Phone & Tech Hacks

Every hack is checked against a cited source · open the link to see where it comes from.

• 📱

  Turn on automatic software updates

  Let your phone install OS updates overnight so you always get the latest features, fixes, and security patches.

  1. 1⚙️Open Settings
  2. 2🔄Software Update
  3. 3🌙Installs overnight

  Steps

  1. iOS: open Settings, tap General, tap Software Update, tap Automatic Updates.
  2. Turn on Automatically Install (and Automatically Download).
  3. Android: open Settings, tap System, tap Software update, enable auto-download/install over Wi-Fi.
  4. Leave the phone charging on Wi-Fi overnight so it can apply updates.

  Why it works

  Updates ship security fixes and bug fixes; automating them means you do not have to remember to install each one.

  Good to know: Updates install overnight while charging on Wi-Fi; you are notified before an iOS update is applied.

  Source: Apple Support
• 📱

  Use Low Power / Battery Saver mode

  Stretch a low battery by reducing background activity with one toggle, ideal when you are far from a charger.

  1. 🪫Battery low
  2. 🟡Saver on

  Steps

  1. iOS (iPhone 15+): open Settings, tap Battery, tap Power Mode, turn on Low Power Mode.
  2. iOS (iPhone 14 or earlier): open Settings, tap Battery, turn on Low Power Mode.
  3. Android: open Settings, tap Battery, turn on Battery Saver.
  4. On iOS the battery icon turns yellow while it is active.

  Why it works

  These modes cut background refresh and other power draws to keep essential tasks running longer on a low charge.

  Good to know: On iPhone, Low Power Mode turns off automatically once you charge to 80 percent or higher.

  Source: Apple Support
• 📱

  Back up your phone automatically

  Switch on cloud backup so your photos, messages, and settings can be restored if your phone is lost, broken, or replaced.

  1. 1☁️iCloud Backup
  2. 2🔌Charge + Wi-Fi
  3. 3✅Backs up daily

  Steps

  1. iOS: open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, tap iCloud Backup.
  2. Turn on Back Up This iPhone.
  3. Android: open Settings, tap Google, tap Backup, turn on Backup by Google One.
  4. Keep the phone connected to power, locked, and on Wi-Fi so it backs up automatically.

  Why it works

  An automatic cloud backup means a lost or broken phone is an inconvenience, not a loss of your data.

  Good to know: Backups run automatically only when the device is connected to power, locked, and on Wi-Fi; free cloud storage is limited.

  Source: Apple Support
• 📱

  Turn on Find My to locate a lost iPhone

  Enable Find My so you can locate, play a sound on, lock, or erase your iPhone if it is lost or stolen.

  1. 1📍Find My
  2. 2🔛Toggle on
  3. 3🔍Locate later

  Steps

  1. Open Settings, tap your name, tap Find My.
  2. Tap Find My iPhone, then turn on Find My iPhone.
  3. Turn on Find My network so it can be located even when offline.
  4. Turn on Send Last Location so it reports its spot when the battery gets critically low.

  Why it works

  With Find My on in advance, a misplaced phone can be located, secured, or wiped from another device or iCloud.com.

  Good to know: Find My must be enabled before the device is lost; it cannot be turned on remotely afterward.

  Source: Apple Support
• 📱

  Turn on Find My Device on Android

  Set up Google's device finder so a lost Android phone can be located, rung, secured, or erased from another device.

  1. 1📡Find My Device
  2. 2🔛Turn on
  3. 3🔔Ring or locate

  Steps

  1. Confirm you are signed in to your Google Account in Settings.
  2. Turn on location: open Settings, tap Location, turn on Use location.
  3. Open Settings, tap Security (or Google), tap Find My Device, turn it on.
  4. Later, go to google.com/android/find to locate, ring, secure, or erase the phone.

  Why it works

  Setting this up in advance lets you find a misplaced Android phone or protect your data if it is stolen.

  Good to know: Location must stay on for tracking, and remotely erasing or locking can require 2-Step Verification.

