10 hidden features of your Android smartphone

There's no doubt that Android is the most widely used mobile operating system around the globe. It is also the most customizable mobile OS out there and the flexibility it offers is unparalleled by any other OS out there, including iOS.

If you think you have explored your Android phone to the fullest, then take a look at these 10 tips and tricks that will make you see your phone in a different light.

 

Check all the applications that you have installed till date on your Android device

As Android works on your Gmail account, you will be happy to know that you can actually check all the applications you have downloaded on your device till date. To see the entire list of the applications installed till date from your Google id:

Tap on the three lines on the Google search bar in Play store.
There you will find the ‘My apps’ section under the ‘Apps and games’. Tap on it to see the list.

Of course, you can also install ‘My purchases’ from the Play store that shows you everything you've paid for at Google Play store with the respective prices. But the above method is way cooler, don’t you think?

 

Automatic phone unlock at your trusted places

Setting up a lock pattern or a passcode is a much required feature as no one likes their personal information getting compromised. However, entering the four-digit password or unlock pattern every time to check notifications even at places where your personal information is safe can be really irritating. For such instances, you can use the ‘Smart lock’ feature (with Android 5.0 and above) on your Android smartphone. The stock feature bypasses the PIN or passcode in your trusted environments, like home or work. To activate follow these steps:

*Go to security option in setting menu.
*There you will find the ‘smart lock’ feature. Tap on it to set up the ‘Trusted places’ where you don’t want to type a passcode every time to unlock your Android smartphone.
The feature utilizes your GPS sensor to set up a trusted location.

Besides, you can also set up a trusted voice and a trusted device to unlock your Android smartphone in case you are wearing a wearable gadget. For users running Android 4.4.4 Kitkat on their Android smartphones, can install ‘Smart lock screen’ from Play store to get the functionality.

 

Get those deleted notifications back

Many a times we mistakenly delete all those notifications from the notification panel and then realise that some of them needed our attention. If you are a victim of this, then this simple trick will come real handy. To activate follow these steps: Long-tap an empty space on your Android homescreen and tap widgets. Find the Settings shortcut widget by swiping left and place it on the homescreen.

The settings shortcut will then open a menu from which you can select the Notification log.
Just tap on it and a Notification log shortcut will display on your homescreen. Thereafter, you can tap on it to check your notification history.

 

Find your smartphone even if it’s on ‘Silent’ mode

There are instances when you put your smartphone on silent mode and accidentally keep it in your bag or a drawer. Now you have no idea where it is, and calling on your number from a friend’s phone will not work. In such cases, you can utilise the functionality of ‘Android device manager’. Besides, this can be used to locate, erase data and lock your Android device in case it is stolen. To activate follow these steps:
Open a browser and type ‘Find my phone’ through Android device manager. You will be asked to sign from your Google id (make sure it’s the same by which you have signed in on your Android smartphone).

You will find three options, ring, lock and erase. Choose according to your requirement.

 

Zoom in on any screen

Though Android smartphone allows you to have big text on your display through ‘large text’ option in settings; it is only limited to smartphone’s UI and stock applications. But that does not mean you cannot magnify the content other than text in and out of the stock apps.

With ‘magnification gestures’ in settings, you can temporarily magnify everything on your screen without installing any third party application or taking a screenshot and then zooming it, which is a sheer waste of time. To activate follow these steps: Go to accessibility menu in settings and turn on Magnification gestures. Triple tap on any screen to magnify the content.

You can also drag two or more fingers to pan across the display to see the content.

 

Restrict calls and texts

If your smartphone is running Android 5.0 Lollipop or above, you can set permission to the contacts of your choice to call or send text messages to you. To activate follow these steps:

*Go to ‘sound and notification’ in settings menu and scroll to ‘interruptions’.
*There you will find ‘calls/texts from’.
*Tap on to prioritize the list of contacts from which you want to get calls and text messages.

 

Protect your privacy with notifications restrictions

You would not like anyone to go through your text messages, WhatsApp or Facebook notifications when you are not around your smartphone. To protect the sensitive content, you can hide the content of such notifications through the settings menu.

To activate follow these steps:
*Go to sound and notifications in settings menu
*Scroll to notifications and tap on ‘When device is unlocked’
*You can then choose to display or hide all or sensitive content in the notifications.

 

Add frequently used applications in notification panel with these applications

If you have utilized all your homescreens and are still left with some frequently used app shortcuts, then you have the option to place them in the notification panel. For this, you can install Bar launcher, Notification toggle, Power toggle, 1 tap quick bar, etc.

These applications are available free of cost and let you customize your notification panel to include a number of app and settings shortcuts to enhance smartphone experience.

 

Check everything about your phone's hardware

To make sure your smartphone’s hardware is working properly, you can install 'Phone tester' from Play store that gives you complete information about your smartphone’s hardware.

The free app offers detailed information of your smartphone’s sensor activities in real-time, shows battery’s temperature, camera’s detailed information and let you analyze whether the display is functioning correctly or not.

 

Let your Android smartphone read notifications for you

It is absolutely not advisable to read and reply to text messages, emails, etc. while you are driving. However, there are times when you just can’t miss an important email or a text from a family person even if you are behind the wheel or in position when you can’t operate your smartphone manually.

In such scenarios you can download some third party applications on your Android device that can do the job for you. Shouter, Read it to me, Speak me, etc. are some applications that can read your notifications from a number of stock and third party applications. You can prioritize the applications for which you want the app to read notifications while you drive.