How to use it

User manual

Everything you need to use your Bleta tablet: the buttons, what comes in the box, the home screen, the most common settings and what to do if something goes wrong.

Message us on WhatsApp

The tablet from the outside

These are the buttons, the connectors and the slots on the tablet, one by one.

On, off and lock button

This button switches the tablet on and off and locks the screen.

Switching the tablet on. Press and hold the button for about 3 seconds. The screen lights up and the tablet starts up.
Switching the tablet off. Press and hold the button for 3 seconds, until the power options appear on the screen, and choose Power off.
Locking the screen. This turns off the picture without turning off the tablet: a short press is enough. The tablet keeps working, but accidental taps are avoided and it uses less battery.
Unlocking the screen. Press the power button briefly or tap the screen twice in a row.

Out of the box, the Bleta tablet has no password, PIN or unlock pattern, so that getting in is as easy as possible. If you want to add that layer of security, you can set it up from:

Options Advanced settings Security and privacy Device unlock Screen lock

The power and lock button, on the side of the tablet

Volume buttons

The volume buttons turn the sound up and down.

The button on the right turns up the volume.
The button on the left turns down the volume.

While you press either of them, an indicator with the volume level appears on the screen.

The volume can also be adjusted from the Settings section, moving the control to the left to turn the sound down or to the right to turn it up.

The long volume button, on the side of the tablet

Headphone socket

The tablet has high-quality speakers and plays the sound through them automatically.

To use wired headphones, all you have to do is plug them into the 3.5 mm audio socket, the round one on the side.

You can also use wireless headphones over Bluetooth. For that you need to turn Bluetooth on from the advanced settings or from the quick settings panel, the one that appears when you swipe your finger down from the top of the screen.

Charging connector

This connector charges the tablet’s battery.

To charge it, plug the smaller end of the cable into the charging port on the tablet and then the charger into a socket.

As well as charging, this USB-C port can be used to connect other compatible devices: USB sticks, external hard drives, keyboards, mice or some mobile phones.

The tablet charging, resting in its case and plugged into a socket

Cameras

The tablet has two cameras:

Front camera, at the top of the screen. It is used above all for video calls.
Rear camera, on the back of the tablet. It is for taking photographs and recording videos.

The front camera, above the screen — Front camera

The rear camera, on the back of the tablet — Rear camera

SIM card slot

Bleta tablets take a SIM card so you can have internet with mobile data, without needing a WiFi network.

The SIM also gives the tablet its own phone number, which is useful for apps such as WhatsApp and for making calls.

To put in or take out a SIM card:

Switch the tablet off.
Put the ejector tool that comes in the box into the small hole in the tray.
Press gently until you hear or feel a small click.
Pull the tray out.
Place the SIM in the small recess in the tray.
Push the tray back in until it is firmly in place.

The SIM card tray, out of the tablet, next to the ejector tool — The tray comes out with the tool that is in the box.

microSD card slot

The tablet has 64 GB of internal storage, plenty of room to install apps and to keep a great many photographs, videos and other files.

Even so, if you need more space, you can add a microSD card of up to 1 TB.

To put in or take out a microSD card:

Switch the tablet off.
Put the ejector tool that comes in the box into the small hole in the tray.
Press gently until you feel a small click.
Pull the tray out.
Place the microSD card in the space meant for it.
Push the tray back in until it is firmly in place.

Once it is in, the tablet detects the new storage on its own and you can start using it to keep photographs, videos and other files.

Some apps, such as WhatsApp, save photos and videos to the internal storage automatically. To make the most of the microSD card it is worth moving those files onto the card every now and then.

The microSD card tray, out of the tablet, next to the ejector tool

Looking for the technical details? They are on the specifications page.

What comes in the box

Along with the tablet come several accessories meant to help you use it better and to protect it.

Charger

Always use the charger and the cable that come with the tablet.

Chargers that are not compatible can affect how the battery performs or shorten its life. If it ever has to be replaced, choose a USB-C charger of between 10 and 15 watts (W).

The charger and the cable of the Bleta tablet

Stylus

The stylus is especially good for anyone who finds touchscreens hard to handle, who is not very accurate when tapping or who simply prefers not to touch the screen with their fingers.

It is a dual-purpose pen: at one end it has a touch tip for using the tablet easily and accurately, and at the other, under a cap, an ordinary pen for writing on paper.

A hand using the tablet with the stylus instead of a finger

Protective case

The case protects the tablet from knocks and accidental drops.

It also rotates, so you can use the tablet upright or on its side and stand it on the table to see it more easily.

It is designed for this model, so all the buttons, the cameras and the connectors stay within reach. When you put the tablet away, always do it with the cover closed: that way the screen does not get scratched or broken.

The magnetic flap of the case, closed — Lift the magnetic flap.

The cover of the case open over the screen — Move the cover off the screen.

The tablet resting in the case in landscape — Landscape.

