Your Android cellphone is able to excess of simply surface-level calling, messaging, and web shopping. The OS is easy sufficient for informal use, nevertheless it’s additionally remarkably deep, continuously besting iOS in debuting new options. If you wish to use Google’s cellular OS like a professional, you simply have to know the place to search out the superior instruments buried a layer or two deep. Our information to Android shortcuts and professional suggestions will enable you navigate these hidden instruments like a champ. Because the OS is continually evolving, we need to hear from you—share your favourite suggestions within the feedback: You may even see them in a future story replace!
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1. Uninstall Apps You Do not Want
Most Android telephones include a wholesome serving to of preinstalled apps. Many shall be welcomed by practically everybody—maps, e mail, browser, and so forth—however there are undoubtedly some you do not need or want. To take away or disable preinstalled apps, long-press the app icon, after which choose App Data to open the administration web page. There, you’ll be able to choose Uninstall for detachable apps or Disable to cover non-removable apps (such because the Google Chrome browser).
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2. Use Digital Wellbeing Options
It’s not the healthiest factor on the planet to remain up all night time texting and doomscrolling. You’ll be able to successfully handle your time and bounds through the use of Bedtime Mode to automate sleepy-friendly grayscale colours and Do Not Disturb to silence notifications at night time. Likewise, Focus mode quickly pauses distracting apps in the course of the day, and Work Profile hides skilled notifications and productiveness apps whenever you’re off the clock.
When you want a fast break, some telephones, together with latest Motorola and Pixel handsets, activate Do Not Disturb mode by merely inserting them screen-down—a fast and simple strategy to get aid from disturbances.
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3. Set Up the Your Telephone App on a Home windows PC
Most individuals who use Apple desktops or laptops are additionally doubtless to make use of an iPhone, which affords terrific integration with macOS. However with the Telephone Hyperlink app for Home windows, Android customers can get simply as a lot continuity with their desktop pc—maybe much more. By linking your Android gadget by way of the Telephone Hyperlink app in your Home windows PC, you’ll be able to seamlessly make calls, reply to texts, and use cross-device copy-and-paste for textual content and pictures, all whereas viewing your cellphone’s newest photographs and notifications in your PC.
Current Samsung and Oppo gadgets obtain much more performance with the Hyperlink to Home windows possibility, together with the flexibility to run a number of Android apps on the desktop. When you’re not operating Home windows, you may get Android messages on the internet—one other functionality annoyingly not provided by Apple’s cellular OS. Lastly, you’ll be able to run Android apps in an emulator on Home windows.
4. Edit Fast Settings
You’ll be able to customise the displayed Android tiles in order that the settings you want are accessible within the first swipe-down row. By swiping down from the precise half of the standing bar and tapping the pencil icon, you’ll be able to rearrange and even resize tiles to suit as much as eight important toggles, equivalent to Darkish Mode or Focus Mode, in that preliminary view. You can even add helpful instruments, just like the digicam and display recording apps, by dragging them to the highest part.
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5. Set up Android Apps From the Net
You don’t want your cellphone in hand to put in apps. Merely go to the Google Play Retailer in your browser whereas signed in to the identical Google account as your cellphone. As soon as there, you’ll be able to set up any Android app or sport remotely. When you’ve got a number of Android gadgets linked to that account, simply choose the set up vacation spot. You can even remotely uninstall apps.
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6. Set up Apps From Different Sources
One among Android’s distinctive options is that, in contrast to on iOS, you’re not restricted to utilizing a single app retailer. You will discover practically each app you need in Google’s Play Retailer—and there are worthwhile protections that come together with that. If, nevertheless, you want one thing that’s not there, nothing is stopping you from heading to Amazon’s app retailer, your cellphone maker’s app retailer, and even downloading the app as an APK (the extension for an Android Utility Bundle file).
One necessary word: When you do go this route, be completely certain you are getting the app from a dependable supply, since third-party app shops are the primary supply of Android malware. Do a little analysis first! Additionally, you’ll want to flip off the Set up Unknown Apps setting for the supply after you put in the app you need, simply in case.
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7. Set up a Launcher App
That is one customization kind iPhone customers nonetheless don’t get: you’ll be able to utterly exchange your property display by putting in a third-party launcher. Trendy favorites like Nova, Niagara, and Sensible Launcher provide smooth designs, whereas Microsoft Launcher bridges the hole along with your PC. You’ll be able to even discover iOS-style launchers that mimic the iPhone’s format and icons, or “Win 11” launchers that deliver a tiled, desktop-style interface to your cellphone.
