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The introduction of cell phones and smartphones has changed the way people communicate and complete various tasks. From more traditional uses like making phone calls and sending text messages, to the more modern usage of streaming music, taking pictures, and gaming, iPhones and Android phones offer a wide variety of capabilities for users to take advantage of.

However, many users are unaware of some of the unique and lesser-known tasks their iPhone or Android device can perform. Below are just a few lesser-known things Android phones and iPhones can do. To explore even more tasks, visit Apple's App Store or the Google Play store.

Keep you apprised of alerts

One unique feature of your iPhone or Android phone is the ability to access special internet-based frequencies, such as Wireless Emergency Alerts. This feature allows you to receive emergency notices on your home screen directly from the National Weather Service, the US National Security Agency, and other government agencies about potentially dangerous events such as hurricanes, flash floods, and earthquakes.

Enable this feature:

This feature is enabled by default and can be accessed through the settings menu of your Android phone or iPhone.  

Monitor your location

Another less well-known use for cell phones is for tracking and monitoring a user’s location. This can be useful for a variety of applications, such as keeping track of a child or elderly family member, or for locating a lost cell phone.

Enable this feature:

Smartphones already come with a feature called Find my iPhone or Find my Android device that can be used to locate a phone using GPS, even if the phone has been turned off. The feature will appear on your home screen.

Monitor the weather

Your iPhone or Android phone can also be used to monitor environmental conditions in a person’s immediate area. This can be incredibly useful for individuals who live in areas prone to natural disasters, as they will be able to monitor the environment for shifts in air pressure, temperature, and humidity that could signify an impending storm.

Enable this feature:

Today’s modern cell phones come with temperature, air pressure, and humidity sensors which can be used to track the weather in a person’s local vicinity.

Test batteries in your remote control

This is one of our favorite hidden features! Wondering if the batteries in your remote control need to be replaced? Use your cell phone to test them easily.

Enable this feature:

Launch the Camera and switch to the front-facing selfie mode. Point your remote control at the camera then press and hold any button on your remote. If the batteries are good, a pink/purple light will flicker at the top of the remote. If there’s no flicker or it’s really dim, replace the batteries. Applicable to iPhone and most Android devices.

Scan documents

This is another one of those great, hidden features that’s particularly helpful at tax time when your accountant needs your year-end statements, and you don’t feel like running to Staples of Office Depot to have them scanned.

Enable this feature:

On your iPhone: Open Notes, then tap the icon in the lower right-hand corner. The camera icon will appear at the bottom of the screen. Tap it and select Scan Documents. Put your document in view of the camera and tap the shutter button. (If your device is in Auto mode, it will automatically scan your document.) You can scan several documents in a row and then press “Save,” or “Save” after just one scan.

On your Android phone: Open the Camera app. Then put your document in view of the camera. A yellow border and a button that says Tap to Scan will appear. Tap it, then hit Save. If you don’t like the image, tap Retake.

Flashlight

The flashlight feature on today’s smartphones is probably one of the most important. Turn it on to guide you through the dark to your front door or when you’ve dropped something on the floor of the car and can’t find it. It’s a huge help in many situations.

Enable this feature:

iPhone: First, access the Control Center. On newer phones, you can do this by swiping down from the upper right-hand corner of you're phone's screen. On older phones, swipe up from the bottom of lock screen. Tap the Flashlight icon that appears at the bottom of the screen. This will turn on the flashlight. To make it brighter, hold the icon down for a few seconds. To shut it off, tap the icon again.

Android: Drag your finger down from the top of phone screen on the display and tap the on-screen Flashlight button.

QR code reader

Thanks to the pandemic, it seems almost every restaurant and bar under the sun has ditched paper menus in favor of barcodes. You scan the barcode, and it takes you to the menu. But how? Like this. 

Enable this feature:

iPhone: Open the camera app and place your phone over the QR code as if you’re taking a photo of it. When the code is recognized, a yellow notification will appear. Click on it and you’ll be taken to the link associated with the code. If it’s not working, go to Camera Settings and make sure the Scan QR Codes setting is on.

Android: Open the camera app and place your phone over the QR code as if you’re taking a photo of it. When the code is recognized, you’ll be taken to the link associated with the code. If it’s not working, make sure the Scan QR Codes setting is on.

Pedometer

If you’re one of those people who strive for 10,000 steps a day, you don’t need anything but your smartphone to track your steps. Your iPhone or your Android will keep track of them for you whether the device is in your hand, your pocket, or strapped to your arm.

Enable this feature:

iPhone: Click on the bright red heart, then click Edit and select Steps. Keep your phone with you when you walk. To see how many steps you’ve taken, open the Health app periodically during the day.

