Part of the appeal of usinga Pixel smartphoneis its uniquely crafted software experience. As the owner of the Android operating system, Google’s first-party hardware runs a tailor-made version of the OS, which can be described as the search giant’s vision for how Android should look, feel, and behave.
For the most part,Googletakes a subtle approach to its Pixelized version of Android. Sticking closely to theAndroid Open Source Project(AOSP), the launcher and other interface elements are clean and minimalistic. Rather than packing its skin with every feature under the sun, Google’s Pixel UI is comparatively restrained.
In some cases, this simplicity works in Google’s favor. It allows for an iPhone-like Android phone experience that “just works,” so to speak. On the other hand, many useful functions and utilitiesare missing from the Pixel launcher, which can be frustrating for power users and for fans of software customization.
Even still,Google’s expression of Androidincludes some noteworthy hidden settings, many of which are severely underappreciated or simply lesser known than they ought to be. Here are five such features that I always make use of when picking upmy Pixel 9 Pro, and that I wish I had started using earlier.
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5Screensaver
Allow your Pixel to display useful content at all times
Previously known as Daydream, Android has long offered a native screensaver mode at the system level. Toggled off by default, this handy setting will automatically display content on screen whenever you dock your phone onto a charger. Default options include a clock, swirling colors, smart home controls, and a digital photo frame.
To enable Android’s screen saver mode on your Pixel phone, follow these steps:
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4Quick Tap to start actions
A surprisingly flexible gesture that’s hidden from view
First brought to the fore byApple’s Back Tap feature for iPhone, Google’s modern Pixel phones are capable of precisely this same hidden gesture. By double-tapping the rear panel of your Pixel, you can set up one of several system functions to take place, including taking a screenshot, accessing your digital assistant, playing or pausing media, seeing recent apps, showing notifications, toggling the flashlight, or opening a user-specified app. As far as quick-and-easy gestures that don’t rely on a button or touch screen go, this one is pretty great.
To set up Quick Tap on your Pixel, follow these steps:
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3Display size and text
Gone are the days of needing bifocals just to see what’s being displayed on your phone’s screen. Modern Pixel phones ship with comparatively large display panels, and Android itself has come a long way in terms of offering display scaling options. The system provides two separate sliders: one for font size, and another for display size. These dynamically alter the entire user interface, including many third-party apps that tie into the feature. Other style options included within the Display size and text umbrella include bold text and outline text, which are useful from an accessibility standpoint.
To adjust the font and display size of your Pixel, follow these steps:
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2Touch sensitivity
A game-changer for anyone living through harsh winters
If you’re like me and happen to live in a part of the world that experiences frigid temperatures, harsh winters, and plenty of snowfall, then you’ll know the struggle of trying to interact with your phone’s touch screen while wearing gloves or mittens. Luckily, Pixel phones include a dedicated touch sensitivity section within settings, allowing you to tap and swipe away at your phone’s screen while keeping your hands warm. If you have a screen protector installed on your Pixel, increasing the touch sensitivity has the added bonus of negating any precision loss that may occur due to the additional protective layer of glass or plastic on your screen.
To access touch sensitivity settings on your Pixel, follow these steps:
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Rules is a useful and underutilized option buried within settings that serves an analogous purpose to Shortcuts on Apple devices, Galaxy Routines on Samsung devices, andthe third-party Tasker appon Android. As a native tool, Rules on the Pixel is a somewhat limited experience, with only a couple IF / THEN scenarios available to pick from. Nevertheless, the ability to have your phone automatically enable Do Not Disturb, silent, vibrate, and ring modes whenever you enter a certain geographical area or connect to a specific WI-Fi network is an immensely useful tool.
To get started with Rules on your Pixel phone, follow these steps:
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