Tips nd Tricks

Priority mode is probably one of the most underrated and underused features on the entire operating system. In short, it allows you to put your phone into quiet mode, but still allow some “noises” to get through. This could be calls, texts, or WhatsApps from specific contacts, notifications from certain apps, or important alerts such as alarms. To set it up, go to  Settings > Sound & Notification > Do not disturb , then select the options that you require. It can be quickly toggled on and off from the Quick Settings menu.

Moving on one step further from the previous tip, after you’ve long-pressed the app you’ll see an information icon. Press it, and you’ll be presented with the notification settings for the app in question. You can do things like block all its notifications, allow it to override priority mode, and make it hide private information.

Do you keep getting an annoying app notification, but you’re not sure which app is causing it? There is an easy solution — just long-press on the notification in question, and your device will tell you.

If so, you can easily mirror your Android’s screen (and individual apps) by using the cast function. Just open the  Quick Settings  menu and hit  Cast . Your device will find your Chromecast (assuming it’s on the same local network), and you’re good to go. It’s great for playing games on a larger screen, showing off photos to family and friends, or playing your music through a louder set of speakers. Though many apps, like YouTube, have a dedicated cast button within the app.

Speaking of the Quick Settings menu, did you know you don’t actually need to double swipe in order to  access it? Instead, a simultaneous two-finger swipe will have the same effect.

Oddly, how to quickly switch between WiFi networks is not very obvious. Sure, you can go to  Settings > Wi-Fi  and change it there, but there has to be a faster way, right? Well, there is! Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open the  Quick Settings  menu, and instead of pressing on the WiFi icon (which disables it), instead press on the network’s name. You’ll immediately be given a list of all the networks in your vicinity. That is, if your version of Android supports this.