Android is one of the world's most versatile and customizable mobile operating systems, equipped with a wealth of tools and features that aren't always obvious to the average user. Far beyond the visible functions, there are hidden functions and advanced utilities that can significantly enhance your mobile experience, improve your productivity, strengthen your privacy, and help you in critical moments. In this extensive and detailed article, we show you everything you need to know to discover and Get the most out of Android's hidden featuresHere's the definitive guide, with in-depth explanations, tips for every version of the system, and tricks most people don't know about.
Why does Android have so many hidden features?
Android, being an open platform, evolves with each version and layer of customization from manufacturers, leading to an immense variety of possibilities. Many advanced features remain hidden to avoid cluttering the overall interface, or simply require extra steps to unlock. Others, such as those aimed at developers or advanced users, are designed for those looking to customize or control every last detail of their device. For this reason, hundreds of useful features can go unnoticed if you don't know where to look.
Key aspects before you start discovering the hidden features
- Compatibility: Some features may vary depending on the Android version, phone brand, and customization layer (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS, etc.).
- Risks: Accessing certain advanced tools may modify the device's functionality. If you're unsure, please find out first.
- Take advantage of the Settings search engine: If you can't find a feature, use the search engine in the Android Settings menu by typing in the name or keyword.
Advanced interface customization
Android offers unique possibilities for thoroughly customizing the look and feel of your phone. Discover these advanced features.
Change the theme (dark mode and system colors)
Dark mode Not only does it transform the visual design of your phone, but it also helps save battery life on OLED displays and protect your eyesight in low-light conditions. You can activate it:
- Go to Settings > Screen o Touch screen and settings.
- Search Dark theme and activate it manually or schedule activation times.
Android also allows you to adapt the interface colors to your wallpaper, creating a more integrated and personal experience. This feature is usually found in Wallpaper and style. You can configure:
- System tones linked to the background.
- Themed icons so all icons match the color scheme.
Customize the grid, icons, and home screen
Accede to Wallpaper and style o Starting screen to adjust:
- App grid: Change the number of rows and columns on the screen to make the icons larger or smaller.
- Icon design: Choose themed icons, change their shape or size for a more comfortable experience.
- Wallpaper with emojis: Some versions of Android allow you to create custom backgrounds using your favorite emojis. Find this tutorial to learn how to do it.
Lock Screen Customization
Sign in Lock screen to modify:
- Clock and widget design.
- Elements visible on the lock screen (notifications, shortcuts, medical information).
Efficient notification management
Notifications are your phone's primary source of information. Android allows you to configure and customize them thoroughly, even restoring those you accidentally dismissed.
Notification history
Did you accidentally delete an important notification? Activate this option to recover them all.
- Opens Settings and enters Notifications.
- Look for the option Notification history.
- Activate it and check all recent notifications from here, even deleted ones.
Hide confidential notifications
To protect your privacy, you can choose which notifications appear on your lock screen. Go to:
- Settings > Notifications > Lock screen notifications
- Choose between showing everything, only those without sensitive content, or none at all.
Prioritize conversations and silence secondary notifications
Android categorizes your messaging chats and allows you to mark conversations as priority. This makes their notifications more visible, while you can disable annoying notifications from other apps (silent notifications).
Flash and screen notifications
If your phone doesn't have a notification LED, Android can use the camera flash or color changes on the screen to notify you. Set it to Flash notifications from settings.
Productivity and advanced multitasking features
Increase your efficiency and convenience by using multiple apps at once, managing permissions, and customizing the system to suit your needs.
Split screen and paired apps
The split screen It's one of the operating system's most powerful features. It allows you to run two applications at the same time, ideal for taking notes while watching a video, chatting, browsing, or comparing information.
- Open an app, then the recent apps menu (the square button or swipe up).
- Long press the app icon, select Split screen. Choose the second app to place on the other half.
- You can adjust the size of each window by moving the divider.
In the latest versions of Android it is possible to save paired apps to open two apps together in split screen with a single tap.
