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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

A Complete Guide Of Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu

By simon Leave a Comment Last Modified: January 9, 2021 · Published on: November 19, 2020

Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu is more than an accessibility feature. It offers many shortcuts to help you improve your productivity with Samsung Galaxy S20.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains what Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu is, what it can do, how to enable, use and customize it, and how to use Assistant Plus to get even more from the Assistant Menu on Galaxy S20.

As Assistant Menu is more or less universal on all Samsung Galaxy phones, this guide applies to other Samsung Galaxy phones as well.

What is Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu?

Samsung Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu, a semi-transparent floating button overlayed on the phone screen, was initially designed for owners who need assistance for motor control and other physical impairments.

But it has been used by many seasoned Samsung phone owners to get faster access to some functions and features.

You may find the Assistant Menu very handy if you get used to it. It is more than an accessibility feature: it is also a productivity feature.

Of course, the Assistant Menu is not a new feature of Galaxy S20. Samsung introduced this feature since Android 4.0 and maintained it in all Galaxy phones and tablets.

What can Samsung Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu do?

With Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu, you can:

Access navigation buttons regardless of the navigation method (navigation gestures or navigation buttons) you are using.
Access power button option (power menu). You can power off or restart the phone without using the power button (side key). You can also invoke emergency mode or lockdown mode for Galaxy S20. You may use it to power off the phone, then boot into Galaxy S20 safe mode or Galaxy S20 recovery mode. Please refer to this guide on how to enable and activate Galaxy S20 lockdown mode.
Access notification panel. You can access notification panel by tapping the button in the Assistant Menu, instead of swiping down from the top of the screen.
Add a touchpad on the screen and use a cursor to navigate to anywhere of the screen.
Add a circle touchpad (page control) to scroll up and down and to navigate among pages (panels).
Adjust volumes.
Turn off the screen.
Take a screenshot.
Adjust screen brightness.
Rotate the screen.
Use a magnifier on the screen.
Open Bixby.
Talk to Bixby.
Send SOS

… Read the rest

How to adjust volume for media, ringtones, notifications and alarm tones on Galaxy S20?

By simon Leave a Comment Last Modified: September 15, 2020 · Published on: August 29, 2020

You can quickly adjust the volume for media, ringtone and notification tone on Galaxy S20 with the volume slider and even silence Galaxy S20.

You may also want to use one of the three Galaxy S20 sound modes in different scenarios to allow or mute all ringtones and notifications.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains the volume slider and how to use it to adjust volume for media, ringtones, notification tones, alarms, and system sound, how to use Galaxy S20 Settings to set sound modes, adjust the volume, and turn on /off some system sound.

Use Galaxy S20 volume slider to adjust volume for media, ringtones, notifications tones, and system sound

We all know we can use the volume keys to adjust the volume for media when playing music or video.

But when you are not playing any media, what happens if you press the volume key (volume up or volume down) on Galaxy S20?

It actually shows the volume slider. By default, it adjusts the volume for the ringtone. Of course, you can change this behaviour (read on)

On most of other Android 9 and 10 phones, the volume keys always adjust the media volume. Google removed the volume slider on the Android Pie (Android 9) in stock Android. But Samsung has kept the similar volume slider on all Galaxy phones for many years (since Android 4.0).

So, this guide only applies to Samsung phones, not other Android phones.

Galaxy S20 volume slider

As shown in the screenshot below, you will see the volume slider once you press volume down or volume up key.

Tap the down arrow to expand it.

In the expanded Galaxy S20 volume slider, you can control and adjust the volume for:

Ringtone
Media.
Notifications (notification tone).
System sound.
Bixby voice.

Please note, you cannot adjust alarm volume in the volume slider. The volume for each alarm needs to be set up individually in the Clock app.

Adjust volume and mute Galaxy S20

You can drag the slider to the right side to increase the volume and left to decrease. If you drag the slider all the way to the left, you are essentially mute that sound.

You may also tap the icon on the left side to mute that sound quickly. For example, you can tap the ringtone icon to immediately mute ringtone. If you tap it again, the volume will be reset … Read the rest

How to enable and use Galaxy S20 developer options?

