Android tablets have gone through various phases in recent years, and now have as many features as the iPad. In some cases, your Android tablet can do things the iPad can't. Getting started with your Android tablet can be difficult. but once you log in with your Google account, things will feel much clearer. With a huge library of Android apps, there's not much that Android can't do.
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Part 1 of 5: Unboxing and Charging
Step 1. Unbox your tablet
When you buy a tablet, you need to perform some actions before your tablet can be turned on. The first thing to do to set up your Android tablet is to unwrap it and check what items and accessories are included on the packaging.
- If you buy a new tablet, you will usually find the USB cable, charger, manual, warranty card, and tablet in the box.
- Make sure you find the manual and read it, so you can become familiar with the device and the basic functions of the tablet.
Step 2. Charge your Android tablet
While it is possible that your tablet has been charged enough to turn on, it is recommended that you fully charge your tablet before using it for the first time.
- To charge your Android tablet, connect the supplied USB cable to the charger or to a USB port on your computer. Connect the other end to the MicroUSB port on the bottom of the tablet. Your tablet will generally charge faster if it is connected to a charger.
- If you are not sure which cable is the charging cable, find your user manual and read the contents.
Step 3. Turn on your Android tablet
After you have fully charged the battery, turn on the tablet by pressing the power button for about three minutes. Press and hold the button until the screen displays a message.
Your Android tablet usually has two different physical buttons on the top or right. The long button is the volume button, while the smaller button is the power/Sleep button
Part 2 of 5: Performing Initial Setup
Step 1. Choose your language
After the tablet turns on for the first time, you will need to follow several steps to be able to use it. The first part of the initial setup process will ask you to select a language from a list. Slide your finger on the list, or tap the menu to select your language..
- Tap "Next" when you're done.
- Keep in mind that the exact guide will vary depending on the tablet you are setting up. Tablets of different types and brands will have different setup processes.
Step 2. Select your WiFi network
After selecting the language, a list of Wi-Fi networks within range will usually be displayed on the screen. You should find your Wi-Fi network on this page. If your network doesn't appear, move closer to the router, and hit the "Refresh List" button on the screen.
- Tap the network you want to connect to. If the network is secured, you will be asked to enter a password to connect. Use the on-screen keyboard that will appear to enter the password.
- After you enter the password, tap "Continue" to connect the tablet.
- See this guide for details on how to connect to a wireless network.
Step 3. Set the date and time settings
These settings should be detected automatically, but you can perform manual settings if the date and time are not set correctly by the tablet. Tap "Next" to continue.
Step 4. Accept the license terms
You will usually be asked to read and agree to your tablet's license terms. Read these terms to see what you can and cannot do with your tablet according to the manufacturer. Tap "Next" to continue.
Step 5. Sign in with your Google account
Because Android is made by Google, many core Android experiences, such as the Google Play Store and Gmail integration, require you to sign in with a Google account. At this point, your Android tablet will ask you to sign in to an existing Google account or create a new one. After entering your account information, the login process will take a few minutes.
- You can skip signing in to your Google account, but you won't be able to access most of your tablet's features. Your tablet will allow you to create a Google account, or you can create one online.
- Some tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy, will ask you to log in with the manufacturer's account. This will give you access to manufacturer-specific services, such as backup services. Like a Google account, this manufacturer's account is free.
- If you have a Gmail, YouTube, or Google+ account, you already have a Google account.
Step 6. Select data backup settings
Once you are logged in, you will be asked to select backup and restore settings. You can restore your Google settings to your new device, which is especially useful if you already have another Google device. You can also set your tablet to automatically back up data to your Google account, which will allow you to restore or move settings in the future.
Step 7. Set the location settings. The next screen will ask you to set the location settings
Enabling Wi-Fi location will allow the app to find your location based on your Wi-Fi connection. You can also enable GPS location tracking for a more precise location. This is very useful for Google Maps.
Step 8. Sign in to other services
Some tablets include apps that may require you to log in at the time. For example, many Samsung tablets come with free Dropbox storage, which requires you to create an account. Different tablets will have different built-in services, and you don't have to use them.
Step 9. Name your tablet
Usually, the last step of setting up your tablet requires you to give your tablet a name. This name will appear when your device is connected to a network, or when you set up your device online.
Part 3 of 5: Getting to Know the Interface
Step 1. Browse to the main screen
This screen is the home screen of your tablet, and contains applications and widgets. Widgets are tiny applications that run directly on the screen, like a weather forecast or clock. You can move between screens by swiping left and right.
Step 2. Add and remove apps to your home screen
There are several applications that are already present on your home screen. You can move it by pressing and holding the app icon. If you want to add more apps from your list of installed apps, tap the "Apps" button to open the app drawer. Press and hold an app on the list to move it to the home screen.
To remove an app from the screen, press and hold the app icon and drag it to the trash can that appears at the top of the screen. This will only remove the app from the home screen, but not remove it from the system
Step 3. Open the Settings menu
Tap the Settings icon on your home screen or app drawer to open the Settings menu. Here, you can manage all your device and account settings.
