If you use an Android phone daily but feel you're only taking advantage of half of what it offers, you're in the right place. Google has a huge collection of official Android tips and tricks., spread across different pages and sections, and often remain hidden among menus and settings that hardly anyone touches.
Based on all of Google's recommendations and the most interesting features of Android 16 and earlier versions, we have prepared a very complete guide so you can get the most out of your mobile phone. You'll find tips on security, accessibility, camera, battery, productivity, mobile payments, and much more.Explained in Spanish from Spain, with a friendly tone and without leaving anything important out.
Privacy and security: Protect your Android thoroughly
Security is the first major set of tips that Google recommends.And it makes perfect sense: your phone is almost as private as your home. You keep photos, conversations, bank details, and a ton of personal information there that you don't want falling into the wrong hands.
One of the pillars of that protection is the possibility of Locate, lock, or erase your phone remotely with Find My Device.From the Find My Device tool (either on the Google website or in the app), you can see on a map where your mobile phone is, make it ring if you think it has been lost at home, lock it so that nobody can use it, display a message on the screen or, in the worst case, erase all the content so that your data is safe.
For this to work properly, Make sure you have Find My Device turned on.Make sure the device is linked to your Google account and location services are enabled. Otherwise, it will be too late to configure it if you lose it, so it's best to get it properly set up now.
Another key tip from Google is to use the Password manager integrated into Android and your Google accountThis way, the system can suggest strong passwords, store them in encrypted form, and autofill them in apps and websites without you having to remember them all. In addition, Google alerts you if any of your passwords are leaked in a security breach, so you can change them as soon as possible.
With Android 16, security takes another step forward thanks to the Advanced theft protection and Google Advanced ProtectionOn the one hand, you can activate options like automatic phone locking in Settings > Google > All services > Anti-theft protection when it detects a snatch or sudden movement typical of a theft. On the other hand, Advanced Protection includes several measures against malicious apps, dangerous websites, unsecured connections, and spam calls, strengthening your device's security.
The core of everything remains the screen lock. From Settings > Security or Settings > Screen lock, choose a robust locking methodPIN, pattern, complex password, or biometric unlocking (fingerprint, face, etc.). Combined with the possibility of create secure foldersBy encrypting your SD card and limiting which apps can access your notifications or data, you turn your mobile into a small digital safe.
Accessibility: Make your Android more comfortable to use
Android has been improving its accessibility tools for years, and Google strongly emphasizes that they are not just for people with disabilities. These are features that anyone can use to make using their mobile phone more convenient.Whether it's because you have bad eyesight, because you're in the car, or simply because you feel like dictating instead of writing.
One of the star tricks is the text-to-speech output and on-screen content readingIn Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-speech output, you can choose your preferred voice engine, language, speed, and pitch for your phone to read text aloud. Combined with features like "Speak selection" (Settings > Accessibility > Speak selection), you can select a portion of the screen and have your phone read it to you—very useful for long articles or when you don't want to strain your eyes.
Closely related to this is voice dictation. If you use Gboard, the Google keyboard, You can tap the microphone icon and dictate messages, notes, or emails instead of typing them. However, make sure to check in your keyboard settings that the dictation option is enabled and configured with the correct language so that it understands you properly.
Another simple trick that many people are unaware of is the possibility of change text size and adjust screen zoomFrom Settings > Display & Brightness > Font Settings / Display Size (this may vary slightly depending on the brand), you can increase or decrease the size of letters and icons to see everything better without straining your eyes. In the Accessibility > Vision menu, you can also activate magnification gestures or a magnifying glass to enlarge any area of the screen with a simple gesture.
Google also includes specific color adjustments for those with color vision deficiencies. In Accessibility > Vision, You can invert colors (negative color mode) or activate color adjustment to adjust the color palette and make certain tones stand out more. Depending on the model and customization layer, it will appear as Color Adjustment, Color Filters, or similar names.
For blind or visually impaired users, Android offers advanced tools such as TalkBack and compatibility with braille displaysTalkBack is a screen reader that describes aloud what you touch and what appears on the screen. It can be activated from Settings > Accessibility, and once configured, you can start it by pressing and holding both volume buttons for a few seconds. If you use a braille display, Google BrailleBack allows you to connect it via Bluetooth and have the phone's content displayed in braille in real time.
Finally, Google highlights the Accessibility via switches (Switch Access)Designed for people with motor disabilities, this function allows them to control their mobile phone with one or more external physical switches, navigate menus, select items, and enter text without directly touching the screen.
Camera tricks, photos, and cloud storage
The camera is one of the areas where you can get the most out of your Android if you follow Google's official advice. One of the basics is to activate automatic backup in Google Photosso that your images and videos are uploaded to the cloud and you can view them from any device with your account.
With that backup activated, you not only avoid the shock of losing all your photos if your phone breaks down or is stolen. You also have your gallery perfectly accessible on the Google Photos website, on tablets, on other Android phones, or even on TVs with Google TVIn addition, the system allows you to download the images in their original quality whenever you need them.