Pin apps (pin them on screen)
Ideal for lending your mobile phone without risks, you can pin an app so the user can't log out without your permission. To activate it:
- Opens Settings > Security and privacy > More security and privacy.
- Search and activate Pinning applications.
- On the recent apps screen, tap the icon of the app you want to pin and choose SettingTo log out, you'll need to enter your PIN or security method.
Guest mode and multiple users
Android allows you to create multiple profiles, including Guest mode to lend your phone to others without exposing your apps, data, or accounts.
- Accede to Settings > System > Multiple users.
- Create a user or activate the Guest mode.
Each user has their own settings, apps, and data. It's also useful for separating personal and professional use.
Simple mode and accessibility
For seniors, children, or those who want a simpler experience, Android includes a Simple mode with large icons and simple menus. Activate it from Special functions or search Simple mode on your mobile.
Additionally, the menu Accessibility offers extensive options for users with visual or hearing difficulties: TalkBack, font size, screen reading, etc.
Smart shortcuts and improved efficiency
Shortcuts in the app and widget menu
Long press any app icon in the home menu to see quick shortcuts: Shortcuts to WhatsApp conversations, Instagram camera, Twitter messages, etc. You can drag them around the screen to create even quicker shortcuts.
Managing default applications
Configure which app opens by default for browsing, viewing photos, email, texting, calling, and more:
- Accede to Settings > Applications > Default applications.
- Change the browser, messaging app, launcher, etc. to your liking.
Access to internal search engines
Use the app drawer search and the Settings search engine to quickly locate any option, app, or feature without navigating through complex menus.
Gesture or button control and one-handed mode
Android allows you to choose between gesture navigation (more free screen, intuitive gestures) or classic 3-button bar. Set it to Settings > Accessibility > System controls > Navigation Mode.
You can also activate the one hand mode to facilitate use on large screens, finding the option in Accessibility or searching for it directly.
Advanced clipboard and image editing
When you copy an image or screenshot, a thumbnail will appear from which you can edit, draw, crop, share or save the image before storing it permanently.
Improved permission management, privacy, and security
Android includes a security and diagnostics dashboard to better manage your data protection and check your device's health. For a more comprehensive review, you can check out Google Device Manager.
Safety and diagnostic panel
Android includes a specific section to view the security and privacy status of your phone. Settings > Security and privacy you can:
- Check if you have security issues and how to fix them.
- Scan the device for threats.
- Quickly access lock, face unlock, fingerprint, PIN, app security, and data settings.
Comprehensive app permission management
From Settings > Applications, select any app and tap on Permissions to grant or withdraw access to:
- Camera, microphone, location (you can set whether it should be precise or just general), contacts, photos, SMS, storage, calendar, sensors, etc.
- History of when each permit was used.
- Starting with Android 13, you can even allow access to only specific photos/videos for editing or messaging apps (instead of your entire gallery).
Pause permissions for inactive apps
Android can automatically revoke permissions from apps you haven't used in a long time, reducing privacy risks.
Revoke global access to camera and microphone
From section Privacy You can completely disable the camera and microphone for all apps, ideal for sensitive situations or important meetings.
Control sensitive information on the lock screen
Decide whether sensitive notifications or personal information can be displayed on the lock screen, or if you prefer to hide them until you unlock your device.
Unlock on trusted sites or with trusted devices
setup Smart Lock (or Extend unlock) to keep your phone unlocked in trusted places (like your home) or near verified Bluetooth devices. This way, you don't have to enter your PIN every time.
Emergency medical information
En Security and emergency You can add medical information (blood type, allergies, medication, emergency contacts) that will be accessible from the lock screen for emergency services.
Digital wellbeing, concentration and time management
Digital well-being and parental controls
En Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls You can monitor usage time, set limits for apps, see how many times you unlock your phone per day, and how many notifications you receive.
- Active Rest mode to block notifications and distracting apps at night.
- Use the Focus mode to pause selected apps during work or study, eliminating all types of distractions.
- Set up parental controls to limit which apps and features your children can use.
Share WiFi, files, and resources securely
- Sign in Settings > WiFi > current network > Share.
- Show the QR code for them to scan.
