Top tips: How to become more tech-savvy without being a tech expert

Top Tips is a weekly column where we explore practical ways to navigate the technology shaping our everyday lives. This week, we're tackling a common feeling: the fear of not being “tech-savvy” enough, and sharing simple habits to help you become more confident, curious, and comfortable with the technology you use every day. 

Ever felt like you’re the only person in the room who doesn’t understand what everyone is talking about?

That little fear of looking clueless? We’ve all been there.

The world of technology can make that feeling even stronger. With new apps, devices, AI tools, updates, settings, and features popping up every day, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up.

But here’s the good news: being tech-savvy doesn’t mean knowing everything about technology. It means being curious enough to figure things out.

How do you get there? Start with these simple habits.

1. Stop being afraid of advanced settings  

How often do you see an unfamiliar option and immediately think “Better not touch that”?

That’s exactly how we miss out on discovering what technology can actually do.

The more you explore the apps and devices you use every day, the more comfortable you become with them. Tap that “More options” button. Explore the settings. Find out what that feature you’ve never used actually does.

You might discover a shortcut, a useful feature, or a better way to do something you’ve been doing the same way for years.

You don’t have to know everything before you start exploring.

2. Learn to troubleshoot before asking for help  

When technology stops working, our first instinct is often to call someone who knows what they’re doing.

Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. But when there’s no urgency, why not try figuring it out yourself first?

Ask yourself:

What went wrong?
What changed?
Can I fix it?
How can I prevent it from happening again?

Even if you don’t find the solution, you’ll probably learn something along the way.

The next time the same problem happens, you might already know what to do.

Every technical problem is also a learning opportunity.

3. Understand why, not just how  

Knowing how to use technology is useful, but do you understand why it works the way it does? That takes you a step further.

Instead of simply learning “Click here to do this,” start asking:

Why does it work this way?
Why was this feature designed like this?
Why is this approach better than another one?

These questions take you beyond simply using technology. They help you understand the thinking behind it.

The more you ask “why”, the more naturally your curiosity grows.

4. Keep up with emerging technology  

You don’t need to become an expert on every new technology that comes along. But you should know what’s happening around you.

Follow technology news. Read articles and magazines. Watch product announcements. Attend tech events. Try out new tools when you get the chance.

You never know when something that seems completely unfamiliar today could become part of your everyday life tomorrow.

The key is simple:

Don’t just hear about new technology. Experience it.

Try it. Play around with it. See what it can do.

That hands-on experience can teach you far more than simply reading about it.

5. Learn from your tech mistakes  

We’ve all made them.

Deleted the wrong file. Changed a setting we shouldn’t have. Clicked something without knowing what it would do. Maybe even caused a problem that took someone else an hour to fix!

Instead of simply trying to forget what happened, take a minute to understand it.

What caused the mistake?
Was there a better way to do it?
How can you avoid it next time?

A mistake can teach you something that a tutorial never could.

Don’t be embarrassed by your tech mistakes. Learn from them.

The real secret to becoming tech-savvy  

You don’t need to become a programmer. You don’t need to understand how every device works. And you certainly don’t need to know every new technology that comes along.

Start small.

Explore the technology you already use. Ask questions. Troubleshoot. Stay curious. Make mistakes. Try again.

Do this consistently, and you’ll slowly notice something changing.

You won’t just be using technology anymore.

You’ll understand it, question it, and feel confident figuring it out.

Perhaps that’s what being tech-savvy really means.