Click here for an Android Authority article from Dec 2023 called "Here's what I learned from switching Android phones every two weeks" by a professional smartphone reviewer.
Click here for an Android Authority article from Feb 2024 called "Android Troubleshooting Tips to Fix All Kinds of Problems".
Click here for a MakeTechEasier article from June 2024 called "How to Duplicate Apps on Android Using App Clone" and learn how to configure and run these different instances of Apps [for different user credentials] side by side.
This is an extract from from an email by JR Raphael of Android Intelligence, it makes good reading and some of the points raised also affect browsing habits beyond Android devices - make yourself some mental notes
Whether privacy is always on your mind or usually more of an afterthought, there are certain times when being proactive really pays off.
We all know the power of incognito mode in our browsers by this point. It's the easiest way to keep whatever you're searching for from showing up in your history and affecting future ads and recommendations.
But what's often forgotten is the fact that similar sorts of switches are sitting around and readily available in other Googley places where you also might want to occasionally keep something off the record.
I've lost count of the times I've searched for some random video or other on YouTube — an embarrassingly bad 90s pop song, a viral clip, or maybe even a video about some tech topic — and then had the sinking realisation that I'd soon be seeing suggestions for similar sorts of videos within YouTube for all of eternity as a result.
➜ The next time you're looking for something on YouTube that you'd rather not have lingering as an eternal influence on your in-app recommendations, remember this:
You can tap your profile picture in the app's upper-right corner and then tap "Turn on Incognito" to completely disconnect your current session from your account history.
That'll keep anything you do from appearing in your YouTube history or affecting what videos the service suggests for you in the future.
The setting lasts until you either become inactive or manually turn it off (by going back into that same profile-picture menu).
2. Searching for something in Maps or maybe embarking on a road trip you'd rather not have available for future reference?
➜ No problem:
Tap your profile picture in the Maps app's upper-right corner.
Tap "Turn on Incognito mode" in the menu that comes up.
Once Maps restarts itself, anything you do will remain off the record and won't appear in your location history, show up as a suggestion, or lead to any type of personalization within the service.
3. Last but not least, on Android in particular, lots of us tend to start searches in places other than just the browser. And that means switching over to a standard incognito tab isn't always an easy option.
➜ So store this handy fail-safe in the back of your noggin for the next time you need it:
Open up the Google app on your phone.
Tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
Find and tap the line labeled "Delete last 15 minutes."
No matter what you searched or where, that'll remove all activity from the past quarter-hour for you. Everything you've typed into the search box on your phone's home screen, pecked out in the search bar within the Google app, or even barked out as an inquiry to Google Assistant.
Click here for a HowToGeek article called "How to Access Your Clipboard on Android" after being updated in Aug 2023 that explains how to use the facility.
Click here for a Google Blog from 31/01/2024 called "5 ways to use Circle to Search" that has been released to selected smartphones - with others to follow later, probably ?
Click here for another Google Blog entry for 22/01/2025 called "New Circle to Search updates make it even easier to find information and get things done." that refers to these 2 new features ...
First, we're expanding AI Overviews to more kinds of visual search results for places, trending images, unique objects and more. Inspired by a piece of art? Circle it and see a gen AI snapshot of helpful information with links to dig deeper and learn more from the web.
Second, we’re making it easier for you to get things done on your phone. Circle to Search will now quickly recognise numbers, email addresses and URLs you see on your screen so you can take action with a single tap.
Click here for a HowToGeek article called "How to Calibrate the Compass on Android to Improve Device Location Accuracy" from Aug 2023 for instructions.
Click here for a HowToGeek article called "How to Dial an Extension on iPhone and Android" from Sep 2024 that explains how to do it.
Click here to see a zdnet article called "How Android users can join their iPhone friends' FaceTime fun" to learn how an iOS device can instigate communications with Android users.
See this Google page for details of your Android device
If you need a quick translator, to help overcome a language barrier, it's done easily in a few steps ...
The first thing to do is open Google Assistant.
Once the app is ready, tap the action button in the bottom left corner.
Next, tap the Lens button (directly to the left of the microphone).
Select the translate icon (farthest to the left) and then point your camera to the text you need translated.
Once you have the text lined up, hold the phone steady and Assistant will translate the text for you.
If you want to do more with the results, tap the translate button and then tap Open in Translate.
Once translate opens, you can modify the language and more.
