Windows phone
15 hidden tricks you might not know about your windows phone
By Evelyn Reed
Published: 19 Feb 2025
A Windows Phone? Really?
Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking. A Windows Phone in 2025? Am I stuck in the past? Maybe a little. But hear me out. I recently picked up a refurbished Lumia 950 XL (don't judge!), and I've rediscovered a few things I loved about it that you might have forgotten, or never even knew. So, grab your favorite beverage, because we're diving into 15 hidden tricks that might just surprise you.
Refurbished Lumia 950 XL on a wooden table | Image: Supplied
1. The Power of Live Tiles: More Than Just Pretty Pictures
Remember Live Tiles? They're not just eye candy. They dynamically update with information, showing you the stuff you actually care about – new emails, upcoming appointments, and even live weather updates. It's like having a little digital assistant right there on your homescreen! Personalize those tiles, and you'll actually want to check your phone. Plus, unlike some other phones that have lost that feature, Windows phone still has this amazing feature. Seriously, this was one of my favorite features and why I fell in love with windows phones.
Windows Phone Live Tiles showcasing various app updates | Image: Supplied
2. One-Handed Operation: A Forgotten Friend
Windows phones were designed with one-handed use in mind, way before it became a trend. The interface and app layouts were perfectly optimized. You can easily reach everything. For those of you who prefer smaller phones, or simply find one-handed usability essential, this is a huge advantage. I mean, who hasn't dropped their phone trying to reach that top right corner?
Person using a Windows Phone with one hand | Image: Supplied
3. Data Sense: The Ultimate Data Saver
Remember those days of unexpected data overages? Data Sense is a built-in tool that actively manages your cellular data usage, alerting you when you're nearing your limit. You can even set a cap, preventing you from incurring those costly charges. It's like having a tiny accountant in your pocket.
Windows Phone Data Sense settings interface | Image: Supplied
4. Cortana's Still Got It:
Forget Siri or Alexa, for some reason, Cortana was just different. She had a personality, and she was helpful. Cortana is still there, ready to handle your voice commands with ease. Set reminders, send texts, make calls – all hands free. This might be a little outdated, but the experience was smoother for me than the other mainstream AI assistants.
Cortana interface on a Windows Phone | Image: Supplied
5. Kid's Corner: Peace of Mind for Parents
If you have kids, you know the struggle of keeping them away from your phone. Kid's Corner creates a separate, secure profile for your little ones, limiting their access to specific apps and games. You can even set time limits. It’s a lifesaver, literally.
Windows Phone Kid's Corner interface | Image: Supplied
6. Curated App Selection: Quality Over Quantity
The Windows app store wasn't as massive as other platforms, but the focus was on quality rather than quantity. This meant less clutter, and a better chance of finding apps that truly work well. Still, it lacked apps, which were the reason I didn't continue to use Windows phones.
Windows Phone app store interface | Image: Supplied
7. Camera Features That Were Ahead of Their Time
Some of the Windows Phone camera apps were incredibly intuitive and produced excellent images. They made some interesting advancements that I haven't seen replicated anywhere else. It just felt smooth and intuitive.
Windows Phone camera interface and sample photo | Image: Supplied
8. Excellent Battery Life (Most of the time)
Let’s face it, many phones today need charging before the day ends. However, with my Windows phone, the battery held on for an impressive amount of time. It could easily last a full day of moderate use, and sometimes even more.
Windows Phone battery life stats | Image: Supplied
9. Seamless Microsoft Integration
Windows phones worked beautifully with other Microsoft products. If you're already in the Microsoft ecosystem (Outlook, OneDrive, etc.), the integration is so flawless it's magical. This was one of the major selling points for me, personally.
Windows Phone syncing with Microsoft services | Image: Supplied
10. File Explorer: Actual File Management
Yes, you could actually see and manage your files. No cloud-only nonsense. You could move them, organize them, delete them—all without needing a third-party app. It's such a simple feature that somehow got lost in translation on other devices.
Windows Phone file explorer interface | Image: Supplied
11. Customizable Notification Center: Total Control
You had total control over your notifications. You could customize exactly what you saw, when you saw it, and how you responded to it. No more endless streams of unnecessary alerts. I loved the customization.
Windows Phone notification center settings | Image: Supplied
12. Offline Maps: Navigate the World, Offline
Download maps ahead of time, and use them completely offline. This is great for international travel or remote locations. This was one of my favorite features, because it saved me tons of data.
Windows Phone offline maps interface | Image: Supplied
13. Built-in VPN Support: Secure Your Connection
Did you know that many Windows phones came with built-in VPN support? A handy feature for privacy, especially when using public Wi-Fi. Again, this is something that I haven't seen as much on other devices.
Windows Phone VPN settings interface | Image: Supplied
14. The Simple Things: No Bloatware
One of the best things about Windows phones was the lack of unnecessary pre-installed apps. It felt cleaner, faster, and more efficient. This is something that I really appreciate, as I prefer to choose the apps I use, rather than having apps pre-installed that I never use.
Clean Windows Phone home screen | Image: Supplied
15. Remember the Feeling?
There's something to be said for simplicity. Windows phones had a clean, intuitive design. They didn't try to do too much. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need. Now, obviously this is an outdated phone, but for those who like a simpler approach, these devices may offer something worth a look. What are your favorite memories of your Windows phone? Let me know in the comments below!
