Ten Things Your Android Phone Can Do You Probably don't Know

March 9, 2024

Unlocking the hidden features of our android phones

Joseph Chisom Ofonagoro

Smartphones

10 Things Your Android Phone is Capable of Doing You Probably Don't Know

Android smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, offering a vast array of features and capabilities beyond just making calls and sending texts. While we may be familiar with the basics, and even some advanced stuff like hiding apps and files, there are many hidden features and functionalities that often go unnoticed. In this article, we'll explore 10 things your Android phone is capable of doing that you probably didn't know about.

Introduction

With each software update, Android devices gain new features and improvements, making them more powerful and versatile than ever before. From productivity tools to security enhancements and entertainment options, Android phones offer a wealth of possibilities that can enhance your daily experience. Whether you're a power user or a casual smartphone enthusiast, this article will unveil some of the lesser-known capabilities of your Android device, empowering you to get the most out of your beloved robotic computer in the form of a little gadget.

Turn Your Phone into a Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

One of the most convenient features of Android phones is the ability to turn your device into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. This feature allows you to share your phone's cellular data connection with other devices, such as laptops, tablets, or even other smartphones. It's incredibly useful when you're on the go and need to stay connected, but don't have access to a traditional Wi-Fi network. Sure, many can do this, but there are advanced functionalities that come with it. Aside from turning your device into a hotspot, you can use hidden alternatives other than normal hotspot. Two advanced options for sharing your mobile data is via USB tethering and Bluetooth tethering.

In USB tethering, you can share your data with your laptop via a USB data cable. When you connect your cable with your laptop or desktop computer, an option will pop up on your android phone, and you can choose the data transfer option, if it doesn’t show, hold on and keep reading, I’d explore an advanced option for it.

As for Bluetooth tethering;

• Open Bluetooth settings
• Tap on Bluetooth tethering to set up.
• Pair with a device and verify

The paired phone should be able to access the internet as long as it is paired with your phone.

If you can’t find it under Bluetooth, look for it under hotspot tethering. It depends on your phone.

How to Set Up a Wi-Fi Hotspot on Android

1. Go to your phone's Settings app and look for the "Hotspot & Tethering" or "Mobile Hotspot" option.

2. Enable the "Mobile Hotspot" or "Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot" feature.

3. Set a secure password for your hotspot to prevent unauthorized access.

4. Connect your other devices to the newly created hotspot using the provided network name and password.

Advanced Hotspot Features

Some Android devices offer advanced hotspot features, such as the ability to set data usage limits, manage connected devices, and even prioritize bandwidth for specific applications or devices. These features can be particularly useful for power users or those who frequently rely on their phone's hotspot functionality. Additionally, you can set your hotspot type to either the 2.4GHZ or 5.0GHZ hotspot band as this allows certain devices not to discover your device.

Use Your Phone as a Remote Control

Did you know that your Android phone can double as a remote control for various devices and applications? With the right apps and configurations, you can control your TV, music system, or even smart home devices right from your smartphone.

Popular Remote Control Apps for Android

- Unified Remote: This versatile app allows you to control your computer, media players, and smart home devices using your Android phone.

- Mi Remote Controller: If you own Xiaomi products, this app lets you control your Xiaomi TV, set-top box, and other compatible devices.

- AnyMote Smart Remote: This app supports a wide range of devices, including TVs, media players, and even air conditioners from various brands.

Set Up Your Phone as a Remote Control

To set up your Android phone as a remote control, you'll typically need to install the appropriate app and follow the setup instructions specific to your device or appliance. This may involve entering network credentials, pairing devices, or configuring settings within the remote control app itself.

Scan Documents and Save Them as PDFs

Gone are the days when you needed a dedicated scanner to digitize documents. With the right app, your Android phone's camera can transform into a powerful document scanner, allowing you to capture and save physical documents as PDFs for easy storage and sharing.

Recommended Document Scanning Apps

- Google Drive: The built-in document scanning feature in Google Drive is simple and efficient.

- Adobe Scan: This app from Adobe offers advanced features like automatic cropping, text recognition, and cloud storage integration.

