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You’ve Been Using a Phone for a Long Time… But YOU HAVE NO IDEA About These Hidden Features
Most of us use our phones every single day. We text, scroll, call, and check apps without thinking twice. But despite spending hours glued to the screen, there are dozens of useful features hiding in plain sight—features that can save time, protect your privacy, boost productivity, or simply make life easier.
Here are some surprising phone tricks and settings you’ve probably never used, even after years of owning a smartphone.
1. Hidden Codes That Unlock Secret Menus
Did you know your phone has diagnostic menus you can access with special codes?
Most people never use them, but they’re incredibly helpful for checking battery health, signal strength, or hardware issues.
For example:
- *#06# shows your phone’s IMEI number instantly.
- Other codes can open testing views for sensors, speakers, and displays.
While these vary by device, they’re built-in features smartphone users rarely explore.
2. Your Phone Can Measure Things Using Augmented Reality
Need to measure a table, wall, or window but don’t have a tape measure handy?
Most modern phones have an AR measuring tool already installed.
Just open your measurement app (or download one if needed), point your camera, and you can measure real-world objects within seconds.
Perfect for furniture shopping or home projects!
3. You Can Silence Calls Just by Flipping the Phone Over
Whether you’re in a meeting or trying to escape an awkward moment, most phones allow you to silence an incoming call simply by flipping the device face-down.
It’s an easy trick many users never realize exists—and no settings need to be changed.
4. Your Phone Has a Built-In Level and Compass
Hidden inside the tools or measurement apps, many phones include a digital bubble level and compass.
You can use them to hang a picture frame straight, align furniture, or navigate a hike without downloading any extra apps.
5. You Can Set Emergency Information That Works Even When Your Phone Is Locked
Your phone can display essential information—medical conditions, emergency contacts, allergies—without needing your passcode.
First responders are trained to check this screen.
Most people never take the time to set it up, but it can be life-saving.
6. Your Phone Can Scan Documents Better Than a Scanner
Gone are the days of giant office scanners.
Using your camera, you can scan documents, auto-crop them, enhance clarity, and save them as PDFs in seconds.
Both iPhone and Android devices have this built in.
It’s perfect for receipts, paperwork, forms, and school assignments.
7. You Can Control Your Phone With Just Your Voice
Yes, everyone knows about Siri or Google Assistant, but few people use them to the fullest.
Your voice assistant can:
- Send texts
- Open apps
- Turn on lights (if you have smart home devices)
- Read notifications
- Set reminders
- Search the web
- Navigate hands-free
It’s like having a personal assistant you never bother to use.
8. Background Apps May Be Draining More Battery Than You Think
Some apps refresh constantly—even when you’re not using them—consuming battery, data, and processing power.
Most people simply charge their phones more instead of checking which apps are running silently in the background.
A quick settings review can dramatically improve battery life.
9. Your Phone Can Recognize Text in Photos
Take a picture of a document, sign, recipe, or handwritten note, and your phone can:
For Complete Cooking STEPS Please Head On Over To Next Page Or Open button (>) and don’t forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends
- Copy the text
- Translate it
- Search it
- Paste it into a message or email
This powerful feature is incredibly underused but amazing for students, travelers, and anyone who takes notes on the go.
10. There’s a Built-In Feature That Helps You Reduce Screen Time
If you feel your phone is taking too much of your day, the Screen Time/Digital Wellbeing tools can monitor usage, block distracting apps, and help you build healthier habits.
But most people never turn them on.
Final Thoughts
Smartphones have advanced far beyond simple communication tools. They now contain powerful, intelligent features that many users don’t even realize exist. With a few minutes of exploring, you can unlock a whole new world of convenience, safety, and efficiency—without installing a single extra app.
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