Settings, be it smartphone settings or Phone Settings, device settings, fridge settings, home automation, and appliance settings, car settings, computer settings, and evert technology that requires to be configured to function in one way or another requires settings.
You can as well conclude that settings are part of our daily life, as every device and thing we use daily requires features to either be turned OFF/ON.
Be it as it may, smartphone settings or mobile phone settings; iPhone, Android, iPad, computer settings, windows, and macOS help you in many ways including saving time and battery because you do not need to switch off system functions manually.
You can reduce the brightness of the screen when it is needed, and turn it off again in the default profile. It makes sure you do not forget to turn some power unfriendly features, such as WiFi and Bluetooth, volume, orientation, network conditions, Bluetooth connection, screen brightness, keep the screen awake, It can help you save time in changing WI-FI settings, GPS, brightness and more.
Settings
The bottom line is that every electronics and appliances require one setup or the other. this is to say that smartphones and computers aren’t the only electronics that require users to get familiar with their system settings. other electronics and technology require that too.
Being conversant with any device settings opens you up to not just having control over the functional features of the device. More so, is that you would also have access to other devices that in turn requires users’ enablement in other to function.
Features Settings
First, let’s start by discussing how settings look like, every device has different looks or slight design for settings, but settings are generally represented by a gear icon both on a smartphone, computer, or automated device.
With your Android settings and settings in general in all smartphones, you can take control of your smartphone system functions. You can also control what phone features are turned on and how they should function. Here are lots of things that can be done with your cell phone settings;
- Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi can be turned on or off.
- Mobile data
Mobile data(3G, LTE) can be turned on or off.
- Bluetooth
Bluetooth can be turned on or off.
- GPS
GPS can be turned on or off.
- Airplane mode
Airplane mode can be turned on or off.
- Ringer(ringtones)
Ring tone can be turned on or off. (sound or silent)
- Vibration settings
Others Are
Vibrate or sound can be turned on or off. (vibration or sound)
- Screen Auto-rotate
Auto-rotate screen or fixed screen can be turned on or off.
- Screen auto brightness
Brightness can be set manually or set the screen brightness automatically.
- Auto-sync
Auto-sync can be turned on or off.
- Tethering and Mobile hotspot
Tethering and Mobile hotspot can be turned on or off.
- Screen Timeout
Can easily change the screen timeout.
- Language
Can be easily changed in a variety of languages.
- Date and Time
You can change the auto-sync with a time server, change Coordinated Universal Time, date/time format, such as changing
- Backgrounds
You can change the standby screen Wallpaper or Background Wallpaper (current)
- Battery info
Shows the battery charge rate and battery temperature. Shows when the unit is charging, charging information.
- Device info
Shows the device information.
- Task Manager
Running the Smart Task Manager
- Application Manager
Running the Smart App Manager
- File Manager
Running the Smart File Manager
- Auto On-Off Schedule
Auto On-Off Schedule is the following items;
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Vibration, Sound, Screen brightness, Auto-sync, and Screen rotation.
Elements Of Settings
These are basically the functions you can control with your smartphone system settings. But more to that is the element of system settings in Android, iPhone, iPad, and other mobiles. When you go to settings on your phone depending on the type of phone, you would come in contact with varieties of features or element that makes up the phone settings such as;
- About Device
- Accessibility
- Account
- Airplane Mode
- APN
- Application Details
- In the same vein, Application Development – Developer Settings
- Application
- Battery Optimization
- Battery Save
- Bluetooth
- Captioning
- Cast
- Data Roaming
- Date
- Display
- Dream
- Home
- Keyboard
- Keyboard subtype
- Locale
- Location
- Manage All Applications
- Manage Applications
- Memory Card
- Network
- NFC sharing
- Again, NFC Payment
- NFC Settings
- Notification Access
- Privacy
- Quick Launch
- Search
- Security
- Settings
- Show Regulatory Info
- Sound
- Software Update
- Storage
- Store
- Sync
- Usage
- User Dictionary
- Voice Input
- Wi-Fi IP
- Wi-Fi
- Wireless
- Hotspot
- Location
- Adaptive Brightness
- Screen auto-rotate
Before we discuss further, we are going to show you how you can get to your device or smartphone system settings to be able to access all the listed elements above.
Getting to Your Smartphone Settings – Locating your Mobile Phone Settings – How to Get to your Cell Phone Setting
There are two ways to get to your phone’s settings. You can swipe down on the notification bar at the top of your phone display, then tap on the top-right account icon, then tap on Settings. Or you can tap on the “all apps” app tray icon in the bottom middle of your home screen. This will show you a list of apps, and you can swipe through to find and tap on Settings.
Security
The first element of phone settings we are going to discuss is the phone security settings as that is the first paramount thing to do when you get your new Android, iPhone, iPad, or another device. However, in this case, we will show you how to generally add a security lock and password protect your phone.
With your device security, you can access elements like;
- Google Play Protect.
- On-Device Encryption.
- Setting Your Password.
- Two-Step Verification.
- Find My Device.
- Fingerprint Unlock.
- On-Body Detection.
- Trusted Places.
- Fingerprint Unlock
- On-Body Detection
- Trusted Face Recognition
- Protection from Unknown Sources and lot more.
Mobile Security – How to Set a password and automatic Screen Lock
To set up a device password and automatic screen lock follow the below instructions;
Under Settings>Security, you’ll see “screen lock” and “automatically lock” options. Set up a PIN or password to unlock your phone. Then make sure your screen automatically locks after a period of idle time, like 30 seconds or one minute.
