More

    You’ll want to change these Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro default settings

    The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
    Andrew Hoyle/CNET
    Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro provide vital upgrades over the Pixel 5 line. The new smartphones get Google’s personal Tensor chip, top-notch cameras and an attention-grabbing design. But to profit from your new Pixel telephone, you will wish to dig into the settings and make just a few tweaks.Some of those adjustments will give the consumer interface a recent look, whereas others will aid you get extra out of your Pixel telephone’s digital camera or battery. Google has additionally baked some fascinating new options into the telephone app that may make it simpler to name customer support numbers with out ready on maintain. We’ll present you the best way to flip these settings on and off, too.

    Get the CNET How To publication
    Receive knowledgeable recommendations on utilizing telephones, computer systems, good residence gear and extra. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays.

    Read extra: Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Google’s flagship telephones comparedHere’s a have a look at the settings you must change in your Pixel 6 straight away. Turn on themed icons to make your icons match your wallpaperOne of the most important options in Android 12 is Material You, which customizes the software program’s shade palette to match your wallpaper. You’ll discover that some parts inside sure apps — just like the keyboard in Messages and Gmail’s Compose button — can have coloured accents that match your wallpaper as a part of the broader Material You refresh. If you go into Settings, you may select from just a few choices.

    But you do not have to cease there. To give your app icons a colourful refresh that resembles your wallpaper, long-press any empty area in your Pixel 6’s residence display. Then faucet Wallpaper & type and ensure the change subsequent to Themed icons is toggled on. Now app icons on the house display ought to match your wallpaper, as proven under. You could make app icons on the Pixel 6 match its wallpaper.
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Use Quick Phrases to dismiss an alarm or telephone name with out saying, ‘Hey, Google’We’ve all been there. It’s 6 a.m., your alarm begins blaring and also you barely have the vitality to succeed in in your telephone. Google makes this just a little simpler on the Pixel 6 by enabling you to pause or dismiss an alarm by merely saying, “Snooze” or “Stop” with out requiring the “Hey, Google” set off phrase. You can do the identical for telephone calls by saying, “Answer” or “Decline” with out having to seize your gadget.To flip this on, open the Settings menu and select Apps. Then, choose Assistant and faucet Quick phrases. You ought to see choices for alarms and timers and incoming calls. Tap the change subsequent to every one to allow this function.This function helps you to dismiss alarms and reply calls with out utilizing the “Hey, Google” wake phrase.
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Have Google Assistant wait on maintain for you and transcribe automated telephone menusTired of ready on maintain? Try utilizing Google’s Hold For Me function, which has Google Assistant wait on maintain after which notify you when a buyer consultant turns into obtainable. If you do not wish to keep in mind which quantity to punch the following time you are sitting by automated voice prompts, you can even activate Direct My Call. This transcribes automated menus in order that you do not have to recollect which quantity to press to get directed to the right extension. Both of those options are accessible from the Pixel 6’s telephone app. Open the Phone app and faucet the three dots within the high proper nook to get began. Choose Settings and you must see Hold for Me and Direct My Call below the Assistive part.The Direct My Call function appears promising, nevertheless it solely works for toll-free numbers in English proper now. That could make its transcriptions a bit complicated since many automated telephone menus sometimes learn choices in Spanish, too.Google Assistant can transcribe automated menus for you when calling toll-free numbers, however solely in English. 
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Choose whether or not you wish to lengthen battery life or increase efficiency Google’s Pixel telephones can optimize battery life relying on how you utilize your telephone. While that is a helpful perk, there could also be occasions while you’d favor to show this function off in an effort to get higher efficiency out of your gadget. You can flip this setting on or off anytime by opening the Settings menu, selecting Battery and tapping Adaptive preferences.The Pixel 6 can optimize its battery based mostly in your telephone utilization. 
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Turn on Smart Storage to keep away from operating out of areaIf you’re taking plenty of photographs and movies, you understand how valuable your gadget’s cupboard space will be. As one approach to cope with that drawback, you may select to have your Pixel telephone routinely delete outdated photographs to liberate area. If you allow this function, your Pixel gadget will erase photographs backed as much as your Google Photos account which have been in your gadget for 60 days in case your telephone’s storage is lower than 25 p.c. 

