ZTE Blade A452 User Manual & Setup Guide

If you need a manual or help with the setup of your ZTE Blade A452, check out our user guide to start using your handset, connect to the internet and more!

1. Unboxing and assembling your ZTE Blade A452
2. Set up your phone for the first time
3. Connecting to Wi-Fi and mobile networks
4. Find out how to add your email accounts
5. How to add and import contacts to your ZTE
6. Using the Play Store to find new apps
7. Securing your ZTE Blade A452 with a lock screen
8. How to make phone calls on your ZTE
9. Send text & picture messages
10. Sending emails and attachments on your ZTE
11. How to set alarms on the ZTE Blade A452
12. Read our tips to learn more about your phone

Click here for the ZTE's Blade A452 user manual

Unboxing and assembling your ZTE Blade A452

You've opened the box and taken out your ZTE Blade A452 for the first time. But what now? Well, it's now time to get your new mobile phone up and running, personalising it in the process. Before we turn the phone on, let's make sure we have everything we need.

What's in the box?

First of all, let's make sure you have everything you need. Inside the box* you should find:

• 1 x ZTE Blade A452
• 1 x Mains adaptor
• 1 x USB cable
• 1 x Earphones
• 1 x Information pack

*some box contents may vary

Assembly

In order to install the SIM and memory cards, you will need to remove the back cover of the phone. This can be a little tricky, so we've photographed the important bits to make note of.

To remove the back cover, find the microUSB charging port at the bottom of the phone. Use your fingernail in this gap to peel or pull the plastic cover away from the phone. You may need to apply some force to remove the cover, as it's designed to not come off very easily!

Once you've taken the back off, it's time to insert the micro-SIM which slides into a metal slot, just above where the battery sits. This slot takes both the SIM and memory card (microSD card), with the SIM going in the lower of the two slots. Check our photo to see which slots are which! To insert the card, you must slide it in from the edge of the phone. Make sure the cut corner is inserted first, this will line up with a cut corner inside the tray for an easy fit.

If you wish to install a microSD (memory) card, this goes into the same tray as the SIM, but on the upper shelf. Slide the microSD card on top of the micro-SIM, with the metal contacts pointing downwards (towards the inside of the phone).

Put the back cover onto the phone, then press the sides down firmly to make sure there are no gaps. You're now all set to begin using your smartphone.

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Set up your phone for the first time

Before you turn on the Blade A452 for the first time, please make sure you have inserted the SIM (and memory card, if required) correctly, as described in the previous chapter.

Push the power button on the back of the handset to turn it on, holding it in for a few seconds until you feel a vibration. The phone will then turn on, and display the setup wizard.

1. Choose your language, it may already be correct but you can change it by tapping on it. Once you're happy with your language selection tap Next.
2. Tap the name of the Wi-Fi network you wish to join, or tap Next to skip this (which I wouldn't recommended, as the Blade A452 will download updates when the setup wizard completes, which may use a lot of data).
3. Enter the wireless password when prompted. This may be shown on a sticker on your router, and is sometimes referred to as a WEP key, WPA key or wireless passphrase. Check your typing if you wish by tapping the Show password box, and when you are ready to proceed tap Connect.
4. Next you will be asked to sign in with your Google account, which will unlock some great features on your phone. Without one you can't browse the Play Store or sync your contacts! If you have a Google account (an email address ending @googlemail.com or @gmail.com) then enter your Gmail address where indicated. If you don't have an account already, you can get one for free by tapping Create a new account. Press Next to continue.

5. Enter your Gmail password, then tap Next. If you are creating a new account, complete the form.
6. In order to sign in you have to agree to the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy. Tap the links to inspect these, and when you are ready to proceed tap Accept.
7. The Play Store contains a lot of paid-for content including music and premium apps, as well as free items. You can add your card details now if you want to, set up mobile network billing (if permitted by your network) or redeem a Play Store voucher. You can also ask the Blade V6 to Remind you later if you don't want to complete this now. When you've selected your billing option, tap Next.
8. Your phone can automatically detect the time and date from your network signal, but sometimes it may ask you to confirm the settings are correct. Check the time and date, correct them if necessary, then tap Next.

