Samsung Galaxy S8 | S8+ Smartphone User Manual
- June 12, 2024
- Samsung
Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy S8 | S8+ Smartphone
USER MANUAL
Special Features
Learn about your mobile device’s special features.
• Bixby – Bixby allows you to quickly set reminders, create voice dictation, and search and access content on your phone and on the Internet.
• Edge Screen – The Edge screen provides a variety of useful tools for notifications, information feeds, and timekeeping.
• Flexible Security – Use your face, fingerprint, or iris to unlock your device.
• Water and Dust Resistance – This device is rated IP68 using the Ingress Protection rating system.
Getting Started
Learn about your mobile device hardware, assembly procedures, and how to get started using your new device.
Set Up Your Device
Learn how to set up your device for the first time.
• Assemble Your Device – This section helps you to assemble your device.
• Start Using Your Device
Turn Your Device On or Off
The instructions below explain how to turn your device on or off.
To turn the device on:
► Press and hold the Power key until the device turns on.
To turn the device off:
1. Press and hold the Power key until the Device options menu is displayed.
2. Tap Power off , and confirm if prompted.
Lock or Unlock Your Device
Use your device’s screen lock features to secure your device. By default, the device locks automatically when the screen times out.
To lock the device:
► Press the Power key.
The default Screen lock on your device is Swipe. To choose a more secure screen lock, see “Set a Screen Lock”
To unlock the device:
► Press the Power key or double-tap Home , and then drag your finger across the screen.
Restart the Device
If your device stops responding to taps or finger gestures and you are unable to turn it off, you can restart your device.
► Press and hold the Power key and the Volume down key at the same time for more than seven seconds.
Use the Set Up Wizard
The first time you turn your device on, a Welcome screen is displayed. It guides you through the basics of setting up your device.
Follow the prompts to choose a default language, connect to a Wi-Fi® network, set up accounts, choose location services, learn about your device’s features, and more.
Voice Assistant provides voice prompts and descriptions of items on the screen to improve accessibility.
Google Account
Your new device uses your Google™ Account to fully utilize its Android™ features, including Gmail™, Google Duo™, and the Google Play™ store.
When you turn on your device for the first time, set up your existing Google Account or create a new Google Account.
– or –
To create a new Google Account or set up your Google Account on your device at any time, use Accounts settings.
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Accounts.
3. Tap Add account > Google.
Factory Reset Protection
When you sign in to a Google Account on your device, Factory Reset Protection is activated. Factory Reset Protection (FRP) prevents other people from using your device if it is reset to factory settings without your permission. For example, if your device is lost or stolen and a factory data reset is performed, only someone with your Google Account username and password can use the device.
You will not be able to access the device after a factory data reset if you do not have your Google Account username and password.
For more information, see “Factory Data Reset”
Caution : Before shipping your device back to Samsung or taking it to your nearest Samsung-authorized service center, you should remove your Google Account before resetting the device back to factory settings. For more information, visit: samsung.com/us/support/frp.
Enable Factory Reset Protection
Adding a Google Account to your device automatically activates the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) security feature.
Disable Factory Reset Protection
To disable FRP, remove all Google Accounts from the device.
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Accounts > Google.
• If you have more than one Google Account set up on your device, tap the Google Account you want to remove.
3. Tap More options > Remove account.
Samsung Account
Create a Samsung account for access to Samsung content and apps on your device. When you turn on your device for the first time, set up your existing Samsung account or create a new Samsung account.
– or –
To create a new Samsung account or set up your Samsung account on your device at any time, use Accounts settings.
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Accounts.
3. Tap Add account > Samsung account.
Add an Email Account
Use the Email app to view and manage all your email accounts in one app.
When you turn on your device for the first time, set up your existing email account or create a new email account.
– or –
To create a new email account or set up your email account on your device at any time, use Accounts settings.
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Accounts.
3. Tap Add account > Email.
Transfer Data from Your Old Device
Use Smart Switch™ to transfer contacts, photos, and other content from your old device. You can also use the included USB connector to copy content quickly and easily from your old device, without installing the Smart Switch app.
Note: The USB option must be set to Media device (MTP) on the other device. Transferring content with a USB cable may increase battery consumption. Make sure your battery is fully charged.
1. Select Smart Switch during setup.
– or –
From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps > Settings > Backup and reset > Smart Switch.
