Troubleshooting the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

Table of Contents

1 – Factory reset

• How to do a factory reset

2 – Screen

• 2A – How to change to a new background image
• 2B – How to change brightness
• 2C – How to adjust screen timeout time
• 2D – How to add or remove a widget
• 2E – How to lock device with a PIN

3 – Phone Number

• How to find my phone number

4 – Volume

• How to change the volume

5 – Apps

• How to add an app or delete it

6 – Calendar

• How to set a calendar event or delete it

7 – Airplane Mode

• How to turn on or off airplane mode

8 – Picture

• How to take a picture

9 – Memory

• 9A. How to see available storage amounts
• 9B. How to clear cookies and cache

10 – Data/Hotspot/USB/Roaming/Bluetooth

• 10A. How to see my data usage
• 10B. How to tether via USB
• 10C. How to adjust USB connection options
• 10D. How to reset to default APN settings
• 10E. How to use my mobile device as a hotspot
• 10F. How to to turn on or off Wi-Fi
• 10G. How to turn on or off roaming
• 10H. How to add or remove an email address
• 10I. How to turn on or off Bluetooth

11 – Contacts/Calls

• 11A. How to enable or disable my own caller ID
• 11B. How to forward my calls to another phone number
• 11C. How to bar certain numbers from calling me
• 11D. How to add a contact or delete it

12 – Software

• 12A. How to see my software version
• 12B. How to update my software version

13 – Text Messages

• 13A. How to send a text or MMS
• 13B. How to delete a text or MMS

1. How to factory reset my device

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Accounts’
4. Press ‘Back-up and Reset’
5. Press ‘Factory Data Reset’
6. Choose ‘Reset Device’
7. Press ‘Delete All’

Give the phone a moment to restart and reset.

Warning: Factory resets will erase files, media and data from the mobile device. Factory reset is a final move.

2A. How to change to a new background image

Option 1:

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Photos’ or ‘Gallery’ option.
3. Open the desired image to place as the background photo.
4. Press the ‘Options’ key
5. Select ‘Set As…’
6. Choose the desired option of which you’d like to change the wallpaper

Option 2:

1. Press the ‘Menu’ key
2. Press ‘Set Wallpaper’
3. Choose the desired option of which you’d like to change the wallpaper
4. Choose the desired location in which to find the image
5. Select the image

2B. How to change brightness

Option 1:

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘My Device’
4. Press ‘Display’
5. Press ‘Brightness’
6. Adjust the brightness as desired
7. Press ‘Ok’

Option 2:

1. Drag down the phones header by tapping it and sliding downwards
2. Drag it down once more to see more options
3. Adjust the brightness

2C. How to adjust screen timeout time

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘My Device’
4. Press ‘Display’
5. Press ‘Screen Timeout’
6. Adjust the amount of time desired for the screen to time out.

2D. How to add or remove a widget

To add a widget:

1. Press and hold on an empty spot on the home screen.
2. Press ‘Apps and widgets’
3. Choose the ‘Widget’ tab on the top of the screen
4. Select the widget you’d like to add. The sizing needed for each one is specified as 1×1 or 1×2 etc.
5. Drag the widget onto the desired location on the screen.
6. Moving a widget is done in the same form. Press and hold it and drag it to the desired location.

To remove a widget:

1. Hold and drag the desired widget into the trash can above

2E. How to lock device with a PIN

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘My Device’
4. Press ‘Lock Screen’
5. Press ‘Screen Lock’
6. Choose the desired method of screen lock
7. Enter the Pin or Password and press ‘Continue’
8. Confirm the Pin or Password
9. Press ‘Ok’

To undo the Pin or Password:

1. Do steps 1-5
2. Enter the Pin or Password
3. Select the ‘None’ option

3. How to find my phone number

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘More’
4. Press ‘About Device’
5. Press ‘Status’
6. Read ‘My Phone Number’

4. How to change the volume

Option 1:

1. Press the volume keys on the side of the device.
2. Up – higher the volume
3. Down – Lower the volume
4. Pressing the options symbol will open more options of different types of volumes you have control over, such as Ringtone, Media, Notifications and System.

Option 2:

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘My Device’
4. Press ‘Sound’
5. Press ‘Volume’
6. Adjust as desired

5. How to add an app or delete it

A Google account must be connected to the device in order to add an app.

Set up a Google Play account before trying to add an application.

To add an app:

1. Open the ‘Play Store’ app on the main screen or press the menu key and find the App Store app there.
2. Search for the app you’d like to add by typing it in the search bar or looking in the categories listed towards the upper half of the screen.
3. Press on the desired app to learn more about it.
4. To download, press the 3 dots near the app name and press ‘Install’ or if the app details were opened, press ‘download app’.
5. Press ‘Accept’
6. Drag the app to the desired location and screen.

