Galaxy S21 Guides

After updating your Galaxy S21, S20, or S10 to Android 12, you will encounter many new features in Android 12 update (both One UI 4.0 and One UI 4.1).

This Galaxy S21 guide explains the top 12 new features in Android 12 update (One UI 4.1/4.0) for Galaxy S21, S20 and S10 to help you use these new features effectively on your Galaxy S21, S20, or S10.

As discussed in this guide, there are two Android 12 updates for Galaxy S21, S20, and S10.  Some new features were added in the One UI 4.0 update and some in the One UI 4.1 update. The top 12 new features in Android 12 update for Galaxy S21, S20, and S10 discussed in this guide include:

1. Camera and microphone indicators (One UI 4.0).
2. More transfer options in Smart Switch (One UI 4.1).
3. Voice memo on the lock screen (One UI 4.0).
4. Extra dim screen (One UI 4.0).
5. Writing Assistant (Grammarly integration) on Samsung Keyboard (One UI 4.0).
6. Customisable virtual memory (RAM Plus) (One UI 4.1)
7. Skip an alarm just once (One UI 4.0).
8. Portraits for pets (One UI 4.0).
9. Extra time for single-take mode (One UI 4.0).
10. Telephoto lens in Pro and

In almost all regions, the Android 12 update has been available for Galaxy S21, S20, and S10 since December 2021.

But there is still some confusion about the Android 12 update, One UI 4.0 update, and One UI 4.1 update.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains the difference between the Android 12 update, One UI 4.0 update, and one UI 4.1 update for Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, and S10, then shows you how to update Galaxy S21 to Android 12.  Finally, some questions you may have on updating Galaxy S21, S20, and S10 to Android 12, are answered

As the Android 12 update is almost identical for Galaxy S21, S20, and S10, this guide applies to all these three phones.

What are the differences between the Android 12 update, One UI 4.0 update, and One UI 4.1 update?

Galaxy S21 was released with Android 11. So, Android 12 is the first major update for Galaxy S21. And it will expect to receive at least Android 13, Android 14 and maybe even Android 15 updates.

In comparison, Galaxy S20 was released with Android 10 and already received the Android 11 update. It will probably receive only 3 major updates. So, … Read the rest

The default photo size on Galaxy phones is fine most of the time. But occasionally,  you may want to reduce photo size for various purposes.

This Galaxy S21 camera guide explains how to set photo size on Galaxy phones including Galaxy S21, S20, S10 and S9, how to use the Gallery app to resize photo size on these Samsung Galaxy phones, and how to revert back to the original photo size.

How to set photo size on Galaxy S21?

When Samsung switched from Samsung Experience (Samsung Launcher) to One UI with (Android Pie), the camera app was overhauled.  One of the casualties is the photo size settings.

In the old Camera app, you can set different sizes (resolutions) for the photos to be taken, as in the Galaxy S7 Camera app. If the storage is limited and you mainly share the photos through social media, you can choose a smaller photo size (lower resolution). Of course, if you may need to print the photo or view the photo on a large screen (e.g., an 8K TV), you should choose a higher resolution.

But with the Android Pie update, the user can only set the aspect ratio … Read the rest

You can customize most aspects of the Galaxy S21 Home screen in the Galaxy S21 Home screen edit mode.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains what the Galaxy S21 Home screen edit mode is, how to use it, how to add/remove/manage home screen panels, and how to assign the one panel as the “home” of the Galaxy S21 Home screen.

How to access Galaxy S21 Home screen edit mode?

There are two gestures for you to access the Galaxy S21 Home screen edit mode.

Method 1: Pinch to access Galaxy S21 Home screen edit mode

As shown in the picture below, you can pinch (moving two fingers together) on the Home screen to access the edit mode of the Galaxy S21 Home screen.

The pinch gesture only requires you to move two fingers together, as explained in detail here. It does not matter whether you do it vertically or horizontally. It does not matter where your fingers are placed (as long as on one of the home screen panels).

You can use this gesture to enter Galaxy S21 Home screen edit mode on any home screen panel.

Method 2: Long tap (tap and hold) to access Galaxy S21 Home screen

Understanding the Galaxy S21 lock screen settings helps you secure the phone and improve your productivity. You can also customize the locks screen as you want after mastering the Galaxy S21 lock screen settings.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains all items on the Galaxy S21 lock screen settings page. Typical usage of some settings is also illustrated and demonstrated.

This guide applies all Galaxy S21 models (Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra).

How to access Galaxy lock screen settings?

Galaxy S21 lock screen settings page is a sub-page of Galaxy S21 Settings.

There are a few different ways to access Galaxy S21 Settings, for example:

• Tap the Settings app icon on the Galaxy S21 Home screen or Apps screen
• Tap the Gear icon on the Galaxy S21 Quick Settings panel (or notifications panel).
• Use voice commands (e.g., Google Assistant or Bixby).

Once on the Galaxy S21 Settings page, as shown below, tap the Lock screen to access the Galaxy S21 lock screen settings page.

