Journal article published in The Qualitative Report 2018 Volume 23, Number 10, How to Article 2, 2264-2275 / This paper describes conditions that led to the use of a smartphone to collect qualitative data instead of using a digital voice recorder as the standard device for recording of interviews. Through reviewing technical documents, the paper defines a smartphone and describes its applications that are useful in the research process. It further points out possible uses of other applications of a smartphone in the research process. The paper concludes that a smartphone is a valuable device to researchers