To remove an app:

1. Open the ‘Apps’ menu
2. Find the app you’d like to delete
3. Hold and drag the app into the ‘uninstall’ icon above.

6. How to set a calendar event or delete it

To add a calendar event:

1. Open the Calender app
2. Press on the day the event will be added to
3. Press the plus sign on the top right of the screen.
4. Enter the appropriate information such as a title, from date and time, to date and time, location and any notes applicable.
5. Press ‘Save’.

To delete a calendar event:

1. Press on the day that has the event you’d like to delete.
2. Then press the options key
3. Press ‘Delete’
4. Tap ‘Ok’ to confirm

7. How to turn on or off airplane mode

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Press ‘More Networks’
5. Tap ‘Airplane mode’
6. Press ‘Ok’

Turning on Airplane Mode will turn off messaging, calling, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and data.

To disable Airplane Mode:

8. How to take a picture

1. Open the ‘Camera’ app
2. Point the device towards the object or person you’d like to photograph.
3. Tap the screen to select the focal point.
4. Press the camera image button to capture the image.
5. To view the image, press on the image that appears on the top left of the screen.

9A. How to see available storage amounts

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘More’
4. Press ‘Storage’
5. View the storage amounts available as well as the store amounts used.

9B. How to clear cookies and cache

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Chrome’ or ‘Browser’ option.
3. Press the ‘Options’ Key
4. Tap ‘Settings’
5. Press ‘Privacy’
6. Then, press ‘Delete Personal Data’ which is located on the top right of the screen.
7. Select which data you would like to clear, such as browsing history, cache etc
8. Press ‘Done’

10A. How to see my data usage

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Press ‘Data Usage’
5. View Data Usage.
   • Set the data usage cycle
   • See which apps use the most data for this cycle
   • See how much data each app uses

10B. How to tether via USB

1. Connect the USB cable to the computer.
2. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
3. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
4. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
5. Press ‘More networks’
6. Choose ‘Tethering and Wi-Fi Hotspot’
7. Press ‘USB Tethering’

10C. How to adjust USB connection options

1. Drag down the header and touch ‘Connected as a media device’
2. Select the desired option.
   • MTP – Allows you to transfer files to and from a computer
   • PTP – Allows you to transfer all files to and from a computer as well as images using the camera software.

10D. How to reset to default APN settings

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Press ‘More Networks’
5. Then, press ‘Mobile Networks’
6. Press ‘Access Point Names’
7. Tap the Options key
8. Press ‘Restore to Default’
9. The original APN settings will now restore.

Resetting the APN may help if there is difficulty connecting to the network provider.

Most devices that are sold are branded to a specific network. In order to connect to another that is compatible, you may need to contact them to find out their APN settings. Once they are set, it will all in be working order.

10E. How to use my mobile device as a hotspot

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Press ‘More Networks’
5. Tap ‘Tethering and Mobile Hotspots’
6. Press ‘Mobile Hotspot’
7. Next, Press ‘Configure’
8. Personalize the name of your device hotspot
9. Personalize the password
10. Press ‘Save’
11. Turn on the ‘Mobile Hotspot’ feature in the previous setting

To connect to the a mobile hotspot, search for Wi-Fi and type in the correct password to this new hotspot. Multiple devices should be able to connect to one device hotspot.

Warning: The connecting devices will be using the mobile hotspot’s internet. Ensure that you have an unlimited data plan, enough data, or are connected to the internet via Wi-Fi to avoid a large data bill.

10F. How to to turn on or off Wi-Fi

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Turn on the ‘Wi-Fi’ by pressing on the toggle button
5. Press on the words ‘Wi-Fi’ to see the networks to connect to
6. Select the desired Wi-Fi network
7. Enter the Password. To see the password as you type, press on the ‘Show Password’ box.
8. Press ‘Connect’
9. Wi-Fi is now connected.

The following is a shortcut to turning on Wi-Fi:

To disconnect from Wi-Fi:

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Turn off the ‘Wi-Fi’ by pressing on the toggle button.

To forget a network:

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Press on the words ‘Wi-Fi’
5. Then press on the network you are connected to
6. Press ‘Forget’
7. If desired, turn off the ‘Wi-Fi’ capabilities as stated above.

