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Yubal Fernández @Jubal_FM

We bring you a guide with 37 features and gimmicks to squeeze out Huawei's EMUI 10 customization layer so that if you bought a device of this brand you can make the most of its gimmicks and features.It is a customization layer that is far from the purest Android but contains some quite interesting options.

We made this article using Huawei P40 Lite, specifically EMUI version 10.1. However, all we will say will be about the older brothers, the P40 and P40 Pro, as well as other devices that use this tier. As always, the article is mainly aimed at the inexperienced. users who buy Huawei and want to know all its tricks, although we hope to surprise more veterans by discovering some.

And as we always say in Engadget Basics, you have a device with EMUI 10 and you think we missed every important trick or feature, feel free to leave your input in the comments section. from the knowledge of our Xataker community.

1. Install WhatsApp

We Xatakero are usually always advanced users who are quite tech-savvy and this is why we often make the mistake of not realizing that other less knowledgeable users have simpler needs. So much so that the first thing many will be wondering is, once they see they have a cell phone without google play there is a WhatsApp installation.Luckily, the process is not that complicated although it does require an apk file to be downloaded.

2. Install other applications from external sources

Huawei mobile phones that do not have Google Play may use third-party app stores or use a variety of app download methods.For example, in Huawei's own browser, you'll see a shortcut to App Search, another secondary repository from which you can get many other apps. which can be easily downloaded.

Moreover, as our colleague Amparo told us in this article, you can also download some apps from its official website as we did with WhatsApp, or use other third-party APK directories like InstaApps or the popular Mirror APK repositories. Still no it's as convenient as using google play, but there are alternatives that you can use.

3. Easier transfer of applications between computers

Huawei has implemented in its Android customization layer a system for carrying applications for iOS, which will make your life much easier. Just press and hold your finger on the application and move it slightly to enter repositioning mode. Then, without taking your finger off the application, slide another finger on the desktop and you'll see how you can switch to another without moving the app.

This will help you avoid wasting time that could be caused by moving the application around the corner of the screen repeatedly, making sure that your finger is properly positioned in the corner, and that you go to the desktop where you want it. let.

4. Activate the application drawer

The App Drawer is one of the hallmarks of Android, though by default Huawei usually doesn't have it pre-activated in EMUI, but it's nothing you won't be able to solve by entering app drawer activation settings so you don't have to have them all on any of your desktops .

5. Choose how many application columns you want to have

Another customization is choosing the number of apps that fit on the screen. Huawei's default layout is 4x6 which means four columns and six rows for icons. But if you prefer you can change it to 5x5 or classic 5x6 to make the best use of your space.

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6. Use the side launcher

And if you can't get enough of the app drawer, Huawei's EMUI customization layer also offers a side launcher where you can place the apps you want. To open it, just swipe from the right side of the screen towards the center and you'll see the launcher with inserted apps and the option to add next.

7. Use the context menu of each application

Having to enter your email application and then click to write a new one.This is a very common process that may take too many presses, so there are also other common processes that we may want to deal with. To that end, some applications have shortcuts to common actions. , although we already warn you that not all of them.

You'll see these shortcuts in the context menu that appears when you press and hold your finger on an app icon.As we said, this depends on each app, so some will include that menu and others will not.

8. Lock applications by entering a password

With a preset password or another, you will be able to lock the apps you want to be sure only you can access, which can protect your privacy as well as parental controls.

9. Automatically align applications

EMUI also includes an option to automatically align the application on the desktop. This fills in the gaps that show up when the application is removed, so there are no gaps. This is something you will have to activate yourself.

10. Use the settings finder

It's a classic of most Android customization layers. The settings section has its own search engine, so if you are looking for a specific configuration you don't have to get lost in a lot of menus, but you can directly search for its keyword. The search engine is at the top as soon as you enter the settings this will be what it appears at the beginning.

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11. Set a limit on the use of a mobile phone

Digital Wealth is a topic that is increasingly being used by all manufacturers. Huawei calls this feature Digital Balance, and in its configuration it allows you to configure the maximum duration of using the application or the entire phone, in addition to creating schedules where it can no longer be used.

12. Switch between gestures and button navigation

If you dared to navigate with gestures in the initial setup of your device and want to go back to the buttons, or if you configured the buttons and want to try out the gestures, there is a way you can choose the navigation method you want to use. This option is a bit hidden, but once you locate it, you're very fond of will help.

