We suspect that if you happen to’re studying this text and also you’re an Android Central common that you simply’re fairly tech-savvy. You’ve most likely additionally been known as on extra instances than you’ll be able to rely to assist resolve some type of (actual or imagined) tech disaster for family and friends. For many like us, this deluge of calls and texts is often centered across the holidays, however now that we’re all just about working from residence and cooped up, you might have had an uptick in requests not too long ago.Here are among the suggestions, methods, and instruments we right here at Android Central use not solely to write down our articles but additionally to assist out our family and friends after they ask (simply do not remind them, okay?).How to supply distant tech help with video chats(Image credit score: Android Central)Having accomplished buyer help previously, I can inform you that it may be infuriating to attempt to diagnose an issue over the cellphone or by way of textual content. Honestly, although, it is simply as irritating for the individual needing the assistance as it’s for the individual giving it. Hands-down one of the simplest ways to diagnose and resolve household tech points (except for truly being there with them) is over a video name.It does not actually matter which platform you utilize, however I like to recommend one of many higher cross-platform shopper functions like Google Meet, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Discord, or Snapchat. Chances are your family and friends have already got these apps on their telephones and are accustomed to them, so why complicate issues additional with a brand new app?Oh, and you probably have a Mac pc, iPad, or iPhone laying round, do not forget about FaceTime. It’s one of many default video calling apps, and chances are high a minimum of a few of your family and friends use it solely.Many of those frequent apps have display screen sharing performance and the flexibility to change between entrance and rear-facing cameras in an effort to see what the one you love’s drawback is and speak them via how one can repair it. You may also use most of those apps on the internet or via your cellphone. Finally, you’ll be able to group from 8-12 (or extra) individuals via these apps, so if each your grandma and uncle have points, you’ll be able to (strive) to speak them via it on the identical time.How to supply distant tech help with display screen recorders(Image credit score: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)Screen recording is a good way to stroll the one you love via their drawback or present them how one can do one thing on their machine in a step-by-step method that they will watch, and rewatch, to their coronary heart’s content material.Technically, display screen recording has been constructed into Android since Android 7 Nougat, however it was buried and you could possibly solely entry it by way of adb instructions (it is also been on iOS since iOS 11). Thankfully, Android 12 made it a lot simpler to make use of and find by including the display screen recording operate to the notification pane in tile format.All one of the best Android telephones working Android 12 or later have the display screen recorder choice. Many OEMs even have additionally constructed their very own variations of the function and they’re extraordinarily simple to make use of.You may also obtain a third-party display screen recorder in case your cellphone does not at present help this performance natively. Just make sure to all the time train warning, as a few of third-party recording apps have been recognized to be potential vectors for malware and unhealthy actors.How to supply distant tech help with screenshots and markup instruments(Image credit score: Android Central)If the issue you are attempting to resolve shouldn’t be advanced sufficient to warrant recording your display screen, or if you happen to do not suppose your pals or household will observe alongside simply, one other workaround is to take a screenshot of what you are engaged on and mark it up.Static notes like this are simple for anybody to reference later, and so they can save them of their messaging or notes app, or Google Photos. You can then message your marked-up picture to the individual you are serving to thanks via any of one of the best messaging apps.All you should do is take a screenshot in your cellphone or pc after which add notes to it via your pictures app or one other markup app. Google Photos has the flexibility to mark up pictures instantly within the app, however there are lots of different picture enhancing apps that may do that as nicely.Phones with styli just like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Moto G Stylus are nice for this, because the pens provide the precision and enhancing instruments that you should write up a proof. Even in case your cellphone or pill does not include an honest stylus, your fingers can get the job accomplished.How to supply distant tech help with video tutorials(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Some individuals study finest after they can watch another person carry out a job; it is why among the simplest instructing instruments contain video calls or display screen recording. You won’t all the time be round or accessible to assist out and to be trustworthy, there’s already a ton of nice how-to content material from many machine producers on platforms like YouTube.Why reinvent the wheel? Sometimes a very good YouTube explainer does the trick simply high-quality.I understand that your loved ones might not observe Samsung, Amazon, or Apple’s official YouTube channels, however they really have loads of nice, digestible, snack-sized content material on how one can use their units and options.Of course, we additionally suggest sending them to the Android Central, Mr. Mobile, iMore, and Windows Central YouTube channels for tons of nice tech info and content material!How to supply distant tech help with distant entry software program(Image credit score: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)There are extra excessive methods which you can present distant tech help, similar to utilizing an app or Chrome Remote Desktop, however I’d warning in opposition to this method. While it could be satisfying to simply take management of your good friend or household’s machine and repair the issue your self, you are additionally probably setting your self up for future issues.For starters, you need to belief that the individual on the opposite finish understands how one can arrange the software program correctly, and this in and of itself will most likely contain its personal diploma of tech help. You additionally don’t desire the concern, harm, or legal responsibility that comes with messing round on another person’s machine. Finally, as soon as you have accomplished this as soon as, you have opened your self as much as a lifetime of comparable help (you simply set the bar method increased my good friend).Besides, it is extra gratifying for everybody if you happen to may give individuals the instruments to repair their very own issues transferring ahead. It’s like Confucius supposedly stated: “Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you’ve fed him for a lifetime.”