Top 10 Useful Tips for Android Phone Users

One of the more sensible security features on Android devices is the default setting that prevents users from installing apps from outside the Play Store. However, with many great apps available outside the Play Store, you might want to take the risk of stepping beyond those walls. Starting from Android 8.0, the method of installing apps from unknown sources has changed.

Instead of granting download permission for APKs via an existing app on your phone, the newer installation method requires you to enable apps to install APKs from unknown sources online. Here's how to install apps from unknown sources on Android 10, 11, and 12:

• Open Settings on your phone.
• Tap on "Apps," then tap "Special app access." If you can't find this, go to the "Advanced" tab and select "Special app access."
• Tap "Install unknown apps."
• Choose the app you'll use to install third-party apps, usually a browser or File Manager. Then enable "Allow from this source."
• Tap on the APK file to install.

On Android, a launcher is the interface that organizes your icons on the home screen and manages your apps. It serves a similar purpose to the desktop background on your computer. In short, it defines the look and feel of your device. Changing the launcher on your phone can breathe new life into a stale device. It not only allows for different animations and settings but often unlocks gestures, new icons, and additional features.

One of the best things about Android is its flexibility and options. If you don't like the look or launcher on your device, you can easily change it. The safest and best place to download a launcher is from the Google Play Store. Searching for the term 'launcher' will provide you with many options. The most popular third-party launcher is the free Nova Launcher.

Notifications are essential, but they can become distracting if you need to check your phone frequently. Your smartphone can provide a more personalized and friendly experience. You can change and set custom notification sounds through your phone's default settings. All you need to do is go to Settings, open Apps, and navigate to your Apps section. Find the app you want to set a notification sound for and select it. On the app's info page, tap on Notifications and turn on the toggle for Show notifications.

You will be able to see various categories of notifications in the Other section of the app's Notification page, such as General Notifications or device-level alerts. Select the appropriate category and choose the Alert option. On the Notification Category page, scroll down to the Sound section, where you'll see the default sound enabled for the app. Tap Sound and select the notification tone you want to change from the list to adjust the default settings.

Widgets are a simple way to personalize your Android phone’s home screen. You can add various tasks such as a search bar, clock, countdown timer, or weather details directly to your home screen, so you don't need to open a specific app to view that information. On your phone’s home screen, tap and hold an empty space for a few seconds. Tap on Widgets. Choose the widget you want to add and tap on it. Then, tap outside the widget to complete the setup.

Once you've added a widget to your home screen, you can adjust its position or size if needed. This is how to resize and position widgets on your home screen. Your smartphone comes with some pre-installed widgets, but you can download additional ones by getting apps from the Google Play Store.

One of the common accidents is when you accidentally swipe away a notification that appeared on your phone screen which you wanted to read in full, or sometimes you may feel frustrated when someone keeps sending emails or messages to you, but you're not entirely sure about them. If you want to check all your recent notifications on your Android device, you're in luck. The ability to recover these notifications is possible on Android devices, though setting it up may not be straightforward.

Simply press and hold an empty space on your home screen, and the screen adjustment mode will appear. Tap on Widgets and find the Settings option. Drag this icon into a blank space on your home screen and drop it. A list will automatically pop up. Select Notification Log from the list and tap on the icon to open the notification history on your Android phone.

Android Screen Pinning is the ability to pin an app to your Android device, making it easier to lock the app on the device's screen and prevent users from accessing other features or apps. Screen pinning essentially allows IT administrators to "pin" a specific app on the device’s interface, restricting access to other apps.

You can also unpin apps on your Android device by using a PIN, unlock pattern, or security password. Android screen pinning is also commonly referred to as Android's Guided Access. This feature is available on devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop and above. Screen pinning mode is widely used for single-use devices such as kiosks and point-of-sale systems.

If users wish to exit screen pinning mode, they can do so by holding both the Back and Overview buttons for a few seconds, which will unpin the app on the Android device. If a PIN or password is set, the user will be prompted to enter the password or PIN before exiting screen pinning mode.

Because Android phones are much more open than iOS devices, Google has incorporated several strong security features to protect users. However, top tech editors still recommend running antivirus apps on Android. PCMag's security expert, Neil Rubenking, listed four top antivirus software options in the PCMag Editors' Choice rankings: Bitdefender Total Security, Kaspersky Security Cloud, Norton 360 Deluxe, and McAfee AntiVirus Plus.

Most of these mobile security apps also protect your desktop devices. These apps ensure you don't install malicious apps and run regular malware scans. Antivirus software also prevents hackers from accessing your phone to steal your banking, social media, and other sensitive data. Some even include VPN protection. The ability to install antivirus apps makes Android phones much more secure than iPhones.

Most Android phones come with pre-installed apps. Some apps, like maps, email, and browsers, are widely loved, but there are definitely some that you might not want or need. If your phone is running low on storage, you may want to remove some apps. Simply open the app drawer, find the app you wish to uninstall, tap and hold it, and drag it to the Uninstall section that appears on the screen. The last step is to tap OK when the confirmation window pops up asking to uninstall the app.

Unfortunately, there are some built-in apps that cannot be uninstalled. For instance, even if you use Firefox or Edge as your browser, you can't uninstall Google Chrome. For these apps, you can at least choose to Disable them, which hides them from the interface and frees up system resources.

Everyone uses their phones differently. However, we all share a common goal: focusing on what matters most, such as work and family. Digital Wellbeing is a helpful feature available on Android devices designed to assist in this by learning user habits and providing tools to foster better routines.

Microsoft has long desired similar functionality on iPhones, but Apple keeps its ecosystem tightly controlled. Android, on the other hand, is far more customizable than iOS, even allowing you to place a different Launcher on your home screen. With the 'Your Phone' app, Microsoft takes advantage of Android's open nature to bridge the mobile and desktop worlds seamlessly.

After the October 2018 update, the Your Phone app will be automatically installed on your PC. If it's not, you can download it from the Microsoft Store (opens in a new window). Open the app on your PC, log in with your Microsoft Account credentials, and enter your mobile number. The app will send a link to your phone to install the companion app. Once connected, any photos you take on your phone will appear in the 'Your Phone' app on your PC just seconds later. Double-clicking a photo will open it in the Photos app.