Every major Android update includes features that get buried under the headline announcements. Here are several that have earned a place in daily use.
Health Connect
Health Connect is a centralised hub for health and fitness data. Instead of every fitness app storing data in its own silo, Health Connect lets apps read from and write to a shared store. Your step count, sleep data, heart rate, and workout logs are available to any app you authorise.
Set it up in Settings > Health Connect. Connect your fitness apps and review what data each one can access.
Credential Manager
Android now has a standardised passkey system that replaces passwords entirely for supported sites and apps. When you sign in to a site that supports passkeys, Android creates a cryptographic key stored on your device. No password to remember or leak.
Check which of your apps support passkeys in Settings > Passwords and Accounts > Credential Manager.
Photo Picker
The updated photo picker lets you grant apps access to specific photos rather than your entire gallery. When an app asks for photo access, you choose exactly which photos it can see. This is more private than the old "allow access to all photos" permission.
Satellite Connectivity
On supported devices, Android can send emergency messages via satellite when there is no mobile or Wi-Fi signal. This is a safety feature, not a communication replacement. Check if your device supports it in Settings > Connections > Satellite Messaging.
Screen Recording Improvements
Android's built-in screen recorder now includes the ability to record only a specific app window rather than the entire screen. Access it through the Quick Settings panel.
Adaptive Refresh Rate
On phones with variable refresh rate displays, Android adaptively lowers the refresh rate for static content to save battery. Check that this is enabled in Settings > Display > Adaptive Refresh Rate.
These features were added quietly but each one adds real value. Take twenty minutes to check which are available on your specific device.