2. Follow the prompts and select the content to transfer
Visit samsung.com/smartswitch for more information and to learn how to use the USB connector to transfer content faster.
Set Up Your Voicemail
You can access your voicemail from a Home screen.
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Phone , and then touch and hold the 1 key.
3. Follow the tutorial to create a password, record a greeting, and record your name.
For more information on voice mail, see “Voicemail”
Learn About Your Device
Learn some of the key features of your mobile device, including the screens and icons, as well as how to navigate the device and enter text using the keyboard.
• Front View
• Proximity sensor
– Turns off the screen and disables touch functionality when the device is in close proximity to the human body.
– Turns the screen back on and enables touch functionality when the device is outside a specific range to the human body.
• Power key
– Briefly press to turn the screen on or off.
– Press and hold to select a power control option.
– Press twice quickly to launch the camera.
• Volume keys
– Adjust the volume for ringtones, calls, notifications, and system sounds.
– In the camera app, press a volume key to take a photo.
• Bixby key
– Launch the Bixby voice assistant. For more information, see “Bixby”
• Back View
Microphone
Flash
Heart rate sensor
Speaker
Rear camera
Fingerprint sensor
Headset jack
USB charger/Accessory port
• Home Screen
Status Bar
The Status bar at the top of the Home screen provides device information (such as network status, battery charge, and time) on the right side and notification alerts on the left.
Status Icons
Battery full
Battery low
Battery charging
Vibrate mode
Mute mode
4G LTE™ active
Signal strength
Network not available
Wi-Fi active
Wi-Fi available
Notification Icons
Missed call
Call in progress
Call on hold
New email
New Gmail
New voicemail
New message
File download in progress
File upload in progress
GPS active
App updates available
App updates complete
• Notification Panel
View the Notification Panel
You can access the Notification panel from any Home screen.
1. Drag the Status bar down to display the Notification panel.
2. Swipe down the list to see notification details.
• To open an item, tap it.
• To clear a single notification, drag the notification left or right.
• To clear all notifications, tap Clear all.
3. Drag upward from the bottom of the screen or tap Back to close the Notification panel.
You can also open or close the Notification panel by swiping up or down on the fingerprint sensor.
To open using the Fingerprint scanner:
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Advanced features > Finger sensor gestures.
3. Tap On/Off to enable this feature.
Quick Settings
In addition to notifications, the Notification panel also provides quick access to device functions such as Wi-Fi, allowing you to quickly turn them on or off.
To view additional Quick settings and customize the Quick settings that display:
1. Drag the Status bar down to display the Notification panel.
2. Drag View all downward.
• Tap a setting to turn it on or off.
• Tap More options to reorder Quick settings or to change the button layout.
3. Drag View all upward to close the Quick settings.
• Customize Your Home Screen
Screens
Your device comes with multiple Home screens to hold app shortcuts and widgets. You can add, remove, change the order of screens, as well as choose a different main Home screen.
1. From a Home screen, pinch the screen.
2. Use these options to manage screens:
• Align shortcuts : Tap Align to move all apps shortcuts into a line at the top of a screen.
• Remove a screen : Tap Remove.
• Set a screen as the main Home screen : Tap Main Home screen at the top of a screen. This screen is displayed when you tap Home.
• Change the order of screens : Touch and hold a screen, and then drag it to a new position.
• Add a screen : Swipe to the end of the screens, and then tap Add.
• Hello Bixby : Swipe right, and tap On/Off to enable.
Wallpapers and Themes
Set visual themes for all system screens and icons on your device. Change the look of the Home and Lock screens with wallpaper. You can display a favorite picture or choose from preloaded wallpapers.
1. From a Home screen, pinch the screen.
2. Tap Wallpapers and themes to customize.
For more information, see “Wallpapers and Themes”
Widgets
Widgets are simple application extensions that run on a Home screen. There are many kinds of widgets, including links to a specific contact, Internet bookmarks, Gmail and email accounts, and many others.
To add a widget to a Home screen:
1. From a Home screen, pinch the screen.
2. Tap Widgets.
3. Touch and hold a widget, drag it to a Home screen, and release it.
To remove a widget:
1. From a Home screen, touch and hold a widget to open the options menu.
2. Tap Remove shortcut.
• Removing a widget does not delete the widget, it just removes the widget from the Home screen.
Home Screen Settings
Customize your Home and Apps screens.
1. From a Home screen, pinch the screen.
2. Tap Home screen settings to customize:
• Home screen layout : Set your device to have a Home and Apps screen, or only a Home screen where all apps are located.
• Home screen grid : Choose a dimension option to determine how icons are arranged on the Home screen. The numbers indicate how many icons can be placed horizontally by how many icons can be placed vertically.
• Apps screen grid : Choose a dimension option to determine how icons are arranged on the Apps screen. The numbers indicate how many icons can be placed horizontally by how many icons can be placed vertically.
• Apps button : Add an apps button to the Home screen for easy to access to the Apps screen.
• Hide apps : Select apps to hide, tap Apply.
• Hello Bixby settings : Configure Hello Bixby features.
App Shortcuts
You can use app shortcuts to launch an app from any Home screen.
To add a shortcut:
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Touch and hold an app shortcut to open the options menu.
3. Tap Add shortcut to home.
To remove a shortcut:
1. Touch and hold an app shortcut to open the options menu.
2. Tap Remove shortcut.
• Removing a shortcut does not delete the app, it just removes the shortcut from the Home screen.
To move a shortcut from one Home screen to another:
1. Touch and hold an app shortcut to release it.
2. Drag the app shortcut to a new Home screen, and then release it.
Folders
Place folders on a Home screen to organize items.
Create a Folder
You can create an app folder on a Home screen.
1. From a Home screen, touch and hold an app shortcut and drag it on top of another app shortcut until a highlighted box appears.
2. Release the app shortcut to create the folder.
• Enter folder name : Enter a name for the folder.
• Palette : Change the color.
• Add apps : Place more apps in the folder. Tap apps to select them, and then tap Add.
3. Tap anywhere outside of the folder to close it.
• To add more apps, touch and hold an app shortcut and drag it to the folder.
Remove a Folder from a Home Screen
You can remove a folder that you added to a Home screen.
1. Touch and hold the folder to open the options menu.
2. Tap Delete and confirm when prompted.
• Bixby – Bixby allows you to quickly set reminders, create voice dictation, and search and access content on your phone and on the Internet.
• Navigation – Learn the basics for how to navigate through your device.
• Entering Text – Text can be entered using a keyboard or by speaking.
• Face Recognition – Configure facial recognition security to add an extra layer of security when using your phone.
• Fingerprint Scanner – Use fingerprint recognition as an alternative to entering passwords in certain apps. You can also use your fingerprint to verify your identity when logging in to your Samsung account.
• Iris Scanner – Use iris recognition as an alternative to entering passwords in certain apps. You can also use your eyes to verify your identity when logging in to your Samsung account.
• Multi Window – Multitask by using multiple applications at the same time.
• Emergency Mode – Emergency mode conserves your device’s remaining power when you are in an emergency situation.
• Edge Screen – The Edge screen provides a variety of useful tools for notifications, information feeds, and timekeeping.
Apps
Learn how to change the way apps are displayed, organize apps into folders, and uninstall or disable apps.
• Using Apps – The Apps list displays all preloaded apps and apps that you downloaded. You can uninstall, disable, or hide apps from view.
• Applications Settings – Manage settings for application on your device.
• Calculator – The Calculator provides basic and advanced arithmetic functions.
• Calendar – Manage your events and tasks.
• Camera and Video
• Clock – The Clock app offers features for keeping track of time and setting alarms.
• Contacts – Store and manage your contacts with the Contacts app, which can be synchronized with a variety of your existing personal accounts.
• Email – Use the Email app to view and manage all your email accounts in one app.
• Gallery – View, edit, and manage pictures and videos.
• Google Apps – Enjoy these apps from Google. Certain apps require a Google Account. Visit google.com to learn more.
• Internet – Access the Internet with a fully-featured web browser.
• Message+ – This section describes how to create and send a message using the Verizon Messages app.
• Messages – Learn how to send and receive different messages using the Samsung Messages app on your device.
• My Files – Access files stored on your device, including images, videos, music, and sound clips.
Phone
Make a Call
You can make a call from a Home screen.
Using the Dialer
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Enter a number on the keypad and tap Call.
• Tap Keypad if the keypad is not displayed.
From Contacts
Swipe a contact or number to the right to make a call or send a message.
To enable this feature:
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Advanced features > Swipe to call or send messages.
3. Tap On/Off to enable this feature.
To make a call from Contacts:
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps > Contacts.
2. Swipe your finger across a contact to the right to call the contact.
From Recents
All incoming, outgoing, and missed calls are recorded in the Call log. If the number or caller is listed in your contacts list, the associated name is also displayed.
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Tap Recents. A list of recent calls is displayed.
3. Tap a contact, and then tap Call.
Direct Calls
Call the contact whose call log, message, or contact details are currently on the screen by bringing the device close to your ear.
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Advanced features.
3. Tap Direct call , and tap On/Off to enable.
Answer a Call
When a call is received, the phone rings and the caller’s phone number or name is displayed, if it is stored in the Contacts list.
► On the incoming call screen, drag Answer to the right to answer the call.
If you are using an app, a pop-up screen is displayed for the incoming call.
► On the incoming call pop-up screen, tap Answer to answer the call.
Decline a Call
► On the incoming call screen, drag Decline to the left to reject the call and send it to your voicemail.
If you are using an app, a pop-up screen is displayed for the incoming call.
► Tap Decline to reject the call and send it to your voicemail.
Decline with Message
► On the incoming call screen, drag Send message upward and select a message.
If you are using an app, a pop-up screen is displayed for the incoming call.
► Tap Send message and select a message.
End a Call
To finish your call:
► Tap End when you are ready to end your call.
While on a Call
Adjust the Call Volume
► Press the Volume keys to increase or decrease the volume.
– or –
Tap More options > Turn on extra volume to quickly add more volume to the incoming audio.
Multitasking
If you exit the call screen and return to a Home screen, your active call is indicated by Call on the Status bar.
This lets you continue with your current call and do something else, such as access the contacts list, view a recent email, or locate a picture.
To return to the call screen:
► Drag the Status bar down to display the Notification panel, and then tap Call notification.
To end a call from any application:
► Drag the Status bar down to display the Notification panel, and then tap End call.
Switch to Headset or Speaker
Listen to the call using the speaker or through a Bluetooth headset (not included).
Tap Speaker to hear the caller using the speaker.
– or –
Tap Bluetooth to hear the caller using a Bluetooth headset.
Call Log
The numbers of the calls you have dialed, received, or missed are stored in the Call log.
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Tap Recents. A list of recent calls is displayed. If the caller is in your Contacts list, the caller’s name is displayed.
Save a Contact from a Recent Call
Use recent call information to create a contact or update your Contacts list.
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Tap Recents.
3. Tap the call that contains the information that you want to save to your Contacts list.
4. Tap Details.
5. Tap Create contact.
– or –
If you want to replace the number for an existing contact, tap Update existing.
Delete Call Records
To delete Call log entries:
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Tap Recents.
3. Touch and hold the call you want to delete from the Call log.
4. Tap Delete.
Block a Number
By adding a caller to your Block list, future calls from this number are sent directly to your voicemail, and messages are not received.
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Tap Recents.
3. Tap the caller you want to add to the Block list.
4. Tap Details > More options > Block contact. Confirm when prompted.
You can also modify the Block list in Settings:
► From a Home screen, tap Phone > More options > Settings
Block numbers.
Speed Dial
You can assign a shortcut number to a contact for speed dialing their default number.
Create a Speed Dial
You can assign 999 speed dial numbers.
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
• Tap Keypad if the keypad is not displayed.
2. Tap More options > Speed dial. The Speed dial screen displays the reserved speed dial numbers.
3. Tap an unassigned number
• Tap Menu to select a different Speed dial number than the next one in sequence.
• Number 1 is reserved for Voicemail.
4. Type in a name or number, or tap Add from Contacts to assign a contact to the number
• The selected contact is displayed in the Speed dial number box.
Make a Call with Speed Dial
You can make a call using Speed dial.
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
• Tap Keypad if the keypad is not displayed.
2. Touch and hold the Speed dial number.
• If the Speed dial number is more than one digit long, enter the first digits, and then hold the last digit.
Remove a Speed Dial Number
You can remove an assigned Speed dial number
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Tap More options > Speed dial.
3. Find the contact to remove from Speed dial.
4. Tap Remove.
Emergency Calls
You can dial the emergency telephone number in your region regardless of the phone’s cellular service status.
Make an Emergency Call
You can dial the emergency telephone number from your phone whether or not cellular service has been activated. If your phone is not activated, you can only make an emergency call.
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Enter the emergency telephone number (911 in North America) and tap Call.
3. Complete your call. During this type of call, you have access to most in- call features.
Make an Emergency Call from a Locked Screen
The emergency telephone number can be dialed even if the phone is locked, allowing anyone to use your phone to call for help in an emergency. When accessed from a locked screen, only the emergency calling feature is accessible to the caller. The rest of the phone remains secured.
1. Drag Phone upward to open the call screen.
2. Tap Emergency call to display the Emergency dialer.
3. Enter the emergency telephone number (911 in North America) and tap Call.
4. Complete your call. During this type of call, you have access to most in- call features.
Voicemail
Use your phone’s voicemail feature.
For information on setting up voicemail, see “Set Up Your Voicemail”
1. From the Home screen, tap Phone > 1 key.
– or –
From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps , and then tap Voicemail.
2. Follow the voice prompts from the voicemail center.
Optional Calling Services
Place a Multi-Party Call
If your service plan supports this feature, you can make another call while a call is in progress.
1. From the active call, tap Add call to dial the second call.
2. Dial the new number and tap Call. When the call is answered:
• Tap the On hold number to switch between the two calls.
• Tap Merge to hear both callers at once (multi-conferencing).
Video Calls
To make Video calls:
1. From a Home screen, tap Phone.
2. Enter a number and tap Video call.
Note: Not all devices support video calling. The receiver has the option to accept the video call or answer the call as a regular voice call.
Activate Advanced Calling
Enjoy high definition voice and video calling from Verizon.
To upgrade to Advanced calling:
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Advanced calling.
• Tap Activate Advanced calling , and follow the prompts to upgrade.
• Tap Advanced calling , and tap On/Off to enable the feature.
Activate Wi-Fi Calling
Wi-Fi Calling lets your device make and receive voice and video calls over a Wi-Fi Internet connection when your 4G coverage is weak or there is no cellular coverage.
Texts and multimedia messages over Wi-Fi can also be sent and received just like when you use these services on a cellular network. For Wi-Fi calling to work, you need to activate Advanced calling first.
To activate Wi-Fi Calling:
1. From a Home screen, swipe up to access Apps.
2. Tap Settings > Advanced Calling.
3. Tap Activate Wi-Fi Calling.
4. Enter a valid emergency address. This will be used whenever an emergency call is placed over Wi-Fi. Once the address is saved successfully, Wi-Fi Calling is turned on.
• Voice and video calls will now be able to go over Wi-Fi when your cellular network coverage is weak or if you don’t have cellular network coverage in your area.
Note: You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network for this feature to work.
Phone Settings
To access settings:
► From a Home screen, tap Phone > More options > Settings.
• Samsung Connect – Control your devices by monitoring them in one place. Check the status of your devices by looking at the dashboard.
• Samsung Gear – Connect your device to your Samsung Gear using this application.
• Samsung Health – Use Samsung Health to plan, track, and manage your health goals and activities, including exercise, sleep, and meals.
• Samsung Notes – Use Samsung Notes to write and save notes.
• Verizon Apps – Enjoy these apps from Verizon Wireless.
Settings
Configure your device’s connections and settings, add accounts, and customize Home screens, apps, and features.
• Connections – Manage connections between your device and a variety of networks and other devices.
• Sounds and Vibration – Configure the sounds and vibrations used to indicate notifications, screen touches, and other interactions.
• Notifications – Select which apps you want to receive alerts from. Alerts include notifications, sounds, and vibrations.
• Display – Configure your display’s brightness, screen timeout delay, and other display settings.
• Wallpapers and Themes – You can change the appearance of your device with custom wallpapers, themes, and icons.
• Device Maintenance – View the status of your device’s battery, storage, and memory. You can also automatically optimize your device’s system resources.
• Lock Screen and Security – Secure your device and protect your data with Lock Screen and Security settings.
• Accounts – Set up and manage accounts, including your Google Account, Samsung account, email, and social networking accounts.
• Accessibility – Accessibility services are special features that make using the device easier for those with certain physical disabilities.
• Other Settings – Configure features on your device that make it easier to use.
Getting Help
Additional resources for your device.