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Yubal Fernández @Jubal_FM

We are giving you a complete guide with 44 tricks, tips and features to squeeze the EMUI 11 customization layer. In this article, we have shown both the features and tricks from previous EMUI versions to the new ones that were released this week with the arrival of EMUI 11. It goes here is that if you buy a new Huawei mobile with this version of the customization layer, or if the previous one is updated, you know all there is to do.

We've done this article with the Huawei P40 Pro and you should know that some features may differ depending on the mobile phone you are using as in families like the Lite series some may be absent. As always, the idea is to help more inexperienced users, although we hope to find something for more experienced users.

And as we always say in Xataka Basics, we highly value the experience of our Xatakeros, so if after receiving this version of EMUI you discover new (or not so new) tricks that you think should be on our list, feel free to leave them in the comments section to other readers could benefit from your knowledge as well. .

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1. Install WhatsApp

One of the first questions a regular user will ask themselves when they first launch EMUI and see that they don't have a Google app store is how they can have WhatsApp. Luckily one of the benefits of Android is that it's an operating system which is open enough to be able to download the APK and install it without relying on app stores.

2. Install other applications externally

Huawei offers many facilities for installing applications that are not in its application store. In fact, your own browser offers a shortcut to search for applications, which is another secondary repository. The repository is those sites or portals from which you can download the apk files of the application to install them.

Also, as we talked about previous versions, you can still download various apps from their official websites, as with WhatsApp, or use other known and very reliable third-party repositories like APK Mirror or InstaApps. All of this, of course, outside of the store from applications that are configured by Huawei, and which has more and more applications.

3. Easily transfer applications between computers

EMUI is one of those Android customization layers that takes a close look at iOS to implement some of its details One of the best is being able to move apps more easily between computers and without having to drag them to the edge of the screen, which will help you save a lot of time and frustration. related to waiting for Android to understand what you move to another desk.

All you need to do is hold one finger on the app and move the screen over with the other. When you do, the app stays where you are holding it while the other finger moves to the other desktop.

4. Activate the application drawer

But one of the problems with EMUI looking at iOS is that it also inherits flaws like no app drawer by default and that apps have to be stacked on active desktops. Luckily it's still Android and you can manually activate the app drawer to be able to leave your desktop as clean as you want.

5. Use the side launcher

EMUI also allows you to put a sidebar where you can put some applications and which serves as a hidden launcher that is displayed whenever you want. To open it, just swipe from one side of the screen to the center, left or right and the launcher will appear with the applications inserted and the option to add more.

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6. Switch between gestures and button navigation

In addition to the app drawer, EMUI will also let you choose between using the classic control buttons at the bottom of the screen or using gesture navigation so you don't waste any space. You also have a third navigation dock option * such as a joystick that you move your finger with to control screen movements. the option to choose the type of navigation is a bit hidden but as soon as you locate it it will help you a lot.

7. Activate always-on display mode

The screen-on mode that many Android phones have, also called Always On, means that when the phone is turned off, the visible clock remains on the screen, so you don't have to turn it on every time you want to see the time. It also shows notifications so that you can save battery with unnecessary starts.

8. Edit the appearance of your always on screen

Under the Always Show on Screen option that we accessed in the previous section, you can click Screen Style to enter a catalog of aspects that will give it the desired shape, allowing you to fully customize the design to your liking.

Here the EMUI 11 has some new designs like Artistic. Some of them let you change the color scheme. When you see this option, you will see that there is a camera icon on the left side of the color combination that is used to take a photo or use the one you have, and extracting the main colors from it to use them. You can also choose whether to show the date and notifications as well.

9. Select how many application columns you want to have

In almost all Android customization layers, you can choose the number of grids your desktop screen is divided into. By default, Huawei's 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 the possible space.

10. Rearrange the quick access icons

The quick access menu is the one you swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen and there is a panel full of direct access above the notifications.You will be able to customize these shortcuts to your liking to bypass tools you don't use and place others that may be more useful for you.

To organize the shortcuts, you need to click the pencil icon that appears in the upper right corner of this menu. You will go to the Reorganize Icons screen, where you can move them with your finger to change their position, drag down the ones you don't want to use, or move them to some of the icons which you are using, others that are down without activating by default.

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11. Customize the appearance of EMUI with your themes

EMUI has a button directly attached to the options to access the theme directory. With it you will be able to completely change the look of your device, having the ability to download wallpapers, forever designs, icons or lock screen design. the most personalized.

12. Activate the dark mode

But besides themes, you can also activate the EMUI dark mode to make the phone interface darker so that the eyes are not so tired. In fact, it is a design so attractive that some of us have it for pleasure, that is, it will be up to you to you activate or stay in explicit mode.

13. Vibrate notifications to the beat of the sound

Mobile notifications or calls have two components: a sound that allows you to hear them and a vibration that allows you to feel them if you can't hear them. Until now, there were several pre-set vibrations and a wide range of tones, and now you can adjust the vibration to your tone melody. what EMUI does by analyzing the melodies.

