With any new smartphone, there is a bit of setup to be done. With Android, users can tweak every minute detail of the device to get the best experience. There’s no reason to go hunting around the Internet for all the best tip and tricks for your new Android phone. We’re here to bring it all together for you.
1. Prepare Your Google Account
If you’re using an Ice Cream Sandwich device, you might consider manually adding a higher-resolution image to your favorite contacts. There are a lot of places in the new OS that contact images are shown off in a big tile-based UI. If the users have used a tiny image for their profile pic, it’s going to look a little busted on the phone.
As for Gmail, we still suggest that you add a filter for Android Market purchases, although the way you go about this has changed. Each time you buy an app, book, video, or MP3 from the Market, Google emails a receipt. Since that mail ends up on your phone, you don’t want to be bothered with an email each and every time.
Head to the Gmail settings, and go to Filters. At the bottom choose to make a new filter. You’ll only have to fill in the “from” field in this first box. The address for these receipt emails changes from time to time, but right now it’s “noreply-android-market@google.com.” On the next page, just choose to automatically mark these emails as “Read” when they come in. You might also consider automatically labeling it as a receipt for easy access later. You may also use the "from:" modifier in the search box to pull up the same filter options.
Lastly for your initial setup, get a Google Voice number if you don’t already have one. Unfortunately, this service is still US-only. Sorry to our international friends; feel free to skip ahead. Everyone else, go to the Google Voice site and get an account, then choose a number. You will have to associate the account with an mobile existing number, which Google Voice will then call to confirm. Just like that you can get voicemail transcription, call recording, cheap international calls, and free SMS.
2. Secure your phone
On Froyo and later, you can set up a PIN, password, or pattern lock. The pattern lock is a hallmark of Android. You have a grid of nine dots, and you draw a line intersecting at least 4 of them. That pattern must be entered each time you unlock the device. It is a fairly secure lock, but PIN and passwords are a little more robust.
Starting with Android 4.0, there is a new face unlock feature that uses the front-facing camera to identify the owner of the phone, and unlock. As a backup, the system will also have you set a PIN or pattern lock as a backup in case something goes wrong with the face ID. We’ve found face lock to be very accurate, but you can also go back to the Security menu to further train face unlock. Try training it both with and without your glasses, or with various stages of beard growth for the guys out there.
3. Configure Google Voice Voicemail
Verizon’s system won’t process the change automatically, so you have to head over to the Google Voice site on your computer and manually set up voicemail in the phone settings. It will provide you with a code to set up conditional call forwarding, which is basically what the Google Voice app does automatically on other carriers.
Sprint users have a unique deal where all the calls and voicemail can be routed through Google Voice on the carrier level. Very little setup is required on the Google Voice site.
However you go about doing this, remember that call forwarding is usually not available on pre-paid plans, so you’re out of luck there.
4. Use Google+ to save your snapshots
Your new phone probably comes with Google+ pre-installed, and if you’re on Ice Cream Sandwich, it even asks you to sign up if you don’t already have a profile. Even if you don’t intend to post on Google’s social network, we suggest you set up an account to save your pictures in the cloud.
Storage is unlimited and free for phone uploads, but images will be cropped to a maximum of 2048 pixels wide on a side, and videos will only be saved if they are 15 minutes or less. You might lose a little resolution, but it’s still more than enough to share online. You can’t argue with the price, either.
5. Kill carrier bloatware on Android 4.0
Go into the main system settings, and open the Applications menu. Head over to the All apps tab, and find the offending software. When you open the details page, it should have a Disable button right at the top. It takes just a second and the app will be removed from your app drawer. Any processes associated with the app will also be killed for good.
Users of older phones are probably going to have to root to do this (more on that later), but check to make sure the crapware is not uninstallable in that same menu. Sometimes these apps are separate from the ROM itself.
6. Get your music into the cloud
Once you’ve got your content saved, you can also buy new music from the Android Market and have it automatically saved to your Google Music account. All that music is visible in the Android Music app, as well. You can stream any of it with an Internet connection, and from within the Music app, you can save tracks for offline listening.
Google Music can accept up to 20,000 tracks from your computer, so it’s ideal for large collections. You never need to worry about keeping a lot of music on your device again. It’s easy to sync favorite tracks and stream the rest.
7. Data monitoring is a must
If you’re running Android 2.3 or earlier, grab 3G Watchdog from the Android Market. There is a free version with basic tools, and more advanced paid version for $3. This app runs as a service in the background and counts all the bytes you use. 3G Watchdog arrays your data on handy graphs, and can predict usage if you have the Pro version. It ties in with APNdroid to shut off data at certain thresholds if you like.
