# Basic Controls
**<— Return to:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/getting-started-2PIp21MpGq](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/getting-started-2PIp21MpGq)
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**—> Next lesson:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/device-navigation-7Jz2vSg6Jp](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/device-navigation-7Jz2vSg6Jp)
**In this section, you'll learn how to operate your Above Phone with confidence through a clear overview of its basic controls and functions.** Discover how to navigate its control panels and quickly find what you need.
The Above Phone offers multiple pathways between features, apps, tasks, and privacy settings, allowing you to move fluidly without roadblocks.
Join us as we explore the essentials of navigating and using your new private phone!
Before we go into the specifics, let’s make sure we got the basics covered.
## Video guide
[https://iframe.mediadelivery.net/embed/158816/06884c3c-7ccb-470d-bb3f-d6d7b0335724?autoplay=false&loop=false&muted=false&preload=true&responsive=true](https://iframe.mediadelivery.net/embed/158816/06884c3c-7ccb-470d-bb3f-d6d7b0335724?autoplay=false&loop=false&muted=false&preload=true&responsive=true)
## Physical buttons
With all our current models, the physical buttons are located on the right side of the device.
You will find **3 physical buttons** there:
| **Button name** | **Location** | **Function** |
|-------------|----------|----------|
| **Power** button | separate button at the top | Lock / Unlock screen
Press and hold:
power device ON / OFF |
| **Volume up** button | upper button from the two connected ones below the power button | Raise Volume of currently active audio |
| **Volume down** button | lower button from the two connected ones below the power button | Lower Volume of currently active audio |
## Basic actions
Since the device mainly offers the touchscreen to interact with it, note that there are different actions that may trigger different outcomes.
Let’s define the three most used actions first:
### ==Tap==
**==Briefly touch==** your finger on an element / button on the screen. Release the finger immediately, otherwise it may trigger a **press & hold** action
### **==Press & hold==**
**==Hold down==** on an element / button for about 1-3 seconds.
Note that this will trigger a different action than tapping.
### ==Swipe==
Use one finger to **==slide in a straight line==** on the touchscreen on any direction.
### **Examples**
| Element | Tap | **Press & hold** | **==Swipe==** |
|---------|-----|--------------|-------|
| **App icon** | Opens app | open other options, like ***App info*** or widgets | No action on simple swipe
**==Press & hold== + ==Swipe==** will allow to move a shortcut on around on the home screen |
| **Dialpad** | Enters a number | **On number 1** it will dial ***voice mail***
No action on other numbers | No action |
| **Keyboard** | Enters letter / number / symbol | create special character / modified letter | No action
Keyboard apps can have a **Swipe / Glide feature**, which will allow to create words by swiping across individual letters in one single connected motion. |
| **Quick settings** | Toggle quick setting | Opens specific menu / gives more options | **==Swipe==** left / right: change pages
**==Swipe==** up / down: show / hide quick settings
In editing mode (🖍 pencil):
**==Press & hold== + ==Swipe==** allows to reorganize elements |
| **Notification** | Opens notification / app | Allows to customize notification | **==Swipe==** to sides dismisses notifications |
While these 3 basic actions cover the vast majority of what can be done with the phone, there are also some other actions that are more specific to certain apps.
### ==Press & hold== + ==Swipe==
First, **==hold down==** for 1-3 seconds, then while keeping the finger on the screen **==swipe==** to a direction
*Examples:*
* selecting multiple pictures in a gallery app (ex. *Aves Libre*)
* selecting multiple files in the *Files* app
### Pinch in
Use **two fingers** and move them closer together while touching the touchscreen.
This action is generally used on @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/maps-0d5abJtBFF](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/maps-0d5abJtBFF), pictures or @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/camera-open-camera-vm1bNAnCoh](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/camera-open-camera-vm1bNAnCoh) apps to zoom out.
### Pinch out
Use **two fingers** and move them further apart while touching the touchscreen.
This action is generally used on @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/maps-0d5abJtBFF](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/maps-0d5abJtBFF), pictures or @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/camera-open-camera-vm1bNAnCoh](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/camera-open-camera-vm1bNAnCoh) apps to zoom in.
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**Documents**
- [Getting Started](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/getting-started-2PIp21MpGq)
- [Application Guides](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/application-guides-jAjlxuCIBy)
- [Above Essentials](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/above-essentials-KkbCdqt7F7)
- [Profiles](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/profiles-UiYjt5uT5E)
- [Migrating from other devices](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/migrating-from-other-devices-h0cJeSFPOe)
- [Backup & Restore](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/backup-restore-8eA0cmjC3G)
- [FAQs](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/faqs-HUNU8JOych)
- [Privacy Strategies](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/privacy-strategies-uHCZH7KxdC)
- [Older Above Phones](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/older-above-phones-fG3zUVbYnS)