CMF by Nothing Phone 1 User Guide
Due to software updates, your experience of the software interface (including but not limited to software features, user interfaces, and interaction experiences) may differ from the interface presented in this guide. The software interface is subject to change.
Getting Started
1. Hardware Layout
The rear view of the CMF by Nothing Phone 1 shows the following components:
- Back camera
- Flashlight
- Power button
- Volume up button
- Volume down button
- SIM card tray
- Charging port
- Bottom speaker
- Cover
2. Charging
CMF by Nothing Phone 1 charges at 33W. It can reach 100% power in approximately 70 minutes with wired fast charge and a compatible fast charge adapter.
3. Navigation
3-button navigation
- Back: Returns to the previous screen or reverses the last action.
- Home: Returns to the home page of the launcher.
- App switcher: Opens the app switcher to change to a recently opened app or to free up memory by closing apps running in the background.
Gesture navigation
- Back: Swipe inwards from the left or right edge of the screen.
- Home: Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
- App switcher: Swipe up and hold from the bottom edge of the screen.
4. Launcher
Home screen
- Long press the empty area to bring up Home settings, Widgets, and Customisation.
- Long press app icons to show app shortcuts and rearrange icon positions.
- Long press and drag one app icon onto another to create a folder.
- Long press a folder to access folder customization and change the folder layout.
App drawer
- Swipe up from the bottom to pull up the App drawer.
- Long press and drag an app icon to add it to the home screen.
- Swipe right in the App Drawer to show hidden app icons.
Widgets
- Open the Widget menu through app shortcuts or by long pressing an empty area of the home screen.
- Long press and drag any widget to the home screen.
- Long press a widget to resize or edit it.
5. Quick Settings/Notifications
Pull down from the status bar to access Quick Settings and the Notification Centre. In Quick Settings, tap each tile to toggle a feature. Long press tiles to access more detailed settings.
Pull down a second time to access the expanded Quick Settings. Swipe left and right to access more Quick Settings tiles. Press the edit (pencil) icon ✏️ and drag tiles to customize the layout.
Basics
1. Network
To change Network Settings, drag down the Quick Settings panel and long press the first tile on the top left, or open the Settings app and tap on "Network & Internet".
To connect to Wi-Fi, tap the Wi-Fi menu item and turn on the Wi-Fi toggle. Select the wireless network and enter the password. Internet sharing (Hotspot & Tethering) can also be configured here and accessed via Quick Settings.
2. Connected Devices
To connect to a Bluetooth device, drag down the Quick Settings panel and long press the second tile to the top right, or open the Settings app and tap on "Connected devices". Tap "Pair new device" and select the target device to connect.
3. Installing/Deleting Apps
Installing
Launch the "Play Store", log into a Google account, search for the app, and tap the blue "Install" button. The installed app will be found in the app drawer.
Deleting
Open the app drawer, hold and drag the app to delete to the top right corner of the screen, releasing it under the "Uninstall" area.
Note: If performed on the home screen, the icon is removed ("Remove"), but the app is not uninstalled.
4. Battery
The CMF by Nothing Phone 1 has a 5000mAh battery, expected to last a full day of medium to heavy usage. Enable Battery Saver mode by tapping the "Battery Saver" tile in Quick Settings or by responding to the low power notification when the battery falls below 20%.
5. Storage
- To check available storage, open Settings > "Storage" for an overview.
- To clear app storage or cache, open Settings > "App" > "All apps". Select an app, go to its "More info" page, and use the buttons for clearing storage or cache.
6. Sound & Vibration
- Press the volume up/down buttons to adjust the volume for the most recently used audio source and open the audio menu.
- In the audio menu, tap the bell icon ? to change between "Ring", "Vibrate", and "Mute".
- In the audio menu, tap the three dots icon ⋮ to open a slider menu for media volume, call volume, ring & notification volume, and alarm volume.
- In Quick Settings, tap volume tiles to change between "Ring", "Vibrate", and "Mute".
7. Security
To change the unlocking method, open Settings and find "Lock screen & Security and privacy". Enter the "Device unlock" page to set a PIN, record fingerprints, or facial data.
Note: Fingerprint/face unlocking requires a PIN to prevent simple swipe access.
8. About CMF by Nothing Phone 1
- Contains device-specific information (hardware, phone number, etc.).
- Press the device name to edit how it appears on other devices.
- A dot next to the Nothing OS version indicates a new software update is available.
Advanced
1. App Shortcuts
Access app-specific shortcuts in the launcher by long-pressing an app icon. These shortcuts can also be dragged to the homescreen as standalone icons.
2. Max Icons & Big Folder
The Nothing launcher allows expanding icons up to four times their size for customization. Long press an app icon and press the expand icon to enlarge it. This can also be done for folders.
