The Complete Guide to Your Phone’s Settings App

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Master the Settings menu on your phone to maximize its potential

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: October 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using the Settings app on Android

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Using Quick Settings Panel on Android

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Using the Settings App on iPhone

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Alternative Methods on Android & iPhone

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Inside Settings

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Video

Did you know that you can use the Settings app on your iPhone or Android to change wallpapers, lockpapers, or how you're connected to the internet? It's crucial to know how to access and use the Settings app for any smartphone or tablet, so read on to learn more.

Use the Settings App on Android & iPhone

Tap the app icon that features a gear to open the Settings app on Android and iPhone. The app icon looks slightly different, but tapping it will open Settings. You can also tap the gear icon in the Quick Settings panel on Android.

Section 1 of 5:

Using the Settings app on Android

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Tap the app icon that features
. It can be anywhere on your home screens or in the app drawer.
- Use this method on any Android smartphone or tablet including Samsung, Google Pixel, LG, and others.
- If you need to open the app drawer, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap the app drawer icon if you have one (it looks like a grid of apps).
- Tapping the app will open Settings.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 5:

Using Quick Settings Panel on Android

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1
Swipe down from the top of your screen. If the menu doesn't expand completely, swipe again.
- Use this method on any Android smartphone or tablet including Samsung, Google Pixel, LG, and others. The Quick Settings panel is hidden at the top of your screen, and you can make it appear by swiping down.
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Tap
. It looks like a gear icon in the top right corner.
- Tapping the gear icon will open the Settings app.

Section 3 of 5:

Using the Settings App on iPhone

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Tap the app icon that features
. This app can be on any of your home screens or in the app library.
- Swipe left to find your app library.
- You may need to open folders to find the Settings app. In that case, look for a folder called "Utilities."^{[2]
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Section 4 of 5:

Alternative Methods on Android & iPhone

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Voice commands. Both Android and iPhone have voice assistants that will help you find the Settings app if you have them set up.
- Say something like "Hey Google, open Settings" on Android, or "Hey Siri, open Settings" on iPhone.
If you can't immediately find Settings, you can use the search bar on your phone to find the app. Open the app drawer on Android or the app library on iPhone and enter Settings into the search bar.

Section 5 of 5:

Inside Settings

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Inside Settings you'll find ways to adjust your phone to meet your needs. Although the names of these menus are different between OS versions, you'll find these settings:
- Connectivity - Might be called "Connections", "Network & Connectivity" on Android. For iPhones, the "Connectivity" options are listed individually, including "Wi-Fi", "Bluetooth", "Cellular", and "Personal Hotspot".
- Display & Wallpaper - This includes options like "Brightness", "Font size", "Dark mode", and "Screen timeout."
- Sound & Vibration - The exact name for menu items in Settings will vary depending on the manufacturer of your smartphone or tablet, but you can find more settings for ringtones, notifications, and vibrations here.
- Battery & Power - You'll find settings for "Battery health" and "Power saving modes".
- Storage - In this Settings option, you can see installed apps and how much space they are using. In addition to seeing this information, you can also manage the apps installed on your device.
- Security & Privacy - This area covers features for Android and iPhone that cover "Screen lock", "App Permissions", and "Location settings".
- Accessibility - You can adjust how your phone behaves in areas including hearing and vision, as well as make interaction adjustments.
- About phone - This option is generally lower in the Settings menu and gives you options like updating your phone's software and installing updates from your carrier.
  - If you can't find a setting option you're looking for, try using the search bar to find it.