Galaxy S20 status icons

How to Use Enhanced Processing on Galaxy S20 with Android 11 update?

By simon 4 Comments Last Modified: February 22, 2021 · Published on: January 17, 2021

Enhanced processing is one of the prominent new features in Galaxy S20 Android 11 update.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains what the enhanced processing is, how to enable it from Settings and quick settings panel and how to use enhanced processing on Galaxy S20 with Android 11 update.

The enhanced processing option is available after you upgraded Galaxy S20 (and Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy Note 20) to Android 11. If your Galaxy S20 is still running Android 10, please check this guide on how to use and customise the power mode.

What is enhanced processing on Galaxy S20 with Android 11 update?

As mentioned here, Samsung revamped (simplified) the power modes and added the enhanced processing option in Android 11 (One UI 3.0) update for Galaxy S20, S10, Note 10, and Note 20.

But Samsung hasn’t offered a detailed explanation of this feature, except stating:

Get faster data processing for all apps except games. use more battery.

There are some wrong inceptions on this feature on the internet. Some mistakenly thought the enhanced processing is simply the old high-performance mode.

So, what is enhanced processing?

First, the enhanced processing, once enabled, can unleash the full CPU (and GPU) power so that the app can run faster.

Second, the enhanced processing works with power saving mode. In other words, you can use this feature even in the power saving mode.

It sounds confusing. But it makes sense.

Apparently, the enhanced processing actually unleash the CPU power on demand. When you are using an app in the power saving mode, in the past, the CPU speed is capped. Now, with the enhanced processing, the limit can be removed on demand with other restrictions (e.g., brightness) in place. Of course, it does not affect background apps.

Third, enhanced processing is a standalone feature.

Galaxy S20 Android 11 update simplified the power modes to 2 modes only: default mode and power saving mode. The enhanced processing adds the option to speed up the CPU speed on demand for active (foreground) apps. This addressed the battery consumption issue in the old performance mode.

At the same time, there are many complaints about the old medium power saving mode, which slows down the apps noticeably. Some owners question the rationale of limiting the speed for the foreground apps. The enhanced processing addressed this … Read the rest

How to use Do Not Disturb on Samsung Galaxy S20?

By simon 2 Comments Last Modified: January 6, 2021 · Published on: September 12, 2020

Do Not Disturb (DND) allows you to escape from nonurgent disruptions from your phone while important calls, alarms, notifications can still alert you.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains what Do Not Disturb (DND) on Samsung Galaxy S20 is, how to enable and disable it on-the-fly, or based on predefined schedules, how to customize Do Not Disturb on Samsung Galaxy S20 so that you can allow specific contacts to reach you and certain apps to alert you.

The DND feature is common on most Galaxy phones. So this guide applies to not only Galaxy S20 but also other Samsung Galaxy phones with Android 10, for example, Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S9, and Galaxy Note 9.

What is Do Not Disturb?

Android Marshmallow (Android 6) introduced the Do Not Disturb to help users limit interruptions from the phone and therefore improve productivity.

Over the last a few Android releases, Google fine-tuned this feature to make it easy to understand and easy to use.

Basically, on Samsung Galaxy S20, Do Not Disturb mode allows you to filter interruptions so that:

Only some contacts can ring you.
Most notifications are silenced.
You can choose to hide specific or even all notifications.
You can manage an exception list.

Please note, Samsung removed some Do Not Disturb features found in the stock Android, for example,

You cannot trigger DND automatically based on calendar events. In most other Android phones, you can add event-based rules to turn on DND automatically.
You cannot allow apps to overwrite DND.

So, do not assume Do Not Disturb on Samsung Galaxy S20 is identical to many non-Samsung Android phones.

How to enable and disable Do Not Disturb on Samsung Galaxy S20 on-the-fly?

In addition to turning on/off Do Not Disturb automatically (read on), there are a few different ways to enable or disable Do Not Disturb on Samsung Galaxy S20 on-the-fly.

Method 1: from Galaxy S20 Quick Settings

You can swipe down twice from the status bar, or from the top of the screen (when the status bar is hidden, e.g., in full-screen mode), to access Galaxy S20 quick settings panel.

