8 Android Features I Wish I Knew Sooner

Even after a decade of using Android, I still discover hidden features that make me wonder, "Why didn't I know this sooner?" From Developer options to overlooked settings, these small but handy tricks have made my life easier.

8 You Can View Dismissed Notifications

It’s easy to accidentally dismiss an important notification while clearing clutter, and it happens to the best of us. Luckily, Android has a nifty notification history feature that lets you view all your recently dismissed notifications, but you need to enable it first.

On a Samsung Galaxy (One UI 6), go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Notification history and toggle it on. Unfortunately, Samsung doesn’t offer a quick shortcut, so you’ll need to open Settings every time to access Notification history.

If you must have a shortcut, install the NotiStar module in the Good Lock app. Then, in the NotiStar settings, tap Activate NotiStar to add a notification history button to your lock screen.

Other Android brands make it easier. For example, on a Google Pixel, swipe down the notification panel and tap No notifications to open Notification History.

7 Keep Your Phone Unlocked With Extended Unlock

When I'm home, I like to keep my phone unlocked so that my partner and I can use the device without having to unlock it repeatedly. However, I only want this at home, not everywhere else. Extended Unlock lets you keep your device unlocked when your phone detects it's in a trusted location, on you (such as in your pocket), or connected to a trusted device like a smartwatch.

To enable it on a Samsung Galaxy:

1. Open Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Extended Unlock and enter your PIN.
2. Choose the unlock type that you want to use. Select Trusted places and then toggle the switch for Use trusted Places for Extended Unlock.
3. Then, tap Trusted places, verify your PIN, and tap Add trusted place.
4. Type an address or choose an existing one saved in your Google Account. Finally, tap Add.

Once set up, your phone stays unlocked for up to 4 hours or until you leave the location.

While this works well, I'd prefer using my home Wi-Fi as a trusted device for better security.

​​​​​​​Since Android doesn't offer this, I set up a must-have Bixby Routine to enable Extended Unlock only when connected to my home Wi-Fi. To do this, use Modes and Routines > If > Wi-Fi is connected > Then > Extended Unlock.

6 Create Text Shortcuts

I often type the same phrases and rely on aText for text expansion on my PC. Thankfully, I don't need a third-party app on Android—both Google and Samsung keyboards let me create text shortcuts for frequently used phrases.

On a Samsung phone:

1. Open Settings > General Management > Samsung Keyboard.
2. Tap Text shortcut, then tap the + icon.
3. Enter a shortcut and expanded phrase, then tap Add to save it.

I’ve set up shortcuts for my home and work addresses, bank details, invoice templates, and frequently used email responses.

5 Move the Cursor by Sliding the Spacebar

One of the oldest yet lesser-known features of Android is the ability to move the cursor by sliding the spacebar.

Sure, you can drag the cursor by tapping and holding it on your display; however, this often blocks the view, and moving it to a precise location is not the ideal way to do things.

Instead, press and hold the spacebar and slide your finger in the direction you want to move the cursor. It's precise and works perfectly every time.

4 Share Wi-Fi With a QR Code

I use QR codes to make payments, view restaurant menus, or submit outlet reviews. But they’re also a great way to share Wi-Fi without revealing passwords. This is especially useful if your router doesn’t support guest networks.

To share your Wi-Fi with a QR code:

1. Open Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the Settings icon next to your Wi-Fi network.
3. Select the QR code option at the bottom left and enter your PIN to authenticate.

Now, your guests can scan the QR code and tap Connect to join your Wi-Fi network.

3 Unlock Additional Features with Developer Options

I’ve played around with Developer Options to enable advanced features like USB debugging, but I’ve also found some surprisingly useful everyday tweaks.

For instance, with the developer options enabled, you can fine-tune your phone's UI animation effects. You can also keep the phone awake when charging, configure the maximum number of Bluetooth devices connected to your phone at one time, or view detailed memory usage information. Other options let you change auto-update settings and always show the refresh rate on your display.

To enable Developer Options:

1. Open Settings > About Phone > Software Information.
2. Tap the Build number seven times, then enter your PIN to unlock it.
3. Go back to Settings, and you'll find Developer Options at the bottom.

2 Reduce Animation for Instant Transition to Apps

My Galaxy Z Flip 6 is already fast, but tweaking animation settings makes it feel even snappier. Android 14 and above offer a Reduce animations option (Settings > Accessibility > Vision enhancements > Reduce animations), but it comes at the cost of a complete lack of visual smoothness.

Instead, you can change the animation speed in the Developer options to get a good balance between animation and responsiveness. To do this:

1. Open Settings > Developer Options.
2. Scroll to the Drawing section.
3. Here adjust the Window Animation Scale, Transition Animation Scale, and Animation Duration Scale options. I set them to 0.5x for a snappier feel, but you can experiment.

You can also turn animations off completely, but this can make the UI feel less smooth visually. Play around with different settings to find what works best for you!

1 Reverse Power Sharing

Not all smartphones support reverse charging, but for those that do, it’s a lifesaver. This feature lets you wirelessly charge another device by placing it directly on your phone.

You can charge an Android phone, iPhone, or wireless earbuds. It’s also useful for smartwatches, allowing you to leave your charger at home and rely on your phone instead.

Reverse charging is available on flagship models from Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and Xiaomi, as well as select devices like the OnePlus 13, Nothing Phone 2, and Sony Xperia 1 VI.

To use wireless power sharing on a Samsung phone, Swipe down with two fingers to open Quick Settings, then swipe left to find more options.

Finally, tap Wireless power sharing to turn it on. For this to work, your phone needs at least 30% battery and must not be connected to a charger.

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There are also more handy features, like setting a private DNS for system-wide ad blocking, using a split-screen view for multitasking, and double-tapping the recent button to switch between apps. Android is full of useful tricks, and I know I’ll keep discovering more that surprise me!