Beginner’s Guide to the HTC Thunderbolt

by: Kellex | posted 04.27.11 | News, Tips, Videos

HTC Thunderbolt owners, Verizon has released a series of videos to help you better understand your new phone and make the transition to it much more enjoyable. As the first 4G LTE phone, it is a device that has grabbed the attention of users from all sorts of mobile platforms which means there will be a learning curve while these new faces adjust to Android. And what better way to conquer that, than through some quick video tutorials?

After the break, you’ll find tips for navigating around your phone, its social apps, creating contacts, and even utilizing Google Maps.

Navigation tips:

Creating contacts:

Using Google Maps:

Browsing the web:

Sharing and editing photos:

Using social apps:

Using email and documents:

Using mobile hotspot:

2,018

Nicole

i just go a thunderbolt and i want to use my ringtones for the text messages and i dont know how to do that any ideas how i can do that
Gdonwms

Just got my Thunderbolt yesterday. This site really helped me out. Thank you!
Jldurmis

what does the M icon mean on the top of the thunderbolt phone, next to the voicemail icon?
thanks
Jamesazeiler

Screen has stopped locking and going blank. How do I reset that feature?
Buff Carmichael

Someone tell me how to tell Google Maps that I’m about 6 blocks from where they say I am
Ms.Carmen Diva

The thunderbolt looks huge in that video
http://twitter.com/sudoscientist Balthazar Ruster

Killershade and SoCalDan have the right idea. The smartass governor has my battery life performing better than my Droid X ever did, with the same (if not more) usage (of course, this is with mobile data off until I need it; not that I can use it today anyway. Looking at you, Verizon…)
http://twitter.com/krusty46 krusty46

Where’s the video showing how to get 4G?
Rcross111

As most are aware both the LTE network and eHPRD are down (a special version of 3G for the Thunderbolt only). To get 3G data back you just need to change your settings back to the normal 3G network. Here are the steps: Dial ##778# and hit send A pop-up window named EPST will show up giving you 2 choices: View Mode and Edit Mode. Pick: Edit Mode. Enter the Password: 000000 Go down to Modem Settings and pick “Rev A“ You’ll want to choose enable and click OK, hit the menu button and then press “Commit Modifications.” Restart your phone and you should see 3G is working last step (may not be necessary) dial *#*#4636#*#* then set preferred network type to CDMA auto (PRL) I hope this helps anyone that is left in the dark by this outage. If you are running a non-stock dialer or a rom that included a dialer it may prevent you from entering settings. Flash this zip to go back to stock dialer http://www.mediafire.com/?9yf09ri4t2mip4z For those that want instructions for after LTE is back on These 2 steps will put you back on LTE and then put you back on the correct 3G for the Thunderbolt, when its back up. dial *#*#4636#*#* to get LTE, set preferred network type to CDMA + LTE EvDo auto Dial ##778# and hit send A pop-up window named EPST will show up giving you 2 choices: View Mode and Edit Mode. Pick: Edit Mode. Enter the Password: 000000 Go down to Modem Settings and pick “Rev A“ You’ll want to choose eHRPD and click OK, hit the menu button and then press “Commit Modifications.”
Cclark

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the post DroidLife. I am totally diggin my Tbolt and after these vids…the love affair may grow even more.
Gdmizer

WOW after one week with the Thunderbolt I find out that 4G is 8 months away for my area at the very least.
So I have to tough out 3G oh but wait something is wrong with VZW network and I no longer get 3G

All Verizon says it they know of a problem and are trying to figure it out in my area.
http://twitter.com/pwnjabi1 Khalid Salim

thank you so much for this, my fiancee just got this phone and I have been very busy lately and not able to walk her through all the features, keep up the good work
Gee

Whats up with her right eye
Anonymous

why is it when the phone is working fine you guys say it is the greatest phone ever, but when it has a problem arise, which isn’t even the phones problem it’s the networks problem, you all start to to whine and bitch and talk about throwing it against the wall? suck it up people every network has a problem every now and again. And really if you hate the bolt so much and miss your DX put the bolt on ebay and go buy another DX, just quit whining about it.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B2QSIC2M72JOFETTNGSRQFCFRY EricS
  
  That is why I always kept my old phone for a period of time after upgrading. If the new phone sucked, then I could easily switch back to the old phone and tell Verizon to take back the the new phone.
- DanSke
  
  Thank you. Some forget its an imperfect world with imperfect things. I don’t mind a speed bump every now and then, as long as its not frequent. I woke up and was like 1X? Hmmm thats interesting, eh I’m sure the techies are on it. No sweat.
Greg

