Samsung Galaxy A56 5G device set up

Welcome to our guide on setting up your new Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, a budget-friendly device packed with features. To get started, ensure your phone is fully charged and insert your SIM card. Power it on for the first time and follow the on-screen setup process. Easily transfer contacts, photos, videos, and app data from your old device to keep everything you need. Finally, customize your phone's settings to suit your preferences, from display to security options. This guide ensures a smooth transition to your new device, making it easy to enjoy its advanced capabilities right from the start.
Futuristic game scene with flying ships displayed on the screen of a Galaxy A56 5G placed at an angle.
Futuristic game scene with flying ships displayed on the screen of a Galaxy A56 5G placed at an angle.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G device set up

Note
The Galaxy A56 5G includes an IP67 water resistance rating.

Galaxy A56 5G set up

What you need to get started

Important
Power adapter sold separately. Use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables.

Galaxy A56 placed next to a USB-C cable and SIM ejector tool.

The box for your Galaxy A56 5G contains various items needed to set up and utilize your new device, including:

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

To unbox the Galaxy A56 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 printed materials.
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Charge the Galaxy A56 5G

The Galaxy A56 5G features a robust 5000mAh battery, designed for extended use, so you can stay connected throughout the day without frequent charging. Plus, it supports 45W Ultra Fast Charging, allowing you to quickly recharge your device whenever needed, ensuring minimal downtime.

To charge the Galaxy A56 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.
    Person plugging a USB-C cable into a Galaxy A56 to charge it.
  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 fully drained, the charging indicator might take a few minutes to appear. Ensure you give the battery sufficient time to begin charging.

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Insert the SIM card

Note
SIM cards are provided by your carrier or the retailer where you purchased the device.

Insert a SIM card

A Galaxy A56 next to a SIM card tray, SIM card, and ejector tool on a wooden surface.

The Galaxy A56 5G offers dual SIM (both an eSIM and a physical SIM card), allowing you to use both a physical SIM and an eSIM. To use a physical SIM, insert it in the designated SIM card slot. As long as the SIM is compatible with your network and your new phone, you can continue using your current SIM card. 

Additionally, the device features an embedded eSIM, enabling you to use two separate SIMs - one physical and one eSIM - simultaneously. This dual SIM functionality provides flexibility for managing multiple numbers or networks on a single device.

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.

    Note: The SIM card will only fit correctly in one direction. When correctly inserted, it should be flush with the tray.
  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 the device doesn't recognize the SIM Card or you experience any issues, remove and reinsert the SIM card. Ensure it's properly aligned and securely seated in the tray for optimal functionality.

Note
Some carriers may not yet support the eSIM capabilities of your Galaxy phone. Contact your carrier if you have any questions about their plans to support eSIM.

eSIM activation

SIM settings screen on a Galaxy A56 showing SIM manager, mobile networks, data usage, and tethering options.

When setting up your new Galaxy A56 5G, you'll be prompted to connect to a mobile network. To activate the eSIM, first connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network. You can then select from multiple options to set 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 the eSIM during the Setup Wizard.

Explore our SIM guide to discover more about using SIM cards with your Galaxy phone.

Note
Portion of memory occupied by existing content.

Memory

Storage settings screen on a Galaxy A56 showing internal storage usage and options for OneDrive, Google Drive, and network storage.

The Galaxy A56 5G comes with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. External microSD card storage is not supported on this device. Reference the "Transfer contacts, photos, videos, and app data" section in this guide to learn ways to manage your storage space.

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Power on your phone for the first time

Power on your device

Galaxy A56 displaying the Samsung Galaxy startup screen while being held in one hand.

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

Power off your device

Power menu on a Galaxy A56 showing options for power off, restart, emergency call, and medical info.

To power off your phone, simply swipe down from the top right corner of the screen using two fingers to open the Quick settings panel. Tap the Power icon in the upper right of the screen (next to the Settings icon), and then tap Power off. Tap Power off again to confirm.

Alternatively, you can remap the Side button to power off your phone. Go to Settings, tap Advanced features, then tap Side button to adjust the Long press setting.

