My Android phone felt quickly calmer after I disabled these defaults

Science news

Released Sep 22, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT

Kanika started blogging about customer innovation in 2019 and has actually added to tech sites like Beebom and The Mac Observer. Throughout her journey, she covered a wide variety of subjects, consisting of Android, Windows, AI, and whatever Apple. She has actually been a devoted iPhone user considering that 2014, and owns an Apple gadget from practically every lineup. With an eager eye on the current patterns, she makes every effort to assist users get the most out of their devices.
Beyond her love for composing, she is a deep scientist and a long-lasting student, constantly excited to check out the current developments and emerging innovations. With her enthusiasm for innovation and writing, she signed up with MUO in 2025 as a Freelance Tech Writer.
When not composing, she’s most likely attempting a viral Instagram dish or enjoying some thriller suspense on Netflix.

Modern Android smart devices are loaded with default habits to make your life simpler. Often these little benefits rapidly include up and make your phone busier than it ought to be. This was occurring to me, too. I began feeling as if my mobile phone was continuously asking me to take a look at something. That’s why I chose to make a handful of little modifications to my handset. No, I didn’t set up a minimalist launcher or quit on my social networks apps. I either handicapped or lowered numerous defaults on my phone. These modifications didn’t make my phone more effective, however they certainly made it calmer and more deliberate.

Stop including brand-new apps to my home screen instantly

My home screen, my option

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The extremely first thing that I altered was how my phone managed freshly set up apps. I set up a great deal of apps on my smart device for screening functions. In some cases, I would utilize that app just when or go back to it for a particular job. Whenever I set up an app, my phone immediately puts it on my home screen, along with the apps that I utilize every day. With time, this turns my important home screen area into mess. After every couple of days, I utilized to erase undesirable icons by hand.

<p>In the future, I recognized Android likewise provides a setting to arrange my home screen apps in a far better method. This conserves my phone from ending up being a mess. If you likewise do not desire Android to immediately include brand-new apps to your home </p><h3 id="i-noticed-this-change-almost-immediately"> screen, tap and hang on your home screen, then tap <strong>Settings</strong> and switch off the <strong>Include brand-new apps to home screen</strong> or <strong>Include app icons to home screen</strong> toggle.    Minimize system animations

I saw this modification practically instantly

This is most likely among those functions that you do not actually take note of up until you fine-tune them. Android is loaded with animations and shifts throughout the user interface. You see subtle visual impacts when opening apps or changing screens. Obviously, these animations provide you a linked and smoother experience. That stated, it can likewise present small hold-ups to what you do. Personally, I do not wish to see every shift. I choose my phone to be more responsive. That’s why I chose to minimize system animations.

<p>For this, I had to make it possible for Developer alternatives. I went to<strong> Settings-&gt; About Phone</strong> and tapped the <strong>Develop number[19459150&gt;]7 times. After that, I opened<strong> System -&gt; Developer Options </strong>and fine-tuned the <strong>Window, Transition, and Animator Duration scale</strong> choices. You'll discover them under the <strong>Drawing area</strong> </strong></p>    Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning

I turned them off when I didn’t require them

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There are some Android settings that look valuable however can decrease your phone, and this one is among them. Android uses a close-by gadget scanning function that enables your phone to find Bluetooth devices, wise home gadgets, and Wi-Fi alternatives, even when you’ve switched off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi toggles. Sounds practical? That stated, continuous scanning can end up being an issue sometimes.

<p>That's since this function continues to run system background services and look for gadgets that you might never ever link to. As an outcome, your phone can not go into a real deep sleep state. </p><h2 id="notification-noise"> This impacts the efficiency and battery life of your phone. <h3 id="i-took-back-control-of-my-notifications">    </h3></h2><p>I utilize the very same Wi-Fi and earphones every day. I do not require my phone to look for neighboring gadgets or networks. In my case, the close-by scanning function included unneeded background activity. I turned it off. If you're somebody who routinely sets brand-new devices, it's much better to leave this function on.</p>    Notice sound

I reclaimed control of my notices[

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I discover alerts helpful. I do not wish to miss out on a crucial message or calendar suggestion. That’s why I didn’t wish to switch off alerts totally. That stated, I do not truly value the method Android manages my notices. By default, Android deals with all notices as similarly essential. This likewise consists of low-priority signals like marketing messages and pointers to attempt another app function. Instead of disabling my alerts, I chose to be more selective about them.

<p>I switched off notices for apps that routinely send out marketing messages, suggestions, going shopping informs, or other details I do not truly require. Some typical examples are food shipment and shopping apps.</p>    <p>Next up, I likewise didn't desire my phone to show the complete material of my notices right on my lock screen. Undoubtedly, I do not desire anybody else to see what messages and e-mails are beginning my phone. I likewise altered this habits. This assisted me get essential notices while concealing their contents when my phone is locked.</p>    <p>To alter this on your Samsung mobile phone, you can head to <strong>Settings-&gt; Notifications-&gt; Lock Screen Notifications-&gt; Hide content</strong>On Pixel, open <strong>Settings&gt; Notifications&gt; Notifications on lock screen</strong>and toggle off <strong>Program on lock screen</strong> </p>    App recommendations

I rejected the forecast video game

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" data-srcset="https://i0.wp.com/pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/suggestions-on-home-screen.jpg?quality=82&strip=all"> <source media="(max-width: 1023px)" data-srcset="https://i0.wp.com/pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/suggestions-on-home-screen.jpg?quality=82&strip=all"> <img width="1650" height="1100" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="science news Suggestions on Home screen toggle on Pixel" src="https://i0.wp.com/pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/suggestions-on-home-screen.jpg?quality=82&strip=all" previous-src="https://i0.wp.com/pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/suggestions-on-home-screen.jpg?quality=82&strip=all">
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By default, Android can provide app recommendations based upon how I am utilizing my phone. It might reveal me apps that I regularly utilize or suggest one based on what I’m doing at a specific time/location. This is great to have for folks who desire their phones to forecast their practices. It’s not for somebody like me who desires a calmer user interface. I chose to turn this function off.

The specific actions to disable this function depends upon which phone you own. Samsung users can open the Current screentap on the 3 dotsthen select Settingsand switch off the Program suggested apps alternative. On Pixel phones, you can long-press the home screen pick Home settings-> Suggestionsand after that switch off the Tips on Home screentoggle.

I choose my Android phone in this manner

Honestly speaking, none of these modifications changed my smart device. I didn’t get a significantly much better battery life or faster efficiency. That stated, it absolutely made my phone feel calmer. Now, my phone does not immediately fill my valuable home screen area with apps and I do not require to handle the default notice sound.

<p>You do not need to accept every default setting that Android uses. You simply need to invest a couple of minutes making some basic tweaks and your phone will feel more deliberate.</p>    























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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

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        <p>8.5<em>/ 10</em>
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                                        Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5


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                                        6.9-inch Dynamic Super AMOLED 2X


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                        <p>The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra isn't a huge leap in specifications compared to the previous generation Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, however it boasts enhancements in every element. The significant differentiators are 2 functions that will interest power users and content developers, called Privacy Display and Horizon Lock.<br>




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                                        12 or 16 GB


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                                        256GB, 512GB, or 1TB


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