220-1201 Mobile Devices Study Guide for the CompTIA A+ Core Series Exam

Configuration and Support

For the CompTIA A+ exam, you should be able to configure various mobile devices, including establishing connections, configuring peripheral devices and accessories, and supporting applications. Questions related to this concept will be scenario-based.

Wireless/Cellular Network

A wireless data network is one that is connected via wireless rather than wired methods. Cellular is the largest and farthest-reaching wireless connection method. Enabling and disabling wireless connectivity options is typically reached via the settings page and can be toggled on or off on both Android and iOS devices.

3G/4G/5G

3G, 4G, and 5G are all cellular connection standards and indicate generations, with each successive generation building on the one that came before:

3G sets the data rate standard at 200 Kbps. This standard uses traditional telephone circuits (as did 2G, though that standard is no longer functional in the US).
4G uses the Internet Protocol (IP) instead of traditional telephone circuits and comes in two varieties, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE). It offers a higher range and faster download and upload speeds.
5G was announced in 2016 and implemented in 2018. 5G has three classifications: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) for cell phone and mobile communication, ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) for autonomous vehicles and industrial applications, and massive machine-type communications (mMTC) for sensors supporting internet of things (IoT) devices.

Hotspot

A hotspot is a wireless connection method that allows for a shared cellular internet connection with Wi-Fi-capable devices. To enable the hotspot on an iOS device, go to Settings and Personal Hotspot, then slide the toggle to On. To enable a hotspot on an Android device, go to Settings, Connections, Mobile Hotspot, and Tethering, then toggle to On.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is a wireless connection technology that allows a device to connect to the internet via a wireless routing device. To enable Wi-Fi on an iOS device, navigate to Settings, locate the Wi-Fi option, and tap it to toggle to the On position. This will display a list of available wireless networks. Choose the appropriate network, join, and enter a passcode, if applicable, to connect. To enable Wi-Fi on an Android device, open Settings and navigate to either Network and Internet or Connections. Tap on the Wi-Fi toggle to enable, choose the appropriate wireless network, join, and enter passcode if applicable.

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and eSIM

A subscriber identity module (SIM) is a small card containing a chip that is used to identify the mobile device it is installed in, as well as the cellular provider attached to the chip. SIM cards come in various physical sizes and are used for authentication, network identification, and data storage. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that is activated digitally rather than being physically installed into a device.

Bluetooth

The IEEE 802.15 standard specifies criteria for wireless personal area networks (WPAN) that use Bluetooth for data-link transport. It also allows for paired devices to exchange and synchronize data over a Bluetooth connection. The CompTIA A+ exam content lists five steps for Bluetooth pairing.

Enable Bluetooth

Bluetooth can be enabled on a device by toggling the Bluetooth connection to On. To connect, both the host and the receiving device must be enabled. On a Windows device, enable Bluetooth by going to Settings, Devices, and Bluetooth and Other Devices, then toggling to On. On an Android device, go to Settings, Connections, and Bluetooth, then toggle to On. On an iOS device, go to Settings and Bluetooth, then toggle to On.

Pair

The Enable Pairing toggle will appear once Bluetooth is on.

Find a Device

When Bluetooth pairing is enabled, it will locate any pairable Bluetooth devices within its range. The pairable devices will be listed. Choose the appropriate one.

Personal Identification Number (PIN)

When pairing a Bluetooth device, a generated code will typically be displayed for first-time pairing. Enter the appropriate code to link the two devices.

Testing Connectivity

Once the two devices are paired using Bluetooth, test the connection through data transmission, such as an audio or file transfer.

Location Services

Location services are used to identify device positioning and location and include GPS and cellular location services. Location services can be configured on all mobile devices. To configure location services on an iOS device, go to Settings, Privacy, and Location Services, then toggle to On. To configure location services on an Android device, go to Settings and Location, then toggle to On. Individual applications have location services options, as well, with varying permissions.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

GPS services is a satellite-based navigation system that can provide current location and tracking for enabled devices using triangulation between receivers and satellites. GPS uses three primary components: the satellite constellation, the ground control network, and the receiver.

Cellular Location Services

Cellular location services also use triangulation to determine location, but they use cellular towers instead of satellites to triangulate a receiver’s location. Cellular location services are carrier-based and are limited to within the range of cellular towers.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

MDM, which helps companies ensure mobile device security, uses a software package to enroll corporate devices for oversight and security. MDM allows for the implementation of security policies on all enrolled devices and offers the ability to remotely track, lock, unlock, encrypt, and wipe mobile devices.

Configurations

When using MDM, different configurations can be enabled on a device based on the specific needs of the organization and applicable policies.

Corporate

A corporate device policy is commonly used on devices that are corporately owned and managed. A corporate policy places significant control of the device with the parent organization, allowing it to control how the device is used, what applications can be installed, and the security protocols required for device use.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

A BYOD policy allows employees to use personal devices for company communications. BYOD policies provide companies withless control over the physical device but can still place specific requirements on company-related data and applications. For example, a BYOD device may be required to use a corporate email configuration, which allows email access to corporate email accounts and can be done through either a commercial provider, such as Gmail, or through a corporate- or internet service provider (ISP)-based email service.

Policy Enforcement

Policy enforcement of mobile devices is the process of monitoring mobile device use and verifying that all enrolled devices are complying with set company policies. Policy enforcement is often supported using MDM and media asset management (MAM) software suites.

Corporate Applications

Corporate applications should use MAM software, with all accessing devices set up for remote install, wipe, lock, and unlock capabilities. MAM is software designed to ensure the security of software on an enrolled mobile device. MAM allows for the remote installation, deletion, encryption, and wiping of corporate applications and related data on an enrolled device.

Synchronization

Mobile device synchronization is the process of mirroring all unique changes and additions from one device to another. Synchronization allows a mobile device to be an extension of a primary computing device. Synchronization can occur via a wired, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular connection.

Data Caps

A data cap is a limit placed on the amount of data that can be stored in a synchronization location such as a cloud. Data caps are dependent upon the provider and the usage contract of the user. Managing data to stay within the specified data cap is vital to ensure the continuity of synchronization.

Calendar

Calendars are synchronized across connected devices and may even synchronize with additional applications and programs to ensure continuity.

Contacts

Contacts, unless otherwise specified, are synchronized across connected devices.

Business Applications

Business applications can also be synced between mobile devices connected to a credential. Business applications may include data storage sites, access to business or corporate websites or emails, and business-specific applications.

Mail

Email synchronization commonly uses the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), which allows for synchronization regardless of the OS, device, or program connecting to the email account. For example, an email account can be accessed on a Windows device and an Apple device and still remain synchronized.

Cloud Storage

Account synchronization setup utilizing cloud storage varies depending on the device and operating system used.

Microsoft 365—Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that offers access to the Microsoft Office Suite of programs and storage space in Microsoft Cloud. To synchronize Microsoft 365 accounts, go to Start, Settings, Accounts, and Sync Your Settings, then toggle to On. This will sync all logged-in devices using that particular user credential.

Google Workspace—Android devices often use Google Drive and Google Workspace for synchronization. To sync an Android device, go to Settings, Accounts and Backup, and Backup Data, then toggle to On.

iCloud—iCloud is Apple’s version of the cloud and uses the user’s Apple ID for access. To activate iCloud sync, go to Settings, Apple ID, and iCloud, then toggle to On for synchronization or backups. iCloud, unlike Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, which are highly cross-compatible, is designed for the Apple operating system and has reduced functionality across different platforms and operating systems.