Samsung J3 (2016) User Manual & Setup Guide

If you need a manual or help with the setup of your Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016), check out our user guide to start using your handset, connect to the internet and more!

1. Unboxing and assembling your Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
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 Samsung
6. Using the Play Store to find new apps
7. Securing your Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) with a lock screen
8. How to make phone calls on your Samsung
9. Send text & picture messages
10. Sending emails and attachments on your Samsung
11. How to set alarms on the Samsung Galaxy J3
12. Read our tips to learn more about your phone

click here for Samsung's Galaxy J3 (2016) user manual

Unboxing and assembling your Samsung Galaxy J3

So you've opened the box and taken out your Samsung Galaxy J3 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.

What's in the box?

Inside the box* you should find:

• 1 x Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
• 1 x Battery
• 1 x Mains power adaptor
• 1 x USB lead
• 1 x In-line earphones and pack of replacement earbuds
• 1 x Information pack

*some box contents may vary

The Galaxy J3 takes a micro-SIM card, which needs to be installed underneath the back cover. If you wish to expand the storage space available by adding a microSD (memory) card, you'll need to have that to hand as well.

Insert the SIM and memory cards

In order to insert the micro-SIM and/or memory cards, you will need to first remove the back cover. With the back of the phone facing you, and the camera lens towards the top, look at the left-hand edge level with the camera lens and you will see a small notch in the back cover. Use your fingernail in this notch to prise the back cover away from the body of the J3, and once you have started to release the cover you should be able to lift it away. If the battery has already been inserted, please remove it.

The micro-SIM and microSD cards go into a combined housing, which sits above the top edge of the battery compartment. The micro-SIM should be inserted first, with the gold-coloured contacts facing down, and the cut-off corner first. This should slide in underneath the metal clip which forms the body of the housing, and slides into place until it stops with the edge of the card flush with the edge of the battery compartment.

If you're installing a microSD card, this slides into place into the upper part of the housing, above the micro-SIM card. When you insert the memory card, make sure that the metal contacts of the card are facing down in to the phone as cards can get stuck if inserted incorrectly.

With the cards installed correctly, replace the battery, making sure to line up the electrical contacts correctly with those in the battery housing. Finally, replace the back cover, pressing it home around the edge to fix it securely into place. You're now ready to turn on your new Samsung Galaxy J3 and set it up!

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Set up your phone for the first time

Before you turn the Galaxy J3 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.

1. 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; tap on the correct network name and OK, then it will disappear.
2. The first screen of the setup wizard will be asking you to Select your language. Choose your preferred language by scrolling through the menu (English UK is the default option) and then tap the yellow circle.
3. The next screen prompts you to connect to a nearby 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 the switch to turn it on. In the list of networks shown, tap on the name of the wireless network you wish to connect to.
4. 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 ticking the Show password box. When you're ready to proceed, tap Connect.

5. 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.
6. If you want to use the handset you will have to read and agree to the EULA (End User License Agreement). Untick the box if you don't wish to send anonymous diagnostic data to Samsung, then tap Next.
7. A dialogue box will open on screen to verify that you agree with the terms of the EULA. To proceed, tap Agree.
8. Tap & Go is a handy way to transfer your Google account and data from one NFC equipped Android phone to another. You can tap Learn more to do this, but as most Android devices are not NFC capable, for the purposes of this setup we'll Skip this.

9. On the next page you will be asked to sign in to your Google account (an email address ending in gmail.com or googlemail.com). 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. If you haven't already got a Google account you can create a new account for free. If you don't wish to add a Google account at this point (not recommended) can you Skip this. To sign in, enter your Google address and tap Next.
10. The next step to signing in is to enter your Google password in the space provided, then tap Next. If you're creating a new account, complete the onscreen form, filling the details in as you go.
11. You will have to accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy in order to use the J3. Inspect them if you wish by tapping on the links, and when you're happy to agree, tap Accept.
12. The Play store offers paid-for as well as free content and you will be invited to set up a billing method. To securely register a credit or debit card to pay for content, or redeem a Play Store voucher tap the appropriate option. You may also be offered the option of having purchases billed through your mobile network, if they allow this. To skip setting up a payment method at this stage, select Remind me later. Once you've made your decision, tap Next to move on.

