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Seven automated smartphone commands you should try

• https://www.popsci.com

Teach your old phone some new tricks.

Your smartphone is supposed to make life easier. Good news: You can step up its convenience by automating some of the ways you use it. With these seven automated commands, you get to spend less time fussing with your device and more time on the stuff that really matters.

1. Receive reminders at certain locations

Timed reminders can be handy, but they really come into their own when they pop up in the right place. Because your phone knows your location, it can nudge you to buy milk when you're near the grocery store or to clean the attic when you get home. Here's how to set up this type of reminder on iOS and Android devices.

On an iPhone, launch the Reminders app, tap the Plus icon, and type in the text you want to see later. Tap the (i) icon to the right of your new reminder, toggle the Remind me at a location switch to on, and then tap Location. Now you can pick any of your saved (pinned) locations, select your current position, or use the search box at the top to find another address.

On an Android, open the Google app and tap the Menu button (three horizontal lines) on the bottom right. Choose Reminders, tap the Plus button, and enter some text for the reminder. Finally, tap the Place button followed by Location, and you can choose where the reminder will activate.

That's all there is to it—when you reach the specified point, your phone will automatically remind you about whatever you need to do.

2. Automate quiet mode

As you go about your day, you'll hop in and out of meetings, visit quiet places like libraries, attend theatrical shows, and experience other events when you want your phone to stay silent. Constantly switching quiet mode on and off can get frustrating pretty quickly. Thankfully, your mobile can do the job automatically.

On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Do Not Disturb, and turn on the Scheduled toggle switch. Now tap on the timings underneath, and you can set windows of time when your phone will stay silent. For example, mute it during the hours you spend in the office or asleep.

On an Android device, open Settings, pick Sound, and choose Do not disturb preferences. The next screen lets you set up times when the Do Not Disturb mode is activated. In each case, you can choose which days it will kick in, and the start and end times. You can also opt to have the silent mode kick in during events scheduled on one of your Google calendars.

During a silent window, notifications and alerts will still come through, but they won't make any noise or vibrations. This way, you don't have to waste your time or worry about forgetting to change these settings manually.


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