Galaxy S10: Top 12 Things You Should Do

Once you’ve turned on and set up your Galaxy S10, there’s still a lot you need to do to set it up properly and take full advantage of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ features. Instead of directly downloading new apps and using the S10 like your old Android phone, there are some steps you should take. Here are the first things you should do before you start using your new Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+ or ​​S10e.

Here’s an overview of the first things you need when you get your Galaxy S10. That’s in addition to getting a Galaxy S10 case to protect your new phone. We have a great compilation of the best Galaxy S10 cases for every model.

1. Set and Lock Fingerprints
2. Install Samsung Pay
3. Set up WiFi Calling
4. Insert Your Micro SD Card
5. Adjust Blue Light Filter and Night Mode
6. Delete Apps You Will Not Use
7. Set Always-on Display
8. Customize Galaxy S10 Theme
9. Adjust Gestures and Navigation Bar
10. Set Do Not Disturb
11. Adjust Edge Lighting
12. Turn On Digital Balance

Set and Lock Fingerprints

If you skipped this one during the initial setup, now is the time to set up the Galaxy S10 fingerprint reader. This new reader on the S10 and S10+ is below the screen and takes some getting used to. Also, if you installed it the first day and didn’t install and update it first, you may need to retrain it.

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap on Lock screen.
3. Tap on Screen lock type.
4. Tap PIN and add a backup PIN.

When you do this I suggest turning off the need to hit enter when you’re done entering your PIN, but that’s up to you. Then you need to set up the fingerprint reader.

1. Tap Fingerprints in screen lock types
2. Train fingerprints by following the on-screen tutorial.

If you’ve already trained fingerprints once, you’ll need to go to a different menu to retrain them or add another fingerprint. To do this;

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap on Biometrics and Security.
3. Tap on Fingerprints.
4. Add new fingerprints or remove existing ones.

After doing this setup, it will be easier to log into the Galaxy S10. If you have a Galaxy S10e, you can use the fingerprint reader on the side of the device.

Install Samsung Pay

Pay anywhere with Samsung Pay.

Samsung Pay is a better option than using Google Pay because you can only pay in places that have a standard credit card reader. This is easy to set up and you can make it your default mobile payment option.

Find the Samsung Pay icon in the app drawer and tap on it. You can now link your credit cards to Samsung Pay by following the onscreen instructions.

Once this is set, you can swipe up from the bottom of the Galaxy S10 screen to pay with your phone almost anywhere credit cards are accepted.

Set up WiFi Calling

If you have WiFi, turn on WiFi Search to make and receive calls in bad reception areas.

WiFi Calling is a great feature that allows you to make and receive calls over WiFi if your signal is low.

1. Open the phone app.
2. Tap the three dots in the top right.
3. Tap on Settings.
4. Tap to open WiFi Calling.
5. Enter your address and confirm that you have read the alerts.

Once this is done, you can search using the WiFi networks you are connected to. This is great in large buildings with low signal strength or even in your basement.

Insert Your Micro SD Card

Galaxy S10 supports Micro SD cards allowing you to add more storage to your phone. It’s a good idea to insert your Micro SD card now instead of waiting until you run out of room.

The video above walks you through how to do this so you can easily insert your Micro SD card and then set up the camera to save your photos on it.

Adjust Blue Light Filter and Night Mode

Use Night Mode and Blue Light filter for a better experience at night.

Galaxy S10 has two options that can help you use your phone at night. These are Blue Light Filter and Night Mode, which change the look of the screen to avoid bright lights at night. It’s a good idea to set them on a schedule so you don’t have to turn them on and off all the time. However, some users may want to leave Night Mode on all the time as it’s a dark option that looks cool.

How to Install Blue Light Filter

1. Swipe down from the top of the Galaxy S10 screen.
2. Pull down again to see more settings options.
3. Press and hold the blue light filter.
4. Tap on Open as scheduled.
5. Choose a special schedule for sunrise or sunset.

How to Install Night Mode

1. Swipe down from the top of the Galaxy S10 screen.
2. Pull down again to see more settings options.
3. Swipe right.
4. Press and hold in Night Mode
5. Tap on Open as scheduled.
6. Choose a special schedule for sunrise or sunset.

The combination of these two settings can help you get a good night’s sleep, even if you decide to use your phone to the fullest until you close your eyes.

Delete Apps You Will Not Use

Delete bloatware apps on Galaxy S10.

The Galaxy S10 comes with a decent amount of bloatware in the form of games. You can delete or at least disable them to clear your app drawer again.

1. Open the app drawer.
2. Tap and hold the game or app.
3. Tap Uninstall.
4. Tap OK when prompted to uninstall.

We’ve removed Final Fantasy, Strike Force, Solitaire, and a few others. You can pick and choose what you want removed. Note that some apps like Spotify come with a free subscription if you’re a new user.

Set Always-on Display

Always On Display choose your options.

Galaxy S10 supports Always On Display and there are many options to configure with it. That’s why we recommend that you install your phone as soon as you receive it.

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap Lock Screen.
3. Tap on Always On Display.
4. open it.

Choose when you want it to be displayed. You can choose from 30 seconds and then tap to always show or unhide during a certain program. If you want music you can also choose the screen orientation and in the main lock screen settings you can choose the clock style and other settings.

Customize Galaxy S10 Theme

Customize your Galaxy S10 with a theme.

You can choose a complete theme for Galaxy S10 that will change the look of your phone. Some of these don’t fully work with Night Mode or the new One UI, but there are some great options.

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap on wallpapers and themes.
3. Tap on themes at the bottom.

You can now try and choose new Galaxy S10 themes. Many themes are free, but you will have to pay a few dollars for some themes.

Adjust Gestures and Navigation Bar

Change navigation to gestures.

If you want to use gestures instead of buttons, you can turn this option on in settings. It takes some of your screen back and is easy to set up.

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap on the screen.
3. Tap the navigation bar.
4. Choose full screen gestures

It’s an option we love, but it’s not for everyone. Try it and see if it works for you and if not, go back and turn the buttons back on.

Set Do Not Disturb

Control interruptions with Do Not Disturb.

One of my favorite things to do on any new phone is to configure Do Not Disturb options. This allows you to avoid late night interruption of apps, messages and calls.

1. Swipe down from the top of the Galaxy S10 screen.
2. Pull down again to see more settings options.
3. swipe right
4. Press and hold Do not disturb.
5. Tap on Open as scheduled and select a program.

Now, tap on Allow Exceptions and configure the sounds you want to come in and from whom you want calls and texts while this is on. You can configure many settings so you can make sure it works for you.

If it’s an emergency, people in your favorites list can be set to pass, or anyone who calls twice speed will call.

Adjust Edge Lighting

Turn on Edge Lighting to get awesome notifications.

Galaxy S10 Edge Lighting options let you see alerts when the phone is on a desk or table. You can configure apps and types of edge lighting alerts.

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap on the screen.
3. Tap the edge screen.
4. Tap on Edge Lighting.
5. Open it and then select the options you want.

There are a number of styles, colors, and apps you can turn this on. This is a great feature and one that we recommend you try, especially if you haven’t used it before.

Turn On Digital Balance

Keep track of your digital health with the Galaxy S10.

If you’re worried about using your phone too much, you can turn on Digital Wellbeing to track screen time, set app timers, and set a rest period at night.

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap on digital wellbeing.

This will start monitoring and you can also select options including a Slow Down option that will turn the screen to grayscale and start blocking notifications to help you sleep easier.