Absolutely. If you’re using a smartphone every day, there are many useful features people often overlook. The exact options vary by Android phone and iPhone, but these are worth knowing.
1. Emergency information can be available from the lock screen
You can set up Emergency Contacts and, on supported phones, medical information that first responders can access without unlocking the device.
2. Your phone can help you find lost items
Both Android and iPhone have built-in device-finding systems. You can often locate, lock, or erase a lost phone remotely.
3. You can copy text from a photo
Modern phones can recognize text in photographs. You can photograph a document, phone number, address, or sign and then select, copy, translate, or search the text.
4. Your camera can identify things
Depending on your phone, visual-search features can recognize plants, objects, landmarks, products, and sometimes provide information about what’s in a photograph.
5. You can turn on a built-in flashlight without opening an app
The flashlight is normally available directly from the quick-settings/control-center panel. On many phones, you can also adjust its brightness.
6. You can share your location in an emergency
Location sharing can allow a trusted person to see where you are for a specified period. This can be particularly useful when traveling or meeting someone in an unfamiliar place.
7. Your phone can read text aloud
Accessibility features can read webpages, messages, or selected text aloud. This can be useful if your eyesight is tired or you’re multitasking.
8. You can enlarge tiny text instantly
Instead of zooming repeatedly, accessibility magnification can enlarge part of the screen. Many phones also have display-size and font-size controls.
9. You can scan documents without a scanner
The camera or a built-in notes app can often turn a paper document into a PDF-like scan, automatically detecting the page edges.
10. You can use your phone as a hotspot
If your mobile plan supports it, your phone can share its cellular internet connection with a laptop, tablet, or another phone.
11. You can check which apps are using your battery
Battery settings can show which apps consume the most power. This can help identify an app that’s running excessively in the background.
12. You can control app permissions
You don’t necessarily have to give an app permanent access to your camera, microphone, contacts, photos, or location. Review permissions and give access only when appropriate.
13. You can silence unknown or unwanted callers
Modern phones offer tools to identify, filter, or silence suspected spam and unknown callers, depending on the device and carrier.
14. You can set limits on distracting apps
Digital-wellbeing/screen-time tools can show how much time you spend on individual apps and let you establish usage limits.
15. You can automate simple tasks
Shortcuts and automation features can perform actions based on conditions—for example, changing settings when you arrive somewhere or connecting to a particular device.
The most important “hidden” feature isn’t a secret button—it’s knowing your phone’s privacy, emergency, accessibility, and security settings.
If you tell me your exact phone model (for example, Samsung Galaxy A55, Redmi Note 13, iPhone 15), I can give you 20 specific features and tricks that work on that phone, with step-by-step instructions.