(Credit score: Android/PCMag)
8. Customise Message Notifications
Android helps you to select message notifications in order that some contacts are extra distinguished, and conversations keep collectively. Now you can set messages to look as bubbles on high of some other operating apps. Allow these in Settings > Notifications > Bubbles on Pixel gadgets (or Settings > Notifications > Superior Settings > Floating Notifications on Samsung gadgets). Inside a notification, there’s one other setting for Bubbles, which makes it simpler to search out and reply to conversations. You’ll be able to customise the precedence of those, too. Make it so your gadget all the time notifies you of a specific Bubble dialog even when Do Not Disturb is enabled, set it to inform you as regular, or utterly silenced.
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Need to add widgets to your property display? This is the way you do it. Lengthy-press the house display, select Widgets, then choose from the choice obtainable in any put in apps. You can even use the search bar on the high to search out what you are in search of. Lengthy-pressing the house display additionally offers you different customization choices, equivalent to eradicating the Google feed web page or disabling display rotation.
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10. Beef Up Storage
A bonus of Android over iPhones is that some cellphone fashions allow you to improve storage with a microSD card. Not solely is that this nice for photographs and flicks, nevertheless it additionally helps you to switch massive quantities of file information between your cellphone and different gadgets. One other benefit is you could plug some Android telephones into an exterior USB storage drive and browse its information. In case your cellphone has a USB-C port, you’ll be able to merely plug in a USB flash reminiscence drive with a Sort-C connection. Utilizing a microSD or USB drive as a “sneakernet” to maneuver massive chunks of information to a PC is a handy guide a rough, sensible workflow that does not depart you on the mercy of cloud storage’s file measurement and pace limitations.
It is Surprisingly Simple to Be Extra Safe On-line
11. Set up Antivirus
Since Android is way extra open than iOS—that’s, extra like Home windows than macOS—it’s additionally extra open to malware assaults. Google has inbuilt lots of robust protections, however we suggest you run an antivirus app on Android. PCMag safety guru Neil Rubenking recommends three PCMag Editors’ Alternative choices: Bitdefender Whole Safety, McAfee AntiVirus Plus, and Norton 360 Deluxe, which supply cross-device safety, superior phishing filters, and built-in VPNs to safe your information on public networks.
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12. Double-Faucet the Energy Button to Open the Digicam
Fast digicam entry is crucial for capturing fleeting moments, so this can be a snappy, easy trick. Most Android telephones allow you to double-tap the facility button to activate the digicam. As soon as the app is open, the quantity key acts as a bodily shutter for fast captures. On many more moderen gadgets, holding down the quantity key or the on-screen shutter button will instantly begin recording so you do not miss a beat.
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13. Use Display Pinning
If you want to hand your cellphone to another person and don’t need them snooping round in different apps, simply pin the display. If this isn’t enabled by default, you’ll be able to flip it on within the Safety menu. Faucet the app icon within the multitasking interface, then choose “Pin” to forestall the app from switching. You’ll be able to shield switching apps by requiring your cellphone PIN. Word that the app icon in app switching view additionally helps you to break up the display, pause the app’s notifications, and see its data.
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14. Set Up Visitor Entry
If you wish to give another person just a little extra entry than screen-pinning permits, you’ll be able to. To let somebody borrow your cellphone with out accessing your information, head to Settings > System > A number of Customers and allow the characteristic. As soon as lively, swipe down from the highest of the display to open Fast Settings, then faucet your profile icon to pick Add Visitor. This creates a brief, clear setting with solely default apps, guaranteeing they can not entry your social media, texts, or private accounts.
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15. Cover Delicate Apps With Non-public House
Android’s Non-public House is designed to maintain your most delicate apps and information utterly hidden from anybody else utilizing your cellphone. Not like Visitor Mode, which gives a separate, clean profile for a brief borrower, Non-public House is a safe, sandboxed space inside your personal profile that requires a further layer of authentication—like a singular PIN or fingerprint—to entry.
When the area is locked, apps inside are invisible in your launcher, settings, and up to date apps views, and their notifications are suppressed fully. To set it up, go to Settings > Safety & Privateness > Non-public House. For max privateness, use a separate Google Account in your non-public area to forestall your historical past and information from syncing along with your major profile.
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16. Report Display Exercise
Android incorporates a highly effective built-in display recorder accessible instantly from the Fast Settings shade. Merely swipe down, faucet Display report, and select whether or not to report your complete display or use the newer Single App mode to maintain your notifications non-public. You’ll be able to toggle audio recording and on-screen contact factors earlier than hitting begin. As soon as completed, faucet the crimson standing bar to avoid wasting a high-quality MP4 file to your photograph gallery.
