Smartphones have become an essential device for anyone: thanks to continuous technological improvements, they have far exceeded the versatility and functionality offered by other models of portable devices. The result is that today smartphones have become real portable computers; they have therefore reached a degree of complexity that requires people a longer period of time than in the past to learn how to fully exploit them. Smartphones, in addition to offering basic functions such as voice calls and SMS, have the ability to expand the range of functionality simply by installing specific apps.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Initial Configuration of a New Device
Step 1. Open the smartphone package to extract all contents
View the device to be able to identify all the buttons and communication ports present. Specifically, you need to identify the position of the power button and the volume rocker as well as the port for connecting the earphones and the charger. In addition to the physical characteristics, it is also good to identify the position of the tactile buttons that are used to navigate the menus and between the screens of the device and applications. Essentially they correspond to the Home button (which in some smartphone models is characterized by an icon in the shape of a stylized house), the "Back" button (characterized by a curved arrow) and the button to view recently used apps (which allows to consult the list of all applications recently launched and still active in the background). This series of buttons may not be visible until the smartphone is turned on (this aspect varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, also depending on the model of device in use). Before turning on the phone for the first time, it is a good idea to connect it to the mains using the appropriate charger, since it will most likely not have sufficient remaining charge to be able to perform the initial configuration.
Step 2. Install the SIM card
This is the essential element to be able to connect the smartphone to the cellular network of the telephone operator to which the SIM belongs. The location of the housing of the latter varies from model to model, also depending on the manufacturer of the device. In some cases, the SIM card slot is located under the battery, in others along one side of the device. To find out where exactly to insert the SIM card, consult the user manual of the smartphone.
Step 3. Install an SD memory card
It is a removable storage unit that is used to increase the overall storage capacity of the device. It is an optional component, often not included in the standard equipment of smartphones, but it could be very useful to give you the possibility to install a greater number of applications and to always have a greater amount of multimedia content with you (audio, video and photo). The SD card slot, like the SIM card slot, can be placed under the battery or along one side of the smartphone. The latter may be able to support a standard SD, mini SD or micro SD card (each of which has a distinctive physical format). Consult your phone's user manual to find out which SD card format your device supports.
However, your device may not be designed to use an SD card; in this case it will not be possible to expand the overall storage capacity
Step 4. Turn on your smartphone to start the initial setup procedure
Press and hold the "Power" button for a few seconds until the device turns on. At this point the boot sequence will be performed which should only take a few seconds. When finished, you will be automatically guided through the first step of the initial Android setup. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
Step 5. Choose the language that the Android interface will use
This is the language in which the Android menus and options will be displayed on the screen; it may also affect the appearance and interface of certain applications. This is a configuration option that can be changed at any time via the Android "Settings" app.
Step 6. Connect to a Wi-Fi network
If your phone plan includes data traffic, it means that you are already able to connect to the internet. However, if you need to use an unlimited internet connection or if you don't want to consume your subscription's data traffic, you can choose to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Then access the notification bar, by sliding your finger on the screen from top to bottom, to activate Wi-Fi connectivity, select one of the wireless networks detected by the device in the area and be able to connect.
If it is a secure Wi-Fi network, you will need to enter its security password before you can establish the connection. Touch the text field that appeared on the screen to be able to type the password using the virtual keyboard of the device
Step 7. Create or log in to a Google account
The Android operating system was created by Google and designed to make the most of all the services offered by the Mountain View giant, for example the Play Store, Gmail, YouTube through a completely free Google account. Follow the instructions that will appear on the screen to create a new account or log in to an existing one. This will link your Android device to the indicated Google account.
Step 8. Set the current date and time
You can decide that this information is configured automatically, via the internet, otherwise you can choose to do it manually.
If you have chosen to manually configure these items, you will need to choose the current time and date, the format in which to display them and the time zone of the area where you reside
Step 9. Use the "Settings" application to modify or complete the device configuration
The "Settings" app contains all the Android configuration options that allow you to customize almost all the functional aspects of the device, including the settings of the installed applications, notifications, ringtones and acoustic alerts, language, connections, etc. Once the Home screen appears, tap the "Applications" icon, which is characterized by a series of small squares arranged in the shape of a grid. This way you will have access to the "Applications" panel, which contains all the apps installed on the device. Swipe your finger on the screen to the right or left to view the entire list of apps available. At this point, locate and select the "Settings" app.
- You can choose "Wi-Fi", "Bluetooth" and "Data connection" to change their settings, create a new connection or activate and deactivate these features. Wi-Fi connectivity is the one that has priority over data connection, which means that when the connection to a wireless network is established that cellular data is automatically disabled.
