Galaxy S7 Guides

What is Galaxy S7 application manager?

Galaxy S7 application manager is a special app that allows you to manage all apps installed on the phone. This includes both pre-installed apps and apps installed by you.

In all Android devices, application manager is an essential part. Some vendors may name it differently. For example, in stock Android, it is simply named as Apps under Settings.

Within Galaxy S7 application manager, you can:

• Check storage usage of all apps.
• Check data usage by all apps.
• Check and manage app permissions.
• Check and manage app notifications.
• Check battery usage of all apps.
• Check memory usage of all apps.
• Uninstall apps installed by you.
• Disable some pre-installed apps.
• Force stop most apps.
• Clear cache for apps.
• Clear data for apps (reset app).

As the name suggests, Galaxy S7 application manager allows you to manage all aspects of apps installed in your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge.

How to access Galaxy S7 application manager?

You can access Galaxy S7 application manager from Galaxy S7 Settings.

As shown below, in Settings page for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, tap Applications

Then tap Application manager to access Galaxy S7 application manager as shown below.

How to list apps in Galaxy S7 application manager?

Now, in Galaxy S7 application manager page, you can see a list of apps installed on Galaxy S7 or S7 edge as shown below.

By default, all apps, including enabled and disabled, are listed.

You can tap All apps as shown below.

Then tap Disabled to list apps that are disabled as shown below.

This will list apps that were installed, but were disabled. Of course, you can also just list enabled apps similarly.

The list include bother pre-installed apps and apps installed by you. For pre-installed apps, as mentioned in Galaxy S7 Apps screen page,  you cannot uninstall them.

But you can disable them if you do not want to use these apps. Some of the pre-installed apps are actually bloatware.

How to use additional options in Galaxy S7 application manager?

You can tap MORE button in top right to find more options in Galaxy S7 application manager, as shown above.

The More button appears on all pages of Application manager.

These additional options typically include (as shown above):

• Show system apps. By default, the system apps are not listed. Tap this button to include system apps in the list.

… Read the rest

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Why you may use Galaxy S7 camera modes?

By default, when you use Galaxy S7 main camera, the Auto mode will be used. For front-facing camera, the default Galaxy S7 camera mode is selfie mode.

The Auto mode (or selfie mode for front-facing camera) is usually sufficient for most users in most scenarios.

But sometimes, you may consider to use other Galaxy S7 camera modes. For example:

• if you want to have more control on ISO, exposure and white balance, you may want to use Pro mode.
• if you want to take a picture and modify it later with different focus, you may want to try Selective Focus mode.
• if you want take a panorama photo, of course,  you will try Panorama mode.
• if you want to include more people in selfie, you may want to use wide-selfie mode.

In addition, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge offer a few special camera modes, including hyperlapse, virtual shot, live broadcast, video collage. To use these Galaxy S7 camera modes, you have to manually change to it or create a Galaxy S7 camera mode shortcut in home screen.

We will have individual guides on how to use these Galaxy S7 camera modes.

What are pre-installed Galaxy S7 camera modes?

The number of pre-installed Galaxy S7 camera modes may slightly different in different regions or on different carriers.

In most regions, the following Galaxy S7 camera modes are pre-installed for rear camera as shown below:

• Auto mode. This is the default mode for rear camera.
• Pro mode.
• Selective focus mode.
• Panorama mode.
• Video collage.
• Live broadcast.
• Slow motion.
• Virtual shot mode.
• Food mode.
• Hyperlapse mode.

For front-facing camera, the pre-installed Galaxy S7 camera modes include:

• Selfie mode (default).
• Wide selfie mode.
• Video collage.
• Live broadcast.
• Virtual shot mode.

How to change and use Galaxy S7 camera modes?

To change Galaxy S7 camera modes, you can tap Mode button as shown below in camera preview screen.

In the Galaxy S7 camera modes screen, select the camera mode you want to use as shown below.

Now, you Galaxy S7 camera switches to this new camera mode.

Please note, camera mode selection is not consistent.

When you launch Galaxy S7 camera next time, the default camera mode will be used again. Your previous selection for camera mode is not saved after you exit the camera app.

If you use certain Galaxy S7 camera mode often, you can add a camera mode shortcut to Galaxy S7 home screen.… Read the rest

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Why you need manage Galaxy S7 camera modes?

Samsung pre-installed 15 camera modes (10 for rear camera, 5 for front camera) in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

In addition, you can download and install 6 additional Galaxy S7 camera modes for other scenarios.

This means you may end up with more than 20 Galaxy S7 camera modes on the phone.   You may find it is not easy to find the camera modes when you want to use them.

One way to solve this problem is to add Galaxy S7 camera mode shortcuts to home screen so that you  can launch camera app in the specific camera mode directly from Galaxy S7 Home screen.

