How to use Android Lollipop guest user mode and multiple users?

This guide shows you how to use guest mode and manage (and use) multiple users on Android Lollipop.

Android Lollipop makes it possible to share your Android Lollipop phones with other users temporally with some restrictions(guest user mode) or for an extended period without restrictions (multiple users mode).

This is a new Android Lollipop feature for phones. For Android tablet, multiple users has been supported since Jelly Bean 4.3.

Most Android phones with Android Lollipop support guest user mode and multiple users, e.g., Nexus devices (Nexus 4, 5 and Nexus 6), Motorola Moto devices (Moto X, Moto X 2nd Gen, Moto G, Mot G 2nd Gen, Moto E, and Moto E 2nd Gen), LG G3, LG G Flex 2, Sony Xperia Z3 and many others.

But Samsung currently does not support this guest user and multiple users feature in the Android Lollipop 5.0 update. For example, the Android Lollipop update for Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, and Galaxy Note 4, removed this feature for unknown reasons.  But they will very likely add this feature in future updates.

What’s the difference between “user” and “account” when talking about Android Lollipop guest user mode and multiple users?

A lot of Android users may get confused on user and account.

In all Android devices, you can have multiple Google accounts (as well as other accounts, e.g., email accounts, Facebook account…..). Butthese accounts always belong to a user. Normally, you need setup at at least one Google account for the user to use some features.

Before Android Lollipop multiple users were introduced, there is only one user on your phone. So, there is no confusion: all accounts are “yours”.

Now, in your phones with Android Lollipop update, you can have more than one user. You can switch among these users.

Each user owns its own multiple accounts.  These accounts are NOT shared among users.

What’s the difference between the Android Lollipop guest user and normal user? Who is the device owner (administrator)?

Android Lollipop Guest user is normally used for sharing the device temporally. There is only one guest user. So, you can continue a guest user session or start a new from scratch when switching to guest user mode in Android Lollipop.

Please note, guest user has similar permissions as other users.  Guest user can add Google account to access his own contents and apps, in addition to pre-installed apps. Guest user can set screen lock, but new guest can always start a new session to clean all settings of previous guest users without unlocking the phone.

Normal users (multiple users) have own identification and own storage space. They can set their own screen lock to protect their contents. Normal users have almost identical privileges as device administrator except removing users.

The first user setup in the phone is always the device owner(administrator).  Only device owner (administrator) can remove other users.

How to use Android Lollipop guest user mode?

Android Lollipop guest user mode is always available.  There is no activation (or deactivation).

Step 1: Go to quick settings panel.

In quick settings panel (if you are not sure about Lollipop quick settings panel, please check this guide.), tap the avatar of current user in top right (as shown below).

Then tap more settings as shown below if you want to enable phone calling  features to guest user.

 

Step 2: Setup guest user features.

You should be directed to Settings—Users page. You can also access this page from Settings, instead of the quick settings panel if you want.

Tap the gear icon next to Guest as shown below.

Drag the switch for Allow phone calls to right to enable this feature for guest user.  By default, phone calls are not allowed for guest user.

Once this feature is enabled, the switch will change to blue as shown blow.

 

Step 3: Enter Android Lollipop guest user mode

In quick settings panel, tap Add guest as shown below. You can also enter guest user mode directly from Settings – Users – Guest.

If there is no saved sessions for guest users, you will see the Switching to Guest screen.  It may take from a few seconds to 1 min to enter  Android Lollipop guest user mode depending on your phone.

 

Step 4: Using Android Lollipop guest user mode

Once entering guest user mode, you will get a default home screen.

Guest user can use all pre-installed apps, i.e., apps installed before the owner setup the phone.

Although Android Lollipop guest user can use these pre-installed apps, the data and settings associated with these apps are NOT shared. Each user has own settings and data for the same app. For example, the contacts should be empty for guest user by default.

Android Lollipop guest user can install apps after adding his own Google account as shown below.

 

 

Step 5: Exit Android Lollipop guest user mode

When in guest user mode,  you can tap the user avatar in quick settings panel. Then tap another user to exit guest user mode as shown above.

Please note, after switching to other users, the setting and data for the guest user is saved in the phone.

How to remove guest user in Android Lollipop?

If you are using other people’s phone as a guest user, it is recommended to remove your account so that all your data and settings are cleared from the phone.

If you simply switch to other user without removing guest user, next time the guest user (maybe someone else) will have the option to continueyour session (and therefore access all of your data and settings saved under guest user mode) or start over (to clear the your data and settings).

