How do I set up my new smartphone?

To use your new smartphone, simply insert your SIM card, then turn the phone on by pressing and holding the power button on the right side of the phone until you feel it vibrate and the Samsung logo appears. The phone will then prompt you through the initial set-up. You can skip some of the steps and do them later if you prefer but doing them straight away makes it easier to start using your phone immediately and gives you greater functionality. For example, adding your Google account lets you access the Play Store, and adding a screen lock gives you greater security from the beginning.

Please note: If your new phone is second-hand, the previous owner will need to remove their Google account prior to any factory reset. Google Device Protect is a safeguard which prevents others from resetting and using the phone if it is lost or stolen. Depending on who you bought it from and your network, there may be a region or network lock on it.

Set-up your new phone Set-up your new phone

You will find an ejector tool in the box with your new smartphone. To open the SIM tray, gently insert the tool into the small hole and the tray will click open. Place your SIM and SD cards with the gold-coloured contacts face down in the tray, then gently push the tray closed.

For further assistance:

Please note: The location of the SIM and SD card differs by device. The most recent models have a combined SIM and SD slot at the top of the device.  You should be able to find the location of the slot by viewing the sides of your smartphone and looking for the slot.

Ejection PIN

To switch on your device, press and hold the Power button until it vibrates and the Samsung logo appears. On most Galaxy phones, the Power button is located on the right-hand side of the phone.

Your phone will prompt you through several steps to finalise the set-up, such as connecting to Wi-Fi, setting up a screen lock method, adding Google and Samsung accounts and transferring data from your old device to your new one. You can choose to skip many of these steps if you would prefer to do them later.

1 Choose your language.

The first step is to choose the language you would like your phone to operate in. Select your language from the drop down menu, then tap the blue arrow.

Choose language for your smartphone
2 Read important information.

Your phone will now ask you to read some important information. If you agree, tap "Next" to proceed.

Important information is displayed on-screen
3 Connect to Wi-Fi.

Select your Wi-Fi network, then tap "Next", or tap "Skip" to move on to the next step without connecting your device to a Wi-Fi network. If you have selected a network with a password, you will be prompted to enter the password, then click "Connect". If you decided to skip this step, you can connect Wi-Fi later. Find out how to connect to Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi connection request
4 Install software updates.

Wait while your phone checks for software updates. You do not need to do anything. Your phone will automatically proceed to the next step once all updates have been downloaded and installed.

5 Copy apps and data.

You can choose to copy data from an old device to your new one automatically using Smart Switch.

Please note: In order to transfer data, the Smart Switch app must be downloaded on both devices. If you decide to switch wirelessly, both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

If you would like to go ahead, tap "Next", then follow the steps on-screen. You will be prompted to choose the source that you are copying from, then to choose whether to switch via a cable or wirelessly.

Alternatively, you can tap "Don't copy" to skip this step. If you would like to transfer your data later, find out how to transfer data via Smart Switch.

Copy apps and data request
6 Add Google Account.

Create or log in to your Google Account or tap "Skip". If you decide to skip this step, you can log in at a later stage. Find out how to add a Google account.

7 Review Google Services.

Your phone will prompt you to select which Google Services you wish to give permission to, for example Backup & Storage and Location Services. Select the services that you would like to activate, then tap "Accept" to proceed.

Google Services permission request
8 Protect your phone.

Select your preferred screen lock method or skip this step. It is recommended that you set up a screen lock method, such as a PIN, pattern or password for security but if you decide to skip this step, you can set it up later. Find out how to set a screen lock method.

Please note: Once your phone set-up is finalised, it is highly recommended to activate "Remote unlock" to store your PIN, Pattern or Password securely to allow you to unlock your phone in case you forget your unlock method. It also allows you to control a lost phone remotely, even when it's locked. To activate "Remote unlock", go to Settings > Biometrics and security > Find My Mobile > Remote unlock.

Lock method selection is displayed
9 Review additional apps.

Your phone will now display a number of apps for you to select from. Select the apps that you wish to download, then tap "OK" to proceed.

Additional apps available to download are displayed
10 Add your Samsung Account.

Create or log in to your Samsung Account or tap "Skip". If you decide to skip this step, you can log in at a later stage. Find out how to add a Samsung account.

Samsung account login request
11 Tap "Finish" to complete the set-up.

Your phone will prompt you to select which Google Services you wish to give permission to, for example Backup & Storage and Location Services. Select the services that you would like to activate, then tap "Accept" to proceed.

Thank you for your feedback!