Setting Up Android 10 with Free Software and Without Google Account

Summary

This article describes how to set up Android 10 while respecting your data privacy. The goal is to put more control over your data into your hands, and follows these guidelines:

Use Free Software wherever possible (F-Droid app store)
Synchronize with local GNU/Linux desktop, not external service providers
Keep the stock "non-rooted" Android image

This guide was written for my migration to a Moto G Fast (2020), but should hopefully serve as a guide for other Android 10 devices.

Set up of my earlier Moto G (2nd Generation - 2014) is described in Migrating from Palm OS to Android - The Journey Begins.

Update 2021-01-05: Add section for "Add MicroSD Card to Moto G Fast".

Update 2020-12-27: Add section for "Enable Moto App Features".

Background
Smart Phone Setup
Configure Built-in Apps
Replace App Store and Install Apps
Setup Manual File Copy
Download Photos
Setup Apps with Synchronization
- Calendar and Contacts
  - Deluxe Solution with Full Synchronization
  - Basic Solution with No Automatic Backup
- Notes/File Synchronization
Conclusion
References
Appendix A: Add MicroSD Card to Moto G Fast

Background

Achieving the appropriate level of security is a balance between adding layers of protection versus convenience and effort. Finding the right balance involves thinking about the worst outcome and the likelihood of it occurring versus the effort to implement and maintain security measures.

While configuring a smart phone with a Google account might at first seem risk free, many do not realize the freedoms that are compromised by this simple act.

Personal information is shared (calendar events, contacts, etc.)
Apps may stealthily track your location
Voice assistants are listening (think "Ok Google", Alexa, Siri)
Chrome browser and advertising cookies track web surfing
Apps may surreptitiously record camera video

"Why should I care?" some people say. "I have nothing to hide". What they may not realize is that personal data can be used against you. For example a thief may gain access to calendar data (holiday plans) and use the information for nefarious purposes such as a break-in. 'Better to keep this information under your control and share it on a need-to-know basis.

I try to protect my personal information while recognizing that some sharing of information is required. For example my Doctor will be hard pressed to diagnose an illness if I don't share my symptoms.

With this in mind I try to find Free Software solutions first, but sometimes resign myself to using non-free software. For example with no cell phone plan and no Free Software solution for contacting a land-line phone, I use a Skype account with pre-paid credits to enable calling land-line phones from my smart phone over Wi-Fi.

With that explanation of the importance of protecting your personal information, I now step down from my soap box and present the steps to control personal information as I have done on my smart phone.

Smart Phone Setup

Skip Setup with Google Account

TIP: Notifications, App Updates and Restart Requests

IMPORTANT! - Remember the following as you will get loud surprise notifications while setting up the phone.

To view notification from home or app screens:

Swipe down from top of screen, double-tap notification, then review / acknowledge notification.

To view notification from lock screen:

Double-tap the notification, enter PIN if prompted, then review / acknowledge notification.

While setting up the phone there were several loud notifications and app updates were downloaded in the background. When notified Restart now to update I chose the Restart now option each time.

These steps assume you are starting with a new phone (a Moto G Fast (2020) in my case), but should serve as a rough guide for other phones.

Press and hold power button until it starts to power up.
At Hi there screen choose English -> Canada and choose Start button.
At Connect to mobile network screen either insert SIM and follow directions, or if no SIM then choose Skip.
At Connect to Wi-Fi choose your network and provide password.
Wait at Checking for updates screen while it indicates Installing updates.
At Copy apps and data (from Google Account) screen choose Don't copy. A Checking info screen appears for a short time.
At Google Sign in screen choose Skip. A Skip account setup? dialog pops up so choose Skip again.
At Google Services screen disable the following settings:
```
 Location
   Use Location   - Disable
   Allow Scanning - Disable

 Device maintenance
   Send usage and diagnostic data - Disable
```
Leave the following setting enabled (no choice that I could see):
```
 Install updates and apps
```
Finally choose Accept to agree to the Google Terms of Service (no choice really if you want to use the phone.)
At Set screen lock enter in a PIN and choose Next. Re-enter PIN and choose Confirm.
At Unlock with your fingerprint screen choose Skip.
At Review additional apps screen choose OK (no choice that I could see).
At Adding the finishing touches screen wait for it to complete.
At Motorola About your privacy screen choose Privacy settings.
At on or off, it's up to you screen disable the following settings
```
 Help improve Motorola products   Disable
 Enhanced device support          Disable
```
and choose Accept and continue.
At Motorola Let's stay in touch screen disable I give Motorola permission to send me emails... and choose Next.
At Carrier location access screen disable Grant location permission and choose Next.