Another great recommendation from Google is to make full use of the Google Photos search engine. Thanks to AI recognition, You can tag people, search by places, by objects, or by specific moments. (for example, “beach”, “birthday”, or “dog”) and find an image among thousands in seconds. This prevents your gallery from becoming an unusable mess.
The app also includes editing tools with artificial intelligence which makes it much easier to present your photos better and learn to Improve your night photosAmong them is the famous eraser for objects or people, capable of removing annoying elements from the background with a couple of taps, adjusting the sky, improving sharpness or retouching portraits to make them more balanced.
Furthermore, almost all current Android versions allow Open the camera quickly without unlocking the screenThe usual way to activate the power button is by double-pressing it, although the gesture may vary depending on the manufacturer. On many models, you can change this action to open the camera, Google Wallet, or other functions from the Gestures settings in the System section.
Battery and performance: Make your Android last longer
Battery life is one of the biggest headaches for any user, and Google is aware of it. Among its official recommendations, it highlights the use of smart saving modes and functions that adjust consumption depending on how you use your phone.
Since Android 9, the system includes the so-called smart batteryThis feature analyzes your usage patterns and limits the battery consumption of apps you rarely open. By going to Settings > Battery and then to Advanced preferences, you can activate it so the system decides which apps can run in the background and which are restricted to squeeze out a few extra hours of battery life.
In Android 16, the battery health section is also strengthened. In the Battery Status menu you can see the current "health" of the battery and an estimate of its lifespan.Some manufacturers even allow you to limit the maximum charge to 80% to extend the battery's lifespan, which is useful if you tend to leave your phone plugged in for many hours (for example, overnight).
Another important point is the adaptive screen refresh rateIn Settings > Display & Brightness > Screen Refresh Rate (or similar names), many phones allow the screen to automatically change its refresh rate depending on what you're doing. Lowering the rate when you're reading or using static apps and increasing it when you're playing games or scrolling quickly is a good way to balance performance and battery life.
Google also reminds us that Using fast charging responsibly helps avoid getting stranded. When you're in a hurry. If your phone and charger are compatible, you can recover a good portion of the battery in just a few minutes. However, avoid extreme temperatures and leaving your phone in direct sunlight while charging, as this will shorten the battery's lifespan.
Productivity and notifications: don't let your mobile phone be a time-waster.
The other major set of official tips revolves around productivity and notification management. Android can be your best work tool or your biggest source of distractions, depending on how you configure it.And that's where Google gives plenty of clues.
A first piece of advice is to take advantage of the automatic notification groupingIn Android 16, you can see, in the top right corner of each group, how many notifications you have from a single app. Tapping that number expands the notifications for easier review, preventing your notification panel from becoming an endless list of individual messages.
Related to this, when an app sends many notifications at once, Android 16 automatically reduces the volume of notifications for one minute So you don't have a constant barrage of noise. It's a subtle way to give yourself a break without having to silence your phone completely.
In addition, for several versions now you can Press and hold a notification to configure it on the fly.Now, Android adds clear options to the quick menu to close that specific notification or disable them temporarily or permanently for that app, without having to go digging through Settings > Applications.
Another useful trick is the real-time updates (Live Updates)These features turn some notifications into small, dynamic panels. This allows you to see on your lock screen or always-on display where your ride-hailing service is, how long it will take for your food delivery to arrive, or the status of a shipment, provided the app is adapted to this function.
In terms of pure and simple productivity, Android allows Use two apps at the same time with split screenWhen you open the recent apps viewer (by swiping up from the bottom of the screen) and tap an app icon, you'll see the option to split the screen. That app will be fixed in one half, and you can choose another app for the other half. This is ideal for chatting while taking notes, watching a video while checking your email, and more.
The background app viewer has also been improved in Android 16. From an app preview, You can take a full screenshot or select only a part of the image without opening the application. You can even select text and copy it from that preview, which saves time when you just want to quickly copy some data without opening anything else.
Gesture navigation, predictive back, and quick settings
Android has been increasingly refining the way you move around the system. From the navigation menu you can choose between the classic three buttons or the gesture navigationAndroid 16 adds a dedicated button to adjust gesture sensitivity and try an interactive demo with the changes.
One of the most curious novelties is the predictive pullbackWhen you swipe from the edge to go back, the system displays a preview of the screen you're returning to before you complete the gesture. This prevents, for example, accidentally exiting an app when you only intended to return to the previous screen. This idea has also been adapted for three-button navigation.
Google has also changed the way you access certain features in Android 12 and later. Quick connection settings now combine WiFi and mobile data into a single button called “Internet”From here, you can choose networks, data, access points, and more. The icons in the quick settings panel are now larger and rectangular, making them easier to tap without looking too closely.
Among the useful gestures, the following stands out: double tap the power buttonOn many phones, this opens the camera by default. In Android 16, some models also allow you to change this to open Google Wallet, so you can quickly pay or access cards whenever your phone is unlocked.
