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A Guide to The Phone
By SLEKE.

Hey there! Congratulations on taking the step to use a phone designed to empower you to live in real life! 

 

This is your guide for setting up, using, and troubleshooting The Phone. 

Quickstart Guide

  • Video version of setup

  • Bootup and startup wizard

    • Why is there the ‘installing OS’ screen?

      • On bootup, you will see a screen that looks like this: Not to worry, this is the hardware manufacturer’s way of indicating that you are using a different operating system than the one originally installed. That operating system is OdysseyOS – the core of The Phone.

  • Startup Wizard (video) 

    • The startup wizard will guide you through setting up The Phone step by step. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to Wi-Fi, set your security preferences, and personalize your device.

  • Allowing Permissions (video)

    • We explicitly ask you to grant permissions necessary to operate your device.

    • We operate on a policy of data minimization, meaning we collect only what’s needed for The Phone to function properly. Currently, we only collect Firebase Analytics and Firebase Crashlytics data. 

  • Inserting SIM/eSIM (video).

    • Inserting a Physical SIM Card (video)

      • Locate the SIM card tray on the side of the phone.

      • Use a SIM ejector tool (or a paperclip) to gently push into the small hole next to the tray. The tray will pop out.

      • Place the SIM card into the tray, ensuring it aligns with the shape of the slot.

      • Insert the tray back into the phone and ensure it is securely in place.

      • Your phone should automatically detect the SIM and connect to your carrier’s network. If not, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs to configure it manually.

    • Setting Up eSIM (video)

      • Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs.

      • Toggle on eSIM support and restart your phone

      • Tap Add SIM and select Download a SIM instead?

      • Scan the QR code provided by your carrier or enter the activation code manually.

      • Follow on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

      • Restart your phone if needed.

  • MicroG (video)

    • The Phone is de-Googled by default. This comes with significant privacy advantages. However, some apps need a suite of features called 'Google Play Services' to operate.

    • Think of The Phone as a house, where the overall structure is the operating system and the appliances are the apps. While the appliances can be installed any time within the home, many of them need electricity to function. In this example, Google Play Services are the 'electricity' that help many of your apps function correctly.

    • We use an open-source implementation of Google Play Services called microG. While it does not fully replicate Play Services functoinality, it addresses a majority of its features and is constantly improving.

    • Read more about MicroG in Appendix A

  • We provide total privacy out of the box, with minimal pre-installed services. If you want to expand the phone’s functionality, we recommend installing these system apps from the app store:

    • RH Voice (Text2Speech Engine) (video)

    • Futo Keyboard (video)

    • Maps (Waze or HERE We Go)

    • Beeper Messaging

Device Anatomy

  • Diagram of The Phone on Pixel 6 and Pixel 7:​

GOOGLE-PIXEL7-Mobile.webp
Google-Pixel-6a-Mobile.webp

Pixel 6

Pixel 7

​

  • Charging the device: 

    • Use a USB-C charging cable and power adapter.

    • Insert the USB-C end into the charging port of The Phone.

    • Plug the adapter into a wall outlet.

    • A charging indicator will appear on the screen. If the phone is off, a battery icon will display.

    • For fast charging, use a compatible power adapter (USB PD recommended).

  • Powering on/off:

    • To turn on The Phone:

      • Press and hold the power button (located on the right side) for a few seconds.

      • Release when the screen lights up and the boot logo appears.

    • To turn off The Phone:

      • Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.

      • Tap Power off and confirm if prompted.

    • To restart The Phone:

      • Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.

      • Tap Restart and wait for the device to reboot

  • Screen Layout: The Phone’s screen is designed for efficiency and simplicity. Here’s a quick breakdown:

    • Status Bar: Displays battery life, signal strength, Wi-Fi status, time, and notifications.

    • Dropdown Menu: Swipe down from the top of the screen to access quick settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, and brightness control.

    • Gestures (video): Navigate your phone using intuitive swipes (see next section for details on launcher UX/UI).

    • For details on home screen navigation, app drawer, and overall user interface, refer to the next section.

Core Functions

  • Home screen (video): The home screen is a running list of your notifications. You can monitor, interact with, and clear them as needed, giving you better control over your phone’s activity. 

  • App Drawer (video): The App Drawer organizes your installed apps.

    • Press and hold an app to delete or hide it.

    • View hidden apps: press and hold the ‘Applications’ label at the top of the app drawer.

    • Close hidden apps drawer: press and hold the label again.

    • QR Code scanner: A built-in QR code reader is accessible via the top of the app drawer and in the camera app.

  • App Store (video): The App Store provides communication and utility apps.

    • Communication Apps: Messaging, voice, and video interactions.

    • Utility Apps: Mapping, audio, personal finance, IoT, and some productivity apps.

    • Some apps are not included because they contain distracting or unsupported features (e.g., Microsoft Outlook’s news feed). 

  • Sandwich Bar (video): Access the bug report button and dark mode/light mode toggle from the sandwich button located on the top left of the home screen.​

    • Bug reporting: If you experience a bug or have feature suggestions, submit them via the sandwich bar on the home screen.​

  • Messaging: The Phone comes with an SMS app pre-installed. Additional messaging apps like WhatsApp, Slack, and Signal can be downloaded. 

    • Our preferred messaging app is Beeper, which consolidates multiple chat networks into one encrypted inbox, supporting:​​

      • Whatsapp

      • Instagram

      • Facebook Messenger

      • X (Twitter)

      • Android SMS

      • Google Messages (SMS/RCS)

      • Telegram

      • Signal

      • LinkedIn

      • Slack

      • Google Chat

      • IRC (Libera.chat)

      • Discord

      • Matrix

  • Internet (video): The Phone uses Perplexity to provide text-only search results. This method, called an Answer Engine, offers quick answers without the distractions of traditional web browsing.