13. Rearrange the quick access icons

This menu is full of shortcuts and that appears when you swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen, you can customize. You can organize which shortcuts you want and don't have and how you want them organized. To do this, just click the pencil icon that appears in the upper right corner of this menu, and you will be taken to a screen where you can move them.

14. Enter One-Handed Control Mode

If you think your phone is too big, especially in those moments where you can't help yourself with your other hand, you should know that there is a gesture that makes the active screen smaller and instead of taking up the entire screen it stays a bit towards the bottom right corner leaving margins free and reducing everything so you can reach better with your thumb.

To activate this one-handed mode, simply slide your finger from one of the corners of the mobile screen towards the center. When you do this, everything will be easier to control with one hand, and just click on the frame that is "free" on the screen, you will be able to enlarge it again.

15. Screenshots of all content

In addition to the classic screenshots that show what you see on the screen, Huawei also allows you to take screenshots of all content. This can be used to capture all the content of a website or WhatsApp conversation as the capture will start at the screen position where you are and register everything that appears if you scroll all the way to the bottom.

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16. There is also a shortcut for screen recording

Not only does Huawei let you record your screen natively and without having to download additional apps in EMUI, you also have a simple keyboard shortcut for that. All you need to do is press the volume up and down buttons simultaneously and the screen recording will start automatically. Then click the indicator. which appears in the top left corner to stop it.

17. Activate the dark mode

Dark mode is now available in virtually all operating systems and major applications, a mode that makes the screen blackout in case you don't want to strain your eyes so much or just like it more aesthetically. Activating it on the P40 is extremely easy as the option is there. in the function menu that appears when you slide two fingers down from the top of the screen.

You can also activate the dark mode in the settings, to do this you only need to go to the Screen and brightness section and there you will be able to activate.

18. Hide the cutout or hole on the screen

Today's mobile phones usually have screen openings for the front camera or classic cutouts or cutouts for integrating sensors. Anyway in the settings there is a way to hide it. It will do this by creating a digital bezel on top. the hole was not visible although you will lose the usable screen size.

19. You can see the network speed in the status bar

If you are a curious person or you are worried that your range is small and you are not uploading data or downloading files at the speed you should, you can activate the indicator of your network speed which will always appear at the top in the status bar. That means you will see this even while using the app.

20. Activate the emergency notification shortcut

If something serious happens or you are in an emergency situation, at least you need to turn on your cell and start looking for someone to call. For this reason, many manufacturers include an emergency shortcut, and Huawei is activated by pressing the power button five times. So you can use it. activate.

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21. Take quick photos without turning on your phone

Whether you want to take a photo in a difficult moment or just out of laziness, you should know that this device also allows you to take photos without turning on your mobile by simply pressing the volume down button twice. And if you prefer, you can also use this shortcut. to just open the camera app.

22. Keep the app in the foreground

Depending on the Huawei model you have, in the open apps menu, you can find the option to split the screen while you are in one of the background apps, or simply overlay one app on top of another, which is the case with the P40 Lite we used for testing. you have to swipe from the bottom of the screen inwards until you can see all open apps in the background.

Here, above the application, to the right of its name, you will see a window or split screen icon and you need to click on it. .

23. Use split screen

But if you only see the foreground option, does that mean you can't use two apps in split screen? Nothing could be further from the truth as there is one more little trick to activate split screen via side launcher with shortcuts feature to other applications.

The procedure is fast.First open one of the two apps you want in split screen, then open the right sidebar with other apps.On this bar you need to have another app you want to use, and you just need to click and drag it onto the one on the split screen. The screen will split and you will have one above and one below. You can drag other apps from the sidebar to replace them.

24. A different cover image each time

EMUI has a mode that makes the image displayed on the lock screen different every time, and you can even put your own photos to see them when you go to unlock your device. It's almost Microsoft, with that launch point or Windows lock screens, and it is perfect for undecided people who can't settle for just one painting.

25. Activate Always On

The P40 Lite we used to test all the tricks and features doesn't include this, but on other EMUI models it adds the option to activate Always On on the same home screen and wallpaper options. This means when your phone screen is off you can see the clock and date. It uses more to activate it, but you avoid having to turn on your cell phone to get to know it.

You can also program this mode by selecting its start and stop times. You can also choose the clock design you want to use for its display. There aren't many options, but there are a few to customize it.

