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Getting Started with Android - Tips and Tricks
Welcome!
If you are new to the Android Central Forums, Welcome! Don't hesitate to ask a question. Our Advisors, Moderators, and half-million Members will be quick to help. Here are our Guidelines and Android Dictionary.
World-wide, over over 50% of all smartphones are now Androids. Android has hundreds of amazing features, but how do you find them all? Plus with so many apps, how do you find the best ones? This Guide compiles over 500 tips and tricks to help you get the most from Android. Bookmark it as your quick reference. Here we go!
Transfer everything over
Here are special guides to help you transition from your old phone:
→ Apple User's Guide to Android
→ BlackBerry User's Guide to Android
→ Palm webOS User's Guide to Android
• Putting Music, Photos, Movies, Wallpaper and Documents on your phone
• Backup, Restore or Transfer Apps, Files, and Settings
Setup
• Settings
• Email - Gmail
• Messaging
• Phone
• Internet
• Contacts
• Applications
Customize
• Keyboards
• Notifications
• Live Wallpaper
• Folders
• Theming
Tips and Tricks
• Cut, Copy, Paste, and Share
• Search and Voice Search
• Extend Your Battery - Speed Up Your Phone
• Set Reoccuring Notifications and Put Notifications on Your Lockscreen
• Visual Voicemail
• Multitasking
This thread is for general topics. Please see the Android Forums for specific phones or rooting.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1305731205 ← Click the Getting Started button at the top of any page to come back here.
Overview
Android is a Google mobile Operating System (OS). There are over 700,000 new Android's activated a day and nearly 500,000 Applications for every need. There are dozens of Devices from Motorola, HTC, Samsung, LG, Acer, Asus, and Sony. If you see a word you don't know, see the Android Dictionary.
Choose your carrier. The Sensorly.com online maps shows the coverage levels found by users of their Sensorly app. Signal boosters like the Wilson Sleek are at Bestbuy and Amazon. For Sprint users: Get Your Spint EVP Discount, Upgrade Your Sprint Phone Every Year, and Get Great Reception at Home.
Choose your device. You can choose from small, medium, and large. You can opt for a physical keyboard, HD output, video chat, etc. Some phones are "free" but may require a 2-year contract totaling $2,000. Here is a Phone Comparison, and a Tablet Comparison. Note that phones such as the Nexus S line do not come with all of the features listed here.
Contacts, Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn Sync
Android integrates updates from Exchange, Facebook (except the Nexus S), Flickr, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other accounts into your Calendar and Contacts. As friends update their email addresses, birthdays, phone numbers, events, photos, and status, your phone is automatically updated.
• Set accounts to sync: Tap Home > Menu > Settings > Accounts & Sync to add an account or change settings.
• Outlook Calendar Sync can keep your Google (Android) Calendar synced with your Outlook calendar.
• New contacts: Always save contacts as Contact Type Google NOT to Phone or they will not be backed up automatically.
• Save battery: Set Accounts to update less often to save battery. Tap Menu > Settings > Accounts & sync > {account}.
• Backup contacts: Tap Home > Contact (on HTC People) > Inport/Export > Export
• Show/Hide Contacts: Tap Contact (on HTC People) > Menu > View to turn on or off contacts,
• For LinkedIn, first download the app.
• Show Groups: Tap Contacts > Menu > Groups button to see only certain groups of contacts.
Activate your phone
Here is and article and video on setting up your phone. Here are recent "Everything you need to know" articles:
- EVO 4G - Epic 4G - Droid X - Droid 2
Keys
On/Off: Tap On/Off Key on top to turn screen on/off
- - Long Press On/Off (for 1 second) for Power off, http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1283360008 Silent Mode, http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1283360108 Vibrate Mode, http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1283360167 Airplane mode, etc.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1283358490 Tap Home to leave an app. Tap the app again to come back where you left off.
- - Long Press Home (for 1 second) to see your most recently used apps. MoreRecent shows 15 apps.
- - Tap Home twice to see all of your home screens
http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1283359103 Menu: For homescreen or app options and settings
- - To see all apps, tap Menu on Home screen > All Apps
http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1283359128 Back ↰: Tap Back to back out of menus or an app
http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1304613786 Search: Tap Search for a universal Search of apps and internet. If you phone does not have a Search button, try Long-press Menu.
- - Voice Search: Long Press Search (also for Voice Actions)
Android Basics
Every Android is a little different but here is the general layout. Notifications are in the top bar. Apps and Widgets are in the middle. Main buttons are at the bottom. Swipe left or right for more homescreens. You'll probably want your basic apps such as Contacts, Internet, Voicemail, Messages, and Mail on your center Homescreen.
• Find your apps: Tap your Apps icon and tap an app.
• Notifications: Email, call, text, and other Notifications appear in the top bar take up no screen space! Drag down to see them.
• Homescreens: Your main homescreen can have Folders for 320 apps. Another can be your Setup Control Panel.
• Multitasking: Long Press Home (Recent Apps in ICS) then tap a recent app - 2 taps! More on Multitasking later.
• Onscreen Keyboard: You have many keyboards and options to choose from. See the Keyboards section.
• Applications: There are over 400,000 apps. See the Applications for 100 of our favorites (and how to install them).
• Search: Tap http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1304613786 Search and just type whatever you want. Long-press Search to just talk instead.
• Cut & Paste: Just double tap something to Cut, Copy, Paste, and Share
Download an App or Widget
← Tap the Android Market icon to download applications or widgets. A widget is an app on a homescreen that might show your current weather, time, battery life, etc. Be warned, some may drain your battery. To see your apps, tap My Apps. Most are free. You can also upgrade your Email, Messaging, Keyboard, and other apps.
Make it your own
You can also customize almost everything.
• Add an App shortcut or widget: Long Press a blank spot. In Android 4.0 (ICS): Tap MyApps.
→ Remove an app shortcut or widget from a home screen: Long Press and drag to the trash can icon.
• Wallpaper: Tap a blank spot on a homescreen and tap Wallpaper (For more, see Wallpapers and Ringtones)
• Live Wallpaper: Animated wallpaper. Your background can snow or rain. The earth can spin and little robots dance.
• Keyboards - find a keyboard perfect for you.
• Theming: You can easily change just the icons or even change it all
• Notifications: Customize sounds, vibrations, and LED notifications
• Folders: Organize your apps into folders
Zoom
To Zoom In or Zoom Out just Pinch Out or Pinch In with two fingers on the screen.
Screenshots
Posting a screenshot with your question can really help others get you answers. In Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) press and hold Volume Down and then tap Power. Some Samsung phones let you Press and Hold Home and tap Power. Some HTC phones can take a screenshot with the Shoot Me app. Here is an app that works for many: No Root Screenshot It ($5) and a bit trickier but free way.
Other Resources
• The Android Central Blog and check in daily for the latest News, Reviews, Videos, Apps, and Device info
• How-to and Getting Started articles:
• Converting videos: Convert DVD's and other videos to mp4 or 3gp files that can play on your Android phone
• Rooting: Rooting let's you customize almost anything on your phone and run special apps.