Another way to solve the issue is to manage the items in Galaxy S7 camera modes page.

For example, you can relocate Galaxy S7 camera modes so that the most frequently used camera modes are in the top 10 spots. Normally, you can access these 10 camera modes without scrolling.

You can also uninstall some downloaded  camera modes if you no longer use them.

Anyway, when auto mode is not sufficient for you, it is time to consider to manage Galaxy S7 camera modes so that you can use them more efficiently.

How to manage Galaxy S7 camera modes?

To manage Galaxy S7 camera modes in your Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, you may follow the following steps.

Step 1: Start Galaxy S7 Camera app

You can use any of these 4 methods to launch camera app on Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

Step 2: Enter Galaxy S7 camera mode page

In Galaxy S7 camera preview screen, tap MODE as shown below.

Step 3: Enter edit mode of Galaxy S7 camera modes

In Galaxy S7 camera mode page, tap MORE as shown above.

Tap EDIT as shown below to enter the edit mode for Galaxy S7 camera modes.

In Edit mode, you can relocate the icon locations of all camera modes in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

You can also uninstall the Galaxy S7 camera modes that are downloaded (as shown in this guide).

Step 4: Manage Galaxy S7 camera modes

In edit mode, you can re-arrange spots for the icons.

Usually, you may want to put the frequently used camera modes in the top 10 spots so that you can access them without scrolling.

To move and relocate a Galaxy S7 camera mode, you can tap and hold the icon.  … Read the rest

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Why you may want to hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge

As you may know, iOS does not have an apps screen (aka app drawer). All apps are put in the home  screen. Owners has no control on this.

Android gives more options. All Android phones come with home screen and apps screen (aka app drawer). You can only put frequently used apps  and widgets (btw, iOS does not have widgets) to home screen. In Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, you can tap the apps icon (9 dots) to navigate to apps screen. Tapping home button (see Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge layout page) to navigate back to home screen.

Some Android phone owners often laugh at iOS users for lacking such flexibility.

But some Android users may feel it is confusing when you have two locations to hold your apps.

Especially for new Android users, they may try to launch all apps from  apps screen. This means it requires at least one more tap.

Now, Samsung offers a new feature that allows you to hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge through Galaxy Labs. All apps will be placed in Galaxy S7 home screen.

Please note, this feature of hiding apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge may be not available in some regions/carriers.

How to hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

To hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, please follow these steps.

Step 1: Go to Settings

You can enter Galaxy S7 Settings using one of the following two methods:

• Tap Settings app icon in Apps screen or home screen (if you put the app in Galaxy S7 home screen).
• Swipe down from top of the screen (status bar), then tap the Gear icon.

Step 2:  Enter Advanced features.

In the Settings page, you can find Advanced features entry as shown below.

Tap Advanced features.

Step 3: Enter Galaxy labs

As shown below, under Advanced features, you can find Galaxy Labs.

Tap Galaxy Labs to try some new (and maybe experimental) features.

If you cannot find Galaxy Labs in Advanced features page, it means your carrier chose to disable this feature. You cannot use hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Step 4: Start Galaxy Labs.

Tap Start button as shown above to check available features in Galaxy Labs for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.… Read the rest

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What is Galaxy S7 camera voice control?

Galaxy S7 camera voice control allows you to use your voice to take photos, instead of tapping the camera shutter button.

You can speak to your Galaxy S7 (or S7 edge) to take photos when your hands are not free for the on-screen butotn.

As explained in this guide,  for the front camera in Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge,  you can have at least 5 different shooting methods, including using your voice.

But some methods, e.g., heart rate sensor, tap to take pic or gesture) do not work for the rear camera in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

So, for the rear (main) camera in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, you can have at least 3 shooting methods:

• using the camera shutter button;
• using Galaxy S7 camera voice control;
• using the volume button.

Please note, although Galaxy S7 camera voice control works identically for the rear and front camera, the settings are independent.

This means you need to set up Galaxy S7 camera voice control for the front and rear cameras individually.

Also, you should not confuse Galaxy S7 camera voice control with Google Now voice control or S Voice.  Galaxy S7 camera voice control only works when camera app is active; while Google Now and S Voice can only open camera app.

How to enable Galaxy S7 camera voice control for the main (rear) camera?

To enable Galaxy S7 camera voice control for the main (rear) camera, you need launch camera app first.

In camera preview screen, you need to switch to rear camera if front camera is currently active. You can tap the camera switch button (illustrated in the green box in the screenshot shown below).

After switching to the rear camera (main camera), tap the settings button (gear icon as shown below).

In Camera settings page, tap Shooting methods (rear) as shown below.