10G. How to turn on or off roaming

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Press ‘More Networks’
5. Next, Press ‘Mobile Networks’
6. Press on the checkbox near ‘Data Roaming’
7. Press ‘Ok’

Warning: While it is possible to connect to roaming without having a roaming plan, the network will charge a ton for it. Try to get a roaming plan before using it.

At times, you may need to contact networks in the area to find out their APN settings. Very often a network search is in order in order to use them. It is possible to turn this option on automatically to help you out.

10H. How to add or remove an email address

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Account’
4. Press ‘Add Account’
5. Select the type of account you’d like to add
6. Type in the username and password
7. Press ‘Next’
8. Adjust how often the account should sync and other details
9. Give this account a name on your device (for those with multiple accounts)
10. Label the account with a name for others to see when you send out messages
11. Press ‘Done’

To remove an account:

1. Do steps 1-3 as stated above.
2. Press on the account you’d like to remove
3. Then press on the account name
4. Press ‘Remove Account’ that is located on the bottom of the screen
5. Finally, press ‘Remove Account’ to confirm

Please note: removing an account will remove all emails and/or data that is associated with it from your device.

10I. How to turn on or off Bluetooth

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘Connections’
4. Press on the words ‘Bluetooth’
5. Turn on the slider near ‘Bluetooth’
6. Check off the box near the phone’s name to make it visible to other devices
7. Press on the desired nearby device to connect to
8. Confirm by pressing ‘Ok’ on both devices
9. They are now paired.

To forget a Bluetooth connection:

1. Do steps 1-4
2. Press the settings picture near the bluetooth device
3. Press Unpair
4. Turn off Bluetooth by pressing on the slider towards the top of the screen

11A. How to enable or disable my own caller ID

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘My Device’
4. Press ‘Call’
5. Then, press ‘Additional Settings’
6. Press ‘Caller ID’
7. Tap ‘Hide Number’ to hide it from all outgoing calls. To hide it temporarily, press *67 before making a call
8. To disable this feature, press ‘Show Number’

11B. How to forward my calls to another phone number

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘My Device’
4. Press ‘Call’
5. Tap ‘Additional Settings’
6. Press ‘Call Forwarding’
7. Choose the desired option
8. Type in the phone number to forward calls to
9. Press ‘Turn On’

11C. How to bar certain numbers from calling me

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘My Device’
4. Press ‘Call’
5. Tap ‘Call Rejection’
6. Press ‘Auto Reject list’
7. Then press ‘Create’
8. Type in the phone number to block

To undo:

1. Do steps 1-6
2. Check off the phone number you’d like to un-bar
3. Press ‘Delete’ on upper right hand corner

11D. How to add a contact or delete it

To add a new contact to an address book:

Option 1:

1. Open the Contacts app
2. Press the Plus (+) sign on the upper right hand corner
3. Type in the Name, Phone number, Email and any other information for the new contact
4. Press ‘Done’
5. Press ‘Save

Option 2:

1. Open the Calling app
2. Type in the number you’d like to add
3. Press ‘+ Add to contacts’
4. Press ‘Create Contact’
5. Add the Name, Email and other information
6. Press ‘Save’

To delete a contact:

1. Open the Contacts app
2. Press the ‘Options’ key
3. Tap ‘Delete’
4. Select the contacts to delete
5. Press ‘Delete’
6. Tap ‘OK’

12A. How to see my software version

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘More’
4. Press ‘About Device’
5. Read the Software information

12B. How to update my software version

1. Press the ‘Apps’ menu option
2. Slide and select the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Choose the tab on the top named ‘More’
4. Press ‘About Device’
5. Tap ‘Software Update’
6. Press ‘Check for Updates’
7. Press ‘OK’
8. If there is an update, it will prompt you to update it. If there isn’t it will say ‘Current Software is Up to Date’
9. Press ‘OK’

13A. How to send a text or MMS

To send a text:

1. Open the messaging app
2. Press the icon on the top right corner to compose a message
3. Add the contact to whom the message will be sent
4. Add the message to the message field
5. Press the send icon (above the paper clip icon) to send the message.

To send a multimedia message (MMS):

1. Do steps 1-4
2. Press the paper clip icon to attach media to the message
3. Choose which media to add and from where to find it. In this example we will be doing ‘Image’
4. Press the location in which the find the image. Press ‘Gallery’ if its an image you photographed.
5. Open the section within gallery where the image is located
6. Select the desired images
7. Press the send icon (above the paper clip icon) to send the message.

13B. How to delete a text or MMS

1. Open the ‘Messaging’ App
2. Open the thread in which the message is located
   • To delete an individual message: Hold down the text to delete and press ‘Delete’
   • To delete the thread: Press ‘Delete’ and the entire thread will be deleted.