18/01/2026

ON SUNDAY January 18, 2026 theSunday Special VIII

Helpful features you didn’t know your phone could do

9. Screen record with sound on iPhone and Android Screen recording is more than just for gamers or tech tutorials. You can use it to save Zoom calls, video instructions or how-to guides for your parents. On iPhone: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Control Centre, then tap Screen Record. Long-press it to turn on the microphone audio. On Android (Samsung): Swipe down for Quick Settings and look for Screen Recorder. You can choose to record with device audio, microphone or both. If your Android doesn’t have it built in, Google’s Play Games app or third-party options like AZ Screen Recorder work too. 10. iPhone’s hidden trackpad in the keyboard Need to move your cursor precisely while typing? You don’t need to tap and drag; just use your keyboard as a trackpad. How to activate it: While typing, press and hold the spacebar. The letters GLVDSSHDU DQG \RX FDQ VOLGH \RXU ¿QJHU around to move the cursor. It makes editing typos or tweaking emails way less annoying. 11. Android’s clipboard history (Gboard feature) Ever copied something and then ac cidentally copied something else? If you use Google’s Gboard (available on both Android and iPhone), you can access your clipboard history. How to use it: Tap the clipboard icon above the keyboard. You’ll see your recently copied texts. Just tap to paste. Make sure clipboard history is turned RQ WKH ¿UVW WLPH \RX XVH LW 6XSHU XVHIXO when copying passwords, links or long text. 12. Both platforms: Emergency SOS Your phone could literally help save your life. Both Android and iPhones have Emergency SOS features that can call emergency services, alert your contacts and share your location instantly. On iPhone: Press and hold the side and volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Or set it to auto-call DIWHU ¿YH SUHVVHV RI WKH VLGH EXWWRQ YLD Settings > Emergency SOS. On Android: Go to Settings > Safety and emergency (varies by model). You can configure it to send a message, a location or even start recording video when triggered. D H¿QLWHO\ ZRUWK VHWWLQJ XS LQ DGYDQFH Ready to unleash your phone’s actual capabilities? Your smartphone is like a Swiss Army knife that’s quietly capable of way more than we give it credit for. These features DUHQ¶W MXVW ÀDVK\ JLPPLFNV 7KH\¶UH SUDFWL cal tools that can genuinely improve your GDLO\ ÀRZ ERRVW SURGXFWLYLW\ DQG HYHQ keep you safer. Whether you’re automating tasks with a double tap, scanning documents on the go or navigating with one hand on a giant screen, these little-known functions are about making your tech work smarter for you. So, go ahead. Dive into your settings, experiment a little and get more out of that pocket supercomputer you paid good money for. You may impress yourself.

BY ASHRAF WAHAB Super handy when you’re cooking, timing your workout sets or steeping that perfect cup of green tea. 6. Android’s Quick Tap (Pixel only): Double-tap to launch anything This is the Android version of iPhone’s Back Tap and it’s just as useful. On Pixel phones (Pixel 4a and newer), you can double-tap the back of your device to WULJJHU VSHFL¿F DFWLRQV To enable: Go to Settings > System > Gestures > Quick Tap. Choose what action it should trigger – from opening the camera to playing or pausing music. You’ll feel like a secret agent using this one in public. 7. iPhone’s built-in document scanner (no app needed) You don’t need a scanner when your iPhone can do the job. How to use it: Open the Notes app, start a new note and tap the camera icon. Choose Scan Documents, point your phone at the paper and it automatically detects the edges. You can save it as a PDF or share instantly. Useful for receipts, contracts, forms or your kid’s homework submission.

L ET’S be honest. Most of us carry around smartphones. Some even have two or three. You’re not alone. Mobile adoption in Malaysia is nearly universal. However, despite most smartphones being more powerful than some laptops, we use them mainly for texting, scrolling and the occasional photo of our lunch. That’s untapped potential. Your phone can make life easier, help you work more Ḣ FLHQWO\ DQG PDNH \RXU GDLO\ URXWLQH just a little cooler. So, whether you’re harnessing the strength of Android or enjoying the polish of iOS, your phone probably has a few hidden talents you’ve never explored. That’s what we’re about to dive into. 1. iPhone’s Back Tap: Your invisible button Imagine tapping the back of your iPhone to take a screenshot or launch your fa vourite app. That’s exactly what Back Tap does. This iOS feature (available on iPhone 8 or later running iOS 14 or later) lets you assign actions to a double or triple tap on the back of your device. How to activate it: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap, then assign a function to double-tap or triple tap. You can set it to mute your phone, open the camera, scroll or even launch shortcuts. It feels like magic. And once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t use it sooner. 2. Android’s One-handed mode: Big screen, small reach Phones are getting bigger, but your thumbs are not. That’s where One-handed mode on Android comes in handy. Depending on your phone model (Sam sung, Pixel, Xiaomi and others), this mode lets you temporarily shrink the screen so you can reach everything without needing a second hand. For Samsung Galaxy phones: Go to Settings > Advanced Features > One-handed mode and enable it. You can trigger it with a gesture or button shortcut.

For stock Android (Pixel phones): Go to Settings > System > Gestures > One-handed mode. N R PRUH ¿QJHU \RJD WR UHDFK WKDW WRS left button while juggling a teh tarik. 3. Live Text on iPhone – Copy text from a photo Snapped a photo of a recipe, signboard or business card? With Live Text, your iPhone can turn that image into editable, copyable text. How to use it: Open the photo in the Photos app. If the iPhone detects text, a small icon (three lines in a box) appears in the corner. Tap it to highlight and copy the text. It’s perfect for capturing notes from a whiteboard, saving Wi-Fi passwords from a café wall or translating signs on your next trip. Bonus: If you have an iPhone running iOS 16 or later, Live Text also works on videos. Just pause the clip and grab the text. 4. Android’s hidden Guest mode: Protect your privacy Ever handed your phone to someone and felt a tiny panic attack? Android has a built-in Guest mode that creates a tempo UDU\ EODQN SUR¿OH ,W KLGHV \RXU SKRWRV messages, apps and even browsing history. How to activate it: Go to Settings > System > Multiple users (or Users and accounts, depending on your phone). Toggle on Multiple users, then tap Guest WR VZLWFK SUR¿OHV Perfect when you’re letting your niece play a game or passing your phone to a nosy coworker. 5. Use iPhone’s Haptic Touch timer trick Here’s a lesser-known gem for iPhone users: You don’t need to open the Clock app to set a timer. Just use Haptic Touch (aka a long press) on the Clock icon. How to do it: Press and hold the Clock app on the Home screen, then select a preset timer duration, such as 5, 10 or 30 minutes.

Our phone could literally help save your life through Android and iPhone’s Emergency SOS features.”

8. Android’s Smart Lock – Keep your phone unlocked in trusted places Hate typing your PIN 50 times a day at home? Smart Lock on Android lets your phone stay unlocked in “trusted” situa tions, such as when it’s in your pocket, connected to your smartwatch or at home. How to enable it: Go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock (the name may vary depending on your device). Choose your preferences: On-body detection, Trusted places or Trusted devices. Just don’t forget that this means your phone isn’t locked, so use it wisely.