On Thursday, I had to get a new cell phone. My old phone had been dropped one too many times. It was already on life support, but the last fall did it in.
A very nice young man with pink hair helped me pick out a new phone. He suggested I get an AT&T PrePaid phone as I do not plan to switch from AT&T. I’m not switching because my son works for AT&T, and you know, I’m not giving up that discount.
But somehow, I ended up getting a Samsung instead of a Motorola. It seemed a good idea at the time.
The first issue I had was that I couldn’t sign on to my new phone.
So, I looked in the box, and there I found a tiny instruction booklet. Well, it was really just a tiny, folded up paper, but I still felt hopeful. I decided to try following the instructions to activate my new phone. However, I knew something wasn’t right when I got to the point where I was to agree to a monthly fee. The cheapest was $25 a month with some severe limitations on some phone stuff.
I knew this wasn’t the road I was supposed to be on as we already pay AT&T monthly. And it sure wasn’t acting like it knew about that – or my discount. I started shallow breathing. I quickly x-ed out of the window and abandoned ship. I hope nobody followed me.
Finally, somehow I learned that your Samsung account is different from your Google account but you can make it think it is the same if you somehow link them and trick it.
After that, I did something called the “Smart Switch” to get everything – apps, contacts, photos – on my new phone. This was helpful as my old phone was totally “lights out” if you know what I mean. It pretty much worked.
I only had a lot of trouble getting the Alexa app to let me drop in on my mom. I had to remember the Amazon account and Gmail account passwords I had set up for her a year ago. Eventually, I figured it all out – or rather I reset all the passwords, and I was able to look in on her . . . sleeping in bed.
The only other issue is that everyone but Dan could text me. We switched some SMS setting on his phone and once again, he will be able to text me, “Where are you?” whenever we are in a store together.
We didn’t have any idea why he could no longer text me once I got a new phone. But it all goes along with our philosophy, if it doesn’t work, try changing something. It works now, but again, we don’t have any idea why. We’re good with that.
At the end of the day, everything is working. Even got all my photos. Which is great because this one shows exactly how I feel after all this.
The Miniature Museum of St. Louis
Happy Friday!
Chambers on the Road 
I hate when I get new tech and I need to switch everything over
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Yes, I’m glad it’s in the rear view mirror now. I bought the best case I could for the phone, so hopefully I won’t have to go through this again for a long, long time! Enjoy your day!
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Oh my! That sounds like a lot of frustration and anxiety to get your new phone set up. I know many who have Samsungs and love them. I know their cameras are excellent. I’m happy you got it all resolved and wish you lots of fun as you learn about your new tech companion.
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Fortunately, all is working now. But let’s just say that new phone did put me through the ringer. 🙂 There is lots I don’t understand right now – like the interface between Samsung and Google. But I will learn over time. The phone does have a macro camera which my other did not. I will have to make some efforts to learn the phone and the camera, but that’s not a bad thing. Enjoy your day!
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Switching to a new phone is the worst!! Glad you got it figured out.
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Thank you! My old phone had battery issues and a cracked screen. It would restart in the middle of the night, and I’d hear “Hello Moto” which would wake us up. I had to hold it tightly after the 2nd last fall in order to get the screen to work. Still, I put up with all this to avoid getting a new phone. However, it went totally dark after the last fall. It’s all done now – thankfully – and I bought the best protective case I could find for the new phone. With my old phone, I could not find an “otter box” type case at all. I hope to have this phone a long, long time! Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great Friday!
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Oh I feel your pain. We had to switch phones several months ago and it was a horror story. To this day the new phones are still a pain in the you know what. Never again. I’ll go back to smoke signals before I switch phones again. Have a great Friday.
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Oh, I agree. I hope this phone lasts a long, long time! Enjoy your Friday!
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🙂 Poor old phone!
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Poor old me! 🙂 Happy Friday!
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I am thinking of upgrading my nice compact flip phone for a smart phone. I haven’t decided yet. Maybe it is more trouble than it is worth!
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Even with all the trouble switching over, I would not give up my smart phone for anything. There are countless benefits. There is a learning curve, of course, but so worth it. This new phone is supposed to have a better camera – with a macro lense – so I’m looking forward to using that, too. Have a good Friday, Phil!
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Thanks Betty, you too!
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Ha ha! That last picture is pretty good! Phones…can’t live without them, but oh what a pain when they have to be replaced.
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I felt like that picture! However, it’s all behind me now, and I’ve had a good night’s sleep. Today is a good day! Happy Friday!
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Wow! Scary. My phone is slowly dying and I’m thinking of getting a new one. I think now that I will wait a bit more. 🙁
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I held off as long as I could. Part of the problem was going to a new manufacturer – Samsung. I have heard Samsung is very good – just new to me. Now that I have converted, I think it will all be good!
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You are way beyond me with this Google and Alexa stuff and I admire you for it! Several years ago I bought a Samsung tablet with Android and I finally gave up. Android was just too messy for me, so I stick with my Apple iphone! I’m glad you got everything worked out and made the change!
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Thank you, Beth. I had an Apple iPhone years ago. I had battery issues with it. It cost so much, I swore off Apple. But I know the iPhone camera is superior, and my kids like the Apple products. I like the price of the Android phones – all in – $160. I was motivated to get Alexa working. It’s the only way I can check on my mom – other than asking the staff to do it. I appreciate your comment, and I hope you have a nice weekend!
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PS I loved your picture – I can relate to that often! I hope your weekend is nice, too!
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Thank you! I got a kick out of that miniature display, so I took a picture of it. I didn’t know what I would use it for, but it sure came in handy for this post!
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Congratulations on you new phone.
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Thank you. I hope we are together a long time.
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