You’ve Bought a New Smartphone, Now What?

By Chantal Bechervaise

It is exciting to get a new smartphone. I love the feeling of unboxing it and holding it in my hands for the first time. It can be overwhelming too, as there are always new features to get used to and learn and I just want to start playing with it right away.

Here are some tips and guidelines to help you set up and learn how to use your new smartphone, so you are up and running as quickly as possible.

Fully Charge Your Phone

This is the hardest part for me. I am impatient, so waiting a couples hours before being able to play with my new phone is torture. It is important to charge your phone first. Your new phone will more than likely have to update its operating system (OS) so it is better to have a full charge.  Plus respecting your battery is the best way to prolong its life.  I recommend never letting it drain completely and topping off the charge whenever you can. If you are out an about and need to prolong your battery life, try turning off the Wi-Fi and GPS locator.

Move Your Data

After installing all the updates, the next step is moving over prior contact lists and data to your new phone.  If you are moving contacts from iOS to iOS or Android to Android, once you sign in with the same account information, all it should take is one sync to get you up and running. (If you are using iOS and you have backed up all your info to iTunes, then just plug your phone into your computer and sync it through the iTunes back up feature.) Another way to transfer contact information is through the SIM card. If you previously saved contact information to your SIM card and the SIM card fits your new phone, then you can save the contact information into your new phone.

Media, Photos and Songs

If you used a microSD card in your previous phone for your photos and videos, then you may be able to simply pop it into your new phone and have immediate access to them.  I highly recommend using cloud storage to back up all of your photos and videos.  That way if you lose your phone or if it gets damaged, you have not lost any of those important memories.  Apple users can backup photos, videos and songs with iTunes or iCloud, Windows users can use OneDrive, and Android users can use Google Drive.

There are many other cloud storage apps and options that are available to use as well. Some of the most popular ones can be found here. Verizon also offers the Verizon Cloud storage service, which allows customers to sync and save important contacts, photos, videos, music, documents, and even text messages.

Watch the How-To Videos on Your Phone

Newer smartphones usually have How-To Videos, a Support Center, or Help app built in to the phone. Take the time to look through this feature (which can be found in the main menu) to learn the ins and outs of your phone. Even experienced smartphone users are bound to discover some new tips or tricks that they were not aware of.

Set Up Shortcuts and Personalise Your Phone

You have finished the initial set up and updating and now the fun begins – personalising your phone and making it your own.  This is my favorite part of setting up a new phone. I always begin with selecting new wallpaper.  You can usually find the place to set up and chose the wallpaper under the settings menu (it may be called appearance or personalization).  Your phone will have some built-in options but you can also download wallpaper to match your personality through your phone’s respective app store.

Next, I start creating shortcuts for my most used apps and place them on my home screen with my favorite widgets. That way they are easy to find and quick to launch. I am an Android user and my widget of choice is the Google Now Launcher which provides me with traffic updates, weather, and updates to the sites I frequent the most.

Don’t be afraid to move apps around until you find a layout that works for you.  Try out new apps that suit your lifestyle. There are so many to choose from: Best Apps for Pet Owners, News Junkies, Keeping Kids Entertained, Streaming Music and much, much more!

Using your smartphone should help to make your life easier and not be a burden.

Accessories

The last step in personalising your new phone is accessorizing it. I start with a phone case. Besides offering protection from bumps and drops, a case can add personality and style to your phone. Verizon offers many cases to choose from, including an option to create your own personalized photo case.

Accessories don’t stop at just the case; there are many more fun things to help improve the performance and use of your phone, from portable chargers to headphones and Bluetooth speakers. There are many options to turn your smartphone into a mobile entertainment system, and even a mobile office.

Do you have any tips to share about setting up a new phone and personalising it? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below.

CBechervaise67Chantal is located in Ottawa, Ontario. She is passionate about everything related to the World of Work: Leadership, HR, Social Media and Technology. You can read more from Chantal at her TakeItPersonelly blog or follow her on Twitter @CBechervaise.

Comments:

  2. Just wish to say your article is as amazing.
    The clarity in your post is just nice and i could assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.

    Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.

    Here is my blog post … http://deletedbyfacebook.com/

  4. Hi there, You have performed an excellent job.
    I will certainly digg it and in my view recommend to my friends.
    I am confident they will be benefited from this web site.

    Also visit my blog June

  7. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS.
    I don’t know why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody else
    getting identical RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

    My page: 사설바둑이

  11. What’s up, after reading this remarkable post i am also happy to share my knowledge here with colleagues.

  12. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have
    put in penning this blog. I am hoping to check out the same
    high-grade content from you in the future as well. In truth,
    your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own site now 😉

  14. สล็อตออนไลน์ SLOT365CASINO
    สล็อต เว็บสล็อตออนไลน์ หากคุณอยากรู้ว่าการเล่น เกมสล็อต กับทางค่ายของ slot365casino นั้นจะมีการเดิมพันอะไรที่นอกจากการเล่นสล็อต ที่เป็นที่นิยมของทางเว็บ วันนี้นอกจากการแนะนำเกมที่น่าเล่นแล้ว เราอยากพาคุณไปทำความรู้จักกับการให้บริการภายในเว็บกันสักหน่อย

