Android 8 accessibility features. Hidden Android Features Everyone Should Know About

The most popular operating system currently in existence is undoubtedly Android. Most modern devices and various gadgets operate under its control. If earlier we could only see it on smartphones, now it is used everywhere. It is difficult to imagine a modern TV running a different system. All this happens for one simple reason. This system is very functional and has many settings. But, despite its prevalence and ease of use, many do not even realize what secrets the Android device holds.

Among the many common functions that the average user uses every day, there is also a securely hidden functionality. A person can use his smartphone for several years and not even realize all the capabilities of his gadget.

It's time to reveal all the secrets and talk about the hidden “tricks” of the popular operating system. In this article we will try to reveal all the secrets of Android.

Safely hidden mini-game

Every device, regardless of the Android version, has a hidden mini-game. IN different versions Android is different, but they are all fascinating and quite complex. It is almost impossible to independently guess where this game is located. It is so well hidden that an uninformed person cannot trigger it by accident. Let us describe a universal algorithm for launching a hidden game.

First of all, go to the basic settings of the device. At the very bottom of the list there will be an inconspicuous and rarely used “About phone” item. That's exactly what we need. Click on it and move on. Now a huge amount of information will appear on the display screen. We will see the name of our gadget, the amount of RAM, the kernel version and much more. But, we need a line that says “Android version”.

After we have found it, by quickly pressing this line multiple times, we open the mini-game. You need to click on this inscription many times and at short intervals. It’s difficult to say the exact number of taps, but we can assume that you’ll have to tap the screen five to ten times.

Of course, you can install more advanced games on Android with modern graphics, but finding something new in a long-familiar thing is always nice.

Safe Mode

Modern mobile phones are almost equal in functionality to personal computers. It's hard to even say where they are inferior. They have their own safe boot mode, which not everyone knows about.

This mode will be especially useful if a serious failure has occurred in the system and the device has completely frozen. Also, this function will be extremely useful for smartphones infected with a large number of virus programs that cause malfunctions.


When booting in this mode, the device blocks absolutely all third-party applications. In other words, the phone will start only with the factory list of programs. After this, you can remove the malicious software or incompatible applications, which slowed down the operation of the device.

In order to implement this action, you must press the power key. After the power off button appears on the screen, press it and do not release it for a long time. Then we confirm the reboot in the selected mode.

After the reboot, all previously installed applications will be colored in black and white. Thus, they can be easily distinguished from system programs and subsequently delete.

Hidden menu

Going to the main menu, we see the main list of tabs that we use to configure our device. In fact, this is far from a complete list of settings. The Android system has a hidden menu item that is intended exclusively for advanced users.

You can activate this item by going to the main phone settings. After this, scroll to the very bottom of the page that opens. There we will see an item called “About phone”. That's exactly what we need. We go into it with one click. Among the numerous lines we look for the inscription “Build number”. Click on it without stopping until an inscription with the text “You are a developer” appears on the display.

After this, you can congratulate you, the secret menu item is activated. To enter it, open the main menu again and go to the “Advanced” tab. Now we scroll to the end of the page and in one of the last positions there will be the inscription “For Developers”. This is the very menu that was previously inaccessible and not even displayed.
This tab contains a lot of new features:

1. You can view process statistics. Essentially, this information is provided in order to analyze the running time of applications. If one of the applications runs continuously and is not a system one, this is a good reason to think about deleting it or stopping this process.

2. USB debugging. This point is especially important for experienced users who are involved in flashing devices and developing Android applications.

3. You can limit the maximum number of background processes.

4. Ability to display CPU load.

5. Change the animation scale, highlight the boundaries of objects and much more.

We will not list all the items on this menu now; there are very many of them. large number. Everyone can independently activate this option and become familiar with all the capabilities of their device.

Magnifier

The secrets of Android do not end there, but rather just begin. Another quite useful feature is the ability to enlarge the screen, or as it is also called - magnifier. This feature is very helpful for people with visual impairments. This function becomes especially relevant for those who have a small screen diagonal.
Activating such a function will not be difficult. As in most cases, go to the gadget settings and go to the “Special Features” item. In this tab, among the numerous settings, you need to find “Gestures for zooming”. We activate this feature and now we can enlarge any area of ​​the display with a triple finger press.

Increasing internal memory

Until recently, the volume internal memory phone was catastrophically small. Smartphones with a memory capacity of more than eight gigabytes were considered flagship. A lot of time has passed since then, but even now on some models, the amount of built-in memory is not large. If we take away from them the space that the system occupies, then the user has practically nothing left. In this case, the inserted flash drive does not save the situation, since games and programs cannot be installed on it.

Starting from the sixth Android, this problem disappeared. This version of the operating system has a very convenient feature. Now if you insert the flash drive into your device, operating system will immediately ask the user a question about the purpose of this flash drive. It is enough to select the item that we want to use it as internal memory. After this, your gadget will independently format the drive and will recognize it as the internal memory of the device. This will allow you to install all kinds of games and programs on it without any problems.

When using this privilege, it is worth remembering that all flash cards have at different speeds data transfer. Nowadays it is best to use tenth class drives. IN otherwise, the installed content will open slowly and work incorrectly.

Screenshot of an Android device

While using your phone, it is often necessary to save an image of the screen. There can be many reasons for this: catching a still frame of a movie, recording an error that appears on the screen, saving a fragment of your correspondence, etc. The reasons are different for each user.