    To flip this on, open Settings, select Storage and faucet Free up area. Then faucet the menu icon within the high left nook and choose Settings. Toggle the change subsequent to Smart Storage.Google’s Smart Storage function routinely deletes outdated photographs to save lots of area. 
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Use Storage Saver to optimize your Pixel’s photograph and video storageIf you wish to save area, there’s another choice: Enable Storage Saver in your Pixel gadget. This adjustments settings that use giant quantities of storage, similar to saving RAW photographs as JPEG and recording movies in 1080p as an alternative of 4K. If you care extra about saving area than having one of the best decision doable, you would possibly wish to do that.Launch the Camera app and faucet the settings cog within the high left nook. Then, faucet More settings and choose Device storage. Toggle the change subsequent to Storage Saver.The Pixel may change sure media settings to optimize storage. 
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Customize what occurs while you press the amount key whereas taking photographsYou can use the amount button to snap a photograph, regulate the zoom or management the audio quantity in your Pixel gadget. Open the Camera app, press the settings icon and select More settings. Then, select Gestures and choose Volume key motion to decide on your most well-liked possibility.You can customise the amount key on the Pixel 6.
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Make certain your Pixel’s display routinely switches orientation when neededFew issues will be extra annoying than having your telephone caught in portrait mode while you’re holding it in panorama mode to look at a video. Avoid this in your Pixel 6 by opening the Settings menu, selecting Display and tapping Auto-rotate display. You may select to activate face detection to make autorotate extra correct. Google says photographs utilized in face detection are by no means saved or despatched to the corporate. Make certain your Pixel switches its display orientation while you need it to.
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Identify songs taking part in close by on the lock screenEver heard a track taking part in at a restaurant and puzzled what it is referred to as? Google Pixel units can acknowledge songs and show the identify of the track and artist in your telephone’s lock display. Open the Settings menu, select Display and faucet Lock display. Press Now Playing and toggle on the change subsequent to Identify songs taking part in close by.The Pixel 6 can show the monitor title and artist for songs taking part in close by. 
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Choose whether or not you need smoother scrolling or longer battery lifeThe Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are able to boosting their refresh charges to allow quicker scrolling and smoother animations, which makes the software program typically really feel extra responsive. The Pixel 6 can bump its refresh fee as much as 90Hz, whereas the Pixel 6 Pro can go as much as120Hz. But since this function will increase battery utilization, there are occasions while you would possibly wish to flip it off.To entry this selection, open the Settings menu and select Display. Scroll right down to Smooth Display and toggle the change to show it on or off. 

    You can select to extend the display’s refresh fee or maximize battery life on the Pixel 6. 
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Add captions to movies, podcasts and telephone callsGoogle’s Live Caption function generates captions for media taking part in in your gadget, and it really works on older Pixels relationship again to the second-generation mannequin too. It’s an accessibility function, and it can be helpful for occasions while you’re caught with out headphones and wish to listen to the content material of a video or podcast in a public setting. To flip this on, press the amount button and faucet the Live Caption icon, which appears to be like like a speech bubble. Just do not forget that utilizing Live Caption can use extra battery assets. Google’s Live Caption know-how captions audio taking part in in your gadget. 
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Edit your fast settings to simply entry shortcutsPulling down from the highest of the display will launch the quick-settings menu. Tap the pencil icon to edit this menu and add the settings you utilize most frequently. Google gives all kinds of choices starting from battery saver to enabling and disabling the microphone and accessing alarms. You’ll discover staples like airplane mode, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi right here.These are only a few of the numerous settings shortcuts obtainable on the Pixel 6. 
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
    Looking for extra recommendation in your different Google units? Check out our ideas for reinforcing your productiveness on Chromebooks and getting essentially the most out of your Google Nest.Update, Nov. 11: Clarified the part on Material You and themed icons.

    Recent Articles

    As AI takes over GDC, SAG-AFTRA fights for tech ethics | Digital Trends

    Nvidia Every 12 months, the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) acts as an all-important watercooler second for the online game business. It’s the one time...

    Quordle today – hints and answers for Tuesday, March 19 (game #785)

    It's time on your each day dose of Quordle hints, plus the solutions for each the primary sport and the Daily Sequence spin off. Quordle...

    Thrustmaster eSwap X 2 Pro

    Verdict The Thrustmaster eSwap X 2 Pro is a superb wired gaming controller. It’s snug in hand...

    OnePlus 12 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which should you buy?

    A beast for affordable(er) The OnePlus 12 gives nearly all the pieces you would need from a flagship cellphone in 2024. It contains a unbelievable...

    Related Stories

    Stay on op - Ge the daily news in your inbox