If you can see Shooting methods (front) , it means you need to switch to rear camera.

In shooting methods (rear) page as shown above, you can find voice control option.

By default, voice control is not enabled for cameras in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

You can tap the switch button as shown above to turn it on.

How to use Galaxy S7 camera voice control?

After enabling Galaxy S7 camera voice control, you can use your voice to control Galaxy S7 camera.… Read the rest

The post How to use Galaxy S7 camera voice control? appeared first on Galaxy S7 Guides.

Touch button light in Galaxy S7 can be a problem sometimes

Galaxy S7 and S7 edge still use two capacitive buttons for Recent app and Back respectively.

As explained in Galaxy S7 layout, Recent button is in the lefty side of Home button and Back button is in the right side of Home button.

When you touch either of the two buttons, both button will light up. This is useful when you are using Galaxy S7 or S7 edge in a dark environment.

But this can also be the problem. In some situations, you may simply not want to see the light because it can be too bright.

For experienced owners, you may know the location of the buttons well without the light.

Unfortunately, there are no options for you to disable of adjust touch button light in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

So, in this guide, I will show you how to use a simple app to disable touch button light in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, and how to adjust the lighting duration.

How to disable and adjust touch button light duration in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge?

As mentioned, Samsung removed the options for configuring touch button light from Galaxy S7 settings.

But the touch key light and its duration are still fully adjustable and controllable. The settings are simply hidden without a corresponding user interface.

What you need is a simple app named Galaxy Button Lights 2.

Step 1:  Install Galaxy Button lights 2

You can search for “Galaxy Button lights 2” in Play store as shown below.

The app is free without ads and any bloatware.

Once you find the app, tap Install to install the app to Galaxy S7 as shown below.

You will get normal waning messages on app permissions.

But this app is very clean. As shown above, it does not require any special permissions.

So, you can tap Accept as shown above to proceed the installation.

Step 2: Configure Galaxy S7 touch key light

Once the app is installed, you can find it in apps screen (app drawer) or Home screen if you chose to hide apps screen in Galaxy S7.

You can start the app to configure Galaxy S7 touch button light as you want.

As shown above, the app is simple to use.

There are 4 options:

1. Time to remain on. This is for you to set the duration of the button light.

… Read the rest

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What is factory reset Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

When you got the new phone before you do anything on it, you can call it in factory state.

Factory reset Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge means you wipe all your data, settings and apps from the phone. All your traces on the phone will be removed (with a few exceptions, read on).

After factory reset Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, you have to setup the phone just like a new phone before you can use it.

In all Android devices, there is an option for you to perform factory reset. Sometimes, factory reset is named as factory data reset because only user data are actually removed.

When you need factory reset Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

You need factory reset Galaxy S7 or S7 edge:

• if you want to give the phone to your friends or relatives.
• if you want to sell your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge.
• if you get the phone from others.
• if your mess up phone settings and you cannot find a way to undo the wrong settings. You should try Settings— backup and reset — reset settings first.
• if the phone is too slow after a major update.  You should try to clear cache partition first.
• if the phone have so many problems.  You should try to clear cache partition first.
• if you want to refresh Galaxy S7 or S7 edge.
• if your phone is infected with virus or malware.
• if your phone cannot even boot into Galaxy S7 safe mode.

How to turn off factory data reset protection before factory reset Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

Since Android Lollipop 5.1, an anti-theft feature of factory data reset (FDR) protection has been introduced. After a factory reset, to re-activate the device, you have to provide a Google account that existed on the phone before it is reset.

Samsung fully implemented this device protection feature in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

This means that unless you turn off factory data reset protection before you factory reset Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, you will have to use the Google account that existed before you reset it to re-activate the phone.

This can be problematic if Galaxy S7 will change hands after factory reset.

So, in such cases, you should turn off factory data reset protection by:

• set the Galaxy S7 lock screen security as none; or
• remove all Google accounts on the phone.

… Read the rest

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Update 2, added section: new features for Galaxy S7 always-on display. Recently updated Galaxy S7 always-on display now allows you to enable always on display on S View Window when a S View cover is snapped on Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge.  Clock face now is renamed as layout with more clock faces.

Update 1, added section:  Limitations of Galaxy S7 always-on display.

One of the best features in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge is the always-on display.

This post tries to explain to you what Galaxy S7 always-on display (AOD) is  and how to configure and use Galaxy S7 always-on display in Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Please note Galaxy S7  always-on display is available in both Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.  In the post, I will just refer them as Galaxy S7.

What is Galaxy S7 always-on display (AOD)?

Very often, we check our smartphones just for time or for notifications. In this situations, we may have no intention to unlock the phone and use it.

But to check time or notification on Galaxy S7 lock screen, we must wake up (turn on) the display by pressing power button or home button (see this page for Galaxy Sy7 layout of buttons).