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17. Use Developer Choices
To unlock hidden power-user instruments, head to Settings > About Telephone, then faucet the Construct quantity 7 occasions. You’ll be able to then discover a new Developer choices menu underneath Settings > System. From right here, you’ll be able to present display faucets, change Bluetooth gadget choices, set USB connection preferences, and entry many different settings of curiosity solely to builders. This one is unquestionably just for the acute tinkerer, and never for the technophobe.
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18. Activate Discover My Machine
When you misplace your cellphone or it will get stolen, Android has a characteristic that permits you to remotely play a sound, wipe your information, or lock the display with a customized message and a callback quantity. Moreover, fashionable Android gadgets now characteristic AI-powered Theft Detection, which mechanically locks your display if it detects that the cellphone has been snatched out of your hand.
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19. Use Battery Saver Mode
Android affords much more management over battery-saving choices than the iPhone does. Not solely are you able to allow Battery Saver mode and have it mechanically flip off when the cellphone is charged, however you may also use the Adaptive Energy characteristic, which extends battery life primarily based in your utilization patterns. You can even set a schedule for Battery Saver mode and have it mechanically activate primarily based in your utilization or whenever you attain a specified cost stage.
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20. Management Your Sensible Dwelling
Android makes controlling good house gadgets seamless by way of the Machine Controls shortcut. As an alternative of opening the complete Google Dwelling app, you’ll be able to entry your favourite lights and thermostats instantly from a tile within the Fast Settings shade or by way of the Dwelling icon in your lock display. For this to work, you should arrange the gadgets within the Google Dwelling app and “star” your most-used controls for fast entry.
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21. Replace Continuously
Updating your cellphone would not simply shield your information; it typically unlocks new instruments and makes your gadget really feel new. Trendy updates are extra dependable than ever, so there’s no purpose to attend. Go to Settings > Software program Updates, then faucet Verify for Updates to see when you have one ready.
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22. Personalize Language on a Per-App Foundation
Multilingual Android customers can set their most well-liked language per app. To pick your most well-liked language, head over to Settings > System > Languages & Enter. Choose App Languages, and select the app you want to modify. You can even discover this characteristic within the Apps settings (go to Settings > Apps). Choose the app you need to change, then choose Language. This characteristic is not common; builders should choose into it. Nonetheless, in these instances, you’ll be able to typically use Android’s System AI to force-translate; you would possibly see a Reside Translate suggestion.
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23. Use Materials You for Final Personalization
Android’s Materials 3 design (the evolution of Materials You) permits deep UI personalization. In Settings > Wallpaper & Type, you’ll be able to select a palette that mechanically pulls complementary tones out of your wallpaper to paint your buttons, menus, and system apps. In Android 16, this extends to AI-generated kinds, which may counsel themes primarily based in your present lighting or time of day, and affords extra constant assist for Themed Icons throughout your complete app drawer.
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24. Get Assist Throughout Emergencies
Nobody desires to be in SOS conditions, however accidents occur. The very best we are able to do is put together for them, and Android offers you important instruments for these circumstances. Emergency SOS is a collection of security options that summon assist in dire conditions, and it solely takes a couple of minutes to arrange. Add emergency contacts to your gadget by way of the Security & Emergency tab in Settings (you should have no less than one). Afterward, navigate to Security & Emergency > Emergency SOS, then click on the slider to allow this characteristic.
With this lively, clicking the Energy Button 5 occasions or extra triggers a loud alarm, name emergency companies, or each, relying in your preferences. Your emergency contacts will obtain updates about your present location, battery standing, and up to date name exercise.
(Credit score: Android/PCMag)
25. Report and Transcribe Audio with Ease
Voice recording and transcription on Android—notably on Pixel gadgets—are wonderful. Not solely are you able to report nice high quality audio with Android’s Recorder, however the OS transcribes stated audio, which you’ll view with a easy swipe. Moreover, you’ll be able to have Android generate a brand new transcription if the unique is not as correct as you would like. To high it off, you’ll be able to copy and save the transcript to Google Docs proper from the app. It is a incredible software for interviewing or for chronicling your ideas out loud.
About Our Skilled
Gabriel Zamora
Senior Author, Software program
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In 2014, I started my profession at PCMag as a freelancer. That blossomed right into a full-time place in 2021, and I now evaluation e mail advertising and marketing apps, cellular working methods, internet hosting companies, streaming music platforms, and video video games as a senior author. I am a graduate of Hunter School, a hard-core gamer, and an Apple fanatic.
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