When you think of hidden tricks and little-known features on Android, the Google Play Store probably isn't the first place that comes to mind.
And why would it be? The Play Store seems like a simple utility: a place you go when you have something you want to download or an app update you're especially eager to see.
But like many other areas of Android, the Google Play Store holds many secrets to faster, smarter, and generally more efficient phone maneuvering. Some of them are time-saving shortcuts, while others are hidden pieces of advanced information or control over your Android app arsenal.
All of them, though, are things you'll wonder how you've stayed completely oblivious to all this time, and things that will make your Android experience so much easier in small but significant ways.
Ready to see what you missed?
Google Play Store Secret #1: A quick app installation shortcut
More often than not, most of us head to the Play Store to find a new app - by searching or maybe just coming across something interesting in one of the storefront suggestions - is not -No are?
Well, here's a handy little step saver that few Android-loving animals know about:
From anywhere in the Play Store—the home screen, a category screen, or even a search results list—you can simply press and hold any app's name or icon to install it right away, without having to open its page first. of information and then look around to find the standard "Install" button.
Watch?
JRAnd now that you know, you'll never ignore it again.
Google Play Store Secret #2: The Quick App Bypass
Speaking of app-related shortcuts, the next time you want to go to the Play Store page of an app that's already installed on your phone—to check for an update, perhaps, or check related information—hold down the app button. the application. on your home screen or in your app drawer, then tap on “App info”.
Depending on the type of phone you have, you'll either see an option to open your Play Store page immediately on the screen that appears, or you'll have to tap "Advanced" to reveal the "App Details" option. .
But either way, you'll head there in a metaphorical leap, hopping and flailing, no need to search or dig.
Google Play Store Secret #3: Your Bulk Uninstall Companion
It's always a good idea to clean up from time to time and remove any apps you're not actively using. But uninstalling a bunch of stuff can be time consuming and tedious, at least until you know this next Google Play Store hack.
Open the Play Store on your phone, then tap on your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Manage apps and devices." (Or, an extra bonus tip: long-press the Play Store icon in your app drawer or home screen and select the "My Apps" shortcut that appears there to save you a few steps and go straight to the same destination.) .
Next, tap the "Manage" tab at the top to see a list of all the apps installed on your phone at the moment, then tap the highlighted box next to any app you want to uninstall. Continue until all the apps you want to remove are selected, then look for the unassuming little trash can icon in the top right corner of the screen.
JRYou see it ? Tap that bad boy and tap it nice, and every last app you selected will send a packet at the same time, no need to awkwardly choose one by one.
Good to know, huh?
Google Play Store Secret #4: Information About Added Apps
If you want help figuring out which specific apps might be good to remove, or if you're just curious about your app usage habits, this next Google Play Store secret is for you.
On that same "Manage apps and devices" screen in the Play Store, tap the line near the top of the screen that says "Recently Updated."
And hey, what about that? This unexpected touch destination brings up a hidden menu that lets you sort your apps by size, an important metric, if local storage space is an issue, as well as how often you actually open them.
JRTap on the “Least used” option and you will see your apps sorted by last accessed date. This is a smart starting point for determining which apps might be prime candidates for removal, but keep in mind that some system-level apps and tools that run in the background without being explicitly opened may appear on top of that list. list, even though you're actually still trusting them.
Google Play Store Secret #5: Your Hidden App History
While we're in this area of the Play Store on Android, take a mental note: Hidden in this very section is an incredibly handy way to find a comprehensive list of all the apps you've already installed and aren't yet. present on your current device.
It's a fantastic way to rediscover something you've installed before, whether it was weeks or even years ago, and bring it back to your current device without digging.
So here's the trick: On the same "Manage apps and devices" screen we were looking at, in the same "Manage" tab, tap the box toward the top that says "Installed."
And just like that, you will find a hidden option to change your view and focus on apps from your past that are not currently present.
JRFrom there, you can either tap on any app in the list to open its info screen, then install it, or you can follow our tip above and check the box next to the apps you want to recover. If you go this route, just look for the down arrow icon at the top of the screen once you've made your selections to install whatever you've chosen in one go.
Google Play Store Secret #6: A Simple Sharing Shortcut
Sharing apps can be tricky, whether it's sending things from one device you own to another, or passing a prominent headline from your phone to a coworker, cousin, or whatever.
Well, get this: I recently came across an amazing system for easily sharing apps between two Android devices. It's built right into the Play Store, but it's out of sight and out of mind, and chances are, unless you subscribe to my Android Intelligence newsletter and learned about it with me a few weeks ago, you probably never will. noticed.
So let's fix that, okay? In the Play Store on your Android phone, tap on your profile picture, then select "Manage apps and devices." And this time, look for the small, innocuous "App Sharing" section at the bottom of the next screen that appears.
Hit the "Submit" button inside, and you'll once again be faced with a complete list of all the apps installed on your phone. Touch the box next to the apps you want to share, then touch the triangle-shaped Play Store icon that appears in the upper right corner of the screen.
JRThe Play Store will walk you through exactly what to do on the receiving device to make selected apps shared and available. Once you track and approve the transfer on both sides, the apps will be on the other phone and ready to use in no time.
Google Play Store Secret #7: Embarrassing App Eraser
Before the day is over, there's another little-known Play Store option worth keeping in your head for future reference.
If you find an app in your history that you'd rather not remember, for whatever reason you can think of (and don't worry, I won't ask!), go back to the 'Manage apps and devices' area. From the Play Store on your favorite Android device, tap the "Manage" tab, then tap the box near the top of the screen that says "Installed."
Tap the box next to the apps you want to delete, then tap the trash can icon with an "x" inside it once you've made your selections.
JRThis will permanently remove all selected apps from your Play Store history and prevent them from being associated with your account in any way. It's almost as if their past interactions never happened.
Ahh, if only the rest of life could be that simple.
Don't stop at the Play Store. Get advanced knowledge of shortcuts on all Androids with my Android Shortcuts Supercourse. You'll learn tons of tricks to save time with your phone!
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