In order to save the display image, just press the volume down button and the gadget’s power key at the same time. After this, the photo will be automatically saved in the smartphone gallery.

Secret codes

As mentioned earlier, the Android system has a huge number of settings and a lot of possibilities for stabilizing the shell. But for many users it will be a real discovery that you can control the device not only using the standard settings menu, but also by typing a secret combination of characters.

Some of the most useful combinations include:

*#*#0*#*#* — allows you to test the display;

*#06#- using the specified command you can find out the unique imei of your gadget;

*#*#4636#*#* - using this combination you can find out a lot of information about the smartphone and its battery.

Blocking the device in case of theft

Smartphones and other devices running the Android operating system often become desirable targets for thieves. What should you do if your smartphone is stolen and there is a huge amount of personal data stored on it that should not fall into the wrong hands?

There is one proven method that will help you reliably secure your personal information. To do this, go to the main settings, then open the “security” tab. Among the proposed options, we need to click on “Device Administrators”. We activate the “Remote search and blocking” function. Now our data is securely protected. Using your personal Google account, you can block your phone, no matter where it is located.


Also, this opportunity will be very relevant if you lose your gadget. In addition to blocking the device, all its data can be restored on your computer.

Traffic control

Everyone has mobile operators has its own traffic limits and tariffs. In most cases, the user has access to a limited amount of Internet traffic per month. To track the number of megabytes used, you can contact your service provider or install one of the many third party applications. But if you take a closer look at the capabilities of your smartphone, you will notice that there is a standard function in the settings. It allows you to be aware of the megabytes spent.


To set the limit, you need to go to the main settings, after which we go to the “Data transfer” tab. It is there that we can set the number of megabytes that we plan to use. Once the user exceeds the specified threshold, the device will immediately report this. In addition, using this function you can track which application consumes the most Internet resources. This is very convenient and allows you to save on GPRS traffic.

Other secrets

The most interesting secrets of Android were listed above. These features are standard and present on every device. In addition to general secrets, there are also a large number of individual secrets for each phone manufacturer and each version of Android. The fact is that each manufacturer uses its own unique Android shell. However, all shells are different and have different advantages. Each specific phone manufacturer has its own unique features. For example on ZTE smartphones Nubia, repeatedly pressing an empty area of ​​the display produces the effect of a broken screen. There is no useful functionality in this, but it looks very funny.

To summarize, I would like to note that with the advent of new versions of the operating system, the number of Android functions and secrets increases. It is quite possible that this list will soon be updated with new interesting features.

Tablets or e-readers. Using the operating system, you can control your device. Back in 2005, Google acquired the rights to this OS, and already in 2008 the first product was released - Android 1.0.

Briefly about the platform

This operating system quickly gained popularity, being under the auspices of one of the largest IT companies. And this is not strange, because even children can understand the use of this system (which they successfully practice today), and a lot of “stuffing” for the device can be downloaded completely free of charge from one of the Google resources of the same name. Most devices from the largest and most famous companies, such as Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Sony and others, are produced on Android.

According to research and statistics, gadgets released over the past year running this platform account for 75% of all products. The only competition to “Robot” is the IOS operating system, developed for Apple products. But, as it turned out, it accounts for only 15% of devices. This “axis” is currently developing quite actively, because it provides the opportunity to work not only with smartphones and tablets. The versatility of the system allows it to be installed on electronic photo frames, players, media systems in cars and many others.

Android is being developed by the Open Handset Alliance, also created by Google. It is interesting to note that an original family of fonts called “Droid” was created specifically for this “OS”, and each new system released has the name of a dessert. But these names are not chosen at random. Each new version of the “dessert” is named with English letters, which are arranged in alphabetical order.

"Robot" capabilities

So, what is the beauty of this operating system, what is included in the “ standard set» a novice user and what features of the platform appealed to them?

With the installation of this OS, any device turns into a “smart” gadget. The first and most important function is access to the Internet. Without it, it would be difficult for you to use a gadget running Android. And it’s not even that there would be no opportunity to download various applications for ease of use or viewing important content. The operating system simply could not receive updates, and they are very important for uninterrupted and proper operation systems. At the same time, thanks to Android and your modern device, you can read books, watch videos or movies and download them to your gadget, chat with friends, listen to music and perform many other functions that you previously did on a computer.

The first thing the Android gadget presents is online services from Google. They include Gmail, navigator, social GOOGLE network+, Google Talk chat, Goggles voice and visual search, calendar, browser, etc.

You won’t find functions such as a calculator, a voice recorder, or even simple games on an Android device, but installing such standard applications This is done directly by the device manufacturers. And if you need something additional, there is nothing easier than downloading the necessary software, games, music, books, widgets and many other useful “stuffing” in the store Google Play.

But that's not all. The hidden capabilities of Android will surprise any user, but we will talk about them a little later. 10 hidden functions are not all that your device can surprise you with.

Where to start using an Android device?

It is advisable to start using the device by connecting to the Internet. If possible, it is better to use a 3G or Wi-Fi network. You can also use simple mobile Internet, however, its speed leaves much to be desired, and you risk spending a lot on using traffic.

Next, you'll need a Google account. If you haven’t got one yet, it’s not at all difficult to do. You need to go through a short registration: enter your email (this should be Gmail) and come up with a password. After checking this data, you must provide payment information. You don’t have to worry about the safety of your funds at all. The form you fill out will indicate that funds will only be debited from your account if you make a purchase. No one will touch the money on the card without your direct consent.

