Android Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most From Your Phone

Unlock your Android’s full potential! Learn essential Android tips and tricks to boost performance, save battery, customize and master your phone like a pro.

Android is powerful and innovative mobile operating system that often introduces new technology before Apple’s iOS. This cutting-edge functionality makes Android complex and expansive operating system. For casual users, interface is simple enough for texting, making calls and using apps. However, beneath the surface, there are advanced settings and tools designed for power users. All you have to do is know where to look for them.

To help you make most of Google’s mobile OS- we’ve compiled list of Android shortcuts and suggestions. These tips are just a starting point; Android has an extensive feature set, and you’re likely to discover even more on your own. Share your favorite tips in comments section, and we might include them in future updates of this guide.

Android Tips and Tricks

Uninstall Unnecessary Apps

Most Android phones come with many preinstalled apps. While some are useful like maps, email and browsers, others might not be needed. For example- if you don’t listen to podcasts, you don’t need podcast app. Phone manufacturers also include their own apps that you might never use.

To uninstall app:

• Long-press app icon.
• Select “App Info” to access its detail page.
• Choose “Uninstall.”

Some apps like Google Chrome, cannot be uninstalled. Instead, you can disable them to hide them from view and free up resources:

• Select “Disable” on app’s detail page.

Use Digital Wellbeing Features

Staying up all night on your phone isn’t healthy. Google’s Digital Wellbeing initiative includes features to help:

Bedtime Mode: Silences your phone at set time and changes screen to grayscale. You can also switch to Dark Theme for more comfortable view. If you need extra time use “Pause” option in dropdown menu.

Focus Mode: Silences notifications from noisy apps during scheduled times. This helps you concentrate without distractions.

Do Not Disturb Mode: Available on some phones like Motorola and Pixel, it activates when you place the phone screen-down.

Work Profile: Hides work-related apps when it’s time to relax.

Set Up Your Phone App on Windows PC

If you use Windows PC & Android phone, you can integrate them using Phone Link app. This allows you to make calls, send texts & access photos from your phone on PC. Here’s how to set it up:

• Open Settings on your PC.
• Go to Phone > Add a Phone.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

For Samsung devices and Surface Duo, you get additional features like running multiple Android apps on your desktop.

Edit Quick Settings

Android’s Quick Settings can be customized for easy access:

• Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to see all Quick Settings.
• Tap the pencil icon to edit.
• Drag the tiles you use most to the top.

You can add useful tools like Focus mode, Dark mode, QR code scanner, camera access and screen record.

Install Android Apps From Web

You can install apps on your Android phone remotely from web:

• Go to the Google Play store in your browser.
• Make sure you’re signed in to the same Google account as your phone.
• Find desired app then select Install.
• Select your device from the list.

Install Apps From Other Sources

Android allows you to install apps from places other than Google Play store:

• Get APK file from reliable source.
• Enable Install Unknown Apps in your phone’s settings.
• Install the APK.

Be cautious with third-party apps as they can be source of malware. Always verify source before installing.

Install a Launcher App

Android allows you to customize your home screen with launcher apps:

• Go to Play Store and search for launcher app (e.g: Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher).
• Install and open launcher.
• Follow setup instructions to customize your home screen.
• Launchers can change the look and feel of your phone & add new features.

Customize Message Notifications

Android lets you prioritize notifications from specific contacts:

• Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications.
• Select messaging app.
• Choose contact and set it to Priority.

You can enable Bubbles to keep important conversations on top of other apps for easy access.

Add Widgets and Customize Home Screen

Adding widgets and customizing your home screen is easy on Android:

• Long-press on home screen.
• Select Widgets.
• Choose a widget and drag it to home screen.
• You can also remove the Google feed page or disable screen rotation for home screen.

Increase Storage

Some Android phones let you expand storage with microSD card:

• Insert the microSD card into phone.
• Go to Settings > Storage.
• Select SD card & follow instructions to set it up.
• You can also use external USB drives with phones that have USB-C port.

Install Antivirus

Protect your Android phone with antivirus apps:

• Download trusted antivirus app from Play Store (e.g- Bitdefender, Kaspersky)
• Install and open app.
• Follow setup instructions.
• These apps provide malware protection, regular scans and additional security features.

Double-Tap Power Button to Open Camera

Quickly access your camera by double-tapping power button. This works on most Android phones and is useful for capturing moments quickly. You can also use volume keys to focus & take photos.

Use Screen Pinning

Prevent others from accessing other apps when you hand them your phone:

• Go to Settings > Security > Screen pinning.
• Enable Screen pinning.
• Open app you want to pin.
• Tap app icon in multitasking view and select Pin.
• To unpin- hold the back and recent apps buttons simultaneously.

Set Up Guest Access

Allow others to use your phone without accessing your data:

• Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Multiple users.
• Enable Multiple users and Add Users from lock screen.
• Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings.
• Tap your user icon and select Add Guest.
• This mode removes personal accounts and allows basic functions like calls and browsing.

Record Screen Activity

With Android 13, Google introduced a built-in screen recording feature. Previously available only on Samsung, LG and OnePlus phones, this feature is now accessible on any phone running Android 13 or 14. To record your screen:

1. Pull down notification shade.
2. Select “Screen Record.”
3. Tap “Start Recording.”

You can choose to show touch points and record audio. To stop recording: pull down shade again and tap red bar. Recording saves as MP4 file in your photo gallery.

Use Developer Options

Developer Options provide advanced settings for users who want to tinker with their device:

1. Go to Settings > About Phone.
2. Tap “Build Number” seven times.
3. Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options.

Here, you can show screen taps, change Bluetooth settings, set USB preferences and more. This is best for users comfortable with advanced settings.

Turn on Find My Device

If you lose your phone, Find My Device can help you locate it, disable it or erase its data:

1. Go to Settings > Security > Find My Device.
2. Toggle it on.

You can track your phone on map, play a sound or display message with your contact information.

Use Battery Saver Mode

Android offers extensive battery-saving options:

1. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver.
2. Toggle it on.

You can also use Adaptive Battery, which learns your usage patterns to extend battery life and set schedule for Battery Saver mode.

Control Your Smart Home

Android 13 made it easier to control smart home devices:

1. Long-press power button.
2. Use the big buttons to control your smart devices.

Set up devices in Google Home app and create rooms for better organization.

Update Frequently

Keep your phone secure and enjoy new features by updating regularly:

1. Go to Settings > System > System Update.
2. Check for updates and install them.

Updating is quick and straightforward, ensuring your phone runs smoothly.

Personalize Language on a Per-App Basis

Multilingual users can set languages for individual apps:

1. Go to Settings > System > Languages & Input.
2. Select “App Languages” and choose app.

Alternatively go to Settings > Apps, select app and then select Language. This feature depends on developer support.

Use Material You for Ultimate Personalization

Material You lets you customize your device’s color scheme:

1. Go to Settings > Wallpaper & Style.
2. Choose new wallpaper.
3. Select color scheme from provided options or choose a basic color.

This feature adapts UI to match your wallpaper and allows further customization of widgets and app icons.

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Get Help During Emergencies

Android provides Emergency SOS features to help in dire situations:

1. Go to Settings > Safety & Emergency > Emergency SOS.
2. Toggle it on.

Add emergency contacts under Safety & Emergency. Pressing power button five times triggers alarm, calls emergency services and updates your emergency contacts with your location, battery status and recent calls.