Absolutely—here are some genuinely useful smartphone tricks that many people overlook. The exact steps can differ between iPhone and Android and by software version.
📱 Everyday shortcuts
Quickly search anything on your screen
iPhone: Use Spotlight by swiping down on the Home Screen.
Android: Use the system search or Circle to Search on supported phones.
Scan documents without a scanner
iPhone’s Notes app can scan documents directly.
Many Android phones have document scanning through the camera or Google Drive.
Copy text from a photo
Take a picture of a sign, receipt, or document.
iPhone’s Live Text and Google’s Lens can recognize and copy the text.
Turn on the flashlight without opening an app
Use the Control Center/Quick Settings.
On some phones, you can assign a gesture or button shortcut to the flashlight.
Take a screenshot of an entire webpage
On supported iPhones and Android phones, after taking a screenshot, choose the option for the full page/scrolling screenshot.
Share your Wi-Fi password easily
iPhones can share saved Wi-Fi credentials with nearby Apple devices.
Android phones can display a QR code for the connected Wi-Fi network.
Use your phone as a level
iPhone’s Measure app includes a level.
Some Android phones offer a level through their measurement or utility tools.
Make your phone read text aloud
Accessibility features on both iPhone and Android can read selected text or screen content aloud.
Find a lost phone
Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find My Device can locate, lock, or help secure a lost phone.
Reduce distractions
Use Focus on iPhone or Do Not Disturb/Digital Wellbeing on Android to silence notifications or restrict distracting apps.
🔥 One especially useful trick
If you’re worried about emergency information, set up your phone’s Medical ID/Emergency Information. It can allow important information and emergency contacts to be accessible from the lock screen without giving someone access to the rest of your phone.
If you tell me whether you have iPhone or Android (and the model), I can give you 20 hidden tricks specifically for your phone, with step-by-step instructions.
