Almost everyone has a smart phone, but chances are it has more useful features than you know about. That\u2019s not your fault. Today\u2019s smartphones can do an enormous number of things, so even tech experts, me included, probably don\u2019t know about them all.<\/p>\n
An arrow that tells you which way to walk<\/p>\n
One of my favorite little-known navigation tricks is that both Google Maps and Apple Maps can help orient you when you\u2019re walking. Simply point your phone\u2019s camera at nearby buildings or landmarks, and the app overlays arrows and other visual cues to show you exactly which way to head. In my travels, it has worked in most, though not all, situations.<\/p>\n
I find this feature indispensable because I often use it in unfamiliar places where the usual cues, like street names or knowing which way I\u2019m facing, aren\u2019t much help. Instead of guessing which way to start walking, I can see the correct direction overlaid on the real world.<\/p>\n
Google\u2019s feature is called Live View. Start walking directions, then tap the icon that looks a bit like a location pin inside a targeting frame, just above the compass needle. Point your phone at a nearby building, and it will display an arrow showing which way to walk. Apple calls its version immersive walking directions. The button is just above the speaker icon and looks like several small arrows pointing in different directions. If you don\u2019t see it, you may need to enable Raise to View by opening Settings, tapping Apps, then Maps, selecting Walking, and turning on Raise to View. On some iPhones and in some locations, the feature may not be available.<\/p>\n
Both apps can make mistakes, so it\u2019s worth confirming the direction after you\u2019ve taken a few steps or checking that it matches the map.<\/p>\n
Backing up your phone<\/p>\n
If you ever lose your phone or just upgrade to a new one, restoring from a backup will save you an enormous amount of time and aggravation. Both Android and iPhones can be backed up to the cloud and once configured, your settings, apps, photos and other data are backed up automatically.<\/p>\n
On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud and iCloud Backup to make sure backup is turned on and check when the last backup occurred. On Android, open Settings, search for Backup (the exact location varies by manufacturer), and verify that backups are enabled and have run recently. It\u2019s also a good idea to confirm that you have enough available cloud storage for future backups.<\/p>\n
In addition to protecting your valuable data if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, cloud backups let you access your photos from virtually any device through iCloud or Google Photos.<\/p>\n
Finding and ringing your phone<\/p>\n
If your phone is ever lost or stolen, there are built-in services that can help you locate it on a map, play a sound, lock it remotely, display a message for anyone who finds it, or, if necessary, erase its contents. On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, then Find My, Find My iPhone, and make sure Find My iPhone is turned on. On Android, open Settings, search for Find My Device (or Find Hub on newer versions of Android), and make sure it\u2019s enabled. It\u2019s worth testing the feature before you need it by signing in to your Apple or Google account from another device and confirming that your phone appears.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve never truly lost my phone, but I often misplace it, usually somewhere around the house. Unlike calling it from another phone, the find feature rings loud and clear, even if the ringer is turned down or the phone is in silent mode.<\/p>\n
SOS and emergency settings<\/p>\n
Depending on your mode, both iPhone and Android typically include built-in emergency features that can summon help with just a few button presses, but they only work the way you want if you set them up in advance. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Emergency SOS to review how Emergency SOS is activated, then scroll down to \u201cEdit Emergency Contacts in Health\u201d where you can also add medications, allergies, conditions and other health data.<\/p>\n
On Android, open Settings and search for Emergency SOS for a list of emergency options you can configure, similar to what Apple offers.<\/p>\n
Fingerprint or Face ID<\/p>\n
Remembering and typing passwords is a pain, but both iOS and Android let you use facial recognition or your fingerprint to sign in to the phone as well as many apps. I use it for health and financial apps because it\u2019s both secure and convenient. To take advantage of it, you\u2019ll need to set up Face ID or your fingerprint in your phone\u2019s settings and then enable it within each compatible app.<\/p>\n
Automatic updates<\/p>\n
We sometimes forget to apply system updates, but they often contain important security patches, bug fixes, and new features. Enabling automatic updates helps ensure your phone stays protected without you having to remember to install each new version. On either platform, go to Settings and search for \u201cupdates.\u201d Select both Software Updates (for the operating system) and App updates to make sure everything is automatically updated.<\/p>\n
Many more features<\/p>\n