- Microsoft Lens: Part of the Microsoft Office suite, Lens can scan documents, whiteboards, and even printed text for digital capture.

Tips for Better Document Scanning

To ensure high-quality scans, follow these tips:

1. Position your phone parallel to the document and ensure proper lighting.

2. Use the grid or alignment guides provided by the scanning app for accurate framing.

3. Enable automatic edge detection and cropping for a clean, straightened scan.

4. Utilize optical character recognition (OCR) if you need to extract text from the scanned document.

Many newer android phones come with default and specialized scanners out of the box, it is ideal to use these default scanners when they are available.

Control Your Phone with Voice Commands

Voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa have become increasingly popular, allowing you to control various aspects of your Android phone using voice commands. From making calls and sending messages to setting reminders and controlling smart home devices, voice commands can significantly enhance your smartphone experience.

How to Use Voice Commands on Android

- Set up Google Assistant or Alexa on your Android phone by following the initial setup instructions.

- Say the wake phrase (e.g., "Hey Google" or "Alexa") to activate the voice assistant.

- Give commands like "Call Mom," "Set a reminder for tomorrow at 10 AM," or "Turn on the living room lights."

Advanced Voice Command Features

As voice assistants continue to evolve, they offer increasingly advanced features and capabilities. For example, you can use voice commands to:

- Dictate and send emails or messages

- Create and manage calendar events

- Control media playback (music, videos, podcasts)

- Get directions and traffic information

- Set alarms and timers

- Control compatible smart home devices

Find Your Lost Phone

Losing your smartphone can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but Android has a built-in feature that can help you locate your misplaced device. By leveraging Google's "Find My Device" service, you can track your phone's location, make it ring, or even remotely lock or erase data if necessary.

How to Use "Find My Device"

1. Turn on your location and keep it turned on always, many people don’t keep their location on always which often leads to issues with Find My Device.

2. Download the Find My Device app from your Google Play Store, sign in with your google account.

3. You'll see the location of your Android device on a map, along with options to play a sound, lock the device, or erase data.

4. Give it necessary permissions to lock your device when you lose it or play a sound even when your device is on Do Not Disturb.

Additional Find My Device Features

Google's "Find My Device" service offers several additional features to help you locate and secure your lost or stolen Android phone:

- Set a lock screen message with your contact information in case someone finds your device.

- Remotely erase all data from your phone if it's lost or stolen, ensuring your personal information remains secure.

- View the approximate location of your device even when it's offline, thanks to the last known location reporting.

Create Customized Shortcuts and Gestures

Android offers a wealth of customization options, including the ability to create personalized shortcuts and gestures for various actions. These can help streamline your workflow and make your smartphone experience more efficient and tailored to your preferences.

Popular Shortcut and Gesture Apps

- Digital wellbeing: A default setting and app from Google available on all android phones that allows you to automate functions and events on your phone. You can automatically setup DND, dark mode, sleep mode, focus mode and even disable apps when certain parameters are set.

- Tasker: This powerful automation app allows you to create intricate shortcuts and automate tasks based on contexts like location, time, or sensor data.

- Button Mapper: With this app, you can remap your phone's physical buttons or create custom gestures for specific actions.

- Gesture Control: This app lets you create custom gestures for launching apps, controlling media playback, and more.

Examples of Useful Shortcuts and Gestures

Here are some examples of how you can use shortcuts and gestures to simplify your Android experience:

- Create a shortcut to quickly toggle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Airplane mode on or off.

- Set up a gesture to launch your favorite app or perform a specific action with a simple swipe or motion.

- Automate tasks like turning on Do Not Disturb mode during certain hours or enabling location services when you leave your home.

- Remap the volume buttons to control media playback or launch the camera app.

Use Your Phone as a Portable Gaming Console

Android smartphones have come a long way in terms of gaming capabilities, with many devices now boasting powerful processors and dedicated graphics chips. Combined with the vast selection of games available on the Google Play Store, your Android phone can serve as a portable gaming console, providing endless entertainment on the go.

Popular Mobile Gaming Apps and Services

- Google Play Games: This built-in service from Google offers a centralized hub for discovering and playing games, tracking achievements, and connecting with friends.

