(Credit: Android/PCMag)
Your Android phone is capable of far more than just surface-level calling, messaging, and internet browsing. The OS is simple enough for casual use, but it's also remarkably deep, frequently besting iOS in debuting new features. If you want to use Google's mobile OS like a pro, you just need to know where to find the advanced tools buried a layer or two deep. Our guide to Android shortcuts and pro tips will help you navigate these hidden tools like a champ. Since the OS is constantly evolving, we want to hear from you—share your favorite tips in the comments: You may see them in a future story update!
(Credit: Google/PCMag)1. Uninstall Apps You Don't Need
Most Android phones come with a healthy helping of preinstalled apps. Many will be welcomed by nearly everyone—maps, email, browser, and so on—but there are undoubtedly some you don't want or need. To remove or disable preinstalled apps, long-press the app icon, and then select App Info to open the management page. There, you can select Uninstall for removable apps or Disable to hide non-removable apps (such as the Google Chrome browser).
(Credit: Android/PCMag)2. Use Digital Wellbeing Features
It’s not the healthiest thing in the world to stay up all night texting and doomscrolling. You can effectively manage your time and boundaries by using Bedtime Mode to automate sleepy-friendly grayscale colors and Do Not Disturb to silence notifications at night. Likewise, Focus mode temporarily pauses distracting apps during the day, and Work Profile hides professional notifications and productivity apps when you're off the clock.
If you need a quick break, some phones, including recent Motorola and Pixel handsets, turn on Do Not Disturb mode by simply placing them screen-down—a quick and easy way to get relief from disturbances.
(Credit: Google/Microsoft/PCMag)3. Set Up the Your Phone App on a Windows PC
Most people who use Apple desktops or laptops are also likely to use an iPhone, which offers terrific integration with macOS. But with the Phone Link app for Windows, Android users can get just as much continuity with their desktop computer—perhaps even more. By linking your Android device via the Phone Link app on your Windows PC, you can seamlessly make calls, reply to texts, and use cross-device copy-and-paste for text and images, all while viewing your phone's latest photos and notifications on your PC.
Recent Samsung and Oppo devices receive even more functionality with the Link to Windows option, including the ability to run multiple Android apps on the desktop. If you’re not running Windows, you can get Android messages on the web—another capability annoyingly not offered by Apple’s mobile OS. Lastly, you can run Android apps in an emulator on Windows.
4. Edit Quick Settings
You can customize the displayed Android tiles so that the settings you need are accessible in the first swipe-down row. By swiping down from the right half of the status bar and tapping the pencil icon, you can rearrange and even resize tiles to fit up to eight essential toggles, such as Dark Mode or Focus Mode, in that initial view. You can also add useful tools, like the camera and screen recording apps, by dragging them to the top section.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)5. Install Android Apps From the Web
You don’t need your phone in hand to install apps. Simply visit the Google Play Store in your browser while signed in to the same Google account as your phone. Once there, you can install any Android app or game remotely. If you have multiple Android devices linked to that account, just pick the installation destination. You can also remotely uninstall apps.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)6. Install Apps From Other Sources
One of Android's distinctive features is that, unlike on iOS, you’re not restricted to using a single app store. You'll find nearly every app you want in Google's Play Store—and there are worthwhile protections that come along with that. If, however, you need something that’s not there, nothing is stopping you from heading to Amazon’s app store, your phone maker's app store, or even downloading the app as an APK (the extension for an Android Application Package file).
One important note: If you do go this route, be absolutely sure you're getting the app from a reliable source, since third-party app stores are the number one source of Android malware. Do some research first! Also, be sure to turn off the Install Unknown Apps setting for the source after you install the app you want, just in case.
