Nokia Lumia 521 Tips and Tricks

Windows Phone 8
Phone: Nokia Lumia 521
Factory OS: Windows Phone 8

Have you updated your Operating System?
Then view tips for the most recent OS version(s): Windows Phone 8.1
Or view tips for all Windows Phone versions

To quickly access your Favourites, simply start typing the name or URL of them in the URL bar. They will then appear there. This can be faster than going into Favourites manually.

To change the screen lock timeout, go to Settings – Lock & wallpaper. Then choose the duration before the screen locks.

This is handy so you don’t accidentally bump the keys when the phone is in your pocket. It will also improve your battery life.

To add cc and bcc fields to an email, press the 3 dots at the bottom of the screen when composing an email.

You can then select Show cc & bcc.

To create a conference call on your phone, you need to first call someone.

Then when they are on the line, press the Down arrow on the screen and press Add to call and select another Contact.

Then when you’ve found the second person, press Merge calls

The phone has a Facebook application, but you can also integrate Facebook with the phone operating system. First you need to setup your account. Go to Settings – Email & accounts and set it up there

To skip to the next track in a playlist, press the Track list below the album cover. This will let you move through the playlist

If you’re abroad and want to translate text or street signs with your camera, then Window Phone provides this great feature.

Be warned that it does require a data connection, so if you’re roaming then make sure you check how much the costs will be.

First, press the search button at the bottom of your phone (three dots) Then press button that looks like an eye to open the Camera. Next, press Scan Text to take a picture of the text and then press Translate.

If it doesn’t work the first time, then try taking the photo straight on, or from a slightly different angle. Once the phone has recognised the text, select a language to translate to and Windows Phone will translate it for you.

To make a sound when you receive emails, go to Settings – Ringtones & sounds. Then choose a sound for email

There are a number of ways to get your IMEI number.

First, the easiest option is to look at the label of the box that your phone came in.

Secondly, if your phone has a removable battery then open the cover and remove the battery. Your IMEI should be on a serial number plate and your IMEI number should be shown there.

Lastly, from the Dialler, enter *#06# and it should be displayed on the screen. This won’t work on all phones and all networks however.

If you are browsing a website and read something that you want to find out more about, simply highly the text. Then press the Search / Hardware button. The phone will then search for that highlighted word on Bing. This is much quicker than having to open a new browser Tab and searching manually.