Click here for a Computer World article from Nov 2021 with 11 great tips under these headings ....
The voice in your head
Power status
The instant phone finder
The swift shusher
Location dictation
Your screenshot genie
Snappy photo snapping
The sanity-saving noise-maker
The settings shortcut
Auto-repeat
Perhaps the most useful command of all "That was not for you"
Custom dialler codes
These are strings of symbols and numbers that you can enter into your smartphone's keypad. They typically start with a "*" followed by a "#" and can be up to 16 characters long. They largely perform functions, or show information, that you can access by going into various apps or your settings.
Different phones companies use different custom dialler codes for certain functions, however, there are a number of universal ones that work across most Android phones.
*#*#7594#*#* - Power Off
*##2222##* - Hardware version
*##232338##* - MAC address
*#0228# - Battery status
*#06# - Show your phone's IMEI number
*#07# - Displays the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value of the device
*#7465625# - Device lock status
*2767*3855# - Factory Reset
#*#232339#*# - check Wifi status
##1111## - FTA software version (Select devices only)
##1234## - PDA software version
##225## - Displays calendar storage info
##232337#*# - Bluetooth address
##2663## - Touchscreen version
##273282255663282##* - Backup all media
##3264## - RAM version
##34971539## - Camera info (Select devices only)
##426## - Google Play Services info or Firebase Cloud Messaging diagnostics (Select devices only)
##44336## - Software version and update info
##4636## - Info menu (Select devices only)
##759## - Access Rlz Debug UI (Select devices only)
#0# - Info menu (Select devices only)
#12580369# - Software and hardware info
Click here for an article from ComputerWorld called "10 handy hidden Android features you probably forget to use" that is well worth a read.
Click here for a HowToGeek article from Sep 2024 called "How to Create PDF Files on Android" that you might find useful.
Click here for an article from ReviewGeek that runs through a few things to check and do
Click here for a handy guide from AndroidPIT
See this Android App [one of several] that claims to work with AMOLED screen types [amongst others]
Click here for an article from NextPit that covers different types of actions you can take depending on how badly the phone is damaged.
Click here for an article from slashgear that covers all kinds of things (some you will know already, others may be new to you, or you just maybe forgot about them) - either way you will probably feel a bit guilty at your neglect and end up making a mental note to carry out periodic tidying up. :-))
Click here for a HowToGeek article that shows you how to use this handy feature.
Click here for a MakeTechEasier article from Oct 2024 called "How to Print Documents from Your Android Phone"
Click here for a HowToGeek article from 01/11/2023 called "How to Print From an Android Phone"
Click here for a number of options listed by CNET
Click here for a useful article from CNET
Click here for a HowToGeek article from Q2 2023.
Click here for a HowToGeek article that shows you how to open up 2 Apps and place shrunken views of them side by side on your screen.
Click here to see a support article that shows you how to set up options for your Lock Screen that allows it to communicate with your voice and have Google Assistant carry out the range of tasks listed below without you needing to pick up your smartphone.
Email, including personal results from Gmail, such as flight reservations and bills
Google Calendar
Contacts
Reminders
Memory aids
Shopping lists
Click here to see a HowToGeek article, with helpful pictures, on the same topic that is worth following to get the same results.
See this AndroidPit page for full details of what they all do and how to get fast access to your favourites
Long-tap an empty space on your Android home screen, then tap Widgets
Swipe left until you get to the Settings shortcut widget.
Long-tap the widget then drag it to a home screen of your choice.
In the Settings shortcut menu scroll down to Notification log and tap it.
A Notification log shortcut will be placed on your home screen. Now any time you tap it you will get your notification history displayed on screen.
Click here and follow the instructions in a NextPit [previously AndroidPit] article for details. Once set up it can be really handy when a notification disappears from screen and you want to read it again
Click here to read another similar article by TechRepublic that explains above but also tells you about the Play Store's Unnotification App that can make the job even easier.
Click here to get some expert tips from AndroidPIT
If your copy of the Play Store App has problems you may be able to fix them, or if necessary, do a complete re-install.
Either way these two AndroidPit guides (a) App 'not working' and (b) App ‘install’ should get you working properly.
Click here to read a HowToGeek article that explains how to set up additional 'users profiles' [as well as Guest] on your device so that you can give each user complete segregation from eachother.
Click here to learn about PWAs and see an example of how to set one up for Google Drive [and other sites] for efficient and easy access.
