Android phones are packed with features and tools — some of which are hidden in plain sight. While most users know how to use the basics like screenshots, split-screen multitasking, and Google Assistant, there are a range of powerful tools tucked deep inside Android’s settings and developer options that even seasoned users might overlook.
Whether you’re a casual user or a power user looking to get the most out of your phone, these lesser-known Android tools can help improve performance, battery life, security, and even your user experience. Let’s uncover some of the best hidden Android tools you probably didn’t know existed.
Developer Options — Your Power Toolkit
This menu is hidden by default, but unlocking it gives you access to advanced settings meant for developers — yet incredibly useful for everyone.
How to access:
- Go to Settings > About phone
- Tap Build number 7 times
- Developer Options will now appear in your system settings
What you can do:
- Force GPU rendering: Improves graphics performance in some apps.
- Limit background processes: Helps conserve battery and RAM.
- Animation scale tweaks: Speed up or turn off system animations to make your phone feel faster.
- USB debugging: Essential for sideloading apps or using ADB commands.
- Show CPU usage overlay: View real-time CPU consumption.
System UI Tuner (For Advanced Customization)
The System UI Tuner allows you to customize elements of your status bar, quick settings, and more. It’s not available on every Android device and was hidden starting with Android 9 Pie, but some OEMs still include it.
How to enable (if supported):
- Pull down your quick settings panel
- Tap and hold the gear ⚙️ icon for about 5 seconds
- You’ll see a notification that “System UI Tuner has been added”
What it can do:
- Hide or rearrange status bar icons
- Customize quick settings tiles
- Enable demo mode (useful for screenshots)
Digital Wellbeing Hidden Features
While many use Digital Wellbeing for basic screen time monitoring, few explore its deeper tools.
Features worth exploring:
- Focus Mode: Temporarily pauses distracting apps like Instagram or YouTube.
- Bedtime Mode: Enables grayscale and Do Not Disturb to discourage late-night phone use.
- App Timers: Set daily usage limits for individual apps.
- Heads-Up Notifications: Temporarily silence alerts when you’re walking (to reduce screen walking).
Android Safe Mode
Think of this like “Safe Mode” for your PC. It boots the phone with only essential apps, allowing you to diagnose issues caused by third-party apps.
How to enter Safe Mode:
- Hold the power button
- Tap and hold the “Power off” option
- Tap “OK” to reboot into Safe Mode
Use this mode to:
- Troubleshoot crashing apps
- Identify battery drainers
- Uninstall problematic apps
Screen Pinning
A hidden security gem that locks a specific app to the screen — great when handing your phone to kids or friends.
To enable:
- Go to Settings > Security > Screen Pinning (or Advanced > App Pinning)
How to use:
- Open the app you want to pin
- Tap the Overview (Recents) button
- Tap the app icon and choose “Pin”
Exit with a long-press of the back + overview buttons (may vary by phone).
File Manager in Storage Settings
While Android 13 and later includes the Files by Google app, there’s a built-in file manager that works even without third-party apps.
To access:
- Go to Settings > Storage > Files or Explore
This gives you direct access to:
- Internal files and folders
- Downloads, audio, videos, and documents
- File transfers and cleanup suggestions
Hidden Battery Usage Stats
Many Android skins like Pixel UI and Samsung One UI offer deeper battery insights than what you see at first glance.
Pro tip:
- Tap Battery > Battery usage
- Tap the 3-dot menu or individual apps to get background vs foreground usage, last charge, and more
On Pixel phones, you can even see battery usage predictions for future hours.
Accessibility Menu
Originally built for users with disabilities, the Accessibility Menu doubles as a quick-launch toolkit with useful functions.
Enable it from:
- Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Menu
Adds a floating button that can:
- Lock screen
- Take screenshots
- Adjust volume or brightness
- Launch Assistant
- View recent apps
One-Handed Mode
Perfect for large-screen phones. Not all Android users know that there’s a built-in tool that shrinks the screen for easier one-thumb access.
Enable it under:
- Settings > System > Gestures > One-handed mode
Once on, just swipe down on the bottom edge (gesture navigation) or double-tap home (button nav).
Hidden Game: Android Easter Eggs
Every version of Android comes with a quirky little Easter egg.
How to access:
- Settings > About phone > Android version
- Tap repeatedly on the “Android version,” then long-press on the graphic that appears
From Neko Cat Games (Nougat) to Widgets (Android 14), it’s a fun peek into Android’s playful side.
FAQ’s
Is it safe to use Developer Options on Android?
Yes, Developer Options is safe to use as long as you know what you’re changing. Most of the settings simply affect how your phone performs or behaves (like animations or background processes). Avoid options you don’t fully understand, especially anything related to USB debugging or networking.
Can I undo changes made in Developer Options?
Absolutely. You can manually change settings back or toggle Developer Options off entirely by going to:
- Settings > System > Developer Options → Toggle it Off
This resets most options to their default state.
Why can’t I find the System UI Tuner on my phone?
Not all Android phones support the System UI Tuner. Google began phasing it out after Android 8.0 Oreo. Some manufacturers (like Samsung and OnePlus) also remove or restrict this feature in their custom skins.
What is Android’s Safe Mode used for?
Safe Mode is designed for troubleshooting. It temporarily disables all third-party apps and runs only essential system services. Use it to:
- Diagnose app crashes
- Uninstall problematic apps
- Test performance without interference
To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your phone.
How do I know if my phone supports One-Handed Mode?
Most phones running Android 12 and above have a built-in One-Handed Mode. However, some brands offer it under different names:
- Samsung: One-Handed Mode in Advanced Features
- Xiaomi/Redmi: Settings > Additional settings > One-handed mode
- Pixel: System > Gestures > One-handed mode
If it’s not available, you can use third-party apps to mimic the functionality.
What’s the difference between File Manager and Files by Google?
- Files by Google is a full-featured app that offers cleanup suggestions, offline sharing, and media sorting.
- The built-in File Manager (hidden under Storage > Explore) is a simpler tool with direct access to your internal storage. It’s useful when you want quick, no-frills file access without installing anything.
Final Thoughts
These hidden Android tools prove that your phone is far more capable than you might think. From boosting performance to improving usability, exploring beyond the default settings can unlock a whole new layer of functionality.
📱 Ready to dive in? Start with Developer Options and work your way down the list. Just remember: with great power comes great responsibility — don’t change settings you don’t understand, and always back up important data before experimenting.