We’re probably just a few days away from the launch of Google’s latest Pixel phone – the potential flagship Pixel 6a Midrange. So it seems safe to say that the topic of Googley phones is going to come up in a bunch in the coming weeks, snappy new hardware is the main theme of the moment.
The nice thing about Pixel phones is that you don’t have to There is There are latest and greatest models to find some wonderfully useful new techniques. Google is constantly updating its pixels with both large and small features and it is very easy for some more subtle touches to become random.
So today, as we prepare for a new round of pixel gear, I thought it would be a good time to step back and unveil some great pixel shortcuts that have been overlooked by many and / or forgotten Android-adorin ‘creatures.
And while there may be some subtleties in these shortcuts, don’t let yourself be fooled: all these saved seconds will add up when you spray them all day long.
Make your way through the pixel time-saver outside of these seven scenes – and then, if you’re hungry for more (you’re an unsatisfied beast, you!), Come on. Sign up for my free Pixel Academy e-course To unravel more hidden pixel magic.
Okay – ready?
Pixel Shortcut No. 1: Quick Search Starter
This first pixel trick is tied to Android 12, which means it won’t be present The oldest Back to when the couple pixel models. But unless you have a reasonably recent Pixel device, you can usually fly half a step to your phone’s fancy universal search system – if you know where to find the switch.
The system we are talking about here, if you are not familiar, is the search bar in the app drawer of your Pixel’s standard home screen setup. In addition to searching through the apps you have installed, that bar can now retrieve results from your contacts, conversations, and available actions. In Apps, and system settings in a single tidy place. It can even take you on a regular internet search for the word you are typing.
Typically, you need to swipe your home screen once to access that function, and then tap the bar at the top of the app drawer. But with a tinsy tweak, you can delete that second step and keep that simple search system away from a single swipe.
Privacy here:
- Open your app drawer (swipe up anywhere on your home screen).
- Tap the three-point menu icon in the upper-right corner.
- Tap “Always show keyboard” in the nice small menu that appears.
And here it is: From this point forward, a single swipe up on your home screen will automatically focus you on that search box, your keyboard will be open and ready to work.
JR Not a bad way to start, is it?
Pixel Shortcut No. 2: Home screen slide
While we’re at the content of your home screen, here’s another nifty pixel time-saver that some people are aware of: If you’re using the standard Pixel home screen setup (and not a third-party Android launcher), anytime you’re a secondary home On the screen panel again – for example, a panel off the right of the primary, default screen – you can swipe yourself from the bottom of your screen to the top to return to the left panel.
See?
JR No settings required or anything unusual; All you have to do is know the strategy. And now, you do.
Pixel Shortcut No. 3: Lock screen jumps fast
The lock screen of your Pixel phone is nothing more than the entrance of your phone. It also has its own shortcut-holding command center – and if you enable all of its available options, it can save you a lot of time and help you get straight to where you need to be.
In particular, the Pixel lock screen may contain one-tap shortcuts to open your connected device control panel and your Google Pay mobile payment command center. If your phone is locked, you’ll still need to unlock it to continue – hey, it’s a matter of security! – However, you will remove the extra steps to find the item you need and open it manually.
And especially when it comes to connected device control and mobile payment management, those saved seconds can go an incredibly long way.
JR Get these two new shortcuts on your own Pixel lock screen:
- Open your Pixel phone’s settings (swipe down twice from the top of the screen and tap on the panel in which the gear-shaped icon appears).
- Go to the Display section and tap on “Lock Screen”.
- Look for lines labeled “Show wallet” and “Show device controls”. Make sure the toggle next to each is turned on and on.
This is another one that requires Android 12 – which means it should work on the 2018 Pixel 3 and higher.
Pixel Shortcut No. 4: Lock screen song companion
Most common creatures have never noticed, but at some point in the distant past, our purty ol ‘Pixels got the option to add Google’s excellent song-detection system directly to the lock screen. That way, next time you hear a song from that band (you know, That’s it…), you will be able to avoid wasting one ounce of energy because you desperately want to detect it.
