Android settings and support guides

System

Keep your device current and configure core system behavior.

• System UpdateSystem Update keeps Android current with the latest security patches and features. Google and your device manufacturer regularly release updates that improve performance and close security gaps.
• BatteryBattery settings show a breakdown of what's draining your charge, offer a Battery Saver mode to stretch remaining power, and let you restrict background activity for specific apps. A built-in health estimate also indicates how much capacity your battery has lost over time.
• Security Patch LevelThe security patch level shows the exact month a device's known vulnerability fixes were last updated — a separate, more frequent indicator than the overall Android version number.
• Carrier Software UpdatesCarrier software updates deliver network-specific fixes — like updated cellular radio firmware, VoLTE/Wi-Fi calling profiles, or APN settings — separately from the general Android operating-system update process.
• Google Play System UpdateGoogle Play system update (Project Mainline) delivers security and consistency fixes to core Android components through the Play Store itself, letting Google patch critical system modules on a monthly cadence without waiting for a full manufacturer OS update.
• Auto-update Apps SettingConfigures whether apps installed from the Play Store update automatically, and under what network conditions, so new versions install without manual action.
• App Download Network PreferenceDetermines whether the Play Store is allowed to download large app installations and updates over mobile data, Wi-Fi only, or asks each time for files above a certain size.
• Manual Check for System UpdateLets you trigger an immediate check with Google or your carrier's update servers to see if a new Android OS version or patch is available, rather than waiting for an automatic notification.
• Scheduled System Update InstallsLets a downloaded system update install automatically overnight or at a chosen time instead of immediately, so the required restart doesn't interrupt active use of the phone.
• Baseband & Firmware Version InfoShows the baseband (modem/radio firmware) version and other low-level firmware identifiers separate from the main Android OS version, useful for diagnosing connectivity issues.

Privacy & Security

Control which apps can access your camera, microphone, and data.

• App PermissionsApp permissions control what each app is allowed to access — camera, microphone, location, contacts, and more. You can review and change these at any time, per app or per permission type.
• Privacy DashboardThe Privacy Dashboard gives you a timeline of exactly which apps accessed your camera, microphone, and location, and when — so you can spot anything unexpected at a glance.
• Security & Screen LockScreen lock is the first line of defense for everything on your phone, letting you choose a PIN, pattern, password, or biometric unlock like a fingerprint or face. It also determines whether your device's backups and stored data are encrypted, since Android ties encryption strength to having a real screen lock set.
• LocationLocation settings control the master switch for GPS and location-based features, plus how accurately your device estimates its position using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning. Turning location off device-wide overrides any individual app's permission, cutting off maps, weather, and other location-aware features at once.
• Emergency SOS & SafetyEmergency SOS lets you quickly call for help and automatically share your location with emergency contacts and first responders by pressing the power button rapidly, without needing to unlock the phone first. The broader Personal Safety app builds on this with features like Safety Check, Crisis Alerts, and Car Crash Detection on supported devices.
• Show Passwords ToggleControls whether password characters briefly appear on screen as you type them, instead of being immediately masked as dots, making it easier to verify accurate entry.
• Lock Screen Notification PrivacyDetermines whether notification content, sender names, and previews appear on the lock screen before the phone is unlocked, or whether they're hidden until authentication.
• Usage & Diagnostics Data SharingUsage & diagnostics controls whether the device automatically sends crash reports, performance data, and feature usage statistics to Google to help improve Android and pre-installed apps.
• Camera & Microphone Access ToggleQuick privacy toggles that disable camera and microphone access system-wide for every app at once, overriding individual app permissions until switched back on.
• Privacy Sandbox & Ad TopicsPrivacy Sandbox settings let you review and turn off the Topics, App Functions, and Attribution APIs that let apps show relevant ads without sending your individual browsing history to advertisers.

Network & Internet

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network connection settings.

• Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you view nearby networks, connect with a password or QR code, and manage saved networks including auto-reconnect behavior.
• Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair headphones, speakers, watches, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
• NFC & Tap to PayNFC (Near Field Communication) is the short-range radio that lets your phone exchange data with a nearby reader, most commonly used for contactless payments through Google Wallet at supported terminals. It's also used for pairing some accessories and reading NFC tags, but payments are its most common everyday use.
• Hotspot & TetheringHotspot and tethering let you share your phone's mobile data connection with other devices over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable. This is useful for getting a laptop online while traveling, or letting a friend's device briefly borrow your connection.
• VPNVPN settings let you add, connect to, and manage virtual private networks that route your device's traffic through an encrypted tunnel, commonly used for work access or added privacy on untrusted networks. Android also supports an 'always-on VPN' mode that blocks other network traffic until the VPN connects.
• Data Usage / Network & InternetNetwork & internet settings show a breakdown of mobile data and Wi-Fi usage per app, and let you set a data warning or hard limit to avoid unexpectedly exceeding your plan. Individual apps can also be restricted from using background data to further control consumption.
• Nearby ShareNearby Share — recently rebranded Quick Share — lets you send photos, videos, links, and files directly to another nearby Android device, Chromebook, or Windows PC using a mix of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, without needing cellular data or a shared internet connection. Visibility settings control exactly who can discover your device and send you something.
• Airplane ModeAirplane Mode simultaneously disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios with a single toggle, complying with airline requirements while optionally letting you re-enable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth individually afterward.
• SIM & eSIM ManagerThe SIM Manager lets you view, name, activate, or remove physical SIM cards and downloaded eSIM profiles, choose a default line for calls, texts, and data, and set up dual-SIM configurations on supported devices.
• Private DNSPrivate DNS routes domain name lookups through an encrypted DNS-over-TLS connection to a chosen provider, such as Google or Cloudflare, preventing networks along the way from seeing or tampering with which sites you're visiting.

Display & Sound

Screen, audio, and alert preferences.

• Display & Dark ThemeDisplay settings control brightness, screen timeout, font size, and Dark theme — a system-wide dark color scheme that's easier on the eyes and can save battery on some screens.
• NotificationsNotification settings let you decide which apps can alert you, how those alerts look, and where they show up — from the lock screen to the status bar. You can manage this globally or app by app, and choose which notifications are urgent enough to break through Do Not Disturb.
• Sound & VibrationSound & Vibration settings control independent volume levels for media, ringtones, notifications, and alarms, along with vibration intensity and patterns. You can also assign custom ringtones per contact and configure haptic feedback for touch and typing.
• Do Not Disturb / Focus ModeDo Not Disturb silences calls, texts, and notifications while still letting you choose specific exceptions, like starred contacts or repeat callers. Android's broader Modes system extends this with presets like Bedtime and Driving, plus fully custom modes for work or focus time.
• Game Mode / Game DashboardGame Dashboard is an overlay that appears during gameplay on supported devices, offering an FPS counter, screen recording, screenshot capture, and a one-tap Do Not Disturb toggle without leaving the game. Game Mode, accessed from the same overlay, lets you choose between prioritizing performance or battery life for that specific title.
• Font Size & Display SizeFont Size and Display Size sliders scale text and interface elements system-wide, independently of each other, so text can be enlarged for readability while overall layout density stays the same, or the entire UI can be scaled up including icons and spacing.
• Screen TimeoutScreen Timeout controls how many seconds or minutes of inactivity elapse before the display automatically turns off and locks, balancing convenience against battery use and security.
• Auto-Rotate ScreenAuto-Rotate uses the device's accelerometer to switch the display between portrait and landscape orientation as the device is physically turned, and can be toggled off to lock the screen to a single orientation.
• One-Handed ModeOne-Handed Mode temporarily shrinks and shifts the entire screen content down toward the bottom half of the display, making it possible to reach top corners and status bar elements with one thumb on large-screen phones.
• Independent Volume ControlsAndroid maintains separate volume streams for media, ringtone, notifications, calls, and alarms, each independently adjustable so, for example, media volume can be low for private listening while the alarm stream stays loud enough to wake you.

