Our smartphones are capable of far more than just delivering quick dopamine hits and keeping us connected with loved ones. By using their built-in features and a few readily available apps, you can unlock a host of clever and practical uses.
Turn your phone into a tape measure
The iPhone’s Measure app uses augmented reality and the camera to calculate distances, from ceiling heights to room dimensions—perfect for quick DIY decisions. Parents will appreciate that it can also measure a person’s height, much like the old tradition of marking growth on a wall.
Become a detectorist
While dedicated metal detectors can be expensive, many modern phones have built-in magnetometers to improve GPS accuracy. Some apps can harness this same technology to detect metal. They won’t match the precision of professional gear, but they’re more than enough to entertain kids hunting for small treasures at the beach.
Turn it into a remote control
Lost the TV remote behind the sofa again? Many Android phones have an infrared blaster that can mimic signals from your TV, set-top box, or air conditioner. Others can control smart devices over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Just download a remote app, point your phone at the screen, and adjust the volume or change channels. By linking smart lights, speakers, and streaming sticks, your phone becomes a command center for the entire living room—though this also makes it easier for teenagers to prank you by switching channels mid-show.
Digitize your old holiday snaps
Have a stack of old photographic negatives you never developed, or worse, lost the prints for? Apps like FilmBox (available on iOS and Android) can convert negatives into digital photos, provided you shine a light through them. You can then use image-editing apps to restore color balance to faded old pictures.
Avoid waiting on hold
Some companies offer callback services to save you from waiting on hold. If they don’t, your phone can help. The Hold Assist feature on iPhones running iOS 16 notifies you when it detects a human voice on the line, so you can step away knowing you won’t miss your turn.
Create 3D scans of objects
Newer iPhones and some Android phones feature depth sensors like lidar (light detection and ranging) that can map the world in 3D. Install a scanning app, slowly walk around an object or room, and your phone will compile the data into a detailed 3D model. You can export it for 3D printing, game design, or to keep a digital record of bulky items before selling or recycling them. It’s also a handy way to document a rental’s contents for insurance or capture tricky spaces when planning renovations.
Map and record hikes without a mobile signal
For outdoor enthusiasts, phones can help you stay on route and safe. Download offline maps before heading to remote areas, and your phone’s GPS will work even without reception. Hiking and cycling apps can track your route, elevation, and distance, then save the data so you can retrace your steps or share the journey later.
Create a stethoscope
Alongside smartwatches, smartphones have become valuable tools for health monitoring—and you can take it a step further. A 2022 trial tested whether a phone’s microphone could accurately measure heartbeats, similar to a stethoscope, and found that “mobile technologies are a viable way of recording heart sounds.”A commercial “cardiac screening tool” app is now available in the U.S.
Help yourself get to sleep
Some people buy white noise machines and pack them for travel, but you can get the same effect with your iPhone. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual, where you can turn on soothing sounds like white noise, ocean waves, or a crackling fire to help you fall asleep.
Match that tricky paint color
Repainting without the original paint can be a challenge. Instead of comparing paper swatches, use your phone’s camera with a color-matching app to sample the shade directly from your wall, cushion, curtain, or any surface. The app will suggest the closest matches from major paint brands, and some even let you preview the colors in a photo of your room, combining paint matching with augmented reality.
Live translate menus, signs, and handwriting
Traveling abroad and unsure about a menu or sign? Apps like Google Translate use live translation and image recognition to identify foreign text and overlay an English translation, so you’ll always know what you’re ordering or where you’re going.
Identify unknown plants
Not sure what’s growing along your fence or what type of cactus you just bought? Your smartphone’s camera, powered by AI, can identify plants, animals, and objects with surprising accuracy. While there are many plant-specific apps, Google Lens is a reliable all-in-one tool to tell your hydrangeas from your hostas.
Amp up your webcam
Built-in laptop and PC cameras are often low-resolution and struggle in low light, leading to blurry video calls. Smartphone cameras are much more advanced, with automated processing that constantly improves image quality, making them great webcam replacements. On iPhones and Macs, use the Handoff feature. For Android and Windows, follow the setup instructions in the “Link to Windows” app.
Measure sound levels
Dealing with noisy neighbors or construction? Several decibel-measuring apps are available and are quite accurate due to extensive training. Some local councils even recommend these apps for logging noise complaints during disputes.
Make an ad hoc smart home
Near-field communication (NFC) is commonly used for tap-to-pay, but affordable NFC stickers (available online, often 50 for under £10) can act as programmable buttons. Place one by your front door to turn on Wi-Fi and lights with a tap, or put another on your bedside table to start a sleep playlist and enable Do Not Disturb. With some experimentation, you can create simple smart home routines without needing a hub.
