Samsung Galaxy Buds SM-R170 User manual

www.samsung.com
USER MANUAL
English (EU). 01/2019. Rev.1.0
SM-R170

2
Table of Contents
Basics
3 Read me first
4 About the Galaxy Buds
5 Package contents
6 Device layout
8 Preparing the earbuds for use
10 Battery
16 Indicator lights identification
Using the earbuds
18 Connecting the earbuds to a mobile
device
22 Wearing the earbuds
23 Using the touchpad
26 Using Bixby
27 Listening to music
28 Making voice recordings
29 Using the equaliser
29 Using call features
31 Using ambient sound mode
Galaxy Wearable App
32 Introduction
Appendix
37 Troubleshooting
40 Managing the earbuds
41 Restarting the earbuds
41 Removing the battery

3
Basics
Read me first
Please read this manual before using this device to ensure safe and proper use.
•
Images may differ in appearance from the actual product. Content is subject to change
without prior notice.
•
You can access the full user manual for more information. Visit www.samsung.com to
view device information, the user manual, and more.
•
Before using other devices, make sure they are compatible with the Galaxy Buds. Visit
www.samsung.com to see the specifications of compatible mobile devices.
•
Prevent the device from being submerged in liquid or exposed to pressurised water jets,
such as from a shower. Do not wear the device during activities, such as showering or
swimming. Doing so can damage the device.
•
This product includes certain free/open source software. To see the instructions for
viewing the open source licence, go to the Samsung website (opensource.samsung.com).
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

Basics
4
About the Galaxy Buds
Galaxy Buds are wireless earbuds which allow you to listen to music or answer incoming calls
after connecting them to your device even while doing other activities, such as working out.
Bixby, an intelligent voice service, also helps you to use your Galaxy Buds more conveniently.
Do not wear the earbuds in high-traffic areas, such as roads or crosswalks. Doing so
may result in accidents due to slowed reaction times.

Basics
5
Package contents
Refer to the quick start guide for package contents.
•
The items supplied with the Galaxy Buds, available accessories, and their images
may vary depending on the region or service provider.
•
The supplied items are designed only for the Galaxy Buds and may not be
compatible with other devices.
•
Appearances and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
•
You can purchase additional accessories from the Samsung website. Make sure
they are compatible with the earbuds before purchase.
•
Use only Samsung-approved accessories. Using unapproved accessories may cause
the 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.

Basics
6
Device layout
Earbud
Earbud tip
Wingtip
Charging contacts
Touchpad
Touch-sensitive sensor
Microphone
Charging contacts
Wingtip
Direction
indicator
Direction
indicator
M, L
S

Basics
7
Charging case
Charger port (USB Type-C)
Charging contacts
(right)
Earbud battery
indicator light
Charging case battery
indicator light
Charging contacts
(left)
If there is sweat or liquid on the charging contacts, corrosion may occur on the Galaxy
Buds. When there is sweat or liquid on the charging terminal or earbuds, clean them
before inserting the earbuds in the charging case.

Basics
8
Preparing the earbuds for use
Attaching an earbud tip to the earbud
1 Select the earbud tip that fits your ear.
2 Cover the latch at the bottom of the earbud with the earbud tip.
•
Do not put the earbuds in your ears without earbud tips. Doing so may hurt your
ears.
•
Do not pull the earbud tip excessively. The earbud tip may tear.
3 Follow the same procedure for the opposite earbud.

Basics
9
Attaching a wingtip to the earbud
1 Select the wingtip that fits your ear.
2 Select the wingtip for the left or right ear.
3 Cover the earbud with the wingtip.
•
Do not put the earbuds in your ears without wingtips. Doing so may hurt your ears.
•
Do not pull the wingtip excessively. The wingtip may tear.
Do not put the wingtips on the earbuds in the wrong direction. The earbuds will not
fit in your ears properly.
4 Follow the same procedure for the opposite earbud.