9. If you've used an Android phone previously and you're signing into the A452 with the same Google account, you can restore some settings to your new handset. Tap underneath Restore from this backup and choose the device you want to restore from, or choose Set up as new device if you want to set up the phone from scratch.
10. You can protect your data on your smartphone by setting a screen lock, which is usually a password or a PIN. We cover the screen lock in chapter 7 of this guide, so for now we'll Skip this step.
11. Agreeing to the various Google services is a must in order to use your phone to its fullest. You can automatically keep your device backed up, as well as improving your Android experience by feeding back errors and issues to Google. Tap Next when you're ready to continue.
12. Once you've agreed to the Google services, you'll see an information screen showing you how to access your notifications and your Home edit panel. These are accessed by either swiping up to access the edit panel, or swiping down to view your notifications. Tap Start to begin using your ZTE Blade!

You will now be looking at the home screen of your ZTE Blade V6. Now that your handset is up and running, why don't you read through the other chapters in this guide to discover how to import your contacts, receive email on your phone and download more apps!

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Connecting to Wi-Fi and mobile networks

We covered connecting the ZTE Blade A452 to a Wi-Fi network as part of the initial seat up, however if you skipped it or simply need to connect to different Wi-Fi network we'll go through the process here. Your mobile internet connection should have configured itself automatically, if not we've also listed a few steps you can take to get yourself connected.

connecting to Wi-Fi

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen, then tap the Settings icon (it looks like a cog, in the top right corner of the screen)
2. If it's not already selected, tap the Networks tab at the top of the screen.
3. Check that the Wi-Fi switch is blue, which means that Wi-Fi is switched on. If it's grey just tap the switch to enable it.
4. Tap Wi-Fi.

5. You should now see a list of nearby wireless networks, tap on the one you want to connect to.
6. Input the wireless Password when prompted, you can tick the Show password box if you wish to be certain of typing it correctly. When you're ready to proceed, tap Connect.
7. If successful, the network name will turn blue and you'll see the word Connected underneath.

You can check if the phone is using a Wi-Fi connection by looking for the fan icon in the notification area at the top of the screen.

Connecting to Mobile Data

In order to check and configure the mobile data connection, you will need to turn off Wi-Fi. The mobile data connection is indicated by letters next to the signal bars on the top line of the display. The letters may vary to indicate different speeds (G, E, 3G, H, H+ or 4G), but the presence of any letter here indicates an active data connection.

1. From the home screen, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notifications area.
2. Tap on the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Choose Data usage from the Settings list to view your mobile data settings.

5. To check the settings, tap the menu button (three dots) in the top-right corner of the screen, then choose Mobile Networks.
6. The settings that control your handset connecting to the internet are called APN settings, so to look at these tap Access point names.
7. The active network setting should have a blue dot against it. If this is not next to your network's name, or none of the listed networks are enabled, tap on the correct network in the list to activate it.
8. If your network isn't listed, or if there are no networks at all, tap the Menu button (three dots in the top right-hand corner), then tap Reset to default. This will read all the available settings stored on the SIM card, and you may be required to select your mobile network operator from a list displayed onscreen. Don't forget to tap the radio button next to the correct access point to enable it.
9. If after resetting to default you still don't see your network listed, then you can enter the settings manually. Tap the Menu button again and then tap New APN.
10. Complete the form with your mobile network's correct settings, then tap the Menu button and tap Save. Activate the setting by tapping the circle to put the blue dot into it.

To help you enter the APN manually, we have written a series of Access Point Name (APN) settings guides covering the most popular UK mobile networks to help you. If your mobile network isn't listed, you may need to contact them directly to ask them to send the settings through to your new phone.

