Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge User Manual & Setup Guide

If you need a manual or help with the setup of your Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, check out our user guide to start using your handset, connect to the internet and more!

1. Unboxing and assembling the Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge
2. Set up your phone for the first time
3. Connecting to Wi-Fi and mobile networks
4. Find out how to add your email accounts
5. How to add and import contacts to your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge
6. Using the Play Store to find new apps
7. Securing your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge a with a lock screen
8. How to make phone calls on your Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge
9. Send text & picture messages from your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge
10. Sending emails and attachments on your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge
11. How to set alarms on the Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge
12. Read our tips to learn more about your phone

If you're looking for the manufacturer's official manual for your phone, click here for the Samsung Galaxy S7 user manual and here for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge user manual.

Unboxing and assembling your Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge

So you've opened the box and taken out your Samsung Galaxy S7 for the first time, but what now? Well, it's now time to get your new mobile phone up and running, personalising it in the process. Before we begin putting the pieces together, let's make sure you have everything you need.

Inside the box* you should find:

• 1 x Samsung Galaxy S7
• 1 x Mains power adaptor
• 1 x USB lead
• 1 x In-line earphones
• 1 x Information pack
• 1 x USB/Micro USB adapter
• 1 x SIM tray tool

*some box contents may vary

The S7 takes a nano-SIM card, which fits in to a small tray located on the top edge of the phone. As the phone doesn't have a removable back cover you will need the handy SIM tool, which looks like a paper clip and comes in the smartphone packaging. If you wish to expand the storage available by adding a memory card, you'll need to have that to hand as well.

Insert the SIM and memory cards

To insert the SIM, first locate the outline of the SIM tray on the top edge of the handset. You'll see there is a small hole at one end of it; Insert the pin on the supplied SIM tool into this hole and press against the spring to force the SIM tray to pop out.

The SIM tray holds both the SIM and memory cards. Place the nano-SIM into the smaller holder, which is located at the end of the tray that is inserted into the phone. Make sure that the card is placed with the contacts facing down, and the cut-off corner correctly orientated.

The microSD card should then be placed into the larger holder, which sits nearest to the flanged end of the tray. This should be orientated so that the gold-coloured contacts are facing down, and the narrow end of the card is nearest the SIM card.

With the cards installed into the tray, slide the SIM tray back in to the phone and press into place. You're now ready to turn on the phone and complete the setup wizard. Welcome to your new handset!

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

Set up your phone for the first time

If this is the first time you've turned on your new Samsung Galaxy S7, it's time to complete the setup wizard! This is a fairly straightforward process which we've documented below to help make things easier to follow.

Before you turn the S7 on, please ensure that the SIM card has been installed as shown in the previous chapter. Press the power button on the right-hand edge of the handset for a few seconds and you will see the screen illuminate as the handset starts to power up.

At any time during the setup you may see a SIM service pop-up on screen asking you to select your mobile network from a list. This is so that your handset configures with the correct settings to connect to mobile internet; tap on the correct network name and OK this, and it will disappear.

Completing the Galaxy S7 Setup Wizard

1. The first screen of the setup wizard proper asks you to Select your language. Choose your preferred language using the drop-down menu (English UK is the default option) and then tap Start.
2. The next screen prompts you to connect to a wireless network. If you don't see any network names, check the switch at the top is on (showing green). If it isn't, tap it to turn it on. In the list of networks, tap on the name of the wireless network you wish to connect to. If you don't wish to connect to Wi-Fi at this time, you can skip this by tapping Next.
3. When prompted, enter the password for the Wi-Fi network. This is usually shown on a sticker on your router, and may be referred to as a WEP key, WPA key or wireless passphrase. Passwords are case-sensitive, and you can check your typing by tapping the Show password box. When you're ready to proceed, tap Connect.
4. Once the screen shows you've connected, you will be able to see a Wi-Fi symbol on the top line of the display next to the signal bars. The signal strength may vary, so not all the curved bars may be lit up, but as long as the symbol is there you're connected. Tap Next to continue.