14. Change the way notifications are displayed

Notifications are also an item you may want to set up and EMUI has a couple of options to do this. All you need to do is go to the Notifications section in the settings where you will have a list of apps. By clicking on each app you will be able to customize the type of notification. you want each of them to be displayed.

You'll also be able to decide how you want apps to show their icon if there are notifications, and even disable these indicators. To do this, you'll need to enter Symbols in app icons where you can choose the classic blue dot on the app icon or a number inside the dot indicating, how many notifications this app has. You can also decide which apps do not show these symbols.

15. There is a context menu for the application

There are times when you want to do something quickly, such as composing an email right away, and it can be a bit of a hassle to go to the email application and click on the option to write a new one. Therefore, when you press and hold an application icon on the desktop, quick actions that are displayed as right-click menus in Windows.

What is displayed in this menu is up to the developers of each app, meaning some may have more shortcuts and others may have no or very few shortcuts. Here it is no longer up to EMUI but the people who they made every application.

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16. Lock applications with a password

EMUI will let you lock selected apps, so you have to enter a password to enter it. This is an additional security method that protects those apps that may contain more sensitive information or that you don't want others to have access to. You can choose between the same password screen lock or a different PIN code.

17. Automatically align applications

The peculiarity of EMUI is that it includes an option that allows you to automatically align applications on the desktop. In this way, empty spaces that may remain when deleting or moving applications will be filled and better use of space will be achieved. This is an option that you can activate to was used automatically.

18. Use the settings finder

Almost all Android phones and customization layers now have it, and EMUI is no exception. The settings section has its own search engine at the top, so if you're looking for a specific option and don't feel like navigating through the menu, you can search for it to go directly.

19. Limit the amount of cell phone use

If you feel that you are spending too much time in front of your phone's screen or using applications too often, Huawei has Digital Balance, which is like the digital well-being of other Android phones, with which you can configure the maximum amount of time to use the application or the entire mobile phone, and also create schedules where you can no longer use it.

20. Restrict the information each application can access

This is another novelty that we will find in EMUI 11. When you enter an application that asks for access to your location, for example, you can grant it access only when the application is in use, thus preventing access to the application when you are not using it. and it will remain in the background.

Apart from that, you should know that there will be icons on the top bar of the screen that show the type of permissions used by the app. If you are using camera, location or microphone, you will have a visual way to know.

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21. Control the phone with one hand

If your Huawei phone is too big, EMUI still maintains the gesture that uses the active screen to shrink.It's as if it has changed its size, going from hiding the entire screen to staying in the bottom corner, leaving excess space with free margins where not there may be nothing.

The idea is that you can reach everywhere with your thumb if you can only use the cell phone with one hand. To activate this you have to slide your finger from one of the bottom corners of the mobile screen towards the center. If you later regret it, you can click on any margin area that you want. it will remain free so that the operating system screen takes up the entire physical screen of the mobile again.

22. Screenshots of all content

Sometimes screenshots aren't enough because they only show what's on the screen, and perhaps in the web or app you're in, you also want to show what's hidden above or below, and that only shows up as you scroll. take this into account, you have the Capture with Scroll option which will capture all the content of the web or WhatsApp conversation as the capture will start at the screen position where you are and will record whatever comes up when you scroll down to the bottom of everything.

23. Screenshot of knocking with dice

An interesting option that was present in EMUI devices in some versions of the customization layer is the ability to double-tap the screen with your knuckles to take a screenshot. This is something one of you told us when we were creating the EMUI 10 guide, and it has to be said that This is something very ingenious Knock Knock Who? Who? Your screenshot.

Also, if you draw a geometric shape with a knuckle on a part of the screen, the area drawn will be captured on the screen. To some it may seem like an awkward gesture, but it is certainly original.

24. Use a shortcut to record your screen

EMUI has its own built-in screen recorder, so you don't need to install it with a third-party app. In addition, you also have a shortcut to activate with your mobile's physical buttons. To do this, press the volume up and power buttons simultaneously and the screen recording will start automatically. Then click the indicator that appears in the upper left corner to stop it.

25. Hide the cutout or hole on the screen

The front camera of mobile phones has evolved to remain as a hole in the cell phone screen. If it bothers you, you can create a digital frame on the top to hide it. Come on, you will fill it with black like a bezel so that the hole is not visible, although you will lose its useful size screen.

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26. Show network speed in status bar

If you always want to know how fast your data is being downloaded on the network you are connected to, you can show this. This will complement the coverage indicator and help you determine when a signal is coming but the signal is too slow. You will see it in the top bar, even if you are using the application.

27. Customize the TODAY screen to your liking

When you move to the left from the main dashboard you will access a screen called TODAY, in which you will see the current news and icons for quick actions, all of this can be customized.For example, to the right of the first quick action icons you can click More services to configure it, what is displayed.

And in the Publications feed, when you browse it, you'll have a shortcut to deactivate them or change the news feed you're using. If you deactivate it, all that will remain are quick actions and shortcuts, and the All Tips widget so you know which apps you've used the most. TODAY can be turned off in the settings, under the home screen and wallpaper by entering home screen settings.

