If you’re trying to reduce screen time and make your smartphone an asset instead of a liability, these hidden tricks could help. From increasing productivity to improving security measures, these hacks will give you maximum returns from your device. Uncover all the secret capabilities hidden inside your smartphone! You will be astounded to discover just what all it has to offer!
1. Turn Your Phone Into a Speaker
Smartphones are incredible tools, yet they contain tons of hidden tricks and hacks that can make life simpler. From instantly recognizing songs to optimizing battery charging, there’s so much to discover!
Frustrated by your alarm? Try activating Mute with Gestures for maximum silence during phone calls from unknown numbers! Simply flip over or touch the screen of your device, and your calls can be silently silenced! Even the unknown callers won’t disturb you any longer!
Use an application like AudioRelay to connect your smartphone directly to your computer, instantly turning old unused phones into Wi-Fi PC speakers in just minutes! It’s an ideal way to repurpose older devices that might otherwise end up in the trash can.
2. Turn Your Phone Into a Remote Control
Unclutter your coffee table of remote controls by turning your smartphone into a TV remote control—one of the simplest solutions available!
If your phone features an infrared blaster and supports the appropriate manufacturer app, you can transform it into a universal remote that controls most household devices, including set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, stereo equipment and some air conditioning systems. Furthermore, this trick also serves to mute alarms or calls.
3. Turn Your Phone Into a Camera
Your smartphone is more than a communication device; it is also packed with tools that can streamline your work, save you time, and optimize its performance.
Live Text in iOS 15 and later provides an easy way to instantly copy, paste, translate or look up information directly from photos or screenshots—especially convenient for students and professionals who frequently utilize screenshots as source material. This feature makes life easier! This tool will prove especially valuable when dealing with students taking screenshots for educational or professional reasons. Are spam calls disrupting your day? With an easy setting, silence unknown callers.
4. Turn Your Phone Into a Trackpad
If you’re in search of a mouse or keyboard for your laptop, turn your smartphone into an external trackpad with just an app download and some quick setup.
This app turns your smartphone into a wireless mouse for PC or Mac computers, enabling you to manage music and video playback as well as navigate documents online. Plus, take quick notes or enter passwords anywhere!
Android phones feature many convenient toggles in their Quick Settings panel, including tools to quickly switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enable flight mode or set a lock screen password. Marshmallow users can also quickly enter Flappy Bird-esque gameplay by repeatedly tapping their phone.
5. Turn Your Phone Into a Light
No matter if it is an old flip phone or the latest flagship smartphone, all mobile devices contain hidden tricks and hacks that can help streamline tasks, save time, and increase performance. From unlocking with palm swipe gestures to music identification via touch identifiers, here are our favorite hidden tips that may make life simpler.
Tired of unwanted calls interrupting your day? A hidden feature exists to temporarily silence and block them; only important messages from contacts will reach you now!
6. Turn Your Phone Into a Speakerphone
Daily hours can only go so far, which means every time-saving trick or life-simplifying hack makes your life that much simpler. From using Back Tap for shortcuts to using Safari with secret gestures, smartphones offer numerous tools designed to ease life!
When on a call, tapping the Speaker icon allows you to easily switch into speakerphone mode and increase microphone sensitivity so it can pick up sounds from further away—great for when waiting in line or needing to multitask while speaking!
7. Turn Your Phone Into a Remote Control
How much time have you wasted searching couch cushions for a TV remote that has gone missing? Now with an app on your phone that lets you use it as a remote, that struggle can end!
By taking advantage of Siri and Google Assistant features or third-party apps on your smartphone or installing third-party remote applications for compatible devices, your phone can become an IR remote for them. Just be aware of which brand and model the device belongs to before doing this!
Customize your Do Not Disturb settings to block calls from unknown numbers and ensure only important calls reach you. Your phone can also help protect you by offering Medical ID features that allow first responders access to vital medical information in an emergency situation.
8. Turn Your Phone Into a Camera
Time seems increasingly constrained these days; anything that can save even a few minutes is worth exploring. A smartphone can be an invaluable aid in streamlining day-to-day tasks and saving valuable moments of your precious life.
Live Text allows you to extract text from photos and images instantly so you can copy, paste, translate or search it immediately—this feature is invaluable for students, professionals and anyone needing quick and efficient information retrieval. And, if you have an old phone laying around, turn it into a simple security camera by downloading and following instructions for an external security app.
9. Turn Your Phone Into a Trackpad
Smartphones can help us all gain more time in our days, saving us both time and effort in life. However, did you realize that their capabilities extend beyond their obvious uses? These hidden smartphone tricks will make your device even more useful and efficient.
If you’re having difficulty editing text on your smartphone or simply require more precise cursor control, turning your phone into a trackpad may help. Simply press and hold either the spacebar or two fingers on the keyboard until your smartphone becomes an actual trackpad, allowing for precise cursor movement.