The Google Pixel 8a is another great phone from the Android maker (my review coming soon), but after more than a week of using the handset, I’ve noticed that many of the best features are hidden, and many are even disabled. default.
The phones don’t come with instruction manuals and the setup process would be too long if Google asked which ones you want to use and taught you how to use them, but I support you.
These eight hidden features I discovered will help you get the most out of your brand new Pixel 8a – and many are available on older devices like the Pixel 7a and Pixel 6a, so go check them out.
I’ve included their locations in the settings menu, but you can easily use the search bar to find them.
Circle to search
You might think that one of Google’s latest AI search features is exclusive to the flagship Pixel 8 lineup, but that’s not the case. However, it’s not obvious how to use it on the Pixel 8a.
Make sure “Hold hold to search is enabled” in settings (details below), then hold the gesture bar or home button, tap “try to circle to search” if it This is the first time, then circle the part of the screen you want. seek.
It could be an image of a food you want to discover, a monument you want to visit or an item of clothing you want to buy, to name just three examples.
Settings > Display > Navigation mode > Gear > Hold to search
Smooth display
While it’s great that Google increased the Pixel 8a’s screen to 120Hz, making it the highest refresh rate on an A-series phone to date, this feature is disabled!
Google is probably trying to save battery, but since the device is able to automatically switch between 60 and 120 Hz when needed, you have to turn it on for a smoother experience.
Settings > Display > Smooth display
Quick press
This awesome feature is disabled by default and I don’t know why. Quick Tap Actions let you double-tap the back of the phone with your finger to perform a customizable action, including taking a screenshot, playing/pausing media, activating the torch, or even opening an app of your choice. You can even choose for it to need harder presses to register if you trigger it by accident.
Settings > System > Gestures > Quick tap to start actions
Swipe or tap to access the Google Assistant
It’s no secret that Google changed the microphone in the search bar, so it no longer calls the Google Assistant. I loved it and not everyone likes saying “Hey Google” on their phone, partly because it can trigger various other devices around the house.
Well, on your Pixel 8a, you can get Google Assistant’s attention in several convenient ways. Either by holding down the power button or swiping down from the bottom corners of the screen, but make sure they are on.
Settings > System > Gestures > Press and hold power buttons
Settings > System > Navigation mode > Gear > Swipe to call assistant
Repeating notifications
If you’re like me, you like to keep the notification panel clear, but what if you get one that you want to act on later but don’t want to drag it away and risk forgetting about it. Well, you can pause individual notifications for different durations so that they come back at an appropriate time.
Settings > Notifications > Allow notifications to snooze
Adaptive alert vibration
When your phone rings on a flat surface, like your desk, the vibration comes as a loud surprise, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Enable Adaptive Alert Vibration and the 8a will reduce the vibration force when your phone is face up and down.
Settings > Sound & vibration > Vibration & haptics > Adaptive alert vibration
Quick sentences
You may not even realize that you can speak to your phone to stop or snooze alarms and timers (with these keywords), but you can also use quick phrases for incoming phone calls.
This makes it very easy to answer a phone call when your hands are tied – maybe you’re cooking dinner. Respond using your voice with “Reply,” “Refuse,” or “Silence.”
Settings > Google > Google apps settings > Search, Assistant & Voice > Google Assistant > Quick Phrases
Now playing
This isn’t a new feature and Google asks you about it during the setup process, but it’s easy to miss and it’s one of my favorite Pixel features of all time.
Playing now is like having Shazam on your lock screen, as the Pixel 8a can identify music playing nearby and display both the artist and track name at the bottom of the screen.
You can also check your current playing history to see all the songs the phone has played recently, meaning you can go back to try and find one in particular. You can even tap the heart icon next to each one to create a favorites list.
Settings > Sound & vibration > Now playing
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