Storage & Backup

Manage space, back up your data, and stay protected against loss.

• Storage & CleanupStorage settings show a breakdown of what's using space on your device — apps, photos, videos, and cached data — and offer one-tap tools to clear space safely.
• Backup & RestoreAndroid can automatically back up app data, call history, contacts, device settings, and photos to your Google Account, making it easy to restore everything on a new or reset device.
• Google Photos BackupGoogle Photos backup automatically uploads your camera roll to your Google Account, so photos and videos survive a lost, broken, or replaced phone and stay accessible across all your devices.
• Files by GoogleFiles by Google is Android's built-in file manager, letting you browse, search, and organize files on your device, plus a Clean tool that surfaces junk files, duplicate photos, and unused apps you can remove in a couple of taps.
• SD Card StorageSD card storage settings let you choose how a microSD card is used — as portable storage for easily removable files, or formatted as internal storage that extends the phone's built-in space (adoptable storage).
• Free Up Space ToolThe Free Up Space tool scans the device for large files, unused apps, duplicate downloads, and old screenshots, then suggests safe items to delete to reclaim storage.
• Cached Data ManagementLets you view and clear the temporary cache files each app stores for faster loading, either per app or across all apps at once, without deleting saved account data or settings.
• Download ManagerThe built-in Download Manager (accessible via the Files app or browser downloads) lists files downloaded from browsers, email, and other apps, letting you open, share, or delete them from one place.
• Google Drive Storage ManagementControls which folders and files sync to Google Drive, shows how much of your Google storage quota is used, and lets you free space by removing large or duplicate cloud files.
• Switch & Transfer Data from Old PhoneGuides you through transferring contacts, photos, apps, messages, and settings from an old Android or iPhone to a new device, using a cable, Wi-Fi, or cloud backup.

Accounts & Family

Account sign-in, sync, and family/parental controls.

• Google Account SyncAccount sync keeps Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Photos, and other Google app data updated automatically across your devices, tied to your signed-in Google Account.
• Digital Wellbeing & Parental ControlsDigital Wellbeing shows exactly how much time you spend on your phone and in each app, with tools like app timers, Focus mode, and Bedtime mode to help rebalance that. The same dashboard connects to Family Link, letting a parent set screen time limits, app approval, and content filters on a child's supervised device.
• Multiple Users / Guest ModeMultiple users lets several people share one Android device while keeping separate apps, accounts, wallpapers, and settings in fully isolated profiles. Guest mode offers a lighter, temporary alternative for a one-off borrower, with everything discarded once that guest session ends.
• Add AccountThe Add Account flow lets you sign in to a new Google Account or other supported account type (Microsoft Exchange, personal IMAP email, corporate work profile) so its data can sync with apps on the device.
• Sync Individual Account DataBeyond the master account sync switch, each added account has granular toggles for what actually syncs, such as Contacts, Calendar, Gmail, Drive, or Photos, letting you keep some data local-only while syncing the rest.
• Family Link SupervisionFamily Link connects a child's supervised Google Account to a parent's device, allowing approval of app downloads, screen time limits, content filters, and location checks directly from Android Settings or the Family Link app.
• Emergency Information / Medical IDEmergency Information lets you store medical conditions, allergies, medications, and emergency contacts so they are visible from the lock screen without unlocking the device, giving first responders critical information quickly.
• Autofill ServiceThe Autofill Service setting selects which app, such as Google Password Manager or a third-party password manager, automatically fills in saved passwords, addresses, and payment details across apps and browsers.
• Google One / Device BackupThis setting controls the automatic cloud backup of app data, call history, device settings, and photos to your Google Account, optionally using additional Google One storage, so everything can be restored when setting up a new device.
• Personal DictionaryThe Personal Dictionary stores custom words, names, and abbreviations you've added or that the keyboard has learned, so they are recognized instead of flagged as typos and are suggested during predictive typing.

Accessibility

Assistive features, input, and language & region settings.

