Sony Xperia Z Tips and Tricks

Android 4.1.1 (Jellybean)
Phone: Sony Xperia Z
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

To take a screen shot, hold down the Volume Down and Power Buttons together and wait for the shutter sound. This will save the current screen to your phone’s memory card.

An alternative method is to go Menu – Settings – Motion. Then under Hand Motion, tick the Palm swipe to Capture box. Then you can simply swipe your palm across you phone’s screen to take a screenshot.

To locate the saved screenshot, go to Files on your Apps list. Then look for a folder called /Picutres/Screenshots or ScreenCapture. Your screenshot should be in there.

In your browser go to Menu – More – Settings. Then select Clear Cache / Clear all cookie data / Clear history / Clear form data

To add an email or phone number to your contacts from a text message, you can long-press on the email / phone number. Then select Add to contacts

Most Android devices come with an alternative way of entering text called Swype. Many prefer this method and believe it is quicker.
When any text entry box appears, press and hold the box. Then select Input method: SWYPE. Once enabled, you simply drag your finger around the keyboard moving over the letters in the correct order to spell a word.

Type a word that is not in the dictionary. The word will show up in the suggestion box to the left. Long press on the word and it will save to the dictionary.

If you want to receive calls during the night, but don’t want to be woken up by notifications like text messages, then you can turn notifications to silent.

Go to Settings – Sounds. Then change notifications to silent.

Google Books is a great App allowing you to read many titles on your phone, however you do require an internet connection. Fortunately there is a way to read these books offline.

Open the Google Books app and find the Book that you would like to read offline. Then simply press and hold on the book’s cover. Then choose ‘Make available offline’. You can then choose other books to make available offline by press the thumbtacks beneath each book. Then press Done in the bottom-right corner.

While in the Camera App you can view all current settings by pressing and holding the little Gear icon in the top right corner of the app.

If you tend to run out of battery power quickly, then you can turn on power saving mode. Go to Menu – Settings – Power. Then check Enable power saver. You can then adjust when the power saving mode turns on.

Jelly Bean has an interesting new feature called Talkback which is designed for blind and low vision users.

The feature is an interesting way to navigate your phone however.

Simply go to Settings – Accessibility – Talkback to activate it. Then your phone will give you an ongoing narration of its various functions.