Smartphones are one of the best devices you can get. It is no surprise seeing so many people owning at least one smartphone. Not to mention that it is not just the adults, but kids as well.
However, not everyone takes advantage of all the available features that a smartphone has to offer, nor do they make the necessary adjustments to improve their experience.
If you got your first smartphone recently or have not bothered to explore it in more detail, this article should give you some great tips on how to do that.
Tip #1 – Video Chat With Others
The pandemic has left us with fewer opportunities to meet people in person. While talking to them via video is not the same as in person, it is still better than nothing. Thanks to smartphones, we can get in touch and interact with others not just with our voices. But how does one accomplish that?
For example, can you screen record a facetime on your smartphone? Yes, you can. But there are other applications, and it also depends on what kind of a smartphone you have.
Nevertheless, at the end of the day, it is the fact that you should take advantage of the smartphone’s video chat feature and socialize with your friends and family more often during these difficult times.
Tip #2 – Use Energy Saver
If you do not wish to charge your smartphone multiple times throughout the day, be smarter with the battery usage. Do not go over the top with the number of applications that you use. Installing too many also clutters the total smartphone storage. If there is next to no free space left, you will encounter performance issues.
In addition to quitting applications, you should enable an energy saver that keeps the battery’s lifespan in check. Adjusting the screen’s brightness would help as well.
Tip #3 – Adjust Home Screen
Not everyone bothers to change the smartphone’s home screen because they are fine with the default version. However, if you want to introduce something different, you can do so.
There are a few things to consider. You could rearrange apps into folders, remove or add new ones on the home screen, and change the basic background picture.
Tip #4 – Check App Store
The application variety is one of the biggest advantages of a smartphone. You have so many to choose from, ranging from lifestyle, entertainment, games, education, dating, finances, and other categories.
Keep in mind, though, that while there are some attractive apps from third-party developers, it is recommended to stick to official stores. After all, downloading an app from a third-party source could potentially infect your smartphone with malware.
Tip #5 – Take Necessary Security Measures
Potential malware attacks are not the only threat you may face. Even if you are careful, there is still a chance that someone may get their hands on your smartphone with the intent to access personal information.
Use digital passcode and Touch ID to ensure that only you and those you allow to have the permission to use your smartphone.
Virtual private networks are also worth giving a shout. It is likely that you will be spending time surfing the net. VPNs come in handy when you connect to public Wi-Fi one can find in places like cafes, hotels, and libraries.
Public internet lacks the necessary safety protocols, making it a good place for hackers to set their traps and attack unsuspecting people. A VPN changes your ID address and allows you to browse as if you are connected to another network, not that public Wi-Fi.
Tip #6 – Use Voice Commands
Smart voice assistants have been gaining more popularity, especially in the last few years. People find it more convenient to use voice commands for everyday tasks.
Smartphones also have assistants. Siri is perhaps the best example, though there are multiple options for Android users as well.
You can ask the assistant to call or text someone, look up information on Google, create an appointment, set a reminder, and do other tasks.
It may take a while to get used to an assistant on your smartphone, but once you do, you will realize how much they offer.
Tip #7 – Create Data Backups
Use cloud storage to back up your contacts, emails, and other data. Do not risk it as something may happen to your smartphone that wipes its data. And take note that you could create local backups on your computer or external storage devices.
Tip #8 – Install Software Updates
New updates introduce the latest features, security patches, and overall performance improvements. Upgrading to the most recent software version is a good piece of advice. If you do not want an update to download and install when you might need to use a smartphone, leave it overnight. The software will be up to date when you wake up.