On Android 4.0, Google introduced a native data monitoring interface that is easily accessible in the main system settings. Just set up your billing cycle, and you’re off to the races. Users can set a threshold for warnings, and if one chooses, a hard limit where data will be cut off. There are sliders on the graph such that you can see what your usage has been like between any two dates. Below the graph is a nice list of apps organized by individual data usage. We have found this part to be much more accurate than 3G Watchdog was.
8. Ringtones
There are two ways to go about getting custom ringtones on your Android phone. Your first option is to download Ringdroid from the Market. Using this app, you can clip any audio file on your phone, and save it as a ringtone or notification sound. This app is a mainstay of the platform, and you should keep it around just in case. Unfortunately, it has yet to be updated to Android 4.0, and does not currently work.
Your other alternative is to find the audio file you want, and edit it on your computer with a program like Audacity. Take the resulting file, and save it as an MP3 to the phone’s SD card. If the file is in the Ringtone root directory, it will be detected as such by Android. Same goes for the Notifications folder.
9. Make navigation shortcuts and cache your maps
On Android 2.3 and earlier, long-press on the home screen and choose Shortcuts. Scroll down until you find Directions and Navigation. When you add this, Android will pull up a dialog that asks for an address, name, and type of directions you want. Checking the turn-by-turn box will automatically send you into navigation mode when pressed. On Android 4.0, the only difference is where you find the option. Shortcuts have been merged into widgets with Ice Cream Sandwich, so just head to the widget tab in the app drawer to find the same Directions and Navigation item.
next, you should cache your local maps so you will have access to them offline. This will help you save bandwidth, and could be useful for finding your way sans data connection. Go into the Maps app, and go to the Labs section in the settings. here, you need to activate Pre-caching Maps. Then go to the map view, and long-press in the center of the area you want to cache. Tap on the bubble that comes up, and one of the options should be "Pre-cache map area."
10. Join your social media contacts
Strangely, on this screen you need to hit menu again and choose Join, or Join Contacts. The next page will find suggested contacts for you based on the display names. If that’s the sticking point keeping your friends from showing up properly, just hit menu (yes, again) and choose Display Options. Enable all contacts, and you can scroll through to find the contact you need to merge.
This is mostly the same on Android 4.0, except that it should automatically show all your contacts if the phone is unsure what listings you might want to merge.
11. Set up owner information
A similar system in Android 4.0 is called Owner Information, but it’s not so prominently displayed. Head to the main system settings, and find the Security sub-menu. Here you will see Owner Info as an option near the top. If you head in here, you can input any text you want to show up on the lock screen.
Technically, you could use it to make a little joke, but it’s smarter to put contact info in so if your phone is found, a third-party can contact you without needing to unlock the device. This is especially important if you use patterns or PINs to lock your device. We just have a name and email address on the lock screen, but you could even put an alternate phone number.
12. Set Adobe Flash to on-demand
For as long as Adobe Flash is still available on the Android platform, your should take this one step to make your browsing experience better. When Flash content loads, it tends to drag down the page slightly, and also increases loading times. If you’re on a tiered data plan, Flash will also cause you to burn through more bytes.
13. Customize your dictionary
Go into your main system settings and find the Language and Keyboard sub-menu. On ICS devices the menu is called Language and Input, but your manufacturer might have called it something else similar. Select User Dictionary, or Personal Dictionaries (again, depending on version), then use Menu > Add, or hit the plus button at the bottom to create new entries.
While using your device, you will also have the opportunity to add words to the dictionary. As you type, words that are not recognized can be added to the dictionary on Android 2.3 by tapping on the word as typed in the suggestion bar twice; once to confirm the spelling, and again to save it. In Android 4.0 and later, you can simply tap on a word with the red spelling alert underline, and a list of suggested changes will pop up. At the bottom there will be an option to Add to Dictionary.
14. Get the essential apps and utilities
Now that the basics are out of the way, it’s time to load up on some apps to make your phone more useful to you. Here are a few of our favorite Android apps.Astro or AntTek file managers: There are times you will need to poke around in your Android phone’s file system, and both of these apps will help you do it in style. Astro is a robust app that includes extras like app extraction/backup, and task management. The interface is a little clunky, and we’re not fans of the new look. AntTek is slick with a slide-out temporary space for moving files around. It also looks great. Both apps have free versions with ads, but the full version will cost a few bucks.
Any.DO: Everyone needs a to-do manger, and Any.DO is our current favorite. This app has a really nice clean look, and uses gestures to control crossing off items. You shake the phone to clear old tasks. If your task involves calling a contact, there will be a handy dial button linked to the task. There is a widget that lets you mark things as done from the home screen, too. This one is free.
