Lumia 950 & Lumia 950 XL Tips, Tricks, FAQs and Useful Options

Microsoft has launched the Lumia 950 and 950 XL in the month of November, and these are considered to be the flagship Windows device from the company. Both the device come with similar specifications just the screen size and the chipset used. The Lumia 950 comes with a combination of dual-core and a quad-core processor where as the bigger 950 XL comes with dual Quad core processors. The 5.2-inch screen of 950 gives a pixel density of 564 ppi whereas the 5.7 inches 950 XL gives a pixel density of 518 ppi as both come with the same resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels.
Both these devices can be connected to an external monitor, a mouse, and keyboard via a Microsoft display dock that will give a PC like experience.

Also read: Microsoft Lumia 950 & 950XL Officially Launched in India from Rs. 43,699

If you are planning to buy any of these devices or already bought one, here are the tips and tricks that will be helpful in accessing these devices.

How to insert the SIM card on these devices?

Insertion of SIM can at times be a tricky thing, but it’s easy with these Lumia devices. To insert an SIM on these devices, you need to remove the back cover and just above the battery you can see the SIM slot. Now place the SIM accordingly as instructed and place the back cover to switch on these devices. Now these devices are ready to use with the SIM.

What is the type of SIM supported on these devices?

These devices are a single SIM variant and will be supporting a nano SIM card. Microsoft should have provided dual SIM option as most of these devices in the market come with this feature and also helps its user to access two different numbers from one device.

How to share these Data network via Mobile hotspot on these devices?

To share data network via a mobile hotspot, go to the settings of these devices and tap on the option Wireless and networks. Now scroll down to Mobile hotspot and toggle it on or off accordingly. You can share these network via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with the selected device. To share through Bluetooth, both these devices should have Bluetooth turned on and should be paired initially. A maximum of 8 selected devices can get access to the internet.

How to take a Screenshot on my Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL?

To take a screenshot on Lumia 950 and 950 XL, the user needs to hold the power/lock button along with the volume up button simultaneously for few seconds so that the screenshot is captured. This screenshot can be viewed immediately by swiping from the top and can be seen later from the file manager app on these devices that can be shared via any application.

How to check for the Updates on these devices?

To check if there is any update available on these devices, go to the settings of these devices and tap on the option Update and security. Here the user can see if there is any update available and if it is available, you need to download the update and install it. The new update will bring bug fixes and many new features to these devices that will help its users. Before installing the update, make sure the battery on these devices is more than 50 percent. If there is no new update available, these devices show a message stating that these devices are up to date.

How to Enable Battery saver mode on the Lumia 950 and 950 XL?

To save battery consumption on these Lumia 950 and 950 XL, go to the settings of these devices and select the option System. Here you can find the Battery Saver that has to be toggled to switch off or on. These ensure that the unnecessary battery consumption of these devices is reduced, and these devices can be used for longer period. Also, make sure that all the un-used apps are closed by pressing the back button to exit it completely instead of tapping the windows button. You can customize the battery saving option from battery saver settings. Here you have the option of automatically turn on the battery saver when the battery falls to a certain limit that you set and also let few important apps run in the background even after the battery saver is turned on.

How much is the internal storage on the Lumia 950 and 950 XL?

Lumia 950 and 950 XL comes with an internal storage of 32 GB out of which around 24 GB is user available and the rest is occupied by the system OS and other preinstalled applications. The memory can be extended up to a maximum of 200 GB via microSD card slot that is available beside the SIM slot.

How much free RAM is available on these devices if no apps are running?

These devices come with 3 GB of RAM out of which 1.9 GB is user available, and the rest is occupied by the pre-installed applications and the operating system.

How to transfer data from old phone to these devices?

It is always a struggle to transfer our old data to the new phone, but with Lumia 950 and 950 XL it is going to be very easy as Microsoft has added a new feature called Transfer my data app that will easily import all the contacts. All you need is to have a Bluetooth connection on both these devices. For these go to the settings of these devices and tap on the option Transfer my data. Switch on Bluetooth on both these devices and pair them to transfer the data.

How to set up lock screen on Lumia 950 and 950 XL?

Setting up a lock screen is vital to keep these data safe and also from the hands of kids who knowingly or unknowingly make calls and send messages. To set up lock screen on the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, go to the settings of these devices by swiping the home screen or from the quick settings available on these devices. Now tap on the option Personalization and then select Lock screen. The user will be asked to enter the Microsoft account details and one you enter the require things tap the save button. Now you can setup the four digits PIN to secure these devices.

How to connect to mobile data on Lumia 950 and 950 XL?

To use the internet on these devices via mobile data, make sure that you have activated the data plan. Now go to the settings of these devices and select the option Wireless and networks from the list. Now tap Mobile and SIM and switch on the data connection. Now you are ready to use data via Mobile network and follow the same steps to switch it off.

How much battery is given to these devices?

The smaller Lumia 950 comes with a Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery on the back with a standby of up to 288 h on 3G as well as on 2G and a talk time of up to 23 h on 2G and 18 h on 3G. The 5.7 inch Lumia 950 XL comes with a bigger 3340 mAh battery giving a stand by up to 288h on 2G or 3G and talk time of up to 25 h on 2G and 19 h on 3G. The endurance rating given for 550 is 48h and 62h for its bigger brother.

What is Glance screen and how to turn it on these devices?

