You use your phone for everything, so why not make sure you know all the latest and greatest iPhone hacks?! Be more productive in your day with these great tips! Plus, we're sharing our favorite apps that you definitely don't want to miss out on!

We've got the best iPhone hacks that will keep you productive throughout your day, plus the best apps and some must-haves that you need in your life! Ideas from Fun Cheap or Free

Hi. My name is Jordan, and I'm a phone addict. Hi Jordan. *Kind of joking, kind of not.*

This year, I have been trying to find a better balance with my phone. It's just so danged hard because it is my EVERYTHING! My journal, my brain, my doctor, and so much more… In doing so, I've figured out a few ways that our phones can actually help us to be more productive, I'm not even kidding!

You're about to get the inside scoop on our favorite apps that save time, money, and sanity, plus some of our favorite iPhone hacks, and a few other tricks that we keep up our sleeves. (And no, this post isn't sponsored!)

*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. 

All the while, I'm working extra hard to continue to find a balance between my phone and real life. So watch all the tips we share in the video below, then keep scrolling to see a few ways that I'm working to UNPLUG more and find balance with that danged, beautiful, handheld pile of treasure.

Don't forget that I post new videos every week on my YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe! Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook because we've always got a party going on over there!

Alright already. Let's get to the goods!

Check out the video online HERE or click and watch all about my favorite iPhone hacks and tips below:

Pretty nifty, right?! I've summarized my favorite iPhone hacks, apps, and tips that will help you be more productive in your life!

BASIC IPHONE HACKS

Let's jump right into it with some of the best iPhone hacks you could ask for! Some of these may seem obvious to you, but they really rocked my world when I discovered them, so I just have to share them. You're welcome. 😉

  • Guided Access – It never fails when you give a kid your phone, they're going to delete something or get into things that you don't want them on. Start using Guided Access and never worry about that again! It's definitely one of the best parenting-related iPhone hacks out there! Go to Settings, Accessibility, then Guided Access to find it and turn it on.
  • Charge Your Phone Quicker – Only have 10 minutes and need to get as much charge as possible? Turn your phone to Airplane Mode and it'll turn off most of the features on the phone that would slow it down.
  • Slide to Type – If you have iOS 13 and aren't using Slide to Type, then you're wasting a lot of time! Go to Settings, General, Keyboard, then turn on Slide to Type. You can easily slide your finger around on the keyboard to the letters you're wanting to type and it'll work it's magic, saying exactly what you're wanting to say without having to type each letter.
  • Hidden Shortcuts for Apps – For those with an iPhone 11 and up, you can go directly where you need to in some apps by holding it down until the shortcuts pop up. For example, you can hold down the camera app and go directly to taking a selfie, recording a video, taking a portrait, and taking a portrait selfie. It's one less step than opening the app, then having to find those options!

Pro Tip: Caught without your tape measure and really needing to know how big something is? Use the Measure app! It can take rough measurements of items or rooms and can be really handy. It also works as a level when you're hanging things on the wall.

IPHONE HACKS TO HELP WITH PRODUCTIVITY

Use your phone to help you keep track of your important schedule! Tips from Fun Cheap or Free

What? Yes, you read that right. Your phone can actually help you be productive throughout your day! Use these hacks and watch your life change before your eyes.

