22 Hidden Android Hacks to Supercharge Your Device

We prepared a comprehensive guide that includes new features and existing ones from earlier Android versions, as well as the most recent releases like Android 16 and Android 15. Many of these features should work on most Android devices, regardless of their OS version.

You can be sure to have access to these features by updating your phone or tablet to the latest Android release.

Extend Battery Life

Depending on your Android model, manufacturers with customized Android skins have incorporated new battery tools and optimizations. With recent Android versions, there are several ways to extend battery life.

On stock Android devices such as Pixel and Motorola phones, there are no direct tools to enable advanced battery optimizations. However, Pixel phones include Battery Health Assistance. Here’s how to make sure it is enabled:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Choose Battery health.
4. Tap Battery health assistance.
5. Toggle it on, then tap back to save changes.

For Chinese OEMs with skinned Android, including HyperOS on Xiaomi and Poco devices, there are additional options. One of them is Battery check-up:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Battery.
3. Select Battery check-up.
4. Tap Add mins to extend battery life.

Alternatively, you can enable Battery Saver mode in the battery settings.

Schedule or Automate Devices with Gemini

Gemini has replaced Google Assistant in most Android operating systems. It is smarter and can handle complex tasks. One useful feature is the ability to create routines or schedules, even for devices that do not natively support timers, such as smart bulbs.

For example, you can set up a daily routine to turn a bulb on or off. Here’s how:

1. Set up your smart home device in Google Home or a third-party app such as Samsung SmartThings or Xiaomi Home.
2. Assign its name and room if required.
3. Launch the Gemini app.
4. Integrate Google Home with the other smart home apps if needed.
5. Command: “Schedule the outdoor smart bulb to turn on every 6:00 PM daily and turn off at 5:00 AM.”
6. Wait for Gemini to create the schedule.
7. Adjust or add schedules later in Gemini.

AirDrop to Share Files

Android 16 enables faster cross-device file sharing. Pixel smartphones can now share photos and files with iPhones using Quick Share, which works directly with AirDrop.

1. Open the Photos app or Files.
2. Select the image or document you want to share.
3. Tap Quick Share in the Share Sheet.
4. On the iPhone, enable AirDrop with Everyone selected.
5. Accept the transfer on the iPhone.

This works both ways. You can also share photos from the iPhone using AirDrop, provided Quick Share is enabled and set to discoverable on the Pixel. Currently, this is available for the Pixel 10 series.

Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 also supports direct file sharing with iPhones through the Xiaomi Interconnectivity app:

1. Download the Xiaomi Interconnectivity app on the iPhone.
2. Open the app and tap Xiaomi Share.
3. Turn on Xiaomi Share on your Xiaomi phone.
4. Select the photos or files you want to share.
5. Choose the Xiaomi device from the list.
6. Tap Accept to confirm the transfer.

The Extra Dim feature was introduced in earlier Android versions and has been adopted by many brands, including Xiaomi, Samsung, OnePlus, and Vivo. When enabled, it reduces brightness to the lowest possible level, which is useful for eye comfort at night.

On Pixel phones, you can enable it from Settings or Quick Settings:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and choose Accessibility.
3. Toggle on Extra dim.
4. Alternatively, open the Quick Settings panel and tap the toggle.

Force Apps to Use Dark Theme

A new feature in Android 16 QPR2, first available on Pixel devices, is Expanded Dark Theme. It forces more apps to use a dark theme, saving battery since darker pixels consume less power. This feature will arrive on more Android devices next year.

To enable it on Pixel phones updated to Android 16.1:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Display & touch.
3. Choose Dark theme.
4. Select Expanded dark theme.
5. Tap back or exit to save changes.

Use Navigation Buttons Instead of Gestures

Recent Android versions default to gesture navigation instead of the traditional three-button navigation. If you prefer the older button layout, you can switch back in Settings:

1. Open Settings and search for Gesture navigation.
2. Or go to System > Navigation mode.
3. Select Button navigation.

Quick or Double Tap to Launch App

In most devices, you’ll need to enable it from the settings. In stock Android, it’s labeled as Quick Tap and located in the settings inside the Gestures section. If you have a skinned Android OS, such as One UI for Samsung or HyperOS for Xiaomi, you can look in the settings for “double-tap.”

1. Go to Settings and then System.
2. Tap on Gestures and then Quick Tap, or search “double tap” in settings.
3. Switch on Quick Tap.
4. Assign an action like launching the flashlight, a chatbot, or taking a screenshot.

