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Does LTE mean my phone works on 4G?
Q Following Issue 650’s advice (page 60) on how to check whether a phone can work on
4G networks, I found that my phone lists 2G, 3G and LTE, but not 4G. Does LTE mean it will work on 4G? My phone is a Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite, and I’m on a Virgin Mobile contract.
Alan Thomas
A The terms LTE and 4G are sometimes used interchangeably, although they are different. LTE is actually one of several standards that can be legitimately described as fourth-generation mobile data technologies.
In your case, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite (pictured left) does indeed support 4G, according to the manufacturer (see www.snipca. com/45163). However, as we mentioned in the feature, you’ll also need to check with Virgin Mobile to see whether your current SIM and data plan allow the use of 4G services.
If not, you should be able to upgrade to a 4G mobile-data plan, because your phone does support it. Bear in mind, though, that this may tie you into a new contract with your provider.
Why can’t I install Google Maps on my iPhone?
Q In Issue 650 (page 20) you recommended using the Google Maps app to track people – with their permission. My wife and I want to use it to track each other, but when I downloaded the iPhone app from www.snipca.com/44581, I saw different instructions to those you published. Also, the phone showed different responses to those in the magazine. I couldn’t set it up, so can you help?
Michael Oakes
ALack of space prevented us from publishing full instructions in Issue 650, so we’ll elaborate here. First, bear in mind that Google Maps Location Sharing works best when both users are signed into the Google Maps app with a Google account.
Most Android users will already have a Google account, as you need one to log into Android. But you mention you’re using iPhones, so if you or your wife don’t currently have a Google account, go to https://accounts.google.com/signup to create one, then use this to sign into Google Maps on both devices.
Now, on the iPhone of the person who wants to share their location, open Google Maps and follow the steps we outlined in Issue 650 until you tap the ‘New share’ icon. On the screen that opens, you’ll first need to select how long you want to share your location for. The default is ‘For 1 hour’ ( 1 in our scree
