Turning on the device for the first time

The very first time you turn on an Android gizmo is a special occasion. That’s when you’re required to work through the setup-and-configuration process. This ordeal needs to be endured only once, and it’s not terribly complex. In fact, you can merrily skip many of the options and complete them later, though I recommend that you get it out of the way now.

The specifics of the setup and configuration differ subtly, depending on the device’s manufacturer and cellular provider. If the people at the phone store helped you through the process, great! If not, first read the generic steps presented in this section and then go back and work the steps with your phone or tablet:

1. Press and hold the Power/Lock key.

   You may have to press the key longer than you think; when you see the brand logo appear on the screen, release the key.

   It’s okay to turn on the device while it’s plugged in and charging.

2. Answer the questions presented.

   The prompts you see include the following:

   • Select your language
   • Activate the device on the mobile data network
   • Connect to a Wi-Fi network
   • Set the time zone
   • Accept terms and conditions
   • Sign in to your Google account
   • Restore data from another Android mobile device or your Google account
   • Add other online accounts
   • Set location information
   • Grant permissions

   When in doubt, accept the choice presented. Even if you don’t tap the SKIP button, you can use the Android to make or change a setting later. Details are offered throughout this book.

   To fill in text fields, use the device’s onscreen keyboard. See Chapter 4 for keyboard information.

3. After each choice, tap the NEXT or SKIP button.

   The NEXT button might be labeled with the text or an icon, as shown in the margin. The SKIP button is always text, though it’s sometimes difficult to locate on the screen.

4. Tap the FINISH button.

   The FINISH button appears on the last screen of the setup procedure.

From this point on, starting the phone or tablet works as described in the next section.

After the initial setup, you’re taken to the Home screen. Chapter 3 offers details on using the Home screen, which you probably should read right away, before the temptation to play with your new phone or tablet becomes unbearable.

• During setup as well as immediately after and as you explore your Android, you see prompts to try out or understand various phone or tablet features. Some of those prompts are helpful, but it’s okay to skip them. To do so, tap the GOT IT or OK button. If it’s present, select the Do Not Show Again check box so that you won’t be bothered again.
• Additional information on connecting your Android to a Wi-Fi network is found in Chapter 18.

• If you’re upgrading from an older phone or you already have an Android tablet, the restore operation ensures that your new device has all your old apps and other details from that other device. This is one of the beauties of the Android operating system: Moving to a new device isn’t that painful.

• Apps must ask permission to use certain features or device hardware. I recommend that you tap the ALLOW button for now. You can review app permissions later, which is a topic covered in Chapter 22.
• Some apps request use of the device’s GPS technology to obtain your location. As with other permissions, I recommend that you allow the apps to proceed. That way, you get the most from your phone or tablet.
• It’s not necessary to use any specific software provided by the device’s manufacturer or your cellular provider. For example, if you don’t want a Samsung account, you don’t need to sign up for one; skip that step.
• Your Google account provides for coordination between your Android and your Gmail messages, contacts, Google Calendar appointments, and information and data from other Google Internet applications.
• See the later sidebar “Who is this Android person?” for more information about the Android operating system.

Turning on the phone or tablet

To turn on your Android, press and hold the Power/Lock key. After a few seconds, you feel the device vibrate slightly and the start-up logo appears. You can release the Power/Lock key and enjoy the hypnotic animation and perhaps start-up music.

Eventually, you see the lock screen. See the later section “Working a screen lock” for information on what to do next.

• You may be prompted to work a screen lock before the device fully starts. This could be an option you set when the Android was first configured or because internal storage is encrypted. See Chapter 22 for details.
• An Android won’t turn on when the battery charge is too low, even if you connect it to a power source. In this situation, wait for the battery to charge.

Unlocking the device

Most of the time, you don’t turn your phone or tablet off and on. Instead, you lock and unlock it. To unlock and use the device, press the Power/Lock key. A quick press is all that’s needed. The touchscreen comes to life and you see the lock screen, similar to what’s illustrated in Figure 2-1.

To begin using the Android, swipe the screen as illustrated in the figure. If you have the screen lock applied, work the lock; see the next section for details. For gizmos with a fingerprint reader, tap your finger to the reader to unlock.