By simon 7 Comments Last Modified: January 18, 2021 · Published on: June 21, 2020

You can enable and use Galaxy S20 developer options to access some advanced or experimental features.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains when you need to enable developer options, how to enable and use the options, and a complete list of Galaxy S20 developer options. Examples of using Galaxy S20 developer options to add developer tiles to the quick settings panel, and to customise the default USB configurations are also included.

Please note, in this guide, Galaxy S20 refers to all three Galaxy S20 models: Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra, because the developer options on these three phones are identical.

What are Galaxy S20 developer options?

Traditionally, Android hides with some special additional features for developers so that they can test their apps on any supported Android devices while normal users may never notice such features.

Some beta, experimental, and even legacy features were also hidden in Andriod devices. Google has to make sure that such features are visible only to users who are aware of such features,

Developer options in Android devices is a collection of these features. Some Android vendors may add or remove a few entries on their devices.

Galaxy S20 developer options are very similar to those in stock Android 10. Only a few new entries were added by Samsung.

Update: After you update Galaxy S20 to Android 11, you may notice there are minor changes in the developer options. For example, you cannot find the option to customise the app icon shapes.

When do you need to enable and access Galaxy S20 developer options

If you are an Android developer, surely, you can use the developer options to test apps on Galaxy S20, instead of the virtual machines of Pixel or Nexus devices.

Samsung is the largest Android vendor. So, it is necessary to test apps on the latest Galaxy phones.

Besides developers, many Android enthusiasts may also try some experimental or beta features of Android 10 on Galaxy S20.

For typical Galaxy S20 owners, you may still occasionally need to enable and use the developer options to access certain features. For example:

You want to force all apps to be resizable so that you can use it in both pop-up view and split-screen view.
You want to force all apps (except system apps and pre-installed apps) to use the micro SD card. As explained in this guide, many app developers

… Read the rest

How to use faceWidgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and Always-on display screen?

By simon Leave a Comment Last Modified: January 14, 2021 · Published on: May 29, 2020

You can use faceWidgets on the lock screen and always-on display (AOD) screen to check the weather, browse your schedules, control music play, use Bixby Routines, prepare for the next alarm.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains what the faceWidgets are, how to customize the faceWidgets on Galaxy S20-, and how to access and use these widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and always-on display (AOD) screen.

As faceWidges are also available on other Galaxy phones with Android Nougat (7.0) or later, this guide applies not only to Galaxy S20 (S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra), but also other Galaxy phones including Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S8, and Galaxy Note 8.

Update: Android 11 update for Galaxy S20 revamped the faceWidgets and renamed them as widgets. If you have updated your Galaxy S20 to Android 11, you may check this guide on how to access, use, and customise widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen. This guide applies to Galaxy S20 with Android 10.

What is faceWidgets on Galaxy S20?

The FaceWidgets lets you get quick access to useful information on the lock screen and always-display screen without unlocking the phone.

Surely, Galaxy S20 faceWidgets is not a new feature. Samsung introduced faceWidgets on Galaxy S8.

Over the years, Samsung added Bixby routine and weather info the faceWidgets.

The purpose of faceWidgets is for you to quickly get some useful info from the Galaxy S20 lock screen (without unlocking the phone) and from the Galaxy S20 always-on display (AOD) screen (without waking up the screen).

On Galaxy S20, you can use the following five widgets on both the lock screen and AOD screen:

Weather
Music
Today’s schedule.
Next Alarm.
Bixby Routines.
Digital wellbeing (only after your Galaxy S20 was updated to Android 11).

You can customize them by enabling/disable them individually or recording them.

But you cannot add your own widgets to the faceWidgets

How to customize faceWidgets on Galaxy S20?

On all supported Galaxy phones, faceWidgets is under the lock screen settings.

Enable and disable individual widgets

As shown in the screenshot below, in the Galaxy S20 Settings, tap Lock screen first.

In the Galaxy S20 lock screen settings page, as shown above, you can find the FaceWidgets entry.

Tap on the entry to access Galaxy S20 faceWidgets settings.