Basics
10
Battery
Charging the battery
Fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time or when they have been
unused for extended periods. The earbuds will power on while charging. When the battery is
completely discharged, it needs at least 10 minutes to turn on.
Check the direction of each earbud, insert them into the corresponding slots, and then
connect the charging cable.
The charging case, which has a built-in battery, is charged along with the earbuds.
You can charge the earbuds by placing them into the charging case without connecting it to
an electric socket.
Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables. Unapproved chargers or cables can
cause the battery to explode or damage the Galaxy Buds.
•
Connecting the charger improperly may cause serious damage to the charging
case. Any damage caused by misuse is not covered by the warranty.
•
Use only USB Type-C cable supplied with the Galaxy Buds. The charging case may
be damaged if you use Micro USB cable.
•
Chargers are sold separately.
•
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 be easily accessible while charging.
•
You cannot use your earbuds’ wireless features while charging the battery.
•
Close the charging case when you store or charge the earbuds.
•
If there is sweat or liquid on the charging terminals, corrosion may occur on the
Galaxy Buds. When there is sweat or liquid on the charging terminal or earbuds,
clean them before inserting the earbuds in the charging case.
•
Do not put the wingtips on the earbuds in the wrong direction. The earbuds will
not charge if they are not properly inserted into the charging case.

Basics
11
1 Open the charging case.
2 Check the direction of each earbud and correctly insert them into their corresponding
slots in the charging case.
R
L
3 Close the charging case.
4 Connect the USB cable to the charger and then plug the USB cable into the charger port.
Connecting the USB cable improperly may cause serious damage to the charging
case. Any damage caused by misuse is not covered by the warranty.
5 Plug the charger into an electric socket.
The batteries of the earbuds and the charging case are charged simultaneously.
6 After fully charging, disconnect the charging case from the charger. First unplug the USB
cable from the charging case and then unplug the charger from the electric socket.

Basics
12
Reducing the battery consumption
Your earbuds provide two options that help you conserve battery power.
•
When you are not using the earbuds, store them in the charging case. The touch-sensitive
sensor will continue to work while wearing the earbuds and reduce the usage time.
•
After connecting the earbuds to your mobile device, launch the Galaxy Wearable app
and tap
Notifications , and then tap the switch to deactivate it. You can reduce the
battery consumption by disabling voice notifications.
Battery charging tips and precautions
•
If there is sweat or liquid on the charging contacts, corrosion may occur on the contacts.
When there is sweat or liquid on the charging terminal or earbuds, clean them before
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.
•
While charging, the earbuds and the charging case may heat up. This is normal and
should not affect the earbuds’lifespan or performance. If the battery gets hotter than
usual, the charger may stop charging.
•
If the earbuds and charging case are not charging properly, take them with the charger to
a Samsung Service Centre.
•
Avoid bending the charger. Doing so may damage or reduce the lifespan of the charger.
Never use a damaged charger.
•
For more information about the battery, such as the usage time, refer to the Samsung
website (www.samsung.com).

Basics
13
Wireless charging
The charging case has a built-in wireless charging coil. You can charge the battery by using a
wireless charger or another device that functions as a wireless charger (Qi or D2D charging is
supported).
Charging the battery with a wireless charger
1 Open the charging case.
2 Check the direction of each earbud and correctly insert them into their corresponding
slots in the charging case.
3 Close the charging case.
4 Place the centre of the charging case on the centre of the wireless charger.
5 After fully charging, disconnect the charging case from the wireless charger.
Precautions for wireless charging
Do not place the charging case on the wireless charger when conductive materials,
such as metal objects and magnets, are placed between the charging case and the
wireless charger.
The charging case may not charge properly or may overheat, or the charging case
and the cards may be damaged.
•
If you use the wireless charger in areas with weak network signals, you may lose
network reception.
•
Use Samsung-approved wireless chargers. If you use other wireless chargers, the
battery may not charge properly.

Basics
14
Charging the battery using PowerShare
1 Open the charging case.
2 Check the direction of each earbud and correctly insert them into their corresponding
slots in the charging case.
3 Close the charging case.
4 Place the centre of the charging case on the centre of the device that functions as a
wireless charger.
The location of the wireless charging coil may vary by device. Adjust the device and
the charging case to make a strong connection.
The device that functions
as a wireless charger
5 After fully charging, disconnect the charging case from the device.
•
To charge properly, do not move or use the device or charging case while charging.
•
If you charge the Galaxy Buds while charging the device that functions as a
wireless charger, the charging speed may decrease or the Galaxy Buds may not
charge properly, depending on the charger type.
•
Charging speed or efficiency may vary depending on the device’s condition or the
surrounding environment.
•
If the remaining battery power of the device drops below a certain level, power
sharing will stop.

