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

It is a common joke within the tech biz nowadays, however it’s true — usually, we neglect that our smartphones are presupposed 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 way in which Apple’s advertising goes, you’d suppose most Hollywood motion pictures have been shot utilizing iPhones.

When you truly do wish to use your Android telephone for its nominal goal, there are a selection of settings you may change to get essentially the most out of it. Be aware that these are simply the tweaks I choose after I get to each day an Android machine. It might be price exploring settings by yourself, merely utilizing the strategies under 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 perfect is reserved for the Google trustworthy

Certainly one of finest options of iOS 26 is non-compulsory call screening, however as with a variety of iPhone options, it appeared on Android units first. This allows you to immediate a caller to clarify who they’re and why they’re calling earlier than you reply — should you reply in any respect. Alternately, you may reply with canned or AI-generated responses, the latter tailor-made to what the caller truly mentioned throughout the screening course of.

There are just a few limitations. Non-Google Android units solely assist guide screening at most, triggered by tapping Display screen name when your telephone rings. And even then, guide management is simply accessible in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Eire, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US. When 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.

When you personal a Pixel machine and dwell within the US, you may activate computerized screening by going to the identical menu. One benefit of this (assuming you have got a Pixel 7 or later) is which you can select various levels of safety. All ranges will block identified spam — however you may restrict screening to “suspicious” (probably faked) numbers should you do not wish to interrogate each quantity that is not in your contact record. I would advocate full screening should you’re recurrently bombarded by spam. The partial possibility could also be helpful should 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 record that is sure 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 thought of an artificial voice proclaiming the identify or quantity. And should you’re the one that owns the machine, you might not need your non-public life revealed out loud, or blasted in your ear.

I exploit my telephone beneath very explicit circumstances, nevertheless. If I am not alone in my dwelling workplace, I am more than likely in my automobile, on the fitness center, or using my EUC. Having calls introduced just isn’t solely fantastic, however generally important — I can not precisely verify my display after I’m beneath a loaded barbell or carving down a motorbike path.

You possibly can regulate 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 once you’re preoccupied the best way 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 joyful, 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 grew to become, as a result of these bubbles have been getting in the best way 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 — other than making it simpler to renew a name, you may mute it, put it on speakerphone, or cling up with out having to go wherever. However should you’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 able to make use of, since my telephone is commonly in my pocket or sitting on a stand, however 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 units from the Pixel 2 onwards, Flip to Shhh is on by default. All it’s important to do is guarantee that your telephone is screen-up on a flat floor, then flip it upside-down when the time comes. That “flat” half is essential — the choice depends in your telephone’s movement sensors, so it may not work correctly in case your telephone 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 should navigate to Settings -> Superior -> Flip to silence within the Cellphone app. If you cannot discover the choice, it is likely to be price exploring different menus, however there may be the likelihood that your telephone is not appropriate.

A bit counter-intuitive

Okay, you have bought me on a technicality — you may’t truly set customized ringtones through the Cellphone app. However that is some of the essential issues for me on any machine, since if I hear my spouse’s tone, I do know to select 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 wish 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. Decide 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 massive catch to that is that whereas contacts sync between units utilizing the identical Google Account, ringtones do not. You possibly can put your favourite recordsdata in Google Drive, however you may should reassign them to every contact when you arrange a brand new telephone.