Hot topics

7 tips to make you an Android expert

androidpit nexus 6 hero 1
© nextpit

Android pros use their smartphone much more efficiently than the average person, this much we know. That's why we've identified the tell-tale signs of the smartphone power-user to help you improve your own smartphone habits. Here are seven tips to make you a smartphone expert.

1. Experts link their devices to everything

Whether sending an SMS on your PC, replying to WhatsApp messages from another device, or sharing links and files between your many gadgets, Pushbullet is the free Android app that all Android pros take full advantage of.

Install the app on both your devices and your desktop browser, and see for yourself how easy it can be keep tabs on all of your links and messages, no matter which device you're currently using. While the smartphone amateur might send themselves emails just to access an image or link from another place, the smartphone pro is using Pushbullet.

androidpit pushbullet hero 2
Pushbullet is the easy way to send files and links between all of your devices. / © ANDROIDPIT
${app-com.pushbullet.android}

2. Experts optimize their audio experience

The audio quality provided by most smartphone speakers ain't pretty. Even if you connect one of the best Bluetooth speakers or headphones to it, the sound is often still lacking in richness and tone.

The smartphone pro recognizes this, and uses the digital sound enhancement tools at their disposal to correct the problem. Many smartphones come with some kind of digital sound processors (DSP) to enhance audio quality. But these often use presets which sound unnatural, and do not take into account the speakers which the audio is played back on. An expert can change that...

androidpit google play music settings
Samsung SoundAlive provides several settings in order to rectify the sound. / © ANDROIDPIT
androidpit sony eq audio settings
Sony provides presets for the equalizer and headphone surround sound. / © ANDROIDPIT

Within your smartphone audio settings, or that of your preferred music app, select equalizer or audio settings. All smartphone manufacturers and apps offer different things, but you should experiment with the controls and effects to create the best result for your particular setup.

Is your music sounding a bit "tinny"? Try reducing the EQ at around 1-3 kHz. Need more bass? Crank it up between 40-200 Hz.   

Though it's difficult to pick out frequency bands and understand which part of the audio spectrum has been neglected, the best advice is to use your ears: listen to your favorite tracks with different settings enabled or disabled to see which you prefer. 

3. Experts put an end to ''bloatware''

The smartphone apps which arrive pre-installed on your Android device often remain untouched. Occasionally they can be useful, but in most cases there are better third-party apps available. So why keep them?

The smartphone expert deletes these apps right away. On a Sony (see screen shots below), just go into your app drawer, swipe in from the left and hit Uninstall. You can then see which apps can and cannot be removed.

Other manufacturers use a slightly different system (Samsung disables apps, LG hides them etc) so it's worth discovering how to do it on your phone. If you are restricted from deleting an app, you might consider rooting your phone to get complete access. 

androidpit bloatware app remove
For apps like Sketch which can't be deleted, try uninstalling updates and disabling them instead. / © ANDROIDPIT

If you don't want to root, the next best thing is to disable unused apps to save on memory. But be careful: sometimes disabling these can create problems because other apps depend on them.

With other features, like HTC's BlinkFeed and Samsung's My Magazine/Flipboard Briefing, just tap and hold in an empty space on your home screen, then press Settings and disable Blink Feed or My Magazine/Flipboard Briefing.

4. Experts use voice commands

The phrase "Okay, Google" is the beginning of a whole range of voice commands which can greatly improve your Android experience. This tool is currently dependent on internet access, but Google is working on integrating offline support in the near future.

What kind of things are possible with Google Now Voice commands? Hit the link to find out. 

5. Experts put bookmarks on their home screen

Many mobile browsers let you create a home screen launcher, which leads you directly to your favorite site when opened. While the default Samsung browser stores only a dismal 'favorite' icon on the Home screen, Chrome browser pins the icon of the site, and it makes accessing your favorite pages as easy as reaching for your Apps. It's the data-friendly, resource-light way to avoid using apps.

androidpit bookmark home screen
Make a shortcut to your favorite sites for your home screen. / © ANDROIDPIT

6. Experts keep an eye on data

Tracking how much high-speed data you have remaining in your plan is crucial if you want to be a smartphone pro. There are various carrier apps available within Google Play which you can log into to get the most accurate information, but you can also set up a home screen shortcut to your device's data usage screen.

androidpit data settings shortcut
Tap and hold on an open space on your home screen, tap apps > shortcuts > settings > data usage. / © ANDROIDPIT

Beyond that, try one of these free apps from Google Play to monitor your data usage. 

${app-com.onavo.android.onavoid}${app-com.mobidia.android.mdm}${app-com.andcreate.app.trafficmonitor}

7. Experts automate everything

The smartphone is part of everyday life. And in everyday life, we often do the same things, at the same time, in the same place, again and again.

This is why the smartphone experts makes sure some things are done automatically, like sending a message saying "I'm coming home", or receiving an automated notification like "bring an umbrella, there will be rain" if the weather forecast calls for it.

This if-then relationship is what the genius app IF relies upon. You can create a whole host of automations which will mean spending less time on repetitive smartphone tasks, like checking the weather, turning down volume, and almost anything else. If you want to hit true Android pro status, then take a look at Tasker.

${app-com.ifttt.ifttt}

Do you have any tips to help users get more from their Android device? Let us know in the comments below.

Choosing the Right Samsung Foldable

  Fold 2023 Fold 2022 Fold 2021 Flip-Phone 2023 Flip-Phone 2022 Flip-Phone 2021
Product
Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Product Image
Review
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
Offer*
Go to comment (18)
Eric Ferrari-Herrmann

Eric Ferrari-Herrmann
Senior Editor

Eric has been with AndroidPIT since 2014. He’s writing articles and reviews for the German website. Topics are mostly privacy and new technology but there's also the occasional piece on environmental sustainability.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
18 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • Jim Witt 2
    Jim Witt Jun 4, 2018 Link to comment

    Great Blog, very informative one. To hire android app developer from good companies bring extra features in your mobile app and this extra edge bring your business in new success.


  • 2
    James Patricia Apr 18, 2018 Link to comment

    Experienced Android App Development Company can be chosen on the basis of how deep understanding a developer has, about android ecosystem, guidelines, technologies, architecture, challenges and terminologies used in android application development in order to craft a perfect android app.


  • Rajon Hossain 2
    Rajon Hossain Apr 17, 2016 Link to comment

    really an awesome aticle.at this stage I think I'm not a power user I'm a super power user .just amazing I am fresher up by reading this
    .


  • 16
    Viktor jovanović v. Jan 4, 2016 Link to comment

    I use lot of them and are really very helpful.


  • 3
    Donaldson Kurbah Jan 4, 2016 Link to comment

    This article is helpful.. Thanks:)


  • 4
    bong salvador Jul 14, 2015 Link to comment

    I use Shutapp it's free and really works..


  • Chad_Higgins 15
    Chad_Higgins Jul 10, 2015 Link to comment

    Don"t forget to put ES file explorer App on your phone and you will be amazed at the possibilities. you can really do alot with this app. free in the google Play Store!

    Viktor jovanović v.bong salvador


  • Barry Dugger 4
    Barry Dugger Jul 10, 2015 Link to comment

    I really enjoy getting tips and tricks, but are people really so dependent on their phones that they need it to tell them when to get an umbrella? Heaven help us...

    bong salvador


  • 10
    Moussa Jul 9, 2015 Link to comment

    I didn't know I was an Android expert, thank you.

    bong salvador


  • 5
    Deactivated Account Jul 8, 2015 Link to comment

    I would include Llama in the 7 section for automated tasks.


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. Jul 8, 2015 Link to comment

    Going by this article, I am a pro Android user! Whoo hoo!


  • 3
    Danni Guthrie Jul 8, 2015 Link to comment

    I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace and use a prepaid card with unlimited data- which really means 3 gb of hi-speed, rest of the 30 days slow-boat-to-China speed. I'd like to know which apps are using lots of data so I can delete them or at least put them to sleep. Which is the best data monitor app for me? Too many to pick from: it boggles my brain!
    Thanks, Danni

    Ghida sibai


    • 5
      Paul Arnott Aug 27, 2015 Link to comment

      Try my data manager or data monitor, install both see which you prefer, they may give different usages for the same apps! You can also check the built-in data manager in the android settings menu.


    • 1
      Ghida sibai Jan 6, 2016 Link to comment

      I have a LG phone, I need to know too which apps are using lots of data so I can delete them or at least put them to sleep. Which is the best data monitor app for me? Too many to pick from: it boggles my brain too..


  • 3
    Eluwa Michael Jul 8, 2015 Link to comment

    Tasker is very cool, but i hardly find people mentioning the free app called automate it. I have been using automateit for a long time for various things and it's cool.


  • Deborah Sawyer 6
    Deborah Sawyer Jul 8, 2015 Link to comment

    Nice!


  • Elaine Harris 4
    Elaine Harris Jul 8, 2015 Link to comment

    This is awesome!! Thanks!


  • 7
    J Gabri-El Jul 7, 2015 Link to comment

    I love this article! Right stuff! Gets me in some better direction.

    thx

    silvija

Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing