6 hidden Android features every user should know – and how they make life easier

I have been using Android since model 1.5, so it is not usually {that a} function catches me off guard. You possibly can think about that after I do come throughout an unfamiliar Android function, it is an thrilling second.

For extra informal (or newer) customers of Google’s cellular working system, there are most likely a number of hidden gems ready to be found in Android, and a few of these will be helpful.

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I’ve curated 5 considerably hidden Android options that I imagine each consumer ought to not less than learn about. 

Let’s dive into these options.

1. Share Wi-Fi by way of QR code

It’s possible you’ll not give this function a second thought, however permit me to set a scene for you. Say you are having guests for the vacations and wish to grant them entry to your Wi-Fi community. As a substitute of creating the password public (so anybody can use it), you might share the Wi-Fi credentials by way of QR code. Not solely does this strategy simplify the method of including one other gadget to the community, but it surely does so with a nod to safety. 

Open Settings > ‘Community and Web’ > Web, and faucet the community you wish to share. On the high of the ensuing web page, faucet Share and confirm it is you by way of biometrics or password/PIN.

Additionally: My secret trick to easily share Wi-Fi passwords with guests (and why I can’t go back)

A brand new web page will open with a QR code for the chosen Wi-Fi community. Current the QR code to whoever you wish to scan it with their cellphone, a course of that routinely provides the community to their gadget. You may additionally screenshot the QR code, print it out, and make the printout obtainable (so you do not have handy your cellphone round for individuals to scan).

2. Allow ‘Developer choices’

Android’s ‘Developer choices’ menu is not only for builders. Anybody can allow it and acquire entry to a number of options, a few of that are very helpful. 

With Developer choices enabled, you may configure the utmost variety of Bluetooth gadgets allowed to connect with your cellphone, unlock your bootloader, allow computerized system updates, allow USB debugging, edit the graphics driver settings, power peak refresh fee, and way more. Developer choices needs to be enabled if you need energy user-level management over Android. 

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To allow the function, go to Settings > About Telephone, scroll to the underside of the web page, and faucet ‘Construct quantity’ seven instances. As soon as you’ve got achieved that, you will discover ‘Developer choices’ in Settings > System. Faucet that entry to disclose the brand new choices.

3. Textual content translation

For those who’re touring outdoors your nation, you may need assistance translating textual content. Luckily, Android is kind of able to translating textual content by way of the digicam app.

That is a powerful function. For example you might have a menu or another data you need translated. Unlock your Android cellphone and faucet the Lens icon within the Search bar. Level your digicam at what you wish to translate and faucet the Translate button.

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Android will routinely translate the textual content and show it as a picture (virtually precisely the way it’s specified by the unique doc). You possibly can then view the translated textual content, copy it to your pc, take a screenshot, or seek for the translated textual content. You may use this function for nearly any scenario the place you want textual content translated routinely.

As a bonus, there’s additionally the official Google Translate app, which might hearken to voices and translate from one language to a different. For those who journey to nations and do not communicate the native language, this app needs to be thought of a should.

4. Use Lengthen Unlock

When at dwelling, I needn’t lock my cellphone as a result of I am not involved that somebody will seize it and steal my data. 

The place bodily threats to your cellphone are minimal, take into account making entry simpler by enabling Lengthen Unlock (which was referred to as Good Lock) and including your own home as a Trusted Place. 

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To do that, go to Settings > ‘Safety & privateness’ > ‘Extra safety & privateness’ > Lengthen Unlock. You will be prompted to confirm that it is you after which be offered with an outline of Lengthen Unlock. 

On the following web page, you may configure Lengthen Unlock for on-body detection, trusted locations, or trusted gadgets. Faucet ‘Trusted locations’ and, on the ensuing web page, add a brand new trusted place. As soon as you’ve got achieved that step, everytime you arrive at your trusted place, your cellphone will probably be unlocked routinely till you permit that location.

Observe that this strategy can result in safety points, particularly if in case you have visitors in your house. With that in thoughts, use this function judiciously.

5. Set your medical data

Android permits you to retailer necessary medical data, comparable to identify, top, weight, gender, blood sort, date of start, organ donor standing, being pregnant standing, drugs, handle, and medical notes. For those who ever want this function, you will be glad you took benefit of it. 

So as to add your medical data, go to Settings > ‘Security & emergency’ > ‘Medical data’. On the following web page, add no matter data you deem necessary. There are two caveats to this function. First, emergency responders have to know in regards to the function to make use of it. Second, those self same responders would have to have the ability to unlock your cellphone to entry it. 

To get round that challenge, faucet ‘Change setting’ on the backside and, on the ensuing web page, make the knowledge obtainable, even when your cellphone is locked, throughout an emergency name. To entry this function, faucet Emergency on the backside of the dial pad (for the unlock display screen) after which faucet View Emergency Data. 

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Even with these hurdles, it is an necessary function to have obtainable do you have to want it.

6. Gboard clipboard

You may not know this reality, however the Android keyboard (Gboard) has some spectacular clipboard options. As soon as enabled, you may copy textual content and pictures (holding them on the clipboard for as much as an hour earlier than forgetting them), save and edit clips (so you may reuse them later), pin clips (by touching and holding them), and extra. 

Additionally: I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to dramatically improve battery life

It’s a must to allow the Gboard clipboard manually. In any other case, Android will use the normal, built-in clipboard. I a lot desire the Gboard clipboard due to the prolonged options. You allow the clipboard by opening the keyboard (from inside any app), tapping the clipboard icon, after which tapping the On/Off slider till it is within the On place.

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