Z160 FAQ
Revision:
V1.0
Create Date:
March
Author:
David Hsu
27, 2014
Subject
System Problems ....................................................................................................................... 4
Z160: Why can't the phone be turned on, and why can't it charge? ........................................ 4
Z160: Device hangs when the Acer Logo appears? ................................................................... 5
Z160: If screen lock does not show, what should the user do? ................................................ 8
Z160: Why does my mobile phone get slower and slower? ..................................................... 9
Z160: How do I use Task Manager to improve my mobile phone's performance? .................. 9
Z160: How do I set up the auto-clean function? ..................................................................... 11
Z160: Battery usage is abnormal, how do I check battery usage? .......................................... 13
Z160: How to clear the "!" icon in the notification area? ....................................................... 14
Z160: Touch does not respond properly? ............................................................................... 15
Communication Problems ....................................................................................................... 17
Z160: Dual SIM stand by limitations ........................................................................................ 17
Z160: How do I enable the data connection? ......................................................................... 18
Z160: How do I disable the SIMLOCK? .................................................................................... 19
Z160: What should I do when calls are dropped or the data connection stalls? .................... 19
Z160: Wi-Fi speed is poor, how do I check the Wi-Fi signal? .................................................. 21
Known Google Issues............................................................................................................... 21
Z160: Google Play keeps loading but can't login? ................................................................... 21
Z160: After enabling Hangouts, MMS delivery reports are not received ............................... 22
Using the Z160's new features ................................................................................................ 22
Z160: How do I use Quick Mode?............................................................................................ 22
Z160: How do I use Quick Mode dial function? ...................................................................... 23
Z160: How do I exit Quick Mode and return to Android? ....................................................... 26
Z160: How do I use AcerRAPID? .............................................................................................. 28
Z160: How do I use Float APPs? .............................................................................................. 29
General Problems .................................................................................................................... 30
Z160: How do I capture a screen shot? ................................................................................... 30
Z160: How do I upgrade the software? ................................................................................... 31
System Problems
Z160: Why can't the phone be turned on, and
why can't it charge?
Question: Users report that the device is dead and can't be switched on.
Answer:
The Z160 has two charging states: "Normal Charging" and "Pre-Charging". "Normal
charging" is the most common state. However, if the device has not been used for a
long time or shuts down due to heavy power-consumption usage, the battery may be
totally empty and the system isn't able to boot up (nothing is shown on the screen).
In this situation, the battery is over-discharged, and if the user tries to turn on the
phone, it may vibrate briefly when the power key is pressed. This means the battery
has still a little power, but not enough to boot. Finally, there may be no response
when pressing the power button. When charging a battery in the over-discharged
state, the state will be "Pre-Charging" for a while; in this state the blue LED be lit until
the phone enters the normal charging state.
An over-discharged battery can normally leave the pre-charging state within two
minutes; then the user will see the charging animation on the screen and the red LED
lit.
The phone usually needs to charge for more than three minutes after entering
normal charging state to have sufficient power to boot up. Thus, if the user has a
"dead phone", it should be charged for at least five minutes and checked to ensure it
shows the charging animation. Most NTF cases can be cleared by charging for five
minutes.
Question 2: The user reports that the device is can't be charged. How do we
trouble-shoot this situation?
Answer:
The power consumption of the phone depends on how many jobs are running in the
background. This would usually be much the same for most users, but some users
install screen protection or other background apps which slow down charging or
cause the charge to stall at 99%.
When receiving a device with these symptoms, first use offline charging to check the
charging function: Turn the device off and then plug in the AC charger. If the charging
function is working correctly, the AC charger (5 V/1 A) should charge the battery to
over 5% in 10 minutes.
Z160: Device hangs when the Acer Logo appears?
Question:
Device hangs when the Acer Logo appears.
Answer:
This is usually caused by a fault in the file system due to installing a hacked software
image or the encryption being interrupted due to power loss or another abnormal
operation when the phone is encrypted from Settings > Security > Encrypt phone.
The user should perform a factory reset via recovery mode.
1. Long press the volume UP key and power key simultaneously, to enter the menu
below, then select Recovery Mode.
NOTE: The volume UP key moves the cursor; the volume DOWN key selects the
action.
2. The user will see a robot lying down. Press the power key again to the recovery
menu and select Wipe data/factory reset.
NOTE: The volume DOWN key moves the cursor; the volume UP key selects the
action.
3. Select Yes – delete all user data.
NOTE: The volume DOWN key moves the cursor; the volume UP key selects the
action.
4. The user will see that user data has been erased.
5. Select Reboot system now.
NOTE: The volume DOWN key moves the cursor; the volume UP key selects the
action.
