The Complete Xperia S From Sony Guide

Not sure how to do something on your Xperia S from Sony? Not to worry as we’ve come up with a comprehensive guide to all the basics you can do on your shiny new smartphone.

Navigate using the links below or hit the PDF button to download the full guide. If you can’t find what you’re looking for then ask a question in the comments and we’ll try our best to get you an answer.

• Software
• Connectivity
• Camera
• Messaging
• Media
• Apps
• Internet

Software

What’s the latest software available for my phone?

The Xperia S from Sony comes runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, however, an update to Ice Cream Sandwich is in the pipeline. It’s always worth checking if a new software update is available as it will improve the way your phone runs. Read on to find out how to check if a software update is available for your handset.

How do I upgrade my software?

The latest version of Android tends to be rolled out every six months, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on the P4u News and Community to find out if an update has been released or not. If you don’t keep up-to-date with the latest Android happenings, the quickest way to check if a software update is available for your phone is by going to the official Sony website and heading over to the support area. Then, just choose Xperia S from the phone menu and click Xperia S Software Updates. This will tell you if new software is available for your phone and if so, how to update it. You can also check for updates directly on your phone:

• Choose Settings from the Applications Menu.
• Select About Phone.
• Select Software Update.
• This will open the update centre that will list any available updates available to download.

Where can I get more help?

If you have any more questions about your phone’s software, head over to the P4u Forum and get in touch with the team, who will be more than happy to help you out.

Back To Top

Connectivity

How do I change my phone’s Bluetooth name?

• First off, make sure your phone’s Bluetooth function is turned on by checking the Bluetooth tick box.
• Go to Settings from the Applications menu.
• Choose Wireless and Networks.
• Press Bluetooth Settings.
• Tap Device Name.
• Enter the name you’d like to give your phone then press OK when you’re done.

How do I pair my phone with another Bluetooth phone/headset?

• Make sure your phone and the device you want to pair with both have their Bluetooth receivers switched on and the Visible setting is on.
• Go to Settings from the main menu.
• Click Wireless and Networks.
• Tap Bluetooth Settings.
• Press Scan for Devices.
• Select the name of the device you want to pair your phone with.
• Enter a password if asked and voila! You’ll be connected!

How do I stop people sending me stuff over Bluetooth?

• Go to Settings from the main menu.
• Tap Wireless and Networks.
• Press Bluetooth Settings.
• Un-tick the Discoverable box.

How do I remove a device from my Bluetooth pairing list?

• Go to Settings from the main menu.
• Select Wireless and Networks.
• Tap Bluetooth Settings.
• In the Bluetooth devices list, press and hold over the name of the device you want to remove.
• Select Disconnect and Unpair.

How do I connect my phone to my computer?

• Grab your phone’s USB cable, and stick one end into your handset and the other into computer, you will be asked to install PC Companion, click Yes.
• Swipe down the Notifications bar from the top of the screen and you’ll see a message saying Internal Storage Connected.  You’re now connected to your computer.
• To disconnect your handset from your computer safely, follow the instructions on your PC to safely remove hardware so you don’t lose any information stored on your microSD card or phone’s memory.
• Remove the USB cable.

How do I connect my phone to my TV?

If your TV has a HDMI port, you can use it to connect your phone to a big screen to show off your pics and videos. Simply grab your phone’s HDMI cable (there should be one in the box) and stick it into the HDMI port at the top of your handset, then connect the other end to your TV. Your phone will automatically open up the gallery but you may need to switch to the HDMI channel on your TV. Then just follow the instructions to set your phone up with your TV’s remote control. When you’re finished, just disconnect the HDMI cable from your phone.

Back To Top

Camera

How do I take a picture?

• Open up the main menu and press Camera. You can also use the quick launch function from the lock screen by pressing the dedicated camera key on the right side of the handset.
• You’ll now be able to see through your phone’s camera lens.
• Either tap the screen or the dedicated camera key on the side of your handset to take a snap.
• The picture will be automatically saved to your memory card.

How do I capture a video?

• Open up the Camera as shown above.
• You’ll now be able to see through your phone’s camera lens.
• To change from photo to video mode, tap the switch in the bottom left of the screen to activate the video camera (this is the icon with a film strip and camera in it).
• When you’re ready to start recording, hold the camera key down until you hear a beep. Stop recording by pressing this button again.
• The video will be saved on your memory card.