Once you create a Google account, the Internet services mentioned earlier will already be available to you. Even if you don’t take into account the hidden functions of Android, the system synchronizes perfectly with many third-party resources, such as social networks or email services.

The capabilities of Android allow you to change the gadget’s interface completely at your discretion. Possibility of change virtual keyboard, adding various widgets to the screen or completely changing appearance screen using special programs, launchers.

In general, the variety of functions, add-ons and applications of Android makes the gadget indispensable in almost any life situation. With social networking apps, you can always stay connected with your friends and share a piece of your life with them, no matter where you are. Payment system applications allow you to quickly and reliably transfer money, pay bills, and top up your account. mobile phone and many other tasks. In order not to get lost in a foreign city and quickly call a taxi, mobile applications from Google will also help you with this.

Hidden features of Android

In addition to the above-mentioned delights and capabilities, Android is also equipped with special secret capabilities that few people know about. Hidden Android features are some “surprises” from the developers. They will make using your device even easier and more interesting. Articles usually list about 10 hidden Android features, but in reality there are many more. Many experienced users have been familiar with them for a long time, and each release new version“Robot” and every year these opportunities become more and more numerous. So, here are some of the 10 hidden features of Android 2016.

A small game that was hidden from users

Ever since the release of Android 2.3, developers have been hiding certain “ easter eggs" For example, the hidden functions of Android 4.4.2 and others allow you to find these “eggs”. What is this, you ask? “Easter eggs” are interesting and hidden features of the system. To get to them, the user must perform a certain series of actions that are not obvious. At the beginning of the article we said that the name of any Android versions appropriated in honor of some sweetness. So, “Easter eggs” are also associated with the treat after which this or that system is named.

Thus, the hidden functions of Android 5.0 allow you to play an extraordinary secret game. By its nature, the game is very reminiscent of the Flappy Bird game of the same name, only instead of a bird you control a small “android”, and instead of pipes that need to be bypassed, there are lollipops, because this operating system is called Lollipop. The hidden features of Android 5.1 also provide the opportunity to play a similar game. Surely all users are wondering how to launch such a toy on their device?

To do this, you will need to go to “Settings” and select “About phone”. Then we will find the “Android Version” section; you will need to quickly click on it several times. A large bright lollipop will appear on the screen; if you click on it, it will change color, and if you press and do not release quickly, a game will appear on the screen. A great activity when you're bored and don't have access to the Internet, for example.

Remote control of a gadget

Quite a useful function, for some reason hidden very far away. It is especially good if your phone or other device is lost and needs to be found and blocked. Hidden functions of “Android 4.2.2” and higher allow you to track the gadget. To find this option, you need to go to “Settings”, select the “Security” option there and then go to “ Remote control Android" click "Device Administrators". You need to check the box next to “Remote device search” and “Remote blocking”. When the checkbox is ticked in the right place, many users are surprised and ask what to do next?

Further, if you lose your device, you can remotely erase all data, change the lock or lock the screen (you can even choose the time for how long you want to lock it yourself). You can do this from the website google.com/android/devicemanager. You can also download a special application for remote control “Android”. If you fail to encrypt your device, then through the same Google service you can restore all the data that you deleted.

But in order to encrypt an object, you need to select “Encryption” in “Settings” and “Security”. Even if attackers gain access to your device, they will not have access to the data unless they know your decryption password. But think carefully before you encrypt your gadget. Firstly, this process will take quite a long time (more than an hour), and secondly, every time after unlocking the screen you will have to enter your password. And lastly: if your password is lost, you will no longer be able to access your data. All that remains is to restore the factory settings, and at the same time destroy all the files that you so diligently encrypted from strangers.

The hidden functions of Android don't end there. Let's move on.

Safe Mode

Any person who is more or less “friendly” with computers is familiar with the concept of “safe mode”. This mode allows you to log into the system and run only important programs and files. This allows you to identify the problem with the operating system and fix the main errors. Now this function is available to Android users. They will be able to run their device in safe mode and all third-party applications will not work. If they are incompatible with your system, infected with viruses, or simply downloaded by mistake, you can get rid of them.

How to launch this mode on your gadget? Very simple. To do this, hold down the screen lock button as you did to turn off the device. In the “Turn off power” section, you need to hold your finger and then a request to switch to safe mode will appear on the screen. Confirm it and wait for the reboot. The interface will be changed, the icons will become gray, but don't worry, after loading into normal mode everything will return to its place.

Turn off notifications

Many Android OS users are familiar with how various games and applications can be spammed. They send notifications over and over again, annoying the user terribly. Hidden Android features allow you to disable these notifications and system messages sent by one of the third-party applications. To do this, we need to go to “Settings” again and find the “Applications” option there. Then in the list you should find that same annoying application that constantly “spams” and uncheck the “Enable notifications” box at the top. Problem solved. You can disable this function either from one application or from all at once (“Block all”).

Traffic control

Now mobile Internet traffic can be monitored. To many, this function will seem not entirely unnecessary. However, this is not at all true. IN lately many operators mobile communications offer packages with limited traffic, for example, a certain number of megabytes per day. With the help, you will know how much you have already used, and it also shows which application has consumed how much. If you do not want to go beyond the established norm, but constantly monitor how much has already been spent in a completely irrational way, you can set a traffic limit. When the set figure is reached, data transfer will automatically turn off.