To remove Android Lollipop guest user apps, data and settings, in the quick settings panel (in guest user mode), tap Remove guest as shown below.  This sill remove all apps, data and settings linked to current guest user. Essentially, this removes this guest user. So, the guest user can remove the guest account himself.

Once the Android Lollipop guest user is removed, the phone will switch back to lock screen.

 

How to add a user to your Android Lollipop devices?

If you want to share the phone with other users for extended time, it is better to create a new user for him so that the user can use it as if it is his own phone.

This is the multiple users feature in Android Lollipop phone. You can add several users as you want.

The user you added will have his own space for app data and personal files. When a single app is shared by you and other users, each of you can only access your own app data and app settings.

To add a user to your Android Lollipop device, please follow these steps.

Step 1: Go to Quick Settings panel

If you are not sure how to access quick settings panel, please read this guide. In short, swipe down from the status bar (top of the screen) withtwo fingers.

Step 2: Tap avatar for current user in top right.

Step 3: Tap Add user as shown below.

After tapping Add user, your phone screen should indicate it is switching to new user as shown below.

 

Step 4: Set up new user.

You need confirm to add a new user by tapping OK as shown below.

After a few seconds, you will be redirected to the new user setup page.

Tap the Arrow icon to proceed.

From now on, you can let the user control the process if you want.

 

When setting up a new user, you can optionally skip the Google account setup so that the user can add it later by himself.

So,in the Add your account screen as shown below, you can ask the user to add his Google account (not yours) if the user is beside you.

If not, you can simply tap skip as shown below. Of course, your Android system will remind you that before adding the Google account, the user cannot access his Google content (quite straightforward).

 

Next, the user need provide a name so that it can be shown in the user list. Otherwise, you don’t know who is who.

After setting up the user name, tap the Finish button as shown below to set up this user account.

You will see the default screen for this user as shown below. Currently, only pre-installed apps are available. The user can add apps after adding his Google account.

 

 

How to switch to other users in Android Lollipop multiple users mode ?

When you have more than one user in your phone, you can switch among users in either of the two locations:

1. In the quick settings panel, tap the avatar for current user in the top right, then tap the account which you want to switch to. Please see the image above.
2. In Settings –Users. Tap the user name to which you want to switch (as shown in the image below). Current user is always listed in the first.

 

How to remove users from your Android Lollipop phone?

Please note, only the phone owner can delete other users. Other users are not allowed to remove other users or himself on the phone. Guest user is an exception: it can remove himself.

So, to remove users from your Android Lollipop phone, you need switch to phone owner, which is always indicated in Settings—Users.

In Settings–Users page, tap the gear icon as shown above. This settings (gear icon) is only available for phone owner.

Tap Remove user as shown below.

Tap Delete to confirm the deletion as shown below.

Now, the user is removed from your Android Lollipop powered phone as shown below.

 

Why I cannot find the option for the restricted profiles in Android Lollipop phones?

Restricted profiles are only available in Android tablets, not phones.

So, in Android Lollipop phones, you cannot create a restricted profile. There is no such an option currently.

What are actually shared among users and what are not shared when using Android Lollipop guest user mode and multiple users?

1. App files are always shared.

Each app has only one copy on the phone. So, any user can upgrade the app and accept new permissions.  This is similar to the PC.

2. App data are NOT shared.

Each app has its own settings and user data. These are NOT shared.

For example, there is only one copy of GMail app. But each user can only see emails (and email settings) of his own accounts.  He cannot see email or settings for accounts that are under other users.

3. Accounts are NOT shared.

Each user can have a lot of accounts (multiple Google accounts, Facebook account, multiple email accounts..). These accounts are NOT shared. Each user can only access accounts added by him.

4. SD card is always shared.

If your phone has a SD card, and you saved some files in the SD card, or you choose SD card as the photo/video storage location for camera app, these files are shared. In other words, other users can see these files in the SD card.

Do you have any questions of problems on how to use Lollipop guest user mode and manage (and use) multiple users on Android Lollipop phones?

If you encounter any problems or encounter any issues on using Android Lollipop guest user mode, or managing/using multiple users in your Android Lollipop phones, please let us know in the comment box below.  The community will try to help you.

For more Android Lollipop guides, please visit on Android Lollipop Guide page.

How to use Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?

How to use Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?