Now, Galaxy S7 always-on display, if enabled, can display clock, notifications and a image all the time except when Galaxy S7 is in your pocket.

It is a cool feature for some Galaxy S7 owners.

The super AMOLED display in Galaxy S7 does not drain battery significantly if you choose black background.

The Galaxy S7 always-on display is different from Galaxy S7 lock screen.  Galaxy S7 always-on display will disappear automatically when you wake up the screen.

In other words, you get the lock screen when you wake up the phone.  Galaxy S7 always-on display is activated only after screen is timed out and phone is locked.

When will you need Galaxy S7 always-on display?

In many situations, you may find Galaxy S7 always-on display is useful, for example,

• During a meeting,  you can just glimpse on Galaxy S7 screen to know the time, the missed calls, the incoming messages…
• In your office or cubicle, you can easily check time and notifications when your hands are not free.
• In kitchen, your hands are busy with other things.
• In the bed, when you want to check time.

Anyway, although Galaxy S7 always-on display looks like another gimmick, it actually is very useful for some Galaxy S7  and Galaxy S7 edge owners.… Read the rest

The post How to use Galaxy S7 always-on display? appeared first on Galaxy S7 Guides.

What are Galaxy S7 themes?

Galaxy S7 themes allow you to change the look and feel of the phone (mainly Galaxy S7 home screen and apps screen) in a systematic and consistent way.

Actually, this is not a new feature because Samsung introduced themes to Galaxy phones since Galaxy S6.

Although the implementation is similar, Galaxy S7 themes are NOT compatible with Galaxy S6 or Galaxy Note 7.

The compatibility is maintained only in the same generation of Galaxy S or Galaxy Note series. In other words, Galaxy S7 themes are compatible with Galaxy S7 edge only. And Galaxy S6 themes are compatible with Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+ only.  It is unclear why Samsung fails to maintain a “universal” theme for all Galaxy devices..

You can use Galaxy S7 themes to customize Galaxy S7 home screen in following aspects:

• Wallpapers for home screen and lock screen.
• App icons for native (and pre-installed) Samsung apps.
• Modifications to app icons of all other apps.
• Font size and color in Galaxy S7 home screen.
• Customization for the default (native Samsung) phone app, contacts app and message app.
• Always-on display (for some Galaxy S7 themes).

How to download and apply new Galaxy S7 themes?

You can download and apply new Galaxy S7 themes in your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge by following these steps.

Step 1: Enter Galaxy S7 home screen edit mode

If you want to customize Galaxy S7 home screen, you need to enter Galaxy S7 home screen edit mode (aka, access Galaxy S7 home screen options).

You can tap and hold (aka, log tap) any empty area in Galaxy S7 home screen (in any home screen panels), or pinch in any home screen panels, to enter Galaxy S7 home screen edit mode (or to access Galaxy S7 home screen options) as shown below.

Step 2: Enter Galaxy Theme store

In Galaxy S7 home screen edit mode, tap Themes as shown below.

In My themes page, all themes under your account are listed here.

Before you install any Galaxy S7 themes, only default theme is listed as shown below.

Step 3: Select and download new Galaxy S7 themes

Tap the More themes button in My themes page as shown above to enter the theme store.

In the Theme store, you can search and browse available themes for your Galaxy S7.

You can also search Galaxy S7 themes with always-on display (AOD) customization as shown below.… Read the rest

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Galaxy S7 Settings is a special app for you to adjust system settings for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. This is similar to other Android phones.

So, it is almost certain tghat you will access and use Galaxy S7 Settings sooner or later.

This page shows you how to access Galaxy S7 Settings, how to use search feature in Galaxy S7 Settings and how to customize quick settings in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

This guide applies to both Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, although in the  text, only Galaxy S7 Settings (not Galaxy S7 edge Settings) is used.

How to access Galaxy S7 Settings?

You can access Galaxy S7 Settings in two different methods.  The outcome is identical.

Method 1: access Galaxy S7 Settings from notification panel

You can access Galaxy S7 notification panel by swiping downwards from top of the screen (status bar)  with one finger.

In the Galaxy S7 notification panel, you can then tap the Gear icon as shown below to access Galaxy S7 Settings.

This method is usually faster than the second method mentioned below.

Method 2: access Galaxy S7 Settings from Apps screen

You can also access Galaxy S7 Settings from Galaxy S7 Apps screen.

In Galaxy S7 apps screen, tap the Settings icon as shown below to access Galaxy S7 settings.

If you hide Galaxy S7 Apps screen, all apps will be placed in Galaxy S7 Home screen. You can then find the Settings icon in Galaxy S7 home screen.

Tap the icon similarly as shown below to launch the Settings app.

