Hidden Smartphone Features You Didn’t Know Existed

Today our smartphones are so integrated into our daily lives that we tend to ignore they are very powerful devices which we only scratch the surface of. We all use them for calling, texting, taking pictures, and social media, but what we may not know is that in our pockets we have a treasure of features which we don’t pay attention to but which in fact can greatly improve your productivity, security, and the over all which is your phone experience.

Here we present to you what is great and in the shadow of the spotlight of smartphone features which we think you are not aware of. No matter if you are an Android or an iPhone user, you will find something of interest.

1. Back Tap Quick Button (iPhone).

If you have an iPhone 8 or later which runs on iOS 14 or later, you are able to tap the back of your phone to get it to perform. We have what is called Back Tap, which is a feature you can use to set up double or triple taps to do certain actions which include taking a screen shot, locking the screen, opening the camera, or to open an app.

How to enable it:

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Tap Back.

This is also a great feature for when you are in a quiet rush and want to just hit that record button for voice notes or to turn on silent mode.

2. Quick Start Camera (Android).

In many cases, the majority of Android smartphones have a hidden way to open the camera at a moment’s notice—and we’re not talking about when your phone is unlocked. In some phones, double tapping the power button does the trick. This feature is great for that which you want to capture at a moment’s notice without having to go through your apps.

It is included by default, but if not, go to:

Settings > Gestures > Quick Start Camera (varies by manufacturer).

3. QR Code based Wi-Fi Share.

Ever gone to give out your Wi-Fi password? Instead of that annoying string of letters and numbers which is hard to recall, you may present your Wi-Fi in a QR code. In both Android and iPhone, you can create a QR code for your Wi-Fi network which people can scan in and join at once—no typing required.

On Android:

Settings > Network and Internet > Wi-Fi.

Tap the network and then tap Share.

On iPhone:

This includes going to the Control Center, and also in the case of third party apps that have created a short cut for the code.

4. Single player mode.

Big screen phones are great for watching movies and playing games, but they are difficult to use with one hand. That’s why many smart phones now have a one handed mode which reduces the screen size temporarily so you can access everything with your thumb.

On iPhone:

Click (instead of press) the home button or swipe down from the bottom screen edge if using Face ID.

On Android:

Go to Settings > System > Gestures > One-Handed Mode.

5. Zoom Tool.

Your phone also functions as a magnifying glass. Very useful for reading small print or close inspection of small items. The Magnifier feature uses your phone’s camera to zero in on what is nearby.

In Settings, go to Accessibility and then Magnifier.

On Android:

Some in Accessibility from within Settings.

You can also save images at any frame.

6. Secret Code Options.

This is for tech enthusiasts only. In Android and iPhone, you can dial in certain codes into the phone app which take you to unpublicized diagnostic menus. In there, you will find hardware info, use stats, and also tests for individual hardware components like the speakers or the sensors.

Example on Android:

Dial #4636# for battery, usage, and Wi-Fi info.

These are manufacturer and region specific, so go in with care and don’t play around with the settings if you don’t know what you are doing.

7. Screen video with audio of my screen.

Most new smartphones come with a built in screen recording feature. Also, what a lot of people don’t know is that as you record the screen, in also goes your voice. It is so useful for tutorials, step by step walk throughs, or for creating content as you go.

On iPhone:

In the Launch Control Center, tap and hold the Record icon, then tap Microphone On.

On Android:

Swipe down to access the Quick Settings panel and search for Screen Recorder.

8. Pin apps for child safety or focus.

Ever had a friend or child use up your phone’s time and almost go through all your info? On Android and iPhone, you can pin an app, which means the user won’t be able to get out of it without locking the phone again.

On Android:

In Settings, go to Security and App Pinning, open an app, go to recent apps, and pin it.

On iPhone:

In order to use Guided Access, go to Settings on your phone > choose Accessibility > then Guided Access.

9. Urgent SOS Mode.

Not a secret, but what I’m getting at is that this feature is for the taking. In your Android and iPhone apps, you can easily dial emergency numbers into which your location is also included and sent to emergency contacts.

iPhone:

At the same time, press the side button along with one of the volume buttons, then swipe to activate SOS.

Android:

Press the power button 5 times quickly (may differ by model).

