There are countless number of settings and tweaks in your Android phone but not all
settings are good for every user.
In fact, there are many Android settings that you should change right now and for a good
reason.
For example, you can't risk your privacy by leaking your searching behavior or device
usage behavior.
Well, this is just one example, there are many more including the ones that will improve
your Android phone's battery life.
So make sure you watch until the end of this video.
Hello everyone, I’m Rahul from TechReviewPro and in this video, I'll show you 17 secret
Android settings that you should change right now.
Before we proceed, make sure you subscribe to TechReviewPro channel
and tap on the bell icon, so that you never miss an important update.
Now without further delay, Let's get started!
1. Power Button Instant Lock
In security & location settings, there is device security settings where you can set
your device lock preferences.
Simply tap on this settings cog icon and check your settings for automatic lock.
By default, your device locks down 5 seconds or more after sleep, so if someone snatches
your phone from your hand, he can still access your phone completely as your phone takes
5 seconds or more to get locked.
Thus making your device more vulnerable.
Simply change this settings and set the automatically lock to immediately after sleep.
Now if someone snatches your phone from your hand, simply press the power button and your
device will not only sleep but also automatically lock.
Personally, I would also turn this settings off because if I keep this enabled, this will
keep my phone unlocked based upon certain environment or conditions offered by Android's
smart lock functionality.
I have tested Android smart lock multiple times and it has failed to meet up to my expectations.
So, personally, I don't trust the smart lock and hence, I prefer not to use Android's smart
lock functionality.
2. Opt Out of Personalised Ads
You shouldn't be surprised if I say, your Android device is leaking lots of data.
Google is tracking you everywhere and based upon your search behavior, Google shows you
personalized interest-based ads.
You might be thinking, what is personalized interest-based ads, right?
Let me explain.
If you search for iPhone in Google, Google tracks you and knows that you are interested
in iPhone.
So whichever website you visit on the web, Google is more likely to show you ads for
iPhone.
It's because Google thinks that since you are interested in iPhone, you are more likely
to purchase iPhone.
This is personalized interested based ads.
You can change settings on your Android phone to stop Google from using your search behavior
for ads personalization.
Go to Google settings and in services, tap on ads.
Now, turn on the settings to opt out of ads personalization.
Also, you might also like to reset advertising ID so that any previously built ad profiles
on your device can be deleted.
3. Hide Sensitive Content from the Lock Screen
Third one is hiding sensitive content from the lock screen.
By default, Android shows you sensitive content from the notifications on the lock screen.
This can be helpful for many as you can see what's inside notification without unlocking
your phone.
But if you are a privacy buff, you can't risk your privacy by showing sensitive content.
Go to apps and notifications settings, tap on notifications, then on lock screen.
By default, it is showing all notifications, but here you can set to hide sensitive content
or don't show notifications at all.
Simply hide sensitive content and you are good to go.
4. Turn off Settings to Unlock with Google Assistant Trusted Voice Match
Google Assistant is a powerful tool as you can even unlock your phone with your voice
simply by saying "OK Google" but this is often less secure as anyone else having a voice
similar to yours can unlock your device if his voice matches your voice model.
If you want better security for your device, you need to instantly turn this settings off.
To do so, go to security and location, under device security, tap on smart lock.
Now, input your password or pattern for unlocking your phone.
Then tap on voice match, and turn off the settings to unlock with voice match.
5. Enable Android Device Manager
I don't know about your preferences but I personally don't like to share my location
constantly as this not only helps Google track me everywhere but also consumes battery juice.
However, you might want to enable Android Device Manager from Find My Device settings.
Go to security & location settings and tap on Find My Device.
Now turn it on.
This is crucial because if you ever lost your phone, you might be able to track it later.
6. Enable SIM Card Lock Settings
Before I talk about SIM Card lock, make sure you contact your cellular network provider
and get the PUK code for your SIM card so that if something goes wrong, you might easily
fix it.
If you enable SIM Card lock functionality, you'll require a PIN to use your SIM when
you restart your phone.
It's a nice security enhancement and saves you from the risk of unauthorized use of your
SIM card.
7. Keyboard Settings to Get Number Row in Keyboard
Now let's talk about some keyboard settings that you should change right now on your Android
phone.
If you are typing something you need to frequently deal with texts as well as numbers, you might
want to bring number row in the keyboard so that you may quickly access both.
To enable number rows in keyboard, long press on comma button and it'll take you to keyboard
settings.
I'm using Google's default keyboard that is Gboard, but the process is similar in case
you are using other third-party keyboards as well.
Under preferences, turn on Number Row.
This will always show number row - no matter what orientation of keyboard you are using.
8. Keyboard Settings to Turn Off Auto-correct
While typing anything, it often slows down my speed when I type something and Gboard
automatically corrects it to something else which wasn't my intention.
If you have ever been in a similar situation, you need to turn off auto-correct settings.
