How to use Google’s Datally to save data

U.S. carriers are offering more unlimited data plans than ever before, but mobile data is still a precious resource for millions of people. Making sure that your phone isn’t taking tasty slurps of mobile data every time your back is turned can be as simple as following our data-saving guide. While you can turn off mobile data and sync whenever you don’t need them, forgetting to do so even once means that, oops — there goes a gigabyte.

Thankfully, there are easy ways to make sure that your data is only used on the apps and services you really want it to be used for, and Google’s Datally app is one of the best and easiest to use. With tons of ways to cut down on your usage, and with Google constantly updating to add more and more tools, Datally can let you micromanage as much — or as little — as you like.

But with so many options in your hands, it can be a little overwhelming to get started. Here’s how to use Datally to make sure your data — and money — is safely saved.

The easiest way to get started

We mentioned the wealth of tools that Datally has, but in reality, all you need to get started is the one, giant switch at the top of Datally’s main screen. Tap the large switch (marked with a padlock) and Datally’s data saving options will switch on, and start saving data from the word go.

Done and want to know more? You probably noticed a couple of things happen once you hit that switch. First, a little bubble appeared on the side of your screen, displaying a figure. That’s your Bubble tracker, and it sits atop your active screen and lets you know how much data has been used. If you’re not keen on having it there, then you can either tap it and select Hide bubble, or tap-and-hold and drag it down to the bottom of the screen. Otherwise, you can turn it off in Datally itself — simply tap Bubble tracker and then hit Hide bubble.

One of the easiest ways to save data is to simply connect to a Wi-Fi network. But if you’re not near your home network that’s easier said than done. By default, Datally will let you know whenever you’re near a Wi-Fi network you can connect to, whether that be at a cafe, hotel, or bar. But if you’re looking to be a bit more proactive, then hit the Find Wi-Fi button to find Wi-Fi networks near you. This feature comes in two flavors: A simple list of Wi-Fi networks near you under the Nearby label, or a map view of nearby Wi-Fi networks under Explore. In either mode, tap a location, and you can get directions to your network of choice.

Managing which apps are allowed to use your data

If you’re a data miser like us, then just hitting a button and seeing numbers isn’t enough for you and you’re ready to go a bit deeper. Go back to Datally’s main page and hit Manage data to take a deeper look at what’s using your data. From here you’ll be able to see how much data you’ve used and when you’ve used it, as well as a list of which apps have used the most data. You can tap the padlock to the right to allow each app access to data — which allows you to keep receiving your emails while ensuring your podcast app doesn’t waste any data downloading episodes before you get home.

Next, head back to Datally’s main screen and tap on Unused apps. This is one of Google’s latest additions to Datally, and highlights a list of apps that haven’t been opened in over a month but have been using mobile data. Take caution with this list, as it can erroneously highlight apps that don’t need to be opened to be used, like Google’s Gboard or Google Pay. But it’s a good list to check over every now and again, as it does a good job at highlighting apps you’re just not using — regardless of the data used. If you do spot an app you could do without, just tap the Uninstall button to remove the app from your system.

Lock down that data fully

Sometimes a good hard limit is what’s needed, and if you’re really up against the wall and running out of data fast, then Datally can set limits on your daily usage.

To get started, hit Daily limit, then specify the amount of data you want to be limited to every day in either GB or MB. Then tap Set a daily limit, and voila — the next screen will keep you informed as to how much data you’ve used today, and give you the option to lock off all data access once the limit has been reached.

It can be a bit trickier to regulate your data if it’s not you using your phone. Perhaps your partner is a bit too attached to streaming videos, or one of your kids just loves to chew through your data in a day. Thankfully Datally’s got a fix for that too. Another new addition to the app, Guest mode, allows you to set a limit on mobile data. This limit is displayed in a notification bar, with a reminder when the limit has been reached, and the option to password lock the phone — perfect for limiting a child’s access to data.

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Exactis left the records of 340M people, businesses wide open for anyone to grab

Marketing and data aggregation firm Exactis kept a database of around 340 million individual records on a publicly accessible server, Wired reports. Discovered by security researcher Vinny Troia from Night Lion Security, the data dump measured around two terabytes (2TB) and contained the personal information of around 230 million adults in North America along with 110 million businesses. Fortunately, credit card and social security numbers were not discovered within the data. 

