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Immediately begin to familiarize yourself with your newly acquired Android device by executing these initial tasks:

Newly acquired Android phone? Familiarize yourself! Follow these initial steps to explore your device and personalize it.

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4 min read
Start with these initial actions for a recently bought Android device:
Start with these initial actions for a recently bought Android device:

Immediately begin to familiarize yourself with your newly acquired Android device by executing these initial tasks:

Welcome to your new Android ride! Whether you're a seasoned Android user or a freshly initiated one, there's always something new to discover on your snazzy new smartphone. The Android galaxy offers a dizzying number of customizations, making it a breeze to tweak every nook and cranny to suit your tastes, eliminate unwanted chaos, and boost productivity. Here are ten tasks to tackle first as you dive into the Android zoo.

1. Ditch the nagging pre-installed apps

Uninvited guests, or should I say unwanted apps, come bundled with a smartphone. You know, bloatware—these are those pesky applications your manufacturer or service carrier thought you needed but didn't ask for. Samsung phones might flaunt duplicates (like Samsung Messages and Google Messages) and pre-installed mobile games, while AT&T is notorious for loading up your device with apps.

These unnecessary apps can slow down your speed demon and gobble up precious storage space. Some are just plain ads. To boot these unwanted passengers, open the Settings app on your Android phone, tap the Apps tab, and select each app to either Delete or Disable them individually. Remember that some apps can't be deleted but can only be disabled.

2. Customize your Quick Settings

Elevate your Android prowess with Quick Settings, the grouping of quick toggles and shortcuts you'd usually find when swiping down from the top of your screen. By default, they're arranged like a pick 'n' mix, but to match your preferences, rearrange them using the pencil icon you'll find on the Quick Settings page.

3. Settle the gesture vs. buttons debate

The great Android debate: stand-alone navigation buttons or gestures? While fans of classic navigation with its distinct home, back, and recent apps buttons still hold on, the tides have largely shifted towards sleeker, space-saving gestures. Whichever side of the fence you're on, you can choose your preference by navigating to Settings > Display > Navigation Mode.

4. Sport your own launcher or stick with the default

One of the perks of Android is the ability to replace or tweak your launcher. Third-party launchers are not as popular as they once were thanks to mature stock Android skins, but you can still swap in a new one by downing a launcher from the Google Play store and making it your default launcher app in settings. Or, tweak the At a Glance widget in Pixel Launcher, if you're keeping things in the family.

5. Embrace Digital Wellbeing

Curbing your smartphone addiction? Give Digital Wellbeing a whirl. It's a suite of Android life-savers designed to help you unplug, mindfully enjoy your moments, and reduce your screen time. You can set up a Focus mode to mute digital distractions, set screen time limits, or get reminders when you're glued to a screen for too long. The more you explore its features, the safer your Android journey will be.

6. Turn on auto-deletion for one-time passwords (OTPs)

Did your new Android phone happen to come with Google Messages as its default SMS app? If not, you can install it manually from the Google Play Store and set it as your default SMS app in Settings. Once that's done, enable auto-deletion for one-time passcodes (OTPs). They're temporary codes given for one use, and this feature in Google Messages automatically deletes them after 24 hours to keep your chats neat and tidy.

7. Activate Emergency SOS and medical information

Android is brimming with crucial health and safety features, like Emergency SOS and Medical information. These will help you get help in an emergency and provide vital info about you to first responders. They're all tucked away in the Safety & emergency tab of stock Android.

8. Update your phone and apps

Once you've completed the initial setup process, it's time to update your software. Your new Android phone probably won't come with Android 15 right out of the box, so it'll need an update. Navigate to Settings > Software update to check for the latest software version and follow any on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Now, log into the Google Play Store with your Google account and download your previously installed apps to your new phone. This is also where you'll go to update other Android apps.

While Apple fans bask in the spotlight with the integration between iPhones and Macs, Android users often miss out on the love between Android phones and Windows PCs. That's right—you can link your new Android phone to your computer to send texts, make calls, share photos and files, mirror, and control your phone all from your PC. It's all done with the Microsoft Phone Link app on Windows 11 and the Link to Windows app on Android. Spend a few minutes to set it up, and it'll be a guaranteed game-changer.

10. Set your sights on customizing your always-on display

Many top-tier Android phones offer an always-on display mode, which means you'll see essential details like time, date, and notification badges even when the screen is off. The specific options available will depend on your phone's OEM, but you can usually adjust AOD (that's the industry term for an always-on display) settings. For starters, all makers with an AOD option will let you turn it off, saving battery life. Otherwise, set AOD schedules, customize what appears on your lock screen, and live like a digital kingpin.

And there you have it—a solid foundation to help you get started with your new Android seedling. Ready to explore more? Run wild in your phone's settings menu, and you'll uncover a host of options that even you didn't know existed. When you're all settled and exploring new territory, give the best Android apps a test-run to breathe fresh life into your device.

The best Android phone in town

Fancy a new Android phone to call your tropical paradise? The Pixel 9 Pro deserves a shot. It's a stunner with impressive display and camera hardware, a powerful Tensor G4 processor, and a slew of AI features. Dive into the deals!

  • Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T
  • MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket
  • Carrier deals: Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile | Mint Mobile | Visible
  1. To increase the storage space on your new Android phone and eliminate unwanted apps, consider disabling or deleting the pre-installed 'gadgets' like bloatware such as extra messaging apps or unnecessary games.
  2. Customize your 'smartphone' experience by rearranging the Quick Settings tiles according to your preferences, allowing for quicker access to features you use frequently.

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