Android® Phones For Dummies®, 4th Edition
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2016952319
ISBN: 978-1-119-31068-6; 978-1-119-31071-6 ebk); 978-1-119-31072-3 (ebk)
It may be a smartphone, but it makes you feel dumb. Don’t worry: You aren’t alone. As technology leaps ahead, it often leaves mortal humans behind. You paid good money for your phone — why not use all of its features?
This book makes the complex subject of Android phones understandable. It’s done with avuncular care and gentle handholding. The information is friendly and informative, without being intimidating. And yes, ample humor is sprinkled throughout the text to keep the mood light.
I implore you: Do not read this book from cover to cover. This book is a reference. It’s designed to be used as you need it. Look up a topic in the table of contents or the index. Find something about your phone that vexes you or something you’re curious about. After getting the answer, get on with your life.
Every chapter in this book is written as its own self-contained unit, covering a specific Android phone topic. The chapters are further divided into sections representing tasks you perform with the phone or explaining how to get something done. Sample sections in this book include
Every section explains a topic as though it’s the first one you read in this book. Nothing is assumed, and everything is cross-referenced. Technical terms and topics, when they come up, are safely shoved to the side, where they’re easily avoided. The idea here isn’t to learn anything. This book’s philosophy is to help you look it up, figure it out, and move on.
This book follows a few conventions for using your phone, so pay attention!
The main way to interact with an Android phone is by using its touchscreen, which is the glassy part of the phone as it’s facing you. The physical buttons on the phone are called keys. These items are discussed and explained in Part I of this book.
Various ways are available to touch the screen, which are described in Chapter 3.
Chapter 4 covers typing text on an Android phone, which involves using something called the onscreen keyboard. When you tire of typing, you can dictate your text. It’s all explained in Chapter 4.
This book directs you to do things on your phone by following numbered steps. Every step involves a specific activity, such as touching something on the screen; for example:
This step directs you to tap the text or item on the screen labeled Downloads. You might also be told to do this:
Because this book covers a variety of phones, alternative commands may be listed. One of them is bound to match something on your phone, or at least be close to what you see:
Various phone settings can be enabled or disabled, as indicated by a master control, which looks like the On/Off toggle shown in the margin. Slide the button to the right to activate the switch, turning on a phone feature. Slide the button to the left to turn off the feature.
Even though this book is written with the gentle handholding required by anyone who is just starting out or is easily intimidated, I have made a few assumptions.
I’m assuming that you’re still reading the introduction. That’s great. It’s much better than getting a snack right now or checking to ensure that the cat isn’t chewing through the TV cable again.
My biggest assumption: You have an Android phone. It can be any Android phone from any manufacturer supported by any popular cellular service provider in the United States. Because Android is an operating system, the methods of doing things on one Android phone are similar, if not identical, to doing things on another Android phone. Therefore, one book can pretty much cover the gamut of Android phones.
Android has versions. This book was updated to cover the current Android release, 6.0, called Marshmallow. Also addressed is Android 5.1, known as Lollipop. Some details on older versions of Android phones might be found here as well. These are all similar versions of the operating system, so if your phone has an older version, you should be just fine.
To confirm which Android version your phone has, follow these steps:
Choose the About Phone item.
On some Samsung phones, you need to first tap the General tab atop the screen and then swipe down the screen to find an About Device item. Samsung phones can be a little different from other Android phones, and those differences are highlighted throughout this tome.
Look at the item titled Android Version.
The version number is listed, such as 6.0.1.
Don’t fret if these steps confuse you: Review Part I of this book, and then come back here. (I’ll wait.)
More assumptions: You don’t need to own a computer to use your Android phone. If you have a computer, great. The Android phone works well with both PCs and Macs. When phone and computer cross paths, you’ll find directions for both PC and Mac.
Finally, this book assumes that you have a Google account. If you don’t, find out how to configure one in Chapter 2. Having a Google account opens up a slew of useful features, information, and programs that make using your phone more productive.
This icon flags useful, helpful tips or shortcuts.
This icon marks a friendly reminder to do something.
This icon marks a friendly reminder not to do something.
This icon alerts you to overly nerdy information and technical discussions of the topic at hand. Reading the information is optional, though it may win you a pie slice in Trivial Pursuit.
The publisher maintains a support page with updates or changes that occur between editions of this book. Go to www.dummies.com, search for Android Phones For Dummies, then open the Extras tab on this book’s specific page to view the updates or changes. Or click the Cheat Sheet link to view helpful information pulled from throughout the text.
