Galaxy S7 update

Samsung started to release the Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. There are some new features and improvements in this Android Nougat update.

This post will explain to you the top 7 new features in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. You may check Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge Android Nougat update guide for detailed guides on how to use the new features in Android Nougat update.

For the updated user guide in your own languages, you may check official user manual for Galaxy S7 with Android Nougat update page.

If you have a non-Samsung phone with Android Nougat, some of the features discussed below may be not available in your device. You may check Android Nougat guides.

Grouped notifications and quick action

In Android Nougat, multiple notifications from the same app are now grouped.

And you can also take a quick action in the notification panel directly. The quick actions supported are offered by individual app developers. In other words, quick actions you can use are limited by individual apps.

Actually, in the recalled Galaxy Note 7 (with Android Marshmallow),  Samsung already implemented the bundled notification through the new UI.

Now, in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, grouped notification and quick action is natively supported.  This means more apps will support direct action in the notification panel.

Launcher shortcut support

Another new feature in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge is shortcut (quick action) support in launcher.

In Marshmallow, by default, in Galaxy S7 home screen,  when you tap and hold an app icon, you have the option to remove it from the home screen. In addition, you can move it to other home screen panels. These options are universal: for all apps.

In the Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, you now have some app specific options. For example, if you tap and hold Google Play store app, in addition to the two universal options, you have an app specific option: my apps. In other words,  you can enter My Apps page in Google Play app directly from Galaxy S7 home screen. Google Keep app has even more options.

Such options is similar to widgets.  Of course, only app developer can add such options. Android Nougat and the the launcher simply support it.

Launcher shortcut support works in Galaxy S7 apps screen as well.… Read the rest

Why you may want to disable Multi Window on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

Multi Window is actually one of the most useful features that Samsung introduced into Galaxy phones.

Initially, Multi Window was designed for Galaxy Note devices since Galaxy Note II with large screen so that owners can use two apps side by side.

You can also let one app (window is re-sizable) floating around and over another app. This is often referred as pop-up view.

So, Multi Window is a cool feature that Samsung phone users have enjoyed for years.  We have a detailed guide on how to use Multi Window on Galaxy devices.

FYI, Android will only start to offer similar multi window feature in the coming Android N (which is currently in Preview 2).

But for some owners, they may not use this feature. They want to disable Multi Window on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Because it is so easy to enter Multi Window mode inadvertently.

It is a bit annoying when you enter Multi Window mode accidentally.

And to make it worse, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge is very responsive: it responds so fast that you have no time to stop.

Sometimes,  Galaxy S7 responds to several accidental taps when you realized the error.

Tapping and holding left Recent button to enter Multi Window button is not the a good choice. Due to the tiny bezel, most Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 owners probably have entered Multi Window on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge inadvertently at least a few times.

It is hard to avoid it.

Another way to enter Multi Window on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge is dragging down diagonally from either end of the top edge inside supported apps. This will convert the app to pop-up view (floating).

Some Galaxy S7 and S7 owners may also enter Multi Window mode accidentally through this method when they actually just want to scroll the page.

So, at least some Galaxy S7 and Galxy S7 edge owners are looking for settings to disable Multi Window on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Unfortunately, since Galaxy S6, Samsung removed the settings entry to disable Multi Window on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge (and S6 as well).

Does it mean you cannot disable Multi Window on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

No, you can still still disable Multi Window on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge with an app.… Read the rest

Edge screen on Galaxy S7 edge is the unique feature that differs Samsung Galaxy S7 edge from normal Samsung Galaxy S7. It allows you to access your favourite apps, tasks, contacts, and more from various edge panels.

Compared to Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S7 edge offers a polished edge screen.  It can be very useful even for ordinary users.

Please note, Edge screen on Galaxy S7 edge is a software feature. The curved screen is not a requirement for such a feature. Technically, any Android vendors can implement similar features on any Android phones.

But Samsung only implemented edge screen feature in edge variants of the phones.

Please note, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy Note 9 all have similar edge screen features. So this guide applies to all Galaxy S phones and Galaxy Note phones newer than Galaxy S7.  For Galaxy S9 and S9+, you may check this guide.

How to access edge screen on Galaxy S7 edge?

You can access edge screen on Galaxy S7 edge no matter the screen is on or off.

But the edge screen features you can access when the screen is off are different from those when the screen is on.

When the screen of Galaxy S7 edge is off

When the screen is off, you can only view edge feeds including notifications in the edge screen on Galaxy S7 edge.

When the screen is off (no matter Galaxy S7 always-on display is on or off), you can quickly swipe your finger along the edge screen in one direction, and then back in the opposite direction.

In other words, you can swipe  “V” or “^” in the edge of the screen to wake up edge screen on Galaxy S7 edge as shown below.

When the screen of Galaxy S7 edge is on

When the screen of Galaxy S7 edge is on, you can find the edge handle as shown in Galaxy S7 home screen.

If the edge panel handle is not visible, you can go to  Settings — Edge screen — Edge panels, and then tap the switch to activate edge panel handle.

To access edge screen on Galaxy S7 edge when the screen is on, you can drag the edge panel handle towards the centre of the screen. Then, swipe to the left or right to switch between the Edge panels as shown below.… Read the rest

If you just switch to Galaxy S7 and  are trying to migrate old phone data to Galaxy S7 or S7 edge, this guide will show you the best way to migrate your data.

You probably even do not need to install any apps or tools when you switch to Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

The tool we are going to use to help you switch to Galaxy S7  is called Smart Switch, free software offered by Samsung.

What is Smart Switch for me to switch to Galaxy S7?

Smart Switch is Samsung’s killer tool for you to migrate old phone data to Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.  It will help you migrate to Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

There are 2 different Smart Switch software packages:

1. Samsung Smart Switch Mobile App.  The Smart Switch mobile app allows you to migrate data from your old device (Android, iOS, BlackBerry) to Galaxy S7 directly (from mobile to mobile).
2. Samsung Smart Switch for PC/Mac. The Smart Switch for PC/Mac allows you to backup phone (Galaxy phones only)  data to the PC/Mac, and to restore backup data (not limited to Galaxy phones) to Galaxy S7.

When you switch to Galaxy S7, Smart Switch mobile app can migrate old phone data to Galaxy S7 in 2 different ways:

• Wireless transfer through WiFi Direct. If your old phone is 1). an Android phone with Android ICS 4.o or later, or 2). an iPhone with iCloud backup, you can use this method. You need install Smart Switch app on the old Android phone.
• Wired transfer through USB cable. If you old phone is 1). a Galaxy phone with Android Jelly Bean 4.3 or later, or 2). an iPhone with iOS 5 or later, or  3). a BlackBerry with BlackBerry 7 OS or earlier,  you can migrate the phone data from old device to Galaxy S7 with the USB connector in your Galaxy S7 box and the USB cable.

 Why I cannot install Smart Switch on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

Smart Switch was pre-installed and enabled in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge already. You don’t need to install Smart Switch on Galaxy S7.

But you cannot find  Smart Switch app on Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge.

Then, how to launch and use Smart Switch on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge to switch to Galaxy S7?

Samsung puts Smart Switch in Settings— Backup and reset –-Open Smart Switch as shown below.  … Read the rest

Why take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

You may consider to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge (print screen) when:

• you want to  share your achievements in a game/app;
• you need share a location in Google map;
• you want to share the content of a webpage, instead of the URL;
• you want to keep a record of online payments;
• …

Anyway, it is very easy to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. You do not need any apps to print Galaxy S7 screen.

Actually, there are at least 3 different methods to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge without using any apps.

This guide also show you how to use the new screen capture feature in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, scroll capture, which allows you to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 for long webpages or app pages that need more than one screen.

3 different methods to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge

You can use any of the 3 methods to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge:

1. Home button+ Power button method
2. Palm swipe method
3. Assistant menu method

Among the 3 methods for screen capture on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge:

• Assistant menu method is the simplest. Your grandma can do it with one hand.
• Home button+ Power button method is the quickest.

Method 1: use Home button + Power button

Like in all previous Galaxy S devices, you can take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and S7 edge by pressing and holding Home button and Power button simultaneously.  You may check this page on the button layout of Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

This actually is the quickest method to take screenshot on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge if you get used to it.

Some Galaxy S7 owners may fail to get the screenshot usually because of one of the following two reasons:

1. they press the two buttons, but not hold the buttons until screenshot is taken.
2. they fail to hold the two buttons simultaneously.

In reality, you always hold one button earlier. But if you hold the button too long without holing the other button, you will get unexpected behavior:

• If you hold home button too early, you will get Google Now on tap.
• If you hold power button too early, you will get power options.

… Read the rest

Why you may want to hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge

As you may know, iOS does not have an apps screen (aka app drawer). All apps are put in the home  screen. Owners has no control on this.

Android gives more options. All Android phones come with home screen and apps screen (aka app drawer). You can only put frequently used apps  and widgets (btw, iOS does not have widgets) to home screen. In Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge, you can tap the apps icon (9 dots) to navigate to apps screen. Tapping home button (see Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge layout page) to navigate back to home screen.

Some Android phone owners often laugh at iOS users for lacking such flexibility.

But some Android users may feel it is confusing when you have two locations to hold your apps.

Especially for new Android users, they may try to launch all apps from  apps screen. This means it requires at least one more tap.

Now, Samsung offers a new feature that allows you to hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge through Galaxy Labs. All apps will be placed in Galaxy S7 home screen.

Please note, this feature of hiding apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge may be not available in some regions/carriers.

How to hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge?

To hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, please follow these steps.

Step 1: Go to Settings

You can enter Galaxy S7 Settings using one of the following two methods:

• Tap Settings app icon in Apps screen or home screen (if you put the app in Galaxy S7 home screen).
• Swipe down from top of the screen (status bar), then tap the Gear icon.

Step 2:  Enter Advanced features.

In the Settings page, you can find Advanced features entry as shown below.

Tap Advanced features.

Step 3: Enter Galaxy labs

As shown below, under Advanced features, you can find Galaxy Labs.

Tap Galaxy Labs to try some new (and maybe experimental) features.

If you cannot find Galaxy Labs in Advanced features page, it means your carrier chose to disable this feature. You cannot use hide apps screen on Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Step 4: Start Galaxy Labs.

Tap Start button as shown above to check available features in Galaxy Labs for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.… Read the rest