- You can customize the device ringtone by selecting the "Sound" item and choosing the "Phone ringtone" option. In addition, you can change the volume level of the ringtone and other notifications by selecting the "Volume" option in the "Sound" section.
Step 10. Protect your phone
It is recommended that you block access to the device via the lock screen. This is a very useful feature in case your smartphone is lost or stolen. This way, no one will be able to access the information it contains without knowing the code or password. Access the "Settings" app, choose the "Security" item, then select one of the available methods to activate the "Screen lock": for example, you can set a password, a numeric PIN or a sign, that is, draw a pattern using a set of buttons arranged in a grid. Follow the instructions that will appear on the screen to complete the procedure.
- Make sure you don't forget how to unlock the screen to access the device, otherwise you run the serious risk of no longer having access to the data it contains. In that case, you will have to perform a factory reset which involves formatting the phone's internal memory, resulting in the loss of all the information it contains.
- At the end of the procedure, every time you lock the phone you will have to use the unlock method chosen to be able to access it again. To lock the device when not in use, simply press the "Power" button. When you need to wake up the smartphone screen, press the "Power" button again. At this point, follow the instructions that will appear on the screen to unlock the screen and enter the PIN, password or security mark.
Part 2 of 4: Contacting Other People Via Your Smartphone
Step 1. Contact another person with a voice call
Launch the "Phone" app by tapping its icon and use it to make a voice call to whomever you want. A link to the "Phone" application should be placed directly on the Quick Access Toolbar at the bottom of the Home screen. Alternatively, you can find it in the "Applications" panel of the device. After starting it, a screen will appear showing the classic numeric keypad of a phone. If the latter is not present, access the "Keyboard" tab to make it appear on the screen. At this point, type in the telephone number you wish to call and press the "Call" button (characterized by a telephone handset). As the call is forwarded to the recipient, you will see a number of additional options appear on the screen.
- When you bring the phone close to your ear, the Android OS will automatically disable the virtual numeric keypad and turn off the screen. To access the advanced options related to the ongoing voice call, simply move the device in front of you.
- To temporarily disable the phone's microphone, press the "Mute" icon. This way the called person will not be able to hear your voice. To restore normal microphone operation, press the "Mute" button again.
- To activate the speakerphone of the device, press the "Speakerphone" button. Each time the button is pressed, the audio of the call will be conveyed to the loudspeaker integrated in the device or to the loudspeaker of the telephone that comes close to the ear. If you need to change the call volume level, you can use the appropriate buttons located along one of the sides of the device.
- Press the "Keyboard" button to display the phone's numeric keypad. It features a number grid icon. This feature is very useful when you need to type information during the call.
- To end the conversation and hang up, press the "End" button.
Step 2. Organize the phone book
Android allows you to store contact information directly on your device via the "Address Book" application. To start it, tap the icon of the same name in the "Applications" panel. A list of all the contacts stored in the SIM of the phone will be displayed and, if the configuration settings allow it, also those of the Google account linked to the device.
- To add a new contact press the "Add" button, located at the top of the screen and characterized by the "+" symbol. You can choose to store the information on the SIM, in the internal memory of the device or on the Google account. You have the option to store the contact's name, phone number, email address and other useful information. After entering all the data, press the "Save" button (in some cases it is characterized by a check mark) to add the contact to the device's address book.
- Scroll the contact list up or down using the index finger of your hand. When you select one of the names on the list, a new screen will appear giving you access to its detailed information, along with the ability to make a voice call, send a message, send an email or edit contact information.
- Press and hold your finger on a contact's name to display the context menu containing the available options, such as edit data, delete the chosen item, share contact information, send a message or block it.
- Tap the magnifying glass icon to search the address book using the name of the person to search for.
Step 3. Send a text message
Launch the "Messages" application using the shortcut icon on the favorites bar, which is located at the bottom of the Home screen or within the "Applications" panel. The "Messages" app is able to send an SMS to a mobile number or to one of the contacts in the address book. The history of the text messages sent and received is displayed on the main screen of the program; you can consult them simply by swiping your finger on the screen up or down. If you want, you can search using a contact's name or mobile number.
- You can send a text message to a mobile number or to one of the contacts stored in the phone. Tap the "New Message" icon to access the compose screen for a new SMS. In the "Recipient" field you must enter the name of one of the contacts in the device address book or the mobile number of the person to contact. While typing the contact name, you will see a small list appear under the "Recipient" field containing all the search results present in the device address book. If the person you want to contact is in the results list, select them as the recipient of the message.
