Android Phones For Dummies. Dan Gookin

name, like a character in a science fiction novel or a sports hero. Or it can simply be a fancy number, perhaps with the letter X thrown in to make it cool. No matter what, the phone you own is an Android phone because it runs the Android operating system. The adventure you’re about to undertake begins with removing the thing from the box and getting to know your new smartphone.

      Liberation and Setup

      The phone works fastest when you remove it from its box. How you liberate it is up to you. I prefer to gingerly open the box, delicately lifting the various flaps and tenderly setting everything aside. I even savor the industrial solvent smell. If you prefer, you can just dump everything on the tabletop. But be careful: Your phone may be compact, but it’s not indestructible.

      Several useful items are found loitering inside your Android phone’s box. Some of them are immediately handy, and others you should consider saving for later. Even if you’ve already opened the box and spread its contents across the table like some sort of tiny yard sale, take a few moments to locate and identify these specific items:

      ✔ The phone itself, which may be fully assembled or in pieces

      ✔ Papers, instructions, a warranty, and perhaps a tiny, useless Getting Started pamphlet

      ✔ The phone’s battery, which might already be installed inside the phone

      ✔ The phone’s back cover, which might already be on the phone

      ✔ The charger/data cable or USB cable

      ✔ The charger head, which is a wall adapter for the charger/data cable

      ✔ Other stuff, including the SIM card, SIM card removal tool, headphones, a carrying case, or other goodies

      If anything is missing or appears to be damaged, immediately contact the folks who sold you the phone.

      

I recommend keeping the instructions and other information as long as you own the phone: The phone’s box makes an excellent storage place for that stuff – as well as for anything else you don’t plan to use right away.

      See the later section “Adding accessories” for a description of various goodies available for the typical Android phone.

      Android phone buying tips

      When buying a phone, first look at a cellular provider, and then determine which phones are available and suit your purpose.

      Finding a cellular provider is all about coverage: Can you get a signal everywhere you need one? Despite the boasts, not every cellular provider offers full data coverage. The true test is to ask people who frequent your same locations which services they use and whether they’re happy with the coverage.

      All Android phones offer similar features and a vast array of apps. Start looking for a phone by finding something that feels good in your hands. Some people like smaller, compact phones that fit easily in a pocket or purse. Others prefer the large-format (phablet) phones, which offer larger screens.

      Check the phone’s display, not by reviewing the fancy technical jargon but by looking at it with your own eyes. View some photos on the phone to see how good they look.

      If you need more storage, look for a phone that offers a removable MicroSD card. This feature is becoming rather rare, so if you want it, you may have to look for it.

      Camera resolution isn’t vital, but if your Android phone is your only digital camera, getting a high-resolution rear camera is a plus.

      Beyond these basic items, most Android phones are drearily similar. To work best with this book, ensure that your phone uses the Android operating system and can access and use the Google Play Store. Some low-price, bargain phones restrict your purchases to the manufacturer’s own app store. That’s not a good thing.

      Phone Assembly

      Most Android phones come fully assembled. If not, the folks at the store most likely put everything together for you. When you’re on your own, some setup may be required. This process involves installing the SIM card and inserting the battery. Directions that come with the phone assist you.

      Don’t worry about the assembly process being overly complex; if you’re good with Legos, you can put together an Android phone.

      ✔

The phone ships with a clingy plastic cover over its screen, back, or sides. The plastic thingies might tell you where to find various features or how to install the battery. Please remove all clingy plastic sheets. Also check the phone’s rear camera to confirm that you’ve removed the plastic thingy from its lens.

      ✔ The current trend is for Android phones not to feature a removable battery. If your phone has a removable battery, refer to the included instructions for details on inserting and removing the battery.

Installing the SIM card

      A SIM card identifies your phone on a digital cellular network. Before you can use the phone, the SIM card must be installed. The only time you as a mere mortal need to do this is when you purchase the phone independently of a cellular provider. Otherwise, the kind people at the Phone Store install the SIM card.

      When you do need to install the SIM card, follow these steps when the phone is turned off:

      1. Pop the SIM card out of the credit-card-size holder.

      2. Insert the SIM card into the SIM card slot.

      On some phones, the SIM card is inserted internally. In that case, remove the phone’s back cover and, if necessary, remove the battery to access the SIM card slot.

      On other phones, the SIM slot is found on the device’s outer edge. You must open the tiny SIM slot cover and insert the SIM card into the slot. This procedure may require a special pointy-thing tool that came with your phone; insert the pointy-thing into the hole by the SIM slot cover to open the cover. Insert the SIM card directly into the slot, or first place the card into a SIM card carrier and then insert it.

      The SIM card is shaped in such a way that it’s impossible to insert improperly. If the card doesn’t slide into the slot, reorient the card and try again.

      3. If necessary, replace the battery and the phone’s back cover.

      You’re done.

      The good news is that you seldom, if ever, need to remove or replace a SIM card.

      

SIM stands for subscriber identity module. SIM cards are required for GSM cellular networks as well as for 4G LTE networks.

Installing a MicroSD card

      A few Android phones offer removable storage in the form of a MicroSD card. If your phone offers this feature, go out and obtain a MicroSD card to take advantage of the extra storage.

      To insert the MicroSD card, heed these directions:

      1. Locate the slot into which you stick the MicroSD card.

The slot is labeled as shown in Figure 1-1. It is not the same as the SIM card slot.

      2. Flip open the teensy hatch on the MicroSD card slot.

      Insert your thumbnail into the tiny slot on the hatch. Flip the hatch outward. It’s attached on one end, so it may not completely pop off.

      3. Insert the MicroSD card into the slot.

      The card goes in only one way. If you’re fortunate, a little outline of the card illustrates the proper orientation. If you’re even more fortunate, your eyes will be good enough to see the tiny outline.