A complete guide on mastering Android Lollipop's notification and interruption

I. What is the new Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption system?

One of the biggest changes in Android Lollipop is the notification system. To certain extent, the Android Lollipop’s notification is totally new. It is fundamentally different from the notification system in previous Android devices.

Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption system treats all notifications and alert as interruptions. You can control when and how you receive notifications and alerts so that  you will get interrupted only when you want to be.

The major new features in Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption system includes:

• Choose from 3 modes: all, none and priority.
• View and respond to messages directly from your lock screen.
• Hide sensitive content in notifications.
• Prioritize notifications from apps.
• Rank notifications based on who they’re from and the type of communication.
• Stop interruption of incoming calls.
• Setup and use downtime.
• Hide sensitive notifications from lock screen.
• and more…

II. What’s the meaning of the three modes in Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?

When pressing the volume button (volume up or down), you can quickly switch among the 3 modes in Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption system.

Mode 1: All mode

In All mode, as suggested by the name, you turn on all notification and alerts in your device.  In other words, you will get notifications and alerts  from the system and all apps except those that you turned off notifications explicitly.

There are a few settings will overwrite the All mode in Android Lollipop’s notification. One is individual app notification setting. If you set notification from certain apps as Block, you will not net get notifications or interruptions from these apps in All  mode.

Downtime settings will also overwrite this All mode.

In All Mode, you can lower the volume all the way down to vibrate mode. This essentially silence your Android Lollipop device as in old Android versions.

In Android Lollipop, there is no separate vibrate mode. You just lower the volume down to silence the device.  In this vibrate mode, you will still get notifications and alerts without notifications tones.

Mode 2: None mode

None mode is the other extreme. In this mode, all notifications tones will be turned off, including the Alarm and the ringer.

Please note, none mode stops audio interruptions only. In other words, text notifications and notification icons will still shown on the screen. For example, when a SMS message arrives, it will notify you on the screen.

If you want to turn off all notifications, you need use downtime feature.

When None mode is activated, you will see a special icon in the stats bar as shown below.

Mode 3: Priority mode

Priority mode allows certain notifications to interrupt you. You assign which app is in your priority list so that it may interrupt you in the Priority mode.

Similar to that  in All mode, you can also lower the volume to vibrate mode. But vibrate mode under Priority mode still obeys the priority rules. In other words, apps that are not in your priority list can NOT vibrate the phone.

If Priority mode is activated, the stats bar will show a star icon as shown below.

III. How to setup and change the 3 notification modes in Android Lollipop’s notification and interruptions?

There are at least two ways to setup or change the  3 notifications modes in Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption system.

Method 1: Tap volume button.

Once you tap the volume button (it doesn’t matter it is volume up or volume down), in addition to  normal volume level settings on the top as shown below, you get the options  to switch among the 3 notification modes: None, Priority and All.

This is the quickest way to switch the notification modes in Android Lollipop’s notification and interruptions.

If you tap any of the notification modes, you  will also be offered the option to set the duration for this change as (as shown below):

• Indefinitely. The notification will stick in this mode until you manually change it again.
• A few hours.  After this period, the notification will change back to current mode automatically.  For example, you have a meeting and you want to change the notification to None for next 2 hours. After 2 hours, the notification and interruption mode will revert back automatically.

As shown in the screenshot below, you can adjust the duration by tapping he + or – button accordingly.

Method 2: Go to Settings–Sound and Notification –Interruptions.

You can access  Settings either from quick settings panel or from the Settings app in the app drawer.

In the Interruptions page, as shown below, you can tap “When calls and notification arrive” to select the notification and interruption modes quickly.

• Always interrupt means All mode.
• Allow only priority interruptions means Priority mode.
• Don’t interrupt means None mode.

 

IV. How to set up downtime in Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?

Downtime is another useful feature in the new Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption system. It turn on Priority mode automatically in the specific time automatically, and repeatedly.

Some Lollipop users like to compare Downtime with Do Not Disturb in iPhones. They are similar. But Downtime is more powerful as  you can fine tune Priority interruptions.

The Downtime can save you a lot of time by avoiding to turn on/off Priority mode  again and again. For example,  you can specify your sleeping time or school time as Downtime so that only notifications from certain apps, or calls from certain contacts can distract you during this period. After this period, the notification mode will revert back to the one before downtime. It is not necessary for you to change it manually.

You can access Downtime settings to configure it from Settings—Sound and Notification —Interruptions.

As shown in the screenshots below, you can set the days and time to enable Downtime automatically based on your scedule.

