Galaxy Tab: The Missing Manual

Setting Up and Managing Your Google Account

Now that you’re connected, feel free to browse the Web. But if you want to do more than Web browsing—for example, use Gmail, Google Calendar, or some other Google services—you also need to be signed into a Google account.

Tip

If your Galaxy Tab was set up for you where you bought it, they may have already set you up with a Google account.

When you first turned on your Galaxy Tab, you were likely prompted to log into your Google account, or if you didn’t have one, to set one up. If you didn’t do that when you first turned on your shiny new Tab, don’t worry; you can do it at any later point—and there’s no time like the present.

Tap the Gmail icon on the Home screen, and you come to a page that prompts you to sign into your Google account. (You can instead tap Create Account if you don’t already have one.) After you sign in, your Tab talks to the Google servers, and soon you’re ready to go. A screen appears, asking if you want to back up your apps and settings (which include your browser bookmarks and Wi-Fi passwords). Backing up is a good idea. As you’ll see on Reordering Bookmarks and Adding Folders, it lets you keep your browser bookmarks in sync on your Tab, your computer, and any Android phones you have. And of course, backing up means your information and settings don’t get lost if there’s a problem with your Tab. Make sure the box next to ...