In today’s fast-moving digital world, we use apps for everything—communication, entertainment, shopping, learning, and more. But did you know that many of your favorite apps are packed with hidden features that can boost productivity, save time, and unlock new experiences?
Here’s a list of surprising features in popular apps that most people never use—but absolutely should.
🔹 1. WhatsApp: Pin Chats & Star Messages
Most people use WhatsApp for texting, but few explore its advanced features.
Hidden Features:
- Pin Chats: Long-press any chat and tap the pin icon to keep it at the top of your list.
- Starred Messages: Highlight important messages by long-pressing and tapping the star. You can find all starred messages under the menu for easy access.
- Send Messages Without Saving Contacts: Use
wa.me/numberin a browser to start a chat with anyone—no need to save their number!
🔹 2. Google Maps: Offline Navigation & AR Walking Directions
You use it to get from A to B, but Google Maps has features that go beyond directions.
Hidden Features:
- Download Maps for Offline Use: Perfect for traveling where data is limited. Tap your profile > Offline Maps > Select your area.
- Live View (AR): When walking, tap “Live View” to get directions overlaid in real-time using your phone’s camera.
- Timeline History: See where you’ve been on specific days under “Your Timeline.”
🔹 3. Instagram: Saved Collections & Story Close Friends
Instagram is more than just scrolling and liking.
Hidden Features:
- Saved Collections: Long-press the bookmark icon to save posts into custom folders (like mood boards or shopping ideas).
- Close Friends on Stories: Share exclusive content with a selected group instead of all your followers.
- Hide Like Counts: Want a cleaner feed? You can now hide the number of likes on your or others’ posts from Settings > Privacy > Posts.
🔹 4. YouTube: Video Chapters & Transcripts
We all use YouTube to watch, but there’s more to discover.
Hidden Features:
- Video Chapters: Many creators add timestamps—hover or tap the video progress bar to jump to specific sections.
- Transcript Mode: Click the three-dot menu below a video and select “Show transcript” to read or search for keywords.
- Remind Me to Take a Break: Enable this in Settings to limit binge-watching sessions.
🔹 5. TikTok: Keyword Search in Comments & Video Save Options
TikTok is known for discovery, but few use it deeply.
Hidden Features:
- Search Inside Comments: On a viral video? Use the comment search bar to find relevant discussions or info.
- Save Videos Without Watermark (Using Desktop): Download your own videos from TikTok Web—watermark-free for editing use.
- Watch History: TikTok now has a watch history under your activity settings so you can find that video you scrolled past too quickly.
🔹 6. Gmail: Schedule Emails & Undo Send
Emailing is routine—but Gmail offers tools to make you smarter and faster.
Hidden Features:
- Schedule Send: Click the arrow next to “Send” and choose when the email should be delivered.
- Undo Send: After sending an email, Gmail gives you a few seconds to undo it—customize this timer in Settings.
- Confidential Mode: Send self-destructing emails with restricted forwarding and access.
🔹 7. Spotify: Create Blend Playlists & Hide Songs
Spotify isn’t just about listening—it’s about sharing and discovery.
Hidden Features:
- Blend Playlists: Combine your music taste with a friend’s by creating a shared playlist that updates daily.
- Hide Songs from Playlists: Don’t like a song in a playlist? Tap the three-dot menu and select “Hide this song.”
- Sleep Timer: Set a timer to stop music after a set period—great for bedtime.
Final Thoughts: Explore Beyond the Basics
The apps we use daily often have layers of powerful features just waiting to be discovered. Taking just a few minutes to explore the settings, menus, or help sections of your favorite app could save you time, enhance your experience, and even make you more productive.
So next time you’re scrolling through your usual apps—dig a little deeper. You might just uncover something game-changing.
