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2025 has been an exhausting year and while you look forward to a break and the new year, for some the work never stops.
But your smartphone can help you finish strong.
With the right apps installed, the correct configuration and a few accessories, your smartphone can be a productivity powerhouse.
TCL has shared some simple, practical ways to turn your smartphone into a reliable productivity hub for your personal and professional tasks.
Organise with the right apps
There are millions of productivity-boosting apps available for Android, including mobile versions of most tools you use on your desktop or notebook.
Note-taking apps such as Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote and Evernote to take notes during meetings or when inspiration strikes.
Project management platforms like Trello, Asana, Monday.com and Notion to track project progress and manage workflows with your team.
Calendar planners, including Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook, for reminders, shared calendars and scheduling meetings.
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Communication
Communication tools like Google Meet, Zoom and Microsoft Teams offer stable mobile performance for calls and videoconferences.
Messaging platforms, including Slack, WhatsApp and Telegram, to allow for asynchronous communication via text messages.
Productivity suites like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for real-time co-editing.
Whiteboard apps such as Miro, FigJam and Microsoft Whiteboard to give teams a visual space to brainstorm.
Decluttering
A tidy home screen helps you to stay focused and productive. Ensure that you have quick and easy access to the apps you use most frequently from your home screen.
Remove those that are distracting or unnecessary from the home screen. And use widgets to get quick updates from apps like search, reminders and email without opening the app.
The cloud
Using the same cloud storage platform across your smartphone, laptop and tablet means you have access to up-to-date versions of your file, no matter which device you are using.
Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox automatically sync files, while Chrome sync keeps bookmarks, open tabs and browsing history consistent across devices. Cloud-based productivity apps, such as Workspace and Microsoft 365, allow you to pick up your work on any device.
Automations
You can automate repetitive tasks using shortcuts and automation tools. For instance, you can use Google Assistant routines to adjust settings, send messages or start navigation with a single voice command.
Apps like Tasker and IFTTT automate actions such as cross-posting content across multiple social networks or scheduling tasks.
Mini workstation
Many of us find that we are more productive with a keyboard and mouse than on a smartphone touchscreen. An underrated productivity hack is to invest in a Bluetooth keyboard to make typing and navigation faster.
If you have a TV or monitor with a Wi-Fi connection, you might even be able to use screencasting to work on a bigger display.
Notifications and focus
Every app on your smartphone is keen to get your attention with pings, buzzes and notifications. Android offers a range of tools and features that let you shut out the distractions and focus on what matters to you.
A good starting point is to silence notifications from all apps but those that are essential to you.
Android’s Do Not Disturb allows you to block distracting social media messages and schedule quiet hours that align with your deepest work hours.
You can use your Android’s Digital Wellbeing tools to see where your time goes – then shut out the apps that are distracting you from your work.
Password manager
Nothing brings your productivity to a grinding halt faster than forgetting the password to an app or online service.
To avoid the pain of lost passwords and tedious account recoveries, you can use a password manager, an app that securely stores all of your passwords and other sensitive information in an encrypted vault. Popular examples include NordPass, 1Password and Google Password Manager.
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