Android is one of the most popular OSs on the planet, and it is found on a great many smartphones of various manufacturers. Often, users know of only its basic applications such as calling, messaging, and Internet usage, but, in fact, Android is equipped to provide much more. These secret functions, if you know how to use them, will make your phone not only smarter but also safer and neater in terms of operation. Here are some Android features you probably didn’t know about.
There are instances where you may need to give your phone to someone but not want them rummaging through your apps and files. Enter Guest Mode. Offering temporary user profiles, it keeps personal messages, pictures, and accounts private, yet still allows simple operation. You will find this under your settings under “Users & accounts.”
Smart Lock for Quicker Access
It is pretty irritating to keep unlocking your phone with a password. Relax with Android’s Smart Lock and it will keep your information safe. For instance, it will allow your phone to stay unlocked when it is connected to your home Wi-Fi, and the device is paired with a smartwatch or on sensing a specific face or voice. This little bit saves the day, everyday.
It sometimes feels awkward to hand your phone to a friend to show them one picture, only for them to start swiping through everything else. That’s what Screen Pinning solves on Android. It locks your phone to only one app until someone uses it in conjunction with permission from you to exit the app. To enable it, go to Settings > Security > Screen Pinning, then select the app you wish to pin.
Buried deep within Android remains a secret menu referred to as Developer Options. On the whole, unlocking it is a piece of cake — just travel to Settings > About Phone, and then touch “Build Number” seven times. Once you do, you’ll start seeing advanced tools such as USB debugging, or changing the speed of animations, or forcing dark mode on applications. Well, more or less these settings are meant for geeks, but explorers with curiosity can explore them for more control.
The smartphones are getting bigger, but our hands don’t grow along with it. It is difficult to reach the top of the screen with one hand. That is why most Android phones have a One-Handed Mode that shrinks the display so it can be easily accessed with the thumb. It can be activated with gestures or within the accessibility menu depending on your device.
Digital Wellbeing Tools
We spend quite a bit of time glued to the screens of our phones, even if it is unwittingly. Android's Digital Wellbeing tools provide a more judicious management of screen time. One can view his usage time for each application, define daily limits, or switch on ‘Focus Mode’ in order to freeze there distracting applications. That is quite a handy functionality to balance life and phone use.
Conclusion
Android is much more than an OS for mobiles. Unimaginable secret features, enhancing privacy, convenience, and productivity for users; from Guest Mode and Smart Lock to Screen Pinning and Digital Wellbeing all work to make things convenient for the user. If you haven’t been using these services, you should take a minute and check your settings; you’ll be amazed at what your Android device can actually do.
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