5 eye-opening Google Android app tricks from 2025

We talk about tons of tips for making the most of Android and tapping into all the software’s easily overlooked options, features, and shortcuts.

But when it comes to real-world productivity, Google’s actual operating system is really only half the story.

With Android in particular, lots of core OS-level elements exist as their own standalone apps — technically separate pieces of the puzzle that live in the Play Store and are updated numerous times a year in a way that reaches all of us at the same time. It’s a sharp contrast to the all-in-one strategy on the other side of the mobile-tech divide, and it offers up some pretty interesting (if also largely unappreciated) advantages for those of us here in the land o’ Googley matters.

Over the past year, I’ve shared some splendid suggestions for digging in deeper to those apps and uncovering all sorts of buried treasures — genuinely useful options and adjustments that’ll help you work faster and more efficiently and generally just have a better all-around Android experience.

It’s a lot to take in, and it’s all too easy to miss (or maybe just forget!) something worthwhile along the way. So here, as the end of the year approaches, are some of my favorite collections of Google Android app wisdom from the past 12 months.

Use the quiet holiday weeks ahead of us to process ’em all and grant yourself some new spectacular new superpowers for 2026 — and if you aren’t already receiving my Android Intelligence newsletter, by golly, make it your first order of business to fix that now. I send out three new things to try every Friday, and the best tip I can offer for the coming year is to make sure you don’t miss out.

Now, where were we? Oh — right….

The best Google Android app advice from 2025

33 time-saving tips for the Chrome Android browser

Become a mobile browsing pro with these advanced tips for Google’s Chrome Android browser.

6 shape-shifting new Android browser powers

These helpful new features aren’t yet available to the masses — but they’re there and ready for you, if you know where to find ’em.

14 handy hidden tricks for Google Maps on Android

Take advantage of all Maps has to offer by tapping into these easily overlooked features and options.

14 Google Play Store secrets for smarter Android app management

Save time and perform all sorts of advanced Android app sorcery with these off-the-beaten-path Play Store tricks.

Bonus: 9 fast fixes for common Google Docs problems

Knock down distressing Docs issues in no time — on Android and the desktop front alike — with these easy-to-implement, expert-approved solutions.

2026, here we come!

Your mission for the new year, should you choose to accept it: Get yourself set with my Android Intelligence newsletter and get my Android Notification Power-Pack — six powerful enhancements for any device — as a special instant bonus.