The Android phone software has several amazing features that are freely available. Apps perform many functions, but your device’s settings also include a number of useful features. Many of these features are rarely used, and most people are unaware that they exist.
Let’s explore seven of these awesome features and how you can use them to get the most from your Android device. Some features may not be available on devices with Android version 8 or lower. The settings described here may differ from one device to another. However, you can always check with the manufacturer to determine the right settings and features.
One-Handed Mode
One-Handed Mode is a useful feature that enables you to use your phone with one hand. It does so by shrinking the active screen down to a smaller size, so that it is easy to reach all corners of the screen with just one hand. To use this feature, just swipe up from the bottom of the phone screen and select the one-handed mode option from the resulting options. You may choose whether you want the screen to be shrunk down to the left or right side of the screen, depending on which hand you are using.
Screen Pinning
This feature is ideal for people who love reading online books or gaming on the go, as they can do it with a single hand while the other holds luggage or provides support on public transport. With many gaming sites and casino websites in India offering mobile gaming, you will have lots of fun as you wait to get to your destination. Websites such as IndiaCasinoClub.org have authentic reviews of mobile casinos whose games you can play on the go.
Screen Pinning allows you to secure your phone by tying it to a specific app of your choice. This feature comes in handy when you need to lend your phone to someone but don’t want them to have access to your personal data or other apps. You can lock it to the specific one that they are using when you lend them the device.
To use this feature, go to Settings > Security > Screen Pinning and toggle the bar to blue. Then, open the app you want to pin, tap the Recent Apps button, and swipe up on the app’s card. This will pin the selected app to the screen, and no other app can be accessed until you unpin it.
Multi-Window Mode
Multi-Window Mode is a great feature for Android users who would like to multitask on their phones. It allows you to use two apps simultaneously on the same screen and get full visibility of the activities done by each. To use the feature, tap and hold the Recent Apps button, then select the second application that you want to use. The phone screen will then split in two, with each app taking up half the screen. The feature allows you to determine the size of each of the apps by dragging the divider icon between them.
Smart Lock
All Android devices have a lock feature that automatically locks the screen after a given period that the user sets on the device. However, the feature can be annoying if you have tokeep unlocking the device every few minutes. Fortunately, you can use the Smart Lock feature to keep the device unlocked when connected to a trusted device via features such as NFC, WiFi and Bluetooth. You don’t have to enter your password or use biometric authentication every time you want to use your phone.
To use the Smart Lock feature, go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock and add your trusted locations and devices. Once set up, your phone will automatically unlock when you’re in a trusted location or connected to a trusted device.
Split-Screen Keyboard
Split-Screen Keyboard is a handy feature for those with larger devices, such as tablets and other devices with large screens. It enables you to divide the digital keyboard in half, allowing you to type with both hands as you would on a computer. To activate the feature, tap and hold the comma key on your keyboard. This will split the keyboard in half, with each half on either side of the screen. You can adjust the size of the keyboard halves by dragging the divider between them.
You may need a little training to be able to use each half of the keyboard. However, once done, you will find it easy to type on your phone.
Guest Mode
Guest Mode is the perfect feature to use when you want to let someone else have your phone but don’t want them to have access to your personal data or apps. Guest Mode creates a separate user profile on your phone that provides limited access to your data and apps.
Just like in guest mode on a Windows computer, the user does not have the rights to make changes in the settings and cannot access your private files in your profile. However, they are able to use all the features of the phone without any issues. To use it, go to Settings > Users > Add User > Guest. When your guest is finished using your phone, you can simply switch back to your profile and continue accessing all features as you had before.
Infrared Blaster
Some Android phones have an infrared blaster that allows them to be used as a remote control for your TV or other electronic devices. To use this feature, download a compatible app and follow the instructions. The compatible app could be device-specific remote software or a universal one. Once set up, you can use your phone as a remote control, which makes it easier to switch channels or adjust the volume without having to use the physical remote.