📸 Go, go, Android camera: This works on many Android smartphone models, including the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy. Double-tap the power button to launch the camera, then use either the volume-up or volume-down button to take a snap. Easy!
📧 Use Gmail on your Android? If you pay for the Google Workspace plan (or your work does), you can now chat with Google’s AI, Gemini, about your emails. The bot has access to your entire inbox, so it can summarize your emails (“What did Mary want?”) or find specific info for you (“When’s the app design deadline?”). To use it, tap the black star logo in the top-right corner of the app. Coming soon to iPhone, I hope!
🫧 Don’t burst my bubble: On Android, you can use “Bubbles” to keep a conversation floating on your home screen. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Notifications > Additional Settings and look for Bubbles. Now you can customize which convos, if any, pop up.
Quick Android refresh: Hold the power and volume-up buttons simultaneously to do a soft reboot. Think of it as a fast way to end processes and speed up your phone.
Hands off my Kindle: You can set a passcode. Go to the home screen and tap the three dots in the upper right. Now, tap Settings > Device Options > Device Passcode. Sweet.
I can’t leave you out, Android pals: Scan with Google Drive. Hit the plus sign in the bottom right > Scan. Follow the on-screen instructions, then save it to your account. So easy.
Swiper no swiping: This hidden Samsung trick will make you feel a little like a magician. Swipe the edge of your hand across the screen to take a screenshot. Here’s how to set it up.
Coming soon to your Android: Automatic earthquake warnings. Your phone’s accelerometers can sense vibrations. When enough phones in an area detect shaking, the Android Earthquake Alerts System kicks in. If an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or greater is detected, you’ll get a “Be Aware” alert (weak or light shaking) or “Take Action” if the shaking is moderate to extreme.
Click-clack: The physical buttons on your phone can become less responsive over time. On an Android, skip the side button and double-tap the screen with your finger to wake it. Neat!
Quick Android refresh: Hold the power and volume-up buttons simultaneously to do a soft reboot. Think of it as a fast way to end processes and speed up your phone.
Permission revoked: Can’t remember which permissions you’ve given to which apps on your Android phone or tablet? There’s an easy way to check. From Settings, tap Security and privacy > Privacy > Permission manager.
Keep your Android automatically unlocked: Go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock. You can set it to stay unlocked when it’s on you, near a trusted device (like your laptop) or in a trusted place (like your house).
🤳🏻 3 Android photo tips: 1.) Double-press the power button to quickly launch the camera, even when your phone’s locked. 2.) Don’t ask a stranger to take a pic. Open the camera app, select Timer and turn it on. Select from a delay of two, five or 10 seconds. 3.) This one’s basic, but not everyone knows it: Open the camera and tap the screen to focus on a certain point. Love this when I want to zoom in on something specific.
A full wash: Just because Chromebooks use web apps doesn’t mean they don’t need resetting every once in a while. A reset is called a “Powerwash.” Sign out of ChromeOS, hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R, then choose Restart and Powerwash.
✌️ Gestures, activate: You can control a Google Nest Hub via gestures — useful if your hands are covered in soap or flour. To enable it, open the Google Home app > tap the gear icon (top right) > tap Quick Gestures on the hub page.
Nifty way to wake your phone: With Samsung’s “Lift to wake” feature, all you have to do is pick up your phone or take it out of your pocket and the screen turns on. Open Settings, tap Advanced features > Motions and gestures. Tap the switch next to Lift to wake to enable it. Magic!
Android data: The Google Fit app can use your phone to track basic metrics without you knowing about it. This data might get shared with other health apps you think are only tracked by your smartwatch. To check: Profile > tap the Gear icon > Manage data and access > App permissions.
📲 Like a free assistant: Use a Google Pixel 3 or newer? Open the Phone app > More > Settings > Hold for Me. Turn it on. Next time you call a business or organization with long wait times, tap Hold for me > Start. You’ll get an alert when a rep is ready to talk.
You can unsee that: Search for something potentially risky online? You can quickly delete the last 15 minutes of your Google search history on Android. Open the Google app, tap on your profile icon in the top right, and select Delete last 15 minutes.
📱 Android app fix: Is an app crashing or behaving weirdly? Try clearing its cache. Go to Settings > Apps and select the app you want. Now tap Storage & cache or Storage and tap Clear cache. Don’t hit Clear data — that’ll delete your app settings and login details and reset the app to the default install.