We already know smartphones are multi-purpose – but are you using it efficiently? Imagine wasting so much time and energy one night just looking up directions to go back to your hotel, that you sleep off most of the next morning because you’re tired. That’s precious hours that you could have been spending on sight-seeing!
Efficiency is key to travelling so you can focus on making the best of your trip. Luckily, our smartphones can be used for more than just taking pictures. Check out the tips below for using your trusted mobile phone to make your travel easier.
Use Your Phone to Create a Checklist
Use the note-taking app on your phone to create a checklist of what you want to accomplish on this trip, preferably before it even starts. That way you can allow yourself to get caught up in new sights and experiences while still keeping track of things you initially wanted to get done. And if you prioritize something new over what’s on your list, that’s okay too! At least you are consciously making decisions on what you can skip out on with no regrets.
Maximize the Lock Screen Function
At the end of the day, you’re always going to find your way back to your hotel. Do a quick search on Google maps and take a screenshot. Make sure it clearly indicates the name of the hotel and a bit of the surrounding area. That way it takes you less than a second to show your destination when asking directions or informing the driver where you’re going. This may also increase chances of your phone finding its way back to you in case a good samaritan finds it.
When travelling with a companion, it’s also worth adding a note on both your lock screens saying ‘If lost please call ####’ with each other’s phone number for a more timely return.
Download Apps for Translation and Currency Exchange
Save time and data – don’t keep searching for the same web pages over and over again!
Use separate tabs for at least Google Translate and Google’s currency converter, whatever you’re sure you need to get around. This will save you time fumbling with your phone every time you make a purchase or want to communicate with locals who don’t speak the same language as you.
It also helps to have messenger, Viber, or any messaging app of your choice so you can quickly send photos or other information regarding where you are to a loved one back home, for safety purposes. Notifications are best kept on mute though so you don’t get distracted by every single message.
Back up Photos on Your Drive
The photos you take of even the most mundane things when you travel are precious. You may not want to look at them all the time, but they are memories that deserve to be preserved for future viewing. It only takes a few minutes to upload all the raw photos onto Google Drive so you’ll always have a copy, in the off chance your mobile phone gets lost or stolen. This also makes it easier for you to delete some of the less important photos so you always have space on your phone to take more!
Lastly, the best thing to do with your phone when travelling is to put it away when it’s no longer needed. The true intent of this article is to help you use your phone more efficiently so you spend less time on it. While it is a great asset, it is also a major distraction. Keep your phone in your pocket so you can truly be present in your adventure.
