We all know we need to put down our phones and “touch grass,” but what if I told you that my phone actually helps me get outside more and experience the broader natural world? It’s true.

I Can Touch Grass, and Trees, While I Work

Some context. I use my phone more than most people. It’s not because I can’t get off social media or stop playing mobile games. Rather, I’ve replaced my PC with my phone. I no longer have a laptop or desktop PC and instead do all of my work from my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (which, for the record, I bought used).

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a foldable smartphone that combines the functionality of a tablet with the convenience of a phone. It features a large, flexible internal screen that automatically picks up where you left off on the cover display.

At first, I thought I needed Samsung DeX as my desktop replacement, but I’ve since been surprised by how much work I can get done directly on my phone’s larger internal screen. It’s been a few weeks since the last time I connected my phone to my wireless lapdock or any other external display. This flexibility has completely unshackled my work from a desk. That means I’m free to go outside.

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How My Phone Has Saved Me from Being Shackled to a Desk

I’m so happy to be done with laptops.

I live on a couple acres of land and have several public parks nearby, so I’m not without options. A few weeks ago, I ventured out to a nearby park and worked while sitting atop a giant rock.

I sometimes simply go sit outside on our front porch. Yet since my home is surrounded by woods, I prefer to spend time there. When the weather cooperates, I like to sit on a bench or lay down a large beach towel directly on the ground.

Technically, I could do all of this with a laptop, but that just takes so much more work. I’m not going to walk around the woods with a laptop under my arm, so I would need a messenger bag or backpack. There’s also no clear surface to place it down on, so I’m left trying to rest it awkwardly in my lap. Plus, while my phone has built-in internet, none of my previous laptops ever did, requiring me to also bring a hotspot.

In short, whenever I tried to take a laptop outside, it just felt like more hassle than it’s worth. Meanwhile, my phone’s already on me when I go outside anyway.

Plant Identification Apps Help Me Learn What’s Around Me

A friend and mentor recommended I try out the PictureThis app for identifying plants, and it has fundamentally changed what I see when I look around. Apps like this work by prompting you to take a picture of a plant in question, comparing your photo to its database, and then providing you with a wealth of information.

Now, instead of plants providing a vague green backdrop to my life, I actually recognize different species of trees and shrubs as I move about the world.

I’ve learned how to tell trees apart by their leaves. Sweetgum tree leaves have five points, and Tulip Poplar have four. White Oak leaves have a bunch more plus a distinct shape. It has been a desire of mine to reforest as much of the land around my home as possible, and that is much more doable now that I’ve realized I don’t need to purchase trees to do so. I’ve learned how to spot tree sailings, and they’re absolutely everywhere.

I’ve also discovered native blackberries and dewberries in several spots around my home, the latter being a variety I had never heard of before.

I’ve gained insight into how Native Americans used some of the plants that grow in my yard. I also now know how to spot poison ivy when walking through the woods.

I have a more intimate relationship with plants now that I know their names and where they thrive. It’s also less intimidating to go outside when I’m carrying a companion filled with such knowledge I can learn from at any time.

Hiking Apps Show Where Parks and Trails Are

I stick around my home and town most of the time, but when I do venture out further, my phone provides help in finding where the tucked away spots are. Apps like AllTrails provide details on the walking trails available in local, state, and national parks. Some are on publicly accessible parts of wildlife preserves. Others may be along a beach.

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Take the Trail Less Traveled with These Hiking Apps

These hiking apps make it easy to put your best foot forward when planning an upcoming hike, mountain biking session, or camping adventure.

Such apps are a social network of sorts, allowing you to see what others have to say about each trail and the photos they’ve shared. They help expose me to corners of the world I wouldn’t otherwise know about. Since these apps usually contains a map, it also feels safe to go out and explore without fear of getting lost.

When I head outdoors, it helps that modern pocket PCs are so much better built to deal with the elements. My foldable may have a lower IP rating than slab phones, but it’s still much more resistant to water than a laptop is. These portable devices are designed to go outside—the important part is looking out at the broader world around us when we do.