How to use Galaxy S7 Settings?

All user-accessible system settings can be accessed from Galaxy S7 Settings as shown below.

On the top right of Galaxy S7 Settings page, you can find Search button as shown below.

You can tap the Search button to search items among Galaxy S7 Settings. The search is limited to settings entries.

The first part in the page is quick settings section. You can put frequently used settings items  (up to 9) here so that you can access them without scrolling down. Please refer to next section on how to customize quick settings section.

Below quick settings, you can find all Settings entries for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Samsung tried to categorize the settings entries into 5 groups:

• Connections related settings.  All icons in this group are in light blue.

… Read the rest

The post Use Galaxy S7 Settings appeared first on Galaxy S7 Guides.

What is Galaxy S7 power button options?

As explained in Samsung Galaxy S7 buttons page, you can use power button to wake up the phone when the screen is off.  When screen is on, you can use power button to turn off the display and lock the screen instantly.

In addition to waking up the screen, or locking Galaxy S7 screen, Galaxy S7 power button options offers additional functions for you to:

• Power off Galaxy S7 (and Galaxy S7 edge)
• Restart (reboot) Galaxy S7
• Turn on/off emergency mode on Galaxy S7.

Please note, in different Android phones, the power button options are usually different.  The power button options discussed in this page apply to:

• Samsung Galaxy S7
• Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
• Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+ with Android Marshmallow update
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5 with Android Marshmallow update

How to access Galaxy S7 power button options?

To access  Galaxy S7 power button options, you need press and hold power button for more than 2 seconds.

If you hold power button more than 7 seconds, Galaxy S7 will reboot.

If you want to exit from Galaxy S7 power button options, you can tap Back button.

How to use Galaxy S7 power button options?

As shown below, once you get Galaxy S7 power button options, you tap on one of the three buttons:

To power off Galaxy S7, tap Power off.

To reboot Galaxy S7, tap Restart.  This will shutdown the Android operating system, then restart it automatically.

To enable (if currently disabled) or disable (if currently enabled) emergency mode, tap emergency mode.

If you access Galaxy S7 power button options by accident,  you can tap Home button or back button to exit this screen.

Do you understand and use Galaxy S7 power button options now?

If you have any questions or problems with Galaxy S7 power button options, please let us know in the comment box below.

The community will try to help you.

You can get the official Samsung Galaxy S7 user manual (user guide) in your local language here, and Galaxy S7 edge user manual (user guide) in your local language here.

For other guides on using Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, please check Galaxy S7 online manual page.

For detailed Galaxy S7 how-to guides, please check Galaxy S7 how-to guides page.… Read the rest

The post Galaxy S7 power button options appeared first on Galaxy S7 Guides.

As shown in the post of Galaxy S7 specs and Galaxy S7 edge specs, Galaxy S7 is not a revolutionary product. Rather, it offers incremental updates for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5.

But this doesn’t mean Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are not exciting smartphones in 2016. Actually, they are.

There are no perfect phone, but there are several exciting new features in Galaxy S7 you may enjoy.

This post tries to explain the top 7 new features in Galaxy S7 to help you have a better understanding of Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

1. Micro SD card support

For Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 owners, micro SD card support is one of the most exciting new features in Galaxy S7, although some users do not care about it at all.

As explained in this post, SD card support still matters:

• It is a psychological demand for many users. They actually do not need extra storage.  Some may never put SD card inside. But “the feature” can be an important factor when choosing phones.
• Some on-the-move users may need some media files to enjoy. 32 GB may be too limited for them. 64GB model usually is overpriced (to promote 32GB model). In many regions, only 32GB model of Galaxy S7 will be available.
• Some advanced users may like to backup and damp app data to SD card.
• Android Marshmallow has better SD card support. But please note adoptable storage option is not available in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. In other words, Samsung disabled the option to use SD card to expand internal storage in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

Even for owners who do not care about storage, this new feature in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge does not hurt.  It does not affect your other features.

For buyers who want a Galaxy S7 dual SIM model,  SD card support will use one SIM card slot. This means  if you use two SIM cards, there will be no space for micro SD card.

2. Water and dust resistant

From Galaxy S to Galaxy S6, only Galaxy S5 offered dust and water resistant (IP67). When Galaxy S6 was released, Samsung cited new design as the cause of removing that feature.

Now, Galaxy S7 and S7 edge offer even better water protection. Both phones are rated as IP68.… Read the rest

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Why take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

You may consider to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge (print screen) when:

• you want to  share your achievements in a game/app;
• you need share a location in Google map;
• you want to share the content of a webpage, instead of the URL;
• you want to keep a record of online payments;
• …

Anyway, it is very easy to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. You do not need any apps to print Galaxy S7 screen.

