Wow! You won’t believe how many people are missing out on this amazing Android feature that’s been around for seven years. Despite its potential to make your smartphone experience smoother and more efficient, few are aware of its existence. Find out what this hidden gem is and how it can transform the way you use your Android device. Discover why it’s still one of the best-kept secrets in the tech world!
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My colleague Calvin Wankhede recently wrote an opinion piece about why he’ll stick to Android forever unless iOS gets notification channels. In it, he narrated his experience using the iPhone 15 after years of being on the other side of the fence and using Android. His switch was exceptionally painful because of the lack of notification channels on iOS, a feature that’s been present on Android since Android 8.0. If you’re still wondering what exactly notification channels do, you’re not alone.
What Are Notification Channels on Android?
Turns out, more than half of our readers were unfamiliar with notification channels on Android. A poll about notification channels conducted on our website received over 5,300 votes. A surprising 43.6% of the respondents didn’t know what notification channels/categories are on their Android devices. Thankfully, the camps were almost evenly split. 40.2% of the voters said they use notification channels and agreed that iOS could do with a similar system.
Reader Reactions to Notification Channels
“Notification channels are good and should absolutely be copied by Apple (and I miss notification history and, to a lesser extent, notification snoozing on iOS),” said one voter.
However, some voters felt iOS has a superior notification system compared to Android. One of them even pointed out that Android’s notification system was much better before than what it is now.
“If you’re comparing to the newest versions of Android, then yes, the gap is smaller simply because Google made notifications so much worse. With Android 11 and earlier, it’s not even funny how much better notifications are than modern Android and iOS. That’s why I’m so jaded with Android these days though: I can get a vastly superior notification experience by using a 6-10 year old phone. There’s something wrong with that.”
Android’s universal notification channels
How to Use Notification Channels on Android
For those of you who still don’t know what notification channels are on Android, maybe it’s time to try them out. Notification channels let you decide which app notifications can be intrusive or visible. They give you more granular control, so you don’t end up with a long list of unnecessary alerts. Simply head to an app’s notification settings and select the channels you wish to disable or enable.
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What is this seven-year-old Android feature that people don’t know about?
This feature is called “Smart Lock.” It helps you unlock your phone automatically in certain trusted situations, like when you’re at home or connected to a trusted device like your smartwatch.
How does Smart Lock work on Android?
Smart Lock keeps your phone unlocked in certain conditions. For example, it stays unlocked when you are carrying it with you, when it’s connected to a trusted Bluetooth device, or when you’re at a specific location you set as trusted.
Where can I find Smart Lock settings on my Android phone?
You can find Smart Lock settings by going to “Settings,” then “Security & location” (or just “Security” on some phones), and then selecting “Smart Lock.” Follow the instructions to set it up.
Is Smart Lock safe to use?
Smart Lock can be safe when used correctly. It is designed to make unlocking your phone more convenient when certain trusted conditions are met. However, you should be careful about where you use it and which devices you mark as trusted.
Can Smart Lock drain my phone’s battery?
Smart Lock uses minimal battery because it relies on existing sensors and connections like GPS and Bluetooth. Most users will not notice a significant drain in battery life by using Smart Lock.
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