2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
In this article, you will learn about the existence of alternative ways to use the hardware volume keys on smartphones running Android. You will learn not only to switch tracks with their help during playback, but also to launch your favorite programs, scroll through long pages and even secretly record videos.
First of all, it is necessary to say a few words about why add additional functions to the hardware keys of the smartphone at all. The fact is that this is perhaps the only way to perform any action you need without looking at your gadget, that is, by touch or even in your pocket. In addition, there are several actions, for example, controlling the cursor on the screen, which are more convenient to perform in this way. Below you will find a list of such operations. Please note that some of them will require you to have superuser rights.
Launching the applications you want
QuickClick is a multifunctional utility designed to quickly launch applications using the volume keys. In this case, you can bind different programs to different sequences of presses. For example, two taps on the volume rocker will launch the camera, and three taps will launch the flashlight. An important advantage of QuickClick is that it is one of the few programs that does not require root to function.
Waking up your smartphone
This utility will become a real lifeline for those users who have a broken power button or it is located on the case so inconvenient that it is difficult for you to use it. The Power Button to Volume Button program is extremely simple and performs only one function: it allows you to wake up the device by pressing the volume rocker. But it is free and does not contain ads.
Scrolling long pages
Some book readers use the volume buttons to scroll through pages by default. If you have already got used to this wonderful feature and want to use it in other programs, for example, in a browser, then for this you need to install a special Xposed module called XUpDown. What is Xposed and how to make friends with it, you can read in this article.
Switching tracks
This is one of the most requested functions of the hardware buttons, which will allow you to switch your music player to play the next or previous song. This feature has been implemented in several programs, but we recommend that you opt for Xposed Additions. In addition to managing music, this Xposed module has several additional features that you might find useful. You can read more about Xposed Additions here.
Cursor position control
This option is useful for those users who work on documents. With its help, you can specify the position of the cursor much more accurately when entering text than poking your fingers across the screen. To activate this feature, we need another Xposed multifunctional module called XBlast Tools. In its depths you will find a huge number of options, but in the context of this article, we are only interested in the section "Tweaks of the volume keys". Here you can link the cursor movement to pressing the volume rocker and set its direction.
Secret video recording
Sometimes you may be a witness to a situation that needs to be filmed, but in such a way that no one notices it. For example, you have witnessed an offense and do not want to draw attention to yourself by explicitly filming, or you are interviewing a person who is embarrassed in front of the camera lens. In this case, install the Secret Video Recorder program, which can take pictures by obeying your pressing of the volume buttons. At the same time, the screen of the device will be turned off, and nothing will give out the fact that the recording is in progress at the moment.
Secret unlock smartphone
If you want to protect the contents of your device from unauthorized access, you should set an unlock password. However, this password can be spied on by strangers when you use the gadget in their presence. An interesting and unexpected solution to this problem comes from the Xposed Sequence Unlock module. With it, you can set a special sequence of pressing the volume buttons, which will unlock the device. For example, three clicks on the volume up button, followed by one on the volume down button. It is very difficult to spy on and fix the movements of your finger, and the utility turns off the standard unlocking method via the power button.
How do you use the hardware buttons of your smartphone, other than their direct purpose? Maybe you know some interesting options that were not included in this review?
Recommended:
What to do if you lost your car or apartment keys
You can get out of an unpleasant situation with minimal losses. The main thing is not to panic, not to tell anyone that you have lost the keys, and to strictly follow the instructions of the Lifehacker
Hot keys for the VKontakte audio player
Pause playback and switch tracks using the keyboard. Or install the VK Music Player extension and control music even with a minimized browser window
Mailbox for Mac: the famous mail client now on computers (+ a few keys)
Mailbox has unveiled a Mac version of its email client. It's still beta, but very, very interesting
How to turn off Sticky Keys in Windows
To turn off Sticky Keys, you can use the Options menu, Control Panel, or the keyboard shortcut
Volume Scheduler changes the ringer volume depending on the time of day
A loud bell sets us up at a meeting or wakes up everyone at home. But you can avoid such situations with the Volume Scheduler app