The tablet resting in the case upright — Upright.

The Bleta protective case, closed — Always put it away closed.

The Bleta interface

This is the screen you use to get to the apps and to the important functions. It is designed to make technology simpler: large icons, clear text and a straightforward layout.

Setting it up the first time

The first time the tablet is switched on, a short welcome guide appears to help you get to know the Bleta interface.

During that walkthrough you choose the language and get to know the most important parts of the screen, such as the home button and the basic navigation. The guide includes small practical demonstrations so you can learn the everyday things before you start.

The welcome only appears during that first set-up. After that, everything it teaches can be looked up here, in this manual.

Home screen

The home screen gives you quick access to the most important things on the tablet.

Down the side there is a menu bar with two kinds of things: on the one hand, indicators that tell you how things are (the battery, the time and the type of internet connection) and, on the other, navigation buttons that take you to the different sections of the tablet.

The rest of the screen is taken up by the main apps, which can be changed to suit each person: which ones appear, in what position and how big their icons are.

The tablet also has a lilac home button with a white house inside it. Pressing it takes you straight back to the Bleta home screen. That button can be moved around the screen by dragging it wherever it is most comfortable.

The Bleta home screen, with the menu bar down the side and the apps as large icons

The indicators on the menu bar

They tell you how the tablet is doing; they are not buttons, so you do not press them.

Battery

It shows the charge left in three colours:

Green: the battery has plenty of charge.
Orange: the charge is halfway.
Red: the battery is low, it is time to plug in the charger.

Time

The time is set on its own while the tablet is being set up for the first time. If at some point it is not right, you can change it from Settings → Advanced options → System → Date and time.

Internet connection

A picture shows how the tablet is connected at any given moment:

WiFi icon: it is connected to a wireless network.
Mobile data icon: it is connecting through the SIM card and mobile data.

The buttons on the menu bar

They take you to the main functions and sections of the tablet.

List of apps

It shows all the apps that are installed, in alphabetical order. You can also look for them using the categories down the left-hand side: All, Favourites, Cognition, Communication or Entertainment. The categories are set in advance and cannot be changed, apart from favourites.

Bleta comes with a selection of useful, easy-to-use apps: communication, information, entertainment and cognitive stimulation. In some cases the selection changes depending on how the tablet is set up.

To the right of each app there are two pictures: a star, which adds it to favourites or takes it out, and the icon of the hand with the raised finger, which opens the actions available.

Adding it to favourites. Press the star next to the name.
Opening an app. Press its name, or press the actions icon and choose Open.
Adding it to the home screen. Press the actions icon and choose Pin to home.
Uninstalling it. Press the actions icon and choose Uninstall.

Settings

It brings together the settings that are changed most often:

Volume. Move the control to the right to turn it up and to the left to turn it down.
Screen brightness. To the right, brighter; to the left, dimmer.
Text size. To the right, bigger; to the left, smaller.
Auto-rotate. It lets the screen switch on its own between upright and on its side when you turn the tablet.
WiFi networks. It shows the networks available so you can connect to one of them.
Advanced settings. It opens the tablet’s general settings: apps, permissions, accounts and the rest.

Editing

Editing mode personalises the home screen: the size of the icons and which apps appear and in what order.

Changing the size of the icons. Use the zoom controls to make them bigger or smaller.
Moving an app. Press and hold it and drag it wherever you want.
Taking an app off the home screen. Press and hold it and choose Remove app. This only takes away the shortcut: the app is still installed.
Adding an app. Press the Add app box at the end of the icons and choose the one you want from the list.
Saving the changes. When you have finished, press the back button at the bottom to leave editing mode.

Virtual assistant

This button opens Gemini, Google’s virtual assistant. With it you can ask questions or ask for things out loud, without typing. For example:

Opening an app.
Checking the weather.
Looking for information on the internet.
Asking general questions.
Setting reminders or alarms.

The assistant works out what you are asking for and does it whenever it can.

Common settings

The things we are asked to set up most often, with the menu path to follow in each case.

How to add a Google account

A Google account lets you use services such as Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Photos or Google Drive. It is also needed to install new apps, to update the ones already there and to back up some of your data.

To add it:

Options Advanced settings Accounts and sync Add account Google

Then type in the email address and the password, and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

How to install and update apps

The main way to install and update apps on Bleta is Google Play Store. To use this store you have to have signed in with a Google account.

From Google Play Store you can look for new apps, install them and keep them up to date, so that you always have the latest improvements and security fixes.

How to change the language

The language is usually chosen while the tablet is being set up for the first time. If you want to change it later on:

Settings Advanced options General settings Languages System languages

Once you are in, choose the language you want.

How to turn notifications on or off

Notifications are the alerts that appear on the screen when an app receives messages, calls or other information.

