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Only an Android expert knows these 3 things

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We like to share all kinds of cool Android tricks, from beginner tips like taking a screenshot, to more advanced tricks such as automating tasks, to the nitty gritty of root and custom ROMs. The more you delve into Android the deeper the rabbit hole goes, but there comes a point where you suddenly find you've become an expert, capable of helping your friends with their issues. Is that you? We think that if you're already familiar with the three things below, then you're a true Android expert.

See the future with Process Stats

You may remember us talking about the RAM Manager that's due to be introduced with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. RAM Manager is like the battery stats section, but for memory. It provides you with geeky stats on how long a process has been running, how much RAM it's using and how good its overall performance is.

But you don't actually have to wait until you get Android Marshmallow on your phone to have access to this information.

AndroidPIT LG G4 process stats main
Process Stats is like having Android Marshmallow's RAM Manager, right now. / © ANDROIDPIT

If you're an Android expert, you'll know about a rarely-used section of the Developer Options called Process Stats. Process Stats already gives you access to everything Marshmallow's RAM Manager will – and more – and you can use it right now. 

Process Stats keeps an eye on system memory demands, your most RAM-hungry apps and the services that each app is running. It's basically the god's-eye-view of what your phone and apps are up to. It's great for knowing what's normal and identifying problematic apps or runaway processes.

AndroidPIT LG G4 process stats details app usage
Process Stats is great for identifying memory problems and knowing the causes. / © ANDROIDPIT

If you're not already familiar with Process Stats, here's how you access it. First enable Developer Options: go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number seven times until you see the Dev Options message pop up. Back up a step and you'll see Developer Options at the bottom of your Settings menu. Tap this, find Process Stats and start familiarizing yourself with the inner workings of your phone.

Know the secret codes and menus for your phone

We've written about secret Android codes and hidden menus for various devices before. These codes and menus allow you to do all sorts of things, from testing your GPS, to accessing a diagnostics menu, simply by tapping a sequence of characters into your phone's dialer.

Some codes work for all phones, others are specific to a particular device or CPU, such as the Moto X Qualcomm settings menu. If you're a true Android expert, then you'll know which ones exist for your device. 

AndroidPIT LG G4 testing menu dialer
There's all sorts of useful secret codes and settings on Android. / © ANDROIDPIT

You've also got a whole host of awesome Accessibility Settings, which practically no one ever touches either. True Android fans not only know about these menus, features and codes, but regularly make use of them, whether they're underused parts of the visible system, or secret back doors for technicians and testers. It goes without saying that there are things behind these back doors that you probably shouldn't mess with.

Monitor performance in real time

If you're a real Android expert, then you want to know what's going on at all times with your phone. Like Process Stats above, which primarily covers RAM management, there are apps that will let you monitor the performance of your Android in real time.

Want to know how much data is being uploaded or downloaded all the time? You can. Interested in changes in your CPU temperature when its under load? No problem. Like to know exactly what is taking up the most space on your internal storage? Piece of cake. There are tons of apps and widgets available to keep you abreast of even the tiniest change in your device. If you're not already making use of them, check out our top choices in the link in the above paragraph.

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If you look closely, you can see a lot of information about your Android device here. / © ANDROIDPIT

Beyond these three key areas: RAM management, secret codes and menus and real-time monitoring, there is plenty more you can get into as an advanced Android user. You can test your internet connection speeds, calibrate your Android battery, benchmark your phone, tweak your audio settings, use NFC to transfer files, pair devices and automate tasks, use your smartwatch or location to tell your phone what to do and the list goes on and on.

Stuff like this is our bread and butter, so we hope you enjoy what we serve up daily. Let us know your own expert tips in the comments.

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Kris Carlon

Kris Carlon
Senior Editor

Kris is a former AndroidPIT Editor who came to the team via a lengthy period spent traveling and relying on technology to keep him in touch with the outside world. He can usually be found juggling three phones at once and poring over G+ posts, Reddit and RSS feeds.

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14 comments
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  • 16
    Viktor jovanović v. Aug 27, 2015 Link to comment

    Jus follow that recommendations, it's really worth!


  • Divjot Mahi 4
    Divjot Mahi Aug 27, 2015 Link to comment

    knew the first one though!


  • Mike 22
    Mike Aug 27, 2015 Link to comment

    I don't have to know this stuff. That's why we pay you guys the "big" bucks!


  • 3
    Jeffrey Siegel Aug 27, 2015 Link to comment

    Does anyone know if there are secret codes for Lollipop 5.1.1?


  • 3
    Jeffrey Siegel Aug 27, 2015 Link to comment

    I didn't know about SECRET CODES! So I just googled "Secret Codes for Nexus 5" and it shows me stuff which I think is way over my head. I'm a computer dummy and a smartphone idiot....so doing anything other then downloading from Google Play or some other site which I trust is as much as Im comfortable doing. I know I'm going to have to do a factoy reset very soon because i got too much crap on my Nexus 5, so when I reset, I will only reinstall the apps I use. I'm running 5.1.1 any suggestions before I do a reset to factory settings? Oh one other question....when I was looking over the secret codes for the Nexus 5, I saw that one of the codes ""Opens superuser application". What is a superuser.....a new MARVEL SUPER HERO?


  • Material Analog Watch Face 2
    Material Analog Watch Face Aug 27, 2015 Link to comment

    Indeed, these are the things that you have to know as an Android user. You should be more aware of what your ANdroid phone is all about.


  • AMPMAN! MANDROID!! 2
    AMPMAN! MANDROID!! Aug 26, 2015 Link to comment

    That's it ! I was getting all excited but anyways I'm tired of my 3 month old nexus 6 and I want an even trade for a Galaxy Edge or just let me win that one or I'll trade for it.


  • 8
    Jack Shaw Aug 26, 2015 Link to comment

    The secret codes do not work on all phones. I could access them on my Galaxy S4 for a while. My Galaxy S5, SM-G900R4, Android 5.0 from U. S. Cellular only returns a busy signal.


  • 6
    Deactivated Account Aug 26, 2015 Link to comment

    I know all of these :)

    Omar Hamwi


    • Omar Hamwi 17
      Omar Hamwi Aug 26, 2015 Link to comment

      Expert!

      Deactivated AccountDeactivated Account


  • Junaid Q. 17
    Junaid Q. Aug 26, 2015 Link to comment

    I know this but still I didn't feel like expert, I still feel there is more to know about


  • Mehul Pandita 10
    Mehul Pandita Aug 26, 2015 Link to comment

    Voila! I am an Android expert.

    Omar Hamwi


    • Omar Hamwi 17
      Omar Hamwi Aug 26, 2015 Link to comment

      You're now part of the club, Mehul!

      Mehul Pandita


      • Mehul Pandita 10
        Mehul Pandita Aug 26, 2015 Link to comment

        Thank You so much for the membership. 😎😎

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