5. If you want to use the handset you will have to read and agree to the Terms and Conditions. Tick the box to allow your S7 to send diagnostic data to Samsung if you wish, then tap Next.
6. A confirmation box will show on screen for you to verify that you agree with the Terms and Conditions of use. Tap the link to inspect these, then when you are ready to proceed tap Accept.
7. You'll then be asked whether you have another device you'd like to copy content from. This is done by using NFC (Near Field Communication) but not all Android handsets are NFC equipped. To explore this, tap to Copy Google accounts or to skip this for now tap No, thanks, then tap Next.
8. On the next page you will be asked whether you already have a Google account (an email address ending in gmail.com or googlemail.com). As the S7 is an Android handset, having a Google account unlocks some great features of the phone. Without one you can't browse the Play Store or sync your contacts to your Google email address, for starters! If you have a Google account already, enter your Gmail address in the space provided and tap Next. If you haven't already got a Google account, scroll down and tap Create a new account to set up a Google account for free.

9. If you're signing in, enter your password then tap Next. If you are creating a new account, complete the form to set up your new Google account.
10. To continue, you must agree to the Terms of Service (tap any link to inspect the details) and when you're ready to continue, tap Accept.
11. The next page is about background services your Google account can perform. The options are all ticked by default, so if you wish to opt out of any service here untick the box. The first section is allows the S7 to Back up to your Google account which is extremely useful when it comes to upgrading or replacing a lost or damaged handset, and therefore something we would recommend. Tap the down arrow to see the other options.
12. Location settings relate to letting your phone (and Google) know where in the world you are, which will help improve internet search results, and satellite navigation apps will thank you for it. You can also help improve location services by allowing the handset to check for Wi-Fi networks even when Wi-Fi is turned off. The final option allows the S7 to send back anonymous information to Google. Untick any of these if you wish to opt out of that service, and when you're ready to proceed tap Next.

13. The Play Store offers much more than just free apps, including paid-for apps, music to purchase and videos to rent or buy. To do this, you need a payment method linked to your Google account, although you won't be charged anything until you actually make a purchase. Tap your chosen billing option, or select No, thanks to skip this for now, then tap Next. If you're adding billing information or payment details, you will need to enter this when prompted.
14. You will then be invited to add another email address. We cover setting up other email accounts in a separate chapter, so we'd suggest skipping past this for now by tapping Not now then Next.
15. The Protect your phone screen gives you information about keeping your device, and more importantly your accounts and data safe and secure, which we would always recommend. Choose to set up fingerprint unlocking, a regular PIN, pattern or password lock screen, or to skip this by choosing No, thank you (not recommended) then tapping Next.
16. We're going to cover setting up fingerprint unlocking, which will need another type of lock screen security setting as backup to allow you to unlock the phone if your fingerprint cannot be scanned, so this guide covers those methods too. Tap to select Pattern, PIN or Password as your alternate unlock method.

17. We're entering a four digit PIN, but a password is set in much the same manner. Enter your chosen code via the keyboard, then tap Continue (a pattern requires you to set a PIN as a backup!).
18. Confirm your unlock PIN or Password by entering it again, then tap OK. If you're not setting a fingerprint right now, skip through to step 21.
19. To start scanning your fingerprint, touch your finger to the home button a shown on screen, lifting it away and replacing it as directed. This may take several attempts before the S7 fully processes your fingerprint.

20. When your fingerprint has been captured you will (briefly!) see a success screen.
21. Notifications will usually appear on screen when your phone is locked to show you that you have email, messages, or information from other apps including social media. You can choose whether to Show content from these, Hide content (but show that you have received something) or you can not show notifications. Make your choice (which can be changed later through Settings) then tap Next.
22. You will see a screen telling you that your screen lock as been set up. Tap Next to continue.
23. If you have used an Android device in the past, the Google account may be offering you the chance to Get your apps & data from a backup of your old phone. Tap the Restore from this backup to see all available backups to restore data from.