  Source: Google Account Help
• 📱

  Take and mark up a screenshot

  Capture what is on screen and instantly crop or draw on it before sharing, no extra app needed.

  1. 1📸Capture screen
  2. 2🖍️Tap to mark up
  3. 3📤Crop and share

  Steps

  1. iOS (Face ID): press the side button and volume up button at the same time, then release.
  2. iOS (Home button): press the side button and Home button together, then release.
  3. Tap the thumbnail that appears to crop, draw with Markup, or share.
  4. Android: press the power and volume down buttons together, then tap the preview to edit.

  Why it works

  Screenshots with quick markup let you highlight, redact, or annotate before sending, saving back-and-forth.

  Source: Apple Support
• 📱

  Free up storage by offloading unused apps

  Reclaim space by removing app files you rarely use while keeping their data, so you can pick up where you left off later.

  1. 1📦iPhone Storage
  2. 2☁️Offload App
  3. 3💾Keeps your data

  Steps

  1. iOS: open Settings, tap General, tap iPhone Storage.
  2. Tap an app you rarely use, then tap Offload App.
  3. To automate it, turn on Offload Unused Apps in Settings > Apps > App Store.
  4. Android equivalent: in Settings > Apps, archive or clear cache for apps you rarely use.

  Why it works

  Offloading frees up the storage an app uses but keeps its documents and data, so reinstalling restores your place.

  Good to know: An offloaded app stays on your Home Screen with a cloud icon and needs an internet connection to reinstall.

  Source: Apple Support
• 📱

  Silence interruptions with Do Not Disturb

  Mute calls and notifications on demand or on a schedule so you can focus, sleep, or drive without distraction.

  1. 1🌙Open Focus
  2. 2🔕Do Not Disturb
  3. 3🤫Alerts silenced

  Steps

  1. iOS quickest: open Control Center, tap Focus, tap Do Not Disturb.
  2. Or open Settings, tap Focus, tap Do Not Disturb to customize it.
  3. Set a schedule under that Focus so it turns on and off automatically.
  4. Android: open Quick Settings or Settings, tap Do Not Disturb, turn it on.

  Why it works

  Do Not Disturb silences alerts so they do not interrupt you, while you can still allow key people or repeat callers through.

  Good to know: While active it silences notifications, so review your allowed-contacts and time-sensitive settings to avoid missing urgent alerts.

  Source: Apple Support
• 📱

  Set up Medical ID and emergency contacts

  Store medical info and emergency contacts that first responders can see from the Lock Screen without your passcode.

  1. 1🩺Open Health
  2. 2🆔Medical ID
  3. 3🔒Show when locked

  Steps

  1. iOS: open Health, tap your profile picture, tap Medical ID, tap Get Started or Edit.
  2. Add medications, allergies, conditions, and tap Add Emergency Contact.
  3. Turn on Show When Locked and Share During Emergency Call, then tap Done.
  4. Android: in Settings > Safety & emergency, add Medical info and Emergency contacts.

  Why it works

  If you are hurt and cannot speak, responders can view your allergies, conditions, and contacts from the Lock Screen.

  Good to know: Show When Locked makes this info visible to anyone with the phone; include only what you want shared in an emergency.

  Source: Apple Support
• 📱

  Clean your phone the safe way

  Wipe down your phone correctly to remove grime and germs without damaging the screen coating or letting moisture in.

  1. 1🔌Power off
  2. 2🧽Soft damp cloth
  3. 3🚫No harsh cleaners

  Steps

  1. Unplug all cables and turn the phone off.
  2. Wipe it with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth; avoid moisture in any openings.
  3. For disinfecting, gently wipe hard surfaces with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe.
  4. Do not use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, abrasives, or anything with bleach or hydrogen peroxide.

  Why it works

  The screen has an oil-repelling coating that harsh cleaners and abrasives wear away, and liquid in ports can cause damage.

  Good to know: Avoid getting moisture in openings and never spray cleaner directly on the device; abrasive materials can scratch the glass.

  Source: Apple Support