Here is a complete guide to getting the max out of the Cortana app on your Android smartphone.
Cortana on Android: Download and Install
Cortana for Android comes as a separate app, so the Operating System might consider it only as a third-party service which will get limited in many of the Android devices. If you are from the US or any European countries, you can download and install the stable rollout of the Cortana from the Play Store itself. But the picture is different in many countries, from Asia. The apps for many countries like India are unreleased versions and there is a big chance you could face bugs and crashes on them.
There are many APK markets available online (like APKMirror) where you can download trusted copies of the apps. You can simply go to the Google PlayStore and download the original Cortana for your Android smartphone and, grant the permissions. After installation, you need to set up the app using your Microsoft account to start using the Cortana. For a better usability experience, make sure that you use the same account you have logged in to your PC. Download Cortana on Android: PlayStore | APKMirror
How to Set Cortana as Default Assistant on Android
In most of the Android smartphones, long pressing the Home button triggers the Google Assistant and it is the most convenient way found among the users. If you are done using the Google Assistant and considering a better, third-party one to rule the area, Microsoft’s Cortana is the best option. You can set the app to default so that you could trigger and use it as much as others use Assistant.
Cortana asks to set it as default during the setup. You can either provide permission at the initial time or else follow the steps below. Also Read: How to Clear Search History of Cortana and Bing in Windows 10
Use Cortana from Home/Lock Screen or Anywhere
Cortana comes with some unique features that are helpful in most needful times. You can pull out and use the Cortana Assistant from any screen on your smartphone. Using it from any other screens other than home and lock pages is similar to using the Google Assistant. Once you make the Cortana your default Assistant, a simple long press on your home button will pull up the Cortana and you can use it with your own voice easily. To add the Cortana to your home screen or lock screen, do as follows.
To avoid other looking on to your emails, notifications, reminders, etc. from the Cortana lock screen, disable its access from the same window.
Get Notifications Across Devices
Microsoft added the notification sync feature to the Cortana app for Android smartphones, which was exclusively available only for Windows 10 Phone users. With the feature, you can receive all the notifications and alerts on your Windows 10 PC real-time.
In order to use this feature, your PC should be on Windows 10 OS and the same Microsoft account should be logged in both on the PC and the Cortana app on Android. With all these, you are all set to get your notifications right on your PC.
You can also reply to messages or SMS from PC notifications right from Windows 10 PC direct instead of going to the Android phone. Also Read: A Complete Guide to Using Microsoft Launcher on Android.
Set Cortana with Personal Assistant Devices
To set up the connection with any of the supported devices, got to the Cortana app on Android and choose Devices from the side menu. Here is how to connect Harman Kardon Invoke.
With a GLAS thermostat, you can connect directly and does not require many permissions for remote controls.
Microsoft Cortana Skills
‘Hey Cortana’ Hotword
The triggering Hotword for Cortana is “Hey Cortana” and it works only within the app. As the smartphones do not allow Cortana to listen to detect the Hotword always, you might need to pull up the Cortana manually to speak with it. Here is how to turn on “Hey Cortana” detection from the app.
Reminders with Cortana
The reminder feature works almost similar to its competitors when you ask it to remind you about some events. The Cortana directly stores it on your Microsoft calendar and you can access it from your PC as well. You can also get notifications on both devices. Your daily commute and traffic updates are also available through the service, surprisingly.
Cortana Smart Task Suggestion
Cortana can suggest and notify you about the tasks you need to finish using its Suggested tasks feature. You need to connect your Outlook or Office email with the app to let it access the emails and suggest you the tasks.
You will then receive the notifications with the tasks to finish under the “suggested” section.
Cortana Connected Services
Cortana allows users to connect with certain services to get a more personalized user experience. You can even connect your smart home devices, Skype, Gmail, LinkedIn, Wunderlist accounts to get direct data from the platforms without even touching your smartphone screen. Additionally, it is very to connect your music streaming accounts like Spotify to play songs directly from Cortana.
Daily Updates with Cortana
Microsoft Cortana on Android can deliver you daily news, finance related updates, flight tracking, travel status, package delivery status, sports and weather updates.
All you need is to ask Cortana for the update you need. For example, ask “Hey Cortana, what is the weather like?” or “what are the business news?.”
Have Some Fun with Cortana
The AI-powered personal assistant is capable of getting rid of your boredom with its fun facts and jokes. Here are some of the commands you should try.
Sing a song. Tell a story. Surprise me. What’s up? How is my day? Tell a joke. Tell me some fun facts.
Change App Color Theme
Do you want a color change from the default blue color theme of Cortana? Simply open the app and swipe from left to see the hamburger menu. You can choose the appropriate color theme that matches your taste from the list of purple, blue, green, dark, saffron, orange, magenta and teal colors.
Microsoft Cortana is a great companion for those who want to keep the things simple and easier to access. As it can sync data with Cortana on Windows devices your reminders and notes will be accessible universally across your devices without further installation. As the Google Assistant serves all the jobs for an AI-assistant, most of the Android users are not bothered about the Cortana on Android which serves the same or more like that of the Google’s Assistant. However, when you use Windows 10 and Android, Cortana is going to be a more unified solution for both platform. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email.
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