• Tethering: Use your phone as a modem for you PC. PdaNet and EasyTether Lite are popular apps to tether without root.
• Uploading images to Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, etc.
• PCMagazin: ICS Hot new Android OS
• Introducing Android 4.0
• Guide To Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• Android History
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Cut, Copy, Paste, and Share
Android uses a very easy approach to cutting and pasting to move text, images and other content. For instance you might copy a great photo on a website and paste it into a text to a friend. Or you might copy a text message and paste it into an email or Share it on Facebook. Clipboard Extenders like aNdCLip - Free ($4 Ad Free) or Clipper - Free ($2) let you copy a stack of things to paste.
Cut and Paste While Typing
You can easily move text around while you are typing. On some phones, you many need to Tap Menu for Cut and Paste options. If you have a phone with a physical keyboard, you may need to press and hold Shift while you swipe you finger over the content to copy.
• Double Tap or Long-press to select a Word.
• To select more content: Drag the selection points to enclose the content you want.
If you are typing an email, text, etc., long press in the text box and you will get a number of options:
• Select All: to select everything in the text box
• Select text beginning with where the cursor is now: Just touch where the other end of the selection will be.
• Cut all: deletes everything in the text box and copies it to the clipboard
• Copy all: copies everything in the text box to the clipboard
• Paste: pastes whatever is in the clipboard
Cut and Paste Other Content
You can also copy text, photos and more from web pages, and other sources that are not in a text box. On some phones, you many need to Tap Menu for Cut and Paste options. If you have a phone with a physical keyboard, you may need to press and hold Shift while you swipe you finger over the content to copy.
• Double Tap or Long-press to select a Word.
• To select more content: Drag the selection points to enclose the content you want.
• Select text beginning with where the cursor is now: Just touch where the other end of the selection will be.
• Copy: Tap the Copy (icon to the left) to copy the text, photo, etc.
To paste this content that you have copied into an email, text, Facebook, etc., open the other app and Paste as described above. If your phone has a physical keyboard, press and hold the shift key and then drag your finger over the content to copy.
Search, Dictionary, and Translate
Cut and copy are just the beginning. See the magnifying glass http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1304613786Search icon in the screenshot above? Click it for:
• Wikipedia Seach
• Google Dictionary
• Google Translate
Share Options
You can share a link to a YouTube Video, website, or an app in the Android Market, etc. via:
• Email
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Text message
Sharing Apps
• MyAppSharer - You can share a link to an app in the Android Market. MyAppSharer let's you email the actual app apk.
• Bump - Bump another Android or iPhone to share photos, contacts, or a link to an app in the Android Market.
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Internet Browser Tips and Tricks
General
• To see the Topbar Notifications or time while browsing: Tap Menu.
• There are many popular Browsers such as Dolphin or Opera that offer the basic features listed below and more.
• Long-press on the address bar as a site loads to share the site link.
Browser Menu
Tap Menu for these options:
• Back/Forward: Go back/forward a page.
• Add bookmark: Bookmarks the current site.
• Bookmarks: See and manage bookmarks.
• Windows: Open additional browser windows.
• More: brings up the More menu:
_ • Home: Go to your home page.
_ • Find on page: Find text on a page.
_ • Text selection: Allows copy, lookup, and share.
_ • Page info: Lets you display the information about the website.
_ • Downloads: See below.
_ • History: See below.
_ • Share: See below.
Downloads Menu
You can download photos, videos, documents, and applicaitons from the Internet. First make this setting:
• Tap Home > Menu > Settings > Applications and make sure that Unknown Sources is checked ON.
• To Save attachments (photo, etc.): Long-press attachment > Save to SD card.
• To see downloaded items: From the Internet Browser tap Menu > More > Downloads.
• Long press a downloaded item to open or delete it.
Bookmarks, Most Visited, and History Menu
Long press the Back key to bring up History and the menu below.
]History: Long press the Back key for the menu above.
_ • Add Bookmark: Tap the white star on the right of an item to bookmark it.
_ • Long Press a History Item: To open, share, bookmark, copy, or remove.
_ • Clear History: Tap Menu > Clear History
Bookmarks: Tap the Bookmarks icon in the menu above.
_ • Long Press a Bookmark: To open, edit, share, copy, create shortcut, or remove.
_ • Bookmarks Menu: Tap Menu for Sort, Delete, Edit, or change view.
_ • Delete undeletable bookmarks: Tap Menu > Bookmarks > {bookmark} > Menu > More > History >tap the yellow star.
Most Visited: Tap the heart icon in the menu above.
_ • Long Press an Item: To open, edit, share, copy, or remove.
_ • Most Visited Menu: Tap Menu to Clear All or change view.
Settings
Tap Menu > More > Settings for more options than you can imagine.
• Set Your Home Page: Default, Current page, or set page
• Mobile View: ON shows mobile version of a page if available
• Text Size: Set your font size
• Default zoom: Set your default zoom
Zoom
Even today, mobile versions of websites may be very limited. Android allows you to browse regular site with ease. When you zoom in to be able to better read text, Android "re-flows" and "word-wraps" the text so that nothing is cut off. Also note that there are not top or bottom notification bars taking precious screen space.
Downloading Apps From the Web
Before you can download applications from the Web, you must first enable downloading from the device settings:
• Tap Home > Menu > Settings >Applicaitons > Unknown sources {checked}
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Search, Voice Search, and Voice Actions
Android Search lets you find apps, people, email, music, messages, and more on your phone or the Internet. You can just type or say what you want but first you need the latest http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18575 Google Search and http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18578 Google Voice Search apps from the Android Market.
Search
Tap Search http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1304613786 Google Search and then start typing "ma" to find Mail, Maps, Mark, or Mary. Type "123 Main" to map that address or get directions. Say you want to listen to The Eagles. As you type it starts guessing what you want on your phone and Internet.
• Press the http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=19616Microphone to use Voice Search instead (see below).
http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1285260861 Tap the blue Google button to narrow your search. To see only music, tap Music (highlighted in orange below). It already shows The Eagles and guessed at similar music as well. Tap something to play it.
Search Options
To set what is included, tap http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1304613786 Search > http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...gle_search.png then the Settings icon at the top right. (In Ice Cream Sandwich, Tap Google > Menu > Search Settings > Google Search). Then check what you want included in searches including Web, Apps, Contacts, Music, etc.
Voice Search
Since 2008, Voice Search has let you just talk as well. (Typing while driving is often illegal.) First, download Google Search and Google Voice Search from the Android Market if you haven't already. Then setup: Tap Home > Menu > Settings > Voice Input & Output > Voice Recognizer > Personalized recognition ON so Google Voice can learn how you speak. To use: Tap Search then tap the http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=19616Microphone button (highlighted in yellow below).
Voice Actions
Vlingo and Voice Actions let you also say commands. Listen to how naturally he is speaking in the Introduction Video. Also see: Details and installation.