Actually, there are at least 3 different methods to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge without using any apps.

This guide also show you how to use the new screen capture feature in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, scroll capture, which allows you to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 for long webpages or app pages that need more than one screen.

3 different methods to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge

You can use any of the 3 methods to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge:

1. Home button+ Power button method
2. Palm swipe method
3. Assistant menu method

Among the 3 methods for screen capture on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge:

• Assistant menu method is the simplest. Your grandma can do it with one hand.
• Home button+ Power button method is the quickest.

Method 1: use Home button + Power button

Like in all previous Galaxy S devices, you can take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and S7 edge by pressing and holding Home button and Power button simultaneously.  You may check this page on the button layout of Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

This actually is the quickest method to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge if you get used to it.

Some Galaxy S7 owners may fail to get the screenshot usually because of one of the following two reasons:

1. they press the two buttons, but not hold the buttons until screenshot is taken.
2. they fail to hold the two buttons simultaneously.

In reality, you always hold one button earlier. But if you hold the button too long without holing the other button, you will get unexpected behavior:

• If you hold home button too early, you will get Google Now on tap.
• If you hold power button too early, you will get power options.

… Read the rest

The post How to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge without using any apps? And how to use Galaxy S7 scroll capture? appeared first on Galaxy S7 Guides.

Why you may want to review photos before saving to Galaxy S7 and S7 edge?

Sometimes, what you see on the preview screen may be different from what you taken with Galaxy S7 camera.

This is not uncommon.

For example, you may move your hands when press the shutter button (or using voice control, or using volume button, or using other methods to take photos). At the end of the day, you may find you saved a blurry photo.  The OIS in Galaxy S7 camera and Galaxy S7 edge camera may help you avoid some of such photos, but it may not avoid such photos in many cases.

Also, when your hand moves, the auto focus may change the focus unintentionally.

Anyway, if the photo is important, you should review it immediately.

There are two ways to review photos immediately after they are taken:

• After saving the photo, you can check the photo by tapping the Gallery thumbnail in Galaxy S7 camera preview screen. Of course, you can review photos in any Gallery apps or photo editing apps.
• Before saving the photo, you can review it before saving.

This Galaxy S7 camera guide will show you how to review photos taken with Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge before they are saved.

How to review photos before saving to Galaxy S7 and S7 edge?

By default, in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, after photo is taken, it is saved to the phone storage or SD card immediately.

If you want to review photos before saving to Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, you need to enable this feature.

You need to start Galaxy S7 Camera app.

In Galaxy S7 camera preview screen, tap Settings icon as shown below.

Now in Camera settings page, as shown in the screenshot below, you can enable “review pictures“.

Please note, Review pictures setting is shared by front and rear camera. In other words, it does not matter which camera is active when you change the setting.

After enabling Review pictures, you now will be prompt with the photo after  taken it and you have the option to save it or discard it.

You can enable/disable review photos before saving in Galaxy S7 Settings as well

In addition to enabling/disabling photo review in the camera app, you can also do it in Galaxy S7 settings.… Read the rest

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Android Nougat udpate for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge allows you to adjust the screen zoom levels so that you can adjust size of both icons and text.

What is screen zoom in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

In Android Nougat, Google introduced a feature named display size (aka display scaling).

Prior to Android Nougat, you can only set font size to adjust the size of text. You cannot adjust the size of icons.

Also the size of some texts, for example, lock screen keypad/keyboard, notification messages, and menu items in some apps, is fixed.

In other words, changing font size will not change these text.

This is the reason why Android Nougat brought this new setting so that you can further customize the interface of Android.

Luckily, Samsung did not remove this feature in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

But Samsung, as usual, wants to confuse other non-Samsung users with a new name: screen zoom.

So, screen zoom in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge equals to display size (or display scaling) in other Android Nougat devices.

The difference between font size and screen zoom in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

As mentioned above, screen zoom is different from font size. Actually, it solves the problem that font size cannot handle.

Font size only can affect the size of “adjustable” text.

But unfortunately, size of some texts in Android is not adjustable through font size, including, notifications, lock screen text.

For example, a lot of users complained about the size of the keypad in the lock screen, or the size of notification text.

In addition, some apps may also do not allow you to use font size settings to overwrite its default settings.

Screen zoom works with all text and icons. It works just like you zoom in  to the screen.

So, the major different between screen zoom and font sizer in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge include:

• Screen zoom works with all text. You can adjust the size of notification text and lock screen keypad.
• Screen zoom can adjust the icon size of the quick setting buttons.
• Screen zoom works with all apps.

You can use screen zoom together to get desired display.

If you need further customization, in addition to font size and screen zoom, you may try Galaxy S7 themes.… Read the rest

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What is Galaxy S7 screen grid in Galaxy S7 home screen and apps screen?