24. A list of available backups will show on screen. Tap to select the backup you'd like to restore the data from, and tap Done. You can, of course, tap to Set up as new device to allow you to start afresh with your S7. If you are restoring from a backup, you can choose which apps to bring across from your old device. Tap the Also include line, untick any apps which you don't want on your M9, then tap Done to close the options.
25. When you are ready to restore the chosen backup, or to set up the S7 as a new handset, tap Next. If you're restoring from a backup, this will continue to happen in the background as you proceed through the rest of the setup.
26. You will then be asked about using a Samsung account. This is optional, but without one you won't be able to update your phone to new versions of the operating system amongst other things, so we would recommend setting this up. If you've set this up on a previous Samsung handset, tap Sign in and do so with your Samsung account details. Otherwise, tap the down arrow.
27. If you're new to Samsung, you can tap Create account to set one up for free by completing the form to sign up for the service. If you are skipping the Samsung account sign-in, you will need to tap Skip on the confirmation screen to proceed.

28. The S7 will ask you (again) about transferring content from an old device, this time using a USB lead and the supplied USB/MicroUSB connector. This uses Samsung Smart Switch to transfer information from either an old Android device or an Apple iPhone. To start this transfer, connect your old phone as shown on screen. To skip this, tap Later.
29. Easy mode is great for newcomers to Android, as it uses a simplified screen layout with larger icons. If you'd like to enable this (don't worry, you can turn it off in the settings menu) then tap the switch, which will show green when enabled. When you're ready, tap Next to continue.
30. My Knox is Samsung's way of helping you maintain a good work-life balance by creating a separate business-focused area on your handset specifically for work-related apps and data. To set this up tap Finish and install, or to skip this for now (you can always set this up later if you wish) tap Finish.

The icon on the front screen that you will probably use most of all is the Apps icon. This gives you access to all the apps on your new phone, as well as the settings menus. It looks like a grid of small squares, and is in the bottom right-hand corner of the home screen.

At the bottom of the phone itself, below the screen, there is a physical button in the middle, which also contains the fingerprint sensor. This is the Home button, and pressing this will always bring you back to the home screen. Either side of this are touch-sensitive areas which also act as "buttons", and these are used to help you navigate around your new phone. To the left is the Recent Apps button allowing you quick access to apps that are still running in the background, and to the right is the Back button, which will always take you back one step in apps and menus.

Recent apps/Home/Back buttons on the Samsung Galaxy S7

Image by www.samsung.com

Now that you have completed the setup wizard, read through the other chapters in this guide to learn how to receive emails on your handset, download apps, and import your contacts!

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

Connecting to Wi-Fi and mobile networks

Your new Samsung Galaxy S7 is a powerful piece of kit, but without an internet connection many of its finest features are redundant! Fresh apps can't be downloaded, existing apps can't be updated, even your social networks and email accounts can't retrieve new data! Make sure your phone is working to its fullest by using our short guide below.

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network

Many of us now have Wi-Fi networks at home, and sometimes at work too. Connecting to a Wi-Fi network will switch your handset's internet connection away from relying on mobile data, which usually means a faster, more stable connection, and of course no data charges while you're using Wi-Fi!

When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, the data indicator on the notification bar of your S7 will be replaced with a Wi-Fi indicator. The curved bars indicate the strength of the connection, and when data is being transferred the up and down arrows will flicker.

From the home screen:

1. Tap on the Apps icon (it's a grid of squares, on the bottom row of the screen).
2. Find and tap the Settings icon, which looks like a cog or gear.
3. In the settings menu, tap Wi-Fi.
4. If you don't see any network names displayed on screen, check the switch at the top. To turn it on, tap the switch (it will display blue when it's on).

5. You should now see a list of nearby Wi-Fi connections you can access. Tap on the network name that you wish to connect to (if it's your home Wi-Fi it should be close to the top of the list).
6. Enter your wireless password when prompted. Remember, passwords are case sensitive, so ensure you enter it correctly! Wireless passwords are usually found on a sticker on the underside of your router, and may also be called a WEP key, WPA key, or wireless passphrase. If you wish to check your typing, tick the Show password box to verify you've entered the password correctly, then tap Connect.
7. If the password was entered successfully, you will see the word Connected below your network's name (which will be shown in blue), and a Wi-Fi symbol on the status bar at the top of the Galaxy S7's screen.

If you leave Wi-Fi turned on, your Galaxy S7 will automatically connect to the network you just joined whenever you are in range.

