Most Effective Tips for Using Windows Phone 8.1

Buzz

Windows Phone has officially debuted on several devices and will be updated on most devices running Windows Phone 8. If you're someone who enjoys exploring new things on the new 8.1 platform, then read on.

So, Windows Phone 8.1 has been out for about a week now. Alongside the major changes in interface and usage, today I'm sharing some tips and tricks to help you use your Windows Phone more effectively.

1. Quick Toggle for Cortana

Cortana, the new virtual assistant, can do a lot, from voice commands to search and reminders. But what if you don't want to use Cortana or need to save battery? Don't worry, there's a solution.

2. Swipe Gestures in IE 11

This little trick in Internet Explorer 11 on Windows Phone 8.1 allows us to swipe left to go back (like the back button) and swipe right to go forward (like the forward button).

3. Adjust Vibration Mode Quickly

In Windows Phone 8, we had a dedicated button to switch to silent mode, which was convenient for work or meetings. But in Windows Phone 8.1, this button has disappeared. Do we have to slide the volume bar manually? No, there's still a quick way to switch to vibration or silent mode, but it's not displayed as a button. Instead, you can press the volume button and then tap on the bell icon in the volume dialog that appears on the screen. Just do that, and the phone will switch to silent mode. If you want to turn off vibration altogether, tap on the 'Vibrate On' text.

4. Install a File Manager

In Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft didn't integrate a file manager as expected. However, they've included some functions for third-party developers to exploit. Aerize Explorer is one of the first apps to utilize this feature.

This software isn't a full-fledged file browser like File Explorer on a computer. Instead, you can only browse in certain limited areas, including images, music, video, documents, downloaded files, and ringtones. When you add each of these 'partitions' to Aerize Explorer, you'll see all the files in them. Additionally, you can rename files, copy, cut, or even delete files or folders. You can also view the specific path of each item and share files (send email, upload to Facebook, etc.) directly from the app.

Aerize Explorer is completely free, and you can download it here.

5. How to Set Message Ringtones?

This is a question that many people wonder about because on the GDR3 update for WP8.0, you could still set separate ringtones for messages and emails easily, but on WP8.1, this option seems to be missing. Actually, Microsoft has put it into another section for you to customize more. When you open Ringtones + Sound, scroll down and you'll see the “Manage App Sounds” button, where you can do more than just messages and emails.

You can also:

Change the quick settings buttons on the Action Center
Toggle notifications for apps and settings
Set how notifications appear such as banners, separate ringtones, vibration, or no vibration for messages, each mail folder, and other apps that support the Action Center.

6. Enable Weather Tracking Feature in Calendar App

This feature is quite simple: when you view the calendar in week mode, the app will display a small icon along with the weather forecast for each day (location information will be automatically retrieved). These icons will inform you if it's cloudy, rainy, windy, or stormy. Of course, you can also track the temperature. To enable this feature, go to Calendar > menu > Settings > scroll down to the bottom > Preferences > select the option “Use my location to show the weather and suggested places”.

7. Access Action Center from Lock Screen

Even if you have a PIN password (or no password) set, you can still swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Action Center notification area. Here, you can quickly glance at Facebook messages, see if you missed any calls from your spouse, without unlocking the device, saving time when you just want to view information without interacting with your phone. If you're using a PIN code, you can only view information in the Action Center from the lock screen, but you can't open those notifications. To open them, you need the code, ensuring security.

8. Toggle Automatic App Updates

Many users complain that since upgrading to Windows Phone 8.1, apps keep updating automatically, consuming 3G data and battery power. Here's how to turn off auto-update if you don't like it: go to Store > Settings > App updates, toggle the option “Update apps automatically” to Off. If you still want apps to update automatically but only when connected to Wi-Fi, make sure the option “Only get updates over Wi-Fi” is turned On.

9. Automatically Download Images in Email

Many email clients automatically block the feature to download images due to concerns about viruses and malicious software, and the default email client on Windows Phone 8 is no exception. The interesting thing is that on Windows Phone 8.1, we can disable this feature, convenient for those who frequently check emails with many attached images. To do this, go to Email > menu > Settings > scroll down > select the option “Always download full message and internet images”. That's it, from now on, when you open an email, the images will appear for you to view immediately.

10. Turn off Notifications for an SMS Conversation

If blocking mode completely blocks communication (both calls and texts) from someone, turning off notifications (muting) simply means your device won't alert you to new SMS messages from them. In other words, with blocking, the messages will never exist on your phone, whereas with muting, the messages will still arrive, but they won't appear on the Live Tile or in the Action Center. You'll have to open the messaging app to view them.

To turn off SMS notifications, open the messaging app on your Windows Phone 8.1, select the conversation thread with the person you want to mute, press the menu button at the bottom of the screen, select the Mute Thread option. When you need to turn notifications back on, do the same thing, but then you'll need to tap the Unmute Thread button.

11. Set Up Speed Dial List

Finally, the speed dial feature has appeared on Windows Phone, thank you Microsoft. Using this feature is not complicated, but many people overlook it and don't notice it. Open the system's phone app, by default, the app will open the 'History' page, which shows your call history. Swipe to the right, and the Speed Dial interface will appear, allowing you to quickly call frequently contacted numbers. To add someone to this list, simply press the + button at the bottom of the screen.

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With just a few small tips like these, you can easily master Windows Phone 8.1 quickly. Getting used to and familiarizing yourself with a new operating system isn't too difficult, right? As long as we're willing to explore and study, we'll discover countless new and useful things.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tips for using Windows Phone 8.1 effectively?

To use Windows Phone 8.1 effectively, explore features like quick toggle for Cortana, swipe gestures in Internet Explorer 11, and the ability to quickly adjust vibration modes. These enhancements improve usability and navigation on the platform.

How can I access the Action Center on my lock screen?

You can access the Action Center from your lock screen by swiping down from the top of the screen. This allows you to view notifications without unlocking your device, though you may need a PIN to open them.

Is there a way to disable automatic app updates on Windows Phone 8.1?

Yes, you can disable automatic app updates by going to Store > Settings > App updates and toggling the option to off. Alternatively, you can choose to update only when connected to Wi-Fi.

How can I quickly mute SMS notifications on Windows Phone 8.1?

To mute SMS notifications, open the messaging app, select the conversation you wish to mute, press the menu button, and select the 'Mute Thread' option. This will stop notifications for new messages from that contact.

Can I customize message ringtones on Windows Phone 8.1?

Yes, you can customize message ringtones by navigating to Ringtones + Sounds in settings, scrolling down to 'Manage App Sounds', and selecting options for notifications, allowing personalized alerts for messages.

How do I enable weather tracking in the Calendar app?

To enable weather tracking in the Calendar app, go to Calendar > Menu > Settings, scroll to Preferences, and select 'Use my location to show the weather'. This will display weather icons for each day in week view.

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