Help Newbie questions...

[RASelkirk]

Hi All,

I recently got added onto my son's T-Mobile family plan with a Galaxy Note 4 unlimited package. This is only my 3rd phone, the others were flips with bare bones call-only deals. So, besides being new to these Androids, I'm also old and ya'll know how that goes...

The first couple weeks, I was able to get attachments in my messages, but lately all I get is a rectangular button (says "download") that always fails to download. What's up with that?

My OS says Android 5.1.1. So what is Lollipop and Marshmallow and is there a compelling need to install either of them?

Is there a reference somewhere to the meaning of the case LED in the upper LH corner? I have the Note 4 PDF and there's no mention of it. This light either blinks or is solid, and changes color at times. Would be nice to know what that means...

When I get apps, I always get them from Google Playstore. When I install, the app usually asks a bunch of rather intrusive permissions. Can those be unchecked and the app still installed? Is there a way to go back into my installed apps and reset these permissions?

W ell, thanks for listening, I'll prolly have a few more later...

Russ

 

[Pugs1957]

Welcome on board. Hope this helps
1. I see you had wifi on when you got the picture message. Try with WiFi off as Mms can't be received over WiFi.
2. Lollipop and Marshmallow are Android versions 5 and 6 respectively. You can find your current version under Settings/about device
3. Here's a link about LEDS
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/skp/faq/1063509
4. It is not possible to vary app permissions. I believe that some are too intrusive and unnecessary. Then along came Marshmallow which apparently allows these to be varied. I'm on Lollipop so have no experience of this new option

 

[Crashdamage]

The first couple weeks, I was able to get attachments in my messages, but lately all I get is a rectangular button (says "download") that always fails to download. What's up with that?

Not sure. Does your phone get on the internet ok, like for websites or checking email? Have you contacted your T-Mobile about this problem?

My OS says Android 5.1.1. So what is Lollipop and Marshmallow and is there a compelling need to install either of them?

Lollipop and Marshmallow are just names for different generations of the Android operating system. Like Windows XP, Windows Vista, etc. Android versions are named in alphabetical order and always named after sweets or deserts. 5.1.1 is the latest and last version of Lollipop. Marshmallow is the newest version, Android 6.0 and is just beginning to roll out.

Is there a reference somewhere to the meaning of the case LED in the upper LH corner? I have the Note 4 PDF and there's no mention of it. This light either blinks or is solid, and changes color at times. Would be nice to know what that means...

Must be a kinda notification, but I don't have a Note 4 (PDF is a file type, not the name of your phone) so I can't say. The user manual should tell you.

When I get apps, I always get them from Google Playstore. When I install, the app usually asks a bunch of rather intrusive permissions. Can those be unchecked and the app still installed? Is there a way to go back into my installed apps and reset these permissions?

It's good that you get your apps from the Play store, keep doing that.
Usually - but not always - apps have legitimate reasons for the permissions requested, they need the permissions to do what they're suppsed to do. But pay attention to permmissions and if something makes no sense avoid it or ask here or somewhere if the requested permisions are necessary. Marshmallow is adding the ability to allow or reject individual permissions rather than it being an all or nothing decision. I don't know when or if your Note 4 will get an upgrde to Marshmallow 6.0.

 

[RASelkirk]

Welcome on board. Hope this helps
1. I see you had wifi on when you got the picture message. Try with WiFi off as Mms can't be received over WiFi.
2. Lollipop and Marshmallow are Android versions 5 and 6 respectively. You can find your current version under Settings/about device
3. Here's a link about LEDS
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/skp/faq/1063509
4. It is not possible to vary app permissions. I believe that some are too intrusive and unnecessary. Then along came Marshmallow which apparently allows these to be varied. I'm on Lollipop so have no experience of this new option

Thanks, Pugs!

#1, I'm now thinking "Smart Switch" isn't so smart? It's supposed to switch between Wifi and LG nets (which it does), but maybe doesn't differentiate between MMS and regular downloads? I can't test it right now, as both those messages have "expired".

#2, Shows me to have 5.1.1, so that's "Lollipop"

#3, Opened that page on my 'puter and printed to PrimoPDF. Now I have a readable file I'll transfer to my phone.

#4, Looking forward to that. I'm leery of having any financial stuff on my phone until I can gain some control over these permissions.

Thanks for all of it!

Russ

 

[RASelkirk]

Not sure. Does your phone get on the internet ok, like for websites or checking email? Have you contacted your T-Mobile about this problem?


Lollipop and Marshmallow are just names for different generations of the Android operating system. Like Windows XP, Windows Vista, etc. Android versions are named in alphabetical order and always named after sweets or deserts. 5.1.1 is the latest and last version of Lollipop. Marshmallow is the newest version, Android 6.0 and is just beginning to roll out.


Must be a kinda notification, but I don't have a Note 4 (PDF is a file type, not the name of your phone) so I can't say. The user manual should tell you.


It's good that you get your apps from the Play store, keep doing that.
Usually - but not always - apps have legitimate reasons for the permissions requested, they need the permissions to do what they're suppsed to do. But pay attention to permmissions and if something makes no sense avoid it or ask here or somewhere if the requested permisions are necessary. Marshmallow is adding the ability to allow or reject individual permissions rather than it being an all or nothing decision. I don't know when or if your Note 4 will get an upgrde to Marshmallow 6.0.

You replied while I was typing my response to Pugs, so I didn't see it right away. Haven't contacted T-Mobile (it's really not my account, I just have one phone on my son's plan), the attachments seemed to DL OK for the 1st couple weeks, then this. I prolly enabled the "Smart Switch" and caused it...

The PDF in question is the 180 page Note 4 manual. I saw no reference to the lights as far as what the colors/flashing indicated. The link Pugs posted was perfect.

Russ

 

[RASelkirk]

It was Smart Switch. Turned it off and the attachments DL just fine.

Thanks!

Russ

 

[RASelkirk]

Nevermind, doing it again! No matter what I try, I never get any attachments - only a download button that always fails no matter what. I looked to make sure my memory wasn't full, still have 12g free space. Could someone list the default settings for receiving attachments? My phone is a Note 4 on T-Mobile's USA net...

Russ