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Find out how to add your email accounts

The Blade A452 supports multiple POP3, IMAP and Exchange accounts so if you have one email address for work and a separate one for home, receiving all those emails is simple. Simply follow the guide below to set up your preferred email accounts, along with setting up a Google email (or Gmail), a vital necessity for almost all Android devices.

Gmail Setup

We covered setting up a Google account in the initial setup, but if you didn't complete it then you can add one now.

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notifications area..
2. In the notifications area tap the Settings icon.
3. Scroll down, then tap Accounts.
4. Any accounts already set up on your Blade A452 will appear. At the bottom, tap Add account.

5. Tap Google to start adding a Gmail account to the phone.
6. If you already have a Google account to add, enter your Gmail address in the space provided, then tap Next. If you don't yet have a Google account you can set one up for free by tapping Create a new account.
7. If you are signing in, enter the password for your Google account into the space provided and tap Next. If you are creating a new account, complete the form.
8. In order to add your Google account you will have to agree to the Terms and conditions. Tap a link to look at the relevant agreement, and when you are ready to move on tap Accept.

9. Google will offer to back up information from your phone, such as Wi-Fi passwords, apps and their data, among other things. If you don't want this to happen, untick the box, and when you are ready to proceed scroll down or tap More, then tap Next.
10. You may be asked to set up some payment details in order to purchase apps and other media from the Play Store. Tap your chosen payment method, or skip this by selecting Remind me later, then tap Next.

You will now see the Google account listed on the Accounts and sync page of the settings. Continue adding more accounts, or return to the home screen and then check the GMail app for your messages!

Email Setup

Email from most providers should set up automatically, in much the same way as adding the Google account:

1. From the home screen swipe down from the top then tap Settings.
2. In the settings menu, tap the General tab at the top right, then tap Accounts & sync.
3. You will see a list of the accounts that are already set up on your Blade A452. At the bottom, tap Add account.
4. If you have an Exchange email account (often used by employers and education providers) choose Microsoft Exchange. If you are not certain of your account type, tap IMAP or POP.

5. Most email accounts can be configured quite quickly. Enter your email address and password for your email account in the space provided and tap Next.
6. If your account sets up, you will be asked to choose a name for your account, and also the handset will ask you to then fill in your name in the second box. This will be displayed on any emails you send from your phone so keep it clean! Once you're happy with your details, tap Done to finish the email setup.

If your account failed to set up automatically you will be taken back to the email address and password screen. You can try it again, in case you entered anything incorrectly, but if you still can't move forward you will need to tap the Manual setup button. In order to add your account manually you will need to know your email address, password, and incoming & outgoing mail servers. The port numbers are usually filled in automatically but in some circumstances may need to be changed. Check out the Geek Squad guide to email server settings to assist you with manually setting up your account, but if you are still struggling to get your email added to your phone, why don't you check out our support options and give us a call.

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How to add and import contacts to your ZTE Blade A452

Get your contacts moved across to your ZTE Blade A452 easily with our guide to transferring data to your smartphone, where we'll show you how to migrate information from iPhone, Android, Windows Phone or BlackBerry to your new ZTE. Click the link to find out how to keep your data intact and stored on your new handset.

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Using the Play Store to find new apps

Your ZTE Blade can run plenty of apps and games, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store to your smartphone in seconds. To find out more about the Play Store and how to find new apps, games, music or video, click the link to read our guide where we'll show you how to browse and download apps that interest you. We'll also show you where to find apps you've previously installed, so you can enjoy them again and again!

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Securing your ZTE Blade A452 with a lock screen

Your ZTE Blade A452 has a lot of valuable information on it, and will likely be signed into accounts inside various apps to give you quick access to your data; Email, social media and file sharing apps to name but a few. The best way to keep all of this data from prying eyes is to secure your Blade A452 with a PIN or Password. Read on to discover how!

