The operating system’s adaptability is a significant selling point for Android phones. You might be surprised at how much your user experience can be improved by changing a few settings.
Let’s take a look at 11 lesser-known Android tips and features that you should try.
1. Improve the reliability of fingerprint unlock
You can cause the finger impression to open more solid on your telephone by enlisting a similar finger two times. So, when the phone scans your finger, it is more likely to recognize it and match it with at least one of the saved fingerprints, reducing the number of times it fails.
This is especially helpful for people who have calluses on their fingers and who use phones with fingerprint scanners that aren’t very reliable.
2. Enhance Call Quality
A quick way to improve network consistency on your device is to turn on airplane mode, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on before making a phone call. This ensures that you won’t lose signal during a call by allowing your phone to reconnect to the closest cell tower for the strongest and most stable connection.
3. Google Messages: How to Schedule Messages
Many people are unaware that you can schedule your messages to be sent at a specific time and date in Google Messages, just like you can schedule emails in Gmail. This is easier than making a draft and waiting for the right time to send your message.
To do this, go to your ideal discussion in Google Messages, compose your message, and afterward lengthy press the Send button. A pop-up window will appear where you can set a schedule. Tap the Send button when you’re done.
4. Say “Cheddar” to Snap a Picture
You might decide to set a timer if you want to take a group selfie but need to keep your phone out of reach. However, that is not ideal because, for instance, striking a pose or adjusting one’s hair can sometimes take longer than anticipated.
Samsung phones make it easier to do this by letting you take pictures by saying things like “Cheese” or “Smile.” Your phone will take a picture when it hears your voice. To actuate this, open the Camera application, go to Settings > Shooting techniques, and switch on Voice orders.
5. Use the button for the floating shutter
Another magnificent camera highlight on Samsung gadgets is the Drifting Shade button which adds a screen button that you can uninhibitedly move anyplace on your screen. Because you don’t have to wiggle your hand, you can place the shutter button wherever your thumb naturally rests on the screen, which makes taking pictures a little bit more comfortable.
To empower this, open the camera application, go to Settings > Shooting strategies, and switch on the Drifting Screen button. After that, return to the camera by dragging the shutter button to reveal a second one, which you can place wherever you like on the screen.
You can also use the volume keys as a shutter button on some Android phones, like Samsung and Pixel phones, which can be easier in many cases.
6. Utilize App Shortcuts
You are familiar with widgets and apps, but app shortcuts are frequently ignored. App shortcuts accomplish precisely what their name implies: allow a shortcut to particular app features so that you don’t have to look around for them.
Check out Google’s Home screen shortcuts to learn how app shortcuts work if you haven’t used the feature yet. With just one tap, you can, for instance, set a shortcut to call someone, make a text note, view screenshots, scan QR codes, and more.
To find app shortcuts, open a small menu of shortcuts by long-pressing on the app’s icon. Select a shortcut by long-pressing it, dragging it to an empty spot on your Home screen, and dropping it there.
7. Seal the ports with anti-dust plugs
In the past, many dumbphones came with a built-in anti-dust plug that helped seal the device’s charging port to prevent water, dust, and lint from entering.
Because modern smart devices lack that feature, the charging port, headphone jack, and speakers are always visible. Even though your phone has an IP68 rating, dust and lint can still accumulate in the ports over time, affecting audio and charging.
Thus, to stay away from that and keep up with your Android telephone for longer, it very well may be smart to purchase against dust plugs. You can easily find them on Amazon for a reasonable price, such as PortPlugs; additionally, some phone cases come equipped with plugs so you can check those out as well.
8. Block the Gallery from Private Albums
The Samsung Gallery app’s ability to hide certain albums from the main page that may contain sensitive photos or videos is one of its best features. When you want to view them later, you can always unhide them.
Open the Gallery app on your Galaxy device, tap the three dots, and then select Hide albums to hide your albums. Select the albums from the list that you want to hide next. Return to the main page, long-press an album, tap More, and select Move to Secure Folder to move your albums to the Secure Folder.
9. Add Words to Your Dictionary on Gboard
If you’re bilingual or multilingual, you know how frustrating it can be when your keyboard autocorrects something you’ve written incorrectly because it doesn’t recognize words from your native language.
Fortunately, by adding custom words to your dictionary, you can improve your typing on Gboard. Like that, the watchword will perceive the word and not autocorrect it to something different you didn’t intend to type.
Open the Gboard app, select the language you want to use, and then select Dictionary > Personal dictionary. Tap the + icon after that, and then type the word you want to add.
10. Mechanize Your Telephone With Schedules
Modes and Routines, formerly Bixby Routines, maybe Samsung One UI’s most underappreciated feature. it’s a mechanization instrument that allows you to perform different activities on your gadget on the double without requiring your feedback. You can utilize Modes and Schedules to set schedules for the first part of the day, your everyday drive, exercises, sleep time, and significantly more.
You can also use Google Assistant’s built-in Routines feature if you don’t have a Samsung phone. However, in all honesty, Google Assistant Routines is inferior to Modes and Routines.
11. Make use of the buried SOS flashlight
Although most people wouldn’t require it, if you ever find yourself stranded in a remote area with no signal and in need of assistance, you can use the hidden SOS flashlight on Samsung phones to attract the attention of potential rescuers. One of those features that is comforting to have but that you hope you never need.
Small Android Tips With Big Impact
The majority of people just use their phones with the settings that came with them. However, as any techie would tell you, modifying your phone’s settings can significantly enhance your experience.
This is true for all Android devices, but Samsung users are especially affected by this because One UI has more features than most Android skins. It gives you more options for customizing your device to fit your lifestyle and usage habits.
