*** ~ Beginners' Questions, Please ~ ***

[droid151]

I'm new and I have almost never used my phone. Could anyone be so kind as to help me with some of these problems and questions?

Links to good guides would be great!

~ Apps ~

* Apps that you delete are still showing up when you press the application icon
** How to fix?

* What is the best way to dl apps without a google account?

* How can you transfer apps from your computer to your phone?
** Getting apps on the phone isn't very easy (small screen, hard to type, tabs of apps already on the laptop), so it's better to just transfer it from the computer to the phone.

* How do you know which apps needs wifi so that it works? (I have no data plan, almost never used the phone)
** The apps doesn't say "needs wifi/data connection" or "works offline"

* From the google play app, I'm trying to dl my first app -- mapfactor play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator
** but on the phone, when I search for it, I can't find it. It says "no results found"
*** When I go to Apps, there's another a few "top" ones. I can't all of them or a list.
*** Also, when I go to Apps > Categories > Travel & Local > there's only a few apps
**** I need the gps! I get lost SO MUCH!

~ Wifi ~

* How can you increase the wifi signal strength?
** It's very low
** Others had different problems like couldn't connect, or random disconnection after the upgrade
*** One said 4.0.4 wasn't playing nice with an older router
**** Maybe upgrading would make things better

~

Phone Model: SPH-D710 (samsung epic)
Android Version: 4.0.4 (trying to upgrade this)
Build Version: IMM76.FF18

Please link!

 

[itsallgood]

Welcome to the forums. I'll try and answer as many of your questions as I can.

1) Are you deleting them from within the settings> applications menu on your phone? If so, and the delete/remove from device button is highlighted, they should be removed from device. (Only stock carrier apps can't be removed.)

2) Not sure about this question. As far as I know, you need a Google acct. to download apps., unless you use a 3rd party app store like Amazon. (Which you will still need an Amazon acct.)

3) If your referring to the apk files for the apps., try using the drag and drop method. (Make sure your phone is hooked up to your computer to transfer files.) You can then check "Unkown Sources" to allow downloading to your device.

4) Most are a given: social media apps, GPS apps, email apps, news apps, etc. (You get the point) If your not sure, you can ask here and someone will let you know. You can find out by trying to use the app., it will tell you to connect to mobile or wifi.

5) It could be the version of android your running. Those apps might not be compatible with that version of android or maybe even your phone. That's why you can't find them in the apps store. (Or they could have been removed from the apps store all together) The only way to get them would be to upgrade the OS or your phone.

6) Might be the wifi antenna in the phone or need a better wifi router.

 

[argedion]

My Starting point would be here in the Epic Forums

Epic 4G

Epic Touch 4G

Be sure to check out the all things root section of the device you have. That is also filled with lots of information. You should see sub forums on the bottom of the page for each device.

 

[droid151]

1) Settings > Applications > Click on an app > press 'Uninstall"

Didn't work.

 

[argedion]

Does it say "Uninstall" or "Uninstall Update"?

 

[droid151]

That's likely why :/ Some of the apps likely couldn't be uninstalled...

For #5, that page for the map app says the android is compatible with the 4.0.4 so...

 

[Thom]

Welcome to Android Forums.

I moved this thread from Android Lounge to the forum dedicated to discussing this phone (SPH-D710). You will find other users of your phone here and a lot of very useful information.

Feel free to send me a Private Message if you have any questions.

... Thom

 

[argedion]

I'm new and I have almost never used my phone. Could anyone be so kind as to help me with some of these problems and questions?

Links to good guides would be great!

~ Apps ~

* Apps that you delete are still showing up when you press the application icon
** How to fix?

* What is the best way to dl apps without a google account?

* How can you transfer apps from your computer to your phone?
** Getting apps on the phone isn't very easy (small screen, hard to type, tabs of apps already on the laptop), so it's better to just transfer it from the computer to the phone.

* How do you know which apps needs wifi so that it works? (I have no data plan, almost never used the phone)
** The apps doesn't say "needs wifi/data connection" or "works offline"

* From the google play app, I'm trying to dl my first app -- mapfactor play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator
** but on the phone, when I search for it, I can't find it. It says "no results found"
*** When I go to Apps, there's another a few "top" ones. I can't all of them or a list.
*** Also, when I go to Apps > Categories > Travel & Local > there's only a few apps
**** I need the gps! I get lost SO MUCH!

~ Wifi ~

* How can you increase the wifi signal strength?
** It's very low
** Others had different problems like couldn't connect, or random disconnection after the upgrade
*** One said 4.0.4 wasn't playing nice with an older router
**** Maybe upgrading would make things better

~

Phone Model: SPH-D710 (samsung epic)
Android Version: 4.0.4 (trying to upgrade this)
Build Version: IMM76.FF18

Please link!

1. System apps cannot be removed with out rooting the device and even then should only be done with caution as some apps are so tied into the system that they can cause nasty things like bootloops.

2. There are several "markets" out there. In all honesty though I would stick with Google. They do a really good job getting rid of the crap and keeping things clean for you to download.

3. This is a process known as sideloading. You should be careful where you get apps from. This is the best way to get malicious coding. itsallgood has already given you the best method using a cable but if you prefer to use wifi and no cable you can use your web browser and a program called Airdroid to make this possible. Its easy to use and very convenient.

4. Getting apps on the phone via the computer is fine. I do it all the time

5. Most apps may need to be online while not all most like to display add's you would need an internet connection for this. Rather they will work or not will be hit and miss. You'll have to experiment.

6. You can only download apps that are compatible with your phone. You can't see it on the phone because its not compatible more than likely.

Ok as far as the rest of your issues goes first with the apps again google play will only display to your device those things that are compatible with it. Now with the wifi. It could be a cheap wifi band and thats why your getting a crappy signal.

If an upgrade is available you should upgrade. Go to settings/about/system update and see if one is available. (Note that system update is usually in about but YRMV)

Please Feel Free to ask any more questions you need answered we'll always do our best to help you resolve them.