ANDROID users have been implored to try five hidden settings that can make their devices feel new.
If you have an Android-powered smartphone, then you are likely aware of the many clever features it comes with.
These tools are not only meant to enhance your experience but can optimize your device and streamline processes.
Here are five steps you can take today to make your device feel brand new.
Use Widgets
Androids come packed with plenty of useful widgets that can make your device feel up-to-date.
One such feature includes widgets or applications that enable a user to perform a function or access a service.
Widgets can range anywhere from a weather app to task planning and fitness apps.
And thanks to Android’s interface design, users can add them directly to their home screens.
Get rid of old files
One of the best ways to make your device feel brand new is to delete all of your old files and apps.
Not only do these serve no purpose for you anymore, but they just take up precious space.
The quickest way to manage your phone’s storage is to use the Files app.
To access this, open the Android app drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
Tap My Files (or File Manager). From there you can access your documents, downloads, images, audio, and other files.
Limit background processes
If you find your phone functions more slowly than it once used to, limiting your background processes may help.
That’s because it uses less RAM, or random-access memory, which can improve your device’s performance over the long run.
To do this, head to Settings > Developer options > Background process limit.
Once there, you can set the process limit between 0 and 4 – so try out a few options to see which is best for your device.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Another way that can help your phone’s performance is by reducing its overall battery usage.
This can be done by disabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning so your device isn’t aimlessly searching for networks to join.
To do this, head to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi scanning and Settings.
From there, select Location > Bluetooth scanning, and toggle these options to ‘off.’
Update privacy options
To finish off your device’s optimization, you will want to refresh or check your privacy settings.
Open the Settings app > tap Privacy > Permissions Manager.
Then sift through each category to see which apps currently have access to your data.
You can go through location settings and permissions for each app.
Google has also loaded your Android phone with a free tool to help you protect your privacy further.
It’s called Google Play Protect, and it will not only help keep your apps safe but your data private.
It does this by checking your apps and devices for harmful behavior.
Some of the benefits include a scan of any apps from Google Play before you download them.
Google Play Protect should be switched on already by default, but if you want to be sure, you can have a look by opening the Google Play Store first.
Tap your profile icon in the top right > find Play Protect, then select Settings > ensure Scan apps with Play Protect is toggled on.
