What should be automated immediately after buying a smartphone

1. Back up your photos and videos to save memory

There are no pictures and videos on the new phone yet, but several days or weeks will pass, then the memory will be much less. If you set up a backup in time, then you will not see the message about the ending location very soon.

If you bought an iPhone, open Settings and find the Photos & Camera section. Activate the "iCloud Music Library" switch and check the box next to "Optimize storage on iPhone." Now local copies of images and videos will be deleted immediately after they are uploaded to the cloud. If you want, you can download them again from iCloud to your phone.

The Google Photos app, which comes preinstalled on most Android devices and is available for iOS, does the job even better. If you are not embarrassed by the fact that all photos will be compressed to 16 megapixels, and videos - up to 1080p, then the service is free to use.

Open the app and go to settings. Click "Free up space on the device", and "Google Photos" will remove all copies of pictures and videos that are already uploaded to the service from your phone.

2. Disable the lock when you are at home (Android only)

Additional security, like a pin code, is good, but at home it usually only gets in the way. Android has a feature that automates blocking deactivation. Open the settings, select "Lock device" and find the Smart Lock section.

Select "Safe places" and specify the location on the map in which the blocking will be disabled automatically. In the "Trusted Devices" tab, you can do the same with things like Bluetooth speakers.

3. Specify the time at which the phone will switch to Do Not Disturb mode

On both iOS and Android, you can make your device completely silent on certain days and times.

On iPhone, find the Do Not Disturb section in Settings and turn on the Scheduled toggle. So you can specify the period of time in which the mode will be turned on.

after buying a smartphone: Do not disturb mode

Below you can choose when calls and notifications will be muted - always or only while the iPhone is locked. Through the "Calls tolerance" menu, you can add individual contacts to exceptions.

On Android, the Do Not Disturb item is under Ringtones & Volume. There you can select the types of alerts that will not be heard. You can also configure scenarios for enabling the mode and select the days of the week, start and end times of its operation.

4. Send posts simultaneously from all your social media accounts

You can share thoughts and links with friends in several services at the same time. Third-party applications help with this. One of the most convenient is Buffer.

after buying a smartphone: publications in social networks

The program for iOS and Android allows you to connect your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest accounts. The application can attach photos to publications. At the time of writing a message, you can make it appear, for example, only on Twitter.

Posts can be queued to be posted at a specific time. On a free tariff plan, you can connect one account and queue up to 10 publications in each social network.

5. Find your way home at the touch of a button

Everyone may find themselves in a situation where they need to quickly find out the way to their home or show it to someone else - for example, if a person is too drunk.

On iOS, you'll have to download the Workflow app, which Apple bought this year. From the home screen, tap Create Workflow and select Today Widget. Click Actions at the bottom and from the Maps section drag the Street Address element. Fill in all the required information, click Done and then Actions again. This time, drag the Show Directions element, select your favorite mapping application and how to navigate. Click Done to finish and rename the task. Now, when you click on the widget, you will instantly get directions to your home.

On Android, things are a little simpler. Hold your finger on an empty spot on the home screen, select "Widgets" and in the "Maps" tab add a route to your home. It will be available as an active item on the phone's home screen.