Google Pixel: Ultimate tips and tricks

Google Pixel phones have particular options that you simply will not discover on different Android telephones that make them stand out. In case you’re a brand new Pixel proprietor, you may not know precisely the place to begin.

Google presently sells three completely different Pixel fashions: the $449 Pixel 6A$599 Pixel 7 and $899 Pixel 7 Pro. However you do not want the most recent Google Pixels to make use of these options; lots of them work on older units as effectively. Remember that a few of these options could require a software program replace or an replace to Google’s apps and providers.

Whether or not you wish to contact up previous images or have Google Assistant display your calls, the following pointers will allow you to get probably the most out of your system.

Add subtitles to movies with Reside Caption

Do you know that your Pixel cellphone can mechanically subtitle movies, podcasts, cellphone calls and extra? Press the quantity button and faucet the Reside Title icon that appears like a small textual content field to allow this characteristic. Live Title works in English on the Pixel 2 and better, so it needs to be accessible on any Pixel cellphone that is launched within the final 5 years. The captions are saved and processed regionally and by no means depart your system, in line with Google.

You too can regulate sure settings, comparable to hiding profanity and including tags to feels like laughter and clapping. Open the Settings and choose Reside Caption to customise these choices.

It is also essential to notice that Reside Caption can drain extra battery, so you could wish to flip it on solely if you want it.

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Sharpen previous pictures in your photograph library

In case you’re something like me, you might have 1000’s of images from the final decade saved in your cellphone or in a cloud service. And people images do not look almost as sharp and crisp as these taken on right this moment’s smartphones. Google has one thing which may assist — although it is solely accessible on the Pixel 7 and seven Professional. These units have Google’s new Tensor G2 processor, which unlocks a brand new characteristic known as Photograph Unblur.

Because the identify implies, Photograph Unlur sharpens out-of-focus images to make the topic look clearer. To make use of it, merely open the Google Pictures app on the Pixel 7 or 7 Professional, choose the photograph you wish to edit, press the edit button and choose instruments. Then, faucet To blur

Take higher images of the celebs

Google’s Pixel telephones have a characteristic that’s particularly designed that will help you take photos of the night sky. It really works on the Pixel 3 and betterhowever you will want to regulate your zoom settings to no less than 1x when you’re utilizing the Pixel 4A 5G and later.

Google says the characteristic works finest when taking images away from metropolis lights no less than 45 to 90 minutes after sundown. You will additionally want a tripod or different regular floor as a substitute of your fingers to get one of the best outcomes.

Simply open up the digicam apphelp your cellphone and ensure it’s regular and faucet Night time View to start with. After a couple of seconds, it’s best to see a message that claims “Astrophotography on.” Press the seize button and ltake away your cellphone alone till it finishes taking the photograph.

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Translate a screenshot into a special language

You’ll be able to translate screenshots with textual content written in languages ​​comparable to Spanish, German, French, Chinese language, Japanese, Korean, Italian and extra with The Google Lens characteristic Open the Google Pictures app and choose the screenshot you wish to translate. Then faucet the Lens icon that appears like a digicam and choose the Translate possibility. Google support page says this characteristic ought to work on Android units usually, not simply Pixels.

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Switch to the selfie camera without pressing any button

You don’t have to tap any buttons to switch between the Pixel’s selfies a camera and main camera. Simply open the Pixel’s camera app and twist your phone twice to cycle between the cameras. If you’re not sure what I mean by “twist,” Google has helpful animation to show you

If you’re still having problems, check your Pixel’s settings to make sure this feature is enabled. Open the settings app, select System and select Flip camera for selfie.

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Have Google waiting for you

No one likes to wait on hold. If you have a Pixel 3 or later, you can have Google wait and notify you when a representative becomes available. This feature, called Hold for Me, only works in English for devices in the US, Australia and Canada.

To put Google on hold, you’ll need to do two things: Activate the feature, and then turn on Hold for Me during the phone call. For the first step, open the Pixels Phone application and tap the three dots in the upper right corner. Then, tap Settingsand Hold for Me. Tap the switch next to Hold for Me to make sure this feature is turned on.

Just be aware that Hold for Me may not work in every situation, and you can’t play music or other audio while it’s active. You’ll also want to make sure your phone isn’t on silent or vibrate mode. When you call and are put on hold, tap the Hold for Me button and press get started.

See how long you might have to wait on hold

Google can also estimate the amount of time you may have to wait when dialing businesses in the United States. It is available on the Pixel 3A and later and works in English. Just open the Phone app, dial the number and you’ll get an estimate of how long you might be put on hold. The estimate may vary depending on the time of day.

Have Google display automated phone menus on screen

There are times when you may not want to listen to every option on an automated menu when you call a business. If you have Pixel 3A or later, you will be able to see these menu options on screen so you don’t have to remember them all. The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro can also display certain menu options before they are spoken during the phone call, Google says. I tested this by calling CVS and Allstate and, sure enough, Google was able to transcribe the spoken menu options in real time.

Open an app or take a screenshot by tapping the back of your phone

Add a handy shortcut to your Pixel phone with A Quick Google Tap feature This allows you to open an app, take a screenshot, play or pause media, or show notifications just by tapping twice on the back of your phone. It only works on more recent Google phones like the Pixel 4A 5G and later.

To turn on Quick Tap and configure its actions, open the settings menu and select System. Then, choose Gestures and Quick Tap. From here, turn around Quick Tap turn on and choose which action you’d like to take when you tap the back of your device.

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Have Google screen your calls

Sick of robocalls? Google can hopefully help with that Call Screen featurewhich works all Pixel phones. When this feature is turned on, Google Assistant can answer an unknown call and ask who is calling and why. It will automatically hang up if it’s a spam call, but you can see how the caller answered and decide to answer if it’s a real caller.

Google doesn’t screen calls from phone numbers stored in your contacts, and your Pixel won’t automatically screen calls when you’re using headphones or connected to Bluetooth.

To set up automatic call screening, open the phone application and tap the three points in the upper right corner. Choose Settings and select Spam and Call Screen. Make sure the switch next to See caller and spam ID is lit, and then press Call Screen.

From here, you can choose how Google screens calls. For example, you can set it to screen for spam calls, potentially fake numbers, first-time callers, and private or hidden callers. Simply tap on one of these categories and select the Automatically screen. Reject Robocalls option.

Looking for more Android tips? Be sure to check out our roundup of Android tricks for make your phone feel new again.