5 Google Pixel Features You Probably Didn't Know About

Your Google Pixel has many clever features, some tucked away in menus or introduced quietly. If you’ve updated to Android 15 or even if you’re running an older version, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on some of these hidden gems.

5 Quick Tap

Quick Tap is a super handy feature that brings back memories of those rear-mounted fingerprint sensors on older phones. With a simple double-tap on the back of your Pixel, you can trigger actions like taking a screenshot, controlling your music, or pulling down the notification shade. It even reminds me of how much I loved swiping down on the fingerprint sensor of my Nexus 5X to check notifications—such a small but satisfying convenience.

To set it up, head to your phone’s settings, find the “System” section, and select “Gestures.” From there, tap on “Quick Tap to start actions” and toggle it on. You’ll see a list of actions you can assign to the gesture—choose whatever fits your routine best.

If you’re worried about accidentally triggering it, there’s an option to make the taps stronger, so it only works when you mean it. Quick Tap is subtle, but once it’s in your workflow, it’s hard to live without.

4 Landroid Screen Saver

If you’re running Android 15, the Landroid screen saver is a playful, futuristic addition that transforms your Pixel into a radar-like display straight out of a spy movie. Once activated, your screen shows animated data like latitude, longitude, and other readouts typically found in those Mission Impossible submarines. There’s even a cheeky line that says, “----AUTOPILOT ENGAGED----.”

To try it out, go to settings, tap on “Display,” and then select “Screen Saver.” In the list, find “Landroid” and set it as your default. You can hit the preview button to see it in action immediately. While it doesn’t add much practical value, it’s definitely one of the coolest screen savers out there.

3 Clear Calling

Clear Calling is one of the most underrated features on Pixel 7 and newer models. Using AI, it reduces background noise on the other end of the line, making voices clearer and improving call quality in noisy environments. Whether you're in a busy café, a street full of honking cars, or surrounded by chatter, it can make a noticeable difference.

After testing it out, I found it to be surprisingly effective at minimizing background noise. While it doesn’t completely silence everything, it reduces distractions like honking or people talking to a certain extent.

Even though I still prefer my ANC earbuds for total noise isolation, Clear Calling is a great alternative for those times when you don’t have headphones handy. It’s especially useful when you or the person you’re speaking with is in a noisy environment.

To turn it on, go to your settings, select “Sound & vibration,” and tap “Clear Calling.” Toggle it on, and you’re all set.

2 Bluetooth Automatically Turning On

If you’ve noticed your Pixel’s Bluetooth mysteriously turning back on after you’ve manually turned it off, you’re not alone. This feature, introduced in Android 15, includes a toggle called “Automatically turn on tomorrow.” It’s a bit of a polarizing addition—some might love it, while others could find it annoying if they don’t realize it’s happening.

The idea is simple: if you regularly use Bluetooth devices like earbuds or smartwatches, your phone will automatically turn Bluetooth back on the next day, so it’s ready to connect without any extra steps. Personally, I love it. I often switch off Bluetooth at night to save battery, and by the time I’m awake and reaching for my earbuds, Bluetooth is on and ready to go.

That said, if you’re someone who prefers to keep Bluetooth off until you need it, or you don’t frequently use Bluetooth devices, this feature might feel annoying. Thankfully, it’s easy to manage. You can find this option by going to “Settings,” then “Connected devices,” followed by “Connection preferences,” then “Bluetooth,” and finally toggling “Automatically turn on tomorrow.”

1 Adaptive Timeout and Screen Attention

Adaptive Timeout and Screen Attention are two great features on the Pixel that make managing your screen smarter and more convenient. Adaptive Timeout automatically turns off your screen when you’re not using it, saving battery life in the process. Meanwhile, Screen Attention ensures your screen stays on as long as you’re looking at it, so you don’t have to keep tapping the screen to keep it awake while reading or watching something.

I remember first seeing a similar feature on the Samsung Galaxy S4, and it felt incredibly advanced at the time. The idea of your phone knowing you were looking at it and keeping the screen awake was such a cool addition back then. Even some Snapdragon laptops have this now, so it’s great to see attention-aware tech being included on the Pixel, too.

If you want to try these features, go to “Settings,” tap on “Display & touch,” and then select “Screen timeout.” You’ll find both “Adaptive timeout” and “Screen attention” there, and you can toggle them on.

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What’s Your Favorite Pixel Feature?

Have you tried any of these features yet? Let me know which ones you’re excited to use or if you have your own hidden Pixel favorites to share!

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