Beyond Calls: 25 Unexpectedly Handy Uses for Your Smartphone

Smartphones are incredibly versatile devices, offering far more than just social media access and communication. A number of surprising functionalities lie within your phone, achievable through its built-in capabilities and easily downloadable applications.

**Transforming Your Phone:**

• A Digital Tape Measure:** Need to quickly assess dimensions for a DIY project? iPhones have a 'Measure' app that employs augmented reality and the phone's camera to determine distances, even a person's height.
• Become a Treasure Hunter:** While professional metal detectors can be expensive, many modern phones contain magnetometers (originally intended to enhance GPS accuracy) which can be utilized by metal detecting apps. Accuracy may not match dedicated devices, but it provides entertainment, especially for kids on a beach trip.
• Universal Remote Control:** Misplaced your TV remote? Many Android phones feature an infrared blaster that can replicate signals from your TV, set-top box, or air conditioner. Other phones connect to smart devices via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. By downloading a remote app, your phone can adjust volume, change channels, and control smart lights and speakers.
• Digitize Old Photos:** Convert those old photographic negatives into digital images using apps like FilmBox (available for iOS and Android). Simply shine light through the negative, and you can then refine the colors using image editing apps.
• Avoid Waiting on Hold:** If a company doesn’t offer a call-back option, iPhones running iOS 16 can notify you when a human voice is detected on the other end of the line with the Hold Assist feature.
• Create 3D Scans:** Newer iPhones and some Android phones include depth sensors (like Lidar) which can create 3D models. Scanning apps use these sensors, letting you capture objects or rooms. These models can be used for 3D printing, game design, or archiving items before selling them.
• Offline Hike Mapping:** For outdoor enthusiasts, smartphones can provide safety and direction, even without a signal. Download offline maps before heading out and your phone's GPS will track your route, elevation, and distance. Hiking and cycling apps will then save it for future use.
• A Makeshift Stethoscope:** A 2022 study showed that a smartphone microphone could accurately measure heartbeats, similar to a stethoscope. A commercial cardiac screening tool app is already available in the US.
• Sleep Aid:** Instead of buying a white noise machine, use your iPhone's accessibility settings to play calming sounds like white noise, ocean waves, or a crackling fire.
• Paint Color Matching:** Forget paper swatches. Use a color-matching app and your phone's camera to identify a paint color from any surface. The app will then suggest equivalent colors from major paint brands, and some even allow you to preview the colors in your space using augmented reality.
• Real-Time Language Translation:** While traveling abroad, use live translation apps (like Google Translate) to instantly translate menus, signs, and handwriting using image recognition.
• Plant Identification:** Identify unknown plants, animals, and objects with AI-powered insights via your smartphone's camera lens. Google Lens provides a surprisingly accurate way to identify different plants.
• Improved Webcam:** Replace a low-resolution built-in webcam with your smartphone's superior camera. iPhones and Macs utilize the Handoff feature, while Android devices and Windows use the “Link to Windows” app for setup.
• Sound Level Measurement:** Decibel-measuring apps accurately measure sound levels, helpful for monitoring noise from neighbors or construction. Some local councils even recommend these apps for logging noise complaints.
• Simple Smart Home Automation:** Near-field communication (NFC) stickers can act as programmable buttons. Program them for tasks like turning on Wi-Fi and lights when you arrive home, or starting a sleep playlist at bedtime.
• Picture-Hanging Assistant:** Utilize the built-in spirit level found within the compass or measurement tools to ensure pictures hang straight.
• Document Scanner:** Even basic smartphones can transform a photo into a usable scan, identifying the document's corners when you hover the camera.
• Animated Photo Memories:** Breathe new life into old photos. Scanning photos into apps like Google Photos or Apple Photos automatically groups them by people, places, and dates, creating shareable memories with music and transitions.
• Blood Oxygen Monitoring:** Health apps use phone or smartwatch sensors to estimate blood oxygen saturation, which can serve as an early warning for breathing issues.
• Presentation Remote:** Control PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides presentations using a companion app, turning your phone into a remote control with speaker notes and a virtual laser pointer.
• Share Your Location:** Share your real-time location with trusted contacts via apps like WhatsApp for added safety when traveling alone or meeting someone new.
• Track Your Diet:** Use nutrition apps to scan barcodes or search databases to log meals, tracking calories and nutrients. These apps can also sync with step counters or smartwatches.
• Portable Podcast Studio:** A plug-in microphone and editing app transforms your phone into a mobile podcasting setup, great for capturing interviews or sending audio updates.
• Voice-Activated Control:** Create custom voice commands on your iPhone within the accessibility settings. This can automate repetitive tasks, like taking a photo by saying "click."
• Enhanced Shopping Lists:** Ditch paper lists and use shopping list apps like Bring!, AnyList, or Listonic. Share lists, tick off items in real-time, and add items by scanning barcodes.

These examples demonstrate the impressive versatility of smartphones, offering a diverse range of functions beyond their primary purpose.