Protection from Unknown Sources
Google Play Protect is effective in its vetting of apps, but it can’t help you if you download an app that isn’t in the Play Store. Instead, the Android operating system does provide a solution for helping avoid unknown downloads. This tool, Unknown Sources or Unknown Apps, will block the installation of apps that aren’t from the Google Play Store.
If you find an app that hasn’t been vetted by Google Play Protect that you just can’t do without, you can turn off this protection. But be sure to switch back the setting when you’re done.
How to Block Unwanted App Downloads with “Unknown Sources” setting
Here’s how to turn Unknown Sources on and off:
Settings > Security > Unknown sources or Unknown apps > toggle on or off the installation of apps from a non-Play Store source.
Another security setting and app we will discuss is the VPN.
How to Use VPN
VPN
When you’re out and about, you may be tempted to surf the web while using public Wi-Fi. It’s just so easy and tempting to connect in the coffee shop or airport. And if you’re only checking out a site quickly, can it really hurt? Yes. Using public Wi-Fi without any protection is like leaving your front door open with a big sign that tells burglars you aren’t home.
A good way to help ensure you’re protected is to use a virtual private network. A VPN connection encrypts your online activities to keep you safe from eavesdroppers like the hackers at coffee shops waiting for their next online victim. Android users have two options: the built-in VPN on Android devices, or another secure VPN app. The Google Play Store offers several choices.
Wireless Connections Settings
The wireless connections settings on your smartphone help you access many of the devices to device connections as well as connection with signal or network provider and connection with an internet service provider that help you to browse the internet. The wireless connections settings will allow you access features or elements like;
What you do at Connections settings
- On or Off Wi-Fi
- On or Off Bluetooth
- Also, On or Off Phone visibility(Allow other devices to find phone and transfer files.)
- On or Off Flight mode
- On or Off Location High accuracy
- Access to Data usage
- Now, Access to NFC settings
- Access to Tethering settings
- Access to More connection settings
- On or Off Nearby devices scanning
- Access to Printing
- More so, Access to MirrorLink(Connect your device to your car to access useful apps safety while driving.)
- On or Off Download booster
- Access to VPN settings
Notifications& Privacy Settings
You can check out notifications like texts and emails right on the lock screen of your Android device. Although this is a great feature to have, it isn’t the best when it comes to privacy. Other people can view these messages (or at least parts of them) if they get their hands on your device, even though it is locked.
To tighten up your privacy, you can choose to hide sensitive notifications on the lock screen. Just go to Settings > Notifications, and tap the gear icon in the top-right corner. Then select “On the lock screen” followed by “Hide sensitive notification content”.
Then next time you get a notification (like an SMS), the content of the message as well as the sender’s name won’t be displayed on the lock screen. Your nosy friends won’t see anything for your eyes only.
Cast Settings – Casting your Device Screen
You can project your phone on a bigger screen using the CAST SETTINGS.
Android now comes with built-in casting, so you can mirror the screen on any monitor or television equipped with a Chromecast device. Although many apps have their own Chromecast buttons, you can also project any screen or app from the Settings. Just go to Connected devices and select Cast. If you do this often, Android 10.0 also allows you to create a shortcut in the Quick Setting menu. Go to tip number 3 and drag the icon for Screen Cast to the top.
Find My Device Settings – Find My Phone
Make sure you can find your phone in case lost, stolen, or misplaced.
Worried about losing your phone? To maximize your chances of recovering a missing device, make sure to activate Android’s built-in tracking system. Open Settings, go to Security and tap Find My Device. After that, should you misplace your phone, head to this page in any browser, and log in to your Google account.
If you’re logged in to your Google account on Chrome, you can also type “Where’s my phone” on the search bar. You’ll be able to view your handset’s location on the map, among other options, like making the device ring (even if it’s in Do Not Disturb mode), lock it, or erase it. For more details, check out our guide to finding a lost phone.
Do Not Disturb Settings – Set-Up Do Not Disturb
If your phone routinely spends the night on your nightstand, you probably don’t want it beeping or buzzing every time there’s a call, message, or Facebook alert — especially when you’re trying to sleep.
Thankfully, Android offers a Do Not Disturb mode that will keep the phone more or less silent during designated hours. On some phones, this is referred to as the Downtime setting or even quiet time.
Bottom line: Head to Settings > Sounds (or Sounds and notifications), then look for Do Not Disturb (or the appropriate name). Using the feature, you can set up a range of hours (usually nighttime) when you want to turn off the digital noise. But don’t worry, any notifications you get while DND is turned on will still be waiting for you when you wake up.
Also, you can typically make an exception that allows repeat callers and favorite contacts’ calls to go through. Turn that on. If someone is calling you in an emergency, odds are they are going to keep trying.
Conclusion
The Android System Settings menu allows you to control most aspects of your device—everything from establishing a new Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to installing a third-party onscreen keyboard, to adjusting system sounds and screen brightness. Also in the System Settings menu, you will find a number of accessibility features, which we have discussed a few important ones above; though important based on what one wants to control at each point in time.
The procedure to reach the System Settings menu will differ depending on what version of Android you have on your device, but one way you can always open this menu is by invoking the Apps list, whose icon is usually found on the main home screen. There, among the list of apps currently installed on your device, you will find an app called Settings.