Long press http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1304613786 Search and clearly say your command or message such as:
- • text Bill Byrne let's meet at 6 o'clock on fifth avenue outside the guggenheim museum (See screenshot below.)
- • listen to Jimmy Buffet
- • call John Chase at home
- • email Ted McKee Confirming our meeting with John at 1 PM
- • note to self Find paperwork for John
- • navigate to Olive Garden in [town]
- • go to wikipedia
Say "Period", "Question Mark" or "Exclamation Point" to put in punctuation. The words highlighted in blue are ones it was not sure about. Tap a blue word and it will give you other options. Speak slowly and clearly.
Vlingo
Many feel that Vlingo is even better. Vlingo converts your speech into text and commands such as "Text Joe: Leaving now" or "“What does poison ivy look like?” Vlingos learns how your speak as you use it. The SafeReader feature can read your texts and emails aloud to you. See the Use Vlingo for Expanded Voice Commands tutorial.
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Messaging Tips and Tricks
You can set your Messages app to work just the way you like plus it has dozens of great features. While dozens of messaging Apps like HandCent SMS and ChompSMS add even more features, here are some common features.
Notification Lights, Sounds and Vibration
• Text Messaging sounds: Tap Messages> Menu > Settings > Notification sound.
• Quick Settings let's you adjust sounds all at once including Notifications: Tap Volume control or for Ringer for Phone ringer.
• Executive Assistant or Light Flow lets you set repeating LED, vibrations, and sound notifications.
Send a text
To open the Messages app, press the Messages icon or Tap Home > Menu > All Apps > Messages.
• To start a new conversation, Tap New Message and type their name or tap the Contacts icon to find a contact.
• To cut, copy and paste, long press on the text you have typed. See: Cut, Copy, Paste, and Share.
• If you type over 160 character, your message will split into two automatically (except the Nexus S).
Receive a message
When you get a text, a Notification will appear and your Notification LED will flash (except the Nexus S).
• Drap down the Notification bar and tap the notification. See Notifications.
Messaging Basics
Tap the Messages application icon to see a list of text message "conversations." While looking at the list of conversations...
• Long press a message for Message Options incuding View, Delete, Reply, Forward, Call or Open Contact. (If you forward, you will be able to edit the content.)
• From the message listing, Tap Menu to Delete, Compose, see Drafts, or change Settings.
• Tap a message to Reply to or tap New message. While composing your message...
• Tap the Attach button (highlighted in green below) to attach music, videos, or documents.
• Save attachment (photo, etc.) Long-press attachment > Save to SD card.
• Tap the Send (highlighted in blue) button when you are ready to send.
• A counter (highlighted in yellow) shows how many characters you have used for this message.
• While composing your message, Tap Menu for Quick text and other options.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1288378851
Text Sending Tricks
• Compose a text: Tap Menu > Compose
• Add an attachment: Tap Menu > Attachment (Paperclip)
• Text Delivery Confirmation - Menu > Settings to a notification icon
• Add to your contacts: press their photo and tap the People icon.
• Press space twice to automatically place a period after the last typed letter on many keyboards.
Group Text
• You can send a text to a Gmail contact group: Tap The person icon next to the To field at the top then <Groups>.
• You can send an email to several people at once, just keep adding contacts in the To field.
• Group Texting (like a texting conference call or group chat) can be done with an app like GroupMe,
Quick Text
Your phone may have preset Quick Text messages to make texting faster.
• To insert a Quick Text while typing a text, Tap Menu > Quick Text and choose your text.
• To edit the list of Quick Text, tap Menu > Edit and tap the Quick Text to edit.
General Settings
• To set notification, vibrate, etc. in the Messages app: Tap Menu > Settings
Keep Your Messages Cleaned Out To Keep Your Phone Running Well
If you have too many messages stored on your phone, your Messages app and your whole phone may become sluggish as it constantly sorts through them all. You can set the Messages app to automatically delete old messages. Tap Menu > Settings > Delete Old Message ON and set your Text Message Limit to 100 messages per conversation or whatever you like. Some set this to 0 so that there are no old messages to be found.
Manually Delete Messages
• To delete one message, long press then tap delete
• To lock a message so that it is not deleted, press for 1 second > Lock
• To delete all messages in a conversation, tap Menu > Delete > OK
Speech to Text
You can use voice to text to dictate your email: While composing, click the microphone icon on the onscreen keyboard. Say your message. When you are done you can edit as normal text. Keyboards like SwiftKey offer more Speech to Text options.
Forward
To forward a message, long-press the message and Tap Forward. Enter the recipient, add your note and edit the content as needed, and tap the Send icon.
More Information
To see more informaiton about the message, long-press the message and Tap View message details. The phone number and date and time sent will be displayed.
Drafts
• To see Drafts: Tap Menu > Drafts
Other Messaging Tips and Tricks
• Get Executive Assistant for repeating text, missed call, calendar, and email reminders. Sets LED and vibration patterns too.
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Android Folder Tips and Tricks
So Many Apps - So Little Time!
You may have hundreds of the 300,000+ Android apps. But if you can only have 16 apps on each homescreen, what do you do? Android's built-in Folders feature lets you:
• Group apps by folders such as Games, Media, Utilities, Websites, etc.
• Up to 16 folders can be placed on each page along side apps and widgets.
• Up to 16 apps can be viewable in each folder for a total of 256 apps per screen!
Folders
Android's built-in folders are limited and slow to set up. (You might want to skip to the FolderOrganizer section coming up next.) To set up a new Android Folder, press an empty spot on a Homescreen for 1 second and tap Folder then New Folder. Now tap the new Folder icon and press on the Folder Topbar for 1 second and Rename the folder to whatever you like.
To add apps to an Android Folder, you first need to create an app icon on screen for each app that will go into the folder. Press an empty spot on the homescreen for 1 second and tap Application and choose your first app. Now drag the app into the folder. Repeat for each app. Apps in a folder cannot be manually sorted.
Ouch! There has to be an easier way! How can you rearrange your apps in a folder? How do you change your icons and labels? FolderOrganizer to the rescue...
Folder Organizer
There are a number of great folder apps like App Folders for $1, Folder Organizer (free) takes folders to a whole new level.
• Have up to 24 or even 30 apps on one screen.
• Shortcuts let you change icons and label text for each app.
• FolderOrganizer also lets you re-arange the order of the apps in each folder.
• Now you can have 5x6 or 5x6 icons per screen without rooting.
The homescreen example showns Bookmarks, Tools, Media, MyMedia, Reference, Productivity, and Games folders. Also note that Folder Organize Shortcuts allowed the People and Internet Icons to be changed.
Tap the Tools icon and the Tools Folder pops up as shown below. It is easy to get started with FolderOrganizer. Tap Labels to see the standard label names. (A Folder is called a "Label.") Tap a Label's drop down arrow ▼ on the right in this example to rename "Android" to "Media".