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Initial Setup Wizard

Note
Contact your carrier for mobile service activation if you encounter any issues or have any questions. Not all carriers may currently support eSIM capabilities, so you may want to check with them beforehand.

When you power on your device for the first time, the Setup Wizard will walk you through the initial setup process. You'll be guided through key steps such as selecting your preferred language, connecting to Wi-Fi, signing into your Samsung and Google accounts, and agreeing to terms and conditions. You'll also be prompted to enable features like a lock screen.

Note
: The exact steps may vary based on your carrier.

  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 phone 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 phone using the old phone. Follow the on-screen instructions on your phones to transfer your data.
    • To set up without using another phone, tap Set up manually
  4. Select your desired Wi-Fi network and enter your password if needed. Tap Connect to confirm. Then, tap Next.
  5. If necessary, choose how to connect to a mobile network. For this example, tap Set up later in Settings.
  6. If you choose to complete the setup manually, you will be prompted to restore data from a previous phone. For this example, tap Don’t copy.
  7. Enter your Google account information, and then tap Next.Next option highlighted in Google account sign in page
  8. Enter your Google account security credentials, and then tap Next.
  9. Choose who will be using the phone, and then tap Next.
  10. Review the provided information, and then tap I agree.
  11. 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.
  12. Review the information about Google services, and then tap Accept.
  13. If desired, you can choose the data to back up to your Google account, and then tap Turn on backup. If you do not want to back up data, tap Don't back up.
  14. Read the short tutorial on Google Gemini, tap Continue, and then tap No thanks or Turn on
  15. 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.
  16. Review the terms and conditions, and then tap Agree.
  17. Review the Intelligent feature information, and then tap Next.
  18. Review Samsung services, and then tap Agree.
  19. Choose your display mode, and then tap Next.Dark display mode selected with the Next button highlighted on a Galaxy phone
  20. Tap Home.

After completing the setup process, you can customize your Home screen, download apps, and begin using your new phone.

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Transfer contacts, photos, videos, and app data

Note
To transfer your accounts to your new device using Smart Switch after it has already been set up, you will need to perform a factory data reset to use the quick setup feature. This will allow you to easily transfer your accounts and other data. Alternatively, you can manually add your accounts in the device's Settings menu.
If you choose to set up your new phone manually, you can still easily transfer personal data, such as contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, music, text messages, call logs, internet bookmarks, settings, and app and their data from your old device to your new Galaxy A56 5G using Smart Switch. This versatile app works across multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows phones, BlackBerry devices, and 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 phones, 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 phones. Open Settings, search for and select Smart Switch.

    Note: Alternatively, you can navigate to the Samsung folder on the Apps screen, and open Smart Switch from there.
  4. On the new phone, tap Receive on this phone. Next, depending on your old device, tap Galaxy/Android or iPhone/iPad. Then, tap Wireless.
  5. On the old phone, tap Send from this phone, and then tap Wireless.
    Wireless highlighted in Send data screen on the Smart Switch app on a Galaxy phone
  6. On your new phone, tap Receive on this phone, tap Galaxy/Android or iPhone/iPad, and then tap Wireless.
  7. Next, complete the connection by tapping Connect on the old phone.
  8. On your new phone, choose the content you want to move and tap Next. Then, tap Transfer. Once the transfer is complete, tap Done on the old phone, and you’ll be good to go.
    Transfer option highlighted with Videos, Audio, and Documents and files selected on the Smart Switch app on a Galaxy phone
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.

Import content from iCloud

Your old iOS device holds valuable data, but transferring it can feel overwhelming. Don't worry! Smart Switch simplifies the process by seamlessly transferring data from iCloud, making it quick and easy. 

  1. On the new Galaxy A56 5G, open Settings, search for and select Smart Switch.

    Note: Alternatively, you can navigate to the Samsung folder on the Apps screen, and open Smart Switch from there.
  2. Tap Receive on this phone, and then tap iPhone/iPad.
  3. Tap Get data from iCloud instead at the bottom of the screen.
    Get data from iCloud option highlighted on the Smart Switch app of a Galaxy device
  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
External microSD card storage is not supported on the Galaxy A56 5G.

