If you’re new to Android, Chrome, or anything related to Google, it can sometimes be a little difficult getting yourself familiar with the platforms. That’s why we created Basics!
Whether you’re looking for help changing your wallpaper, adding apps to your home screen, removing apps from your home screen, or just want to know how to set an alarm, we’ve got you covered.
All of our Basics guides can be found below, in the order they were published.
There are several ways to update your Google Pixel smartphone to the latest available patch or OS. If you’re willing to take matters into your own hands, you can skip the wait by sideloading an OTA update on your Google Pixel, and we will show you how.
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The days of verbally spelling out your Wi-Fi password to family and visitors are gone. With a couple of taps, users on Android can simply share access via a QR code or Nearby Share. Here’s how.
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Teased during Google I/O 2023, Emoji Wallpapers have made their way to Android 14, which is currently in beta. With these new lively wallpapers available for those running Android 14 Beta 3, getting started to create and set Emoji Wallpapers is easy.
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Gboard has plenty of neat functions, with some being easier to find than others. Now, you can change that by adding additional tools to customize your Gboard toolbar.
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Right after switching carriers or getting a new SIM, whether eSIM or otherwise, you might need a refresher on your brand-new number. This quick guide will go through how you can find your phone number on most Android devices.
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Android 14 has launched and is available for a number of Pixel devices. Thanks to the Android 14 QPR builds it is also available as part of the regular Beta program. That means it isn’t quite as smooth as you might have expected. Luckily, you can downgrade from Android 14 back to Android 13 anytime on your phone if you are not having so much fun. Here’s how to get started.
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Since Android 12, you’ve been able to quickly sync all of your important data from an old iPhone to a new Google Pixel or Android device via cable. “Switch to Android” is a great option for those lacking a cable, and here’s how to use it.
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As smartphones continue to balloon in size, be that in terms of dimensions or smaller screen bezels, utilizing the split-screen mode makes it easier to manage. The split-screen process has been altered slightly in Android 13, but we’re going to show you just how to master this extra mode.
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Your smartphone knows a lot about you, and in some cases, too much. Certain features and settings are enabled on Android by default that we think you might want to disable them right now.
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Getting the most from your smartphone can be a confusing and frustrating, but with just a few taps or tweaks, you can enable some settings to eke a little more from your Android.
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In-built into Android is a number of Developer options that allow you to go beyond the regular user-facing functionality to get even greater control over your daily experience – here are some of our tips to get the most from your phone.
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You might have slapped the stable Android 13 or even a previous Beta update on your Google Pixel and are missing out on a few things or not having the best experience. Luckily, so long as you’re not using the Pixel 6/6 Pro or 6a you can downgrade your Android 13 build back to a stable version of Android 12 if you encounter any major problems or just don’t like the current incarnation.
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Let’s face it: summer is here and in full force. We’re at the warmest time of year when your phone is going to come across some high temperatures. So, what should you do to avoid overheating your phone, and if it happens, how can you combat it? This guide will provide some helpful tips for keeping your Pixel cool and avoiding overheating.
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By default, automatic app updates on Android are turned on. This means that during certain times, the apps you get from the Google Play Store will be updated on their own, with no manual activation. But what if you want to turn that off? Here’s how to stop automatic app updates on Android.
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The vast quality of many Android games and the growing library of cloud-based gaming services such as Stadia and GeForce Now means that you might feel the need to gain an advantage over online rivals or just improve your overall experience. Luckily, tons of Android games support Bluetooth controller input, so this is how to connect to your favorite gamepad.
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For a lot of Android users, Gmail is the go-to email application. This isn’t only because it almost always comes preinstalled on devices, but it works well. One feature that works particularly well is swipe actions. So what are they and how can you use them? This guide digs into that.
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Beta programs allow you to experience cool new features in certain apps that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see until full release. So how do you get early access to Google’s features? This guide will show you how to join beta programs on the Google Play Store and what apps allow you to do that.
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Google Chrome is an extremely powerful web browser. It becomes even more capable once you start adding extensions to make tasks easier and faster. Though, if you’re setting your default browser to Google Chrome on Windows 11, there are a few things to keep in mind.
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Many an Android phone have hidden features that don’t get the limelight all too often. One of these features, in my opinion, is Rules. What are they? Well, let’s dig in and find out how to use Rules on the Pixel.
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There are a lot of great ways to check and test your internet speeds. Maybe you’re trying to figure out your internet connection’s download and upload speeds to ensure your network is working correctly, or perhaps you just want to show your friends how fast your internet is for some reason. One great way to check your speeds, if you want, is to use Google. Of course, there are other options too. Here’s how.
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You may have the most organized Android home screen with rows of apps and folders propagating across your display. However, thanks to a series of Android shortcuts, you can quickly get access to all manner of sections, apps, and utilities with the help of some simple home screen widgets.
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These days, your Android device is teeming with personal information, sensitive or not. It’s never a bad idea to set a screen lock for your Pixel or other Android device. Here’s how you can do it and why you should.
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Android 12 brings a lot of exciting features to the OS, even in Samsung Galaxy devices. With the beta release of One UI 4, Samsung devices are able to take advantage of new color-theming options and privacy features. Fortunately, Samsung is making the beta available to a few select devices before Android 12 is completely released.
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If you are not content with Android 12 on your Google Pixel, it’s probably music to your ears knowing that you can downgrade your OS to a stable version of Android 11 if you encounter any major problems or just don’t like the substantial overhaul.
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