How do I record HD video?

• Make sure you’re in video camera mode by following the above instructions.
• Bring up the options menu by pressing the Menu key to the right of the Home key (4 vertical lines on the bottom of the display).
• Select the Video Size icon.
• A video size box will pop up. Select the Full HD option.
• All your recordings will now be in Full HD.

How do I turn the touch capture function on and off?

• Make sure you’re in camera mode by following the above instructions.
• Bring up the options menu by pressing the touchscreen button to the right of the Home key (4 vertical lines on the bottom of the display).
• Select Capturing Method.
• Select Touch Capture.
• If you turn it on, you’ll be able to take a snap by touching the screen.
• To turn it off select one of the other options.

Where can I see the pictures/videos I have taken?

• Press Gallery in the Applications menu.
• Select Camera to view the videos and pictures you’ve taken on your handset.
• Your photos and videos are displayed in chronological order. Videos are indicated by a small arrow button. Simply tap on the one you want to view.
• You can also access your pictures and videos from inside the camera by selecting the icon in the bottom left of the screen which shows mini icons of the recent pictures taken fanned over each other.

How do I delete a photo/video?

• Find the photo/video that you want to delete from the gallery.
• Select the Menu key.
• Choose Delete.
• Tap Delete to confirm.

How many photos can I take?

The number of pictures that you can all depends on how much memory you have left. Your phone has 32GB memory to make loads of rooms for photos and stuff. As a rough guide, 4GB of memory can hold about 1,600 photos depending on the resolution, so 32GB will hold a lot more!

What’s the longest video clip I can record?

Unlimited. It all depends on how much memory you have left.

Back To Top

Messaging

How do I set up my email account?

• From the Applications menu, select Email.
• Enter your email address and password, then tap Next.
• Your phone should download your account details automatically. If not, follow the on-screen instructions to get set up.

How do I send an email?

• Open up Email and choose which account you want to send your email from (if you have more than one set up, that is!).
• Press the Menu key and tap Compose.
• Enter the recipient’s email address and the subject.
• Tap Compose Message to write your email.
• Press Send when you’re done.

How do I send an attachment in an email?

• Follow the above instructions to open a new email message.
• After filling in all the necessary details and writing your message, tap the Menu key.
• Select Add Attachment.
• Choose the type of file you want to attach.
• Tap Send when you’re done.

How do I send a picture message?

• Select Messaging from the main menu.
• Press New Message icon (the pencil with the plus sign above it).
• Press the Plus sign in the thop right corner to enter your recipient’s number or select a contact.  You can add multiple contacts here.
• Select Done.
• Write your message in the Write Message box, then press the Attachment icon to the right of your message box (this looks like a square with two mountains in it and a + icon).
• Select Attach and choose the type file you want to send.
• Select the file from your folder.
• Press Send.

How do I save a file I receive in a message?

• Go to Messaging from the main menu.
• Select the conversation where the file you want to save is attached.
• Press Download to download the message.
• Press and hold on the file you want to save and choose your desired option.

How do I delete a text message?

• Open up your messaging inbox and tap the Menu key.
• Tap Delete Several and select the messages you wish to delete.
• One you have ticked the boxes of the messages you want to delete, select Delete.

Back To Top

Media

How do I put music onto my phone?

• Follow the instructions in the Connectivity section to connect your phone to your computer.
• After a few moments, your computer should register your phone’s memory card as an external drive.
• Simply drag and drop the music files from your computer onto the memory card.
• Safely disconnect your phone from your computer when you’re finished or the files may not save to your memory card.

How do I create a music playlist?

• Go to Music Player from the Applications menu.
• Find the first song you’d like to add to your playlist.
• Press and hold on the track and tap Add to Playlist.
• Select Create new playlist.
• Enter a name and tap Save.
• To add another song to your playlist, simply press and hold on the track of your choice and select Add to Playlist when asked.

How do I delete a playlist?

• Choose the Playlists tab in the My Music menu.
• Touch and hold the playlist you want to delete.
• Press Delete.
• Confirm by pressing Delete.

How do I keep music playing in the background?

Simply press the back arrow key or Home icon to return to the homescreen. To go back to the music player, drag the status bar down in the notifications panel and press on the name of the song that’s currently playing.

