9 Android Features You Should Be Using

9 Android Features You Should Be Using
Contributor: Gizmodo
This article is sponsored by Samsung.

Android phones are renowned for their customisability and versatility, which means your device boasts a tonne of features, and can do a heap of things, you probably have no idea about.

In order for you to get the most out of your phone, we’ve rounded up nine tricks and features you should know about in order to get the most out of your Android. And if you don’t own an Android and you’re tempted to make the switch over, Samsung has just released the Galaxy S22 range, which offers three models to choose from.

For some of these options, we’ve offered a guide to where to find them on your phone, but models and iOS differ. If our directions aren’t right, try Googling the feature alongside your phone model.

9 Android features you should be using

1. One-handed mode

If you’re working with a Galaxy SS22 Ultra, Google has a custom keyboard you can download and set up as your default — if you hold onto the comma key, it’ll transform into a smaller keyboard that’s much easier to quickly type on.

2. Glide typing

While we’re on the topic of Google’s keyboard, if offers a faster way to type, where instead of pressing each letter you can drag your finger (or S-Pen, if you have a S22 Ultra) to each letter. The impressive tech will speed up typing considerably.

3. Smart Lock

Any tech expert will tell you how important is it to set up a PIN code or biometric scan to lock your phone and protect your data, but let’s not deny that it’s a little time-consuming. But Androids offer a location-based service where your phone automatically removes the lock if it detects you’re, for example, at home. It can also remove a lock if your Bluetooth is connected to a trusted device, like a car. To set it up on a Samsung, head to Settings, then Security, Advance Settings and choose Smart Lock (other Androids might differ slightly).

4. Add lock PINs to apps

But that’s not all when it comes to customising your security. We’ve all felt that slight sense of horror when a friend or co-worker borrows your phone to look at something, knowing that a few swipes away could reveal way more information than you’re willing to offer.

App pinning lets you lock one app to your screen until you re-enter your pin, meaning the person with your phone is stuck in whatever app is open when you give them the phone. You’ll need to set it up in advance, but it’s easy to use: open Settings, Security, Advanced Settings then App pinning. Afterwards, you can access it in any app by swiping the bottom of your screen, selecting the app, and voilá! No more anxiety when you’re handing over your phone.

5. Set your own default apps

We all have our preferred web browsers, but the same goes for messenger apps, maps, emailing and more. Androids let you customise your default app for all kinds of tasks — just head to Settings, Apps, then Default Apps. There, you can make WhatsApp or another messenger service your default rather than SMS messages, as well as a heap of other options.

6. Bring back lost notifications

Sometimes, you might swipe away a notification by mistake. Thankfully, Androids keep an easy-to-access log of all your notifications, meaning you can go back if you have a nagging feeling you accidentally archived an email or missed an important text. Searching ‘notification log’ will pull it up, or you can make a shortcut via the Widgets app pretty easily, too.

7. Disable animations

Androids have in-built animations for their menus and apps, like shrinking them as they close. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, which is why it’s easy to disable: there’s an option to turn them off under the Accessibility list in Settings. You’re welcome!

8. Split your screen and run apps side-by-side

This handy tool lets you split your screen in half, either vertically or horizontally depending on your screen orientation, meaning you can work in two apps at once without flicking back and forth. It’s incredibly useful when you’re working with data from two sources, or just multitasking! It’s particularly great on the S22 Ultra, considering the generous 6.8 inch screen size.

To put it to use, open up the app carousel, and press the circular button on top of the app of your choice — a menu should appear with ‘split top’ as an option. (If it doesn’t pop up, the app’s developers have blocked the option.)

9. Become a developer

This list proves that Android phones are endlessly customisable, but this is really just the tip of the iceberg. All Androids offer a ‘Developer Mode’ that frees up your phone to customisation even further, from homepage skins to rendering and debugging. It’s a whole big world that only takes a few clicks to access — it’s slightly different across models, so we’d recommend Googling “developer mode” + your phone.

And there you have it, nine features you should be using on your Android.

This article has been updated since it was first published.


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