Seven Things Geeks Do on a Non-Rooted Android Smartphone That You Are Not Doing

Recall, ages when Android enthusiasts were made to make do with relatively inferior devices to do things that Android doesn’t allow by default? Smartphone activities like being able to uninstall pre-installed Android apps, take phone screenshots, etc.

But save the advancements in technology and the quality of Android devices being released by Google and the rest, list of reasons to root a device is getting shorter and shorter—what used to be a requisite reason for rooting is often an included feature at this point. 

So, today we pulled up on Five geeky things you can do on a non-smartphone that you ain’t doing now or never even had the clue that you could.

Restrict Cellular Data

There is always constant search on how to restrict cellular data with different social network apps being run simultaneously all at the same time.

With Android’s built-in tools, you now get to assign access to specific apps from using the cellular data connection in the background. Not kind of firewall that blocks network access for specific apps, just there to let you know which app is consuming your data at a given time.

You also get to restrict “Background Data” as this feature allows you to entirely take advantage of your data usage – any app that is not open in your smartphone background is banned from using your cellular data.

To setup this feature on your smartphone, go into the Settings menu and select Data usage (on Oreo, you’ll find Data Usage in the Networks & Internet menu). 

Connect to VPNs

I usually see Virtual Private Networks – VPN’s as the spice of the internet!

If you want to connect your Android to a VPN—say, home or work VPN, you need not root your Android or consider installing a VPN client like you once did.

With so many VPN available to the public recently and with the majority of them possessing their own standalone apps, you can easily connect one to your smartphone.

If your Android doesn’t, you can go into the Settings menu, tap More under Wireless & Networks, and tap VPN. You’ll be able to add and edit multiple VPN profiles. On Oreo, you’ll find the VPN option in the Network & Internet menu.

Always be sure of network you are connecting to as some public networks are very harmful to your device while others even go as far as stealing your data.

Revoke/Grant App Permissions

This is one area where Android has made very large strides over the recently released editions especially in the recently released Android Pie. 

Rewind back to when you had no control over what apps were allowed to do or what information on your smartphone they had access to. 

Android users now gain more of a granular control to identify with what each app can access to on your Android right from the app installation onset.

Take Screenshots

Its always like a luxury to Android users if you get the access to share your smartphone screen activities with friends and other individuals, well, not luxury anymore.

Recall back then, you could always take screenshots by connecting your Android smartphone or tablet to your computer, or gain the privilege yourself by rooting your Android.

More like an eternity now, and if you’re a kind of iOS to Android migrant, you may not even be aware there was a time when screenshots required a rooted device. Crazy you!

It’s more a tradition nowadays: press volume down and power at the same time on your smartphone to take a screenshot (or the home button and power on Galaxy devices with physical buttons). And poof—a screencap ready to share with the world. Amazing stuff!

Disable Preinstalled Apps

I recently acquired a smartphone which in no time at all got memory-filled alongside the external SD card, no problems, I would just get a new SD but hell yeah! which rubbish are my containing in my phone without just knowing? 

Most times, smartphone manufacturers or carrier would just leave a crap of an app or certain stuff on your phone that didn’t matter. You were stuck with it unless you rooted your handset. Think about the System32 folder on computers!

Now, however, you can easily disable preinstalled applications right from your Android settings or even an external app altogether, though it’s possible some manufacturers may disable this feature on their devices. 

To disable a preinstalled application, 

• Open Android’s Settings screen, 

• Select Apps,

• Flick over to the All category and tap the app you want to disable in the list.

The Disable button may not be available for some essential packages that are part of the Android OS, but you can disable default apps like the Calendar, Gallery, and Clock. You can even disable Android’s built-in keyboard (though that is not advisable).

That is it. Let us know in the comment section if you have tried any of the above on your Android and help us make this list up to even by suggesting yours.