A new Google Pixel smartphone can seem complicated, especially if it is your first experience with Android. At the same time, the basic set-up takes little time and lets you immediately switch on key security, accessibility and personalisation features.
Before you start, it is worth checking for system updates: in the “Settings” menu select “System”, then “Software update” and, if necessary, install any available updates to get the latest security patches.
Transferring data from your old phone
If the Google Pixel is not your first smartphone, you can transfer contacts, photos, videos and some settings from your old device. You will need your old phone, the new Pixel, a suitable USB charging cable and, if you have one, a SIM card.
When moving from an iPhone to Android, you simply need to sign in to your Google account on the Pixel, hold it next to your old phone or connect them with a cable. A screen will appear with a menu where you can choose which types of data to transfer. Moving from an older Android works in a similar way: after signing in to your Google account on the Pixel, you need to select what exactly to copy, and the system will do the rest automatically. It is recommended to have a stable Wi‑Fi connection, fully charged devices and a recent backup of the data on your old phone.
Setting up Emergency SOS
Pixel smartphones have built-in tools for emergency situations, including the Emergency SOS feature, which can automatically call the emergency services after several presses of the power button.
To switch on Emergency SOS, open “Settings”, select the “Safety & emergency” section (or a similar item), then “Emergency SOS” and tap “Start set-up”. During the process you can change the emergency number, enable assisted calls with location sharing, add contacts for alerts and choose what data to send them. You are also prompted to allow the Personal Safety app to access your location “While using the app” and, if you wish, to activate automatic recording of incidents with the option to send the video later. At the end, the user chooses how to trigger Emergency SOS actions (for example, a long press or a series of presses of the power button) and, if needed, an alarm sound.
Call Assist, call screening and scam detection
Pixel smartphones offer tools to tackle spam and scam calls. One of the key features is Call Screen, which allows you to filter incoming calls automatically or manually.
To set up automatic screening, open the “Phone” app, tap the “More” icon (three vertical dots), go to “Settings”, select “Spam and Call Screen” or “Call Screen” and switch on the options you need. During a call you can also use manual screening by tapping “Screen call”; Call Assist will then find out the purpose of the call, and you can decide whether to answer, hang up or use one of the preset replies. In the settings there is a “Respond with AI replies” option, which allows the assistant to respond on your behalf.
You can also switch on the Scam Detection feature separately. To do this, in the “Phone” app open “Settings” via the “More” menu, find the “Scam Detection” item and make sure it is enabled. Once activated, the system automatically analyses calls, and the caller hears a special tone indicating that the feature is in use.
Accessibility menu and ease of use
The “Accessibility” section on Pixel brings together a range of tools for users who need additional ways to control their device. One of the key elements is the Accessibility Menu — a panel that makes it easier to control buttons, navigation and interaction with the screen.
To enable the Accessibility Menu, open “Settings”, select “Accessibility”, find “Accessibility Menu”, switch on the shortcut and confirm the permissions. After that, you can open the menu with a gesture (for example, swiping up with two fingers, or three with TalkBack) or via a floating icon on the screen. In the settings for this menu there is a “Large buttons” option, which enlarges the controls.
Changing the font size is done separately: in “Settings” you need to find the “Font size” item and adjust it with the slider. Similarly, in the “Display size” section you can change the scale of the interface.
Widgets and home screen personalisation
In addition to security features, Pixel owners can tailor the home screen to their needs using widgets. These let you quickly view information from apps, create image galleries, and control settings or smart devices at home.
To add a widget, touch and hold an empty area of the home screen, select “Widgets”, then choose the app whose widgets you are interested in. After selecting, touch and hold the widget, drag it to the desired place and release. Many widgets can be resized: to do this, again touch and hold them until a frame with dots appears, then drag the edges. When you are finished, simply tap anywhere outside the widget.
This way, even users with no prior experience of Android can quickly get a Google Pixel ready for everyday use, combining security, convenience and personalisation in a single device.