I only know how to send one photo at a time from my smartphone. How do I send multiple photos in a single text message to my friends or family?

It’s an easy process; you should be able to do it in no time.

On an iPhone, launch the Messages app and start a text message. Tap the photos icon at the bottom (the icon looks like a kaleidoscope) to bring up the photos you have stored on your phone. Tap on each photo you want to send. Once done, go back to the text message with the photos added. Write anything you wish to say, then tap the arrow to send. Each photo you selected will be included.

On an Android phone, open the Messages app. Choose the contact or contacts to whom you want to send the message and photos. Locate the image icon near the message box. Tap on it to open a quick view of your photos or the gallery icon to see more. Tap on all the photos you want to send. A check mark will appear on those you selected. Enter your message. Tap send.

I have a pretty ancient phone, but I don’t want to buy a new one. How do I know when it really is time to retire it?

If your phone is running slowly or an important security upgrade is required and can’t be installed, it’s probably time to upgrade. Even if your phone is working well enough, mobile operating systems, which run the software on your phone, are generally optimized only for models that are 4 years old or newer. So another rule of thumb is to upgrade every four years.

One more method is to assess your battery’s health. On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap on Battery, then tap on Battery Health & Charging. If Maximum Capacity is nearing or below 80 percent, that’s a sign your battery’s days are numbered. Some Samsung Android phones have a similar check; for other Android phones, you might need to download a free app to test the battery.