“It seems like this is a database with pretty much every U.S. citizen in it,” Troia said. “I don’t know where the data is coming from, but it’s one of the most comprehensive collections I’ve ever seen.” 

Troia could find just about everyone he knew in the data, and when he was asked to seek out 10 specific people, he quickly emerged with six. The data dump included simple information such as phone numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. But it also dug deep into each listed individual spanning more than 400 variables. For instance, the data listed whether individuals smoke, if they own pets, their preferred religion, favorite hobbies, and loads more. 

Troia came across the data dump while researching the security of Elasticsearch databases using the search tool Shodan. Because these databases can be queried over the internet using a command line, he scanned for publicly accessible Elasticsearch-based servers using North American IP addresses. The scan produced 7,000 results, one of which served up the unprotected Exactis data dump. 

Once he stumbled across the data dump and examined its contents, he contacted both the FBI and Exactis, the latter of which made the data inaccessible shortly after Troia’s notification. Still, anyone who performed an Elasticsearch scan prior to Troia likely discovered the Exactis data dump as well. 

So far there is no evidence of foul play, but the data could already be circulating on the dark web. There is supposedly enough information in the data to produce scam campaigns even though financial and social security data isn’t present. 

According to Exactis, the company plays host to 3.5 billion “consumer, business, and digital records.” Among that data is supposedly 110 million households in the U.S., 218 million individuals, 88 million records tying email addresses to postal addresses, and 112 million records with residential phone numbers. 

“Data is the fuel that powers Exactis,” the company boasts. “Layer on hundreds of selects including demographic, geographic, lifestyle, interests, and behavioral data to target highly specific audiences with laser-like precision.” 

The Exactis data dump surpasses the data breach seen by Equifax in 2017, which saw the data of 145.5 million individuals stolen by hackers. The difference here is that hackers didn’t infiltrate Exactis’ network, but rather the company simply left data exposed on a publicly accessed server. The situation is similar to what happened in June 2017 where the details of 198 million American voters were left unsecured on a publicly accessed cloud server. 

What makes this data exposure scary is that Exactis may have your data and you don’t even know it. Even more, that data was left exposed with the potential to be scooped up by scammers.

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Exactis left the records of 340M people, businesses wide open for anyone to grab

Marketing and data aggregation firm Exactis kept a database of around 340 million individual records on a publicly accessible server, Wired reports. Discovered by security researcher Vinny Troia from Night Lion Security, the data dump measured around two terabytes (2TB) and contained the personal information of around 230 million adults in North America along with 110 million businesses. Fortunately, credit card and social security numbers were not discovered within the data. 

“It seems like this is a database with pretty much every U.S. citizen in it,” Troia said. “I don’t know where the data is coming from, but it’s one of the most comprehensive collections I’ve ever seen.” 

Troia could find just about everyone he knew in the data, and when he was asked to seek out 10 specific people, he quickly emerged with six. The data dump included simple information such as phone numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. But it also dug deep into each listed individual spanning more than 400 variables. For instance, the data listed whether individuals smoke, if they own pets, their preferred religion, favorite hobbies, and loads more. 

Troia came across the data dump while researching the security of Elasticsearch databases using the search tool Shodan. Because these databases can be queried over the internet using a command line, he scanned for publicly accessible Elasticsearch-based servers using North American IP addresses. The scan produced 7,000 results, one of which served up the unprotected Exactis data dump. 

Once he stumbled across the data dump and examined its contents, he contacted both the FBI and Exactis, the latter of which made the data inaccessible shortly after Troia’s notification. Still, anyone who performed an Elasticsearch scan prior to Troia likely discovered the Exactis data dump as well. 

So far there is no evidence of foul play, but the data could already be circulating on the dark web. There is supposedly enough information in the data to produce scam campaigns even though financial and social security data isn’t present. 

According to Exactis, the company plays host to 3.5 billion “consumer, business, and digital records.” Among that data is supposedly 110 million households in the U.S., 218 million individuals, 88 million records tying email addresses to postal addresses, and 112 million records with residential phone numbers. 

“Data is the fuel that powers Exactis,” the company boasts. “Layer on hundreds of selects including demographic, geographic, lifestyle, interests, and behavioral data to target highly specific audiences with laser-like precision.” 

