Hidden Smartphone Tricks You Probably Didn’t Know About

2. Search Anything With a Screenshot

Screenshots aren’t just for saving memes. On most modern phones, you can search the text inside a screenshot.

iPhone (Live Text)

• Open any screenshot
• Tap and hold on text to copy, translate, or look it up.

Android (Google Lens)

• Open the screenshot
• Tap the Lens icon to copy text, identify objects, or search the web.

It’s incredibly useful for pulling phone numbers, ingredients, addresses, or product names right out of an image.

3. Tap the Back of Your Phone to Trigger Shortcuts

A hidden accessibility feature lets you use the back of your phone as a secret button.

iPhone

• Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap
  Assign double-tap or triple-tap actions like:
• Taking a screenshot
• Muting your phone
• Turning on the flashlight
• Opening apps

Android

Some Android phones (like Google Pixel) offer a similar “Tap” feature that lets you customize gestures.

4. Turn Your Phone Into a Level or Measuring Tool

Need to hang a picture straight? Want to measure furniture? Your phone can help.

iPhone

• Open the Measure app → swipe left to access the Level tool.

Android

• Use Google’s Measure tool (available on AR-compatible devices) or search “level” in the Google app.

It’s surprisingly accurate and incredibly convenient.

5. Silence Unknown Callers Automatically

If robocalls are driving you crazy, this trick is a lifesaver.

iPhone

Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers

Android

Settings → Sound & vibration → Do Not Disturb → Customize to block unknown numbers.

Your phone will only ring for people in your contacts.

6. Quickly Undo Text With a Shake or Swipe

Made a typo? Deleted something by accident?

iPhone

• Shake your phone to undo typing
• Or swipe three fingers left to undo, three fingers right to redo

Android

Gboard (Google’s keyboard) lets you:

• Swipe left on the spacebar to delete words
• Swipe right to redo

A huge time-saver when texting or writing emails.

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