- Xbox Game Pass: Microsoft's subscription service brings a curated library of console and PC games to your Android device.

- Emulators: Apps like RetroArch and Dolphin Emulator allow you to run classic games from various consoles on your Android phone.

Enhance Your Mobile Gaming Experience

To take your mobile gaming experience to the next level, consider investing in some accessories:

- Gamepad or controller: Many Android games support physical gamepads or controllers for a more immersive and precise gaming experience.

- Cooling fan: High-performance games can generate a lot of heat, so a dedicated cooling fan can help prevent your phone from overheating.

- External battery pack: Extended gaming sessions can quickly drain your phone's battery, so an external power bank can keep you playing longer.

When trying to use your phone as a gaming console, please, check its clock speed and if your device can optimally handle games. Not all phones can handle games with minimal lag.

Control Your Computer Remotely

With the right apps and configurations, your Android phone can become a powerful remote control for your computer. This feature is particularly useful for presentations, remote access, or when you need to control your PC from a distance.

Popular Remote Desktop Apps for Android

- Microsoft Remote Desktop: This official app from Microsoft allows you to connect to and control your Windows PC from your Android device.

- Chrome Remote Desktop: Google's remote desktop solution works across different platforms, including Android and Chrome OS devices.

- TeamViewer: This versatile app enables remote control, file transfer, and collaboration across various devices and platforms.

Tips for Optimal Remote Desktop Experience

To ensure a smooth and reliable remote desktop experience, consider the following tips:

1. Connect your phone and computer to the same Wi-Fi network or use a stable internet connection for remote access.

2. Enable wake-on-LAN or keep your computer awake to maintain connectivity.

3. Adjust the display settings and resolution for optimal viewing on your phone's screen.

4. Use a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse for easier input and navigation on your computer.

Use Your Phone as a Security Camera

Your Android phone can double as a security camera, allowing you to keep an eye on your home or office even when you're away. This can be particularly useful for monitoring pets, checking on deliveries, or providing an extra layer of security. Note that some of these apps offer premium subscriptions for maximal usage.

Recommended Security Camera Apps

- Alfred Home Security Camera: This app turns your Android device into a motion-detecting security camera with cloud recording and live streaming capabilities.

- IP Webcam: Transform your phone into an IP camera that you can access remotely from a web browser or dedicated app.

- Presence: This app offers advanced features like motion detection, two-way audio, and cloud storage for recorded videos.

Setting Up Your Phone as a Security Camera

To set up your Android phone as a security camera, follow these steps:

1. Install the desired security camera app and grant the necessary permissions.

2. Position your phone in a strategic location, ensuring a clear view of the area you wish to monitor.

3. Configure the app settings, such as motion detection, recording preferences, and notification options.

4. Access the live feed or recorded footage from your phone or a web browser when needed.

App Pinning

We've all been there – lending our phone to someone for a quick task and fearing they might accidentally (or intentionally) stumble upon something private. App Pinning comes to the rescue! This feature allows you to restrict access to a single app, ensuring the borrower stays within the designated boundaries.

How to Set it Up

1. Open the app you want to pin.

2. Navigate to Settings > Security (or a similar path depending on your device).

3. Locate "Advanced" or "More Security Settings" and enable "Screen Pinning."

4. Go back to the app you want to pin and open the Recent Apps menu (usually accessed by swiping up from the bottom).

5. Find the app icon and tap the three dots in the top corner.

6. Select "Pin app" from the menu.

7. Your phone screen will now be locked to that specific app. To exit Pinning mode, you'll need to enter your PIN or unlock pattern.

Conclusion

As you can see, your Android phone is a powerhouse of features and capabilities that extend far beyond its basic functions. By exploring and taking advantage of these hidden features, you can unlock the true potential of your Android device and enhance your overall smartphone experience. Don't be afraid to navigate in and discover what your trusty Android companion is truly capable of – you might be surprised by how much it can do!

Note: not all of these special features might be available for your device. Android is versatile and each phone manufacturer adds specific features to their products. However, the hidden features listed here are available for most phones.