5 missed Google Pixel settings I want I knew about sooner

A part of the enchantment of utilizing a Pixel smartphone is its uniquely crafted software program expertise. Because the proprietor of the Android working system, Google’s first-party {hardware} runs a tailored model of the OS, which might be described because the search big’s imaginative and prescient for a way Android ought to look, really feel, and behave.

For essentially the most half, Google takes a refined method to its Pixelized model of Android. Sticking intently to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), the launcher and different interface components are clear and minimalistic. Fairly than packing its pores and skin with each function beneath the solar, Google’s Pixel UI is relatively restrained.

In some circumstances, this simplicity works in Google’s favor. It permits for an iPhone-like Android cellphone expertise that “simply works,” so to talk. Alternatively, many helpful capabilities and utilities are missing from the Pixel launcher, which might be irritating for energy customers and for followers of software program customization.

Even nonetheless, Google’s expression of Android contains some noteworthy hidden settings, a lot of that are severely underappreciated or just lesser identified than they must be. Listed here are 5 such options that I at all times make use of when selecting up my Pixel 9 Pro, and that I want I had began utilizing earlier.

5

Screensaver

Permit your Pixel to show helpful content material always

Beforehand referred to as Daydream, Android has lengthy supplied a local screensaver mode on the system degree. Toggled off by default, this helpful setting will robotically show content material on display screen everytime you dock your cellphone onto a charger. Default choices embody a clock, swirling colours, sensible residence controls, and a digital picture body.

To allow Android’s display screen saver mode in your Pixel cellphone, comply with these steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > Show & Contact > Display screen saver.
2. Toggle on the Use display screen saver swap.
3. Beneath Select a display screen saver, you’ll be able to scroll by way of included (and third-party) display screen savers which are put in in your Pixel, in addition to preview and regulate explicit per-screen-saver settings.

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4

Fast Faucet to begin actions

A surprisingly versatile gesture that is hidden from view

First delivered to the fore by Apple’s Back Tap feature for iPhone, Google’s trendy Pixel telephones are able to exactly this identical hidden gesture. By double-tapping the rear panel of your Pixel, you’ll be able to arrange one among a number of system capabilities to happen, together with taking a screenshot, accessing your digital assistant, taking part in or pausing media, seeing latest apps, exhibiting notifications, toggling the flashlight, or opening a user-specified app. So far as quick-and-easy gestures that do not depend on a button or contact display screen go, this one is fairly nice.

To arrange Fast Faucet in your Pixel, comply with these steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > System > Gestures > Fast Faucet to begin actions.
2. Toggle on the Use Fast Faucet slider.
3. Choose which motion you’d just like the system to carry out when performing the double faucet gesture.
4. When you’re experiencing false positives with the gesture, toggle on Require stronger faucets.

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3

Show measurement and textual content

Alter content material scaling as an alternative of reaching for the bifocals

Gone are the times of needing bifocals simply to see what’s being displayed in your cellphone’s display screen. Trendy Pixel telephones ship with comparatively massive show panels, and Android itself has come a great distance by way of providing show scaling choices. The system supplies two separate sliders: one for font measurement, and one other for show measurement. These dynamically alter the complete person interface, together with many third-party apps that tie into the function. Different model choices included inside the Show measurement and textual content umbrella embody daring textual content and description textual content, that are helpful from an accessibility standpoint.

To regulate the font and show measurement of your Pixel, comply with these steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > Show > Look and faucet on Show textual content and measurement.
2. From right here, you’ll be able to regulate each sliders independently of each other to fit your desire.
3. You’ll be able to faucet the Reset settings button on the backside of the web page to revive the out-of-box scaling configuration.

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2

Contact sensitivity

A game-changer for anybody dwelling by way of harsh winters

When you’re like me and occur to stay in part of the world that experiences frigid temperatures, harsh winters, and loads of snowfall, you then’ll know the wrestle of attempting to work together together with your cellphone’s contact display screen whereas carrying gloves or mittens. Fortunately, Pixel telephones embody a devoted contact sensitivity part inside settings, permitting you to faucet and swipe away at your cellphone’s display screen whereas maintaining your palms heat. In case you have a display screen protector put in in your Pixel, rising the contact sensitivity has the added bonus of negating any precision loss which will happen as a result of extra protecting layer of glass or plastic in your display screen.

To entry contact sensitivity settings in your Pixel, comply with these steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > Show & contact > Contact and faucet on Touch sensitivity.
2. Toggle on Elevated sensitivity to make your display screen extra responsive, and optionally toggle on Adaptive contact to regulate sensitivity as contextually required.

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1

Guidelines

Pixel telephones can automate monotonous duties

Guidelines is a helpful and underutilized possibility buried inside settings that serves an identical objective to Shortcuts on Apple units, Galaxy Routines on Samsung units, and the third-party Tasker app on Android. As a local software, Guidelines on the Pixel is a considerably restricted expertise, with solely a pair IF / THEN eventualities accessible to choose from. However, the flexibility to have your cellphone robotically allow Do Not Disturb, silent, vibrate, and ring modes everytime you enter a sure geographical space or connect with a particular WI-Fi community is an immensely great tool.

To get began with Guidelines in your Pixel cellphone, comply with these steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > System > Guidelines.
2. If an on-screen immediate seems and requests the flexibility to run within the background, faucet on Subsequent after which faucet on Permit.
3. From right here, faucet on Add rule, after which set your parameters in line with your preferences.
4. Optionally, you’ll be able to allow the ship notification when rule takes impact possibility if you would like to be told every time a rule kicks into impact.

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