As shown in the screenshot below, you can find the Do not disturb button.

Tap the Do not disturb button to enable or disable DND mode immediately on Galaxy S20.

You can tap and hold the button to … Read the rest

Master Mobile Networks Settings on Galaxy S20

By simon 2 Comments Last Modified: July 17, 2020 · Published on: July 17, 2020

Although most owners do not need to change mobile networks settings on Galaxy S20, it is crucial to understand the options for the mobile networks so that you can solve some mobile network related issues when it happens suddenly.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains the mobile networks settings on Galaxy S20, shows you when and how to use them, and illustrates how to check the mobile network status and SIM card status on Galaxy S20.

Most of the mobile networks settings on all three Galaxy S20 models are almost identical. So, this guide applies to all Galaxy S20 phones (Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra).

When do you need to change the mobile networks settings on Galaxy S20?

The default mobile networks settings on Galaxy S20 are usually sufficient for most owners. They may never touch the mobile network settings at all.

But from time to time, due to some carrier’s configurations, or some software glitches, you may have to change or check the mobile networks settings on Galaxy S20.

Here are a few example scenarios when you need to head to the mobile networks settings on Galaxy S20

#1. Enable/disable data roaming

Data roaming can be costly if you do not have a particular roaming plan with your carrier.

By default, data roaming is disabled. But once you enabled, it will be on until you disable it. When your phone is roaming, you should see the roaming icon (R added to the signal strength), as explained in here.

#2. Add or edit APN settings

APN (Access Point Name) is essential for mobile data connections. In addition to internet access, MMS also replies on correct APN settings.

If you need to edit or add APN settings, you need to access Galaxy S20 mobile networks settings. Read on.

#3. Select a network operator (especially when roaming)

If your SIM card can use more than one mobile network, you can manually choose one. This also has to be done under mobile networks settings on Galaxy S20.

When your Galaxy S20 is roaming, your carrier may have multiple local roaming partners. Some may offer better coverage. Some may offer a better connection. Some may offer a lower roaming price.

Understand mobile networks settings on Galaxy S20

You can access Galaxy S20 mobile networks settings from Galaxy S20 Settings.

As shown in the screenshot below, tap Connections… Read the rest

Use Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode to customize Galaxy S20 Home screen

By simon Leave a Comment Last Modified: October 30, 2020 · Published on: June 5, 2020

Samsung Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode allows you to customize Galaxy S20 Home screen, access Galaxy S20 Home screen settings, use themes, apply wallpapers, add widgets to the home screen.

This Galaxy S20 how-to guide explains what Samsung Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode is, how to access this mode with two different gestures, and what you can do in the Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode to customize Galaxy S20 Home screen.

The Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode is identical on all three models of Galaxy S20. So this guide applies to Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.

What is Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode?

The quickest way to customize the Galaxy S20 Home screen is to use the edit (customization ) mode.

Sometimes the home screen edit mode may be referred to the Home screen customization or settings page. But on Galaxy S20, Samsung added a dedicated Home screen settings page. In the Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode, there is a shortcut to this home screen settings page.

Besides, after Android 5.0 removed the Widgets tab in the Apps screen, the only way to manually add widgets to the Galaxy S20 Home screen is through the Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode.

You can imagine the Galaxy S20 home screen edit mode is a special page hiding behind the Home screen. You can quickly access it to customize the Galaxy S20 Home screen and change the home screen settings.

How to access Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode?

You can access the edit mode of Galaxy S20 Home screen with two different gestures, as illustrated in the screenshot below.

Gesture A: Tap and hold (long tap) on the blank area

You can tap and hold (aka long tap) any blank area (that is not occupied by the app icons, widgets, pinned files, picture frames …) on the Home screen.

The gap between any two app icons is also a blank area.

Gesture B: Pinch on the Home screen

You can pinch over the home screen to enter the edit mode.

How to customize Galaxy S20 Home screen in the edit mode?

