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6 hidden Android features that are seriously useful (and how they made my life easier)

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Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

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I've been using Android since version 1.5, so it's not often that a feature catches me off guard. You can imagine that when I do come across an unfamiliar Android feature, it's an exciting moment.

For more casual (or newer) users of Google's mobile operating system, there are probably several hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Android, and some of these can be handy.

Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and say goodbye to slow performance)

I've curated five somewhat hidden Android features that I believe every user should at least know about.

Let's dive into those features.

1. Share Wi-Fi via QR code

You may not give this feature a second thought, but allow me to set a scene for you. Say you're having visitors for the holidays and want to grant them access to your Wi-Fi network. Instead of making the password public (so anyone can use it), you could share the Wi-Fi credentials via QR code. Not only does this approach simplify the process of adding another device to the network, but it does so with a nod to security.

Open Settings > 'Network and Internet' > Internet, and tap the network you want to share. At the top of the resulting page, tap Share and verify it's you via biometrics or password/PIN.

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