Google’s smartphone operating system is full of various features. We’ve singled out ten less-known ones that we believe will benefit you.
Devices with the Android operating system are, as a rule, much more adaptable and richer in features than is the case with Apple iPhone models. We have selected ten of them that most users often miss, and which can be practical in a variety of situations.
1. Use the Photos app in Windows
With the Your Phone app, for Microsoft’s operating system, you can connect your smartphone to your computer and view photos you’ve taken with your phone
In the computer settings, select the Add a Phone option and follow the instructions. After pairing your devices, you will be able to make calls, send and receive text messages, and view photos from your phone on your computer.
2. Edit Quick Settings
If you want your smartphone to display some other functions among the quick settings instead of those specified by the initial settings, you can easily set it up.
Swipe your finger down while on the home screen (swipe) and tap the pen icon at the top of the screen, then add what you want.
3. Install applications from your computer
You don’t have to have your phone on hand to install apps on it. You can open Google Play on your computer, choose what you want to install and then do it remotely. If you have multiple Android devices in the same account, you’ll be able to choose the one you want to use.
4. Customize the notification display
Android allows you to highlight the display of notifications that come from certain contacts, and the exchanged messages remain in one place in the form of conversations.
You can adjust the display of bubble messages above other apps by including them in the settings and marking a contact as Priority.
The notifications themselves have a Bubbles function with three options: All Conversations Can Bubble, Selected Conversations Can Bubble and Nothing Can Bubble. Choose the first one if you want to see all the messages in the bubbles, the second one if you prefer to see some of them, or the third one if you don’t want to see such messages.
5. Add widgets and customize the home screen
To add a widget is enough to keep the free space on the home screen. Then select Widgets and highlight the one you want to add.
Long press on the home screen also gives you access to other settings. Among other things, you can remove individual display elements or turn off home screen rotation.
6. Start the camera quickly
On most Android smartphones, you can activate the camera by double-clicking the power button. It is also possible to use the volume control button to focus, and with a long press to record video.
7. Give safe access to others
This option is useful if you want to allow someone else to use your phone, but do not want them to have access to your apps, data, and settings.
Open Settings, System, and Advanced, then turn on Multiple Users. You can also turn on the Add Users from Lock Screen option so you can add users from the lock screen.
Once you’ve done that, you can swipe your finger down the screen twice to open quick settings. Tap your user image in the lower right corner and select Add Guest.
Wait until it switches to another mode, in which only basic Android apps are available.
8. Record what is happening on the screen
Android comes with a built-in screen capture feature. Open Quick Settings and select Screen Record and Start Recording. You can choose whether to record sound, among other things. To stop recording, open the quick settings again and tap the big red bar.
9. Use apps side by side
Swipe on the home screen to see all apps. Select the application you want to use and click the round thumbnail at the top of the app preview.
The menu that will appear should also include the Split top option. Some apps may not support this feature (say, Instagram), so it won’t be available to you.
If so, press it. The app will automatically be placed halfway across the screen, while the other will have a list of apps from which you can select another app.
There is a thick black line between the apps that separates them. You can use it to position apps and exit Split Screen mode. Just pull it all the way up or down.
10. Recover lost notifications
Did you accidentally remove the notice before you read it? Hold down the blank part of the home screen. The screen customization mode will open.
Select Widgets and find Settings. Drag this thumbnail to a blank space on your screen and place it there.
A list will appear. Select the Notification log and click the thumbnail to open the notification history.
READ MORE:
- The best wallpaper apps for Android phones
- Widgetshare – share photos with friends through widgets
- Google Pixel Watch with WearOS 3.2 coming in May
- Switch to Android: Easier from iPhone to Android
- How to protect from harmful apps (Android Edition)
- Google is pulling out all call recording applications
