp on Linux

If you are using Ubuntu, the webp package is available in its official repositories; you only need to use this command to install webp.

$ sudo apt install webp

If you are using other Linux flavours, you need to download the latest webp package from the Google repository.

Visit the repository link, take note of the latest filename version, and use this example command below.

$ wget -c https://storage.googleapis.com/downloads.webmproject.org/releases/webp/libwebp-0.4.1-linux-x86-64.tar.gz

Unpack and list out all the files within.

$ tar -zxvf libwebp-0.4.1-linux-x86-64.tar.gz
$ cd libwebp-0.4.1-linux-x86-64/
$ cd bin/
$ ls -l

The important ones are cwebp (for converting images into WebP format and dwebp (for converting WebP files into other image formats).

An example of using cwebp to convert a PNG file into WebP format is shown below.

cwebp -q 65 original.png -0 converted.webp

6 Ways to Convert & Save Images [PNG, JPG) into WebP Format Read More »

Bypass-screenshot-telegram-self-destructing-photo-save

5 Ways to Screenshot Self-Destructing Photo in Telegram app

How to / September 1, 2023

Depending on your device’s make and model and your chosen method, there are several ways to bypass Telegram’s disappearing and self-destructing photo restriction.

This article will list down all the methods you can try to save and capture the screenshot of the self-destructing photo.

What is Self-Destructing Photo in Telegram?

When using the secret chat feature in Telegram, users can send disappearing images and videos to each other within a selected time limit, for example, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, a week, etc.

Due to the app’s design and security policy, this content cannot be screenshot and saved.

Table Of Contents

What is Self-Destructing Photo in Telegram?
How to Bypass and Screenshot Telegram's Self-Destructing Photo?

How to Bypass and Screenshot Telegram’s Self-Destructing Photo?

Here are the five (5) methods you can use to obtain a screenshot based on your device’s make and model.

Method 1. Use Telegram Web

telegram-web-bypass-screenshot-restricted-content-self-destruct-photo

All the restrictions seem to target the Telegram mobile app on your mobile device. Try using something else instead.

Switch to the Telegram Web version and use your computer for screen recording or capture.

On your computer, go to the official page of Telegram Web and follow the steps to connect to your phone.

Once connected, you can use any screen recording software you prefer.

For Windows, you can use the following;

Bandicam (advanced screen recorder for Windows – partial or full screen)
Screencast-O-Matic (create screencast videos with editing features)
Snagit (Professional Screen Capture with screen drawing, audio recording, and more)

For macOS, you can use the built-in video screen recording feature. Press <Command> + <Shift> + <5>, select <Record Entire Screen> and click <Record>.

To end the recording, press <Esc>. The recordings will be saved to the desktop (default location).

Method 2. Using Screen Mirroring

screenshot-self-destructing-photo-telegram-secret-chat-bypass

This method mirrors your Android phone to a computer, so you can screenshot and save any photo or video you want.

Scrcpy is an open-source Github tool that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

It does not require root access to your Android device and connects via USB or over TCP/IP protocol.

Features of Scrcpy include screen recording, screen mirroring with Android device screen-off, copy and paste in both directions, and many more.

Alternatively, you can use AirDroid Cast to mirror your iOS and Android phone to a Windows or Mac computer.

Method 3. Using Screen Recording Tools (Rooted & Un-Rooted)

Several screen recording apps have found success in capturing Telegram’s protected screen. It would be best if you tried these apps to see which one suits you.

Install Screenshot Touch in the Google Play Store and click <Start capture monitoring service>.

screenshot-touch-app-start-capture-monitoring-service-telegram

Next, the option for <Display over other apps> will appear.

screenshot-touch-display-over-other-apps-telegram

You will choose <Telegram> and toggle ON for the option <Allow display over other apps>.

Once you start recording, there will be a floating record button overlaying your screen. Use it to record your Telegram self-destructing photo.

For rooted Android devices, you can install ScreenCam Screen Recorder via the Google Play Store.

For non-rooted Android devices, you can try using AZ Screen Recorder and XRecorder.

Method 4. Using Another Phone’s Camera

phone-camera-take-another-phone-telelgram-self-destructing-photo

You will use another phone’s camera to take a photo of self-destructing photo.

The upside is this is 100% proven to be working, and you need to prepare your spare phone BEFORE you click on the self-destructing image.

The downside is the low quality of the photographed image.

Method 5. Using Google Assistant

using-google-assistant-screenshot-bypass-restriction-self-destructing-secret-chat-telegram

This method uses the Google Assistant app to take an automated screenshot on your device.

This applies to both iOS and Android users and is ideal for those apps that do not allow you to perform screenshot gestures, like Telegram secret chat.

Make sure you have the correct settings in place.

Open Google Assistant and click on your profile picture (top-right corner).
Scroll down and click <General> menu
Ensure that <Google Assistant> and <Use screen context> are toggled ON.

Open Google Assistant and say, “Take a screenshot“.

The app will automatically take a screengrab of what is on your screen and save it to your photo album.

