Little-known features of your smartphone that you may not know about
Amaya Brooks- What It Is: A built-in safety feature that allows you to quickly call for help or alert emergency contacts.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Press and hold the side button and volume button (or rapidly press the power button five times on older models). You can also set it up in Settings > Emergency SOS .
- Android: Swipe up on the lock screen or use Settings > Safety & Emergency > Emergency SOS .
- Why It’s Useful: Provides peace of mind and quick access to help in dangerous situations.
3. Hidden Gaming Tools
- What It Is: Built-in gaming features that enhance your experience.
- iPhone: The Game Center app lets you track achievements and compete with friends.
- Android: Use Game Booster modes (available on Samsung, OnePlus, etc.) to optimize performance while gaming.
- Why It’s Useful: Elevate your gaming experience without needing extra apps.
4. Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology
- What It Is: A short-range wireless communication protocol that allows precise location tracking.
- How to Use: Some newer phones (like the iPhone 11 and later or Galaxy S21 Ultra) use UWB for features like AirDrop precision sharing or finding items with AirTags.
- Why It’s Useful: Makes file sharing and item tracking faster and more accurate.
5. Hidden Photo Editing Tools
- What It Is: Advanced editing options buried in your phone’s camera or gallery app.
- iPhone: Use Markup to draw, annotate, or add text to photos. Swipe on Live Photos to create loops or long exposures.
- Android: Many Samsung and Google Pixel phones have pro editing tools like AI enhancements, selective color adjustments, and object erasers.
- Why It’s Useful: Edit photos like a pro without downloading additional apps.
6. Back Tap (iPhone Only)
- What It Is: A feature that lets you perform actions by tapping the back of your phone.
- How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap . Assign actions like taking a screenshot, opening the control center, or launching Siri.
- Why It’s Useful: Adds convenience without needing to reach for on-screen buttons.
7. Bixby Vision / Google Lens
- What It Is: A visual search tool that uses your phone’s camera to identify objects, translate text, or scan barcodes.
- Samsung: Open the Camera app and tap the Bixby Vision icon.
- Android/iPhone: Use the Google Lens app or integrate it into Google Photos.
- Why It’s Useful: Quickly identify plants, animals, products, or translate foreign languages.
8. App Permissions Audit
- What It Is: A tool to review and manage which apps have access to your data.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy > [specific permission] (e.g., Location, Camera).
- Android: Check Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager .
- Why It’s Useful: Protect your privacy by revoking unnecessary permissions.
9. Screen Recording
- What It Is: A built-in tool to capture everything happening on your screen.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Add the Screen Recording button to Control Center via Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls .
- Android: Swipe down from the notification shade and tap the Screen Recorder tile (or enable it in Settings > Quick Settings ).
- Why It’s Useful: Perfect for tutorials, troubleshooting, or saving live streams.
10. Magnifier Tool
- What It Is: Turns your phone into a digital magnifying glass.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Enable in Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier . Triple-click the side button to activate.
- Android: Use Settings > Accessibility > Magnification or download the Google Magnifier app.
- Why It’s Useful: Helps you zoom in on small text or objects.
11. Wi-Fi Sharing Without Passwords
- What It Is: Share your Wi-Fi password directly with nearby devices.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Bring the devices close together and follow prompts when connecting.
- Android: Use Nearby Share or QR codes to share network details.
- Why It’s Useful: Eliminates the hassle of manually entering passwords.
12. Dark Mode Scheduling
- What It Is: Automatically switches your phone to dark mode based on the time of day.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Automatic .
- Android: Use Settings > Display > Dark Theme and set a schedule.
- Why It’s Useful: Reduces eye strain and saves battery life on OLED screens.
13. Silent Notifications
- What It Is: Send notifications directly to your lock screen without alerts.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Enable Focus Modes (Settings > Focus ) to silence non-essential apps.
- Android: Use Do Not Disturb settings or prioritize specific apps in Sound & Vibration .
- Why It’s Useful: Keeps your phone quiet while still receiving important updates.
14. Split-Screen Mode
- What It Is: Run two apps side-by-side for multitasking.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Limited, but iPadOS supports split view (drag one app to the edge of the screen ).
- Android: Swipe up from the recent apps menu and select “Split Screen.”
- Why It’s Useful: Boost productivity by using multiple apps simultaneously.
15. Custom Vibrations
- What It Is: Create personalized vibration patterns for calls, texts, or notifications.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Go to Contacts > Select Contact > Edit > Vibration > Create New Vibration .
- Android: Use third-party apps like Vibrate Patterns or check if your phone has a built-in option.
- Why It’s Useful: Identify callers or messages by unique vibrations.
16. Battery Health Insights
- What It Is: Monitor your battery’s condition and optimize its lifespan.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Check Settings > Battery > Battery Health .
- Android: Use Settings > Battery > Battery Usage or download apps like AccuBattery.
- Why It’s Useful: Extend your battery’s longevity by adjusting charging habits.
17. Voice Memos as Reminders
- What It Is: Record voice notes and transcribe them into text reminders.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Use the Voice Memos app and dictate tasks to Siri.
- Android: Use Google Keep or Assistant to record and convert audio.
- Why It’s Useful: Capture ideas hands-free and turn them into actionable reminders.
18. Hidden Widgets
- What It Is: Interactive widgets that provide quick access to app functions.
- How to Use:
- iPhone: Long-press the home screen and tap the “+” icon to browse available widgets.
- Android: Pinch the home screen or swipe to the widget drawer.
- Why It’s Useful: Access information or controls without opening apps.
Conclusion: Unlock Your Phone’s Full Potential
Your smartphone is a powerhouse of features waiting to be discovered. From boosting productivity to enhancing entertainment, these little-known tools can transform how you interact with your device. Take some time to explore these features—you might just find a new favorite trick!
Have you tried any of these? Share your favorites or ask about other hidden features—we’d love to hear from you! 🌟📱