Samsung Galaxy S20 Guides

Everything about Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra

swiping gesture

How to access, use, and customise widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen with Android 11 update for Galaxy S20?

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access, use, and customise widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen with Android 11 update for Galaxy S20Galaxy S20 Android 11 update revamped the widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen. It is more than a name change from faceWidgets to widgets.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains the changes in using and customizing widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and always-on display (AOD) screen, shows you how to use gestures to access widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen.

This post is an update to the Galaxy S20 faceWidget guide, which applies to Galaxy S20 with Android 10. If you have updated Galaxy S20 to Android 11, you should follow this guide.

Please note, widgets screen on Galaxy S20 is a feature of One UI 3.0, not an Android 11 feature. So, this guide applies to other Samsung Galaxy phones with Android 11, e.g., Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy Note 20.

What are the changes for using widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen with Android 11 update for Galaxy S20?

Android 11 update for Galaxy S20 not only upgrades the Android OS version from 10 to 11 with most Android 11 features but also bumps the UI from One UI 2.5 to One UI 3.0.

As explained in this post, there are some new features and improvements in the Android 11 update for Galaxy S20, including the revamped widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen.

Here is the list of major changes regarding the widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen if your Galaxy S20 is running Android 11.

faceWidgets were renamed (upgraded?) as widgets.

Samsung renamed the faceWidgets as widgets in Android 11 update.

Actually, It is not just a change in name.  Samsung upgrades the faceWidgets to normal widgets. You can use these special widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and lock screen.

All widgets are on the same screen.

Previously, you can access one faceWidget at one time. You may have to swipe a few times to access the desired widget.

Now, in Galaxy S20 Android 11 update, all widgets are on the same screen. You can access all widgets at the same time. So, these widgets work just like normal ones.

Use taping or swiping gestures to access widgets screen directly.

You can now just tap or swipe in any directions in the clock area (faceWidget area) to open widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen.

So, … Read the rest

How to use 5 different shooting methods for Galaxy S20 camera?

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use 5 different shooting methods for Galaxy S20 cameraIn addition to the shutter button, you can use other shooting methods, including volume key, voice commands, floating shutter button, and palm, to take photos or shoot videos on Galaxy S20.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains the 5 different shooting methods for Galaxy S20 and shows you how and when to use them.

As Samsung updates the Camera app with the Android OS (and One UI), you can find the Samsung Camera app on Galaxy phones with identical Android (and One UI) version is almost identical. Therefore, this guide applies to most Samsung Galaxy phones with Android 10 (and One UI 2.5), for example, Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy Note 20.

Why do you need to consider shooting methods other than the shutter button for Galaxy S20 camera?

By default, most Galaxy S20 owners use the shutter button (aka capture button) in the preview screen to take photos or record videos.

But occasionally, you may find it is not convenient to use the shutter button when taking selfies, especially when you want to include more people or the background and therefore you have to stretch your arm out.

For owners who get used to a point-and-shoot camera or DSLRs, a physical shutter button is always preferred. Unfortunately, all Android phone manufacturers are trying to minimize the number of physical buttons (and ports).

The good news is Samsung has maintained alternative shooting methods in their Galaxy phones. Therefore you can use volume keys, voice control, floating button, and palm to take photos and record videos.

What are the 5 different shooting methods for Galaxy S20 camera?

In the Galaxy S20 Camera app, you can use at least the following 5 shooting methods:

  1. Use the shutter button (default).
  2. Use the volume key.
  3. Use voice control.
  4. Use a floating shutter button.
  5. Show your palm (for selfies only).

We will explore them later (read on). By default, voice control and floating button are disabled on Galaxy S20.

When and how to use different shooting methods for Galaxy S20 camera?

As mentioned, two of the additional methods (voice control and floating shutter button) are not enabled by default; therefore, you need to enable them before you can use them.

Enable/disable different shooting methods for Galaxy S20 camera

You can manage, enable, and disable individual shooting methods in Galaxy S20 camera settings.

You can use various … Read the rest

How to manage home screen panels on Galaxy S20?

