21 productive things to do on your phone

Find productive things to do on your phone.  Your device could be the cause of undue distraction.  However, it’s also a terrific tool for working.  Read my article to find handy ideas for better use. 

I’ve worked on my terms for 12 years (updated).  I’ve also been blogging for 7 years (updated).  As a solopreneur in my home office, I had to find better ways to work smarter.

Your phone is necessary, both personally and professionally.  Undue distraction and endless scrolling robs you of your precious time.   Drawing the line for better productivity could be desirable.

Find a list of productive things you can do on your phone.  I’ll start with personal life examples.  Secondly, I’ll move to general professional life.   Thirdly, I’ll give more specific ideas for bloggers.

Reasons for productive phone habits  

Staying glued to your phone can have various pitfalls.  Doing so leads to procrastination.  If you give in to time-wasters, you could miss out on your goals.

Instead of mindlessly scrolling, control your screen time.  Make judicious use of this scarce resource.  Time wasted never comes back.

How to benefit in personal life

Your phone is your permanent companion.  It’s with you most of the time.  Prefer productive things to do on the internet.    

1. Read helpful e-books

Make the most of self-improvement opportunities.  Read e-books that will boost your skills.  Alternatively, opt for fiction for entertainment.

Be it your phone or an e-reader, enrich yourself.  These devices are easy to carry in your bag.  Unlike physical books, you can easily store many digital products.

2. Airplane mode when right

There are times when you need to plug it off.  Make use of the airplane mode.  It prevents any interruptions.

I like to, at least, disable my Wi-Fi connection at bedtime.  It gives me moments to replenish, avoiding blue light.  Another example is ensuring no disturbance before meditating.

3. Inbuilt phone features

Use features that come with your device.  Track how much time you spend on apps.  Spot any overusage.

With the growing concern about screen time, phone providers have to take action.  Burnout is often a reality.  Make use of available tools to help prevent it, and on time.

4. Habit tracking apps

Use apps on your phone to track your usage time. Some can also track your habits. Take control for better productivity. Read more about it in my article on Pomodoro.

5. Delete unnecessary apps

Get rid of unnecessary apps.  Deleting them will free up storage space.  Doing so also helps you focus on things that matter.

Having too many apps can be overwhelming.  You’ll check for activities that don’t matter.  Social media can be a common example. 

6. Disable unnecessary notifications

When using social media professionally, you want to be aware of important things.  However, if you’re just keeping up with vacation photos of friends, that could wait.  Disable unneeded notifications.

I check my personal Facebook page and WhatsApp messages at specific times of the day.  My close ones know that if there’s anything urgent, they can phone.  Anything that can wait, I keep for later, during my breaks. 

7. Phone on silent mode

When not using your device (or even when you need to), you might desire solitude.  Put it on silent mode when necessary.  Opt for no vibration for better concentration.

It’s helpful to set a reasonable time duration.  For example, I mute my device for two hours on certain weekdays.  After that, sound is enabled automatically.

8. Headphones are your ally

If you have kids at home, headphones could be handy.  Use them to help focus on sound.  Block out noise in the background.

Use headphones to help concentrate on important audio.  You can also take a Zoom call for better focus.  Listen to your favorite music and relax.

9. Unsubscribe if it helps

You might have subscribed to numerous emails before.  Some might no longer be relevant.  It’s often overwhelming to go through messages in your inbox.

If you tend to waste time reading emails unnecessarily, unsubscribe. This could help decrease your workload, saving time. Read my post on the benefits of unsubscribing.

10. A daily journal for mindfulness

Keep a journal, and use apps.  Access your notes anywhere and at any time, digitally.  I love to track my goals and see what I need to improve.

Ways to gain in general professional life 

I will now list some handy ways for general professional reasons.  This can help anyone, whatever they do.  Just apply them to your specific needs and circumstances.

11. Podcasts are enriching

You can learn a lot through various formats.  Read articles, listen to podcasts, and watch videos.  Hone your skills as much as you can.

12. Online courses

Take online courses to further your knowledge.  Strengthen your skills by applying the techniques.  Test and improve all the time for better success.

13. Access your time calendar

Do you use a to-do list or a calendar?  Both provide support.  However, I prefer a time calendar, as it creates urgency.  It, therefore, helps by having deadlines.

Specific blogger examples to illustrate 

(14th to 21st points)

In addition to personal and general professional examples, I’ll add some for bloggers.  I’m a blogger.  Many of my readers are also bloggers and solopreneurs.

List of ideas to work smarter on your device:

• 14) Content planning
• 15) Topic research
• 16) Draft articles
• 17) Take photos
• 18) Shoot videos
• 19) Content promotions
• 20) Engage with your audience
• 21) Networking time

Self-care is natural

No matter the exigencies of life, remember to relax.  Ensure regular breaks throughout the day.  It’s needed to replenish and boost vitality

Enjoy daily digital detox.  You need to unwind for better productivity.  For example, I leave my phone outside my room at bedtime.

Conclusion

Choose productive things to do on your phone.  Take advantage of this handy device for better self-improvement and success. 

If you’re looking for resources, I have a list of them. There are some crucial online course platforms and tools that every blogger and solopreneurs should embrace. Find my list of recommended resources.

Editor’s Note: This blog article was last updated on 14 October 2025 for better accuracy and comprehensiveness.