Top 10 hidden Android tips and tricks

Here are my top 10 hidden cool Android tricks.

These features are built to save you money, power-up your GPS tracking, and even help you get a lost phone back if you need it.

1. Add hard-to-type words to your dictionary

Hard-to-type words can be the bane of any on-screen keyboard user's existence. Especially if they aren't in your phone's dictionary. The process of adding it into your phone can be difficult, with many menus to navigate.

Android actually makes it easier than you think. Simply type a hard-to-type word into your text box, and hold your finger over the word.

It will be highlighted and underlined, but if you continue holding your finger over the word the underline will eventually go away. You can also manually enter a word into your dictionary by tapping the "add to dictionary" button that will appear in the text box.

This actually means that the word has been added to your dictionary. No muss, no fuss.

2. Save battery by turning off power-draining apps

If your battery is dying too quickly, it might be because of background apps that you forget are running. Beefing up your battery life can be easier than you think.

Navigate to Settings>>Apps>>then swipe to the "running" tab. You'll see the apps that are using the most processing and battery power. If you don't use a high-power app very often, simply tap the app and then tap the "quit" button. Getting rid of energy-sucking apps should give you a small boost to your battery life.

3. Set quick responses for missed calls

Have you ever gotten a call from someone just before you head into a movie? It'd be rude to get your phone out to respond, but you don't want them to feel like you're giving them the cold shoulder.

You can text your responses for free with this cool app.

Writing a quick response can solve that very problem. Navigate to Settings>>Call Settings>>Quick Response.

4. Get your lost phone back

Most phones are password-protected which, ironically, cuts your chances of getting a lost phone back. If someone finds your phone, they'll have no way to actually contact you.

Luckily, you can throw some basic contact information up on your home screen. Start by navigating to Settings>>Security & Screen Lock>>Owner Info, then simply type the information you'd want someone who found your phone to know.

Find your lost phone with this handy app.

The information will always be displayed on your phone's lock screen.

An email address, home phone number, or family member's cellphone should be enough to help you get in contact with someone who finds your phone.

5. Get warnings when you're over your data limit

Your phone's data usage can be tough to track. If your 4G network is quick enough, you could potentially be downloading files at the same speed as your home Internet. Luckily, Android comes with a packed-in data usage notification system.

Is your data plan worth it? Let me teach you how to avoid common data plan mistakes that could cost you big.

First, navigate to Settings>>Data Usage. You'll see a graph that displays your data usage, along with a yellow and red bar. The yellow bar designates when your phone will warn you about your data usage. The red is a hard cap on your data to avoid overage fees.

The red line should be your smartphone's monthly data limit. If you don't know your data limit, you should contact your cell carrier as soon as possible.

6. Set up speed dial

If you have any contacts that you call often, you can actually set shortcuts directly to them through your homescreen. Tap and hold an empty space on your homescreen, then tap the "Shortcuts" button. Next, tap "Contacts" and choose the person you'd like to sit on your home screen.

Their contact image should appear on your screen, and it'll only take a single tap to give him or her a call.

7. Take easy screenshots

Taking a screenshot with the iPhone has been pretty similar since the device launched. The variable design of Android makes it a little tougher to know where your instant screenshot buttons are located.

Here's how to do it:

Press the button that lowers your phone's volume and the sleep button at the same time. Hold for a second, and release. Your screen should flash and your screenshot will be placed into the "Screenshots" section of your photo gallery.

8. Search with your voice

Have you ever noticed the microphone next to the Google widget? Tapping the microphone lets you search for anything on your phone using Google's powerful voice analysis software.

Some phones actually support voice search without having to press any buttons at all. If your phone is nearby, you can test it by saying "OK Google," and then a request. Google Now has a surprising level of functionality. Try asking Google Now, "Do I need a jacket today?"

You might be surprised by Google Now's answer.

9. Use your phone as a portable hard drive

Most Android phones accept MicroSD cards. These card readers are increasingly cheap. You can actually use your phone as a portable hard drive by a USB cable from your phone into a computer.

Your computer will read your Android phone as an external drive. All you'll have to do is tap the "Connect USB Storage" button that will appear on your Android's screen. Treat it like any other USB drive you'd plug into your PC.

Load a file you want to bring somewhere from your PC, and you'll be able to access it from either your phone or someone else's computer given that you have the proper cords.

10. Turn off battery-draining services

Scrolling to the left-most side of your home screen will give you "Quick Options." These options vary from ringtone to power-savers like GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, and airplane mode.

If you're not going to be using Wi-Fi or GPS in the near future, this menu makes turning it easy to turn off these power-draining services.