Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0" User manual

www.samsung.com
User Manual
English (CA) 01/2018 Rev. 1.0
SM-A530W

2
Table of Contents
Basics
4 Read me first
6 Device overheating situations and
solutions
9 Device layout and functions
13 Battery
16 SIM or USIM card (nano-SIM card)
22 Turning the device on and off
23 Initial setup
25 Samsung account
26 Transferring data from your previous
device
30 Understanding the screen
42 Notification panel
44 Entering text
Apps and features
47 Installing or uninstalling apps
49 Bixby
65 Phone
70 Contacts
74 Messages
77 Internet
79 Email
80 Camera
95 Gallery
101 Always On Display
103 Multi window
108 Samsung Pay
112 Samsung Members
113 Samsung Notes
114 Calendar
115 Samsung Health
119 S Voice
120 Voice Recorder
121 My Files
122 Clock
123 Calculator
124 Game Launcher
127 Dual Messenger
128 Samsung Connect
132 Sharing content
133 Google apps

Table of Contents
3
Appendix
177 Troubleshooting
183 Removing the battery
Health and Safety
Settings
135 Introduction
135 Connections
136 Wi-Fi
138 Bluetooth
140 Data saver
140 NFC and payment
143 Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
144 More connection settings
146 Sounds and vibration
147 Notifications
148 Display
149 Blue light filter
149 Changing the screen mode or
adjusting the display colour
151 Screensaver
151 Wallpapers and themes
152 Advanced features
154 Device maintenance
156 Apps
157 Lock screen and security
158 Face recognition
160 Fingerprint recognition
164 Smart Lock
164 Samsung Pass
167 Secure Folder
171 Cloud and accounts
172 Backup and restore
173 Google
173 Accessibility
174 General management
175 Software update
176 User manual
176 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 licenced 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.
•
Modifying the device’s operating system or installing softwares 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.

Basics
5
Maintaining water and dust resistance
Your device is water and dust resistant. 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 fresh water deeper than 1.5 m or keep it submerged for
more than 30 minutes. If you immerse the device in any liquid other than fresh water,
such as salt water, ionized water, or an alcoholic beverage, liquid will enter the device
faster.
•
Do not expose the device to water moving with force.
•
If the device is exposed to fresh water, dry it thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. If the
device is exposed to other liquids, such as salt water, ionized water, or an alcoholic
beverage, rinse it with fresh 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.
•
If the device is dropped or receives an impact, the water and dust resistant features of
the device may be damaged.
•
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, fresh water, 1.5 metre,
30 minutes). Despite this classification, it is still possible for your device to be
damaged in certain situations.

Basics
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
Device overheating situations and solutions
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, or magnetic stripe cards, between the device and the wireless charger.
The wireless charging or fast charging feature is only available on supported models.

Basics
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, or pencil lead
•
When you are roaming

Basics
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.

Basics
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.
Device layout and functions
Package contents
Refer to the quick start guide for package contents.
•
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.

Basics
10
Device layout
Front camera (Dual)
Speaker
Power key
Speaker
Touchscreen
SIM card tray
Multipurpose jack (USB
Type-C)
Volume key
Proximity/Light sensor
LED indicator

Basics
11
Memory card tray
NFC antenna /
MST antenna
Microphone
Rear camera
Microphone
Flash
Earphone jack
Main antenna
GPS antenna
Fingerprint recognition
sensor
•
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.

Basics
12
Hard keys
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.
Volume
•
Press to adjust the device volume.
Soft buttons
Back button
Home button
Recents button
Show and hide
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.

Basics
13
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.
•
Use only the USB Type-C cable supplied with the device. The device may be
damaged if you try to use a Micro USB cable.
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
14
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.
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.
•
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 email.
•
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.

Basics
15
•
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.
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.

Basics
16
SIM or USIM card (nano-SIM card)
Installing the SIM or USIM card
Insert the SIM or USIM card provided by the mobile telephone service provider.
•
Use only a nano-SIM card.
•
Use caution not to lose or let others use the SIM or USIM card. Samsung is not
responsible for any damages or inconveniences caused by lost or stolen cards.
Some LTE services may not be available, depending on the service provider. For more
information about service availability, contact your service provider.
54
21 3

Basics
17
1 Insert the ejection pin into the hole on the tray to loosen the tray.
Ensure that the ejection pin is perpendicular to the hole. Otherwise, the device may
be damaged.
2 Gently pull the tray out of the tray slot.
3 Place the SIM or USIM card on the tray with the gold-coloured contacts facing
downwards.
4 Gently press the SIM or USIM card into the tray to secure it.
If the card is not fixed firmly into the tray, the SIM card may fall out of the tray.
5 Insert the tray back into the tray slot.
•
If you insert the tray into your device while the tray is wet, your device may be
damaged. Always make sure the tray is dry.
•
Fully insert the tray into the tray slot to prevent liquid from entering your device.
Removing the SIM or USIM card
1 Insert the ejection pin into the hole on the tray to loosen the tray.
2 Gently pull the tray out of the tray slot.
3 Remove the SIM or USIM card.
4 Insert the tray back into the tray slot.

Basics
18
Memory card (microSD card)
Installing a memory card
Your device’s memory card capacity may vary from other models and some memory cards
may not be compatible with your device, depending on the memory card manufacturer and
type. To view your device’s maximum memory card capacity, refer to the Samsung website.
•
Some memory cards may not be fully compatible with the device. Using an
incompatible card may damage the device or the memory card, or corrupt the data
stored in it.
•
Use caution to insert the memory card right-side up.
•
The device supports the FAT and the exFAT file systems for memory cards. When
inserting a card formatted in a different file system, the device will ask to reformat
the card or will not recognize the card. To use the memory card, you must format it.
If your device cannot format or recognize the memory card, contact the memory
card manufacturer or a Samsung Service Centre.
•
Frequent writing and erasing of data shortens the lifespan of memory cards.
•
When inserting a memory card into the device, the memory card’s file directory
appears in the My Files
→
SD card folder.

Basics
19
1
54
2 3
1 Insert the ejection pin into the hole on the tray to loosen the tray.
Ensure that the ejection pin is perpendicular to the hole. Otherwise, the device may
be damaged.
2 Gently pull the tray out of the tray slot.

Basics
20
3 Place a memory card on the tray with the gold-coloured contacts facing downwards.
4 Gently press the memory card into the tray to secure it.
If the card is not fixed firmly into the tray, the memory card may fall out of the tray.
5 Insert the tray back into the tray slot.
•
If you insert the tray into your device while the tray is wet, your device may be
damaged. Always make sure the tray is dry.
•
Fully insert the tray into the tray slot to prevent liquid from entering your device.
Removing the memory card
Before removing the memory card, first unmount it for safe removal.
Launch the Settings app and tap Device maintenance
→
Storage
→ →
Storage settings
→
SD card
→
UNMOUNT .
1 Insert the ejection pin into the hole on the tray to loosen the tray.
2 Gently pull the tray out of the tray slot.