13. If you have set up your Google account on a previous Android device (either tablet or phone) and allowed backups to be made, you will be offered the change to import that data to your new J3. Tapping Restore from this backup will allow you to choose the device you wish to import a backup from, and you can also choose which apps you transfer across. To do this, make your choices then tap Next.
14. If you don't want to import a backup from a previous Android device, choose Set up as new device in the backup section and tap Next. This will allow you to start afresh with your new phone.
15. A modern smartphone has lots of information on it, and you will be permanently logged in to your email, social media and other accounts to allow easy access to them. For this reason, it's always wise to set up a screen lock to keep your data away from prying eyes. To do this, tap Set screen lock now, otherwise tap Skip to bypass this (not recommended).
16. Different screen lock methods afford different levels of security. Pattern lock allows you to draw a pattern over a grid of dots, a PIN is a numerical code, and a Password is, well, a password! To proceed, tap the screen lock type you'd like to set up (you can always change this later).

17. In our example we're setting up a PIN, but Pattern and Password locks are set up in much the same way. Using the keyboard, enter the PIN you wish to set then tap Done.
18. Re-enter the PIN (so you don't set the wrong one by accident) and again tap Done.
19. Notifications will usually appear 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.
20. The next page is about background services your Google account can perform. Backup allows your Google account to back up your handset's apps and settings, which is extremely useful when it comes to upgrading or replacing a lost or damaged handset, and therefore something we would recommend. Untick this box to disallow this, then tap More to scroll down to see the other services.

21. 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 will also be invited to improve Android by providing anonymous feedback. Untick any of the options on this screen if you wish to opt out of them, and tap Next to continue.
22. You will then be asked about using a Samsung account. This is optional, but gives you access to exclusive apps and content from Samsung, as well as special offers from them. If you've set this up on a previous Samsung handset, tap Sign in. If you're new to Samsung, you can tap Create account to set one up for free or use your Google account to do so. You can, of course, Skip this and do it later if you wish.
23. If you're signing in, enter your Samsung account ID (this will be an email address) and your Samsung account password into the boxes on screen and tap Sign in. If you're creating a new account, complete the form to sign up for the service. If you're skipping using a Samsung account, tap Skip to confirm this.
24. The final screen allows you to enable Easy mode. This is a simpler layout, with less information on each screen and larger text and icons. Tap the switch to enable this if you wish, and tap Finish to exit the wizard and start using your new phone.

At the bottom of the phone itself, below the screen, there is a button in the middle. This is the Home button, and 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. The area to the left shows you Recent apps that you have opened, which are still running in the background allowing you to switch between them easily, and the area to the right is the Back button, which takes you back one step in any app or menu.

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 usually found in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen (unless you move it).

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!

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Connecting to Wi-Fi and mobile networks

If you have a question about your phone and can't find the answer here, why not post a comment at the bottom of the page and share it with us!

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network

1. From the home screen, tap the square Apps icon or swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Find and tap the Settings icon to view your phone's configurable settings.
3. In the Connections section, tap the Wi-Fi line to open the Wi-Fi settings.
4. You will see a list of nearby Wi-Fi connections you can access. Tap on the one you want to connect to (if it's your home Wi-Fi it should be close to the top of the list).
5. 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. Tick the Show password box to verify you've entered the password correctly and press Connect.

6. If the password was entered successfully, you will now see the word Connected below your network's name, and a Wi-Fi symbol on the status bar at the top of the J3's screen.
7. If you've connected to the wrong network or can't access the internet after you connect to Wi-Fi, press and hold your finger down on the name of your wireless network. After a couple of seconds you will see a box asking if you want to Forget network or Modify network config. Choose to forget the network, then pick the network name you wish to connect to and type the password again.

