Android is known as an operating system for smartphones on which you can configure everything yourself. The general general opinion about Android is that it is fully configurable and that you can do literally everything in it. This is the direction that the current Android P continues. Today we will introduce you to some lesser known features of Android, which you may not have known about, and which will help you do (almost) anything with your phone.
Here are 12 hidden Android options you’ll enjoy:
- Increase font size – Sometimes the font on your phone may be too small for you, and you may just like the letters to be large when you look at your display. To adjust the font size to your liking, visit the “Settings” menu, select the “Display” option and specify the font size using the “Font size” setting.
- Prevent new apps from creating shortcuts on the Home screen – If you’re annoyed by shortcuts that appear out of nowhere on your home screen every time you install a new app, here’s how to get rid of them forever. On older versions of Android, the “Add icon to Home Screen” option is located in the Play Store app, so simply turn it off. On Android Oreo 8.0, this option is available in the Home Settings menu and you can access it even more easily.
- Limit internet usage when you’re not on a WiFi network – To prevent unnecessary use of megabytes in your internet package, simply limit your consumption when you’re not on a WiFi network. To prevent applications from wasting your resources unnecessarily simply go to “Settings” find the “Network and internet” option, then click on “Data usage” and select “Data server”. Check WiFi here and the problem is solved. Applications that require more internet traffic will only be active when you are on a WiFi network.
- Make more space in your phone’s memory – Although we are not aware of this, our phones often create temporary files and keep them stored somewhere in our phone’s memory. All these files take up much needed space, so it is necessary to delete them from time to time. To do this effortlessly, use one of the “Smart Manager” applications. On the other hand, if you are using Android Nougat 7.0 or a later version, this option will be available to you in the operating system itself. Look for it in the “Settings” menu under “Storage”. It’s called “Smart Storage” and it will help you to delete all these temporary files from your phone regularly.
- Activate the “Find your phone” option – You probably know that it is possible to locate your phone if you accidentally lose it or it is stolen. It is also likely that you have not activated this option on your phone, so we recommend that you do so immediately. Click on “Settings”, find the “Security and Location” option and turn on “Find my Device”. This way, you’ll be able to track your phone at any time by logging in to your Google Account from any computer.
- Define when your phone will lock – Do you know that it is possible to set the interval after which your phone automatically locks? Use the “Settings> Display> Advance> Sleep” option and define the timing after which your phone will turn off until the next time.
- Set a special ringtone for dear calls – This option was quite popular on earlier models of mobile phones, before the smart era, and then it was lost. Yes, it is possible to use it now. To assign a special ringtone to your dear friends, you need to go to the “Contacts” application, select the desired person and click the three dots in the upper right corner. The “Set ringtone” option will appear and allow you to select the desired melody.
- Quickly switch from app to app – You already know that the Overview button gives an overview of all apps, and did you know that it has another super power? Here’s what it’s all about – when you press this button twice, you’re automatically returning to the app you were in before. This is a super easy way to switch from one application to another, and it is used very little.
- Edit the Quick Setting panel to your liking – the “Quick Settings” menu appears when you drag the top edge of your phone down. This menu offers you the ability to quickly turn WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlane mode on and off, adjust the brightness of your display and more. The great news is that you can adjust this menu as you see fit and insert or remove certain shortcuts from it. This option is available in the “Quick Settings” panel or in the Settings menu, depending on the version of Android you are using.
- Lock the current screen on your phone – You’ve probably already been in a situation where you need to show someone something from your phone, and you’re not quite sure that person won’t peek into another part of your phone. There is a solution to this problem and it is called “Screen pinning”. To check if this option is active, follow the next path “Settings> Security> Screen pinning” and you will see if it is “Enable”. After activating this option each time you click the “Overview” button, an icon will appear in the lower right corner with a pin in the circle. All you have to do is click that pin. This way you will lock your phone with the given image on the display. To unlock your screen, press the Back and Overview buttons together and you will be able to use your phone normally again.
- Use the Power button to end the call – This handy option is activated on “Settings> Accessibility> Power Button Ends Call”. It allows you to end a call without having to turn on your phone screen.
- Play a game with a dinosaur – Have you ever noticed that a game with a dinosaur appears in the Chrome browser every time you do not have internet access on your computer? We will tell you one secret – it will appear on your mobile phone in the same situation. To enjoy and jump with the little cute dinosaur whenever you want, just turn off WiFi and launch the Chrome app.
We hope we’ve been able to reveal at least a few Android options you didn’t know about until now. If you have suggestions on how to supplement our list, feel free to write to us, we will be happy to add your suggestions.