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 — typically, we neglect that our smartphones are speculated to make cellphone calls. It is simpler to shoot somebody an e 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 assume most Hollywood films had been shot utilizing iPhones.

In the event you really do need to use your Android cellphone for its nominal objective, there are a variety of settings you possibly can change to get essentially the most out of it. Notice that these are simply the tweaks I desire after I get to each day an Android gadget. It could be price exploring settings by yourself, merely utilizing the options under as a place to begin. I will add that not each Android cellphone goes to share the identical menu labels, and even the identical choices in some circumstances, so I am not going to delve (too) deep into directions.

Enabling Name Display screen

The very best is reserved for the Google trustworthy

Considered one of greatest options of iOS 26 is non-compulsory call screening, however as with quite a few 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 — when you reply in any respect. Alternately, you possibly can reply with canned or AI-generated responses, the latter tailor-made to what the caller really stated in the course of the screening course of.

There are a number of limitations. Non-Google Android units solely assist handbook screening at most, triggered by tapping Display screen name when your cellphone rings. And even then, handbook management is just accessible 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 screen/Name Display screen.

In the event you personal a Pixel gadget and stay within the US, you possibly can activate automated screening by going to the identical menu. One benefit of this (assuming you have got a Pixel 7 or later) is that you would be able to select various levels of safety. All ranges will block recognized spam — however you possibly can restrict screening to “suspicious” (probably faked) numbers when you do not need to interrogate each quantity that is not in your contact checklist. I would advocate full screening when you’re often bombarded by spam. The partial choice could also be helpful when you’re anticipating calls from new numbers, like purchasers or job recruiters.

Turning on Caller ID bulletins

Train warning

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

I exploit my cellphone beneath very explicit circumstances, nonetheless. If I am not alone in my dwelling workplace, I am most definitely in my automobile, on the gymnasium, or using my EUC. Having calls introduced just isn’t solely superb, however generally important — I can not precisely verify my display after I’m beneath a loaded barbell or carving down a motorbike path.

You may alter this function within the Cellphone app by going to Extra -> Settings -> Caller ID announcement -> Announce caller ID. Most individuals ought to most likely select Solely when utilizing a headset, which might prevent hassle while you’re preoccupied the way in which I’m, however with out telling everybody your private enterprise. The opposite choices are All the time 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 comfortable, principally 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 parts 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.

With regards to the official Cellphone app, bubbles are on by default. They do have their worth — aside from making it simpler to renew a name, you possibly can mute it, put it on speakerphone, or cling up with out having to go anyplace. However when you’re experiencing the identical frustrations as me, comply with these steps:

1. Faucet and maintain the Cellphone app icon.
2. Faucet Information (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 house owners

This setting is one I am hardly ever able 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 sometimes 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 ensure that your cellphone is screen-up on a flat floor, then flip it upside-down when the time comes. That “flat” half is necessary — the choice depends in your cellphone’s movement sensors, so it may not work correctly in case your cellphone is resting on one thing uneven like a sofa cushion.

And not using a Pixel in hand, you should still have entry to Flip to Silence. It is functionally comparable — you may simply should navigate to Settings -> Superior -> Flip to silence within the Cellphone app. If you cannot discover the choice, it could be price exploring different menus, however there may be the chance that your cellphone is not suitable.

A little bit counter-intuitive

Okay, you’ve got obtained me on a technicality — you possibly can’t really set customized ringtones by way of the Cellphone app. However that is some of the necessary issues for me on any gadget, since if I hear my spouse’s tone, I do know to choose up instantly. If it is a generic ringtone, I ought to most likely 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? Sometimes, that is the method:

1. Obtain or copy the audio file you need to use to the Information app.
2. Open the Google Contacts app.
3. Choose the Repair & handle tab on the backside.
4. Beneath Different instruments, select Contact ringtones.
5. Faucet Add contact ringtone.
6. Choose a contact, then the ringtone you need to use.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for as many customized tones as you need 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 information in Google Drive, however you may should reassign them to every contact when you arrange a brand new cellphone.