How to Set Up Your New Android Smartphone in a Snap

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Having a new smartphone can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time. You’re excited because it’s probably the latest model and you can’t wait to try out its new features. However, setting up a new device can be a bit frustrating for some.

Fortunately, Android 5.0 Lollipop has made the Android Phone Setup process a lot easier and less labor-intensive than before. Now, you don’t have to manually download your apps one at a time or build your contacts all over again. To set up your new smartphone, follow these steps:

  • The first thing you have to do is turn on the power.
  • The welcome screen will ask you to install a SIM card if you haven’t installed one yet. Check your device for the SIM card slot. It can either be at the side, top, bottom or the back of the device. Some methods require the use of a SIM card ejector to pop out the SIM card slot. If it’s not available, you can use the end of a paper clip or one of your earrings (as long as it fits the hole of the SIM card slot).
  • Put the SIM card into the tray and slide it back inside the phone. If you’re using a new SIM card, you might be asked to nominate a PIN number.
  • If you can’t find the slot or have trouble inserting the SIM card, check your device manual for instructions.
  • The next step in setting up a new Android smartphone is choosing your language from the dropdown list. You also have the option to connect to a Wi-Fi network, if there’s one available.
  • Next, you’ll have to decide how you can transfer your apps, contacts and other personal data from your old device to your new Android phone.

For this, you have two options, to restore from a backup or set up your device as new. Choosing the second option means starting from scratch. It is ideal if the device is your very first smartphone and you have no existing data from other devices. However, if you have a lot of personal data from your previous Android devices, you can restore from your backup using your old device, your Google account, or an iPhone/iPad. If your old device has a built-in NFC or near field communication feature, you can use Tap & Go to move your files and data over to your new device. Otherwise, you can restore your data by logging into your Google account.

If you’re using Google Pixel, transferring data is very easy with the Quick Switch Adaptor. Just connect the two devices, select the items you want to move, and you’re done! Just take note that the adapter will only work on devices running on Android 5.0 Lollipop and up or iOS 8.

But before you move your data, you should get rid of junk files first on your device, so you don’t copy them over to your new smartphone. You can use an app such as Android cleaner tool to delete trash from your phone.

Android Tap & Go

Tap & Go is a feature that comes with Android 5.0 Lollipop and is usually part of the initial set up process for new devices. Using Tap & Go is an easy way to move your Google accounts, contacts, apps and other data to your new device.

The only requirement for this feature is that your new Android phone should be running on the Lollipop OS and your old device has built-in NFC. To restore the backup using Tap & Go, follow these steps:

  • Turn on NFC on both devices.
  • Put the devices back-to-back.
  • Wait while the data is being copied to your new Android device. It may take a while depending on the amount of data to be copied.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.

Restore From a Backup

If your old device doesn’t have a built-in NFC, you can instead copy your data that has been backed up to your Google account. You can back up your photos, apps, and files through the Google account associated with your old device.

During set up, skip Tap & Go to choose another restore option. You can then want to restore your data from any Android device associated with your Google account.

Set Up as New

If you want to make a fresh start, you can download and install everything manually. If your contacts are synced with your Google account, these will be carried over to your new Android smartphone when you log in.

Final Instructions

Once you have transferred all your data to your new device, you’re almost ready to use it. If your device is a non-Pixel smartphone, you may be asked to sign into a separate account, such as Samsung. Otherwise, the rest of the setup process is pretty much the same.

  • Choose whether you want to opt into Google services, including automatic backups, location services and sending usage and diagnostic information to Google.
  • Set your time zone. If your new Android smartphone was bought in the same place where you live, it should detect your current date and time, so you don’t have to do anything else. If not, then you’ll have to manually select your time zone and see if the time and date are accurate.
  • Choose your unlock method. You can select and set up fingerprint, backup pattern, PIN or password to unlock your device. All lock/unlock methods need setting up.
  • Choose your notifications and how you want them to appear when your phone is locked. You have three options: show all, hide sensitive content and don’t show notifications.
  • Set up Google Assistant so that it can recognize your voice.

To Root or Not to Root

The next thing you have to consider is whether you want to root your phone or not. If you have OnePlus One, then there’s no need to root your device because it already has a custom ROM called Cyanogen. Rooting your device gives you access to advanced settings that are typically blocked by the manufacturer. Rooting will also remove your problem with bloatware or the pre-installed apps by your manufacturer and let you download apps that require root access.

Android Accessories

Now that you have the software set up, you need to think about how to protect your new Android smartphone and what accessories you need to maximize it. A smartphone case helps protect your device from drops and spills while a screen protector keeps the screen free from scratches and helps protect it from damage. If you’re always on the go, you might want to invest in a portable charger or an extra battery pack, so you don’t have to worry about being low on battery when you’re out.

After you have your data transferred and everything’s been set up, you can now enjoy your new Android device.

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