Now comes the fun part. To assign your apps into the different folders tap Apps and then for each app tap it's drop-down arrow ▼ then Labels (highlighted in orange below). Then check the Label it goes in, in this case "Productivity" (highlighted in green below).
Unlabeled apps go into Other Apps. To put a folder link on a screen, press an empty spot for 1 second > Widget > FolderOrganizer Label > {label name}. It is the same process to add small, medium, large, and full-screen widgets.
Put More Icons On Screen
Some Android phones have screens as small as 3.5" so Android only allows 4 rows by 4 columns (4x4) or 16 icons per screen. Today's larger screens can easily display more icons. Folder Organizer (free)lets you put a fullscreen widget on a homescreen that allows 4x6 or 5x6 icons totaling 24 or 30 icons! You can also turn off Show Text to remove the icon names giving you 4x7 or even 5x7 icons per screen!
The FolderOrganizer How-To and Getting Started Guides have more on how to change icon labels, rearrange icons, setup shortcuts, and the other widget sizes. Most of the custom icons are from Icon Pack - Tenuis. Here the black wallpaper. Have fun!
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100 Applications You've Got To Try!
Popular Android app stores:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18574 The Android Market has 300,000+ apps and Many top apps are free but the top paid versions are often well worth a few dollars.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18572 The Amazon Appstore offers apps at discount prices including a free "App of the Day".
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18573 Getjar offers 30+ paid apps for free each day, also mature content.
Android Market
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18574 Android Market: Tap the Market App icon
- • Search for an app: Tap http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...earchicon2.png Search for the app or keyword.
- • Install an app: Tap the app you want, tap Install and follow the instructions.
- • Stuck downloads: If a download "hangs up" Tap the app > Cancel, then tap Install again.
- • Settings: Tap Menu > Setup and set Notifications to "Notify Me".
- • My Apps: To see your apps, tap Menu > My Apps.
- -• Auto update: To set one of your apps to auto update, Tap the App > Allow automatic updates/
- • Uninstall an app: Tap Home > Menu > Settings > Applications > Manage applications. Tap the app then Uninstall.
- • Reinstall free apps you have uninstalled just as you did the first time.
- • Reinstall paid apps for free: Tap Market > Menu > My Apps, scroll down & reinstall.
Apps Tips and Tricks
• Put an App on a homescreen: Tap MyApps > tap your app.
• Move an App icon: Long press until it is highlighted then drag it.
• Remove an App icon from a Homescreen: Long press the icon until it is highlighted and slide it down to "Remove."
• You can Install an app from Android Market website to your Android device.
• The AppBrain app lets you Backup free apps and more options for sorting, filtering, and finding apps.
Detailed Instructions
Here are tutorials:
• How to install Android apps
• How to uninstall Android apps
• Keep your apps up to date
• Tap Home > Menu > Settings > Applications > Unknown Sources ON. Details: Allow app installs from 'unknown sources
Key Apps
Also see the most popular free and paid apps.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18575 Google Search and http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18578 Google Voice Search must be installed for searches to work properly.
• Flashlight: Turn your camera LED into a flashlight: Tiny Flashlight, Droidlight, TeslaLED, or Search Light
• Notifications: Executive Assistant puts notifications on lock screen. Set repeating alerts for missed calls, emails, texts, etc.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...ness_level.png Brightness Level lets you tap a preset brightness or set any brightness you like.
• Email: K-9 Mail add many features. Corporate users: check out Exchange Touchdown Trial (Full $20) or RoadSync Trial (Full $10).
• Messaging: Consider HandCent SMS or • ChompSMS to replace the messaging app
• Browsers: Consider great options like Dolphin or • Opera
• Calendars: For extra features & Sync, try Jorte-free (Review)• Business Calendar Free ($6 Full) (Review, Developer), or • Smooth Calendar.
• IM: Apps like Trillian • Nimbuzz • Meebo combine AOL, Google, Yahoo, Twitter, ICQ, and other IM chat into one place.
• Lock screen: No Lock - Disables lock screen, phone opens fast. • Widget Locker ($2) lets you customize it.
• Themes: ADW.Launcher (Tutorial, $3 full), LauncherPro ($3 full), GO Launcher ($0): change icons & layout. Simple Theming
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=16501 Backup: MyBackup Pro ($5) - Automatically backup messages, contacts, bookmarks, homescreens, alarms, dictionary, etc. Trial.
• Facebook: Friendcaster (free, $5: no ads) or Haxsync for ICS expand sync for Facebook notifications, events, contacts, photos, etc.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18576 Folders: Folder Organizer (free) - Sets up folders, change icons, and increase from 4x4 icons to 4x6 or even 5x6. See: Folders
• Settings: Quick Settings – Sound, Bluetooth, GPS, 3G, 4G, controls in one place. Tap area to go to settings.
• Notes: Evernote syncs notes, photos, to-do's, etc. from your phone, PC, laptop, tablet, etc. ColorNote is a simple alternative.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...s-settings.png Tools
• Folder Organizer can let you set up a Tools folder with your favorite tools and settings.
• ASTRO File Manager: Install, run edit, & backup apps, view txt/images/zip, etc. • AndExplorer - Like Astro, preferred by many.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18585 App 2 SD (free, Pro $2) Frees up space on your phone by moving apps to your SD card.
Flashlight Alerts uses the camera flash LED as your Notification LED for Calls, Texts, Email, Gmail, K-9, etc. Tutorial.
• Silent Boot – No annoying song when you reboot (restart) your phone.
• Spare Parts – Turn off animations to speed up and more.
• TrafficStats (free, $2 full) - Shows what apps are using the Internet. You will be surprised.
• Wheres My Droid - Force phone to ring or send a Google Maps location.
• Advanced Task Killer – See what apps are running. Set Menu > Settings > Auto Kill > Disable.
• HistoryEraser – Delete history in Browser and Apps.
• GPS Status & Toolbox (free, $3 upgrade) - Reset your GPS so it locks on more quickly.
• No Root Screenshot It ($5) Takes screenshots without root or use the hard but free way: Screenshots
• Android Commander runs on your PC to copy files to/from your phone using USB & SDK without being in DiskDrive mode.
• Clipboard Extenders: aNdCLip - Free ($4 Ad Free) or • Clipper - Free ($2) let you copy a stack of things to paste.
• Battery Charged Silencer - To silence Samsung phones that beep in the night when they are fully charged.
• MyAppSharer - Instead of sharing an app link, MyAppSharer let's you email the actual app file.
• Tasker - Automate everything: Turn things on/off based on time, location, etc. Sample profiles.
Save Battery
See the Extend Your Battery - Speed Up Your Phone for details on how to:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...achmentid=4887 Battery Status (free, Upgraded $1) puts your real Battery % in Your Status Bar.
• Screebl (free, $2 upgraded) Keeps display on when you are using it. Website
Battery Left Widget - Learns how you use your phone-estimates battery time left (over 30 hours!).
• SystemPanel ($3, Free) See what apps take your battery and kill them.
• Watchdog shows what apps are taking your power and alerts you to problems.