What is included on Galaxy S21 lock screen settings?

As shown in the screenshot below, the following 11 items on the Galaxy S21 lock screen settings page are included:

1. Screen lock type.
2. Smart lock.

You can use widgets on Galaxy S21 to instantly access some info or specific features of some apps instead of fiddling around the app.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains what widgets on Galaxy S21 are, how to add widgets to the Galaxy S21 Home screen, how to resize and customize widgets on Galaxy S21.

What are widgets on Galaxy S21?

Some Galaxy S21 owners may think widgets are something new because Apple only added home screen widgets to iOS 14 last year.

In fact, widgets are a built-in feature in Android. Android users have used widgets since Android Cupcake (Android 1.5) in 2009. In other words, iPhone users are 11 years behind Android users in terms of using widgets on the home screen.

So, what are widgets on Galaxy S21 (and Android)?

Most apps offer many functions and features. But most users may often use only a few features or access some specific data. If you have to open these apps, then navigate to the feature or check the data, you may find it is tedious.

Widgets solve this issue.

Widgets on Galaxy S21 allow you to access the special feature or display the specific data on the Home screen … Read the rest

Galaxy S21 Side key is more than a power button (key) on Galaxy S21, and you can also customize some features of the Galaxy S21 Side key.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains what the Galaxy S21 Side key is, the functions of this key/button, and how to use and customize the Side key on the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra.

What is Galaxy S21 Side Key?

Since Galaxy S20, Samsung ditched the unpopular Bixby and combined the Bixby key with the power key into the Side key.

As shown in the Galaxy S21 layout, the Side key is located on the right side of the phone and below the volume rockers. Please note, Samsung relocated the volume keys from the left side (as in all previous Galaxy S devices) to the sight side since Galaxy S20.

In a nutshell, the Galaxy S21 Side key is a combination of the traditional power key and the notorious Bixby key.

When the phone is powered off, the Galaxy S21Side key will be just the power key.  The added functions are available only after the phone is powered up.

Functions of Galaxy S21 Side Key

As mentioned, the functions of … Read the rest

You can hide Galaxy S21 password or PIN when you type them to unlock the phone. So, the prying eyes will only see dots instead of the actual characters.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains why you should hide Galaxy S21 password or PIN when typing and how to hide Galaxy S21 PIN and password when unlocking your phone or when you type them on any apps.

Although there are some differences among the three Galaxy S21 models, this security feature applies to all of them.

Why should you hide Galaxy S21 password and PIN when typing?

By default, when you type your password or PIN to unlock Galaxy S21, the phone displays the characters briefly (about 1-2 seconds) on the screen. The purpose of showing what you typed briefly is for you to check whether you typed them correctly.

But this can be a security threat to your data and accounts.

For example, if you unlock Galaxy S21 on public transport, prying eyes can easily see the password or PIN.  The security cameras in the lift or other locations may also “see” the password or PIN.

You may argue it does not matter because you are holding the phone. … Read the rest

You need to power on, power off, or reboot Galaxy S21 once in a while. Sometimes, you may have to reboot Galaxy S21 without accessing the power-off menu if the phone hangs.

This Galaxy S21 how-to guide explains how to power on, power off, and reboot Galaxy S21 even if the phone hangs and how to access the power-off menu.

In this guide, Galaxy S21 refers to all Galaxy S21 models, including Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. The features discussed in this guide are common on all these Galaxy S21 phones.

Why and when do you need to power on, power off, and reboot Galaxy S21?

To set up Galaxy S21 or migrate from an old phone to Galaxy S21, you have to power on the phone first.

It is a dead brick when it is powered off. So, you need to keep it on if you want to use your Galaxy S21.

Sometimes, you may need to power off Galaxy S21. For example, when you enter some sensitive locations, you may be asked to power off the phone and lock it in the locker.  On the aeroplane, during taxing and landing, normally, you are asked to power … Read the rest

Galaxy S21 quick settings panel (aka Galaxy S21 quick panel or Galaxy S21 quick setting buttons) lets you turn on/off some features or change some settings quickly from a dropdown panel without navigating through the Galaxy S21 Settings.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains what Galaxy S21 quick settings panel is, how to access the Galaxy S21 quick panel, the components in the quick settings panel on Galaxy S21, how to customize the layout of the quick settings panel, and how to add (and remove) buttons to Galaxy S21 quick panel.

What is Galaxy S21 quick settings panel?

Galaxy S21 quick settings panel (aka Galaxy S21 quick panel, quick settings buttons) is a special page with some buttons for you to access or turn off some features directly without digging into the Galaxy S21 Settings page.

Just like other Android phones, you can turn on or turn off some features quickly on the quick settings panel of Galaxy S21 so that you can use the phone effectively.

For example, you want to turn on mobile data on Galaxy S21. You can do it by tapping Settings, tap Connections, tap Data usage, then Tap the switch for Mobile data. So, … Read the rest