Step 4. Do a Google search
Tap the Google search bar to open the Google search function. You can type search keywords with the on-screen keyboard. Google Search will search your device and the internet for anything that matches your search keywords.
Step 5. Run the application
You can launch any application that is already installed by tapping on its icon. You can run multiple applications at the same time. To switch between applications, press the Multitask key. This button will open a list of all open applications, and let you move quickly.
Step 6. Add the widget to your home screen
Press and hold an empty space on your home screen. Select Widgets from the menu that appears, and browse the list to select the widget you want to add. After selecting the widget, select the screen on which you want to attach the widget. Widgets come in various sizes.
You can add more widgets from the Play Store. There are widgets for almost any function you could want, and they are designed to give you quick access to information without requiring you to open an app
Part 4 of 5: Using the Tablet's Basic Functions
Step 1. Check your email
If you have signed in with a Google account, your account will be added automatically to the Email app. You can open this app to browse your messages. If you have multiple email accounts, you can add them so that all your emails are in the same place.
You can also download the Gmail app if you frequently use Gmail for email
Step 2. Open Google Search
Swipe up from your Home button to open Google Search. You can enter a search keyword in the top bar, and a card containing information Google finds relevant to you will appear below the search box.
Step 3. Browse the Internet
Depending on your tablet brand, you might have Internet, Browser, or Chrome apps. All of them let you browse the Internet on your tablet. The browser works like a browser on a computer: enter the address at the top to visit the site.
If you want to access multiple sites at once, tap the button at the top right to open a new tab. When more than one tab is open, you can press the top right button to see all open tabs
Step 4. Play some music
If you have music on your tablet, the Play Music app will detect it automatically. This application can be accessed from the Apps menu like any other application. Tap the Play Music icon to open the app.
- Once you're in the Play Music app, you'll notice that the layout is similar to that of the Play Store. At the top, you'll find the same search function and account button. Below the top button, you will see a list of all albums which will be displayed as boxes on the screen.
- Tap a box to open the music list in that box, or tap the three vertical stacked dots to access options to add it to a playlist or play it directly.
- The Play Music app will be able to play music you've put on your tablet, as well as any music you've purchased on the Play Store. You can also sign up for unlimited access to your Google Music library for a fee, such as Spotify Premium.
- If you don't like Play Music, you can download another music player app like Spotify, Pandora, or Rhapsody.
Part 5 of 5: Installing New Apps
Step 1. Open the Google Play Store
This app icon should be on your home screen, and look like a shopping bag. This will open the Google Play Store, where you can download apps, games, music, books, movies, and more. Generally, the Google Play Store will open the Apps section.
Step 2. Browse the top apps
When you first open the store, you will see a variety of suggested apps. Browse those apps to see if any match.
Step 3. Look at the categories
You can see the Top Free, Top Paid, Top Grossing (all-time) categories, etc. This will give you an idea of what apps other people are using.
Step 4. Look for the app
Use the search box at the top of the screen to search for a specific app. Possible correct results are displayed each time you type a character.
Step 5. Install the app
Once you've selected an app, you can view its details and read what other people are saying about the app. If you want the app, you can buy it (if it's a paid app) and download it to your device. Once the app is downloaded and installed, it will appear in your drawer and home screen.
If you want to buy an app, you need to add a payment method to your Google account, or cash out a Google Play voucher card
Step 6. Install useful apps
There are tens of thousands of apps to choose from, so you might be confused when you get started. There are several types of apps that everyone can use, and they're a good app to start with.
- File manager - The Android operating system allows you to access more of the system "innards" than the iPad. Downloading a file manager app will allow you to view, move, copy, and delete any file on your tablet. ES File Explorer is one of the most popular and useful file manager apps on Android.
- Streaming video - Tablets are great for watching videos on the road, so you may want to download an app to watch videos. Most streaming apps require a subscription, but chances are you're already using it on other devices. Try Netflix and Hulu, but there are other streaming video options too.
- Cloud storage - As more and more things are done in the cloud or online, the need for dedicated cloud storage applications is becoming increasingly apparent. Since you're using Android, you may want to install Google Drive if the app isn't already installed. This gives you access to 15GB of storage, and lets you create and edit Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentations documents. Dropbox also has a tablet app that lets you easily access your saved files.
- Web Browser - If your tablet came with an "Internet" or "Browser" web browser, you may want to replace it with a more powerful one. Google Chrome has a feature-rich tablet version, and lets you sync your bookmarks, logins, and saved passwords with the desktop version. Firefox is also available for Android and can sync with the desktop.
- Messaging - Your tablet may not be able to send SMS because it doesn't have a cellular signal, but you can install an app to chat with anyone, anywhere. Programs like Skype, WhatsApp, SnapChat, and Hangouts are all available for Android tablets.
