New phone essentials

Review five settings before you rely on the phone

Use these checks to make the phone quieter, understand background activity and prepare for a lost device. Menu names differ by phone maker and Android version, so the directions below sometimes name a settings topic instead of promising one exact route. Settings search can help locate a topic. Change one thing at a time, especially when adjusting background activity, so you can identify the cause if messages or reminders stop arriving as expected.

1. 01Notifications

   Decide which apps deserve an interruption. Keep useful alerts for messages, calendar events or services you depend on, and silence promotional or less important notices. Some apps provide separate notification categories, allowing you to keep essential alerts without accepting every type. You can also touch and hold a notification to see available controls. Review what appears on the lock screen if private message content should not be visible to someone holding the phone. Send yourself a message afterward if you want to confirm that your chosen communication app still alerts you.

   Settings › Notifications; look for app notification controls
2. 02Battery and background activity

   Open the battery settings to see available battery-saving options and information about app usage. Initial setup, syncing and app installation can involve substantial background work, so avoid drawing conclusions from one short period immediately after setup. If an app is using more power than you expect, inspect its battery controls before changing them. Restricting background activity can delay notifications or other ongoing tasks. Be particularly cautious with messaging, navigation and accessory companion apps. Use the phone's recommended battery settings as a starting point instead of restricting every app indiscriminately.

   Settings › Battery; look for battery usage and app battery controls
3. 03App permissions

   Review which apps can access location, camera, microphone and other protected information. Open an app's permission settings and ask whether each permission is necessary for the feature you actually use. Where offered, choose access only while using the app rather than continuous access. For location, consider whether approximate location is sufficient; navigation may need precise location to work well. Denying access can prevent a feature from working, but you can return to the permission controls later. Do not grant access simply because an app asks at first launch.

   Settings › Apps › choose an app › Permissions
4. 04Automatic app updates

   Review Google Play's automatic app update preference so apps can receive fixes without requiring you to inspect each listing individually. Select an available option that fits your connection and mobile data allowance. A Wi-Fi preference can help limit mobile data use, although Google notes that certain critical security updates may occur regardless of some preferences. Automatic updates do not replace Android system updates: those have separate controls in Settings. If you use more than one app store, review its update settings separately rather than assuming Google Play manages everything installed on the phone.

   Google Play › profile picture › Settings › Network preferences › Auto-update apps
5. 05Lost-phone recovery

   Look for Google's lost-device service, which may be labeled Find Hub or Find My Device depending on the software. Review its settings and any available offline-finding options. Set a secure screen lock and keep your Google Account recovery information current. From another device, make sure you can reach Google's device-finding service and sign in to the intended account. Available actions and location information depend on the phone's settings and circumstances, including power and connectivity; turning the service on does not guarantee that every lost phone can be located.

   Settings › Google; look for Find Hub or Find My Device