In Glance mode, these devices show the time and other lock screen content in standby for the selected period. To turn on Glance screen, go to the settings of these devices and tap on the option Extras. Here you can set up the glance screen. You can manage the time of the glance screen and also the content that had to be shown on it. There is also an option to turn on the glance screen whenever these devices are in charge.

What is Lumia motion data?

Lumia motion data will collect all the data about how its user moves or collects information about the places and routes the user takes and provides it to all the apps that are installed. To turn on these feature on Lumia 950 and 950 XL, go to the settings of these devices and select the option Lumia motion. Here, you will have two different modes, Basic and Detailed wherein the user can select it accordingly. You can also select the app that you want to read the data and limit the others from using it by option provided.

How to turn on the magnifier option on 950 and 950 XL?

Turning on Magnify option on these devices will let its user magnify things on the screen to view it clearly. To enable this feature, go to the settings and select the Magnifier option and turn it on by toggling the option. To magnify, double tap in the screen with two fingers and to pan it while it is magnified, you can use two fingers to change the zoom levels and then you can pan up and down accordingly.

How to set-up ringtone on these devices?

To set-up ringtone on these devices, go to the settings and tap on Personalization and select the options sound. Now go to sounds and you can choose these ringtone from the given options accordingly. From here you also have the option to turn on the vibration and also turn off and on sound for various functions like the key press, lock and unlock camera shutter and system alerts.

What is the SAR value of these devices?

The SAR value is 0.60 W/kg for Lumia 950 and 0.56 W/kg for 950 XL. The SAR value must be lower to ensure that the device is safe to use. There is the limit for every country, and the device must pass the test to ensure that it does not cross the set limit.

What is the Model number of these devices?

The model number mentioned in these devices is Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL. The model number of a device differs with the region of the mobile manufactured.

What is the operating system installed on these devices?

These devices currently run on Windows 10 mobile operating system out of the box that is the latest from Microsoft. Since these are a Windows mobile, it comes pre-installed with apps like, Here Maps, Office, Lumia Help, Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, One Note, Outlook, Word, wallet and other Microsoft applications.

How to sync settings on these devices?

To sync all the settings you need to have a Microsoft account and to turn on these, go to the settings of these devices and tap on Accounts and then select sync these settings. Now turn on this feature and sync all the settings to this account and you also have the option to sync settings like theme and passwords individually.

How to reduce or increase the text size in Lumia 950 and 950 XL?

To change the text size on these devices, go to the settings and tap on Ease of Access, wherein you have to tap on the option text size. Now you can select the size of the text from the given options accordingly. This is mainly useful for people who have a problem in sighting the words.

How to reset these devices?

To reset this device go to the settings of these devices by swiping from the top from the quick settings or swipe to the left from the home screen to find the settings option. Now select the option about phone wherein you have the option to reset these devices t factory image. Before these is done make sure that all the data is backed up and the battery on these devices is more than 50%.

How to add language on these devices?

To add a language, the user needs to go to the settings of these devices and tap on the option time and language. Here you can setup the date and time of these devices and then add the language by tapping on to the language option. Apart from these, there are options like Region – to select the region of the user, Keyboard, and Speech.

What are the languages available on the keyboard?

The keyboard language options those are available on these devices English (India), Hindi Devanagari and Hinglish. You can select from any of the options accordingly. There are many other options in the more keyboard section, where you can also send Microsoft information about how you write and improve typing and writing. Apart from these, there are options like, show dictation button, switch back to letters after I type an emoticon and language switching key. This ensures that everyone use the device efficiently without having any trouble.

How much camera is provided with these devices?

Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL comes with a 13 MP auto-focus camera on the rear with LED flash and ½.4” sensor size. It is capable of recording 2160p videos at 30fps and also has the features like touch to focus and geo-tagging. There is also a 5 MP front facing the camera for video calling and selfies.

Can these devices capture 4K videos?

Yes, both the devices are can capture 4K videos with the 13 MP cameras in the back. Lumia devices are well known for their cameras, and these are no different.

What are the video modes available on the device?

Both the devices have the same video modes that are mentioned below. These modes can be changed as per the user’s requirement.

• 3840×2160 (4K) (30 fps),
• 1920×1080 (1080p HD) (60 fps),
• 1280×720 (720p HD) (120 fps)

How to find your lost or stolen Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL?

If you are a new Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL owner, follow these steps to ensure you can find your missing phone or wipe it clean so no one can view your personal data. Open up the Settings app on your phone and tap on Update & Security. Go to Find My Phone and turn on the two options available. The first option saves your device’s location periodically, so it’s easier to find, even if you have location turned off. Now you also have an option of enabling reset protection giving an extra layer of protection that allows you to prevent anyone from resetting your phone
Now select the turn on the button where you will be prompted to enter the Microsoft account password and will direct you to windows phone page. Sign in with your Microsoft account used on the device and then view your account from the drop-down menu located on the top wherein you will see Find My Phone link and click on it to see there the device was last seen.

How to use One-handed mode on these devices?

The one-handed mode is very useful as it helps its user to operate the device with the single hand. It is difficult to reach every part of the device when the screen size is big and one-handed mode shrinks the size of the screen so that you can use it easily. After activating this mode from the settings, you can tap and hold the start button and the screen size will be reduced to half.

These are the tips and tricks of Microsoft Lumia 550 and 550 XL. If you have more quires regarding the same, do drop a comment in our PhoneRadar forum, and we will be coming back with more tips and tricks and also the full reviews of these devices.