(Credit: Google/Microsoft/PCMag)7. Install a Launcher App
This is one customization type iPhone users still don’t get: you can completely replace your home screen by installing a third-party launcher. Modern favorites like Nova, Niagara, and Smart Launcher offer sleek designs, while Microsoft Launcher bridges the gap with your PC. You can even find iOS-style launchers that mimic the iPhone's layout and icons, or "Win 11" launchers that bring a tiled, desktop-style interface to your phone.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)8. Customize Message Notifications
Android lets you choose message notifications so that some contacts are more prominent, and conversations stay together. You can now set messages to appear as bubbles on top of any other running apps. Enable these in Settings > Notifications > Bubbles on Pixel devices (or Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Floating Notifications on Samsung devices). Within a notification, there's another setting for Bubbles, which makes it easier to find and respond to conversations. You can customize the priority of these, too. Make it so your device always notifies you of a particular Bubble conversation even when Do Not Disturb is enabled, set it to notify you as normal, or completely silenced.
(PCMag: Android/PCMag)9. Add Widgets and Customize Home
Want to add widgets to your home screen? Here's how you do it. Long-press the home screen, choose Widgets, then pick from the selection available in any installed apps. You can also use the search bar at the top to find what you're looking for. Long-pressing the home screen also gives you other customization options, such as removing the Google feed page or disabling screen rotation.
(Credit: Google/PCMag)10. Beef Up Storage
An advantage of Android over iPhones is that some phone models let you increase storage with a microSD card. Not only is this great for photos and movies, but it also lets you transfer large amounts of file data between your phone and other devices. Another advantage is that you can plug some Android phones into an external USB storage drive and browse its files. If your phone has a USB-C port, you can simply plug in a USB flash memory drive with a Type-C connection. Using a microSD or USB drive as a "sneakernet" to move large chunks of data to a PC is a snappy, practical workflow that doesn't leave you at the mercy of cloud storage's file size and speed limitations.
11. Install Antivirus
Since Android is far more open than iOS—that is, more like Windows than macOS—it’s also more open to malware attacks. Google has built in a lot of strong protections, but we recommend you run an antivirus app on Android. PCMag security guru Neil Rubenking recommends three PCMag Editors’ Choice options: Bitdefender Total Security, McAfee AntiVirus Plus, and Norton 360 Deluxe, which offer cross-device protection, advanced phishing filters, and integrated VPNs to secure your data on public networks.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)12. Double-Tap the Power Button to Open the Camera
Quick camera access is essential for capturing fleeting moments, so this is a snappy, straightforward trick. Most Android phones let you double-tap the power button to turn on the camera. Once the app is open, the volume key acts as a physical shutter for quick captures. On many newer devices, holding down the volume key or the on-screen shutter button will immediately start recording so you don't miss a beat.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)13. Use Screen Pinning
If you need to hand your phone to someone else and don’t want them snooping around in other apps, just pin the screen. If this isn’t enabled by default, you can turn it on in the Security menu. Tap the app icon in the multitasking interface, then select “Pin” to prevent the app from switching. You can protect switching apps by requiring your phone PIN. Note that the app icon in app switching view also lets you split the screen, pause the app's notifications, and see its info.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)14. Set Up Guest Access
If you want to give someone else a little more access than screen-pinning allows, you can. To let someone borrow your phone without accessing your data, head to Settings > System > Multiple Users and enable the feature. Once active, swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings, then tap your profile icon to select Add Guest. This creates a temporary, clean environment with only default apps, ensuring they can't access your social media, texts, or personal accounts.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)15. Hide Sensitive Apps With Private Space
Android's Private Space is designed to keep your most sensitive apps and data completely hidden from anyone else using your phone. Unlike Guest Mode, which provides a separate, blank profile for a temporary borrower, Private Space is a secure, sandboxed area within your own profile that requires an additional layer of authentication—like a unique PIN or fingerprint—to access.
