10 Android Notification Features You Can Fiddle With

We have previously covered some of the cool aspects of owning an Android device, for instance, apps you can use for easier app-switching, cool Android homescreens you can DIY, apps you can use to connect to a computer, Xposed modules you can use to bypass flashing, and how to block ads in apps and browsers running on Android.

Today’s topic: cool notification features on Android, more precisely, what you can play around with on the notification bar or Quick Settings Panel.

From managing your notifications in bulk, putting your profile picture to display on the notification bar to interacting with your apps straight from the bar, here are 10 features you can run on your Android notification bar. Think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments.

1. Display 24-Hour Clock In Notification Bar

Some people might be interested in changing their default time format into a 24-hour format rather than sticking to the 12-hour format. If you love shouting out 1700 hours instead of 5 pm, then you might like to know how to switch your clock to display in the 24-hour format.

1. Head to Settings > Date & time.
2. Then tick on Use 24-Hour format.

2. How To Put Up profile Picture In Notification Bar

Did you know that you can put your profile picture in the quick settings panel? It is the same picture from your Google+ page so you will need to add your Google+ account to your Android.

1. Head to Settings > + Add Account.
2. Choose Google.
3. Choose Existing or New.

Make sure your Google account is the one you used for your Google+ page and you already have a display picture uploaded there.

3. Hide WiFi Notifications

When your Wi-Fi is on, but no Wi-Fi networks are available, you will keep receiving notiications on available networks. To remove this:

1. Head to Settings > WiFi.
2. Press your device menu button or look for the options menu (…) then tap on it.
3. Tap on Advanced.
4. Untick Network Notification.

Note: If your Android device does not display such option, you can try this other method (which requires rooted access).

4. Manage Quick Settings Panel

From Jelly Bean you will notice that there are two types of Android notification bar, one with your usual notifications and the other with a settings shortcut also known as the Quick Settings Panel. To manage your Quick Settings Panel:

1. Head to Settings > Toolbars.
2. Tap on Quick Settings Panels > Tiles and Layout.
3. Tap on Add to add more tiles or hold down the current tiles and drag it to the add button to remove it.

5. Change Default Notification Sound

If the default notification sound is not to your liking, you can easily change it in the settings app. Follow the steps below to change default notification sounds.

1. Head to Settings > Sound.
2. Tap on Default notification sound.
3. Choose your preferred default notification sound.

6. Expand And Contract Notification

In Jelly Bean 4.1.2 onwards you can expand and contract (select) app notifications. This way you can see more information regarding the notifications, or you may interact with the notification without having to open the app first.

To expand the notification all you need is just to swipe downwards to expand it and swipe upwards to contract that notification.

7. Dismiss All Notifications

Android notification can be cleared easily via this button (see image) available at the top right side of your Android notification bar. Simply tap on the dimiss all notification button to clear all of your notifications immediately. (Do note that notifications that require you to open them such as email, hangouts, whatsapp, etc will re-appear after a while even after dismissal).

8. How To Look For Dismissed Notifications

If you have Android Kit Kat and you accidentally dismissed notifications, you can look for your dismissed notifications via these steps.

1. Long press home screen and select Widgets.
2. Choose Shortcuts > Notifications.

9. Interact From Within Notifications

If you have Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2, you can interact immediately with your apps from the notification bar. For example, if you’re using Gmail, the moment you receive an email in your notification bar, you will be able to expand it, tap on the reply button, or choose to archive that email. Note that this is limited to only a few apps.

10. Disable Notifications About Updates

Hate receiving notifications about updates? You can ask the app to not send you one. To disable notifications about updates to apps or games follow these steps.

1. Go to Settings > Play Store.
2. Head to Play Store settings by tapping on the navicon.
3. Untick Notifications.

Do take note that this does not disable automatic updates of apps. For instructions on that, check out this post on Android tips and tricks instead.