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Get your Samsung Galaxy A6 2018 up and running with this super-helpful guide. We’ll show you how to put the SIM and memory cards in, guide you through the setup wizard, and add things like email accounts and alarms.
Here’s what you should find in the box:
The A6 takes a nano-SIM. If you didn’t get one with your new phone, your network provider can send you one. You can also add some more storage space with a ‘microSD’ (memory) card.
On the left-hand edge of the phone are two trays, each with a small hole in. The tray nearest the volume buttons is for the SIM card, the one near the bottom of the phone is for the memory card.
Push the pin end of the SIM tool into the SIM tray’s pinhole to release the tray, then pull it out with your fingers.
Put the nano-SIM in the tray, with the metal contacts facing down and lined up so the cut-off corner goes into the phone first.
Push the SIM tray back into the phone.
To add a memory card, use the tool to pop the other tray out and remove it.
Put the microSD card in the tray, so the narrow end goes into the phone first with the contacts facing down.
Push the memory card tray into the phone.
Now you’ve put the SIM in, it’s time to get your phone set up. Press the Power button on the right edge of the phone for a couple of seconds until the phone vibrates.
When it comes on you’ll see the first screen of the Setup Wizard. These steps should help get your phone set up and ready to use.
Choose the language to use (English is the default) then tap the Arrow to start.
Connect to Wi-Fi to download everything you’ll need to while you’re setting it up. Tap your wireless network name.
Type the wireless password and tap Connect. If you’re not sure of the password, it might be on a sticker on your router.
If all goes well, you’ll see ‘Connected’ under the network name. Tap Next.
Tap Learn more to see each of the Terms & Conditions. Tick the circles to accept them and tap Agree to move on.
Add your Google account to download apps, back up your phone and more. Type your email address and tap Next, or tap Create account to make a new one for free.
Type your password and tap Next, or complete the form to make a new one.
Check Google’s legal stuff and tap I Agree to add your account.
You might see backups of Android phones you’ve had before. Tap one to restore it to your new A6 or tap Don’t restore to set it up as a new phone.
A lock screen helps keep your stuff private, but unlocking it every few minutes while you’re setting your phone up can get annoying. Tap an unlock method to set it up now, or tap No, thank you and Skip to leave it for later (we cover it in full further down the page)
If you’re doing it later on, tap Skip anyway to move on.
Google services help your phone work at its best. Leave the first switch on to back your phone up (you’ll be glad you did if you have to replace it). Tap More to see them all.
Location services help to make searches relevant, and power things like mapping. Sending system data back to Google helps make Android better for everyone. When you’re ready, tap Agree.
The Google Assistant can answer questions, search the web and do things for you. Skip if you don’t want to use it, or tap Next to set it up.
If you’re setting it up, you might be asked to enable some settings. Tap Turn on, or No thanks to skip.
A Samsung account gives you exclusive apps, offers and other services. Tap Sign in if you’ve used one before, Create account to get a new one for free, or Skip to move on.
If you don’t want to add a Samsung account, tap Skip again to confirm.
You’ll see some useful features of your new phone. Tap the down arrow to see them all, changing the options if you want to. Tap Finish.
That’s your phone set up and ready to use. Press Home (that’s the square on the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen).
Swipe down on the Home screen to see your phone's apps, or swipe down from the top edge to see notifications and quick settings.
Lots of apps, especially things like social media and email, need access to the internet. These steps will help you get connected.
Swipe down then tap Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.
Find and tap on your network name.
Type the wireless password and tap Connect. If you’re not sure what it is, check the sticker on the router.
When it works, you’ll see the network name in blue with ‘Connected’ below it.
Your mobile data connection probably set itself up when you first turned your phone on, but if you can’t get online when you’re out and about follow these steps. If it’s working, you’ll see ‘4G’, ‘H’, ‘3G’ or ‘E’ next to the signal bars, showing the connection speed.
From the Home screen, swipe down then tap Settings > Connections.
You can’t check the mobile data signal when Wi-Fi’s connected so if it's on, tap the switch to turn it off.
Tap Mobile networks.
Tap Access Point Names.
If you see your mobile network name, tap the circle beside it to activate the settings. Check for a data indicator.
If you don’t see your network name, tap Menu at the top (three dots) then tap Reset to default. Confirm by tapping Reset again.
Tap your network name to choose it or tap Cancel to skip.
