12 eye-opening Google Android app tricks from 2024

We talk about tons of tips for making the most of Android and tapping into all the operating system’s easily overlooked options, features, and shortcuts.

But when it comes to real-world productivity, Google’s actual operating system is really only half the story.

With Android in particular, lots of core OS-level elements exist as their own standalone apps — technically separate pieces of the puzzle that live in the Play Store and are updated numerous times a year in a way that reaches all of us at the same time. It’s a sharp contrast to the all-in-one strategy on the other side of the mobile-tech divide, and it offers up some pretty interesting (if also largely unappreciated) advantages for those of us here in the land o’ Googley matters.

Over the past year, I’ve shared some splendid suggestions for digging in deeper to those apps and uncovering all sorts of buried treasures — genuinely useful options and adjustments that’ll help you work faster and more efficiently and generally just have a better all-around Android experience.

It’s a lot to take in, and it’s all too easy to miss (or maybe just forget!) something worthwhile along the way. So here, as the end of the year approaches, are 12 of my favorite collections of Google Android app wisdom from the past 12 months — with a whopping 124 top-notch tricks within ’em.

Use the quiet holiday weeks ahead of us to take ’em all in and grant yourself some new spectacular new superpowers for 2025 — and if you aren’t already receiving my Android Intelligence newsletter, by golly, make it your first order of business to fix that now. I send out three new things to try every Friday, and the best tip I can offer for the coming year is to make sure you don’t miss out.

Now, where were we? Oh — right…

The best Google Android app advice from 2024

20 handy hidden tricks for Google Calendar on Android

Upgrade your agenda with these tucked-away time-savers in the Android Calendar app.

5 advanced Gboard tricks for smarter Android typing

Google’s Gboard Android keyboard has some smart systems for improving your text input experience. Ready to become a total typing pro?

8 out-of-sight superpowers for Google Contacts on Android

Google Contacts might not be Android’s flashiest app, but it has some surprisingly useful tricks lurking in its corners.

6 secret settings for a smarter Chrome Android setup

Supercharge your smartphone browsing experience with these powerful yet completely concealed options for Google’s Chrome Android app.

13 tricks for more efficient Android messaging

These easy-to-miss advanced options for Google’s Android Messages app will help you save time and communicate more effectively.

16 handy hidden tricks for Google Maps on Android

Take advantage of all Maps has to offer by tapping into these easily overlooked features and options.

26 note-perfecting tips for Google Keep on Android

Time to tap into all of Keep’s potential and turn Google’s note-taking app into a powerful mobile productivity tool.

A powerful Android dark mode enhancement

One quick switch within the Android Chrome app can take your web-wide dark mode adventures to a whole new level.

5 nifty new gestures for the YouTube Android mini-player

Google’s YouTube mini-player has some noteworthy new tricks up its sleeves — and it’s up to you to find ’em.

20 smart search terms for Google Photos on Android

Find what you need fast with these advanced search commands for your Android Photos app.

A simple new way to set a custom ringtone on Android

At last, an easy shortcut for setting, finding, and managing custom ringtones for contacts on Android. Hip, hip, hoorah!

3 buzzworthy Android alarm enhancements

Give your next alarm some extra pizazz with these hard to find but delightful to use options.

Bonus: Goodbye, Gemini — a sanity-saving Google Search switch

Take a step back in time to a simpler, less bloated form of search without all the unreliable AI poppycock.

2025, here we come!

Your mission for the new year, should you choose to accept it: Get yourself set with my Android Intelligence newsletter and get my Android Notification Power-Pack — six powerful enhancements for any device — as a special instant bonus.