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Many people will wake up to a new Android device on Christmas Day, most likely one from Google, Huawei, Samsung, OnePlus, Sony, Oppo, LG, or even Fairphone.
If you’re switching from an iPhone and its iOS operating system, or switching from an older Android device, it can be difficult to understand all that a new phone can do.
From changing notifications, downloading apps, the Google Assistant, launchers, and making sure new owners never lose their device, there’s a lot to know that isn’t immediately obvious, and that’s how it’s all done.
How do I backup the data from my old phone?
Users moving between the same smartphone brand, from Samsung to Samsung, for example, will generally find that there is already a dedicated app set up on their device to transfer their data.
For those who don’t, the easiest thing to do is use a Google account, which most people will have with a Gmail email account or existing Android phone. Make sure the data that needs to be moved (photos, contacts, and more) is backed up.
To do this, go to the Settings menu on the old device, find the System tab, and then hit Backup.
For contacts, the most important and possibly the most complicated part of moving from one phone to another, Google also allows users to manage this from the web. Using these tools means Contacts will be safe when switching from SIM to Google accountand from a Google account on one phone to another phone.
Users can also exchange data with a USB-C to USB-C cable, if your internet connection is slow or unreliable.
How do I go from an iPhone to an Android phone?
For those moving from iOS, Google Drive is your best bet. Download the app on iOS, backup content like Contacts, Calendar information, and Photos to the storage system, and then when you log in to the new Android device, Google can download the data from their servers. There is also a dedicated setting in the onscreen setup instructions.
It is also vital to unregister iMessageOtherwise, the messages will be sent through Apple systems instead of SMS. This can be done by disabling iMessage and FaceTime in their respective options in Apple’s Settings app.
How do I set up my new phone?
Once users have gone through the process of backing up their data, they then move it from one device to another. The new phone will guide users through these relatively simple on-screen steps; the only guide you need to keep in mind is to check exactly what data is moving.
By default, for example, Google collect usage and diagnostic data from your phone, which can be turned off in the settings menu, but many people will skip it, hitting the attractive blue ‘OK’ button without reading the options.
This is also where users can set up the Google Assistant, if you wish, as well as weird but useful settings like contactless viewing and payment options.
How do I personalize my new phone?
One of the main benefits of Android is being able to change the default applications that the phone uses, be it a text messaging client, an email service, a browser or more.
New phones can be confusing for new users
(Image: Jimmy’s Promo / YouTube / screengrab)
To change your default appsFor example, from Gmail to Microsoft’s Outlook email application, users should go to the Settings menu and search for “Default applications”, choosing from the applications that have been downloaded to the phone.
Many users will be familiar with downloading apps, but for those who are not, this is done through Google Play Store. Unfortunately, purchases made in the Apple App Store do not carry over, and some applications may not be available on Android, but many, and the most popular, are.
For those who log in via email, Facebook, or Google accounts, as well as those who have been purchased with a subscription like Audible and Netflix, they will generally be available on all devices.
One option that users may see that is unfamiliar to them is also the “Startup Application”. These are better known as “Launchers” on Android, and they are essentially skins that overlay the default Android software to provide better customization options.
They are the reason why Samsung phones (with OneUI) work differently than OnePlus devices (using OxygenOS) or Huawei devices (using EMUI and eventually HarmonyOS).
The launchers can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and they come in many varieties. Microsoft offers one that emphasizes its own calendar, storage, and to-do lists.
Other popular launchers include Evie, which aims for a sleeker, faster, and more minimal user interface, or Nova, which offers some of the most granular changes for Android devices of any launcher on the market.
Many Apple users often criticize Android devices for not being as easy to use as iPhones – launchers are a great way to change that and get features that Apple users don’t have.
Users will want to make sure that their new smartphone does exactly what they want, which often means removing ‘bloatware’ and notification management. Some Android smartphones come with pre-installed applications that users may not want, and the easiest way to remove them is by going to Settings, looking at the Applications list, and removing anything strange.
Regarding notifications, which often appear from the top of the screen by default, holding down the notification will present different options, making it ‘Alert’ or ‘Silent’, as well as turning them off completely.
Some apps, like Maps, will offer lots of push notifications (like leaving reviews or rating how busy a bus is) that users may find intrusive. Either using the method mentioned above, or by addressing the Settings, search for notifications, touch the apps And choosing what does and does not require an alert is the best way to handle that.
What other tips and tricks should I know about?
It is also important to ensure that the new phone is kept as new as possible when updating to the latest version of Android. This will be Android 10 or Android 11, depending on the device. Samsung’s Note 20 Ultra, for example, still runs Android 10, while the Pixel 5 is on Android 11.
To make sure you have the latest operating system, go to settings and scroll to the bottom. Under System, tap, Advanced and then “System Update”. Some devices may have this in a slightly different tab; If so, using the search icon in settings should help users find it quickly.
Android devices offer much more versatility and customization than iPhones
Take a screenshot or screen recording, it is also difficult to find for some users. With no physical buttons, screenshots are now taken normally by quickly pressing the power button and the volume down button simultaneously. Meanwhile, screen recordings are in the menu settings found when users go down from the top of their device.
Which is also home to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other options. Long-pressing those icons will take users to the more detailed information screen, which is also found in the Settings app.
Finally, once the novelty of a new device wears off, users may find that they need some time off the screen. Digital well-being, as much as Parental controls, can be found in the Settings menu, giving users the options to set daily limits for apps and configure non-distracting modes to separate work hours from free time.
What do I do if I lose my phone?
Having a new Android smartphone is great; lose it, not so much. To ensure that an Android device can be tracked (almost) at all times, Google offers its own “Find my device”Which can be downloaded from your Play Store.
This allows users track phones, tablets and watches on a map, provided they have an active internet connection. If there is no connection available, the application will display your last known location.
The application also allows users play a sound to find your new device, check hardware details in case of loss or theft, and erase confidential device content under extreme circumstances.
