Android has improved by leaps and bounds over the last decade, and with yearly OS updates and a constant flow of new features, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Whether you’re new to Android or have been a fan since the Google Nexus days, some features may have been lost in the shuffle. So, here are a few underrated features more people should know about.
I recently shared a list of5 Android featuresI’m constantly showing friends and family, and I figured I’d follow that up with a few more you might not know about or have used in the past and forgot they existed.
4Extended Unlock Makes Using Your Phone Easier at Home
Previously known as Smart Lock, Extended Unlock is one of my favorite features on Android, but most people don’t even know it exists. It’s relatively simple yet makes a huge difference when using my phone at home, in the car, or connected to headphones.
Extended Unlock is a feature that allows your phone to stay unlocked in certain situations or locations. For example, when you’re in a trusted location like your home, there’s no need for a PIN, pattern, password, or fingerprint lock. As a result, your phone will bypass the lock method until you leave the house.
These extended unlock sessions work when your phone is on your person, near trusted Bluetooth devices like a car stereo, and in trusted locations, such as at home or the office. It eliminates the need to constantly enter a password or use your fingerprint.
To get started, you’ll find this option in Settings under “Extended Unlock” or “Extend Unlock,” depending on your phone’s make and model. On Samsung, it’s under the lock screen and AOD. Tap on Extend Unlock, enter your pin or security measure, and set up your trusted locations and devices. It’s that easy. You’re welcome!
3Keyboard Dictionary Shortcuts for Faster Typing
While this next feature will depend on your keyboard of choice, most Android keyboard options have shortcuts or quick keys that make it easier to type certain words. It turns one or two button taps into a full expansion of a bigger word or full sentence.
For example, with Google’s Gboard, you can make a custom text or string of letters into a shortcut. So, instead of typing out your entire address or a common sentence you often use for work, make a shortcut like “ads,” which will automatically populate your full address. As soon as you type your shortcut word, the keyboard will suggest the full sentence.
On Gboard, you’ll find these shortcuts in Settings > Dictionary > and then hit the + sign to add a new word, term, or sentence. Here, you’ll also see the option to create a shortcut to type it faster. My brother is in real estate, and he types the same thing constantly and has nearly 20 shortcuts to make communicating faster.
2Share Wi-Fi Passwords via QR Code
We’ve all experienced that frustrating moment when you visit a family member and ask for the Wi-Fi password, but they don’t know it and go digging through papers in their office or look on the back of the Wi-Fi router. What a hassle.
Or, you may have guests who want your password, but you don’t know it either. Thankfully, Android has a nifty feature that lets you easilyshare your Wi-Fi with anyone using a QR code. This is nothing new; it has been hidden in Android Wi-Fi settings since Android 10.
Again, the steps vary by Android version or device, but for most, it’ll appear in the same location. Head to Settings > Wi-Fi > tap on your home Wi-Fi network, and then hit the Settings button off to the right. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see the option to instantly create a QR code you can share with someone. Samsung even has a “Share Network” option that makes sending your login credentials to another Samsung Galaxy easy.
Wi-Fi sharing via QR isn’t revolutionary, but it eliminates a major pain point around the holidays or family gatherings. Try it the next time someone wants to use your home Wi-Fi.
1Show Medical Information on Your Lock Screen
Finally, I wanted to share one more Android feature that might not be fancy or exciting, but it could save your life. Did you know you may add emergency ormedical information to your phoneand display it on the lock screen?
Almost all Android phones—including Galaxy devices and Pixel phones—have a “Safety and Emergency” or “Medical” section in the Settings menu. The idea is that you may add your name, allergies, medical information, and even whether you’re an organ donor to your phone. Then, a paramedic or doctor who may need it during an emergency can see it without unlocking your phone.
This feature is critical for anyone with specific medical issues, and it’s really easy to set up. Open Settings, then search or find the Medical Information section. From here, enable it on the lock screen and fill out any sections you feel are important.
You can even add specific medical notes or an emergency contact person. Remember that anyone who grabs your phone can see it on the lock screen, so be aware of what you share.
I’m sure some of you already know about these helpful Android features, but if not, try them today. I forgot about the dictionary shortcuts until a friend asked about it, and now I use them all the time.
Manyunderappreciated Android featuresare forgotten along the way. Get familiar with some of these, and you might find your favorite feature.