From the keyboard settings page, tap on text correction and scroll all the way down to
auto-correction.
Turn off auto-correction and now it'll never slow down your typing speed.
9. Android Settings to Get Rid of New App Shortcuts
I don't know why Android automatically adds new app shortcuts on the home screen
whenever users download new apps.
Because this is annoying for many, including me.
You can turn this off simply by long pressing on the home screen, then tapping home settings,
followed by toggling left Add icon to Home Screen.
This will stop adding shortcuts for new apps on the home screen.
10. Android Settings to Turn Off NFC Mode
If you go to settings, then connected devices, then connection preferences, this will show
you all the connections modes your phone has got like Bluetooth, Android Beam, NFC etc.
NFC stands for Near Field Communication which allows you to exchange data when your phone
touches another device.
NFC is a very powerful tool to easily share data with your friends and coworkers, but
there are not many people who use NFC.
And the bad thing is Android phone has NFC enabled by default.
You need to change this Android settings right now and turn off NFC as this will not only
make your device less vulnerable but also improve your battery performance.
11. Android Settings to Try Google Instant Apps
Google Instant Apps is a useful functionality on your Android phone which allows you to
play games or try apps without downloading or installing.
But currently, it's under beta and not available for everyone.
However, you can try it now simply by making some changes in your Android phone's settings.
Open Play Store app and go to its menu by tapping the hamburger icon, now scroll all
the way down to settings.
Under user controls, you'll find an option to use apps without installation, tap on that
and you'll see a list of emails available.
Choose the one you want and tap "yes I'm in!".
That's it now you can try apps without installing or downloading.
12. Android Settings to Speed up Android Animations
Android animations are quite good already but if you want to spice up things, you can
simply speed up animations in the developers options.
But if you don't have a developer account, don't worry!
Simply go to settings, system, then go to About phone.
Scroll down until you find build number, tap seven times on the build number and this will
ask you to enter your pin or pattern.
Now it’ll show you that you are a developer and your phone has got developer options.
Now go back and tap on advanced and this will show you developer options.
Now scroll all the way down until you see Transition Animation Scale.
Change the animation scale and notice the difference.
You'll find your phone a lot more speedy now.
13. Android Settings for Google Play Protect Better Detection
Few months back Google introduced Google Play Protect app in the Play Store and made available
for every Android user.
Since then, Google Play Protect has continuously scanned apps on Android devices and found
a huge number of harmful apps in the Play Store.
My question is why Google risked user's device security by allowing the deployment of these
apps in the Play Store?
Well, that's a different story, but you can certainly change some Android settings and
help Google Play Protect scan for harmful apps in a better way.
Simply go to settings, security and location, tap on Google Play Protect and turn on the
settings that says Improve harmful app detection.
That's it!
Now this will send any unknown app in your device to Google for better detection.
14. Android Settings to Automatically Free up Android Storage
One of the most common questions I get from Android users is how can I speed up my slow
Android phone?
Freeing up space is one of those quick actions you can do to speed up your slow Android phone.
Well, you already know that, so what's new here, right?
Choosing files and deleting them manually is time-consuming.
And most of the times, we forget manually deleting unnecessary files.
Thankfully, you can automate this process if you have an Android phone with Android
6.0 or later.
Simply go to settings, storage and turn on smart storage.
Smart storage automatically free up space on your phone by clearing backed up photos
and videos from your device storage.
15. Android Settings to Enable Auto-fill
If you have ever used Google Chrome or any other browser, you must be knowing about Auto-fill
feature that makes your work easier and faster by automatically filling up previously saved
password and login credentials.
It's like Keychain on Apple devices.
You can utilize the similar auto-fill feature on Android to automatically fill login credentials
on various websites and apps as well.
Go to settings, tap on system, followed by languages & input.
In advanced settings, there is auto-fill service.
By default, it would be none, choose Google, as that would be the most secure option.
Tap Ok and you are ready to speed things up.
16. Android Settings to Remove Credit Card Details
In the same Auto-fill service, your Credit Card details can also be saved.
Despite Google's Auto-fill being one of the most trusted options, I don't trust it enough
to let it save my credit card details.
And for an obvious reason, I would recommend you to recheck it and remove your credit card
details, if it has saved it already.
17. Android Settings to Turn on Adaptive Battery
Last but not least, this is a very useful battery saving hack for your Android phone.
Various apps that you install on your Android device, constantly drain your battery by running
in the background.
While letting the apps constantly run in the background is good for important apps like
messaging apps or email etc.
You can certainly limit various less important apps from draining battery.
Go to settings, battery, and tap on adaptive battery.
Turn it on.
Now your phone will automatically learn your device usage behavior and limit down the battery
for those apps that you don't use quite frequently.
So these were the 17 Secret Android settings that I believe you should change right now
as these will not only enhance your Android experience but also make your Android device
more secure.
Hope you found this video helpful.
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Thanks for watching!
This is Rahul signing off!
And, I'll see you in the next video.