Installing a SIM card
You can skip this step because it is not considered mandatory in setting up an Android device. But it’s better to install a SIM card right away to use the mobile Internet and contacts directory.
SIM card slot
Important! The corner on the tray will help you position the SIM card correctly in the phone.
Try charging it
Often the cause of the problem is that the smartphone is simply not charged. But do not rush to scroll through this paragraph if you are sure otherwise. It is possible that the charger you are using is not working correctly and therefore cannot replenish the phone’s energy.
Try putting the device on charge. Wait for the charge indication to appear, and if this does not happen within a few minutes, use another charger. The problem may be hidden in both the power adapter and the cable. Therefore, it is recommended to check the functionality of all elements.
In addition, attention should be paid to the condition of the charging connector. It is possible that one of the contacts has come loose. If you are faced with exactly this situation, then only replacing the charging port at one of the service centers can help.
To ensure that the charger lasts as long as possible, buy branded accessories, and also make sure that they are not exposed to physical impact from the outside.
Google Account
When you turn it on for the first time, a setup wizard will appear on the screen. An important step will be connecting to your personal Google account. Below are step-by-step instructions on what needs to be done if this step is accidentally skipped:
- go to mobile phone settings;
- select the “Accounts” or “Users” category;
- Click the button below to add a Google account;
- Fill in the information: login and password.
Your personal account will help you install the necessary programs through the Google Play application store. One account allows you to transfer files, use email, calendar, alarm clock and media content from your tablet, computer, smart TV and smartphone.
After registering or creating a new account, you can proceed to the following options.
Turn into a separate player
For that matter, a fairly ancient smartphone is very convenient to use as a separate player. Over the past few years, mobile devices of this format have stopped installing 3.5 mm audio jacks for connecting headphones, speakers, car music systems and more. Old smartphones most often do not have this annoying misunderstanding, and there is definitely a corresponding solution for them. Together with it, the device looks more than justified as a separate player on which you can install any of the modern streaming services.
If you're driving a car that doesn't support Apple's CarPlay or Google's Android Auto and doesn't have a multifunctional head-mounted system with plenty of multimedia capabilities, navigation, and so on, even a five-year-old smartphone can easily fill the role of all this. Again, if it has a 3.5mm audio output, you can connect it to AUX and enjoy music, receive map service notifications, and so on. In this case, the main smartphone will be free for calls that are undesirable to make while driving, and any other tasks.
Oh, by the way, a smartphone that you consider outdated can, again, be carried with you to the gym as a player. It will not distract you from physical activity with a stream of messages in instant messengers and emails, calls, and so on. Moreover, he will not feel sorry if a barbell with weight accidentally falls on him.
Basic settings
You must select the desired language from the drop-down list. The default is Russian or English. Depending on the device model, the next step will be to select a region or install a SIM card.
Important! Select a regional location, since later the system may leave some software components inoperable.
Next, the device prompts you to read and accept the terms of use. After checking the box next to “I accept the custom position,” you can move forward.
When you connect to a wireless wi-fi network, an option opens to copy information from your current Google account. A SIM card may be required for two-factor authentication. The text message with the code is automatically read by the system.
You can change the date and time through your phone settings.
After accepting the next user settings, some smartphones offer to select the date and time. Typically the network time is used.
Use official software from the manufacturer
Resetting settings on an Apple iPhone is always done through a special iTunes program, and you can roll back an Android smartphone through the engineering menu. But if this method does not help complete the operation, Android also provides official software from the manufacturer of a specific brand of smartphone:
- Xiaomi – Mi PC Suite;
- Samsung – Samsung Kies;
- LG – LG PC Suite;
- Huawei/Honor – HiSuite.
If you have at your disposal one of the smartphones of the presented brand, you can reset the settings through the appropriate software. To do this, connect the device to the computer via cable, launch the program and select the “Reset settings” menu item.
If the phone does not turn on, a factory reset via PC can only be performed if the “USB Debugging” function was previously activated on the mobile device.
Personalization
The user can experiment with display brightness settings. Automatic regulation works using light sensors depending on the time of day.
When the NFC option is activated, you can enable contactless payment. The Bluetooth function is actively used to transfer files between two devices and connect wireless devices.
Airplane mode can be used to disconnect from the outside world. The phone will be out of reach, but its battery life will increase.
When you enable the “Data transfer” item, Internet access will be provided through your mobile operator.
Example of smartphone applications
Leave an IP camera for home and office
Yes, following the example of the previous use case, an old smartphone can also be turned into an IP camera, which will help monitor what is happening indoors. This is necessary to control your subordinates in their department at work, to monitor the child in the next room using an analogue video baby monitor, to keep an eye on the builders who are making repairs in an apartment or house, and so on. In fact, there are a lot of application options for such a solution, which is why individual IP cameras are really popular among users.
In order to turn an iPhone or gadget based on the Android operating system into an IP camera, you will need a suitable stand that will help point the viewfinder in a specific direction - look for stands on AliExpress. You will also have to install one of the following applications on smartphones:
iPhone:
- Alfred;
- TrackView;
- AtHome Camera;
- AtHome Video Streamer;
- WardenCam;
- Manythings
Android:
- Alfred;
- AtHome Camera;
- AtHome Video Streamer;
- WardenCam360;
- Manythings
Applications
After setting up the mobile device for the first time, all that remains is to install auxiliary programs. Such applications include:
- entertainment;
- banks and financial assistants;
- popular social networks and instant messengers;
At any time, the user can download additional services to the device’s memory via Google Play.
Modern smartphones open up new opportunities for adjusting many parameters individually. However, the basic parameters of the android models do not change.
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Install a DVR in your car
Cameras in smartphones were of quite high quality five years ago, so they will still serve the benefit of their users. An outdated mobile device can be turned into a DVR that will record everything that happens behind the windshield of your car. In the future, you will be able to use the videos to prove that you are right if a traffic accident occurs - in domestic realities there is no way without this. A decent DVR with easy controls is quite expensive, so replacing it with an old smartphone is a great idea.
Both iPhone and Android have more than enough special software that is needed to photograph a traffic situation. Each application has a full range of recording capabilities, as well as additional functionality: for example, monitoring the presence of speed cameras. Here are some suitable programs:
iPhone:
- CamOnRoad;
- RoadAR;
- Smart Driver.
Android:
- roadly;
- AutoBoy Dash Cam.
The only thing is that first it is important to decide which car dock is suitable for turning your smartphone into a DVR. It is important that the camera of your mobile device is aimed at the road, so go to AliExpress and look for a suitable option specifically for your salon.
- Topic: How to choose a phone holder for a car: 10 nuances to consider
Update your phone's firmware or roll back to the old operating system
It is possible that problems with starting the smartphone arise due to incorrect installation of operating system updates. There is also a possibility that you are using an outdated version of the software. In both cases, the error is resolved by connecting the phone to the PC and using the official developer software.
Update iPhone:
- Connect your device to your PC.
- Launch iTunes on your computer.
- Force restart your iPhone.
- After entering recovery mode, click the “Refresh” button on your computer.
You must proceed in the same way with devices of any other brand. But, unlike the Apple iPhone, the “USB Debugging” function must be activated in advance on Android. If this has not been done previously, the computer will not be able to detect the smartphone and the update will not work.
