Please note first that the screenshots and steps in this guide do not work on all Android smartphones. While many smartphones use the Android operating system, different manufacturers have their own interfaces and setup wizards, and user interface designs and features vary.
Summary:
- before turning on the smartphone
- default setting
- Getting Started with Android
Before turning on your smartphone: charge it and insert your SIM card
When you first unbox your phone, you’ll usually find that its battery is only partially charged. Battery power is usually enough to set up a smartphone, but you should still check the charge before setting up your device.
You can also set it up with your smartphone plugged into a power outlet, as this ensures the battery won’t die from day one. Otherwise, if you think your phone has enough charge (more than 50% is usually recommended), you can choose to use your phone without plugging it into a power outlet.
You must also insert a SIM card before configuring the operating system. If you look in the box of a new device, you’ll find a small SIM card tool that you can use to insert the SIM card. Look for extremely small holes on Android smartphones, often surrounded by a thin, oval-shaped cavity. Insert the SIM card tool into the small hole and the SIM card tray should pop out of the device.
Be careful, because there is usually another opening on the top and bottom of the smartphone, behind which are the microphones. Under no circumstances should a “pin” be inserted. Sony is the only manufacturer we know of that makes an exception, as its SIM tray can be removed without tools.
With the SIM card tool, you can easily insert the small card into the SIM card slot / © Pheelings media / Shutterstock.com
Remove the small SIM card tray from the phone and insert the appropriate SIM card. The orientation of the card and the type of card required is usually a small indication on the side. Known formats are mini-SIM, micro-SIM and nano-SIM. The nano-SIM, which has been in use since 2012, measures 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.67 mm and is still the most widely used. However, since one corner of the SIM card is always cut off, and a “similar shape is also present on the SIM card tray, it can basically only be inserted in one specific direction.
Now push the SIM card tray back into your smartphone, making sure to do so without much resistance. If you find that the inserted SIM card holder is stuck, remove the holder from the device and try again in reverse.
suggestion: If you purchased a memory card that comes with your smartphone, you can also insert it in this step. If your smartphone supports external memory cards, you need to insert them into the SIM card compartment. Now turn on the smartphone by long pressing the power button.
default setting
When you first turn on your smartphone, have your SIM card and Wi-Fi password ready, as some setup steps require Internet access. Your smartphone will try to connect to Google and your smartphone manufacturer. This will unlock additional functionality, which we’ll cover in the next point.
The setup wizard guides you through the most important setup steps /© kwgeek
The big question: should I use a Google account?
In order to get Google’s Android operating system for free, manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and OnePlus need to pre-install some Google applications. Therefore, the setup wizard will ask you if you want to create a free Google account.
Having a Google Account brings you several important benefits:
Play store app
With a Google account, you can access the Play Store. This is crucial because the Play Store contains a variety of verified apps, programs that provide additional functionality to your smartphone, available for download. You can also continue to receive app updates through the Play Store. We’ll talk about apps later.
If you already have a Google account, you can log in now. You can use a Gmail address or an account you created on YouTube a few years ago as your Google account.Otherwise, press No And create a new free account with an existing or new email address. After you create an account, Google will ask you to provide a payment method (for any future purchases on the Play Store) and other personal information. Both of these issues can be blocked and ignored if you wish.
Improved Anti-Theft Protection
With a Google Account, you can access thefind my device. This service is very useful if you lose your smartphone. It lets you call your smartphone remotely, or lock, delete or reset it if you lose it, as long as it’s still powered on and connected to the internet.
With Find My Device you can find your Android smartphone / © DenPhotos / Shutterstock.com
Additionally, the Google Account has a reactivation lock set on it. If a thief resets your smartphone to factory settings in recovery mode, he will ask for your Google account after the first boot. If the thief doesn’t know, he won’t be able to do anything with your device. In other words, it’s just a useless clipboard.
Backup your contacts, appointments, emails and more for free.
As a service provider, it makes sense for Google to record, backup and sync your internet activity. A Google Account allows you to access your contacts, email, browser bookmarks, appointments, photos and files from multiple devices.
So if you lose your device or need to set up a new one, you’ll have a lot of important data backed up in the cloud. We explain below how to restore a backup or other data.
Google Account Alternatives
Since 2019, Huawei has had a special case. The U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed sanctions on the Chinese group, including a ban on the use of Google Mobile Services (GMS). That’s why the manufacturer offers Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and Huawei AppGallery as alternatives. The brand tries to provide a Google-like service.
Some manufacturers, such as Samsung, also require you to create an additional account when signing up. These are usually alternative services to prevent theft or backup contacts. However, you still rely on Google to check for new apps or app updates. While there are reputable Play Store alternatives, none offer the same coverage.
Samsung preloads its own app store on Galaxy smartphones, where you can often find apps that Google doesn’t. A manufacturer’s account is required for this, but you can also do without it.
transfer data from old smartphone
Let’s assume you already own a smartphone. So the question is: how to transfer data from one smartphone to another? We looked at several possible scenarios and wrote a comprehensive article.
Transfer WhatsApp chats to your new Android phone
If you use WhatsApp like most people, you should transfer your chats directly when setting up your new Android smartphone.
Generally, it’s as simple as making a backup in WhatsApp on the old smartphone. Back up to Google Drive, then install the app on your new smartphone. All you have to do is verify your phone number and restore the backup from Google Drive.
Start a new success with your Android smartphone
- set screen lock
- Install Android updates
- How to search for new apps
- backup your photos
set screen lock
To prevent almost anyone from using your smartphone, protect it with a PIN, password, or pattern. Most of today’s smartphones are now equipped with fingerprint sensors, which makes secure unlocking very convenient. Face unlock has also become another common option.
It is important to know: If you opt for the so-called biometric unlocking process, you will also need to set an unlocking PIN, password or pattern as a backup. This way you can avoid being unable to unlock your phone because your fingers are wet or your smartphone doesn’t recognize your face in the dark.
There are other advantages to locking the screen, which we have discussed in another article. A word of warning: if you forget your password, you must have other means.
install updates
Your smartphone may be constantly connected to the internet. In theory, this means he is always vulnerable to external attacks. You can protect yourself by regularly checking for and installing operating system updates. Many manufacturers provide these updates monthly.
Therefore, you may be asked if you want to download these updates as soon as you install your new smartphone. It is highly recommended to install all…