Initial boot & set-up of unlocked S7A... after receiving thru post/mail/UPS, etc?

[winmod21]

Hello-- Thanks very much for any & all replies.

For unlocked S7A, do I just.... well, what do I do first?
Install my micro SIM & microSD.... then boot up.... then restore backed-up data?

 

[B. Diddy]

That should be all you need to do (assuming the phone supports your carrier's networks bands). When prompted during the setup process, enter your Google account and password. It should ask you if you want to restore using settings and data from a previous device, or if you want to set it up as a completely new device.

 

[winmod21]

Thank you very much, B Diddy ! I backed-up my current S7A last night (on my laptop PC) using the Samsung app Smart Switch; it said the back-up was successful. I haven't backed-up anything on Google Cloud (or google drive?) however. Would you suggest I also do a Google Drive back-up? Never done one, but willing to try. Thanks again!

 

[B. Diddy]

There's no discrete "back up entire phone to Google Drive" option. If you go to Settings>Backup & Restore and have backup turned on and set to your Google account, then your phone's settings and some app data (but not all) will be backed up, so it's not a bad idea (and it was probably on by default anyway). The apps that do backup data to your Google account depend on the developer. You can go to your Google Dashboard on the web (google.com/settings/dashboard) and click on the Android heading to see a list of apps that do backup data and/or settings to your Google account.

 

[winmod21]

Thanks again for the info B.Diddy. I will do as you suggest, (although my un-intuitive so-called auto-replace Samsung keyboard just tried to say: 'I will so as you digest'

Sorry for delay in replying; this last week has been a bit hectic as my notebook motherboard-to-video card coprocessor connection burned/or I guess finally cooked-out last Thursday, the 23rd, (although after 10 years of constant business use). So, a few hours after backing up with Smart Switch to PC, I lost the computer !
Then new S7A arrived Friday afternoon, so I downld'd Smart Switch to the (AT&T store S7A) I had decided to return and took both to local AT&T store. Didn't have to use SS though, as they used their quicker data transfer machine.
They did charge $45 for re-stock, but offered same insurance for the Amazon unlocked S7A, which came loaded with 6.0 (instead of 7.0 like store S7A).
At first I was bummed....but by Sunday had decided I like Marshmellow better than Nougat.
So that's it. New (amazon) S7A running same/as well as (store returned) S7A. Thanks again!

Now I'm wondering about the 2016 S7A recall. How to determine if an S7A is a: pre-recall, or post-recall S7A?

Update: Found date of manufacture + all other info re phone on 'Samsung Info app'

 

[winmod21]

. . . . Update - Part Two:
Ehem, okay, after downld'ing and using the 'Samsung Info app'.... it turns out that the pristine, perfectly good AT&T store bought S7A (that I really liked)---but returned (on the 14th day) last Friday---was manufactured in May 2017.
And the S7A (advertised as 'unlocked') I ordered (thru Amaz last Wed) and activated on Friday the 23rd, was manufactured on 18 Aug 2016, ten months ago ! :~\
Hmm, well at least it was after the mid July 2016 Samsung (water damage issue was apparently resolved or fixed/updated) re: S7A's shipped before or after mid July 2016.
Still, it's a little close for comfort.
So you may ask yourselves, as I am asking myself, Why..........would you/I do that? :~\
Answer: no contract; unlocked; no tax; no shipping; almost $300 less than AT&T store S7A.
Cons: a 9 month older phone w/ older battery.
Nevertheless I'm hoping for no regrets. Hoping . . . . .