How can I tell if my smartphone runs Android?

Many people, when booking for a course, say they need an iPhone course, without really understanding what brand of smartphone they have. To check what sort of smartphone you have, look on the back (behind the screen) and if you see an Apple, it is a iPhone, otherwise it will most likely be an Android phone or as derivative of Android. Unlike iPhones and iPads where all devices are manufactured by Apple, smartphones and tablets running Android are manufactured by many different companies, and Android may have a different look and feel across brands and models. SeniorNet Eden-Roskill workshops for Android devices are normally based on Samsung devices, although other brands are also welcome, but support for those may be limited.

How can I find out what version of Android is on my smartphone?

The steps for checking your version vary depending on your device (and sometimes depending on your version, believe it or not!). Below are general instructions that should work for most Android devices. Open your device's Settings. Look for an option that says About Device, About Phone, or something similar, and tap it. Find your Android version on the list of specifications, although sometimes it may be within Software information. If the above doesn't work, open Settings, tap on the Search, and type "software information". A summary of all Android versions can be found here. It should also be noted that most smartphones do not operate Android in its delivered form from Google. The only smartphones that do are the Pixel devices from Google. Instead, the other manufacturers take the package and then customise it to suit their devices, for example, Samsung have One UI, Oppo have ColorOS, Motorola use an Android Interface to Linux EZX, etc, all with version numbers that do not match Android from Google. Click here for more information on Non-Apple Smartphone OS versions By Manufacturer. This means that when a new version of Android is released, it can take a short time before the new release becomes available for a particular brand of device, and even then it is not obvious what version of Android it contains. All these variables can make things very confusing, and this is why SeniorNet Eden-Roskill limits their workshops to Samsung devices. The device itself may not support some of the functions needed to run the new version, so most brands stop supporting new versions after about 3 years, (although some have recently extended this period) hence the old versions become unsupported, and to get the upgrade you may need to buy a new device.

How do I access the Recycle Bin on my Android phone?

While there is no general-purpose Recycle Bin in Android, some apps may provide one but it depends on the version of Android on your device and the apps that are installed. For example, with the Google Photos app there is a Recently Deleted folder or Library Trash folder, while the Gallery app has a Recycle Bin. As long as the appropriate option is turned on (see app Settings), when you delete a photo or a video, it will be moved to one of these folders and stay there for 30 days. If you deleted a photo or video and want it back within 30 days, check the appropriate folder to see if it's there. Touch and hold the photo or video you want to restore, and then tap Restore. The photo or video will then be accessible from the app you are using. Alas, for most of the other apps, there is no Recycle Bin or Undo facility.

Do Android Devices need Antivirus Protection?

Android uses an open system meaning it's easier for viruses to spread compared to iOS and iPadOS which use closed systems. Android has built-in security features like Google Play Protect, but it's generally a good idea to install a third-party antivirus app for additional protection against malware, phishing attempts, and other online threats. Mobile malware is constantly evolving, and antivirus apps can help protect against the latest threats, including ransomware. Antivirus apps can also help prevent data theft by detecting and blocking phishing attempts and other malicious activities. Many users find it reassuring to have an additional layer of protection, especially if they frequently download apps from outside the Play Store or engage in online activities that might expose them to threats. In summary: While Android's built-in security features offer a basic level of protection, installing a reputable antivirus app can provide a more comprehensive and robust defense against a wide range of mobile threats. To this end, some popular choices include Norton Mobile Security, Avast Mobile Security, and Bitdefender Mobile Security which offer extra layers of protection against specific threats, like phishing scams and malicious websites.

How do I reload a web page when using the Chrome browser on Android?

It important to understand that most web pages consist of multiple files and in normal mode all of these files must be loaded into cache before the web page can be displayed. The file name displayed in the URL is only one of those files. The exception to this is if you use Incognito mode (from the menu), which does not use cache but requires all of the files to be reloaded whenever the page is accessed, leaving any existing cache files untouched. If you want to reload just the file shown in the URL: It appears to depend on the version being used, but for later versions: Drag down from the top of the web page and the reload symbol will appear and run or press to display the menu and then press at top right. If any of the other files used by the web page have been changed they will not be reloaded and the versions already in cache will be re-used for them instead. This means that your web page may not necessarily reflect the latest changes. If you want to reload all of the files associated with the web page you will need to clear the browser cache before reloading the page. From the browser screen tap to display the menu and then tap on Settings. On the Settings screen tap Site Settings then scroll down and tap on Storage. On the Storage screen tap the CLEAR SITE STORAGE... button. A confirmation box will appear explaining what it will do - tap CLEAR. Alternatively, you could switch to Incognito mode (from the menu) and access the page from there, remembering that the browser cache will not be updated. If, for some reason, you do not want to clear the browser cache, and you know the names of the other files, you can enter them in the URL and reload them individually, but this can be rather tedious.

How do I transfer files from my Android device to my PC?

There are several ways this can be done, and it depends on the operating system of your computer. Google provide a detailed explanation here. Many people prefer to simply plug their smartphone into their computer using a USB cable. Using File Explorer in Windows, the camera will show up as a device that you can click on to access it. Photos and Screenshots will be located within the DCIM folder, and can be manipulated as with any other file. Moreover, your smartphone will be charging while you are connected.