14. Optimizing and Troubleshooting
This chapter covers how to get the most from your Galaxy S7 using hardware accessories. It also explains ways that you can properly maintain your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge and troubleshoot basic software or hardware problems. Topics covered in this chapter include:
Finding Galaxy S7 and S7 edge accessories
Updating the Galaxy S7 software
Troubleshooting connected devices
Getting help
Your Galaxy S7 is fully capable of providing an amazing multimedia experience right out of the box, but whether you are viewing movies, capturing photos and video, or composing a long email, you want your Galaxy S7 to be versatile. Accessories such as covers, Bluetooth headsets, battery packs, and wireless chargers can offer some much needed practical support for your Galaxy S7 use.
Although problems concerning the Galaxy S7 software, hardware, and accessories are rare, on occasion you might experience incidents where your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge does not perform properly. There are a few fixes you can try if you experience the occasional glitch that can occur with any hardware device.
Although your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge is a sophisticated piece of hardware, it is less complex than an actual computer, making any issue that might arise more manageable.
Finding Accessories
You can find accessories for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge models in electronics stores such as Best Buy, or you can also shop your phone carrier’s website, as they may offer accessories for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.
Online stores, such as Samsung.com and Amazon.com, are also great places to find hardware accessories for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. In the U.S., visit the accessories page for the Samsung website at http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones-accessories/. If you’re in another country, visit the Samsung Global website at http://www.samsung.com/countries so you can select your country and then view Galaxy S7 accessories in your country page.
Always make sure that you pick the right accessory for your Galaxy S7 model. As of this writing, none of the previous Galaxy S smartphone series accessories work with the Galaxy S7 or S7 edge.
Pairing Bluetooth Devices
Along with the many other comfort features and conveniences found with the Galaxy S7, your Galaxy S7 gives you the capability to connect some external hardware devices wirelessly. The Galaxy S7 is equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 technology, enabling you to connect cable-free with Bluetooth-capable devices. By default, Bluetooth is enabled on your Galaxy S7. If you have already played with this setting, you can tell if Bluetooth is turned on by verifying that the Bluetooth symbol is visible in the status bar at the top of the screen.
Pair a Bluetooth Device
You can easily connect your Galaxy S7 to a Bluetooth device in two phases: discovering and pairing.
1. Turn on the wireless device that you want to pair with your Galaxy S7 and make it discoverable.
Discoverability
Bluetooth devices broadcast their availability only after you instruct them to do so. If necessary, refer to your device’s manual to learn how to make it discoverable.
2. Tap the Apps icon on the Home screen.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Connections in the tab bar.
5. Tap Bluetooth.
6. Tap your Bluetooth device in the list. (If you don’t see your device, tap Scan in the menu bar above the list.) Your Galaxy S7 attempts to pair with the device.
7. The device appears under a newly created Paired Devices list.
8. If you need to refresh the list of devices, tap Scan.
Entering or Confirming Passcode May Be Required
You may need to enter a passcode for the Bluetooth device you’re trying to pair with, such as a printer. For other Bluetooth devices, such as the Galaxy Tab S2 in this example, you may only need to tap OK in the Bluetooth Pairing Request window on both devices to confirm that each device has the same pairing passkey number.
Paired Bluetooth Device Settings
After you have successfully paired your device to your Galaxy S7, a Settings icon appears next to the name of the Bluetooth device within the Paired Devices list. Tap that Settings icon to rename or unpair your device.
Maintaining Your Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
Regular maintenance of your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge not only helps extend the life of your Galaxy S7, it also helps ensure peak performance. It’s important that you make sure your Galaxy S7 software is up to date and that you understand basic troubleshooting concepts.
Properly cleaning and protecting the body of your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge can be equally important. The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge were designed to be sturdy, but, like any other electronic device, they can collect dust, and a simple drop on the sidewalk can prove disastrous. The first step in maintaining your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge is prevention. You can start by purchasing a protective case.
A sturdy case designed for the Galaxy S7 or S7 edge is important for the overall protection of your device. A number of companies have created a variety of cases for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, including Samsung. If you don’t like Samsung’s offerings, search the Internet or go to Amazon.com to see what’s out there. The more padded the case, the better it can absorb a shock if you happen to drop your phone.
