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After using Android for years, it’s easy to feel like you’ve seen everything the system has to offer. But every so often, a new feature shows up and reminds you that Android is full of little surprises—especially for those who know where to look. Whether you’re a long-time user or just getting started, there are a few powerful tools hidden just beneath the surface that can make your experience smoother, safer, and even a bit smarter.
Take, for instance, a moment when friends or family come over and ask for your Wi-Fi password. Instead of typing it out—or worse, trying to remember a long string of characters—Android offers a far easier way. You can simply share your Wi-Fi connection via a QR code. It’s a quick process: open your Wi-Fi settings, tap on the connected network, and select the Share option. After verifying it’s you with a fingerprint or PIN, a QR code appears, ready for your guests to scan. They’ll be connected instantly, and you won’t have to reveal the actual password. You can even take a screenshot of the code and print it out for future visitors.
Beyond sharing networks, Android offers features that can enhance safety and convenience, like storing medical information on your device. Within the Safety & Emergency settings, you can enter details such as allergies, blood type, or medications you’re taking—info that could be vital in an emergency. Even better, you can allow this data to be viewed from the lock screen, which might help first responders provide the right care if you’re ever in a situation where you can’t speak for yourself.
Speaking of the lock screen, have you ever wished you didn’t have to unlock your phone every time you’re at home? Android’s Extend Unlock feature solves that. By setting your home as a trusted location, your phone can stay unlocked whenever you’re there. You can also use other options like on-body detection or trusted devices (such as your smartwatch or car Bluetooth system), making your phone more accessible when it’s safe to be. Just be cautious—if others have access to your space, they might also get unrestricted access to your device.
Another gem many users overlook is hidden in the keyboard—specifically, Gboard. By enabling its clipboard function, you get access to more than just the last thing you copied. Gboard can hold multiple copied items, including text and images, for up to an hour. You can even pin certain clips so they don’t get deleted, or edit saved text for future use. Once you turn on the clipboard via the keyboard, you’ll find it quickly becomes a handy tool, especially for messaging or managing social media.
When traveling, language barriers can be frustrating, but Android has a simple solution. With Google Lens, built right into the search bar, you can point your camera at text—like a menu or sign—and get instant translations. It’s surprisingly accurate and maintains the layout of the original image while showing translated text over it. You can copy the translated content, search it online, or save a screenshot. For voice translations or longer conversations, the Google Translate app is a great companion too.
Lastly, for users who want more control, there’s the Developer Options menu—a hidden section of Android that’s easy to unlock and incredibly powerful. Though it sounds technical, many of the features are useful even for casual users. You can tweak settings like USB debugging, Bluetooth device limits, animation speeds, or refresh rate preferences. To enable it, just go to your phone’s About section, tap Build Number seven times, and the menu appears under System Settings. It’s a great way to unlock the full potential of your device.
These features aren’t always front and center, but once you discover them, they can dramatically improve how you use your phone. Android has always been about flexibility and control—and these hidden tools are perfect examples of just how much it can do, once you dig a little deeper.