Sony Xperia ZL Tips and Tricks

Android 4.1.1 (Jellybean)
Phone: Sony Xperia ZL
Factory OS: Android 4.1.1 (Jellybean)

Have you updated your Operating System?
Then view tips for the most recent OS version(s): Android 9 (Pie) & Android 8 (Oreo)
Or view tips for all Android versions

There are two options to increase the font size on your phone:

The first is to simply install a new font that is larger than the default font. Font Changer and Type Fresh are two Apps that allow you to change Fonts on your phone (they do require Root access though).

The second option is to use dedicate Apps to change the font size, although they will normally only work for SMS and some Google Apps.

To enlarge the SMS font, go to the Android Market and download an App called ChompSMS. Among other things, the App allows you to increase the font size of your SMS messages.

For enlarge SMS and the standard Google Apps fonts, then download an App called SMS/Talk Text Enlarger.

To show the Browser History, press the Star in the top right corner of the browser. Then press History.

This will only work in the standard Android browser.

To view your notifications, simply slide your finger down from the top of your device.

Then, from here, you can use two fingers to expand certain items. For example, this might show you the headers of your emails.

Moving your two fingers inwards contracts that item.

If you have Android 4.0, then one neat feature is the ability to clear single notifications.

Simply pull down your notifications bar by swiping your finger from the top of your phone downwards. Then when you see each individual notification, swipe your finger left or right to clear each one.

To quickly hide the on-screen keyboard, press the Back button

While in your Browser App, press and hold the Back button.

This will show your browser History and Bookmarks.

In Contacts press Menu – More – Display options – Display contacts by.

Then select either First name first or Surname first.

When you pull down your notifications bar, they will appear expanding or contracted, depending on how many you have.

If you want to toggle between states, you can pinch out to expand a notification and pinch in to contact it.

If you want to browse websites, but not leave sign of cookies, search history or cached items, then you can use Incognito mode. Open the Browser and press the + (Action Bar) icon in the top-right. Then press New Incognito Tab.

To store a phone number that you have received in an email, hold down on the number and you will be given the option to call, send an SMS or add the number to your contacts