Android Phones For Dummies. Dan Gookin

Figure 2-1 Unlocking Android phones featuring the Swipe lock.

      The Swipe lock isn’t a difficult lock to pick. If you’ve added more security, you might see any one of several different screen locks on your phone. Here are the common Android screen locks:

      Swipe: The standard screen lock. Swipe your finger on the screen to unlock the device, as illustrated in Figure 2-1. If a screen lock with higher security is set, work it next.

      Pattern: Trace a preset pattern over dots on the screen.

      PIN: Use the onscreen keyboard to type a number to unlock the device.

      Password: Type a password, which can include letters, numbers, and symbols.

      None: When this non-lock is selected, the device lacks a screen lock and you can use the phone immediately after pressing the Power/Lock key.

      Some phones provide additional, fancy screen locks. Among the variety are the following:

      Face Unlock: Look at the phone. In a few moments, your visage is recognized and the phone unlocks.

      Fingerprint: Brush your finger or thumb over the sensor, such as the Home button on a Samsung Galaxy S6, to unlock the device.

      Signature: The Samsung Galaxy Note line of phones lets you use the S Pen to sign your name on the screen. If the signature matches, the phone unlocks.

      To use some phone features, you must choose either the PIN or password screen lock, which are considered the most secure. Other locks offer moderate security, and may require a PIN or password as a backup. The swipe and None locks are the least secure.

      See Chapter 21 for information on setting the screen lock.

Unlocking and running an app

      The phone’s lock screen may feature app icons. You’ll find them at the bottom of the screen (refer to Figure 2-1), if they’re available. Use those icons to both unlock the phone and run the given app.

      For example, to place a quick phone call, swipe the phone icon up the screen. The phone unlocks and the Phone app appears. Similarly, you can swipe the Camera app icon to snap a quick photo.

      ✔ Some phones let you customize the lock screen apps, such as the Galaxy Note shown earlier, in Figure 2-1.

      ✔ When a secure screen lock is set, the phone isn’t actually unlocked when the app runs. To do anything else with the phone, you must eventually work the screen lock.

      Who is this Android person?

      Just like a computer, your phone has an operating system. It’s the main program in charge of all the software (apps) inside the phone. Unlike on a computer, however, Android is a mobile device operating system, designed primarily for use in cell phones and tablets.

      Android is based on the Linux operating system, which is also a computer operating system, though it’s much more stable and bug-free than Windows, so it’s not as popular. Google owns, maintains, and develops Android, which is why your online Google information is synced with the phone.

      The Android mascot, shown here, often appears on Android apps or hardware. He has no official name, though most folks call him Andy.

      Add More Accounts

      Your Android phone can be home to your various online incarnations. That includes your email accounts, online services, social networking, and subscriptions, plus other digital personas. I recommend adding those accounts to your phone as you continue the setup-and-configuration process.

      With your phone on and unlocked, follow these steps:

      1. 

Tap the Apps icon.

      The Apps icon is found at the bottom of the Home screen. It looks similar to the icon shown in the margin, although it has many variations. See Chapter 3 for the variety.

      After tapping the Apps icon, you see the Apps drawer, which lists all apps available on your phone.

      2. Open the Settings app.

      You may have to swipe the Apps drawer screen a few times, paging through the various icons, to find the Settings app.

      After you tap the Settings icon, the Settings app runs. Then you can configure and set phone options and features.

      3. Choose the Accounts category.

      On some Samsung phones, first tap the General tab atop the Settings app screen to locate the Accounts category.

      The category may be titled Accounts and Sync on some phones.

Upon success, you see all existing accounts on your phone, similar to what’s shown in Figure 2-2.

      4. Tap Add Account.

      

The Add Account item is illustrated in Figure 2-2, although it may appear as a plus sign, shown in the margin.

      5. Choose an account from the list.

      For example, to add a Facebook account, choose the Facebook app from the list.

      Don’t worry if you don’t see the exact type of account you want to add. You may have to install a specific app before an account appears. Chapter 16 covers installing new apps on your phone.

      6. Follow the directions on the screen to sign in to your account.

      The steps that follow depend on the account. Generally speaking, you sign in using an existing username and password.

       Figure 2-2 Accounts listed in the Settings app.