Can change later at Settings -> Location -> Carrier location access.
At A new way to navigate screen choose Get started, read through the tutorial choosing Next as you go. Don't do the swipes or you might exit the tutorial prematurely.
I'm not a fan of the new gestures so at Give it a try screen choose Go to settings.

At System navigation screen choose 3-button navigation and choose <- System navigation to go back, which also seems to end the tutorial.

Summary of navigation gestures:

 Go home             - swipe up from screen bottom
 See recent apps     - swipe up from screen bottom and hold
 Go back             - swipe towards screen middle from left or right edge
 Switch between apps - swipe left or right at screen bottom
 Launch assistant    - swipe up diagonally from screen bottom

Note that if you accidentally missed setting 3-button navigation then then swipe up from bottom of home screen to locate and open Settings app. From there manage navigation preferences in System -> Gestures -> System navigation.

Summary of button functions:

 Triangle icon     - tap goes back
 Circle icon       - tap goes home
                   - double-tap goes to first home screen
 Square icon       - tap shows apps running
                   - double-tap switches between two most recent apps

Other functions

 More app screens  - Swipe left on home screen
 Take screenshot   - Press and hold power and press down volume button
                     See Moto Actions app for three finger touch

Configure Settings

Scroll up from bottom of home screen and choose Settings.
Tap "x" in upper right corner of:
- Add another email account
- Try smart updates
Under Network & Internet
- If you have no SIM card then enable Aeroplane mode to save battery
- re-enable Wi-Fi
Under Display
- Choose Advanced
  - Choose Screen timeout
    - Choose 2 minutes or whatever you prefer
  - Choose Lock screen display
    - Choose Lock screen
      - Choose Don't show notifications at all
        
        Because the Moto G Fast does not have a notification available flashing light indicator (like my Moto G2), it can be a nuisance to have to unlock the phone just to see if a notification has arrived.
        
        Hence you might consider leaving this setting at either Show all notification content or Show sensitive content only when unlocked.
    - Choose Lock screen message
      - Enter "If found email your email address" and choose Save
Under Sound
- Choose Advanced, scroll down and:
  - ENABLE Dial pad tones
  - disable Screen locking sounds
  - disable Charging sounds and vibration
  - disable Touch vibration
  - disable Power on sounds
Under Privacy
- Choose Motorola privacy (should be disabled from earlier)
  - disable Help improve Motorola products
  - disable Enhanced device support
- Choose Advanced
  - Choose Ads
    - ENABLE Opt out of Ads Personalization and choose OK
  - Choose Usage and diagnostics ensure:
    - disable toggle -- should indicate Off
Under About phone
- Choose Device name
  - Enter yourname for device and choose OK (I used CGMotoGFast)
  - At Device name dialog choose OK
- Choose Emergency information
- Under Medical information
  - Choose Name
    - Enter your name and choose OK
  - Choose Add information
    - Choose Address
      - Enter your email address and choose OK
After completion of the above steps Settings -> Storage indicates 42% used - 18.69 GB free.
Choose Circle icon at screen bottom to return to home screen.

Disable No SIM card found notification

Receiving this notification is time dependent so this step might need to be performed at a later time. Also this is only required for phones without SIM cards installed.

Look for a No SIM card found notification.

If no notification yet then you can come back later when you receive the notification. Skip ahead to next section of steps.
Double-tap No SIM card found notification and choose Don't show again.

Finish Setting Up Your Moto G Fast notification

Receiving this notification is time dependent so this step might need to be performed at a later time.

