Samsung factory restore after inserting SIM for the first time on GN7

This is an information thread rather than a question in order to clarify the issue for whoever experienced this problem.

I went to pick up my GN7 from the Rogers (Canada, carrier locked) store yesterday. I performed the initial setup over WiFi, app restoration and preferred layout for apps, widgets, etc, including moving over my 2FA applications from my Note 4.
Once I was ready to switch over I activated the new SIM card and inserted it in the new device.

Upon restarting, following the display of the Password entry screen, the phone proceeded to restart and initiate a factory reset. I was greeted with an "Erasing Device" message. As expected, this cleaned out the phone and put it back to it's original settings, thus removing all settings, accounts, layouts and data.

Thankfully I still had the Note 4 to go back to.

I contacted Rogers about this in order to see whether they were aware of this issue, they were as surprised as I was. I then contacted Samsung Canada chat support to get a clear idea of what had happened.

Below is the transcript of my chat with their rep:

Quote:

Chat InformationThank you for choosing Samsung. A representative will be with you shortly. Chat InformationYou are now chatting with 'Veronica'. There will be a brief survey at the end of our chat to share feedback on my performance today. Chat InformationYour Issue ID for this chat is LTK11173079609X Veronica: Hi, thank you for contacting Samsung Canada support. How may I assist you today? J.B.: Hello J.B.: I just acquired a Galaxy Note 7 yesterday from Rogers J.B.: performed the setup through wifi while waiting before inserting the sim card inside J.B.: once I activated and inserted the SIM, the device deleted all the data Veronica: I will assist you with the required information of Samsung Note 7 phone. J.B.: I called Rogers about this and they denied any knowledge of this Veronica: I would like to inform you that, It will be reset to Factory settings, when you insert sim on the phone. J.B.: every time? J.B.: so I go to another country, and change the sim card so I can get cell and it will delete all my data? Veronica: No, it will delete the data when the sim is inserted for the first time and when you change the carrier on the phone. J.B.: So if I put a sim card from a different carrier on the phone while I am abroad, will this reset the phone? Veronica: Yes, you need to backup the phone before using another sim on the phone. J.B.: Where is this documented? Veronica: It will be in the user manual of the phone. J.B.: I read through the provided information papers that came with the device, I did not see a mention there, could you indicate where I can find this? Veronica: Sure thing. Veronica: Could you please wait for a few minutes while I gather the required information for you? J.B.: sure Veronica: Thank you. Veronica: Thank you for waiting. J.B.: sure Veronica: I have checked the information. I see that the information was not listed with the device. Veronica: I am sorry for that. As you insert the sim on the phone it will be restored to factory defaults to get the phone locked to that carrier. J.B.: Is the carrier informed of this process? Veronica: No, this has been started with the Note 7 phone. As it comes with Marsh Mallow OS in it. J.B.: I understand, so how do I deal with this then? I just lost a significant amount of data due to this process J.B.: on top of the time I've spent doing the set up Veronica: As the data has been deleted, we cannot retrieve it back. If you have backup the data using Smart Switch software, we can restore them back. J.B.: So there's no way to recover the data or the time I've spend on this... J.B.: Now, I noticed that when I originally turned on the device, there was a feature called Tap on J.B.: which allowed me to sync the phones, this was no longer available when the device was reset J.B.: neither did it allow me to add more than one gmail account J.B.: which I did without problems the first time Veronica: I can certainly understand your situation. If there was a possibility to do it I would have done it for you. Veronica: Are we connected on the chat? J.B.: yes, still connected, I was wondering what happened to tap on Veronica: You can check for that option by restarting the phone. J.B.: I did, but it was not available J.B.: It asks me for wifi, email and then goes into the rest of the setup Veronica: In that case, we will not be able to get the option as it has been reset. J.B.: what do you mean? Veronica: I will be right with you. J.B.: sure Veronica: As the phone has been reset the Tap on option will not be displayed. J.B.: Ok, Thanks for the information Veronica: You are welcome. Is there anything else I can assist you with? J.B.: That's it, have a great evening Veronica: It's my pleasure assisting you today! Veronica: Thank you for chatting with Samsung Canada support.

In other words, don't set up your GN7 before inserting a SIM for the first time, you'll lose the data, and be aware that switching SIM cards with different carriers might result in having your phone reset.
Additionaly, if you reset your phone, the Tap-on feature vanishes for some obscure reason.

Hope this helps anyone understand what has happened if this happens.

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