How to Set Up Galaxy S8 Active
Before you turn the Galaxy S8 Active 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.- Unboxing and assembling your Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
- Set up Samsung Galaxy Galaxy S8 Active for the first time
- Connecting to Wi-Fi and mobile networks
- Find out how to add your email accounts
- How to add and import contacts to your Samsung
- Using the Play Store to find new apps
- Securing your Samsung Galaxy S8 Active with a lock screen
- How to make phone calls on your Samsung
- Send text & picture messages
- Sending emails and attachments on your Samsung
- How to set alarms on the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
- Read our tips to learn more about your phone
Set Up Galaxy S8 Active
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.
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 ti, you can skip this by tapping Next. 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.
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.
Set Up Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
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 Galaxy S8 Active to send diagnostic data to Samsung if you wish, then tap Next.
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.
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 Galaxy S8 Active 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 the 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.
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.
Set up Samsung Galaxy Galaxy S8 Active for the first time
To continue setup Galaxy S8 Active, you must agree to the Terms of Service (tap any link to inspect the details) and when you're ready to continue, tap Accept.
The next setup Samsung S8 Active 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 Galaxy S8 Active 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. Location settings help improve internet search results, and navigation apps will work better. The final option allows the Galaxy S8 Active 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.
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.
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.
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, iris unlocking, a regular PIN, pattern or password lock screen, or to skip this by choosing No, thank you then tapping Next. We cover the security setup later in this guide, so for now we'll choose No, thank you.
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.
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.
Galaxy S8 Active will ask you about transferring content from an old device, using a USB lead and the supplied USB/MicroUSB connector. This uses Samsung Smart Switch to transfer information from old Android phones and also Apple iPhones too. To start this transfer, connect your old phone as shown onscreen. To skip this, choose No, thank you and tap Skip.
Selecting the content size will change the size of your icons and menus on the Galaxy S8 Active. Choose large if you prefer to have bigger icons, or small if you want to fit as much on your screen as possible. Tap next when you're ready to continue.
Download Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (2017) User Manual PDF here.
The Galaxy S8 Active can give you weather forecasts based on your location, and needs your permission to do so. If you want weather reports, tick the boxes and tap next.
Secure folder 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 important apps and data. To set this up make sure the blue switch is set to on, then 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 one physical 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.
Samsung Galaxy Galaxy S8 Active Guide
Now that you have completed the setup Samsung Galaxy Galaxy S8 Active, read through the other chapters in this guide to learn how to receive emails on your handset, download apps, and import your contacts!
