1. Getting started with your smartphone

A smartphone is a small, powerful computer that fits in your pocket. Unlike an old-style phone that could only make calls and send SMS messages, a smartphone can:

• Connect to the internet over Wi-Fi or mobile data (3G/4G/5G)

• Run apps — small programs for messaging, banking, navigation, learning, and more

• Take photos and videos

• Store contacts, calendar events, and documents

• Let you send and receive money (for example with TeleBirr)

Abebe, a market trader in Merkato, uses his smartphone every day: he checks prices, sends payment receipts via TeleBirr, and video-calls his supplier in Dire Dawa — all from one device.

Before you open any app, get to know the main parts of your phone:

• Power button — usually on the right side or top. Press once to wake the screen; hold it down to turn the phone off or restart it.

• Volume buttons — on the left side. Raise or lower call volume, music, or ring tone.

• Home button / Home gesture — takes you back to the main screen (the Home Screen) from any app. On newer phones there is no button; instead you swipe up from the bottom edge.

• Back button / Back gesture — goes back one step in an app, like pressing "undo".

• Recent apps button / gesture — shows all the apps you have open so you can switch between them or close them.

• Charging port — usually at the bottom. Plug in your charger here.

• SIM card tray — a small slot on the side where your Ethio Telecom SIM card sits.

Tip: if you are ever lost in an app, pressing Home or swiping up will always bring you back to safety.

Three settings every new user must configure:

1. Language

Go to Settings → General Management (or System) → Language. You can set your phone to Amharic (አማርኛ) or English. Using the language you read most easily reduces mistakes.

2. Wi-Fi

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Turn Wi-Fi ON when you are near a trusted network (home, workplace, or a known shop). Wi-Fi is free and much faster than mobile data for downloading apps or watching videos.

3. Mobile data (3G/4G)

Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Data. Turn this ON to use the internet when Wi-Fi is not available. Ethio Telecom data bundles let you buy a set amount of data (for example 1 GB for 7 days). Check your remaining data by dialling *500# on your phone.

Important: when you do not need mobile data, turn it OFF to save your bundle and battery.

Apps are programs you install on your phone. The two main sources are:

• Google Play Store (Android phones) — tap the Play Store icon, search for the app you want, and tap Install. It is free to download most apps.

• Apple App Store (iPhones) — same idea, different icon.

Most Ethiopians use Android phones, so these steps focus on the Play Store.

Before installing, always check:

✔ The developer name — is it an official company or an unknown developer?

✔ Star rating and reviews — are there many positive reviews from real users?

✔ Permissions — does the app ask for access to things it does not need? (A calculator asking to read your contacts is a warning sign.)

To manage storage — if your phone says it is full:

• Go to Settings → Apps → see which apps you rarely use and uninstall them.

• Move photos and videos to Google Photos (free online storage) to free up space.

One of the most important things you can do is lock your phone. If your phone is lost or stolen, a lock stops strangers from reading your messages, accessing TeleBirr, or seeing your photos.

How to set a screen lock:

1. Go to Settings → Lock Screen (or Security).

2. Choose a method: PIN (4–6 digits), Pattern (draw a shape), Password (letters and numbers), or Fingerprint/Face recognition.

3. A 6-digit PIN or fingerprint is the easiest and most secure choice for most people.

Do NOT use:

• The number 1234 or your birth year (these are the first guesses a thief tries)

• The same PIN as your TeleBirr or bank PIN

Also turn on automatic lock: go to Settings → Display → Screen Timeout. Set it to 30 seconds or 1 minute. This means the screen locks itself when you put the phone down.