How to set up new Samsung Galaxy A16 5G

The box for your Galaxy A16 5G contains various items needed to set up and utilize your new device, including:

• The phone itself
• Printed materials
• 25W USB 3A data cable (C to C)
• Ejection pin tool

 

Note: Depending on the place of purchase and carrier, the SIM card may not be included. Power adapter sold separately. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables.

 

To unbox the Galaxy A16 5G, follow these steps:

1. Carefully cut or tear away the packaging tape or seal to open the box.
2. Remove any protective materials or inserts around the phone.
3. Remove the phone from the box and place it on a flat surface.
4. Check for any accessories or documentation included in the box, such as the USB Type-C charging cable, ejection pin tool, and the in-box guide.

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is equipped with a powerful battery that offers long-lasting usage. With a capacity of 5000mAh, the battery ensures that you can stay connected without worrying about running out of power. Additionally, the device supports 15W Fast Charging and 25W Super Fast Charging technology, enabling quick charges whenever needed.

 

To charge the Galaxy A16 5G, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that the device is powered off.
2. Connect a compatible power adapter to the supplied USB Type-C cable.
3. Connect one end of the charging cable to the wall adapter.
4. Then, plug the other end of the USB Type-C data cable into the charging port at the bottom of the phone.
5. Wait for the battery icon to appear on the screen, indicating that the device is charging. Allow it to charge until it reaches full capacity.

 

If the phone’s battery is completely depleted, it may take several minutes for the charging indicator to appear. Allow enough time for the battery to start receiving power.

The Galaxy A16 5G supports dual SIM (both eSIM and a physical SIM) functionality. A physical SIM must be inserted into the SIM card slot. As long as the SIM card is compatible with your network and your new phone, you can use your current phone’s SIM card.

 

On the other hand, an eSIM is embedded directly into the device, eliminating the need for a separate physical card. This means you can use two separate SIM cards in the device simultaneously.

 

To insert a physical SIM card, follow these steps:

1. Power off your device and locate the SIM tray on the side of the phone.
2. Use the SIM ejection tool to gently push the tray out of the slot.
   
3. Place the SIM card onto the tray, making sure it aligns correctly with the metal contacts.
   
4. Gently slide the tray back into the slot until it clicks into place.
5. Once you turn on your device, wait for it to recognize the SIM card.

 

If you encounter any issues or the device doesn't recognize the SIM card, try removing and reinserting it again. Make sure the SIM card is properly aligned and seated in the tray.

eSIM activation

During the initial setup of your new Galaxy phone, you will be prompted to connect to a mobile network. You can activate the eSIM after connecting your phone to a Wi-Fi network. There are several options for setting up your eSIM:

• Transfer SIM from another device: You can move your SIM profile and phone number from your old Galaxy phone to your new one without contacting your network carrier.
• Scan QR code: Your carrier can provide you with a QR code to conveniently download and activate your eSIM profile on your new device.
• Search for a mobile plan: Your device will search your carrier's network for your mobile plan to automatically download and activate your eSIM.
• Set up later in Settings: You can postpone activating eSIM activation during the Setup Wizard.

 

Check out our SIM guide to learn more about using SIM cards with your Galaxy phone.

Memory card

 

The Galaxy A16 5G comes with 128GB of internal storage and supports MicroSD cards up to 1.5TB.

 

MicroSD cards are categorized into various classes based on their storage capacity and speed ratings. They range from 2GB to 2TB, with higher numbers indicating faster speeds. MicroSDXC cards are recommended for high-resolution video recording due to their large storage capacity and fast read/write capabilities. However, for less demanding tasks like still photography, regular microSD or microSDHC cards suffice.

 

To insert a microSD:

1. Ensure the phone is powered off.
2. Use the ejector tool (included in the box) to gently press into the hole next to the tray.
   
3. Once the tray pops out, carefully pull it out of the device.
4. To add a microSD card, place it in the larger opening of the tray. Make sure the gold contacts face downwards. Reinsert the tray back into the device
   .

