10 Life Hacks Every Google Pixel Owner Should Know
Google has equipped its flagship Pixel phones with a long list of useful features for everything from privacy to productivity, and is constantly adding new ones through frequent Pixel Drop updates . Keeping track of everything available can be difficult—and many of the best features are disabled by default. If you own one of Google’s smartphones, here are 10 ways to get the most out of your Pixel.
Use the app pinning feature to prevent anyone from spying on your phone.
Before you hand over your Pixel to anyone—whether it’s a stranger calling you or a friend showing you photos —enable app pinning to prevent unauthorized access to your device. This privacy feature keeps users locked into a pinned app, preventing them from opening your messages, viewing your search history, or finding other personal information. The only way to exit a pinned app is with a PIN, pattern, or password. To pin an app, go to Settings > Security or Security & Location > Advanced > App Pinning and enable “Use app pinning” and “Require PIN before unpinning.” Then, open the app you want to pin, swipe and hold to open the overview, tap the app icon, and tap “Pin.”
Use Private Space to hide sensitive data.
Another way to protect your personal information from prying eyes is to store it in Private Space —a hidden section of your Pixel that requires separate authentication to open. Private Space stores sensitive apps (similar to having a separate module on your phone) and hides them from quick search, the launcher, and the recent apps list. Private Space also disables background and foreground screens, including notifications.
To set up a Private Space, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Private Space and either confirm with your device’s screen lock PIN or set a new PIN if you don’t have one. Tap Set Up > Got It and follow the instructions to set up a new lock for the space. You can add apps while Private Space is open (tap Install ), or press and hold an app and then tap Install App in Private Space .
Use the Circle button to search and view the translation in real time as you scroll.
Powered by AI, Circle to Search in Android lets you search within apps simply by circling, highlighting, or tapping an image, text, or video. It can also continuously translate text on websites and in social media posts as you scroll or between posts, without any additional intervention or the need to restart the feature. To activate translation, press and hold the Home button or navigation bar to launch Circle to Search, then tap the Translate icon > Scroll and Translate .
Please use the “Hold” feature to call support.
Don’t waste hours waiting for customer service when your Pixel can do it for you. With Call Waiting, Call Assistance will sync with background music, detect when an operator is on the line, and notify you when it’s time to answer.
To enable “Hold for Me,” open the Phone app and go to “More” > “Settings” > “Hold for Me.” You’ll also need to enable this feature for each call—when you’re placed on hold, tap “Hold for Me” > “Start .” When the message “Someone is waiting to talk to you” appears, tap “Return to Call.” Please note that “Hold for Me” is available to users in Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US.
Use the Receive Message feature to view transcripts of missed calls in real time.
Your Pixel can also help manage missed and declined calls with the “Accept Message” feature—a voicemail alternative that displays a live call transcript on the home screen. This allows you to review the call and decide whether to answer before the message ends—you can join an ongoing call at any time. The feature also creates call notes and AI-generated next steps (such as reminders or one-tap callbacks). According to Android Authority , custom “Accept Message” greetings for individual callers may also be in development.
To enable this feature, open the Phone app, go to More > Settings > Receive Message , and turn on the setting. Receive Message is supported on Pixel 6 and later models in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and the US.
Use Quick Tap to turn the back of your Pixel into a button.
Your Pixel can be customized with a variety of gestures for checking notifications, searching and opening apps, or activating Google Assistant. Quick Tap is one such feature, turning the back of your phone into a “button” that can be configured to perform various actions with a double tap. Commonly used gestures include taking a screenshot and turning on the flashlight, but users also use Quick Tap to launch apps like Google Lens, Wallet, or Snapchat.
Connect your Pixel to an external monitor in desktop mode.
Google recently introduced a feature for all Pixel 8 and newer users that allows you to connect your device to an external monitor, essentially turning it into a desktop PC. Simply connect your phone via USB-C, and you’ll get apps in floating windows, as well as the on-screen Dock. You’ll likely want to add a few PC peripherals (like a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse) to your arsenal if you don’t already have them, to get the most out of your desktop experience.
Use your Pixel as a webcam.
When connected to a computer (or TV, tablet, or laptop that supports USB Video Class) , your Pixel can also be used as a webcam . All you need is a USB data cable. Tap the ” Charge this device via USB ” notification and select “Webcam” from the “Use USB for” menu. You can still use your phone as usual in webcam mode, although the streaming will be paused if you have a video call or open an app that uses the camera. Note that the Pixel cannot be used as a webcam for other Pixel phones.
Enable advanced voice input features for seamless voice-to-text conversion.
Standard voice-to-text features are great for speaking rather than typing, but Pixel’s built-in AI takes voice input to the next level , quickly and accurately recognizing speech (including grammar and punctuation). Gboard on Pixel is context-aware, meaning it can understand voice commands and corrections, insert punctuation based on natural speech patterns, and even insert emoji. To do this, enable enhanced voice typing (available on Pixel 6 and above) in any app that supports text input. Tap where you’re typing, then select Settings > Voice Typing at the top of the keyboard. Then, turn on enhanced voice typing features .
Optimize battery life with adaptive settings.
To ensure your phone’s battery lasts as long as possible, you need to make some adjustments. Pixel has several adaptive settings that use artificial intelligence to understand your usage patterns and minimize power consumption accordingly. Adaptive battery (under Settings > Battery > Battery Saver ) reduces power consumption for background apps you use less frequently, while adaptive brightness ( under Settings > Display > Adaptive Brightness ) automatically adjusts screen brightness based on context. Finally, adaptive connectivity will switch between power-hungry 5G and 4G LTE networks depending on whether you’re streaming video or using speeds sufficient for basic functions.