Android owners swear by the Google Play Store and the myriad of cool apps, eBooks and movies, etc. it offers. We know the basic features, including downloading new apps, updating installed applications and searching for new stuff, but there are few Google Play tips and tricks that you can’t miss and that possibly aren’t being used by many Droid community members. The Google Play Store is much more than searching and installing apps, and its finely detailed features might even surprise you. Let’s cover 20 of them, one at a time!
1. Add your favorite apps to the “Wishlist”
If you are an avid movie buff, then you might know the value of maintaining an IMDB Watch list of your favorite cinematic experiences that you would really like to see. Google Play offers a similar solution with its “Wishlist,” which is dedicated to keeping track of Android apps that you might want to use or purchase one day. Furthermore, it’s as easy as adding a movie on IMDB’s watch list. Let’s take a look.
Open the app that you want to add on Google Play.
Tap on the + banner on top. You should see that the app’s been added to the Wishlist.
2. Content filtering
Android applications are rated in terms of maturity on the Google Play store. You can control the content maturity if your kids are using your phone as well. Here’s how to use content filtering.
Go to Play Store Settings.
Select Content Filtering.
Choose the maturity level as per you choice.
3. See apps on your Wishlist
Access apps on your Wishlist, and choose whether to install, purchase or remove them.
Swipe right to left from the Play Store home.
Select My Wishlist and see added apps.
4. Password restrict app purchases
If you have more than one user on a single Android device, then password restriction helps in securing app purchases and the money in your Google wallet.
Open Google Play Store > Settings.
Select Password.
Enter your password then press OK.
5. See app orders
Track your in-app and app expenses on the play store.
Open Play Store.
Click on the Gear button > My orders.
6. Disable update notifications
Stop default Play Store settings to automatically update apps whenever a new version is released.
Open Play Store app > Settings.
De-select Notifications.
7. Redeem a promotional code
If you have a Google gift card, then you can redeem it in few simple steps.
Swipe left to right from Google Play home.
Select Redeem.
Enter your code and redeem.
8. See your entire Android device collection
If you use multiple Android devices from one single account, then you can choose to see your entire collection from one single place.
Open Web Play Store.
Select Gear icon > Settings.
9. Stop apps being added onto your device home screen by default
This feature is for when you don’t want your newly installed Android apps on your device home screen.
Swipe left to right from Google Play home.
Select Settings.
De-select Add icon to Home Screen.
10. Install an app from your desktop
The Google Play Store allows app installation to your Android device from your desktop browser. See the steps below.
Open Google Play Store on your browser.
Select the app you would like to download.
Click on the Install button.
Select the device and click the Install button.
11. Request a refund
Sometimes purchased apps disappoint and that’s when you can seek a refund from the developers. There is a 15-minute window after purchase when you can get an immediate refund, but once that’s passed then you need to submit a refund plea to the developer. Learn more through these steps.
Click on the Gear icon > My orders.
Select app, click on the favicon and you’ll see Report a Problem.
Select ‘I’d like to request a refund,’ elaborate your reason and click on Submit.
12. Hide your Android from menus
Hide your Android device from appearing in the menu list. Here’s how it can be done.
Go to the web Google Play Store.
Select Gear icon > Settings.
De-select Show in menus for the device that you don’t want to appear.
13. Remotely access your Droid with the Android Device Manager
Android Device Manager lets you remotely access your device, including ringing it, locking it and erasing all data in case it is stolen. Learn more about how Android Manager works.
Open the web Google Play Store.
Select Gear icon > Android Device Manager.
14. Select your Droid in Android Device Manager
Android Device Manager lets you keep track of all your Droids registered under the same Google account. You can select and track different devices easily.
Open the web Play Store.
Select Gear icon > Android Device Manager.
From the drop-down, select the device you want to track.
15. Filter out device types
Own a tablet, but that app is for mobile only? That’s no problem on the Play Store. You can filter out your app searches matching smartphones or tablets. See how to do just that.
Open Play Store app > select APPS at the top.
Choose any of the top categories, such as TOP PAID, TOP FREE.
From the drop-down, select Designed for tablets.
16. Update all your apps at once
We love apps, don’t we? Android apps need updates to remove bug fixes, improve performance and add functionalities. But sometimes the phone gets overloaded with apps and you forget to update. The Google Play Store allows you to update all the apps at once. Here’s how.
Swipe left to right from Google Play home.
Select My apps.
Tap Update All.
17. Remove unwanted apps from your account
The Google Play Store keeps track of all your installed and removed apps in your linked account. This is how developers stay connected with you through their mobile applications, but if you’d like to remove unwanted apps from your account, there is a provision just for that.
Swipe left to right from Google Play home.
Select My apps.
Select All from the top banner.
Click X for the app you want to remove from your linked account.
18. Shop apps recommended by editors
Browse and purchase apps recommended by the editors, tailored to your taste.
Swipe left to right from Google Play home.
Select My apps.
Again swipe left to right from My apps.
Select Shop Apps and pick your choice.
19. Find trending apps
You can easily find the trending apps that are being downloaded the most worldwide. The best part is that Google itself provides you with tailored alternatives as per your likes and behavior.
Swipe left to right from Google Play home.
Select My Apps.
Again swipe left to right from My Apps.
Swipe left to right till you hit the Trending tab at the far end.
20. Search for apps straight from the Google Play app
Google Play offers a myriad of apps. Sometimes you don’t know the name of an app, and yet you know that a certain app must exist for a particular purpose. This is when you can use the search option provided in your Google Play app.
Open the Google Play app.
Tap on the Magnifying Glass on the top right banner.
Type the search term and hit enter.
Featured photo credit: Kalexanderson via flickr.com
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