5 settings I at all times change within the Android Cellphone app

It is a common joke within the tech biz lately, nevertheless it’s true — typically, we neglect that our smartphones are alleged to make cellphone calls. It is simpler to shoot somebody an e-mail or a textual content message, and telephones serve 1,000,000 different functions, from video games and fitness tracking to social media and recording rides. The best way Apple’s advertising goes, you’d suppose most Hollywood motion pictures had been shot utilizing iPhones.

When you truly do need to use your Android cellphone for its nominal goal, there are a variety of settings you may change to get essentially the most out of it. Observe that these are simply the tweaks I favor once I get to day by day an Android system. It might be value exploring settings by yourself, merely utilizing the options beneath as a place to begin. I am going to add that not each Android cellphone goes to share the identical menu labels, and even the identical choices in some circumstances, so I am not going to delve (too) deep into directions.

Enabling Name Display

The perfect is reserved for the Google trustworthy

One in all finest options of iOS 26 is optionally available call screening, however as with quite a lot of iPhone options, it appeared on Android units first. This allows you to immediate a caller to elucidate who they’re and why they’re calling earlier than you reply — for those who reply in any respect. Alternately, you may reply with canned or AI-generated responses, the latter tailor-made to what the caller truly stated throughout the screening course of.

There are just a few limitations. Non-Google Android units solely assist handbook screening at most, triggered by tapping Display name when your cellphone rings. And even then, handbook management is simply accessible in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Eire, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US. When you do not see the choice seem in any respect, strive opening the Cellphone app and going to Extra -> Settings -> Spam and Name Display/Name Display.

When you personal a Pixel system and stay within the US, you may activate automated screening by going to the identical menu. One benefit of this (assuming you will have a Pixel 7 or later) is which you could select various levels of safety. All ranges will block identified spam — however you may restrict screening to “suspicious” (probably faked) numbers for those who do not need to interrogate each quantity that is not in your contact checklist. I would suggest full screening for those who’re repeatedly bombarded by spam. The partial choice could also be helpful for those who’re anticipating calls from new numbers, like shoppers or job recruiters.

Turning on Caller ID bulletins

Train warning

If there’s something on this checklist that is sure to upset you, it is most likely this one, and I perceive why. It may be annoying sufficient when a cellphone rings in public, not to mention the thought of an artificial voice proclaiming the title or quantity. And for those who’re the one who owns the system, you could not need your personal life revealed out loud, or blasted in your ear.

I take advantage of my cellphone beneath very explicit circumstances, nevertheless. If I am not alone in my residence workplace, I am almost definitely in my automotive, on the gymnasium, or using my EUC. Having calls introduced will not be solely fantastic, however typically important — I am unable to precisely verify my display once I’m beneath a loaded barbell or carving down a motorcycle path.

You may alter this characteristic within the Cellphone app by going to Extra -> Settings -> Caller ID announcement -> Announce caller ID. Most individuals ought to most likely select Solely when utilizing a headset, which may prevent hassle whenever you’re preoccupied the way in which I’m, however with out telling everybody your private enterprise. The opposite choices are At all times and By no means.

Disabling Name Bubbles

Helpful however distracting

Credit score: Pocket-lint / Google

When Android first gained messaging bubbles a few years in the past, I used to be completely satisfied, principally as a result of it promised simpler multitasking at a time when that was missing within the OS. However the extra I used it, the extra irritated I turned, as a result of these bubbles had been getting in the way in which of interface parts in different apps. I did not want a reminder that I had an ongoing dialog, and Android’s present multitasking interface makes it easy sufficient to change apps.

On the subject of the official Cellphone app, bubbles are on by default. They do have their worth — aside from making it simpler to renew a name, you may mute it, put it on speakerphone, or grasp up with out having to go anyplace. However for those who’re experiencing the identical frustrations as me, comply with these steps:

1. Faucet and maintain the Cellphone app icon.
2. Faucet Information (i).
3. Choose Superior -> Show over different apps.
4. Lastly, toggle Enable show over different apps.

Activating Flip to Slience/Flip to Shhh

One other edge for Pixel homeowners

This setting is one I am not often ready to make use of, since my cellphone is usually in my pocket or sitting on a stand, nevertheless it’s good to have the choice. As its title suggests, this allows you to flip your cellphone over to mute an incoming name. {Hardware} and software program buttons can accomplish the identical factor, however flipping is sometimes simpler, say if a name wakes you up at 6AM and also you need nothing greater than to return to sleep.

On Pixel units from the Pixel 2 onwards, Flip to Shhh is on by default. All it’s a must to do is ensure that your cellphone is screen-up on a flat floor, then flip it upside-down when the time comes. That “flat” half is essential — the choice depends in your cellphone’s movement sensors, so it won’t work correctly in case your cellphone is resting on one thing uneven like a sofa cushion.

With out a Pixel in hand, you should still have entry to Flip to Silence. It is functionally related — you may simply must navigate to Settings -> Superior -> Flip to silence within the Cellphone app. If you cannot discover the choice, it is perhaps value exploring different menus, however there’s the chance that your cellphone is not appropriate.

A little bit counter-intuitive

Okay, you have received me on a technicality — you may’t truly set customized ringtones by way of the Cellphone app. However that is one of the essential issues for me on any system, since if I hear my spouse’s tone, I do know to select up instantly. If it is a generic ringtone, I ought to most likely verify the incoming quantity first, since a lot of the calls I get are spam.

So how do you set a ringtone for particular person contacts? Usually, that is the method:

1. Obtain or copy the audio file you need to use to the Recordsdata app.
2. Open the Google Contacts app.
3. Choose the Repair & handle tab on the backside.
4. Below Different instruments, select Contact ringtones.
5. Faucet Add contact ringtone.
6. Choose a contact, then the ringtone you need to use.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for as many customized tones as you need to use.

The massive catch to that is that whereas contacts sync between units utilizing the identical Google Account, ringtones do not. You may put your favourite information in Google Drive, however you may must reassign them to every contact when you arrange a brand new cellphone.