Z160: If screen lock does not show, what should
the user do?
Question:
If screen lock does not show, what should the user do?
Answer:
Testing indicated there is an extremely low possibility that the lock screen will not be
shown. Long press the power key to show the power off menu, then press the
volume icon. If this does not work, please restart the device from the power off
menu.
Z160: Why does my mobile phone get slower and
slower?
Question:
Why does my mobile phone get slower and slower, but I did not do anything?
Answer:
Please check your memory usage and which tasks are running. Some apps installed
from Google Play will continue to run in background and occupy the RAM resources.
You can use Task Manager to end the idle apps, which will enable the Android System
to release more memory and CPU resources.
Z160: How do I use Task Manager to improve my
mobile phone's performance?
Question:
What is Task Manager and how can I use it?
Answer:
You can tap the Recent Apps key to launch the Recent Apps Function. You could tap
and slide (in any direction) any of the Recent Apps to release RAM resources.
Another way is to enter Task Manager from the apps menu. Task Manager has a
feature to quickly clean up ROM (internal storage) and RAM resources.
To clean internal storage, it helps you to remove unused cache data in order to have
more space available for user data.
Clearing the RAM helps to optimize system performance.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Enter the apps menu.
Step 2: Tap Task Manager.
Step 3: You can tap Quick Clean again to clean the RAM.
Z160: How do I set up the auto-clean function?
Question:
How do I configure the auto-clean function of Task Manager?
Answer:
The auto-clean function will free up RAM resources automatically by unloading the
unused running processes from RAM (dynamic memory) in order to speed up system
performance. The unloaded process and apps will remain installed on your device, so
you can just launch them from the apps list or a shortcut.
By default, the auto-clean function checks the RAM space every 30 min. You can
adjust the time period using the following steps:
Step 1: Launch Task Manager from the apps list.
Step 2: Tap the Menu icon in the upper-right corner of the screen; tap Auto clean
setting.
Step3: Select the auto-clean frequency, default is 30 minutes.
The tradeoff is that RAM availability will be improved with more frequent auto clean
settings; however, it might delete some background apps which means the apps will
need to be re-initialized.
Z160: Battery usage is abnormal, how do I check
battery usage?
Question:
My battery life is shorter than normal, how do I check battery usage?
Answer:
Usually a drop in battery life is caused by an app running in the background.
There are a few ways to see which apps are consuming your battery.
1. Use the Android battery checker in Settings.
2. Download and use a tool from Google Play, such as Battery Doctor.
Z160: How to clear the "!" icon in the notification
area?
Step 1: Pull the notification area down.
Step 2: Tap the icon in the upper right-hand corner (as shown below).
Z160: Touch does not respond properly?
Question:
The touchscreen is not responding correctly; every time I touch something the phone
vibrates and talks to me.
Answer:
The device's TalkBack function is enabled. To disable it, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Using two fingers slide the lock screen to the right then enter the Home
screen.
Step 2:
Tap
and after the square appears around the icon, double-tap
to
enter to app menu.
Step 3: Tap Settings in the app menu and after the square appears around the icon,
double-tap Settings.
Step 4: Using two fingers slide up to find Accessibility.
Step 5: Tap Accessibility and after the square appears double-tap Accessibility.
Step 6: Tap TalkBack and after the square appears double-tap TalkBack , tap the
switch button and after the square appears double-tap OFF; double-tap OK on the
dialog box to disable the TalkBack function.
Communication Problems
Z160: Dual SIM stand by limitations
1. When SIM 1 is connected, SIM2 cannot be used to make or receive calls.
Incoming calls will be informed that the phone is busy.
2. When SIM1 is ringing, SIM2 cannot receive a call. Incoming calls will be
informed that the phone is busy.
3. When SIM1 is sending or receiving an SMS, SIM2 cannot send or receive an
SMS.
4. Only one SIM can be set for data connection. The other SIM will only be
available for voice calls and SMS.
5. If you set SIM1 as the data connection SIM, and you are using a data service
(e.g., download or browsing), and there is a call to SIM1, you can use the data
service and voice service at the same time. If there is a call to SIM2, then the
data service from SIM1 will be paused. Once you finish the call on SIM2, the
data service on SIM1 will automatically resume.
Z160: How do I enable the data connection?
Question:
How do I enable the data connection?
Answer:
Step 1: Enter the apps list.
Step 2: Select Settings > SIM Management.
Step 3: Enter Data Connection and select the SIM to use.
Z160: How do I disable the SIMLOCK?
Question:
How do I disable the SIMLOCK?
Answer:
Some models will have a SIMLOCK from the operator. Please contact the operator to
unlock the SIMLOCK. The procedures will differ from project to project.