Connecting to Mobile Internet

An active mobile internet connection is indicated by a letter (or letters) next to the signal bars, on the top row of the display. The letters you could see are G, E, 3G, H, H+ or 4G, and these denote the various speeds of the data connection. This will vary depending on your network, and where you are at the time. The arrows flicker when data is being transferred, but the key thing to remember is that if the letter is there, your data connection is configured correctly.

1. From the home screen, tap the Apps icon or swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Tap on the Settings icon.
3. If your S7 is connected to a Wi-Fi network, you won't be able to see whether your mobile internet connection is working correctly, so in the Connections section, tap Wi-Fi.
4. Tap the switch to turn Wi-Fi off (don't forget to turn it back on again after you've finished setting up your mobile internet connection!) Tap the left arrow button at the top of the screen to go back to the main settings screen.

5. In the Connections area of the main settings, tap Mobile networks.
6. In the Mobile network settings, tap Access Point Names (APNs are the settings that configure the mobile internet connection on your S7).
7. Look at the list of network names in the settings, ensuring that the correct one is selected by tapping in the circle to the left of its name to turn the indicator green.
8. If enabling the correct APN has worked, you'll see data indicator letters next to the signal bars at the top of the screen (our example is showing 4G).

9. If your network name isn't listed, tap More in the top right-hand corner of the screen, then tap Reset to default.
10. A warning will appear telling you that resetting the defaults will erase any saved APNs. Tap OK to allow this.
11. You will then see a list of all the network settings that the Galaxy S7 can pull from the SIM card. Choose the correct network from the list by tapping on the circle, then tap OK to select that network.
12. Tap the circle to put a blue dot in it, which activates those settings. You should now be connected to mobile internet through your SIM card. Check the top line of the display for the data indicator.

If these options still don't work, then you can enter new APN settings manually by tapping Add at the top of the screen and completing the form. We have produced a guide to APN settings for all major UK networks to help you, but if your provider is not listed you may need to contact them directly for further assistance and troubleshooting. If you have successfully connected to mobile internet, don't forget to go back into the Wi-Fi settings and turn it back on! If you're back at your home screen, swipe down from the top to open the notifications area and use the quick settings button to turn on Wi-Fi.

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

Find out how to add your email accounts

Your new Galaxy S7 needs a Google account on it to function at its best, and can also manage multiple POP, IMAP and Exchange email accounts with a minimum of fuss. Follow our guide below to start receiving your emails on your new smart phone!

Gmail account setup

We covered setting up a Google account in the initial setup, but if you didn't complete it then you can add one now.

1. Open your Apps list using the home screen icon.
2. In the Apps list, tap on Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Personal section and tap on Accounts.
4. The Accounts page will show any accounts already set up on your S7. Tap Add account.

5. On the list of account types, tap Google.
6. A Google account is an email address ending in @gmail.com or @googlemail.com. To sign in with your existing Google account, enter the address into the space provided and tap Next. If you are new to Android tap Create a new account to set up a free Google account.
7. If you are signing in, enter your Password into the space provided then tap Next. If you are creating a new account, complete all the boxes on the onscreen form in order to set the account up.
8. The Terms of Service can be viewed by tapping the links onscreen. When you're happy to proceed, tap Accept.

8. The Google account can be used to back up your apps and settings. If you'd prefer not to have this happen, untick the box then tap Next.
9. You will then be asked to set up some payment details in order to purchase premium content, including chargeable apps and other media, from the Play Store. This is optional, as many apps are free. Select your billing option, or choose Remind me later to skip this for now, and tap Next.

You can find your Google email in the GMail app, which you can access via the Apps tray.

Email setup

1. Open the App Tray by pressing the square Apps icon at the bottom of the home screen.
2. Locate and tap on the Settings icon.
3. Scroll down to the Personal section and tap on Accounts.
4. The S7 will show any accounts already set up. Tap Add account to continue.

5. If you have an Exchange email account (often used by employers, or education providers) choose Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. For all other account types (apart from Google, shown above) tap Email (if you'd rather have your mail delivered into the GMail app instead of the Email app, select a Personal account setting instead).
6. Most email accounts can be configured quite quickly, simply type in your email address and password, then tap Next to continue.
7. If the account sets up automatically, you will be shown options to finish setting up your account, such as how often to check for mail, and how much mail to display. When you are happy with the settings, tap Next.
8. You will then be asked to give the account a name, and also enter your name which will appear on outgoing emails. Tap Done to finish the setup.