The Exactis data dump surpasses the data breach seen by Equifax in 2017, which saw the data of 145.5 million individuals stolen by hackers. The difference here is that hackers didn’t infiltrate Exactis’ network, but rather the company simply left data exposed on a publicly accessed server. The situation is similar to what happened in June 2017 where the details of 198 million American voters were left unsecured on a publicly accessed cloud server. 

What makes this data exposure scary is that Exactis may have your data and you don’t even know it. Even more, that data was left exposed with the potential to be scooped up by scammers.

Editors’ Recommendations

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A California chipmaker is working to free Alexa from the power cord

People are weirdly affectionate about their Alexa-powered smart speakers manufactured by Amazon — one poll this week found a quarter of customers taking the device to bed with them. But if a California microchip manufacturer is successful in its new collaboration with Amazon, Alexa could soon be free of power cords and ready to roam.

The company is DSP Group, a provider of chipsets for VoIP, multimedia, and digital cordless applications with a 30-year record of successful implementations in phones and watches. Amazon has partnered with the manufacturer through its Alexa Voice Services Division, which has been working with a wide swath of chipmakers to port Alexa into other devices.

“We envision a future where customers interact with Alexa everywhere and from any device,” Priya Abani, director of Alexa Voice Service, said in a statement. “We’re excited to work with DSP Group to achieve this vision and offer developers additional tools that add to the various resources they already have available to build Alexa-enabled devices.”

DSP’s breakthrough is a standardized chip that is smaller than a dime that can be used to embed Alexa into third-party devices. In widespread use, this technology could effectively make Alexa the “ghost in the shell” of everything from phones to smart home networks. It could also effectively help Amazon win the market for digital assistants from competitors like Google Home and Apple’s Siri/HomePod.

In addition to its miniature scale, DSP’s chip is highly competitive in terms of low power consumption. Because the company designed its chip from the ground up for use in small-scale devices, its chip outperforms the competition in devices where space is limited.

DSP announced this week that it is making its technology available to third-party developers through its HDClear 3-Mic Development Kit for Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS). The low-power solution is designed to enable developers to build a range of Alexa-enabled devices including smart speakers, wearables, smart home devices, and remote controls.

The new chip line is key to DSP’s strategy for using technology evolution to stay relevant in a volatile market for smart technology. The company’s fortunes have been historically dependent on supplying chips to devices like cordless phones, but the market is disappearing as landline customers make the switch to cellular.

DSP’s market is still a fraction of the business that competitors like Intel see on an annual basis but the company’s partnership with Amazon could be a game-changer. For DSP, it’s a significant inroad to a company that has plenty of its own engineers working on Alexa solutions. For Amazon, it’s a critical first step toward releasing Alexa into a wider market.

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A California chipmaker is working to free Alexa from the power cord

People are weirdly affectionate about their Alexa-powered smart speakers manufactured by Amazon — one poll this week found a quarter of customers taking the device to bed with them. But if a California microchip manufacturer is successful in its new collaboration with Amazon, Alexa could soon be free of power cords and ready to roam.

The company is DSP Group, a provider of chipsets for VoIP, multimedia, and digital cordless applications with a 30-year record of successful implementations in phones and watches. Amazon has partnered with the manufacturer through its Alexa Voice Services Division, which has been working with a wide swath of chipmakers to port Alexa into other devices.

“We envision a future where customers interact with Alexa everywhere and from any device,” Priya Abani, director of Alexa Voice Service, said in a statement. “We’re excited to work with DSP Group to achieve this vision and offer developers additional tools that add to the various resources they already have available to build Alexa-enabled devices.”

DSP’s breakthrough is a standardized chip that is smaller than a dime that can be used to embed Alexa into third-party devices. In widespread use, this technology could effectively make Alexa the “ghost in the shell” of everything from phones to smart home networks. It could also effectively help Amazon win the market for digital assistants from competitors like Google Home and Apple’s Siri/HomePod.

In addition to its miniature scale, DSP’s chip is highly competitive in terms of low power consumption. Because the company designed its chip from the ground up for use in small-scale devices, its chip outperforms the competition in devices where space is limited.

DSP announced this week that it is making its technology available to third-party developers through its HDClear 3-Mic Development Kit for Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS). The low-power solution is designed to enable developers to build a range of Alexa-enabled devices including smart speakers, wearables, smart home devices, and remote controls.

The new chip line is key to DSP’s strategy for using technology evolution to stay relevant in a volatile market for smart technology. The company’s fortunes have been historically dependent on supplying chips to devices like cordless phones, but the market is disappearing as landline customers make the switch to cellular.

