Every new Android operating system version comes with several new features. Ambient Mode turns your smartphone screen into a smart display when it’s being charged. It’s incredibly useful and fun. Here’s how to use it.
Google calls its Ambient Mode: “Android’s proactive Google Assistant.” Announced in November 2019, this feature on Android turns your phone into a digital photo frame, controller for your music or other smart home devices, and much more. At the time of its launch, Arvind Chandrababu, Product Manager for Google Assistant, said that the goal of this new feature was to “help you get things done faster, anticipate your needs, and accomplish your tasks as quickly and as easily as possible”.
The feature is rolling out to OnePlus smartphones. It is also available on Sony Xperia, Tecno, Infinix, and Xiaomi phones, and select Lenovo tablets, running Android 8.1 or above. This means not all Android phones have Ambient mode and Google and its partner OEMs are to blame.
How to activate Ambient Mode
To turn on Ambient Mode, you need to head over to the Google Assistant app. From there, follow the steps below:
- Press the Compass icon to access Settings.
- Tap on your avatar, then Settings, then Assistant.
- Scroll to the bottom and select Phone/Tablet.
- Scroll down to Personalization.
- Toggle Ambient Mode on.
Once you have activated it, Ambient Mode will automatically turn on when you connect your smartphone to a charger.
Does your smartphone have Ambient Mode? Share your experiences in the comments below.
