Handy mobile phone tips

For some of these tips you’ll need to download an app – other features are already there, undiscovered!

• Store emergency info

  Add medical details and emergency contacts to your lock screen – essential if help is ever needed when your phone is locked.

• Use your camera as a mirror

  Flip to the front-facing camera for quick checks on your hair, teeth, or anything else you’d rather not discover later!

• Set timers for tasks big and small

  Whether you’re boiling pasta or doing a 15-minute tidy-up, timers help you stay on track.

• Dictate instead of type

  Voice-to-text lets you quickly capture ideas, write messages or draft emails without lifting a finger.

• Keep digital backups of important info

  Store copies of your driver’s licence, Medicare card or travel documents so you’re never caught without them.

• Translate signs and menus on the go

  Use your camera with a translation app to understand foreign languages – great for travel.

• Share your location in a snap

  Lost or meeting friends? Send your exact location with just a tap.

• Set up recurring reminders

  Let your calendar remember bin night, birthdays or bill payments so you don’t have to.

• Track fitness and sleep

  Many phones monitor steps, sleep quality, heart rate and more – a handy way to spot patterns and progress.

• Turn your phone into a hotspot

  No Wi-Fi? Share your mobile data with your laptop or tablet on the go.

• Control your TV or media devices

  Use remote control apps to browse Netflix, adjust volume or pause a movie if you've misplaced the actual remote.

• See invisible light

  Use your camera to detect infrared – great for testing TV remotes.

• Use tap gestures for shortcuts

  Some phones let you double-tap the back to launch apps or take screenshots – check your settings to see if yours does this.

• Find the best Wi-Fi spot at home

  A Wi-Fi scanner app can help you locate the strongest signal.

• Convert handwriting into editable text

  Snap a photo of notes, then let OCR (Optical Character Recognition) apps do the typing for you. Popular ones include Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens and Google Lens.

• Detect magnetic fields

  Some phones have magnetometers to help find wall studs or track down electrical interference.

• Identify plants and bugs

  Use image recognition apps to learn what species you’ve snapped in the garden or on a bushwalk.

• Monitor sound levels

  A decibel app can help you keep tabs on noise at home or at events.

• Pin a screen for security

  Let someone use your phone without giving them access to everything – just pin the app and lock the rest.

• Automate everyday tasks

  Set your phone to go silent at bedtime or activate Do Not Disturb when you get to work.

• Measure space with your camera

  Some phones can estimate dimensions using augmented reality – useful for home projects.

• Silence selectively

  Use Do Not Disturb with exceptions – only let through calls from certain contacts or repeat callers.

• Flip to mute

  Place your phone face down to silence calls or notifications – simple and effective.

• Add a sleep timer to your music

  Set your audio to stop playing after a certain time – great for drifting off to podcasts or playlists.

• Double tap to wake

  No need to hit a button – a gentle tap lights up your screen.

• Split your screen for multitasking

  Use two apps side-by-side, for example, check your calendar while replying to emails.

Your phone can be a powerful, flexible tool that can help you do more with less fuss.

Have a dig through your settings or app store and see what other handy tricks are hiding in plain sight.