Look for a Finish setting up your moto g fast notification.

If no notification yet then you can come back later when you receive the notification. Skip ahead to next section of steps.
Double-tap Finish setting up you moto g fast notification and at the same named screen choose Start.

If prompted Turn off aeroplane mode? choose Turn off.

We can re-enable later.
A Checking for updates screen pops up indicating installing updates.
At Bring your data from... screen choose Don't copy.
Phone goes through a few screens automatically and came back to the Google Sign in screen. Choose Skip and then Skip again.

Didn't I do something very similar earlier?
At Enter your PIN screen enter your PIN.
At Unlock with your fingerprint screen choose Skip.
At Anything else? screen choose Change font size.
At Font size screen choose option Largest. It's difficult for me to see the smaller options.
Return to previous screen by choosing arrow icon <- Font size in upper left of screen.
At Anything else? screen feel free to personalize your device with options such as Wallpaper. When done choose Finished for now.

For those without a SIM card, if Aeroplan mode was disabled then consider enabling it again in Settings app and re-enabling Wi-Fi.

Add Cities to Home Screen

This feature shows current temperature and weather forecasts.

Locate Circle around time near upper middle of screen.
Choose Add cities (near time)
Choose Add new location.
Enter "your city name" and choose your city from list.

Turn off Google Feed

Long press in empty space (not on an app) on home screen
Choose Home settings -> Swipe access
Choose Nothing
Choose Circle icon at screen bottom to return to home screen.

Disable Notifications During Sleep Time

Open Settings app.
Choose Sound -> Do Not Disturb -> Schedules
Choose gear icon beside Sleeping
Set Start time to 11:00pm
Set End time to 5:00am
Choose <- Schedule to go back one screen
Enable Sleeping
Choose Circle icon at screen bottom to return to home screen.

On my Moto G2 I used Silent Night.

Configure App Notifications

Work-In-Progress: I am still learning about how to disable some annoying notifications. The notifications appear to be controllable for each app. Below is a reference from another website for changing notifications. For now feel free to skip ahead to the next section of steps.

Quote from Adjusting audio alerts - moto g power:

   Change notification sound
   -------------------------

   To change the sound for all app notifications:

   1. Go to **Settings > Sound & lights > Advanced > Default
       notification sound**.
   2. Do one of the following:
       - To change it, choose a new sound.
       - To turn notification sounds off, select **None**.

   To change the notification sound for a specific app:

   1. Touch & hold the app icon.
   2. Touch **App info > Notifications**.
   2. Touch the category for checkmarked notifications, then touch
       **Advanced > Sound** and select a unique ringtone, or set it to
       none.

   To adjust the volume level of notifications:

   1. Press a Volume button and on the screen **touch three horizontal
       lines** icon.
   2. Adjust the Ring volume slider.

Configure Built-in Apps

Configure Camera

Open Camera app.
At Allow Camera to access this device's location choose Deny.
At Swipe right to open the modes menu. You can also tap the icon below choose OK.
Choose Camera icon.
Choose five segment icon immediately right of the biggest circle icon (takes picture) near the bottom middle of screen.
At Welcome to Google Lens choose OK (no other choice at this time).
At Allow Google to take pictures and record video? choose Deny.
At Camera is required - Enable camera permissions in your device's app setting to use Google Lens.. choose Dismiss.
Choose gear icon in upper right corner for settings.

Ensure the following settings

 Capture settings
   Tap anywhere to capture   Yes
   Shutter sound             Yes
   Assistive grid            Yes
   Leveller                  Yes

 AI settings
   Google Lens               No    (protect your privacy)

 Save settings
   Save location             No

Because I use photos mainly for online purposes such as email, I reduce the storage requirements of the images with the following settings

 Rear camera
   Photo Size
     Ratio          4:3
     Resolution     8 MP

Choose Circle icon at screen bottom to return to home screen.

NOTE: Less Detailed Instructions

Going forward I provide less specific information on steps. Instead I assume you have gained a basic knowledge of app navigation and usage. This should make the following sections shorter, yet still understandable.

Disable Google Play Protect [Optional]

Several times a day I receive Google Play Protect is turned on - This feature protects your device from harmful apps notifications. This is extremely annoying so I disabled this feature. Besides we are using F-Droid, not the Google Play store.

When a Google Play Protect is turned on notification arrives, double-tap the notification.
Choose the gear icon in the upper right.
Disable Scan apps with Play Protect.
At Turn off app scanning? dialog choose Turn off.
This should also disable Improve harmful app detection - Send unknown apps to Google for better detection.

Note that this feature can be turned back on or off at Play Store (app) -> three vertical dots -> Play Protect.

Disable Play Store Auto Update Apps [Optional]

If android keeps updating and notifying about google app updates every day and this annoys you then consider disabling Play Store auto-update apps.

To date I have not done this.

Open Play Store app
Choose three vertical dots ... in upper right and choose Settings
Choose Auto-update apps
At Auto-updates apps dialog choose Don't auto-update apps and choose Done

Control over Notify when updates for your apps are available is set here too.

Enable Moto App Features

The Moto app provides a number of convenient features that you may wish to enable or disable. Following are my preferences for some features.

Open Moto app.
Scroll down and choose Moto Actions.
Enable Flip for DND so that phone silences notifications when placed face down.

NOTE: If phone is in purse or pocket you might want this disabled to ensure that phone will always notify.
Navigate Back.
Scroll down and choose Moto Gametime.
Disable so this feature is Off.

Replace App Store and Install Apps

F-Droid App Store

Download and install the F-Droid app as described at the F-Droid web site.

Open Chrome
At Welcome to Chrome screen disable Help make Chrome better by sending... and choose Accept & continue.
At Turn on sync? screen choose No, thanks.
Visit F-Droid web site at https://f-droid.org/
Choose DOWNLOAD F-DROID.
At This type of file can harm your device. Do you want to keep F-Droid.apk anyway? dialog choose OK.
At F-Droid.apk. Open prompt at bottom of screen choose Open.
At Chrome - For your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source dialog choose Settings.
At Install unknown apps screen enable Allow from this source.
Choose back arrow to exit Install unknown apps screen.
At F-Droid - Do you want to install this application? dialog choose Install.
At F-Droid - App installed dialog choose Done.
Choose Circle icon at screen bottom to return to home screen.

The F-Droid app is automatically placed on a screen that can be accessed by swiping right to left on the home screen.

Note that at a future time when F-Droid was running a dialog popped up indicating F-Droid - Do you want to install an update to this existing application? Your existing data will not be lost. I chose Install.

Install First F-Droid App - A Web Browser

Instead of Google Chrome use Firefox for a more privacy-wise web browsing option. Fennec F-Droid is based on Firefox and improves privacy by removing some proprietary bits and telemetry.

Open F-Droid app

Note that the F-Droid app needs to refresh it's list of apps repository before you can select an app to install. Wait while Updating repositories is displayed.

Choose Settings

Following are the F-Droid app settings I use to disable automatic updates. That way I choose when to refresh the app lists and install updates.

 Automatically fetch updates   No
 Automatic update interval     No automatic app updates

 Include anti-feature apps     Yes

 Theme                         Dark   (change this last)

Choose Magnify glass icon in lower right.
Enter "Fennec" and list of apps should narrow down showing Fennec F-Droid.
Choose Fennec F-Droid
Choose Install and wait for app to download.
At F-Droid - for your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source choose Settings.
At Install unknown apps screen enable Allow from this source.
Choose back arrow to exit Install unknown apps screen.
At Fennec - Do you want to install this application? dialog choose Install.
When app finishes install choose Open.
At Fennec F-Droid - Welcome to Fennec screen scroll to bottom and choose Start browsing.
A "Search or enter address" bar should display which permits you to browse the web.
Tap screen to go to normal web browser mode.
Choose Circle icon at screen bottom to return to home screen.

Use the following steps to install the uBlock Origin add-on to block ads.

