Whereas our telephones’ screens are their predominant draw, cellphone backs have many tips of their very own. In actual fact, you could have loads of causes to look in the back of your cellphone apart from cleansing fingerprints.
7
Flip It Right into a Secret Button
In case you’re utilizing a contemporary iPhone (iOS 14 and up), you possibly can double- or triple-tap the again of your cellphone to carry out all types of actions, like taking a screenshot, opening the digital camera, muting your cellphone, launching an app, and even working a Shortcut. This characteristic is named Again Faucet, which you will discover below Settings > Accessibility > Bodily and Motor > Contact.
Not all Android telephones have this built-in, however Pixel units working Android 12 and above supply the same characteristic referred to as Fast Faucet (which you will discover below Settings > System > Gestures > Fast Faucet). Identical to on iOS, you possibly can assign a double faucet on the again to set off actions like launching an app, toggling the flashlight, or pausing media.
Samsung telephones don’t supply this characteristic natively inside One UI, however you possibly can replicate the key button utilizing RegiStar, a free module obtainable through Samsung’s Good Lock app. For different Android telephones, in the event you’re keen to root, you should use Faucet, Faucet from GitHub to get that very same double-tap characteristic. It consists of loads of customization choices to tweak it to your liking.
6
Wirelessly Cost Different Units
James Bruce / MakeUseOf
In case your cellphone helps reverse wi-fi charging, it will possibly double as a mini energy financial institution utilizing its again. Many Android telephones have this built-in; we have proven methods to use reverse wi-fi charging on the Samsung Galaxy S10 and up, for instance. The Pixel 8 Professional, plus a couple of Huawei and Xiaomi fashions, additionally assist it. The characteristic can go by completely different names relying on the model: “Wi-fi PowerShare,” “Battery Share,” or comparable.
On a supported Android cellphone, turning this characteristic on is normally a fast toggle within the settings. As soon as it is enabled, place the opposite machine (cellphone, earbuds, smartwatch, and so forth.) on its again, neatly centered. Inside a couple of seconds, it’s best to see a charging indicator pop up. Each units have to assist Qi or Qi2 wi-fi charging, which is actually the common language for this sort of tech.
That stated, there are a couple of caveats. Reverse charging is slower than plugging in with a cable, so do not count on a speedy increase. Most telephones will routinely cease charging the opposite machine as soon as the “host” machine’s battery drops under a sure level (usually round 30%)—this makes positive you are not sacrificing your cellphone’s energy within the course of.
iPhones do not formally have this tech but, however rumor has it that Apple may lastly convey it to the iPhone 17 Professional, not less than in accordance with tipster Prompt Digital (through MacRumors). Fingers crossed.
5
Make Funds
AnnaStills/Shutterstock
Because of the NFC (Close to Area Communication) chip usually tucked into the again of your cellphone, you possibly can faucet your machine in opposition to a suitable reader to make contactless funds in your morning espresso, groceries, and way more.
To get rolling, you will have to arrange a cellular cost app. Google Pockets is the go-to choice on Android, whereas Apple Pay works natively on iPhone. Samsung additionally affords Samsung Pockets, which works equally on its Galaxy units. These apps allow you to securely add your debit or bank cards, and relying on the place you reside, even transit passes or digital IDs.
In lots of cities, you should use the identical tech to swipe into workplace buildings with NFC badges or breeze by way of occasions with a digital ticket. Some lodge chains, like Starwood, Hilton, Marriott, and Hampton, even allow you to unlock your room door with a faucet of your cellphone. Fairly cool, proper?
4
Set off Good Dwelling Actions
As talked about earlier, you possibly can double or triple faucet your cellphone’s rear panel to hold out assigned customized actions inside your cellphone. Nonetheless, you may get extra inventive with this and arrange customized actions that management your sensible units.
For instance, you possibly can create a shortcut that turns off all of your lights, adjusts the thermostat, or locks the entrance door—after which tie that shortcut to a again faucet gesture.
In case you’re feeling further intelligent, you can even purchase and use cheap NFC tags, like these BABIQT NFC tags, to set off sensible routines. As an example, an NFC tag caught close to your entrance door may set off a “Leaving Dwelling” routine when scanned, or one in your bedside desk may activate a “Goodnight” scene.
On iPhone, you should use the Shortcuts app to set this On Android, apps like NFC Instruments make it straightforward to customise what occurs if you scan the tag.
3
Measure Your Coronary heart Charge (on Some Telephones)
Dobrin_Dobrev/Shutterstock
Older Samsung Galaxy flagship telephones—particularly the Galaxy S5 by way of S10 (excluding the S10e and S10 5G), and Word units between the Word 4 and Word 9—had just a little coronary heart fee sensor on the again. It was normally close to the digital camera flash.
All you needed to do was press your finger in opposition to it, and the Samsung Well being app would provide you with a fast readout. It was a helpful little characteristic whereas it lasted. Samsung finally phased it out after the S10 and Word 9, shifting focus towards smartwatches and wearables for well being monitoring as an alternative.
However even when your present cellphone would not have a devoted sensor, you are not completely out of luck. Loads of third-party apps like Cardiograph, and even some built-in ones like Google Match on sure Pixel fashions, can measure coronary heart fee utilizing simply the digital camera and flash.
They use a technique referred to as photoplethysmography (PPG for brief), which sounds grandiloquent however primarily tracks tiny adjustments in blood movement below your pores and skin by shining gentle on it. It is not going to match a hospital-grade monitor, however for informal health monitoring or out of curiosity, it is ok. Given the age of those units and a few of the apps, positively take your outcomes with a grain of salt.
2
Stick Helpful Goodies on the Again
The again of your cellphone is prime actual property, so why not put it to work with some helpful add-ons? Listed here are a couple of favorites that I’ve discovered surprisingly helpful:
- PopSockets for a extra comfy grip (and manner much less probability of dropping your cellphone mid-scroll).
- MagSafe wallets that securely snap on magnetically and hold your necessary gadgets multi function place.
- Adhesive cardholders for fast entry to your IDs, transit passes, or financial institution playing cards.
- Sticky mounts or ring holders come in useful in the event you spend a substantial period of time within the automotive or cooking with a recipe pulled up.
- NFC-enabled safety keys, just like the YubiKey, will be tapped on the again of your cellphone to log into supported apps securely. Not like the others, this one works with only a faucet—do not hold it connected to your machine!
If it is slim, helpful, and would not intervene an excessive amount of with wi-fi charging, it will possibly in all probability keep on the again of your cellphone.
1
Use It as a Mirror
Amazon
It may be low-tech, but when your cellphone has a shiny or glass again, particularly with a mirror-like end, it will possibly act as a makeshift mirror. It really works for checking if there’s spinach caught in your enamel or in case your sun shades are sitting lopsided. It is not as crisp as an precise mirror, however for these on a regular basis “Do I look okay?” moments, it will get the job performed. It is faster and lower-tech than utilizing your cellphone’s selfie digital camera for a similar objective.
If you wish to take it a step additional, you possibly can stick just a little mirror tile on the again. Or higher but, seize a cellphone case with a built-in mirror just like the ZTOFERA Mirror Case.
A fast dose of nostalgia—keep in mind Android Beam? Could it relaxation in peace. All it took was tapping the backs of two telephones collectively, and information would switch immediately through NFC.
As you now know, your cellphone’s again can have your again in numerous methods. Perhaps it is time you stopped ignoring it and gave it just a little pat (or faucet!) of appreciation.