To power on a Galaxy phone for the first time, press and hold the Power button located on the right side of the phone until the screen turns on.

 

To power off a Galaxy phone, simply press and hold the Power button located on the right side of the phone until the "Power off" option appears on the screen. Then, tap the "Power off" option to turn off your phone.

The first time you turn on your device, the Setup Wizard will guide you through the basics of setting up your device. You will be prompted to go through a series of setup steps including setting your language preferences, connecting to Wi-Fi, signing into your Samsung and Google accounts, and agreeing to terms and conditions. You will also be asked to enable features like a lock screen.

1. On the Welcome screen, select your language from the drop-down menu, and then tap Start.
2. Next, agree to the terms, and then tap Agree.
3. You can complete the easy setup with another device using Smart Switch or you can complete the setup manually.
   • To transfer your existing account, copy settings, and more from your old phone with a QR code, tap Galaxy or Android device or iPhone or iPad. A QR code will appear on your new phone; next, scan the QR code on the new device using the old device. Follow the on-screen instructions on your devices to transfer your data.
     
   • To set up without using another device, tap Set up manually.
4. Select your desired Wi-Fi network, and enter your password, if needed. Then, tap Connect to confirm.
5. If necessary, choose how to connect to a mobile network. For this example, tap Set up later in Settings.
6. Enter your Google account information, and then tap Next.
7. Enter your Google account security credentials, and then tap Next.
8. Choose who will be using the device, and then tap Next.
9. Review the provided information, and then tap I agree.
10. If desired, you can restore data from a previous device. For this example, tap Don’t copy.
11. Review the information about Google services, and then tap Accept.
12. You can set a lock screen type; follow the on-screen instructions. Or, tap Skip if you do not want to set a lock screen during the setup. Tap Skip anyway if prompted.
13. Read the short tutorial on Google Assistant, and then tap I agree or Skip.
14. Read the short tutorial on Google Voice match, and then tap I agree or No thanks.
15. Review information about Assistant on lock screen, and then tap I agree or Skip.
16. Review the additional apps, and then tap OK.
17. Enter the email address and password for your Samsung account and then tap Next. Or, tap Sign in with QR code to sign into your account using the camera on your old Galaxy phone. If you need to reset your account or create a new one, tap Forgot password or don’t have an account.
18. Review the terms and conditions, and then tap Agree.
19. Review Samsung services, and then tap Agree.
20. Choose your display mode, and then tap Next.
21. Tap Finish or Done.

 

Once you complete the setup process, you'll be able to customize your Home screen, install apps, and start using your new phone.

If you set up your new phone manually, you can still transfer your personal data, such as contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, music, text messages, call logs, internet bookmarks, settings, and even your apps and their data from your old device to your new Galaxy A16 5G with Smart Switch. The Smart Switch app supports multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows phones, BlackBerry devices, and even Mac computers.

Wireless transfer from an Android phone

 

A wireless transfer is the preferred way to copy your data to a new device. It's fast and lets you keep the phones plugged into their chargers during the transfer.

1. First, make sure the Smart Switch app is installed on both devices, and plug them into their chargers.
2. When you're ready, place the phones within 4 inches of each other.
3. Launch Smart Switch on both devices. Open Settings, search for and select Smart Switch, and then tap Bring data from old device. Tap Bring data from old device again.
   
   
   Note: Alternatively, you can navigate to the Samsung folder on the Apps screen, and open Smart Switch from there.
4. On the old device, tap Send data, and then tap Wireless.
5. On your new device, tap Receive data, tap Galaxy/Android, and then tap Wireless.
6. Next, complete the connection by tapping Allow on the old device. On your new device, choose the content you want to move, and then tap Transfer. Once the transfer is complete, tap Close on the new device and you’ll be good to go.
   

Import content from iCloud

 

You have lots of valuable data saved on your old iOS device but transferring it seems like a logistical nightmare. No worries, Smart Switch makes transferring through iCloud a breeze.

