A full wash: Just because Chromebooks use web apps doesn’t mean they don’t need resetting every once in a while. A reset is called a “Powerwash.” Sign out of ChromeOS, hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R, then choose Restart and Powerwash.
Voice-to-text: Newer Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones have built-in tools to turn voice audio into text via the magic of AI. Check under the Recorder app for Pixels or Voice Recorder app for Galaxy phones, respectively. Apple iPhone peeps, expect something similar in iOS 18, dropping next month.
✌️ Gestures, activate: You can control a Google Nest Hub via gestures — useful if your hands are covered in soap or flour. To enable it, open the Google Home app > tap the gear icon (top right) > tap Quick Gestures on the hub page.
Nifty way to wake your phone: With Samsung’s “Lift to wake” feature, all you have to do is pick up your phone or take it out of your pocket and the screen turns on. Open Settings, tap Advanced features > Motions and gestures. Tap the switch next to Lift to wake to enable it. Magic!
Android data: The Google Fit app can use your phone to track basic metrics without you knowing about it. This data might get shared with other health apps you think are only tracked by your smartwatch. To check: Profile > tap the Gear icon > Manage data and access > App permissions.
📲 Like a free assistant: Use a Google Pixel 3 or newer? Open the Phone app > More > Settings > Hold for Me. Turn it on. Next time you call a business or organization with long wait times, tap Hold for me > Start. You’ll get an alert when a rep is ready to talk.
You can unsee that: Search for something potentially risky online? You can quickly delete the last 15 minutes of your Google search history on Android. Open the Google app, tap on your profile icon in the top right, and select Delete last 15 minutes.
📱 Android app fix: Is an app crashing or behaving weirdly? Try clearing its cache. Go to Settings > Apps and select the app you want. Now tap Storage & cache or Storage and tap Clear cache. Don’t hit Clear data — that’ll delete your app settings and login details and reset the app to the default install.
💻 Ctrl + Alt + Del for Chromebook: Press Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Scan the list of apps and webpages. If your machine is lagging and you spot one with high memory consumption, click it and select End Task.
Wait, what? You can reread that Android notification you didn’t fully look at the first time. Head to your Settings and tap Notifications > Notification History to view that push alert on whatever wild thing Elon Musk said this time.
None of your business: Quickly hide message previews popping up on your Android lock screen. This is an “A” and “B” conversation, so “C” yourself out, snoopers! From Settings, tap Display > Lock Screen > Privacy.
Fun Samsung shortcuts: Instead of hitting the backspace key over and over to clean up a typo, use two fingers to swipe left. That’s “Undo.” Want to “Redo?” Swipe two fingers to the right and your text will come back.
You better work: Android now supports creating a work profile on your device to separate your work apps and data from your personal apps. Go to Settings, search for Work Profile or similar, and follow the setup prompts. Sorry, iOS lovers, no soup for you! Apple doesn’t support this.
Say when: The battery-saver mode on your Android kicks in at a certain battery level. You can set this up under Settings. Steps vary based on the model, but look for Battery > Battery Saver > Manage when Battery Saver turns on.
Google Pixel lifesaver: Your phone now has a mode to detect a severe car crash, call 911 and share your location. Open Personal Safety > Features > scroll to Car Crash Detection > Set up. Allow the necessary permissions, and you’re good to go!
🤏 Easy zoom: If you only have one hand free to use your Android phone, zoom in or out in Google Maps by double-tapping on the map and holding your finger down on the second tap. Then, move your finger up or down.
You’re my fave: Get quick links to your four favorite contacts on your Android home screen. Tap and hold on a blank spot on the home screen, then pick Widgets to find the list.
🏨 I have no reservations about this travel tip: Google Wallet now lets you add hotel keys directly to your phone. Open the hotel’s website, app or email, and hit the Add to Google Wallet button. When you reach your room, hold your phone near the door handle to unlock it.
Save your eyes: Make text and icons bigger across all the apps and menus on Android. Open Settings > Display > Display size and text.
🌈 Android weather app upgrade: The latest Google redesign is live on most Samsung, Pixel and OnePlus phones. Looks better and has smarter rain predictions, like the ol’ iPhone favorite, Dark Sky.