Evernote: Having a cloud-connected device in your pocket is the perfect opportunity to jot down a quick note or idea. So you’re going to need a note taking app, and there is nothing better than Evernote. The interface has improved dramatically over the last year and it supports photo, text, and audio notes. Evernote is free up to 25MB in monthly bandwidth, which is a lot of notes.
Awesome Drop: As its name suggest, Awesome Drop is indeed awesome. This app provides a quick and easy way to get files onto your Android device without plugging it in. The Awesome Drop site uses HTML5 drag and drop to upload files to your phone, which you associate with a throwaway account via a PIN code. Awesome Drop is free.
15. Pick up the best games
It’s not all business around here. So grab these excellent games to pass the time.Shadowgun: This is an intense third-person shooter with great controls, good voice acting, and stellar graphics. Most stages are based around running for cover, and popping up to tag the baddies. The game scales well to a variety of phone specs, and isn’t too expensive at $4.99.
Fruit Ninja: Look, this is a simple game, but it’s also fun. Fruit flies up, and you slice it in half with a quick swipe. What’s not to like about that? The game is smooth on almost any phone, and there is a special HD version for Tegra 2 devices. The basic version will run you $1.
Sprinkle: This might be the single best game on a mobile device. Sprinkle is a physics-based puzzler with not a hint of birds. You have to use a fire-fighting hose to put out the flames threatening the homes of the good people of Titan. There are some really excellent water physics, and the game looks incredible. We are constantly blown away by the clever level design. $1.99, but we would have paid more.
Battleheart: Get your team together and head out for adventure in Battleheart. This game is part real-time strategy and part RPG. Your band of four units can level over time, find new gear, and learn new skills. Can you make it through each stage with everyone still alive? You’ll have the opportunity to find out while enjoying the challenging gameplay and vibrant cartoon-style graphics. $2.99.
16. Set up Market updates and security
With these settings, your device will occasionally check in with the Market to see what requires an update, and if you are on Wi-Fi, your apps will be updated in the background. Apps that have changes in permissions have to be manually updated, but if you leave Notifications checked in the settings, you will be alerted to this.
Also part of the last round of market updates was the ability to lock your market with a PIN code. To set this up, go back to the Market app settings and scroll down past the general section to User Controls. You’re going to want to set a PIN first, but make sure you will remember it. There is no going back after this but completely resetting.
The PIN lock will keep your important settings from being changed without the code. So content filtering stays where you set it, and more importantly, you can require the PIN for purchases. No more worries that your little ones will buy 20 apps accidentally.
17. Sync Chrome bookmarks in Android 4.0
From your desktop Chrome browser, go into the settings, and go to the Personal Stuff tab. he first option should be to sign into Chrome with your Google account. When you do this, do not encrypt everything. It's find to leave passwords encrypted, but there is a bug in the Google sync system that will prevent encrypted bookmarks from being synced. The sync will fail on the phone, and you won't be given an explanation.
Once that's done, your bookmarks should populate in a separate tab from the local ones. Any changes will be reflected on all your connected browser.
18. Try some alternative keyboards
With Swype, you just trace a line that passes through the letters of each word, and Swype figures out what you mean. It’s usually uncannily accurate, and there are a ton of shortcuts built into the interface. It’s a little bit less accurate for tapping out non-dictionary words, but you shouldn’t have to do that too much. Since this is not in the Market, it’s a little bit of a pain to install. For some users, Swype is amazingly fast and accurate, but others still prefer tapping, and there is an option for that as well.
The folks at SwitfKey have been refining their Android text entry offering for the last few years, and in 2011 we saw SwiftKey X drop, and it’s really excellent. The keys are responsive, and the prediction algorithm is scary-good. It remembers what you type over time, and combines that with your content in Gmail, SMS, Facebook, and Twitter to learn the words you use. If that last bit is a little too weird for you, just know that it’s optional. We also like the plethora of settings included with this little wonder. The full version of SwiftKey X is $3.99 in the Market.
19. Try some home screen alternatives
LauncherPro has been a long time favorite home screen that offers features like variable grid layouts, transition effects, and scrollable widgets. Swiping from screen to screen is very fluid, and the dock at the bottom of the screen is totally customizable with unique icons and notification popups. The full version of LuncherPro with all the widgets costs $3.50, but even the free edition is great.
Another choice is ADW and ADW EX. The EX version is a paid, non-open source app that will run you about $3. Both of these apps are smooth home screen replacements with a lot of options. Whereas development of LaucherPro seems to have slowed, ADW is forging ahead and has even started adding support for Honeycomb, and some limited ICS features. This app includes scrollable widgets, theming, and gesture-control. Definitely check out the free version to get a feel for it and compare to LauncherPro.
