If you’re the proud owner of an Apple device like an iPhone or iPad, then it’s natural to assume that they only interact with other Apple products, like Macs and other iPhones/iPads. While this might be true in most cases, Android devices actually also run on the same operating system as Apple devices, so there are a lot of things in common between these two major brands of smartphones and tablets! Here are five settings that you didn’t know were available on both types of devices! 5 Settings You Didn’t Know Were the Same on iOS and Android
1) Passwords
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When you’re creating passwords for different sites, use a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. That way, if one site gets hacked, your info will be secure elsewhere. If you use a password manager—something we highly recommend—you won’t have to remember all your passwords by heart. Just remember to keep it safe: Make sure no one else can access it, and don’t forget your master password! (If you do forget it, there are ways to reset it.) In general, avoid using personal information in your password; instead, opt for common words that aren’t associated with you or your life. For example, password1234 is a terrible choice because it uses both personal information (your birthday) and something too obvious to guess. But p8ssw0rd1 is much better since it uses an easy-to-remember word with nothing personal about it.
2) Home Screens
Whether you’re using an Android phone or an iPhone, your home screen works in roughly the same way. The initial page gives you access to your apps, shortcuts to frequent destinations (like email), and a search bar that lets you hunt down apps by name. With most phones, you can also add widgets—small apps that run directly from your home screen—for quick access to info like local weather or even Instagram photos from friends. However, some third-party app makers have created custom versions of their software for both platforms; if you use these apps, they might work differently depending on which device you’re using. For example, if you use Microsoft Outlook for email instead of Apple Mail or Gmail, it might look different depending on whether you’ve got an iPhone or an Android device.
3) Apps in Dock
Don’t you just hate when you’re in a hurry to get something done, so you have to dig through a series of apps? There is a simple way to keep your apps visible at all times: It’s called an iPhone dock. This allows users easy access to their most used apps without having to search for them every time. If you haven’t yet checked out our favorite docks for iPhones (and iPads), make sure you do! Just like with Android phones, there are several options available that can help make life easier. Check out our list below to see some of our favorites.
4) Quick Access to Notifications
The notification bar is accessed in similar ways across both platforms. On Android, swipe down from the top of your screen to see your notifications. On iOS, swipe down from any screen to see them. Both systems allow you to access your settings by tapping a downward-facing arrow icon at top right—this takes you directly to a menu of your most commonly used apps and system settings. Keyboard Shortcuts: Both operating systems offer keyboard shortcuts that make it easier to get around without touching your phone or tablet’s screen. Apple has its own set of shortcuts, while Google offers its own unique ones. For example, holding down Command (⌘) + Tab will take you back through all open apps on an iOS device; on Android devices, use Command (⌘) + Backspace for that same effect.
5) Swiping Gestures
Swiping gestures make using your phone more efficient and intuitive. Instead of navigating through menus or tapping buttons, you can perform tasks in one gesture. When using an iPhone, simply swipe from left to right to go back a screen or from right to left to see all open apps at once. On an Android device, swiping from top to bottom reveals recent notifications, while swiping up will show quick settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more. The same gestures apply when typing messages; instead of clicking send after each message, just swipe down to send it.