84 Tech Tips - Smartphones, Privacy & Digital Productivity

Smartphone Efficiency

Turn off all non-essential app notifications to reduce distractions and save battery life.
Use your phone’s focus mode or Do Not Disturb during deep work or sleep hours.
Organise apps by category or usage frequency for faster access and less screen clutter.
Set up automation routines for morning or bedtime, like auto-silencing or dimming.
Regularly clear your cache and delete unused apps to keep your device running smoothly.
Use widgets for quick access to essentials like calendar, weather, or to-do lists.
Reduce screen brightness or enable dark mode to conserve energy and protect your eyes.
Back up photos and documents to cloud storage to free local space and prevent data loss.
Pin your most-used contacts and apps for faster daily navigation.

Learn system-wide shortcuts for copy, paste, undo, and switching windows to save time.
Create custom hotkeys in frequently used programs to speed up repetitive actions.
Use text expansion tools to replace short codes with full sentences or email templates.
Master tab management shortcuts in browsers to quickly switch, reopen, or close tabs.
Use virtual desktops to separate workspaces for different projects or clients.
Install clipboard history tools to access multiple copied items at once.
Keep a printed list of your most-used shortcuts until they become second nature.
Use split-screen mode to compare documents or multitask effectively.

Use a password manager to generate and store unique passwords for every account.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all critical logins such as email and banking.
Install browser extensions that block ads, cookies, and online trackers.
Regularly check and adjust privacy settings on social networks and mobile apps.
Use a privacy-focused search engine to avoid unnecessary data collection.
Avoid entering personal details on unsecured (HTTP) websites.
Turn off location sharing in apps that don’t require it.
Regularly review connected devices and revoke permissions for those you no longer use.
Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) when travelling or using public Wi-Fi.

Schedule social media checks for specific times instead of leaving apps open all day.
Unfollow or mute accounts that consistently drain your energy or focus.
Use browser extensions or app timers to limit time spent on addictive platforms.
Curate your feeds to include educational, inspiring, or relaxing content only.
Turn off push notifications to regain control of your attention.
Archive or delete old posts that no longer reflect your current values or image.
Avoid doomscrolling before bed to improve sleep quality.
Use a social media management app to schedule posts and reduce time spent posting manually.

Automate repetitive tasks like file backups, email sorting, and report generation.
Use Zapier or IFTTT to connect apps and services that don’t naturally integrate.
Set up automatic reminders or recurring tasks for routine work.
Automate financial tasks such as bill payments or savings transfers.
Use smart home automation to control lighting, heating, and appliances efficiently.
Create workflow templates for projects to save time setting up each new task.
Set up calendar integrations that automatically block time for key priorities.
Regularly review automations to ensure they still serve your current goals.

Use long, memorable passphrases rather than short, complex passwords.
Enable biometric authentication for an added layer of protection.
Change critical account passwords every few months or after any security breach.
Never reuse passwords across different sites or services.
Use a reputable password manager instead of storing passwords in a browser.
Avoid sharing passwords over email or text; use encrypted methods if necessary.
Review password manager vaults periodically to remove unused accounts.
Enable alerts for suspicious logins or password changes on key accounts.

Maintain both a local and cloud backup of all critical data.
Set automatic backups to run weekly or daily depending on workload.
Encrypt backups to protect sensitive information from unauthorised access.
Test restore processes occasionally to ensure backups actually work.
Use versioned backups to roll back to older file states if needed.
Keep an offline or physical backup disconnected from the internet for ransomware protection.
Store backup drives in a separate physical location for added safety.
Document your backup schedule so you know when each source was last updated.

Use AI assistants to summarise long texts, create drafts, or outline ideas quickly.
Leverage AI for repetitive administrative tasks like scheduling or data sorting.
Verify AI-generated content for accuracy before publishing or sharing it.
Train or prompt AI tools with your specific context for more relevant results.
Use AI to brainstorm creative solutions or alternate perspectives on a problem.
Adopt AI transcription tools for meetings to capture notes automatically.
Automate simple coding or document formatting tasks with AI-powered extensions.
Stay informed about AI privacy and copyright policies before uploading sensitive material.
Use AI image or video tools to speed up design tasks, but always review outputs manually.

Choose one main to-do list app and sync it across all your devices.
Experiment with note-taking tools like Notion, Obsidian, or Evernote to find your ideal workflow.
Use calendar colour coding to separate personal, work, and health commitments.
Combine reminders, notes, and calendars into one platform for better coordination.
Limit yourself to a small set of apps to avoid productivity tool overload.
Review your apps quarterly and remove any that no longer add value.
Set weekly app usage summaries to track where your digital time goes.
Sync task managers with your email or Slack to streamline workflow.
Use focus timer apps like Pomofocus or Forest to build concentration habits.