7 Fun iPhone Features You Didn’t Know About

7 Fun iPhone Features

You Didn’t Know About

 

Hidden Capabilities That Will Make You Love Your iPhone Even More 

 

As a lifelong iPhone user, I figured decades of using my phone every day meant I knew every little secret my favorite tech had to offer me. But I realized recently that while I can swipe through Safari with ease, and expertly navigate the Apple app store, there were a plethora of other incredible iPhones features and tools I was missing out on.

After all, most of us don’t really have time to learn EVERYTHING our amazing little devices can do…

Which is exactly why I decided to dig up these secret iPhone capabilities and Apple easter eggs to share with you! I thought I knew my phone backwards and forwards, but this list includes hidden iPhone features that I’d never even heard of before. Check it out!

 

1. Swipe Texting

Many former Android owners, like myself, recall having to give up their beloved “Swipe Texting” when making the switch to Apple products. Swipe texting is a feature that allows you to compose a text, e-mail, or any document by swiping entire words, instead of tapping individual letters. Finally, after years of waiting, a similar swipe texting feature (or, as Apple calls it, “QuickPath”) is now available for the iPhone and other Apple devices through the iOS 13 update! 

 

To take advantage of this neat feature, there’s no need to download a special keyboard or enable a particular setting. You can just get right to swiping on your normal keyboard! Instead of picking up your finger to type every individual letter, just slide your finger from letter to letter until you’ve formed a word. 

 

This function allows you to easily type single-handed, and is a much faster option than tapping letters one at a time with both thumbs. If you’re an early Apple adopter and not used to swiping yet, it may take a little getting used to. But once you get the hang of it, this cool hidden iOS feature can come in handy for almost every conversation.

 

2. Emphasized Texting

You may think iMessaging on your iPhone is the same as texting on any other device, but it’s actually full of little surprises that many people don’t know about! There’s a reason iPhone users dread messaging someone new only to see that text bubble turn green. Part of that reason is because when iMessage users text non-iPhone users, they aren’t able to take advantage of their exclusive iPhone features.

 

A lot of people are already aware of the reactions feature, which allows you to select a “reaction” to give a particular text– but did you know you can add a little flair to your texts as well? There’s a hidden iMessage feature where you can emphasize or add effects to the texts you send to fellow iPhone users.

 

To access this feature, simply open an iMessage conversation, type what you would like to say, then press and hold the blue “Send Arrow.” This send button will open up a menu of effects you can attach to your messages. There are two categories that show up: “Bubble,” in which the effect is limited to the text bubble itself, or “Screen,” where you get full screen effects over the entire window. It’s a great way to spice up your messages!

 

3. iMessage Effects

In addition to emphasized texts, iMessage also has specific words or sayings that will trigger secret messaging effects. A lot of people don’t find out about these secret iMessage features and effects until they go to wish their friend “Happy Birthday” and are surprised to see balloons and streamers fly across the screen. Below is a list of iMessage’s trigger words and sayings, so you can play around with these cool effects any time. 

 

• Happy New Year/Chinese New Year – Fireworks
• Happy Birthday – Balloons
• Congrats/Congratulations – Confetti
•  “Pew Pew” –  Laser Show

 

(The Happy Birthday and Congratulations effects also work with a ton of other languages!)

 

4. Bedtime vs. Alarm

I’ve actually been using this function for a couple years now, so I was surprised to hear recently that none of my friends had heard of it! “Bedtime” is located under the “Clock” app of your iPhone. Lots of people utilize the “Alarm” tab and don’t even notice the section labeled “Bedtime,” but this feature is so much more customizable (and informative) than just simply setting an alarm.

 

With this feature, you can set an assigned bedtime for any day of the week. Once you’ve set a bedtime, your iPhone will actually remind you when it is time to head to bed, and even automatically set your phone to “Do Not Disturb” mode during your designated sleep time. 

 

You can also set a wake-up time, which can be customized by day. “Bedtime” will also show you how much sleep you’ll be getting each night, based on your set bedtime. Within this section, you will also see a sleep analysis, based on when you actually set down your phone. The information gathered from this feature can be aso paired with your Health App on your iPhone. 

 

This is by far the hidden feature I use the most often, and I seriously could not recommend it more. It’s so much more helpful than just simply setting an alarm, and really gives you some insight into your sleeping schedule; and helps you stay on track so you stop hitting snooze. 

 

5. Notes Scanner

Have you ever been asked to scan and send a copy of a document, and realized in a panic that you hadn’t used an actual copy machine or scanner in years? You aren’t alone; but no need to fear.. There’s actually a scanner built right into your iPhone!

 

All you have to do is open your “Notes” app, open a new note, and click the “Camera” button on the screen. You will then see a selection for “Scan Documents”. Now, just place your document on a flat well-lit surface and take a photo.

