Although Android devices are very configurable and feature-rich, some of the most useful time-saving shortcuts are hidden. Here’s how to find these capabilities without having to sift through a long list of apps to capture quick photos, send texts, or make phone calls. You’ll also learn how to use Google Assistant and voice commands to make your Android experience more productive.
Best Android Shortcuts
Below are some Best Android Shortcuts that you should know. Moreover, the steps below should work regardless of who built your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, and so on.
Launch Your Camera
There’s a shortcut that will swiftly open the camera on your smartphone when you only have a split second to launch it and shoot a photo. Double-tap the Power or Home button on most Android handsets. Newer Android smartphones should be able to use this shortcut. On many Motorola smartphones, enabling gestures on the phone and then twisting your wrist will launch the camera.
Launch the camera from the lock screen if your phone runs Android Marshmallow or later. Without unlocking the phone, tap, hold, and swipe the camera icon to take a photo. When you close the camera app, the phone goes to the lock screen. No one has access to your personal information or has access to your device.
Unlock Your Device
Use Google Smart Lock whether you’re at home, at work, or anywhere else when you don’t require a lock. Smart Lock allows you to unlock your device when it’s in a secure location, when it’s paired with a secure device like a smartwatch, or when it recognizes your voice. This function can also be used to save passwords.
Time Savers and Gestures
There are many gesture-control methods available on Android, which differ depending on the device and operating system. Use one finger to scroll down to see alerts on stock Android, which includes all Pixel and Nexus devices as well as many third-party flagship smartphones, then swipe down a second time to access fast settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Airplane Mode.
If your phone runs Android Nougat (7.0) or later, use the Overview button adjacent to the Home and Back buttons to swiftly switch between two apps. To see your open apps, press the Overview button once. Double-tap the Overview button to bring up the previous program you were using; this makes switching between two apps a breeze. Press and hold the Overview button to enable split-screen mode for increased multitasking power.
In Android 9.0 Pie, a new setting replaces the Overview button with a swipe-up gesture that shows all open apps. You can also open the app drawer by swiping up twice.
The app drawer on devices running Marshmallow and later has a search option. To open app search on older Android versions, double-tap the drawer icon. Above the home button, at the bottom of the screen, is the drawer symbol.
A gesture can also be used to get information about any program, such as how much storage and data it consumes, app notification settings, and permissions. To visit the app’s settings page, go to the app drawer, tap and hold an app icon, then tap the App Info button.
Phone Calls and Messaging
Widgets give Android a shortcuts function. Create app widgets and contact widgets for your favorite people, for example, using the built-in widgets. To make a widget, press and hold the Home screen for a few seconds, then select Widgets. Widgets that automate routine and frequent tasks can be found here:
- The Contacts widget makes a call to a selected contact automatically.
- The Chrome widget displays a resizable window with a list of your Chrome bookmarks on the screen.
- In a resizable window, the Gmail app displays a specified folder of Gmail email messages.
Accessibility features are also available on Android devices. Go to the phone dialer settings and select Answering and terminating calls to set up these options. Then, to end a call hit the Power button, and to answer a call, press the Home button.
Google Assistant Voice Commands
Google Assistant is supported by the majority of modern Android handsets. Open the Google search app, then Settings, then Voice to enable the Google Assistant’s OK Google or Hey Google commands on any screen. Select OK Google from the Voice screen to activate Google Assistant. When the phone’s screen is on and the phone is locked, you can utilize Google Assistant.
Use Google Assistant to do web searches and get answers to your questions. Send a text message to a friend, set a reminder or an appointment, make a phone call, or look up directions on Google Maps using voice commands.
Are you a movie aficionado? Inquire about the current and previous Oscars using Google Assistant, as well as Google’s predictions and comments on who was best dressed. If you want to make your online meal buying experience even smoother, Google Assistant, which is powered by Duplex on the web, can instantly and securely add your contact and payment information when you check out your order.
When you need a hands-free solution while driving, voice commands come in handy, but they’re also useful when you don’t feel like typing.
Note: These examples are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what you can do with Google Assistant Commands.
Google Assistant Guest Mode
Use Google Assistant’s Guest Mode feature if someone else is using your Android device or if you want more privacy. When you enable it, Google will not save any Google Assistant messages to your account and will not feature your personal information in search results, such as contacts or calendar items. Say “Hey Google, switch on Guest Mode” to activate Guest Mode. Say “Hey Google, turn off Guest Mode” to turn it off. “Is Guest Mode on?” is a good question to ask if you’re not sure what your status is.
Closing Remarks: Best Android Shortcuts
App shortcuts are displayed in the same way as a right-click on a PC displays a menu of options on phones running Android 7.1 or later. To see a list of shortcuts, press and hold an app that supports this feature. The Gmail app, for example, displays a list of your device’s associated accounts, a compose button, and a widget menu.
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