Android Phones For Dummies. Gookin Dan

When a secure screen lock is set, the phone isn’t actually unlocked when the lock screen app runs. To do anything else with the phone, you must eventually work the screen lock.

WHO IS THIS ANDROID PERSON?

      Just like a computer, your phone has an operating system. It’s the main program in charge of all the software (apps) inside the phone. Unlike on a computer, however, Android is a mobile device operating system, designed primarily for use in cell phones and tablets.

      Android is based on the Linux operating system, which is also a computer operating system, though it’s much more stable and bug-free than Windows, so it’s not as popular. Google owns, maintains, and develops Android, which is why your online Google information is synced with the phone.

      The Android mascot, shown here, often appears on Android apps or hardware. He has no official name, though most folks call him Andy.

Add More Accounts

      Your Android phone can be home to your various online incarnations. This list includes your email accounts, online services, social networking, subscriptions, and other digital personas. I recommend adding those accounts to your phone as you continue the setup-and-configuration process.

      With your phone on and unlocked, follow these steps:

      1. Tap the Apps icon.

      

The Apps icon is found at the bottom of the Home screen. It looks similar to the icon shown in the margin, although on your phone it may look different. See Chapter 3 for the variety.

      After tapping the Apps icon, you see the Apps drawer, which lists all apps available on your phone.

      2. Open the Settings app.

      You may have to swipe the Apps drawer screen a few times, paging through the various icons, to find the Settings app.

      After you tap the Settings icon, the Settings app runs. You use this app to configure phone options and features.

      3. Choose the Accounts category.

      On some Samsung phones, first tap the General tab atop the Settings app screen to locate the Accounts category.

      The category may be titled Accounts and Sync on some phones.

      Upon success, you see all existing accounts on your phone, such as email accounts, social networking, cloud storage, and whatever else you may have already set up. If the list is empty, well, it’s time to add more accounts!

      4. Tap Add Account.

You see a list of account types the phone can add for you, such as the list shown in Figure 2-2.

      5. Choose an account from the list.

      For example, to add a Facebook account, choose Facebook from the list.

      Don’t worry if you don’t see the exact type of account you want to add. You may have to install a specific app before an account appears. Chapter 16 covers installing new apps on your phone.

      6. Follow the directions on the screen to sign in to your account.

      The steps that follow depend on the account. Generally speaking, you sign in using an existing username and password.

       FIGURE 2-2: Common account types on an Android phone.

      

You can continue adding accounts by repeating these steps. When you’re done, tap the Home navigation icon to return to the Home screen.

      ❯❯ See Chapter 9 for specifics on adding email accounts to your Android phone.

      ❯❯ Chapter 11 covers social networking on your phone and offers advice on adding those types of accounts.

TRANSFERRING INFORMATION FROM YOUR OLD PHONE

      Here’s one task you don’t need to worry about: All the Google information associated with your old phone – or any other Android device, including a tablet – is instantly transferred to your new phone. This information includes contacts, Gmail, events, and other Googly account data. You can even install apps you’ve previously obtained (free or purchased).

      As you add accounts to your phone, the information associated with those accounts is migrated to the device. You might also see media, such as photos, videos, and music transferred, if you use online sharing services to host the media. For information that’s not transferred, see Chapter 18, which covers methods for moving files between your phone and other devices.

Goodbye, Phone

      You can dismiss your Android phone in several ways, only two of which involve using a steamroller or raging elephant. The other methods are covered in this section.

       Locking the phone

      To lock your Android phone, press and release the Power/Lock key. The touchscreen display turns off and the phone is locked.

      ❯❯ Some phones may not turn off the display while they’re locked. You may see the current time and notifications displayed, albeit on a very dim screen. This feature doesn’t affect the phone’s battery life and in many cases this setting can be changed if you don’t like the always-on touchscreen. See Chapter 20 for details.

      ❯❯ Your phone will spend most of its time locked. The phone still works while locked; it receives email and plays music and signals alerts and alarms. Phone calls arrive. Yet, while the phone is locked, it doesn’t use as much power as it does when the display is on.

      ❯❯ You can lock the phone while you’re making a call. Simply press and release the Power/Lock key. The call stays connected, but the display is disabled.

      ❯❯

Locking doesn’t turn off the phone.

      ❯❯ Refer to Chapter 20 for information on setting the automatic lock time-out value.

       Turning off the phone