How to properly set up an Android smartphone

Anyone who has a new Android smartphone wants to set it up quickly. However, there are a few important points to keep in mind during this process.

Anyone who has bought a new Android smartphone should be careful when setting it up: This is where the basics are laid as to what the operating system is later allowed to do and what not. You should therefore not allow all requested accesses too quickly. TECHBOOK reveals what you should consider when setting up.

Setting up an Android smartphone – the first steps

The first steps are relatively simple: unpack the smartphone, insert the SIM card and, if necessary, the memory card, and activate the cell phone. After the start, the setup assistant from Google appears, the steps of which users basically only have to follow in order to set up their Android smartphone correctly.

You can also see the most important steps here:

Privacy and internet connection

First, however, you must read and accept the terms of use and data protection. You should take some time for this, they are usually extensive. Once users have done this, it is time to actually set up the Android smartphone.

The first thing the device wants to do is connect to the internet, either via WiFi or cellular. The system needs access in order to subsequently connect the Google account and install any apps. To do this, select the appropriate WiFi network from the list and enter the password.

Also Read: 10 Hidden Android Features You Should Know

Copy data from the old smartphone to the new one

The smartphone now asks whether you want to copy data or apps from the old device to the new one. Apps that you have previously installed, contacts, photos and SMS are taken over. Which data is to be copied and transferred can be specified with a tick.

If users decide to do so, they must follow the instructions on the display. However, it is important that the smartphone remains connected to the Internet during the process so that the backup can be loaded.

Set up your Google account and services correctly

Once that’s done, it’s time to set up the Google account. Here users need their e-mail address and password. In principle, this point can also be skipped, but the Google account should then be set up later in the settings under “Account” on the Android smartphone in order to be able to use the device to its full extent.

Also read: Use Android smartphones without a Google account

Android will ask for some permissions and settings below. First, users must indicate whether they want to enable GPS and send user activity anonymously to Google.

If you want to set up an Android smartphone, you have to agree to Google’s terms of usePhoto: TECHBOOK

Here it is advisable not to set a tick at first. You always have the opportunity later to release GPS for selected apps, for example. What you have to confirm, however, are the data protection regulations. This is the only way to proceed with the setup process.

The next step in setting up an Android smartphone is the device lock. Most smartphones have a fingerprint sensor as an alternative to the PIN or password. But some also rely on face recognition. If users want to store their fingerprint or scan their face, they have to follow the instructions on the smartphone. In general, it is better to avoid the swiping pattern to secure, it is considered comparatively unsafe.

Access to smartphones can be secured in various ways
Access to smartphones can be secured in various waysPhoto: TECHBOOK

If you like, you can set up the voice assistant “Hey Google” after this step and deposit a credit card to pay with your smartphone. However, both are also possible later via the settings. Once you have done that, the Android smartphone is set up and ready for use.

Android smartphone set up – now what?

Once the Android smartphone has been set up, users should put it aside for a few minutes. The device downloads apps and settings, which can take some time depending on the manufacturer and its default settings. Danger! Sometimes the mobile phone often makes a sound. It is therefore best to issue it.

Smartphone owners should ideally uninstall apps that they do not want to use right away – if in doubt, they can be reloaded and set up later on the Android smartphone. You hardly have to be afraid of deleting system-relevant apps anymore. Android has now progressed so far that you can deactivate it at most, but not uninstall it. When in doubt, the following applies: Apps from the manufacturer, i.e. applications with Samsung, Google, Xiaomi in the name, are better left untouched. On the other hand, apps such as “Booking”, “Facebook”, “Ebay” or the like can be deleted without any problems. The same goes for games that you don’t need. Whether you have to uninstall apps at all depends on the manufacturer of the Android smartphone. They sometimes pre-install more or fewer apps on their devices.

As of Android 6.0, users can restrict the access rights of the apps and should do so under “Apps/Settings/App Permissions”, the experts recommend. For example, no app should be allowed to access contacts, location, telephone and SMS without a plausible reason.

Because Google collects a lot of information about connected devices and their use in the standard setting, an adjustment makes sense. The most important point experts advise is to disable the activity history. This works on the Personal Info & Privacy/Manage Google Activity/View Activity Settings page after users sign in to their Google Account.

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