How do I use a music track as a ringtone?

• Tap and hold on the name of the track you want to use as a ringtone.
• Select Set As Ringtone.

How do I use TrackID?

TrackID is a music recognition system that tells you the name of any song just by taking a snippet of it. All you need to do to use it is:

• Open up TrackID from the Applications menu.
• Put your phone near to the source of the music you want to identify.
• Press the CD icon to Record.

What’s this Mobile Bravia Engine thing?

The Mobile Bravia Engine comes into play as soon as you view any pictures or videos to make them look super crisp and colourful. To turn it on and off go to:

• Settings.
• Display.
• Then you can tick or untick the Mobile BRAVIA Engine box.

What type of media files does my phone support?

The Xperia S supports:

• MP3, eAAC+, WMA and WAV audio files
• MP4, H.263, H.264 and WMV video files

Back To Top

Apps

Does my phone have an app store?

Yes. It comes with access to the Android Market.

How do I access the Android Market?

Just tap on the Market logo in the main menu.

How do I download an app from the Android Market?

• Go to the Android Market by selecting the Market icon from the main menu.
• Sign-in to your Google account (or follow the steps to create one if you’re new to this) and you’ll then be able to browse all manner of apps.
• When you’ve found one that tickles your fancy, click on the name of the app to find out more details (like how much it costs and what it does).
• If an app is free, just press the Free button, then hit OK to start the download.
• If you have to pay for an app, press on the Price icon and follow the on-screen instructions to make a payment.
• Once downloaded, the app will appear in the Applications menu.

How do I arrange my apps?

• Go to the main menu and press the square Menu icon on the right hand side of the bottom toolbar.
• Simply press and hold on the app you want to move and drag it into place.
• Alternatively, you can tap the downwards arrow key on the left of the bottom toolbar and choose to arrange all your apps in a variety of ways. Just tap the arrangement option you want and your phone will do the rest!

How do I close an app?

• Go to Settings from the main menu.
• Press Applications.
• Select Manage Applications.
• From the top toolbar, choose Running.
• Simply tap the app you want to close and press Stop.

How do I delete an app?

• Go to Settings from the main menu.
• Select Applications.
• Press Manage Applications.
• Find the app you want to delete in the All category (Sony doesn’t let you delete every app on your phone FYI).
• Tap on the name of the app you want to delete and then press Uninstall.
• Press OK to confirm.

Back To Top

Internet

How do I connect to a Wi-Fi network?

• Go to Settings from the Applications menu.
• Click Wireless and Networks.
• Tick the Wi-Fi box to turn on your phone’s Wi-Fi receiver.
• Press Wi-Fi Settings.
• Available Wi-Fi networks will be displayed in the Available Wi-Fi Networks section.
• Tap the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to. Enter the secure password if required. A green signal bar icon will be displayed once you’re connected to the network.

How do I sign into my social networks?

Your phone comes with pre-loaded Facebook and Twitter clients, so the easiest way to check status updates and all that kind of stuff is to just tap on the Facebook/Twitter icon, enter your account details and you’re away.

How do I use Timescape?

• Go to Timescape from the main menu.
• Log-in to your Twitter and Facebook accounts by scrolling along to the dedicated icons and pressing Add Account.
• Then as you start to use your phone more, you will be able to view your texts, contact list and call log all in one place.

How do I use my phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot?

• Go to Settings from the main menu.
• Select Wireless and Networks.
• Press Tethering.
• Tick the Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot box. Up to 8 other devices will now be able to share your handset’s internet connection. Remember that this can use up data on your call plan so make sure you turn this feature off by un-ticking the box when you’re not using it.

How do I open multiple windows on the web browser?

• Once in the browser (you can open it by pressing Browser in the main menu), tap the Menu key.
• Select New Window.

To switch between different browser windows:

• Press the Menu key when in the browser.
• Select Windows.
• Tap the window you want to switch to.

To open a link in a new browser window:

• Press and hold on the link until a menu appears.
• Select Open a New Window.

How do I bookmark a web page?

• Go to the web page you want to bookmark.
• Press the Menu key.
• Select Bookmarks and tap Add.
• Press OK.
• To open a bookmark, press the Menu key, then Bookmarks and choose the bookmark you want to open.

Back To Top