 

You can then drag the edges to center the document and then when you are happy with it, select “Keep Document”. Voila! There you have it: a scanned document, without the hassle of having to drive down to your local office supply store

 

6. Measure App

An incredibly useful tool called the “Measure App” was added to the iPhone with the iOS 12 update. So many people had NO CLUE this thing existed– including myself, before writing this article. And it’s a lifesaver!  

 

I’m always misplacing my measuring tape, so I was thrilled to learn that as long as I have my phone, there’s another measuring option right in my pocket. The Measure app uses augmented reality to measure things with your iPhone’s camera. It’s super easy to use, too. 

 

Just open up the app, scan the room with your phone, and when a circle appears, place it at your starting point and press the “+”. Next, move to your endpoint and press “+” once more. After that, the screen should display your item’s measurement. It’s that simple!

 

7. Bye-Bye, Robocalls!

Believe it or not, you DON’T need to pay for an external app to stop these pesky robocalls from coming in! Your iPhone actually has a little-known setting that will silence all calls from unknown callers. It won’t actually block the call, but it will forward it straight to voicemail without your phone ringing.

 

To set up this feature, open your “Settings” menu, select “Phone” and then enable “Silence Unknown Callers”. Before I enabled this feature, I was running to my phone for at least 4 robocalls a day. Since I turned it on a few days ago, I’ve gotten ZERO– and I could NOT be happier! THANK YOU, APPLE!

 

Considering the high sticker price for Apple phones, it’s crucial to keep up with the latest features and updates if you truly want to take full advantage of your cutting-edge piece of tech. But sometimes we just don’t know where to find the kind of tools that could be helpful, or don’t have the time to figure out how they work.

 

Hopefully this list of all the cool things you didn’t know your iPhone could do helps you fall even more in love with your phone’s features! I hope you enjoy using your iPhone to the fullest. 

 

And if your iPhone won’t work properly, feel free to talk to your local experts at uBreakiFix for a free diagnostic.

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This article was written by members of the uBreakiFix Creative and Marketing teams and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc.

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from uBreakiFix Blog https://www.ubreakifix.com/blog/7-hidden-iphone-features

6 Hidden Android Features We Bet You Didn’t Know About

 

 

6 Cool Android Features

We Bet You Didn’t Know About

Unleash your phone’s full power with these hidden tools.

 

Let’s face it; it’s easy to fall into a rut with your phone usage. We get trapped toggling between the same old apps over and over, somehow forgetting these devices are always being updated with new tools and tricks. 

There are teams of techs out there whose sole purpose is to create features aimed to make our lives easier, or awesome additions that are just plain fun! In this article, we’ll explore some of the lesser-known capabilities that your Android has to offer, so you can take full advantage of your device. Try these fun hidden Android features out!

 

1. Chrome Split Screen

Do you ever get annoyed having to flip back and forth from Chrome to another application? With Chrome’s “Split Screen” feature, you don’t have to. This is such a cool tool; it allows you to view a Chrome webpage and run another app at the same time on one screen. If you love to multitask, this capability is a major must-have!

 

To activate split-screen, first tap on your Chrome application you’d like to use. Press and hold the center navigation button on the bottom of the screen (or bottom of your phone, if you have a physical button), then swipe upward. The app window will be highlighted, and options for either “App Info” or “Split Screen” will appear. Select “Split Screen,” and it will let you pick another app. Even better?

This doesn’t just work with Chrome; you can split screens with any two applications, as long they support this feature. In the split-screen mode, you can even copy and drag text directly into your other application. So if, let’s say, you found a really cool quote online and wanted to send it in a message? Simply split your screen with your messaging application, copy the text, then drag and drop. It’s as easy as that! 

 

 

2. Google Assistant Games

You’ve probably already realized the built-in Google Assistant on your Android device is a pretty handy tool, but did you know it can be fun too? That’s right! It’s not just for asking quick questions or turning on your bedroom lights. You can actually play specially made games right within your Google Assistant. Just go to your Google Assistant Settings or simply say “Show me Settings,” then scroll down to “Games & Fun.”

 

With Google Assistant games, your phone can quiz you on any topic you are interested in or you can download and play verbal games such as “The Game of Castle” with your in-phone assistant. You can even have your fortune told! If you get bored and want a fun playmate, we definitely advise giving your Google Assistant a try. Check out the full list of Google Assistant games here.

 

3. Real-Time Translations 

This nifty little feature is made possible by the “Gboard,” Google’s standard keyboard. A lot of people don’t realize that you have the ability to quickly translate text as you type in real-time! With real-time translations, there’s no need to need to flip back and forth between your text and a translation app.

 

To start, simply press the “G” symbol on your Gboard. Then select the Google Translate logo (it’s a “G” next to the Chinese character 文 on a background that folds from blue to grey). Now, select the languages you would like to work with. Type what you would like to say and you will see a preview of the translated text. 

 

Once you find the translation you’d like, select the checkmark and it will be translated! This secret Android feature is incredibly easy to use, and can really broaden your horizons when you’re trying to communicate quickly.

