Quality of Life: Simple Smartphone Tricks for a Smoother Day

Ever feel like your phone is holding you back instead of helping? You’re not alone. A few hidden settings and quick hacks can turn your device into a real life‑saver. Below you’ll find practical steps that anyone can follow, no tech degree required.

Everyday Hacks for Faster Phones

First up, speed. Most Android phones have a hidden developer menu that lets you turn off unused animations. Open Settings > About Phone and tap the build number seven times. Once the developer options appear, go to Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale and set each to 0.5x or Off. You’ll notice apps opening instantly, and the battery gets a tiny boost too.

If you’re on iPhone, the same effect comes from turning off Reduce Motion in Settings > Accessibility > Motion. It cuts down on the parallax effect, making everything feel snappier.

Another quick win is clearing the cache of heavy apps like Instagram or Facebook. Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Cache. This frees up space and clears out stale data that can slow the app down.

Battery & Storage Tricks to Keep You Going

Battery anxiety? Try the secret codes that show you real battery stats. On Android, dial *#*#4636#*#* to open a hidden test menu. You’ll see details like battery health and temperature. For iPhone users, open Settings > Battery > Battery Health to check maximum capacity and enable Optimized Battery Charging.

Running out of storage is another daily headache. Instead of deleting photos one by one, use the built‑in Smart Delete feature (Android) or Optimize iPhone Storage (iOS). Both move old images to the cloud automatically, freeing up gigabytes without you lifting a finger.

Don’t forget the hidden USSD codes that show your data usage instantly. Dial *#135# (or your carrier’s code) to get a quick balance and data breakdown. No need to open an app or log into a website.

Finally, keep your phone cool. Overheating often comes from background apps hogging CPU. Open the recent apps screen and swipe away anything you’re not using. On Android, enable Battery Saver for apps you rarely need.

These tiny adjustments add up. Faster load times, longer battery life, and more free space mean you spend less time fiddling with your phone and more time doing what matters. Give them a try today and see how a smoother device improves your overall quality of life.

Liam Archer 20 July 2023 0

Do you think life will be better without mobile phones?

In exploring the concept of life without mobile phones, I've unearthed a mixed bag of pros and cons. While a life devoid of mobile phones might help us indulge more in face-to-face interactions and reduce our dependence on technology, it could also impede our ability to stay connected globally and access information instantly. It's a hard question to definitively answer, as mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives. Weighing the benefits against the drawbacks, it seems that our lives wouldn't necessarily be better without mobile phones, but they would certainly be different.