• Accessibility SettingsAndroid's Accessibility settings include TalkBack screen reading, magnification, color and contrast adjustments, and Switch Access for people who use adaptive hardware.
• Languages & Input / KeyboardLanguages & input settings control your device's system language, additional keyboard languages, and features like autocorrect, voice typing, and text-to-speech. You can add multiple keyboard languages and switch between them without changing your phone's overall display language.
• TalkBackTalkBack is Android's built-in screen reader, describing what's on screen out loud and letting you navigate the entire phone using gestures and audio feedback instead of relying on sight.
• MagnificationMagnification lets low-vision users zoom into any part of the screen using a shortcut gesture or button, temporarily or persistently enlarging content system-wide, independent of any single app's own zoom controls.
• Live CaptionLive Caption automatically generates real-time captions for videos, podcasts, voice messages, and calls playing on the device — entirely on-device, without needing an internet connection or the media having built-in subtitles.
• Select to SpeakSelect to Speak lets you tap or draw a box around text, images, or entire screens to have Android read the content aloud using text-to-speech. It works inside apps, on the web, and even on images with detectable text.
• Color Correction & InversionColor Correction shifts the device's color palette to compensate for common types of color blindness (deuteranomaly, protanomaly, tritanomaly), while the related Color Inversion setting flips light and dark values for users who prefer high-contrast or low-glare screens.
• Accessibility ShortcutThe Accessibility Shortcut lets you trigger a chosen accessibility feature, such as TalkBack, Magnification, or Select to Speak, from anywhere using a button combination, gesture, or on-screen icon, without navigating through Settings.
• Text-to-Speech OutputText-to-Speech Output controls which speech synthesis engine, language, voice, and speaking rate the system uses for every feature that reads text aloud, including TalkBack, Select to Speak, and navigation prompts.
• Interaction Controls (Touch & Hold Timeout)Interaction Controls let you lengthen the time the screen waits before registering a touch-and-hold as a long press, and enable settings that ignore repeated or accidental touches, helping users with limited dexterity or tremors interact more reliably.

Troubleshooting

Reset, restart, and diagnose common issues.

• Factory ResetFactory data reset erases all data on your device and restores its original settings — useful for resolving persistent software issues, or before selling or recycling the device.
• Safe Mode & RecoverySafe mode is a temporary boot state that disables all third-party apps, making it easy to tell whether a downloaded app is causing a crash, freeze, or battery drain. Recovery mode is a separate, more powerful boot menu — accessed with hardware buttons before Android fully loads — used for wiping the cache partition, sideloading an update, or performing a factory reset when the device won't start normally.
• Phone DiagnosticsPhone diagnostics tools — built into some manufacturers' software or provided by your carrier — run guided tests on hardware components like the touchscreen, speakers, cameras, sensors, and buttons to confirm they're working correctly.
• Send FeedbackSend feedback lets you report a problem straight to Google (or an app's own developers) with an automatically attached diagnostic report and, optionally, a screenshot with areas you can highlight or blur out.
• Battery UsageBattery usage breaks down exactly how much charge each app and system component has consumed since the last full charge, making it the go-to screen for diagnosing unexpectedly fast battery drain.
• Network & SIM DiagnosticsProvides tools to check SIM status, run network diagnostics, and reset APN settings to troubleshoot problems like no signal, failed calls, or data connectivity issues.
• App Crash & ANR ReportsShows a log of recent app crashes and 'Application Not Responding' (ANR) events, letting you identify which apps are unstable and access details useful for reporting bugs to developers.
• Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & BluetoothResets Wi-Fi networks, saved passwords, mobile network/APN settings, and Bluetooth pairings back to factory defaults, without erasing personal files, photos, or installed apps.
• Reset App PreferencesRe-enables previously disabled apps, resets default app choices, clears background data restrictions, and restores notification permissions to default, without uninstalling anything or deleting personal data.
• Capture Bug Report ToolCaptures a comprehensive technical snapshot of the device's current state, including system logs, running processes, and recent errors, useful for sharing with developers or Google support when troubleshooting complex bugs.

Personalization

Themes, wallpaper, lock screen, and layout of your device.

• Home Screen & LauncherHome screen settings control which apps, shortcuts, and widgets appear on your Home screens, how many screens you have, and the overall grid layout. If you've installed a third-party launcher, this is also where you switch your default Home app.
• Wallpaper & StyleWallpaper & Style settings let you set separate images for your Home and lock screens, and on many devices, generate a matching system-wide color palette, icon shapes, and fonts based on your wallpaper's colors. Theme packs can bundle wallpapers, icons, and sounds together for a coordinated look.
• Lock Screen & Always-on DisplayLock screen settings control the clock style, shortcuts, and what information (like notifications and weather) appears before you unlock your phone. Always-on display, on supported devices, keeps a dimmed version of the clock and key notifications visible even while the screen is otherwise off.
• Themed Icons & Material You ColorsThemed icons use Material You to extract a color palette from your current wallpaper and apply matching tints to supported app icons, widgets, and system menus.
• App Icon Shape & Grid SizeControls the outline shape used for app icons (circle, squircle, square, teardrop) and the number of rows and columns shown on the home screen grid.
• Always-on Display CustomizationAlways-on Display (AOD) keeps a low-power version of the clock, notification icons, and optional 'At a Glance' info visible on the lock screen even when the phone is idle.
• Screen Saver (Daydream)Screen saver, also called Daydream, displays a rotating photo gallery, clock, or colors on screen while the phone is docked, charging, or idle, instead of turning the display off.
• Quick Settings Tile CustomizationLets you add, remove, and reorder the toggle tiles shown in the Quick Settings panel accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen.
• Notification Dot StyleNotification dots place a small colored badge on an app icon when it has an unread notification; this setting controls whether dots appear and how they're styled.
• Status Bar Icon ManagerControls which system icons — such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, alarm, or hotspot — are shown in the status bar at the top of the screen, and how notification icons are displayed there.

Devices

Mice, keyboards, trackpads, printers, and other connected hardware.

• Connected DevicesConnected devices is the hub screen for every accessory linked to your phone, including Bluetooth headphones, watches, car systems, and USB or NFC connections, plus shortcuts to Cast and Nearby Share preferences.
• PrintingPrinting settings let Android discover printers on your Wi-Fi network or connect to manufacturer print services, so you can print documents, photos, and web pages directly from apps using the system Print option.
• CastCast lets you send audio, video, or your entire phone screen wirelessly to a Chromecast-built-in TV, Chromecast device, or other Cast-enabled speaker on the same Wi-Fi network.
• USB PreferencesUSB Preferences controls what happens when your phone is plugged into a computer or other USB device — whether it charges only, transfers files, shares a network connection, or acts as a MIDI/audio device.
• Android AutoAndroid Auto projects a simplified, driving-friendly interface — navigation, calls, messaging, and media — onto your car's built-in display, either over a USB cable or wirelessly on supported vehicles.
• Fast PairFast Pair detects nearby supported Bluetooth accessories, such as earbuds or speakers, in pairing mode and shows a one-tap notification to connect instantly, skipping the usual manual Bluetooth pairing menu.
• Previously Connected DevicesThis screen lists every Bluetooth accessory, Chromecast, or other device the phone has connected to in the past, even if currently disconnected or out of range, so you can reconnect, rename, or permanently forget them.
• Phone Hub / Cross-Device ServicesCross-device services link an Android phone to a Chromebook or other trusted devices signed into the same Google Account, enabling features like viewing phone notifications, texting, checking battery level, and instantly tethering internet access from the Chromebook's Phone Hub panel.
• Physical Keyboard SettingsPhysical Keyboard settings appear once a Bluetooth or USB keyboard is connected, letting you select the correct keyboard layout, remap modifier keys, and enable keyboard shortcuts for navigating Android without touching the screen.
• Stylus SettingsStylus settings let you configure what happens when a supported stylus's button is pressed, enable handwriting-to-text conversion in text fields, and adjust pointer and pressure behavior for compatible pens like Samsung's S Pen or other Bluetooth styluses.