• Network TrafficStats Lite (free, $2 no ads) shows what apps are using the Internet.
• Quick Settings lets you manage your radios all in one place.
• JuiceDefender (free) automatically turns off radios not in use. Ultimate ($7) adds key features. Android Central Review.
Keyboards
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18577 SwiftKey - Learns how you think and predicts your words saving keystrokes. $4. Free 30-day Trial.
• Swype - Swipe your finger over the keys instead of typing. World texting speed record
• Better Keyboard - Great if you are new. Set "Show touch points" ON. $3.
• ThickButtons - The next keys most likely to be pressed get wider.
• Scrybe - another word prediction keyboard but not as advanced as Swiftkey.
Productivity Tools
• Vlingo - Voice commands like "Text Joe: Leaving now" or "“What does poison ivy look like?” Tutorial and examples.
• Voice Search - This is what Voice Actions is actually called. For 2.2 or higher.
• Voice Actions - To just say something like "Text James Will be there in 15 minutes"
• Documents To Go: (Free) View Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint files. (Full: $14.99)
• Talk To Me - Listens to one language and says it in another!
• Photoshop - Edit photos and image files on your phone.
• Sensorly - Maps your and other user 4G and 3G coverage
• Street View on Google Maps : Amazing add-on
• HistoryEraser - Erases past searches stored all over your phone.
• Compass - Never get lost!
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...ncher_mail.png Gmail - Requried for Android sync.
• Scan2PDF - Turns your phone into a spy camera
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...e-4s-books.png Reference
You can use Folder Organizer to set up your own Reference folder with dozens of your sources.
• Merriam-Websters Dictionary - Full Collegiate version with synonyms, antonyms, usage, and origins. Free!
• Wikipedia: Wikidroid let's you include Wikipedia in your search results. Also see Wapedia.
• Instant Heart Rate - Actually tells you your heart rate.
• White & Yellow Pages : Voice Search, dial or save to contacts.
• Dial Zero v1.04 - Secret customer service 800 numbers for over 600 companies.
• Google Maps - the flagship mobile version is always on Android first.
• Google Goggles - identifies places, products, books, barcodes, and translates text in a photo. Solce Sudoku puzzels.
• FlightStats : Is the flight on time?
• Realtor or Zillow - See real estate listings around you with inside photos and details.
• RealCalc Scientific Calculator - Like an HP. It has it all. Easy to use.
• Speedtest - How fast is your 3G, 4G, or WiFi?
• Elements - Periodic Table
• Carrr Matey - Finds your car
• Georeader - Historic and intersting landmarks are read to you as you pass them.
• Antennas - Shows you where the cell tower is that you are using.
Communications
• Google Voice - Make cheap international calls, send texts for free, read voicemail transcripts, and more.
• Go Contacts lets you dial a middle part of a name or number. For 202-456-1414, you can dial "456" or "1414".
• TouchPal Dialer lets you dial their initals for instance dial 2 for B, 6 for O for Barack Obama.
• Go Contacts & TouchPal Dialer can seach contacts for "Pen" for contacts on Pennsylvania Ave or "Wash" for Washington.
Camera Apps
• Vignette ($4, free demo) has great features and is rightfully a top app.
• HDR Camera (free, $4 full) Combines 3 automatic shots at different exposures for amazing color & contrast.
• Action Snaps (free) can shot a burst of shots.
• Camera Zoom FX ($4) is a great camera with lots of free attachment.
• Fast Camera ($2) claims to be the fastest camera app.
• Adobe Photoshop Express (free) adds endless effects.
Media
• Video Players: Vital Player (Free, Pro $4), Vplayer (Full: $5), & MoboPlayer add formats. mVideoPlayer is great - adds no formats.
• Music Players: PowerAMP (Trial) (Full:$5) • Google Music (free) • Winamp (free) • Meridian (free) (Full:$4) • TuneWiki (free)
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...usicplayer.png Google Music lets you upload your music to the Cloud and then play with the Google Music app.
• TuneIn (Pro) for almost all local AM/FM stations. Also try Pandora, Slacker, and iheartradio.
• Shazam – Listens to a song and tells you title & artist, watch the YouTube Video, or download the MP3.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18580 Barcode Scanner Scans barcodes and gives you links. Is something cheaper online? Review.
• eReaders: • Kindle • NOOK A million free books
• Talking King James Bible : Other versions are $5
• Zedge Ringtones & Wallpapers
• DIRECTV : Set programs to record.
Multimedia
• Amazon MP3 - Offers almost ever song available anywhere.
• MP3 Music Download has nearly every song as well...for free.
- • YouTube Down–loader – Save YouTube videos or as MP3’s for free.
• Rescan Media finds music and photos copied from your PC by forcing Android to do a media scan.
• Skype and ooVoo give you free unlimited video calls over WiFi, 3G and 4G.
• Discovery Channel - huge selection of videos from all their channels.
• TV.com - lots of free video content especially from CBS.
• IMDb - Internet Movie Database also photos, trailers, clips, etc.
• Fandango - Find what is playing near you, buy tickets, see clips.
• RedBox - Check your local Redboxes
• Google Sky Map - Astronomy made fun
• Layar - Sees through walls
• Tuner - gStrings - Now your phone tunes your guitar.
• Flash Player 10.1 - Opens up so much Internet content others miss.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...gamecenter.png Games
You can use Folder Organizer to set up your own Game Center folder with dozens of your favorite games.
• 15n Puzzle Game • Backgammon • Battleship • Dots & Boxes • Hearts
• Slide Puzzle • Solitaire • Spades • Texas Hold'em Poker
• Angry Birds the game everyone plays.
Fun
• Smart Measure - Measures distance to objects.
• Instant Heart Rate - It works!
• Scanner Radio - Local police and fire scanner.
• LED Show 1.2.2 - Great scrolling marquee for messages across a room.
• Bump - Bump another Android or iPhone to share photos, contacts, or a link to an app in the Android Market.
• Skype - free calls over 3G or WiFi.
• WiMax Notifier - uses the secret "other" LED at the top of an EVO.
Toggles
Toggles are simple widgets that lets you change settings without going through menus. This Stay Awake Widget can keep your display on whenever your phone is charging. To put your Power Control Widgets on a homescreen, long-press an empty spot, then tap Widgets > Power Settings. Popular free Toggles include the Curvefish Brightness Level, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS widgets but there are many others.
Widgets
Beware: some widgets can drain your battery!
• Tajm - The amazing clock widget in words instead of numbers →
http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...1&d=1292344642The Weather Channel - Puts the temperature in the Notification bar.
• Speed Dial Widget: Folder Organizer (free), Go Contacts (iPhone theme), MeContacts, or QDial.
• Battery Left Widget - Estimates battery time left.
• Today Widget - Day and date in a 1x1 widget. ($1 Pro version has color options)
• Curvefish (free): http://forum.androidcentral.com/atta...chmentid=18586 Brightness Level • WiFi On-Off • Bluetooth On-Off • GPS On-Off • Data (APN) On-Off
• Quick Settings – Controls for Bluetooth, GPS, 3G, 4G, and all the volume levels in one place.
