Calendar iconJun 16, 2023

Smart Stuff Your Smartphone Can Do

Discover the lesser-known features of your smartphone
Smart Stuff Your Smartphone Can Do

Reading time: 7 minutes

The introduction of cell phones and smartphones has changed the way people communicate and complete various tasks. From more traditional uses like making phone calls and sending text messages, to the more modern usage of streaming music, taking pictures, and gaming, iPhones and Android phones offer a plethora of capabilities for users to take advantage of. 

Man in a white shirt relaxing on a sofa wearing headphones.

However, many users are unaware of some of the unique and lesser-known tasks their iPhone or Android device can perform. Here, PureTalk takes a look at a fewof the lesser-known things Android phones and iPhones can do. To explore even more tasks, visit Apple's App Store or the Google Play store.

 

Cute dad and young daughter both in glasses snapping a selfie.

Keep you apprised of alerts

One unique feature of your iPhone or Android phone is the ability to access special internet-based frequencies, such as Wireless Emergency Alerts. This feature allows you to receive emergency notices on your home screen directly from the National Weather Service, the US National Security Agency, and other government agencies about potentially dangerous events such as hurricanes, flash floods, and earthquakes.

Enable this feature:

This feature is enabled by default and can be accessed through the settings menu of your Android phone or iPhone.  

Monitor your location

Young woman in a lime green jacket hiking and taking a photo.

Another less well-known use for cell phones is for tracking and monitoring a user’s location. This can be useful for a variety of applications, such as keeping track of a child or elderly family member, or for locating a lost cell phone.

Enable this feature:

Smartphones already come with a feature called Find my iPhone or Find my Android device that can be used to locate a phone using GPS, even if the phone has been turned off. The feature will appear on your home screen.

Monitor the weather

Three pretty, mature women snapping a selfie on the sand.

Your iPhone or Android phone can also be used to monitor environmental conditions in a person’s immediate area. This can be incredibly useful for individuals who live in areas prone to natural disasters, as they will be able to monitor the environment for shifts in air pressure, temperature, and humidity that could signify an impending storm.

Enable this feature:

Today’s modern cell phones come with temperature, air pressure, and humidity sensors which can be used to track the weather in a person’s local vicinity.

Test batteries in your remote control

Young dad trying to work while his kids crawl all over him.

This is one of our favorite hidden features! Wondering if the batteries in your remote control need to be replaced? Use your cell phone to test them easily.

Enable this feature:

Launch the Camera and switch to the front-facing selfie mode. Point your remote control at the camera then press and hold any button on your remote. If the batteries are good, a pink/purple light will flicker at the top of the remote. If there’s no flicker or it’s really dim, replace the batteries. Applicable to iPhone and most Android devices.

Scan documents

Woman in a rose-colored top sitting at her desk working on a laptop.

This is another one of those great, hidden features that’s particularly helpful at tax time when your accountant needs your year-end statements, and you don’t feel like running to Staples of Office Depot to have them scanned.

Enable this feature:

On your iPhone: Open Notes, then tap the icon in the lower right-hand corner. The camera icon will appear at the bottom of the screen. Tap it and select Scan Documents. Put your document in view of the camera and tap the shutter button. (If your device is in Auto mode, it will automatically scan your document.) You can scan several documents in a row and then press “Save,” or “Save” after just one scan.

On your Android phone: Open the Camera app. Then put your document in view of the camera. A yellow border and a button that says Tap to Scan will appear. Tap it, then hit Save. If you don’t like the image, tap Retake.

Flashlight

Two adult women laughing and snapping a selfie at dusk.

The flashlight feature on today’s smartphones is probably one of the most important. Turn it on to guide you through the dark to your front door or when you’ve dropped something on the floor of the car and can’t find it. It’s a huge help in many situations.

Enable this feature:

iPhone: First, access the Control Center. On newer phones, you can do this by swiping down from the upper right-hand corner of you're phone's screen. On older phones, swipe up from the bottom of lock screen. Tap the Flashlight icon that appears at the bottom of the screen. This will turn on the flashlight. To make it brighter, hold the icon down for a few seconds. To shut it off, tap the icon again.

