Top 7 Hidden Android Features & Settings You Must Know

Android has around 72% of user percentage in the smartphone industry as an operating system. Highly customisable, app friendliness and many other factors contribute to such numbers. However, you deserve to know some hidden features and settings that will bring the best out of your android device. Here we bring you Top android hidden settings for your device that you didn’t know until now.

1. Nearby Share

You all may have used third-party applications to share photos, videos, and files. But, you can do it with a built-in android application. Nearby Share enables you to share files with a simple click to other mobile devices. Moreover, this app is faster than other third-party applications.

I. How to access Nearby Share

• Go to settings
• Scroll down or search for GOOGLE  and open it
• Open Device & Sharing
• Enable Nearby Share

Now, you’ll be able to share the files, videos, and more with the nearby devices super fast.

2. GPU Rendering

If you’re a gamer looking for a more fluid gaming experience, this setting is a must-try. You can improve your gaming experience by using the force GPU Rendering setting. When you play a game, the CPU is typically under heavy load, but all of that load is transferred to the GPU using the GPU render setting, which results in excellent graphic performance. However, with this setting enabled, your battery might drain faster.

I. How to Enable GPU Rendering

• Go to Settings
• Scroll down or search for System Settings(on stock Andorid) OR Additional Settings
• Under advance option click on Developer Option
• Enable  Force GPU Rendering

NOTE: To see the Developer Option in your settings:

• Go to Settings
• Click on About Section
• Tap on Build Number Multiple Times

3. Disable Google Ads Target

Google collects your information from your android device to show you personalized ads based on your search history. You may have experienced ads based on your previous searches on google. You can easily choose to opt-out of ad personalization if you don’t want google to know your interests and display ads related to them.

I. How to Disable Google Ads Target

• Go to settings
• Scroll down and open Google
• Click on Ads
• Enable Opt out of Ads Personalization

4. Hide Folder

This trick will help you hide some files or folders on your phone from others if you need to do so. With this simple trick, you can easily hide the folder completely and unhide it whenever you want. This trick is quite exciting and useful.

I. Steps to Hide Files or Folders

• Go to File manager
• Add dot(.) right before the folder you want to hide

To unhide the folder go to File Manager> Settings > Hidden files, and turn on the hidden files option to make it visible.

5. Phone Codes

When it comes to top hidden android features and settings, phone codes are something that most people are unaware of. Here are some useful codes for you that will come handy.

• *#*#7780#*#*- Instant Factory Settings: Using this code, you can rapidly return to the factory states. You can delete the Google account settings as well as application data with this code. With this, you can quickly restore your original settings with a few clicks. This combination is irreversible, so use it only when necessary.
• *2767*3855# – This code will do a complete reinstallation, resetting all of your settings at the same time. It will delete all of your phone’s files and settings, as well as restore the firmware. In addition, this code is irreversible. There’s no going back once you’ve entered this code.
• *#*#8351#*#* – Listen to Call recordings: This code will allow you to listen to recordings of your voice from the previous 20 phone calls. You can use this feature to refresh your memory about something.
• *#*#273283*255*663282*#*# – Enable a file copy Screen: You can backup your media data, such as photos, videos, and audio, on the screen. So, if you’ve ever lost vital data because your phone accidentally deleted it for no apparent reason, you won’t have to worry about such mishaps with this code.

6. Notification Log (Notification you may have missed)

Have you ever had a notification flash up on your phone, and you swiped it away by mistake, or perhaps it vanished before you saw it, and you missed some important notification? You can easily see those notifications using the Notification log widget.

I. How to add Notification Log

1. Long press on the home screen and select Widgets
2. Scroll down to find out the Settings
3. Long press the setting icon to add it to Homescreen
4. Among the list of different Setting Shortcuts,  select Notification Log

7. Live Captions

You can caption any video, audio podcast, or audio message on your phone using the Live caption setting. This feature is currently available for Android 10 and 11 users. This feature also works for audio and video files that you may have recorded. You also don’t need an internet connection to use this. It also does not share any information with Google.

I. How to Enable Live Captions

• Go to Settings
• Go to Advanced Setting and click on Captions
• Turn on Live Captions

OR

• Go to Settings
• Click on Accessibility, and tap on Hearing Enhancement
• Turn on Live Captions

What is your opinion about our list of top hidden features and settings for android phones? Let us know in the comment section if we have missed any.