Android users: If you have the Google Fit app on your phone, open it and tap Steps button. This will track your steps during the day. You can even review your steps per day, week, or month, by tapping on those words. If you have a Samsung phone, you can track your steps each day via that device’s Health app.

Magnifying glass

Can't read that tiny type on the prescription label? The camera on your Samsung phones, Google pixel phones, Android phones, and iPhones can help!

Android users: Tap Settings > Accessibility > Magnification > and toggle on Magnification.

iPhone: Simply open the Magnifier app — it's automatically loaded on phones with up-to-date operating software. If you don't see it on your home screen, go to the App Library and check the Utilities folder.

Translate text

This is an incredibly helpful tool for those who are hard of hearing and others who'd like to read something in a different language from their own.

iPhone users: You can translate text, voice or a conversation through Apple's Translate app. To translate text or your voice, tap Translation and select one of a dozen languages to translate between. Tap Enter text, type the words you want to translate, then tap Go. Tap the microphone icon instead to speak a phrase you want translated out loud. Tap the button with the arrow to play the audio translation.

Android users: Download and install the Google Translate app. Next, open the app and tap your photo. Open Settings. Select Tap to Translate and toggle it on. Allow Google Translate to send you notifications. Finally, enable "Show floating icon." This gives Translate the ok to show translations over other apps.

Make the text bigger

Make reading text messages easier by doing the following:

iPhone users: Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” Look for and click on the words “Display & Text Size.” On the next screen, you have the option to turn on “Bold Text” and “Larger Text,” among others. Click on “Larger Text” and you can turn on what are called “Larger Accessibility Sizes.” The larger text won’t work on every app, but it will function on many, and that will make reading on your phone easier.

If you’d like to darken the text, which is called bold, turn on “Bold Text.” Again, the text won’t be bolded on every app, but it will be on many of them

Android users: Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” At the next screen, tap “Font Size.” Here, you’ll see a slider. Drag it as far to the right as you like. The farther it goes to the right, the larger the words will be. Then, click “Done” to save your changes.

How to turn your phone into a hot spot

A hot spot enables you to work on your laptop when you’re away from home or in a place where there’s no public Wi-Fi. Using your phone in this manner allows you to remain productive and connected.

On an iPhone: Open the Settings app, then tap “Personal Hotspot,” then “Allow Others to Join.”

Once your hotspot is on, return to your laptop or other device and go into your Wi-Fi menu. Your phone should be there as an option. Select it and provide the password your phone gave you.

On an Android phone: Open Settings, then “Connections,” then “Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.”

Once the hotspot is on, return to your laptop or other device and go into your Wi-Fi menu. Your phone should be there as an option. Select it and provide the password your phone gave you.

There are so very many things that your cell phone can do for you that eliminates the need to purchase an additional device. Need a flashlight? Use your cell. Want to track your steps? You don’t need to buy a pedometer. You can use your cell! Same thing with a scanner and weather radio. These tools and more are all available on your smartphone. And that makes your smartphone a money saver.

Why not take those savings even further and save on your cellular service with H2O Wireless?

Did you know….

There are so very many things that your cell phone can do for you that eliminates the need to purchase an additional device. Need a flashlight? Use your cell. Want to track your steps? You don’t need to buy a pedometer. You can use your cell. Same thing with a scanner and weather radio. These tools and more are all available on your smartphone. And that makes your smartphone a money saver. Why not take those savings even further and save on your cellular service with H2O Wireless?

Just $25 a line. No kidding.

At just $25 a line, H2O Wireless gives you great coverage, more than enough data, and unlimited international talk and text (plus a $5 international talk credit), so you can keep in touch with family and friends around the globe and they can keep in touch with you!

Enjoy Multi-Line Savings 

Connect your friends and family to get Multi-Line savings with 2 lines for $50 or 4 lines for $100. Each line comes with 6 GB of LTE data so you can stream, listen, and do what you do at $25 per line.

Here’s Exactly What Every Line Gets...

• 6 GB of LTE Data
• Unlimited Data, Talk & Text
• Unlimited International Talk to 70 Countries
• Unlimited International Text
• $5 International Talk Credit

Here’s Exactly What You Don’t Get…

• Contracts
• Hassles
• Headaches!

With H2O Wireless, you get the best cell phone coverage for less and the best unlimited plans – not to mention the most cost-effective, realistically priced unlimited plans – anywhere.

Or, choose our 12 month plan for just $8.33 a month!

With H2O Wireless’ 12 Month Plan, you purchase service once and you’re done for the year. No worrying about missing a payment or tracking the expense. You simply make a one-time payment of $100 using your credit or debit card, and that’s it. Our 12 Month Plan breaks down to crazy low $8.33 a month, and gives you an entire year of unlimited talk and text, as well as 1GB of high-speed data every month. There are no other payments to make or additional steps to take. Plus there’s no contract and no hidden fees.

