Galaxy S8 Guides

How to use the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: September 8, 2019 · First published on: April 3, 2019 3 Comments

After updating Galaxy S8 or S8+ to Android Pie, you need to spend some time in using the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+.

As a major update, Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+ brings many Android Pie features and a brand new One UI.

This Galaxy S8 guide shows you how to use the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Because Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+ shares almost an identical code base with Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 (and S9+), almost all of the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 also apply to the Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What are the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

There are so many new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+ that many owners feel they got a new phone.

The new features arising from two domains:

Android Pie features. Of course, Samsung tweaked some Android Pie features so that they may look different from those in the stock Android.
One UI features. The new One UI was specially built for Android Pie. It is substantially different from Samsung Experience and the older TouchWiz.

In this post, the top 9 new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S8 were summarized as:

If you are a Bixby user, you may also be excited about the new Bixby features: remap the Bixby button and Bixby quick commands.

How to update Galaxy S8 or S8+ to Android Pie?

By default, you should get a notification about … Read the rest

How to use app shortcuts in Galaxy S8 Home screen in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: April 13, 2018 · First published on: April 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update allows you to add app shortcuts in Galaxy S8 Home screen.

App shortcuts let you access some features of supported apps very quickly from Galaxy S8 Home screen.

This Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update guide shows you how to add app shortcuts to Galaxy S8 Home screen (pinned app shortcuts) and how to use them.

What are app shortcuts in Galaxy S8 Home screen in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

App shortcuts are actually not a new feature in Android Oreo. Google introduced app shortcuts in Android Nougat 7.1.

Because Samsung’s Android Nougat firmware was based on Android 7.0, app shortcuts were not implemented in all Samsung phones with Android Nougat. Instead, Samsung offered own context menu in Android Nougat. But it is different from app shortcuts as explained in this guide.

App shortcuts give you quick access to some features of the corresponding apps.

For example, you want to check missed calls in Galaxy S8 with Android Oreo update.

The traditional way to get the list of missed calls includes these 5 steps:

Tap the Phone icon;
Tap Recents tab in the Phone app;
Tap the menu key;
Tap calls to show;
Tap missed calls.

You need 5 taps to get the list of missed calls.

But if you use app shortcuts in Galaxy S8 Home screen in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can get it with just 2 taps:

Tap and hold (long tap) the Phone app icon;
Tap Missed calls (which is one of the available app shortcuts for the Phone app).

That’s it.

App shortcuts in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update also work on Galaxy S8 apps screen identically

In Android Oreo, Google added the support … Read the rest

Use notification dots/notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update

Last updated on: April 8, 2018 · First published on: April 9, 2018 46 Comments

The notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update is different from the number badge in previous versions of Android in Samsung phones.

You may find the new notification number badge (aka app icon badges) does not work as what you expected.

This Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update guide explains the new features and behaviours of the n0n Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update. We also show you how to manage and customize notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update.

What’s new in notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update?

One of the prominent new features in Android Oreo is the notification dots, which shows a dot in the app icon for unattended notifications.

You may think this is nothing new because Samsung has the notification number badge for a long time.

But you may not know there are some substantial changes in the notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update.

Compared to the number badge in previous versions of Android in Galaxy phones, the new number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update has the following changes:

It is renamed officially as App icon badges.
You can now customize the notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update.
You can use dots, or numbers for the notification number badge.
You can turn on/off notification number badge for individual apps.
All apps are supported.
Only unattended (not dismissed) notifications are counted.
Unread messages (SMS, MMS, emails) are NOT counted.
If you dismiss the notification in Galaxy S8 notification panel, the notification number badge in the corresponding app icon will be reset (cleared). You should snooze the notification if you need to check it later.
You can turn on/off notification info in Galaxy S8 Home screen and Apps screen

… Read the rest

How to Install Galaxy S8 Android Oreo Update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: April 8, 2018 · First published on: April 8, 2018 2 Comments

Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update is the first major update for Galaxy S8 and S8+. And it updated the Android version from 7.0 (Nougat) to 8.0 (Oreo).

Typically, Samsung only releases two major updates for flagship phones in most regions in their lifetime.

This Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update guide shows why and how to install Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+. A few questions you may have about installing the Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+ are also answered in the guide.

Why should you install Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Galaxy S8 and S8+ are powered by Android OS. In each version of Android, Google adds some new features and improvements to match the hardware development, R&D achievements and user demands.

Android Oreo is currently the latest version of Android. Galaxy S8 and S8+ were released with Android Nougat (Android 7.0).

So, without the Android Oreo update, Galaxy S8 and S8+ will not be able to enjoy the new features and improvements in Android Oreo.

Secondly, the monthly Android security update is an important part to keep your Galaxy S8 or S8+ safe from prying eyes. Samsung will release the security update for Galaxy S8 and S8+ based on Android Oreo only.

So, if your Galaxy S8 or S8+ is still running Android Nougat, unlikely you will get any security updates after Q2 2018. You are putting your phone at risk if you skip the Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Thirdly, Samsung also updated Samsung Experience 8.0 to 9.0 with the Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update. Samsung Experience is the UI in Samsung Galaxy phones released in last two years.

In Samsung Experience 9.0, which is used in Galaxy S9 … Read the rest

New status icons in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+

Last updated on: April 8, 2018 · First published on: March 24, 2018 8 Comments

After updating Galaxy S8 or S8+ to Android Oreo, you may encounter a few new status icons in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, in addition to the existing icons explained in this guide.

This Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update guide explains two of the frequently encountered new status icons in Android Oreo update forGalaxy S8 and S8+: data saver icon and no preferred SIM card icon (for dual-SIM versions of Galaxy S8 and S8+ only).

Please note, these two new status icons can be found in all Samsung Galaxy S, Note, and A series phones with Android Oreo update. They are not limited to Galaxy S8 or S8+.

New status icons in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+

As mentioned in the new features of Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, Android Oreo update brought a new version of UI: Samsung Experience 9.

In addition to changes and improvements in some features, Samsung also updated some icons, including the status icons.

Most of the updates of status icons in Android Oreo update are trivial. They are either similar to corresponding icons in previous versions of Samsung Experience (TouchWiz), or similar to those in the stock Android.

But there a few exceptions. Some of the new status icons are substantially different from those in the old versions or in stock Android

For example, Samsung used a new status icon for data saver in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Samsung also added one more icon for preferred SIM card when you choose to select SIM card when making calls (for the dual-SIM version of Galaxy S8 and S8+ only)

Data Saver status icon in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+

The icon shown on the … Read the rest

Top 10 new features of Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+

Last updated on: December 2, 2018 · First published on: March 5, 2018 2 Comments

Update: Super slow-motion camera mode (960 fps)is available on Galaxy S8 and S8+ now. Please check this super slow-motion mode guide on how to use it.

Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+ has been rolled out in some regions. More and more Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners want to know how to use the new features of Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+.

In this Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung updated the UI (Samsung Experience 9.0) and added Android Ore0 8.0.

This Galaxy S8 guide explains the top 10 new features of Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+.

You may check this Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update guides page for step-by-step guides on how to use these new features.

For new features of Android Oreo 8.0, you may check this guide.

#1. Notification channel (categories)

In Android Oreo, notification channels (notification categories) were introduced so that the app developer can “categorize” their notifications.

These categorized notifications can then be pushed through notification channels, just like radio channels. You, as an app user, can then turn on/off individual notification channel to get what you want to receive and block what you don’t.

You may find more info on notification channel on Android Oreo here.

#2. App shortcuts support in Home screen

When you tap and hold (long tap) an app icon in Galaxy S8 home screen, you have some options.

In Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, you get additional options to launch some special features of the app directly (if the app developer enabled this feature).

Compared to the traditional way to access such app features, app shortcuts are faster.

Such app shortcuts are shortcuts to certain features of the corresponding apps.… Read the rest

How to use Secure Folder on Galaxy S8, S9, S10, and S20?

Last updated on: May 27, 2020 · First published on: November 12, 2017 10 Comments

You can use Secure Folder to run one additional private copy of any apps installed on your Galaxy phones including Galaxy S8, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy Note 9, and Galaxy Note 10.

You can also use Secure Folder to hide any apps and private data on the phone.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains everything you need to know about the Secure Folder in Galaxy S8 and S8+: what Secure Folder is, when you will need Secure Folder, how to enable it in Galaxy S8 and S8+, how to add apps and files to the Secure Folder, how to add shortcuts of Secure Folder app to Galaxy S8 home screen, how to customize app icon and name for the Secure Folder, how to hide the Secure Folder, and how to reset and uninstall Secure Folder in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Because the Secure Folder is similar in all Samsung Galaxy devices, this guide also applies to secure folder in Galaxy S20, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy Note 9, and Galaxy Note 10.

What is Galaxy S8 Secure Folder?

Usually, you can secure your Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Galaxy S8 lock screen using a pattern, PIN, password, fingerprint or iris scanner.

But for some owners, this may be not sufficient.

Galaxy S8 Secure Folder allows you to create a private and encrypted space for your apps and files on Galaxy S8 or S8+.

Apps and files in Galaxy S8 Secure Folder are independent of the same app outside of the Secure Folder. These apps and files are secured with Samsung KNOX framework.

Essentially, you can run another copy of any apps in a secured environment. You can also … Read the rest

How to set screen resolution in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: October 18, 2017 · First published on: October 21, 2017 Leave a Comment

You can set screen resolution in Galaxy S8 and S8+ to save battery without sacrificing user experiences.

Samsung introduced the feature of adjustable screen resolutions in Android Nougat firmware. This is not a feature of stock Android Nougat.

This Galaxy S8 how-t0 guide explains the rational behind setting Galaxy S8 screen resolution and how to set screen resolution in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What are the supported Galaxy S8 screen resolutions in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

According to the Galaxy S8 hardware specs, both Galaxy S8 and S8+ have a screen resolution of 2960×1440 (WQHD+).

This is the hardware limit of the number of pixels in Galaxy S8 and S8+ dispaly.

Because the pixel density (570PPI for S8 and 529 for S8+) is too high for normal human eyes, it is possible the scale down the resolutions to save battery and users may not notice the difference.

3 different screen resolutions are supported in Galaxy S8 and S8+:

WQHD+ (2960×1440).
FHD+ (2220×1080).
HD+ (1480×720)

By default Samsung set the screen resolution in Galaxy S8 and S8+ as FHD+, not the highest resolution because most owners actually do not need such a high resolution in a 5.7″ or 6.3″ screen.

Why you may want to change screen resolution in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

For normal human eyes, for a 6.3″ screen, full HD is probably the limit when you watch the screen from a distance of 8″.

This is one of the reasons why Samsung preset the screen resolution to FHD+ in new Galaxy S8 and S8+.

When you lower Galaxy S8 screen resolution, there will be less pixels to handle for the GPU/CPU. This translates to battery saving.

If you want to save battery aggressively when you cannot charge Galaxy S8 or S8+ for an extended … Read the rest