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26. Change the screen resolution and frequency

All Huawei phones will allow you to change the screen resolution or let the phone decide which to use depending on each moment. Some will also let you choose between 60 and 90Hz frequencies. The P40 Lite we used in testing doesn't have the latter, but that doesn't bother us show you how to get to both.

27. Put a signature on the lock screen

By the way, while you're in the home screen and wallpaper options, another option called Lock Screen Signature will appear at the bottom, allowing you to add your name, signature, or any other message that appears directly on your device's lock screen.

And why would that be useful? Well, imagine you've lost your cell phone. Even if it's locked and whoever finds it can't access it, you could leave a message on the lock screen to help that person identify you.

28. Select which applications are launched with the phone

While this is a feature that seems to be taken from the PC world, Huawei allows you to manage which apps will start automatically when you turn on your phone. You can use this to prevent some apps from running and running in the background without your knowledge.

9. Duplicate the application to use it in two accounts

EMUI has a feature called App Twin which you will find in Settings in Apps. Not all apps are compatible, but some basic apps like messaging or social networks are. With this feature you can duplicate app to use it on two different accounts.

For example, you can clone WhatsApp to use it with two different accounts without having to switch between one account and the other by logging out of the app to open the other account. It's very practical and easy to use. You just need to activate the app of your choice and it will appear. get the second version of this app.

30. Back up all cell phones

Huawei has its own cloud system, more like iCloud than this Google Drive, which it can't have as there are no Google services and in the options it offers is the one that allows you to back up your entire device including all photos or installed application data.

In fact, all you need to do is enter the settings, go to the Account Center by clicking on your name at the top of the screen, and there you will enter the Cloud option. There you will have all the options, and if you don't finish explaining, we wrote down step by step how to do backups on Huawei phones that don't have Google Play.

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31. Send content and applications from the old cell phone to the new one

In order not to rely on Android backups through Google services, Huawei has developed an application called Phone Clone that allows you to transfer all data from one mobile phone, that is Huawei, including messages, photos and even applications. be warned that most of the google apps are not sent but it is a very quick process and you can do it at any time even sending data from your iphone.

32. Private space and safe

MIUI has two interesting features that improve the privacy of some of your files. The first is the Safe feature, which allows you to encrypt your photos and files to protect your privacy. You will find it under the Security section of the settings.

The second option is called PrivateSpace and it creates a storage space where a password will be required to access the app, information, and any files or data you have inside. This private space option isn't available on all devices, and if yours is compatible, you will find it in the Privacy section of the settings.

33. Simple mode for those who need less stuff and bigger size

Older people sometimes need larger icons and texts to see well, although if you like minimalism you might also be interested in Simple Mode which simplifies screen design as much as possible and allows you to use only a handful of icons on each desktop that are displayed in large size.

34. Avoid any spiritual touches on the screen

Who has never had a cell phone in his pocket, and by the time he wants to understand it, opened the application and even made a phone call. phantom touches, and Huawei has a system that avoids involuntary touches when it detects that the phone is in your pocket, at which point you obviously won't want to do anything with it.

35. Program the mobile phone to turn on and off automatically

Within the same accessibility features we introduced in the previous step, if you go all the way you can click the preset On / Off option. If you go in, you can activate or deactivate that option, and you can also program your phone to turn on and off only at the time chosen by you.

You will be able to set the time to turn the device on and off, but in addition, you also have replay options where you can set these schedules from Monday to Friday, every day, selected days of the week or never.

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36. Change the way notifications are displayed

And finally, more than a trick or a feature, here we will explain a few options that you will have to configure in order for your mobile phone to show notifications according to your liking. You will be able to do all of this in the settings by simply going into the notifications section. You will have a list of applications. and you can choose which notifications will be displayed.

But there are more advanced options. If you enter Symbols in app icons, you can choose the classic blue dot on the app icon or the number inside the dot indicating how many notifications that app has. You can also turn off these indications in separate apps.

37. What about Google Play?

One of the big drawbacks to the latest Huawei phones is that they don't have an official Android app store preinstalled, and they also don't have access to Google apps. As our colleague Amparo told us, there are alternative app stores to minimize this impact as well as another way to install Google Play.

The problem is that the solutions you can find are always temporary. Today there may be a way to install Google Play, but it will likely be patched in a few days or weeks and stop working. Therefore, we can't say anything here that will take a long time and i am afraid you will have to look for temporary solutions online and engage in a process that is usually very complicated.

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