You should now see Email listed in the Accounts section. Email from your account will now be delivered to the Email app, which you can find in the Apps tray.

If your account failed to set up automatically, you will be returned to the main email setup page with your email address and password in the boxes. In order to add your email account to the Galaxy S7 you will have to do a Manual Setup, and you will need to know the type of account you have (POP3, IMAP or Exchange) and additional, account specific information.

This additional information will include the account Username, Password, and also incoming& outgoing mail server settings, all of which will have to be entered onto the on screen form. If your account is an Exchange account, you will need to know domain and Exchange server information.

We have written a guide to email server settingsfor most of the popular UK email providers to help you complete these, but if your mail provider is not listed, or your Exchange email account is provided by your company, you may need to contact them directly for detailed assistance.

If you are still having difficulty adding your email account, why don't you check out our support options and give us a call at any time 24/7 on 0800 049 3040

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

How to add and import contacts to your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge

Find out how to move your contacts from your old smartphone to your new Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge with a minimum of fuss. We've got all the help you need to transfer from Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Phone handsets, so click the link to find out more!

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

Using the Play Store to find new apps

Looking for new apps to enjoy on your Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge? Why not check out our handy guide to the Play Store, your one-stop shop for apps and games on your Android smartphone. We'll show you how to find new software through your phone, as well as how to install apps from the Play Store website on your computer!

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

Securing your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge with a lock screen

Your Samsung S7 has a lot of valuable information on it, and will likely be signed into accounts inside various apps to give you quick access to your data; Email, social media and file sharing apps to name but a few. The best way to keep all of this data from prying eyes is to secure your Galaxy with a PIN or Password, and you can also use your fingerprint to unlock your phone once you've set it up..

How to set up lock screen security

1. From the home screen, tap on the Apps icon, then tap on Settings.
2. Scroll down the settings menu to the Personal section, and tap on Lock screen.
3. To set up lock screen security, tap Screen lock.
4. Choose what type of unlock method you'd like to use; Swipe is the default, insecure method, Pattern allows you to draw a pattern on a grid of dots, PIN is a numerical code of at least four digits and Password is a longer, more complex security code. To proceed, tap your chosen method. If you want to use fingerprint unlocking, you need to set up a normal security screen first.

5. We're entering a four digit PIN, but a password is set in much the same manner. Enter your chosen code via the keyboard, then tap Continue (a pattern requires you to set a PIN as a backup!).
6. Confirm your unlock PIN or Password by entering it again, then tap OK.
7. You will be asked about Notifications, and showing their content. Hiding content will show that you have a notification, but not the details. Tap your choice then tap Next.
8. You will be asked about using your fingerprint to unlock your phone. We will cover setting this up separately, so tap Later to set the unlock method you've just configured.

Your new method of securing your lock screen will be displayed. In order to change it, you will need to enter it when you tap on that option. You can change the time needed for the lock to be activated after the display times out by tapping Secure lock settings and then Lock automatically.

If you do change this, remember that although your screen may have gone off, your handset may not be locked securely until a period of time has elapsed. When you're happy, tap the Home button to return to the home screen.

How to unlock your S7 with your fingerprint

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has a fingerprint scanner built into the home button. You can register up to 5 fingerprints to enable you to unlock your phone quickly without having to enter a password every time, and also

In order to set up fingerprint recognition, you need to be in the Lock Screen and Security section of the Settings menu (Apps> Settings> Lock Screen and Security).

1. In the Security section, tap Fingerprints.
2. If lock screen security has been set up, you'll need to enter this information now to access the security settings.
3. Tap Add fingerprint.
4. Place your finger (or thumb) onto the home button and lift it off as prompted on screen.

5. As more of your print is scanned you may be prompted to move your finger slightly.
6. When your print is fully scanned you will see a Success screen.
7. Your fingerprint has now been registered. To set it as the unlock method for your S7, tap Enable, otherwise tap Later.
8. To add further fingerprints, tap + Add fingerprint and repeat the process.

