DIY (Page 16)

PopSci's curated collection of life skills, tech tips, and hands-on projects we think you'll love.

Latest in DIY

vertical view of a person using an apple computer

How to recover old versions of files on programs like Excel and Photoshop

Two DIY picture frames next to each other on a beige wall, with sunset photos inside them.

Simple DIY picture frames that will elevate your home decor

By Jean Levasseur

Amazon-echo-with-soundproof-earmuffs-with-word-hello-on-the-fronta-gainst-red-backdrop-

The Opt Out: When it comes to privacy, smart devices are not the smarter choice

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

Person in blue shirt doing crunches on an exercise ball during a Pilates workout

Pilates can improve your posture and balance. The killer body is just a bonus.

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A LifeStraw water filter and bottle on some gray rocks.

Don’t ruin your next camping trip by storing your portable water filters wrong

By Alisha McDarris

Person lying on couch covering their face with a book about Spanish grammar

Learning a new language? Here’s how to perfect your pronunciation.

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

Hand-holding-phone-with-tiktok-deactivation-screen

Reset your digital life by deleting all your social media accounts

Android-phone-on-table-with-home-screen-showing

How to set up F-Droid, the open-source alternative to the Google Play Store

An iOS alert on an iPhone screen that says the storage is full and there is no more room on the phone.

Simple tricks to help you free up space on your phone

person holding internet router next to laptop

Boost your connection by checking your Wi-Fi strength from any device

Roof of a house without AC surrounded by trees, with a red and orange color overlay.

7 tips on how to build a house that stays cool

A man standing under a blue sky with white clouds, wearing a black baseball cap and a red shirt while closing his eyes and breathing deeply.

Understanding your emotions can help you manage your anxiety

By Wendy Suzuki

Notopteris neocaledonica, the New Caledonia blossom bat, an endangered bat species endemic to New Caledonia.

How to get a bat out of your house

By Natalie Wallington

An iPhone on a desk by a laptop and showing Apple Music on its lock screen

Separate your music into two Apple Music libraries—you’ll thank us

Prickly pear cactus spines closeup

How to remove cactus spines (including ones stuck in your throat)

By Kate Baggaley

Holiday cake filled with chocolate stars, icing, and orange slices poses a sugary nightmare to people with diabetes

A diabetes-friendly guide to holiday parties

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Person-sitting-down-typing-on-computer-on-lap

Get the Windows 10 taskbar back on Windows 11

A silver Macbook Air keyboard that someone needs to learn how to clean. There are crumbs and even a hair on it.

How to clean a keyboard without breaking it

By Claire Maldarelli

slightly-closed-mac-laptop-on-a-desk-in-a-dark-room

This macOS feature will streamline the way you manage and reformat files

Hands on laptop showing google search on the screen

Google Chrome’s new search function will help you keep tabs on your tabs

A homemade wooden spoon or spatula inside an empty wok on a black electric stove.

Make these DIY wooden kitchen utensils for your favorite cook

By Jean Levasseur

Person-sitting-outside-with-their-hands-on-their-laptop

The easiest ways to back up iPhone photos without iCloud

Three hikers in rain jackets and other rain gear, hiking through a wet forest, hopefully with well-maintained waterproofing.

The right way to wash your waterproof clothes

By Alisha McDarris

person-holding-phone-with-google-vpn-on-screen

Pixel 7 users can now activate Google’s mobile VPN for free

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

person-lifting-weights-at-the-gym

How to get muscle gains: A beginner’s guide to becoming buff

A person cleaning a laptop screen with a microfiber cloth and small brush.

How to clean a computer screen without destroying it

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

A person holding a dead phone in their hands. They should've used low power mode.

How your phone’s low power mode really works

collage of old magazine images showing scuba divers

Please do not follow this 1953 tutorial for DIY scuba gear

By Bill Gourgey

person sitting at desk looking at phone with whatsapp open messaging themselves

WhatsApp, Discord, and other apps that let you message yourself for peak productivity

A blonde woman wearing a white sweater and headphones while sitting on a couch or bed, taking notes while in front of a laptop computer.

