10 Lesser-Known Smartphone Features That Will Make Your Life Easier

Smartphones are loaded with amazing features, but some of them are so well-hidden that you might never discover them—until now! These lesser-known functions can make your device far more efficient and useful in ways you may not have imagined. From hidden shortcuts to productivity hacks, here are 10 smartphone features you probably don’t know about but should definitely start using!

1. Clipboard Manager (Android & iOS)

Did you know your smartphone can keep a history of everything you’ve copied? Both Android and iOS offer clipboard management features that store your copied items for easy pasting later.

• iOS: The iPhone’s clipboard stores only the most recent copied item, but you can use third-party apps like “Paste” to access a clipboard history.
• Android: On Android, the clipboard manager is available through the keyboard (like Gboard). You can access it by long-pressing the text field and selecting "Clipboard."

This is perfect for quickly pasting multiple items without the hassle of copying and pasting over and over.

2. Turn Off Notifications for Specific Apps (Android & iOS)

If you’re tired of getting constant notifications from certain apps but don’t want to mute your entire phone, both iOS and Android allow you to customize notifications for specific apps.

• iOS: Go to Settings > Notifications, select the app, and toggle off the “Allow Notifications” option.
• Android: Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications, and choose the app you want to modify.

This feature can help you focus on what matters most while silencing distractions.

3. Custom Vibrations (Android & iOS)

For a more personalized and discreet notification experience, both Android and iOS allow you to create custom vibration patterns for different contacts or apps.

• iOS: Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone > Vibration. You can choose from preset vibrations or create your own.
• Android: Open Settings > Sound > Vibration intensity, or you can create custom vibrations in the contact settings for specific people.

This way, you’ll know who’s calling or texting just by the vibration pattern.

4. Smart Text Selection (Android & iOS)

Both Android and iOS offer intelligent text selection features that help you copy and paste content more efficiently by recognizing the context.

• iOS: When selecting text, iOS will automatically suggest copying relevant content like phone numbers, email addresses, or addresses. This can save you time, especially when dealing with URLs or emails.
• Android: The "Smart Text Selection" feature highlights relevant text like addresses and phone numbers for quick actions like calling, navigating, or sending an email.

This makes text management much quicker and smarter.

5. One-Handed Mode (Android & iOS)

For those with larger phones, using one hand can be tricky. Luckily, both Android and iOS offer one-handed modes that make it easier to use your device with a single hand.

• iOS: On iPhones with Face ID, swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen to activate one-handed mode. The interface will shift to one side.
• Android: Many Android phones offer a similar feature, activated by swiping down from the bottom corner of the screen or through Settings > Display > One-Handed Mode.

This is a must-have feature for comfort and ease of use.

6. Back Tap (iOS)

This iOS-exclusive feature allows you to double or triple tap the back of your iPhone to trigger a variety of actions—without even touching the screen.

• iOS: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. You can assign actions like taking screenshots, opening the Control Center, or launching any app of your choice.

This feature adds a unique layer of convenience and helps you multitask efficiently.

7. Quickly Access Apps from the Lock Screen (Android & iOS)

Instead of unlocking your phone to open your most-used apps, you can access them right from the lock screen for instant access.

• iOS: You can add widgets to your lock screen by long-pressing the lock screen and selecting "Customize." This gives you quick access to apps like weather, calendar, and even shortcuts.
• Android: Android allows you to swipe up on the lock screen to open the camera, voice assistant, or any other apps you assign to the shortcuts.

These features help streamline your phone’s functionality when you need it most.

8. Hidden Dark Mode for Specific Apps (Android & iOS)

While system-wide dark modes are widely known, many apps also have their own dark mode settings hidden within their settings, offering a more consistent dark experience.

• iOS: Many apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter have their own dark mode options. Go to the app's settings and look for a theme or display setting.
• Android: Android apps like YouTube, Gmail, and Reddit also have their own dark mode settings, which you can enable within the app’s settings menu.

This ensures that the apps you use most are optimized for your preferred theme.

9. Create Custom App Shortcuts (Android)

Android users can create custom shortcuts to actions within apps, making it quicker to access specific tasks or features without opening the app first.

• Android: Long-press on an app icon, and if supported, you’ll see a list of available actions like composing a new email or starting a new note. You can add these actions directly to your home screen.

This feature allows for a more personalized and efficient home screen setup.

10. Use Your Phone’s Camera as a Magnifying Glass (iOS & Android)

Have you ever needed to read tiny text in a dimly lit place? Both Android and iOS smartphones can turn your camera into a magnifying glass with a built-in feature.

• iOS: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier, and turn it on. Once enabled, you can use your phone’s camera as a magnifier by tapping the home button three times (or the side button on newer models).
• Android: Open the Google Lens app or use the Accessibility feature to enable a magnification shortcut, allowing you to zoom in on small text or objects.

This is a surprisingly useful tool when you need to read fine print on documents, medicine bottles, or menus.

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Conclusion

Smartphones are filled with a ton of amazing features that often go unnoticed. From managing your clipboard history to using your phone as a magnifying glass, these lesser-known features can save you time, improve your productivity, and help you make the most out of your device. So, the next time you pick up your phone, try these tricks and see how much easier your life becomes! You’ll be amazed at how many features are hiding in plain sight, waiting for you to discover them.