Galaxy S6 Guide

Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+ probably is the last major update for these 3 devices. Samsung usually released two major Android updates for their flagship phones.

There are many new features and improvements in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+.

This guide will try to give you the most important and practical info related to Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+.

Where are the updated user manuals for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+?

We have the updated user manuals for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+ with Android Nougat update.

You can download a copy in your own languages or read it online.

For Galaxy S6 with Android Nougat update, the updated user manuals can be found here.

For Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+ with Android Nougat update, the updated user manuals can be found here.

Please note, if you cannot find the language you want, you may leave your request in corresponding pages. We will try to add them.

When will I get the Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+?

It really depends on your region and carrier.

Major Android update requires the approval from carriers. In addition, the update is always rolled in stages.

Anyway, if you haven’t got Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+, you have to wait.

Do not flash the phone with firmware for other regions. You may brick the phone.

New status icons in Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge Nougat update

There are a couple of new icons in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+.

If you encounter any new icons, you may check this guide.

How to use the new multi-window feature in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+?

Multi window feature is getting better in Samsung’s Android Nougat update.

If you want to learn about the new features including split-screen view action, using more than 2 apps simultaneously, launching an app in pop-up view mode directly, managing floating app icons, please check this guide.

How to use the new quick settings panel and customize quick setting buttons in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+?

Android Marshmallow (Android 6.0) is the latest version of Android OS.  There are some cool new features and under the hood improvements in Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6.

Samsung started to roll out Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6 in early February from Korea.  Most regions will get the Marshmallow update before Galaxy S7 is released in the second week of March.

Some Galaxy S6 owners have some questions or concerns on getting Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6. This post will try to address these questions and concerns.

Although “Galaxy S6” is used in the text, this post also applies to Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6 edge and S6 edge+.

For details of new features in Android Marshmallow and user guides for Android Marshmallow, you may check this page.

For step-by-step guides on new features in Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6, you can find them in this Galaxy S6 Android Marshmallow update guide

When will I get Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6 ?

The No.1 question Galaxy S6 owners may have is when they will get the Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6 (including Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, and Galaxy S6 edge+).

The answer is that it depends.

Galaxy S6 was shipped with slightly different firmware in different regions due to local legal requirements and carriers’ requests.

The new firmware of Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6 need approval from carriers. The duration of the carrier testing varies significantly from one carrier to another carrier.

This is one of the major reasons why Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6 is available in some regions and some carriers earlier than the others.

Once the update is approved, Samsung will put it on their servers. You will then get a notification that the update is ready for you to download unless you turn off the auto-check in Settings — About device —Software update —Auto update as shown below

It is recommended not to turn off the auto update. Android update usually includes some security updates as well.  Samsung releases security patch regularly.

Of course, you can manually check the availability of the Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6 by tapping Update now as shown above.

If the Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6 is not ready for your device, you will get the following message:

The latest updates have been installed.

Anyway, it is not necessary to check the update everyday.… Read the rest

Samsung started to roll out Galaxy S6 Android Lollipop 5.1 update in US and a few European countries.

Although Android Lollipop 5.1 is not a major update to Lollipop 5.0, in addition to some under-the-hood improvements,  we find some nice new features you should try.

Here are the  top 6 new features you should try in Galaxy S6 Android Lollipop 5.1 update.

#1. A-Z App sorting in Apps screen in Galaxy S6 Android Lollipop 5.1 update

As mentioned in the top 6 defects of Galaxy S6, the new TouchWiz simply removed many useful features. Many Galaxy S6 and S6 edge owners are not happy with this.

Once of the removed feature is app sorting in Galaxy S6 Apps screen (app drawer). If you read the comments of that page, you can find many S6 owners, especially long-term Galaxy phone users,  are frustrated with this missing feature.

In the Galaxy S6 Android Lollipop 5.1 update, Samsung finally brought back this old feature. So, now you can sort apps in alphabet order.

Of course, you can also organize apps in Apps screen by creating app folders as detailed in this guide.

#2. S Finder and Quick connect are configurable in Galaxy S6 Android Lollipop 5.1 update

S Finder and Quick connect are quite useful if you get used to them. This is probably why Samsung put them in the premium location (notification panel)  in Galaxy S6  (actually in previous Galaxy devices as well, for example, in Galaxy Note 4, and Galaxy S5) and made them irremovable.

But not all Galaxy S6 owners like them. They want to remove S Finder and Quick Connect from notification panel.

Of course, they cannot. And they complained.

Samsung listened. In Galaxy S6 Android Lollipop 5.1 update,  you can enable/disable these two controversial features in Quick Settings.

#3. Auto stop background apps in Galaxy S6 Android Lollipop 5.1 update

Galaxy S6 battery life is usually in par with Galaxy S5, although galaxy S6 and S6 edge has fore more pixels in display and faster CPUs.

But battery drain is always a problem for all Android devices.  Galaxy S6 fast charging may alleviate the problem a bit.

Most of the battery drain actually is caused by third-party apps running in background.

In Galaxy S6, abnormal battery usage can be reported in  Settings—Battery.

Now, Samsung moved a step further.  … Read the rest

Update 1: it is confirmed Samsung Galaxy S6 release date will be April 10, 2015. It will be first available in 20+ countries /regions and then released in 150+ countries/regions within Q2 2015.

It is almost certain that Samsung will announce Galaxy S6 on March 1, 2015, one day before Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2015.

But you may wonder what the Samsung Galaxy S6 release date is. Or in other words, when can you get the Samsung Galaxy S6?

What is the difference between Samsung Galaxy S6 release date and March 1, 2015?

On March 1, 2015, Samsung will only announce the Galaxy S6.  You cannot buy it on that day.

Samsung Galaxy S6 release date means you can buy the phone on that day. A smartphone usually is announced or launched (it is usually demoed as well in the event) before the release date. Of course, on a few occasions (usually for smaller players), the phone may be announced and released at the same day.

For Samsung, most flagship smartphones and tables are released about one month after they are announced. As a comparison, Apple, usually releases new iPhone or iPad about one week after the announcement.

The duration (waiting period) between the release date and announcement is more profound than what you may think.

In the technical and logistic aspect, a large-scale product release requires more staff to cope with the surge in sales. The stocking and dispatching to distributors is also a factor to be considered. Apple has full control of its sales channel in most regions. Samsung has to rely on distributors in some regions.

In the marketing aspect,  if the duration is too long, people already forget the announcement and the excitement.  If it is too short, the product will not be talked enough in the newspaper and social media.  Apple usually has no issue with media coverage when a new iPhone or new iPad is announced because they have very limited new products each year.

On the contrary, Samsung has so many phones; they have to find a suitable time slot for each product. Normally, Galaxy S series phones are announced in February/March to catch the sales in summer. Galaxy Note devices are announced in September/October to catch the sales in the holiday season.

In short, you have to wait from a few weeks to a few months before you can get the Galaxy S6 depending on your region.… Read the rest