Smart Switch

Smart Switch provides flexible options for transferring your new phone, including using a USB OTG Flash drive, an external storage drive, a Windows phone, or even a computer. For more solutions and details, explore our other Smart Switch guides: 

Cloud accounts

If you prefer not to use Smart Switch, you can also restore data from a backup saved in your Samsung Cloud account.

To access the restore option:

  1. Navigate to and open Settings on your new Galaxy phone.
  2. Tap your Samsung account name at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap Samsung Cloud, and then tap Restore data.

Restore data option highlighted in backup and restore settings on Samsung Galaxy A36 5G.

Google Drive enables you to restore your backed-up data exclusively during the Setup Wizard when you sign in to your Google account.

Note
External microSD card storage is not supported on the Galaxy A56 5G.

Manually move or copy content

You can easily 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 storage drive, like an OTG USB flash drive or an external USB storage drive, with the My Files app.

Follow our steps to get started:

  1. Connect the storage drive to the USB port on the old phone.
  2. Next, navigate to and open the My Files app.
  3. Find the file(s) you want to move, and then touch and hold the file(s).
  4. Tap Move or Copy at the bottom of the screen.
    Manual file transfer screen showing move and copy options on Samsung Galaxy A36 5G.
  5. Tap USB storage - this will only appear if you have a USB-type storage drive connected.
  6. Navigate to the folder where you'd like to place the files.
    My Files app displaying Select folder screen on a Galaxy A36 5G.
  7. Tap Move here or Copy here, and then the files will be placed on the storage drive.
  8. Next, unmount the storage drive before removing it. From the My Files app, tap the USB storage option in the Storage section. Tap the More options icon (the three vertical dots), and then tap Unmount.
    Unmount highlighted for USB storage 1 in the My Files app on a Galaxy A36 5G.
  9. With both phones powered off, disconnect the storage drive from your old phone and connect the storage drive to your new phone.
  10. Now, turn on your new Galaxy phone and wait for it to recognize the storage drive.
  11. Open My Files to view, copy, or move files stored on the storage drive to your new phone.
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Customize and adjust your phone’s settings

Secure lock screen

Screen lock and biometrics highlighted in Lock screen and AOD settings on a Galaxy phone

To set or change your lock screen settings:

  1. Navigate to and open Settings.
  2. Swipe to and tap Lock screen and AOD.
  3. Tap Screen lock and biometrics
  4. 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:

  1. Swipe down from the top right of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
  2. Drag the brightness slider towards the right or left to increase or decrease the brightness.Brightness slider highlighted in Quick settings on a Galaxy phone

Here are some helpful steps to customize the display settings on your phone. Adjusting these options allows you to personalize the look and feel of your Galaxy phone's display to match your preferences.

  1. Start by going to Settings, and then tap Display.Display settings on a Galaxy phone with options for Light, Dark, Dark mode settings, and Brightness slider
  2. The following options will be available to customize: 
    • 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.
    • 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 customize your Home screen, touch and hold an empty space. This will enter Edit mode, allowing you to make changes across multiple Home 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).
    Add button highlighted in Edit mode for the Home screen
  • Remove a screen: Swipe to a Home screen you want to remove, and then tap the Delete icon (the trash can) at the top.
    Remove icon highlighted in Edit mode for the Home screen
  • 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.
    Home icon highlighted in Edit mode for the 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

Managing notifications on your phone can be done in various ways. Here are some options:

  • Swipe down from the top left or center 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.
    Clear button highlighted on the bottom right of the notifications 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 positioned on the side of your phone, close to the top edge. Use it to control 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 right of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel, and then touch and hold the Sound and vibrations icon to access the sound settings.
    Sound and vibrations icon highlighted in Quick settings panel on a Galaxy phone
  2. To change the ringtone for incoming calls, tap Ringtone, and then select a ringtone from the list.
  3. To adjust the vibration intensity, tap Vibration intensity and adjust the sliders to choose the desired level.
    Vibration intensity settings on a Galaxy phone with slider options for Call and Notifications
  4. Tap Sound quality and effects to customize the sound settings further.
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