DSP’s market is still a fraction of the business that competitors like Intel see on an annual basis but the company’s partnership with Amazon could be a game-changer. For DSP, it’s a significant inroad to a company that has plenty of its own engineers working on Alexa solutions. For Amazon, it’s a critical first step toward releasing Alexa into a wider market.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Razer crams lasers into its new ‘Huntsman’ keyboards for blazing-fast speed

Gaming peripheral giant Razer introduced a new line of mechanical keyboards called Huntsman. The first two models out the gate is the “premium” $199 Razer Huntsman Elite version and the cheaper, “performance-focused” $149 Razer Huntsman model. Both rely on new mechanical switches that use an infrared light beam to precisely detect key actuation. 

If you’re not familiar with the term, actuation is the point in your keystroke where the keyboard acknowledges the character. The company’s new mechanical switch, aka the Opto-Mechanical Switch, has an actuation point at 1.5mm. The infrared light beam essentially detects when you hit that point, activating the keystroke.

Razer claims actuation is 30 percent faster than the competing mechanical switches. Even more, Razer’s new switch has a lifespan of 100 million keystrokes, twice the lifespan of the competition. That is due to the embedded infrared beams as well. 

“With the use of optical actuation technology and a metal key stabilizer bar fitted around each switch, there are fewer moving parts and no physical contact during actuation,” the company states. “This reduces switch degradation, making the Razer Huntsman a more consistent and durable keyboard that gamers may rely on for years.” 

In a typical mechanical switch, actuation happens when two metallic contact leaves touch each other. With Razer’s Opto-Mechanical Switch, the company rips out the contacts in favor of an optical sensor that shoots a beam of light across the switch stem. When the key is in a resting position, the beam remains blocked. Once you press the switch, the stem lowers and allows the beam to cross over and connect with a receiving sensor on the other side. 

Yet given the removal of the metallic contacts, the switch still provides the clicky, tactile feedback we’ve come to know and love from mechanical keyboards. According to Razer, they feel and sound similar to the company’s own Razer Green Switch. Once you feel the click, the switch actuates your key command “at the speed of light.” 

Outside the switches, both keyboards include Razer’s Chroma lighting system supporting 16.8 million colors. They also have hybrid storage that can house up to five profiles via onboard storage and in the cloud, an aluminum matte top plate, and a braided fiber USB connection. Other features include 1,000Hz ultrapolling (aka a 1ms communication rate), 10 key rollover with anti-ghosting, and fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording. 

But the $199 model has a few additional perks over the “vanilla” model. Added to this model is an ergonomic wrist rest with an underglow supporting 24 customizable zones, meaning it has an LED strip along the bottom that casts colorful light onto your desktop. There’s  also another underglow lighting strip around the main keyboard that supports 38 zones. Other additions include dedicated media keys and a multi-function digital dial you can fine-tune using the company’s Synapse 3 software. 

Both keyboards are available now through Razer’s online store: $149 for the Huntsman model and $199 for the Huntsman Elite version. The company didn’t say when they will be made available through retail stores. 

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OnePlus 2019 smartphone will be 5G ready, promises timely updates

Smartphone maker OnePlus took to the stage at Mobile World Congress in Shanghai to announce its plans for 2019, PCMag reports. In addition to working with U.S. carriers, the company plans on producing a 5G smartphone.

At the event, OnePlus CEO and founder Pete Lau explained that thanks to the company’s relationship with Qualcomm, it’s shaping up to become one of the first 5G mobile phone makers. Lau also said the release will align with the first year 5G will be available in the U.S.

Carriers and chipmakers haven’t been slacking on creating hardware or testing 5G around the country, and with preliminary results showing that it’s going to be extremely fast. According to the ITU’s draft specification back in February calls for a minimum of 20Gbps downlink and 10Gbps uplink per mobile base station.

While there weren’t any more details on specifications we can expect for the smartphone, Lau also expressed an interest in bringing OnePlus phones to a carrier in the U.S. — rather than focusing on direct sales. That way, users in the U.S. can experience the phones in person before making the purchases in order to have some hands on time with it.

Specific carriers weren’t mentioned, and it’s still unclear if the company is focused on breaking into only one carrier or multiple. But for those worried that bloatware, he assured OnePlus providing customers with a fast and bloat-free experience is what’s most important to the company.

