Hot topics

Moto E (2015) tips and tricks: 10 ways to get more out of your phone

motorola moto e 2015 03
© nextpit

The Moto E (2015) is a big jump on its predecessor, with 4G and a processor that makes it zippier than its bigger brother, the Moto G. The Moto E (2015) benefits from a ton of features and is within easy reach of many consumers at prices starting at $120 or £100.  Here are 10 tips and tricks to make your experience with both the old Moto E (running Lollipop) and the new Moto E (2015) reach new heights.

motorola moto e 2015 03
© ANDROIDPIT

Transfer all your data to your Moto E

Instead of having to start from square one when you get your Moto E, you can migrate all your information, including text messages and call history.

  • First, download Motorola Migrate from the Google Play Store onto your Moto E, open it and select Send data TO this device. Tap next until a QR code appears.
  • Next, install Motorola Migrate onto your old phone, open the app and select Send data FROM this device.
  • Tap next until a QR scanner appears on your old phone, then hover it over the QR code on your Moto E to transfer all your data.
androidpit moto e tips
You can easily transfer your old data to your Moto E using the Migrate app. / © ANDROIDPIT

Send out emergency alerts

Built into the Moto E is an app called Motorola Alert. This app allows you to share your location with contacts and also send out an alert message with a single click if you find yourself in a risky situation.

  • Open the app called Alert and accept all the terms and conditions.
  • Eventually, you'll get to the Pick Alert contacts screen. Enter the names of the contacts you want on your emergency alerts list, When you're done, tap Next, and decide if you want to send them a message saying you've made them an emergency contact.
  • Once you've done that, from the main menu you can set up messages for 'Emergency', 'Meet me' and 'Follow me' modes. In Emergency Mode, you can even set it to ring the local emergency services as well as your contacts.
  • Once you've set these up, just tap any of the big buttons on the main Alert screen to activate them.
androidpit moto e alerts
Set up emergency contacts so you can contact them all at the tap of a big red button. / © ANDROIDPIT

Change your wallpaper

To use the wallpapers provided by Motorola, you can just go to Settings > Display, where you can choose between your own gallery of photos to use as wallpapers or use custom and animated wallpapers from Motorola. Alternatively, you can find a ton of options to customize your Moto E in the Google Play Store (here is a list of our favorite wallpaper apps). One thing to note is that while animated wallpapers are pretty cool, they will increase the battery consumption on your device.

androidpit moto e wallpapers
The Moto E has a decent selection of wallpapers, but beware the battery-draining 'Live' wallpapers. / © ANDROIDPIT

Take a screenshot

As with everything Android, it’s pretty simple to take a screenshot on your Moto E. Just  press and hold the on / off button and the volume down button at the same time. Within a moment, you’ll hear the camera shutter sound which will confirm that the screenshot has been saved. To display the image after you’ve taken it, go to Gallery, tap the hamburger menu at the top left, Albums, then Screenshots.

Access the Quick Settings Menu

Since the Android 5.0 Lollipop update, widgets for WiFi, Bluetooth, Mobile Data and so on have gone out of fashion a bit thanks to how easy it now is to access these features.

  • Just pull down your notifications menu from the top of the screen, then pull down again to access your Quick Settings.
  • To toggle your Mobile Data, tap the network signal bar in the Quick Settings, then tap the switch at the top of your screen.
androidpit moto e quick settings
Quick Settings in Lollipop are quicker to access than ever. / © ANDROIDPIT

Unlock your Moto E at home without a security code

One of Lollipop's best new features is 'Smart Lock', which lets you set 'Trusted places', 'Trusted faces' and more, so you can use your device in certain conditions without having to unlock it. To set a trusted place:

  • Go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock (if this is greyed out, go to Screen lock first and set up a security code).
  • In the Smart Lock menu, tap Trusted places, then Add trusted place. Tap Yes if it asks you if you want to improve location accuracy.
  • A map will appear. Here you can either selection the location you're in at that moment as your trusted place, or tap the magnifying glass icon at the top right and enter a location of your choice. When you're done, tap Select this location at the bottom.
androidpit moto e trusted places
Set up trusted places so you can use your Moto E in them without having to unlock it first. / © ANDROIDPIT

Send audio and video recordings in text messages

The native messaging app in Moto E offers your some interesting features for tweaking your text messages.

  • When composing a new text, tap the paperclip icon at the top right, then tap Capture video to record a video clip on the spot, or Record audio to send an impromptu voice recording.
androidpit moto e sms
Send audio and video recordings using the Moto E's native messaging app. / © ANDROIDPIT

Easy camera control

While the camera on the Moto E leaves much to be desire, the software is very intuitive and makes it extremely easy to take (low-quality) snaps. Here are a few pointers for basic Moto E camera control.

  • Swipe from left to right to access the half-circle camera menu
  • Tap to take a photo
  • Drag your finger up and down to zoom in and out.
androidpit moto e camera
The Moto E camera may not be great, but its interface is nice and easy to use. / © ANDROIDPIT

Bring back the tabs box in Chrome

The native browser for Moto E, Chrome, does away with the small box next to the address bar which displays the number of tabs you have open. By default, your Chrome tabs are now on the Recent Apps screen, which you access by tapping the Recent Apps navigational button (the square). But you can bring back the tabs box. Here's how:

  • In Chrome, tap the three dots at the top right, then go to Settings > Merge tabs and apps. Here, tap the switch to turn Merge tabs and apps off.
androidpit moto e tabs
You can choose whether you want your Chrome tabs stored in the Chrome app, or with other apps in your Recent Apps screen./ © ANDROIDPIT

Use Google Now instantly

Because it runs on Lollipop, the Moto E (2015) - and the original Moto E, if you've updated it to Lollipop - is very well integrated with Google Now.

  • From the homescreen, just hold the Home navigational button (the circle) up onto the screen.
  • Alternatively, if you have the Google search bar on your homescreen, you just need to say 'Ok, Google' to begin voice control. Simple!
androidpit moto e google now
Google Now is easier to access than ever on the Moto E (2015). / © ANDROIDPIT

Do you have any tips to bring to the table with your Moto E? Be sure to share them with us in the comments section. 

  nextpit recommendation Price tip Luxury version with handle Price tip with handle For Garmin fans Mid-range tip
Product
Image Withings Body Smart Product Image Renpho Smart Body Fat Scale Product Image Withings Body Scan Product Image Lepulse Lescale P1 Product Image Garmin Index S2 Smart Scale Product Image eufy Smart Scale P3 Product Image
Deals*
Go to comment (0)
Robert Zak

Robert Zak
UK Editor

A tech aficionado since he first picked up a NES controller, Robert has written about technology, videogames, and film across a range of sites and magazines, including Den of Geek, Gamasutra, and Computeractive. At AndroidPIT, he'll be bringing you the latest Android news and reviews from the front line in the UK.

Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
No comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing