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How to Set Up Your Nexus 7

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If you got a new 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet for the holidays, you’re in for a treat as you now are in possession of an extremely useful tool for things like reading, gaming and video watching. If you don’t know what to do after you get the Nexus 7 out of the box, we’re here to show you how to set up your new tablet and get it ready to go for the days to come.

Here, we’ll walk you through setting up the Nexus 7 and tell you how to turning on security and parental controls, offer some tips on using the Nexus 7 and show you some apps that will help get you started.

The Nexus 7 set up process should only take 15 to 30 minutes, so those that are fortunate enough to have received the Nexus 7 will be able get it set up and ready to go before traveling this holiday season.

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Learn how to set up the Nexus 7.

In addition to setting up the Nexus 7, we suggest taking a look at some of the great Nexus 7 cases out there to help protect your new device. Some of them will even act as a stand for the tablet which will ensure a fantastic video watching experience with an app like Netflix or content found through the Google Play Store.

Nexus 7 Setup

When you turn your Nexus 7 on for the first time, the device will take you to a Welcome screen where you’ll want to change to your language of choice. This is an option that you can change later but unless you’re master of several languages, you’ll just want to choose a default one right off the bat.

The device will then ask you for Google account information. If you already have a Gmail account, you’ll simply want to enter in your information. If you don’t have an account, this is a great time to set one up.

The Nexus 7 will ask if you want to backup your device to Google’s servers. We highly recommend this as it will make restoring app data, bookmarks, WiFi passwords, and other settings to the Nexus 7 easier if you reset it or switch to a new device down the road.

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Next, it will ask if you want to enable Location Services. By turning it on, it will enable Google Location Services and Standalone GPS Services to let the Nexus 7 deliver location-based results for Google Now and for Google searches.

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Finally, you’ll want to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Connect to a WiFi network when prompted and the device will scan for your home network. At that point, simply enter the password, if you have one, and the device will be Wi-Fi-enabled.

Nexus 7 Security

Now is a fantastic time to take some steps to protect your Nexus 7 tablet. This way, others won’t be able to use your personal information or the apps and content that you’ve downloaded to your tablet device.

With Android, Google gives you several options that will allow you to protect your Nexus 7 and your data from harm. In order to change security settings, you’ll want to head into the Nexus 7’s Settings, scroll down and tap Security under the Personal section. Here, you’ll be presented with five possible security options to protect your device from others.

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Setting up a PIN or password for your Nexus 7 is a smart idea.

Slide provides no security and allows users to simply slide to unlock. The second is Face Unlock which allows you to unlock the phone with your face. It’s not a fool-proof system though so we don’t recommend it. The other three options are the recommended.

The first, pattern, allows you to set up a swiping pattern to protect your device. You will have to connect at least four dots and once that’s done, you’ll repeat the pattern and the device will be locked and will only be able to be opened by using that pattern.

Read: How to Set a Google Play Store Pin

The second, PIN, allows you to set up a long secure password to keep your Nexus 7 safe.

Lastly, password, allows you to set up a password of your choosing which makes it, in our opinion, the most secure of the five options available. Password will allow you to set up a long, strong password to keep out unwanted users.

Contact Info

One other thing we recommend is that you put your contact information on the lock screen. This way, if you lose your tablet and someone finds it, they can easily get in contact with you in order to return it. If you didn’t have the info there, returning it would be much harder, given that the device would likely be locked with a password.

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To set up contact info on the lock screen, head into Settings, tap on Security, and then go into Owner Info. Here, you’ll want to enter your name, email address and a phone number where the person who finds the lost Nexus 7 can reach you.

Multiple User Accounts

One nifty feature available on the Nexus 7 is the ability to set up multiple user accounts. This is perfect for those who plan on sharing the tablet with a significant other children as it will allow the administrator of the account, you, to set up an individual account for each person in the family and easily monitor their usage.

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See our guide on How to Use Multi User Accounts to set it up.

Using the Nexus 7

To install apps on the Nexus 7, visit the Google Play Store. The icon for the Google Play Store is a white bag and it can be found, by default, in the lower right hand corner of the Nexus 7’s first home screen. The Nexus 7 will allow you to swipe through your content, whether it’s apps or widgets or something else, on several home screens which can all be tailored to your liking.

After finding an application in the Google Play Store, an icon will appear on your home screen. To access the app, simply tap it. If you want to delete the application from the home screen, press and hold on the application and drag it to very top of the screen where it says Remove. This will get rid of it.

How to Set Up Email

If you haven’t already, you now will want to sync up your email account with the Nexus 7.

First, you’ll want to head into the Gmail app. It can be found in the app drawer, by default, in the bottom left corner. Tap on the Gmail application. Next, tap the three dots in the top right corner, go to Settings, and in the top right corner, there is an Add Account option.

