Android phones can do a lot more than making calls, running apps, and scrolling through social media. Some of the most useful features are buried in settings or simple gestures that many people never try.
Here are five Android hacks worth knowing.
1. Pin an app before handing over your phone
Need someone to use your phone without letting them browse through everything else?
Android’s app pinning feature can lock the screen to one app. You can find it under Settings > Security or Security & privacy, although the exact location can vary by phone.
It is useful when giving someone your phone to make a call, look at a photo, or use an app without giving them access to your other apps.
2. Use split screen for two apps
You can run two compatible apps on the screen at the same time.
Open the recent-apps screen, tap the app’s icon, then look for Split screen. For example, you could keep WhatsApp open while checking information in Chrome.
It is especially handy when copying information between two apps.
3. Share Wi-Fi without typing the password
If your Android phone is already connected to a Wi-Fi network, you may be able to share the connection using a QR code.
Open Wi-Fi settings, select the connected network, and look for a Share option. Another Android phone can scan the code instead of you reading out a long password.
4. Search your phone instead of hunting through apps
Swipe up to open your app drawer and use the search box.
You can quickly find an app, contact, setting, or other available content without scrolling through several screens. It sounds basic, but it can save surprisingly much time.
5. Turn on one-handed mode
Large phones are great for watching videos, but reaching the top of the screen with one hand can be annoying.
Many Android phones offer One-handed mode, which shrinks the usable screen area so controls are easier to reach. Search for “one-handed mode” in Settings if you cannot find it.
The exact names and locations of these features can differ between Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, and other Android phones. If one option is missing, it may simply be a manufacturer or Android-version difference.
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