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5 underrated Android options I take advantage of on a regular basis, and it is best to too


text selection shortcuts android 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Options like split-screen mode, Fast Share, and varied battery optimizations are roughly widespread data amongst Android customers. However Google’s OS has so many options, it’s simple for some to fly underneath the radar — particularly since they are often buried deep throughout the settings.

Lots of the options I take advantage of often aren’t talked about as a lot as they need to be, partly because of the truth not everyone seems to be conscious that they even exist. I wish to change that by sharing 5 underrated Android options I feel deserve extra consideration.

I’ve added directions on use them and the place to seek out them, however remember the fact that some will not be out there on all units, whereas others could also be positioned in a unique folder because of the variations in Android variations and skins.

App pinning

Close-up of the Google Photos app, showing the app logo.

Joe Maring / Android Authority

We’ve all been there: You wish to present somebody an album together with your trip photographs, an fascinating app you simply found, or have them strive the newest sport you downloaded, however you’re nervous that they may begin going via your telephone.

The thought of a good friend or a member of the family going via my messages and search historical past makes me really feel uncomfortable, to say the least, which is why I take advantage of App pinning in instances like these.

App pinning principally “pins” the app to the display screen, that means the individual holding the telephone can’t shut it or open a brand new one. In the event that they tried, they must unlock the telephone with a fingerprint or a PIN, which is one thing solely I can do because it’s my telephone. Drawback solved.

To allow App Pinning, head to Settings > Safety & Privateness > Extra safety & Privateness > App pinning. To pin an app, convey up the multitask display screen, faucet on the icon of the app you wish to pin on the prime of its preview, after which choose the Pin choice.

Share Wi-Fi by way of a QR Code

Google Pixel 7 Wi Fi toggle

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

One of the frequent questions I get requested by folks visiting me at house is, “What’s your Wi-Fi password?” It’s a bit unhappy if you consider it, since I consider I’m extra fascinating than something that occurs on one’s display screen, however that’s simply the fact I’ve to cope with, sadly.

My Wi-Fi password is lengthy, so typing it in could be time-consuming.

The issue right here is that my Wi-Fi password is lengthy and complex, appropriately for safety causes. I don’t comprehend it by coronary heart, and typing it in could be time-consuming anyway, so I simply share it by way of a QR code.

I simply head to Settings > Community & web > Web after which faucet on my Wi-Fi community. After that, I choose the Share choice, which brings up a QR code my visitor can scan to immediately hook up with my Wi-Fi community. So easy, but so environment friendly. It’s how know-how needs to be.

Notification historical past

samsung galaxy s24 tips notification history

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

I get numerous notifications every day. And what occurs is that in the end, I swipe a few of them out of view, not figuring out whether or not I obtained an essential message or if a random app despatched me a notification I couldn’t care much less about. So, resolve this conundrum?

That is the place Notification historical past is available in. The title says all of it — it principally reveals me a historical past of all my notifications. So, if I swipe one or 5 out of view by mistake, I can nonetheless examine them because of this function.

To entry Notification historical past, pull down the notification panel and faucet on the “No notifications” textual content (or generally the small Historical past button). In the event you don’t see your historical past, you’ll first must allow it with the toggle that reveals up on the prime.

Doc scanner

pixel 9 pro camera app manual lens ultrawide 1x

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

The times once I wanted to plug in my all-in-one printer, look ahead to it as well up, after which scan a doc I wanted to ship somebody are lengthy gone. Not solely was that course of time-consuming by itself, however when you’ve ever labored with printers/scanners, you already know there are tons of points on a regular basis that reach the method — at the very least that’s been my expertise.

The software mechanically detects the sides of the doc after which uploads it to my Drive.

Now, each time I have to scan a doc, I place it on a desk, open my digital camera app, and look ahead to the “Scan doc” choice to indicate up. The software then mechanically detects the sides of the doc, takes an image, and converts it to a PDF that’s then uploaded to my Google Drive.

Nonetheless, this can be a function that will not be out there on all telephones. I’ve a Pixel, which is clearly nicely built-in with Google Drive. Samsung telephones even have this function, however they often add the doc to Samsung Notes. You’ll discover the function on many different well-liked manufacturers like OnePlus and Xiaomi, however not on all of them. Give it a attempt to let me know you probably have it within the feedback.

Sensible textual content choice

text selection shortcuts android 2

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Everybody is aware of choose textual content on an Android telephone. You simply press and maintain on it after which drag your finger to the half you wish to choose. It’s simple. However whereas most individuals simply use this to repeat textual content, Android’s good textual content choice can do way more than that.

For instance, once I see a telephone quantity on the web site, I choose the quantity, and the choice to name it reveals up straight away. So there’s no have to open the Cellphone app and sort it in manually. The identical goes for addresses: I simply choose the deal with, and an choice to view it in Google Maps reveals up immediately.

Then there are dates: choosing a date brings up an choice to create an occasion in Google Calendar, which saves me a ton of time. It’s a superb function, one not many individuals learn about.

What number of of those options are you conversant in?

382 votes

There you’ve it — my 5 most-used underrated Android options. Nonetheless, there are many others on provide in Android. I actually wish to hear which of them you employ, so share them with me within the feedback.

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