Confession time: I write about Android for a residing and obsess over my smartphone’s software program greater than most fairly sane folks — and but, I nonetheless discover myself stumbling onto options that after appeared unbelievable after which promptly received forgotten.Android’s had so many attention-grabbing choices come up over time that a number of stuff has gotten brushed away and buried deep throughout the working system’s mustiest corners. And except you’re taking the time to spelunk by these depths with some regularity, you will virtually definitely have at the very least some standout gems you’ve got forgotten over time, too.That’s why I often wish to strap on my trustiest explorer’s hat and dive deep by Android to see what Googley goodness I’ve gotten out of the behavior of utilizing over time. And following up on the seven useful hidden Android options we unearthed earlier this week, we have got six extra such saucy treasures to assume by at the moment.Let’s spelunk, lets?Google Android characteristic No. 1: Custom notification iconsIf this primary forgotten characteristic feels acquainted, congratulations: You’ve been paying shut consideration.[Pay attention to this: My free Android Shortcut Supercourse will teach you tons of invisible time-savers for your phone. Get your first lesson now!] I really wrote about this one as a standalone column earlier this spring, after I noticed I’d gone months with out remembering to activate it on the Pixel 7 Pro I picked up final 12 months. And it doesn’t matter what particular cellphone you are carrying as of late, I’d be keen to wager you’ve got completed the identical factor in some unspecified time in the future.The characteristic in query is a system for assigning customized notification icons to your favourite contacts — in order that approach, when somebody necessary messages you, you’ll be able to clearly see their photograph proper within the standing bar space on the high of your display. See? JRYou do not even have to make use of their precise photograph, both; you should use any picture you need. (I like to recommend a sensually slouching sloth to your important different.) It’s a much more distinctive and attention-grabbing method than the usual new message icon, which merely reveals a generic Messages image for any new messages you obtain.And when you keep in mind to dig it up and activate it — one thing you’ve got gotta do each time you progress into a brand new cellphone or reset your present one — it is laughably simple to get going:
So lengthy as your cellphone is working 2020’s Android 11 model or greater, press and maintain your finger onto the messaging notification for any contact you wish to modify.
Tap “Priority” on the panel that pops up.
Tap the phrase “Done” inside that very same panel to save lots of your choice.
That’s it! You’ll now see that individual’s profile photograph because the icon for any new messaging notifications linked to them. And if you wish to change what photograph is used, you are able to do so by pulling up the individual’s profile within the Google Contacts app.This characteristic might or is probably not supported by all messaging apps, by the by, but it surely completely is out there with Google Messages (and for those who’re utilizing one thing just like the utterly superfluous Samsung-made Messages app as an alternative, you would be higher off switching, anyway). Google Android characteristic No. 2: Messaging bubblesWhile we’re desirous about messaging, one other attention-grabbing Android characteristic price resurfacing is the flexibility to maintain necessary conversations at your fingertips through expandable bubbles.Bubbles? Yep — bubbles. Behold: JROnce you may have the system activated, any incoming messages you set into “Priority” standing will present up as floating icons, similar to you see with my BFF Timmy C., above. You can transfer ’em round your display and faucet ’em to open an on-demand overlay of the dialog wherever, anytime.And you solely have to be working 2020’s Android 11 launch or greater to make it occur:
First, head into your system settings and faucet “Notifications.”
Next, faucet the road that claims “Bubbles” — or, for those who’re utilizing a Samsung cellphone, faucet “Advanced” adopted by “Floating notifications.”
Tap the toggle subsequent to “Allow apps to show bubbles” — or, with Samsung, faucet the phrase “Bubbles.”