In Galaxy S7 and S7 edge home screen (actually, all Android devices), all app icons are arranged in rows and columns.  You are not allowed to put your app icon in arbitrary locations.

In other words, Galaxy S7 screen grid keeps your app icons aligned in both Galaxy S7 home screen and Galaxy S7 apps screen.

When you change the size of Galaxy S7 screen grid, the size of app icons in all grids (cells) will also be resized to match the change. In this way,  it is possible to slightly resize app icon size in Galaxy S7 home screen and apps screen.

Of course, there are many other ways to customize Galaxy S7 home screen for Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, for example, using Galaxy S7 themes.

Please note, the Galaxy S7 screen grid settings apply to both Galaxy S7 home screen and apps screen.  So, there are no separate screen grid settings for home screen and apps screen.

In Galaxy S7 home screen, there is a favorite tray (as shown below)in the bottom of all home screen panels except the Flipboard Briefing panel. This tray is NOT counted in the screen grid.

In other words, Galaxy S7 screen grid applies to the space above the favorite tray excluding the tray itself.  But the number of available (maximum) slots in the favorite tray is determined by number of columns in Galaxy S7 screen grid settings.

How to change Galaxy S7 screen grid to customize app icon size in home screen and apps screen?

To change  Galaxy S7 screen grid settings, you may follow these steps.

Step 1: Enter Galaxy S7 home screen edit mode (home screen options)

In Galaxy S7 home screen as shown below, tap and hold (aka “long tap”)any empty area to enter edit mode of Galaxy S7 home screen (aka, access Galaxy S7 home screen options) as shown below.

The other way to enter home screen mode is to pinch in the home screen.

Please note, you can enter Galaxy S7 home screen edit mode in any home screen panels. It is not necessary to be from the home of home screen panels.

Step 2: Set and preview Galaxy S7 screen grid settings

In the edit mode of Galaxy S7 home screen as shown above, you can tap the Screen grid as shown above.… Read the rest

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Multi window feature was greatly improved in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note 5.

This page explains how to use Galaxy S7 multi window new features in Android Nougat udpate. If your phone is still running Android Marshmallow (Android 6.0), please check this guide.

Although Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge are mentioned in the page, this guide applies to all other Samsung phones with Android Nougat update including Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy Note 5.

What are Galaxy S7 multi window new features in Android Nougat udpate for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

Google finally introduced multi window feature in Android Nougat.

Up to Android Nougat 7.1, only split-screen type multi window feature is available. There is no pop-up view yet.

But for many Samsung Galaxy phone users, multi window has been available since Galaxy Note II in 2012.

In the Android Nougat udpate, Samsung continued to improve this useful feature. The major Galaxy S7 multi window new features in Android Nougat udpate for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge include:

• You can use more than 2 apps concurrently. You can run as many apps concurrently in pop-up view as you want.
• Split-screen view action was added to convert current app into split view multi window mode.
• You can launch pop up view directly from Recent tab. In addition to using the pop-up view gesture to convert app to pop-up view mode, you can launch an app in pop-up view directly from Recent tab.
• You can share contents directly between 2 windows (2 apps).
• Status icon for multi window mode is added when you minimize the multi window apps.

For some basic and old features of multi window, you may check this guide.

How to enable Galaxy S7 multi window pop-up view gesture and split screen view action gesture?

As mentioned in this guide, Galaxy S7 multi window has two modes: split screen view (2 apps running side by side) and pop-up view (apps running in front of other apps).

In previous versions, you can use pop-up view gesture to convert an app in normal mode to pop-up view multi window mode.

In Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, a new split screen view action gesture was added to allow you to convert an app in normal mode to split screen view multi window mode.… Read the rest

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Why (and when) you want to wipe cache partition on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

Cache partition is a special and separated region in the storage where Android saves frequently accessed data and app (including system apps) components in a special format.

The main purpose of cache partition in Android is to make the system “faster” by serving data and files in a special format from a specific location.

But occasionally,  cache partition may becomes a problem in performance or system stability  and you may want to wipe cache partition on Galaxy S7 or S7 edge.

For example, you may consider to wipe cache partition on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge:

• after a major system update. Although the update agent will wipe cache partition on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge during the update and rebuild the partition, some problems may occur when migrating data and apps thereafter.
• when Galaxy S7 and S7 edge suddenly becomes very slow.  If the internal storage is sufficient and reboot the phone does not solve the issue, often, it is time to clear cache partition.
• when random apps crash frequently.  You may try to reboot the phone first to see whether the problem persists because sometimes the problem is caused by non-responsive system services. If this is the case, a reboot should solve the issue. But if the reboot does not solve the issue, you may consider to wipe cache partition on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.
• when battery life is consistently poor. If you find battery life (usually screen-on time) is consistently poor (less than 3 hours, for example) without obvious abnormalities, you may try to wipe Galaxy S7 cache partition to see whether it helps.