  • Text Replacement – Stop typing the same things every day! This will save your sanity, and you'll find that you will have more time to yourself. Go to Settings, General, Keyboards, Text Replacement, then add your most common words, names, or phrases you type a lot during the day, along what whatever shortcut you'll be able to remember.
  • Downtime – Let's be honest, we've all gotten sucked into the hole on the phone and can't seem to put it down when we really should be doing something productive. Easily set parameters on your phone that will help you to stay away from the distracting apps during the times of the day that you need to be doing other things. Go to Settings, Screen Time, Downtime, then set the days and times that you'd like to enable this for. This is also great for helping you put your phone away at night.
  • App Limits – Another great way to keep you out of the hole on your phone is to set time limits for apps. Once you hit the time limit for the day, you can't access that app again until it resets at midnight. Go to Settings, Screen Time, then App Limits.
  • Use a Timer – All you need is 5, 10, or 15 minutes to power through SO MUCH STUFF. Set a timer on your phone and focus on doing that one thing while the timer is running until it goes off. This works great for tidying rooms, cleaning the house, and so much more!
  • Set Alarms – Set an alarm for EVERYTHING! Waking up, picking up kids from school, starting dinner prep, even going to bed! Don't set the alarm for when you need to be somewhere, rather as a reminder for you. I try to set an alarm for 30 minutes early, 3 days early, and 3 weeks early (for those things that I really need to remember, like a doctor's appointment or something like that).
  • Keep a Digital Calendar – As you've probably seen when we plan our year in advance, we are all about keeping a digital calendar! It's so easy for each of us to keep up with what the other has going on, and you don't have to worry about not knowing what's going on if you lose a paper planner. You can either use Google Calendars or the Calendar app by Apple.
  • Set Reminders – This is similar to setting an alarm, but did you know you can use the Reminders app by Apple to remind you of something when you're at a certain location? Remind yourself to return the books to the library when you get in your car, or to let your parents know you got home after a long trip.

Those have literally turned my world upside down, in a good way! Start doing those and never look back. You'll be much more productive with your day, I promise!

OTHER IPHONE HACKS YOU DON'T WANNA MISS

Here are some extra iPhone hacks from Fun Cheap or Free that you definitely don't want to miss!

If your phone is in your hand, you might as well make the best of it and use it to the best of its ability. Here are a few other hacks that you might not know about…

  • Easily Access Photos and Attachments from a Text – Tired of scrolling through your texts to find a picture or attachment that was sent to you a few days ago? Quickly see photos and attachments from a text chain by clicking the picture at the top of the text and hitting the info button. Scroll down and you can see all the images shared in that conversation. You're welcome. 😉
  • Cover a Cracked Screen – If you have a cracked screen but you're not quite ready to replace your phone, cover it with packing tape! It will keep the cracks together and tide you over until you can replace it. The screen will still be sensitive to touch, and it has worked well for me when I've had to do this in the past!
  • Send Secret Messages – If you like to send your sweetie lovey-dovey messages but you're afraid of your kids seeing them on the iPad or Mac (or someone having their phone hooked up during a meeting and an unexpected message popping up on the screen!), start sending secret messages over Facebook Messenger. They're encrypted from device to device, so you can only access it from your phone.

Pretty good, right?!

THE BEST APPS FOR IPHONE

Check out the best apps for iPhone from Fun Cheap or Free

Okay, on to our favorite apps that we use on the daily on our phones!

  • Favoreats – This is every Shelf Cooker's DREAM app! Use code JORDAN15 for 15% off!
  • Rakuten – Earn money every time you shop!
  • Evernote – This is my favorite way to keep my grocery list and Christmas gift lists!
  • Security System – We now have Vivint, but the key takeaway from the video is to have whatever security system on your phone so you can easily access your cameras to look at.
  • Day One Journal – A fun and easy way to journal if you don't like to carry a physical journal around with you. You can upload pictures and even print books from it!
  • Chatbooks – Such an easy way to create memory books! Just pull your posts from Instagram, easy peasy!
  • Sound Touch – My favorite kid app that is totally worth the money!
  • PicTapGo – The best photo editing app!
  • Audible Audiobooks & Podcasts – I'm definitely a fan of holding a physical book in my hand to read, but sometimes that just isn't possible. Audible is a great way to still get my books in while driving or cleaning around the house. Use that link to get one free audiobook, 2 free Audible originals, and a 30-day free trial!
  • Google Drive – This is a convenient way to keep up with any Google Documents or Sheets.
  • Heads Up! – Our favorite game!
  • Shazam – I use this almost daily. When I hear a song playing that I love, I push SHAZAM and it tells me the song, artist, and where I can find the song.
  • BYUTV – I love BYUTV because all the programming is family-friendly. We usually stream the shows right from the app to watch on the go.
  • Sing Along Hymns – If you are LDS, this is my favorite app to keep my kids occupied while playing primary songs. Works great if you work in the nursery on Sundays!
  • Uber – The only way I do transportation anymore when I'm traveling! (Use that link to get $2 off each of your first 3 Uber rides when you sign up!)

