When you first get your hands on a Nokia Lumia 920 or Lumia 820 smartphone, no doubt you’ll spend a fair while setting up your accounts, installing your favourite apps and customising the Start screen to just how you want it.
[do action=”boxout”]Download Nokia Care for Windows Phone 8
- Press the Search button on your Nokia Lumia and then tap Vision
- Scan the QR code
- Tap on the link when it appears on the screen
- Install the application from the Windows Phone Store
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Windows Phone 8 is such an intuitive and responsive mobile operating system that after a very short time, it’ll feel like you’re old friends and feel perfectly comfortable in its company.
Nokia Care
However, there’s still plenty more that your Lumia can do that you might not be aware of. This is where the Nokia Care app comes in.
Nokia Care is divided into two screens that you can swipe between: Tips & tricks and Help. The Help screen is itself divided into different categories for you to explore.
There’s search facility too, so if you’re looking for something specific, just type in the keyword.
As well as covering the basics, like getting to know your phone and how to personalise it, Nokia Care has support and information about applications, how to make the most of the camera, maps and navigation software, how to sync music and much, much more.
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, it has a FAQ and handy links for you to contact Nokia.
Tips & Tricks
It is really rewarding to spend a little time exploring Nokia Care. There might be some surprises for you, even if you think you know everything about your Lumia already!
Here are 10 tips and tricks for your Lumia 920 or Lumia 820 courtesy of the Nokia Care app:
1. Switching between apps
Press and hold down the back arrow button (←), then swipe left and right to see your recent apps and select the one you want.
2. Turn off automatic updates to control data usage
Your Lumia 920 or Lumia 820 can automatically update the software on your phone wirelessly – you’ll get new features and improved performance.
However, if you wish to keep tight control of your data usage, you can go to your Lumia’s Settings > Phone Update and uncheck the automatic update download box.
3. Extending your Lumia’s battery life
As Nokia Care says, you need to find a balance between getting the most out of your phone while getting the battery life you need.
It offers several tips for saving battery life, such as muting unnecessary sounds, using wired headphones rather than the loudspeaker and ensuring that you press the ← after you’ve finished using the camera viewfinder.
You can also set your Lumia to automatically save power when the battery level falls low. Go to Settings > Battery Saver > switch the battery saver mode on.
4. Typing full stops
To put a full stop at the end of a sentence, tap the space key twice. This saves a lot of time and effort!
5. Numbers and special characters
Another useful keyboard tip: To quickly type in a number or special character, while holding the numbers and symbol key, slide your finger to the character and then lift your finger.
With this method, you won’t then need to tap again to return to the ABC keyboard.
6. Sharing content from the Store
If you find something in the Windows Store, whether that’s an app, a game or a song that you think a friend might be interested in, then you can send them a link – just tap Share.
If the item has a price then you might be wondering where the Share button has gone? Tap, the three dots in the bottom right > Share.
7. Video self-portraits
To take a self-portrait open the camera, and tap the icon for self-portrait. If you then press the video icon, you can also record in video using your front-facing camera.
8. Zoom controls on Nokia Maps
You can pinch in and out on Nokia Maps using your fingers, but you can also tap to zoom by adding simple zoom controls to your screen.
In Nokia Maps, tap the three dots > Settings > Turn on Zoom Controls.
9. Switch between walking, driving and public transport in Nokia Maps
When you have searched a destination or location, in the detailed directions view you can tap between the walking, driving and public transport icons to get information for each one.
When you’re walking, you can use turn-by-turn navigation. Tap the walking icon, and select Start Navigation. To switch between your current location, the next turn and the route overview, swipe left or right along the bottom of the screen.
10. Nokia Care is available offline
You don’t need to be on a data connection to access these tips and all the other helpful information from the Nokia Care app. Unless you’re using the ‘Contact Nokia’ option, everything else is still available without a data connection.
Give Nokia Care a try for yourself, follow the instructions in the box above to get it on your Lumia 920 or Lumia 820.