The company also announced a new maintenance schedule for updates — which includes the OnePlus 3 and 3T, OnePlus 5 and 5T, along with the OnePlus 6. While OnePlus has always been mostly reliable with providing major updates and security patches to its devices, the new schedule provides users with a reliable timeline of when they should expect to see both.

Under this schedule, OnePlus states that “there will be two years of regular software updates from the release date of the phone (release dates of T variants would be considered).” The update will not only include new features and Android versions, but also Android security patches and bug fixes. There will also be an additional year of Android security patch updates every two months.

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Patent hints at refined Apple Watch power-saving mode that kicks in by itself

Apple is awarded more patents every week, and recently we’ve seen patents related to a smarter iPhone camera, better waterproof phones, and more. Now, the company has been awarded yet another mobile-related patent — one that could help make the Apple Watch’s battery last a whole lot longer.

The patent specifically describes the use of a so-called “low-power mode” that takes the phrase “low-power mode” to a new level. In the patent, Apple notes that in low-power mode, the watch could display different things depending on user input. For example, it could display only the date and time, as well as an indicator that the phone is in low power mode.

The feature seems especially helpful on the Apple Watch given the fact that it states the device could display only the time and how much battery there is. While the time is useful on an iPhone too, it’s particularly important on a watch.

Of course, Apple devices already have some features related to using less battery, and on the iPhone, it’s even called “Low Power Mode.” The battery-saving feature on the Apple Watch, which is called Power Reserve, seems pretty similar to the feature described in the patent. In Power Reserve, the watch ceases communication with the iPhone, and only shows the time when you press the side button.

So what’s different between what the Apple Watch already offers and what the patent describes? Well, the patent suggests that the device could automatically enter Low Power Mode when it reaches a certain threshold, and that it could also display information like how much time is left. Images indicate that the device could say something along the lines of “based on current usage, you have 1 hour remaining.”

As we would expect, this patent is a continuation of patents dating back to 2014, and so while Apple has used some of the tech described in the patent, it could continue refining it as time goes on. That could be pretty helpful — while the Apple Watch is largely considered one of the better watches on the market, it still suffers from what many consider to be a subpar battery.

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Pokémon Go developer Niantic is opening up its AR development platform

Niantic’s technology is called the Real World Platform.

Niantic, the development team behind Pokémon Go, announced today that it’ll now allow third-party developers to use its AR technology that powers not only Pokémon Go, but Ingress and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, too.

Niantic’s AR tech is called “Real World Platform”, and it uses a combo of computer vision, object recognition, and depth detection to create for those augmented reality experiences we’ve become so fond of.

If you’re a developer, you can now visit a new website Niantic’s created where you can apply to start using it. According to CEO John Hanke:

Because we are so excited about the opportunity in advanced AR, we want other people to be able to make use of the Niantic Real World Platform to build innovative experiences that connect the physical and the digital in ways that we haven’t yet imagined. We will be selecting a handful of third party developers to begin working with these tools later this year.

If this sounds familiar to something Google did earlier this year, that’s because it is. During this year’s Game Developer Conference, Google launched its Maps APIs for the Unity game engine to help developers create more accurate and immersive AR experiences.

In addition to the Real World Engine now open to use by other developers, Niantic also shed some light on features that’ll soon be available for it — such as shared AR multiplayer experiences, better blending of AR elements with the real world, and more.

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Every Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL Case We Could Find

Looking for a case for your brand new Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL? We’ve got you covered!

There are so many reasons to get a case for your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL. Whether you want the highest level of protection available to prevent damage to your new phone or the most transparent, thinnest case available to show off your new phone with pride, there are plenty of options out there.

So if you want a case for your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, we’ve compiled a massive list of all the cases we could find that are worth your while!

NOTE: Due to the large size of the list, we made the pictures smaller than usual; however, you can enlarge any image to full size by clicking or tapping on the image.

Thin Cases

Spigen Thin Fit

A thin polycarbonate back plate with a little cushion in the corners to help prevent damage if you drop your Pixel.

You can pick one up for about $12.

• See Thin Fit for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Thin Fit for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Maxboost mSnap series

A hard polycarbonate case that protects the back and sides of the Google Pixel 2 from scratches and scuffs.

Get the Maxboost mSnap series in black, pink, or mint for $20.