Flash Notifications

Share Wi-Fi and Password

Make Your Phone a Wi-Fi Repeater

In select skinned Android versions, it’s possible to turn your phone into a Wi-Fi extender or repeater. It’s helpful for extending the coverage of a Wi-Fi signal to other devices. Stock Android devices support this feature, while for Samsung and other devices, you might require a third-party app, as we’ve also shown in our guide. You can turn your device into a Wi-Fi extender via the hotspot feature.

1. Connect to the Wi-Fi network on your main device.
2. Switch on your hotspot by tapping the shortcut in connectivity or quick settings.
3. Connect other devices to the hotspot connection.

Hide Device Name from Public Wi-Fi

Auto-Lock Device When It Gets Lost or Stolen

One of the most important new security features in Android is anti-theft protection. It’s a suite of security tools designed to boost device and data protection in case of theft or a lost phone. It debuted with Android 15 but is also available in older versions of Android via a Play Services update.

Depending on the phone, the set of security tools offers core features like theft detection lock, offline device lock, and remote lock, in addition to identity check. It’s switched off by default, so you need to manually enable it from the settings. Follow the step-by-step guide below.

1. Open settings, then navigate to Security & privacy.
2. Choose Device unlock.
3. Tap on Theft protection.
4. Enable the tools you want to use.

Turn Your Phone Into a Webcam

A long-requested feature is the ability to turn your Android phone into a webcam for your computer or laptop natively. This support arrived with Android 14 and was improved to include an HD version in Android 15. Depending on the manufacturer’s implementation, turning your phone into a webcam is simple. Learn the steps below.

1. Connect your phone to a laptop or PC.
2. Tap on the USB dialog box on your phone.
3. Select Webcam.
4. In the webcam dialog, expand it to open the camera view.
5. Tap on HD and confirm.

Hide Apps via Private Space

Before Private Space, there was no direct way to hide apps in bulk, although some OEMs like Samsung had their own features for this. Now, in Android 15, it’s easier and more secure to keep your apps in a private folder or vault. It even has a more robust security method, as you can keep the data in the apps hidden from your settings and system with a separate Google account.

For skinned Android versions, they have their own version of features to hide apps, such as Secure Folder in One UI.

If your device is running on Android 15, here’s how to set up and use it on your Android.

1. Go to Settings and tap Security & privacy.
2. Select Private Space.
3. Tap Set up and finish connecting your account.
4. Manage the private space by going to the bottom of the app menu.

Amplify Volume Level with Headphones

Restore Deleted Notifications

One of the hidden gems that many users are not aware of is the ability to view or restore dismissed or deleted notifications through notification history. Before you start accessing dismissed notifications, you’ll need to enable them from the settings. Read the step-by-step guide below.

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Go to Notifications.
3. Tap Notification history.
4. Toggle on the button.

Free Up Memory via App Archive

Add a User or Guest

One of the oldest tricks in Android is multiple user support. This lets you add another user or guest with their own set of apps and settings on the same Android device. Android’s guest mode is not available in all Android skins, such as in One UI, though it is supported in the Galaxy tablets, while Xiaomi devices have a similar feature called Second space.

If your device comes with guest mode, it can be enabled in the system section.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System.
3. Scroll down and look for Users.
4. Select if you want to add a regular user or a guest.
5. Continue to set up.

Once a guest or user account is in use, you can easily switch back to the owner’s account from the notification panel.

Set Language Per App

Use Split Screen to Multitask

Activate Developer Options for More Features

Many features and settings in Android are tucked inside the Developer options. These are designed for testing purposes, but anyone knowledgeable enough can also use these tools for their benefit or to improve their device.

Keep in mind that it’s not recommended for everyone and that certain apps might not work when Developer options is enabled. If you’re aware of the risk, you can proceed below on how to activate it.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Open About phone.
3. Scroll down and look for the build number. (Depending on your device, the location of this is in the software page).
4. Tap Build number five times or longer until Developer options is activated.
5. Access the Developer options in the System page.
6. You can disable the Developer options in the system settings.

Enable Maximum Refresh Rate When Gaming

Your Android phone has numerous hidden features that you need to discover and activate to supercharge your device. Do you have other Android tips or tricks we didn’t mention in the list? We’d love to hear our suggestions in the comments.