- The "Message" text field is used to type the body of the message you wish to send. Touch it to make the virtual keyboard of the device appear on the screen. At this point enter the text of the SMS and, at the end, press the "Send" button to send it to the selected person.
- Press the paper clip button to attach media content to the message. You will have the option to add different elements, such as images, audio or video. Follow the instructions that will appear on the screen to attach the content you have chosen, then press the "Send" button to send the message.
Part 3 of 4: Customizing the Home Screen
Step 1. Add a page to the Home screen
Android offers the possibility to expand the main screen of the graphical interface by inserting more pages, so you can add direct links to apps without having to access the "Applications" panel each time. Press and hold your finger on an empty spot on the Home screen to display its context menu on the screen. Choose the "Add Page" option to insert a new blank page to the Home screen. To remove one of the Home pages, select it by pressing and holding your finger, then drag it to the "Remove" icon that appears at the bottom or top of the screen and release it.
- The first page that makes up the Home screen is also the main one, so pressing the device's Home button while viewing one of the other pages will automatically return you to page number one of the Home.
- To rearrange the various pages that make up the Home, hold them down with your finger and drag them on the screen to change their ordering sequence.
Step 2. Add links to apps within the Home pages
Press the "Applications" button on the Home to access the panel which contains all the apps installed on the phone. Scroll the list of apps right or left using your index hand. Press and hold the desired application icon to add a direct link on the Home. Drop the app icon on the Home page where you want it to be added.
- The "Applications" panel also allows you to use apps without the need to add a direct link to the Home screen. To launch an application, simply tap on its icon in the "Applications" panel.
- If you wish, you also have the option to add icons to the favorites bar at the bottom of the Home screen. This section of the Android interface is always visible when scrolling through the pages of the Home and on some devices it is accessible even when the screen lock is active.
Step 3. Organize the elements of the Home screen
The latter and all the pages that compose it allow you to quickly navigate between the features of the phone. You can arrange the shortcut icons to apps and other functional elements (such as widgets), so you can access them more quickly and easily. Press and hold one of the icons on the Home screen for a few seconds, drag it to another spot on the screen or to another page on the Home screen, then release it when you're happy with the new location.
- To transfer an icon to another page on the Home screen, move it closer to the left or right edge of the screen.
- Depending on your device model, you may also have the option to create folders by superimposing the selected icon on top of an existing one. After creating a folder, tap it to open it. You can change the name of a folder by simply selecting it with your finger, so that the virtual keyboard of the device appears on the screen. Type in the name to assign to the folder, then press the "OK" or "Enter" button.
- To delete an icon from the Home screen, press and hold it with your finger, then drag it to the "Remove" icon in the shape of a trash can that appeared at the top or bottom of the screen and release it.
Step 4. Add a widget to the Home screen
Widgets are application components created for the purpose of being able to run directly within the Home screen. In this way, it is possible to have immediate access to a specific functionality of an app (for example, perform calculations with the Android calculator, consult the e-mails or messages received on a social network), all directly from the Home. To view the complete list of available widgets, press and hold your finger on an empty spot on the Home screen or press the "Applications" button and access the "Widgets" tab. An important aspect to consider when you want to add a widget is the size, since like apps they must be inserted in a grid-shaped structure. Press and hold your finger on the widget of your interest to select it and be redirected directly to the Android Home, then drag it to the desired point on the screen and finally release it.
- If the space available on the screen is not enough to add the widget you have chosen, try rearranging the elements to try to free up some space or insert an additional page to the Home where you can add the selected widget.
- However, remember that widgets are always-on programs, so adding too many of them to the Home will contribute to the premature drainage of the device's battery. For this reason, try to limit its use only to those actually necessary for your needs.
Part 4 of 4: Install Apps from the Google Play Store
Step 1. Launch the Play Store app
Tap the "Play Store" icon located inside the "Applications" panel. Remember that in order to access the Play Store you must have associated a Google account with the device.
Step 2. Search for the application you want to download and install
You will have several ways to find the right program to suit your needs. Scroll the list of available apps, up or down, then tap the name of the desired program to view the detailed information page.
- If you know the name or nature of the app you are looking for, tap the Play Store search bar and type in the keywords you want to search for (for example a part of the name), then press the "Enter" key on your keyboard. You'll see a list of all apps that match the criteria you searched for.
- If you don't have a clear idea of which apps you want to install on your phone, you have several categories to consult which list the recommended, most downloaded by other users or trending applications (both free and paid). Again, scroll down or up the list of available apps using your finger. The applications included in the various categories are arranged horizontally and the list can be consulted by sliding it to the right or left with a finger. If you want to deepen the analysis of the options offered by a specific category, tap the relevant "Other" item.