 

V. How to configure the priority mode in Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?

It is very easy to  configure Priority mode in Lollipop. You only need configure:

• Do you allow events or reminders? These interruptions are from your calendar or Google Keep.
• Who can call you? Nobody or specific callers?
• Who can message you? Nobody or specific callers?
• Which apps can send notifications in Priority mode? You need set it in App notifications (see below)

When you enable calls and messages in Priority mode, you can allow calls or messages from certain people. You have 3 options (as shown below):

• Anyone.
• Contacts only. Only people matching contact info in your Contacts app can interrupt you.
• Starred contacts only. Only contacts which you starred in your Contacts app can interrupt you.

 

VI. How to set App notifications for Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?

Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption system also allows you to customize the notification of individual apps. In old versions, you only have the option to turn app notification on or off. The Lollipop’s notification system allows fine control on notifications from all apps, including pre-installed apps.

To configure app notifications, you can go to Settings—Sound  & notification—App notifications as shown below.

Select the app as shown below. For example, we use Motorola Assist as an example.

 

After tapping  Assist, you will get the app notification page for this app.

You can choose

1. Block. You essentially disable the notifications from this app. The app will not send any notifications forever. In other words, notifications through this app are automatically blocked.  This setting has identical effects of those of turning off notifications inSettings —Apps. Actually, once you choose Blocked in app notification page here, you will find the show notifications in App info page in Settings—Apps will be turned off automatically.
2. Priority. You will get notification from this app in both All mode and Priority mode. Notifications from this app can go through even you are in the Priority mode (and of course, during downtime.

These two options are mutually exclusive. Once you enable one (drag the switch to right to enable it), the other one will be disabled automatically.

If you set screen locks to PIN, pattern or anything except swipe or none, you have another option to declare notifications from this app as sensitive as shown below.

Sensitive notifications will be hidden from the lock screen.

 

Can you use Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption now?

If you have any questions on using Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption or encounter any problems with the notifications in your Android Lollipop, please let us know them in the comment box below.

The community will help you.

For more Android Lollipop guides, please visit on Android Lollipop Guide page.

How to Silence Moto G Notifications and Ringtones

How to Silence Moto G Notifications and Ringtones

You can enter Moto G silent mode, or vibrate mode to silence Moto G notifications and ringtones easily. In Android lollipop, you can have more controls in Priority mode.

Update:  this guide was written for Moto G, Moto E and Moto X, with  KitKat 4.4. If your Moto G, Moto E or Moto X has been updated to Android Lollipop 5.0, and you want to silence Moto G, Moto E or Moto X, please check this new guide for Android Lollipop (which uses a a totally new notification and interruption system).

Have a problem to silence your Moto G?

There are 2 different methods to silence Moto G notifications and ringtones.

Sometimes, for example, in the library, you may want to quickly silence Moto G notifications and ringtones.  If you want to know how to silence Moto G ringtones and notifications, this guide is for you.

Method 1: put your Moto G into vibrate mode

You can put Moto G  in vibrate mode by holding down the volume button on the right side of Moto G  until your Moto G vibrates.

This is the quickest way to silence Moto G. But you know the limitation:  Moto G actually enters vibrate mode. It will not ring, but it will vibrate.

If you do not want Moto G to vibrate, use method 2 to completely silence your Moto G.

Of course, you should hold down the volume down button while Moto G is not playing music or videos. If the music player or video player is running when you press and hold the volume button, it will simply silence your music or video. It will NOT silence Moto G notifications and ringtones.

So, normally, you should exit music player or video player before holding the volume down button. After your Moto G enters vibrate mode, you can play music or video as usual. Vibrate mode is for ringtones and notifications only; it will not silence your music or video.

Method 2: Silence Moto G ringtones and notifications completely.

If you do not want Moto G to vibrate as well, in other words, silence your Moto G completely, you can put Moto G in silent mode.

Press and hold the power button until you feel a vibration.  The following box will show up in the center of the screen:

Touch Silent mode to silence all sounds (including call and notification ringtones) except media and alarm (you must silence media and alarms in their own applications).

Of course, you can also put your Moto G in vibrate mode here by tapping the Vibrate button.

How to stop silencing Moto G?

You can stop silencing Moto G ringtones and notifications  by tapping the volume up button on your Moto G.

Again, you should do this when you are not playing music or videos. Otherwise, it will only change the volume of your music or videos.

Of course, you can also use the Ring button as shown in the image above.

Why I can not find the Silent mode or Vibrate mode?

