Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Tips and Tricks

Android 4.3 (Jellybean)
Phone: Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Factory OS: Android 4.3 (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 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

If your browser does not play Flash items while browsing websites then you may need to enable Flash in the settings.

To do this, open the standard browser. Go to Settings – Advanced – Enable plug-ins. Then select Always On.

If you want to remove the Google Search bar, then go to Settings – Application manager – All – Google search – Disable.

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.

Another great option is to download an App called Profile Valet. This will help you switch profiles automatically based on the time of day or location. Perfect for when you have a regular work routine and don’t want to have to worry about switching profiles several times a day.

If you are browsing YouTube videos on your phone and they appear blurry, then this is usually because of your connection speed.

If you are using 3G / 4G and you’re in an area of low signal strength, then YouTube will sometimes automatically reduce the quality of the video. Unfortunately this can make the video very pixelated and of poor quality.

If you are using the standard Android browser, then when the video is in full screen, press the back button. Then press HQ and start playing it again.

If you are using another browser, then press the Settings icon on the bottom right of the YouTube video. Then change the quality.

This may improve the quality, but it may also lead to buffering issues.

Another solution is to use a WiFi connection, if one is available.

If you are running low on phone memory, you can look for your largest applications to uninstall.

Go to Settings – Application manager. Then swipe from right to left and select Running.

From here you can see which applications are taking up the most memory and close them.

With the latest version of Android you can now take photos while recording video by simply pressing the screen.

This will save that particular frame to the gallery while continuing to record video.

If you don’t want to have to unlock your screen every time you take your device out of standby then go to Settings – Lock screen – Screen lock and change the settings there.

If you want to go to settings, then normally you would go to your home screen, then press the Menu key and select Settings.

There is however a quicker way of getting to your Settings. Simply drag your notification bar down from the top of the screen and press the Gear icon. It should be the second right icon in the top right corner.

To enable or disable the vibrate function when you receive text messages go to the standard Messaging App. Then go to Settings – Notification settings – Vibrate