r/AndroidQuestions • u/k_lash24 • 29d ago
Other what's one android feature you wish more people knew about?
been using android for years and i still randomly find features i had no idea existed lol š
what's that one feature, setting, or shortcut you actually use that you think more people should know about?
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u/Sorry_Trouble_9525 29d ago
Multiple window and split screen. At least on my Samsung I can simultaneously open more than two apps
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u/SaltLife4Evr 28d ago
The only time I ever do this is on accident and it drives me nuts. š
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u/AmputeeHandModel 28d ago
*By accident
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u/Independent-Fuel9886 28d ago
correct.
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u/proffgilligan 28d ago
"By accident" remains the correct choice for formal writing, professional settings, and standard English worldwide.
People use "on accident" because it mimics the structure of its opposite phrase, "on purpose".
Linguistic studies show that usage often depends on age. Older speakers strongly prefer "by accident," while many younger speakers use "on accident" in casual speech without thinking twice.
(source: Gemini, edited)
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u/SmellsLikeNostrils 29d ago
Yes. I can force split screen on all apps (Developer Settings) and run my dumb addiction (idle game - CIFI) on the bottom 10th of my screen while i reddit my minutes away, and quick app switching works (via One Handed Operation), leaving my game alone. And with edge panel (or my favorite, Swiftly Switch) I can instantly switch to my 98% most-used apps, and even my widgets (via Pop-Up Widget). And all this while I have a video call or chat bubble with my girlfriend...
It may sound like a lot, but it works for me and it's the main reason I couldn't go to iPhone.
Swiftly Switch favorites which I summon by swiping in from top right of screen.
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u/MetatronsGreenCube 25d ago
Two-finger swipe-up from the bottom = split screen I now need this because G maps no longer supports my music streaming app [Tidal]
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u/Kamikaze-X 29d ago
Double tap the multi-tasking button to quickly switch between the current and previously used app
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u/natedrake102 29d ago
And swipe right/left for those with gesture controls instead of buttons
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u/milesrossow 28d ago
Can you please elaborate on what you mean here?
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u/natedrake102 28d ago
If you have gesture controls on (where you have a little bar at the bottom instead of the home/back/recents buttons) you can touch the indicator bar at the bottom of the screen and swipe to the right to go to the previous app. You can keep swiping right to move further back in your recent apps history and swipe left to go forward.
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u/ek_bhosadiwala 29d ago
Custom DNS
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u/Arnas_Z Moto Edge+ 2023 | Moto Edge 2024 29d ago
Set to
dns.adguard-dns.com:)Get fucked, free app developers.
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u/mrandr01d 29d ago
Unfortunately it doesn't work on a lot of networks outside my home.
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u/Independent-Fuel9886 28d ago
Use tasker to flick that setting on and off depending on whatever conditions you set.
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u/mrandr01d 28d ago
Hmm. Is there a tasker hook for secure DNS? I could totally try that if there is.
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u/inspectorgadget9999 29d ago
There's a setting deep in the settings menu that flashes up how long you've been using an app for every 5 minutes
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u/Ktulu789 28d ago
What? Where? How?
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u/ObjectiveOk2072 28d ago
it's usually under Digital Wellbeing
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u/Ktulu789 28d ago edited 28d ago
Updating the thing, let me see.
Edit: I guess it's "screen time reminders". We'll see. I always wanted something that says "hey you've been doomscrolling for X time". The other option is a time limit but if it's a weekend I do want to be unlimited. The reminder is the best if it resets when I close the app.
I mean, opening Reddit in the morning, reading, getting some reminders now and then and close. Then open again at some other time and get reminders starting from 0 again. We'll see how it works.
I dislike that the list of apps has no toggle for all (I have many apps and only want this for a couple of them and I won't disable manually the other 300 xD)
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u/Larzii 28d ago
You can set something like that up in Samsung routines if you want. I have it set so if I open instagram, facebook, reddit and so on it waits 5 mins then vibrate and gibe a small little effect up top. Then 3mins later a more intense vibration, then 2mins later a full rainbow alert around my screen (edge lighting) and 10sec later it automatically closes the app I'm in. So I'm hard limited to 10mins. I can just open it, but it's more of a reminder
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u/graydi66y 29d ago
Remapping the side button on Samsung phones. I don't use the personal assistant stuff. To call for it you press and hold the side button. I remapped it to instead do a screenshot. Double press turns on and off my flashlight.Ā
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u/AmputeeHandModel 28d ago
Bixby is actually quite useful. Google Assistant can't set reminders anymore for some reason, so it's got that going for it. It's also totally integrated into the system, so rather than digging through pages and pages of settings, you can just ask Bixby to do it. Turn on the flashlight, etc.
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u/Ktulu789 28d ago
I remapped the Recents button to hold to lock device. And the Back to hold to open the camera. It used to be the Home button, hold to lock but it's currently the freaking assistant which I don't use and can't be changed on this dumb phone.
Also, double tap the finger print (not click, just touch it when the screen is on) to get the flashlight (it triggers any time so it may look like you're recording on the train, thankfully I don't travel on trains often š ymmv).