Open Fennec app.
Choose three vertical dots (...) in lower right.
Choose Add-ons
At time of writing (2020-12-01) uBlock Origin was displayed at the top of the Recommended section.
Choose + beside uBlock Origin.
At Add uBlock Origin? view permissions and choose Add
Wait for add-on to install.
At uBlock Origin has been added to Fennec review the default settings and choose Okay, Got it!.
Choose <- Add-ons to leave add-ons.
At time of writing (2020-12-01) a Collections dialog was displayed. Choose "x" in upper right hand corner of dialog to close.
Choose Circle icon at screen bottom to return to home screen.

You should have the Fennec F-Droid (Firefox) web browser installed and ready for web surfing.

Reduced Size Photo Images for Email

When attaching a photo to an email Android will, by default, include a full-size copy of the image. Many times a smaller file size copy is sufficient. Two apps to do this are:

Send Reduced - I use this one.

Open app and configure as:

  Maximum resolution           1024
  JPEG quality                   85%
  Can save destination           No

  Include GPS location           No
  Include EXIF location data     No
  Include EXIF timestamp         No
  Include EXIF device info       No
  Include EXIF Camera settings   No

Imagepipe also works for Android 11

Open and leave at default settings:
```
  Quality     80%
  Size      1024
```
Use the three dot menu ... -> Settings to change defaults.

Security Apps

Apps to help improve security.

SyncOnWifi to synchronize your accounts only on specific networks.

For example a calendar account that syncs to your desktop on your local Wi-Fi.
On Android 10 this app requires location permission and location enabled to read wifi data. Since I normally do not have location enabled I have not installed this app on Android 10. I do use it on Android 4.4.4.
Wi-Fi Privacy Police to prevent your smartphone from leaking privacy sensitive information via Wi-Fi networks.

I have this installed on Android 4.4.4 only.
Locker to wipe the phone after preset number of incorrect password attempts.

I configured for 10 attempts and confirmed the app wipes (factory reset) the phone after 10 incorrect attempts on Moto G Fast and older Moto G2.
I have this installed on both Android 10 and 4.4.4.

Other Free Apps

Some useful free apps available on F-Droid are:

AntennaPod for audio Podcasts
DroidShows for TV series tracker
My Settings: sync between Android:/storage/sdcard0/DroidShows/ (Send Only) and Linux:/home/userid/Sync/DroidShowsBackup
Editor for basic / Markdown text editor
Flym for Really Simple Syndication feed reader
My Settings: Text size +2, enable Hide button 'Mark all as read', disable Sort order, disable Enable automatic refresh, disable Refresh on startup. After adding feed Enable full text retrieval.
Geometric Weather for weather information
My Settings: allow Device location only while using the app, add 'my city' and long press on 'Current location' and drag to bottom of list, disable Send Alert Notification, set Appearance -> Interface style to Circular sky and set List animation to disabled
Jitsi Meet for video conference (I need to try this one)
K-9 Mail for email
My Settings: Settings -> Network -> Background Sync -> Never
KeePassDroid for password management
My Settings: sync between Android:/storage/sdcard0/keepass/ and Linux:/home/userid/.keepass/ to use with KeyPassX on desktop (sudo apt install keypassx)
Kitchen Timer for three timers on one screen
OsmAnd~ for GPS navigation
My Settings: Open Settings app and enable Location. Open OsmAnd, then Start, Download map for locale. Three bar menu -> Settings -> OsmAnd settings -> Data storage folder -> External storage 2 (64 GB SD card) and accept prompt to move data files.
Radio-Droid for streaming Internet radio stations
RedReader for reddit.com client
SicMu Player for folder based music player
Sky Map for astronomy
SolitaireCG for solitaire / patience card games
VLC for multimedia player

Non-Free Apps

If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot find a Free Software alternative then you don't have to give up entirely on the goal of controlling your personal information. Instead you can take a middle-ground path by installing only a few non-free apps.

For non-free apps you might consider side-loading these or installing via the APK Mirror app on F-Droid. Note that APK Mirror is supported by ads so look carefully for the download links.

