CHECK OUT THESE HIDDEN SMARTPHONE FEATURES

[Check Out These Hidden Smartphone Operating System Features]
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What’s great about smartphones is that they are constantly updating to make your life easier. There are probably some hidden operating system (OS) features you have never heard of. This blog will cover three top hidden features for both Apple and Android.

Hidden OS features for Apple

1. A new customizable lock screen

Whether it’s a picture of your grandchild or a beautiful sunset, the lock screen on your smartphone is what you see the most. In Apple’s new iOS 16, they bring a new, more customizable feature to lock screens.

Press and hold to edit your lock screen. You can swipe to try out several different styles. Each style changes the color filter for the background photo and the font on the lock screen so everything complements each other. You can also customize the fonts for the time and date, making it all about your personality and style.

2. Notifications

Ever notice how intrusive notifications on your smartphone can be? With Apple’s iOS 16, they have moved those notifications to the bottom of your screen instead of the top. As you receive notifications, instead of being compiled into a list, they appear like a vertical carousel.

3. The ability to edit and ‘unsend’ messages

Have you ever accidentally sent a message to the wrong person or wish you would have said something differently? In Apple’s new iOS 16 update, you can now unsend and edit already-sent messages.

How to unsend a text message.

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Navigate to the conversation that contains the message you want to unsend.
  3. Tap and hold the message you want to remove.
  4. In the pop-up menu, select “Undo Send.”
  5. Both you and the recipient will see a note confirming that you unsent the message.

How to edit a text message:

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Navigate to the conversation that contains the message you want to edit.
  3. Tap and hold the message you want to remove.
  4. In the pop-up menu, select “Edit.”
  5. Enter your changes, then tap the blue check mark to resend the message with the edits. If you change your mind about editing the message, tap the X to cancel.
  6. Both you and the recipient will see a blue “Edited” note below the message.

Hidden OS features for Android

1. Restrict background data

Want a way to extend your battery life on your smartphone? Restricting background data is a great solution, and it stops you from running out of data. Apps you use daily are constantly refreshing in the background, eating up your precious battery life. Disabling some of them is a great way to make your phone last longer.

  1. Open Settings and tap Mobile Network, then data usage.
  2. Tap Data saving, then toggle Data saving on.
  3. To make exceptions for certain apps, tap Unrestricted apps and toggle on any apps to exempt them.

2. Split Screen

Toggling between two apps on your smartphone can get annoying, but did you know you can split your screen so that you can view two things simultaneously? Not all apps are compatible, but for the ones that are, this can be a great multitasking tool.

  1. Swipe up to bring up your app tray.
  2. Tap the menu button, then tap Split screen.
  3. Open another app and drag the margin to adjust the split.

3. Share WiFi passwords via a QR code

Want a quick way to share your WiFi password with someone without straining your brain to remember your password? This nifty feature on Android lets you share your WiFi password with anyone else via a QR code. You will need to be connected to your WiFi to share.

  1. Open the WiFi menu and tap the gear next to the network.
  2. Tap QR code or Share.