Secret iPhone and Android Tricks You Didn’t Know About
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| iphone and android sitting next to each other photo by Li Yan on unsplash |
Both iPhones and Android phones are packed with hidden features that can make daily life easier, faster, and more secure.
In this post, we’ll uncover some of the most useful hidden tricks for both platforms that most users are unaware of.
Why You Should Explore Hidden Features
Your phone can do more than you think. These lesser-known settings and shortcuts can help you:
- Save time and taps with smarter gestures
- Boost productivity and multitasking
- Keep your data and privacy safer
Hidden iPhone Features You Should Try
1. Back Tap – Turn the Back of Your Phone Into a Shortcut
Since iOS 14, Apple has added a clever Back Tap gesture that lets you double or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to trigger any action you like, such as taking a screenshot, opening the camera, or launching Siri. (Read More)
How to enable: Go to Settings→ Accessibility→ Touch→ Back Tap and choose your preferred action.
2. Space Bar Cursor Trick
Editing text on a touchscreen can be frustrating, but here’s a hidden gem: press and hold the space bar, and your keyboard turns into a trackpad. You can now move the cursor precisely anywhere in your text. (Read More)
This feature is compatible with most iPhones and many iPads running iOS 12 or later.
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| Silver iphone X floating over open palm photo by Neil Soni on Unsplash |
3. Scan Documents in the Notes App
Forget downloading scanning apps; the built-in Notes app already has a high-quality document scanner. Just open a note, tap the camera icon, and select Scan Documents. (Read More)
You can crop, adjust lighting, and save as a PDF directly from the app.
4. Long Press for Quick App Actions
Holding down an app icon on your Home Screen opens a mini menu of shortcuts like taking a selfie, writing a new email, or scanning a QR code without opening the full app. (Read More)
5. Hide Apps from Search and Siri
If you want privacy or less clutter, you can hide specific apps from showing up in Spotlight Search or Siri suggestions. Go to Settings→ Siri&Search→ App name and toggle off Show App in Search. (Read More)
Hidden Android Features Worth Exploring
1. App Pinning – Keep Others from Snooping
When someone borrows your phone, you can pin a single app so they can’t access anything else. To enable it, go to Settings→ Security→ App pinning (path may vary slightly by device).
Once enabled, open the recent apps screen, tap the app’s icon, and select Pin. To unpin, hold the back and overview buttons together. (Read More)
2. Share Wi-Fi Passwords with a QR Code
Need to share Wi-Fi quickly? On Android 10 or later, go to your saved Wi-Fi network, tap Share, and a QR code will appear for others to scan, no typing required. (Read More)
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| White samsung galaxy smartphone showing icons photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash |
3. Split Screen for True Multitasking
Android lets you use two apps at once on your screen. Open recent apps, tap an app’s icon, and choose Split screen. Select another app to run below or beside it. Perfect for watching a video while chatting or browsing. (Read More)
4. Quick Tap or Double Tap Shortcuts (Pixel Phones)
Pixel phones have a neat Quick Tap feature that lets you double-tap the back of your phone to perform an action, like taking a screenshot or opening an app. (Read More)
Go to Settings→ System→ Gestures→ Quick Tap to set it up.
5. Hidden Developer Options
Android has a secret Developer options menu. To unlock it, go toSettings→ About phone→ Tap build number seven times . You’ll get advanced controls like animation speed, background process limits, and USB debugging. (Read More)
How to Choose Which Features to Use
Not all tricks are for everyone. If you’re new, start with one or two that make daily tasks easier, like Back Tap on iPhone or Split Screen on Android. Once used, explore others to personalize your experience further.
Bonus: Safety Tips Before You Experiment
- Be cautious with Developer Options; avoid changing settings you don’t understand.
- Always back up important data before experimenting with system features.
- Some gestures or features may differ depending on your phone brand and Android version.
Final Thoughts
Your phone is a powerful device that can do far more than most people realize. By uncovering hidden features, you can make tasks faster, improve privacy, and enjoy new ways to interact with your device.
Whether you’re an iPhone loyalist or Android enthusiast, a little exploration goes a long way toward getting the best out of your smartphone.
Try one of these tricks today, and you might wonder how you ever lived without it.