Top 5 Android Tips and Tricks
Throughout the past year, Android skyrocketed in popularity and currently holds 79% of the global smartphone market. When it comes to number of users, Google’s operating system trumps even Apple’s iOS. Together, Androidnd iOS make up 93.2% of the global market, but Android’s share has been rising while Apple’s share dropped.
Android’s many options and features are numerous enough to overwhelm even smartphone veterans. For every feature you know, there is another that can help you do something new with your smartphone.So here we’re going to share top 5 android tips and tricks for you.
Folders
One of the most basic things you can do in Android to make your life easier is to group your app icons into folders. You can have them littering the home screen panels but let’s face it, it looks horrible and if you want it like that you’re pretty much mirroring the iPhone.
To group your apps into folders simply long press on one and drop it on top of another. This will make a folder which you can name and on some device select a colour for. Drag and drop other icons to add them to the folder. This way you’ll have more space for widgets and you’ll see your wallpaper better.
Google Now
With the introduction of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean came Google Now and if you haven’t used it yet then you really need to check it out. It’s effectively an intelligent digital assistant which is part of the Google Search app and a quick way of seeing if you have it is to swipe up from the bottom of the screen. You may have it but not yet opted in for the service.
The idea is to provide the information you need before you’ve even searched for or requested it. The cards based interface (as well as notifications) provided all kinds of helpful information such as the weather, sports scores, travel information and much more.
Animations
Here’s a tip on how to make your Android device run a bit smoother: disable its animations. You will need to have access to Developer Options which can be found under Settings or About device.
Note: For some phones, you may need to go to Build number and tap on it repeatedly until you see “You are now a developer!”. Developer options are now enabled.
Under enabled Developer options, look for Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale. Then, turn them off (disable) them one at a time.
Battery Life
Android gadgets aren’t exactly known for their stellar battery life, but there are things you can do to make it last. First, your screen burns through a lot of juice, but it doesn’t have to.
By default, your screen is set to automatically change the brightness depending how long it’s been active and the surrounding lighting level. On some gadgets, this works pretty well and on others not nearly as effectively.
You can manually set the brightness by going to Settings>>Display>>Brightness. Adjust the slider so your screen is visible, but not overly bright.
In the same area, Settings>>Display, you’ll see the “Screen timeout” option. This shuts off your screen after you don’t use your gadget for a certain amount of time. Set it to a minute or two and watch your battery life improve.
You can look at other settings in the Display area as well. For example, “Smart screen” keeps the screen on as long as you’re looking at it. This is cool, but it does use a bit more battery life to detect your face.
Other things aside from the display can drain your battery, such as apps. Android’s built-in battery monitor, which you can find at Settings>>Battery, is OK, but it could be better.
The Battery Saver app has dozens of power-saving tips and tricks, like shutting off power-hogging programs. It will also display the amount of time that your battery has left and tell you which apps take up the most power. This way, you can delete the power-hungry apps you don’t need or use
Take Screenshot
It’s one of the simplest things to do on a computer: Just tap the Print Screen button to take a screenshot. It’s just that easy on your smartphone, too!
But you’d be surprised how many people don’t know how to do this simple trick. It’s as easy as pressing the power button and volume down button at the same time.
Try it! The screenshot will appear in your photo album.
Whether you are new to Android and eager to try out every available option you see on the screen, or familiar with the system, including the annoyances that plague you on a daily basis, tips and tricks to get around a system is always helpful. So we hope this article will help you in this regard.