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You probably unlock your phone a hundred times a day. But how often do you dig into the settings menu and find something genuinely new? Most of us stick to the same apps and gestures we learned in week one. That’s a shame, because both iOS and Android are packed with features that never make the keynote. Here are the top 7 hidden smartphone features to explore, each one takes less than five minutes to set up and can change how you use your device every day.
1. Back Tap and Quick Tap: Turn Your Phone’s Back into a Button
On iPhones running iOS 14 or later (iPhone 8 and up), you can assign actions to a double-tap or triple-tap on the back of the phone. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. Choose from actions like opening the camera, turning on the flashlight, or launching a shortcut. Android 11+ has a similar feature called Quick Tap (Settings > System > Gestures > Quick Tap), though it’s usually limited to a few actions like taking a screenshot or playing/pausing media.
I set my double-tap to open the camera and triple-tap to toggle the flashlight. It’s faster than swiping down from the lock screen, especially when you’re carrying something in the other hand. You can also map Back Tap to a custom Shortcut, like starting a voice memo or sending a pre-written text. If you want more iPhone-specific tricks, check out these 5 clever iPhone tricks you might not know.
2. Wi-Fi Calling: Make Calls Even With One Bar of Signal
Wi-Fi calling routes your voice calls over a wireless internet connection instead of the cellular network. It’s a lifesaver in basements, rural areas, or anywhere the signal drops. On iPhone: Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling. On Android: Settings > Network & internet > Calls & SMS > Wi-Fi calling. You’ll need to enable it with your carrier first, but most major networks support it now.
Why it beats a weak cellular signal
A cellular call needs at least a faint tower connection. Wi-Fi calling only needs your home router, which is often stronger and more stable. Calls sound clearer, and you can walk around your house without dropping. The feature is free to enable; your carrier just routes the call over the internet.
The catch? Your Wi-Fi needs to be stable. If you’re in Los Angeles and your home network is the bottleneck, our guide to the best internet providers in Los Angeles, California can help you find a faster connection. A solid router makes Wi-Fi calling sound clearer than a weak cellular call.
3. AI Photo Editing: Erase Objects, Unblur Faces, and More
Google Photos has Magic Eraser (Pixel 6 and later, or Google One subscribers). Samsung’s Object Eraser is in the Gallery app. iPhone users can use the Retouch tool in iOS 16’s Photos app to remove small distractions. These tools use machine learning to fill in the gaps, and they’re shockingly good. I removed a stray trash can from a beach photo last week and nobody could tell.
How to get the best results
Zoom in before you erase. The AI works better on small, well-defined objects than on large, complex ones. For faces, try the unblur slider in Google Photos (Portrait Light) or the sharpness tool in iOS. Avoid over-editing—three passes max.
The technology behind it (generative fill, semantic segmentation, and so on) is worth understanding. If you want a plain-English rundown of the terms, this AI glossary covers everything from “algorithm” to “zero-shot learning.” Knowing the vocabulary helps you pick the right tool for the job.
4. Emergency SOS: A Feature You Hope You’ll Never Need
On iPhone 8 and later, press and hold the side button and either volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Or quickly press the side button five times. On Android, it’s usually five quick presses of the power button (check Settings > Safety & emergency). You can also set up Medical ID so first responders see your allergies and emergency contacts on the lock screen.
Take two minutes to configure this. Add your blood type, medications, and a contact. On Samsung phones, you can also enable “Send SOS messages” to alert chosen contacts with your location. It’s one of those features that feels abstract until it isn’t.
5. Screen Recording with Internal Audio
Both iOS and Android can record your screen, but most people don’t realize they can capture internal audio too. On iPhone (iOS 14+), add Screen Recording to Control Center (Settings > Control Center), then long-press the record button to enable the microphone or internal audio. On Android 11+, the built-in screen recorder has a “Media sounds” toggle. This is perfect for capturing a bug in an app, saving a video call, or recording a game clip with sound.
A word on privacy and permissions
Internal audio won’t record from apps that block it (like Netflix or banking apps). And always ask before recording a call—laws vary by state. On iOS, a red status bar appears while recording, so you can’t do it secretly anyway.
6. Live Caption and Sound Amplification
Live Caption transcribes speech in real time, even when you’re offline. On Android 10+, enable it in Settings > Accessibility > Live Caption. On iOS 15+, it’s Settings > Accessibility > Live Captions (beta). It works in videos, podcasts, and even during phone calls on some devices. Sound Amplification (iOS) or Sound Amplifier (Android) turns your phone into a hearing aid: point the microphone at someone and adjust the EQ.
These accessibility features aren’t just for people with hearing loss. I use Live Caption to watch videos in noisy cafes without blasting the volume. Here’s a quick list of other underrated accessibility tools:
- Triple-click the side button (iOS) or accessibility shortcut (Android) to magnify the screen.
- Voice Control lets you navigate entirely by voice, useful when your hands are wet or greasy.
- Guided Access locks your phone into a single app, great for handing a child a game.
7. Hidden Camera Tricks: Level, Grid, and QR Scanning
Open your camera app and swipe around. On iPhone, swipe up from the shutter button to reveal options like exposure, timer, and filters. Turn on the grid (Settings > Camera > Grid) to align horizons. The level appears when you tilt the phone. On Android, look for a “More” or “Settings” icon in the camera app to enable grid lines and a level indicator.
QR scanning is built into both cameras now. Just point and hold. No third-party app needed. And on many phones, you can double-press the power button to launch the camera from a locked screen. That’s saved me from missing more than one sunset. Try the level the next time you photograph a horizon—it turns a crooked shot into a keeper.
