Most Android users only scratch the surface of what their phone can do without opening an app. A few well-chosen shortcuts replace the most common settings dives with a single tap or gesture. Once you build the habit, going back to the long way feels silly. Here are six shortcuts that pay off daily.
At a glance
- Add the Hotspot Quick Tile for one-tap mobile hotspot access.
- Customize lockscreen shortcuts, with the flashlight as the standout pick.
- Double-press the power button to launch the camera or Google Wallet instantly.
- Two-finger swipe down opens Quick Settings on Pixel; on Samsung, drag from the top-right.
- Use Quick Tap (back tap) for one-handed screenshots.
How we got here
Android has accumulated small productivity tricks faster than most users can track them. Quick Tiles became the home of toggle controls. Lock screen customizations expanded as Google and Samsung refined their skins. Gestures like double-press power and back tap were either built in or added in major Android versions. The result is a layer of shortcuts that sits on top of the OS, but only matters to people who actually go looking for them.
Our analysis
The biggest wins are shortcuts that eliminate multi-step paths. The Hotspot Quick Tile beats digging into Settings. The lockscreen flashlight is faster than the traditional gesture-based approach on most phones. Double-press power for camera builds into genuine muscle memory over months of use.
The back tap gesture is the most underrated tool here. It converts the rear of the phone into a programmable button for screenshots, assistant, or any chosen action. On Pixels and stock-ish Android builds, it's a one-time setup. Samsung owners access most of the same functionality through Good Lock's RegiStar module, which adds back tap to devices that ship without it.
The trade-off across all these shortcuts is habit formation. You have to commit to using them consistently for two or three weeks before the new paths replace the old ones. The payoff is real: users who fully adopt these shortcuts report spending noticeably less time navigating settings and more time using their phones for what matters.
Who should care
Power users**: If you're already deep in Quick Settings, these shortcuts compress what you're doing into fewer taps. The two-finger gesture alone saves a swipe on every interaction with your notification shade.
Parents and caregivers**: Lockscreen shortcuts and double-press power let you access flashlight and camera with one hand while holding a child or groceries. The back tap screenshot works with whichever hand is free.
Commuters**: Camera access when your screen is off means you won't miss a shot at a red light. Hotspot quick tile means instant connectivity for your laptop without fumbling through menus.
Example: the daily driver setup
Say you want to set up your phone to feel instant. Enable the Hotspot Quick Tile. Set your left lockscreen shortcut to Flashlight. Switch the power-button double-press to Camera. Enable Quick Tap for screenshots. Now: hotspot is one swipe and one tap; flashlight is one tap from the lockscreen; camera is one double-press from anywhere; screenshots are one double-tap on the back of the phone.
What to watch next
Power-button double-press is now mappable on Pixel and Samsung. The next step is likely additional hardware keys becoming programmable. Watch for gesture customization expanding in future Android releases. Until then, these six shortcuts cover the most common daily pain points.
Key takeaways
- Quick Tiles for hotspot and similar toggles beat digging into Settings every time.
- Lockscreen shortcuts for flashlight, camera, and similar tools turn one-tap actions into reflex.
- Back tap is the most overlooked gesture, ideal for screenshots and other one-handed actions on Pixel and similar Android builds.
- Samsung users can access equivalent functionality through Good Lock's RegiStar module.
- The payoff only arrives after habit formation; commit to two weeks of consistent use.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a Quick Tile for hotspot?
Open the notification shade, expand Quick Settings, tap the edit (pencil) icon, then add Hotspot from the Connectivity section.
How do I customize Android lockscreen shortcuts?
On stock Android, go to Settings > Display & Touch > Lock screen > Shortcuts. Samsung owners use Settings > Wallpaper and style > Lockscreen preview > tap a shortcut.
What's the fastest way to take a screenshot?
Enable Quick Tap under Settings > System > Gestures and assign Take screenshot. Two firm taps on the back of the phone trigger it.
How do I open Quick Settings in one motion?
On Pixel and most stock Android, swipe down from the top with two fingers. On Samsung, swipe down from the upper-right corner.
How do I make the power button open the camera?
Settings > System > Gestures > Double press power button, then choose Camera. On Samsung, it's under Settings > Advanced Features > Side button.