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What are some cool but underrated Android Features on Android that most people don’t know about? those little things that make life easier but don’t get talked about much. I feel like there’s so much hidden stuff in Android that we miss out on.

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[-] cron@feddit.org 25 points 7 months ago

Android has support for keyboards. Both USB and Bluetooth keyboards work well and can be used for longer typing.

[-] altima_neo@lemmy.zip 21 points 7 months ago
[-] cron@feddit.org 8 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

You're right. This came handy when my phone's screen broke and the touch sensor didn't work. With USB mouse and keyboard, I could make a backup.

(Bluetooth would have worked too, if the devices are already paired).

[-] mundane@feddit.nu 3 points 7 months ago

And my axe!

[-] Excigma@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago

With some apps (unsure if any open source ones exist), Android can become a Bluetooth Keyboard for a connected computer too! The keyboard isn't very useful, but having a portable trackpad for a laptop during presentations may be helpful

[-] cron@feddit.org 2 points 7 months ago

There is also Impress Remote for Libreoffice Impress

[-] jet@hackertalks.com 19 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Pin a app to the screen, so if you need to let someone use their phone they can't get super nosy.

owner account can have a work profile, separate apps, have two versions of the same app, or just put some apps behind another fingerprint/password (can be different then the main phone unlocks)

Multiple user accounts (totally different accounts, totally different apps) : great if you want to let a kid play games, or let someone search the internet, or if you want to be really clean and keep work apps totally different. Mostly useful on tablets to let multiple people share the tablet.

The ability to run open source apps from fdroid, newpipe is an amazing game changer for anyone who watches youtube. (no ads)

[-] cron@feddit.org 5 points 7 months ago

I use this pin feature when I give my phone to my kids. They can only use the pinned app and nothing else.

[-] Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net 4 points 7 months ago

How do I do the multiple account thing

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[-] CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 7 months ago

You can have a work profile as well as a private space account. I think the latter is a relatively new feature. Really useful if you want your dating apps or NSFW apps not tied to your personal account.

The only drawback is that the private space cannot use background services so you can't get notifications of hot MILFs in your area.

[-] robocall@lemmy.world 18 points 7 months ago

On the calendar, I can set people's birthdays with a yearly reminder so they think I'm super thoughtful for remembering their birthdays. But the phone notified me.

[-] Carighan@lemmy.world 11 points 7 months ago

Happens automatically if you put the birthday on the contact, too

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[-] tjebutski@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago

That's not an Android feature, every digital calendar does that.

[-] robocall@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago
[-] Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 5 points 7 months ago

As a forgetful person this feature is absolutely essential. I put the person's name and year of birth in the calendar event too.

[-] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 7 months ago

Birday is a nice simple app that I like, it shows all upcoming birthdays and how many days until they happen. Just pulls the data from your calendar so no setup needed.

[-] kratoz29@lemm.ee 2 points 7 months ago

I had a coworker that had the birthdays of his contacts at the end of each of them, so he would see that date anytime he chatted with them (us?) through WhatsApp.

I don't question his methods, but that worked for him.

[-] 0x0@programming.dev 8 points 7 months ago

Other ROMs like Lineage.

[-] Fake4000@lemmy.world 8 points 7 months ago

An application like tasker makes you realise the weird and amazing stuff you can do.

[-] Rikj000@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 7 months ago

What do you use it for?
I've had it for a while,
but ended up uninstalling it,
since I could not think of a good use case.

[-] Fake4000@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

I have a few routines that I use.

For example,

I have one that auto rotates some apps.

One that sends a notification to my watch when the phone is fully charged.

Another that enables NFC when I open the wallet app and disables it automatically.

Another that enables auto rotate, silences phone, and enables DND when playing games.

[-] Stomata@sh.itjust.works 7 points 7 months ago

Try other app stores like fdroid

[-] wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Not an app "store" per se, but Obtainium

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[-] Hubi@feddit.org 6 points 7 months ago

Some Android versions let you map the flashlight to the volume buttons and you can toggle it by pressing both at the same time. The option can be found in the system settings. If your OS does not have the setting, you can map the keys with an app like Torchie. It's probably the feature I use the most on my phone, I couldn't live without it at this point.

[-] naeap@sopuli.xyz 2 points 7 months ago

FlashDim on F-Droid can do this as well, if you look for an open source option (don't know Torchie, maybe it's OSS as well, then I at least brought up another option)

[-] Hubi@feddit.org 2 points 7 months ago

Thanks for the suggestion, Torchie is also on F-Droid :)

[-] naeap@sopuli.xyz 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Yeah, stupidly checked after posting...

Although it shows up to be compiled for an earlier Android version and might not be compatible

Well, at least an option more... ;⁠-⁠)

[-] Today@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago

Check out the eye gaze function. Also Action Blocks. They're both cool assistive tech things that can be helpful, but trying them out shows you how difficult and exhausting it would be to have to use them for every task.

[-] bokherif@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

NewPipe, ReVanced patches, screen rotate with the popup, KineStop, and if you’re adventurous: dual boot different ROMs using A/B.

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[-] bamboo@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 7 months ago

These might be Pixel only features, but the few that always get iPhone users envious of my phone are:

Battery sharing - Turning the phone into a wireless charger for other phones, including iPhones.

Now Playing - Display whatever music is playing on the lock screen, and keep a history. Great when you're at a bar and don't want to open up Shazam or want to go back and see all the music your friend was playing in the car.

Ad Guard - Block ads, even in apps.

[-] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago
  • Digital Wellbeing. Enforce the decisions you made about app usage. Honestly it's kinda saved my sanity, particularly this year.

  • Scheduled text messages. This should be in every single messaging app. I schedule reminders for other people, I schedule messages that I think of at ridiculous hours to go out at reasonable times, I even schedule messages so that sometime else reminds me to do something.

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this post was submitted on 27 Dec 2024
39 points (95.3% liked)

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