9. Further down the screen you will see settings to allow use of your fingerprints to sign in to websites, and verify your account and payment details when using Samsung Pay. Tap any of these to set them up.
10. To edit the name of a fingerprint, or to delete it, touch and hold its name.
11. Tap Remove at the top to delete the print and its saved data from your S7. To change the name (to help identify which print is which, for example) tap Rename.

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

How to make phone calls on your Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge

Making a phone call is one of the most important functions of any smartphone, but it's easy to get distracted with everything else your S7 is capable of! Find out how to make and receive calls on your new Samsung Galaxy with these short steps.

How to make a phone call

The first step to making a phone call is to open the Phone icon from the home screen by tapping on it. This is usually in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

1. The phone app will open to the dialler keypad. Unsurprisingly, this can be used to simply enter the number you wish to call, and then tap the green button at the bottom to dial the number.
2. Your keypad can also be used to spell out the name of a contact. Use the numbers corresponding to the correct letters to spell the name (in our example we're spelling out "Danny" by tapping "32669") and the S7 will find them in your contact list, just tap their name to call them! If you know more than one person with the name you're searching, you'll need to tap the correct contact from the suggestions.
3. If you prefer, you can search your contacts directly from the first Phone screen by tapping Contacts at the top.
4. Favourite contacts are a great way to enable quick access to the contacts you use the most often. Tap Favourites, then tap Add at the top to select them from your contacts list.

Whenever you have the contact you'd like to call on screen, tap the phone icon on their contact and the S7 will automatically dial them!

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

Send text & picture messages from your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge

With so many ways of getting in touch with people, it's easy to forget that texts are a big part of any smartphone. To find out how to send text and picture messages from your S7, check out the following steps.

How to send an SMS text message

Locate and tap the Messaging app from your home screen. The icon is yellow with a white envelope on it. If you have unread messages, you will see a red badge in the corner showing you have unread items.

1. To compose a new message, tap on the compose button (which is an orange circle, with a white pen and paper icon) at the bottom of the screen.
2. Now you're looking at a blank text message. In the Enter recipients box, start typing the contact's name or number. If you're entering text, matching contacts will appear below as you type. Tap on the contact you're trying to text to select them as the recipient. You can add further recipients if you wish to send the same message to multiple people.
3. Now you've chosen who you're messaging, it's time to type out what you want to say. Tap into the Enter message box and using the keyboard, type your message. If you're just sending a text message, tap the orange Send button to the right of the text entry box to send it on its way.

Add an attachment to send an MMS message

4. If you want to add an attachment, such as a picture, video or sound recording, tap the paper clip. Recent pictures, and a link to your Gallery appear in place of the keyboard. Tap a picture to attach it, or open the Gallery to find an older one.
5. Other types of file to attach can be found by tapping Other at the bottom, then tapping on the correct icon. If you're sending a picture or video, it will be sent as a Multimedia Message (MMS), and you may be charged for this - check with your mobile network about costs!
6. Navigate through the files on your phone to locate the item you wish to attach, select the item by tapping it, then tap Done.
7. Once you've attached your item, it will display in the body of the message, allowing you to add further text before you send it by tapping Send.

How to delete a message thread

If you'd like to delete a thread of messages from your handset, open the Messaging app and locate the thread you'd like to delete by finding the other person's name in the message list.

Touch and hold on their name, and a tickbox will appear beside it. When you see this, look in the top right-hand corner of the screen and tap the bin icon to delete the thread. You will also have to confirm this by tapping Delete on the pop-up which appears.

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

Sending emails and attachments on your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge

If you've set up your email account you're probably already receiving emails on your S7, but you may be wondering how to send emails and attachments to other people. Find out how with these short and helpful steps!

Sending an email

To send an email, you must have already set up an email account on your Samsung Galaxy. If you haven't added your account yet, please check our chapter on adding an email account for more information. To see your emails, tap the Apps icon followed by the Email icon.

1. When you can see your email inbox, tap the compose button. This is a red circle with a white pen-and-paper icon in the bottom-right corner of the email inbox screen.
2. Tap into the To line to select the intended recipient. Start to type their name using the keyboard, and any matching contacts will appear. Tap on the correct contact to add them to the recipient list. You can add further recipients or send carbon copies to yourself or others by tapping the down arrow.
3. Enter a Subject for your email by tapping on that line and entering it via the keyboard.
4. Now that you've set it up, type your message by tapping into the white portion of the window in the middle of the screen. If you just want to send a text email, then you can send it by tapping Send on the title bar.

