10 useful settings for your new smartphone

Congratulations, you have purchased a new smartphone! It's time to set it all up. We'll walk you through ten settings (for developers) to help you get the most out of your new phone.

Data and settings

First, of course it's nice to have apps, photos and other documents from your old smartphone on your new phone. You also want your new phone to make good backups and be up to date. So, check these settings and see how they transfer your data.

1. Transfer data from your old smartphone

Switching from an old Android smartphone to a new Android device is easier than ever. During the installation process, you will be asked if you want to copy data from your old device.

Make sure you're signed in with the same Google account on both smartphones, connect the devices with a USB cable and follow the on-screen steps. Choose which data you want to transfer and which you don't want to transfer.

Please note: Are you coming from an iPhone? Then check out our comprehensive article explaining how to make this switch.

2. Make a backup of your new smartphone

Now that you'll be using your new smartphone, you also want it to make a good backup in the future. The best way to do this is via Google Drive This is also done in no time.

Go to the Settings app on your smartphone, search for “Google” and select “Backup.” Then tap “Back Up Now” to save your data. Also make sure to save your WhatsApp chats. Read here how to do it.

3. Install the latest update

If the smartphone you purchased has been out of service for a while, it may have already received a new version of Android or a security update. Check this in the Settings app by scrolling down and tapping “System.”

Then click “System Update” and then “Check for updates”. Is there an update available for Android? It will then appear here and you can download and install it.

4. Manage app notifications

To prevent new apps from sending you all kinds of unwanted notifications, you can disable them in your smartphone settings. Go to the Applications list and select for each application the settings you want and which you do not want to receive.

You can also turn off the notification when you get it. To do this, press and hold the pop-up window and select “Turn off notifications.” You can also adjust notification priority.

Developer options

The following four settings can be found in Developer Options. This is a hidden menu that you reveal as follows: Go to Settings, About Phone, possibly Software Information, then tap Build Number seven times in a row.

A notification that you are a developer will appear and Developer Options will appear under the System heading in the Settings app. The following tips should be on this list.

5. Faster animation

Android has standard animations when you switch between apps, turn your phone on or off, and more. You can make this faster via developer options to make your phone smoother.

In Developer Options, scroll until you see “Window Animation Scale,” “Transition Animation Scale,” and “Animation Scale Duration.” Set this to 0.5x to speed up transitions between apps. Or set it to 0 so you can't see any transitions at all.

6. Adjust pixel density

Want to see more on your Android smartphone? Then go to the “Smallest Width” setting in Developer Options and set the value here. The higher the number, the smaller the text and icons on your image become, and the larger they fit on the screen.

Do you have a Pixel device? Then a pixel density of 600dp or higher provides a taskbar that allows you to easily switch between your applications. useful!

7. Always dark mode

Do you like putting your phone in dark mode? So you may have noticed that not all apps support this. In Developer Options, go to “Ignore Forced Dimming” and toggle the switch. From now on, all apps will be displayed in dark mode as soon as you open them.

8. Split screen in each application

It can sometimes be useful to be able to have two apps open at the same time, but not all apps support this. In Developer Options, go to “Force resizing activities” and toggle the switch.

Now open the recently opened apps, tap on the icon at the top of the app and select “Split Screen Top”. Choose the second app and you can use them in split screen.

Online protection (against ads)

Your phone is now set up, updated, and equipped with additional useful settings. Ready to use, but want to navigate the Internet unobtrusively and securely? Then we recommend the following two settings.

9. Turn off commercials

Online ads can be very annoying. You can easily disable it using what is called DNS. Go to your smartphone's Settings app and choose “Network & Internet.” Here, select “Private DNS”, navigate to “Private DNS Provider Hostname” and enter: dns.adguard.com

The ads disappear now and it seems like magic. In our comprehensive article we explain how this DNS network works and whether it is secure.

10. Set up a VPN

You may have heard of VPN. This VPN creates protection between your smartphone and the Internet and ensures that your Internet history cannot be shared. You can also stream content that is not available in the Netherlands, for example on Netflix.

We've previously listed all our favorite VPNs for you, both free and paid. Each VPN service comes with its own app. You can easily turn on a VPN connection and connect to servers from the continent of your choice.

More Android tips: