The latest major Android update is now officially available. Android 11 incorporates relatively few major new features and mainly focuses on improving existing functions. Here’s everything you need to know to get started with Android 11.
After several months of beta testing, Android 11 is officially available on a handful of already compatible smartphones, including of course Google’s Pixel smartphones.
Although major, this Android update offers relatively few new features and focuses mainly on improving existing features. After testing Android 11, here is a quick tour of the tips and hidden functions to master to take full advantage of the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system.
1. Activate or deactivate bubbles for all conversations
Inaugurated with Facebook Messenger, conversation bubbles can now be used with all your messaging applications. Activated by default for all applications, it is possible to completely deactivate this function by going to Android Settings. Then go to Apps and notifications, go to the Notifications menu, and enter Bubbles. You can then deactivate the function.
You can also choose to manage the use of conversation bubbles for the different messaging applications installed on your device on a case-by-case basis. To do this, still in Android Settings, in the Apps and notifications menu, enter the detailed information of an app, then go to the Notifications section. Then tap Bubbles and set your chat bubble preferences. You can choose to activate the bubbles for all conversations, or for certain conversations only.
2. Control media playback from the quick settings panel
Android 11 inaugurates a multimedia control module that is integrated directly into the notification center. Capable of handling current playback, this widget is also able to recognize the latest media apps in use so you can control them all from one place.
To switch the control module from one application to another, simply scroll the displayed player to the right or left to move to the next.
3. Record your smartphone screen
You can now make a video recording of your Android smartphone screen without going through a third-party application. This new function, integrated in Android 11, is activated from the notifications pane, within the quick settings panel.
Tap the pencil icon to change the organization of the icons. Then locate the Screen Recording icon and drag it to the top pane to add it to Android’s quick settings.
You will then only have to press this icon and then the Start button to start recording a screencast on your smartphone. You can also choose to include or not the audio content, as well as the points touched on the screen.
4. Control your connected objects from the ignition menu
The connected objects in your home can now be managed without you having to open the Google Home application. By pressing the unlock button on your smartphone for a few seconds, you should bring up the classic restart page of your phone.
But you will also benefit from quick access to connected objects saved in Google Home and will be able to control each element from this screen.
5. Take a screenshot and select text from multitasking
This function will undoubtedly appear anecdotal to many users, but it is now possible to take a screenshot, or to select the text displayed in an application from the Android multitasking menu where a Screenshot button and a Select button have appeared.
6. Use wireless debugging
In principle reserved for developers, Android’s debugging function is often used by hackers to access certain advanced functions. If until now it was necessary to connect the device by USB to a PC, it is now possible to use wireless debugging.
To activate it, go to Settings, then in System, deploy Advanced settings. Then enter Developer options (which you will have activated beforehand by tapping 7 times on the Android build number from the About phone section), and scroll down to the section dedicated to Debugging.
There you should find, in addition to USB Debugging, a Wireless Debugging option that will require you to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network on your smartphone and your computer.
7. Change the shape of the icons
With Android 11, fans of customization will be served. Google’s mobile OS now offers more options to change the look of Android, especially when it comes to the shape of icons.
To change them, open Settings, enter the Screen section, and enter the Style and wallpapers menu. You will be able to choose from 4 predefined styles, and will even have the possibility to create your own personalized styles.
8. Display suggested apps on the home screen
If you frequently use the same applications, it is possible to let Android display a bar in which are displayed suggested applications based on your usage habits.
To do this, do a long press on the home page of your smartphone and enter Home settings. Then enter the Suggestions section and activate the Suggestions function on the home screen.
Then confirm by selecting Activate suggestions. A new row of suggested app icons should appear at the bottom of the screen.
9. Give unique permissions to applications
As Apple previously did on iOS, Google offers Android 11 users the ability to give temporary permissions to the apps they use.
For example, you can choose to allow an application to use the “Only this time” location at the time you use it. Once closed, the permission given disappears and the application will have to ask you again for your permission to access it.
10. Use the notification history
Android 11 lets you never miss notifications again. The new version of the mobile OS from Google includes a history of notifications, which must be activated manually to take advantage of it.
Open Settings, enter the Apps and notifications menu, then go to the Notifications section. Then enter Notification history and activate the function. All notifications from your device will be logged there.
You can then access it quickly by deploying the notifications panel, then by pressing History, at the very bottom of the list of notifications received.
11. Manage the sensitivity of gestures Previous / Next
If you are fond of non-gesture navigation and do not always achieve what you want because of the screen protection installed on your smartphone, know that you can now adjust the touch sensitivity of the navigation gestures.
To do this, open the Settings, access the System menu, and finally go to the section dedicated to Gestures.
Then enter System navigation then access the Gesture navigation settings by pressing the icon showing a cogwheel.
You can then customize the sensitivity of the backspace gesture for each edge of the device.