10 Advanced Features in Apple, Android, and Google Home You're Probably Missing
Your devices have powerful features hiding in plain sight. Here's how to unlock them and make technology work harder for you.
Most people use only a fraction of what their smartphones and smart home devices can do. Whether you have an iPhone, Android phone, or Google Home speaker, there are hidden features that can save you time, keep you safer, and make daily tasks easier.
We've researched the most useful advanced features across all three platforms and put together this step-by-step guide. These aren't complicated hacks - they're built-in features that Apple, Google, and Android manufacturers designed for you to use.
Apple iPhone Features
Your iPhone has accessibility and convenience features that most users never discover. Here are three game-changers.
1. Back Tap: Control Your iPhone by Tapping the Back
Transform the back of your iPhone into a secret button that performs any action you choose.
How to Set Up Back Tap:
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Tap Accessibility
- Tap Touch
- Scroll down and tap Back Tap
- Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap
- Select your action (screenshot, flashlight, open camera, etc.)
Best uses: Set double tap to take a screenshot, or triple tap to turn on your flashlight. Works even through most phone cases.
2. Live Voicemail: Read Messages as They're Left
See a real-time transcription of voicemails as callers leave them - and pick up mid-message if it's important.
How to Enable Live Voicemail:
- Open Settings
- Tap Phone
- Tap Live Voicemail
- Turn it On
Why it's great: Screen calls without being rude. If a scammer starts leaving a message, you'll know immediately. If it's important, tap to answer while they're still talking.
3. Visual Look Up: Identify Anything in Your Photos
Point your camera at a plant, animal, landmark, or artwork and your iPhone will tell you what it is.
How to Use Visual Look Up:
- Open any photo in your Photos app
- Look for sparkles on the info button (i icon)
- Tap the button to see what your iPhone identified
- For plants, animals, art, or landmarks - you'll get detailed info
Bonus tip: Long-press any object in a photo to lift it from the background. You can then paste it into messages, emails, or notes.
Android Phone Features
Android phones have powerful customization and safety features built right in. Here are four you should be using.
4. Quick Tap: Tap the Back to Open Apps Instantly
Similar to iPhone, Android phones let you tap the back to trigger actions - but with even more customization options.
For Google Pixel:
- Go to Settings → System → Gestures
- Tap Quick Tap to start actions
- Turn it on and choose your action
For Samsung Galaxy:
- Go to Settings → Advanced Features
- Tap Motions and Gestures
- Tap Back Tap and set your actions
Best uses: Open your camera quickly, toggle the flashlight, or start Google Assistant.
5. Call Screen: Let Google Answer Suspicious Calls
Google's Call Screen feature answers calls for you and shows a real-time transcript so you can decide whether to pick up.
How to Use Call Screen (Pixel phones):
- When a call comes in, tap Screen call
- Google Assistant answers and asks who's calling
- Read the live transcript on your screen
- Tap to answer, mark as spam, or decline
Scam protection: Most scammers hang up immediately when they hear the automated Google response. It's a powerful way to filter out fraud calls.
6. One-Handed Mode: Shrink Your Screen
Make your big phone screen smaller so you can reach everything with one hand.
How to Enable One-Handed Mode:
- Go to Settings → Display
- Tap One-handed mode
- Choose how to activate (usually swipe down on gesture bar)
- Your screen shrinks to a corner for easy thumb reach
Perfect for: When you're carrying groceries, holding a coffee, or just prefer using your phone with one hand.
7. Adjustable Flashlight: Control How Bright
Most people don't know you can adjust how bright your phone's flashlight is.
How to Adjust Flashlight Brightness:
- Swipe down from the top to open Quick Settings
- Long-press the flashlight icon
- A brightness slider will appear
- Drag to adjust between dim and maximum brightness
Tip: Use a lower setting at night to save battery and avoid blinding yourself.
Google Home & Smart Speaker Features
Your Google Home or Nest speaker is more than just a voice assistant. These three features transform how you use it.
8. Broadcast: Send Your Voice to Every Speaker
Turn your Google Home speakers into an intercom system that reaches every room in your house.
How to Use Broadcast:
- Say "Hey Google, broadcast [your message]"
- Your message plays on all Google speakers in your home
- Family members can reply by saying "Hey Google, reply"
Try saying: "Hey Google, broadcast dinner is ready" or "Hey Google, broadcast I'm home"
9. Custom Routines: One Command Does Multiple Things
Create custom voice commands that trigger multiple actions at once.
How to Create a Routine:
- Open the Google Home app on your phone
- Tap Automations at the bottom
- Tap + Add to create a new routine
- Add a starter phrase like "Good morning"
- Add actions: adjust thermostat, turn on lights, read weather, etc.
Example routine: "Hey Google, good night" can turn off all lights, lock smart locks, set the thermostat to 68°, and set your morning alarm.
10. Guest Mode: Let Visitors Use Your Speaker Safely
Allow guests to play music on your Google Home without accessing your personal information or smart home controls.
How to Enable Guest Mode:
- Open the Google Home app
- Tap your speaker, then the Settings gear
- Tap Recognition & sharing
- Enable Guest mode
- Share the 4-digit PIN with guests
What guests can do: Play music, ask questions, set timers. What they can't do: Access your calendar, make purchases, or control smart home devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Back Tap on iPhone and how do I use it?
Back Tap is an iPhone accessibility feature that lets you perform actions by tapping the back of your phone 2 or 3 times. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap. You can set double tap and triple tap to open apps, take screenshots, control volume, or run shortcuts.
How do I quickly launch apps on Android with Back Tap?
On Google Pixel, go to Settings → System → Gestures → Quick Tap. On Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings → Advanced Features → Motions and Gestures → Back Tap. You can set it to open any app, take a screenshot, pause music, or toggle flashlight.
Can Google Home broadcast messages to all speakers?
Yes! Say "Hey Google, broadcast [your message]" and it will play on all Google Home speakers in your house. You can also broadcast from the Google Home app when you're away. Great for announcing dinner is ready or that you're home.
What is Live Voicemail on iPhone?
Live Voicemail shows a real-time transcription of voicemails as they're being left. You can read what the caller is saying and pick up mid-message if it's important. Go to Settings → Phone → Live Voicemail to enable it. Available on iPhone with iOS 17 or later.
How do I use Visual Look Up to identify objects?
Open any photo in your Photos app. If you see sparkles on the info button (i), tap it to identify plants, animals, landmarks, art, and more. You can also long-press objects in photos to lift them from the background.
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