1. From the home screen, tap on the Settings icon, scroll down and tap on Security to continue.
2. To set up lock screen security, tap Screen lock.
3. Choose what type of unlock method you'd like to use; Swipe is the default method which is quite insecure, Pattern allows you to draw a pattern on a grid of dots, PIN is a 4-digit numerical code and Password is a longer, more complex security code. The relative strengths of each type of security are indicated. To proceed, tap your chosen method.
4. In our example we're entering a PIN, but a password is set in much the same manner. Enter your chosen code via the keyboard, then tap Continue (a pattern or knock code will require you to set a PIN as a backup).

5. Confirm your unlock PIN or Password by entering it again, then tap OK.
6. Your new method of securing your lock screen will be displayed. In order to change it, you will need to enter it when you tap on that option.

Now that you have set up a secure lock screen on your phone, there are some other options to consider. You can choose to delay the lock from engaging, allowing you more time to start using your handset again before you have to enter your unlock code, and you can configure automatic unlocks so that your handset will automatically unlock when you're at home, or when it detects your face looking at it for example.

9. When you're happy, tap the Home button to return to the home screen, then lock it by pressing the power button on the back and try it out!To change the lock timeout, scroll down the Security settings page and tap Automatically lock.
10. Choose your lock time by tapping on it. Remember that if you change this, your screen may go off but your handset won't be secure until this time has passed!
11. To configure automatic unlocks, tap Smart lock on the Lock screen settings page.
12. Tap your chosen unlock to set it up. There will be some security information displayed for each unlock you choose, advising you of the implications of activating each one.

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How to make phone calls on your ZTE

The first step to making a phone call is to open the Phone icon from the home screen by tapping on it. This is usually in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

1. The phone app will open to the phone dialler keypad. Unsurprisingly, this can be used to simply enter the number you wish to call, and then tap the green button at the bottom to dial the number.
2. Your keypad can also be used to spell out the name of a contact. Use the numbers which correspond to the letters shown to spell the name (in our example we're spelling out "Ben" by tapping "236") and the Blade A452 will find them in your contact list, just tap their name to call them! If you know more than one person with the name you're searching, you'll need to tap the correct contact from the suggestions.
3. If you prefer, you can search your contacts directly from the first Phone screen by tapping Contacts at the top.
4. Whenever you have the contact you'd like to call on screen, tap the phone icon on their contact and the Blade A452 will automatically dial them!

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Send text & picture messages

Find and tap the Messaging app from your home screen. The icon is a white speech bubble with a smiley emoticon on it. If you have unread messages, you will see a red badge in the corner showing you have unread items.

1. To compose a new message, tap on the compose button (which looks like a pen and paper) at the top of the screen.
2. Now you're looking at a blank text message. Pick the recipient by tapping in the To box.
3. You can enter a mobile number directly using the numeric keyboard, or you can start to type a contact's name. If you're entering text, matching contacts will appear below as you type. Tap on the contact you're trying to text to select them as the recipient. You can add further recipients if you wish to send the same message to multiple people.
4. Now you've chosen who you're messaging, it's time to type out what you want to say. Tap into the Enter message box and using the keyboard, type your message. If you're just sending a text message, tap the green Send button to send it on its way.

How to add an attachment to send an MMS message

5. If you want to add an attachment, such as a picture, video or sound recording, tap the paper clip below the Send button. Choose what to attach by tapping on the correct icon (if you're sending a picture or video, it will be sent as a Multimedia message, and you may be charged for this - check with your mobile network about costs!).
6. If you're adding a picture from your phone, tap the Menu icon (three bars) at the top left-hand corner of the screen to navigate through your folders.
7. When you've found the item you wish to attach, tap it to select it.
8. Once you've attached your item, it will display in the body of the message, allowing you to add further text before you send it by tapping the Send button.

How to delete a message thread

If you'd like to delete a thread of messages from your handset, open the Messaging app and locate the thread you'd like to delete by finding the other person's name in the message list.