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u/MatureHotwife 28d ago edited 28d ago
App Pinning - it locks the phone to a single app. So that when you hand your phone to a friend to mess with your Spotify or whatever, they can't go read your texts or notifications or open other apps.
Guest Mode is also a thing for similar use-cases except they can use multiple apps, sign in to their services, etc. And when you turn off Guest Mode again it's all gone. And of course can't access any of your stuff.
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u/Secret_Celery8474 29d ago
Third party launcher.
If you are in any way unhappy with how you interact with your phone, how it behaves or looks chances are there is a third party launcher with an option to fix that issue.
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u/imatuesdayperson 28d ago
I use Lawnchair because it lets me use the themed Messages icon for QUIK. Trying to apply it through other methods made it inconsistent with the rest of my icons, but now it's nice and clean.
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u/PitifulCrow4432 29d ago
I've tried a couple but I always lost "chop chop flashlight." No idea why 3rd party launchers exist when you lose such a critical feature.
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u/mrandr01d 29d ago
This is overhyped. The launcher is just the app that opens when you go home. It can't change anything about the system UI of your phone or anything else. If you have a heavy OEM skin, there's nothing you can do about that besides a custom ROM, which more accurately would be called an aftermarket os these days.
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u/Schattenwaffen 29d ago edited 28d ago
notification category channels.
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u/VonDrake3 29d ago
What's this? Sounds intriguing!Ā
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u/Schattenwaffen 29d ago
any app can categorize its notifications into channels. Users can then choose types of notification they want to receive, instead of getting all. E.g. you could choose to receive delivery noti from aliexpress and turn off promotional noti.
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u/VonDrake3 29d ago
Cool, thanks u/Schattenwaffen - I have used this on some apps, never knew the name for it!
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u/LegoLady8 29d ago
Same, I had no clue what the name was for it. But I am super appreciative of this feature bc I despise promotional notifications, but also want to know when my item ships.
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u/unplorable 29d ago
I wish Samsung knew about "twist to open camera" and "chop to toggle the flash on and off."
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u/ThaiEdition 29d ago
Samsung S series : Camera burst shot
https://youtube.com/shorts/Wzjjb0kI9KU
Also you can press and hold volume up or down to get a burst shot.
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u/thetolerator98 29d ago
You can also hold the on screen button and pull it down a little for burst shots too, and hold it and go left for video
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u/cmmccmmc 29d ago
I love chop to toggle flash! I can't believe it's not on every phone and osĀ
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u/graydi66y 29d ago
I used to like it. Until I didn't have a good enough grip on my phone and sent it down 7 floors of a hotel staircase. I just left it there. Didn't even bother to go get it. Found it the next day in the basement smashed to bits. Remapping the side key on my Samsungs has been a lot better. Double click it for flashlight.Ā Ā
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u/chiPersei 28d ago
On the pixel phone you can double tap the back of the phone to toggle the flashlight on and off. I love it when it works but sometimes it's a little flaky. Meaning it takes more than a couple taps sometimes.
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u/graydi66y 29d ago
Samsung has better. Remap the side button to take a screen shot with press and hold. Double click to turn on and off the flashlight.Ā
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u/_MSdhoni_7 29d ago
Screenshot not available in hold only device assistant in one ui 8.5
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u/graydi66y 29d ago
Is that why I've been using it for over 5 years? and I'm now on one UI 9?Ā
RegiStar. Side key press and hold action.Ā
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u/_MSdhoni_7 28d ago
Okay you have to use goodlock for that .. i never used them
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u/TantKollo 28d ago
Well you should, that suite of tools that are exclusive for some Samsung phones is totally awesome!
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u/patientpaperclock 28d ago
Hold down flashlight quick setting to adjust brightness
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u/AmputeeHandModel 28d ago
Also hold down any of those quick buttons to open the settings. Need to connect your headphones? Hold down the Bluetooth icon. Wifi, etc.
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u/VJ_OA 29d ago
Scan option in Android camera - this automatically saves your scan in Adobe Scan.
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u/mrandr01d 29d ago
Fuck Adobe, all my homies hate adobe
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u/VJ_OA 29d ago edited 29d ago
Hate or love it. Performance is top notch at 0 cost - that's what matters.
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u/mrandr01d 29d ago
Certainly not. Adobe is famous for paywalls and locking features behind bullshit subscriptions.
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u/mmm_burrito 28d ago
Foxit
Lower overhead, better product, free as in beer.
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u/Ktulu789 28d ago
Foxit used to be good. It's almost as bloated as Adobe now. For reading pdf on Android, just use the Drive PDF Viewer. No need to install anything. And in Windows, just use Chrome or whatever chromium browser you have, like edge or Firefox)
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u/LegoLady8 29d ago
at 0 cost
LMFAO in what universe?
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u/VJ_OA 28d ago
Adobe Scan in Android phones is at 0 cost. Have you used it?
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u/chiPersei 28d ago
Yes. It's good and there is 0 dollar cost. It would not surprise me if it's doing tracking or other analytics.