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How to manage home screen panels on Galaxy S20?Most Galaxy S20 owners need a few home screen panels to place frequently used apps, app folders, widgets, bookmarks, and shortcuts.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains what Galaxy S20 home screen panels are, what is the home panel of the Galaxy S20 Home screen and how to assign the home panel,  how to manage (add, remove and relocate) home screen panels on Galaxy S20.

Galaxy S20 home screen panels are part of Samsung One UI launcher (aka Samsung launcher). So, this guide applies to all other Samsung Galaxy phones with One UI, for example, Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S8, and Galaxy Note 8.

What are home screen panels on Galaxy S20?

Each page of the Galaxy S20 Home screen is usually called a panel. So, home screen panels are just “pages” of your Galaxy S20 Home screen.

By default, when you unlock Galaxy S20, you will go to the home panel (read on) of  Galaxy S20 Home screen (or last opened app).

Among all Galaxy S20 home screen panels, the following items are identical on all pages:

You need to use multiple home screen panels to accommodate:

When you put the apps on the Galaxy S20 Home screen, you can access them quickly without navigating to the Apps screen.

For widgets, you can only use them on the home screen.

Besides, on Galaxy S20, Samsung Daily (Bixby Home) always occupies the leftmost panel.  You may follow this guide to hide or disable Samsung Daily (Bixby Home) on Galaxy S20. Please note, there is no way to remove it unless you root the phone or use other launchers.

What is the “home” panel of Galaxy S20 Home screen?

Because there are multiple home screen panels on Galaxy S20, you need to designate one as the “home” of the Galaxy S20 Home screen.

By default, the panel next to Samsung Daily (Bixby Home) is assigned as the “home” of Galaxy S20 Home screen. Of course, you can assign any panels (pages) as the home of the home screen panels.

The role of this panel is to represent the end … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S20 face recognition (face unlock)?

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use Galaxy S20 face recognition (face unlock)You can use Galaxy S20 face recognition to unlock the phone (face unlock) by just looking at the phone.

Because the in-display ultrasound fingerprint reader on Galaxy S20 ( and S10) is hard to use and is slow, many Galaxy S20 owners have to use face recognition to unlock the phone and find that face recognition (face unlock) is faster than the fingerprint.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains what Galaxy S20 face recognition is, how to use and manage face recognition to unlock Galaxy S20, how to register your facial features for face unlock, and limitations of Galaxy S20 face recognition.

Galaxy S20 face recognition (face unlock) works identically on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. So this guide applies to all of these three models.

What is Galaxy S20 face recognition (face unlock)?

In addition to using a PIN or password, you can use your biometrics to unlock Galaxy S20 (and other Android phones as well).

Galaxy S20 implements two biometrics features:

  1. Fingerprint.
  2. Facial recognition.

Please note, Samsung stopped using (the most promising) iris scanner since Galaxy S10. You can find the iris scanner on Galaxy S8, S9, Note 8 and Note 9.

So, you can use your fingerprint and face to unlock Galaxy S20 if you want. By default, both fingerprint and facial recognition is not enabled.

Android included face unlock since Android 4.0 (Icecream Sandwich). Of course, it is less accurate than a fingerprint reader. Prior to Android Nougat (Android 7.0), it is easy to fool the phone with a photo.

In recent releases, Android has greatly improved facial recognition. It is fast enough so that you do not need to wait too long. It is accurate enough so that you cannot cheat it with a photo.

Of course, the face unlock on all Android phones is still considered as “less” secure than the fingerprint.

When Samsung ditched the iris scanner (and the intelligent scan), Samsung did NOT add an IR camera. So, on Galaxy S20, face unlock purely relies on the selfie camera. It is NOT comparable to Apple Face ID.

You may consider the Galaxy S20 facial recognition if you need an alternative to the inferior in-display fingerprint scanner.

Why is Galaxy S20 face recognition (face unlock) important?

As mentioned, in most Android phones, the traditional fingerprint reader works very well. You just put your finger on the reader, and it can wake … Read the rest

How to use app shortcuts on Galaxy S20 lock screen?