All that is left is to change any conversations you wish to be bubbled into precedence mode, utilizing the identical steps we simply went over in our earlier merchandise, and you will be effervescent away very quickly.Glub, glub.Google Android characteristic No. 3: Do Not Disturb guidelinesYou aren’t nonetheless manually silencing your cellphone at evening or if you’re in conferences, are you? ARE YOU?!If you might be, bonk your self gently on the beak as punishment, then take be aware: Android’s received a local approach to try this for you robotically — for those who keep in mind to set it up.The secret is to dig deeper but within the Notifications part of your system settings. See the road that claims “Do Not Disturb”? Tap that, then search for the “Schedules” part.There, you’ll be able to activate and create all kinds of customized automated guidelines for the way your cellphone ought to behave throughout completely different instances and circumstances. Be certain to search for the “Add more” or “Add schedule” choice to discover the assorted prospects.With Pixel telephones, along with primary time-based guidelines, you’ll be able to create guidelines that flip Do Not Disturb on robotically if you’re driving and even when particular kinds of calendar occasions are lively.Set ’em up, activate ’em as wanted, after which relaxation simple realizing your pleasant cell companion’s at all times received your again.Google Android characteristic No. 4: App pausingMaybe you do not wish to silence your whole cellphone however simply want a break from a particular app’s interruptions — a sure messaging service, maybe, or possibly even your electronic mail. Well, Android has a little-known system that may allow you to pause any particular app on demand and silence it and solely it till additional discover.This one’s solely out there in Google’s personal model of Android, so for those who’ve received a Pixel cellphone or one other machine that makes use of the usual (i.e. non-Samsunged) Android software program setup, press and maintain your finger onto any app’s icon on your own home display or in your app drawer and search for the hourglass icon and/or the “Pause app” possibility. JRTap that factor while whistling a jaunty tune*, and you will see the app’s icon change right into a grayed-out, monochrome shade. The app will then keep utterly quiet till you faucet it once more to unpause it. JRAhh…the sound of silence.* Jaunty-tune whistling non-compulsory however extremely really helpfulGoogle Android characteristic No. 5: Focus ModeYou can take the app pausing idea even additional with Android’s built-in Focus Mode — one thing that is out there on most gadgets working fairly present Android variations, no matter who made ’em or how a lot meddling stated firm did with the software program.To test it out, search for the Digital Wellbeing part in your cellphone’s system settings, then search for a “Focus Mode” possibility inside that space. (Samsung did screw round with that possibility’s placement, for no obvious cause, and it is technically now in a unique part of the settings on its gadgets and with a extra convoluted setup round it — however you need to nonetheless be capable of discover a hyperlink to it on the backside of that display.)There, you’ll create an inventory of apps that you just often wish to silence — after which optionally set a recurring schedule for when these apps, particularly, will likely be compelled to close their digital yaps and cease notifying you. JRYou may also simply choose to activate Focus Mode on demand if you need it — which primarily turns it right into a universally out there multi-app model of the app pausing idea.To activate Focus Mode manually, search for the Focus Mode tile inside your Quick Settings panel — and for those who do not see it there, faucet the pencil-shaped icon within the lower-left nook (or the three-dot icon within the upper-right nook after which “Edit buttons,” with Samsung) to edit the panel and add it into the combo.Google Android characteristic No. 6: Notification snoozingMan, I like snoozing. And not simply the under-the-desk siesta selection, both (although a hearty kudos for those who’re really capable of handle that).Nope — I’m an enormous fan of Android’s built-in skill to snooze your notifications and have ’em come again to demand your consideration later within the day, similar to you’ll be able to with emails in Gmail. The system is not as totally featured and versatile as I’d like, but it surely’s nonetheless fairly helpful.So the following time you see a notification that you do not wish to take care of instantly but additionally do not wish to go away lingering in your notification panel to be forgotten, do that: Make certain the notification is totally expanded (by tapping on the refined down-facing arrow in its upper-right nook, if it is collapsed) — then search for the innocuous-looking circled “z” icon in its lower-right nook or the much more imprecise bell icon on a Samsung machine. JRTap that son-of-a-gherkin (and faucet it with gusto, gersh dern it!), and you’ll ship the notification away and have it return anew later within the day.In Google’s model of Android, all notification snoozing will get set to at least one hour by default. But you’ll be able to faucet the little down-facing arrow within the snoozing affirmation to see the total set of choices and alter it to 15 minutes, half an hour, or two hours, for those who’d fairly. JRAs an added bonus, you’ll be able to then inform everybody you realize that snoozing is a crucial a part of your productiveness technique. And in the event that they take a look at you such as you’re loopy, nicely, by golly, you’ll be able to simply cackle knowingly as you gallop away with glee.Want much more Googley information (with or with out gleeful galloping)? Sign up for my free Android Intelligence e-newsletter to get next-level ideas in your inbox each Friday.
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