Smart Tips to Improve Your Apple & Android Smartphone Experience
Robert Cerff / 19-06-2023 / Tech
Let’s be honest – we cannot live without our smartphones. In today's rapidly changing digital world, they have become an essential part of our lives, helping us to stay connected, informed and entertained. However, many of us may not be aware of some hidden features and tricks that can enhance our Apple and Android smartphone experiences even further.
Here are six lesser-known Android and Apple tips that will help you get the most out of your device.
- Take control of notifications:
Have you ever been annoyed by constant notifications interrupting your day? Well, here's a handy trick for both Android and Apple users. Simply long-press on a notification and choose the option to customise it or turn it off altogether. You can even choose to prioritise which apps you want to receive notifications from and mute the ones that aren't as important. This way, you'll only be alerted to the things that matter to you the most and not be interrupted by the ones that don’t.
- Use your voice more:
Both Android and Apple smartphones have built-in voice assistants – Google Assistant for Android and Siri for Apple. Both that can perform various tasks through voice command, saving you time and making your smartphone experience more hands-free. All you’ve got to do is activate the voice assistant by saying, "Hey Google" or "Hey Siri,". You can do anything from setting reminders and sending messages to making calls and playing music.
- Manage your storage space:
Running out of storage space on your phone can be frustrating, especially when it comes to taking and storing photos or downloading new apps. To free up space, both Android and Apple devices offer built-in tools to help you manage storage effectively. On Android, you can go to Settings, Storage and tap on "Free up space" to remove unnecessary files and unused apps. On Apple devices, head to Settings, General, iPhone Storage and you'll find recommendations to optimise your storage and offload unused apps. By regularly decluttering your device, you'll have more space for what matters most.
- Customise your control centre:
Your phone’s control centre is a convenient feature that allows quick access to essential settings and functions on your phone. As an Android and Apple user, you can personalise this area to include the apps and features that you use most. On Android, simply swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the pencil icon to add or rearrange shortcuts. For Apple users, go to Settings, Control Centre, Customise Controls and you can add or remove the various widgets to suit your needs. Tailoring the control centre to your preferences will make navigating your smartphone a breeze.
- Enable one-handed mode:
Newer smartphones seem to be getting bigger in size but handling larger smartphones with one hand can be challenging. Luckily, both Android and Apple devices offer a solution. On an Android phone, users can activate "One-handed mode" by going to Settings, Advanced Features, One-handed Mode. Once enabled, you can swipe diagonally from the bottom corner of your screen to shrink it for easy one-handed use. On Apple devices, users should double tap but not press the Home button to bring the top half of the screen down for easy access.
- Go to the dark side:
If you find yourself using your phone frequently at night or in low-light conditions like during loadshedding, then consider embracing your phone’s dark or night mode. Not only does this enhance your smartphone experience in a visually appealing way, but it can be a lifesaver, reducing strain on your eyes from an otherwise bright screen. It even saves battery life on certain devices – which is ideal when the power is out. Both Android and Apple offer night mode options in their settings. On Android phones, go to Settings, Display, Dark Theme to enable. For Apple users, simply go to Settings, Display & Brightness and set to Dark.
Your smartphone is capable of much more than meets the eye. By implementing these lesser-known tips, you can unlock hidden features and take your Android or Apple device to the next level!
