Galaxy S8 How-to Guides Archives - Page 2 of 3

How to fix Galaxy S8 moisture problem?

Got "Check port, moisture has been detected... "? Here is the solution to the Galaxy S8 moisture problem!

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 133 Comments

Galaxy S8 moisture problem can occur for any phones, even the phone is not in contact with water!

When you have the moisture problem in Galaxy S8 or S8+, you cannot charge the phone through USB cable.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains the causes of Galaxy S8 moisture problem and shows you the solution for such a moisture problem in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Moisture problem message appears on many other Samsung phones. So, this guide also applies to the moisture problem on Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 8 and Note 9, and many other Samsung phones.

What is Galaxy S8 moisture problem? Isn’t Galaxy S8 waterproofed?

If you Galaxy S8 or S8+ was in contact with water, the USB port (multipurpose USB Type C port) in the bottom (see Galaxy S8 and S8+ layout) may be wetted.

Samsung equipped Galaxy S8 and S8+ with a humidity/moisture sensor to detect moisture buildup in the charging port.

Once the sensor detects the moisture is higher than a preset level, it will believe you get the Galaxy S8 moisture problem.

When you try to connect this Galaxy S8 or S8+ with moisture problem to the charger, the phone will refuse to charge the battery, and you will get a warning as shown below:

Check port
Moisture has been detected. To charge your device, make sure your charger/USB port is dry.

Preventing Galaxy S8 or S8+ from charging when moisture is detected in the USB port is a preventative measure to prevent more corrosion.

It is also a security measure.

Please note, Galaxy S8 moisture problem has nothing to do with waterproofing feature in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

The USB port is not sealed in Galaxy S8 and S8+. It is safe even if the USB port is immersed in water … Read the rest

How to show and hide Galaxy S8 navigation bar?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides, Galaxy S8 new features 16 Comments

With a recent Galaxy S8 and S8+ firmware update in June, you can now show and hide Galaxy S8 navigation bar in any apps in S8 and S8+.

To use this new feature, Samsung added a small dot in Galaxy S8 navigation bar for you to turn on and turn off navigation bar in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

For other customization for Galaxy S8 navigation bar, for example, customize the background color of the navigation bar and navigation button layout, please check this guide.

What is the dot in Galaxy S8 navigation bar?

After you updated your Galaxy S8 and S8+, you may notice there is a dot in Galaxy S8 navigation bar as shown below.

The dot corresponds to a new feature that allows you to turn off (hide) or turn on (show) the Galaxy S8 navigation bar in any apps except home screen and apps screen.

The official name of this dot is show and hide button.

Since Android KitKat (Android 4.4), developers are able to enable immersive full screen mode to hide navigation bar when using the specific app. But most app developers haven’t used this feature in their apps.

Now, Samsung allows Galaxy S8 and S8+ user to hide or show navigation bar in Galaxy S8 and S8+ without relying on individual app developers.

You can tap the dot in the left side of the navigation bar to hide the navigation bar in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

How to turn on or turn off the show and hide button (dot) in Galaxy S8 navigation bar?

You can turn on and turn off the show and hide button based on your needs and habits.

As shown above, you can go to Settings —Display —Navigation bar to find the option for the … Read the rest

How to use two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 27 Comments

Dual SIM version Galaxy S8 and S8+ allows you to use two SIM cards in the phone. Although Galaxy S8 and S8+ are dual standby only, you can use dual SIM always on and will not miss any calls.

This Galaxy S8 guide explains the limitations of using two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+, how to use and customize dual SIM card settings, how to enable dual SIM always on to avoid missing calls.

When you can use two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

In many international markets, Samsung released dual SIM version of Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

For these dual SIM Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can use up to 2 SIM cards. Of course, they are dual standby only, not dual active because there is one modem shared by two SIM cards.

You can use two SIM cards only in dual SIM version of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

As explained in the Galaxy S8 SIM card guide, the SIM card tray for single SIM and dual SIM version of S8 and S8+ is different.

But the difference is not only in the SIM card slot. The firmware (software) is also different.

In addition, the metal contact part inside the phone is also different in dual SIM version and single SIM version of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

So, there is no easy way to convert single SIM version of Galaxy S8 or S8+ to dual SIM version. Don’t waste time and money on this.

What are the limitations of using two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

As dual SIM version of Galaxy S8 or S8+ is dual standby only. In theory, two SIM cards are both active only when the phone is in standby.

This means you can receive and … Read the rest

Meaning of Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 75 Comments

Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons in the status bar offer you a quick glimpse of system status and notifications.

This guide explains the meaning of Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What are Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons?

As explained in Galaxy S8 Home screen, the top part of the phone screen is called status bar as shown below.

Of course, the status bar is in all screens (home screen, lock screen and apps screen) and in all apps. Even in full-screen mode, you can swipe down to bring back the status bar.

Anyway, Android does not allow you to disable status bar. You can only temporally hide it.

In the status bar, in addition to the time in the rightmost, you can find icons grouped in the left and right side of the status bar.

Normally, icons on the right side are called status icon which indicating status of system related features, like battery and network.

Icons on the left side are usually named as notification icons, which are usually (not always) associated with a notification message.

Third-party app notification icons will always appear on the left side.

Meaning of Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

To use Galaxy S8 or S8+ effectively, you need to understand the meaning of Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons, because they offer quick info on what’s going on in the hone.