    SLOT online ทุกค่าย เพื่อที่จะให้คุณได้เห็นภาพ และตัดสินใจในการสมัครเข้าเป็นสมาชิกได้ง่ายยิ่งขึ้น ยิ่งใครที่ยังไม่เคยได้สัมผัสกับเกมการเดิมพันด้วยเงินสด อาจยังกล้าๆ กลัวๆ ไม่กล้าลองที่จะเข้ามาเป็นสมาชิกกับทางเว็บ ไม่ต้องกลัวเลย เพราะเว็บเราได้รับมาตรฐานจากสากล พร้อมทั้งได้รับการจดทะเบียนกับทางรัฐบาลที่สามารถเปิดเว็บคาสิโนออนไลน์ได้ จึงไม่ต้องกังวลถึงเรื่องความปลอดภัยนั่นเอง

    slot online

  15. I’m curious to find out what blog system you are using?
    I’m having some minor security issues with my latest website and I’d like
    to find something more risk-free. Do you have any solutions?

    my blog fx마진거래

  16. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Firefox.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with
    web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let
    you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Cheers

    Have a look at my web page – 먹튀검증

  17. whoah this weblog is magnificent i really like studying your articles.
    Stay up the great work! You realize, lots
    of people are looking round for this info, you can aid them greatly.

    Check out my webpage … Linette

  20. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website.
    It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here
    and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer
    to create your theme? Excellent work!

    my web site :: 메이저사이트

  21. ฉันได้เรียนรู้โพสต์มากมายเกี่ยวกับหัวข้อของผู้ที่ชื่นชอบบล็อกเกอร์
    ในทางกลับกัน การส่งนี้เป็นเพียงการส่งที่จุกจิก ยึดติดกับมัน

    Here is my blog post – เล่นบอลออนไลน์

  22. วันที่ยอดเยี่ยม! ฉันแค่ต้องการให้คุณยกนิ้วโป้งให้กับข้อมูลที่ดีของคุณ คุณได้รับสิทธิ์ที่นี่ในการส่งนี้ ฉันจะกลับมาที่เว็บไซต์ของคุณอย่างรวดเร็วเป็นพิเศษ ถ้าหากคุณสนใจเกี่ยวกับเรื่อง แทงบอลโลก หรือ แทงบอลโลก 2022 หรือ
    ราคาบอลโลก ฉันแนะนำให้คุณลองไปดูที่นี่ chat-off.com

  24. Need nude James Deen? Oh, We have! We scan many
    porn videos sources daily, add a lot, so you can find something interesting.
    Jezabel Vessir interracial bang porno. Anya Ivy Teanna Trump.
    1 week ago. 13:49. Scout 69: Caught sex with hairy deutsch
    MILF. James Deen. 7 months ago. 47:01. Asian Asa Akira cock
    sucking. Asa Akira James Deen.

  26. How to take dicycloverine Before you start the
    treatment, read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet
    from inside the pack. It will give There are two.

  47. Hey There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. This is
    a very neatly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of your helpful information. Thanks for the post.
    I’ll definitely return.

    Feel free to surf to my blog post :: 메이저사이트

  51. With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it
    is popping it up all over the internet without my permission. Do you know any solutions to help reduce content from being ripped off?

    I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  58. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but
    I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are
    not already 😉 Cheers!

  63. Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll certainly digg
    it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.

  64. Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.

    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hello there, You have performed an incredible job. I’ll definitely
    digg it and for my part suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.

  70. Thank you for the good writeup. It in truth was a amusement account it.
    Look complicated to more delivered agreeable from you!
    However, how can we keep in touch?

  79. Wonderful article! This is the type of info that should be shared across the
    web. Shame on Google for no longer positioning this
    put up upper! Come on over and talk over with my
    web site . Thank you =)

  80. Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and
    gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
    placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a
    hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants
    to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but
    I had to tell someone!

  81. I blog often and I truly thank you for your content.
    Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark
    your website and keep checking for new information about once a week.
    I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  83. wonderful put up, very informative. I wonder why the opposite specialists of
    this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing.
    I’m confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!

  85. My family members all the time say that I am wasting
    my time here at web, but I know I am getting familiarity
    everyday by reading thes fastidious content.

  89. I think everything said made a great deal of sense. But, think about this, what if you
    wrote a catchier title? I mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your blog, however what if you added a headline that grabbed people’s attention?
    I mean You’ve Bought a New Smartphone, Now What? –
    The Online Mom is a little plain. You should look
    at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they write post titles to get viewers to open the links.

    You might try adding a video or a picture or two to get
    readers interested about everything’ve written. Just my opinion, it would make your posts a little
    livelier.

  91. Hey! I understand this is kind of off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does running a well-established blog like yours require a massive amount work?
    I’m completely new to running a blog however I do write in my journal
    on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so I will be
    able to share my experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any ideas or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers.
    Appreciate it!

  92. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it
    for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my
    own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
    thanks a lot

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

How To Choose a Smartphone

Tips for Setting up A Mobile Office

7 Essential Tips for New Smartphone Owners

Best Apps for Keeping Kids Entertained

7 Good Smartphone Security Habits