Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)

Subject: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: robomatic
Date: 13 Dec 21 - 05:43 PM

I had the smartphone thrust upon me, as a combination Birthday/ Christmas/ delayed BarMitzvah gift and account that allowed me to join the modern age despite my better instincts. Now I have been converted/ enslaved.

Started with a Samsung S3 and just bought a Samsung A32. Now I have to transfer to the new phone.

Any advice?

Guidelines?

Useful prayers or patron saints (My go-to is St. Aloysius)

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Dec 21 - 06:03 PM

It gets easier and easier to transfer from one phone to another, wish I could say the same for PCs.
Here's a pretty good tutorial: https://www.androidcentral.com/how-transfer-data-your-old-android-phone-your-new-phone

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Dec 21 - 07:03 PM

Since they're both Samsung phones they probably have an app for the transfer. That was the case with my LG phones. (Alas, LG is getting out of the smart phone business, so I'll need to change to a different manufacturer next time. No fun that.)

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Dec 21 - 03:38 AM

How to transfer data from your old Samsung phone to a new one...

I've had Samsung Android phones for years, Samsung have a well-developed system for transferring data from the old phone to the new one. Never had a problem.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphopgrade (Android)
From: robomatic
Date: 15 Dec 21 - 01:42 PM

Thank you for your adept responses. After a day of cringing I downloaded the software app to both phones and put them on. I'd say more than 90% of the information and loaded apps transferred perfectly. And all the stuff I really cared about made the transfer. Minor stuff like Shazams in the library and browser sites didn't make it.

The old phone allowed me to pinch the on button and one of the volume buttons to do a screen capture. The new one has all those buttons on the same side. Still wondering how that gets done. Otherwise okay.

Meanwhile, I've learned that the old phone is still useful as a kind of ipod touch. It still can surf the net and use many of its apps. Unfortunately its lithium ion battery is no good. Since I live in Alaska Amazon will not send me a battery, which would cost under $15. Locally they're about $60. Makes me wonder how people are allowed to get away with ordering smartphones over the internet at all.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: DaveRo
Date: 15 Dec 21 - 02:21 PM

robomatic wrote: The old phone allowed me to pinch the on button and one of the volume buttons to do a screen capture... Still wondering how that gets done.

Probably the same, but you may have to hold the buttons for a different length of time.

On his Samsung tablet I have to briefly press the ON and VOL- buttons. On my previous tablet I had to hold them down for longer.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 16 Dec 21 - 05:51 PM

Ive just transferred stuff from my unreliable Nokia to a Samsung with that app. Very nifty.


screenshot
",,,Volume down button and the Power Button at the same time,,,"
sounds the best bet to me.
This page gives four or five other possibilities too :
https://tech2rise.com/take-screenshot-in-samsung-galaxy-a32/

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 21 - 12:38 AM

I heard a story on the radio today about a protocol that is under development now that (hopefully) by the middle of next year will be in place, to help transfer this kind of information between phones from various makers, as long as they have the capabilities built in. Most phones being made now will have that ability.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: DaveRo
Date: 17 Dec 21 - 07:50 AM

I heard a story on the radio today about a protocol that is under development...

I wonder what that is, and who's developing it.

A big vendor like Samsung (which has the biggest share of Android phones) can afford to make tools to convert from other makes of phone, including from old versions of Android which are being replaced.

But if you fancy a phone from a smaller manufacturer - Uniherz say (because like me you think most phones are far too big), or Fairphone because you want a phone with a replaceable battery, that is repairable and will last - then you're never going to be able to transfer your data and apps so easily.

Apple, of course, will do everything they can to prevent you moving to a non-Apple product.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 21 - 12:43 PM

My current LG doesn't have a replaceable battery, but the previous one I had was the last of the big phones with a replacable (or a larger one could be put in, and the battery maker supplied a new back to snap into place). They're going to waterproof/water resistant devices over replaceable batteries.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 22 - 11:43 AM

Not a smartphone upgrade, but a way to make the smartphone a bit less obnoxious:

How to configure Android to handle incoming spam calls

If you find yourself always inundated with spam calls on your Android phone, this may just be the cure for that issue.

I don't know about you, but spam phone calls have been a plague for me. Those calls aren't just annoying but could be a serious risk to your identity and privacy. Needless to say, I loathe those bothersome callers and go out of my way to avoid them.