Step 3. See the detailed information page for an application
This section of the Play Store shows all the data of the chosen app, which can be useful to better evaluate whether or not to install it on the device.
- You can add an application to your wish list by tapping the small ribbon icon to the right of the name displayed on the app page.
- Scroll certain sections of the page to the right or left with one finger. For example, the one relating to screenshots taken from the application during the various phases of operation. At the bottom of the page there are also the ratings and reviews of users who have already installed and used the app in question.
- However, remember that it will not be possible to install an application that uses hardware or software resources that are not compatible with your device. In this case, you can search for programs that perform similar functions or created by the same developer that are suitable for your device.
- Some user reviews report the model of Android device they tested the application on. Research the opinions of users who use a device like yours, as the operation of some apps may vary slightly depending on the smartphone used.
Step 4. Download the selected app
In the upper right part of the information page of the chosen program there is the "Install" or the purchase price button. Press it to download and install the app on your device. A pop-up will appear in which there is a list of all the hardware and software features of the device that the app needs to access in order to function properly (for example contacts, microphone, camera, memory internal, etc.). When you accept the terms and conditions of use, the application will be automatically installed on your device. The time required for download and installation varies based on the size of its file. When the installation is complete, you will receive a notification from the Android operating system.
- If the chosen application is paid, the price will be shown in the currency linked to the Google account in use. After authorizing the app to use the features of the device, the list of your favorite payment methods will appear. You can choose to pay using your credit card or the available credit linked to the Google account you used to access the Play Store. If you want to add a new payment method, choose the "Add a new payment method" option. Follow the on-screen instructions to add information about your chosen payment method. At the end, the credit or debit card or the PayPal account entered will be displayed among the payment methods that can be used. If your Play Store credit balance is insufficient to make the purchase, you can pay the difference with your credit card.
- "In-App Purchases" may appear next to the install button. This means that the program allows you to carry out the so-called "micro-transactions", ie purchases of additional content or elements directly through the application. In this case, the information contained in the Google account with which the Play Store was accessed will be used. For more information on this, carefully consult the Play Store page for the app in question.
Step 5. Install the application on the device
At the end of the automatic installation procedure, the chosen app will appear in the "Applications" panel of the device and directly on the Home if there is enough space to create the link icon. To launch the program and start using it, simply tap on its newly appeared icon.
The "Install" button on the Play Store page for the newly installed application will be replaced with the "Uninstall" and "Open" buttons which will allow you to remove the app from the device or to start it respectively. If in the future you need to reinstall the app, you can do it without problems by pressing the "Install" button on the Play Store page again. Also remember that all purchased applications can be reinstalled at no additional cost. In this case, you will simply have to access the section of the Play Store relating to the history of your purchases by pressing the "Menu" button from the app and choosing "My apps and games"
Advice
- When you install an application from the Google Play Store, your account is authorized to use it. This means that if it is a paid app you will not have to purchase it a second time if you need to download it again.
- If you have more than one Android device, the Google Play Store allows you to download and use the applications already purchased on all other Android smartphones and tablets in your possession, at no additional cost, but as long as they all use the same Google account.. However, there are some applications that impose a limit on the number of devices they can be installed on. In this case, carefully read the Play Store page that contains the detailed information of the individual apps to check, from time to time, if there are any restrictions on their use.
- If you need to shut down your device completely, press and hold the power button to see a list of options including options for shutting down and restarting the system.
- You can manage all applications installed on your device via the "Applications" option in the "Settings" menu. Select one of the apps in the list that appeared to access a new detailed page where you can view the space occupied, uninstall the application or transfer it to the SD card installed in the device. The latter option is present only if the app is structured to be compatible with this functionality.
- To purchase content from the Play Store, you need to know the security password of the account in use. If you need to increase the security of your Google profile, in case the device in use is shared with other people, access the Play Store from the Android smartphone, press the button to access the main menu (characterized by three horizontal lines and parallel to each other), then choose the "Settings" option. Scroll through the list of options that appeared to locate and select the item "Require authentication for purchases", then choose the level of security you prefer.
- The Google Play Store adopts a series of rules regarding the reimbursement of purchases that allows you to obtain a full refund of the expense if the purchased application is removed from the account within two hours of purchase. To request a refund, start the Play Store app, press the button to access the main menu and choose the "Account" item. Scroll through the list that appeared to locate and select the "Order History" item, which will give you access to the list of all apps purchased. Scroll through the list of apps purchased to find the one you are interested in, then press the relevant "Report a problem" button, choose the option to get a refund and fill out the relevant form. The money spent will be refunded to you using the same payment method used for the purchase.
