Skip to main content

    Android Basics

    First steps with your new Android.

    1. The three buttons

    Back arrow, home circle, recent apps square. The bottom row of every screen.

    2. Notification shade

    Swipe down from the top to see new messages, alerts, and quick toggles.

    3. App drawer

    Swipe up from the bottom to see every installed app sorted alphabetically.

    4. Settings

    The gear icon. Adjust volume, screen brightness, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth from here.

    5. Google Account

    Sign in once and your contacts, photos, and email all sync. Same account works on tablets.

    6. Restart it

    Hold the side button and a volume key. Tap Restart. Fixes most odd behavior.

    Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus all run Android. Layout differs slightly but the basics are the same.