Android Tips and Tricks

Below are some useful tips and tools for Android users. Some may be new you to and others may be old news The follow steps will be for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Some steps may vary depending on your type of device.

Table of Contents

1. Using a Task Manager.
2. Battery Usage.
3. Data Usage.
4. Save Webpages for Offline Reading.
5. Taking a Screenshot.
6. Sync Facebook Profile Pictures to Contacts.
7. Hide Pre-installed Apps.
8. Add Widgets to the Home screen.
9. Locking your device.
10. Lock the Screen Orientation.
11. Android Easter Eggs.

1. Using a Task Manager.

Many Android devices come with their own task manager to manage running programs in the background. Stopping unused running apps will help increase speeds and battery performance. If you don’t have a task manager on your device you download one from the Google Play store, such as Advanced Task Killer (Steps below).

1. Go to the Google Play Store.
2. Search for Advanced Task Killer.
3. Download and Install the Free version of the app.
4. Once installed, open the app and click “KILL selected apps”.
5. The app will clear any open programs that may be using computing power.

2. Battery Usage.

Many of us go through a whole battery charge in just a single day. To see statistics for battery use, such as which app is using the most power, screen on time, Wi-Fi connectivity and Cellular connectivity, follow the steps below.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down to About Phone.
3. Tap Battery or Battery Usage.
4. You should now see a large graph on top (Click on it to expand it) and a list of apps.

3. Data Usage.

With many cell phone carriers charging high prices for data usage, Google has added a Data Limiter to stop your Android device from going over your data plan. You can set a maximum which will stop all data usage and set a warning to allow the device to warn you when you arw about to reach your maximum.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Then Tap Data Usage.
3. You’ll see a chat displaying your 3G or 4G data over a period of time.
4. Make sure the Mobile Data switch is set to ON.
5. Move the Red bar to select your data cut off point and the yellow bar to have the device display a warning.

4. Save Webpages for Offline Reading.

If you are using a Wi-Fi Android device, but want to continue to read your webpage as you travel, you can read the page offline. Offline reading will save the webpage to your phone’s storage device.

1. Go to the webpage you wish to save for offline reading.
2. Tap your device settings button (Normally next to your home button).
3. In the menu select Save for Offline Reading.
4. Allow your device to download the page.
5. Once you’re ready to finish your reading you can view it again just like a normal bookmark.

5. Taking a Screenshot.

In Android Froyo, Gingerbread or Honeycomb you never had the option to take a screenshot. However, in the latest Android versions ICE and Jelly Bean you’re now able to take screenshots of your device.

1. Go to the page you wish to screenshot.
2. Press and hold the power button + volume down buttons simultaneously.
3. The screen will show a quick flash and save the photo in your gallery.

6. Sync Facebook Profile Pictures to Contacts.

If you ever wanted to display a profile picture for your contacts, you can sync your contacts with Facebook to display their profile picture in your contacts list. Syncing Facebook’s profiles pictures will automatically look at your phones contacts and compare it to your friends list, after the sync has finished Facebook will add your contacts image to their contact. If you wish to stay connected, Facebook will keep your contact’s pictures up to date.

1. Download the Facebook app via the Google Play Store.
2. Open your Facebook App.
3. Tap your settings button (Normally next to your home button).
4. Scroll to Other settings and Sync Contact.
5. Here you can Sync all data, Sync with existing contacts, and remove Facebook data.

7. Hide Pre-installed Apps.

Many Android devices come with pre-installed apps or bloat ware. Many of us never end up using the apps, so why not hide them?

1. Go to your Applications list.
2. Tap your settings button (Normally next to your home button).
3. Select the Hide Apps button in the menu.
4. Select the Apps you wish to hide then click Hide.

Note, if you’re not sure whether an App is needed, research its name before making any changes.

8. Add Widgets to the Home screen.

One nice thing about Android is that you can have live widgets running on any home screen. They have settings to update themselves automatically so you’re always up-to-date.

1. Find an empty area on your home screen or where you wish to place the widget.
2. Tap and hold the empty space for a few seconds.
3. Now you should see “Add to Home screen” in the popup window.
4. Tab Widgets.
5. Select the Widget you wish to add and move it into the correct position on your device.

9. Locking your device.

Unlike other mobile OS versions, Android offers a variety of different ways to unlock your device. We have Pattern unlock, Number Pad unlock and face recognition unlock.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Go to Location & Security.
3. Tap on Set up screen lock.
4. You should now see three different choices displayed.
5. Select the type of unlock you wish to enable.

10. Lock the Screen Orientation.

Sometimes if you’re laying down, or just don’t want the device to switch the screen orientation, you can now lock it. Locking the screen will keep it in whichever position you want it.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Display.
3. Look for the Auto-Rotate Screen and uncheck that box.

11. Android Easter Eggs.

This is just a fun Easter egg found on all Android devices. Doing the following will show a neat picture that Google have included in the OS.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Then go to About Phone.
3. Find where your Android version is listed.
4. Quickly start tapping on the Android version for a few seconds.
5. If done correctly a small picture should appear.

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