Basics
15
Checking the battery level
Checking via Bixby
Tap and hold the touchpad to start a conversation with Bixby and ask about the battery level.
Bixby will let you know the current battery level.
Viewing the battery level from the connected mobile device
Connect the earbuds to your mobile device, launch the Galaxy Wearable app on your
mobile device, and view the battery status of each earbud on the
EARBUDS card. Refer to
Connecting the earbuds to a mobile device for more information.
When the remaining battery level is low, a notification will appear on the mobile
device’s notification panel.

Basics
16
Indicator lights identification
The indicator lights inform you of your earbuds and the charging case’s charging status.
The earbud battery indicator light is located inside of the charging case and shows the
charging status of the earbuds. The charging case battery indicator light on the front of the
charging case indicates the charging status of the case itself.
Earbud battery indicator light
Earbud battery indicator light
Colour Status
Continuously on red
•
Charging
Continuously on green
•
Fully charged

Basics
17
Charging case battery indicator light
Charging case battery
indicator light
Colour Status
Continuously on red
•
Charging
Continuously on green
•
Fully charged
Flashes red (rapid pace)
•
Charging blocked due to abnormal temperatures
Flashes red (slow pace)
•
Low battery
Red (5 seconds after
inserting the earbuds)
•
Battery power is low (lower than 30 %)
Yellow (5 seconds after
inserting the earbuds)
•
Battery power is moderate (between 30 % and 60 %)
Green (5 seconds after
inserting the earbuds)
•
Battery power is high (more than 60 %)
•
The charging case battery indicator light flashes red when the external power is cut
off during charging.
•
If the indicator lights do not work as described, disconnect the charger from the
charging case and reconnect it.

18
Using the earbuds
Connecting the earbuds to a mobile device
Connecting the earbuds to a Samsung mobile device for the
first time
1 Check the direction of each earbud, correctly insert them into their corresponding slots in
the charging case, and close it.
If the earbud battery indicator light does not flash, connect the charging cable and
charge them for more than 10 minutes.
2 Open the charging case.
The earbuds will enter Bluetooth pairing mode automatically and a pop-up window will
appear on your mobile device.
If the pop-up window does not appear or if you want to connect to a non-Samsung
mobile device that also uses the Android OS, refer to Connecting to a non-Samsung
mobile device that also uses the Android OS (or, the connection pop-up window does
not appear).

Using the earbuds
19
•
When the charging case’s indicator light flashes in red, take out the earbuds from
the charging case and insert them into the case again.
•
If the earbuds do not connect to a mobile device within three minutes, Bluetooth
pairing mode will be deactivated. If the earbuds have never been connected to a
mobile device before, close the charging case again and open it.
3 On your mobile device, tap
Connect on the pop-up window.
4 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the connection.
Once the earbuds are connected to your mobile device, they will automatically attempt
to connect to your mobile device whenever you open the charging case while the
earbuds are inside it.
If you want to connect to another mobile device after connecting has been
established, tap and tap and hold the earbud’s touchpad to enter the Bluetooth
pairing mode.

Using the earbuds
20
Connecting to a non-Samsung mobile device that also uses
the Android OS (or, the connection pop-up window does not
appear)
1 On your mobile device, launch
Galaxy Apps or Play Store and download the Galaxy
Wearable app.
•
You can download the Galaxy Wearable app only on mobile devices running
Android operating system 5.0 (API 21), or later, and with 1.5 GB of RAM or more.
•
You can change the language of the Galaxy Wearable app on your connected
mobile device. On your mobile device, launch
Settings
→
General management
→
Language and input
→
Language . English may appear by default if the
selected language on the Settings screen is not supported on the Galaxy Wearable
app.
2 Check the direction of each earbud, correctly insert them into their corresponding slots in
the charging case, and close it.
If the earbud battery indicator light does not flash, connect the charging cable and
charge them for more than 10 minutes.
3 Open the charging case.
The earbuds will enter Bluetooth pairing mode automatically.
4 On your mobile device, launch the
Galaxy Wearable app and follow the on-screen
instructions to complete the connection.
Galaxy Buds
Galaxy Buds