Motorola Moto G User manual

User Guide

© 2021 Motorola Mobility LLC. All rights reserved.
MOTOROLA, the stylized M logo, MOTO, and the MOTO family of marks are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. LENOVO is a trademark of Lenovo. Google, Android,
Google Play and other marks are trademarks of Google LLC. microSD Logo is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC.
Certain features, services and applications are network dependent and may not be available in all areas;
additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Contact your service provider for details.
All features, functionality, and other product specifications, as well as the information contained in this help
content, are based upon the latest available information and believed to be accurate at the time of release.
Motorola reserves the right to change or modify any information or specifications without notice or
obligation.
Some images in help content are examples only.
You can also read this help on your phone at Settings > Help.

Contents
Set up phone 1
About your hardware 1
Insert and remove SIM and SD cards 2
Copy data from old phone 4
Set up voicemail 6
Set up email 6
Prepare for emergencies 8
Make it yours 9
Learn the basics 10
About your home screen 10
About your lock screen 11
What's new in Android 11? 12
New to Android? 15
If this is your first smartphone 15
If you had an iPhone 16
About your Google account 17
Status bar icons 18
Phone terms you should know 22
Get around on your phone 24
Learn gestures 24
Move between apps and screens 25
Use quick settings 26
Turn screen off and on 29
Adjust volumes 30
Frequently used tools 32
Turn flashlight on and off 32
Take screenshots 32
Create GIFs 34
Control phone with your voice 34
Get directions to a location 35
Use clock and weather widget 36
Manage time spent on your phone 38
Work with text 41
Use onscreen keyboard 41
Cut, copy, paste text 42
Use voice typing 43
Fill in forms automatically 43
Personalize your phone 44
Home screen 44
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Change wallpaper 44
Customize the app tray 44
Customize your Favorites tray 45
Add widgets, shortcuts, or folders 45
Remove widgets, shortcuts, or folders 48
Adjust other home settings 48
Remake your home screen with launchers 49
Lock screen 51
Use a screen saver 51
Sounds 52
Set ringtones 52
Enhance sound 53
Avoid interruptions with Do Not Disturb 54
Stop phone from speaking 57
Other sound settings 59
Silence “Hello Moto” during power up 59
Turn off charging sounds 59
Apps 60
About your apps 60
View two apps on screen 65
View notifications 66
About Moto experiences 67
Focus on gaming 68
Manage your apps 72
Install or update apps 72
Manage or delete apps 74
Protect against harmful apps 76
Search and browse 78
Search the web 78
Search your phone 79
Browse websites 80
Text messaging 82
About text and multimedia messages 82
Read, send, manage text messages 82
Add attachments 85
Save attachments from text message 85
Turn group messaging on or off 86
Change default messaging app 86
Control notifications for text messages 86
Change text message reply to incoming calls 87
Get text messages on your computer 87
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Email 89
Read, send, manage emails 89
View email attachments 90
Preview inboxes from home screen 91
Add email signature 91
Control email notifications 91
Calendar app 93
About the calendar 93
Find calendar events 93
Create and manage events 94
Control notifications for calendar events 94
Clock app 96
Set alarms 96
Use timer or stopwatch 96
Set date and time 98
Photos app 100
Share photos and videos 100
Upload photos and videos 100
Calls, contacts, voicemail 102
Phone calls 102
Answer calls 102
Make calls 104
During a call 105
Make video calls 107
Make conference calls 107
Block calls and texts 107
Turn call waiting on and off 108
View and delete call history 109
Make emergency call from locked phone 110
Contacts 111
Add contacts 111
Edit or delete contacts 112
Star your favorite contacts 113
Sort contacts 113
Share contacts 114
Voicemail 116
Use voicemail 116
Send all calls from contact to voicemail 117
Music 118
Listen to radio 118
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Listen to music 119
Transfer music files 120
Connect a MIDI device 121
Battery 122
Charge phone 122
Extend battery life 122
Use Battery Saver mode 123
Show battery percentage in status bar 124
Storage 125
About storage options 125
Manage phone storage 125
Manage SD card 126
Find downloaded files 127
Recover recently deleted files 128
Upload music to cloud 128
Upload photos and videos 129
Scan documents and make copies 129
Network and internet 131
Connect to Wi‑Fi networks 131
Use Airplane mode 132
Control data usage 132
Share your internet connection 134
Connect to VPNs 137
Connected devices 138
Connect with Bluetooth 138
Connect with Wi-Fi Direct 140
Share files and links with nearby Android phones 140
Transfer files between phone and computer (USB) 141
Cast screen or media to TV 143
Print from your phone 145
About wireless sharing 145
Other settings 149
Apps & notifications 149
Change app settings 149
Choose how apps notify you 150
Display 154
Adjust screen brightness 154
Use Dark theme 154
Change display style 154
Show apps full screen 155
See Peek Display notifications 156
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Change screen timeout 157
Stop automatic rotation 157
Choose color mode 158
Change font and display size 158
Set lock screen preferences 159
Adjust screenshot settings 159
Location 161
Use location services 161
Security 163
About security 163
Protect against harmful apps 164
Be ready to find a lost phone 164
Lock and unlock phone 165
Set screen lock 165
Adjust lock options 166
Unlock with trusted devices 167
Unlock with your face 168
Unlock at trusted places 169
Keep phone unlocked while it's on you 170
Use fingerprint security 170
Pin an app screen 172
Lock SIM card 173
Accounts 174
Add or remove accounts 174
Change name & info in your Google account 175
Sync apps with your Google account 175
Control what info Google collects 176
Accessibility 178
Visual assistance 178
Hearing assistance 180
Use accessibility shortcuts 182
System 184
Languages & input 184
Customize the keyboard 184
Use multiple languages 185
Open apps faster 186
Gestures 187
Set Power button gesture 187
Change System navigation 187
Turn flashlight on and off 188
Twist phone to open camera 188
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Back up phone 189
Users and guests 191
Share your phone 191
Add, modify, remove users 192
Add or delete guest 193
About phone 194
Record your IMEI number 194
Find legal and product information 194
Fix a problem 195
Hardware issues 195
Phone is slow or unstable 195
Phone feels warm or hot 195
Phone won't turn on 196
Phone restarts or crashes 196
Screen is frozen or won't respond 197
Screen displays wrong colors 198
SD card problems 198
Call and SIM issues 201
Problems making/receiving calls 201
Problems during calls 202
Battery issues 205
Charging problems 205
Battery drains too fast 205
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB issues 207
Bluetooth problems 207
Wi-Fi problems 209
Can't transfer files or connect to computer 210
Account and sign-in issues 212
Forgot unlock code 212
Can't sign in to Google 212
Account sync issues 212
App issues 214
App or widget problems 214
Camera problems 215
Messaging problems 216
Gmail problems 218
Play Store problems 218
Maintenance procedures 219
Update Android software 219
Reset Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth 219
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Reset phone 220
Get more help 221
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About your hardware
Hardware diagram
1. Tray for SIM and SD card
2. Front camera (Learn more in Camera help.)
3. Proximity sensor
4. Earpiece
5. Microphone
6. Headset jack
7. Volume up/down button
8. Power button and fingerprint sensor
Set up phone 1

