Do you rely heavily on your smartphone daily? It might have features you’re not aware of. These hidden features can make using your phone even better.
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Both Android and iOS devices have functions waiting to be found. They vary from secret phone powers to hidden settings. Think of them as surprises for you to discover.
This article will show you 10 hidden features essential for all smartphone users. They make your day smoother and open up new possibilities.
Let’s look at these secret hacks and features that elevate your phone use!
1. In iOS 17, your phone deletes verification codes after they’re used. This keeps your messages tidy and your information safe.
2. With iOS 17 on Apple devices, you can now download maps for offline use. This makes finding your way without internet much easier.
3. iOS 17 introduces widgets for apps like Apple Music. They give quick access to your favorite parts of the apps, making them more handy.
4. iOS 17’s Apple Music also has a cross-fade effect now. It smoothens the transition between songs, improving your listening enjoyment.
5. Now in iOS 17, deciphering laundry codes is a breeze. Just snap a photo of the code. Your phone will then tell you how to wash the garment.
6. The Visual Look Up tool in iOS 17 also reads car dashboard lights. It offers advice on what to do with certain warnings, making car troubles less of a hassle.
7. In iOS 17, Siri can read articles and websites to you. It’s like having your own assistant who can surf the web using your voice commands.
8. iOS 17 changes how you interact with Siri. A new voice prompt, “Siri,” allows you to ask multiple questions without repeating the wake command.
9. Forget your iPhone passcode? iOS 17 lets you recover it within 48 hours with the old code. That’s a relief and less chance of getting locked out.
10. iOS 17 also makes sharing passwords easier. Group password sharing allows quick sharing across devices. This is handy for family, friends, or work teams.
Your smartphone has many more secrets than these. Don’t miss the chance to discover how powerful your device really is. Dive into these features and be amazed!
Sources: CNET
Enable Android Developer Options
If you’re an Android user, there’s a secret menu on your device you may not know about. It’s called Developer Options. This menu is great for those who love to tinker with their devices and for app developers. Enabling it lets you do more with your Android device.
Getting to the Developer Options menu is easy. Go to your Settings first. Look for the “About phone” or “About device” option. Then, tap on “Build number” a few times. For most phones, you’ll tap it seven times. But, it might vary.
After enough taps, a message will tell you that you’re now a developer. This means you’ve enabled Developer Options successfully. You can find it now in the main Settings menu under “Developer options.”
In Developer Options, you’ll discover lots of cool features. These include tweaking how much memory apps can use and obtaining bug reports. There’s also a feature to keep your phone awake, view Bluetooth logs, and more. This is where tech-savvy users can really have fun.
- Wireless debugging introduced with Android 11 lets you connect to your phone with USB.
- You can also check out curious new features in the Feature flags menu. It shows up in test versions of Android but not the stable ones.
- Settings can be in various places depending on the Android device you have.
But, be careful in Developer Options. Making the wrong changes can mess with your device. For instance, turning on USB debugging is critical for Android Studio. It lets your computer talk to your device.
In Developer Options, you can even customize your Quick settings. This makes accessing your favorite developer tools quicker. Just pick the ones you want to see in the Quick settings panel.
There are also debug tools for saving log files and choosing a pretend GPS for apps to use in testing. Plus, you can adjust how your device connects to networks and other devices through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings.
Sound buff? Developer Options let you tweak your audio to perfection. Choose Bluetooth settings, audio formats, and more to make your music sound amazing.
For Wi-Fi, you can set it up to connect better with other networks or devices. This section also helps with troubleshooting by showing more detailed error messages.
And if you love playing with how your phone looks, check out the Drawing settings. You can make changes to how apps display and transition on your screen.
By finding and using Developer Options, you can really make your Android device your own. Whether you’re a developer or just like to get deep into settings, it’s a place for you. Remember, though, some options can really change how your phone works. So, tweak carefully, and enjoy exploring your Android inside out.
Delete Cookies
Cookies are tiny files that websites use to track your actions and show personalized ads. They make browsing better but can invade your privacy. To keep your info safe and avoid targeted ads, it’s wise to delete cookies now and then.
For those with an Android phone using Chrome, getting rid of cookies is simple. Here’s how:
- Open Chrome on your Android.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right. This opens a menu.
- Select “Settings” from the menu.
- Scroll down in Settings and choose “Privacy.”
- Tap on “Clear browsing data” under Privacy.
- Choose “Cookies and site data” on the next screen.
- You can pick a time range to delete cookies from like “Last hour” or “All time.”
- Finally, hit “Clear data” to finish.
Following these steps will clear your browser’s cookies and browsing data on your Android device. This way, you keep your privacy intact and stop websites from keeping tabs on you.
Restrict Background Data
Are you fed up with your phone losing battery quickly and eating up your data? A good solution is to limit background data. This way, you can make your battery last longer and use less data. Let’s look at how you can cut down on background data for your Android:
Step 1: Enable Data Saving Mode
First, open your Settings and head to Network & internet. Then, click on Mobile network and turn on Data Saving mode. This stops apps from using data in the background when you’re not using them.
Step 2: Manage App Data Usage
To control each app’s background data, go to Settings. Then, click Network & internet and Mobile network. Here, select App data usage to see how much data apps are using. Turn off background data for apps you don’t need it for.
Step 3: Customize Data Usage
For apps you want to keep using background data, there’s an option called Unrestricted data. You can pick up to three apps that can use background data, even with Data Saving mode on. To set this, head to Settings, then Network & internet, Mobile network, and Data Saver. Then, choose Unrestricted data and select your apps.
By doing this, you will greatly cut down on background data use. This will help your phone’s battery last longer and lower your data use. Keep in mind, though, that apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter use a lot of data in the background. Limiting their access can reduce the drain on your battery and data.
Another great tip is to use apps like Avast Cleanup or AVG Cleaner. These can show you which apps are using the most data and battery. They help you manage your apps better.
Take charge of how your phone uses background data. Follow these easy tips and notice your battery lasting longer. You’ll also use your data more wisely.
Split Screen
Android has a cool trick, split screen. It lets you work with two apps at the same time. This is great for doing different things without the hassle of switching apps often. It has been available since Android 7.0 Nougat.
To set up split screen, just do these steps:
- First, open the app you need.
- Now, tap the app switcher icon. It’s usually a square or a recent apps button.
- Next, hold down on the first app’s icon.
- Drag it to the top of your screen until a blue line appears.
- Choose the second app from the app switcher.
Now, you will see both apps side by side. You can use each one separately. For example, you can read an article while writing notes, or you can watch a video and message a friend.
But, not all apps work in split screen mode. Most popular ones do, but not all. If you turn your phone sideways, the two screens will also turn. This makes multitasking even better.
Split screen helps you do more with your screen. It makes you more productive, whether you’re a student, a worker, or just using your phone. Android’s split screen is a powerful tool for multitasking.
View All Saved Wi-Fi Networks
On your Android device, you can see and control all saved Wi-Fi networks. This lets you manage your connections easily. You can delete old or unused networks. Here’s how to find your saved networks:
- Open the Settings app on your Android.
- Go down and click on Wi-Fi or Network & Internet.
- Find and click on Saved networks or Saved networks & connections.
- A list of all your saved Wi-Fi networks will appear.
Select any network from the list to see more or to edit it. To delete a network you no longer need, just tap it and choose Delete or Forget.
Managing Wi-Fi connections keep your phone efficient. Deleting the ones you don’t need, makes it simpler to use.
Check Notification History
Android phones let you see your notification history. This means you won’t miss important updates. You might get a lot of notifications. If you accidentally swipe one away, this is handy.
There are two ways to look at your notification history on Android. This works for Android versions 11 to 15. After turning the feature on, you can see past notifications in three steps.
- Option 1: Notifications Panel: Swipe the top of your screen downwards. Find the clock icon and tap it to see all your notifications.
- Option 2: Settings: Go to your phone’s settings. Under “Apps & notifications” or “Notifications”, tap on notification history to check it.
- Option 3: Quick Settings: If you use Quick Settings, swipe down twice. There, you’ll find a “Notification History” shortcut. Tap it to see your notifications.
Android saves notifications from the last 24 hours. But, apps that used to save them longer might not do so anymore. They might charge for this feature.
Checking your notification history often is a good idea. It helps to avoid missing important updates. Remember, Android from version 11 can save notifications, but only for 24 hours.
This guide uses screenshots from a Google Pixel 8 with Android 14. To use Notification History, just turn it on. For important updates, make it a habit to check often.
By using the notification history feature, you won’t overlook crucial updates. Dive into your notification log and catch up on what you missed!
One-Handed Mode
Using a big phone with one hand can be tough, especially if you have small hands. To help out, Android phones have a special feature called One-Handed Mode. This makes it easy for users to operate their phones easily and comfortably One-Handed Mode is a functionality that millions of Android phones come with and is widely available for users.
In One-Handed Mode, the screen adjusts to make everything easy to reach with one hand One-Handed Mode. You can get to notifications and apps just by pulling down on the top of the screen One-Handed Mode. It’s a great way to use your phone smoothly, even with just one hand.
To start using One-Handed Mode on your Android, head to the Settings app and turn it on. After that, swipe down on the bottom of the screen to switch on One-Handed Mode One-Handed Mode on Android. This lets you stay in charge of your phone, even with one hand.
For Apple users, there’s a similar feature called Reachability. It’s been on iPhones since the iPhone 6 back in 2014. With Reachability, iPhone users can bring the top of the screen down, making it easier to use the phone Accessibility features. They make one-handed use on iPhones smooth and easy for anyone.
To use Reachability on an iPhone, go to Settings, then to Accessibility, then Touch, and turn on Reachability. How you activate Reachability can be different depending on your iPhone model Accessibility features. They let users set up their phone just how they like it.
Whether you prefer Android or Apple, one-handed modes and accessibility features make using your phone simpler. They improve how you use your phone, no matter the size or type of phone you have Easier phone operation. It’s just a click or swipe away with One-Handed Mode on Android and Reachability on iPhones.
Share Wi-Fi via QR Code
Sharing your Wi-Fi network is easier on Android. You can make a QR code for your Wi-Fi. This makes connecting simple and safe, without typing passwords.
To make a Wi-Fi QR code, first, pick the network in your Wi-Fi settings. Then, look for the “QR code” or “Share” option. Androids from version 10 and up can do this right from their settings.
Now, others just need to scan the QR code. They can use their phone’s QR scanner or the Wi-Fi settings page. Then they’re connected!
This cool trick saves you time and keeps your network safe. The QR codes hide the Wi-Fi password, making sure your network is secure.
