5 settings I at all times change within the Android Cellphone app

It is a common joke within the tech biz lately, nevertheless it’s true — typically, we neglect that our smartphones are alleged to make telephone 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 films have been shot utilizing iPhones.

In case you really do wish to use your Android telephone for its nominal function, there are a selection of settings you may change to get essentially the most out of it. Observe that these are simply the tweaks I favor after I get to each day an Android system. It might be value exploring settings by yourself, merely utilizing the ideas beneath as a place to begin. I will add that not each Android telephone 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 screen

The most effective is reserved for the Google trustworthy

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

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

In case you personal a Pixel system and reside within the US, you may activate automated screening by going to the identical menu. One benefit of this (assuming you might have a Pixel 7 or later) is you could select various levels of safety. All ranges will block identified spam — however you may restrict screening to “suspicious” (doubtlessly faked) numbers in the event you do not wish to interrogate each quantity that is not in your contact checklist. I would advocate full screening in the event you’re repeatedly bombarded by spam. The partial choice could also be helpful in the event 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 telephone rings in public, not to mention the concept of an artificial voice proclaiming the identify or quantity. And in the event you’re the one who owns the system, you could not need your personal life revealed out loud, or blasted in your ear.

I take advantage of my telephone underneath very explicit circumstances, nevertheless. If I am not alone in my house workplace, I am most certainly in my automotive, on the gymnasium, or using my EUC. Having calls introduced shouldn’t be solely superb, however typically important — I am unable to precisely examine my display screen after I’m underneath a loaded barbell or carving down a motorbike path.

You’ll be able to regulate this characteristic 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 may prevent hassle whenever you’re preoccupied the best way 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 pleased, 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 grew to become, as a result of these bubbles have been getting in the best way 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 modify apps.

In the case of the official Cellphone app, bubbles are on by default. They do have their worth — aside from making it simpler to renew a name, you may mute it, put it on speakerphone, or hold up with out having to go anyplace. However in the event 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 Enable 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 able to make use of, since my telephone is usually 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 telephone 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 gadgets from the Pixel 2 onwards, Flip to Shhh is on by default. All it’s a must to do is ensure that your telephone 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 telephone’s movement sensors, so it won’t work correctly in case your telephone 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 related — you will simply should navigate to Settings -> Superior -> Flip to silence within the Cellphone app. If you cannot discover the choice, it could be value exploring different menus, however there may be the likelihood that your telephone is not appropriate.

A bit counter-intuitive

Okay, you have received me on a technicality — you may’t really set customized ringtones by way of the Cellphone app. However that is probably the most necessary issues for me on any system, 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 examine the incoming quantity first, since a lot 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 wish to use to the Recordsdata 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 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 gadgets utilizing the identical Google Account, ringtones do not. You’ll be able to put your favourite recordsdata in Google Drive, however you will should reassign them to every contact when you arrange a brand new telephone.