"Black List"

Sometimes we need to put a ban on incoming call any subscriber. The reasons can be completely different, but the most common of them is that someone is really annoying you with calls, and you don’t want this to happen in the future. There is no specific Black List function for “annoying” subscribers in the Android OS. But there is one small trick. There is one small option in Edit Contacts called Voicemail Only. Click the checkbox and this way you block calls from a specific number.

You can expand the internal memory of the device

Hidden functions of Android 6 allow you to expand the internal memory of your gadget. The memory card always remained external media. Even though applications can be transferred from the device to the card and vice versa, it did not help the situation and there was a catastrophic lack of internal memory. Hidden features of Android 6.0 finally made it possible to use a flash drive as internal storage. Once you insert the memory card into the dedicated slot, you have a choice of two ways to use it. Hidden features of Android 6.0.1 also allow you to expand the internal memory.

This is far from full list all features of the system. We described 7 hidden Android functions, but in reality there are many more. For example, a face recognition function for or the ability to send photos to the “cloud”, from where they can be easily restored if deleted by mistake. Also on latest versions With this “OS” you can delete or suspend pre-installed applications that simply clog up the memory and are of no value to the owner.

Discover this operating system in a new way. We hope this article will help you in this matter.

Welcome to the Android OS FAQ. Many people already have Android, but not everyone knows some of the tricks to it. If you want to add to the list, write in the comments.

How can I change the input method?

Install the keyboard, go to Menu -> Settings -> Language & keyboard, in the Keyboard settings section, check the box next to installed keyboard. Next, in any input field, click on the input location and hold. The Input Method menu will open, select the keyboard you need. Comment. The standard keyboard does not provide an option to disable it.

How to select a third-party input method (the keyboard you installed)?

Install the keyboard, go to Menu - Settings - Language and text. In the text settings, check the box for the keyboard you installed. Next, in any input field, for example, in messages, click on the input location and hold. The Input Method menu will open, where you select the keyboard you need.

How to remove the error “Unable to establish a secure connection to the server” when setting up an account, opening the Market, Gmail?

Firstly, there must be an Internet connection. Secondly, Settings - Accounts and synchronization - Background mode(check the box).

Engineering codes for Android

Many users of Android smartphones and tablets are not even aware of the existence of so-called engineering or service codes. Service codes on smartphones and regular phones appeared much earlier than the first version of the Android OS was released. They are intended mainly for service center engineers and advanced users, so we would like to immediately warn readers: if you don’t know what this code is for, then you shouldn’t enter it, and if you still decide to enter the code, then do it at your own peril and risk. It is worth thinking before entering any code for Android, because... this may lead to partial or complete loss of data and damage the device itself. If you decide to use codes, let's look at each engineering code in more detail:
*#06# — Find out IMEI;
*#*#4636#*#* — Information and settings;
*#*#8351#*#* — Voice Dialer Logging Enabled;
*#*#4636#*#* - This code can be used to receive interesting information about the phone and battery. It shows the following 4 menus on the screen:
- Phone information;
- Information about batteries;
- Battery statistics;
- Usage statistics.
*#*#7780#*#* - This code resets the following settings to factory settings: - settings of your Google account stored on your smartphone; - data and settings of the system and applications; - downloaded applications. The code does NOT delete: - current system applications and applications supplied with the smartphone; - data on the SD card (photos, videos, etc.). PS: Before resetting the settings, the smartphone will ask for confirmation, so until the very last moment you will have a chance to change your mind.
*2767*3855# - Think before entering this code. This code is used for factory formatting, that is, it triggers the deletion of all files and settings including those stored in the internal memory. It also reinstalls the smartphone’s firmware. PS: After entering the code, there is only one way back - quickly remove the battery and begin data recovery via PC.
*#*#34971539#*#* - This code is used to obtain information about the phone's camera. It shows the following four parameters:
- Updating the camera firmware into the image (do not try to repeat this option);
- Updating the camera firmware on the SD card;
- Get the camera firmware version;
- See how many times the firmware has been updated.
WARNING: Never use the first option, otherwise your phone camera will stop working and you will have to carry your phone in service center to reinstall the camera firmware.
*#*#7594#*#* - This code can be used to change the mode of the End/On/Off button. By default, when you long press the button, a screen will be shown asking you to select any option: “Switch to silent mode", "Airplane mode" or "Turn off smartphone".
You can change the suggested options using this code. For example, you can make the phone turn off immediately, without selecting the desired option from the menu.
*#*#273283*255*663 282*#*#* - The code opens a file copying screen where you can make backups your data (photos, audio, etc.)
*#*#197328640#*#* - This code can be used to enter maintenance mode. You can run various tests and change settings in service mode for WLAN, GPS and Bluetooth;
*#*#232339#*#* or *#*#526#*#* or *#*#528#*#* - WLAN (use the Menu button to run various tests);
*#*#232338#*#* — shows the WiFi MAC address;
*#*#1472365#*#* — GPS test;
*#*#1575#*#* — Another GPS test;
*#*#232331#*#* — Bluetooth test;
*#*#232337#*# — Shows the address Bluetooth devices;
Codes for running various factory tests:
*#*#0283#*#* — Batch Loopback;
*#*#0*#*#* — LCD test;
*#*#0673#*#* or *#*#0289#*#* — Melody test;
*#*#0842#*#* — Device test (vibration test and backlight test);
*#*#2663#*#* — Touch screen, version;
*#*#2664#*#* — Touch screen, test;
*#*#0588#*#* — Motion sensor;
*#*#3264#*#* - RAM version.
These are the basic codes for Android that an advanced smartphone user may need. Let us repeat once again: do not enter codes if you are not sure of their purpose! But to solve some problems in the operation of the Android device, these codes are extremely useful.