Apps

Installed apps, optional features, and what runs on startup.

• Apps & Default AppsThe Apps settings page lists every installed app along with its permissions, storage use, and battery impact, and lets you set which app opens automatically for tasks like browsing, messaging, or phone calls when more than one option is installed. This is also where you uninstall, disable, or force-stop an app directly.
• App InfoApp info is the dedicated settings page for a single installed app, showing its permissions, storage and cache usage, notification controls, battery behavior, and options to force stop, uninstall, or disable it.
• Special App AccessSpecial app access holds a set of sensitive, less-common permissions — like displaying over other apps, device admin access, or usage access — that aren't part of the normal runtime permission prompts.
• Unused AppsAndroid automatically detects apps you haven't opened in months and can revoke their runtime permissions or archive them — removing most of the app's files while keeping its icon and data so it can be quickly restored.
• Dual AppsDual apps (branded Dual Messenger on Samsung, App Cloner or Parallel Space on others) creates a second, independent instance of a supported app so you can stay signed into two accounts — like two WhatsApp numbers — on one phone at once.
• Notifications Per AppThis app-level screen lets you fine-tune notifications for one specific app, toggling individual notification channels such as promotions, messages, or reminders, and setting importance levels without affecting notifications from any other app.
• Permission ManagerPermission Manager organizes app permissions by category, such as Camera, Location, Microphone, and Contacts, so you can see and revoke access across all apps at once instead of checking each app individually.
• Adaptive Battery / App Battery UsageAdaptive Battery uses on-device machine learning to predict which apps you'll use next and restricts battery and background activity for apps you rarely open, while App Battery Usage shows a breakdown of exactly which apps are consuming the most power.
• Screen PinningScreen Pinning locks the device to a single app's view, preventing access to the home screen, other apps, or notifications until the pin is manually released, useful for handing a phone to someone else or running a kiosk-style demo.
• App TimersApp Timers let you set a daily time budget for a specific app; once the limit is reached the app's icon grays out and it can't be reopened until the timer resets at midnight or is manually paused for the day.

System Info

Device details, advanced settings, and activation status.

• Date & TimeDate & time settings control whether your device sets the clock and time zone automatically from the network or your location, or lets you set them manually. Getting this right keeps alarms, calendar events, and timestamped messages accurate, especially while traveling across time zones.
• Developer OptionsDeveloper options is a hidden settings menu, invisible until unlocked, that exposes low-level tools like USB debugging, animation scaling, background process limits, and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi diagnostic logs. It's built for app developers and advanced troubleshooting, not everyday configuration.
• About Phone / System InfoAbout phone is the central reference page for identifying your exact device — model number, Android version, build number, IMEI, and serial number. It's the page you'll be asked to check during a support call, a warranty claim, or when confirming whether an app is compatible with your specific device.
• Model & Hardware InformationDisplays the exact device model name, model number, hardware revision, and manufacturer details, useful for support calls, warranty checks, and compatibility verification.
• IMEI & Serial NumberShows the IMEI (or MEID) and serial number that uniquely identify your physical device, used for warranty claims, insurance, carrier activation, and reporting a lost or stolen phone.
• Android Version Detail PageShows the exact Android OS version, security patch level, build number, kernel version, and Google Play system update version installed on the device.
• Legal InformationProvides access to open-source software licenses, third-party notices, terms of service, and privacy policy documents bundled with the Android operating system.
• Regulatory LabelsDisplays the electronic version of regulatory compliance labels and certification marks (such as FCC ID, CE marking, and country-specific approvals) that would traditionally appear printed on the device.
• Device Status InformationDisplays live technical status details including SIM status, IP address, Wi-Fi MAC address, Bluetooth address, network signal strength, and device uptime since last restart.

Help and tools

• Troubleshooting
• FAQ & Help
• Device info & diagnostics
• Contact & feedback