Trendy Android telephones have a variety of built-in utilities other than those we have all heard of and used, just like the torch. A few of these instruments mean you can convert any picture (in addition to webpages and emails) right into a PDF file, extract textual content from photographs, and extra.
Immediately within the digicam app on Samsung telephones or with Google Lens on Pixel gadgets
Most newer Android telephones include a function that allows you to extract textual content from photographs. Since I personal a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and a Google Pixel 10 Professional, I will present you the best way to use the OCR function on Samsung Galaxy and Pixel telephones.
On Samsung Galaxy telephones, all it’s a must to do is open the digicam app and level it at any textual content. When you try this, it is best to see the “T” icon seem. Faucet the icon and await the telephone to acknowledge and course of the textual content. As soon as processed, the telephone will spotlight the textual content within the picture. Now you can choose textual content by urgent and holding it and duplicate or share it, or choose the complete textual content directly.
The function works equally within the Gallery app should you’ve already taken the picture. Simply open a photograph containing textual content in Gallery, press the “T” icon as soon as it seems, and you’ll choose and duplicate textual content identical to within the digicam app.
On Google Pixel telephones, you are able to do the identical with Google Lens. The Google Lens icon must be seen on the search bar positioned on the backside of the house display screen. Faucet the icon, grant the required permissions if you have not already, after which both choose a photograph you have already taken or open the digicam app. Now you can place the textual content within the viewfinder after which faucet the Choose textual content button. The telephone will analyze the textual content and let you choose and duplicate it, have an AI voice learn it aloud, or translate it if it is in a overseas language.
Associated
7 Enjoyable Methods I Use Google Lens Repeatedly
In search of a brand new option to discover recipes?
You may flip any picture right into a PDF in seconds
In addition to net pages and emails
Credit score: Lucas Gouveia / Justin Duino / How-To Geek
One other helpful built-in function on most Android telephones is the power to transform any picture right into a PDF. Most gallery apps have a PDF conversion function that works equally throughout completely different gadgets and Android variations. Simply open any picture, press the three-dot menu, and faucet the Print icon. Now simply choose the Save as PDF choice, faucet the PDF button, and select the place you need to save the file.
To avoid wasting an internet web page as a PDF in Google Chrome, open the online web page, faucet the three-dot button, then faucet Share, and eventually faucet Print. Now, all it’s a must to do is save the online web page as a PDF.
To avoid wasting an e-mail as a PDF in Gmail, open the e-mail you need to save, press the three-dot menu, faucet the Print button, and save the e-mail as a PDF.
Newer Android telephones have a built-in QR code scanner
Or you’ll be able to simply use the digicam app
Credit score:
Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek
Most Android telephones include a built-in QR code scanner. You should use it immediately within the digicam app or use the built-in QR scanner discovered within the Fast Settings panel.
The quickest means is to open the digicam app and level it at a QR code. The system will instantly acknowledge the code and supply to open the hyperlink it incorporates or carry out an applicable motion, relying on the QR code—like opening a particular app (the Steam app, as an illustration, should you use Steam Guard to log in to your Steam account). Alternatively, discover the QR code scanner icon within the Fast Settings panel (or add it if it is not there), open it, and level the digicam on the QR code to scan it.
So as to add the QR scanner shortcut to the Fast Settings panel on Pixel telephones, pull down the Fast Settings panel, press the Edit button and add the icon.
Samsung Galaxy telephone homeowners can entry the QR scanner tile the identical means. If the tile is not current in Fast Settings, pull down the Fast Settings panel, press the Edit icon, faucet Edit to tweak the toggle grid, add the QR scanner tile, and press Executed.
You may even measure issues together with your telephone’s digicam
However there is a catch
Credit score: Patrick Campanale / How-To Geek
One other cool factor you are able to do together with your telephone is use it as a measuring tape. That is attainable on most newer Android telephones, since many assist the ARCore Depth API wanted to make use of AR (augmented actuality)-based measuring apps. Should you do not discover your telephone on the record of supported gadgets, it would not essentially imply it is not supported. As an illustration, my Pixel 10 Professional is not discovered on the record of ARCore-supported gadgets, however I can use Google’s Measure app with out points.
Should you personal a Samsung Galaxy telephone, you’ll be able to obtain the Fast Measure app from the Galaxy Retailer. Samsung would not supply the app in all markets, so should you dwell in a rustic the place Fast Measure is region-locked, you’ll be able to obtain the .apk set up file from APKMirror. When you obtain the file, you will have to sideload it, which could be very simple.
Now open the app, grant it the required permissions, transfer the telephone round as prompted, after which press the big Plus icon to start out measuring. To measure an object or an individual, simply transfer the telephone throughout the merchandise and press the Plus icon once more to complete measuring.
Older Pixel gadgets had entry to Google’s Measure app, however Google eliminated it from the Play Retailer in 2021, successfully abandoning it. That stated, newer Pixel telephones can nonetheless use the Measure app, which is offered on APKMirror. Obtain the set up file and set up it. You could be required to permit sideloading, which is a quite simple course of. As soon as you put in Measure, open it, and the measuring course of can be just about the identical as with Samsung’s Fast Measure.
Now, there are third-party AR measurement apps on the Play Retailer, however I like to recommend downloading Google’s Measure app from APKMirror should you personal a Pixel system as a substitute, as a result of it is free and will not ask you to subscribe or bombard you with advertisements like many third-party apps do. Many more recent Android telephones are appropriate with Google’s ARCore requirements as nicely, so you’ll be able to attempt utilizing the Measure app even should you do not personal a Pixel. That stated, Samsung telephone homeowners ought to use Fast Measure as a result of it really works barely higher than the Measure app.
Associated
You Do not Want a Thermometer to Measure Temperature, Your Pixel Cellphone Can Do That
Save your lips from burning.
Your Android telephone has a variety of tips up its sleeve
As you’ll be able to see, your Android telephone hides a variety of very helpful options, most of that are built-in. Other than the options I’ve coated right here, you too can flip it right into a minimal telephone in just some faucets, share your Wi-Fi password through QR code, and far more.
Model
SoC
Google Tensor G5
Seeking to improve to a Pixel however undecided should you want all of the bells and whistles of the costlier fashions? You will not be disillusioned with the usual Pixel 10 mannequin. Coming in hanging colours, Gemini options, and 7 years of updates, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with this buy.