• See Maxboost mSnap for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Maxboost mSnap for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Vinve flexible case

Made from TPU, the Vinve flexible case will help prevent damage from drops. The textured back also provides extra grip.

You can pick one up in black or blue for about $8.

• See Vinve flexible case for Pixel 2 at at Amazon
• See Vinve flexible case for Pixel 2 XL at at Amazon

Peel case

The thinnest case you’ll find, it will almost look like you have no case on your phone at all.

You can pick it up in black, white, and kinda blue for $25.

• See Peel case for Pixel 2 at Peel
• See Peel case for Pixel 2 XL at Peel

MNML case

Only 0.35mm thick and made with a matte finish that won’t show fingerprints.

You can find the MNML case in gray, black, white, red, and blue for about $15.

• See the MNML case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See the MNML case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Google Live Case

Pick from a wide selection of designs, places, and even stunning scenes from Google Earth.

You can even send Google your pictures to make a personal case for you; perfect for a gift. Starts at $40.

• See Google Live Cases for Pixel 2 at Google
• See Google Live Cases for Pixel 2 XL at Google

LK Slim Thin

For those who want a cheap clear case to keep your phone protected without obscuring the Pixel 2’s cool design.

You can pick up the LK Slim Thin case for just $8.

• See LK Slim Thin for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See LK Slim Thin for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Incipio NGP Pure

A slim soft polymer case that provides a barrier between your Pixel 2 and the rest of the world.

You can pick one up in smoke, navy, plum, or clear for about $20.

• See Incipio NGP Pure for Pixel 2 at Incipio
• See Incipio NGP Pure for Pixel 2 XL at Incipio

totalle case

Plain and simple, the totalle case for your Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will add a splash of color and a little grip to your phone, but absolutely no bulk. At only 0.02 inches thick, the totalle case won’t even feel like its there at all.

In fact, we liked the totallee case so much for its practically non-exsistant nature, thta we gave if a glowing review of 4.5 stars out of five.

You can pick up the totallee case for $20 in blue, black, white, grey, and more color options.

• See totallee case for Pixel 2
• See totallee case for Pixel 2 XL

Clear Cases

Spigen Liquid Crystal

This thin flexible TPU case will provide your Google Pixel 2 or 2 XL with more grip and has cushioning on the corner to help prevent damage from drops.

You can pick up the Spigen Liquid Crystal for $12.

• See Spigen Liquid Crystal for Pixel 2 at Spigen
• See Spigen Liquid Crystal for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Spigen Crystal Shell

Dual-layered protection consisting of both TPU and polycarbonate, the Spigen Crystal Shell offers protection while keeping the design of your Google Pixel 2 in clear sight.

You can pick up the Spigen Crystal Shell for $25.

• See Spigen Crystal Shell for Pixel 2 at Spigen
• See Spigen Crystal Shell for Pixel 2 XL at Spigen

Ringke Fusion

Ringke has their rugged clear case available for the Pixel 2. Made with a sturdy panel of polycarbonate on the back panel and an easy-grip TPU bumper, this case will keep your new device protected while also letting the Pixel 2’s design shine through.

You can pick up the Ringke Fusion for about $10.

• See Ringke Fusion for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Ringke Fusion for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Ringke Bevel

Just like the Ringke Fusion, the Bevel provides the same protection with a bevel design on the back to enhance grip and make your phone stand out. The case is still clear enough not to take away from the design of the Pixel 2.

Grab it for around $9.

• See Ringke Bevel for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Ringke Bevel for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Speck Presidio Clear

Dual-layered protection drop tested for eight feet. Thick cutouts for camera prevent scratches on the lens when lying on a flat surface.

The Speck Presidio Clear case will cost you $40 for the Pixel 2 and $45 for the larger Pixel 2 XL.

• See Speck Presidio Clear for Pixel 2 at Speck
• See Speck Presidio Clear for Pixel 2 XL at Speck

Trianium CLARIUM

Shock-absorbing TPU mixed with a hard polycarbonate back give the Trianium CLARIUM dual-layered protection to keep your phone safe.

You can pick up the Trianium CLARIUM for $8.

• See Trianium CLARIUM for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Trianium CLARIUM for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Incipio Reprieve Sport 2.0

Clear back to show off the Google Pixel 2’s style, textured sides to improve grip, and reinforced corners to prevent damage from dropping. For $40, the Incipio Reprieve Sport 2.0 has a little something for everyone.