It takes a quick flip of a switch to add it to your own Googley phone Given your Pixel’s Android 12:
- Go back to your system settings and open the Display section again.
- Once again, tap on “Lock screen”.
- Tap the line labeled “Running now”.
- Make sure the main toggle is turned on at the top of the screen – and then Also Activate the toggle next to “Show search button on lock screen”
Your Pixel will automatically show you the full name and artist of any song that is actively played even after it has been identified. But now, in addition to this, you will have a button that will be displayed on your lock screen when a song is played and your Pixel There is not Still wondering what it is.
JR Tap that little button in the lower-center area of the lock screen and …
JR That’s it! How are you Them Apple?
There’s also an extra small bonus shortcut: whenever you see a song marked on your lock screen, your pixel automatically picks it up or you use your fancy new icon to force it, you can tap the song name. Your Pixel’s artfully hidden Now Playing History area. There, you can choose the song for future reference, watch it on YouTube or YouTube Music, add it directly to a playlist, share it anywhere, or find out more about it on the spot.
Now, what was that explosive song called again?
Pixel Shortcut No. 5: One-Tap Mode Shifter
If you use the same Pixel phone for both work and personal purposes, shifting your work focus and interest after your work can be a bit of a challenge. But fear not, packing your Pixel is a super-handy system that can make it easier than you can imagine.
This is a spoofy multistep shortcut called Focus Mode. And once you’ve set it up, you’ll be able to hide and silence your non-work-related misconceptions – or, if you wish, your silence. Work-Related barriers – you need a little peace and quiet (either way) with just one quick tap at any time.
To get started:
- Go back to your system settings, optionally while whistling a junti tune.
- Open the Digital Wellbeing section and tap “Focus Mode”.
- Decide which apps you want to be able to quickly mute and select one by one.
JR Got it? Good. Now, you can either use the “Set a Schedule” option automatically on the same screen when your selected apps are hidden and unable to notify you – or, if you want to manually flip that switch manually, easily in the Quick Settings section of your phone. You can move it to the front and center for access:
- Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to quickly open your settings.
- To edit it, tap the pencil-shaped icon in the lower-left corner
- Scroll down until you see the “Focus Mode” tile.
- Press and hold your finger on it and drag it to a prominent position (and remember, the first four tiles you see with a single swipe down from the top of the screen, so for the easiest access, place it in one of these positions).
Ah – if only Rest Life can be so easy.
Pixel Shortcut No. 6: Camera flip-flop
We’ll wrap up with a few camera-related shortcuts for your Pixel – ‘Because if you’re a very serious professional, you still occasionally use your phone to take pictures (something very serious and professional), of course).
So make a mental note of it: Whenever you’re on the camera of your Pixel phone, you can flip your wrist between the front and rear lenses by twisting it twice. Twist, twist, flip. Easy, isn’t it?
If for any reason that No. Work for you, go to the system section of your Pixel phone’s settings, tap “Gestures”, then tap “Quickly open camera” and make sure the toggle is enabled. This option is usually enabled by default, but sometimes, it may be inadvertently turned off.
And finally …
Pixel Shortcut No. 7: Swipe the hidden camera
One of my favorite hidden Pixel shortcuts is a series of time-saving swipe gestures built into the Google-scented camera app.
Specifically, you can swipe down anywhere in the main viewfinder area to open your camera’s settings panel – and you can swipe left or right in the same area to easily switch between modes without extending to the bottom of the screen.
Who knew, wouldn’t it ?!
And remember: there’s more to where it came from. Join my completely free Pixel Academy e-course Enjoyable Pixel for a full seven days of knowledge – starting with the more powerful camera-centric smarts and moving on to a plethora of other opportunities for enhanced image magic, next-level nuisance reduction and helpful Pixel intelligence.
The power is already in your hands. All you have to do is learn to embrace it.
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