3. Do not disturb
Do Not Disturb mode offers a distraction-free experience by muting non-whitelisted notifications and calls, and hiding unseen notifications. Toggle it via the "Do not disturb" tile in Quick Settings. Whitelisted items can be edited by long-pressing the tile. Game mode also allows blocking calls/notifications individually.
4. Google Assistant
Google Assistant provides a virtual personal assistant. Activate it by short-holding the power button or swiping up from the bottom right corner. Learn more via the Google Assistant app.
5. Screenshot
- Capture a screenshot by pressing volume down and power buttons simultaneously. Images are stored in Google Photos > Library > Movies.
- For an expanded screenshot, take a normal screenshot and tap "Capture more" to capture a full page. Drag borders to adjust size.
- A three-finger gesture can also be used for screenshots (enable in Settings > System > Gestures > Screenshot Gesture).
- Screenshots can be edited by pressing the thumbnail, making changes, and saving.
FAQ
Q: How do I turn on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Press and hold the power button until the CMF by Nothing logo appears.
Q: How do I transfer data from my existing phone to my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: During the setup wizard, choose to copy data via Google account backup or a cable connection.
Q: How do I change the language?
A: Set the language on the first page of the setup wizard, or change it later in Settings > System > Languages and input.
Q: How do I enable location services?
A: Activate location services in Settings > Location. Apps will request permission when first used.
Q: How do I activate Find My Device on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Find My Device is automatically activated upon logging into a Google account. Location access requires location services to be on. Check Settings > Google > Find My Device for more info.
Q: How do I back up data on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: CMF by Nothing Phone 1 uses Google's default backup when connected to Wi-Fi and charging for 2 hours. To back up immediately, go to Settings > Google > Backup and tap "Turn on".
Q: How do I change the wallpaper and accent colours on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Long press an empty homescreen space, select "Customisation". CMF by Nothing Phone 1 uses Android's Dynamic Colour feature to extract colours from the wallpaper unless specified.
Q: How do I use screen recording on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: To set up, swipe down twice for Quick Settings, press edit (pencil) icon ✏️, and drag the Screen Recording tile up. To begin, swipe down for Quick Settings, tap the tile, and confirm. To finish, tap "Stop" in the notification centre. Files are in Google Photos > Library > Movies.
Q: How do I add the Nothing X widget to my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Long press an empty homescreen space, select "Widget" from the pop-up menu.
Q: How do I record on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Launch the camera app and select "Video" on the mode selection bar.
Q: How do I set and use passcode on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Go to Settings > Security and privacy > Device unlock. A pattern/PIN must be set first for fingerprint or Face Unlock.
Q: How do I do factory reset on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
Q: How do I eject the SIM tray on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Insert the provided SIM card remover tool into the hole next to the SIM tray at the bottom of the phone.
Q: How do I connect my CMF Buds Pro 2 to my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: The Fast Pair feature launches when opening an unpaired CMF Buds Pro 2 case. Follow the setup. If Fast Pair doesn't appear, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Pair new device. Refer to the CMF Buds Pro 2 manual for details.
Q: How do I enable battery saver on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: A low battery notification prompts you to turn on battery saver when the battery drops below 20%. Manually toggle it via Quick Settings.
Q: How do I force restart my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Hold the power and volume up buttons simultaneously until the CMF by Nothing logo appears.
Q: How do I enable Game Mode on my CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Game mode activates automatically for listed apps. Edit the app list in Settings > System > Game Mode > App list. Apps listed as games on the Play Store are added by default.
Q: How do I know when a new software update is available?
A: A notification will pop up. You can also check manually in Settings > About phone > Software info. A red icon next to the Nothing OS label indicates an update is available.
Q: How do I hide message details on the lockscreen?
A: Go to Settings > Display > Lock screen > Privacy to select notification preview options.
Q: How do I enable call waiting on CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Open the Phone app, tap the three-dots icon next to the search bar, navigate to Settings > Caller accounts > Additional settings, and toggle on Call waiting.
Q: How do I block / blacklist numbers on CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Open the Phone app, tap the three-dots icon next to the search bar, navigate to Settings > Blocked numbers > Add a number.
Q: How do I screen cast CMF by Nothing Phone 1 to my TV?
A: To set up, swipe down twice for Quick Settings, press edit (pencil) icon ✏️, and drag the Screen Cast tile up. To begin mirroring, swipe down for Quick Settings, tap the ScreenCast tile, and select the target device on the same local network.
Q: How do I enable dark theme on CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Dark theme is enabled by default. Toggle it in Quick Settings using the "Dark Theme" tile.
Q: How do I change fonts on CMF by Nothing Phone 1?
A: Font cannot be changed. To adjust font size, go to Settings > Display > Display size and text.
Q: How do I restore deleted photos or videos?
A: Open the Photos app, navigate to Library, and tap "Bin" to see items deleted within the last 60 days.








