6 hidden Android options each consumer ought to know – and the way they make life simpler

I have been utilizing Android since model 1.5, so it is not typically {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 cell working system, there are most likely a number of hidden gems ready to be found in Android, and a few of these may be helpful.

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I’ve curated 5 considerably hidden Android options that I imagine each consumer ought to no less than find out about. 

Let’s dive into these options.

1. Share Wi-Fi through QR code

You could 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 need to grant them entry to your Wi-Fi community. As a substitute of constructing the password public (so anybody can use it), you might share the Wi-Fi credentials through QR code. Not solely does this strategy simplify the method of including one other machine to the community, but it surely does so with a nod to safety. 

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

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A brand new web page will open with a QR code for the chosen Wi-Fi community. Current the QR code to whoever you need to scan it with their cellphone, a course of that robotically provides the community to their machine. You may additionally screenshot the QR code, print it out, and make the printout out there (so you do not have at hand your cellphone round for folks to scan).

2. Allow ‘Developer choices’

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

With Developer choices enabled, you possibly can configure the utmost variety of Bluetooth units allowed to connect with your cellphone, unlock your bootloader, allow automated system updates, allow USB debugging, edit the graphics driver settings, pressure peak refresh price, and way more. Developer choices must be enabled if you would like energy user-level management over Android. 

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

3. Textual content translation

In case you’re touring exterior your nation, you would possibly need assistance translating textual content. Luckily, Android is kind of able to translating textual content through the digicam app.

That is a formidable function. To illustrate you’ve got a menu or another info you need translated. Unlock your Android cellphone and faucet the Lens icon within the Search bar. Level your digicam at what you need to translate and faucet the Translate button.

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Android will robotically 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 almost any scenario the place you want textual content translated robotically.

As a bonus, there’s additionally the official Google Translate app, which may take heed to voices and translate from one language to a different. In case you journey to international locations and do not communicate the native language, this app must be thought-about a should.

4. Use Lengthen Unlock

When at dwelling, I need not lock my cellphone as a result of I am not involved that somebody will seize it and steal my info. 

The place bodily threats to your cellphone are minimal, contemplate making entry simpler by enabling Lengthen Unlock (which was once referred to as Sensible Lock) and including your private home as a Trusted Place. 

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

On the following web page, you possibly can configure Lengthen Unlock for on-body detection, trusted locations, or trusted units. Faucet ‘Trusted locations’ and, on the ensuing web page, add a brand new trusted place. As soon as you’ve got finished that step, everytime you arrive at your trusted place, your cellphone will likely be unlocked robotically till you allow that location.

Word that this strategy can result in safety points, particularly when you have company in your house. With that in thoughts, use this function judiciously.

5. Set your medical info

Android means that you can retailer necessary medical info, resembling identify, top, weight, gender, blood sort, date of beginning, organ donor standing, being pregnant standing, medicines, tackle, and medical notes. In case you ever want this function, you will be glad you took benefit of it. 

So as to add your medical info, go to Settings > ‘Security & emergency’ > ‘Medical info’. On the following web page, add no matter info you deem necessary. There are two caveats to this function. First, emergency responders must know concerning 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 subject, faucet ‘Change setting’ on the backside and, on the ensuing web page, make the data out there, 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 out there 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 possibly can 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 possibly can reuse them later), pin clips (by touching and holding them), and extra. 

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It’s important to allow the Gboard clipboard manually. In any other case, Android will use the normal, built-in clipboard. I a lot want 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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