Introduction: Setting up and troubleshooting connection problems is never easy. This Galaxy S23 Settings page explains common connection settings, including WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, Flight mode, SIM manager, Mobile networks, Data usage, Mobile hotspot and tethering, and More connection settings (printing). Detailed how-to guides covered some of these features, e.g., SIM manager, 5G support, and mobile network settings.
Change settings for various connections, such as the Wi-Fi feature and Bluetooth.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections.
Wi-Fi: Turn on the Wi-Fi feature to connect to a Wi-Fi network and access the internet or other network devices. Refer to Wi-Fi for more information.
Bluetooth: Use Bluetooth to exchange data or media files with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Refer to Bluetooth for more information.
NFC and contactless payments: Read near field communication (NFC) tags that contain information about products. You can also use this feature to make payments and buy tickets for transportation or events after downloading the required apps. Refer to NFC and contactless payments for more information.
Ultra-wideband (UWB): Turn on the UWB feature.
Flight mode: Set the device to turn off all wireless functions on your device. You can use only non-network services. Follow the regulations provided by the airline and the instructions of aircraft personnel. In cases where it is allowed to use the device, always use it in flight mode. In the Android 14 (One UI 6) update, you can use the Smart Flight Mode.
SIM manager (dual SIM models): Activate your SIM or USIM cards and customise the SIM card settings. Refer to SIM manager (dual SIM models) for more information.
Mobile networks: Configure your mobile network settings.
Data usage: Keep track of your data usage amount and customise the settings for the limitation. Set the device to automatically disable the mobile data connection when the amount of mobile data you have used reaches your specified limit. You can turn on the data saver feature to prevent some apps running in the background from sending or receiving data. Refer to Data saver for more information. You can also select apps to always use the mobile data even when your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Refer to Mobile data only apps for more information.
Mobile Hotspot and Tethering: Use the phone as a mobile hotspot to share the phone’s mobile data connection with other devices. For more information about the mobile hotspot, refer to Mobile Hotspot. You may incur additional charges when using this feature.
More connection settings: Customise settings to control other features. Refer to More connection settings for more information.
Some features may not be available depending on the model.
Wi-Fi
Turn on the Wi-Fi feature to connect to a Wi-Fi network and access the internet or other network devices.
Connecting to a Wi-Fi network
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → Wi-Fi and tap the switch to turn it on.
Once the device connects to a Wi-Fi network, the device will reconnect to that network each time it is available without requiring a password. To prevent the device from connecting to the network automatically, tap next to the network and tap the Auto reconnect switch to turn it off.
If you cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network properly, restart your device’s Wi-Fi feature or the wireless router.
Checking out the Wi-Fi network quality information
Check out the Wi-Fi network quality information, such as the speed and stability.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → Wi-Fi and tap the switch to turn it on. The network quality information will appear under the Wi-Fi networks. If it does not appear, tap → Intelligent Wi-Fi and tap the Show network quality info switch to turn it on.
The quality information may not appear depending on the Wi-Fi network.
Sharing Wi-Fi network passwords
If you make a request to a person who is connected to a secured Wi-Fi network to share its password, you can connect to the network without entering the password. This feature is available between the devices which have contacts each other and the screen of the other device must be turned on.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → Wi-Fi and tap the switch to turn it on.
Select a network from the Wi-Fi networks list.
Tap Request password.
Accept the share request on the other device.
The Wi-Fi password is entered on your device and it is connected to the network.
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Direct connects devices directly through a Wi-Fi network without requiring an access point.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → Wi-Fi and tap the switch to turn it on.
Tap → Wi-Fi Direct.
The detected devices are listed.
If the device you want to connect to is not in the list, request that the device turns on its Wi-Fi Direct feature.
Select a device to connect to.
The devices will be connected when the other device accepts the Wi-Fi Direct connection request.
To end the device connection, select the device to disconnect from the list.
Bluetooth
Use Bluetooth to exchange data or media files with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Precautions for using Bluetooth
Samsung is not responsible for the loss, interception, or misuse of data sent or received through Bluetooth.
Always ensure that you share and receive data with devices that are trusted and properly secured. If there are obstacles between the devices, the operating distance may be reduced.
Some devices, especially those that are not tested or approved by the Bluetooth SIG, may be incompatible with your device.
Do not use the Bluetooth feature for illegal purposes (for example, pirating copies of files or illegally tapping communications for commercial purposes). Samsung is not responsible for the repercussion of illegal use of the Bluetooth feature.
Pairing with other Bluetooth devices
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → Bluetooth and tap the switch to turn it on.
The detected devices will be listed.
Select a device to pair with.
If the device you want to pair with is not on the list, set the device to enter Bluetooth pairing mode. Refer to the other device’s user manuals.
Your phone is visible to other devices while the Bluetooth settings screen is open.
Accept the Bluetooth connection request on your phone to confirm. The devices will be connected when the other device accepts the Bluetooth connection request.
To unpair the devices, tap next to the device name to unpair and tap Unpair.