“How can we get their minds off the fact they can’t do shit with their phones? give them How-to videos to watch online..since they can’t seem to put their phones down”
http://twitter.com/soupycinreno soupycinreno

The more I use this phone, the more I miss my AOSP’ed DX. I regret this purchase SO much.
- guest
  
  wait till CM7 is out for the TB and you wont regret it at all
- Sbalsen
  
  How many hours a day are you staring at the screen? My TB gets through the work day with plenty of battery to spare. Of course, I’m not playing Angry Birds or cruising the internet all day. But I check my email, stocks and internet frequently. Considering the TBs power and screen size, I have no complaints.
DanSke

Is it me or does that Verizon Rep looks like she just wants to strip down and starting grinding a pole.
DanSke

Is it me or does that Verizon Rep looks like she just wants to strip down and starting grinding a pole.
Anonymous

Couldnt watch, gaze locked on fake hand.
Anonymous

Couldnt watch, gaze locked on fake hand.
Mike

Surprised Verizon is showing how to use Google Maps and not VZ Navigator.
Mike

Surprised Verizon is showing how to use Google Maps and not VZ Navigator.
Anonymous

Lol @ using google maps. Unless you flash the leaked kernel the gps will hardly ever lock on, let alone give you enough locks to plot your direction of motion.
http://www.youtube.com/lanech Lane Chaplin

I didn’t see the video that showed me how to make my battery last 5+ hours.
- SoCalDan
  
  Oh that? That requires a brain.
  - Anonymous
    
    So enlighten us.
    - Killershade
      
      1. Root
      2. Install any of the ROMs that are out.
      3. Get SetCPU and turn the governor to “smartass”
      4. Get 40 hours of battery life per charge.
      - SoCalDan
        
        Ahem. There you go. Killershade beat me to it.
      - Blake
        
        How long does your battery life last?
      - guest
        
        mine easily last 24hrs
      - DanSke
        
        I easily get 12-15 and I can be a moderate to heavy user. Its all in the settings. The defaults are set to over-kill, you just have to tweak them.
      - Blake
        
        Thanks. I’m looking into getting a droid (hopefully an LTE) for the med apps and to use a lot while making rounds at the hospital and i just don’t want it to die on me while I’m rounding.
      - Killershade
        
        What droid are you going to get? Mmmpphh *snicker* ok I’m sorry its just funny when someone refers to any android phone as a “Droid”. No worries.
      - Blake
        
        haha…Actually had been waiting for the currently extinct/not-extinct Bionic because of concerns about the Thunderbolt battery-life. However, i’m growing impatient and am talking myself into a Thunderbolt more and more.
      - Datbizzybone
        
        I have extended i had 20 hours and still at 40%.
      - Anonymous
        
        OHHHHHHHH! Damn. Now I see where i went wrong, I set the governor to douchebag.
      - Killershade
        
        What’s really funny is that the smartass governor actually exists. I wasn’t poking fun at you.
      - Anonymous
        
        Whether you were or not it’s all in fun. That is hilarious though, that it’s real. I’m too chickenshit to root my tunda bow, at least for now. My personal battery issues are driving me guano, one day it’s 16-18 hours before yellow and the next it’s 4-5.5 hours before yellow. Literally. So the whole thing is a joke to me. Thanks for the clarification though, makes it more humorous.
      - Datbizzybone
        
        Question, just got SetCpu. Smartass setting does what? i cant find documentation on their website for it.
http://twitter.com/dfitz52 Dan Fitzgerald

how about a video of what to do when the 4G network is down and the 3G network is spotty…use as a paperweight, use just for phone calls/texts, throw against a wall…all things you could do when the network is down
http://twitter.com/dfitz52 Dan Fitzgerald

how about a video of what to do when the 4G network is down and the 3G network is spotty…use as a paperweight, use just for phone calls/texts, throw against a wall…all things you could do when the network is down
Anonymous

They forgot the most important video:

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/03/22/video-rooting-the-htc-thunderbolt/
Ecffighter7232

so easy, a caveman can do it
Sen-your

But how do I turn it on?
- DroidFan
  
  Hold the button at the top of the phone for several seconds and it will turn on.
  - OGDroiDGO
    
    c’mon…really?
Anonymous

Love a video on explaining why the freaking battery lasts 17 hours one day and 5 hours the next day with identical usage. THAT would be a good video.
- Anonymous
  
  LOL you’re asking for way too much!
  - Anonymous
    
    Yea, I should have known when the 3rd item on my wishlist was a new unicorn.
    - EC8CH
      
      IT’S SO FLUFFY!
- Anonymous
  
  Or why your 4G doesn’t work half the time
Favyfresh

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