Table of contents:
- How to activate Android 11 chat bubbles
- Access your smart devices
- Change the shape of the icons, color and text
- How to take a screenshot quickly in Android 11
- How to view the notification history
- So you can sort and prioritize notifications
- How to allow an app to use our location only once
- Change the design of the notification panel in Android 11
- Quickly transfer music from mobile to speaker
- How to automate sound, vibration, or do not disturb mode
- Pause an app so that you no longer receive notifications
Do you already have Android 11 and want to get the most out of the new version? The truth is that this new edition of Android does not include great news, but it does include some hidden functions and options that can be very useful for day to day. In this article we show you 11 of the best tricks for Android 11 that you should know yes or yes on your mobile.
How to activate Android 11 chat bubbles
Android 11 has chat bubbles in notifications. When a notification arrives, instead of appearing in the upper area, it will appear as a floating bubble. Something that Facebook Messenger already does. In this case we can activate the option in the development options. However, there are currently few messaging apps that offer this. Google has made the API easy for developers to implement.
Access your smart devices
With Android 11 controlling our smart devices compatible with Google is easier. We just have to hold down the power button and we will access the new menu where we can also see the cards compatible with Google Play. At the bottom will be the controls to our lights or smart devices, and we can quickly select an option. For example, turn off the light, change the color etc.
Change the shape of the icons, color and text
Android 11 allows us to change the shape of the icons. We just have to go to the home screen, press and hold on the background and select the option 'Styles and wallpapers'. Then click on 'Style'. There you can choose the color for the icons, the shape and the text that you want to apply to the interface. You can choose some default shapes or create your own style.
How to take a screenshot quickly in Android 11
With Android 11 taking a screenshot is much easier. We just have to access multitasking through a gesture: sliding your finger from the bottom to the center. New options will appear in each application. One of them is to take a screenshot. We just have to click on the button at the bottom and the capture will be done quickly. Later, we can save it, edit it or share that capture.
We can also directly share a capture. Access the recent apps menu, select the application and click on the share button. Then select the app you want to send the screenshot. It is a much faster way, since it is not necessary to access the app.
How to view the notification history
Android 11 incorporates a history of notifications. From there we can see all the notifications and alerts that have reached our mobile, even those that we have accidentally deleted. To view this history, you must first activate the option. It is done by sliding from the notification panel and clicking on the button that says 'Manage'. Next, press where it says 'Notification history' and activate the option called 'Use notification history'.
Now, when sliding from the notification panel the word 'Manage' will be replaced by 'History'. By pressing we will access a history with all the alerts received.
So you can sort and prioritize notifications
Do you want to prioritize notifications from a user? In Android 11 it is very easy. You just have to wait to receive a notification from the user you want to prioritize. For example, a text message or a WhatsApp message. When the notification appears, press and hold and tap 'Prioritize'. Now not only will it appear on the first line, but it will also display its own icon.
How to allow an app to use our location only once
In previous Android versions, it allowed us to choose two options for using the location in the applications. Or while using the app, or never. In Android 11 a new option is added, and now we can choose that the application uses the location only once. That is, when we reopen it, it no longer has permissions to access the location.
To change this, go to Settings> Location> App location access. Select the app and click on 'Always ask'.
Change the design of the notification panel in Android 11
New design of the notification panel in Android 11.
Android 11 has a new notification panel, where the playback widget is mixed with the shortcuts to make more room for notifications. How is this option activated? First of all, you need to activate the development options. To do this, go to Settings> About phone> Build number. Press several times until it asks for the PIN code of your mobile. When you enter it, the development options will be activated.
Now, head over to System> Advanced> Developer options. Swipe until you see the 'Media' option and check the box called 'Media resumption'. Now when you play music, you will see that the widget integrates with the shortcut icons.
Quickly transfer music from mobile to speaker
Another very interesting function of Android 11. If we are playing music on the mobile and we have a connected device (Google Home, chromecast), we can pass the playback to these devices quickly. First we have to activate the new design of the notification panel. Then, access the panel and in the playback widget, press the button that appears in the upper right area. A tab will open at the bottom of the screen with supported devices to submit content.
Some player apps may not have this option available yet, as it must be implemented by the app developers. YouTube Music, for example, is supported.
How to automate sound, vibration, or do not disturb mode
With Android 11 and the Pixel Launcher we can automate the sound, vibration or Do not disturb mode. That is, we can ask the mobile that when it detects that we are in a location or when it connects to a WiFi network, it automatically activates one of these modes.
To do this, go to Settings> System> Advanced> Rules. Activate the location in the background and click Add rule. Now, select the Wi-Fi network or the location and choose what you want the phone to do. For example: when you connect to the 'Instituto' WiFi network, activate the 'Do not disturb' mode.
Pause an app so that you no longer receive notifications
App notifications bother you? With Android 11, you can quickly pause it so you don't get any more alerts during the day. You just have to go to Home or the application drawer and look for the app. Then, press and hold on the icon and click on the hourglass. Confirm that you want to pause the application and you will no longer receive notifications.
