Pixel 9 suggestions and tips you should not miss

The mud has largely settled on the Pixel 9 and Google’s newest smartphones are undeniably a vital success. The corporate hasn’t solely made its most polished {hardware} so far, it is also launched options to Android that make Pixels really feel distinctive compared to nearly each different smartphone on the market. And with the launch of Android 15 and a brand new Pixel Feature Drop, all of Google’s smartphones are getting that a lot better.

Android, on the entire, is rather more stream­lined than it was once, with loads of customization choices to benefit from (some adequate that Apple copied them) and AI-powered expertise to attempt to slot in your each day workflow. In the event you simply obtained a Pixel 9, however have not explored all of its options, otherwise you’re utilizing the discharge of Android 15 as motivation to place your telephone via its paces, we have got a collection of suggestions and tips under which are an ideal instance of what the Pixel 9 is able to.

1 Use Pixel Screenshots to arrange and bear in mind your digital life

Google’s software allows you to construct a searchable library of belongings you’ve seen in your telephone

We have already dived into most of the new Al-driven features Google used the Pixel 9 to introduce, nevertheless it bears repeating: It’s important to attempt Pixel Screenshots. Google’s AI imaginative and prescient software bears some similarities to Microsoft’s Recall feature, nevertheless it’s pushed by what you need to screenshot, and will not routinely seize what’s in your display screen. When the Pixel Screenshots app is lively, no matter you do need to screenshot will get routinely cataloged by your Pixel 9, making it each searchable, and in some circumstances, actionable. The Pixel Screenshots app can flip your screenshots into direct hyperlinks to internet pages and calendar occasions, for instance.

The app is ideal for saving info from a textual content or electronic mail to refer again to later, or a particular merchandise you need to purchase and wish a direct hyperlink to. Google has additionally began integrating the app instantly with Gemini, which suggests you possibly can pull up info along with your voice or a fast textual content immediate to Gemini fairly than having to go looking via the Screenshots app.

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2 Set off actions by tapping the again of your Pixel 9

In the event you’re in search of a straightforward approach to do a few of the extra dexterous actions your Pixel 9 requires, Google has its personal tackle Apple’s Back Tap accessibility feature that allows you to use your Pixel to set off a wide range of actions in your telephone. The characteristic is known as Fast Faucet, and could be subbed in for expertise which may usually require urgent one or a number of buttons, and as a substitute, subsitituting them with a double or triple faucet on the again of your telephone. When enabled, Fast Faucet can:

• Take a screenshot
• Entry Gemini or Google Assistant
• Play or pause media
• Present current apps
• Present notifications
• Toggle the flashlight
• Open a particular app

If you wish to flip it in your telephone, you will want to go to Settings.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Faucet on System.
3. Faucet on Gestures.
4. Faucet on “Fast Faucet to begin actions.”
5. Then faucet on the Use Fast Faucet toggle, and choose which motion you need to use by tapping on it.

In the event you discover that you just typically by chance set off Fast Faucet, you too can have your telephone require “stronger faucets” to set off no matter motion you have assigned on the identical Settings display screen.

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3 Reveal your notification historical past even after they have been deleted

Your Pixel can preserve observe of all of the notifications you have acquired

Like different smartphones, the Pixel 9 has a devoted part or “notification shade” that collects and types messages, alerts, and let’s face it, adverts, out of your numerous apps. More often than not, you handle these notifications or swipe them away and go about your day, however what occurs in case you really want the data in a kind of alerts? Effectively, Google truly has a hidden approach to view the notification historical past in your telephone, it simply must be turned on.

You may must entry it in Settings by way of the Notifications part or you possibly can simply wait till your notification shade is empty:

1. Swipe down to entry the notification shade.
2. With an empty notification listing, faucet with two fingers.
3. Your telephone will swap to the Notification part of Settings.
4. Faucet on Notification Historical past and toggle it on.
5. Any further, once you two-finger faucet on an empty notification shade you will see your notification historical past.