A case can also help protect your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge from dust and keep it dry if you happen to get caught in the rain. Make sure you keep the inside of your case clean. Dust and sand can find a way into even the most well-constructed cases. Instead of using your sleeve to wipe off your Galaxy S7 display, invest in a microfiber cloth; you can find one in any office supply or computer store.
Your first instinct might be to wet a cloth to clean your Galaxy S7 touchscreen. Don’t use liquids to clean the touchscreen, especially if they include alcohol or ammonia. These harsh chemicals can cause irreparable damage to the touchscreen, rendering it difficult to view content. Consider purchasing a screen protector at a local store or your favorite online retailer to keep the touchscreen dust and scratch free. Some screen protectors also come with a microfiber cleaning cloth.
Updating Galaxy S7 Software
Every so often, Google releases software updates for your Galaxy S7’s Android operating system. To get the most from your Galaxy S7, it is good practice to update soon after an upgrade has been released. When an update is available, you receive a notification that indicates you can download a system upgrade. At that point, you have the option to initiate the software update. You can also check for system updates manually.
1. Tap the Apps icon on the Home screen.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Swipe from right to left within the tab bar.
4. Tap System.
5. Tap About Device.
6. Tap Software Update.
7. Tap Check for Updates.
8. You see the Software Update screen for your specific carrier, which is AT&T in this example. Tap OK.
9. If the software is up to date, tap OK to return to the About Device screen. If an update is available, follow the provided directions to upgrade your software.
Updating Firmware
The Android operating system is not the only software you need to update on your Galaxy S7. Your Galaxy S7 also uses software called firmware to run its internal functions. When an update is available, use your own discretion as to whether you want to update right away, just in case there are any issues with the update.
Extending Battery Life
Your Galaxy S7 is capable of up to at least 9 hours of battery life, depending on the model you have. Battery life can also vary depending on how you use the Galaxy S7. Strenuous tasks, such as playing HD video, dramatically lower your battery life more than surfing the Web does.
You can monitor your battery power at the top of the screen in the Status area. The white battery status icon located on the right side of the Status bar lets you keep an eye on how much battery power you have left.
When the battery gets low, a warning appears, informing you of the percentage of battery power you have left and instructing you to connect the charger. When the battery is too low, your Galaxy S7 automatically shuts down. There are a few things you can do to extend the life of your Galaxy S7 battery between charges.
Monitor Power Usage
On the Galaxy S7, you can use the Battery Usage screen to see which of the apps you use consumes the most power, and then you can reduce the use of those apps. Your battery power savings are small, but if you’re running low on power with no way to recharge, every little bit counts. Follow these directions to access the Battery Usage screen.
1. Tap the Apps icon on the Home screen.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Swipe from right to left within the tab bar.
4. Tap System.
5. Tap Battery.
6. The screen shows you how many hours you have left on your current battery charge and how long it’s been since your battery was fully charged.
Adjust Screen Brightness
The high-quality touchscreen of the Galaxy S7 can consume plenty of battery power. The higher the brightness level set on your Galaxy S7, the more power the touchscreen uses. If you are viewing the screen in very bright conditions, you probably do not need a very high brightness setting. Consider dimming the screen to extend the battery life.
1. Tap the Apps icon on the Home screen.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Swipe from right to left within the tab bar.
4. Tap Device.
5. Tap Display.
6. Slide the slider button to the left to lower the brightness level or to the right to increase the brightness level.
7. Change the brightness level to the default level by tapping the Auto checkbox.
8. Return to the Device settings list by tapping the Back icon.
Quick Settings for Brightness
The Galaxy S7 offers a quicker way for you to access the brightness controls by changing the brightness level in the Quick Settings and Notification screen. Open the Quick Settings and Notification screen by swiping down from the top of the screen and then use the slider below the settings button row to adjust screen brightness.
Utilize Sleep Mode
Your Galaxy S7 goes to sleep after a specified period of inactivity, but you don’t have to wait for it to fall asleep—you can put it to sleep manually. When your Galaxy S7 is awake, it is consuming battery power. Press and then immediately release the Power button on the side of your Galaxy S7 when you have finished using the device to conserve battery power.
Conserve Power by Turning Off Wi-Fi
When the Wi-Fi antenna is activated on your Galaxy S7, your device is incessantly looking for available Wi-Fi networks to join, which uses battery power. To see if Wi-Fi is turned on, check the right side of the status bar of your Galaxy S7 for the Wi-Fi symbol. If you do not need a Wi-Fi connection, turn it off to conserve battery power. If you are not wandering and are using Wi-Fi in a single location, look for a power outlet and plug in your Galaxy S7.