• Fancy Widgets (free trial) is an amazing set ($3 unlocked) • Beautiful Widgets ($3) are also amazing.
• Tiny Flashlight + LED turns your camera flash LED into a powerful flashlight.
• Micro Clock Widget 1x1 gives you a great analog clock.
• Airplane mode widget - Switched 2G, 3G, WiFi, and Bluetooth on/off all at once.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...-newsstand.png News
You can use Folder Organizer to set up your own Newsstand folder with dozens of your news sources.
• Android Central - Limited version of Android Central. Use http://m.androidcentral.com/ instead.
• Engadget - great app with all their content.
• XDA-Developers - Limited content. Haven for the nerdiest of the nerds.
• Tapatalk Forum App (Pro) - views most forums. $3. Trial version.
• AP Mobile • Newspapers • USA TODAY • CNET • Weather Channel
Shopping
• Amazon.com - unfortunately very limit.
• eBay - search, buy, and sell.
• Zillow Real Estate - As you drive past a home for sale, see price, inside photos, etc.
• REALTOR.com - Find nearby homes for sale.
Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage let's you store files on the Internet for access on your PC and Android devices. Here are a few free options:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18579 Dropbox stores up to 2GB (referral link for 2.25GB) for free. Open with the Dropbox app. More GB are available.
• Google Music lets you upload your music to the Cloud and then play with the Google Music app.
• Google Docs can store your doc, xls, and ppt files to the Cloud for use by the Google Docs app.
Tethering
Tethering uses your phone as a cellular modem. Carrier tethering plans cost of $20+ a month. Tethering apps are a one-time app purchase that carriers often say is illegal. See Android 101: Tethering.
• PdaNet (free) gives USB and Bluetooth access, but not to secure sites (https). The $16 version is unlimited. Website. Tutorial.
• EasyTether Lite is free USB only access but not to secure sites (https). Review. The $10 version is unlimited. Website.
• Wireless Tether for Root Users turns your phone into a WiFi hotspot and is free. • Or try Barnacle.
Requires Root
See How to tell if your phone is rooted but if you don't know if you are rooted, you probably aren't.
• Temporary root with apps like z4root or VISIONary may work on your phone but do not let you change ROMS or try SuperOneClick.
• AdFree : Ads disappear from apps and Internet. Second best reason to root.
• Titanium Backup plus the $6 Pro Key and BusyBox : "Freeze" unused apps without uninstalling. Backup to SDcard.
• Android Commander runs on your PC to copy files to/from your phone using USB & SDK without being in DiskDrive mode.
• MetaMorph Pro - Theme, patch, and mod your phone. Advanced users only. Guide.
• NinjaMorph - Modify apk's right from your phone without ever hooking up a PC. Experts only.
• Wireless Tether for Root Users - Free
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Extend Your Battery - Speed Up Your Phone
Your Android is a fire-breathing beast with a big bright screen and running a dozen radios. That takes a lot of power. Apps and widgets can also slow you down and steal your power. Your Android phone battery should be able to last at least through 10 hours of steady use if you know the tricks.
Power Management Basics
Do this simple test. Check your Battery level: tap Home > Menu > Settings > About phone > Status for Battery level % (or get the Battery Status app to have the % in the status bar). Press Power to turn off the display and take it off any charger. Check again in an hour. If the Battery level has gone down by more than 1%, something is taking your power. There are a number of basic steps you can take to help manage power that may also speed up your phone.
Reboot Your Phone
• If battery life has dropped or your phone is running slow, try a reboot: Long-press Power > Tap Power Off. Turn back on.
• Occasional reboots can help keep rogue apps from taking battery life.
Batteries and Chargers
• 100% may not really be 100%. Charge to 100%. Remove from charger. Plug back in. The charge light may go back on!
• USB charging is slow because the current is cut in half. Use good wall chargers. • Get a good car charger or car kit.
• Consider an Extended Battery. External batteries are another option (Monoprice, Quick Settings • Curvefish Widgets • Free Power Widgets
• JuiceDefender (Free) saves your battery by automatically turning off radios.
- • JuicePlotter (free) Adds history • UltimateJuice ($7) for full features.
Enhance Your GPS
Turn on GPS when needed: Tap Home > Menu > Settings > Location and security.
• Turn Use wireless networks ON, Use GPS satellites ON, and Use sensor aiding ON.
• GPS takes a lot of power especially when navigating. Turn OFF when not needed.
Periodically reset GPS data and download fresh data for faster GPS fix & to save battery.
• Install GPS Status & Toolbox (free, $3 upgrade) and open app to see your GPS accuracy
• Tap Menu > Tools > Manage A-GPS state and tap Reset then tap Download.
• Test your GPS: Tap Menu > Settings > Show time to GPS fix
Key Apps
Battery Status (free, Upgraded $1) puts your real Battery % in Your Status Bar.
• Stay Awake Widget keeps display on when charging but dimmed. No unlock needed!
• Screebl (free, $2 upgraded) Keeps display on when you are using it. Website
Battery Left Widget - Learns how you use your phone-estimates battery time left (over 30 hours!).
• SystemPanel ($3, Free) See what apps take your battery and kill them.
• Watchdog shows what apps are taking your power and alerts you to problems.
• Network TrafficStats Lite (free, $2 no ads) shows what apps are using the Internet.
• Quick Settings lets you manage your radios all in one place.
• JuiceDefender (free) automatically turns off radios not in use. Ultimate ($7) adds key features. Android Central Review.
Screen Brightness & Timeout
• Set Brightness to Automatic or low: Tap Home > Settings > Display > Brightness
• The free Curvefish Brightness Level lets you instantly tap a preset brightness or set any brightness you like.
• Set a short Display time-out: Tap Home > Settings > Display > Screen Timeout, 1 min or less.
No Live Wallpaper
• Use a dark non-Live wallpaper: Tap Home > Wallpaper > Wallpapers. Live Wallpaper is always on. (How to add wallpaper)
• Dark blue, green, red, purple, black or dark wallpapers offer high contrast to allow a lower brightness setting.
• Turn animations off: Tap Home > Settings > Display > Animation > No animation
Turn off your motor
Haptic feedback (vibration) powers a motor in the phone to make it shake.
• Turn off key vibration: Tap Home > Settings > Sound > Vibrate Feedback OFF
• Turn off keyboard vibration: Tap Home > Settings > Language & keyboard > {keyboard settings}
App Basics
• Streaming music, movies, games, navigation, Maps, chat, social media, and other apps reduce your battery life.
• Widgets may be stealing your power. Remove ones you don't use: Long-press widget and drag down to trash.
• Update your apps. Upgrades often fix power issues: Tap Market > Menu > My Apps > Update all
• Facebook: Sync with Facebook less often: Tap Facebook > Back >Menu > Settings > Refresh interval > 4 hours
• Email: If you use regular email, reduce syncing: Tap Email > Menu > Settings > Email check frequency > 1 hour or longer.
