In an era of endless tech distractions and productivity tools that never seem up to date, leveraging some of the best underrated tech hacks out there can be a game changer.
Although mainstream tips like “turn off notifications” and “use the Pomodoro technique” can be valuable, there’s a deeper layer of lesser-known tricks that can significantly improve your efficiency and actually help you do more with less stress.
If you’re a student, solopreneur or full-time professional, here are 10 lesser-known tech productivity hacks to step up your game in 2025.
1. Use AI Summarizers for Emails, Articles & PDFs
Information overload It’s something we all suffer from. Stop reading every email, article or research paper line by line and start using AI summarizers like ChatGPT, Claude and SciSummary.
In seconds, they are able summarize long documents, and can offer key takeaways. A few browser extensions can even summarize web pages at the click of a button. This one simple trick can save you hours every week especially if you’re a professional or a student.
2. Turn Your Phone into a Digital Workspace
Your phone is not a distractor. Add new widgets such as Google Keep, Notion, or Todoist to your home screen to keep your reminders on the front of your mind. “Focus Mode” could be the home screen for your phone, by using minimalist launchers like Niagara Launcher or Ratio Launcher, where cluttered app icons on the home screen are replaced with tools you can act on. I use my first page for necessary apps and hide the rest.
3. Voice Typing Everywhere
It’s 2025 and voice-to-text is amazing. Google Voice Typing, Otter, use it. ai, or even your device’s native notes, in minutes to write down your blog ideas, send emails, or type up your notes. Speaking is generally 3x quicker than typing, making voice typing an ideal solution with the added bonus of smart editing.
4. Email Like a Pro Using Templates and Extensions
So you’re writing the same answer over and over again? Leverage Gmail templates or a plugin like Gmelius or Mailbutler to create custom email replies that can be used more than once.
Mix that with AI-based canned responses (This is available in most modern email clients) to fly through your emails 10x faster. Set up emails to go out when people are most likely to open them, and track which follow-ups get read.
5. Block Distractions with DNS and App Control Tools
Forget basic app blockers. Take advantage of tools like NextDNS, Freedom, or Cold Turkey, which allow you to block whole categories of sites or apps on all your devices. You can set up a “work mode” that turns off distractions both on desktop and on your phone. Bonus: you will save mental wherewithal for not seeing social media as an option.
6. Offline-First Productivity
Embrace offline-first workflow and stop being dependent on the cloud all the time. Apps like Obsidian, Standard Notes, or Zettlr allow you to take notes, make plans for projects, and write long texts even when offline. This comes in handy when you need to block out distractions, or work while on the go. Later, sync your work when you’re online.
7. One-Tap Macros for Repeated Actions
If you’re performing a series of actions daily, such as changing the size of the images, renaming files or exporting reports, consider using macro tools. On Windows, give Power Automate a spin on a Mac, work with Shortcuts.
Even Android phones are now capable of sophisticated automation through Tasker or MacroDroid. You can even create a “morning startup” macro that launches your work apps, logs your water intake and sets your status all with one tap.
8. AI Copilots for Small Tasks
Hire a second brain that also happens to be a lightweight AI assistant. Rather than opening a bunch of tabs to compare prices for something, write a caption, or brainstorm ideas, ask ChatGPT or another assistant.
Some applications now have context-aware AI copilots that understand your workflow and make relevant suggestions (like Notion AI or Microsoft 365 Copilot).
9. Use Multiple Desktops for Context Switching
With Windows and macOS, you can create virtual desktops. Make a different desktop for each job. Work on one, study on one, do your own tasks on one. It declutters and allows your brain to switch contexts smoothly. Pair this with a utility like AutoHotKey (for Windows) or Keyboard Maestro (for Mac) and fast switching and automation can be a reality.
10. Self-Auditing with Weekly Digital Reports
Manage how you’re spending your screen time with apps like RescueTime, ManicTime or Screen Time (iOS). Rather than just checking daily stats, schedule a weekly audit reminder for every Sunday.
Reflect on which apps wasted your time, and set new goals for the week. Think of it as a quick digital check-in to make sure you’re still in alignment with your purpose.
Final Thoughts
By 2025, working harder is no longer a badge of honor, and the future looks a whole lot brighter, thanks to tech. At a time when everyone else is scrambling after new apps, these unsung hacks help you go deeper, not wider.
Here are some options to get you started, but pick just 2–3 to start with this week, track what you chose and the impact it had. And over weeks, these small changes add up to huge productivity gains.
Remember, the aim is not to turn you into a robot, but to use technology with intention and reclaim time for what actually matters to you.