 

 

4. Flip Silencing

Flip silencing your Android phone is an excellent feature; and one that requires very little effort to use. Thanks to this feature, your phone’s ringtone can quickly be silenced in one simple step– just flip it over! Androids automatically silence themselves when the device is turned screen-side down. 

 

This is a really convenient capability; especially for those of us who don’t like to keep our phones on silent all the time, but also hate fumbling around awkwardly to find the volume button when a call comes in at an inopportune moment. 

Added bonus? It means you get used to flipping your phone down when you’d like to pay full attention to your surroundings. Like a healthy habit for mindfulness, embedded right into your everyday tech.

 

5. Guest Mode

Have you ever had to show someone something on your phone, but got nervous that they might swipe the wrong way and see something they shouldn’t have? Or want to walk away, but feel too worried they’ll snoop around on your phone? If this has ever happened to you, we definitely recommend taking advantage of “Guest Mode.” This Android feature allows you to switch into a guest user account on your phone that limits access to your private information and data. 

 

To enter into this mode, use two fingers to swipe down on the home screen. You should see a “Guest” icon appear. Once you select this icon, your phone will be put into what’s known as “Guest Mode.” Now you can safely hand over your phone without fear!

 

6. Personal Reminders

Life is constantly throwing so much at us that it can be difficult to remember even just little things like “What items did I need to return today?” or “Where did I place that folder?” If you’d like a reminder to keep track of the thousand things on your mind, why not have your Google Assistant remember things for you?

 

In addition to keeping track of your schedule and letting you know if you have a meeting scheduled, your Google Assistant can also serve as a sort of second brain by reminding you of whatever you’d like it to remember for you. To access this feature, just tell your Google Assistant “Remember….” and whatever you would like it to remember. When you need to be reminded just say “Remind Me.” This is such an easy feature to use, but can save you from a lot of headaches and heartache.

 

People absolutely love their Android phones, and for good reason! They have so many powerful capabilities, and are incredibly customizable. We often get stuck using the same features and apps that we’re already used to, instead of upgrading or trying something new.

 

But now that we’ve introduced you to a couple of the very useful hidden features on your Android phone, there’s no excuse for falling in a phone rut. Go try them out for yourself!

 

And if the only thing surprising about your Android device right now is that it’s not working, bring it in to your local uBreakiFix. Diagnostics are always free, and we’re happy to help.

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from uBreakiFix Blog https://www.ubreakifix.com/blog/6-hidden-android-features

Fixes to Fuel the Soul: Sara The Triceratops

Sometimes old tech takes on a life of its own. Retro gear helps us bring the past into the present, whether your memories are tied to a VHS player you vividly remember hitting rewind on repeatedly or an heirloom sewing machine that’s centuries old. 

 

And that makes it all the more heartbreaking when our old devices fail to function properly. Their sentimental value means they can’t be easily replaced, and parts can be hard to track down if you’re not an expert. 

 

That’s where uBreakiFix comes in.

 

As experts in the repair game, we pride ourselves on being able to fix anything with a power button– old or new. We love fixing all sorts of tech, and some stories stand out among the rest.

 

 Like Sara the Triceratops.

 

 

Our training team got a brand-new challenge when Zoraida brought in her child’s broken Triceratops toy. It had been a lucky thrift store find of hers a few months back, only $90 for a dream-toy that normally costs around $500. It worked for a while after she brought it home (just long enough for her child to fall in love with it), but the original batteries were still in the terminal.

And, as old tech tends to, it had begun to rust. These old batteries eventually rusted over and corroded the terminal entirely. She could clearly see the batteries were still making contact, but as soon as she tried to change them, Sara stopped coming to life.

 

 

Zoraida brought Sara to the training team for some assistance. The team put their heads together and quickly realized Sara’s repair, which likely would have immediately been dismissed as a lost cause by other stores, was actually an extremely simple fix.

The team removed the corroded, rusty battery terminals and installed new ones. To fit the new battery terminals in properly, the techs had to shave and reshape the plastic housing it would fit into. 

 

 

Next, they installed new wiring to the motor, rewiring the two leads for the positive and negative feed. Luckily, the motor and the plastic bits on Sara’s insides were all still intact and in working condition, despite the rusted-out old terminals. Luckily, a little corrosion doesn’t scare our team; we’re used to seeing all kinds of hardware gore, so saving Sara was a breeze.

 

The team had to cut open the fabric around the power source to get at it initially, but they were able to stitch it back together nicely after installing the new terminals and wires. 

 

The entire repair was completed in under an hour; and the smile on the family’s face when they finally brought Sara back to life was worth its weight in gold.

 

While this little dino will certainly make the list of the most interesting things we have repaired, it just goes to show– we’ll truly fix anything with a power button. 

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from uBreakiFix Blog https://www.ubreakifix.com/blog/sara-the-triceratops