If you think you know everything your phone can do, think again. There are dozens of hidden smartphone tricks built into modern Android and iOS devices that most users never take advantage of. These features can save time, improve security, and even unlock new ways to use your phone more efficiently.
Whether you’re using one of the fastest phones on the planet or a midrange device, these tricks will change the way you interact with your smartphone.
Let’s dive into these 35 game-changing hacks.
1. Quickly Access Hidden System UI Tuner (Android)
Long-press the settings gear icon in the notification panel for a few seconds. This unlocks the System UI Tuner, where you can customize icons and the status bar layout.
2. Back Tap Gestures (iPhone)
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. You can assign double or triple taps on the back of your iPhone to actions like taking screenshots or launching apps.
3. Secret WhatsApp Status Privacy Settings
Did you know you can fine-tune who sees your WhatsApp Status updates? Go to Settings > Privacy > Status and choose between My contacts, My contacts except…, or Only share with…. For more on this, check out our WhatsApp tricks guide.
4. Unlock Developer Options
Navigate to Settings > About Phone and tap “Build Number” seven times. This enables Developer Options where you can tweak animations and USB settings.
5. Use Your Phone as a Magnifying Glass
Enable Magnifier under Accessibility settings to zoom in on text or objects in real life. It’s especially helpful for reading tiny print.
6. Control Your Phone with Facial Expressions (Android)
In Android accessibility settings, you can use the Camera Switch feature to map actions to your facial movements — like smiling to scroll or raising eyebrows to go back.
7. Customize Your Lock Screen Shortcuts
Many phones allow you to swap out default camera or flashlight shortcuts on the lock screen for apps you use more often.
8. Instantly Mute Incoming Calls
Flip your phone face down during an incoming call to instantly silence it. This works on most modern Android devices and iPhones.
9. Drag and Drop Text or Images (iOS)
On iPhone, tap and hold text or a photo, then use another finger to switch apps and drop it there. It’s a seamless way to transfer content.
10. Launch Camera with a Button Shortcut
Most smartphones let you open the camera by double-tapping the power button — even if the screen is off. It’s great for capturing moments fast.
11. View Notification History (Android)
Missed a notification? Go to Settings > Notifications > Notification history to view all recent alerts you dismissed.
12. One-Handed Mode for Large Screens
Enable One-Handed Mode in your system settings to make it easier to reach the top of the screen on large smartphones.
13. Use Google Lens to Copy Text from Real Life
Open Google Lens and point it at a page or sign. You can copy and paste the text directly into your apps.
14. Use Volume Buttons to Take Photos
In the Camera app, use the physical volume buttons to snap a photo. It helps reduce shake, especially when holding your phone horizontally.
15. Pin Apps to Prevent Snooping
Enable Screen Pinning so someone can only use one app when you hand them your phone. Go to Settings > Security > Screen Pinning.
16. Optimize Battery Charging (iPhone)
iOS includes Optimized Battery Charging to extend battery health. Activate it under Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
17. Schedule Dark Mode
Both Android and iOS let you schedule dark mode to turn on automatically at night or based on sunrise and sunset.
18. Enable Live Transcribe (Android)
Live Transcribe turns speech into real-time text on your screen — perfect for noisy environments or accessibility needs.
19. Scan Documents Using the Notes App (iPhone)
Open the Notes app, tap the camera icon, and choose “Scan Documents.” It works surprisingly well for receipts and paperwork.
20. Silence Unknown Callers
Avoid robocalls by activating “Silence Unknown Callers” in your phone app settings.
21. Use Voice Access to Control Your Phone (Android)
With Voice Access, you can control your entire Android phone using spoken commands — especially helpful for multitasking.
22. Search Photos by Object or Text
Use Google Photos or Apple Photos to search terms like “car” or “pizza,” and it will find related images using AI.
23. Lock Notes with Face ID (iPhone)
Secure private notes by locking them using Face ID. Just swipe left on a note and tap the lock icon.
24. Use Widgets on the Lock Screen (iOS 16+)
Add weather, calendar, or battery status widgets directly to your lock screen for quick access.
25. Create Custom Vibrations
In Settings > Sound & Haptics, create personalized vibration patterns for specific contacts.
26. Translate Screens Instantly (Android)
Use Google Translate’s “Tap to Translate” feature to translate content from any app without switching.
27. Use Focus Mode (Android & iOS)
Focus Mode silences distracting apps so you can stay productive during work or study sessions.
28. Screenshot with a Swipe Gesture
Many Android phones allow you to take screenshots by swiping three fingers across the screen.
29. Enable Safety & Emergency Info
Fill in your emergency contact and health info under Settings > Safety & Emergency. First responders can access it without unlocking your phone.
30. Customize Siri or Google Assistant Voice
Change your voice assistant’s accent or gender in their respective settings to personalize your experience.
31. Record Your Screen Without Third-Party Apps
Use the built-in screen recorder in Android Quick Settings or iOS Control Center — perfect for tutorials or capturing gameplay.
32. Quickly Switch Between Apps
Swipe left or right along the bottom bar (on gesture-enabled devices) to move between apps instantly.
33. Free Up RAM Without Restarting
On Android, go to Settings > Device care > Memory and tap “Clean now” to free up memory.
34. Auto-delete OTP Messages
Some Android phones offer an option to auto-delete one-time passwords after 24 hours. Find this in your messaging app settings.
35. Use Your Camera as a Mouse (Advanced)
With apps like DroidCam or iVCam, you can turn your smartphone into a wireless webcam or even a mouse for your PC — helpful in remote setups.
Summary Table: Smartphone Tricks by Category
| Category | Example Tricks |
|---|---|
| Productivity | Drag & drop text, voice commands, focus mode |
| Camera | Volume shutter, quick launch, scan documents |
| Accessibility | Facial gestures, live transcribe, magnifier |
| Security & Privacy | App pinning, lock notes, safety info |
| Customization | Back tap, widgets, custom vibrations |
Final Thoughts
Many of these features go unnoticed because they’re buried deep in settings or only appear after an update.
However, mastering just a few of these hidden smartphone tricks can dramatically improve your mobile experience.
As smartphones continue to evolve, knowing these tips gives you an edge. For example, with the fastest phones in 2025, some of these tricks run even smoother and support more advanced capabilities.
According to Wikipedia, the average smartphone user only taps into a fraction of what their device can do. So now that you know better, use better.
You can also learn more about mobile operating systems to understand the deeper functions available on Android and iOS.
