15 Hidden Android Shortcuts You Should Be Using Right Now
Android is packed with features, but some of its most convenient tricks are often tucked away, waiting to be discovered. These hidden shortcuts can save you taps, streamline your workflow, and generally make your smartphone experience much more enjoyable. Get ready to supercharge your Android usage with these fantastic tips!
1. Pin Apps to the Share Sheet
Tired of scrolling through a long list of apps every time you want to share something? You can pin your most-used apps to the top of the share sheet for quick access. Just long-press on an app icon in the share sheet and select "Pin."
2. Quick Access to Google Wallet/Pay
Need to pay quickly? On many Android phones, a double-press of the power button will instantly bring up Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay), allowing you to select a card and make a contactless payment without unlocking your phone.
3. Smart Text Selection
When you long-press on text, Android's smart text selection often highlights entire words or even addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses, and provides contextual actions like opening Maps or making a call. It's incredibly handy for copying specific information.
4. Picture-in-Picture Mode for Videos
While not exactly "hidden," many users forget just how useful Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode is. When watching a video (e.g., YouTube Premium, Netflix, Google Maps navigation), just hit the home button, and the video will shrink into a floating window, letting you do other things simultaneously.
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5. Quickly Switch Between Apps
If you're using gesture navigation, a quick swipe right on the bottom bar of your screen will instantly switch you to your last-used app. Repeat the swipe to cycle through recently opened applications. For older button navigation, double-tap the recent apps button.
6. Access App Info from the Home Screen
Want to quickly check an app's permissions, storage usage, or force stop it? Long-press on any app icon on your home screen or in your app drawer, and then tap the small "i" (info) icon that appears.
7. Find Your Phone with Google Assistant
Lost your phone somewhere in the house? If it's connected to Wi-Fi and Assistant is enabled, just say "Hey Google, find my phone!" It'll ring at full volume, even if it was on silent.
8. Use Guest Mode or Multiple Users
Sharing your phone? Set up a Guest Mode (Settings > System > Multiple users) to give someone temporary access without them seeing your personal data. You can also create entirely separate user profiles.
9. Quick Settings Toggles Reordering
Drag down your notification shade twice to reveal the full Quick Settings panel. Tap the pencil icon (or "Edit") to rearrange, add, or remove tiles. Put your most-used toggles (like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Flashlight) at the top for easy access.
10. Screen Pinning
If you need to hand your phone to someone and only want them to use a specific app (e.g., show a child a game), use Screen Pinning. Go to Settings > Security > Screen pinning, enable it. Then, open the app, go to recent apps, and tap the pin icon on that app's card. To unpin, simultaneously press back and recent apps buttons (or follow on-screen instructions).
11. One-Handed Mode
Modern phones are big! Many Android devices offer a one-handed mode that shrinks the screen to a more manageable size. Check your device settings (often under Gestures or Advanced features) to see how to activate it, usually with a swipe or button combo.
12. App Shortcuts (Long-Press on App Icons)
This one is increasingly popular but still overlooked. Long-press on an app icon (e.g., Camera, Messages, Chrome) to reveal quick actions specific to that app. You can often take a selfie, compose a new message, or open an incognito tab directly from your home screen.
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13. Enable Developer Options for Advanced Tweaks
This isn't a shortcut in itself, but it unlocks many. Go to Settings > About phone and tap "Build number" seven times. You'll unlock Developer Options under System, where you can speed up animations, mock locations, and more. Use with caution!
14. Smart Lock for Convenient Unlocking
Tired of passwords at home? Smart Lock (Settings > Security > Smart Lock) lets your phone stay unlocked when it's on your body, in a trusted location (like your home), or connected to a trusted device (like your smartwatch or car's Bluetooth).
15. Create Google Chrome Home Screen Shortcuts
You can create a direct shortcut to any website on your home screen using Chrome. Open the website, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Add to Home screen." It acts almost like a standalone app.
There you have it! Fifteen hidden (or often overlooked) Android shortcuts that can significantly boost your phone's usability. Which ones are you going to try first? Let us know in the comments below!
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