Useful tricks and secrets on Android

Force reboot Android
There are cases when an Android phone “slows down” and simply does not respond to any actions. In this case, a forced reboot will help, which is launched by pressing the following combinations of buttons: Simultaneously press the Power Button + Home Key + Volume Up Button.

Quick access to Google search
All smartphones are now oriented to work with the Internet and therefore it is not surprising that Android has in stock little trick which quickly launches the form Google search. I checked it on HTC Sensation - it didn’t work, but on other models everything was ok. To quickly get into the search, hold down the Enter Menu button for a few minutes.

Unlocking Android using facial recognition
This is a very interesting trick that is available in Android 4.2, Jelly Bean. If you have this version of the OS installed, you can enable the facial recognition function, which will unlock the phone. Jelly Bean has added additional protection - we have to blink so that the phone understands that the person is alive, and in front of him is not just a photograph. Activation:
Go to Settings > Security > Screen lock > Face unlock.

Detailed information about the phone
With a special USSD request, you can get a lot additional information about the phone, which is not available in standard settings- this is all about the Wi-Fi network, battery usage, etc. Request: *#*#4636#*#*

Move programs to SD card
We often install applications on our phone, thereby taking up the built-in memory, which is not always a lot anyway. Android phones have a wonderful feature that will allow you to quickly and effortlessly transfer programs and games to a flash drive. To transfer applications, you need to go to:
Settings > Applications > Application management (or directly select the application) > Select the desired application, and you will immediately see the “Move to memory card” option there.

Hard Reset or full reset settings Android phone
This trick is very useful before selling the phone or when it is already very “clogged” and periodically slows down. An Android phone can be formatted in several ways.
a) Restoring factory settings. Means that all settings will be reset to default and all internal data will be deleted.
To do this, you need to do USSD request: *#*#7780#*#*.
b) Hard reset: to hard reset the phone, dial *2767*3855#. This will delete all data (including internal and external SD cards) and reset all Android settings.
There is no need to enter this code just to test the request if you are not sure that you need it. This request will not ask for confirmation!

How to take a screenshot in Android?

When using an Android device, sometimes you need to take a screenshot. There are several ways to solve this problem:

• use the capabilities of the operating system (Android 3.2 and higher);
• use software built into the firmware from the device supplier;
• install the application from Google Play.

Taking a screenshot using the operating system capabilities
This method Suitable for owners of devices with Android operating system version 3.2 or higher.

In Android 3.2, you need to press and hold the "Recent Programs" button (two squares).

In Android 4.0, you need to press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time.

Taking a screenshot using the built-in firmware software
Some manufacturers have equipped their devices with programs for taking screenshots. The method of calling the program is different for all devices.

IN Samsung devices from Samsung you need to simultaneously press the Home and Power/Lock buttons (screenshots are saved in the ScreenCapture folder).

On HTC devices, you need to press the Power and Home buttons simultaneously (screenshots are saved in the photo folder).

Some Sony devices require you to press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time.

In devices Huawei you need to press Power and briefly press Volume Down (screenshots are saved in the /Pictures/ScreenShots folder).

In devices with GyanogenMod, AOKP, SlimROM firmware installed, you can display the “Screenshot” item in the device shutdown menu.

Taking a screenshot using third-party software.
There are many programs in the Google Play store that allow you to take screenshots, but almost all of them require root rights. Consider one of them - the Screenshot UX program.
Screenshot UX is an application designed for taking screenshots on devices with Android 2.2 and higher. After installing the application and launching it on the desktop, in the upper left corner, a small round button will appear, when clicked, a screenshot of the screen will be taken. In the settings, you can set that after pressing the button, a countdown will occur, at the end of which you will take a screenshot. The resulting screenshot can be: sent by mail or posted in social networks; view through the available viewing application; trim or edit. The program can be configured so that the screen is photographed after shaking the device.

How to charge less often Android battery devices?

The problem of rapid battery drain is familiar to every owner of a gadget running Android OS.

The first thing we need to do is dial the combination *#*#4636#*#* , having done this we will see general information about battery consumption.

You need to follow several rules to ensure that one charge lasts longer.

If your device is equipped with an AMOLED display, then dark background wallpapers will save battery power.
- Turn off WiFi when you do not need it, because connection support consumes a large amount of battery power.
- Also, if you need at the moment No need for internet, turn off 3G mode. Internet activity does not stop when 3G is turned on, even if you are not using it, which entails energy consumption, or if you are outside the 3G coverage area, the phone will scan networks in search of 3G, which also has a very bad effect on saving battery power.
- When you are in an area of ​​poor mobile coverage, your gadget is in constant network search mode, this very quickly eats up battery power. Switch the device to offline mode until mobile signal reception conditions improve.
- The same applies to GPS, this is probably the most energy-intensive thing that is in your device. Don't leave GPS on unless necessary.
- The accelerometer is a continuously awake module of the device, naturally constantly consuming energy. If this is not critical for you, then I advise you to turn off this function (settings> display> auto-rotate)
- Manually adjust the use of your device's processor, even if the manufacturer stated that the processor dynamically changes the frequency, ensuring energy savings. For this there is good program SetCPU.
- Turn off data transfer mode if you do not need it, for example, at night
- And one more tip for owners of gadgets with non-rechargeable batteries, there are applications that reset the battery memory and allow you to try to overclock it again. For example, Battery Calibration.