In the settings page, as shown below, you can:

Turn

… Read the rest

How to easily take a screenshot on Galaxy S20 without using any third-party apps?

By simon Leave a Comment Last Modified: November 21, 2020 · Published on: May 11, 2020

Galaxy S20 provides the native capability for you to take a screenshot on Galaxy S20 easily without installing any third-party apps.

The built-in Galaxy S20 screenshot toolbar can also further help you take screenshots for elongated pages automatically, edit, and share the captured screenshots efficiently.

This Galaxy S20 guide shows you the 4 easy ways to take a screenshot on Galaxy S20 without using any third-party apps and explains how to use the screenshot toolbar to take a screenshot for scrollable pages, edit, share, and add tags to the captured screenshot.

This guide applies to Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and S20 Ultra, although we use Galaxy S20 in the text.

4 easy ways to take a screenshot on Galaxy S20

Taking screenshots on Galaxy S20 is not only easy but also fun. There are a few different ways to take a screenshot on Galaxy S20 without using any third-party apps.

In this guide, I will show you the four easiest ways to take screenshots on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.

Hardware key method (Side key + volume down key)

In all Android devices, the built-in method of taking a screenshot is holding the power key and volume down key simultaneously.

On Galaxy S20, the Side key replaces the traditional power key.

So, the corresponding method of taking a screenshot on Galaxy S20 is to hold the Side key and volume down key simultaneously, as illustrated below (you may check Galaxy S20 layout on the location of the side key and volume key).

The only requirement is to hold the two keys simultaneously. It needs some practice if you are new to this method:

If you get the volume adjustment bar (aka volume slider), it means you press the Side key too late.
If you get the power button option (power-off menu), then it means you press the volume down button too late.

Anyway, you may try to hold the Side key slightly earlier than the volume down key.

Palm Swipe to capture

The funniest way to take a screenshot on Galaxy S20 is to swipe your palm over the screen, as illustrated below.

This method is a bit tricky. Your palm should “slightly” touch the screen.

If the palm is too far from the screen, then swipe will not be registered. If it touches the screen too hard, then the swipe may be registered as a touchscreen gesture… Read the rest

How to remap and use Galaxy S20 Side key?

By simon Leave a Comment Last Modified: December 19, 2020 · Published on: March 10, 2020

Galaxy S20 Side key is a combination of traditional Power key and Bixby key. You can remap it to different functions.

This Galaxy S20 guide explains the functions of the Galaxy S20 Side key, how to remap the functions to different gestures and how to use the side key on Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.

This guide applies to all three models of Galaxy S20.

What is Galaxy S20 Side key?

Samsung introduced the Bixby key on Galaxy S8. It was located below the volume keys on the left side of the phone as explained in Galaxy S8 layout.

This configuration was maintained in Galaxy Note 8, S9, Note 9, and S10 with the hope of increasing adoption of Bixby services.

But unfortunately, it did not work well. Most owners do not use Bixby and don’t like the useless physical button.

Since Android Pie update, Samsung finally allows owners to remap the Bixby key to other functions. It becomes one of the most welcomed features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S8.

In Galaxy Note 10, Samsung eventually gave up the efforts of pushing Bixby key.

So, in Galaxy Note 10, Samsung combined the Power key and the Bixby key into one and named it Side key.

But Samsung put the new Side key in the left side of Galaxy Note 10. This created unnecessary confusions among the owners because the Power key of all previous Galaxy phones was on the right side.

So, in Galaxy S20, Samsung relocated the Side key into the right side (together with the Volume key) as explained in Galaxy S20 layout.

Essentially, Galaxy S20 Side key is still a combination of the Power key and the Bixby key. And the owner can customize the functions.

What are the gestures supported by Galaxy S20 Side key?

As a hardware button, Galaxy S20 Side key supports 4 gestures:

Single press.
Double press. The default function is Galaxy S20 camera quick launch.
Long press (press and hold for more than 2 seconds). The default function is the revamped Power Off menu.

The first gesture (single press) is not customizable. It is reserved for wake up/turn off the screen, just like what the old Power key does. You can also configure it to lock Galaxy S20 instantly as explained in Galaxy S20 lock screen settings.… Read the rest