Genius Ways to Use Your Phone’s Camera You Never Thought Of Before

Beth DreherUpdated: Feb. 01, 2017

Use your smartphone’s camera to snap:

iStock/RCarner

Your RX bottles and vitamins together

This way you’ll have all medication information handy when you go to the doctor or an ER.

iStock/M_a_y_a

A plant or flower you like

Show the picture to the staff at your local nursery.

iStock/Tatomm

“You are here” maps at malls, parks, and subways

You’ll have a portable map as you keep walking.

iStock/ShotShare

The drink menu

Send it to a friend who’s running late to dinner.

iStock/Alija

Yourself wearing different outfits in a dressing room

You can compare the looks without trying on each item again.

iStock/PPAMPicture

Location signs in a parking lot

So you can find your way back.

iStock/carterdayne

Your wallet

Opened just enough to show what’s missing if it’s stolen.

iStock/Vasileios

A recipe’s ingredients list

So you can double-check what you need while grocery shopping.

iStock/Solidago

Your license plate

You may need it for hotel parking or at the DMV.

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Your health insurance cards, driver’s license, and passport

To have on hand in emergencies. To password-protect important photos, download an app like Folder Lock or Hide It Pro.

Originally Published: February 19, 2016

Originally Published in Reader's Digest