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manage and use app shortcuts on Galaxy S20 lock screenYou can add up to two app shortcuts on Galaxy S20 lock screen so that you can use these apps without unlocking the phone, or use the app directly after unlocking the phone.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains how the app shortcuts on Galaxy S20 lock screen work, how to manage, customize and use the app shortcuts on the lock screen, how to use the floating button for app shortcuts.

App shortcuts are available on all Galaxy S20 models: Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra. So, this guide applies to all these three Galaxy S20 models.

How do app shortcuts on Galaxy S20 lock screen work?

As explained in this guide, on Galaxy S20 lock screen, by default, there are two app shortcuts (Phone app and Camera app, by default) on the two bottom corners.

You can drag or swipe the icon to the centre of the screen to use the two apps without unlocking Galaxy S20.

There are no security issues with the app shortcuts on the Galaxy S20 lock screen.

Most apps will work only after you unlock Galaxy S20. Only selected apps will work without accessing your data and without unlocking Galaxy S20.

Your data are always safe. They can only be accessed after you unlock the phone. There is no exception.

So, the app shortcuts on Galaxy S20 lock screen work in different ways depending on the app shortcuts you put there:

  1. Without restrictions. For apps that do not access any data, they can work normally. For example, you can use Flashlight or Do Not Disturb without any restriction on the lock screen.
  2. With restrictions. For selected apps, including  Phone app, Camera app, they can run in a restricted mode. For example, the Phone app on the lock screen can only be used for emergency calls. The camera app can only be used to take photos or record videos, and it can only access photos or videos taken in that session. Of course, you can use all Galaxy S20 camera modes and change some camera settings.
  3. Unlocking the phone is required. For most apps, you need to unlock the phone to continue the app.

As a convenience feature,  you should put the most frequently used apps on the lock screen so that you can access them quicker than tapping the app icons on the home … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S20 always-on display (AOD) effectively?

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use Galaxy S20 always-on display (AOD)Galaxy S20 always-on display can display some useful info on the screen without waking up Galaxy S20 when you cannot put your hands on the phone.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains what Galaxy S20 always-on display (AOD) is, the differences between AOD and lock screen, how to enable and customize AOD on Galaxy S20, and how to use AOD with Galaxy S20 clear view cover.

The always-on display (AOD) feature on all three Galaxy S20 models (Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra) is identical. This guide works identically on these three phones although Galaxy S20 is used in the guide.

What is Galaxy S20 always-on display (AOD)?

Galaxy S20 always-on display allows you to customize Galaxy S20 screen to show time, date, battery status, notifications, screen savers, faceWidgets, pinned image, today’s schedule after the screen times out.

Always-on display (AOD) is not new. But Samsung did remove some features from the Galaxy S20 always-on display (AOD).

For example, you cannot pin a note,  or a memo, or a reminder, or a future calendar event on Galaxy S20 AOD screen, if you migrated to Galaxy S20 from older Galaxy phones.

Anyway, the Galaxy S20 always-on display was designed to show some useful info when it seats on the desk. You can quickly peek the time, notifications,  or battery status on the screen without stopping your work.

By default, when the screen times out (no activity on the screen), the display will be turned off automatically to save battery and maximize the lifespan of the screen. For this reason, the maximum screen timeout on Galaxy S20 is 10 minutes.

The Galaxy S20 always-on display (AOD), if enabled, will turn on the screen without waking up the phone after the screen is turned off.

Because the AOD does not wake up Galaxy S20, it will not consume battery excessively. The added battery consumption is mainly for lighting up part of the screen.  For Galaxy S20, the AMOLED display is very power efficient and does not consume power for black pixels.

So, Galaxy S20 AOD will only slightly affect battery life (screen-on time) on Galaxy S20.

The differences between Galaxy S20 always-on display (AOD) and the lock screen?

Although Galaxy S20 AOD screen usually displays after the lock screen times out and shares the same faceWidgets and a few other settings with the lock screen, it is different from … Read the rest

How to use the Galaxy S20 Recents screen on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra?

