How to optimise your Android
QUICK TIPS AND SHORTCUTS TO IMPROVE YOUR ANDROID EXPERIENCE.
ANDROID IS THE most widely used operating system in the world, and significant new features arrive with every update. In this article we look at how to use and optimise some of the often overlooked aspects of Android devices.
STAY IN POWER - LOOK AFTER YOUR BATTERY
Let’s start with a most important and neglected item – looking after the actual battery. We’ve all heard of near-new phones unable to run a full day on one charge of the battery. So what can we do to prevent this?
Years ago laptops and mobile phones used nickel-based batteries that were prone to reduced capacity “memory”, and the way to avoid the memory effect was to be tough on them: run them dead flat, then charge to 100%. But things have changed, and there is plenty of confusion about how to look after your battery.
Almost all mobile devices now run on Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, and they respond to TLC. These batteries prefer top-up charges, and running completely flat can actually destroy them. That’s why most Lithium-ion powered devices automatically power-off before the battery gets too low.
Follow these rules for maximum Lithiumion life span: * Aim to keep the battery between 50% and 80% charged. * Avoid running flat – brief top-up charges are fine. A wireless charging pad is ideal if your phone supports it. * Avoid leaving your device on charge all night when you can – frequent 100% charging reduces battery life. * Only use fast charging when you need it – it can heat up the battery, and that’s bad for it. * Remove any phone case when fast charging – cases can trap heat and reduce cooling.
GET THE MOST FROM EVERY CHARGE
Now that’s sorted and your battery is going to last for years, head to ‘Settings > Battery > Battery Saver’ on your Android device to optimise power use – all Android devices running Marshmallow or newer have this feature, but menu terminology will vary by brand.
Tweak the settings to find the best balance between functions and battery life for your usage patterns. Note that a dark theme or wallpaper, and turning down the brightness, will save significant power on most devices with AMOLED screens.
USE THE QUICK SETTINGS SCREEN
Instead of delving through Settings menus, swiping down twice from the top of the screen, or a single two finger swipe, opens the Quick Settings screen. Tap on the item Icon to toggle it on or off, or tap on the item name below the icon the access its settings.
You can customise the Quick Settings screen too. Tap on the menu icon to access customisation, then you can drag icons around to set up the screen just the way it suits you.
Quick Settings really are quick, and let you do things like: Quick Setting - Change the Power Mode Those power saving settings we were just talking about? Access them right there on the Quick Settings screen. Quick Setting - Swap Wi-Fi networks fast Tap on the name of your current Wi-Fi network (below the Wi-Fi icon on the Quick Settings screen) to bring up a list of available networks. Tap Details > Advanced to optimise your settings and save power. Quick Setting - Save mobile data Tap on Mobile Data below the icon and you have direct access to mobile data management and data saving settings.
Quick Setting – Set Do Not Disturb Do not Disturb, or Priority Mode, blocks all interruptions except those you specify in the settings. Such a useful way to manage your communications, but way underused. Just set your preferences and then toggle on and off as required via the Quick Settings screen. Quick Setting – Turn NFC on or off Among other things, NFC (Near Field Communication) lets your smartphone double as a contactless credit or debit card, a transport card, and even a building access tag.
Standard contactless cards are always available to make tap and go payments, but as discussed in our recent Google Pay article, this means they can be scanned by a scammer. In contrast, Google Pay on your smartphone can only be scanned when the phone is “awake” with the screen on. To be doubly secure, you can use the Quick Settings screen to instantly turn NFC off when you don’t need it. Quick Setting -–Cast your screen If you have a Chromecast or Android TV device it is so simple to mirror your display and content on a TV screen. You will find a Cast icon in Quick Settings on most phones (it’s called Smart View on Samsung devices). Just tap and select a device to start casting. If your device doesn’t have it pre-installed, head for the Google Play Store and download the Chromecast app.
IDENTIFY AND MANAGE APP NOTIFICATIONS
Notifications on your Home Screen from unknown apps? Just long-press on the app and your device will tell you. To manage the app tap “Details” or the information icon for direct access.
CHANGE YOUR ANDROID KEYBOARD
Google’s Gboard is pretty much the default keyboard for Android devices, although Samsung generally uses SwiftKey. But you are not stuck with the keyboard that came with your device – a range of options can be found on the Google Play Store. Just download and install to try them out. Note that you won’t be able to uninstall the default keyboard that came with your device, but you can override it.
USER ACCOUNTS AND APP PINNING
Most recent versions of Android include Screen Pinning, which lets you lock the device in one app when you lend it to someone, for example. First make sure it is activated in your device’s Security Settings, plus switch on “Ask for PIN before unpinning” to make it secure.
If you want to go a big step further, on many Android devices you can add extra users (but not on Samsung, they deactivate this feature). This is a complete separate user account, login and profile, just like on a Windows computer. The new user can have their own Gmail account, and their use of the device is separate, and private, from yours.
To set it up, look for “Users” or “Users & Accounts” in the Settings menu. Tap “Add user”, and follow the prompts.
IF YOU HAVE A CHROMECAST OR ANDROID TV DEVICE IT IS SO SIMPLE TO MIRROR YOUR DISPLAY AND CONTENT ON A TV SCREEN. YOU WILL FIND A CAST ICON IN QUICK SETTINGS ON MOST PHONES.