Eventually you find yourself at the Home screen, where you can begin to use and interact with your phone or tablet.

• Samsung devices with a Home key are unlocked when you press that key. The key is centered below the touchscreen.
• On Samsung Galaxy Note gizmos, remove the S Pen to unlock the device.
• Opening the cover on an Android tablet unlocks the device.
• You can answer an Android phone, or decline an incoming call, without having to unlock the device. See Chapter 5 for more information.

Working a screen lock

The point of the lock screen is to prevent the Home screen from appearing immediately after you press the Power/Lock key: Swipe the screen to unlock the phone or tablet. Yet, the swipe lock isn’t that difficult to pick.

If you’ve added more security to your phone or tablet, you must work a screen lock after you swipe the lock screen. The common types of screen lock include:

• Pattern: Trace a preset pattern over dots on the screen.
• PIN: Use the onscreen keyboard to type a number to unlock the device.
• Password: Type a password, which can include letters, numbers, and symbols.

One of these screen locks appears after you swipe the screen and before you can access the Home screen. To apply these locks, see Chapter 22.

• The swipe lock is considered the standard Android screen lock: Swipe the screen as directed in the preceding section.
• If you’ve applied the dreadful “None” screen lock, even the lock screen doesn’t appear: Press the Power/Lock key to immediately see the Home screen. I do not recommend this type of screen lock.
• For the fingerprint lock, tap the reader with your finger.
• Other wacky screen locks are available on some devices, including the signature unlock found on Galaxy Note phones and tablets. These all work the same: Press the Power/Lock key, and then work the screen lock to gain access to your Android.

Unlocking and running an app

Your phone or tablet’s lock screen may feature app icons, such as the Camera icon, illustrated earlier, in Figure 2-1. To unlock the screen and run that app, drag its icon across the touchscreen.

For example, to place a quick phone call, swipe the phone icon up the screen. The phone unlocks and the Phone app appears. Similarly, you can swipe the Camera app icon to snap a quick photo.

• Unlocking and running an app doesn’t fully unlock the device when a secure screen lock is applied. If you try to use apps other than the one you swiped, the device prompts you for the screen lock.
• Some devices let you customize lock screen apps. Look for a Lock Screen item in the Settings app, where you can add or remove lock screen apps.

Locking the device

Locking the gizmo is cinchy: Press and release the Power/Lock key. The display goes dark; your phone or tablet is locked.

• The phone or tablet spends most of its time locked.
• Some Androids 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 impact the device’s battery life, and in many cases this setting can be changed if you don’t like the always-on touchscreen. See Chapter 21 for details.
• Your phone or tablet spends most of its time locked. The gizmo still works while locked; email comes in, music continues to play, alerts bleep, and alarms clang. Phone calls arrive. Yet, while the device is locked, it doesn’t use as much power as it does when the display on.
• Press and release the Power/Lock key to lock an Android phone during a call. The call stays connected, but the touchscreen display is disabled.

• Locking doesn’t turn off your Android.

• The phone or tablet locks automatically after a period of inactivity, usually 30 seconds. You can set another timeout value, if you like. Refer to Chapter 21.

Turning off your Android

To turn off your mobile device, heed these steps:

1. Press and hold the Power/Lock key.

   The Device Options card appears.

2. Release the Power/Lock key.

   The Device Options card may contain only one item, Power Off, as shown in Figure 2-2. Also shown is the Power Options card, with more options,

   If you chicken out and don’t want to turn off your Android, tap the Back navigation icon to dismiss the Device Options card.

3. Tap the Power Off item.

   If a confirmation message appears, tap the OK button. The Android shuts itself off.

The Android doesn’t run when it’s off. You aren’t reminded about appointments. Email stays on the server. Alarms don’t trigger. Phone calls are missed. The device isn’t angry with you for turning it off, though you may sense some resentment when you turn it on again.

• Calls received while an Android phone is off are routed instead to voice mail.
• You can charge your phone or tablet while it’s off.
• The Device Options card might sport more options than what’s shown in Figure 2-2. The bare minimum is the Power Off item. Other items might include Restart, Sleep, Kid Mode, as well as volume and vibration settings.

• Keep your Android in a safe place while it’s turned off. Chapter 1 offers some suggestions.