1. On the new Galaxy phone or tablet, open Settings, search for and select Smart Switch, and then tap Bring data from old device. Tap Bring data from old device again.
   
   Note: Alternatively, you can navigate to the Samsung folder on the Apps screen, and open Smart Switch from there.
2. Tap Receive data on the Galaxy device, and then tap iPhone/iPad.
3. Tap Get data from iCloud instead at the bottom of the screen.
   
4. Enter your Apple ID and password, and then tap Sign in to iCloud.
5. Enter the verification code, and then tap OK.
6. Select the data you want to transfer, and then tap Transfer.
7. When the transfer is finished, tap Next, tap Next again, and then tap Done.

 

Note: iTunes music and videos cannot be transferred from iCloud. Unencrypted iTunes music can be transferred to your phone by simply copying the M4A files from a PC with your iTunes library. You can also transfer your music files directly from a PC.

Smart Switch

 

Smart Switch offers alternative methods such as using a microSD card or USB flash drive, a Windows phone, and even a computer to transfer content to your new phone. Be sure to check out our other Smart Switch guides for more solutions and details.

• Transfer content with a microSD card or USB flash drive and Smart Switch
• Transfer data to a new phone using Smart Switch for Windows or Mac
• Copy your data from a Windows phone using Smart Switch

Cloud accounts

 

If you do not want to use Smart Switch, you can also restore data you’ve previously backed up to your Samsung Cloud account. To access the restore option, navigate to and open Settings on your phone, then tap your Samsung account name at the top of the screen. Tap Samsung Cloud, and then tap Restore data.

 

Google Drive allows you to only restore your backed up data during the Setup Wizard when you sign in to your Google account.

Manually move or copy content

 

You can even copy or move files such as Microsoft Word or Google documents, pictures, videos, audio files, and downloads from your old phone to your new one using a microSD card with the My Files app. Follow our steps to get started:

1. With the microSD card inserted in the old phone, navigate to and open the My Files app.
2. Find the file(s) you want to move, and then touch and hold the file(s).
3. Tap Move or Copy at the bottom of the screen, and then navigate back to the My Files Home page.
   
4. Tap SD card - this will only show up if you have a SD card inserted. Navigate to the folder where you'd like to place the files.
5. Tap Move here or Copy here and the files will be placed on the SD card.
6. Now you must unmount the microSD card before removing it. From the My Files app, tap More options (the three vertical dots) next to the external storage device, and then tap Unmount.
   
7. With both devices powered off, remove the SD card from your old phone and insert the card into your new phone.
8. Next, turn on your new phone and wait for it to recognize the SD card. Open My Files to view, copy, or move files stored on the SD card to your new phone.

Secure lock screen

 

To set or change your lock screen settings, navigate to and open Settings, then swipe to and tap Lock screen, and then tap Screen lock type. Select your desired type of lock, and then follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.

Customize the display settings

 

To increase the display brightness on your Galaxy phone, swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers to open the Quick Settings panel. Then, drag the brightness slider towards the right or left to increase or decrease the brightness.

 

The following are some handy steps for customizing the display settings on your phone. By adjusting these settings, you can personalize the look and feel of your Galaxy phone's display to suit your preferences. First, navigate to and open Settings, and then tap Display.