** Recommendations **

To bypass internet censorship, blocked sites, and yet browsing with online anonymity., only choose the following reliable VPN services;

NordVPN (Has the most number of servers, over 5000+, in 60 countries to choose from. Uses a unique Onion Over VPN feature to mask your online traffic for maximum anonymity.)

Surfshark VPN (One of the few providers that allow unlimited device connections with just a single subscription. You can connect all your devices with no logs policy)

IPVanish (Supports all platforms, routers, and TV. Uses SOCKS5 web proxy feature for faster anonymous connection speed)

5 Ways to Screenshot Self-Destructing Photo in Telegram app Read More »

WhatsApp-account-not-allowed-use-Spam-unblock

7 Ways to Fix “This account is not allowed to use WhatsApp”

How to / September 1, 2023

When using WhatsApp, users may encounter certain error messages such as;

“This account is not allowed to use WhatsApp due to spam. Chats are still on this device.“

This could mean the WhatsApp account may be blocked and banned from further usage.

This error message also restricts you from using the app and accessing your WhatsApp chats.

What causes a WhatsApp account to be banned and blocked?

Users should ensure and review that their app activities do not violate WhatsApp Terms of Service (ToS).

Below are some of the most commonly encountered reasons;

Spamming activities – if you spam someone or in a group,
Involved in the sharing of obscene materials
Involved in scams or bottling activities
Found sending too many messages within a short period,
Using a third-party app to access WhatsApp and unauthorized modification of the app
Getting reported and blocked by several WhatsApp users

There are also times when WhatsApp makes the mistake of blocking and banning a specific account. You may have legitimate reasons to explain some of your app activities.

This article will list down all the different methods you can use to unblock and unban your WhatsApp account.

Table Of Contents

What causes a WhatsApp account to be banned and blocked?
How to FIX This Account Is Not Allowed To Use WhatsApp Due To Spam

How to FIX This Account Is Not Allowed To Use WhatsApp Due To Spam

Here are the seven (7) ways to do so.

Method 1. Change your IP address

Sometimes your physical location, e.g., the country you reside in, causes the problem.

You can test this by simply trying to change your IP address so that WhatsApp will think you are logging in from another country.

To do this, you should use a reliable VPN service that can anonymize your location and mask your IP address. For example, use any of the below.

Choose the following reliable VPN services;

NordVPN (Has the most number of servers, over 5000+, in 60 countries to choose from. Uses a unique Onion Over VPN feature to mask your online traffic for maximum anonymity.)

Surfshark VPN (One of the few providers that allow unlimited device connections with just a single subscription. You can connect all your devices with no logs policy)

IPVanish (Supports all platforms, routers and TV. Uses SOCKS5 web proxy feature for faster anonymous connection speed)

Method 2. Email to WhatsApp Support Team

If you think it is a mistake, you can email directly to the WhatsApp Team by using their contact form.

Provide the following details to the WhatsApp Messenger Support team;

Your phone number,
Your email address and
State the error message you encountered

If you are using WhatsApp Business, you must email them directly to [email protected] regarding your problem.

Method 3. Change your Mobile Number

When you are permanently banned from WhatsApp, you will not be able to use back the old mobile number again.

You need to use a new mobile number to register for a new WhatsApp account to bypass the previous ban.

You can consider the following;

Get a new mobile number from your telecommunication provider
Get a virtual mobile number, e.g., Hushed or Numero eSIM.
Get an SMS verification code online, e.g., Quackr or AnonymSMS.

Method 4. Uninstalling and Re-installing WhatsApp

The fastest way to quickly fix the error message can be done by trying to uninstall the reinstall back WhatsApp.

One easy way to do so is to go to the AppStore or Playstore and search for “WhatsApp.”

You can uninstall and reinstall the app here.

Open WhatsApp again after reinstallation to see if the problem is fixed.

Method 5. Temporary Ban

Sometimes the ban is temporary, and you must wait between 8 to 24 hours.

Check back during these time intervals to see if you have been unblocked.

Method 6. Update WhatsApp version

Updating your WhatsApp version is always recommended to fix bugs and error messages.

This method is a quick and easy way to rectify the problem.

To update your WhatsApp version;

Go to Google PlayStore (if using Android) or Apple AppStore (if using iPhone)
Search for WhatsApp
An update button will appear when there is a new update release

Method 7. Clear WhatsApp Cache

Whatsapp cache is temporary data that allow the app to load and work faster each time you open it.

The longer you use WhatsApp, the more cache it may contain. Removing the cache once in a while may help to fix specific app bugs.

Clear Cache on Android

Go to Android Settings
Choose <Apps & notifications>
Select <WhatsApp>
Select <Storage & cache>
Click <Clear cache>

Clear Cache on iOS

The only way to clear WhatsApp cache on an iPhone is to uninstall and reinstall the app.

To do so;

Long-press the WhatsApp app
Click <Remove app>
Confirm <Delete app>
Re-install WhatsApp in AppStore

7 Ways to Fix “This account is not allowed to use WhatsApp” Read More »