Galaxy S23 supports Fast Pair. The pairing process is simpler for accessories that support Fast Pair.
Sending and receiving data
Many apps support data transfer through Bluetooth. You can share data, such as contacts or media files, with other Bluetooth devices. The following actions are an example of sending an image to another device.
Open the Gallery app and select an image.
Tap → Bluetooth and select a device to transfer the image to.
If the device you want to pair with is not in the list, request that the device turns on its visibility option.
Accept the Bluetooth connection request on the other device.
NFC and contactless payments
You can use your phone to read near field communications tags (NFC) that contain information about products. You can also use this feature to make payments and buy tickets for transportation or events after downloading the required apps.
The device contains a built-in NFC antenna (see Galaxy S23 layout). Handle the device carefully to avoid damaging the NFC antenna.
Reading information from NFC tags
Use the NFC feature to read product information from NFC tags.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections and tap the NFC and contactless payments switch to turn it on.
Place the NFC antenna area on the back of your device near an NFC tag. The information from the tag appears.
Ensure that the device’s screen is turned on and unlocked. Otherwise, the device will not read NFC tags or receive data.
Making payments with the NFC feature
Before you can use the NFC feature to make payments, you must register for the mobile payment service. To register or get more information about the service, contact your service provider.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections and tap the NFC and contactless payments switch to turn it on.
Touch the NFC antenna area on the back of your device to the NFC card reader.
To set the default payment app, open the Settings screen and tap Connections → NFC and contactless payments → Contactless payments → Payment, and then select an app.
The payment services list may not include all available payment apps.
If you update the payment app or install a new one, the payment services that you used before may not work properly. If that is the case, on the Settings screen, tap Connections → NFC and contactless payments → Contactless payments → Payment or Others, and then select another app instead of the updated or newly installed app. Or, deselect the selected app.
Data saver
Reduce your data usage by preventing some apps running in the background from sending or receiving data.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → Data usage → Data saver and tap the switch to turn it on.
When the data saver feature is turned on, the icon will appear on the status bar.
To select apps to use data without restriction, tap Allowed to use data while Data saver is on and select apps.
Mobile data only apps
Select apps to always use the mobile data even when your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
For example, you can set the device to use only mobile data for apps that you want to keep secure or streaming apps that can be disconnected. Even if you do not turn off the Wi-Fi feature, the apps will open using the mobile data.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → Data usage → Mobile data only apps and tap the switches next to the apps you want.
You may incur additional charges when using this feature.
Mobile Hotspot
Use your phone as a mobile hotspot to share your phone’s mobile data connection with other devices.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering → Mobile Hotspot.
Tap the switch to turn it on.
The icon appears on the status bar.
You can change the level of security and the password by tapping Configure.
On the other device’s screen, search for and select your phone from the Wi-Fi networks list.
Alternatively, tap QR code on the mobile hotspot screen and scan the QR code with the other device.
If the mobile hotspot is not found, on your phone, tap Configure and set Band to 2.4 GHz, tap Advanced, and then tap the Hidden network switch to turn it off.
If you turn on the Auto Hotspot feature, you can share your phone’s mobile data connection with other devices signed in to your Samsung account.
More connection settings
Customise settings to control other connection features.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → More connection settings.
Nearby device scanning: Set the phone to scan for nearby devices to connect to.
Printing: Configure settings for printer plug-ins installed on the device. You can search for available printers or add one manually to print files. Refer to Printing for more information.
VPN: Set up virtual private networks (VPNs) on your device to connect to a school or company’s private network.
Private DNS: Set the device to use the security enhanced private DNS.
Ethernet: When you connect an Ethernet adapter, you can use a wired network and configure network settings.
Printing
Configure settings for printer plug-ins installed on the device. You can connect the device to a printer through Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct, and print images or documents.
Some printers may not be compatible with the device.
Adding printer plug-ins
Add printer plug-ins for printers you want to connect the device to.
On the Settings screen, tap Connections → More connection settings → Printing → Download plugin.
Select a printer plug-in and install it.
Select the installed printer plug-in.
The device will automatically search for printers that are connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device.
Select a printer to add.
To add printers manually, tap → Add printer.
Printing content
While accessing content, such as images or documents, access the options list, tap Print → All printers…, and then select a printer.
Printing methods may vary depending on the content type.
Galaxy S23 accessories guides. Galaxy S23 accessories guides explore useful Galaxy S23 accessories and show you how to use them to protect your phone or increase your productivity (or fun).
Follow the regulations provided by the airline and the instructions of aircraft personnel. In cases where it is allowed to use the device, always use it in flight mode. In the Android 14 (One UI 6) update, you can use the Smart Flight Mode.
next to the network and tap the Auto reconnect switch to turn it off.
→ Wi-Fi Direct.
→ Wi-Fi Direct.
next to the device name to unpair and tap Unpair.
→ Bluetooth and select a device to transfer the image to.
→ Bluetooth and select a device to transfer the image to.
icon will appear on the status bar.
icon appears on the status bar.
→ Add printer.
