10 Tips And Tricks For Your Smartphone

We all love our smartphones, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Sometimes they can be a bit tricky to use and sure, we know you’ve been putting up with some bugs on a few of them. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you make the most out of your device with these 10 tips and tricks.

1. Become a power user

If you want to get the most out of your smartphone, there are a few things you should do. Become a power user by checking out all the features on your device. Spend time learning how it works and make sure that you can access all the apps that come with it.

Don’t use your phone while driving. The most common cause of distracted driving is using a smartphone while behind the wheel. Some states have laws that prevent using a cell phone while driving, except in case of emergency.

This law was created to protect people from getting hurt or killed in accidents caused by people who were not paying attention to the road.

2. Get the most out of your battery

To get the most out of your battery (and save money), turn off unnecessary features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You can also tell the phone not to go into standby mode when you’re done using it.

Make sure to close all apps that are running in the background so they don’t take up resources unnecessarily. If you have a Samsung Galaxy, use their Smart Manager app and follow their instructions before shutting down the phone.

3. Keep your phone charged when traveling

One of the best ways to avoid battery problems is to keep your phone charged. This will help you get through using it in case of an emergency. It is also a good idea to bring some external charging devices with you on your travels just in case.

Another option is to switch off your phone when signaling directions or checking messages, which will conserve energy and give you more power for other tasks.

4. Enable two-factor authentication

Many people have their email, social media profiles, and other personal information saved in their phones. One way to keep your phone safe is to enable two-factor authentication. This will require that you enter a security code when logging into your account from an unknown device. You can usually find this option in your account settings.

5. Download an offline mapping app

GPS is a wonderful thing, but it has its limitations. If you want to use Google Maps while traveling abroad, for example, you may find that your map has frozen or that you’re not able to access some features. That’s when an offline mapping app can come in handy. Some popular apps include CityMaps2Go and Maps.me.

6. Use emoji in text messages to indicate emotion

Emoji are cute symbols that can be used in any text message. It’s a good way to express emotion and make your message more personal. It also makes it easier to carry on conversations with emojis rather than words. For example, if someone is sad, you could give them an emoji of a crying face.

7. Take a screenshot on your phone

One handy way to take a screenshot on your phone is by pressing the volume down and power button at the same time. This will capture whatever is currently on your screen, including text messages, pictures, and anything else that you might be viewing. If you want to save it for later, then use one of the many photo editing or organizational apps for your phone.

8. Prevent small screen distractions with screen resolution settings

Sometimes, having your phone near you may not be the best idea. You might have a difficult time focusing on what you’re doing if your phone is always distracting you. One way to combat this problem is to lower the resolution of the screen so that it takes up less space. This will make it less appealing to glance at and you’ll be able to focus more on whatever it is that you’re doing.

9. Pair your smartwatch with your phone for fitness

If you’re getting bored with the built-in fitness tracking, you can pair your smartwatch with your phone. The watch will still be able to track steps, your heart rate, and more. You can also use it for receiving messages or as a virtual alarm clock. 10. Charge up your smartwatch when needed. Your smartwatch will last a good amount of time without needing to be charged again, but this might not always be the case. When it’s running low, simply connect it to your charger (or plug one into the wall and use the included USB cable).

10. Avoid those pesky returning “1” callers

If you notice that a caller is constantly calling to argue with you, don’t pick up the phone. Guards against this by automatically declining future calls from that number.

If you have a call that is enrolled in your 1-5 Star Callers list, the phone will automatically return it after the third time. This can be problematic if you don’t want to speak to that person anymore. To disable this feature, go to Settings > Phone > Call Settings > 1-5 Star Callers.

Conclusion

I hope these tips have been helpful. My goal is to make your life easier by helping you navigate the world of smartphones. The good news is that the next time you’re confused about an app or how to use your phone, it’ll be much clearer. If you’d like to connect with me on social media, feel free to follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Mitch Taylor is a former software developer who helps families learn how to use smartphones, tablets, apps and other devices.