• See Incipio Reprieve Sport 2.0 for Pixel 2 at Incipio
• See Incipio Reprieve Sport 2.0 for Pixel 2 XL at Incipio

Rugged cases

Caseology Vault Series

Made of flexible TPU, it features a sleek finish along the back and textured grip around the edges.

You can pick up the Caseology Vault Series for around $11.

Note: This case is only available for the Pixel 2 XL.

• See Caseology Vault Series for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Otterbox Symmetry series

Otterbox’s Symmetry series offers the classic protection you expect from the company in a slimmer profile. The one-piece design is thick enough to prevent damage from drop and scratches, and the raised edges help protect your Pixel 2 when lying on a flat surface.

• See Otterbox Symmetry series for Pixel 2 at Otterbox
• See Otterbox Symmetry series for Pixel 2 XL at Otterbox

CrashGuard Bumper Case by RhinoShield

RhinoShield’s CrashGuard Bumper Case is a great way to protect your phone without adding a ton of bulk. Protects the edges of your phone with lots of cusion on the corner, which prevents damage when your Pixel 2 takes a tumble.

You can pick up CrashGuard Bumper Case by RhinoShield for $25.

• See CrashGuard Bumper Case for Pixel 2 at RhinoShield
• See CrashGuard Bumper Case for Pixel 2 XL at RhinoShield

Spigen Rugged Armor

Single layer TPU with rasied edges to protect screen and camera while lying on a flat surface. Plus, the corner of the case are extra protected to help prevent damage from drops.

You can pick up the Spigen Ruged Armor for $13.

• See Rugged Armor for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Rugged Armor for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Spigen Neo Hybrid

A TPU sleeve and a hard polycarbonate bumper make up Spigen’s New Hybrid case offering adequate protection with a sense of style. The way the bumper is designed it sit completely flush with the rest of the case, make the Neo Hybrid feel good when you’re holding your phone.

You can pick up the Neo Hybrid for $16.

• See Neo Hybrid for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Neo Hybrid for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

DGtle shockproof case

Made from a single layer of TPU, the DGtle shockproof case has lots of extra protection around the corners to help prevent damage when the phone is dropped on a corner.

Available in a wide variety of colors, such as blue, pink, and smoke black for $8.

• See DGtle shockproof case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See DGtle shockproof case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

UAG Plasma series

This translucent rugged case features a two-tone single piece design that cover the back and sides of the Google Pixel 2 and meet military drop test standards.

You can pick up the UAG Plasma series in ice or ask color option for about $40.

• See UAG Plasma series for Pixel 2 XL at UAG
• See UAG Plasma series for Pixel 2 XL at UAG

Suensan protective case

A single TPU layer that covers the back and side of the Google Pixel 2 with raised bezels to protect the camera and screen on flat surfaces.

You can pick on up in mint green, black, blue, gray, and red for $9.

• See Suensan protective case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Suensan protective case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Heavy Duty

ATUS Anti-Slip Slim Fit

Heavy duty protection in a slim profile, the ATUS Anti-Slip Slim Fit has dua-layered protection to keep your Pixel 2 safe and sound, while keeping the profile of your phone slimmer than most heavy-duty cases out there.

The ATUS Anti-Slip Slim Fit is only avaiable for the Pixel 2. You can pick one up in black, pink, or teal for about $9.

• See ATUS Anti-Slip Slim Fit for Pixel 2 at Amazon

Caseology Parallax series

The Caseology Parallax Series offers a slim, two-piece design to keep your Pixel 2 well-protected.

It’s available in a wide variety of colors such as black, burgundy, navy blue, and ocean gray. You can pick on up for about $15.

Note: This case is only available for the Google Pixel 2 XL.

• See Caseology Parallax series for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Caseology Legion Series

The Caseology Legion Series offers the same dual-layered protection as its Parallax series; however, the Legion series focuses on protecting the back of the phone a lot more.

You can grab it for $18.

Note: This case is only available for the Pixel 2 XL.

• See Caseology Legion Series for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Spigen Tough Armor

A personal favorite of mine, Spigen Tough Armor offers robust dual-layered protection with TPU and hard polycarbonate materials. The metal kickstand is perfect for watching videos and other media while your hands are other wise preoccupied.

You can pick up the Spigen Tough Armor in black or gunmetal for $35.

