Major shifts could be ahead for Android—the Epic vs. Google settlement will change app distribution. Motorola’s new Moto G series starts at just $170. Plus, Google Messages can now pin 20 conversations, and Gemini is coming to Google Maps navigation. Read on for more!

Android News

Pebblebee unveils a pair of cute Android trackers—here’s why I’m not buying them

Pebblebee just revealed the Clip 5 and Card 5—a cute set of Bluetooth trackers with enhanced safety functionality and rechargeable batteries. They’re almost perfect, and I’d probably buy them if not for the lack of UWB precision finding. Continue reading...

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Google Messages is about to get two helpful new features

Google Messages continues to improve, which is good news, considering it’s the default text messaging application on millions of Android phones. It feels like every week or two, something new appears, and that’s true again this week. We recently spotted two helpful new Google Messages features coming soon that’ll let you double the number of pinned conversations at the top, and more. Continue reading...

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Google settled with Epic, and Android will never be the same

The Epic Games vs. Google lawsuit has been going back and forth for nearly five years, and we finally have an outcome. Just one decision away from a total loss, Google settled with Epic earlier this week. As a result of Google’s concessions, there are some pretty major changes coming to Android in the future. Let’s go over them. Continue reading...

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This Android phone might have an insanely huge battery, but it won’t come to the US

Android phones in the US, at most, come with 5,000 mAh batteries. And while that’s enough for most people, the latest measuring contest going on in countries like China is resulting in phones with batteries as big as 8,000 mAh. Now, this will probably be the biggest one we’ve seen. Continue reading...

Google Maps is getting a navigation upgrade

Google Maps is getting an upgrade thanks to the integration of Gemini. This should make Maps a lot more conversational and have as much information as a tour guide would. The idea is to help you understand where you are going, instead of giving flat directions. Continue reading...

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Motorola’s latest Moto G phones start at only $170

Motorola might catch more headlines for its Razr foldables, but the company also makes some of the best budget phones on the market. If you’re trying to save a buck, you don’t want to sacrifice too much, and Motorola is once again stepping up to the plate with the dependable Moto G and Moto G Play series. Continue reading...

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LineageOS just arrived on this Android flagship phone

The OnePlus 13 now officially supports LineageOS 23. This gives OnePlus 13 users a great way to move beyond the standard OxygenOS software. This is huge news for anyone who loves the hardware OnePlus packs into its devices but wants a cleaner, more stock Android feel. Continue reading...

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The most powerful Android phones ever are here—but you can’t get one

The latest Android flagship killers have just launched—but the U.S. is being left out of the party. These new phones are powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, along with other top-tier specs, and they’re coming in at surprisingly low prices. Continue reading...

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Android Editorials, Lists & More

How to automatically change your Android wallpaper based on time of day

You can spruce up the wallpaper on your Android to match the time of day. Instead of a boring static wallpaper, you can set the phone to change wallpapers dynamically. For example, you could have your phone display a light mode wallpaper during the day, which transitions to a dark mode wallpaper at night. I’m going to show you three ways you can do so. Continue reading...

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Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek

Download this screen time app, your eyes will thank you later

Excessive screen time is one of the fastest-growing concerns these days, and I feel no shame in admitting that I was also a victim of it for a long time. If you’re on the same page, I highly recommend trying an app that helped me reduce my screen time from eight hours to four hours a day. Continue reading...

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Here’s an Android Auto adapter that’s actually worth buying

I love my old and beat-up Toyota Tacoma truck, but the upgraded stereo still doesn’t support wireless Android Auto. Unless you have a newer vehicle, yours probably doesn’t, either. After trying multiple different dongles to convert it into a wireless experience, I can confidently say the AAWireless TWO is the only one worth buying. Continue reading...

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Android Auto keeps disconnecting? Try these 6 tricks before you give up

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve had the worst luck when it comes to the reliability of Android Auto. I hate to say it, but my iPhone never has any issues connecting to Apple CarPlay in any car I’ve ever tried it on, but my Android phones always seem to have one or another extra hoop to jump through. Continue reading...