Bleta comes with most of them turned off to avoid interruptions. If one keeps appearing, or if you want to turn those of a particular app back on, it has to be done app by app:

Settings Advanced options Apps All apps Choose the app Notifications

From there you can turn that app’s notifications on or off.

How to add or remove an unlock PIN

Out of the box the Bleta tablet has no PIN or password, so that getting in is easy. If you want to add that layer of security, you can set a PIN, a pattern or a password:

Settings Advanced options Security and privacy Set screen lock

Choose the unlock method you prefer and follow the instructions on the screen. To remove the PIN or swap it for another method, go back to the same place.

How to change how long the screen stays on

The screen turns off on its own after a while without being used, to save battery. That time can be changed:

Settings Advanced options Display Screen timeout

A longer time keeps the screen on without you having to touch it; a shorter one saves battery.

How to link a WhatsApp account you already use on your phone

If you already use WhatsApp on a mobile phone, you can get into that same account from the tablet using the linked devices function. On the tablet:

Open WhatsApp on the tablet Link device

And then, on the phone:

WhatsApp on the phone Options (⋮) Linked devices Link a device

Scan the QR code that appears on the tablet with the phone and wait a few seconds for the conversations to load.

How to make the text bigger in WhatsApp

The text size in WhatsApp is changed inside the app itself, and only after the account has been set up with a phone number.

Open WhatsApp, open the options menu with the three dots in the top bar and go into Settings. Inside, go into Chats, scroll down to Font size and choose the Large option.

How to take a screenshot

To save a picture of what is on the screen, press the power button and the volume down button at the same time for about a second. The screenshot is saved on its own in the photo gallery.

You can also do it from the quick settings: swipe your finger down from the top of the screen and press the Screenshot button.

If something goes wrong

The most common problems and how to sort them out without leaving home.

Yesterday everything was fine, but today something is not working

First of all, restart the tablet: switch it off by pressing and holding the power button and switch it back on. That sorts out the great majority of problems.

The tablet does not switch on

Plug the charger into the wall socket and the cable into the charging connector on the tablet.
If the screen does not light up, or lights up for a moment and goes off again, try changing the cable or the charger.
Press and hold the power button for about 3 seconds in case it was switched off completely.

WhatsApp messages are not being sent, I cannot make video calls or some apps do not work

Check that you are connected to the WiFi network and that you are near the router: the connection picture on the menu bar tells you.
Check that there is internet. The router or your provider’s service may be having trouble; in that case you need to let them know.
With a SIM card with mobile data you will be able to use the tablet at home and away as well, even when it is not connected to WiFi.

I cannot get people to see my face on a video call

Make sure you are sending video: the camera picture must not have a line through it. If it does, press it to turn it on. And if you would rather not be seen, leave the line through it.
The tablet has two cameras. You may be sending the picture from the rear one: rest the tablet on the table and press the camera button with the arrows in a circle to switch to the front one.

The Bleta interface has disappeared and the ordinary Android screen appears

Check that Bleta Launcher is still the default home screen:

Settings Advanced settings Apps and notifications Bleta Launcher

Inside, check that Bleta Launcher is selected as the home screen and that it is allowed these three things: display over other apps, modify system settings and install unknown apps.

Problems with the charger

We recommend always using the original charger that comes with the tablet.

If it breaks or gets lost, it can be replaced with a USB-C charger compatible with USB Power Delivery, of between 10 and 15 watts (W).

Do not reset the tablet to factory settings

A factory reset wipes the accessible Bleta interface and part of the tablet’s personalised set-up. If you think it is needed, write to us first and we will look at it with you.

Care and advice

Four things that make the tablet last longer and save you trouble.

How to clean it

If someone else is going to use the tablet, it is worth disinfecting it with an alcohol solution.

Always put the liquid on a dry cloth first and then wipe the tablet with the cloth. Do not put the gel or the liquid straight onto the tablet: it could damage it.

Cleaning the tablet screen with a cloth and a spray

Put a screen protector on it

It prevents scratches and breakages from knocks, which can happen even with the case on: the tablet can fall while it is open.

Watch out for scams on the internet

The apps that come with Bleta respect your privacy, but while browsing or on WhatsApp you can be sent false or misleading information. Avoid giving out personal and banking details, and use your Google account to identify yourself whenever you can.

Ask before you sign up for anything

When you want to create an account, buy something or subscribe to a service, ask someone you trust to make sure that you are doing it on the official page and safely.

Not going to use the tablet any more?

Write to us and we will do our best to give it a second life. We work to make our devices last longer and to keep them out of a drawer or a landfill, and we give rewards for the tablet you no longer use.

Do you need help?

If you still have any questions or something is not sorted out by this guide, write to us.
We are here Monday to Friday, from 9am to 2.30pm (Spanish time).

+34 644 679 211 Write to us on WhatsApp and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Send a WhatsApp

contact@bleta.io If you prefer, send us an email.

Send an email

You can also have a look at the frequently asked questions or find out who we are.

Need any help?