When the space is locked, apps inside are invisible in your launcher, settings, and recent apps views, and their notifications are suppressed entirely. To set it up, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Private Space. For maximum privacy, use a separate Google Account for your private space to prevent your history and files from syncing with your main profile.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)16. Record Screen Activity
Android features a powerful built-in screen recorder accessible directly from the Quick Settings shade. Simply swipe down, tap Screen record, and choose whether to record your entire screen or use the newer Single App mode to keep your notifications private. You can toggle audio recording and on-screen touch points before hitting start. Once finished, tap the red status bar to save a high-quality MP4 file to your photo gallery.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)17. Use Developer Options
To unlock hidden power-user tools, head to Settings > About Phone, then tap the Build number 7 times. You can then find a new Developer options menu under Settings > System. From here, you can show screen taps, change Bluetooth device options, set USB connection preferences, and access many other settings of interest only to developers. This one is definitely only for the extreme tinkerer, and not for the technophobe.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)18. Turn on Find My Device
If you misplace your phone or it gets stolen, Android has a feature that lets you remotely play a sound, wipe your data, or lock the screen with a custom message and a callback number. Additionally, modern Android devices now feature AI-powered Theft Detection, which automatically locks your screen if it detects that the phone has been snatched from your hand.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)19. Use Battery Saver Mode
Android offers a lot more control over battery-saving options than the iPhone does. Not only can you enable Battery Saver mode and have it automatically turn off when the phone is charged, but you can also use the Adaptive Power feature, which extends battery life based on your usage patterns. You can also set a schedule for Battery Saver mode and have it automatically activate based on your usage or when you reach a specified charge level.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)20. Control Your Smart Home
Android makes controlling smart home devices seamless via the Device Controls shortcut. Instead of opening the full Google Home app, you can access your favorite lights and thermostats directly from a tile in the Quick Settings shade or via the Home icon on your lock screen. For this to work, you must set up the devices in the Google Home app and "star" your most-used controls for quick access.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)21. Update Frequently
Updating your phone doesn't just protect your data; it often unlocks new tools and makes your device feel new. Modern updates are more reliable than ever, so there’s no reason to wait. Go to Settings > Software Updates, then tap Check for Updates to see if you have one waiting.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)22. Personalize Language on a Per-App Basis
Multilingual Android users can set their preferred language per app. To select your preferred language, head over to Settings > System > Languages & Input. Select App Languages, and choose the app you wish to modify. You can also find this feature in the Apps settings (go to Settings > Apps). Select the app you want to change, then select Language. This feature isn't universal; developers must opt into it. However, in these cases, you can often use Android's System AI to force-translate; you might see a Live Translate suggestion.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)23. Use Material You for Ultimate Personalization
Android's Material 3 design (the evolution of Material You) enables deep UI personalization. In Settings > Wallpaper & Style, you can choose a palette that automatically pulls complementary tones from your wallpaper to color your buttons, menus, and system apps. In Android 16, this extends to AI-generated styles, which can suggest themes based on your current lighting or time of day, and offers more consistent support for Themed Icons across your entire app drawer.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)24. Get Help During Emergencies
No one wants to be in SOS situations, but accidents happen. The best we can do is prepare for them, and Android gives you essential tools for those circumstances. Emergency SOS is a suite of safety features that summon help in dire situations, and it only takes a few minutes to set up. Add emergency contacts to your device via the Safety & Emergency tab in Settings (you must have at least one). Afterward, navigate to Safety & Emergency > Emergency SOS, then click the slider to enable this feature.
With this active, clicking the Power Button five times or more triggers a loud alarm, call emergency services, or both, depending on your preferences. Your emergency contacts will receive updates about your current location, battery status, and recent call activity.
(Credit: Android/PCMag)25. Record and Transcribe Audio with Ease
Voice recording and transcription on Android—particularly on Pixel devices—are excellent. Not only can you record great quality audio with Android's Recorder, but the OS transcribes said audio, which you can view with a simple swipe. Additionally, you can have Android generate a new transcription if the original isn't as accurate as you'd like. To top it off, you can copy and save the transcript to Google Docs right from the app. It's a fantastic tool for interviewing or for chronicling your thoughts out loud.