Z160: What should I do when calls are dropped
or the data connection stalls?
Question:
What should I do when calls are dropped or the data connection stalls?
Answer:
This is sometimes due to bad signal quality. First check signal quality:
 Open Settings > About Phone > Status and check the signal quality.
Signal quality is considered "bad" if the strength less than -100dbm and ASU
(Arbitrary Strength Unit) less than 10.
If the user reports good signal and ASU values, but is still complaining about call
and/or download quality, they should restart the modem, since the handshaking
between phone and base station is occasionally faulty and they can't communicate
properly.
Restart the modem by enabling and disabling airplane mode.
1. Open the Notification area.
2. Tap AIRPLANE MODE.
-OR1. Press and hold the Power button until the phone options menu opens.
2. Tap Airplane mode to switch it ON or OFF.
Z160: Wi-Fi speed is poor, how do I check the
Wi-Fi signal?
Question:
Wi-Fi speed is poor, how do I check the Wi-Fi signal?
Answer:
The user can install WIFI Analyzer from Google Play to check signal quality and see if
their device has poorer signal quality than the benchmarks. Most of the time, it's a
Wi-Fi AP signal issue.
Known Google Issues
Z160: Google Play keeps loading but can't login?
Question:
Google Play keeps loading but I can't login?
Answer:
If the user did not log into their Google account during setup, they might encounter
this problem when they first log into their Google account.
This is a known issue with Google Play 4.1.10. To date, Google has not released a new
GMS package. (Google Play from the Play Store solves this issue.)
Resolve the problem by rebooting the device and Google Play will show the correct
content.
We will keep an eye open for a new GMS package and incorporate it into a new
software image when it's available.
Z160: After enabling Hangouts, MMS delivery
reports are not received
Question:
After enabling Hangouts, MMS delivery reports are not received.
Answer:
This is a known issue with Hangouts 2.0.128. We are still waiting for a new Google
GMS release.
Using the Z160's new features
Z160: How do I use Quick Mode?
Question:
How do I use Quick Mode?
Answer:
There is detailed information for Quick Mode in your phone's User's Manual. You can
access and download the User's Manual from support.acer.com.
Z160: How do I use Quick Mode dial function?
Question:
How do I exit Quick Mode dial function?
Answer:
Step 1: Enter Settings in Quick Mode.
Step 2: Enter to Speed /Photo Dial .
Step 3: Press “+” icon
Step 4: Choose any contact that save in device.
Step 5: Back to quick mode screen.
Step 6 : Long press the contact, then device will direct dial out
Z160: How do I exit Quick Mode and return to
Android?
Question:
How do I exit Quick Mode and return to Android?
Answer:
Step 1: Enter Settings in Quick Mode.
Step 2: Enter your 4-digit Quick Mode PIN (if you forgot it, you can try 1111).
Step 3: Select Mode Switcher.
Step 4: Choose Default Mode.
Z160: How do I use AcerRAPID?
Question:
How do I use AcerRAPID?
Answer:
AcerRAPID can be used as described below:
To change the app for the short press function, open the apps menu and tap Settings
> AcerRAPID > Short press and choose an app.
Tap the ON/OFF switch to enable or disable AcerRAPID.
The AcerRAPID button also allows you to answer incoming calls and end calls quickly
without needing to touch the screen. To accept an incoming call, press the
AcerRAPID button. When finished, press the AcerRAPID button to end the call.
Z160: How do I use Float APPs?
Question:
How do I use Float APPs?
Answer:
Tap the Recent button for the Float menu at the bottom. Acer Float allows you to
open an app as a "floating" window, which can be moved around in the display. You
may add up to four Float apps to the Float menu. You can also edit your Float menu
by tapping on
and adding/removing Float apps.
Float apps include: Float Browser, Float Buttons, Float Calculator, Float Camera, Float
Dialer, Float Maps, Float Notes, Float Stopwatch and Float Text. Widgets can also be
added to the Float menu by tapping on the Widgets tab.
General Problems
Z160: How do I capture a screen shot?
Question:
How do I capture a screen shot?
Answer:
Step 1: Press the power key and volume down simultaneously
Step 2: You can find the screen capture in the "Screenshots" folder:
\Z160\SD card\Pictures\Screenshots (If an SD card is inserted)
—OR—
\Z160\Internal Storage\Pictures\Screenshots
Z160: How do I upgrade the software?
Question:
How do I upgrade the software?
Answer:
FOTA: The user needs to have an SD card inserted for FOTA software upgrades. The
user will be informed when an upgrade is available.
SD: The user can refer to the global download web site to perform an upgrade via SD
card. (Please refer to the service guide.)