micro SD card

Use micro SD card in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+

Last updated on: October 19, 2017 · First published on: October 16, 2017 4 Comments

You can use micro SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+ as portable storage to expand the storage if you want to keep a lot of offline media files with you in the phone.

In dual SIM version of Galaxy S8 (and S8+), slot 2 in the SIM card tray can be used for either a SIM card or a micro SD card, but NOT both. In other words, if you are using two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you cannot use micro SD card.

Since Android Marshmallow, adoptable storage, i.e., using micro SD card as internal storage, has been introduced. But Samsung blocked this feature and therefore, you can only use micro SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+ as portable storage, not internal storage. For the differences of using SD card as portable storage and using it as internal storage, please check this guide.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains how to add and remove micro SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+, how to move app data to SD card in Galaxy S8, and how to manage the SD card storage in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

How to add SD card in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, micro SD card is placed in slot 2 of the SIM card tray.

To add SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you may follow these steps.

Step 0: Power off Galaxy S8 or S8+.

It is recommended to power off Galaxy S8 or S8+ when adding or removing a micro SD card, although it is not required.

You can hold (aka long press) the power button for more than 2 seconds to get the power button option, then choose to power off the phone.

Step 1:

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How to use two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: October 19, 2017 · First published on: June 4, 2017 29 Comments

Dual SIM version Galaxy S8 and S8+ allows you to use two SIM cards in the phone. Although Galaxy S8 and S8+ are dual standby only, you can use dual SIM always on and will not miss any calls.

This Galaxy S8 guide explains the limitations of using two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+, how to use and customize dual SIM card settings, how to enable dual SIM always on to avoid missing calls.

When you can use two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

In many international markets, Samsung released dual SIM version of Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

For these dual SIM Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can use up to 2 SIM cards. Of course, they are dual standby only, not dual active because there is one modem shared by two SIM cards.

You can use two SIM cards only in dual SIM version of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

As explained in the Galaxy S8 SIM card guide, the SIM card tray for single SIM and dual SIM version of S8 and S8+ is different.

But the difference is not only in the SIM card slot. The firmware (software) is also different.

In addition, the metal contact part inside the phone is also different in dual SIM version and single SIM version of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

So, there is no easy way to convert single SIM version of Galaxy S8 or S8+ to dual SIM version. Don’t waste time and money on this.

What are the limitations of using two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

As dual SIM version of Galaxy S8 or S8+ is dual standby only. In theory, two SIM cards are both active only when the phone is in standby.

This means you can receive and … Read the rest

Migrate to Galaxy S8: how to transfer data from old device to Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: October 19, 2017 · First published on: April 24, 2017 1 Comment

When you get your Galaxy S8 or S8+, you may want to transfer data from old device to S8 or S8+.

This guide explains to you what data can be transferred, what data cannot be transferred, and how to transfer data from old device to Galaxy S8 and S8+ in different ways: with USB cable, through wireless connection (WiFi direct), through a PC, or through Samsung cloud.

What data can be transferred? What data cannot be transferred?

Before migrating to Galaxy S8 or S8+, it is important to know what can be transferred, and what cannot.

In this guide, we are going to use Samsung Smart Switch, which was pre-installed in Galaxy S8 and S8+, to migrate or transfer data from old device to Galaxy S8 or S8+.

Your old device was very likely pre-installed with Smart Switch if it is newer than Galaxy S6 (for example, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy 6 edge plus, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, and many other Galaxy devices released in last 2 years).

If your device is older, or is other brands, you can install SmartSwitch app from Play store. The minimum requirement for Smart Switch app is Android 4.0, which is actually hard to find.

Basically, you can transfer almost everything from old device to Galaxy S8 and S8+.

The data can be transferred from old device to Galaxy S8 and S8+ include:

Contacts;
Messages;
Samsung Calendar (S Planner) events;
Memos;
Call logs;
Alarms and world clock settings (if you are using Samsung clock app);
Internet (browser) app settings (only for Samsung’s browser app);
Email account settings (only for Samsung Email app);
S Health (Samsung Health) settings;
Apps. Apps from all sources including Play store, Amazon appstore, Galaxy Apps, can be transferred.
App data of most

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Package contents in Galaxy S8 box

Last updated on: April 23, 2017 · First published on: April 23, 2017 9 Comments

After unboxing Galaxy S8 or S8+, you need to know package contents in Galaxy S8 box so that you can understand the usage of each items.

Please note, in different regions, the package contents in Galaxy S8 box may be slightly different.

For Galaxy S8 and S8+, the package contents are identical except the phone.

In this guide, although we often just refer to Galaxy S8, everything also applies to Galaxy S8+.

What are the package contents in Galaxy S8 box?

As shown in the picture below, in a Galaxy S8 box you can find at least 8 items, including:

the phone, which is the top deck.
USB type-C cable;
adaptive fast wall charger;
USB connector;
micro USB connector;
ejection pin;
AKG earphone; and
additional earphone gel tips.

Of course, there are some get-started leaflets and safety manual not shown in the picture below.

Usage of package contents in Galaxy S8 box

In addition to the Galaxy S8 phone (or Galaxy S8+ phone), all of the accessories in the Galaxy S8 box can help you in some special ways.

USB type-C cable

You need to use the USB type-C cable to charge Galaxy S8 battery unless you use wireless charging.

USB cable can also be used to connect to your PC or other devices to transfer data.

Please note, Galaxy S8 and S8+ use USB type-C port. The USB cable in the package is a USB type-C cable (normal Type-A to Type-C). You should never insert your old micro USB cable directly into Galaxy S8 or S8.

The USB Type-C connector is symmetric. You can insert the cable into the phone in either orientation.

Wall charger

The included wall charger in Galaxy S8 box is an adaptive fast charger.

You can … Read the rest

Galaxy S8 SIM card guide

Last updated on: October 19, 2017 · First published on: April 9, 2017 33 Comments

You need to use the correct SIM card for Galaxy S8 and S8+, and use it correctly.

This Galaxy S8 SIM card guide shows you what the correct SIM card size is for Galaxy S8 and S8+, how to insert and change Galaxy S8 SIM card, and how to use two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 dual SIM versions.

What is the correct Galaxy S8 SIM card size for S8 and S8+?

To make phone calls or to use mobile data with Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+, you need a SIM (subscriber identity module) card, which is issued by your carrier to identify each customer.

Over the years, different sizes of SIM card have been used for mobile phones. You may wonder the correct SIM card size for Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Technically, there are 4 different sizes of SIM card for mobile phones:

Full-size SIM. Full-size SIM is often referred as 1FF (1st form factor). It is “giant” in size: 85.60 mm × 53.98 mm × 0.76 mm. Anyway, you probably cannot find one in the market and none of the Android phones used it.
Mini-SIM (2FF). Mini-SIM usually is referred as “big” or “normal” or “standard” SIM card in some countries. Most carriers and phone manufactures phased out mini-SIM a few years ago. .
Micro-SIM (3FF). Micro SIM is still the most popular size of SIM card for smartphones. Most middle range and budget smartphones are using micro SIM card. In some regions, micro-SIM is referred as “small” SIM card.
Nano-SIM (4FF). Nano-SIM is the smallest SIM card available for smartphone today. Most flagship smartphones requires nano-SIM

Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ use nano SIM card.

The good news is most carriers offer 3-in-1 SIM card, which … Read the rest