If you updated your Moto G to Android Lollipop, you will NOT be able to find the Silent mode or Vibrate mode. In Android Lollipop, a new notification and interruption system was introduced with three modes: All, Priority and None modes. Please follow this guide to silence Moto G notifications and ringtones if your Moto G is running Lollipop.

Do you have any problems to silence Moto G notifications and ringtones? Please let us know in the comment box below.

More step-by-step guides , tips and tricks for your Moto G phone are available at  our most popular Moto G how-to guide page.

How to use quick settings in Android Lollipop?

Using quick settings in Android Lollipop can save you a lot of time!

In Android Lollipop 5.0, Google revamped the quick settings, one of the most popular features in Android. This guide will show you how to access and use quick settings on Android Lollipop devices.

Different Android vendors may modify the quick settings. So, the interface and feature of quick settings on different Android Lollipop devices may vary. But the fundamentals are usually very similar.

What is quick settings in Android Lollipop?

Android have so many features, so the settings menu usually is very long. If you need change something, you usually have to navigate through several pages.

Therefore Android puts a few most-commonly used settings in the quick settings page so that you can quickly change the settings without fiddling around pages of the settings.

Google made a significant change in quick settings in Android Lollipop.  Prior to Android Lollipop, quick settings simply are shortcuts to specific settings.

But in Android Lollipop, most items in quick settings menu are actionable. In other words, you can enable or disable the features just by tapping top part of it.  It is not necessary to open any settings pages. The lower part of each item may link to corresponding settings page.

This is new for Nexus devices and Motorola devices (e.g., Moto X, Moto G  and Moto E).

If you are a Samsung Galaxy phone user, you have enjoyed this feature for long time thanks for the customization by Samsung. Actually, Samsung put so many items in the quick settings panel that some new users may feel intimidating. For example, you can find Galaxy S5 quick settings panel here.

In short, quick settings in Android Lollipop makes it possible for you to change some frequently used features without navigating to settings app.

How to access quick settings in Android Lollipop?

You have two ways to access  quick settings in Android Lollipop.

Method 1: Swiping down from status bar (top of the screen) with 2 fingers.

From the status bar (the top of your device screen), you can swipe down with two fingers as shown below to get quick settings in Android Lollipop.

This method works on ALL android devices regardless of the brand or manufacture. It also works on Android KitKat, Jelly Bean and Ice Cream Sandwitch.

Method 2:  Swiping down twice from status bar (top of the screen) with 1 finger.

From status bar, if you swipe down with one finger, you will see all notification messages.

In Android Lollipop, you can swipe down again in notification page to access quick settings as shown below.

This method of accessing  quick settings in Android Lollipop is new. In prior versions, you have to tap a button in notification page to access quick settings panel.

 

How to use quick settings in Android Lollipop?

Depending on features which you turned on, the items in quick settings can be different.

As shown in the screenshot above, you can find these settings (corresponding to the numbers in the screenshot).

1. Settings icon.  Tapping this icon will open Settings app.
2. Users. Tapping the user avatar to use the user control panel, change users, guests, and profiles. You can also setup your own profile here.
3. Brightness control. Dragging the slider to adjust the brightness of the screen. This can be sued together with Adaptive brightness in Android Lollipop.
4. WiFi control. Tapping the icon (top part) will turn on/off WiFi instantly.  Tapping the network name (or WiFi if not connected) in the lower part will bring you to WiFi settings page.
5. Bluetooth control. Similar to WiFi control, the top part is for you to turn on/off Bluetooth. Tapping the name of connected Bluetooth device (or Bluetooth if no connected device) will bring you to the Bluetooth settings page.
6. Cellular network info. Tapping the icon to open the cellular control panel for quick access to data usage information.
7. Airplane mode control. Tapping the icon to turn on/off Airplane mode.
8. Flashlight control. Tapping the icon to turn on/off flashlight.
9. Location settings. Taping the icon to open location settings page.
10. Cast screen.  Tapping the icon to cast your phone screen to Chromecast (aka Android screen casting, Android screen mirroring). This icon only works on Nexus devices. In Moto X (including Moto X 2nd Gen), Moto G (including Moto G 2nd Gen) and Moto E, this icon does NOT work. You need use Chromecast app to cast your screen.

If you tuned on some other features, you may find a few additional other items.

 Can you access and use quick settings in Android Lollipop now?

If you have any questions on using or accessing quick settings in Android Lollipop, please let us know them in the comment box below.

For more Android Lollipop guides, please visit on Android Lollipop Guide page.