Essential Smartphone Settings (and Why They Matter)
Your smartphone is full of settings — some useful, some confusing, and many that most people never even touch. But the right settings can make your phone faster, safer, and easier to use every single day.
At TechPals, we help people get more comfortable with their phones by explaining how key settings work — in plain language, with no tech jargon. In this guide, we’ll show you the most important smartphone settings to know, how to adjust them on both iPhones and Androids, and why each one actually matters.
Whether you’re tired of auto-correct gone wrong, worried about location tracking, or just want your flashlight easier to find, we’ve got you covered.
Need more help? Visit techpals.org to explore tutorials or book one-on-one support.
1. Auto-Correct and Predictive Text
Auto-correct can be a lifesaver — or a source of endless frustration. If your phone keeps changing your words into things you never meant to say, you can adjust or turn off these settings.
iPhone:
Go to Settings → General → Keyboard
Turn off Auto-Correction or adjust other settings like Predictive and Smart Punctuation
Android:
Go to Settings → System → Languages & Input → Keyboard → Text Correction
Find the options to disable auto-correct, predictive text, or personalized suggestions
Why It Matters: You’ll have more control over your messages — and fewer embarrassing typos.
Related: How to Turn Off Auto-Correct
2. Location Settings (Especially for Your Camera)
Your phone may be tagging every photo you take with your exact location. If that’s not something you want, you can turn it off.
iPhone:
Go to Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Camera
Set it to Never or While Using the App
Android:
Open the Camera app → Settings → Save location and toggle it off
Why It Matters: It helps protect your privacy when sharing photos online.
Related: How to Turn Off Location Tracking in Your Photos
3. Control Center (iPhone) or Quick Settings (Android)
This is where you access your flashlight, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more with just a swipe.
iPhone:
Go to Settings → Control Center
Add or remove tools like the flashlight, camera, low power mode, etc.
Android:
Swipe down from the top of the screen
Tap the pencil icon to rearrange or add tiles
Why It Matters: Customizing this menu helps you get to your favorite tools faster.
Related: How to Use Your Phone as a Flashlight
4. Airplane Mode
Airplane Mode cuts off all wireless signals — but it’s useful even when you’re not flying.
iPhone and Android:
Swipe down to access Control Center or Quick Settings
Tap the Airplane icon to toggle it on or off
Why It Matters: It’s great for saving battery, avoiding interruptions, or troubleshooting connection issues.
Related: What Is Airplane Mode and When Should You Use It?
5. Battery Saver and Charging Settings
Worried about battery life? There are settings that help.
iPhone:
Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
Android:
Settings → Battery → Battery Saver (names may vary by brand)
Why It Matters: These modes reduce background activity and extend battery life when you're running low.
Related: How to Tell If Your Phone Is Charging Properly
6. Clipboard and Copy/Paste Tools
If you copy and paste text often, it helps to know how your phone’s clipboard works.
iPhone:
Only one copied item is stored at a time
Android (some models):
Tap into your clipboard from your keyboard (like Gboard)
Some models store multiple recent copied items
Why It Matters: Understanding how to copy, paste, and manage the clipboard can save time and reduce errors.
Related: How to Use Copy and Paste on a Smartphone
7. Dictation and Voice-to-Text Settings
Voice typing is handy, but not every phone has it turned on by default.
iPhone:
Settings → General → Keyboard → Enable Dictation
Android:
Settings → System → Languages & Input → On-screen keyboard → Google voice typing
Why It Matters: Dictation can make texting, emailing, and note-taking easier — especially if typing is tricky.
Related: How Do I Use Voice-to-Text?
8. Spam and Scam Protection Settings
Protecting your personal info starts with the right settings.
Email Tips:
Use spam filters
Don’t click suspicious links
Avoid sharing your email in public forums
Text Message Tips:
Report spam to your carrier (forward to 7726)
Block unknown senders
Why It Matters: Scams are everywhere — good settings help filter the worst of them.
Related:
9. Notifications and Do Not Disturb
Get fewer interruptions — and more peace of mind — by managing your notifications.
iPhone:
Settings → Notifications → Customize per app
Or use Focus Mode to limit interruptions
Android:
Settings → Notifications → App settings
Or enable Do Not Disturb mode
Why It Matters: Fewer distractions means better focus and more battery life.
10. Accessibility Settings
Both iPhone and Android offer features that make smartphones easier to use for everyone.
iPhone:
Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap
Assign double or triple taps to open the flashlight or run shortcuts
Android (Pixel and Samsung):
Settings → Accessibility → Interaction controls
Why It Matters: You can customize your phone to match your needs — including vision, hearing, and mobility tools.
Related: How to Use Your Phone as a Flashlight
Final Thoughts: Smart Settings Make a Smarter Phone
Your phone has more useful features than you might realize — if you know where to find them. By adjusting just a few settings, you can take control of your device, improve your privacy, and make everyday tasks easier.
Want help walking through these settings step by step? Visit techpals.org to schedule one-on-one support or browse more simple, helpful guides in our TechPals blog.
Tech Pals is here to make your smartphone feel more like a smart friend — not a source of stress.