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It’s time to stop using Samsung Messages

Google Messages has been the default messaging app on Samsung phones for more than a year now. While you can still use Samsung Messages on your Galaxy device without issues (at least for now), you ought to switch to Google Messages. Here’s why. Continue reading...

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How to add more USB ports to your Android phone

USB ports are undeniably useful, but they’re very limited on Android phones. The most obvious reason for this is that you only get one. The vast majority of people are fine with one USB port, but your imagination might be bigger. So, let’s add more ports. Continue reading...

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Why Samsung Notes replaced almost all of my office tools

I am typing these words in Samsung Notes. These days, I do so much of my work here that it, rather than Microsoft Office, feels like my primary office suite. Don’t let the name fool you—this app can handle far more than just your notes. Continue reading...

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4 awesome (and practical) things you can do with a terminal on Android

We mostly use our phones in “app mode.” We tap an app and launch it in a separate window to get things done. For most people, that’s how computers work, too, because even desktops are app-centric now. However, there’s another way to control your computer or phone, and that’s with a terminal window. I’m going to try and convince you why a terminal on your phone is worth it. Continue reading...

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Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek

4 things Google Maps does better than Waze

I’ve been a Waze driver for years. It’s fast, crowd-sourced, and built for people who just want to get from point A to B as efficiently as possible. The live reports, police alerts, and shortcut-happy routing make it perfect for my daily drives around my county. Even though Waze is my go-to, there are times when Google Maps just makes more sense, and reminds me why I keep both apps on my phone. Continue reading...

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Use this Android feature to separate your work and personal life

Android has a neat built-in feature for separating your digital work life from your personal life. You can create separate profiles for work and life, isolate both spaces, and switch between them as needed. That way, you won’t get Slack notifications during dinner or family text chain notifications during your work hours. It’ll effectively turn your phone into two devices—one for work and for everything else. Let me show you how. Continue reading...

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Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek

Samsung’s secret app for Galaxy phones is my favorite launcher

One of the best things about Samsung phones rarely comes up in reviews. That’s Good Lock, an official customization suite that makes Galaxy phones the most customizable on the market—a tool that has supplanted the need I once had to install a custom launcher. Continue reading...

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PSA: Google Photos is lowering the quality of your memories

Google Photos feels like the digital safe for tons of our most precious memories, offering what seems like endless space for our pictures and videos. It’s a tool many have grown very used to, but a default setting that quietly but seriously changes the very quality of the photos and videos we trust it with. Continue reading...

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These 4 Google Keep features will help you build perfect grocery lists

Google Keep is an essential tool in my phone’s arsenal. I use the app to jot down everything. From random thoughts I later turn into articles like this one, to elaborate grocery lists. Over the years, my grocery list-building skills have grown considerably; let me share them with you. Continue reading...

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These tragedies put me off of mobile gaming

For a year or two, I treated my phone as my primary gaming console. It was all fun and games until I picked up on a few gamer-hostile trends that have gradually soiled the experience. Continue reading...

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Tempted to get a dumbphone? Try this first

More people are buying dumbphones, and I support this—but having ditched a smartphone for a dumbphone for years, I know firsthand the challenges that may arise. Before swapping out your phone, first consider changing how you use the one you have. Continue reading...

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This secret setting prevents Google Maps from wasting data while driving

Google Maps has a neat little feature that lets you download entire regions or areas onto your device for offline use. These offline maps work just like normal maps—you can look up locations, ask directions for driving, and use the route navigator. Let me show you how you can set it up in advance for your next trip. Continue reading...

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4 open-source Android keyboards that rival Gboard

Gboard is the default keyboard on most Android devices and packs several nifty features. However, its deep integration with Google services raises concerns about privacy for many users. If you’re in the same boat, you can switch to one of the several open-source keyboards available out there that offer similar functionality to Gboard without compromising your privacy. Continue reading...

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7 features Google Messages should steal from Apple’s iMessage

While both Google Messages and Apple iMessage are unique in their own ways, I feel that Apple iMessage has a slight edge over Google Messages when it comes to the features they both offer. If Google Messages wants to lead the messaging app race, it needs to steal these seven features from Apple’s iMessage. Continue reading...

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