10 Quick Android Settings Controls Every User Should Know
Android smartphones have become our daily companions—whether it’s for communication, work, entertainment, or payments. But did you know that with just a few simple tweaks in your Android settings, you can make your phone faster, safer, and more user-friendly?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 10 quick Android settings controls that every user should try. These are practical, beginner-friendly tips that can improve your mobile experience in minutes. Whether you’re new to Android or a longtime user, you’ll find something valuable here.
Why Android Settings Matter?
Most users stick to default settings, but that often means missing out on performance, battery life, and security improvements. Think of settings as hidden tools—once you know where to find them, your phone works smarter, not harder.
Let’s dive into the quick settings you can control right away.
1. Turn on Battery Saver Mode
If your phone drains battery quickly, enabling Battery Saver can be a game-changer. This feature limits background activity and reduces performance slightly to extend battery life.
- Where to find: Settings → Battery → Battery Saver
- Shortcut: Swipe down the Quick Settings panel and tap the battery icon.
For example, when I travel, I always keep Battery Saver on—it easily adds 3–4 hours of usage time. According to Google’s Android developer guidelines, reducing background processes helps apps consume up to 20% less power.
2. Enable Dark Mode
Dark Mode isn’t just stylish—it can reduce eye strain and save power, especially on OLED displays.
- Where to find: Settings → Display → Dark theme
- Benefit: Saves battery on AMOLED screens by turning off pixels for black backgrounds.
A 2018 study by Google found that switching from light mode to dark mode can save up to 60% battery on devices with OLED screens.
3. Control App Permissions
Many apps ask for unnecessary permissions. Do you really want a calculator app accessing your location? Probably not. Reviewing app permissions improves privacy and security.
- Where to find: Settings → Apps → Permissions
- Tip: Allow only what’s essential—location, microphone, and camera should be tightly controlled.
When I disabled location access for non-essential apps, my phone’s battery life noticeably improved. Experts at Kaspersky recommend auditing app permissions every few months.
4. Customize Do Not Disturb Mode
Instead of silencing your phone manually every night, use Do Not Disturb (DND). It blocks unnecessary calls, notifications, and alerts during specific hours.
- Where to find: Settings → Sound & vibration → Do Not Disturb
- Pro tip: Allow calls only from important contacts.
I personally schedule DND from 11 PM to 7 AM—it helps me sleep better without late-night notifications disturbing me.
5. Adjust Location Settings
GPS is useful, but keeping it always on drains battery. Instead, switch to “Battery Saving” mode or enable location only when needed.
- Where to find: Settings → Location
- Shortcut: Quick Settings → Location toggle
According to Android Authority, managing location settings can save up to 15% battery daily.
6. Manage Background Apps
Some apps continue running in the background, consuming data and battery. Restrict them for better performance.
- Where to find: Settings → Apps → Battery usage
- Tip: Use “Restricted” mode for rarely used apps.
For instance, I once noticed Facebook using 20% of my battery in the background. Restricting it improved battery performance immediately.
7. Enable Find My Device
Losing your phone is stressful. Fortunately, Find My Device helps locate, lock, or erase your phone remotely.
- Where to find: Settings → Security → Find My Device
- How it works: Log into Google Find My Device to track your phone.
This feature once saved me when I misplaced my phone in a cafe—it rang loudly, helping me find it under a seat cushion.
8. Turn Off Unnecessary Animations
Animations look nice, but they slow down performance. By reducing them, your phone feels snappier.
- Where to find: Settings → About Phone → Tap Build Number 7 times → Developer Options → Animation scale
- Set to: 0.5x or off completely
Tech reviewers at XDA Developers confirm that reducing animations can make older phones feel faster.
9. Set Up Quick Gestures
Modern Android phones include gesture controls. For example, double-tap to wake, flip to mute calls, or swipe down on the fingerprint sensor to access notifications.
- Where to find: Settings → System → Gestures
- Example: On Pixel phones, swiping down on the fingerprint sensor pulls down the notification shade.
Gestures make daily use smoother and reduce the need for constant screen taps.
10. Schedule Automatic Updates
Keeping your Android updated is essential for security and performance. Scheduling updates ensures you always have the latest patches.
- Where to find: Settings → System → Software update
- Tip: Choose “Auto-download updates over Wi-Fi” to save mobile data.
According to NIST vulnerability database, outdated software is a major reason for security breaches—updates close those loopholes.
Bonus Tip: Customize Quick Settings Panel
Android lets you rearrange Quick Settings toggles. Long press the Quick Settings panel and drag icons like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Hotspot for easy access. This saves time when you’re on the go.
Final Thoughts
These 10 quick Android settings controls can dramatically improve your phone’s performance, battery life, and security. Whether it’s enabling Battery Saver, tweaking Do Not Disturb, or securing your phone with Find My Device, each change makes a noticeable difference.
Start with just 2–3 tweaks today—you’ll be surprised how much smoother your Android experience becomes.
Now it’s your turn: Which Android setting do you find most useful? Share your experience in the comments!