Adding an attachment

5. To add an attachment, tap attach on the title bar. The first time you do this, you will be asked about your phone accessing your files. In order to attach files to your emails, tap Allow.
6. The keyboard will be replaced by a preview of your Gallery. If the picture you wish to attach is there, simply tap to select it. To choose another picture, tap the Gallery icon. To attach another type of file, tap Other.
7. Navigate through your files by using the on screen menu to find the item you want, and tap it to select it. When you've made your selections, tap Done.
8. Add further attachments if you wish, and when you've finished adding attachments and crafting your email, tap Send.

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

How to set alarms on the Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge

Setting an alarm is a popular occurrence on most phones, as you tend to always have it with you, turned on and telling the correct time. Read on to find out how to set an alarm on your Galaxy S7.

Setting an alarm

1. Alarms are set and amended through the Clock app on your S7. From the home screen, tap Apps and then Clock.
2. The first time you open the app, you'll see there aren't any alarms set (surprise surprise!) and there are buttons across the top of the app allow you to select World Clock, Stopwatch and Timer functions. If it's not already selected, tap Alarm at the top.
3. In the main window, scroll through the hours and minutes to select the desired time for the alarm to go off, but before you tap Save you may wish to look at the other options.
4. To set the same alarm time on multiple days (such as every weekday), tap the boxes that correspond to the days you'd like to select to turn them green.

5. Tap Options to see the other aspects of an alarm you can configure - tone, volume, vibration and snooze duration for each alarm. You can even set to get louder the longer you leave it before turning it off - so much better than your old alarm clock, eh? When you're happy with the settings, tap Save to store and set the alarm.
6. The displayed alarm will now show up brightly in the menu. This indicates the alarm is set to go off at the date and time displayed.
7. To turn an alarm off, tap the green alarm clock. This will dim the alarm line, indicating it is not set. To set an alarm that is greyed out, tap the alarm clock again.

Finally, to delete an alarm completely, tap the X at the right-hand end of the alarm line.

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters

Read our tips to learn more about your phone

You should now be a little more familiar with your new Galaxy S7, so let's take a moment to run through a couple of tips to help you get the most out of your new phone.

Access commonly used settings quickly

Like most modern Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S7 has a quick settings menu to allow you to access things like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi switches without having to go through the main settings menus.

From the home screen, swipe down from the top edge of the display. This will open the notifications area, which is where your phone gives you information.

On the blue banner at the top of the screen you will see some round settings indicators, which you can tap to enable and disable. If the icon is yellow, that means the particular setting is enabled.

Swipe across and you will see further settings. You can change which settings are shown here, and they order they appear, by tapping Edit at the top of the quick settings panel, then rearranging the icons as described on screen. Once you have tweaked these, press the Home button then swipe down to check your new quick settings menu in the notification area!

Keep your Galaxy S7 running smoothly with Smart manager

The Galaxy S7 comes with a great pre-installed app to help you keep your handset running at its best, called Smart Manager. It gives you access to a quick overview of your handset's key metrics, each of which can be tapped on to give you more detailed information and also the ability to optimise your phone's performance.

• Battery - Shows estimated battery life left based on current usage, and options for power saving to extend this. Also shows detailed battery usage for each service.
• Storage - Shows the amount of space used/available on the S6, and offers quick ways to delete unnecessary data, and uninstall apps.
• RAM - Shows how your handset's memory is being used, broken down into a detailed list by app. Allows you to end background services to free up memory, a great way to make your phone more responsive if it's feeling a little sluggish.
• Device security - The S7 incorporates built-in system protection, courtesy of industry-leaders McAfee. Run a scan to eliminate threats from your handset, just as you would on your PC.

Whilst the advanced features of each section are great for power users who like to "tweak" their device's performance as much as they can, they may appear a little confusing for the beginner. Samsung have that covered too, as at the bottom of the summary page is a button to Clean all, which will optimise the handset for you with just one touch!

return to Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge chapters