Motorola moto g31 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 3
Copy data from old phone 5
Manage dual SIMs 7
Set up voicemail 8
Set up email 8
Prepare for emergencies 10
Make it yours 11
Learn the basics 12
About your home screen 12
About your lock screen 13
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 33
Turn flashlight on and off 33
Take screenshots 33
Create GIFs 35
Record your screen 35
Control phone with your voice 37
Get directions to a location 38
Use clock and weather widget 38
Manage time spent on your phone 41
Work with text 44
Use onscreen keyboard 44
Cut, copy, paste text 45
Use voice typing 46
Fill in forms automatically 46
Personalize your phone 47
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Home screen 47
Change wallpaper 47
Customize the app tray 47
Customize your Favorites tray 48
Add widgets, shortcuts, or folders 48
Remove widgets, shortcuts, or folders 51
Adjust other home settings 51
Remake your home screen with launchers 52
Lock screen 54
Use a screen saver 54
Sounds 55
Set ringtones 55
Enhance sound 56
Avoid interruptions with Do Not Disturb 57
Stop phone from speaking 60
Other sound settings 61
Silence “Hello Moto” during power up 61
Turn off charging sounds 61
Apps 62
About your apps 62
View two apps on screen 67
View notifications 68
About Moto experiences 69
Focus on gaming 70
Manage your apps 74
Install or update apps 74
Manage or delete apps 76
Protect against harmful apps 78
Search and browse 80
Search the web 80
Search your phone 81
Browse websites 82
Text messaging 84
About text and multimedia messages 84
Read, send, manage text messages 84
Add attachments 87
Save attachments from text message 88
Turn group messaging on or off 88
Change default messaging app 88
Control notifications for text messages 88
Change text message reply to incoming calls 89
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Get text messages on your computer 89
Email 91
Read, send, manage emails 91
View email attachments 92
Preview inboxes from home screen 93
Add email signature 93
Control email notifications 93
Calendar app 95
About the calendar 95
Find calendar events 95
Create and manage events 96
Control notifications for calendar events 96
Clock app 98
Set alarms 98
Use timer or stopwatch 98
Set date and time 99
Photos app 101
Share photos and videos 101
Upload photos and videos 101
Calls, contacts, voicemail 103
Phone calls 103
Answer calls 103
Make calls 104
During a call 106
Make video calls 107
Make conference calls 107
Block calls and texts 107
Turn call waiting on and off 109
View and delete call history 109
Make emergency call from locked phone 111
Contacts 112
Add contacts 112
Edit or delete contacts 113
Star your favorite contacts 114
Sort contacts 114
Share contacts 115
Voicemail 116
Use voicemail 116
Send all calls from contact to voicemail 117
Music 118
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Listen to radio 118
Listen to music 119
Transfer music files 120
Connect a MIDI device 121
Battery 122
Charge phone 122
Extend battery life 122
Prevent overcharging 124
Use Battery Saver mode 124
Show battery percentage in status bar 125
Storage 126
About storage options 126
Manage phone storage 126
Manage SD card 127
Find downloaded files 128
Recover recently deleted files 129
Upload music to cloud 129
Upload photos and videos 130
Scan documents and make copies 130
Network and internet 132
Connect to Wi‑Fi networks 132
Use Airplane mode 133
Control data usage 133
Share your internet connection 135
Connect to VPNs 138
Connected devices 139
Connect with Bluetooth 139
Connect with Wi-Fi Direct 141
Make contactless payments 141
Share or receive with NFC 142
Share files and links with nearby Android phones 143
Transfer files between phone and computer (USB) 144
Cast screen or media to TV 146
Print from your phone 148
About wireless sharing 148
Other settings 152
Apps & notifications 152
Change app settings 152
Choose how apps notify you 153
Display 157
Adjust screen brightness 157
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Use Dark theme 157
Adjust colors at night 157
Change display style 158
Show apps full screen 159
See Peek Display notifications 159
Change screen timeout 161
Stop automatic rotation 161
Choose color mode 162
Change font and display size 162
Set recording options 162
Set lock screen preferences 163
Location 165
Use location services 165
Security 167
About security 167
Protect against harmful apps 168
Be ready to find a lost phone 168
Lock and unlock phone 169
Set screen lock 169
Adjust lock options 170
Unlock with trusted devices 171
Unlock with your face 172
Unlock at trusted places 173
Keep phone unlocked while it's on you 174
Use fingerprint security 174
Pin an app screen 176
Lock SIM card 177
Accounts 179
Add or remove accounts 179
Change name & info in your Google account 180
Sync apps with your Google account 180
Control what info Google collects 181
Accessibility 183
Visual assistance 183
Hearing assistance 185
Use accessibility shortcuts 187
System 189
Languages & input 189
Customize the keyboard 189
Use multiple languages 190
Open apps faster 191
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Gestures 192
Set Power button gesture 192
Change System navigation 192
Turn flashlight on and off 193
Twist phone to open camera 193
Adjust screenshot settings 194
Back up phone 194
Users and guests 196
Share your phone 196
Add, modify, remove users 197
Add or delete guest 198
About phone 199
Record your IMEI number 199
Find legal and product information 199
Fix a problem 200
Hardware issues 200
Phone is slow or unstable 200
Phone feels warm or hot 200
Phone won't turn on 201
Phone restarts or crashes 201
Screen is frozen or won't respond 202
Screen displays wrong colors 203
SD card problems 203
Call and SIM issues 206
Problems making/receiving calls 206
Problems during calls 207
Battery issues 210
Charging problems 210
Battery drains too fast 211
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB issues 212
Bluetooth problems 212
Wi-Fi problems 214
Can't transfer files or connect to computer 215
Account and sign-in issues 217
Forgot unlock code 217
Can't sign in to Google 217
Account sync issues 217
App issues 219
App or widget problems 219
Camera problems 220
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Messaging problems 221
Gmail problems 223
Play Store problems 223
Maintenance procedures 224
Update Android software 224
Reset Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth 224
Reset phone 225
Get more help 226
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About your hardware
Hardware diagram
1. Tray for SIM and SD card
2. Headset jack
3. Earpiece
4. Front camera (Learn more in Camera help.)
5. Microphone
6. Proximity sensor
7. Google Assistant button
8. Volume up/down button
9. Power button and fingerprint sensor
Set up phone 1