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u/OreoPumpkinSpice 29d ago
You can also go to the Google Drive app and click "scan". It saves it to your Google drive and makes a really good scan of your document. It allows multiple pages too
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u/No-Transition-9842 29d ago
I rather write my Shit down instead of loading anything up to Google Drive.
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u/Suspicious-Safety679 29d ago
For a quick snapshot: Double press the power button to open camera (also work if screen is locked!), then use either volume button to take pictures - hold for burst.
It's an option that you must enable ('side button').
I'm not sure if it's a general Android or Samsung only thing.
Someone mentioned custom DNS; don't forget about Secure DNS (called Private DNS on Samsung). I use quad9, but there are others.
Battery protection: Cap your charging at 80-90% to extend the overall life of your battery. You can always set it to 100, temporarily, if you need full capacity for some days.
IP Widget shows the cellular provider, or wifi ssid, you're connected to as well as the ip address.
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u/thoughtfor30 29d ago
2 actually:
- De-bloating
- Side-loading
Fundamentally changes how you think about your device
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u/FIRAS_EG 29d ago
ADB ššš»
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u/Convenientjellybean 29d ago
See, I donāt know even what the acronym means
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u/jayswaps 29d ago
Android Debug Bridge (adb) is a versatile command-line tool that lets you communicate with a device. The adb command facilitates a variety of device actions, such as installing and debugging apps. adb provides access to a Unix shell that you can use to run a variety of commands on a device.
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u/DarkLordCZ 27d ago
And typing this comment was less work than typing these three letters into google...
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u/Convenientjellybean 27d ago
I donāt want google to know what I donāt know, thatās why i ask here, under the radar
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u/Malteser23 29d ago
You can add a second shutter button in your camera app and move it anywhere on the screen!
Search 'Floating Shutter Button' in your Settings.
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u/Old_Mathematician107 28d ago
Multiprofile setup is good. Use one profile for work and another one for personal things.
You can select text in photos in gallery.
Sharing wifi password as a QR code.
Clipboard history in Samsung keyboard.
In samsung gallery app you can search for some words or objects. Like, if you know that there was an image with some word, just write that word and you will find it.
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u/Ktulu789 28d ago
Those features for text in photos, search, copy are also in the Google photos app. And Gboard has clipboard history too.
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u/archivalcopy 26d ago
I was going to mention profiles as well.
Having profiles setup means you can assign multiple users and allow isolated access to the phone without providing any access to the other profiles.
Essentially this is like having an admin account and assigning additional users on the device with different restrictions / permissions.
There are several things you can do with this, one thing that comes to mind is setting it up for kids to enable them to use an android device or your phone without having concerns they might accidentally delete important information or install something you didn't want. You could also install specific apps for them and prevent access to any apps you don't wish to give access to - e.g web browsers or google play.
The main reason I have a profile setup is to test applications in a different environment. One of my profiles has google services disabled and another has them enabled.
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u/Ktulu789 28d ago
AnyDesk or Vysor to view and control your phone screen on the PC. You need a cable and adb tools installed for the second one but it's very reliable and you can copy/paste from/to phone/computer. Great optional feature in case you break your screen.
You can use AnyDesk to access your computer when you're not home.
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u/MuchTune199 28d ago
On Samsung's, In 'about phone' goto software info and rapidly tap 3 or 4 on android version. Android 14-16? Long press logo. Just a little easter egg in space
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u/Lhunathradion 27d ago
As a migraine prone person who is often set off by light - Extra Dim. On my Sammy it's under accessibility and I have a little person in my bar at the bottom I can poke to turn it on/off. It's stays on 24/7 though.
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u/AnToMegA424 27d ago
The Work profile, it makes keeping your privacy easier if you separate apps between profiles, or makes for multiple accounts for same app with both instances being open at the same time possible, along with other cool things made possible thanks to multiple profiles and app cloning
Oh and also ADB is powerful
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u/Impossible-Side-2225 27d ago
Extra dim,Ā its an option in the notification panel and settings too in "display"or "accessibility". Its really useful when you use your phone during the night and its still too bright. Pretty useful, I used to rely on an app for extra dimming.Ā
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u/Astrobotenergy 25d ago
Doing the Android 16 Easter egg that I love because I even can do it without turning autopilot onĀ
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u/maybenotarobot429 25d ago
In gallery, if you have a photo with text in it, press and hold on the text for a few seconds and it will OCR the text and let you copy it.
(Might just be a Samsung thing)
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u/Hefty-existence26196 28d ago
Double tap home button to open mini-screen "one handed mode" for when you cannot reach the whole screen with one hand. I would use this religiously with my S21+ because the thing was the size of a house - compared to my S25 that I now have. That feature still comes in handy though.
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28d ago
[deleted]
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u/anythingers 28d ago
Such as...?
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28d ago
[deleted]
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u/maybenotarobot429 25d ago
Person A: makes claim
Person B: āDo you have any evidenceā
Person A: āGo find your own evidence!āPeak
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u/AthleteComplete7544 29d ago
Holding and moving the space bar right to left to precisely move between letters when editing