4 Add your self to a bunch shot with Add Me

Your Pixel can use AI so as to add you to a bunch photograph

Google

One of many Pixel 9’s unique skills is a brand new pictures software Google calls “Add Me” that offers you the flexibility to take a bunch photograph with no tripod, having arms lengthy sufficient for selfie, or depend on a separate photographer. Your Pixel 9 basically combines two pictures, certainly one of you, the photographer, and one other of the individuals you need to be within the photograph with, right into a single seamless photograph that appears such as you had another person take.

You’ll be able to entry Add Me instantly within the Digital camera app:

1. Open the Digital camera app.
2. Faucet on Add Me on the left aspect of the display screen.
3. Comply with the on-screen prompts to scan the house and seize a photograph.
4. Hand-off your telephone to the individuals you simply captured and have them use the onscreen information to shoot a photograph of you.
5. Let your Pixel 9 mix the pictures and create a bunch shot.

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5 Use Dwell Caption so as to add captions to audio and video

The Pixel 9 can transcribe audio in your telephone, no matter the place it is from

Pixel telephones have the flexibility so as to add captions and audio description to any sound in your telephone, regardless if it was designed to have subtitles or not. It is referred to as Live Caption, and it goes past video content material, too. In the event you’re listening to a podcast or tune, your Pixel can caption that audio as effectively. This makes use of the identical transcription skills which are already current in an app like Recorder and turns them into an accessibility superpower that applies to all of the audio in your telephone.

You’ll be able to flip Dwell Caption on by adjusting the quantity in your telephone:

1. Press the quantity button.
2. Faucet on the three-dot menu on the backside of the on-screen quantity management.
3. Faucet on Dwell Caption (the textual content field icon) close to the underside of the display screen.
4. Conform to any onscreen prompts and captions ought to seem anytime spoken phrases are taking part in in your telephone.

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6 Make your Pixel 9 simpler to make use of one-handed

There is a approach to attain the highest of your large telephone display screen with out getting new palms

Telephones aren’t getting smaller anytime quickly, and that is unlucky, as a result of not everybody is ready to attain the highest of their telephone display screen with out utilizing two palms. Pixels do have a built-in approach to get across the massive display screen that may enable you to attain your notifications or simply something on the prime of your display screen. The choice is known as One-Handed Mode, and it allows you to swipe the underside of your Pixel fairly than the highest to entry notifications or just about pull the highest of your display screen down to achieve what you want.

To activate One-Handed mode:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Faucet on Gestures.
3. Faucet on “One-Handed Mode”.
4. Toggle the characteristic on and resolve if you are going to use it for notification or reaching the highest of the display screen.

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7 Be taught extra about no matter is in your display screen with Circle to Search

Lookup no matter is in your display screen with just a few faucets

It is extremely potential you have already triggered it accidentally, however even when it is over-eager, Circle to Search is among the higher new options Google has added to Android within the final 12 months. By long-pressing the navigation bar or house button on the backside of your display screen, you possibly can allow Circle to Search and successfully Google something you circle along with your finger. This works on each textual content and pictures, even in movies, and may also be used to translate textual content too. It is extremely helpful for locating issues that will usually be onerous to seek for with textual content alone, and it may soon extend to live video too.

In the event you did not allow Circle to Search once you had been first establishing your telephone, you possibly can flip it on in Settings:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Faucet on Show & Contact.
3. Faucet on Navigation Mode.
4. Toggle Circle to Search on.
5. Maintain down the underside navigation bar and circle anyplace in your display screen to go looking it.

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Your Pixel 9 is much more highly effective than it appears

Google’s no slouch on the subject of updating Android, however years of software program releases imply that there are layers of performance constructed into each Pixel telephone (and most Android units for that matter) that by no means will get totally defined. That is the character of each mature working system (you do not even need to know the sorts of issues Home windows or macOS can do), however contemplating how typically we use our smartphones, determining the Pixel 9 feels extra urgent.

Google Pixel 9

Pixel 9 contains a 6.3-inch show and a well-known design. It helps the addition of a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens to its rear digital camera array alongside Google Gemini and AI options.

The listing above is a good start line for studying what your telephone can truly do, however in case you’re interested by studying extra nitty-gritty particulars about your telephone, we have got you coated, with guides on discovering hiding apps on your Pixel, and ensuring apps running in the background aren’t ruining your telephone’s efficiency.