Advanced Smartphone Features: Hidden Tricks, Codes & Tips

Your phone can do way more than you think. From secret settings that speed up apps to little‑known codes that show battery health, there’s a whole toolbox waiting for you. In this guide we’ll walk through the most useful advanced features, give step‑by‑step instructions, and explain why they matter. No jargon, just clear actions you can try right now.

Unlock Hidden Settings for Speed and Control

Every Android device hides a set of developer options that let you tweak animation scale, background limits and more. To open them, go to Settings → About Phone and tap "Build number" seven times. Once the menu appears, you can:

• Turn off or reduce window animation scale – this makes the UI feel snappier.
• Limit background processes – useful if you notice apps draining memory.
• Enable USB debugging – handy for transferring files or using advanced tools.

iPhone users aren’t left out. Swipe up to open Control Center, press and hold the battery icon, then tap "Battery Health" to see maximum capacity. Turning on "Optimized Battery Charging" reduces wear by learning your charging routine.

Boost Battery Life with Secret Codes

Most phones come with hidden USSD or dialer codes that reveal system info and can even reset power‑hungry settings. Try these on Android:

• *#*#4636#*#* – opens a testing menu where you can see detailed battery stats.
• *#*#225#*#* – shows a list of running services; stop any you don’t need.
• *#*#534369#*#* – displays your phone’s firmware version, useful for verifying updates.

On iOS, the secret is simpler: go to Settings → Privacy → Location Services, then scroll to the bottom and turn off "System Services" for improved battery.

Beyond codes, simple habits make a big difference. Lower screen brightness, use dark mode, and switch off unused radios (Bluetooth, NFC) when you’re not using them. These tweaks add up to hours of extra use.

Advanced features also include hidden gestures. On many Android skins, double‑tap the screen with two fingers to launch the camera, or swipe down on the fingerprint sensor to open notifications. iPhone users can set up back‑tap shortcuts in Settings → Accessibility → Touch – tap the back of the phone twice to take a screenshot, three times to open the app switcher.

Finally, keep an eye on storage. Open Settings → Storage and use the "Free up space" tool to delete cached files, old screenshots, and unused apps. A clean phone runs faster and drains less battery.

Try a few of these tricks today and you’ll notice a quicker, longer‑lasting device. The best part? You don’t need to buy a new phone – just explore the hidden features you already own.