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Moto X Pure Edition Setup Guide: 6 Steps to Get Started

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You just received the new 2015 Moto X, and now you need to set it up. This quick guide will go over a few things all owners should do with their new phone. The Moto X Pure Edition will be a great phone the moment buyers get it. Running amazingly fast and smooth right out of the box thanks to stock Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and absolutely no bloatware or additional apps, this phone feels fast. That said, there are a few things all buyers should do once they receive it.

Being an excellent phone with a big screen, tons of customization and a low price means it may be many buyers first smartphone, or first Motorola device. As a result you’ll want to change a few settings, learn some of Moto’s extra features packed inside and more. This will have owners better prepared, the phone more secure, achieve better performance and deliver the best experience possible.

Read: Moto X Pure Edition vs Galaxy Note 5: What to Know

All owners are a little different when it comes to how they use a phone, or what for, but below you’ll find six essential tips for getting started with the Moto X Pure Edition. Being a stock Android device there’s nothing getting in the way of it being the best device possible, but using the “Moto” app and making a few changes certainly can’t hurt.

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After customizing all the colors, accent colors, engravings and getting the Moto X mailed right to your door, you’ll now turn it on and go through the initial setup. It’s pretty straightforward, so lets get started.

Out of the box Google’s improved Android 5.1 Lollipop to be the best version of Android yet, and to better serve you, the user. Instructions will walk you through the initial boot process, signing into Gmail or creating an account, and there are little on-screen tips everywhere. It makes everything easy to understand. Like setting up a passcode lock, pattern, or some security measure after signing into Gmail, and their life. We help you get better security, add data usage limits, battery saving tweaks, and other things.

On first boot you’ll be greeted with a brand new restore option if you’re coming from a previous Android phone called “Tap & Go” and we’d highly recommend giving this a try. One tap will instantly restore your old devices settings, apps, app data, accounts, and even put your icons and widgets on the homescreen. It’s really neat, and gets users off on the right foot from the beginning.

You can also bypass this and set it up from a different device, choose what it restores, or boot it up as a brand new smartphone and start fresh.

Read: How to Switch from iPhone to Android: The Google Way

It’s also worth noting that those coming from iOS or Windows Phone can switch rather easily as well. Thanks to the guide linked to above, nicely made by Google.

Better Security

You don’t want information falling into the wrong hands if lost or stolen, and that’s why our first thing (and something the phone offers on first boot) is setting up a secured lock-screen. Also known as a password or pin.

Once you finish the initial few setup steps when you turn it on and sign into WiFi or Gmail, head to settings to quickly add a password or pin. It takes about 30 seconds to set up a passcode or pattern lock, and your device will be protected from prying eyes or in case of loss or theft. There is no fingerprint scanner, so a pattern or pin is your best bet.

Simply slide down the notification bar from the top of the display (swipe twice, or once with two fingers) and tap the round gear-shaped settings icon near the top right. Scroll down to security, then select screen lock at the top and use the option of your choice.

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Settings > Security > Screen Lock > and select Swipe,  Pattern, PIN, or a Password

It is recommended that most users at least have an option for a pin or pattern, as security is extremely important these days. Once you set a lockscreen security measure additional options appear, like choosing how long before the device locks after use.

I have it set for 3 minutes so I’m not constantly typing in a code all day long, but to each his own. Running on Android 5.1 also means you can take advantage of “Smart Lock” a few settings down, which lets owners have a trusted place (home) or trusted device (Moto 360 or bluetooth device) that while connected to the phone will disable the security. Smart Lock is great. Once you leave your house the lock-screen security is re-enabled. Making owners only need to enter a code or pattern when they’re not home, where security actually matters, out in the wild beyond the living room.

Backup & Restore

If you ever lose your phone, or need to have it replaced, you’ll want everything backed up in the Google cloud, which will allow the above restore feature to work. It does this automatically, but make sure it’s enabled. Google’s backup options will be brought up during setup, which we’d recommend most users agree to, but you can always control more backup & sync options in settings later.

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Settings > Backup & reset > Back up my data

Just like before head into settings and scroll down to backup & reset. Here is where you can turn on/off Google’s backup solution. It isn’t an all-in-one solution, but will backup WiFi passwords, app data (and game saves) wallpapers, and other settings.

While were here you’ll want to backup your photos so even if you lose or break your Moto X Pure, all the photos you’ve ever taken are saved.

Read: How to Automatically Backup Photos on Android

Whether you use a cloud storage option like Dropbox or Google Drive, or just prefer to let Google Photos do it for you, the link above explains multiple easy ways to automatically save and backup full-resolution copies of all your photos.

Android Device Manager

Google has something called the Android Device Manager you can use to find or erase a lost smartphone. Similar to Apple’s Find my iPhone. There’s almost no setup once you download the app from the Google Play Store, as it will find a lost or stolen phone with ease. That said, you’ll need to have it enabled first, before the unfortunate event happens.

