Motorola Moto G7 Play 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. All
other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
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
Manage dual SIMs 6
Set up voicemail 7
Set up email 8
Prepare for emergencies 9
Make it yours 10
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
Use navigation bar 25
Use quick settings 26
Turn screen off and on 28
Adjust volumes 29
Frequently used tools 31
Turn flashlight on and off 31
Take screenshots 31
Control phone with your voice 32
Get directions to a location 33
Use Time and Weather widget 34
Manage time spent on your phone 35
Work with text 39
Use onscreen keyboard 39
Cut, copy, paste text 40
Use voice typing 41
Fill in forms automatically 41
Personalize your phone 43
Home screen 43
Change wallpaper 43
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Customize your Favorites tray 43
Add widgets, shortcuts, or folders 44
Remove widgets, shortcuts, or folders 46
Remake your home screen with launchers 46
Lock screen 48
Use a screen saver 48
Sounds 49
Set ringtones 49
Enhance sound 50
Avoid interruptions with Do Not Disturb 51
Stop phone from speaking 54
Other sound settings 55
Silence “Hello Moto” during power up 55
Turn off charging sounds 55
Apps 56
About your apps 56
View two apps on screen 60
View notifications 61
Manage your apps 64
Install or update apps 64
Manage or delete apps 66
Protect against harmful apps 68
Search and browse 70
Search the web 70
Search your phone 72
Browse websites 73
Text messaging 75
About text and multimedia messages 75
Read, send, manage text messages 75
Add attachments 78
Save attachments from text message 78
Turn group messaging on or off 79
Change default messaging app 79
Control notifications for text messages 79
Change text message reply to incoming calls 80
Get text messages on your computer 80
Email 82
Read, send, manage emails 82
View email attachments 83
Preview inboxes from home screen 84
Add email signature 84
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Control email notifications 84
Calendar app 86
About the calendar 86
Find calendar events 86
Create and manage events 87
Control notifications for calendar events 88
Clock app 89
Set alarms 89
Use timer or stopwatch 89
Set date and time 91
Moto app 92
About the Moto app 92
Shrink screen for one-handed use 92
Preview notifications when screen sleeps 93
Photos app 95
Share photos and videos 95
Upload photos and videos 95
Calls, contacts, voicemail 97
Phone calls 97
Answer calls 97
Make calls 98
During a call 100
Make video calls 101
Make conference calls 101
Block calls and texts 101
Turn call waiting on and off 103
View and delete call history 104
Make emergency call from locked phone 105
Contacts 106
Add contacts 106
Edit or delete contacts 107
Star your favorite contacts 108
Sort contacts 108
Share contacts 109
Voicemail 111
Use voicemail 111
Send all calls from contact to voicemail 112
Music 113
Listen to radio 113
Listen to music 114
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Transfer Play Music library to YT Music 115
Transfer music files 115
Connect a MIDI device 116
Battery 117
Charge phone 117
Extend battery life 117
Use Battery Saver mode 118
Show battery percentage in status bar 119
Storage 120
About storage options 120
Manage phone storage 120
Manage SD card 121
Find downloaded files 123
Recover recently deleted files 124
Upload music to cloud 124
Upload photos and videos 125
Scan documents and make copies 126
Network and internet 127
Connect to Wi‑Fi networks 127
Use Airplane mode 128
Control data usage 128
Share your internet connection 130
Connect to VPNs 132
Connected devices 133
Connect with Bluetooth™ 133
Connect with Wi-Fi Direct 135
Cast screen or media to TV 135
Transfer files between phone and computer (USB) 137
Print from your phone 138
About wireless sharing 139
Other settings 142
Apps & notifications 142
Change app settings 142
Choose how apps notify you 143
Display 146
Adjust screen brightness 146
Adjust screen colors at night 146
Use Device theme 146
Change screen timeout 147
Stop automatic rotation 147
Choose color mode 148
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Change font and display size 148
Security & location 149
About security 149
Protect against harmful apps 150
Be ready to find a lost phone 150
Lock and unlock phone 151
Set screen lock 151
Adjust lock options 152
Unlock with trusted devices 153
Unlock with your face 154
Unlock at trusted places 155
Keep phone unlocked while it's on you 156
Unlock with voice commands 156
Use fingerprint security 157
Set lock screen preferences 159
Use location services 160
Pin your screen 162
Lock SIM card 162
Accounts 164
Add or remove accounts 164
Change name & info in your Google account 165
Sync apps with your Google account 165
Control what info Google collects 166
Accessibility 168
Visual assistance 168
Hearing assistance 170
Dexterity assistance 171
Use accessibility shortcuts 172
System 174
Record your IMEI number 174
Find legal and product information 174
Languages & input 175
Customize the keyboard 175
Use multiple languages 176
Customize Power button gesture 177
Back up phone 177
Users and guests 179
Share your phone 179
Add, modify, remove users 180
Add or delete guest 181
Fix a problem 182
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Hardware issues 182
