5 ignored Google Pixel settings I want I knew about sooner

A part of the attraction 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 will be described because the search large’s imaginative and prescient for a way Android ought to look, really feel, and behave.

For probably the most half, Google takes a refined method to its Pixelized model of Android. Sticking carefully to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), the launcher and different interface parts are clear and minimalistic. Somewhat 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 features and utilities are missing from the Pixel launcher, which will 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 should be. Listed below 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 stage. Toggled off by default, this helpful setting will routinely show content material on display everytime you dock your cellphone onto a charger. Default choices embrace a clock, swirling colours, sensible dwelling controls, and a digital photograph body.

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

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

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4

Fast Faucet to start out 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 similar hidden gesture. By double-tapping the rear panel of your Pixel, you’ll be able to arrange one among a number of system features 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 go, this one is fairly nice.

To arrange Fast Faucet in your Pixel, observe these steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > System > Gestures > Fast Faucet to start out 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. In case you’re experiencing false positives with the gesture, toggle on Require stronger faucets.

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3

Show measurement and textual content

Modify content material scaling as a substitute of reaching for the bifocals

Gone are the times of needing bifocals simply to see what’s being displayed in your cellphone’s display. Trendy Pixel telephones ship with comparatively massive show panels, and Android itself has come a great distance when it comes to providing show scaling choices. The system supplies two separate sliders: one for font measurement, and one other for show measurement. These dynamically alter all the 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 embrace daring textual content and description textual content, that are helpful from an accessibility standpoint.

To regulate the font and show measurement of your Pixel, observe 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 modify each sliders independently of each other to fit your choice.
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 residing by harsh winters

In case you’re like me and occur to reside in part of the world that experiences frigid temperatures, harsh winters, and loads of snowfall, then you definitely’ll know the battle of attempting to work together together with your cellphone’s contact display whereas sporting gloves or mittens. Fortunately, Pixel telephones embrace a devoted contact sensitivity part inside settings, permitting you to faucet and swipe away at your cellphone’s display whereas protecting your fingers heat. When you’ve got a display protector put in in your Pixel, rising the contact sensitivity has the added bonus of negating any precision loss which will happen because of the extra protecting layer of glass or plastic in your display.

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

1. Navigate to Settings > Show & contact > Contact and faucet on Touch sensitivity.
2. Toggle on Elevated sensitivity to make your display 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 function to Shortcuts on Apple units, Galaxy Routines on Samsung units, and the third-party Tasker app on Android. As a local instrument, Guidelines on the Pixel is a considerably restricted expertise, with solely a pair IF / THEN eventualities obtainable to choose from. Nonetheless, the flexibility to have your cellphone routinely 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, observe 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 response to 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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