of apps. Start looking for a phone by finding ones that feel good in your hands. Some people like smaller, compact phones that fit easily in a pocket or purse. Others prefer the large-format (phablet) phones, which offer larger screens.
Check the phone’s display, not by reviewing the fancy technical jargon but by looking at it with your own eyes. View some photos on the phone to see how good they look.
Phones come with varying quantities of storage, from 8GB on up to 128GB and more. Some phones might still offer removable storage in the form of a microSD, though this feature is becoming rather rare.
Camera resolution isn’t vital, but if your Android phone is your only digital camera, getting a high-resolution rear camera is a plus.
Beyond these basic items, most Android phones are drearily similar. To work best with this book, ensure that your phone uses the Android operating system and can access and use Google Play, the online Android store, where you obtain apps, music, video, and books. Some low-price, bargain phones restrict your purchases to the manufacturer’s own app store. That’s not a good thing.
Most Android phones come fully assembled. If yours doesn’t, the folks at the Phone Store have most likely put everything together for you. When you’re on your own, some setup may be required. This process might involve installing the SIM card or microSD card and inserting the battery. Directions that come with the phone assist you.
Don’t worry about the assembly process being overly complex; if you’re good with Legos, you can put together an Android phone.
Removing the plastic sheeting
The phone ships with a clingy plastic sheeting over its screen, back, or sides. The sheeting might tell you where to find various features, so look it over before you peel it off. And, yes, you need to remove the sheeting; it’s for shipping protection, not for long-term phone protection.
❯❯ Remove all clingy plastic sheets.
❯❯
❯❯ Feel free to throw away the plastic sheeting.
Installing the SIM card
A SIM card identifies your phone on a digital cellular network. Before you can use the phone, the SIM card must be installed. The only time you as a mere mortal need to do this is when you purchase the phone independently of a cellular provider. Otherwise, the kind people at the Phone Store install the SIM card. They pretend like it’s a task that requires a PhD, but installing a SIM card is simple.
When you do need to install the SIM card yourself, follow these steps when the phone is turned off:
1. Pop the SIM card out of the credit-card-size holder.
Push the card with your thumb and it pops out. Don’t use scissors or you may damage the card.
2. Locate the SIM card cover on the phone’s outer edge.
The cover features a dimple or hole on one end.
3. Insert the SIM card removal tool into the hole on the SIM card cover; press it in firmly.
The SIM card cover pops up or the SIM card tray slides out.
4. Insert the SIM card into the SIM card slot, or place the SIM card into the SIM card tray and reinsert it into the phone.
The SIM card is shaped in such a way that it’s impossible to insert improperly. If the card doesn’t slide into the slot, reorient the card and try again.
5. Close the SIM card cover.
You’re done.
The good news is that you seldom, if ever, need to remove or replace a SIM card.
❯❯ On some phones, the SIM card is inserted internally. In that case, remove the phone’s back cover and, if necessary, remove the battery to access the SIM card slot.
❯❯
Installing a microSD card
A few Android phones offer removable storage in the form of a microSD card. If your phone sports this feature, go out and obtain a microSD card to take advantage of the extra storage.
No, your phone didn’t come with a microSD card – unless the Phone Store included it as a “bonus.” (You still paid for it.)
To insert a microSD card, heed these directions:
1. Locate the slot into which you stick the microSD card.
The slot is labeled as shown in Figure 1-1. It is not the same as the SIM card slot.
2. Flip open the teensy hatch on the microSD card slot.
Insert your thumbnail into the tiny slot on the hatch. Flip the hatch outward. It’s attached on one end, so it may not completely pop off.
3. Insert the microSD card into the slot.
The card goes in only one way. If you’re fortunate, a little outline of the card illustrates the proper orientation. If you’re even more fortunate, your eyes will be good enough to see the tiny outline.
FIGURE 1-1: Opening the microSD card hatch.
❯❯ It’s okay to insert the microSD card while the phone is on.
❯❯ If the phone is on, a prompt appears on the touchscreen, detailing information about the card. The card is available instantly for use. If not, the card may need to be formatted. See Chapter 18 for details.
❯❯ Some older Android phones may feature internal microSD card slots. In that case, you must remove the phone’s back cover to access and install the card. You might even have to remove the battery to get at the card.
❯❯ I’ve never seen an Android phone come with a microSD card. If your phone can use such a card, obtain one at any computer or office supply store. They’re cheaper if you order them on the Internet.
❯❯ A microSD card comes in a capacity rated in gigabytes (GB), just like most media storage or memory cards. Common microSD card capacities are 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and higher. The maximum size allowed in your phone depends on its design. The side of the phone’s box lists compatible capacities.
Removing the microSD card
To remove the microSD card, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the phone.
It’s possible to remove the card while the phone is on, and directions are offered in Chapter 18. For now, ensure that the phone is off. Specific power-off directions are found in Chapter 2.
2. Open the little hatch covering the microSD card slot.
Refer to the preceding section.
3. Using your fingernail or a bent paperclip, gently press the microSD card inward a tad.
The microSD card is spring-loaded, so pressing