Hang paintings straight
If you’ve ever hung a picture only to find it slightly crooked, your phone can help. Many phones have a built-in spirit level hidden in the compass or measurement tools. Place your phone on top of the frame or shelf, and it will show when you’ve reached level, down to a fraction of a degree. This is also handy for leveling bookshelves, curtain rods, or even fixing a wobbly table leg.
Scan documents
Buying a house or applying for a mortgage often requires signing contracts. While some companies allow digital signatures, if you prefer pen and paper, you can still use your phone to scan and send documents—with the help of a scanning app.Your device. Even most basic smartphones now have features that let you turn a photo into a decent scan by automatically detecting the edges of a document when you point your camera at it.
Turn physical photos into animated ‘memories’
Old family prints stored in boxes don’t have to stay still. Scan them into your phone, and apps like Google Photos and Apple Photos can automatically organize them by people, places, and dates, then combine them into short “memories” with music and transitions. Some tools even add gentle motion effects to still images, making them feel more like mini-movies than old snapshots.
Measure your blood oxygen and spot potential issues
Health apps are increasingly using sensors on your phone or connected watch to estimate blood oxygen levels—a helpful indicator for problems like breathing difficulties or altitude sickness. While not a substitute for medical-grade monitors, they can act as an early warning system by tracking unusual trends over time and prompting you to seek advice if something seems off, rather than ignoring a gut feeling.
Enhance your PowerPoint presentations
Skip the unreliable clickers and install the companion app for PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides. You can then control your presentation remotely, swipe between slides, and view your speaker notes on your phone. Some apps turn your screen into a virtual laser pointer, letting you highlight key points on a big display while moving around the stage, instead of being stuck near your laptop. In a pinch, you can even mirror your phone’s screen to a TV or projector and present directly from your handset if your main computer acts up.
Share your live location for safety
Most phones let you share your real-time location with trusted friends or family for a set period through apps like WhatsApp. It’s an easy safety measure when walking home at night, traveling alone, or meeting someone new—and it’s better than the old “text me when you get there” routine.
Keep track of your diet
For those wanting to monitor their eating, phones make food diaries much easier. Nutrition apps let you scan barcodes or search databases to log meals, automatically adding up calories and nutrients throughout the day. Many sync with your step counter or smartwatch, so you can see the balance between what you’re consuming and burning without getting lost in a spreadsheet. They’re just as useful for people trying to eat more fiber, reduce salt, or identify food triggers as they are for anyone counting calories.
Turn your phone into a mini podcast studio
With an inexpensive plug-in microphone and a basic editing app, your phone can record and edit surprisingly high-quality audio. It’s enough to start a podcast, capture interviews on the go, or simply send better-than-voice-note updates to friends and family.
Control your phone with your voice
Want to take a photo just by saying “click”? You can create voice-activated commands on your iPhone in the accessibility settings—though it’s not the simplest process. Go to Voice Control > Commands > Custom, then select “Create New Command.” Type in a voice trigger (like “click”), which will lead you to a screen recording. Every tap you make (such as pressing where the camera button is) will be repeated whenever you say that phrase. So, open your camera, say “click,” and it works! This can help automate various repetitive tasks, but it only functions when Voice Control is turned on.
Supercharge your shopping list
Paper notes stuck to the fridge can’t compete with dedicated shopping list apps.Apps like Bring!, AnyList, or Listonic allow you to share a live shopping list with roommates or partners, check off items in real time while you shop, and even add products by scanning barcodes or importing ingredients directly from online recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Surprisingly Handy Uses for Your Smartphone
Q1 What does it mean that my phone can do much more than I might think
A1 It means your smartphone has builtin sensors and apps that can perform tasks beyond calls texts and browsinglike acting as a level metal detector or measurement tooloften without needing extra hardware
Q2 How can I measure an object using just my phone
A2 Many phones have a builtin Measure app that uses augmented reality and your camera to estimate lengths heights and distances by pointing at objects
Q3 Can my phone really detect metal
A3 Yes by using the magnetometer that detects magnetic fields Apps like Metal Detector can alert you to nearby metal objects though its not as powerful as a dedicated detector
Q4 How do I check if a surface is level with my phone
A4 Use the builtin Level tool or download a bubble level app Place your phone on the surfaceit will show you if its perfectly horizontal or vertical
Q5 Are these features available on all smartphones
A5 Most modern smartphones have the necessary sensors but app availability may vary Basic tools like a flashlight or magnifier are standard others might require a free app download
Q6 What are some beginnerfriendly uses I can try right now
A6 Try using your phone as a
Flashlight
Magnifying glass
QR code scanner
Voice recorder
Emergency SOS feature
Q7 What are more advanced or surprising uses
A7 Examples include
Detecting ambient sound
Checking heart rate
Controlling TV or appliances