In your emergency settings, choose which of the medical issues you wish to alert on.

10. System Wide Search (iOS Spotlight / Android Search).

Instead of the search box which people used on their phones for apps, what we have is that which you may use to find your emails, calendar events, web pages, and more.

iPhone:

If at the home screen, you wish to open Spotlight Search, do so by swiping down. Try out “emails from John” or “photos from last week.”

Android:

Swipe down or use the search bar in Google to find what you are looking for, which may be files, messages, settings, and so on.

11. Dual Screen Multi tasking.

If you are a user that finds themself jumping between different apps all the time, you will enjoy what we have to offer. Split screen, which is present in most Android devices, is what you are looking for, and you will be able to use two at once; for example, you can watch a video at the same time that you are texting or read a recipe as you are cooking.

Tap on the Recent Apps, which in turn will present you with a list of your open apps, then tap on the one you wish to put into split screen.

IPhones don’t at present support true split screen on iPhones (although not yet on iPads), but Picture-in-Picture apps may be used to achieve a similar effect.

12. Hidden Picture Library / Safe Folder.

Privacy features are on the rise, which in turn has made producers develop. Now both platforms have a built in option for hiding photos or apps, which you do not have to download a third party app for.

iPhone:

In the Hidden Album within the Photos app. Toggle its on/off switch in Settings under Photos.

Android:

Use Google’s Secure Folder, which is also a great option based on your phone brand. These are also protected by password or biometric locks.

13. Sleep tracking / Wind Down mode.

You may not have to buy a smartwatch to track your sleep. Your phone has sleep tracking features.

iPhone:

In Health app, set up a Sleep Schedule, which turns down the screen and reduces distractions at night.

Android:

In Digital Wellbeing settings, turn on Bedtime mode, which will filter out, dim, and silent notifications during bedtime.

14. Offline Navigation Maps.

Lost your connection? Many mapping services present offline map download options for when you don’t have access. At Google Maps, for instance, you are able to pick out an area and download it, which will in turn enable you to navigate even without internet.

In order to open Google Maps, search out a location and hit Download.

For travelers going abroad, doing treks, or road trips.

15. Smartphone Lock (Android).

Having to input your password is a pain. Android has a Smart Lock, which keeps your phone open at certain times—for instance, when it is in your pocket, in your car, or at home.

Go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock.

It has a fine tuned balance between security and convenience, which in turn gives you control of how you enforce lockscreen protection.

16. Personal Vibration Patterns.

Did you know that you are able to set up your own vibration patterns for certain contacts or notifications?

iPhone:

Open up contacts on your iPhone, go to Edit, then Ringtone, choose Vibration, and then create a new vibration.

Android:

This may vary by device, but many have the same options in the audio settings or within personalization.

Thus, when you see the message, you will know who the sender is.

17. Developer Options.

Do you want to have more control over animations, USB debugging, or Bluetooth settings? You can unlock Developer Options.

On Android:

Tap on the phone’s Settings, go to About phone, and tap ‘Build number’ 7 times.

Once you unlock it, you have access to advanced settings, which include animation speed, background process limits, and more.

On iPhone, these options are more restricted, though we do have TestFlight and beta programs for developers.

18. Tap to Pay Without opening an app.

On Android (Google Pay) and iPhone (Apple Pay), you can tap and go with your phone at contactless terminals, which in many cases does not require you to unlock your phone or open the app first.

This feature is for when you want to turn on auth.

19. Live Subtitles (Android).

For ease of use, some Android phones are able to produce live captions for any media which appears on your phone—which includes videos that do not have subtitles.

In Settings, go to Accessibility and use Live Caption.

This also works great in noisy settings or when you turn your device off.

20. Recent Texts.

Did you save something and then lose it? On Android phones which have Gboard, you can check your clipboard history.

Hold in a text field and tap Clipboard to see recent copied items.

Some with Android skin are able to pin items to the clipboard for a later time.

Final Thoughts

Your phone is way beyond just a tool for text and social media. It comes with smart features and hidden gems which will help you be more productive, organized, and even safer—you just have to know what to look for.

Through use of these lesser known tools and shortcuts,

you can open up a world of convenience and personalization. Go into your settings, play with the features, and get your smartphone to work just for you.

At times, we see the best things right in front of us.