Phone is slow or unstable 182
Phone feels warm or hot 182
Phone won't turn on 183
Phone restarts or crashes 183
Screen is frozen or won't respond 184
Screen displays wrong colors 184
SD card problems 185
Call and SIM issues 188
Problems making/receiving calls 188
Problems during calls 190
Battery issues 192
Charging problems 192
Battery drains too fast 192
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB issues 194
Bluetooth problems 194
Wi-Fi problems 196
Can't transfer files or connect to computer 197
Account and sign-in issues 199
Forgot unlock code 199
Can't sign in to Google 199
Account sync issues 199
App issues 201
App or widget problems 201
Camera problems 202
Messaging problems 203
Gmail problems 205
Play Store problems 205
Maintenance procedures 206
Update Android software 206
Reset Wi-Fi, cellular data, and Bluetooth 206
Reset phone 207
Get more help 208
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About your hardware
Hardware diagram
1. Microphone
2. Headset jack
3. Front camera
4. Earpiece/speaker
5. Proximity sensor
6. Flash
7. Volume up/down button
8. Power button
9. Tray for SIM and SD card
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1. Back camera
2. LED flash
3. Fingerprint sensor
4. Microphone
5. USB-C port for charging, transferring files, sharing connection with tethered devices.
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.
Insert and remove SIM and SD cards
About the SD card
Your phone supports an optional microSD card up to 512 GB.
The type to buy depends on how you'll format the card:
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•Portable storage (can use card in different devices): A Class 2, 4, or 6 card is sufficient.
•Internal storage (card used only by phone): Use a high speed card such as UHS-1 type for best
performance. Class 2, 4, or 6 cards are slower than your phone’s internal storage, so using them for
internal storage would slow your phone's performance.
Learn more about the differences between portable storage and internal storage.
Insert or replace cards
1. If you are removing an SD card, unmount it first (Settings > Storage).
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.
To use an SD card and a SIM card:
Or, to use two SIM cards (dual-SIM models only):
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4. Push the tray back into the phone.
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
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:
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.
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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 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.
4. Insert your SIM to connect to the mobile network, or touch Skip.
5. Connect to a Wi-Fi network and touch Next.
6. Select how to copy:
•If you have your old phone, touch A backup from an Android phone.
•If you don’t, touch A backup from the cloud
7. 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
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•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 > SIM card > OK.
4. If you have multiple Google accounts, choose the account where you want to save them.
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.
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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, but you can rename it. 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.
3. Change settings as needed:
•To rename a SIM, touch SIM name, then type a new name.
•To change icon color, touch Color, then touch a color.
•To change the SIM's ringtone, touch Phone ringtone, then select a ringtone.
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:
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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:
•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
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•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.
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 > System > 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.
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View emergency information
1. Swipe up on the lock screen.
2. Below the keypad, touch Emergency.
3. 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 > Security & Location.
2. Touch Lock screen preferences > Lock screen message.
3. Type the text to display and touch Save.
Tip: Don't put your mobile number as your contact info 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 > Security & location > Location > Advanced.
2. Touch Emergency Location Service.
3. Turn it on or off .
To learn more about ELS, read Google's help.
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 font size, rotation settings, and dark background.
•Assign ringtones or photos to friends you call.
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•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

About your home screen
You see the home screen when you turn on and unlock your phone or touch .
You can add more pages to the right as needed. To add a page, drag an app shortcut or widget to the edge
of an existing page and place it on the new page.
Swipe right or left to move between pages.
Here are the parts of your home screen:
Learn the basics 12