• Email: Don't hoard emails. Delete old message to make Email load faster and save power.
• Texts: Don't hoard text messages: Tap Messaging > Menu > Settings > Text message limit to 100 messages per conversation.
See what apps are taking your power
• SystemPanel ($3) See & kill apps that take your battery. Free version.
• Watchdog is also great and will notify you of apps taking a lot of power.
• Network TrafficStats Lite (free, $2 no ads) shows what apps are using the Internet.
Browser
Turn off Flash to make pages load faster and use less power. Often flash content is ads. Tap something if you want to see it.
• Set plug-ins like Adobe Flash to On demand: Tap Browser > Menu > Settings > Enable plug-ins > On demand.
Clear your memory
If your have too little RAM available your phone struggles to keep swapping. Keep at least 80 MB of Available Space.
• Check your Available Space: Tap Menu > Settings > Storage and check the Device memory Available space.
• Move apps to the SD card: Tap the App then tap Move to SD card (unless it's a widget you use)
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...-4s-app2sd.png Apps 2 SD and Advanced SD Card Manager easily move apps to your microSD.
Find the Battery Sucker
If your battery doesn't last long even when the phone is not is use with 4G, Bluetooth, and GPS off, no Life Wallpaper, and a reboot, let's find out why:
1. Turn off Background data and Auto-sync: Tap Home > Menu > Accounts and sync > Auto-sync OFF, Background data OFF
2. Turn Airplane mode On: Tap Home > Menu > Wireless and network > Airplane mode ON.
3. Note the Battery Status % or tap Home > Menu > Settings > About phone > Status for Battery level %.
4. Turn the display off. Unplug from charger.
5. In 20 minutes, check the battery level again (step 3 above).
• If the battery level dropped over 1%, you have a bad app or widget.
→→ Have you added any widgets? Try removing them for now: Long-press the widget and drag it down to the trash.
→→ Tap Home > Menu > Applications > Running Services. Tap one you installed. Stop it. Test again until you find the bad app.
• If your Battery % dropped less than 1% in 20 minutes, check for poor signal strength:
→→ Turn Airplane mode Off: Tap Home > Menu > Wireless and network > Airplane mode OFF. Turn the display off.
6. In another 20 minutes, check the battery level again.
• If the battery level dropped over 1%, it may be due to Roaming or poor signal (1-3 bars):
→→ Try Roaming off: Tap Home > Menu > Wireless and network > Roaming > Roaming mode > Sprint only.
→→ Tell your carrier (Sprint: ask for a free Airave for your Home). In your car, consider the Wilson Sleek (SystemPanel app and tap Menu > Settings > Monitoring enabled. Let it watch your typical usage for several hours. Then from SystemPanel, Tap Menu > Monitor > History > Plot > Top Apps. Now you can see what is using your battery. "System" should be taking most of your battery. The free version is limited.
JuiceDefender
The free JuiceDefender app saves your battery by automatically turning off radios when not in use but it is limited. Juice Defender Ultimate is well worth the $7 adding many key features as explained by Android Central:
• Turn off WiFi when you are not near your WiFi hotspots, like your home
• Turn off 1x/3G//4G when WiFi is available.
• Turn off 1x/3G/4G/WiFi and set to silent mode overnight so you (and everyone else) can sleep.
• Use the "Balanced" presets if you are new to this or "Customize" if you are an expert.
• JuicePlotter is a free add-on that charts battery usage.
SetCPU
Users who have rooted can use programs like SetCPU (more info & How to use) to set profiles to give more power when you need it and save battery when possible as in this example
See Also
• Keep your charge on -- how to improve battery life
• Lifehacker: How to Get Better Battery Life from Your Android Phone
• Complete Guide to Maximizing Your Android Phone’s Battery Life
• PC Magazine: Improve Your Android Phone's Battery Life
• WikiHow: How to Make Your Cell Phone Battery Last Longer
• JuiceDefender - Reclaim your battery
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Putting Music, Photos, Movies, and Documents on your phone
Transfer a DVD to Your Phone
You can have dozens of movies on your microSD card with you any time! You need a program to remove the copy protection (DRM) and then a way to convert a DVD or Blueray to your phone.
1. Install a automatic copy protection removal program like DVD43 or AnyDVD on your PC.
2. Use these Instructions to convert to your phone's resolution. (Set DVD's to 720x480.)
Video Players
• Your stock video palyer may not play your video format but video players in the Android Market probably can.
• Vital Player (Free, Pro $4), Vplayer (Full: $5), & MoboPlayer add many formats. mVideoPlayer is great but adds no formats.
Copy your Music, Photos, and Wallpaper to your Android phone
If you do not use iTunes, it is easy to copy photos, music, or other files to your phone:
1. Connect your phone to your PC with your USB cable.
2. Swipe down the top notifications bar.
3. Tap Just Charging or USB connected, etc. Tap Disk Drive or Connect USB, etc.
4. When your phone pops up on your PC as a new USB drive, go into file explorer. If you have a microSD card and internal memory, your phone might show up as two different drives, for instance F: and G:.
5. In windows, right-click Start the click Explore.
6. Create "Photos", "Music", "Wallpaper", or "Documents" folder on your phone if you need to.
7. Drag and drop files or folders to your phone. Use subdirectories to create albums under artist names.
8. When done, right click on the phone drive letter and click "Eject" & disconnect.
9. Reboot the phone so that it will find the new files: Long-press Power to turn off then long-press Power to turn back on.
Other tips
• You might keep your photos in folders like this: /Photos/2012-Spring
• You might keep your music in folders by album: /Music/The Beatles/White Album
• There are also great apps like Winamp (free) DoubleTwist ($5) that let you sync music or photos wirelessly.
• Google Music can let you upload your music to the cloud and then play with the Google Music app.
• To install wallpaper you copied over: Tap Home > Menu > Wallpaper > Gallery > Gallery and select your wallpaper.
Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage let's you store music and photos on the Internet for access on your PC and Android devices. Here are a few free options:
Dropbox stores up to 2GB (referral link for 2.25GB) for free. Open with the Dropbox app. More GB are available.
• Google Music lets you upload your music to the Cloud and then play with the Google Music app.
• Google Docs can store your doc, xls, and ppt files to the Cloud for use by the Google Docs app.
Google Docs
The Google Docs app for Android lets you view, edit, and create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations that are stored in a free Google Docs account. These files are then available on your PC or Mac, and most other mobile devices. (Help, Overivew).
Microsoft Office files can be automatically synced to Google Docs with the free Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office plugin. You need need an app like Quickoffice Pro to edit Office files. Native Google Docs files can be edited directly from Google Docs. (Engadget Review)
If you use iTunes
One downside to iTunes is that you cannot easily copy or backup files and you may be limited to the number of devices that can play your own music files. See How-To: Sync music and videos from your computer (aka iTunes).
