Lifehacker's 22 Favorite Android Hacks of 2022



Lifehacker's 22 Favorite Android Hacks of 2022

Android

From iMessage reactions and Chrome Flags to slicing off your Google Assistant, this 12 months proficient us many preferred new Android capabilities.

ByJake PetersonPublished3 hours inside the pastComments (1)AlertsWe can also earn a price from links on this page.Photo: quietbits (Shutterstock)

2022 turned into a huge one year for Android. We noticed Google release each the Pixel 7 and Android 13, injecting new features and hardware into the Android market. Now, after each different complete three hundred and sixty five days of the usage of Android OS, keeping up with Google news, and analyzing about different users’ reports on boards, we determined quite some Android hacks to jot down home about. Here are 22 of our favorites.

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Yell at your Google Assistant to fucking “prevent” already 

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Yell at your Google Assistant to fucking “stop” already 

Photo: Colin Hui (Shutterstock)

This 365 days, Google gave us a splendid present: You can tell Google Assistant to “fucking prevent,” and it’ll close proper up. You don’t have to cuss at the assistant, of path. All Google Assistant is seeking out is the word “prevent.” But, it’s greater fun to add a piece bit of spice to you request. The big alternate powering this functionality is you not need to say “Hey Google” to stop it from speaking. When you ask your assistant a question, and it begins answering, just say “forestall,” and it’ll forestall.

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Turn iMessage reactions into emoji on Android

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Turn iMessage reactions into emoji on Android

Photo: ThomasDeco (Shutterstock)

For years, Android users had been plagued with the resource of iMessage’s Tapback reactions. If an iPhone person “preferred” or “laughed at” a message, it wouldn’t appear as a reciprocal icon in Google Messages. Instead, it’d come through as a whole new message, i.E., “Jake desired: ‘Do you want to visit the films this night?’” Insufferable.

This yr, Google steady the problem, turning those reactions into the following emoji:

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You can run Android apps in Windows eleven

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You can run Android apps in Windows eleven

Photo: Koshiro K (Shutterstock)

One of Windows 11's largest skills is the functionality to run Android apps, but, like many exciting capabilities, this one wasn’t equipped upon release. It wasn’t until February of this yr that we were ultimately able to run Android apps natively thru the Amazon Appstore. While it’s superb to have Android apps jogging on Windows, there are a few obstacles, particularly that it’s Amazon’s Appstore walking the display. Since most Android clients have a Google or Samsung account, you can find some obstacles while coping with paid apps, on account that the ones apps will need to be tied for your Amazon account. Still, it’s a amazing step forward for go-platform resource.

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Automatically delete one-time messages from Google Messages

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Automatically delete one-time messages from Google Messages

Photo: Tada Images (Shutterstock)

One-time passwords (or OTPs) are an easy manner to function a bit of security to account logins. Once you offer the correct password, you got an SMS with a unique code. Enter the code, and you’re in. Of route, after that, the code is useless, but it doesn’t mechanically delete off your cellphone. It’s a text like each other, and in case you’re like me, the ones vain texts live in your telephone all of the time.

Luckily, Google modified matters this yr. Now, you can go to “Message organization” and pick out “Auto-delete OTPs after 24 hours.” From now on, those SMSs will delete themselves after sooner or later, which need to clean up your inbox considerably.

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Add Portrait Mode to any photograph in Google Photos

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Add Portrait Mode to any photograph in Google Photos

Photo: OlgaOvcharenko (Shutterstock)

If you have a Google Pixel, or be part of Google One, you can upload Portrait Blur to any photo on your Google Photos library. If that doesn’t sound like a state-of-the-art feature to you, that’s as it isn’t precisely. Google’s Portrait Blur has been a aspect for some time—however exceptional for humans. With this new replace, you may upload Portrait Blur to any trouble, so that you can add the effect to that dramatic shot of your canine. Check out our entire manual to examine the way.

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Record mobile phone calls (even though Google doesn’t want you to)

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Record telephone calls (despite the fact that Google doesn’t need you to)

Photo: ninefotostudio (Shutterstock)

This 12 months, Google determined it didn’t want 0.33-birthday celebration apps that allows you to record telephone calls, and blocked them from doing so with the aid of disabling permission to Accessibility API. Unfortunately, alternatives are quite confined within the U.S. Google isn’t blocking off the ability to report phone calls on telephones that help it in pre-loaded dialer apps, like its very own Pixel phones or Xiaomi telephones, however that function isn’t supported inside the States. If you stay in one of the supported countries, even though, and you've got a properly appropriate cellphone, you’re set.

Shy of that, the proper factor to do is to place the decision on speakerphone, and file it with a separate device. However, in case you really want on-tool recording, you may continually root your telephone and use a endorsed app like Call Recorder through skvalex, but that’s probably overkill for maximum customers.

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Stop your Pixel 6 from overheating 

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Stop your Pixel 6 from overheating 

Photo: Mr.Mikla (Shutterstock)

The Pixel 6 had lots going for it. It additionally had plenty of bugs. One of these quirks is an issue with overheating, that can gradual down your cellphone and drain the battery short. Luckily, there are several steps you may take to quiet down your Pixel, together with disabling 5G, deleting a intricate app, or appearing a production unit reset.

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Use your Android cellphone’s incorporated password manager

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Use your Android phone’s integrated password supervisor

Screenshot: Brendan Hesse

On Android, you have got your pick with reference to password managers. But in case you don’t want to address one-of-a-kind subscription chargers and the minute variations among each, sincerely use the unfastened password manager constructed into your cellphone. You’ll locate the selection in Settings > Privacy > Autofill provider from Google > “Use Autofill with Google.” S in, select out “Passwords,” then “Offer to hold passwords.” You also can add the password manager to your property display as a shortcut.

If you want to analyze more, test out our complete manual right right here.

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Fix slow messaging for your Pixel

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Fix slow messaging for your Pixel

Photo: Tada Images (Shutterstock)

The Pixel persevered to give users troubles in 2022. One of those court instances grow to be about gradual messaging, where a message wouldn’t send for anywhere from 15 minutes to hours later. Luckily, there were troubleshooting steps to take that could assist, along with clearing the messaging app’s cache, switching among 5G and LTE, quick changing the default messaging app, and resetting the Pixel to manufacturing facility settings (a drift that appears to repair diverse tech problems).

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Shoot video with the telephoto lens while your Pixel doesn’t want to

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Shoot video with the telephoto lens when your Pixel doesn’t need to

Photo: Mr.Mikla (Shutterstock)

Another Pixel 6 Pro quirk determined this year is the cellphone’s reluctance to shoot video with the telephoto lens. Often, whilst you strive, you come to be getting a cropped version of the main shooter, which doesn’t appear truthful whilst you paid greater for the more digital camera. As it seems, the cellular telephone received’t shoot with the 4X zoom lens until you’re capturing 4K video. And, like other smartphones, the Pixel 6 Pro shoots 1080p video via default. Switch to 4K, and also you ought that allows you to report with the 4X zoom.

If you want to use the zoom lens, however shoot in 1080p, Google acquired’t assist you to. You’ll need to apply a third-birthday celebration app like FiLMiC Pro that bypasses Android and helps you to manage the cameras your self.

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The quicker way to scan the usage of Google Lens

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The faster manner to scan using Google Lens

Photo: sdx15 (Shutterstock)

Google Lens helps you to check the arena round you to investigate greater approximately it. You can get more data approximately the entirety from house plants to pets, or bring subjects out of pictures to paste them a few different region. As accessible due to the fact the feature already is, there’s a quicker manner to apply it: All you want to do is open the Camera app, then prolonged-press on the problem in the view finder. That’s it!

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Add net website shortcuts to your own home show

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Add internet site shortcuts to your private home show screen

Photo: GaudiLab (Shutterstock)

If you have were given websites you frequently go to (possibly this one?), do yourself a favor and upload it for your Android’s domestic display as a shortcut. Doing so makes opening the internet web site as easy as launching an app. The instructions variety depending in your browser of preference, so check our guide for instructions.

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Use Chrome flags to get right of entry to new and experimental features

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Use Chrome flags to get admission to new and experimental features

Photo: Dzmitrock (Shutterstock)

Chrome is a excellent Android browser, but even more so whilst you free up its hidden functions. Google hides these experimental options inside the lower back of “flags.” They don’t need maximum users permitting them, due to the reality they haven’t been finished. But if you realise what you’re doing, you may supercharge Chrome in your cellphone.

With flags, you may take screenshots in Incognito mode, activate car dark mode for websites, and improve internet site typical overall performance, among many different features. Read our entire manual to research more.

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Clear the cache to rush things up

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Clear the cache to hurry matters up

Photo: Chikena (Shutterstock)

Whether you use Chrome, Firefox, or Samsung Internet, your browser accumulates virtual junk as you surf the net. This junk compiles in what’s called a “cache,” which can assist boost up superb net websites which can reference the cache to load, but sluggish down unique strategies thanks to the sheer form of useless documents gift. No count which browser you operate, make an effort to clear the cache from time to time.

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Run a privacy audit on your Android

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Run a privacy audit in your Android

Image: Android

Your Android and its apps demand get proper of entry to to a lot of your information. Left unchecked, the ones offerings will take way greater records than vital. To help, you could supply your phone a privateness audit from Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager (or Privacy Dashboard). Here, you’ll see all of the permissions for your phone, and which apps have access to which. You can quick disable get right of entry to for any app that doesn’t need to peer your area, contacts, physical hobby, and many others.

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Use your actionable app shortcuts

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Use your actionable app shortcuts

Screenshot: Khamosh Pathak

If you’re now not the use of your Android app’s actionable shortcuts, what are you doing? These quick menus offer as a substitute useful shortcuts to actions you likely already take in those apps. You can soar into a favourite Spotify playlist in advance than commencing the app, or take a selfie as quickly due to the fact the Camera app launches. Best of all, as it’s Android, those moves are customizable, so you can choose the maximum useful ones in your state of affairs.

See what you may do with actionable app shortcuts here.

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Hide Chrome Incognito tabs along side your fingerprint

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Hide Chrome Incognito tabs along with your fingerprint

Screenshot: Brendan Hesse

This one year, Google rolled out a flag from Chrome for Android that allows you to fasten your Incognito tabs in the back of your fingerprint. Without the right take a look at, no one can be able to get entry to the ones tabs, so that you can preserve your non-public net browsing personal. You’ll locate the flag beneath chrome://flags/#incognito-reauthentication-for-android, however for additonal records, here’s our full guide.

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Decline Android app notifications

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Decline Android app notifications

Photo: MeSSrro (Shutterstock)

Android thirteen brings with it a high-quality change for cellphone wellness. After the replace, apps now need to request permission to deliver you notifications, simply as they do on iOS. Our advice? Block they all with the aid of using default. You probable don’t need notifications from maximum of your apps, besides for perhaps some crucial messaging apps.

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Add a Dynamic Island for your Android

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Add a Dynamic Island in your Android

Image: Google Play Store

If you desire your Android should have the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island, need no more. Download dynamicSpot from the Play Store, and you could have your very personal virtual Dynamic Island on any Android device, entire with notifications and indicators like they've over on iOS.

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Transfer Google Authenticator in advance than switching phones

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Transfer Google Authenticator in advance than switching telephones

Image: ymgerman (Shutterstock)

When the Pixel 7 dropped this year, masses of Android clients made the switch. But there’s one key setting to test before erasing your vintage telephone for top: Google Authenticator. The tool is remarkable for managing all your two-element authentication apps, and guarantees human beings received’t have the ability to break into those money owed with access to your cellphone.

Of direction, the equal may be stated for you if you erase that antique cellphone earlier than transferring Google Authenticator to your new device. Since Google Authenticator is tied to 1 phone at a time, you received’t be capable of log in on the trendy phone and get your codes. Once you lose access, you lose get right of entry to for accurate, and it’ll be a ache to get back into those payments (if even viable). So, please, switch your Google Authenticator app to your new cellphone first.

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Make cellphone calls sound clearer in your Pixel

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Make cellular telephone calls sound clearer for your Pixel

Screenshot: 9to5Google/YouTube

Originally included as a part of QPR1 beta 3, but now to be had as of the December feature drop, Clear Calling makes your telephone calls on Pixel clearer thru reducing historical past noise and improving vocal terrific. Try it for yourself from Settings > Sound & vibration > Clear calling, then switch on “Enable clean calling.”

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You should use Android’s “Find My” opportunity

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You should use Android’s “Find My” alternative

Screenshot: Jake Peterson

Anyone familiar with Apple’s surroundings is aware of approximately Find My, the all-in-one answer for monitoring buddies, devices, and gadgets. It works great and is straightforward to apply, this is why it’s a shame there’s no respectable opportunity on Android. Although, that’s no longer truly authentic. Google Maps is the nearest element Android customers must a integrated Find My app, and it honestly works great too. Best of all, it’s Google Maps, because of this you could song your buddies whether they’re on iPhone or Android. You ought to even argue Google Maps is a better Find My than Find My.

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