Thankfully, Android has some pretty handy tools built right into the phone app to help you banish those spam calls. These built-in configuration options work in conjunction with Google's spam database (which is frequently updated) to keep those calls from inundating your phone.

However, you can't just expect Google to take care of everything. You need to make a couple of configuration changes within the phone app to get the most out of the service. That's what I'm going to help you with. Once you've taken care of this, your spam calls should be considerably reduced.

Will it put a complete end to them? No. But the more you use it, the fewer spam calls you'll receive.

How to configure Android to handle incoming spam calls
Requirements
The only thing you'll need to reduce spam is any Android phone running at least Android 10 (which should cover most Android devices currently on the market).

1. Open Phone settings
Open the Phone app on your Android device and tap the vertical three-dot menu in the upper right corner. From the pop-up menu, tap Settings.

2. Navigate to the Spam options
From the Phone Settings window, navigate to the spam pop-up settings window by tapping Spam and Call Screen > Call Screen > Spam.

3. Enable automatic screening
From within the Spam pop-up, select the option called "Automatically screen. Decline robocalls."

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Sep 22 - 09:51 AM

How I never get spam calls on my mobile?

1) only switch it on when I am expecting a call or about to make one. Battery is removable

2) ask people to send texts by preference because they get through as soon as I switch the phone on, get within range etc..

3) refuse to give my number to the Government or festival organisers. If I am late for duties, nothing will get me there faster, and I ain't moving duties until I know the reason. COVID & vaccine - I use the landline, they don't like calling that.

4) Have a second, large format, phone, sans SIM, for GPS which at a push will use WiFi for other stuff.

5) They don't get my position, route, itinerary for no reward!

gadgets & frippery have to have a purpose for us techies, they ain't gizmos, they is tools.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 22 - 10:19 AM

You don't get spam texts either, then?

I use an app called Hiya so Google/Android isn't offering me the option to turn off spam. It seems to know the filter is already baked in.

I get a lot less awful stuff than I might because if I'm asked for a number and don't want to but have little choice I give them my Google Voice number. It used to be my house phone until I ported it into Voice. Now I check in there on occasion and see hundreds of spam calls blocked by Google. It does have access to my list of contacts so if one of them calls there it is forwarded to my cell phone to ring and be answered.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: robomatic
Date: 24 Sep 22 - 02:15 PM

My phone has held up quite well. I think Samsung has a not-top-of-the-line phone which does most of what their title lineup does only maybe slower and certainly heavier.

What I like most is it holds a charge longtime.

Truly it's a sophisticated laptop in your pocket.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Sep 22 - 08:54 PM

When I shop for a new phone I look to see what is new and expensive out there now, then hunt for the last version that was supplanted. Those are usually several hundred dollars less. They're new to me and have plenty of options for updates, but don't break the bank.

LG is out of the phone business and I don't think I can pull my "last version" trick to get a good one that will be well supported if I try one last LG purchase. I suspect I'll be looking at Samsung or Google.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 30 Sep 22 - 09:38 AM

O have an LG and need a new phone... Keep geeking, my nerd friends, I know nothing.

I take pix, use the phone, and research the Internet. I don't game.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 22 - 10:35 AM

That's a lot of my use also. I listen to library books over the Libby app when I'm at the gym (connected to BlueTooth headphones).

LG isn't making more phones so I have to change brands with the next one. My phone works well but it is a little narrow - not so much room on the virtual keypad - and alas, it has a beveled glass edge. That means the extra security glass I put on to protect it doesn't stick to the phone all the way out to the edge. The setup I have now has kind of a gap and a frame that clicks into the case that holds it in place. Not a satisfactory setup. I may remove the glass altogether and just risk scratches.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: DaveRo
Date: 30 Sep 22 - 11:34 AM

The biggest maker of Android phones is Samsung. It's most unlikely they'll stop making them (harking back the origin of this thread).

They're the only maker of good quality Android tablets.

Subject: RE: Tech: First smartphone upgrade (Android)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 22 - 11:47 AM

Buying a phone unlocked and not affiliated with a phone company means there is less bloatware with it. My company (TING) sends a new SIM card if needed, and I have to jump through a few hoops to get it set up. My company also sells phones, but I prefer to bring my own (I pay less for the second-to-newest phone release from companies and it is still new to me and fully functional).