Touch and hold on their name, and a menu will appear. When you see this, tap Delete to remove the message thread, and then confirm the deletion on the following screen.

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Sending emails and attachments on your ZTE

To send an email, you must have already set up an email account on your ZTE Blade A452. If you haven't added your account yet, please check our chapter on adding an email account for more information. To see your emails, tap the Apps icon followed by the Email icon.

1. When you can see your email inbox, tap the compose button. This is a white pen-and-paper icon at the top of the email inbox screen.
2. Tap into the To line to select the intended recipient. Start to type their name using the keyboard, and any matching contacts will appear. Tap on the correct contact to add them to the recipient list. You can add further recipients or send carbon copies to yourself or others by tapping the down arrow.
3. Enter a Subject for your email by tapping on that line and entering it via the keyboard.
4. Now that you've set it up, type your message by tapping into the white portion of the window in the middle of the screen. If you just want to send a text email, then you can send it by tapping the arrow icon on the title bar.

Add an Attachment

5. To add an attachment, tap the paper clip on the title bar. When the menu opens, you can choose what you'd like to attach.
6. Navigate through your files by using the on screen menu to find the item(s) you want, and tap to select them.
7. When sending images, you may be asked whether to resize them - handy if you're using mobile internet, as large images and video can use a lot of data!
8. Add further attachments if you wish, and compose your message. To send, tap the envelope.

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How to set alarms on the ZTE Blade A452

Setting an alarm is a popular occurrence on most phones, as you tend to always have it with you, turned on and telling the correct time. Read on to find out how to set an alarm on your ZTE Blade A452.

1. Alarms are set and amended through the Clock app on your Blade A452. From the home screen, tap on the Clock icon.
2. The first time you open the app, you'll see there aren't any alarms set (surprise surprise!) and there are buttons across the top of the app allow you to select World Clock, Stopwatch and Timer functions. Tap on the top-left icon to switch to alarms.
3. Set the alarm time by dragging your finger to the hour you want the alarm to go off. When you let go of the screen, you'll need to repeat the process for the minutes.

4. Press OK when you're ready to save the alarm.
5. If you want the alarm to repeat on multiple days (such as every weekday), tick the repeat box and tap the boxes corresponding to the days you'd like the alarm to sound. A day marked with a white circle is a day the alarm will go off.
6. You can also edit the melody, volume, vibration and snooze duration for each alarm.
7. The displayed alarm will now show up in the menu, with a red circle to show the alarm is set to go off at the date and time displayed.
8. To turn an alarm off, tap the switch next to the alarm you want to disable. This will grey out, indicating it is not set. To set an alarm that is greyed out, tap the alarm clock again.
9. To delete an alarm completely, touch and hold on it, then choose Delete alarm from the pop-up menu. You will need to confirm this to complete the deletion.

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Read our tips to learn more about your phone

You should have a pretty good idea of the basics when it comes to using your ZTE Blade A452 now, so let's run through a couple of tips to help you get a little bit extra from your phone.

Re-arrange the touch buttons

You'll spend a lot of time using the touch buttons at the bottom of the screen, however because they're on-screen and not physical buttons it means they can be easily configured. You can re-arrange them to match what you're used to and also add additional buttons for more functionality.

To access these settings, tap on Settings> Hard Key.

Once the settings are open, you can rearrange the existing order of the soft buttons by choosing one of the two preset layouts, with either the back button on the left or the right of the phone.

Change themes and style

To change the colour scheme of your ZTE Blade A452, simply touch your thumb and finger to the screen and pinch them together. This will access the customisation menu, where you can choose from various colours, wallpapers and visual effects to spice up your smartphone!

There are plenty of built-in styles for you to choose from, and every change you make can be easily undone. If you're feeling creative, personalise your phone to suit your mood or even match your current attire.

Changing these style options won't have an effect once you're inside an app, so don't worry if your Angry Birds game is still in the original colour!

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