How to unlock Google Assistant's most advanced Android shortcuts
Google Assistant's got all sorts of time-saving smarts on Android. That much we all know by now, right?
But get this: Assistant's most useful Android superpower is something that's completely out of sight and up to you to dig up and activate. (And no, I'm not talking about its freshly expanded Android automation station — though that's pretty sweet, too.)
This superpower is an intricate web of advanced Assistant commands connected to the specific apps and services you use the most on your Android device. And yet, if you didn't figure out where to look and then take the time to tick off all the right toggles, those commands would never be available or in any way apparent to you.
Not to worry, though: I've got ya covered. Just follow the quick 'n' simple steps below, and you'll never miss a thing.
Speaking of which, if you're hungry for even more Android shortcut magic, head over to my free Android Shortcut Supercourse next. It'll teach you all sorts of time-saving tricks for your phone — no matter what type of Googley gizmo you're using.
First things first, some good news: Getting into Assistant's Android shortcut mecca couldn't be much easier. And whether you had no idea that area existed or you just hadn't thought to check up on it lately, it's well worth your while to peek in and see what possibilities it presents.
So here we go — a whopping three steps:
And that's it: All that's left is to tap that "Shortcuts" option, say "hocus pocus" for good measure, and then feast your eyes upon Assistant's most awesome Android shortcuts of all.
Holy moly! And what you see there is only the start.
Scroll down a bit, and you'll find an app-by-app list of all the advanced Assistant shortcuts that are sitting in wait and not yet functional on your phone. For instance:
The list just keeps going from there. And it isn't only Google-made apps in the mix, either:
Oh, and here's one more neat touch: In addition to activating any items in Assistant's advanced shortcut area, you can actually customize the voice commands associated with any of those items and make 'em anything you want.
After you've added a shortcut, just tap the "Your shortcuts" tab within that same area and then find the shortcut there. Tap it, tap "Edit," and — well, well. Wouldya look at that?!
Pretty nifty, no?
All you've gotta do is take the time to visit this area of Assistant's Android settings to see what's available — then remember to actually start using all the custom app-specific commands you create.
That last part is admittedly the toughest piece of the puzzle. But hey, if all fails, you can always create an Assistant reminder to help.
Get even more advanced shortcut knowledge with my free Android Shortcut Supercourse. You'll learn tons of new tucked-away time-savers!