Your smartphone does a lot more than just call and text. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, there are many hidden tricks that can help you use your phone in a better way. In this guide, we’ll go over some easy smartphone hacks and tips to make the most out of your device.
1. Save Your Phone’s Battery Life
A common problem with smartphones is that the battery runs out quickly. Here are some easy ways to save battery:
- Lower screen brightness: Keep your screen brightness low to save power.
- Turn on dark mode: Using dark mode can save battery, especially on phones with OLED screens.
- Close background apps: Apps running in the background use power. Close the ones you don’t need.
- Use battery saver mode: Both iPhone and Android phones have a battery saver mode that helps extend battery life.
2. Take Screenshots Quickly
Taking screenshots can be easy if you know how to do it:
- For Android users: Press the volume down button and power button at the same time.
- For iPhone users: Press the side button and volume up button together.
You can also ask Google Assistant or Siri to take a screenshot by saying, “Take a screenshot.”
3. Make the Most of Your Camera
Your phone’s camera has many features you might not know about:
- Portrait Mode: This mode helps you take pictures with a blurred background, making it look more professional.
- Pro Mode: On some Android phones, you can use Pro Mode to adjust settings like focus and lighting to take better pictures.
- Quick Capture: On some Android phones, double-tap the power button to quickly open the camera, even when your phone is locked.
4. Customize Your Notifications
Don’t want to be disturbed by too many notifications? Here’s how you can control them:
- Priority notifications: On Android, you can choose which apps can send you notifications by going to settings and selecting which apps are important.
- Do Not Disturb mode: You can turn on Do Not Disturb mode during meetings or while sleeping to silence your phone. You can even schedule it to turn on at certain times.
5. Use Voice Commands for Easy Control
Voice assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa can help you do things faster:
- Set reminders: Say “Hey Google, remind me to water the plants at 6 PM,” and it will remind you.
- Send texts: Just say, “Hey Siri, text Dad” to send a message without typing.
- Control smart devices: If you have smart devices at home like lights or speakers, you can control them by saying “Turn off the lights” or other commands.
6. Free Up Space on Your Phone
Running out of space can slow down your phone. Here are some ways to free up storage:
- Delete unused apps: Go through your apps and remove the ones you haven’t used in a long time.
- Use cloud storage: Save your photos and videos to a cloud service like Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox to clear up space.
- Clear cache: On Android, you can go to settings, tap storage, and clear cache to free up space.
7. Make Calls Over Wi-Fi
If your phone signal is weak, you can use Wi-Fi calling to make better calls:
- Turn on Wi-Fi calling: Go to your phone’s settings, find “Wi-Fi & Network,” and switch on Wi-Fi calling.
8. Unlock Your Phone Faster
Most phones now have easy ways to unlock them:
- Fingerprint unlock: Many phones let you unlock using your fingerprint, which is quick and secure.
- Face unlock: Some phones also have face recognition to unlock your device faster.
Final Thoughts
With these simple smartphone hacks and tricks, you can use your phone more efficiently and make it work better for you. Whether it’s saving battery, taking better pictures, or using voice commands, these tips will help you make the most of your device. Keep exploring your phone—you’ll always find something new to try!