1. Tap Settings in the Apps screen as you learned to do earlier in this chapter.
2. Tap Connections in the tab bar.
3. Tap Wi-Fi.
4. Turn off Wi-Fi by sliding the Wi-Fi slider button to the left.
5. The slider button displays the word Off with a gray background, and the screen asks you to turn on Wi-Fi to see available networks.
Quick Settings for Wi-Fi
The Galaxy S7 offers an even quicker way for you to access the Wi-Fi setting in the Quick Settings and Notification screen. Simply swipe down from the top of the screen; within the Quick Settings and Notification screen tap the Wi-Fi button with the green Wi-Fi icon to turn it off. When the icon turns gray, tap the Wi-Fi button to turn Wi-Fi on again.
Conserve Power by Turning Off Bluetooth
When Bluetooth is activated on your Galaxy S7, your device is constantly checking for other Bluetooth devices, which drains battery power. To see if Bluetooth is turned on, check the status bar in the top-left corner of your Galaxy S7 for the Bluetooth symbol. If you are not using a Bluetooth device, turn this function off. There are also security reasons why you should turn off Bluetooth when you are not using it, so get in the habit of turning Bluetooth off as soon as you finish using a wireless device with your Galaxy S7. You can easily deactivate Bluetooth in the notification panel.
1. Tap Settings in the Apps screen.
2. Tap Connections in the menu bar.
3. Tap Bluetooth.
4. Turn off Bluetooth by sliding the Bluetooth slider button to the left.
5. The slider button displays the word Off with a gray background, and the screen asks you to turn on Bluetooth to see paired and available devices.
Quick Settings for Bluetooth
The Galaxy S7 offers an even quicker way for you to access the Bluetooth setting in the Quick Settings and Notification screen. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings and Notification screen. Then turn off Bluetooth by tapping the Bluetooth button with the green Bluetooth icon at the right side of the button bar. When the icon turns gray, tap the Bluetooth button to turn Bluetooth on again.
Conserve Even More Power Using Power Saving Modes
If you would rather not tweak individual settings to save battery life, the Galaxy S7 comes with two power saving modes: Power Saving Mode and Ultra Power Saving Mode. Each mode restricts the performance of the Galaxy S7 and requires few setting changes on your part.
Set Up Power Saving Mode
By default, Power Saving Mode is turned off. When you turn on Power Saving Mode, the Galaxy S7 begins saving power immediately by limiting maximum CPU performance, reducing the screen brightness and frame rate, and turning off the touch key lights and vibration feedback. What’s more, the device turns off the screen more quickly after you receive a notification.
You can change when Power Saving Mode goes into effect based on how much battery life you have left.
1. Tap Settings on the Apps screen.
2. Swipe from right to left within the tab bar.
3. Tap System.
4. Tap Battery.
5. Tap Power Saving Mode.
6. Slide the slider from left (Off) to right (On).
7. Tap Start Power Saving.
8. Tap the appropriate battery power level in the menu to determine when you start power saving; the default level is Immediately. You can select between 5%, 15%, 20%, and 50% battery power. This example uses 50% power.
9. The Start Power Saving setting shows that the Galaxy S7 will go into Power Saving Mode when your battery life reaches 50%.
10. Turn off Power Saving Mode by sliding the slider button from right (On) to left (Off).
11. Return to the Battery screen by tapping the Back icon.
Set Up Ultra Power Saving Mode
Ultra Power Saving Mode automatically puts your display in grayscale mode and goes further by severely limiting the apps and services you can use on the Galaxy S7. These services include mobile data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
If you already have Power Saving Mode active, the Galaxy S7 closes Power Saving Mode so you can get the benefits of Ultra Power Saving Mode.
1. Tap Settings on the Apps screen.
2. Swipe from right to left within the tab bar.
3. Tap System.
4. Tap Battery.
5. Tap Ultra Power Saving Mode.
6. Swipe up in the screen to view more information about Ultra Power Saving Mode.
7. Slide the slider from left (Off) to right (On).
8. The Galaxy S7 turns on Ultra Power Saving Mode by dimming the screen, placing the screen in grayscale mode, and turning off the screen after 15 seconds of no activity. The Ultra Power Saving Mode screen appears, and this screen opens every time you wake the Galaxy S7 from sleep mode.
