Android M: The 10 best tips & tricks

With Android M, Google has released the sixth version of Android. We show you the 10 best tips and tricks for the latest update of the mobile operating system.

Tip 1: System UI tuner in Android M

With the system UI tuner in Android 6.0 Marshmallow you can sort the shortcuts of the notification bar freely. You can also use the feature to display the fill level of the battery in percent. You can activate the System UI tuner as follows:

1. Press and hold the cog in the Quick Settings bar for about five seconds. You will then receive a message that the feature has been added to the settings.
2. Now open the settings and click on the menu item "System UI Tuner".
3. Under "Quick Settings" you can now change the arrangement of the quick accesses.

Tip 2: Deeper integration of the Google translator in Android M

With Android M you can have texts and words translated from any app:

1. First install the Google translator and grant the necessary permissions. You can then have texts translated using the copy-paste menu.
2. To do this, mark a text passage by long-touching it with your finger and select "Translate" in the context menu. The corresponding Google translator result is now displayed.

Tip 3: Thanks to Android M, more control over app permissions

With its new OS update, Google is also introducing more control options for app permissions.

• This meant that an app could only be used beforehand if all the rights requested were granted at the start.
• Now you can manage each authorization individually when starting a newly installed app.
• You can also change the permissions of each installed app in the settings under "Apps".

Tip 4: File Manager on Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Android M comes with a pre-installed file manager:

• In the settings, you will have access to all files on your device under "Explore & USB" under "Explore".

Tip 5: App search via Google Now

With Android M you can now search for apps directly from the homescreen.

• To do this, enter the name of an app in the search bar of the Google Now launcher.
• In addition to the known web results, the service also shows suitable apps for quick access installed on your device.

Tip 6: Adjust Doze battery optimizations

One of the main features of Android M is the doze function, which should noticeably increase the battery life in standby mode. Apps only carry out notification and synchronization tasks at regular intervals. The partially disruptive performance limitation of the apps can, however, be deactivated.

1. To do this, open the settings and then the "Battery" submenu.
2. The three dots in the top right corner take you to "Battery Performance Optimization", in which you can switch off the doze function for each app individually.

$config[ads_text5] not found

Tip 7: Google Now on Tap in Android M

Android M also comes with the Google Now function "Now on Tap".

• The service recognizes the context in which it is called and displays the relevant information.
• You can activate the function at any time by a long press on the home button.

Tip 8: Android M brings improved volume control

The volume settings have also been expanded under Android M.

1. Pressing the volume buttons not only opens the controller for setting the ringtone volume, but also a small arrow.
2. The arrow can be used to show an extended menu in which you can individually adjust the volume of notifications, alarm clock and ringtone using three separate sliders.

$config[ads_text6] not found

Tip 9: New features in the app drawer

The well-known app drawer was also equipped with additional functions as part of the new OS update.

• So you can call up your most used apps faster because they are displayed in the top bar of the app drawer.
• In addition, it is now possible to scroll through your app collection faster using the scroll bar on the right side of the screen.

Tip 10: Open Android 6.0 Marshmallow Easter Egg.

Like every new Android version, Android M comes with a small Easter egg.

1. You call this up by opening the "About the phone" submenu in the settings and then tapping the version number of the operating system several times.
2. Now click on the appearing "M" and then on the marshmallow several times.
3. As in Android 5.0 Lollipop, a game similar to Flappy Birds appears, which has now been refreshed with a marshmallow look.

Further tips in the video: Hidden Features of Android M

On the next page you will learn how to change the theme of your device under Android M.