Although it is simple to wipe cache partition on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, you may seek assistance in Samsung service center if you are not comfortable to do it by yourself.

Is it safe to wipe cache partition on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

As cache partition is separated from your data and files in the storage, it is safe for your data and settings when you wipe cache partition on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

In other words, your files, settings, apps will NOT be affected when clearing cache partition.

Will wiping cache partition on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge free up my internal storage?

… Read the rest

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What is Galaxy S7 S View cover?

Galaxy S7 S View cover (and Galaxy S7 edge S View cover) , as shown left is a special folio-type flip cover with a special plastic window, S View window. It is one of the official accessories for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Samsung first introduced S View cover for Galaxy S4 in 2013. Initially the S view window was a small rectangle. Since Galaxy Note 3, the S View window became larger (close to a square) as shown in this guide.

Different from other brands of flip covers, S view cover offers additional features through the plastic S View window. The features offered in S View window changed with time and phone models.

Prior to Galaxy S6, you have to remove the back cover to use S View cover.  Because Galaxy S6 (and S6 edge), Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S7 (and S7 edge) have non-removable back panel, Galaxy S7 S View cover have to snap on the phone.

Galaxy S7 S view cover (and Galaxy S7 edge S view cover) offers the following special features:

• Auto sleep and auto wake. When you close the front lid of S view cover, Galaxy S7 or S7 edge will automatically sleep. The screen will wake up once you open the front lid. If you lock screen security is set as swipe or none, opening the front lid will direct you to Galaxy S7 home screen.
• Answering and rejecting calls from S View window. You can answer or reject calls by swiping on the S View window as instructed.
• Take photos or record videos from S View window.
• Check notifications from S View window. This follows your lock screen notification settings.
• Share same app shortcuts in S View window as Galaxy S7 lock screen.
• Control music playing in S View window.
• Check time, weather and status icons from S view window.
• Use quick setting buttons (first 10) in S view window. You can use the first 10 quick setting buttons from S View window to change phone settings and features.
• Set separate wallpaper for S View window.

So, in addition to protecting the phone (and the screen), Galaxy S7 S view cover offers these exclusive features.  These features can be very useful for some Galaxy S7 or S7 owners.

Please note, in the market, only Samsung’s Galaxy S7 S view cover offers such features.… Read the rest

The post How to use Galaxy S7 S View cover (for S7 and S7 edge)? appeared first on Galaxy S7 Guides.

About Samsung Galaxy S7 How-to guides

Samsung Galaxy S7 How-to Guides will help you to explore and better use some important Galaxy S7 features.

All these Galaxy S7 guides include very detailed step-by-step instructions. All Galaxy S7 owners can easily follow these Galaxy S7 how-to guides.

We release new Galaxy S7 how-to guides regularly. So, bookmark this page because this Galaxy S7 guides page will be updated regularly.

All Galaxy S7 how-to guides are tested vigorously before they are released. This makes sure these guides should work on most Galaxy S7 devices (Galaxy S7  and Galaxy S7 edge) in all regions .

You may also check Galaxy S7 online user manual page for using some common  features in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

If you want to download the official Galaxy S7 user guide (in PDF) in your own language, you may check this Galaxy S7 user manual page and Galaxy S7 edge user manual page.

If you cannot find the Galaxy S7 how-to guides you are looking for, please feel free to leave you questions or problems in the comment box below. The community will try to find a solution or an answer for you.

List of Samsung Galaxy S7 How-to guides

1. Meaning of Galaxy S7 notification icons and status icons?

2. Switch to Galaxy S7: how to transfer data from your previous device to Samsung Galaxy S7 with Smart Switch?

   It is very easy to switch to Galaxy S7 thanks to Smart Switch.  You can even migrate old phone data to Galaxy S7 without installing any apps. This Galaxy S7 how-to guide shows you how to use USB cable to connect your old phone (Android, iPhone or BlackBerry) to Galaxy S7, and migrate all your data and apps to Galaxy S7.  This is the easily one to migrate phone data to Galaxy S7. Read on….

3. How to use Galaxy S7 always-on display (AOD)?

   Galaxy S7 always on display (AOD) allows you to choose an image or a clock or other information to display instead of turning off the screen for your Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. Without waking up the phone, you can check time, notifications and calendar. This Galaxy S7 how-t0 guide shows you how to enable and customize Galaxy S7 always-on display (AOD). Read on.…

4. How to hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge and show all apps on Galaxy S7 home screen?

… Read the rest

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