The purpose of the Galaxy S20 Home screen edit mode is for you to quickly customize the Home screen. For example, you can quickly disable (hide) the Samsung Daily on the Galaxy S20 home screen, or customize the … Read the rest

Master Galaxy S20 Home screen

By simon Leave a Comment Last Modified: January 9, 2021 · Published on: May 18, 2020

Galaxy S20 Home screen is the centre of Galaxy S20. There is no way to skip it.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains the role of Galaxy S20 Home screen, 11 items and their meaning and usage on Galaxy S20 Home screen, and supported gestures on the Home screen.

Please note, although Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 ultra differ significantly, the Home screen is identical for all these 3 phones. So, in the guide, Galaxy S20 refers to these three phones.

The role of Galaxy S20 Home screen

After unblocking Galaxy S20 lock screen, the first screen you will use is the Home screen.

Of course, if you unlock Galaxy S20 with face recognition, you have the option to stay on the unlocked lock screen or directly navigate to Home screen, as explained in this guide.

Galaxy S20 Home screen is the centre of the phone. Most of the functions and apps are accessed from the Home screen.

On Galaxy S20 Home screen, you can:

Access all apps (with or without Apps screen).
Create, manage and use app folders.
Access widgets.
Access phone settings and customization.
Check notifications
Check system status.
Access quick settings panel.

Anyway, the home screen is so important that you cannot avoid it!

Understanding items on Galaxy S20 Home screen

Generally, there are about 11 types of items on the Galaxy S20 Home screen, as shown in the screenshot below:

Status bar
App icons
App folders
App Shortcuts/bookmarks
Pinned files
Widgets.
Picture frame.
Panel indicator.
Favourite tray.
Navigation bar.
Edge panel handle.

We will explain them one by one.

Please note, if you enable Assistant Menu, you will see the floating Assistant menu button on all screens.

You may also lock the Galaxy S20 Home screen layout to avoid unintentional changes.

Status bar

The status bar is an integrated part of the Android UI. It is

It will always be shown when in the Home screen or using any apps except in the full-screen immersive mode. In the immersive mode, you can swipe the screen to call out the status bar.

On the left side of the status bar, you can find the current time and a few notification icons, whose style can be customized as explained in this guide.

On Galaxy S20, the status icons are on the right side of the status bar and aligned to the … Read the rest

Meaning of status icons and notification icons on Galaxy S20

By simon 17 Comments Last Modified: April 18, 2021 · Published on: April 29, 2020

Understanding the meaning of status icons and notification icons on Galaxy S20 can help you get quick information about the phone status, system health, and notifications.

This Galaxy S20 guide first covers the differences between status icons and notification icons on Galaxy S20, then explains the meaning of Galaxy S20 status icons and notification icons in Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.

Because Samsung uses slightly different icons in different regions or for some carriers, you may get notification icons or status icons that are different from those shown in this guide. It is normal. If you cannot figure out the meaning of those icons, you may share the screenshot on our FaceBook page so that others can help you identify them.

What is the difference between status icons and notification icons on Galaxy S20?

All Android phones including Galaxy S20 use the top part of the screen as the status bar to display some icons indicating the system status, alerting you to possible issues and notifying you about incoming notifications.

Traditionally, a status icon refers to the icons telling you the phone status (e.g., mobile network status, WiFi status, battery percentage, or battery charging status), They are typically displayed on the right side of the status bar and aligned to the right side of the screen.

The status icons on the Galaxy S20 are always shown on the left side of the status bar, as shown below. These notification icons include notifications from all apps(system apps and normal apps).

Since Android 9, Google has moved the time to the left side of the status bar. The notch or hole-punch for the front camera usually are located in the status bar. So, the space for notification icons becomes very limited.

To avoid the overcrowded notification icons, Galaxy S20 allows you to customize how the notifications are shown (all notification icons, the 3 most recent icons, or just the number of notification icons) as explained in this guide.

The differences between status icons and notification icons on Galaxy S20 include:

Status icons are always related to the system; while notification icons are usually linked to specific apps (including a few system apps and third-party apps).
Status icons are shown on the right side of the status bar; while Galaxy notification icons always appear on the left side of the status bar.
Status icons are more or less

… Read the rest