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Owners can lock the Moto X, erase everything in case of theft, or even make it ring if it’s lost somewhere in your house, all using the Android Device Manager site from a PC, another phone, or a tablet. It’s a powerful tool, so have it ready in case you need it. The image above is from an HTC device, but you’ll see your Moto X once setup. This only takes a minute or two, and you’ll be glad you did if you ever lose your custom Moto X.

Set Mobile Data Limits

Data usage is a big concern, especially with a 5.7-inch Quad-HD display. You’ll be watching a lot of YouTube, Netflix, or enjoying this big screen to the fullest. So set mobile data limits. Whether you have a 2GB data plan with AT&T or Verizon, or are on a family plan with T-Mobile sharing 10GB of data across multiple devices, it’s always smart to set limits. This way users can’t go over, and end up with a huge smartphone bill at the end of the month.

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Settings > Data usage > and set a limit with the slider

This will ensure that once you reach your data limit (or get close) you’ll be notified not to keep streaming HD YouTube clips or watching Netflix, as you may incur charges. Stick to WiFi and this will never be an issue, but those who are always out and about will want to set limits to be safe.

Improve Battery Life

The Moto X has a huge 3,000 mAh battery and recharges very quick with the included Turbo Charger (yes use the charger in the box, not an old one from a previous phone) but we can still improve battery life. Things constantly syncing for notifications like Facebook, or GPS and location-seeking apps will need to be controlled. Well, that and the screen brightness. In settings “Adaptive brightness” will turn the screen up or down based on your surroundings, which is a good place to start. That, and the steps below.

Controlling what apps use and access location data, or turn on the battery hogging GPS chipset are all things to consider. I turn location to battery saving mode, which could give most owners another hour or more of battery life.

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Settings > Location > Mode > Battery Saving

Battery saving mode turns off GPS, so turn by turn navigation may not be as accurate or need to be re-enabled, but for those who rarely use navigation, battery saving mode is your best bet. This uses WiFi and a cellular network for location services, rather than the phone draining its battery with GPS.

Head into settings > display > and lower the brightness to 40% or so, rather than automatic, which can also improve battery life and extend the phone usage into the next day without a recharge. Then of course turning off location data inside apps like Facebook, changing how often Twitter or other social sites sync or check for notifications, or anything else that wakes up your phone to use data. Manage all of these to your own personal preference, to get the most battery life.

Thankfully the Moto X has pretty excellent battery life from our initial impressions, and most average users will get more than 24 hours out of a single charge. It will last through a busy day at work, and recharges quick when you need a few more hours.

Moto Assist & Migrate

There is a round icon and app called “Moto” that lets you turn on lots of neat features for customization and hands-free tools that makes the Moto X special. This will let you wave at your phone using gestures for certain things, say “Hello, Moto” to turn on voice controls and make calls or send texts without ever touching or unlocking your device, and more.

Moto-app

Go ahead and tap the Moto icon and go through setup. Once this is all done you’ll quickly realize this is one powerful smartphone that was absolutely worth the $399 you spent on it. Things like twisting your wrist to launch the camera, hands-free voice controls, do a chopping motion while holding it to turn on the flash for a flashlight and more. There’s also a Migrate app and tool to transfer data, pictures, contacts and more from other devices, or from iOS.

A Few More Things

To end we have a few other things some owners may want to consider. Google Now is an excellent option, and customizing Moto’s app, widgets, and notifications settings are all pretty simple. We’d also recommend trying out some 3rd party keyboard options, and customizing it with apps from the Play Store.

Read: Top 5 Reasons to Buy the Moto X Pure Edition

Thanks to being a stock device there’s no bloatware to worry about, or carrier apps everywhere. It’s pure stock Android. That said, try different keyboards, text message apps, different clocks, widget packs and more. After you’ve done everything mentioned above users should thumb through settings just to get familiar with the phone.

If this is your first smartphone, don’t worry, it only takes a few days to master flipping through screens and launching apps, digging in settings, or typing on the touchscreen. The Moto X is fast, responsive, and is a great all-around smartphone.

Our last tip though, is using the included wall charger. This is a Turbo Charger, which charges the phone 60% faster than most older devices. Owners can also buy any “Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0” certified car or home charger from Amazon to get the same fast charging. It makes a huge difference, and you’ll want one for every room in the house.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Peter Estern

    10/04/2015 at 6:54 pm

    One thing that should be corrected in the above article is that it is not necessary to download and install the android device manager app on the 2015 Moto X in order to use the service to ring, locate, lock or erase your phone. One simply needs to have the Moto X set up with a Google account and to enable the service on the phone via settings, security, device administration. No additional app needs to be installed on the phone for this.

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