Mobile payments, cards, and connectivity with other devices
Google also dedicates a good part of its tricks to squeezing the ecosystem around Android. Google Pay (or Google Wallet, depending on the version) is the hub for everything related to payments and cards.both in physical stores and online.
The operation is simple: Add your bank cards to Google Pay From there, you can choose it as your payment method on compatible websites and apps without having to enter your details repeatedly. When you're in a store with a contactless POS terminal, simply hold your unlocked phone near the reader to pay, without even opening the app if you've already set it up.
The same goes for the loyalty cards, gift cards and similarYou can scan them or enter their details into Google Pay, and at the checkout you'll just need to show the barcode on the screen for the cashier to read it. More and more vending machines and stores are accepting this format, which helps you empty your physical wallet and carry everything on your phone.
In the area of device connectivity, several tricks stand out. For example, if you use Google TV, you can continue watching content where you left off on any linked device, thanks to the "Continue Watching" row. And with Android AutoIn addition to using navigation and music apps, Google has been adding small games and entertainment features for when you're parked and want to disconnect for a while.
To share files between Android devices or with compatible computers, Google is promoting QuickShareThis feature allows you to send photos, videos, and documents via proximity, and one of its most practical forms is the use of a QR code: you generate the QR code on your mobile phone, the other device scans it, and the transfer begins without having to add contacts or change complicated settings.
WiFi, connection and location sharing: control what you share
Beyond connecting to a network, Android offers several ways to use your data connection flexibly. One of the most useful is turning your mobile phone into a portable WiFi hotspot.In Settings > Wireless & networks > Portable WiFi hotspot (or WiFi hotspot), you can enable “tethering” so that other devices (computers, tablets, etc.) can connect to the Internet using your data.
In that same menu, the latest mobile phones allow limit the number of devices connected to the access point and set a data cap So that no one accidentally maxes out your data plan. Very practical if you occasionally share your connection or if you're using data abroad.
Android 12 brought a very convenient feature to stop dictating impossible passwords: share WiFi by QR code or NearbyFrom the settings of the network you are connected to, you can tap on “Share” and the system will display a QR code that another user can scan to connect instantly, or use the Nearby option to send them the data wirelessly and securely.
Regarding privacy, Android has also greatly improved location control. Now you can choose whether an app accesses your precise location or only your approximate location.And whether it can do so always, only while you're using it, or never. In Settings > Location > App permissions, you can review all your apps, disable "Use precise location" for those where you don't see it as necessary, and thus limit tracking.
Additionally, the new Android privacy panel shows you Which apps have recently accessed your location, camera, or microphoneWhen any of these sensors are being used, you'll see an indicator in the status bar and you can quickly revoke permissions if you don't think it makes sense for that app to be using them.
Specific features of Android 16: the latest of the latest
Android 16 doesn't revolutionize the system, but it does add a good number of details that improve day-to-day use. One of the most striking changes is the greater control over notifications and the new unified photo picker.With this selector, when an app wants you to choose an image (for example, to upload a profile picture), a standard Android panel opens, giving you access to your gallery in a clean and consistent pop-up, provided the developers have implemented the new API.
In Language and Region, Android 16 lets you Change regional settings without changing the system languageYou can choose whether the temperature is displayed in Celsius or Fahrenheit, the measurement system (metric, US, or British), or the first day of the week (Monday or Sunday). This is very practical if you live in a country where your primary language is spoken or if you simply prefer other units.
Another interesting improvement has to do with the contacts and linked Google accountsIf you have more than one account on the same mobile phone, you can now choose which account will be the default for saving new contacts from Settings > Applications > Contact storage, or even opt for "On device only" if you don't want to sync them to the cloud.
In the storage section, Android 16 shows more clearly how much space does the operating system itself and its temporary files occupy?Within the storage settings, by entering the System section you can see the Android size, as well as the temporary data that is generated, which is useful for understanding why the free space decreases over time.
The section has also been enhanced Connected HealthIt acts as a hub where various health and fitness apps can read and write activity, sleep, and medical history data (using the FHIR API), always with your explicit consent. This way, your health information is unified and controlled from a single point, instead of being scattered across countless apps.
Android on tablets and desktops: closer to a computer
Finally, Google wants Android tablets are more like computers in terms of multitasking.With Android 16 comes the so-called Desktop Windowing in certain models, which allows you to open applications in resizable and movable windows, not just in full screen or split screen mode.
That means you can have multiple overlapping floating windows, rearrange them, resize them, and work with multiple apps at the same time In much the same way as you would on a PC. Furthermore, Google is preparing customizable keyboard shortcuts for connected physical keyboards, which will further enhance the desktop experience.
With this whole set of features, from the most basic tricks recommended by Google to the latest Android 16 features, it's clear that your phone has much more potential than it seems. Taking a few minutes to explore the security, accessibility, camera, battery, notifications, and connectivity settings can transform the way you use your Android every day.making it safer, more comfortable, and much more useful in your routine.