Over time it is possible that things will slow down your phone but there are actions you can take to help improve performance.
First, uninstall any Apps you aren’t using. These apps may not seem like they’re harming anything, but they take up storage space, and they might do stuff in the background occasionally. It’s a good idea to audit the apps and games on your device once in a while.
Second, clean up the files on your phone. The Downloads and Screenshots folders can especially get filled up with files you don’t need anymore. Also, if you’re backing up photos and videos to a cloud storage service, you could remove the local files on your device.
If all else fails, you can do a factory reset and completely start fresh again. This will remove everything and make the phone feel like it did the day you bought it. You can’t prevent gadgets from getting slower, but you can turn back the clock from time to time.
Click here to see the Google support page to learn about the standard "Quick Settings" features.
You can use your phone's Quick Settings for one-tap tiles that shows up when you swipe down from the top of your screen.
By default the Quick Settings section holds switches for system-level functions like adjusting your device's Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections, flipping on the flash-powered flashlight, and toggling your phone's Do Not Disturb mode.
However with about 20 seconds of fine-tuning you can expand that selection to include a fast-access button for opening any App imaginable.
Click here to see a ComputerWorld article that explains more and also introduces the "Power Shade" App and what it can do [just about anything!] for your detailed customisations.
Click here to get the Power Shade App from the Play Store.
There are many ways of taking screenshots on Android and iPhones :-
Click here to see a HowToGeek article [that gets updated periodically] called "5 Android Screenshot Tricks You Should Know" for more details.
Click here to see a CNET guide "How to take a screenshot on any phone, iPhone or Android: iPhone 11, Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Moto G7" for more details.
Click here to see an XDA Developer article "How to take a full page screenshot in Google Chrome for Android" that could be very useful.
There are lots of hidden features and tweaks available for Android users.
See this AndroidPit 'secret codes' article for details.
More hidden features to explore in this second AndroidPit article.
Click here for a Google Support page called "Get a Snapshot of your day with Google Assistant"
Click here for an article from The Verge called "Google Assistant’s daily snapshot feature gets birthday reminders and recipe recommendations"
Android phones have a feature called Developer Options that lets you carry out certain changes otherwise not available. If you have not already enabled Developer Options then click here to learn about turning them on/off.
It's really easy to speed up performance by simply scrolling until you find the following three settings, which may be located on the main screen or within an “Advanced” subsection:
Window animation scale
Transition animation scale
Animator animation scale
Tapping each of the above should reveal that it’s set to “1x” by default. To speed up your phone, or tablet, dramatically simply change each of the settings to “.5x” — that’s it.
Not available from the Play Store but this AndroidPit article can be used to get details with download and installation instructions.
If your device is running an outdated version of Android [because it's out of warranty or the supplier / manufactures has just left you in the lurch] then you may be able to give your smartphone a new look and feel by installing a custom ROM.
See this AndroidPit article that explains Custom ROMS and how to go about selecting and installing one.
See also this XDA Developer's article from September 2021 called the "Most Popular Custom ROMs for Android: LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Paranoid Android, and more!"
See this AndroidPit page for details of transferring all of your data from an iPhone to an Android.
Click here for a useful article from AndroidPIT that is updated regularly.
If you forget your device's password if can be a real nuisance. However if you take some time to prepare beforehand you can make the whole experience a lot less painful.
Click here for a MakeTechEasier article from 10/09/2024 called "How to Unlock Your Phone if You Forgot the Android Passcode" - also includes links for advice regarding Service Provider and iPhone passwords.
Click here for an article by makeuseof from December 2021 that explains how to use DroidKit to get the job done.
Click here for an earlier article from July 2021 with some options of different ways to unlock your smartphone.
If you ever forget your PIN, or screen lock pattern, and are locked out of your phone there are several different things you can do to gain access. These vary depending upon the model of your phone what version of Android or other 3rd party software you are using.
Click here to read about these different options for unlocking your smartphone that could save you a lot of hassle.
See this AndroidPit article for how to set up your smartphone as a "hotspot" to let other devices connect to the internet through it.
Click here to see a HowToGeek article and learn "How to Scan Documents to PDF With Your Android Phone's Camera"
Also click here to see the sub-page "Scan Tip" with details of enhancements made to the Android Drive App released in Q1 2025
Click here to learn how to use peripherals with USB-OTG
Click here to see an extract of an article by Andy Wolber who thinks you should always check your slides on your phone.