1. Flash
2. Depth camera
3. Main camera
4. Macro camera
5. Microphone
6. USB-C port for charging, transferring files, sharing connection with tethered devices.
7. Speaker
Care for your phone
To clean the screen:
•While this does not disinfect your phone, the best way to keep your phone clean is to wipe it thoroughly
with a dry soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, including paper towels and other materials with rough
surfaces.
•If the screen gets drops of liquid on it, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.
To disinfect your phone:
•It is okay to use wipes or cloths moistened with 70% isopropyl alcohol or Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes to
gently wipe your screen.
•When disinfecting or cleaning your phone, turn it off and avoid getting any moisture in its openings,
including the charging port, headphone jack, microphones and speakers.
•Don't submerge your phone in any cleaning agents, avoid using any cleaners with bleach or abrasives,
and avoid spraying cleaners directly on the screen.
Insert and remove SIM and SD cards
About the SD card
Your phone supports an optional microSD card up to 512 GB.
Set up phone 2

A Class 2, 4, or 6 card is sufficient.
Your phone uses the card as portable storage for media files: photos, videos, and music. Because it's
portable, you can easily swap the card and its content between devices. After you insert the card, be sure to
update settings within media apps (like camera, music, and podcast apps), so they use the card to store
content you create or download.
You can't store apps on the SD card because it is portable storage.
Insert or replace cards
1. If you are removing an SD card, unmount it first.
2. Insert the tool into the hole in the tray and gently push to pop it out.
3. Insert or remove the cards as needed.
4. Push the tray back into the phone.
Note: If you need to activate a SIM, contact your carrier.
Set up phone 3

Fix a problem
Select a problem to see troubleshooting steps.
SIM card
SIM not recognized
Can’t make calls
Can't answer calls
SD card
Phone doesn't recognize card
Copy data from old phone
Copy data from iPhone
You’ll use Google Drive to copy files from your iPhone and iCloud account to your new phone and Google
account:
•Photos will back up to Photos.
•Contacts will back up to Contacts.
•Calendar will back up to Calendar.
1. Charge both phones and connect them to a Wi-Fi network.
2. To ensure you don’t miss any messages or calls, on your iPhone:
a. Turn off iMessage. (Settings > Messages > off. Or, if your SIM has been removed, deregister
your phone.)
b. Turn off FaceTime. (Settings > FaceTime > off.)
3. Download the Google Drive app on your iPhone.
4. On your iPhone, open Drive and then:
a. Sign in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, you can create it now.
b. Touch > Settings > Backup & reset and start the backup.
5. Wait for the backup to complete.
6. When complete, on your new phone, sign in with the same Google account (Settings > Accounts > Add
account).
Copy data from Android phone
During setup, you can copy your apps, music, contacts, messages, and more. Learn what does and doesn't
get copied.
If you no longer have your old phone or can’t turn it on, you can copy files using a backup from the cloud
with your Google account.
To copy files:
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1. Charge both phones and turn them on.
2. On your new phone:
a. If this is the first time you’ve turned it on, select your language on the setup screen.
b. If you skipped copying files during setup, open the Settings app and touch Finish setting up your
device.
3. Touch Start.
4. Insert your SIM to connect to the mobile network, or touch Skip.
5. Connect to a Wi-Fi network and touch Next.
6. Follow the onscreen instructions to select the old phone or backup associated with your Google
account, and to choose which apps and data to copy.
Tip: Be sure to leave Back up to Google Drive turned on.
What gets copied from Android phone
If you copy data from another Android phone during setup, here's what gets copied:
•Apps and app data
•Music, photos, and videos
•Google accounts
•Contacts stored on your phone or SIM card
•Text messages
•Multimedia attachments in messages
•Most phone settings
•Wallpaper
•Call history
You’ll see these when you sign in to your Google account on your new phone.
What won't copy:
•Downloads, like PDF files
•Apps that aren’t from Play Store
•Accounts other than Google accounts
•Contacts and calendars for services other than Google (such as WhatsApp)
•Ringtones
Import contacts from SIM
If you have a SIM card with contacts saved on it, you can import them into your Google account.
1. Insert the SIM in your phone.
Or, if your old phone is an Android phone and can connect to Wi-Fi, turn it on.
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2. Open the Contacts app.
3. Touch > Settings > Import, then select the SIM and touch OK.
4. If you have multiple Google accounts, choose the account where you want to save them.
5. Select the contacts to import and touch Import.
Set up voicemail
Set voicemail password
Contact your carrier for help setting or recovering your password/PIN for voicemail.
Set mailbox greeting
Your carrier provides and manages your voicemail.
To set your greeting:
1. Touch > .
2. Touch & hold to dial into your mailbox.
3. Follow your carrier’s system prompts. If your voicemail is not set up, contact your carrier for
instructions.
Change voicemail options
1. Touch > > Settings.
(If you don't see , swipe down on the screen.)
2. Touch Voicemail.
3. Touch Advanced Settings.
4. Change any of the options:
•To change voicemail service from your provider to another voicemail service or app, touch Service.
•To change the number dialed to access voicemail, touch Setup.
Set up email
Set up personal email
You can add multiple email accounts of the following types:
•Gmail
•Personal email from other providers (IMAP/POP)
If you added a Google account on your phone:
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•When you open the Gmail app for the first time, you'll see your email for that account. You're already
set up.
•To set up additional accounts, open Gmail, touch your profile icon , then touch Add another
account.
If you didn’t add a Google account to your phone and want to set up email for an IMAP/POP provider (an
address that's not Gmail):
1. Open the Gmail app.
2. Follow the onscreen instructions to enter your email address, password, and account options.
If you have problems setting up the account, read Google's help for Gmail.
Set up corporate email
If you use Microsoft Office Outlook on your work computer, your phone can synchronize emails, calendar
events, and contacts with the Microsoft Exchange server. Before you start, you'll need the following
information from your company's IT department:
•Email address
•Email password
•Domain name
•Username
•Server name
•Security type/SSL settings
•Client certificate requirement
To set up corporate email:
1. Open the Gmail app.
2. Do one of the following:
•If this is your first time opening the Gmail app, touch Add another email address.
•If you have been using Gmail with another account, touch your profile icon , then touch Add
another account.
3. Touch Exchange and Office 365.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to enter your email address, password, and other information from
your company's IT department.
Switch account views
In the Gmail app, touch your profile icon , then select an account.
To open each inbox with one touch from your home screen, add task shortcuts:
1. Touch & hold .
2. Drag for each account to a blank space on your home screen.
Set up phone 7