9. The Ultra Power Saving Mode window tells you what your current battery percentage is and the maximum number of days your Galaxy S7 can stay in standby (another word for sleep) mode.
10. By default, you can use the Phone, Messages, and Internet apps. Run the app by tapping the app icon; when you finish using the app, tap the Back touch button.
11. Add an app to the list of apps you can run by tapping one of the Add (+) buttons. In the Add Application window that appears, tap Calculator, Clock, Email, Facebook, or Memo. After you select the application, the app icon appears, replacing the Add icon.
12. Tap More to open the menu so you can remove one or more apps from the list of apps you can run; change various settings including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, Location, Sound, and Brightness; and turn off Ultra Power Saving Mode.
13. When you select to turn off Ultra Power Saving Mode, there’s a delay of a few seconds and then the Home screen appears in full color. All apps and services return to normal operation.
Solving Random Galaxy S7 Issues
The occasional hardware or software glitch happens to even the best of electronic devices. You might encounter an issue, although rare, where an app you are using freezes, a wireless device proves difficult to pair with your Galaxy S7, the touchscreen becomes unresponsive, or landscape orientation is not available at all times. Fortunately, it is not very difficult to troubleshoot some of these issues. If you should happen to come across a problem that you can’t solve yourself, there are plenty of channels for you to find technical support.
Difficulty Turning Your Galaxy S7 On or Off
On rare occasions, you might find that your Galaxy S7 is stubborn when you try to turn it on or off. It might appear that the device has locked or become unresponsive. If this happens to you, hold the Power button for 8 seconds to see if it responds. If this does not work, you might need to let your Galaxy S7 sit for a few seconds before you again try holding the Power button for 8 seconds.
Touchscreen Becomes Unresponsive
This tip assumes that your Galaxy S7 and any app you are using is responsive, but the touchscreen is not responding to your touch. If you attempt to use your Galaxy S7 touchscreen while wearing conventional gloves, it does not work. This can prove inconvenient on a very cold day, so you might want to consider a capacitive stylus for your Galaxy S7.
Your Galaxy S7 uses a capacitive touchscreen that holds an electrical charge. When you touch the screen with your bare finger, capacitive stylus, or special static-carrying gloves, it changes the amount of charge at the specific point of contact. In a nutshell, this is how the touchscreen interprets your taps, drags, and pinches.
The touchscreen might also be unresponsive to your touch if you happen to have a thin coat of film on your fingertips. So no sticky fingers, please.
Force Stop an App
Sometimes an app might get an attitude and become unruly. For example, an app might provide a warning screen saying that it is currently busy and is unresponsive, or it might give some other issue warning to convey that a problem exists. If an app is giving you problems, you can manually stop the app.
1. Tap Settings on the Apps screen.
2. Swipe from right to left within the tab bar.
3. Tap Device.
4. Tap Applications.
5. Tap Application Manager.
6. Swipe up and down on the screen if necessary until you see the problem app in the list.
7. Tap the app name.
8. Tap Force Stop. The app stops running.
Battery Does Not Charge
If you find that your battery is not charging, first start with the power outlet. Is the outlet supplying power? Is the power strip turned on? Plug something else into the outlet to see if it works, or try another outlet.
Make sure that everything is connected properly. Is the adapter secure on both ends? If the outlet supplies power and the cables are connected properly, but the battery still does not charge, try another cable. If this does not solve the issue, your battery might be defective. Contact Samsung technical support. (See the “Getting Technical Help” section later in this chapter for more information about how to contact Samsung.) There is no way for you to remove the battery yourself.
Overheating
Overheating is rare, but if your Galaxy S7 becomes too hot and regularly turns itself off, you might need to replace the battery. You can tell if your Galaxy S7 is getting too hot by holding it in your hands. Use caution.
Landscape Orientation Does Not Work
The orientation setting on your Galaxy S7 could be set so that your Galaxy S7 stays in either portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) mode, regardless of how you hold the device. If your Galaxy S7 no longer utilizes landscape orientation, first check the setting for screen orientation.
The Galaxy S7 has a Screen Rotation setting that must be selected for the screen to adjust from portrait to landscape mode, depending on how you hold the device. You can easily confirm that the Screen Rotation setting is selected from the Quick Settings and Notification screen.
1. In the Home screen, open the Quick Settings and Notification screen by tapping and holding on the top edge of the screen and then swiping downward.