How to unlock graphic key on Android?

Is this a familiar picture? You decided to try a pattern and forgot it after 10 minutes. You perfectly remember your pattern key, but the playful hands of your younger brother, beloved daughter, curious colleague managed to enter the key incorrectly five times in your absence and the smartphone is tightly locked (the system works with a bang). What to do and how to unlock the graphic key? There are several ways.

Google account
There are a total of five attempts to unlock your phone using a pattern key. There is no sixth. If you have already exceeded the limit, then enter something again and wait 30 seconds. After this, you need to admit that you have forgotten the pattern key, and then enter the details of the Google account that you use on your smartphone, i.e. the one you entered when you first set up your smartphone. Did it work?

Call yourself
Another interesting question, how to unlock a pattern key if you have forgotten your Google account password. It gets more interesting. Try calling a locked smartphone and during the call, accepting it, of course, go to the phone settings. Find the pattern key in your phone's lock settings and deactivate it. Hang up and use your smartphone.

HR or factory reset
If none of the above helps, then you have only one possible option: Hard Reset. This is a harsh method, but effective. You won’t have any more questions about how to unlock the graphic key. True, the desire to install it is also unlikely to arise. Hard Reset means resetting to factory settings with loss of all data. It's a shame, yes, but you'll bring your phone back to life. How to reset your specific model, it's better to ask. This is always a specific and consistent key combination that is determined by the smartphone manufacturer. After resetting to factory settings, you will start life over with a new leaf and at this moment your Google account will come in handy again.

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The Android operating system, which runs most smartphones and tablets, has hidden functionality that many people don't know about. At the same time, a simple user can also get access to them. Today we will talk about what hidden functions of Android devices you can use to simplify your “communication” with your smartphone or tablet. But first, we will focus on one of the models from the young British brand Wileyfox. A short review of the smartphone will certainly help you decide what your new smartphone should be like.

The model features an elegant, thin metal body and powerful hardware. The body material is aluminum, with a grain structure that provides a pleasant tactile sensation. The model belongs to thin smartphones - the body thickness is only 8.6 mm. A thin laser border is applied along the entire perimeter, and the fingerprint scanner module and the main camera are framed laser engraving. Affiliation with the brand is emphasized by the corporate logo - the cute face of a fox. The device's small size and light weight make it convenient to operate the smartphone with one hand. There are three color solutions on the market - gray-blue and shades of Champagne Gold and Tiffany Green. Depending on your style and preferences, you will surely find the most suitable solution for yourself.

The model is equipped with a Fingerprint fingerprint scanner module. This technology provides reliable protection your smartphone and the data stored on it. It is almost impossible to find such a password, as well as to forget it. Now you don't need to remember complex digital combinations or a pattern to unlock your gadget. One touch is enough and all functions and applications are available to you. The smartphone also has an NFC module. Near Field Communication is a high-speed connection technology between devices over short distances, which is used for data exchange, connection with accessories and some types of payments.

The hardware of the model consists of a powerful 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937 processor with 64-bit architecture and a clock frequency of 1.4 GHz. The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory, which can be increased by 64 GB using a microSDXC card. The installed GLONASS, GPS and A-GPS modules will help you determine your location using satellite signals at any time. The smartphone supports dual SIM cards and high-speed mobile Internet of the 4th generation 4G LTE. This solution allows you to separate personal and business calls and make the choice of the optimal tariff plan For voice communication and use of mobile Internet. What is noteworthy is that 4G LTE connection is supported by both the first and second SIM card slots. This means that you don’t have to change their places - just select the appropriate option in the smartphone menu.

It is impossible to imagine a modern smartphone model without a good camera. Wileyfox Swift 2 is no exception. The device is equipped with a 13-megapixel camera that provides high quality pictures and videos. Dual flash and 5 physical lenses allow you to take great pictures even in poor visibility conditions. Fans of selfies and video calls will appreciate the quality of the 8-megapixel front camera.

To conclude this short review, let's look at the screen. The smartphone has a 5-inch HD display that transmits images with high quality images and a wide range of color rendering. The display is manufactured according to new technology, has a 2.5D effect, thanks to which you are practically immersed in the pictures displayed on the screen. The display is manufactured according to modern technology IPS and ONCELL Full Lamination, providing wide viewing angles (up to 178°) without distorting the image on the screen. The peculiarity of the technology is that it allows you to remove the excess air gap between the technological layers of the display. This ensures colors that are as close to realistic as possible.

Ten hidden features of the Android operating system

1. Hidden settings for developers

Every smartphone running Android OS has hidden features for developers. But also to the average user you may find something useful in this tool. Once you have access to them, you can configure USB debugging, disable animation, and improve performance GPU and much more. To enable hidden settings, go to the “Settings” menu, go to “About device” and click seven times on the line with information about the build number. After this, an additional “Developer Options” item will appear in the menu.

Sometimes you may need not just a screenshot of the screen, but also record the dynamics of what is happening on it. For example, you decide to create a training video on how to use an application. This will help to clearly demonstrate the entire process, making it easier for trainees to understand. To record video from the screen, just use the simplest free application Rec.(Screen Recorder) .

