Everyone has a smartphone nowadays, with statistics showing that over 3 billion individuals worldwide own at least one mobile phone. With the increasing demands for these gadgets, manufacturers are now making their phones more versatile. From voice search without turning on the screen to enabling “smart” locks, there are several things you probably didn’t know your new phone could do — regardless of whether you have an Android or Apple device.
However, even if your new phone can do a multitude of things, do not hesitate to bring it to a phone repair shop when things go awry. After all, nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a broken phone. Preventing further damages will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. That said, here are seven things you did not know your new phone could do.
Voice Search with Your Screen Off
Most Android phones allow users to trigger voice search by saying “okay Google,” from anywhere on their operating systems, while others let you search even when the screen is off. Apple incorporated the same concept with “hey Siri,” but it can only work when the iPhone is charging.
Cast Your Phone Screen to Your TV
Both Android phones and iPhones allow owners to cast their phone screens to a TV. All you need to share your screen on your TV is a Chromecast or any television that works with Android phones or Apple TV for iPhones. This feature is beneficial if you are looking to share pictures and videos on your phone with other people, watch YouTube videos without having to use your TV’s remote, or play mobile games on larger screens.
The best part about this function is that it is simple and easy to set up. You simply need to sync your phone with your TV through “cast.”
Lock People Out of Certain Apps
Every phone owner has been there. Someone asks to use our phones, and we most likely scramble to hide particular pictures or private information. Android users can hide all these with a few button presses, allowing you to let others borrow your phone without constantly worrying about what they would find.
This feature locks particular apps on your phone until you enter your phone’s lock screen code, meaning those who borrow your phone cannot use all of its functions unless you put in the code again. This feature is handy for phone owners with kids, allowing them to let their kids play on their phones without disrupting crucial files or images.
Scan Barcodes or Documents
Your Android phones and iPhones have cameras at the back, which you can use to take pictures. However, you can use them for loftier and more productive purposes. The most notable function is that you can use your new phone’s rear camera as a barcode scanner or document scanner through mobile apps.
Enable One-handed Mode
Unlike iPhones, some Android smartphone sizes can be unwieldy and inconvenient to use, depending on the brand and model you are using. Fortunately, Android phones have got you covered, as most of them come with a unique one-handed mode, which users can use through one quick shortcut. You can find this mode on Google’s keyboard, which you can adjust to be more suitable for one-hand use.
Read Notifications You “Accidentally” Closed
It s easy to flippantly swipe or remove notifications you are meant to read on your phone. It is easy to bring one back, but your new phone may not make it so obvious. You can easily see your recent notifications through your phone’s Notification Log, which you can find on your phone’s settings. This feature is available on both Android and iOS devices.
Enable A Smart Lock
Ensuring your phone’s security should always be your priority. However, whenever you are at home and are lounging around, you are likely not as interested in locking each thing you can. If that is the case, you may want to try out Smart Lock, a feature available in Android and Apple devices that takes away the requirement of using a keypad lock when in private spaces like your home.
You can utilize your face, GPS locations, or wireless networks to prevent your smartphone from locking. This way, you do not need to enter your password each time.
Smartphones nowadays come with robust operating systems that you can use for more than traditional functions, such as text messaging and calls. Whether you have an Android or Apple phone, there is bound to be one or two functions you have yet to discover — and those mentioned are just a few of the fun features to explore on your new phone.