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 J3 is connected to a Wi-Fi network, you won't be able to see whether your mobile internet connection is working correctly. 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 back button at the bottom of the phone 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 internet connection on your Galaxy J3).
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.

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. Choose the correct network from the list, then tap OK to select that network.
11. Tap the circle to put a green dot in it, which activates those settings. 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.

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Find out how to add your email accounts

If you have a question about your phone and can't find the answer here, why not post a comment at the bottom of the page and share it with us!

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 and tap on the Settings icon.
2. Scroll down to the Personal section of the main settings screen, and tap Accounts.
3. This screen will show any accounts which are already set up on your J3. To add a Google account, tap Add account. On the list of account types, tap Google to add a Gmail account to the phone.
4. To sign in with your existing Google account, enter the address in the space provided and tap Next. If you are new to Android tap Create a new account to set up a free Google account.

5. To sign in, enter your Google password into the space provided then tap Next. If you are creating a new account, complete all the boxes on the on screen form in order to set the account up.
6. You must agree to the Terms of service and Privacy Policy in order to use the Google account on your new Galaxy J3. Tap a link to inspect to inspect them, and when you're ready tap OK to proceed.
7. The Google account can be used to back up your apps and settings. If you'd prefer not to do this untick the box, and tap Next to proceed.
8. You will then be asked to set up 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, and tap Next.

The newly-added Google account should now show in the Accounts list, and your emails will start to arrive in the Gmail app very shortly (it's in the Google folder on the Galaxy J3's home screen).

Email Setup

1. Open the App Tray by pressing the Apps icon, or swipe down from the top of the screen, then tap on the Settings icon.
2. Scroll down to the Personal section and tap Accounts.
3. When the accounts list opens (showing any accounts already on your J3) tap Add account.
4. To have all your mail delivered into one app (which we'd recommend) tap Personal (IMAP) or Personal (POP3) depending on the type of account you have. If you want your mail delivered into a separate app to your Gmail, tap Email.
5. The steps here are for Personal account setup, but Email sets up in the same way. Type in your email address and tap Next.

6. On the next screen, enter the password for your account and tap Next.
7. If all goes well and the account sets up, you will be able to alter the account options to choose how often your handset checks for new mail, and how much mail to keep on your new phone. 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.
9. You should now see the account listed in the Accounts section. If you added your account by choosing Personal then your mail will be delivered into the Gmail app, which is in the Google folder on the home screen. If you chose Email when setting up the account, your mail will 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 J3 you will have to do a Manual Setup. In order to do this, 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

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How to add and import contacts to your Samsung

If you're trying to move your contacts between smartphones and want to know how to import contacts to your new Galaxy J3 (2016), check out our complete guide to transferring contacts to your Samsung smartphone, where we'll help you move across from Android, iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Phone handsets without losing a thing.

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Using the Play Store to find new apps

Looking for software to enjoy on your smartphone? Check out our guide to the Google Play Store where we'll help you browse for new apps and games, as well as show you where to find apps you've installed on previous Android smartphones. Click the link to find out all about the Play Store and what you can find inside!

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Securing your Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) with a lock screen

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 4-digit numerical code and Password is a longer, more complex security code. To proceed, tap your chosen method.

5. We're entering a 4-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. 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.

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How to make phone calls on your Samsung

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 bottom left 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 "Ben" by tapping 236) and the J3 will locate any contacts that match your search, 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. Whenever you have the contact you'd like to call on screen, tap the phone icon on their contact and the J3 will automatically dial them!

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Send text & picture messages

Find and tap the Messaging app from your home screen. The icon is a white envelope with a yellow sheet sliding out of 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 looks like a pen and paper) at the top of the screen.
2. Now you're looking at a blank text message. Pick the recipient by tapping in the Enter recipient box.
3. You can enter a mobile number directly using the numeric keyboard, or you can start to type a contact's name. 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.
4. 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.