3. Simplified unlocking

The Android Lollipop version has received the Smart Lock feature, which helps make unlocking your smartphone as simple and fast as possible. To do this, it is possible to “inform” the device in advance about trusted accessories (this can be a smart watch, wireless headset etc.), a specific location (office or home), and even by the voice or face of the owner. To use these features, in the Settings menu, go to the Security tab and activate the SmartLock mode features.

4. What applications slow down the system?

To find out the reasons for the slow operation of the gadget, you need to find out which running processes are taking up processor resources. Android functions hidden for the user and available for the developer allow you to obtain detailed statistics on running processes. Thanks to this feature, you can determine which application takes up the most space. RAM. To do this, go to the “Settings” menu and go to the “Developer Options” section, where you click on the “Process Statistics” tab. You will see all currently running processes and how many resources they are using. If work specific program is not required, you can complete the process, freeing up the smartphone’s resources.

5. System magnifier

In the settings menu there is a section called "Accessibility". Few people pay attention to the presence of a function that allows you to change the scale. To use it, you need to activate “Zoom Gestures” in the settings menu. After that, when you triple tap on the screen, the image on it will increase or decrease. The advantage of using this feature is that it allows you to enlarge the screen regardless of the currently running application.

It is unlikely that this feature can be attributed to the hidden functions of Android devices. If not all, then the vast majority of smartphone users have probably heard about such a voice search function as “OK, Google”. To set search query You don't even have to unlock the screen. Just say it passphrase and a request, the Android system recognizes it and converts it into a text search query. You can immediately use the search results.

To activate the voice search function, you need to go to the “Google Settings” section, find the “Voice Search” tab in it, in which the “Recognition OK, Google” function is located. In this menu you will also need to enable the ability to call this function from all applications. It is important to remember that to use voice search capabilities when the screen is inactive, the smartphone must be connected to charger. If the device does not charge, voice search will only work when the active screen is unlocked.

Another feature that is rarely used by owners of Android devices is the playback of text fragments in voice mode. This function doesn't quite fall into the "hidden" category, rather obscure and unpopular. At the same time, it can be extremely useful when you want to combine several activities at once. For example, read an article and do the cleaning or cook dinner. By enabling the generation function text file In voice speech, you can simultaneously go about your business and listen.

To activate this feature, go to the “Accessibility” item in the settings menu. Make sure your Android device supports the required sound package.

To organize Internet access from a laptop or computer, it is not necessary to buy a separate USB modem. Your smartphone can also serve as an access point. To allow other devices to use the Internet from your device, go to the “Settings” section in the settings menu. Wireless networks" and turn on "Modem mode".

9. Transferring data to a new device

Surely you are aware of the problem that clouds the joy of purchasing a new smartphone - transferring all the information from the old device to the new one. Modern smartphone models running Android OS are equipped with an NFC module, which has hidden capabilities such as fast connection and data exchange with other devices.

10. A way to save mobile Internet

If you don't have unlimited mobile internet, then the hidden capabilities that are available in mobile browser Google Chrome and can be used on Android devices with Lollipop OS firmware and higher. In your browser, go to the settings menu (three dots in the upper right corner) and turn on the “Traffic Saving” feature. This may reduce the speed of the mobile Internet, but will also significantly reduce its consumption.

Conclusion

As we have seen, a smartphone hides many useful functions and features that, when activated, can make working with the device and applications easier.

Currently operating room Android system is the most popular. It is installed on more than 1.2 billion devices worldwide. But few people know that this OS contains hidden features. The Internet project “Be Mobile” has studied “secret functions” and prepared a list of the most interesting of them.

1. Hidden mini-game

Starting with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, Google will put it on everyone Android smartphones, so-called “Easter eggs” - hidden secrets that can be seen by performing a number of non-obvious actions. Like the names of the OS versions, Easter eggs in it are also usually associated with sweets: in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean there were flying jelly beans, in Android 4.4 KitKat there was an OS logo in the style of the Nestle sweet of the same name, and in Android 5.0 Lollipop there was a hidden Flappy Bird style game. Android 6.0 Marshmallow has not been left out either.

To access the mini-game, open Settings. Go to “About phone” or “About tablet”. Quickly click on “Android Version” several times. A marshmallow stylized as an android's head will appear on the screen. If you quickly click on it a few more times, a mini-game will open.

Like Android 5.0, the mini-game in Android 6.0 is in the style of Flappy Bird, but the lollipops are replaced with marshmallows in the shape of a robot head. The game has funny graphics and, although it looks simple, it is quite difficult to score at least 10 points in it. I got a maximum of 4 points. I couldn't do it anymore.

2. Remote control of a smartphone

Lost Android mobile devices can be found and blocked, but Google hid this option quite deeply. It is activated in the menu “Settings -> Security -> Device Administrators” in the "Android Remote Control" section.

Check the box next to “Remote device search” and “Remote blocking”.

Activate extended rights for the device manager upon request. Now you can manage your device from google.com/android/devicemanager in your Google account or through the Android Remote Control application

People who are familiar with Android will easily restore deleted files, unless you encrypt your mobile device. To activate this option, open “Settings -> Security -> Device encryption”. Set up encryption.

3. Safe Mode

Another protective Android function is "safe mode". It deactivates all third party applications. Moreover, in “safe mode” you can delete them if for some reason they are incompatible with your mobile device, ended up in the boot loop by accident, are Trojans or viruses.

