How to Organize Your Smartphone and Tablet
By Barbara Reich
Author of Secrets of an Organized Mom
These days, being organized isn't just about the state of your kitchen or closet. It's about your smartphone and tablet, too. A well-organized smartphone with useful apps can be a priceless tool in allowing your life to run more seamlessly. Here are some of the ways your smartphone can help you stay on top of your game.
Utilize iPhone's folders. When you press and hold an app, they all "wiggle." You can then drag them on top of one another, and drop them into folders that can be titled. Whether you separate apps by type (e.g., grouping camera and photos) or by frequency of use, having folders eliminates the visual noise of a cluttered screen.
Limit your home page to one screen. If possible, keep your entire iPhone home screen on one page. The more screens you have to flip through, the more difficult and time consuming it is to find what you need.
Limit games. One or two games can keep you and your children occupied in a pinch, but more games than that can be a waste of space and a distraction.
Delete apps that aren't being used. If you don't use an app, delete it. Don't waste the storage or screen space.
Organize photos. Utilize albums available on photo stream to keep your photos organized. Space on your phone is limited, so delete blurry and duplicate photos.
Unsubscribe from junk emails. When it comes to junk email, UNSUBSCRIBE from the countless promotional emails from stores to prevent your inbox from being flooded with spam. When placing an online order, remember to uncheck the box that asks if you want to receive promotional emails and offers.
Use your email as a reminder. When someone emails you something that you want to remember to revisit later, mark the email as unread. The little (1) mark in your inbox every time you check will be a constant nudge to just get it done.
Use the Reminders app. If you like getting specific alerts, use the Reminders app, which comes built into your iPhone, and is not delete-able. It provides a reminder at a specific time, and can even track when you arrive at a certain place.
Use a calendar system that syncs to all of your devices. Calendars are indispensable, particularly when they're all synced and working well.
Find the apps that work for you. When it comes to specific organizational apps, there's an endless world of them. Whether you want to organize your schedule, your notes, your shopping list, your workout regimen, your coupons, your credit cards, or your music library, there's a whole world of apps out there. Shop around, download and delete, and find the ones that work for you.
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