Google Pixel 6 starter guide: Setup, accessories, features and more

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Google Pixel 6 starter guide: Setup, accessories, features and more

(Epitome credit: Google)

And then you've just got a Google Pixel vi or Pixel vi Pro? Congratulations: You're now the proud owner of one of the best phones on the planet.

Merely with a not bad phone comes great responsibleness, namely the need to get the most from your new mobile powerhouse. Subsequently all, there'south no point owning ane if you don't use it to its full potential.

I'thou here to help on that front, with this guide to how to get started with your Google Pixel half-dozen or Pixel 6 Pro. So read on and I'll tell you which settings to alter, which accessories to purchase and which features to try out on your new telephone. And if it'due south app suggestions that you're after, you can endeavor our listing of the 25 best apps to install on a new Android phone.

Part one: Settings to change

You probably already know this, merely the Pixel half dozen runs the latest version of Google's mobile Os, Android 12, right out of the box. That has plenty of changes over Android 11, some of which you might accept some getting used to, just on top of that there are a few Pixel-specific options that could also trip you upwards.

Here are the first five settings I inverse when setting up my own Pixel 6 a few weeks agone, and that I'd recommend you likewise look at.

1. Notification History

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

This is the showtime setting I enabled on my new Pixel 6 — considering it's a fantastic feature, and I'thousand really not sure why information technology'due south turned off past default. Notification history keeps a tape of every notification you've received in the by 24 hours, then if you lot accidentally swipe a bunch away, they're not lost. To turn the feature on — and to use information technology one time it'south active — go to Settings > Notifications > Notification history.

2. Enhanced machine-rotate

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This is definitely one of my favorite new features on the Pixel 6: It uses the front end-facing camera to find when yous're laying down and disables auto-rotate for you. Once you lot're upright, automobile-rotate turns back on. No more than having to plow auto-rotate on and off constantly! Merely go to Settings > Display > Auto-rotate screen then Enable Face up Detection.

3. Change the power push button

(Epitome credit: Google)

This is a controversial 1, but in Android 12 the ability push button no longer switches off your telephone. Yes, really. Instead, it brings up Google Assistant.

Now y'all may prefer this setup, in which case y'all can leave things as they are. Only I very much don't — non to the lowest degree because there are five other means you tin can retrieve the Assistant without using that button. To change things back to how they should exist, become to Settings > Organisation > Gestures > Press and concur ability push > then toggle off the Hold for Assistant option.

four. Quick tap

(Image credit: Google)

Another neat trick exclusive to the Pixel 6 and Pixel half-dozen Pro is a feature called "Quick Tap." This uses the back of your Pixel as a sensor that can be gear up to perform one of several actions, including taking a screenshot, playing or pausing media or opening a specific app of your choice.

Having turned off the Google Assistant via the ability button option, I used quick Quick Tap to launch the assistant. To set up upward the Quick Tap characteristic to your liking, head to Settings > Organisation > Gestures > Quick Tap then make your option.

5. Now Playing

(Paradigm credit: Tom's Guide)

And here's still another nice Pixel-specific feature: At present Playing is basically a born Shazam that listens to what'southward playing and tells you what it is on the lock screen.

Honestly, I find Now Playing's accurateness a bit hit-and-miss — sometimes it merely seems to ignore any is being played — but information technology's still worth leaving the characteristic switched on for the times when it does identify a vocal from the radio or a Telly show that I don't know. Only open Settings > Sound & vibration > Now Playing to turn it on.

Part two: Accessories to buy

The Pixel half-dozen is a fine looking phone, just you may even so want a case for information technology — not to the lowest degree to keep that lovely glass rear condom. We've got full lists of the best Google Pixel 6 cases and best Google Pixel 6 Pro cases elsewhere, just nosotros've included the three best for each below.

Given that Google doesn't supply the Pixel 6 with a power brick, that should also exist on your listing. Wireless charging is another option, equally are some wireless earbuds if you don't already accept some. Either way, here'south our selection of Pixel 6 accessories to complement your new phone.

Pixel 6 cases

Google Pixel vi Pro cases

Google Pixel 6 chargers

Wireless earbuds

Office iii: Features to try

The Pixel half-dozen is packed with great features, many of which are made possible by the phone's Google-made Tensor chip. These are the ones I find myself going back to repeatedly.

Vocalism typing

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As my colleague Philip Michaels wrote last month, the Pixel 6'south vocalisation typing is a killer feature that puts the iPhone 13 to shame. I was intrigued after reading his article, and it was 1 of the first things I tried after setting upward my Pixel vi. And he was right (of course) — it is amazing.

You simply press the mic button on the Gboard keyboard then speak, and the Tensor-powered Assistant Vocalisation Typing listens in so transcribes what you've said. But — and this is the big thing — it does it brilliantly, inserting punctuation when needed and working out by your intonation that a question mark is required rather than a full stop.

Vocalization typing on the Pixel 6 is uncannily authentic and has rapidly go one of my virtually-used features.

Magic Eraser

(Paradigm credit: Google)

The Pixel 6's camera is superb (and I can only animalism later on the even better one on the Pixel 6 Pro), and much of what makes it so great lies in its software features.

Magic Eraser was one of the headline-makers on launch, and with good reason. Only tap the object you lot want to remove from a photo and your telephone will do a (mostly) great job of deleting information technology and then filling in the background. Information technology'south some other feature that Philip Michaels tried out in his Pixel 6 Magic Eraser exam.

Camera quick launch

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

This one isn't quite then flashy, but I do use it all the time: tap the Pixel 6'south power button twice and the camera will spring into activity right abroad. It works whether the phone is in standby or in use — even if you're playing a game or watching a video — and is impressively fast. I've already taken dozens of photos that I might otherwise have missed thanks to its speed.

At that place are many other great features on the Pixel half dozen and Pixel six Pro, especially around security and privacy, and so stay tuned to Tom's Guide for more than on the phone every bit nosotros continue to explore its abilities.

Every bit U.K. Editor in Main on Tom's Guide, Marc is responsible for the site'southward U.G.-focused output likewise as overseeing all gaming, streaming, audio, TV, entertainment, how-to and cameras coverage. He previously edited the tech website Stuff and has tested and written about phones, tablets, wearables, streaming boxes, smart home devices, Bluetooth speakers, games and much more. He also spent years on a music magazine, where his duties mainly involved spoiling other people's fun, and on a car mag. An avid photographer, Marc likes nothing meliorate than taking pictures of very modest things (bugs, his daughters) or very big things (distant galaxies). When he gets fourth dimension, he besides enjoys gaming (panel and mobile), cycling and attempting to spotter equally much sport as whatsoever human can (particularly cricket).

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/google-pixel-6-starter-guide-setup-accessories-features-and-more

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