5 Google Pixel Fold Pro Tips + Tricks For Productivity!

The Google Pixel Fold has introduced my favorite implementation of an operating system and interface on a foldable phone. I’m already a daily user of Android, so I’ve been hype about a folding Pixel phone for a long, long time. I’ve already found many features and design choices that I’m naturally using every day, so today I’ll show you some of my favorite pro tips for the Pixel Fold. This video is sponsored by Google and the Pixel Fold featured here was provided by Google.

One of the first things I noticed when unboxing this was the compact size when folded which feels so useful for quick tasks and typing, but when unfolded, you get a nice large display that offers plenty of screen real estate. This has quickly become a “best of both worlds” device as I can use it as a phone for day-to-day tasks, but also as a compact tablet that fits in my pocket (and doesn’t stick out super far!!).

The outer screen aspect ratio is precisely 17.4:9. And I have been consistently using it and it never feels inconvenient because it’s wide enough that typing is easy - there’s plenty of space for the keys. And it feels pretty natural if you’re coming from a traditional phone, especially since this display is 5.8 inches.

When unfolded, I’m using this for work related tasks and apps. I’m using it for multi tasking and productivity. For example, I recently took the Pixel Fold to the Colorado Renaissance Festival to snap some photos of me in my costume. They are cute but I can use Magic Eraser in Google Photos to remove everyone from the background so it looks like I’ve got the Ren Faire all to myself. Magic Eraser intelligently finds items in the background that look like people - In the Google Photos app, I browse to the photo I want to use Magic Eraser on, and at the bottom of the screen, I have this prompt that says “Remove People in Background”. If I don’t see that prompt, I can also click on Edit, choose Tools, then click on Magic Eraser. Magic Eraser will search my photo for people or subjects in the background to remove. I can choose to remove all of it’s suggestions by Clicking Erase All, or I can click each one to remove them one by one. So in this case, I pinch the photo to zoom in, then just tap on each of the highlighted subjects to Erase them. If anyone is left, I can highlight them manually with my fingertip to erase them. This guy in the background is a great example of this. Once I erased him, I also erased his shadow on the ground. I noticed this trash bag was still chilling in my photo, so I used magic eraser to make that disappear as well. Now, check out this final photo! This is a solid, quick way to edit photos and the unfolded display gives me so much visual space to see these photos - I can make much more precise choices when editing. I’ve been using Magic Eraser for a long time now on my Pixel phones and it’s a go-to tool for my work.

I’m also using Google Meet in this new Tabletop mode. This is really easy to do and lets you get a good angle for video without needing to buy any additional accessories. Once you’ve started your video call or meeting while unfolded, flip the Pixel Fold sideways, fold it so it’s at a 90 degree angle, and set it on a tabletop. The sensors rotate your screen and put the video on the top half. The Pixel Fold is really well balanced so when in Tabletop mode, it’s not top heavy and doesn’t fall over.

You can do the same thing for Selfies - open the Camera app, switch to the 8MP Inner Camera, then choose Palm Timer. I’ve already found a use case for this - I’m visiting family next week and when we want to snap some group photos, all I have to do is set this on a table, put it in Selfie Tabletop mode, and set the timer. Not only do I not have to carry a tripod anymore, but this will be a saving grace since I’m always my family’s photographer.

I’ve also tested Rear Camera Selfie mode on the Google Pixel Fold. You can use the same Palm Timer feature while also taking advantage of the 48MP lens. While in the camera app, choose the icon that switches your active screen. This will enable the outer screen while disabling the inner one, so you can touch the inner screen without activating it, and you can then take selfies using the nice rear lenses. This is great for group photos when a table or volunteer isn’t available. I tested this while my grandma was in town and she thought it was the coolest thing she’s ever seen. And she very much approved of our selfies.

I mentioned productivity, so the last pro tips have to do with multi tasking. One of the first things I did with the Pixel Fold was start to use it for content scheduling for my youtube channels. I can open Google Calendar for my video project calendar, then choose split screen and open my youtube studio app. From here I can check my content in Youtube Studio and cross reference it with my schedule in Calendar to ensure everything is set to release on the correct dates.

I can do the same thing with other apps, too. Like here I have split screen set up for my Google Photos app and Google Drive. I share Google Drive folders with my editor. So I took this photo and need to put it in this folder on Google Drive for her. I could just share it through Google Photos, sure, but I want to keep all of these assets organized in one place for her to find. So I can click into the photo to expand it, then hold down on the photo. This will highlight the Drive folder, showing me that I can drag and drop a copy to Drive. Hold down, drag to Drive, then release, and the photo uploads to that folder. This makes my life easier, it speeds up my processes for work, and it’s fast!

The Google Pixel Fold fits into my lifestyle really well. Whether it’s when I’m spending time with my family or I’m at a local event in my town or I’m just in my studio working, I’ve found really cool ways to use it for all occasions. I’m really enjoying using the Pixel Fold, it’s gotten my stamp of approval and I’m still finding cool new ways to use it every day. Drop your questions below if you’re curious about any other pro tips. Thanks again to Google for sponsoring this video. Bye, y’all!