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Backup, Restore or Transfer Your Android Device
Gmail is Key
Android syncs Gmail, calendar, and contacts with your Gmail account. If you don't yet have a Gmail account, click the Gmail app on your phone or go to http://mail.google.com/ on your PC to set up your account.
Transfer to Android
Here are special guides to help you transition from your old phone:
• Apple iPhone
• BlackBerry
• Palm webOS
You can also sync BlackBerry, Apple, Nokia/Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Other mobile device or Outlook contacts and calendars with your Android. If you update a contact or calendar on one device, it will update the others. Here is more on Google Sync (Help) and how to transfer your old phone contacts to Gmail.
Backup, Backup, Backup!
You may lose your phone, replace it, or need to restore ("wipe") your phone so it is important to make regular backups. Google only backs up Google Contacts and Calendar and Paid apps. If you know the tricks, you can also back up free Apps, Settings, Data, Photos, Music, Wallpaper, Call log, Bookmarks, Texts, Ringtones, Home Screens, Alarms, Dictionary, and more.
Import Android Phone Contacts
If you always save contacts as "Google Contacts", skip this section.
Always save contacts as "Google Contact" so that they are automatically backed up to Gmail. Contacts stored as "Phone Contacts" are not backed up.
• Tap Contacts (or People) > tap Menu > More > Settings > Save new contacts to > Google.
If you saved contacts as Phone Contacts, you need to manually import them to Gmail to transfer to a new device:
1. Tap Home > Contacts (or People) > Import/Export > Export > Phone.
2. Note where the vcf file name and target location. It might be "/sdcard/pcsc_pcsc_0001.vcf"
3. Transfer the vcf file from you phone to your PC with your USB cable.
4. Import the vcf file you have created into Google Contacts on your computer.
Automatically Backup and Restore App Settings
If your phone allows it, set it to automatically backup settings:
• Tap Menu > Settings > Search for "privacy". Tap Privacy then check "Back up my settings" and "Automatic restore".
Backup and Reinstall All Apps
Google does not backup free apps but AppBrain can automatically reinstall ALL apps on any device with the same Google Account.
• Install the AppBrain and Fast Web Installer apps on the Android Device to back up.
• On your computer, go to appbrain.com. Click Sign in, sign in with Google, and tap My Apps to make sure it has you app list saved.
• To Reinstall: Open AppBrain on the new device and tap Manage Your Apps > My Lists, and tap your list then Add all apps.
• Amazon Appstore apps are automatically available to any devices with the same Amazon Appstore login!
Backup With MyBackup Pro
Apps like MyBackup Pro ($5) or the 30-day trial version can automatically backup your Applications, Photos, Contacts, Call log, Browser Bookmarks, Texts, Calendar, System Settings, Home Screens (including shortcut positions), Alarms, Dictionary, Playlists, and more to your microSD card or online. If you are rooted, it will also backup Apps settings and data.
1. Open MyBackup Pro or the 30-day trial version
2. Tap Backup > Applications & Media > either Local (microSD card) or Online (cloud servers) - local is much faster.
3. Tap the check-box in front of App and tap Ok. This may take a while if you have a lot of apps.
4. Tap Backup > Data > either Local (microSD card) or Online (cloud servers) again.
5. Tap Check All then tap Ok. This may be a lot of data to back up so it may take a while.
Your apps, texts, settings, and more are now on your microSD card and ready to be backed up to your PC. Click Schedule from the MyBackup Pro main screen to schedule regular backups. Or, if you are fully rooted and are certain you will root again, you can use Titanium Backup with the $6 Pro Key and BusyBox.
Backup Android Files To Your PC
You can backup your music, photos, videos, and other files from your Android to your PC.
• First follow the steps above to copy data from the phone to the SD card so those files will also back up.
• For more detailed instructions with screenshots,see: Copy files to your storage card in Windows
1. Connect your Android device to your PC with your USB cable and swipe down the top notifications bar.
2. Click on Just Charging and change to Disk Drive. It may take a while for the PC to find the phone.
3. When your Android device pops up on your PC as a USB drive, go into file explorer (In Windows, right-click Start the click Explore).
4. Create a New Subdirectory named "PhoneBackup". If you previously backed up to this subdirectory, delete the old files out first.
5. Select all files on the Android device (Drive G or H?) by clicking on the phone's drive then click Edit > Select All then Edit > Copy
6. Click on the Phone Backup folder and then click Edit > Paste. This make take a while.
7. When done, right click on the phone drive letter and click "Eject" & disconnect the phone.
Restore or Transfer PC Files to your Android
To restore the backup files from your PC to an Android Device:
1. Connect your Android device to your PC with your USB cable and swipe down the top notifications bar.
2. Click on Just Charging and change to Disk Drive. It takes a while for your PC to find the phone.
3. When your Android device pops up on your PC as a USB drive, go into file explorer (In Windows, right-click Start the click Explore).
4. Click on your Phone Backup subdirectory and then click Edit > Select All then Edit > Copy
5. Click on the Android device (Drive G or H?) and then click Edit > Paste. This make take a while.
6. When done, right click on the phone drive letter and click "Eject" & disconnect the phone.
Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage let's you store files on the Internet for access on your PC and Android devices and is important if your phone lacks a microSD card. Here are a few free cloud storage options.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...chmentid=18579 Dropbox stores up to 2GB (referral link for 2.25GB) for free. Open with the Dropbox app. More GB are available.
• Google Music lets you upload your music to the Cloud and then play with the Google Music app.
• Google Docs can store your doc, xls, and ppt files to the Cloud for use by the Google Docs app.
Managing and Opening Files• ASTRO File Manager: Install, run edit, & backup apps, view txt/images/zip, etc. Like Windows Explorer.
• AndExplorer - Like Astro, preferred by many.
• Documents To Go: (Free) View Microsoft Word, Excel & PowerPoint files. (Edit: $14.99)
http://forums.androidcentral.com/att...-4s-app2sd.png Apps 2 SD - Move app to the SD card. Frees up space on your phone. Advanced SD Card Manager lets you move a list of apps.
• Android Commander runs on your PC and let's you copy files to/from your phone using USB & SDK without being in DiskDrive mode.
Also see: Copy & Sync Music, Photos, and documents to your phone
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Extend Your Battery - Speed Up Your Phone
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Extend Your Battery - Speed Up Your Phone
Changing incomming phone call number text size
Is it possible to change the size of the text for the phone numbers of an incoming call? I currently have a Droid X but my question pertains to any android phone.
thanks
issue installing the android sdk manager
Hi guys,
I am aspiring android developer. I have downloaded JDK 6, eclipse 3.5, the ADT plug in, and also and android sdk. when I open the android sdk manager.exe, a black box appears for a second and then dissapears. Does anyone know what might be going on?
Thanks!
Facebook on Samsung Captivate
Can someone please tell me who to get the poke feature? I have followed a lot of threads and under the Settings Tab I don't have the option for Poke? Messages checked; Friend requests checked; Event invites checked; I love to Poke people and do it on my PC all the time; but don't know what I am doing wrong?:confused: