Samsung SM-G950W User manual

www.samsung.com
User Manual
English (CA) 04/2017. Rev.1.0
SM-G950W
SM-G955W

2
Table of Contents
Basics
4 Read me first
6 Helpful tips if your device heats up
10 Device layout and functions
15 Battery
21 SIM or USIM card (nano-SIM card)
24 Memory card (microSD card)
27 Turning the device on and off
28 Initial setup
31 Samsung account
32 Transferring data from your previous
device
37 Understanding the screen
49 Notification panel
51 Entering text
Apps and features
54 Installing or uninstalling apps
56 Bixby Home
73 Phone
77 Contacts
80 Messages
83 Internet
85 Email
86 Camera
104 Gallery
109 Always On Display
111 Edge screen
118 Multi window
122 Samsung Pay
125 Samsung Gear
126 Samsung Members
127 Samsung Notes
128 Calendar
129 Samsung Health
135 Voice Recorder
137 My Files
137 Clock
139 Calculator
139 Game Launcher
142 Samsung Connect
146 Sharing content
147 Samsung DeX
154 Connecting to an external display
155 Google apps

Table of Contents
3
Appendix
204 Accessibility
221 Troubleshooting
227 Removing the battery
Health and Safety
Settings
157 Introduction
157 Connections
158 Wi-Fi
161 Bluetooth
163 NFC and payment
166 Mobile hotspot and tethering
167 More connection settings
170 Sounds and vibration
171 Notifications
172 Display
173 Blue light filter
173 Screen resolution
174 Wallpapers and themes
174 Advanced features
176 Device maintenance
179 Apps
179 Lock screen and security
181 Face recognition
183 Fingerprint recognition
187 Iris recognition
192 Samsung Pass
195 Secure Folder
199 Cloud and accounts
200 Backup and restore
200 Google
201 Accessibility
201 General management
202 Software update
203 About phone

4
Basics
Read me first
Please read this manual before using the device to ensure safe and proper use.
•
Descriptions are based on the device’s default settings.
•
Some content may differ from your device depending on the region, service provider,
model specifications, or device’s software.
•
Content (high quality content) that requires high CPU and RAM usage will affect the
overall performance of the device. Apps related to the content may not work properly
depending on the device’s specifications and the environment that it is used in.
•
Samsung is not liable for performance issues caused by apps supplied by providers other
than Samsung.
•
Samsung is not liable for performance issues or incompatibilities caused by edited
registry settings or modified operating system software. Attempting to customize the
operating system may cause the device or apps to work improperly.
•
Software, sound sources, wallpapers, images, and other media provided with this device
are licensed for limited use. Extracting and using these materials for commercial or other
purposes is an infringement of copyright laws. Users are entirely responsible for illegal
use of media.
•
You may incur additional charges for data services, such as messaging, uploading and
downloading, auto-syncing, or using location services depending on your data plan. For
large data transfers, it is recommended to use the Wi-Fi feature.
•
Default apps that come with the device are subject to updates and may no longer be
supported without prior notice. If you have questions about an app provided with
the device, contact a Samsung Service Centre. For user-installed apps, contact service
providers.

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5
•
Modifying the device’s operating system or installing software from unofficial sources
may result in device malfunctions and data corruption or loss. These actions are violations
of your Samsung licence agreement and will void your warranty.
Maintaining water and dust resistance
Your device supports water- and dust-resistance. Follow these tips carefully to maintain the
water- and dust-resistance of your device. Failure to do so may result in damage to your
device.
•
Do not immerse the device in water deeper than 1.5 m or keep it submerged for more
than 30 minutes.
•
Do not expose the device to water moving with force.
•
If the device is exposed to clean water, dry it thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. If the
device is exposed to other liquids, such as salt water, ionized water, or alcoholic beverage,
rinse it with clean water and dry it thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. If you do not follow
these instructions, the device’s performance and appearance may be affected.
•
If the device has been immersed in water or the microphone or speaker is wet, sound
may not be heard clearly during a call. After wiping the device with a dry cloth, dry it
thoroughly before using it.
•
The touchscreen and other features may not work properly if the device is used in water.
•
Your device has been tested in a controlled environment and certified to be water-
and dust-resistant in specific situations (meets requirements of classification IP68 as
described by the international standard IEC 60529-Degrees of Protection provided
by Enclosures [IP Code]; test conditions: 15-35 °C, 86-106 kPa, 1.5 metre, 30 minutes).
Despite this classification, it is still possible for your device to be damaged in certain
situations.

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6
Instructional icons
Warning: situations that could cause injury to yourself or others
Caution: situations that could cause damage to your device or other equipment
Notice: notes, usage tips, or additional information
Helpful tips if your device heats up
When the device heats up while charging the battery
While charging, the device and the charger may become hot. During wireless charging or fast
charging, the device may feel hotter to the touch. This does not affect the device’s lifespan or
performance and is in the device’s normal range of operation. If the battery becomes too hot,
the charger may stop charging.
Do the following when the device heats up:
•
Disconnect the charger from the device and close any running apps. Wait for the
device to cool down and then begin charging the device again.
•
If the lower part of the device overheats, it could be because the connected USB
cable is damaged. Replace the damaged USB cable with a new Samsung-approved
one.
•
When using a wireless charger, do not place foreign materials, such as metal objects,
magnets, and magnetic stripe cards, between the device and the wireless charger.
The wireless charging or fast charging feature is only available on supported models.

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7
When the device heats up during use
When you use features or apps that require more power or use them for extended periods,
your device may temporarily heat up due to increased battery consumption. Close any
running apps and do not use the device for a while.
The following are examples of situations in which the device may overheat. Depending on
the functions and apps you use, these examples may not apply to your model.
•
During the initial setup after purchase or when restoring data
•
When downloading large files
•
When using apps that require more power or using apps for extended periods
–
When playing high-quality games for extended periods
–
When recording videos for extended periods
–
When streaming videos while using the maximum brightness setting
–
When connecting to a TV
•
While multitasking (or, when running many apps in the background)
–
When using Multi window
–
When updating or installing apps while recording videos
–
When recording videos while using a navigation app
•
When using large amount of data for syncing with the cloud, email, or other accounts
•
When using a navigation app in a car while the device is placed in direct sunlight
•
When using the mobile hotspot and tethering feature
•
When using the device in areas with weak signals or no reception
•
When charging the battery with a damaged USB cable
•
When the device’s multipurpose jack is damaged or exposed to foreign materials, such as
liquid, dust, metal powder, and pencil lead
•
When you are roaming

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8
Do the following when the device heats up:
•
Keep the device updated with the latest software.
•
Conflicts between running apps may cause the device to heat up. Restart the device.
•
Deactivate the Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth features when not using them.
•
Close apps that increase battery consumption or that run in the background when
not in use.
•
Delete unnecessary files or unused apps.
•
Decrease the screen brightness.
•
If the device overheats or feels hot for a prolonged period, do not use it for a while. If
the device continues to overheat, contact a Samsung Service Centre.
Device limitations when the device overheats
When the device heats up, the features and performance may be limited or the device may
turn off to cool down. The feature is only available on supported models.
•
If the device becomes hotter than usual, a device overheating message will appear. To
lower the device’s temperature, the screen brightness and the performance speed will be
limited and battery charging will stop. Running apps will be closed and you will only be
able to make emergency calls until the device cools down.
•
If the device overheats or feels hot for a prolonged period, a power off message will
appear. Turn off the device, and wait until it cools down.

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9
Precautions for operating environment
Your device may heat up due to the environment in the following conditions. Use caution to
avoid shortening the battery’s lifespan, damaging the device, or causing a fire.
•
Do not store your device in very cold or very hot temperatures.
•
Do not expose your device to direct sunlight for extended periods.
•
Do not use or store your device for extended periods in very hot areas, such as inside a
car in the summertime.
•
Do not place the device in any areas that may overheat, such as on an electric heating
mat.
•
Do not store your device near or in heaters, microwaves, hot cooking equipment, or high
pressure containers.
•
Never use a damaged charger or battery.

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10
Device layout and functions
Package contents
Check the product box for the following items:
•
Device
•
USB cable
•
Earphone
•
Ejection pin
•
USB power adapter
•
Quick start guide
•
USB connector (USB Type-C)
Use the USB connector to transfer data
between mobile devices.
•
Micro USB connector
Connect the Micro USB connector to charge
the battery with a Micro USB cable.
Do not plug a Micro USB cable into your
device’s multipurpose jack. Doing so may
damage the device.
Micro USB Connector
Micro USB Cable

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11
•
The items supplied with the device and any available accessories may vary
depending on the region or service provider.
•
The supplied items are designed only for this device and may not be compatible
with other devices.
•
Appearances and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
•
You can purchase additional accessories from your local Samsung retailer. Make
sure they are compatible with the device before purchase.
•
Use only Samsung-approved accessories. Using unapproved accessories may cause
performance problems and malfunctions that are not covered by the warranty.
•
Availability of all accessories is subject to change depending entirely on
manufacturing companies. For more information about available accessories, refer
to the Samsung website.

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12
Device layout
Front camera
Iris recognition camera
Speaker
Edge screen
Power key
Touchscreen
Edge screen
Multipurpose jack (USB
Type-C)
LED indicator
Volume key
Bixby key
Proximity/Light sensor
Iris recognition LED
GPS antenna

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13
SIM card / Memory card
tray
NFC antenna / MST
antenna / Wireless
charging coil tray
Fingerprint recognition
sensor
Rear camera
Main antenna
Speaker
Microphone
Heart rate sensor
Flash
Earphone jack
•
Connectivity problems and battery drain may occur in the following situations:
–
If you attach metallic stickers on the antenna area of the device
–
If you attach a device cover made with metallic material to the device
–
If you cover the device’s antenna area with your hands or other objects while
using certain features, such as calls or the mobile data connection
•
Using a Samsung-approved screen protector is recommended. Unapproved screen
protectors may cause the sensors to malfunction.
•
Do not cover the proximity/light sensor area with screen accessories, such as a
screen protector or stickers. Doing so may cause the sensor to malfunction.
•
The colours on the curved screen may look different depending on your viewing
position.

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14
Hard keys
Bixby key Power key
Volume key
Key Function
Power
•
Press and hold to turn the device on or off.
•
Press to turn on or lock the screen.
Bixby
•
Press to open Bixby Home. Refer to Bixby Home for more
information.
Volume
•
Press to adjust the device volume.
Soft buttons
Back button
Home button
Recents button
When you turn on the device, the soft buttons will appear at the bottom of the screen. The
soft buttons are set to the Recents button, Home button, and Back button by default. Refer to
Navigation bar (soft buttons) for more information.

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15
Battery
Charging the battery
Charge the battery before using it for the first time or when it has been unused for extended
periods.
Use only Samsung-approved chargers, batteries, and cables. Unapproved chargers or
cables can cause the battery to explode or damage the device.
Connecting the charger improperly may cause serious damage to the device. Any
damage caused by misuse is not covered by the warranty.
To save energy, unplug the charger when not in use. The charger does not have a
power switch, so you must unplug the charger from the electric socket when not in
use to avoid wasting power. The charger should remain close to the electric socket
and easily accessible while charging.
1 Connect the USB cable to the USB power adapter.
2 Plug the USB cable into the device’s multipurpose jack.

Basics
16
3 Plug the USB power adapter into an electric socket.
4 After fully charging, disconnect the charger from the device. Then, unplug the charger
from the electric socket.
Charging with a Micro USB cable
Connect the Micro USB connector to charge the battery with a Micro USB cable.
Do not plug a Micro USB cable into your device’s multipurpose jack. Doing so may
damage the device and the cable.
The Micro USB connector is used for charging the battery and connecting to a
computer.
Micro USB Connector
Micro USB Cable

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17
Charging other devices
Use the USB connector (USB Type-C) to charge another mobile device with your device’s
battery.
Plug the USB connector (USB Type-C) into your device’s multipurpose jack, and connect your
device and the other device via the other device’s USB cable.
When charging starts, the battery charging icon will appear on the other device’s screen.
Your device The other
device
USB Connector
(USB Type-C)
The other device's
USB cable
The app selection pop-up window that appears on your device is for data transfer. Do
not select an app from the pop-up window.
Reducing the battery consumption
Your device provides various options that help you conserve battery power.
•
Optimize the device using the device maintenance feature.
•
When you are not using the device, turn off the screen by pressing the Power key.
•
Activate power saving mode.

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•
Close unnecessary apps.
•
Deactivate the Bluetooth feature when not in use.
•
Deactivate the Wi-Fi feature when not in use.
•
Deactivate auto-syncing of apps that need to be synced, such as emails.
•
Decrease the backlight time.
•
Decrease the screen brightness.
Battery charging tips and precautions
•
When the battery power is low, the battery icon appears empty.
•
If the battery is completely discharged, the device cannot be turned on immediately
when the charger is connected. Allow a depleted battery to charge for a few minutes
before turning on the device.
•
If you use multiple apps at once, network apps, or apps that need a connection to
another device, the battery will drain quickly. To avoid losing power during a data
transfer, always use these apps after fully charging the battery.
•
Using a power source other than the charger, such as a computer, may result in a slower
charging speed due to a lower electric current.
•
The device can be used while it is charging, but it may take longer to fully charge the
battery.
•
If the device receives an unstable power supply while charging, the touchscreen may not
function. If this happens, unplug the charger from the device.
•
While charging, the device and the charger may heat up. This is normal and should not
affect the device’s lifespan or performance. If the battery gets hotter than usual, the
charger may stop charging.
•
If you charge the device while the multipurpose jack is wet, the device may be damaged.
Thoroughly dry the multipurpose jack before charging the device.
•
If the device is not charging properly, take the device and the charger to a Samsung
Service Centre.

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Fast charging
The device has a built-in fast charging feature. You can charge the battery more quickly while
the device or its screen is turned off.
About Fast charging
•
Fast charging uses battery charging technology that charges the battery faster by
increasing the charging power. The device supports Samsung’s Adaptive fast charging
feature and Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0.
•
To use Fast charging on your device, connect it to a battery charger that supports
Adaptive fast charging or Quick Charge 2.0.
Increasing the charging speed
To increase the charging speed, turn the device or its screen off when you charge the battery.
While charging the battery when the device is turned off, the icon appears on the screen.
If the fast charging feature is not activated, launch the Settings app, tap Device maintenance
→
Battery
→
→
Advanced settings , and then tap the Fast cable charging switch to
activate it.
•
You cannot use the built-in fast charging feature when you charge the battery
using a standard battery charger.
•
If the device heats up or the ambient air temperature rises, the charging speed may
decrease automatically. This is a normal operating condition to prevent damage to
the device.

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20
Wireless charging
The device has a built-in wireless charging coil. You can charge the battery using a wireless
charger (sold separately).
Fast wireless charging
You can charge your device faster using the fast wireless charging feature. To use this feature,
you must use a charger and components that support the fast wireless charging feature.
A fan inside the charger may produce noise during fast wireless charging. To reduce
the fan noise, you must deactivate the fast wireless charging feature. The on/off
option will be added in your device’s settings menu when you first place it on the
charger. Launch the Settings app, tap Device maintenance
→
Battery
→ →
Advanced settings , and then tap the Fast wireless charging switch to deactivate it.
Deactivating this feature will reduce noise, but may result in slower charging times.
Charging the battery
1 Place the centre of the device’s back on the centre of the wireless charger.
The estimated charging time will appear on the screen. The actual charging time may
vary depending on the charging conditions.