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use the Galaxy S20 Recents screen on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 UltraGalaxy S20 Recents screen (aka overview screen,  recent task list, or recents apps in the stock Android) lets you switch back to recently used apps quickly, or launch apps in the multiwindow mode (pop-up view or split-screen view) on Galaxy S20 easily.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains everything you need to know about the Galaxy S20 Recents screen, shows you how to access, navigate, and customize the Recents screen on Galaxy S20, and demonstrates how to use Galaxy S20 Recents screen to launch apps in the multi-window mode.

The Overview screen (Recents screen) on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra is identical. So, this guide applies to all these 3 models of Galaxy S20, although we use S20 in the text.

What is the Galaxy S20 Recents screen? Why is it important?

Like in other Android phones, Galaxy S20 Recents screen is a system-level UI component that lists recently accessed apps on Galaxy S20.  It does not depend on individual apps or third-party launchers.

In other words, unless you root the phone, the Recents screen is always there. You cannot hide or disable it.

App developers cannot exclude their apps in the Recents screen. Instead, they can register some tasks of their apps as individual “apps” in the Recents screen. For example, if you open two documents in Google Docs, then you can find two entries in the Galaxy S20 Recents screen.

The Recents screen is designed for productivity. It is intended to help you switch among apps quickly. 

Since Android Nougat (Android 7.0), Google finally introduced multi-window (split-screen view) into the stock Android. You have to launch apps in the split-screen view from the Overview screen in the stock Android.

Samsung added the multi-window feature since Android Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) with different ways to launch the app in the pop-up view or the split-screen view. But since Android Oreo, Samsung gradually streamlined the multi-window feature into the Recents screen.

So, the second common usage of Galaxy S20 Recents screen is to launch apps in the multi-window mode (split-screen view or the pop-up view).

Of course, you can also quickly manage the apps from the Galaxy S20 Recents screen.

How to access Galaxy S20 Recents screen?

As explained in this guide, you may use the navigation buttons or navigation gestures on Galaxy S20. So, the way to access Galaxy S20 Recents screen … Read the rest

How to use and customize Galaxy S20 lock screen?

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use and customize Galaxy S20 lock screenGalaxy S20 lock screen keeps your phone safe from prying eyes. It acts as a door to protect your private data and info.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains how the lock screen protects your data,  the layout of the lock screen, and shows you how to use gestures on the Galaxy S20 lock screen.

Why is the Galaxy S20 lock screen so important?

Like in all other Android phones, Galaxy S20 lock screen is an essential part to secure your phone.

Basically, it is a door to your contents and private data. You are holding the key. And the key is your lock screen PIN/password/pattern.

So, Galaxy S20 lock screen protects your data from unauthorized access.

If anyone can bypass your Galaxy S20 lock screen, then he/she can access almost all data saved on the phone.

For Galaxy S20, if you forget the password or PIN, you can only unlock the phone with Samsung Find My Mobile as explained in this guide. If you forget to enable it on Galaxy S20, you have to perform a factory data reset (you will lose all of your data) and then set it up again with your Google account existed on the phone before the factory data reset.

By default, when you unlock the lock screen, there is unlock sound. You can disable it in Settings — Sounds and vibrations — system sound/vibration control — screen lock/unlock, as explained in this guide.

Galaxy S20 lock screen layout

As shown in the screenshot below, typically, there are 7 components on the Galaxy S20 lock screen.

#1. Status bar

The status bar on the lock screen shows the name of the current mobile network provider and other status icons. You can find the meaning of status icon on this page.

There are no notification icons in the status bar of the Galaxy S20 lock screen. Notifications, if enabled on the lock screen, will be shown below.

#2. Clock/faceWidgets

By default, a clock, whose clockface can be customized, is shown here.

But this is also the place holder for faceWidgets. You can swipe left or right in this region to switch to different faceWidgets.

Galaxy S20 allows you to enable up to 5 faceWidgets on the lock screen.

Please check this guide on how to enable, customize and use faceWidgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and always-on display screen.

Update: … Read the rest

How to customize and use Galaxy S20 Quick Settings?

