5 settings I all the time change within the Android Cellphone app

It is a common joke within the tech biz today, nevertheless it’s true — usually, we overlook that our smartphones are purported to make cellphone calls. It is simpler to shoot somebody an electronic mail or a textual content message, and telephones serve 1,000,000 different functions, from video games and fitness tracking to social media and recording rides. The best way Apple’s advertising goes, you’d suppose most Hollywood motion pictures had been shot utilizing iPhones.

In the event you truly do wish to use your Android cellphone for its nominal objective, there are a selection of settings you possibly can change to get probably the most out of it. Be aware that these are simply the tweaks I desire after I get to each day an Android machine. It could be price exploring settings by yourself, merely utilizing the ideas beneath as a place to begin. I am going to add that not each Android cellphone goes to share the identical menu labels, and even the identical choices in some instances, so I am not going to delve (too) deep into directions.

Enabling Name Display

One of the best is reserved for the Google devoted

Considered one of greatest options of iOS 26 is elective call screening, however as with various iPhone options, it appeared on Android units first. This allows you to immediate a caller to elucidate who they’re and why they’re calling earlier than you reply — for those who reply in any respect. Alternately, you possibly can reply with canned or AI-generated responses, the latter tailor-made to what the caller truly mentioned in the course of the screening course of.

There are just a few limitations. Non-Google Android units solely help guide screening at most, triggered by tapping Display name when your cellphone rings. And even then, guide management is simply out there in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Eire, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US. In the event you do not see the choice seem in any respect, attempt opening the Cellphone app and going to Extra -> Settings -> Spam and Name Display/Name Display.

In the event you personal a Pixel machine and reside within the US, you possibly can activate automated screening by going to the identical menu. One benefit of this (assuming you might have a Pixel 7 or later) is that you could select various levels of safety. All ranges will block recognized spam — however you possibly can restrict screening to “suspicious” (doubtlessly faked) numbers for those who do not wish to interrogate each quantity that is not in your contact record. I would suggest full screening for those who’re usually bombarded by spam. The partial choice could also be helpful for those who’re anticipating calls from new numbers, like purchasers or job recruiters.

Turning on Caller ID bulletins

Train warning

If there’s something on this record that is certain to upset you, it is in all probability this one, and I perceive why. It may be annoying sufficient when a cellphone rings in public, not to mention the thought of an artificial voice proclaiming the identify or quantity. And for those who’re the one that owns the machine, it’s possible you’ll not need your personal life revealed out loud, or blasted in your ear.

I take advantage of my cellphone below very explicit circumstances, nevertheless. If I am not alone in my house workplace, I am almost certainly in my automobile, on the gymnasium, or driving my EUC. Having calls introduced isn’t solely effective, however generally important — I can not precisely verify my display after I’m below a loaded barbell or carving down a motorbike path.

You may regulate this function within the Cellphone app by going to Extra -> Settings -> Caller ID announcement -> Announce caller ID. Most individuals ought to in all probability select Solely when utilizing a headset, which might prevent hassle whenever you’re preoccupied the way in which I’m, however with out telling everybody your private enterprise. The opposite choices are At all times and By no means.

Disabling Name Bubbles

Helpful however distracting

Credit score: Pocket-lint / Google

When Android first gained messaging bubbles a few years in the past, I used to be blissful, largely as a result of it promised simpler multitasking at a time when that was missing within the OS. However the extra I used it, the extra irritated I turned, as a result of these bubbles had been getting in the way in which of interface components in different apps. I did not want a reminder that I had an ongoing dialog, and Android’s present multitasking interface makes it easy sufficient to change apps.

In the case of the official Cellphone app, bubbles are on by default. They do have their worth — other than making it simpler to renew a name, you possibly can mute it, put it on speakerphone, or dangle up with out having to go anyplace. However for those who’re experiencing the identical frustrations as me, comply with these steps:

1. Faucet and maintain the Cellphone app icon.
2. Faucet Data (i).
3. Choose Superior -> Show over different apps.
4. Lastly, toggle Permit show over different apps.

Activating Flip to Slience/Flip to Shhh

One other edge for Pixel homeowners

This setting is one I am not often ready to make use of, since my cellphone is commonly in my pocket or sitting on a stand, nevertheless it’s good to have the choice. As its identify suggests, this allows you to flip your cellphone over to mute an incoming name. {Hardware} and software program buttons can accomplish the identical factor, however flipping is often simpler, say if a name wakes you up at 6AM and also you need nothing greater than to return to sleep.

On Pixel units from the Pixel 2 onwards, Flip to Shhh is on by default. All you must do is make it possible for your cellphone is screen-up on a flat floor, then flip it upside-down when the time comes. That “flat” half is vital — the choice depends in your cellphone’s movement sensors, so it won’t work correctly in case your cellphone is resting on one thing uneven like a sofa cushion.

With no Pixel in hand, you should still have entry to Flip to Silence. It is functionally comparable — you may simply need to navigate to Settings -> Superior -> Flip to silence within the Cellphone app. If you cannot discover the choice, it may be price exploring different menus, however there may be the chance that your cellphone is not appropriate.

A bit of counter-intuitive

Okay, you’ve got obtained me on a technicality — you possibly can’t truly set customized ringtones by way of the Cellphone app. However that is one of the vital vital issues for me on any machine, since if I hear my spouse’s tone, I do know to choose up instantly. If it is a generic ringtone, I ought to in all probability verify the incoming quantity first, since many of the calls I get are spam.

So how do you set a ringtone for particular person contacts? Usually, that is the method:

1. Obtain or copy the audio file you wish to use to the Information app.
2. Open the Google Contacts app.
3. Choose the Repair & handle tab on the backside.
4. Below Different instruments, select Contact ringtones.
5. Faucet Add contact ringtone.
6. Choose a contact, then the ringtone you wish to use.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for as many customized tones as you wish to use.

The large catch to that is that whereas contacts sync between units utilizing the identical Google Account, ringtones do not. You may put your favourite recordsdata in Google Drive, however you may need to reassign them to every contact when you arrange a brand new cellphone.