    • Note: Perplexity may sometimes provide incorrect or outdated information. Always verify critical details.

  • Personal Profile (video): Currently, the Personal Profile allows you to manage and share contact details. Future updates will enhance control over digital identity and authentication settings. â€‹

  • Hidden Browser: For handling QR code scans and opening links, we include a hidden browser that blocks over 3,000,000 NSFW sites. This browser is only accessible when needed. 

Settings & Customization

  • Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: Step-by-step pairing/connection.

    • Connecting to Wi-Fi:

      • Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.

      • Toggle Wi-Fi on.

      • Select your network from the list.

      • Enter the password and tap Connect.

    • Pairing Bluetooth Devices:

      • Open Settings > Network & Internet > Bluetooth.

      • Toggle Bluetooth on.

      • Tap Pair New Device and select your device from the list.

      • Confirm pairing (enter a PIN if required).

  • Sound & Display: Adjusting volume.

    • Adjusting Volume:

      • Use the physical Volume buttons on the side of your device.

      • For finer control, go to Settings > Sound > Volume and adjust sliders for media, calls, and alarms.

      • Choose from preloaded options or select My Photos to use your own image.

      • Tap Set Wallpaper to confirm.

  • Security: Setting a PIN, fingerprint, or face unlock.

    • Setting a PIN/Password:

      • Go to Settings > Security > Screen Lock.

      • Choose PIN or Password and follow the prompts to set it up.

    • Adding Fingerprint or Face Unlock:

      • Navigate to Settings > Security > Device Unlock.

      • Tap Fingerprint or Face Unlock (if supported).

      • Follow the on-screen instructions to register your biometric data.

      • For fingerprints: Place your finger on the sensor repeatedly until setup completes.

  • Apps: Installing, uninstalling, and updating.

    • Installing Apps:

      • Open the SLEKE. store, search for the app, and tap the install button in the bottom right of the app card.

    • Uninstalling Apps:

      • Long-press the app icon on your home screen or app drawer.

      • Tap Uninstall > OK.

      • Alternatively, go to Settings > Apps > [Select App] > Uninstall.

    • Updating Apps:

      • Open the SLEKE. store, search for the app, and tap the refresh button in the bottom right of the app card and wait for a popup to appear asking if you would like to update.

  • Importing contacts (video)

    • From SIM Card or File:

      • Open the Contacts app.

      • Tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Import/Export.

      • Choose Import from .vcf file or Import from SIM card.

      • Select the file/SIM and confirm.

    • From Google Account:

      • Go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account (if not already added).

      • Open the Contacts app, tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Accounts > [Your Google Account] > Sync Contacts.

  • Software Updates (video):

    • Operating system updates will install automatically by default.

    • To manually check for updates, go to Settings > System > System Updates > Check for Updates.

    • After installing an update, reboot the phone to complete its installation.

Support & Resources

Appendix A: MicroG

MicroG is an open-source replacement for Google Play Services, designed to provide essential functionality for Android apps without relying on Google's proprietary software. Users can run applications that depend on Google services while minimizing data sent to Google, offering improved privacy and reduced battery consumption.

 

Read about the project here

 

Video from tech privacy YouTuber Rob Braxman

 

Privacy Features of MicroG

MicroG offers several privacy-enhancing features compared to standard Google Play Services:

 

  • Anonymized data: MicroG sends minimal, anonymized data to Google servers when necessary, reducing personal information exposure.

  • Selective functionality: Users can enable only specific Google services they need, limiting data collection.

  • Location privacy: MicroG can use alternative location providers like Mozilla's service instead of Google's, enhancing location privacy.

  • Push notifications: MicroG implements Google Cloud Messaging for notifications without requiring a Google account, maintaining app functionality while improving privacy.

  • Optional Google account: Users can choose to use MicroG without logging into a Google account, further reducing data collection.​

​

While MicroG still requires some communication with Google servers for certain functions, it provides a significant privacy improvement over full Google Play Services implementation.

 

MicroG vs. Google Play Services

MicroG offers several key advantages over Google Play Services, particularly in terms of privacy and resource usage. Unlike Google's proprietary solution, MicroG is open-source, allowing users to verify its code and functionality. It significantly reduces data sent to Google servers, providing a layer of anonymization between users and Google's infrastructure. Key differences include:

 

  • Battery life: MicroG is generally more lightweight, leading to improved battery performance compared to Google Play Services.

  • Privacy: MicroG minimizes data collection and tracking, while Google Play Services is known for extensive user data gathering.

  • Functionality: While MicroG supports core features like push notifications and location services, it may lack support for some advanced Google APIs.

​

Despite these advantages, users should be aware that some apps heavily reliant on Google services may not function fully with MicroG.

 

MicroG Settings Overview

 

MicroG Services Core provides a settings interface that allows users to configure various aspects of its functionality. Key settings include:

  • Self-check tool: Verifies proper MicroG setup and functionality

  • Google device registration: Enables the device to receive push notifications

  • Cloud messaging: Controls Firebase Cloud Messaging for app notifications

  • Google SafetyNet: Allows apps to verify device integrity

  • Location services: Configures location backends like Mozilla's service

​

The MicroG Companion app is necessary, as it spoofs the Google Play Store, but it is not a functional app.

 

Users can access these settings to customize MicroG's behavior, balancing privacy preferences with app compatibility needs. It's important to note that some features may require enabling specific components, which could impact overall privacy.

 

The SLEKE. team recommends keeping the default settings and configurations of microG as it is set up on your device.

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