Hidden apps on your smartphone and how to find them
There’s a slew of features baked into smartphones most people don’t know about. Tap or click here for my favorites, from seeing where a plane overhead is going to quickly delete your last few searches.
Some of the most valuable tricks are hiding in your phone’s accessibility menu. These features make things easier for folks with vision, hearing, and motor impairments. Tap or click for 10 handy accessibility settings anyone can use.
There are also many great apps and features you won’t find front and center on your phone’s home screen. It makes me wonder why smartphone engineers are keeping them a secret. Here are a few stashed apps you’ll use time and time again.
Use your phone as a magnifying glass
Let’s begin with one hidden app that is amazingly simple and very functional: Magnifier. I recently used it to read the super tiny text for my pasta machine’s model number.
The next time you don’t have your readers handy or need to see something small, open the App Store App. In the search box at the top, type Magnifier and tap Open when it appears. It’s pre-installed on iPhone, so you have it. Magnifier is simple to use. Just tap, hold, and drag the slider to adjust the magnification.
There’s also a flashlight icon near the bottom of the Magnifier app. Having an extra splash of light truly helps you see better. And the good news for iPad users, you have the secret magnifier app, too.
One app to quickly scan QR codes
I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it: Don’t download a third-party QR code scanner app. At worst, it will charge you money or even inject malicious code into your phone. At best, it’s taking up space. QR code scanning is already built into your phone.
On an iPhone, open the camera app to scan a QR code. It works, but here’s a pro tip. Your iPhone has a hidden Code Scanner app.
If you scan QR codes a few times a week, add Code Scanner to your phone’s Control Center. That’s the list of icons you can quickly access by swiping down from the top of your screen.
- Open the Settings app, then scroll down and select Control Center.
- Tap the plus icon next to Code Scanner if it’s not already in your Control Center.
5 useful apps every senior should download
Do you have seniors in your life who don’t take full advantage of their smartphones? It’s pretty standard since not everyone grew up with these technological wonders. Tap or click here for hidden apps on your smartphone and how to find them.
How to scan a QR code with your iPhone or Android phone (no apps needed)
Your smartphone is full of surprises. There’s an app if you want to use your phone as a magnifying glass or scanner. Tap or click here for hidden apps on your smartphone and how to find them.
Third-party programs take up space on your phone, and many are redundant thanks to your phone’s built-in capabilities. Tap or click here for common apps you can delete right now.