28. Activate the shortcut to alert about emergency situations

Emergency calls are something that needs to be done quickly, and if you are in danger or someone next to you is doing it, you shouldn't turn your cell phone on and look for options. Therefore, EMUI includes an emergency notification shortcut by pressing the power button five times. So you can activate it.

29. Take quick photos without turning on your phone

And the camera is another of those elements that sometimes need to be activated quickly in order not to miss a unique moment. With that in mind, Huawei's proposal is to allow you to take pictures without turning on your mobile by simply pressing the volume down button twice. also use this shortcut to just open the camera app.

30. Keep the app in the foreground

EMUI also allows you to leave the app as a floating window in the foreground, so you can use it without launching the app below it. To do this, you'll need to swipe from the bottom of the screen inwards until you see all open apps in the background.

Here, above the application and to the right of its name, you will see a window icon and you need to click on it to put the application in the foreground window. There will be less powerful mobile phones that in EMUI will replace this option with a split screen.

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31. Minimize the floating windows

And of course, the floating windows from the previous point can be annoying. But one of the new things in EMUI 11 is that you will now be able to minimize floating windows when performing recurring tasks in addition to the main one.

All you have to do is click the minimize button with the low line icon on the floating window and the app will stay open with a tab on the side of the screen. For example, if you are sending someone messages, this will allow you to read and reply without what you do with the main app , is happening in the background, so you don't risk losing what you are doing.

32. Use split screen

Besides the foreground screen as a floating window, you will also be able to activate the split screen using the side launch function with shortcuts to other apps. The procedure is quick. First, open one of the two apps you want in split screen, then open the right sidebar with other applications.

In this bar you need to have another app you want to use and just click on it and drag it onto the one in foreground. The screen will split and you will have one above and one below. You can drag other apps from sidebar to replace them.

33. 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.

34. Change the screen resolution and frequency

This option will depend on the Huawei cell phone you have. In all of them you will be able to change the screen resolution, but on high-end you will also be able to choose the refresh rate of 60 and 90 Hz. The latter item will help you get more animations at the same time and everything looks more liquid.

35. Put a signature on the lock screen

If you want to know whose cell phone it is without having to unlock it, which can be handy if lost or forgotten, EMUI has an option called Lock Screen Signature, with which you will be able to put your name, signature or any other message to was visible on the device's lock screen.

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36. Make sure some applications start with mobile phone

EMUI will also allow you to set some apps to start automatically when you turn on your device. This may affect the time it takes to start the operating system, but it will save you from opening these apps separately afterwards because you already know you are going to open this or so.

37. Use Intelligent Battery Capacity

Also speaking of the battery, there is an option that helps extend the battery life albeit at the cost of sacrificing capacity. What it does when it is activated is preventing the battery from charging to 100% by stopping the charge a little before it reaches its maximum charge level.

38. Duplicate the app to use it in two accounts

EMUI also has an option called App Twin and is used to duplicate an app that can be used independently, it will be the same app but different at the same time, allowing you to use different user accounts in each one.

39. Back up your entire phone

Like almost all manufacturers, Huawei has an alternative to Google Drive as its own cloud storage system. Among the options offered by this alternative is to backup the entire device. This backup will contain both data for installed applications and multimedia content you have, such as like photos or videos.

To do this, just go to the mobile settings and enter the Account Center in them by clicking on your name at the top of the screen. Now go to the Cloud option, where you will have all the options. And if you do not finish the explanation, we have written step by step how to backups on Huawei phones that don't have Google Play.

40. Send content and applications from an old cell phone to a new one

Moving a backup from one Android cell phone to another is usually easy with Google account integration. But Huawei doesn't have one anymore so it has its own app called Phone Clone. With it you can transfer all your data from any Android cell phone to another owned by Huawei, including news, photos, and even apps, although there are many not available to Huawei that won't show up, such as those from Google.

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41. Use private space and a safe

MIUI still has two features for some versions with which you can try to improve the privacy of some mobile content. The first is Safe, which allows you to encrypt photos and files to protect your privacy, and you'll find it under the Security section of the settings.

The second feature is called Private Space and it creates a password-protected storage space. Here you will be able to protect applications, certain information and any file you have on your mobile phone. The Private Space option is not available on all devices, and if yours is compatible, you will find it in the Privacy section of the settings.

42. A simple mode for those who need less stuff and bigger size

Our elderly or some people with eyesight problems may need larger icons and texts, even if it means less screen space.For this purpose, EMUI has a simple mode that simplifies the screen design as much as possible and only allows the use of a few large icons on each desktop .

43. Avoid any spiritual touches on the screen

There are times when we carry the phone in our pocket and accidentally, in some way that we don't quite understand, the app seems to have opened by itself or a phone call has been made or has started to type. This is what we call phantom touches and Huawei has the solution that avoids those involuntary touches when it detects your cell phone in your pocket. And if you carry your phone tucked in your bag or pocket, it's obvious you won't be using it.

44. 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.

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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