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Samsung Galaxy S20 quick settings bugttonsGalaxy S20 quick settings let you quickly turn on/off some features using the quick setting buttons from the notification panel.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains everything you need to know on using and customizing Galaxy S20 Quick Settings: what the Galaxy S20 Quick Settings is, how to access it, how to customize the quick setting button order, and how to customize the layout of the quick settings panel.

The Galaxy S20 Quick Settings is identical on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.  So, in this guide, Galaxy S20 refers to all of these three phones.

What is Galaxy S20 Quick Settings?

Like in other Android phones, Samsung Galaxy S20 Quick Settings allows you to turn on/off some features, e.g., WiFi, mobile data, flight mode, without diving into the Galaxy S20 Settings.

The quick setting buttons are also easier to understand and use, compared to the menu and page navigations in Galaxy S20 Settings. So, it is the most efficient way to turn on or turn off some features on Galaxy S20.

By default, in the notification panel, 6 quick setting buttons (with text below them) appear, as shown below.

FYI, you can access Galaxy S20 notification panel by swiping down from the status bar.

If you need to check the meaning of any of the status icons or notification icons on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra, you may check this guide.

galaxy S20 notification panelWhat is Galaxy S20 Quick Settings?

These buttons are just the first 6 buttons in the Galaxy S20 quick settings. You can find all quick setting buttons if you swipe down again from the notification panel.

Galaxy S20 Quick Settings (or quick settings panel) usually refers to this full-page buttons, as shown above.

Please note, the quick setting buttons include two parts:

  • the button; and
  • the text below the button.

They have different functions.

Most of the quick setting buttons accept the following gestures:

  • Tapping the button to turn on/off the feature.
  • Tapping the text below the button to get the options for the feature.
  • Long tapping (tapping and holding) the button (or the text below the button) to open the corresponding entry in Galaxy S20 Settings if the feature has an entry there.

A few quick setting buttons may only accept one or two of the gestures.

In addition to the two-page quick setting buttons, in the Galaxy S20 Quick Settings page, you can also find:… Read the rest

The Ultimate Guide of Galaxy S20 Touchscreen Gestures

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Galaxy S20 Touchscreen GesturesYou need to use the Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures to use the phone effectively.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains the commonly used Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures and shows you how to use them. The 8 Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures covered are tapping, double-tapping, triple-tapping, long-tapping (tapping and holding), swiping, dragging, pinching and spreading.

Why do you need to know the Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures?

We seldom attach a physical keyboard or mouse to Galaxy S20 (except using Samsung DeX). So, the touchscreen is the interface between the user and the Galaxy S20.

The phone takes commands from us through Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures. We interact with the apps through those gestures, most of the time.

Since Android 10, Google removed the navigation buttons by default and recommended gestures for all navigations. Of course,  Galaxy S20 still allows you to choose between using buttons or navigation gestures.

More and more Android apps also prefer gestures over buttons.

Anyway, it is hard to use the phone effectively without mastering Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures.

What are the 8 Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures?

You will need to use the following touchscreen gestures on Galaxy S20:

  1. Tapping (single tap).
  2. Double-tapping.
  3. Triple tapping.
  4. Long tapping (tap and hold).
  5. Swiping.
  6. Dragging.
  7. Pinching.
  8. Spreading

All of the 8 Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures are universal on all Android phones. They work on almost all Android phones and therefore are not unique to Galaxy S20.

But the functions of each gesture may depend on individual apps.

Usage of Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures

Now, let’s go through these 8 Galaxy S20 navigation gestures one by one.

Please note, we use “tap” in this guide. Other developers or writers may prefer “press”. They are identical for touchscreen gestures.

#1. Single tapping gesture (tapping)

The tapping gesture (aka single tapping), as shown in the animation below,  requires you touch somewhere on the  Galaxy S20 screen once, then move your finger away from the screen.

This gesture will be then registered as tapping, which is one of the most fundamental Galaxy S20 touchscreen gestures. It corresponds to “click” when using a mouse.

The outcome of the tapping gesture depends on what you tapped.

Here are some example of using tapping gesture on Galaxy S20:

  • Open an app by tapping the app icon.
  • Navigate to another page by tapping a menu item.
  • Toggle some Galaxy S20 features by tapping the quick setting buttons
… Read the rest