A context-aware mobile device such as a cell phone automatically determines appropriate user interface (UI) settings to implement at different times and/or locations. A behavior of the mobile device is tracked by determining locations visited and UI settings which are manually configured by the user. Patterns in the movement and UI settings relative to one another and to time are detected. When a particular location or time is subsequently reached which corresponds to the pattern, an appropriate UI setting can be implemented, thereby relieving the user of this task. Locations can be detected by electromagnetic signals at different locations, such as from a Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth network, RF or infrared beacon, or a wireless point-of-sale terminal. An identifier from the signals such as an SSID can be stored. Labels for locations can be automatically assigned, or the user can be prompted to provide a label for commonly visited locations.