Prepare for emergencies
Set up emergency information
You can set up emergency information for first responders or others to view from your lock screen, such as
your emergency contact and medical information (blood type, allergies).
To set up your emergency information:
1. Go to Settings > About phone.
2. Touch Emergency information.
3. Set up your information.
Note: Anyone who picks up your phone can see your emergency info without unlocking your phone.
View emergency information
1. From the lock screen:
•Swipe up and touch Emergency call below the keypad.
•Or, press and hold the Power button, then touch Emergency.
2. Touch Emergency information twice.
Add message to lock screen
To add your name or a short message to your lock screen for anyone who finds your phone:
1. Go to Settings > Display > Advanced > Lock screen.
2. Touch Add text on lock screen.
3. Type the text to display and touch Save.
Tip: Don't put your mobile number as contact info on your lock screen unless you can access your
voicemail from another device.
Send your location to emergency services
Not all carriers and countries support this feature.
If Android Emergency Location Service (ELS) works in your country and on your carrier's network and if you
haven't turned off ELS, when you call or text an emergency number, ELS sends your location to authorized
emergency responders to help them locate you.
If ELS is off, your carrier might still send the phone’s location during an emergency call. For more
information, check with your carrier.
To turn ELS on or off:
1. Go to Settings > Location > Advanced.
2. Touch Emergency Location Service.
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3. Turn it on or off .
To learn more about ELS, read Google's help.
Turn emergency alerts off/on
Your phone can receive free alerts to inform you of public safety messages, threats to life and property (like
extreme weather), and other emergencies.
When an emergency alert is sent out, appears in the status bar. Touch the notification to read the alert.
You can turn most alerts off or on and adjust alert notification settings.
Note: Because alerts are intended to save lives, please consider carefully before turning alerts off.
1. Go to Settings.
2. Touch Apps & notifications > Advanced > Wireless emergency alerts.
3. Adjust settings as needed.
Make it yours
This topic lists things that most people want to do with their new phone, with links to instructions on how to
do them.
Personalize your phone
•Set the wallpaper.
•Add apps to your home screen.
•Adjust screen settings, like style (font size, color scheme), rotation settings, and dark background.
•You can use either the buttons or gestures to move between apps and screens. Choose which
System navigation to use.
•Assign ringtones or photos to friends you call.
•Set your schedule for Do Not Disturb, to automatically silence your phone when you don't want to be
interrupted.
Protect your phone
•Set up a screen lock.
•Set up fingerprint security to unlock your screen safely and quickly with a touch.
•In case you lose your phone, set up Find My Device and record your IMEI number.
Other common set up tasks
•Connect with your Bluetooth devices and Wi-Fi networks.
•If you use multiple languages, set them up so they appear on your keyboard.
Set up phone 9

About your home screen
You see the home screen when you turn on and unlock your phone or swipe up from the bottom of the
screen.
Swipe right or left to move between home screens.
What’s on the screen
1. Status bar: Displays the time and icons that tell you about your phone's battery and network
connections. Swipe down to see your notifications and quick settings.
2. Widget: You can add widgets to your home screen for quick access to information or frequent tasks.
3. Shortcut: You can add shortcuts to open apps or web pages you use frequently.
4. App list: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see the list of all your apps. If you don’t see this,
add the app tray.
5. Favorites tray: Provides one touch access to your most-used apps from any home screen page. You can
customize which apps appear here.
6. Navigation bar: Use gestures to move between apps and screens. You can replace the bar with the
navigation icons instead.
7. Folder: Add folders to organize app shortcuts.
Add/remove screens
You can add more home screens to the right. To add a page, drag an app shortcut or widget to the edge of
an existing page and place it on the new screen.
To remove a home screen, drag all apps, shortcuts, widgets, and folders off the screen. After you remove the
last item, the home screen will be removed.
Learn the basics 10

Customize your home screen
Organize it
Drag an item to move it to another place on the home screen.
Add apps and folders as needed.
Change how you get around
You can replace the navigation bar with the navigation icons.
You can choose where to find your list of all apps: in the app tray or directly on the home screen.
Change how it looks
Touch & hold a blank space on the home screen to see options for customizing: wallpaper, styles, widgets,
and other home settings.
If you want an entirely new look and feel for your home screen, you can use a different launcher.
About your lock screen
The lock screen appears when you're using a screen lock and you power on your phone or turn on the
screen.
Tip: If you're using Peek Display, you'll see those notifications before you get to your lock screen.
From the lock screen, you can:
•Make an emergency call.
•View and respond to notifications. Double touch one to open it.
•Open your quick settings. Swipe down from top of screen.
•Start a voice command. Swipe up diagonally from either bottom corner.
Learn the basics 11