Android phones have a wide array of types, specs, models, and versions which makes it a little difficult to find features that can be homogeneous across all devices. However, when you are an enthusiast and love to dig around into settings column there are a lot of useful tools and hidden features you can discover on your own to make your mobile experience more fun.
Here are my top five (5) picks from what I consider hidden features you could do with your Android phone that you didn’t know about.
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Find your Android phone
In most times when we misplace our phones, we usually ask someone around us to ring our phones so we can locate them. Lately when you are stuck and you don’t have anyone to help you out, you need not to worry since you can go ahead and search “ Find my phone” on your PC and Google will help you find it for you. If you own more than one Android device, you’ll be prompted to select the one you need to find.
The upside with this way of finding a misplaced, is you can see the exact coordinates on Google maps of where the phone is and can also ring for a full 5 minutes or erase everything on it when you are convinced you’ve lost it. The ring also works even if the phone is on silent. Keep in mind, you are phone has to be connected to the internet to use these services.
Dual tab viewing on Chrome
I’ll assume right now at least everyone knows you can split-screen on your Android and use two apps side by side. However, in case you knew or didn’t, I am here to add another trick upon your sleeve and show you how to view two separate Chrome tabs side by side as well. For you to use this, you must be using a phone with Android version starting from Android 7.0 (Nougat) and open two tabs on Google Chrome.
Long press the overview to initiate the split-screen mode and tap on the 3-dotted menu button and choose the option “move to other window.” Your two tabs will open side by side and to get out of split-screen mode, all you have to do is drag the divider bar to the bottom of the screen and the top app will take over the display.
Use a mouse to operate your Android phone
For someone using an iPhone whenever they see you using a mouse to operate your phone, they might catch a vibe and think you’re from Tomorrow-land or something without actually knowing you’re improvising. So If you’re touch screen sensor or display is broken this can be one way you use your phone though it might be inconveniencing with the mouse clicks and constant movement of your hand. However, in case you need to give it a go ahead, all you need is a USB On-The-Go (OTG) cable and you are good to go.
Unlock your phone automatically
Smart Lock has been around on Android phones from Version 5.0(Lollipop) and has been evolving ever since. This feature allows you to automatically unlock your phone at a specific location such as your office, at home or trusted locations based on your choice through Bluetooth or NFC connections.
You can further tweak it to unlock when it recognizes your voice or face and when connected to your favourite devices like a smartphone or Bluetooth enabled speakers. Smart Lock can be found in Settings > Security & Lock Screen.
Turn on the Guest mode
Whenever you give your phone to anyone to look at a picture or get a contact, there are high chances they might take some time and swipe through other apps before giving you back the phone. With Guest mode, when someone else is using your phone, they can only be able to use apps you have selected to be in the Guest mode and save you from the fear of the unknown.
Just pull down your quick settings from the top and tap on your user icon. Select Add guest and you’ll switch to guest mode. Again Guest Mode has been around on Android for some time now in case it’s your first time to learn about it.