• Light mode and Dark mode: Change the color scheme of the interface. Light mode provides a white or light-colored background with dark text, suitable for bright environments. Dark mode, on the other hand, reverses the color scheme with a black or dark-colored background and light text. Tap Dark mode settings to set a schedule for between sunset and sunrise based on your location.
• Brightness: Adjust the slider to increase or decrease the brightness. You can also enable Adaptive brightness to let the phone adjust the brightness automatically based on ambient light.
• Motion smoothness: Improves the overall screen performance by rendering frames faster for smoother animation, transitions, and enhanced user experience, especially when gaming or watching videos. Tap High for smoother animation and scrolling or tap Standard for a longer battery life.
• Eye comfort shield: Turn this on to reduce blue light emissions from the screen. You can also automatically adjust the screen's color based on the time of day or manually choose the color temperature and set a schedule.
• Screen mode: Adjust the color profile and appearance of your display by choosing from different options such as Vivid for more saturated colors, or Natural for a more balanced tone.
• Font size and style: Make the font size for text larger or smaller or change the style of the text.
• Screen zoom: Make everything appear larger and more readable, which can be helpful for people with vision impairments or those who prefer a larger font size.
• Full screen apps: Remove the status bar and navigation buttons from the app you're using to maximize the screen space.
• Camera cutout: Show or hide the camera cutout area when using certain apps. This prevents unwanted cropping or obstruction caused by the camera notch or hole punch design.
• Screen timeout: Change how long the screen stays on before timing out, or opt to keep the screen on while you’re looking at it. Keep in mind that this uses the front camera to detect your face.
• Easy mode: Set the icons and text on the Home screen to be enlarged, making them more visible and accessible.
• Edge panels: When turned on, swipe in from the side of the screen to access your favorite apps, contacts, or tools.
• Navigation bar: Control the visibility and behavior of the navigation bar that appears at the bottom of the screen.
• Accidental touch protection: Prevent unintended touches near the edges or corners of the screen, especially when holding the phone with one hand. This prevents accidental inputs.
• Touch sensitivity: Adjust the accuracy and responsiveness of the screen.
• Show charging information: View the battery level and estimated time until full, even when the screen is turned off.
• Screen saver: Display a screen saver after the screen turns off automatically when your phone is charging.

Personalize the Home screen

 

To personalize the Home screen, touch and hold an empty space. The screen will enter Edit mode, displaying multiple screens where you can perform the following:

• Add a screen: Swipe left until you see an empty Home screen, and then tap Add (the plus sign).
  
• Remove a screen: Swipe to a Home screen you want to remove, and then tap the Delete icon (the trash can) at the top.
  
• Set a screen as the main Home screen: Swipe to the Home screen you want to make your main screen. Tap the Home icon (the house) at the top to make it your go-to screen. The bolded Home icon indicates which one is the main Home screen.
  
• Change the order of screens: Touch and hold the screen you want to move, and then drag it to the desired position.
• Enable or disable Samsung Free or Google Discover: If you'd like to enable or disable Samsung Free or Google Discover, swipe right until you reach the Samsung Free and Google Discover screen. Tap the switch at the top to turn it on or off.
  
• Edit the Home screen settings: Tap Settings at the bottom of the screen to be taken to additional options, such as adjusting the Home screen's layout.

Configure notification settings

 

There are several ways to manage notifications on a Galaxy phone. Here are some methods:

• Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Notification panel, and then select your desired notification to view it.
• Swipe up or down to navigate through your notifications.
• To clear all notifications, tap Clear at the bottom of the screen.
  
• To disable notifications for a particular app, touch and hold the notification, and then tap Turn off notifications.
  
• To change the sound or vibration associated with a notification, touch and hold the notification, and then tap Settings. Select your desired option.
  
• You can view advanced options by navigating to Settings, and then tapping Notifications. From here, adjust the settings according to your preferences.
• To block numbers or sources of unwanted notifications, navigate to Settings, then select Notifications, and then select Blocked Numbers/Sources.

Adjust sound settings

 

The Volume button is located on the side of your phone, near the top edge. You can press the Volume button to adjust the volume for the ringer, media, or alarm.

• Press the upper part of the Volume button to increase the volume
• Press the lower part of the Volume button to decrease the volume.

 

To adjust sound settings on your phone:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers to open the Quick Settings panel, and then touch and hold the Sound icon to access the sound settings.
   
2. From here, you can adjust the volume levels for different sounds such as media, alerts, and system sounds. Use the sliders to increase or decrease the volume.
3. To change the ringtone for incoming calls, tap Ringtone, and then select a ringtone from the list.
   
4. To adjust the vibration intensity, tap Vibration intensity and adjust the slider to choose the desired level.
   
5. Tap Sound quality and effects to customize the sound settings further.