Android: Drag your finger down from the top of phone screen on the display and tap the on-screen Flashlight button.

QR code reader

Happy, mature adult couple sitting outside on some steps and taking a selfie.

Thanks to the pandemic, it seems almost every restaurant and bar under the sun has ditched paper menus in favor of barcodes. You scan the barcode, and it takes you to the menu. But how? Like this. 

Enable this feature:

iPhone: Open the camera app and place your phone over the QR code as if you’re taking a photo of it. When the code is recognized, a yellow notification will appear. Click on it and you’ll be taken to the link associated with the code. If it’s not working, go to Camera Settings and make sure the Scan QR Codes setting is on.

Android: Open the camera app and place your phone over the QR code as if you’re taking a photo of it. When the code is recognized, you’ll be taken to the link associated with the code. If it’s not working, make sure the Scan QR Codes setting is on.

Pedometer

Adult female hiker in a purple sweatshirt taking a photo of a lake.

If you’re one of those people who strive for 10,000 steps a day, you don’t need anything but your smartphone to track your steps. Your iPhone or your Android will keep track of them for you whether the device is in your hand, your pocket, or strapped to your arm.

Enable this feature:

iPhone: Click on the bright red heart, then click Edit and select Steps. Keep your phone with you when you walk. To see how many steps you’ve taken, open the Health app periodically during the day.

Android users: If you have the Google Fit app on your phone, open it and tap Steps button. This will track your steps during the day. You can even review your steps per day, week, or month, by tapping on those words. If you have a Samsung phone, you can track your steps each day via that device’s Health app.

Magnifying glass

Can't read that tiny type on the prescription label? The camera on your Samsung phones, Google pixel phones, Android phones, and iPhones can help!

Android users: Tap Settings > Accessibility > Magnification > and toggle on Magnification.

iPhone: Simply open the Magnifier app — it's automatically loaded on phones with up-to-date operating software. If you don't see it on your home screen, go to the App Library and check the Utilities folder.

Translate text


Young adult son and dad resting on the walkway of a bridge and taking a selfie.

This is an incredibly helpful tool for those who are hard of hearing and others who'd like to read something in a different language from their own.

iPhone users: You can translate text, voice or a conversation through Apple's Translate app. To translate text or your voice, tap Translation and select one of a dozen languages to translate between. Tap Enter text, type the words you want to translate, then tap Go. Tap the microphone icon instead to speak a phrase you want translated out loud. Tap the button with the arrow to play the audio translation.

Android users: Download and install the Google Translate app. Next, open the app and tap your photo. Open Settings. Select Tap to Translate and toggle it on. Allow Google Translate to send you notifications. Finally, enable "Show floating icon." This gives Translate the ok to show translations over other apps.

Make the text bigger

Make reading text messages easier by doing the following:

iPhone users: Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” Look for and click on the words “Display & Text Size.” On the next screen, you have the option to turn on “Bold Text” and “Larger Text,” among others. Click on “Larger Text” and you can turn on what are called “Larger Accessibility Sizes.” The larger text won’t work on every app, but it will function on many, and that will make reading on your phone easier.

If you’d like to darken the text, which is called bold, turn on “Bold Text.” Again, the text won’t be bolded on every app, but it will be on many of them

Android users: Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” At the next screen, tap “Font Size.” Here, you’ll see a slider. Drag it as far to the right as you like. The farther it goes to the right, the larger the words will be. Then, click “Done” to save your changes.

How to turn your phone into a hot spot

A hot spot enables you to work on your laptop when you’re away from home or in a place where there’s no public Wi-Fi. Using your phone in this manner allows you to remain productive and connected.

On an iPhone: Open the Settings app, then tap “Personal Hotspot,” then “Allow Others to Join.”

Once your hotspot is on, return to your laptop or other device and go into your Wi-Fi menu. Your phone should be there as an option. Select it and provide the password your phone gave you.