• See Spigen Tough Armor for Pixel 2 at Spigen
• See Spigen Tough Armor for Pixel 2 XL at Spigen

Spigen Slim Armor

Just like Spigen’s Tough Armor, the Slim Armor case uses TPU and hard polycarbonate materials for dual-layered protection, but comes in a slimmer package.

You can pick up the Spigen Slim Armor in black or gunmetal for $30.

• See Spigen Slim Armor for Pixel 2 at Spigen
• See Spigen Slim Armor for Pixel 2 XL at Spigen

Otterbox Defender series

The ultimate name in protection, Otterbox’s Defender series is the Mack Daddy of all protective cases. With four different layers, your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL will be as safe as it possibly can be.

The Otterbox Defender series will cost you $50 or $60 for the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL respectively.

• See Otterbox Defender series for Pixel 2 at Otterbox
• See Otterbox Defender series for Pixel 2 XL at Otterbox

Leather Cases

Bellroy Leather case

Made using premium leather and featuring a soft microfiber lining this is a lightweight case that will keep your phone well protected and age beautifully over time. It’s also backed by a 3-year warranty from Bellroy.

You can pick up the Bellroy Leather case from the Google Store for $45 with free shipping!

• See Bellroy Leather case for Pixel 2 at Google
• See Bellroy Leather case for Pixel 2 XL at Google

Wallet cases

ProCase Leather Wallet

This beautiful leather case has three cards slots and closes with a magnetic clip. Plus, it even can be used as a kickstand for media viewing.

You can pick up the ProCase Leather wallet for about $30 in black, tan, or red.

• See ProCase Leather Wallet for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See ProCase Leather Wallet for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Case Mate Wallet Folio

Made from real leather, the Case Mate Wallet Folio has four card slots and even a pocket to put your cash. Leaving your wallet at home has never been easier.

You can pick one up for $60.

• See Case Mate Wallet Folio for Pixel 2 at Case Mate
• See Case Mate Wallet Folio for Pixel 2 XL at Case Mate

JD wallet case

Made from a faux leather material, the JD wallet case has plenty of room for cards and cash. The case even comes with a built in RFID blocker, meaning your credit card numbers should be safe.

The JD wallet case comes in black, blue, pink, and brown for about $16.

• See JD wallet case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See JD wallet case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Trianium wallet case

A hard protective shell with a card slot that card hold ID, credit cards, and cash, the Trianium wallet case offers protection and functionality.

You can pick up a Trianium wallet case for $10.

Note This case is only available for the Pixel 2 XL.

• See Trianium wallet case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Maxboost wallet case

With three cards slots and a place to store your cash, the Maxboost wallet case has a magenetic lock to keep the wallet case firmly closed when not in use.

Grab the Maxboost wallet case for only $13.

• See Maxboost wallet case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See Maxboost wallet case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

LK wallet case

With a TPU inner skin, the LK wallet case offers mild protection against damage when your Pixel 2 takes a fall. With three card slots, and a place to put your cash, you can venture out into the world with your normal bulky wallet with ease.

The LK wallet case comes in black, brown, purple, and rose gold and will cost you about $10.

• See LK wallet case for Pixel 2 at Amazon
• See LK wallet case for Pixel 2 XL at Amazon

Other types of cases

Moment Photo case

Another personal favorite of mine, the Moment Photo case is designed to work with the wide-variety of Moment lenes. If you want a beautiful looking case that will up you photography game, check it out.

You can pick one up with a walnut finish for only $30.

• See Moment Photo case for Pixel 2 at Moment
• See Moment Photo case for Pixel 2 XL at Moment

Google Fabric case

If you prefer your phone case to have some texture for grip, you’re probably going to love the Google Fabric Case. It features the same fabric finish look found on other recent Google products such as the Google Home Mini.

These cases offer a premium microfiber liner to ensure your device stays scuff-free and your choice of four color combinations for $40.

• See Google Fabric case for Pixel 2 at Google
• See Google Fabric case for Pixel 2 XL at Google

Carved Wooden Cases

With dozens of unique designs and plenty of wood grains and colors to choose from, Carved wooden cases are absolutely gorgeous.

The Carvedwooden cases range from $24 — $40.

• See Carved wooden cases for Pixel 2 at Carved
• See Carved wooden cases for Pixel 2 XL at Carved

What case did you go with for your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL?

Let us know in the comment below!

Updated June 2018: Added the fantastic totallee case for fans of really thin cases!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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