Hidden Android Features You Didn’t Know About (2025 Edition)
- Kalyan Bhattacharjee
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Getting Started
Android keeps evolving every year, and 2025 is no exception. While the big features grab all the headlines—like foldable UI improvements, AI-powered search, and security upgrades—there are tons of hidden gems buried within the settings and tools of your Android phone that most users overlook.
Whether you're a seasoned Android user or a casual scroller, here are some lesser-known Android features that can seriously improve your smartphone experience.
Hidden Android Features & How To Access It
Clipboard History with Gboard
If you use Gboard (Google’s keyboard), you’re probably missing out on one of its handiest features: Clipboard History. Just tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar and you’ll see a list of copied texts, images, and even links from the past hour. You can pin frequently used snippets for later.
📌 Perfect for students, bloggers, or anyone doing repetitive text work.
One-Handed Mode (Now Smarter Than Ever)
Android 13 and above brought significant refinements to One-Handed Mode. Just swipe down on the bottom edge of your screen and your whole interface shifts down—making top buttons and menus easily accessible.
✅ Go to Settings > System > Gestures > One-Handed Mode to activate it.
App Hibernation for Battery and Privacy
Android now automatically puts unused apps into hibernation, which:
Revokes their permissions
Stops background activity
Saves battery and RAM
💡 Bonus: You can manually hibernate apps by going to Settings > Apps > Unused Apps.
Double-Tap the Back for Actions (Pixel Exclusive, for Now)
If you own a Pixel device, there’s a cool feature called Quick Tap. You can double-tap the back of your phone to trigger actions like:
Taking a screenshot
Opening Google Assistant
Launching a specific app
Playing or pausing music
👆 Set it up under Settings > System > Gestures > Quick Tap.
Live Transcribe and Sound Notifications
Hidden under Accessibility, Live Transcribe provides real-time subtitles for conversations around you. It’s incredibly helpful not just for the hearing impaired, but also for loud environments.
Meanwhile, Sound Notifications alert you to important sounds like doorbells, alarms, or baby cries—even when you can’t hear them.
🧠 Android = smarter and more inclusive.
Custom Lock Screen Shortcuts
Android 14+ allows users to customize lock screen shortcuts—no more being stuck with just a flashlight and camera. You can now add:
QR code scanner
Google Wallet
Any app shortcut you want
✨ Check it out under Settings > Display > Lock screen.
Private Compute Core (PCC)
Google introduced Private Compute Core as a way to process sensitive data on your device without sending it to the cloud. It powers features like Smart Reply, Live Caption, and more, all while keeping your data safe and private.
🔐 Security without compromise.
Screen Attention
Tired of your screen turning off while you’re reading? With Screen Attention, your front camera detects if you're looking at the screen and keeps it on until you're done.
👀 Activate it via Settings > Display > Screen Attention.
Built-in Digital Wellbeing Tools
Yes, we all know about app timers and Focus Mode, but did you know Android can now give you bedtime reminders with calming audio or let you schedule grayscale mode to help reduce late-night scrolling?
🛌 Sleep better, scroll less.
Hidden Game Mode Dashboard
Game Mode is no longer exclusive to flagship phones. Android now includes a Game Dashboard on many devices, offering:
FPS counter
Screen recording
Do Not Disturb toggles
Game optimization profiles
🎮 Go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb > Schedules > Game Mode.
Key Takeaways
Android is more powerful and customizable than ever, but many of its best features are quietly tucked away in the background. Explore your settings, dig into those menus, and you’ll be surprised at how much control you actually have.
✨ Bonus Tip: Bookmark this post or share it with a friend—you never know who needs a better Android experience in 2025!
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