Why We Love android (And You Should, Too!)
How we love thee, Android. Let us count the ways. But seriously, the Android platform is pretty fantastic. It’s versatile, flexible and full of nifty tricks that many users aren’t even aware of. We’re sharing some of Android’s secret hidden talents that will have you fall in love all over again with your mobile device.
Who doesn’t enjoy discovering a fun Easter egg in a video game or in a movie? Well, now you’ve got one to find on your Android device. To access it go to Settings > About Device, tap on Android version and hold down the image that shows up (like ‘K’ for Android 4.4 KitKat) until the animation starts. P.S. you can also hold the red KitKat Android logo for more. Enjoy!
You’ll need a Samsung device to make these clever gestures work, but they’re just too fun not to share. Use the side of your hand to swipe across the screen and take a screenshot or place your palm over the screen to silence your handset. Visit Settings > My Device > Motions and gestures > Palm motion and set-up any additional options.
Google may have shut down the popular Bump app earlier this year, but it’s replaced it with Android Beam. It pretty much works the same. Android users can tap phones to share contacts and apps or exchange photos and videos (and more). Go to Settings > More and confirm that you’ve enabled Android Beam (below the NFC option). Your Android pal will need to have this turned on too.
Movie Easter eggs, secret passageways, video game unlockable — we love finding hidden treasures. They’re part fun and part adventure and in some instances they can even be useful. That last bit can be applied to your Android smartphone. Surprisingly, many people are unaware that they can access another system layer inside their Android device thanks to various hidden codes.
Reasons for wanting to access this backdoor range from troubleshooting your device to running diagnostics and it’s surprisingly simple to do. A word of caution: if you’re unfamiliar with backend developer-sequel areas we don’t recommend using hidden codes. Clicking around without understanding how to use Android hidden codes can result in data loss and major reconfigurations to your handset, which could render it unusable. Know what you’re doing before you use any of these.
Three quick mentions about the Android hidden codes below:
*#*#273282*255*663282*#*#* – Backup of all media files
*#*#7262626#*#* – Perform a field test
*#*#7780#*#* – Reset the data partition to factory state
*#*#4636#*#* – Information about your phone and battery
*#*#1472365#*#* – GPS test
*#*#2664#*#* – Touch screen test
*#*#0673#*#* – Melody test
*2767*3855# – Total mobile wipe & reinstalls the phone’s firmware
*#*#7780#*#* – Reset phone to factory state (only deletes application data and applications)
How we love thee, Android. Let us count the ways. But seriously, the Android platform is pretty fantastic. It’s versatile, flexible and full of nifty tricks that many users aren’t even aware of. We’re sharing some of Android’s secret hidden talents that will have you fall in love all over again with your mobile device.
Unlock a hidden animation
Who doesn’t enjoy discovering a fun Easter egg in a video game or in a movie? Well, now you’ve got one to find on your Android device. To access it go to Settings > About Device, tap on Android version and hold down the image that shows up (like ‘K’ for Android 4.4 KitKat) until the animation starts. P.S. you can also hold the red KitKat Android logo for more. Enjoy!
Portable Wi-Fi hotspot
With your Android you don’t need to be near a Starbucks to get Wi-Fi. You can use your device to create your own personal hotspot (groovy). Go to Settings > Wireless and networks > Tethering and portable hotspot and you’re done. Quick word of caution — know what your phone’s data plan limits are since this option can burn through it like an optic blast from Marvel’s Cyclops.Hand palm commands
You’ll need a Samsung device to make these clever gestures work, but they’re just too fun not to share. Use the side of your hand to swipe across the screen and take a screenshot or place your palm over the screen to silence your handset. Visit Settings > My Device > Motions and gestures > Palm motion and set-up any additional options.
Lock with facial recognition
We’re hoping this is a gateway feature to a portable Android retina scanner. In case you weren’t aware your Android can be configured to use facial recognition to unlock your phone. Turn it on by going to Settings > Security > Screen Lock and choose Face Unlock. Next, smile big, take a picture and you’re finished. Use the Presence Check to deter someone from using an image of you to access your phone. The extra step requires you to blink.Tap phones to share
Google may have shut down the popular Bump app earlier this year, but it’s replaced it with Android Beam. It pretty much works the same. Android users can tap phones to share contacts and apps or exchange photos and videos (and more). Go to Settings > More and confirm that you’ve enabled Android Beam (below the NFC option). Your Android pal will need to have this turned on too.
Movie Easter eggs, secret passageways, video game unlockable — we love finding hidden treasures. They’re part fun and part adventure and in some instances they can even be useful. That last bit can be applied to your Android smartphone. Surprisingly, many people are unaware that they can access another system layer inside their Android device thanks to various hidden codes.
Reasons for wanting to access this backdoor range from troubleshooting your device to running diagnostics and it’s surprisingly simple to do. A word of caution: if you’re unfamiliar with backend developer-sequel areas we don’t recommend using hidden codes. Clicking around without understanding how to use Android hidden codes can result in data loss and major reconfigurations to your handset, which could render it unusable. Know what you’re doing before you use any of these.
Three quick mentions about the Android hidden codes below:
- Codes are entered using your phone’s dial pad
- There’s no guarantee that these codes will work on ALL Android smartphones (try them first)
- Use these codes at your own risk and understand how they work first and foremost
10 Hidden Android secret codes
*#*#232337#*# – Show device’s Bluetooth address*#*#273282*255*663282*#*#* – Backup of all media files
*#*#7262626#*#* – Perform a field test
*#*#7780#*#* – Reset the data partition to factory state
*#*#4636#*#* – Information about your phone and battery
*#*#1472365#*#* – GPS test
*#*#2664#*#* – Touch screen test
*#*#0673#*#* – Melody test
*2767*3855# – Total mobile wipe & reinstalls the phone’s firmware
*#*#7780#*#* – Reset phone to factory state (only deletes application data and applications)
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