Awesome Smartphone Hacks You'll Never Need but Still Need to Know ...

All right, all right, maybe that's not quite true. Some of these tricks come in handy for those of us who cannot bear to have our phones out of our sight. Some of them are potentially useful, so even though you may never need them, they're still good to know – you know? You know. I know you know.

1 You Can Use Almost Anything as a Mount

You Can Use Almost Anything as a Mount Source: awesomeinventions.com

Like a Ziploc bag – and, admittedly, this is a great idea for planes, trains, and automobiles. Protip for the brave among you: this works in the shower, too, if there's a spot that's more or less safe from any direct spray.

Frequently asked questions

2 Anything

Anything Source: awesomeinventions.com

Need a stand? Got sunglasses? Got reading glasses? Now you have a stand.

3 Even Obsolete Crap You Probably Don't Have

Even Obsolete Crap You Probably Don't Have Source: awesomeinventions.com

I don't know, I might have a few of these buried in boxes that are buried in other boxes in my parents' basement, maybe?

4 Ziplocs Are Actually Pretty Handy

Ziplocs Are Actually Pretty Handy Source: lifeh4cks.com

Again, this also works in the shower.

5 Everybody Needs a Macro Lens

Everybody Needs a Macro Lens Source: secretsofthefed.com

What? Don't you?

6 Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Email Logins

Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Email Logins Source: awesomeinventions.com

Okay, this is brilliant, though.

7 Reuse Your Socks

Reuse Your Socks Source: lifehackslist.com

Okay. Okay. I admit it. This is pretty clever.

8 The Rice Trick

The Rice Trick Source: pinterest.com

I just feel like I would be remiss if I didn't include this.

9 When You Have Spare TP Rolls Lying around

When You Have Spare TP Rolls Lying around Source: awesomeinventions.com

Admittedly clever, but not exactly realistic.

10 One Phone, One Cup

One Phone, One Cup Source: awesomeinventions.com

This also forces you to reach into the glass to turn off your alarm, which is probably just as helpful.

11 Check the TV

Check the TV Source: awesomeinventions.com

At a hotel? Forgot your charger? Check the back the TV. If it's a flat screen, there ought to be a USB port back there. If there is, it ought to charge your phone.

12 Trade the GPS for a Rubber Band, Man

Trade the GPS for a Rubber Band, Man Source: awesomeinventions.com

Legit genius, though.

13 Prolong the Untimely Death of Your Charging Cord

Prolong the Untimely Death of Your Charging Cord Source: awesomeinventions.com

I hate this. Hate it. HATE IT. It has happened to every single one of my charging cords. The question is, do I actually have any old pens?

14 Delete That Voicemail

Delete That Voicemail Source: iphonetricks.org

Wait, do any of you even leave voicemails? Well, for the two or three of you out there, don't worry about the recipient hearing your awkward first take. Just press the # key! You'll be able to listen to your message and, at the prompt, you can delete it and record it again.

15 Fake out Your Favorite Games

Fake out Your Favorite Games Source: itunes.apple.com

Tired of in-app ads? When you're playing your favorite games, try putting your phone on airplane mode. It should get rid of the ad problem, even though it'll kind of make everything else suck.

16 Shake It off

Shake It off Source: awesomeinventions.com

So, evidently you can shake your phone and it will undo what you've typed. This has never worked for me. I must not shake it the right way.

17 Hold It down

Hold It down Source: awesomeinventions.com

This is pretty cool, though. Instead of switching over to your numerical keyboard, just hold down your 123 key and slide your thumb to the numbers you need to type.

No doubt, there are some phone hacks that aren't necessary, but others are lifesavers. Also, no doubt, since phones are even more ubiquitous, more and more hacks are on the rise. What's your favorite?