8 useful phone hacks you should try right away

Here, we've rounded up some of our favourite shortcuts you can use to make your phone work better for you.

 If you have an Android phone you might need to tweak our tips, depending on your phone's manufacturer. Keep scrolling for the details, plus free app recommendations from our phones expert.

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1. Quickly type your email address

Typing in your email address is so 2023. Instead, set up an autocorrect shortcut – it’s quick and easy to do, and means you’ll never mistype your email address.

• On iPhone: head to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. 
• On Android: search for ‘Personal Dictionary’ and select the + symbol.

Choose something you’d never usually type in a message, such as @@, otherwise your email address will be added whenever you type your shortcut.

You could also apply this to any other information you don’t want to constantly type out, such as your phone number (use ##, for instance).

See also: 9 useful Gmail features you need to try right away

2. Shake to delete

Depending on which phone you're using, you might be able to use custom gestures that are assigned to actions.

• On iPhone: simply shake your phone and select Undo.
• On Android: you can download a specific app to take advantage of the shake function. For example, you can try Shake Flashlight.

If you're struggling with a slow mobile, it might be time for an upgrade – consult our guide to the best smartphones

3. Type faster

Tapping in letters on a tiny on-screen keyboard can be fiddly. Instead, keep your finger on the screen and slide between the letters to type out a word. Take your finger off briefly, then do the same for the next word. It’s refreshingly speedy.

You can also hold down the spacebar to easily move the cursor back in a message to correct something.

Alternatively, you can use your phone as your own personal secretary that types up what you say. Instead of typing a message, select the keyboard's microphone icon, follow any on-screen instructions and say your piece.

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4. Easily share your wi-fi password

Gone are the days of rummaging around your router to find the bit of plastic with your wi-fi password on it.

• On iPhone: tap Settings > Wi-Fi and the info icon next to your wi-fi network. Select your Password > Copy, then airdrop or message it to the recipient.
• On Android: select Settings > Network & Internet > Internet > Saved Networks. Select your network, then tap Share. Your recipient can then scan the QR code.

How to keep your data safe when using public wi-fi – whether you're connecting from a coffee shop or a hotel lobby, take steps to keep your personal information hidden from prying eyes

5. Hide embarrassing photos

Be it a picture of a rash you sent to your GP or simply something you’d rather keep private, pop your embarrassing photo in your phone’s Hidden folder so nobody else can view it.

• On iPhone: open the Photos app, select your picture, tap the three dots icon and choose Hide.
• On Android: from the Google Photos app, tap your picture, select the three dots icon > Move to Locked Folder.

6. Use a torch shortcut

For those moments when you need some help in low light or when looking at something up close, your phone's torch can save the day. But if your lock screen has kicked in, your torch can prove fiddly to turn off.

• On iPhone: you can turn off an iPhone’s torch if the lock screen has been activated by simply swiping left.
• On Android: you’ll have to swipe down and then select the torch icon.

7. Sift through your photos – the easy way

Whatever phone you have, you can search your photos by people, pets, places (shown above) and categories. This is very useful if you have stacks of images and are struggling to find the one you want. A few clicks, and bingo – there are all your cat or holiday photos in one place. 

• On iPhone: open Apple's Photos app and choose Search. You can sort by date, place, business names, categories and more.
• On Android: your go-to photos app likely has a search function. On Google Photos, for example, you can tap Search or visit Collections > People and pets.

Experiment with different parameters to make it more useful for you.

Snag a bargain on a new mobile with our guide to the best mobile phone and Sim-only deals

8. Try wi-fi calling

If you can get wi-fi but can’t make a phone call – for example if you're somewhere that has thick walls or lots of trees – switch on the wi-fi calling option to make your call over the internet instead.

• On iPhone: go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling.
• On Android: open the Phone app, tap the three dots icon > Settings > Calls > Wi-Fi calling.

For either phone type, if you can’t see the wi-fi calling option, your phone provider doesn’t support it. You still have to pay for the call, as it uses wi-fi to get to the mobile network and the network still carries the call.

We’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth a reminder – you can also use WhatsApp to make free calls to anyone with an account when you’re connected to wi-fi.

Select your contact in WhatsApp then, next to their name at the top, press the phone icon. Also see our guide to WhatsApp tips and tricks.

Our expert says:

Paul Lester, Which? phones editor

'Finding the best apps can be a challenge when there are so many options on Google and Apple's stores – plus you need to be wary of unsafe apps that could potentially compromise your phone's security.

To get you started, I've rounded up some of my favourite free phone apps.

• JustWatch (iOS, Android): I find it endlessly tiresome flicking through channels and streaming services to find something to watch, so JustWatch is my go-to shortcut. Select the services you subscribe to and it will show you what movies or TV shows have recently been released, or you can search for films you might like based on a range of filters.
• Google Keep (iOS, Android): I use it to create to-do lists and reminders – or checklists, which I use to tick off things as I’m packing for holidays. You can also set location-based reminders to get a ping when you’re walking past the shop so you don’t forget the groceries, for example.
• Instapaper (iOS, Android): This lets you save an unlimited number of articles to read offline, optimised for your device – be that tablet or phone. It’s useful for long journeys or if you know you’re going to be stuck somewhere for a while, especially if you’re roaming or without a connection.
• Podcast Addict (Android): If you’ve got an Android phone and like podcasts, give this app a go. You will get ads with the free version, though.'

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Thanks to the following Which? staff for their support in creating this guide: Lisa Barber, Hannah Daly, Chad England, Natalie Hitchins, Paul Lester, Tom Morgan, Victoria Purcell, Will Stapley, Natalie Turner.