If your mobile data still doesn’t work, you might have to put the settings in manually. Use the Add button at the top to do this, and our UK mobile internet settings guide should help you get it working.
Get all your email delivered to your Galaxy A6 to keep up-to-date while you’re on the move.
Swipe down on the Home screen then tap Settings > Cloud and accounts.
Tap Accounts.
You’ll see a list of accounts already on the phone. Tap Add account.
Choose Email if you want to manage your account in the Email app, or Personal to have your mail arrive in the Gmail app.
Type your email address and password in the boxes and tap Sign in.
Some email accounts will open the provider’s account sign-in screens. Follow the steps if you see them.
You might be asked to give the account permission to ‘talk’ to other parts of your phone. Tap Agree to make the account work properly.
If your account doesn't set up automatically, you might have to put the settings in yourself. Tap Manual Setup and type in the details, our email server settings guide will help you.
Protecting your phone with a lock screen is important because you’ll want to keep your stuff safe from prying eyes. We’ll show you how to set up lock screen security, and add fingerprint or face unlocking too.
Swipe down from the top of the screen and go to Settings > Lock screen > Screen lock type.
Tap an unlock option, higher security is always better.
We’ll show you how to add a PIN, the other types are set up in the same way. Enter the PIN you want to set then tap Continue.
Type your PIN again and tap OK. If they match, the lock screen is set. If not, you’ll be asked to retype them.
Change how notifications show on the lock screen. You can hide the details or turn them off completely. When you’ve finished, tap Done.
When you've added a lock screen, you can unlock it quickly with your fingerprint.
Go to Settings > Biometrics and security.
Tap Fingerprint Scanner.
Follow the steps to scan your fingerprint. When you see the success screen, Add another print or tap Done.
To use the newly-added print to unlock your phone, tap Turn on.
Tap a saved print to rename it so they're easier to manage, or delete it.
The Google Play Store has millions of apps and games to bring your phone to life. We’ve written a guide to help you download Play Store apps to your A6.
Tap the green Phone icon on the Home screen to open the app.
The app opens on the 'Recents' screen, which shows all calls made to and from the phone. Tap a name here to call them.
The 'Contacts' screen shows all your phone contacts - tap a name to call them.
'Places' can show you contact details for local shops, restaurants, bars and much more.
Tap the green number-pad icon at any time to bring up the dialler. Type a phone number, or spell out a contact’s name with the letters on the number pad. Matching contacts names will show, tap to call them.
Texting is a handy way to get in touch with friends and family, and only takes a few seconds. Tap the Messages icon to get started.
When you open the app, you’ll see a list of conversations. Tap one to answer with a text, or tap the New message icon at the bottom (it has a speech bubble on it).
Tap Contacts to pick someone to message.
Type out your message and tap the blue Send icon (with the arrow on it).
To send a picture or other multimedia item to your message, tap an icon above the number buttons. You can send other things too, but you might be charged - check with your network provider for details.
Conversations are the history of messages between you and another person. To delete one, touch and hold it until it’s ticked.
Tap to tick any other threads you’d like to get rid of, then tap Delete at the top
We'll show you how to send from the Samsung Email app, sending from the Gmail app is almost the same.
Tap the icon to open your Email app. To reply to an item in your inbox, tap it. To send a new email, tap Compose at the bottom (it’s orange with a pen & paper symbol).
Type the name of a contact. Suggestions will show as you type, tap one to pick them.
Add a subject and type your message in the main window.
When you’ve finished, tap Send at the top.
To add something like a picture or video to your email, tap Attach at the top.
Use the tabs at the bottom to choose what to attach. Tap Other to choose files from Google Drive, or things like contacts and notes from your phone.
Tap Gallery to add pictures and videos to your email, or Camera to take a new photo and put it straight into your email.
The icons above the keyboard are to add stickers, GIFs, and other fun things to your messages.
When you’ve finished adding attachments to your email, tap Send.
You can add several alarms to make sure you get up at the right time on the right days.
Open the Clock app from the Apps list.
Choose Alarm at the top, then tap Add at the bottom.
Scroll to pick the time, and choose repeating days below the time window. Check the options for sound and vibration, then tap Save.
Set and unset alarms by tapping the switches – when the switch is blue, the alarm is active.
To remove an alarm, touch and hold it for a moment to select it, then tap Delete.
Hopefully, that's all the help you need setting up your new Samsung Galaxy A6, but if you want to know more, contact an expert from Team Knowhow or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
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