2. Locate the Auto Rotate setting icon and confirm that the icon is blue. If the icon is gray, activate the setting by tapping the Auto Rotate icon. Your screen should now adjust to the orientation in which you hold the device.
Landscape Orientation and Apps
Not every app in the Google Play Store was developed to take advantage of the landscape orientation of your Galaxy S7. If you notice this issue while using an app, close the app and then see whether your Galaxy S7 can situate itself in landscape orientation. If so, launch the app again and see how it works.
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Accessibility Problems
Your Galaxy S7 provides you the convenience and flexibility of wireless Internet access via Wi-Fi connectivity. Along with this convenience and flexibility comes the potential for connectivity issues regarding wireless networks. If you are unable to access a Wi-Fi network, or if your connection is sporadic, there are some troubleshooting tips you can use to pinpoint basic accessibility options.
Make Sure Wi-Fi Is Activated
First and foremost, make sure that the Wi-Fi antenna is on. You can determine this by looking on the right side of the Status bar at the top of your Galaxy S7 screen to see whether the Wi-Fi icon is visible. If it is not on, you can open the Quick Settings and Notification screen by swiping down from the top of the screen and then activate Wi-Fi by tapping the Wi-Fi button.
Check Your Range
If Wi-Fi is activated on your Galaxy S7 and you still cannot connect, take note of how far away you are from the Wi-Fi access point. In general, you can be only 150 feet from a Wi-Fi access point indoors or 300 feet from an access point outdoors before the signal becomes weak or drops altogether. Structures such as walls with lots of electronics can also impede a Wi-Fi signal.
However, the type of wireless protocol you’re using in your Wi-Fi network also affects your range. For example, if your wireless network uses the 802.11n protocol, which the Galaxy S7 supports, you’ll have much better range and signal coverage than with the older 802.11a/b/g protocols. If you still have trouble, check your network information for protocol and coverage data. Also, make sure you are close to the access point or turn on the access point’s range booster, if it has one, to improve your connection.
Reset Your Router
The issue of Wi-Fi accessibility might not be related to your distance from the Wi-Fi access point, a signal-impeding barrier, or your Galaxy S7. As a last resort, you might need to reset the router. After you reset your router, you have to set up your network from the ground up.
Reset the Galaxy S7 Device
If all else fails and your technical problems still persist, as a last-ditch effort you might need to reset the Galaxy S7. Resetting your Galaxy S7 deletes all data stored on the device and restores your Galaxy S7 to the factory defaults, just like when you took it out of the box for the first time. Consider contacting support before you reset your Galaxy S7, but if you must, follow these directions to reset the device:
1. Tap Settings on the Apps screen.
2. Swipe from right to left within the tab bar.
3. Tap Personal.
4. Tap Backup and Reset.
6. Tap the Reset Device button.
7. If you use a password to log in to your Galaxy S7, type the password in the Confirm Password field.
8. Tap Next.
9. Tap the Delete All button to confirm. Your Galaxy S7 is returned to its factory default state.
Getting Technical Help
Many outlets are available where you can find help if you run across a Galaxy S7 technical problem that you can’t seem to beat. Although limited, the user’s manual is a good place to start. You can download the correct manual for your Galaxy S7 model online from the Samsung website (www.samsung.com), in the form of a PDF, and scan the table of contents or perform searches in the document for words that pertain to your problem. In most user manual PDFs, topics in the table of contents are linked to the section they pertain to within the document, so when you find what you are looking for, just click the topic to jump to the pertinent page.
Websites and Galaxy S7 forums are also a great way for you to get support for your device. Type a search phrase, such as “Galaxy S7 Google Calendar sync problem,” into your favorite search engine. Chances are plenty of other people are experiencing the same issue. Doing some online research of your own could save you a few minutes on the telephone with technical support and help you solve your problem more quickly.
Contact Your Cellular Provider or Samsung
The Samsung website is a great resource for getting help with technical issues with your Galaxy S7. The Samsung website (www.samsung.com/us/support/) offers support via Twitter, Facebook, Google+, as well as by phone (1-800-726-7864). Before you call, you need to have your device’s model number so that you can give it to the technical support representative.
Locate the Galaxy S7 Model Number
You can find the model number on the box that your Galaxy S7 shipped in, and you can also find it in the Settings menu.
1. Tap Settings on the Apps screen.
2. Swipe from right to left within the tabs area in the menu bar.
3. Tap System.
4. Tap About Device.
5. Locate your Galaxy S7 model number in the About Device list.