FOOD AND STORE APPS

Use your phone to place a grocery pickup order! iPhone hacks from Fun Cheap or Free
  • Walmart – Did you know that the Grocery Pickup app is now in the normal Walmart app? Order your groceries online to not only make grocery shopping go much quicker, but also save you money by not making any impulse buys! Plus it really helps you to stick to your grocery budget. #Winning
  • Cafe Rio – If you've ever visited Cafe Rio, then I don't have to explain myself for this one. 😉
  • McDonald's – They actually have great daily deals in the app!
  • Burger King – So do they!
  • Hometown Values – This is great for local Utahns to find good deals around town.
  • Target – Don't even think about going into Target without using this!
  • Amazon – Ummm, you all should know that I love Amazon so much, I've made my own store on there!
  • Rakuten – I always shop through this app to get CASH BACK on purchases! Use that link to get $10 off the first $25 spent.
  • Flipp – Amazing grocery app!
  • Costco – I use it when I shop at Costco. Shows you the deals, sales, and rebates right on your phone!
  • Other Money Saving Apps – I use a lot more money saving apps, so be sure to check those out!

You'll be surprised at how much money you'll save by using those apps!

IPHONE MUST-HAVES

A magnetic mount is the safe way to keep your phone handy while you're in the car - Tips from Fun Cheap or Free

Alright, here are a few products that I can't live without when it comes to my phone. Start using these and you'll never go back!

  • A Good Case – Between me and my 10,000 kids, my phone is dropped a lot. Having a good case and screen protector on it is a sure fire way to keep it safe and free from cracks when the inevitable fall happens!
  • A Way to Hold the Phone – A Loopy Case (Use code FUN10 for 10% off) or PopSocket is the way to go! Loopys are great for hanging on the outside of your hand when they're full and you don't have any pockets to put your phone in. PopSockets are great if you watch a lot of videos on your phone because you can prop it on it's side. (I would highly recommend gluing the PopSocket to your phone case if you go that route since I've heard of them falling off before.) Choose what's more important to you and go for it!
  • Sound Amplifier – Sometimes we like our music to be loud! We'll play it through our large speaker in the kitchen or a small travel speaker. Did you know that you can also use a large bowl or cup to amplify the sound from your speakers? Or even put your phone in the corner of a counter and that'll do the same trick, no speaker needed!
  • Nato Mount – We love these so much because they allow you to be totally hands-free in your car. (Which is why they made it in my car must-haves list!)
  • Smartphone Sanitizer and Charger – Have you ever thought about how gross your phone can get? That's why we use this 2-in-1 sanitizer and charger to keep our phones clean!

Really, we can't live without these!

PRODUCTIVITY BOOT CAMP

For those who could use even more tips and help with your productivity, then it's time for you to check out Productivity Boot Camp! It's just about the most fun online video program that you'll ever come across!

Doesn't that sound like so much fun?! Use the code FCFBLOG for 10% off because I love ya! 😉

So there you have it! Hopefully those are a few tips to make your phone more productive in your life. What are your favorite apps? There were SO MANY I missed in the video, so be sure to share yours below!

iPhone hacks, favorite apps, and more from Fun Cheap or Free!

Don't miss out on these posts!

Now if you don't mind, I need to go lose myself for hours in a rip-roaring game of Sudoku…

…just kidding.

Jordan Page signature