5. If you're just sending a text message, tapping the orange Send button to the right of the text entry box will send your message. If you want to add an attachment, such as a picture, video or sound recording, tap the paper clip.
6. Options will appear to allow you to choose what you'd like to attach to your message. You could take a new picture using the camera, attach an image that's already on your phone or one of many other options, each of which can be selected by tapping on the correct icon. (If you're sending a picture or video, it will be sent as a Multimedia message, and you may be charged for this - check with your mobile network about costs!).
7. Navigate through the files on your phone to locate the item you wish to attach, and select it by tapping it, then tapping Done.
8. 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 the Send button.

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.

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Sending emails and attachments on your Samsung

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 white pen-and-paper icon in the bottom-left 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 the envelope icon on the title bar.

5. To add an attachment, tap the paper clip on the title bar. When the menu opens, you can choose what you'd like to attach.
6. 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.
7. When sending images, you may be asked whether to resize them - handy if you're using mobile internet, as large images and video can use a lot of data!
8. Add further attachments if you wish, and compose your message. To send, tap the envelope.

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How to set alarms on the Samsung Galaxy J3

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 J3.

1. Alarms are set and amended through the Clock app on your J3. 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. Tap ADD to set an alarm.
3. Set the alarm time using the arrows, but before you tap Save you may wish to look at the other options.
4. Repeat is great to set the same alarm time on multiple days (such as every weekday) by ticking the boxes, and tapping OK.

5. You can also edit the melody, volume, vibration and snooze duration for each alarm. You can even set it as a smart alarm, which gradually gets 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.

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Read our tips to learn more about your phone

Samsung smartphones come packed with loads of apps and features, but how do you hide the things you don't use? Follow these steps to find out how you can clean up your apps list, obscuring any icons you wish!

Managing your Apps List

When you add apps to your new J5, they will add themselves at the end of the apps list, but that means you may need to scroll through a few screens of apps to find them. Fortunately it's easy to rearrange the order of the apps list, and even uninstall apps directly without having to go through the settings menu.

1. Firstly, open your Apps list. You can do this by tapping the square Apps icon on your home screen.
2. Now that your apps are all showing on the screen, tap Edit in the top-right corner of the display.
3. To move an app into a different place, simply hold your finger on it and drag it to where you'd like to see it. If you drag it to the left- or right-hand edge, the screen will move to the next one in that direction and you can then place the app where you wish by taking your finger off the screen.
4. To uninstall an app, tap on the red minus (-) sign that appears on the top corner of the app's icon, and confirm that you wish to remove it by tapping OK.
5. After selecting all the apps you want to hide, press Done in the top-right corner of the screen. Your Apps screen will be updated with your new layout!

To put all the apps in alphabetical order, tap A-Z at the top of the screen. You will then see a confirmation screen advising you that any custom ordering will be reset, which you have to acknowledge so it's difficult to do this by accident!

Choose quick settings at the top of the Settings menu

If you find yourself using the main Settings menu frequently, you can place icons at the top of the main settings list for quick access to your most frequently used options.

1. From the home screen, swipe down from the top or tap the Apps icon, then tap Settings.
2. You'll see there are some Quick settings already selected. If you want to see other items in there (you can have up to nine) then tap Edit on the right-hand side.
3. The number of settings selected will show at the top. To deselect any you don't want, untick the box beside its name. To have a setting show in the Quick Settings list, tick its box. It's that simple. Remember, when you have nine selected you will need to untick a box before you can choose another one.
4. When you've finished making your changes, tap the left arrow at the top of the screen to return to the Settings menu. Your new selections will then be displayed!

Edit settings buttons in the notifications area

When you swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notifications area on your J5, you will see a row of 10 icons which are in fact on/off switches for a variety of functions (illuminated green means the function is turned on). You can rearrange the order they appear, and even change which ones you see!

1. From the home screen, swipe down to open the notifications area.
2. At the top, tap Edit.
3. The icons in the shaded area will be the ones shown in the quick access ribbon. Touch and drag the icons to rearrange them (they'll move as you reposition them) and when you're happy with the order you've placed them in, tap Done.

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