Scan QR codes without external applications
Android integrates a native QR scanner, either directly on the camera or in the quick settings, making it easier to read menus, forms and links.
Advanced diagnostic, cleaning, and management tools
From Additional adjustments o Process manager you can access functions of intensive cleaning to close processes, free up cache, and optimize memory, especially useful on mid-range or low-end devices. You can also check out how to free up space on WhatsApp to maintain performance.
Android Secret Codes: Unlock Hidden Utilities
Android hides a large number of secret codes (USSD and MMI), accessible from the calling app, which allow:
- View advanced device information (IMEI, hardware version, battery status, camera information).
- Perform hardware diagnostics (display, WiFi, sensors, Bluetooth, audio, etc.).
- Backups, factory reset, unlock SIM cards, review usage statistics, etc.
Developer options: Enable experimental features
It opens up options like USB debugging, forcing dark mode, adjusting animations, limiting background processes, and more. To activate this menu:
- Go to Settings > About of the phone > Software information.
- Click seven times on Build Number.
- Go back and you will see Developer Options in main or system settings.
Record your mobile screen
Swipe down to access the quick settings and select Screen recording. Choose whether you want to record internal, external, or both audio, and whether you want to display taps.
Editing Quick Settings
Customize shortcuts for the quick settings (WiFi, flashlight, QR scanner, battery saver, etc.), dragging and dropping the icons you use most to always have them at hand.
Features to save battery and optimize performance
The system monitors your usage to limit energy consumption in apps that you rarely use (Smart battery), and you can activate Battery saving at critical moments. To improve management, review How to get the Settings icon back to quickly access these functions.
Smart battery and resource saving
Check the battery usage by app to identify and control those that consume the most.
Show or hide the battery percentage in the top bar. Find the option in Settings > Battery.
Limits download bandwidth
In developer options, you can limit download speeds over Wi-Fi, which is useful for avoiding overloading your connection when you have multiple devices connected.
More hidden features and little-known tricks
Activate the function Circle to search (Stock Android and some layers): Long press the navigation bar, circle the on-screen element, and the system will instantly search for images, translate text, or analyze music. To get even more out of it, check out This guide on Chrome Flags.
Furthermore, Google Lens integrated into the camera allows you to translate, copy text from anywhere, search for products and much more just by pointing the camera.
Live Captioning
Enable automatic subtitles for any audio or video, even if they don't have original subtitles. This is especially useful for people with hearing impairments or for watching content in other languages. Press the volume button and then the subtitle icon to activate.
Out loud reading
Select any text, open the three-dot menu and choose Read out loud for the system to narrate it. Customize the voice and speed from the accessibility settings.
Android Safe Mode
Reboot your device into safe mode by holding down the power button and then holding down the on-screen "Power off" button. This can be used to troubleshoot third-party app issues.
System cloner and app duplicator
Some manufacturers allow clone the system or duplicate apps to use multiple accounts in a single app without conflicts. Search System Clone o dual apps on your mobile.
Emergency contacts and alerts
Add emergency contacts and activate automatic alerts in case of prolonged inactivity (Emergency Sharing).
Advanced storage control
From Settings > Storage Check which apps are taking up the most space and easily delete them. Android can archive rarely used apps: it partially uninstalls them, keeping your data to speed up reinstallation.
Archive inactive applications
Reduce the space taken up by unused apps, but save their state and files so you can restore them more quickly if you need them again.
Copy text and images from background apps
From the recent apps view, select any text or image you see in the thumbnail without opening the full app.
Pin Google Assistant to the power button
Set the power button to invoke the Google Assistant, saving time and preventing accidental voice commands. To do this, see .
Use the personal dictionary
Create text shortcuts for frequently used phrases, emails, or addresses by typing a short word that expands automatically.
The Android operating system is a universe of possibilities: from extreme customization to complete management of your privacy and security, including productivity features, digital well-being, and tools for advanced users. Take advantage of these hidden functions and tricks will not only help you improve your experience, optimize your phone, and protect your data, but also unlock your device's full potential. Research, explore, and, above all, adapt it to your needs.