1. Macro camera
2. Main camera
3. Ultra-wide and depth camera
4. Flash
5. NFC touchpoint for sharing content or paying with your phone
6. Microphone
7. USB-C port for charging, transferring files, sharing connection with tethered devices.
8. 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 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.
Set up phone 2

Insert and remove SIM and SD cards
About the SD card
Your phone supports an optional microSD card up to 1 TB.
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.
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3. Insert or remove the cards as needed.
To use an SD card and a SIM card:
Or, to use two SIM cards (dual-SIM models only):
To see if your phone supports dual SIMs, go to Settings > About phone > SIM Status. If you see SIM
Slot 1 and SIM Slot 2, then your phone supports dual SIMs.
4. Push the tray back into the phone.
If you inserted two SIMs, you'll receive a notification to set them up. Swipe the notification down and touch
it to manage dual SIMs. If you see , troubleshoot the issue.
Note: If you need to activate a SIM, contact your carrier.
Fix a problem
Select a problem to see troubleshooting steps.
SIM card
SIM not recognized
Can’t make calls
Set up phone 4

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:
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.
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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.
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 phone 6

Manage dual SIMs
About dual SIMs
When two SIMs are inserted:
•You see at the top of the home screen. If you see , troubleshoot the issue.
•Both SIMs can make and receive calls and text messages.
•Only the owner of the phone (not additional users or guests) can access dual SIM settings.
Set up SIM profile
Set SIM options based on how you expect to use the cards:
1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIM cards.
2. Select the option that best meets your needs:
•Smart SIM: Automatically select SIM for voice calls based on your call history. In Brazil, selection is
also based on your contact's carrier.
•Personal and Work: Use one SIM for personal and the other for work-related voice calls.
•Manual: Choose which SIM to use for voice calls, for data, and for SMS.
3. Follow onscreen instructions to complete setup.
Change SIM profile
1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIM cards.
2. Touch Dual SIM usage profile.
3. Select a different profile and touch CHANGE PROFILE.
4. Select a new profile.
5. Follow onscreen instructions to complete setup.
To keep the same profile but adjust options for data, SMS, voice calls, video calls, or contacts:
1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIM cards.
2. Touch each preferred SIM and contact option to change.
This information applies only to phones that support dual SIM cards and have both cards inserted.
Change SIM name, color, ringtone
When two SIMs are inserted, you'll see them referenced in apps like Contacts, Messages, and Phone. The
SIM name shows your carrier and, if you're using the Personal and Work profile, shows which it’s assigned
to. You can rename the SIMs. You can also change SIM icon color to make them easy to differentiate.
1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIM cards.
2. Touch the SIM to change.
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3. Change settings as needed.
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. If you have two SIM cards, touch the SIM for the account to change.
3. Touch Voicemail.
4. Touch Advanced Settings.
5. 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:
•When you open the Gmail app for the first time, you'll see your email for that account. You're already
set up.
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•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 9

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 11