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Search what is on screen with Circle to Search
Circle to Search lets you look up text or imagery without switching away from the app you are using. You might use it to identify a place in a photo, find an item of clothing, or search a phrase on a web page.
- In a supported app, press and hold the Home button or navigation handle to start Circle to Search.
- Circle, highlight, scribble over, or tap the text or image you want to search.
- Review the results shown in the lower part of the screen. Expand them if needed, then return to the original app when you are done.
Google limits Circle to Search to selected phone models, including Pixel 6 and later; it is not available on every Android phone. If you expect to have it but cannot start it, check your assistant configuration and update the Google app. See Google’s Circle to Search instructions and compatibility details.
Hide apps in Private Space
Private Space creates a separate area for apps that you can lock and hide from several places in Android. It is useful for separating sensitive apps from your everyday app list, but it is not a guarantee that the apps cannot be discovered.
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Set it up
- Open Settings → Security and privacy → Private space.
- Follow the setup prompts. You can choose a separate lock for Private Space rather than using your device lock.
- Install or move the apps you want to keep in that space, then lock it when you are finished.
Private Space requires Android 15 or later. It is not available on some managed devices or in some supervised-account arrangements. When it is locked, its apps stop foreground and background activity, including notifications, so do not put an app there if you need it to keep working or alert you while the space is locked.
Google cautions that Private Space is not invisible: “When you create a private space, it can be uncovered through computer access, which includes Android Debug Bridge (adb) commands and device logs, or by apps.” Deleting the space also deletes its on-device app data; that data is not restored from a device backup. Check Google’s Private Space setup and limitations before using it for important data.
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Enable Android theft-protection controls
Android provides several controls intended to protect a phone and its data if the device is stolen or someone tries to access it. The available options vary by device, so check what your phone offers rather than assuming every control is present.
- Theft Detection Lock can lock the screen if the phone detects a theft-related movement pattern. Google notes that it may not activate in some ordinary-use conditions, and its setting may be unavailable on unsupported devices.
- Offline Device Lock and Failed Authentication Lock offer additional screen-lock protections in particular circumstances.
- Remote Lock lets you request a lock remotely. It requires a screen lock, an active SIM, a verified phone number, Find Hub enabled, and an internet connection. If the phone is offline when you send the request, it takes effect after the device reconnects.
To look for these controls, open Settings → Google → All services → Theft protection. Set up Find Hub as well, and confirm the requirements for the options shown on your phone. A lock feature does not guarantee that you will recover a device or erase its data. Google’s theft-protection guidance explains the controls and prerequisites.
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
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- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Use Gemini for device tasks
Gemini can help with supported Android tasks such as managing alarms and timers, opening apps, controlling media, changing settings, and taking photos or screenshots. You can invoke it by voice or touch, including for help related to the screen you are viewing; availability varies by language, device, account, and location.
Some actions depend on extra access. For certain capabilities, Google must be set as the default digital assistant. Reading or replying to notifications requires notification access, and other functions may need a specific setting or permission enabled.
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- Open Gemini and try a supported request, such as asking it to set a timer or open an app.
- If Gemini cannot complete an action, check whether it asks you to set Google as the default assistant or grant a permission.
- Grant notification access only if you want to use notification-related features and are comfortable giving that access.
Google’s help pages describe device assistance and its permission requirements and Gemini’s Android availability and contextual help.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Consider Advanced Protection for stronger safeguards
Advanced Protection groups security controls for people who prefer stronger safeguards and accept extra restrictions. Depending on the supported device and features available, Google lists protections such as Play Protect, restrictions on installing unknown apps, theft-protection controls, and USB Protection. Some options depend on supported hardware or apps; Memory Tagging Extension, for example, can reduce performance.
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Because the bundle can restrict app installation or affect performance, weigh those trade-offs against your needs before enabling it. Review Google’s Advanced Protection details for supported controls and device-specific availability.
Which feature should you try first?
| Feature | What it is for | Key requirement or trade-off | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle to Search | Search text or imagery from the current screen | Selected phone models only; Google identifies Pixel 6 and later among supported models | Try holding Home or the navigation handle; check assistant configuration and update the Google app if needed |
| Private Space | Keep selected apps in a separate, lockable area | Android 15 or later; locked apps stop activity and notifications; not an invisibility guarantee | Settings → Security and privacy → Private space |
| Theft protection | Lock down a phone in theft or unauthorized-access situations | Options vary; Remote Lock has specific setup and connectivity prerequisites | Settings → Google → All services → Theft protection |
| Gemini device assistance | Ask for supported device and app actions | Some actions need the default-assistant setting or extra permissions | Try a task in Gemini and follow any settings or permission prompt |
| Advanced Protection | Bundle stronger device-security controls | May restrict app installation or affect performance; support varies | Review Google’s Advanced Protection settings and eligibility information |
Private Space and theft protection address different problems: one separates selected apps, while the other focuses on a lost or unauthorized-access scenario. Neither replaces the other. For any feature, the setting shown on your own phone is the most useful first check of availability.
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