Interested in enhancing your smartphone experience? There are hidden features that allow you to use your Android phone more effectively, and even personalize it. Here are hidden features that every Android user should know.
Activate Developer Features
You can unlock some advanced features if you activate Developer Options on your phone. Just breadcrumb over to settings>About Phone. Next, tap “Build Number” multiple times until you get a message that says you are a developer. Once activated, you can use USB Debugging. This allows you to manage the connection between your phone and computer, and control animations.
Check out the Mock Location feature. You can use this to work with apps that have location restrictions or test apps with GPS.
Screen Pinning For Privacy And security
Ever been nervous to hand your phone over to someone, because you didn’t want them looking at your photos and apps? Screen pinning is a security feature that lets you lock your phone to a specific app. This way, the person using your phone can’t get into anything else without a pin.
Smart Lock
This one isn’t so secret or hidden. Still, people forget about this, and end up having to constantly unlock their phone. Go into settings and turn on on-body detection so you don’t have to worry about entering a pin every time you ignore your phone for a minute or two.
Digital Wellbeing
Is your phone use a bit out of control? Android offers Digital Wellbeing tools to help you manage your phone habits. You can use options for bedtime mode, focus mode, and track your usage for the apps you have installed. Just go to settings and into Digital Wellbeing and Parental controls. This is where you can set time limits on apps, turn off notifications, and set times for Do Not Disturb.
One-Handed Mode
Try one-handed mode if your device has a larger screen. When you turn this feature on, the content on your screen is shifted down or to one side. This allows you to reach all of your icons without using two hands. Just go to settings>system>gestures>one-handed mode. Then, swipe down on the navigation bar.
Nearby Share
Jealous of iPhone users and their access to AirDrop? Nearby Share is Android’s answer to this. Just turn it on and make file sharing with other Android devices a snap. It even works on Chromebooks. Just go into settings>Google>Device Connections> Nearby Share. Use it to send files, links, photos, and more to people near you without having to use any third-party apps. If you’re looking for a partner this could be a way to share photos and other key information about one another.
Built-In Screen Recording
Your Android phone may have a built-in screen recorder. This means you don’t need to install any apps to do this for you. Check the Quick Settings Menu. If you have it, you will be able to record tutorials, troubleshoot problems, and capture screen content.
Split-Screen And Pop-Up View
Use the Split-Screen or Pop-Up view modes in Android to make multi-tasking a bit easier. This allows you to use two apps side by side. We love this for comparing things or doing research. You can activate this by opening the app switcher, tapping on the icon and selecting split screen. Meanwhile, the Pop-up view is great for keeping a small window open while you can interact with other apps at the same time.
Android’s Flexibility – Its Biggest Strength
People are loyal to Android because they can do so much with it, and make their phone truly meet their needs. These hidden features demonstrate that you can optimize your device, make it more secure, and simplify your experience. It doesn’t matter if you want to increase your productivity, improve your ability to multitask, or just make your device work better for you. These hidden settings will allow you to make the most of your phone.
EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be considered an editorial endorsement
