Fun Samsung shortcuts: Instead of hitting the backspace key over and over to clean up a typo, use two fingers to swipe left. That’s “Undo.” Want to “Redo?” Swipe two fingers to the right and your text will come back.
Android tip: 7 surefire ways to take better photos every time
There’s an amateur photographer inside each of us. For years, iOS devices constantly outperformed many Android devices regarding camera quality and built-in camera modes. But that’s changing.
Now that Android phone cameras are punching up with better hardware and software, you can take stunning photographs like a DSLR camera. This guide will teach you how to unlock the features in your Android phone, frame your shots and make share-worthy photographs that look highly professional.
Keep reading for tips and tricks to help you capture the best photos possible on your Android phone.
1. Basic tips before you start taking photos
Before you can flip into photography mode, we should get a few things in order first. Do these quick setup tips so you can focus on the fun part without running into problems.
Clean your camera lens with a microfiber cloth
Microfiber cloths are excellent because they won’t scratch lenses. Wipe down your lens for 10 seconds to clear any dust or debris. Always store your phone in a case or bag that minimizes the risk of scratching the lens.
Find your camera specifications
Your camera specs will impact what type of photos you can take. Find out what megapixel (MP) resolution it takes pictures in and if it has a high dynamic range (HDR). Optical zoom will also be helpful; the digital zoom is not. You’ll find the specs in your phone’s manual. Don’t have it on hand? Tap or click for thousands of free manuals online.
Double-check your storage
With the correct settings enabled, high-quality photos quickly add up and take up a lot of space. Check your phone’s internal storage and take a practice photo with your correct settings. Check the photo file size to give yourself a rough idea of how many you can take before you run out of storage space. You can always expand your phone storage with a micro SD card.
Now that you understand the basics let’s move on to some pro photography tips.
7 quick ways to get more out of Chrome on your Android phone
Chrome is the dominant browser on your Android phone. It’s designed to be simple, but Chrome includes some surprisingly helpful tools to enhance your browsing experience when you get under the surface.
From constant security updates to excellent speed on both desktop and mobile, Chrome covers everything you could want in a browser. Tap or click here for 10 tips to keep Google’s Chrome browser secure.
I’d hang up: New to the Google Phone app: Audio emojis. During a call, you can select from six sound effects, including clapping, laughing and farting, which play for you and the other person. On the bright side, there’s a cooldown period, so no endless loop of fart sounds.
7 annoying Android problems and how to fix them
You love your Android smartphone, right? There’s a lot to like. The operating system is fast, flexible and usually safe. It’s also highly customizable when compared to iOS.
Of course, no device is perfect, and Android has a few annoying features. We have solutions to fix these annoyances. Note: Several manufacturers make Android smartphones. So the steps you use to fix these problems may vary from the ones below.
You better work: Android now supports creating a work profile on your device to separate your work apps and data from your personal apps. Go to Settings, search for Work Profile or similar, and follow the setup prompts. Sorry, iOS lovers, no soup for you! Apple doesn’t support this.
Say when: The battery-saver mode on your Android kicks in at a certain battery level. You can set this up under Settings. Steps vary based on the model, but look for Battery > Battery Saver > Manage when Battery Saver turns on.
Google Pixel lifesaver: Your phone now has a mode to detect a severe car crash, call 911 and share your location. Open Personal Safety > Features > scroll to Car Crash Detection > Set up. Allow the necessary permissions, and you’re good to go!
🤏 Easy zoom: If you only have one hand free to use your Android phone, zoom in or out in Google Maps by double-tapping on the map and holding your finger down on the second tap. Then, move your finger up or down.
You’re my fave: Get quick links to your four favorite contacts on your Android home screen. Tap and hold on a blank spot on the home screen, then pick Widgets to find the list.
🏨 I have no reservations about this travel tip: Google Wallet now lets you add hotel keys directly to your phone. Open the hotel’s website, app or email, and hit the Add to Google Wallet button. When you reach your room, hold your phone near the door handle to unlock it.
Save your eyes: Make text and icons bigger across all the apps and menus on Android. Open Settings > Display > Display size and text.
On an Android-based device, you can quickly swipe to the right on the home button to see all your open apps. Want to close one? Just swipe it off the screen. This is worth doing now and then if you never close your apps.
Find my Android: You can find your Google Pixel 8 or 8 Pro even if it’s dead. A new update makes sure your phone holds onto a bit of juice to track it. Just head to your Find My Device portal online to locate it.
🔄 Android upgrade: Google’s “Find My Device” network is finally working for some folks. It’s Android’s version of Apple Find My. Hooray — you can now track lost items with special Bluetooth trackers if you have access. It’s a gradual rollout, though, so check your Settings app to see if it’s available for you yet.
Saved you a swipe: On most Android phones, swipe down from the top of the screen once to see key shortcuts and settings, then swipe again to see the full selection. It’s called the “Quick Settings” screen. A faster way to get there: Swipe down once with two fingers.
Team Android warning: Banking malware is hiding in a fake version of the McAfee Security app. The scam kicks off with a fake text about an unauthorized transaction. Call the number, and a fraudster convinces you to download a “security” app containing malicious code. You have to be smarter than this.
Wi-Fi faster: Don’t want to waste any time getting online? Android can automatically reconnect to Wi-Fi networks it recognizes, so you don’t have to do it manually. From Settings, tap Network and Internet > Internet > Network preferences and enable Turn on Wi-Fi automatically.
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.
🚨 Bad Android apps: Security firm ESET found a dirty dozen apps crawling with malware that swipes contacts, files, call logs and texts. Check your phone for Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Rafaqat, Chit Chat, YohooTalk, TikTalk, Hello Chat, Nidus, GlowChat and Wave Chat. Have one? Factory reset time!