Where to find the hidden transcription tool in Microsoft Word

Spray-bottle-with-DIY-rosemary-water-for-hair

Rosemary is the secret to long and healthy hair. Here’s how to use it to grow luscious locks.

By Helen Bradshaw

A person using the Google search engine on a tablet.

5 Google search tips for the most accurate results

The hai smart Bluetooth showerhead next to text that says "Best of What's New, 2022, Home."

The best home innovations of 2022

By John Kennedy, Terri Williams

Phone on desk showing chat app

The 7 best apps for all your group chats

A brown rooster perched on a DIY chicken swing inside a chicken coop yard.

Why you should build a swing for your chickens

By Helen Bradshaw

The 100 greatest innovations of 2022

The 100 greatest innovations of 2022

By Popular Science Team

hands-on-mac-book-air-typing-a-shortcut

5 tasks you can easily automate using MacOS’ Shortcuts app

hand holding a smore in the woods

How to make the perfect s’mores—with science

By Alisha McDarris

airpods-laying-on-table

It’s time to update the firmware on your Apple devices

A Macbook laptop with a PS4 controller next to it on the table.

It’s surprisingly easy to connect your favorite video game controllers to your Mac

A mug of coffee or tea next to a Macbook laptop with Zoom open and full of people.

How to livestream an event for all your friends and family

By Harry Guinness

smartphone-showing the home screen of social network mastodon

5 key lessons after a week on Mastodon

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

A DIY Lazy Susan for a tabletop, on top of a dark wooden table. The Lazy Susan has a bunch of bananas and two white onions on it.

No need to pass the potatoes—spin them with this DIY Lazy Susan

By Jean Levasseur

fanaticos de futbol viendo un partido en casa celebrando

Todas las formas de ver el Mundial de Qatar 2022

By David Nield, Sandra Gutierrez G.

Person putting chromebook inside messenger bag

Help make your Chromebook better by being a power beta tester

DuckDuckGo’s Android app will now protect your data from sneaky trackers

hand out revealing a watch on wrist

It’s never too late to learn to be on time

By Daryl Austin

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen at sunrise atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Monday, April 4, 2022.

Get ready to watch NASA’s most powerful rocket head for the moon

By Maria Parazo Rose

How to build a fire in the wilderness

How to build a fire in the wilderness

By Alisha McDarris

A DIY laundry drying rack mounted on a wall and in a folded-out position, ready to dry some clothes.

Build a simple wall-mounted laundry rack to dry your delicates in style

By Jean Levasseur

A woman sipping from a teacup while taking a break.

Improve your focus by taking more breaks every day

Black person sitting with surface laptop their lap while holding a mug

How to make the most out of the newest Windows 11 update

Swedish engineer Linus Åkesson playing homemade accordion made of two Commodore 64 computers and floppy disks

This is what polka music sounds like on an accordion of two Commodore 64 computers

An iPhone on top of the keyboard of a Macbook laptop, getting ready to back up photos to the cloud.

The most effective ways to back up your precious photos to the cloud

A DIY floating shelf in a home with an Instant Pot and some books on it.

Defy gravity by building these floating shelves

By Jean Levasseur

screenshot of layout options in gmail

Gmail’s new email layouts will give a newsletter vibe to all your messages

An old man panning for gold in a river.

Enter your prospector era by learning how to pan for gold

By Alisha McDarris

soundbar audio delay

How to fix the annoying audio delay on your soundbar

By Whitson Gordon

How to banish toxic posts from your social feeds

By Whitson Gordon

A phone with the Twitter icon on the screen, on top of a closed cardboard box that says "Handle with care."

How to download your data from Twitter and other sites

By Stan Horaczek

French bulldog in orange striped Halloween costume with black cat on its back against purple background

Should pets wear Halloween costumes? Your furry friend can help you decide.

By Purbita Saha

A man watching YouTube on a tablet while sitting in front of a desktop computer.

3 ways to avoid falling down a YouTube rabbit hole

A person wearing a blue shirt sitting in front of a silver Apple laptop and typing on it, perhaps changing the permissions on certain apps.

Keep tabs on how much access your computer’s apps have to your system

macOS Ventura on an iMac, Macbook, and iPad.

7 sweet new features in the new macOS Ventura