Something to consider...

With so many cellular phone businesses vying for your money, it’s difficult to tell which you can trust. The overpriced services clamber, “Pick me!” with promises of low cost, unlimited data plans. But do you really need an unlimited amount of data? Will you use all of that data? Maybe. But if you don’t, guess what? You still have to pay for it.

If you’re on a $70 a month plan which gives you up to 23GB of data it means you’re paying $3.04 per GB of data. And if you’re using just 4GB a month (which is what most people typically use), you’re paying $57.40 per month for data you’re not using. Ouch.   

The truth is…

Most people use just 2-5GB of data per billing cycle, and that’s because you’d have to spend every waking moment, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week online to exceed that amount. The average consumer doesn’t do that, and that’s why the average consumer doesn’t need a $50, $60 or $70 a month unlimited plan!

At H2O Wireless, we don’t think you should pay for data you don’t need and aren’t going to use.

That’s why we’re proud to offer you plans starting as low as $18 a month (with auto pay) for unlimited talk and text and 2GB of data.

Need more data one month? Simply go into your account portal and add more. When next month rolls around, if you need less data, you can go right back into your portal and reduce it. Simply log onto PureTalk.com, click on My Account, and select Manage My Data. Make your changes, save them, and log out. It’s that simple.

Plus, H2O Wireless Connects You to the World

Each H2O Wireless Monthly Unlimited Plan includes unlimited international talk to 70 Countries (including China and Mexico), unlimited text to any country in the world, and up to $5 international talk credit depending on the plan you select. 

Purchase these features whenever you need:

International Talk

You can purchase International Talk for your plan for $5 or $10. Simply log into your account to make this purchase.

International Roaming

You can purchase International Roaming for your plan. This can be used for talk minutes, text, or MMS.

5G / 4G Data

You can purchase additional high speed data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10 or 5GB for $20.

Hotspot Data

Share your cellular data via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB using laptops, tablets, and more by purchasing Hotspot Data for your plan. Get 2GB for $10, 5GB for $20, or 10GB for $30.

More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Refer a Friend

When you join H2O Wireless, you can take advantage of our Refer a Friend (RAF) referral program. It enables you to share the H2O love and lower your bill! Share the H2O love with enough friends, and you might not even have a bill.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Spread the Word

Get your unique referral link, then send it to friends and family.

Step 2: Sign Them Up

Help your friend select an H2O Wireless Plan.

Step 3: Get Rewarded

Once your friend activates their H2O service, you each get rewarded with $20 in RAF rewards points.

RAF FAQs

What is the Refer a Friend Program?

Refer a Friend is the H2O® Wireless referral program in which you and a friend get $20 of H2O points for each activated referral.

When are H2O points applied to my account?

When the person referred activates their H2O Wireless service your rewards points will be applied. Please note: For Port-Ins, points will be received within 1-5 business days.

Do I get referral points if I just tell a friend about H2O?

No. They need to use your referral link.

How many people can I refer?

You can refer up to 10 people per month, which is a total of 120 referrals per year, for thousands of dollars’ worth of reward points. So many rewards points they might pay for your H2O service!

More reasons to love H2O Wireless: Bring Your Own Phone

Have a phone you love? H2O Wireless makes it easy to bring it with you. Simply join H2O Wireless and, at checkout, choose eSIM. Like a physical SIM card, but without the 3-5 day wait for a physical card to arrive, eSIM enables you to use your new service much faster. In fact, you can activate your service right after checking out. Of course, before you select eSIM, make sure your phone is eSIM compatible by reviewing the list below.

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

eSIM compatible phone models include:

• iPhone XS series
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone SE 2nd gen
• iPhone 12 series

What our customers are saying…

 “I have been using H2O prepaid service for more than 3 years. I get a good connection in the mid-west and other places I have visited in the US, with no dropped calls. I only recharge when my balance is low and never had any issue with their customer service. I have contacted their customer service on few occasions, and they’ve been most helpful.”

“I have had H2O monthly unlimited for a few years now. I use WIFI and Data interchangeably, and don't even think about it. My data is unlimited, and even if I stream videos or the news to my phone any time I want, I have never had it slow down.”

“My phone is an unlocked, international version Samsung. I pay $28 a month at H2O and get a service that is literally unlimited in every way. A special bonus with this plan, is that I get international texting - which I was unable to achieve with T-Mobile, Sprint or AT&T.”

With H2O Wireless it’s easy to stay connected to your family, friends, work, your favorite shows, podcasts, news outlets – your whole world – for less. That’s what makes us refreshingly. different. wireless.

See for yourself today!