20. Design the perfect home screen
The center home screen panel is where you should keep your most important widgets and apps. Basically, anything that you want to glance at often. We like to have weather and system stats on this panel, but maybe you want to have sports scores. Watch for rotation lag on keyboarded devices, and laggy scrolling on all phones. Most devices should be fine, but a misbehaving widget can cause a multitude of issues.
On Android 4.0, the home screen is much more flexible with new and improved folders. Just drop an app icon onto another and you have a folder. You can have up to 16 apps in each folder, and it is even possible to rearrange the apps within the folder. Because this is so easy, you should try to work folders into your home screen design. Folders can also live in the launcher dock at the bottom of the screen so they area available everywhere.
21. Make settings more easily accessible
When you place this on a home screen, you will be asked to choose a destination from a list of about a dozen. There are options like Data usage, battery, apps, display, and Wi-Fi settings. This makes it very simple to get to important areas that might be a few levels deep in the settings with just one tap. The shortcuts can also be put in a folder for easy storage. See above for more on that.
On older versions of Android, you can do something similar with an app called AnyCut. The interface is a bit clunky, but you can actually make custom shortcuts to anything on the phone. Unfortunately, a lot of these are labeled only as esoteric system functions with no explanation, making it tough to find the right things.
22. Root your phone
In the case of most phones, a root exploit will be developed fairly quickly. It may just be a one-click exploit, or it may require a little command line work with ADB on a computer. This functionality is really only officially supported for Nexus devices. Nexus phones can be rooted by running a fastboot OEM unlock through ADB, and flashing the super user binary to the device.
To find out how to root your device, you may have to slink around places like XDA or RootzWiki forums to see what the latest is. Most companies will patch root exploits in updates, so unless you install custom ROMs, or block updates, you have to stay on top of things.
23. Backup your phone (with root)
We don’t recommend you bother with backing up things like contacts, bookmarks, or apps. These are all handled by the Google cloud as long as you leave the backup checkboxes filled during start up. All this data should come back any time you log into a new, or newly reset Android phone.
You might, however, consider backing up app data if you’re rooted. Developers can set a flag to have the app data backed up and restored automatically, but most don’t. Titanium Backup is a great app for this and it can be used for a ton of other things too. Android apps that you’re worried might not be available in the future can be backed up as APK files that you can install on any phone. We’ve always used Astro File Manager for this, but there are other apps out there. Non-rooted phones can do this as well.
24. Automate your phone
Locale is a very mature app that uses a plug-in ecosystem to extend its basic functionality. The app comes with triggers like location, time, and contact calling. You will use these to create situations that you can use to trigger different actions. Locale can do things like turn Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on and off, change the brightness, change the ring/ring mode, and shuffle the wallpaper. There are also a number of other apps in the Market that come with Locale plug-ins, as well as stand alone plug-ins. Locale is $3.99 in the Market.
Whereas Locale is a guided experience, Tasker is the “choose your own adventure” of Android automation. Tasker uses a somewhat convoluted series of menus to create situations, but you’ve got a huge number of options. Everything from accelerometer state, to location, to whether or not you have headphones plugged in can be recognized by Tasker. With a little coding magic, Tasker can even do more exotic things like pull down weather and read it to you, or load directions and map them automatically. Tasker can use Locale plug-ins, but to get the most out of it you need to get familiar with its inner workings. Tasker is a bit more expensive at $6.49.
25. Analyze your battery consumption
After the device has been unplugged for a little bit, the first place to go is the Battery Use menu. On Android 2.3 and earlier, this is hidden in the Phone Info menu in the main system settings. On ICS and later, it has been given a more prominent place in the settings under Battery. This list will show you how much juice each process has used. The percent displayed is not a percent of total power, but the percent of what has been used so far.
On Android 4.0, this menu offers a little more information when you tap on one of the processes listed. Android will show you the time the app has been in the foreground, and the amount of time is has kept the phone awake. This is also known as wakelock. If an app is keeping the phone from sleeping for very long, it might be causing undue battery drain.
Another app you can use to check for battery drain issues is CPU Spy. This handy utility will record your CPU history, so you can see how long your CPU has been at each performance threshold. If it’s not in deep sleep for the vast majority of the time, you have either been using it a lot, or an app has gone rogue. Take a closer look at the Battery menu, and start uninstalling newer apps until you have things under control.
Once your battery situation has been verified as good, it’s time to just start enjoying the phone secure in the knowledge that you’ve done everything you can to make it the best it can be. What are your favorite tips for setting up an Android phone?