On an Android phone: Open Settings, then “Connections,” then “Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.”

Once the hotspot is on, return to your laptop or other device and go into your Wi-Fi menu. Your phone should be there as an option. Select it and provide the password your phone gave you.

There are so very many things that your cell phone can do for you that eliminates the need to purchase an additional device. Need a flashlight? Use your cell. Want to track your steps? You don’t need to buy a pedometer. You can use your cell! Same thing with a scanner and weather radio. These tools and more are all available on your smartphone. And that makes your smartphone a money saver.

Why not take those savings even further and save on your cellular service with PureTalk?

Man with gray hair and black glasses siting outside sending a text.

Did you know….

The average family of four that switches to PureTalk saves $75 a month for a total of $900 a year.

With PureTalk, you get the best cell phone coverage for less and the best unlimited plans – not to mention the most cost-effective, realistically priced unlimited plans – anywhere. You also get the best cell phone coverage in Canada and Mexico and a referral program that can save you big time on your PureTalk service. Beyond that there’s the fact that the average family of four that switches to PureTalk saves $75 a month for a total of $900 a year and, if that’s not enough to help you make the switch, we offer a 30-day money back guarantee. Plus, you can bring your Android phone or iPhone, if you like, and keep your number.

In addition, at PureTalk, we believe that nothing is more important than family. That’s why we’re happy to help you find the right cell phone – and plan – for your child and your entire family.

Family Plans

Gray-haired couple having coffee and working on a laptop in the kitchen.

Did you know that PureTalk offers plans that start at just $20 a month for unlimited talk and text and blazing fast data? We do. And our Family Plans let you choose the right plan for each family member.  You can have any number of lines and choose the perfect wireless plan for each one.  Your family members get exactly what they need, and you never pay for anything they don't.  Whatever your family's size or wireless needs may be, you're sure to save a bundle!

Plans for Seniors

Cute red-haired granddaughter and grandma in a striped top looking at a cell phone.

Did you know that most seniors use less than 2GB of data per month?  PureTalk offers great plans for seniors that let you pay only for what you – and they – actually want – and nothing you don’t. And with PureTalk you get the same great service and blazing fast coverage while saving money each month. 

At PureTalk, we don’t think you should pay for data you don’t need and aren’t going to use. Switch today and receive great service and blazing-fast coverage while saving money each month.

Other wireless providers have referral programs, but none come close to PureTalk’s. At PureTalk, when you refer your friends, you reward yourself.

Two mature women pausing during a hike to take a photo.

When you join PureTalk, you’re given a unique referral link you can share with friends and family. For each friend who signs up through your unique link, you receive a $20 credit applied to your account, and your friend receives a $20 credit applied to their account. Best of all, there are no limits. You can refer as many friends as you want, and you'll get a $20 credit for every single one of them.

PureTalk’s Risk-Free, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee makes it easy to give us a try

Young woman snapping a photo of a city.

At PureTalk, we get that making a big purchase is a big deal.  You work hard for your money and if you spend it on something that doesn’t meet your needs, that’s a big problem. That’s why we offer a Money Back Guarantee. This means there’s no risk when you sign up. You can make the switch to PureTalk without breaking a sweat.

The overpriced carriers don’t seem to care if you’re worried about making a big change. They expect you to sign up with them simply because you know their name.

Not PureTalk.

Here at PureTalk, we want to make sure you feel good about making a change in your wireless carrier.  Earning your trust is important to us. That’s why, in addition to all the things PureTalk offers – great savings, reliable coverage, blazing fast data, and freedom from contracts – we offer a full refund if you don’t love your service.  Try us for 30 days. If you’re not totally satisfied in that time, or until you’ve used 500 minutes, or 500 MB of data usage, (whichever comes first) call us at 877-820-7873 to cancel and request your refund.

Love our service or your money back. 100% guaranteed.

Cheerful adult couple snapping a selfie with their Golden retriever in the kitchen.

Don’t wait. Pick a plan now that meets your needs, suits your lifestyle, and helps you save!

 


Posted 9 months ago