9 things to do when you get a new Android phone

9 things to do when you get a new Android phone

9 things to do when you get a new Android phone

https://www.howtogeek.com/9-things-to-do-when-you-get-a-new-android-phone/

Publish Date: 2026-01-29 10:30:00

Source Domain: www.howtogeek.com

Got a shiny new Android phone? Take some time to make these nine quick changes—they’ll let you hit the ground running with a smooth, reliable Android experience.

Some settings and options will vary based on your smartphone model and current Android version. However, the following instructions should give you a general sense of where to find certain options on any smartphone.

Update the Android version

Although your phone is new, it may not be running the latest version of Android. This calls for a software update on your phone to ensure you’re running the latest and the greatest version of Android. Updating Android ensures you have the latest bug fixes and possibly new features.

To do that, launch Settings on your phone. Scroll down and choose “About Device.” Select the version option at the top to find the latest updates.

Allow your phone to check for the latest version. If a newer version is available, download and install the available updates. Then, restart your Android phone.

Update the pre-installed apps

Some pre-installed apps are just bloatware, but others, like Google Maps or Photos, are much more essential. Still, there may be updates available for these apps when you first turn on your new phone. In this case, you should update your apps to enjoy a bug-free experience and possibly gain some new features.

To do that, launch the Google Play Store on your phone. In the top-right corner, tap your profile picture and choose “Manage Apps & Device.” To update all your installed apps, in the Updates Available section, tap “See Details” and select “Update All.”

To update individual apps, open the “Manage” tab, select the app to update, and tap the update icon.

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