Often several binary APK files are offered, although sometimes there is only one. If presented with a choice use:

arm64-v8a for Moto G Fast
armeabi-v7a for Moto G2

After downloading the APK file, open Files app, navigate to Downloads folder, and choose APK filename to install app. The first time Allow permission for Files to install apps from unknown sources.

Note that on my old Moto G2 I use Simple Explorer for a file manager.

Setup Manual File Copy

To enable Linux access to files on Android via the USB cable, install mtpfs on Linux.

[Linux] Install mtpfs on Kubuntu 16.04 and higher install.
```
 sudo apt-get install go-mtpfs
```

To perform a file transfer:

Connect Android device to Linux via USB cable.
[Android] Open Settings -> Connected Devices -> USB under Use USB For and ensure it is set to File transfer.
[Linux] At Linux pop-up dialog Device Notifier under your-device-identifier choose Open with File Manager. My device identifier is 'moto g fast'.

You should now be able to copy files between Linux and Android using a file manager such as Dolphin.

Download Photos

On Linux I use a combination of digiKam to download photos and the Dolphin file manager to rename and organize day folders of pictures (e.g., 2020-04-22_Bunny-Eats-Snow).

[Linux] Install digiKam on Kubuntu 16.04 and higher.
```
 sudo apt-get install digiKam
```

To download photos with digiKam:

Connect Android device to Linux via USB cable.
[Android] Open Settings -> Connected Devices -> USB under Use USB For and ensure it is set to PTP.
[Linux] At pop-up dialog Device Notifier under your-device-identifier ignore all options including Download Photos with digiKam as this will not work. Instead left click below the pop-up dialog to close it.
My device identifier is 'moto g fast'.
[Linux] Start K -> Graphics -> digiKam.
[Linux] Select Import -> Cameras -> USB PTP Class Camera.
A USB PTP Class Camera -- digiKam window should open and display pictures as these exist on the Android device.
[Linux] Select Edit -> Select New.
[Linux] Select Item -> Download Selected.
[Linux] At Select Album -- digiKam dialog choose a folder to hold the photos and select OK.
Photos should now download from Android to Linux.
[Linux] After photos finish downloading then close USB PTP Class Camera -- digiKam window.
[Linux] Either continue using digiKam or close the application.
It is now safe to disconnect the USB cable.

Setup Apps with Synchronization

Calendar and Contacts

Following are two methods to manage calendar and contacts without a Google account.

Deluxe Solution with Full Synchronization
Basic Solution with No Automatic Backup

I use the deluxe solution which permits me to access my calendar and contact information from my Android device(s) and my Linux desktop computer.

Deluxe Solution with Full Synchronization

With this method you can view and change contacts and calendar events on your Android device(s) or you Linux desktop and the data is synchronized on both.

See my earlier tutorial Set Up Android Calendar and Contacts with DAVdroid/DAVx5 Sync to Radicale Server on Linux.

If you previously set up a Radicale contacts and calendar server, then see the subset of steps specific to Android in E. Set Up Android.

Both contacts and calendar should now be working with your Radicale server.

You can skip ahead to consider Notes/File Synchronization.

Basic Solution with No Automatic Backup

Set up local storage on phone for calendar and contacts.

Note that there is no automatic backup with this basic solution. Backup might be performed by exporting the data to a file and then sending the data to other media or another computer via a file transfer. You might set a repeating calendar event to remind you to perform a manual export/backup of both the calendar and the contacts information.

For Contacts:

Open Contacts app
At message like Google login screen choose Skip.

Now try to create a local contact. This worked when I tested on a Moto G Fast. If you are unable to create a contact then try first installing Contact Book app listed below.

Contact tools:

Import Contacts Restore contacts from a file (use to set up a new device).
Export Contacts Export contacts to a file (use for migration or for data backup).
Contact Book Manage your contacts in a local addressbook (no automatic backup).
This app appears to not be needed on Moto G Fast.

For Calendar:

Install Offline Calendar via F-Droid.
Open Offline Calendar app.
At Allow Offline Calendar to access your calendar? dialog choose Allow.
At Development of Offline Calendar stopped! warning screen choose Skip Warning.
Choose + in lower right to create a new calendar.
At New Calendar screen under Name type in mycalendar and choose Save.
Exit app.

Now you should be able to open the Calendar app and create events.

Calendar tools:

Calendar Import-Export Import, Export & Backup your calendars using .ics files.
Offline Calendar Lets you add offline calendars (local) which are not synchronized and are accessible only on the device itself.

Notes/File Synchronization

Following are two different methods to perform file synchronization.

For file sync using Syncthing while phone charging see Set Up Android File Synchronization with GNU/Linux Using Syncthing.
For file sync using Android developer mode and adb-sync over USB cable see Set Up Android Two-Way File Synchronization with GNU/Linux.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You should now have calendar events, contact information, files, and photos locally stored and under your control. Your data managed by you. :-)

References

While researching this article I found the following references useful:

Appendix A: Add MicroSD Card to Moto G Fast

To add a microSD card to a Moto G Fast phone.

Power down phone by holding the power button down and selecting Power off.
Use clip that came with phone and insert into hole to pop open SIM/SD card slot frame.
Pull out slot frame.
Place microSD card in slot frame with gold contacts down.
Carefully insert slot frame into phone. Be sure completely installed.
Power up phone by pressing and holding power button, then when booted up enter your PIN to "login".
Swipe down from top of screen to view notifications.

If you see Settings - SD card - For transfering photos and media notification, then continue with step 8.

If you see Settings - Unsupported SD card - This device doesn't support this SD card. Tap to set up in a supported format notification, then the file system was not recognized. If the card has data, then power off phone, remove card, and try to recover data on a PC. If you do not wish any data from the card then skip ahead to step 29.

If you do not see a notification regarding the SD Card then skip ahead to step 11.
Double-tap Settings - SD card - For transfering photos and media notification, then continue with these steps.
At Open with choose Files (not Files by Google) and Always.

Should open Files app with a listing of card contents.
Swipe down from top of screen and swipe left to right on Settings - SD card - For transfering photos and media to remove notification.

Set Camera Storage Default to SD Card
Open Camera app.
At SD card available - Do you want to store photos and videos on your SD card? choose OK.

Should display Files app for SD card.
Choose Allow access to 'SD CARD'.
At Allow access to 'SD card' in 'SD card'? It will allow 'Camera to have full access to all files currently stored under this location, and any future content stored here. choose Allow.

Note: Pictures are not automatically migrated from internal memory to SD card.

Move Camera Pictures to SD Card
Open Files app
Choose Internal Storage
Choose DCIM (short for Digital Camera IMages)
Long-press on Camera
Choose three dot ... menu and pick Move to
Choose SD Card at bottom of screen
Choose DCIM
Choose Move here at bottom of screen
At Allow Files access - To continue, you'll need to allow Files access to the data, photos and videos on your SD card. choose Continue
Choose Allow access to 'SD CARD'
At Allow access to 'SD card' in 'SD card'? - It will allow 'Files by Google' to have full access to all files currently stored under this location, and any future content stored here. choose Allow
In Files app navigate to Internal Storage -> DCIM to confirm this folder is empty

Ensure Only One Camera folder
In Files app navigate to SD Card -> DCIM to check if only one Camera folder.

If more than one folder named "Camera...", then the one named Camera should be new and not contain any photos. You can enter the folder to double-check. To remove this folder long press on Camera choose ... and delete.

The folder named Camera (1) should be the folder we moved here with the old photos. Long press on Camera (1) choose ... and rename to Camera.
Exit Files app.

Skip over all remaining steps as you are now done.

Format SD Card - ERASES ENTIRE CARD!
Double-tap Settings - Unsupported SD card - This device doesn't support this SD card. Tap to set up in a supported format notification.
At How will you use this SD Card? Phone storage OR Portable storage choose Portable storage.
At Format this SD card - This SD card needs to be formatted to store apps, files, and media. Formatting will erase existing content on the SD card. To avoid losing content back it up to another SD card or device, choose Format SD card.

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