Here, you can add an existing or new Gmail account which will then allow you to check and use email on your Nexus 7.

How to Set Up Google Now

Google Now is a powerful predictive tool that will do everything from show you traffic on a route before you even take it or track a package for you. It’s all based on how you use your tablet so it’s smart to set it up from the get-go.

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In order to do that, simply hold down the home button in the bottom middle of the navigation bar and slide to the top. Once there, tap the Google logo and you’re on your way to using one of the most powerful features in Android.

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Once you have all of that set up, now is a great time to explore the Google Play Store and download some applications for your Nexus 7. The Google Play Store offers a massive selection of apps, and the first apps you need to download when you get your Nexus 7 will vary from user to user. Still, we want to help get you started and here are some of our top apps to install on the Nexus 7 as soon as you get it set up.

  • Facebook & Falcon Pro – Users of Facebook or Twitter will want to download the official Facebook application and take a look at Falcon Pro, an app that we consider the best application for those looking to use their Twitter account on their Nexus 7.
  • Pandora – Pandora is a free service that allows you to stream music and set up channels that will play music based off of an artist you use as a station.
  • Angry Birds Star Wars HD – This is a fantastic mobile game for those looking to get a little Nexus 7 gaming in. Highly recommended.
  • Temple Run – A free, addicting game that will see you lose countless hours trying to avoid evil monkeys.
  • Netflix – For those with a Netflix account, this application is a must as it lets you watch content on your Nexus 7 in high-definition.

For those Nexus 7 owners who need a little more, be sure to check out our Top Nexus 7 Apps and Widgets.

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. Brian

    12/25/2012 at 9:55 pm

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    12/26/2012 at 12:22 pm

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  3. priyachopra7866

    12/28/2012 at 3:23 am

    Perfect Guide thanks just got Nexus 7 and this has been really useful.

    • rick

      12/28/2012 at 4:23 pm

      Priya, you are a stunning babe! Marry me??

  4. novanne

    01/14/2013 at 5:07 am

    how do i reset my defaults settings, i turned it off by accident – anyone…..

  5. Jim

    01/18/2013 at 11:30 am

    “In order to do that, simply hold down the home button in the bottom middle of the navigation bar and slide to the top. Once there, tap the Google logo and you’re on your way to using one of the most powerful features in Android.”

    All this does is bring up google search. I can’t find google now anywhere (not even in play store) and I’m certainly not “on my way”.

  6. c

    01/21/2013 at 6:21 pm

    How do you get the Nexus 7 to connect to WiFi? My iPhone connects to all routers but my Nexus 7 only some.

  7. Benjamin

    01/30/2013 at 2:19 pm

    Is there a way to set up a password to download apps? My son keeps downloading apps, and I want a password to block that.

    • Z

      02/23/2013 at 7:31 pm

      @BENJAMIN you could install the AVG antivirus app and then when u run it, you can click the privacy sections. Enter a password and then you should get a list of all your installed apps. then click on which ones you want the privacy cap on. ( meaning it can only be opened if you enter your password). In your case tick the google play store app and your son can never install an app without your password.

  8. Tim

    02/21/2013 at 3:57 pm

    >The Nexus 7 will ask if you want to backup your device to Google’s servers. We highly recommend this as it will make restoring app data, bookmarks, WiFi passwords, and other settings to the Nexus 7 easier if you reset it or switch to a new device down the road.

    Nope. Did not see this on start up.

    >Next, it will ask if you want to enable Location Services. By turning it on, it will enable Google Location Services and Standalone GPS Services to let the Nexus 7 deliver location-based results for Google Now and for Google searches.

    Or that. It went straight to the wi-fi connection screen and does not connect to anything. Junk.

    • Christine Leigh

      11/02/2013 at 9:23 am

      I seem to have the same problem – any help with authentication problem on wi-fi

  9. Brian Lennon

    02/26/2013 at 2:39 pm

    I don’t want a password on my nexus but what I do want is a password for downloading to stop my son from downloading stuff without my permission… Is this possible

  10. Gail Bunny

    04/28/2013 at 4:47 am

    I live in Spain but have set my language to English as I speak very little Spanish. However my Nexus 7 knows I am in Spain and all suggestions I am receiving so far are for Spanish films and stuff. What setting do I need to alter guys? Ta for any help!

  11. Darren

    06/06/2013 at 3:18 pm

    Some great information here! I wish I had seen this when I purchased my Nexus 7.

  12. Kate Crook

    05/26/2014 at 7:06 am

    When I switch on my nexus 7 is does not automatically go to my home screen – instead it opens on google any idea how I get it to revert to the home screen?

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