Android Quick Settings in 2026: 10 Useful Tiles to Customize

Android Quick Settings is the shortcut panel for controls you use often—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, screen recording and more. Most phones let you rearrange the available tiles, remove the ones you never use and add extra shortcuts. A few useful options are hidden until you enable the feature in Settings first.

This 2026 guide explains how to customize Quick Settings on Pixel, Samsung Galaxy and other Android phones, then suggests ten practical tiles worth checking. Tile names and availability depend on your manufacturer, Android version and region; a tile listed below may not exist on every phone.

Related guides: Android Live Caption and Android battery-saving fixes. These resources provide additional context and practical steps related to this topic.

How to open Android Quick Settings

On most Android phones, swipe down from the top of the screen to see notifications and your first Quick Settings row. Swipe down again to expand the full panel. Some phones also support a two-finger swipe down to open the expanded panel directly.

Samsung Galaxy with One UI 7 or newer: Samsung separates the panels by default on supported devices. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Quick Settings, and from the top-left or centre to open notifications. You can change this arrangement in the panel settings.

See Google’s Pixel Quick Settings guide and Samsung’s Quick panel instructions.

How to add, remove and rearrange Quick Settings tiles

Google Pixel and many stock Android phones

1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to expand Quick Settings.
2. Tap the Edit or pencil icon.
3. Scroll to the available tiles below the active panel.
4. Drag a tile into the active area to add it.
5. Drag active tiles to reorder them. Put your most-used controls near the top.
6. Drag a tile to the remove area or use the remove control to take it out.
7. Return to the panel when you finish.

Samsung Galaxy phones

1. Open the Quick panel. On One UI 7 or newer, swipe down from the top-right corner.
2. Tap the pencil-shaped Edit icon.
3. Choose Edit for the buttons section if prompted.
4. Touch and hold a button, then drag it to the position you want.
5. Move available buttons into the active area or remove buttons you do not need.
6. Tap Done.

Samsung notes that the panel layout and available controls vary by model, carrier and software version. Some fixed controls cannot be removed, although their position may be changed.

10 useful Quick Settings tiles to look for

1. Screen Record

Use the built-in Screen Record tile to capture a tutorial, demonstrate a phone problem or record a workflow without installing a separate recorder.

1. Add Screen Record to Quick Settings if it is available.
2. Tap it and choose whether to record device audio, microphone audio or both, if those options appear.
3. Choose whether to show screen touches if the setting is available.
4. Start recording and stop it from the notification or on-screen control.

Before recording, close private tabs and notifications. Ask permission before recording another person’s conversation or content.

2. QR Code Scanner

A dedicated QR scanner tile can open a scanner without first launching the camera. It is useful for menus, Wi-Fi setup pages and product links. If your phone does not have this tile, use the Camera app or Google Lens instead.

Check the web address before opening a QR code link. A code can lead to a fake sign-in page or payment site.

3. Bedtime Mode

Bedtime Mode can reduce interruptions and change the screen appearance according to your Digital Wellbeing settings. On some phones, the tile appears only after you enable Bedtime Mode in Settings or Digital Wellbeing.

1. Open Settings → Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.
2. Find Bedtime mode and configure the options or schedule.
3. Open Quick Settings and add the Bedtime Mode tile if it appears.

Menu names vary by manufacturer. You can also use Do Not Disturb if you only need to silence notifications.

4. Extra Dim

Extra Dim lowers screen brightness beyond the normal brightness slider. It can help when the display still feels too bright in a dark room. Some devices show it directly as a Quick Settings tile; others place it under Accessibility shortcuts.

On Samsung Galaxy, check Settings → Accessibility → Advanced settings → Quick panel buttons to see whether Extra Dim can be added. On other phones, search Settings for “Extra Dim”.

5. Quick Share

Quick Share lets compatible Android devices and computers exchange files nearby. Add the tile if your phone offers it so you can access sharing and visibility settings quickly.

For privacy, choose a visibility setting such as Contacts or Your devices when appropriate, and switch to broader visibility only when needed. Accept files only from people and devices you recognise.

6. One-Handed Mode shortcut

One-Handed Mode makes the top of a large display easier to reach. It is not a standard tile on every Android phone, but Google documents a way to add it as an Accessibility shortcut or Quick Settings shortcut on supported devices.

1. Open Settings and search for One-handed mode.
2. Turn on the feature if your phone supports it.
3. Look for the option to add it to Quick Settings or an Accessibility shortcut.
4. Use the shortcut to activate the feature when needed.

See Google’s One-handed Mode instructions. If your phone does not offer a tile, use the gesture or shortcut described by its manufacturer.

7. Data Saver

Data Saver can restrict background mobile data for many apps, which may help if your mobile plan has a data cap. Some phones show a Data Saver tile only after you turn the feature on once in Settings.

1. Open Settings and search for Data Saver.
2. Turn it on and review any unrestricted-data exceptions.
3. Open Quick Settings and add the Data Saver tile if it is available.

Allow essential apps such as messaging or email to use background data if you need timely notifications. Data Saver does not replace monitoring your plan’s usage.

8. Dark Theme

The Dark Theme or Dark Mode tile switches supported system screens and apps between light and dark appearance. You can often long-press the tile to reach display or schedule settings. Some manufacturers use different labels, such as Dark mode or Eye comfort-related controls.

If you prefer automatic changes, set a schedule in Display settings where your phone supports it. A dark theme does not necessarily reduce battery use on every display type or app.

9. Device Controls or SmartThings

Compatible Android phones can show controls for smart-home devices in Quick Settings. On Pixel and other supported phones, this may appear as Device Controls; Samsung Galaxy users may see SmartThings or a related control panel.

Connect and organise your devices in the relevant home-control app first. Only add controls for devices you trust, and avoid exposing home-access controls on a phone that other people use.

10. Live Caption

Live Caption creates captions for speech playing on a supported phone, such as videos, podcasts and some audio. It can help when you cannot play sound aloud. Availability and language support depend on the device and region.

On some phones, Live Caption has a Quick Settings tile; on others, you may need to enable it in Accessibility settings first. Search Settings for “Live Caption” and review the language and processing options.

Build a cleaner Quick Settings layout

Do not add every available tile. A crowded panel takes longer to scan. A practical starting layout is:

• First row: Internet/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb and Flashlight.
• Second row: Screen Record, Quick Share, Data Saver and Dark Theme.
• Further down: QR scanner, Bedtime Mode, Extra Dim, Device Controls and other occasional tools.

Change the order based on what you actually use. Some phones have large controls that take more than one tile space, so the exact number visible in the first swipe will differ.

Why a tile may be missing

• Phone model: the device may not support the feature.
• Android or One UI version: the tile may be available only on newer software.
• Feature not enabled yet: some tiles appear only after you turn on the underlying setting once.
• Manufacturer naming: Samsung, Pixel and Motorola may use different labels for similar controls.
• Accessibility controls: features such as Extra Dim or One-Handed Mode may need to be added through Accessibility settings.

Update your phone if a feature should be available, then search Settings for its name. Do not install a random “Quick Settings tile” app unless you have checked its developer and permissions.

Frequently asked questions

1. How do I edit Quick Settings on Android?

Swipe down twice, tap the Edit or pencil icon, then drag tiles into the active area and rearrange them. The exact steps vary by phone brand and software version.

2. How do I customize Quick Settings on a Samsung Galaxy phone?

Open the Quick panel, tap the pencil-shaped Edit icon, choose Edit for the buttons section if prompted, drag controls into position and tap Done. On One UI 7 or newer, the panel usually opens with a swipe down from the top-right corner.

3. Why does my Samsung Quick Settings panel open differently?

Samsung separated Notifications and Quick Settings by default on supported One UI 7 devices. Swipe from the top-right corner for Quick Settings and from the top-left or centre for notifications. You can combine the panels in Panel settings.

4. Can I add a QR scanner to Quick Settings?

Some Android phones provide a QR scanner tile. If yours does not, use the Camera app or Google Lens to scan codes.

5. Is Screen Record built into Android?

Many modern Android phones include a built-in screen recorder in Quick Settings. Audio, touch indicators and other options vary by model and software version.

6. Why is Extra Dim missing from Quick Settings?

Your phone may place Extra Dim under Accessibility settings or may not support the shortcut. Search Settings for Extra Dim and check the Accessibility shortcut options.

7. Can I add One-Handed Mode to Quick Settings?

Some supported Android phones let you add One-Handed Mode as an Accessibility shortcut or Quick Settings shortcut. Other devices offer only a gesture or setting toggle.

8. Does Data Saver stop all background data?

No. Data Saver restricts background mobile data for many apps, but unrestricted-data exceptions and system behaviour can vary. Review which apps are allowed to use data in the background.

9. Does Quick Share need to stay visible in Quick Settings?

No. You can use Quick Share from the share menu, but a tile can make it easier to reach visibility or receiving settings on supported devices.

10. Do all Android phones have the same Quick Settings tiles?

No. Tile availability depends on the manufacturer, Android version, device hardware, region and whether you have enabled the underlying feature.

Final takeaway

Customizing Quick Settings is a small change that can make everyday phone use faster. Start by moving your most-used controls to the top, then add only the extra tiles your device supports and you will genuinely use. If a tile is missing, check the feature in Settings or Accessibility before assuming your phone is incompatible.