If you\u2019re a<\/span> typical smartphone user, you average almost five hours a day on your phone now. But beyond video and social media apps, you might not know the tweaks and settings that can might make those hours easier, or even shorter.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Android Settings screen is packed with more options than you probably realize, options that can make your phone more convenient to use, keep your data safer, and enable quicker connections to other devices. These all appear in the Settings app on the latest version of Android 13 in so-called \u201cpure Android,\u201d which you get on Google Pixel devices and other lightly touched models, but other handsets, like those from Samsung or Motorola, should have similar options in similar places.<\/p>\n Turn Wi-Fi on Automatically<\/p>\n You might have Wi-Fi switched off when you\u2019re away from home or the office. If so, Android can turn it back on for you when you get back within range of a network that you\u2019ve previously logged on to. Head to Network and Internet<\/strong>, then Internet,<\/strong> and Network Preferences<\/strong> to find the Turn on Wi-Fi automatically<\/strong> switch.<\/p>\n Use Less Data<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in a foreign country, on a limited data plan, or in an area with spotty cellular coverage, you can get your phone to use less data by tapping Network and Internet<\/strong> and Data Saver<\/strong>. This works in a number of different ways: Certain apps may check for updates less often, for example, while images on the web might not load until you tap on them.<\/p>\n Add Extra Security for Contactless Payments<\/p>\n Apps like Google Pay let you pay with your phone through the magic of NFC, which means anyone who picks up your handset could potentially make a payment with it. You can prevent that by making sure NFC payments require a screen unlock. \u00a0Head to Connected Devices<\/strong>, Connection Preferences,<\/strong> NFC<\/strong>, and turn on Require device unlock for NFC<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Start Driving Mode Automatically<\/p>\n Android now comes with a special mode for when you\u2019re driving, which makes it easier to perform certain actions with voice commands, and suppresses other notifications. You can have this mode start up automatically when your phone connects to your car\u2019s Bluetooth stereo: To set this feature up, choose Connected Devices<\/strong>, Connection Preferences<\/strong>, and Driving Mode<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Set Default Apps on Your Phone<\/p>\n Certain actions, like opening links or answering calls, need default apps associated with them. To control which apps are associated with which jobs, choose Apps<\/strong> and then Default Apps<\/strong>\u2014you\u2019re then able to pick a type of app (like a web browser) and choose which one is used first. All the available apps matching that type will be listed on screen.<\/p>\n Manage What Apps Can Do on Your Phone<\/p>\n Apps often request permission to access certain data or parts of your device, like your contacts and your phone\u2019s location. To view\u2014and if necessary edit\u2014these permissions or limit access to only when you\u2019re using the app, open Apps<\/strong> and then select See all apps<\/strong> to choose a particular app. Then tap on Permissions<\/strong> to check the settings and make changes. You\u2019ll also be shown the last time a particular set of permissions was used.<\/p>\n You\u2019re in control of the permissions that apps have.<\/p>\n <\/span>Google via David Nield<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Pause Permissions on Unused Apps<\/p>\n You don\u2019t want old apps you no longer use keeping hold of their permissions, which is why by default Android now pauses permissions on apps you haven\u2019t used in a while. To control this for individual apps, choose Apps<\/strong>, then See all apps<\/strong>, then pick an app and select Permissions<\/strong> and Pause app activity if unused<\/strong>. (Now\u2019s a good time to remove any apps you really don\u2019t use anymore, by the way.)<\/p>\n Check Your Notification History<\/p>\n Android keeps a record of your notifications, in case you swiped them away too quickly and need to get them back. You can turn on the feature and see recent notifications from your apps by selecting Notifications<\/strong> and then Notification History<\/strong>. Note that currently snoozed notifications appear in this list as well as notifications that you\u2019ve dismissed.<\/p>\n Hide Sensitive Notifications on the Lock Screen<\/p>\n You don\u2019t necessarily want sensitive or personal notifications popping up on your lock screen where anyone can read them. You can stop this from happening by choosing Notifications<\/strong> and disabling the Sensitive Notifications<\/strong> toggle switch. The sensitivity of a notification is actually controlled by the developer of the app that sends it, but direct messages will typically be included.<\/p>\n Hide Silent Notifications<\/p>\n You probably get enough notifications without all the silent ones. These are ones that maybe tell you the weather, or that there\u2019s traffic in your area, or that a podcast is downloading in the background. If you\u2019d rather not have these appear on your phone and distract you, choose Notifications<\/strong> and enable Hide silent notifications in status bar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Show the Battery Percentage in the Status Bar<\/p>\n It can be tricky to tell just how much battery life you\u2019ve got left on your phone by looking at the small icon in the status bar. To get a percentage reading up next to it, choose Battery<\/strong> and then turn on the Battery Percentage<\/strong> toggle switch. All the other icons on the status bar will shift to the left accordingly, and the usual battery life icon remains in place.<\/p>\n See Which Apps Use the Most Storage<\/p>\n If you\u2019re running out of room on your phone, see which apps are taking up the most space by going to Storage<\/strong> and then Apps.<\/strong> The biggest apps in terms of storage space are shown at the top of the list. The figures shown include all of an app\u2019s files\u2014so downloaded Spotify playlists and Netflix shows count as well as the actual Spotify and Netflix apps, for example.<\/p>\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/gp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1664712731_128_19-Android-Settings-You-Don.jpeg't-Know-About-02-captions-Gear.jpg\"\/)