On a personal note, my email address is dgookin@wambooli.com. Yes, that’s my real address. I reply to every email I receive, especially when you keep your question short and specific to this book. Although I enjoy saying “Hi,” I cannot answer technical support questions, resolve billing issues, or help you troubleshoot your phone. Thanks for understanding.
My website is wambooli.com. This book has its own page on that site, which you can check for updates, new information, and all sorts of fun stuff. Visit often:
wambooli.com/help/android/phones
Thank you for reading the introduction. Few people do, and it would save a lot of time and bother if they did. Consider yourself fortunate, though you probably knew that.
Your task now: Start reading the rest of the book — but not the whole thing, and especially not in order. Observe the table of contents and find something that interests you. Or look up your puzzle in the index. When these suggestions don’t cut it, just start reading Chapter 1.
Part 1
IN THIS PART …
Get started with Android phones.
Work through the setup of your Android phone.
Learn how to use your Android phone.
Discover parts of the Android phone.
Chapter 1
IN THIS CHAPTER
Freeing the phone from its box
Setting up the phone
Charging the battery
Recognizing phone features
Obtaining accessories
Taking the phone with you
Keeping the phone in one place
It may have a funky 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.
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. 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:
It’s rare, but the phone may feature a removable battery. If so, you’ll find the phone’s battery in the box, along with the phone’s rear cover. These items must be assembled. Look for instructions inside the box.
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.
Most Android phones come fully assembled. If yours doesn’t, the folks at the Phone Store have most likely put everything together for you. When you’re on your own, some setup may be required. This process might involve installing the SIM card or microSD 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 sheeting over its screen, back, or sides. The sheeting might tell you where to find various features, so look it over before you peel it off. And, yes, you need to remove the sheeting; it’s for shipping protection, not for long-term phone protection.
Check the phone’s rear camera to confirm that you’ve removed the plastic sheeting from its lens.
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. They pretend like it’s a task that requires a PhD, but installing a SIM card is simple.
When you do need to install the SIM card yourself, follow these steps when the phone is turned off:
Pop the SIM card out of the credit-card-size holder.
Push the card with your thumb and it pops out. Don’t use scissors or you may damage the card.
Locate the SIM card cover on the phone’s outer edge.
The cover features a dimple or hole on one end.
Insert the SIM card removal tool into the hole on the SIM card cover; press it in firmly.
The SIM card cover pops up or the SIM card tray slides out.
Insert the SIM card into the SIM card slot, or place the SIM card into the SIM card tray and reinsert it into the phone.
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.
Close the SIM card 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.
A few Android phones offer removable storage in the form of a microSD card. If your phone sports this feature, go out and obtain a microSD card to take advantage of the extra storage.
No, your phone didn’t come with a microSD card — unless the Phone Store included it as a “bonus.” (You still paid for it.)
To insert a microSD card, heed these directions:
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.
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.
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.
FIGURE 1-1: Opening the microSD card hatch.
You may hear a faint clicking sound when the card is fully inserted. If you don’t, use the end of a paperclip or your fingernail to fully insert the card.
To remove the microSD card, follow these steps:
Turn off the phone.
It’s possible to remove the card while the phone is on, and directions are offered in Chapter 18. For now, ensure that the phone is off. Specific power-off directions are found in Chapter 2.
Open the little hatch covering the microSD card slot.
Refer to the preceding section.
Using your fingernail or a bent paperclip, gently press the microSD card inward a tad.
The microSD card is spring-loaded, so pressing it in pops it outward.
After you’ve removed the card, you can continue using the phone. It works just fine without a microSD card.
A microSD card is teensy! If you remove it from your phone, keep it in a safe place where you won’t lose it. Never stick the microSD card into your ear.
The phone’s battery may have enough oomph in it to run the setup-and-configuration process at the Phone Store. If so, count yourself lucky. Otherwise, you need to charge the phone’s battery. Don’t worry about flying a kite and waiting for a lightning storm. Instead, follow these steps:
If necessary, assemble the charging cord.
Connect the charger head (the plug thing) to the USB cable that comes with the phone.
Plug the phone into the USB cable.
The charger cord plugs into the micro-USB connector, found at the phone’s bottom.
As the phone charges, you may see a charging-battery graphic on the touchscreen, or a notification lamp on the phone’s front side may glow. Such activity is normal.
The phone may turn on when you plug it in for a charge. That’s okay, but read Chapter 2 to find out what to do the first time the phone turns on.