How to use your Android phone: A beginner’s guide

Smartphones can feel confusing at first. All those icons, buttons, and screens might seem overwhelming. But don’t worry. Your Android phone is easier to use than you think. This guide will show you the basics and help you protect your information so you never lose it.

Why Your Gmail Account Matters

Before we start, let’s talk about something very important. Your Gmail account is the key to everything on your Android phone. This is the email address that ends with @gmail.com. When you set up your phone, you created or signed into a Gmail account.

Here’s why this matters. If your phone breaks, gets lost, or stops working, you could lose all your contacts, photos, calendar events, and text messages. But if you use Google apps and know your Gmail account, everything stays safe in the cloud. You can get a new phone and have all your information back right away.

Write down your Gmail address and password on a piece of paper. Keep it somewhere safe in your home, like with important documents. Don’t keep this information only on your phone. If something happens to your phone, you need to be able to remember your Gmail login.

Using Google Apps Instead of Samsung Apps

If you have a Samsung phone, you might see two versions of some apps. For example, you might have both “Contacts” and “Samsung Contacts” or “Gallery” and “Google Photos.” This can be confusing.

We strongly recommend using the Google versions of these apps. Here’s why. Samsung apps save your information to a Samsung account that most people don’t remember creating. If your phone breaks, that information might be gone forever. Google apps save everything to your Gmail account, which you can access from any device.

Open the Google Play Store and search for these apps. Download them if they’re not already on your phone:

- Google Contacts

- Google Calendar

- Google Photos

- Google Messages

Once you download these apps, use them instead of the Samsung versions. Your information will automatically save to your Gmail account and stay safe.

Your Home Screen

When you turn on your phone, you see the home screen. This is like the desktop on a computer. It’s where everything starts. You’ll see small pictures called icons. Each icon opens a different app. Just tap an icon to open it.

You can move things around on your home screen. Press and hold an icon, then drag it where you want it. If you want to put apps together, drag one icon onto another. This makes a folder.

To add new apps to your home screen, look for a circle or grid icon. This opens your app drawer, which shows all your apps. Press and hold the app you want, then drag it to your home screen.

Making Calls and Sending Texts

To make a call, open the green Phone app. You can dial a number or pick someone from your contacts. Then tap the green button to call. When someone calls you, tap the green button to answer. Tap the red button to hang up.

For texting, we strongly recommend Google Messages instead of Samsung Messages. Here’s why this matters. Google Messages can back up all your text messages to your Gmail account.

That means if your phone breaks or you get a new one, you won’t lose important text conversations with your family and friends.

To turn on backup in Google Messages, open the app and tap the three dots in the corner. Go to Settings, then find “Message Backup.” Turn it on. Now all your texts are safe, just like your photos and contacts.

Saving Your Contacts Safely

Open Google Contacts. This is where you should keep all your phone numbers and email addresses. When you add someone new, that information saves to your Gmail account automatically. If you get a new phone, all your contacts will be there waiting for you.

Using Google Photos

Google Photos is one of the most important apps you can use. It automatically backs up every photo and video you take. Open the app and make sure backup is turned on. Now even if you drop your phone in water or lose it, all your precious photos are safe.

Using Google Calendar

Google Calendar helps you remember important dates like doctor appointments and family birthdays. Everything you add to Google Calendar saves to your Gmail account. You can even check your calendar on a computer or tablet.

Connecting to Wi-Fi

Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings. Tap the Wi-Fi icon. Pick your network from the list, type in the password, and tap “Connect.” You’ll see a Wi-Fi symbol at the top when it works.

Final Reminder

Remember, your Gmail account is the most important thing. It keeps your contacts, photos, calendar, and text messages safe. Make sure you know your Gmail address and password. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe at home. Using Google apps instead of Samsung or other vendor apps means your information follows you wherever you go. Even if something happens to your phone, nothing is truly lost.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​