To start “safe mode”, hold down the power button. When the menu for turning off the smartphone and activating airplane mode opens, hold your finger on the “Power off” item for a long time. Then confirm to boot into safe mode.

The smartphone will boot into “safe mode”. The icons of all third-party applications will be gray. If something happens, you can safely remove them.

4. Synchronization and push notification settings

When installing certain applications, you don’t think about permissions to send push notifications or any others. Over time, these applications begin to spam you with unnecessary information. Games especially suffer from this, but it can also be quite regular applications. Luckily, notifications can be turned off.

To do this, open “Settings -> Applications -> All”, find the culprit and select “Notifications”. Here you can either disable all notifications at once (“Block All”), or allow only “swipe” notifications (“Short Notifications”), etc.

5. Advanced WLAN settings

On Android there is a settings section that is completely invisible to most users with additional options Wi-Fi. To get to it, you need to go to “Settings -> Wi-Fi”, then press the menu key and select “ Additional features" Here you can turn off notifications about detected networks, turn off Wi-Fi in sleep mode, prohibit the use Wi-Fi networks with a poor signal and set up Wi-Fi Direct (direct pairing of devices without using an access point).

6. Setting up mobile Internet traffic control

In Android without third party programs Internet traffic can be monitored. For example, now many mobile operators provide a limited package of free traffic for a month. To control this traffic and not exceed the quota, or to understand how much traffic is left, you can set limits.

For this purpose, there is a separate “Data transfer” item in the settings. There you can set a traffic limit, upon reaching which a notification will appear, as well as a limit, after which data transfer will be automatically turned off. For each application, separate statistics are kept on data in the background and active modes, and a graph is built. Starting from Android 5.0, this interface is also available in quick settings by touching the mobile network icon.

7. Block calls from specific numbers

It happens that you need to block calls from a specific number. There are no special blacklists in Android, and applications available on Google Play implement blocking of numbers using dirty hacks and not always correctly.

However, blocking separate rooms can be obtained in the basic version of Android; all you need to do is send unwanted callers to voicemail. To do this, click on the desired contact, then click the edit icon, then the menu and select “Voice only.” mail". There, by the way, you can set a separate ringtone for the unfortunate subscriber.

8. Disabling pre-installed applications

It happens that the manufacturer preinstalls many incomprehensible programs and applications that you do not use. They occupy a certain memory, and you dream of getting rid of them.

In Android you can disable many pre-installed applications. To do this, go to “Settings -> Applications” and open the “All” tab. Now you can view the list of available utilities. Choose required application, and then click “Disable”. Now you can click on “Erase data”. For “frozen applications” that cannot be simply deleted, there is a separate “Disabled” tab. Unfortunately, not all applications can be frozen. Which ones depend on the manufacturer.

9. Expanding internal memory

Android has always had a problem with expanding the internal memory of a smartphone. The connected SD card did not allow this, remaining external storage. The function of transferring applications to a memory card, which appeared in Android 2.2, also did not really save the situation. Finally, with Android 6.0, Google finally decided to correct the situation. Now, after connecting a flash drive or SD card, the system offers two options. The first is to use it as removable storage. The second is to make it an internal drive.

In the second case, the smartphone will format the flash drive in file system ext4 using 128-bit AES encryption and mounts it as system partition. Next, a test for reading and writing speed will be carried out. Now, unfortunately, all memory cards are significantly inferior in speed to built-in memory, which in theory can lead to sluggish operation of the device. Fortunately, only the time it takes to open a specific application or load part of it depends on the performance of the disk subsystem. And all calculations are carried out outside the disk.

10. Quickly change letter case

It happens that the text has already been written and you need to change the case of individual letters or entire words. Android has its own secret about this. To change the case of letters or make words or sentences in an already entered message begin with capital letters, just select the message and press the Shift button one or more times until you get the desired result.

11. Quick access to settings

In Android 5 and Android 6, access to quick settings can be achieved by pulling the curtain out with two fingers. Of course, you can access Quick Settings the old fashioned way: by swiping down from the top of the screen twice. But this is not a secret at all.

12. Quickly switch to silent mode

You can quickly turn on vibration mode in Android 5 and Android 6 by pressing the volume key and then clicking on the icon on the left side of the slider that appears. In practice, this option turns out to be much faster than repeatedly pressing the volume down key on the end of the smartphone.

13. Calling Magnifier

Android has a screen magnifier. To enable it, you need to sequentially go to “Settings -> Special”. options -> Gestures to zoom in.” Now you can enlarge any part of the screen by clicking on it three times. This feature may be especially useful among people with low vision and the elderly.

14. Disable adding shortcuts to the desktop

To disable automatic creation icons on the desktop, run Play Store. Then go to settings and uncheck the “Add icons” option. Now, by default, program icons will appear only in the general list.

15. Hidden game in the Chrome browser

To conclude our selection, there’s another hidden game, this time on mobile. Chrome browser. Try turning off Wi-Fi and mobile Internet on your smartphone (tablet). Next, open Chrome.

When you try to exit to any address, the browser will display an error with its code. A dinosaur will appear above the text. If you click on the dinosaur at this moment, the character will come to life and begin to move across the screen. It's like an old PlayStation: you can tap the screen to control a dinosaur as it jumps over cacti, and like any game like this, your goal is to survive and score as many points as possible. Of course, the game is quite primitive, but it hooks you for a long time. Tested for yourself!

By the way, this game has now become available for download on the Google Play Store and it’s called Dino Run - Dinosty.