Google Slides smartphone app: Presenting made easy

Using presentation software on your smartphone provides you with a wonderful opportunity to edit and present your presentations on the go. Google Slides is one of the most popular applications in this area and is available for both Android and iOS devices. In this guide, I will show you step by step how you can effectively use the Google Slides app on your smartphone to optimize your presentations.

Key Takeaways

• The Google Slides app is free and very user-friendly.
• The application allows you to create, edit, and present presentations on the go.
• The features are comprehensive, but may be less intuitive than on desktop.

Step-by-Step Guide

To download the Google Slides app, open the corresponding app store for your device, whether it's the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Search for "Google Slides." You will find the app icon, which has a good user rating of 4.2 stars and over 100 million downloads.

Initiate the download process by clicking on "Install." You do not have to link an account if you only want to use the app, so choose the option that allows you to download without creating an account.

Once the app is installed, open it and you may see an introduction that you can skip in the bottom left corner. You will now arrive at the section where you see recently used files. This may be empty for you if you have not created any presentations yet. To create a new presentation, click on the plus (+) symbol at the bottom right.

You now have the option to create a blank presentation or choose a template. Give the presentation a title, for example, "Tobias presents," and optionally add a subtitle. At the bottom right, you can add a new slide, where you can browse through different layouts and styles.

For your first slide, you can simply enter text or a large number – for example, "100%." Double-tap on the slide text to edit it. To start the presentation, tap on "Play" at the top of the screen. This function allows you to view the presentation in full-screen mode.

You can also view the presentation in portrait or landscape mode and navigate through the slides by swiping left or right. Other functions are also part of the user interface; at the top, you will find the option to share the presentation by adding the respective contacts.

To add content to your presentation, go back to the plus symbol. Here, you can not only add text but also images, shapes, lines, and tables. All these elements are readily accessible through the user interface.

If you want to add comments to slides, you will find the comment bar at the bottom of the screen. To make your presentation available offline, go to the three dots at the top right and enable the offline function.

Additional options include moving your presentation to different folders or creating new folders to organize your work. To create a new folder, click on "Create folder" and give it a suitable name.

While the Google Slides app allows you to utilize the same functionality as the desktop version, it can be somewhat more cumbersome, especially due to the smaller screen size. However, almost all editing functions are available. These include text formatting, adding bullet points, and adjusting the background color.

You also have the option to change the font, font color, and text alignment. Adjusting your presentation is thus possible via your smartphone, although it may take more time due to the mobile view.

Despite these challenges, it is advisable to use the Google Slides app on your smartphone in order to access your presentations on the go, to comment on them, or to make changes.

Summary

The Google Slides app is a powerful tool for anyone creating presentations. With its user-friendly interface and essential features, it offers you the flexibility to manage your work on your smartphone as well.