In this guide, we group status icons and notification icons into 6 parts.

Part 1: Mobile network related status icons in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

You can use Galaxy S8 or S8+ without a SIM card. You can use most of the apps with WiFi connections. But this means … Read the rest

How to hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 2 Comments

If you want to show all apps in Home screen, you can choose to hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

This guide shows you how to hide Galaxy S8 apps screen and how to search apps after you hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Why you may want to hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

In Android phones, there is an apps screen, aka app drawer, which lists all apps installed on the phone.

While home screen lists any of the installed apps, and holds some widgets.

So, apps screen and home screen in Android phones serve different purposes.

But due to the popularity of iPhone, which does not have separate apps screen and home screen, more and more Android vendors try to mimic the look of iPhone.

Samsung introduced a new feature allowing users to hide apps screen in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

Now, in Galaxy S8, Samsung again allows you to hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

By hiding apps screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can:

get a simple interface. Many new Android users have difficulties in understanding the difference between apps screen and home screen. Especially for owners who seldom use widgets, they did not see the necessity of an apps screen at all.
show all apps in Galaxy S8 Home screen without adding them manually. In Google Play store, you can configure it in such a way that all newly installed apps are added to home screen automatically. But by default, some of the pre-installed apps were not added to Galaxy S8 Home screen. Also, if you install apps from third-party app store, e.g., Amazon Appstore for Android, apps will not be added to home screen automatically.
find

… Read the rest

Hot to use Galaxy S8 always-on display (AOD) in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 10 Comments

You can use Galaxy S8 always-on display (AOD) to show time, notifications, today’s schedule, and next alarm after screen times out.

Galaxy S8 always on display also allows you to customize the clock style, use your own photos in AOD screen, use edge clock, or schedule AOD screen.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide shows you how to use and customize Galaxy S8 always-on display (AOD) in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Update 1: New Galaxy S8 always-on display settings for clear view cover section was added.

What is Galaxy S8 always-on display (AOD)?

In most Android phones, when screen times out, the display will be turned off to save battery.

But sometimes, you may want to see a screen with a clock or other info when the phone is seat on your desk next to you.

Galaxy S8 always-on display (AOD) can serve you on this.

Actually, Samsung first introduced always-on display (AOD) in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

Galaxy S8 always-on display (AOD) is a special lock screen that can be turned on all the time or turned on based on your schedule.

With always-on display in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can show some relevant info in the screen without waking up the phone.

You may wonder whether using AOD drains Galaxy S8 battery significantly.

The answer is Galaxy S8 always-on display (AOD) does drain battery, but not significantly due to the Super AMOLED display used in Galaxy S8 and S8+. Super AMOLED is very power efficient especially when displaying black colors.

The additional battery drain of Galaxy S8 always-on display should be less than 0.5% per hour.

For example, if you leave always-on display on overnight, it may drain additional about 4-5% battery.

Without AOD, Galaxy S8 0r S8+ normally drains about 2%-5% … Read the rest

How to use and customize Galaxy S8 lock screen?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 11 Comments

Every owners of Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners will have to use Galaxy S8 lock screen!

This guide explains to your components of Galaxy S8 lock screen in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, and how to use them.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide also shows you how to customize Galaxy S8 lock screen: customize notifications in lock screen, customize information and FaceWidgets and customize app shortcuts in the lock screen of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What are the components of Galaxy S8 lock screen?

Galaxy S8 lock screen is an integral part of Galaxy S8 and S8+. You cannot avoid it.

As shown below, there are several common components in Galaxy S8 lock screen (the numbers match the those in the screenshot).

0. Status bar

Status bar is in all screens of Galaxy S8 and S8+, not just lock screen.

In Galaxy S8 lock screen, you can swipe down from status bar to access quick setting buttons and notifications.

Please note, when the screen is locked, some quick settings buttons will not function before you unlock Galaxy S8 or S8+.

For example, if you tap the WiFi button from lock screen, it will ask you to unlock Galaxy S8 or S8+ first.

This is a security consideration, not a bug.

Other quick setting buttons should work without unlocking the phone.

For example, you can turn on and off always-on display or blue-light filter without unlocking Galaxy S8 or S8+ because accessing such features does not impose any security risks.

1. Clock and faceWidgets

By default, the clock is displayed in this area when music is not playing in background.

When you are roaming, a local clock will be shown here side by side.

You can swipe right or left to access other FaceWidgets.

When music is playing in the … Read the rest

How to access and use Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode?

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To customize home screen in Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+, you will need to enter Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode.

Some Galaxy S8 home screen customization options are only available in this special mode. For example, you have to use Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode if you want to add more pages (panels) for Galaxy S8 Home screen.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains what you can do with Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode, and how to enter and use this special mode to customize Galaxy S8 Home screen in S8 and S8+.

What is Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode?

By default, you can start apps from Galaxy S8 Home screen, which is usually a start point for using Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Sometimes you may want to customize the home screen in Galaxy S8 or S8+ to meet your needs. Some settings and customization can be accessed in phone Settings app.

But most customization options for Galaxy S8 Home screen cannot be found in the phone settings.

Instead, you can edit Galaxy S8 Home screen directly in edit mode.

In short, Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode (aka editing mode, or editing Galaxy S8 Home screen) is a special mode for Galaxy S8 Home screen. In this editing mode, you can directly edit or customize the home screen for Galaxy S8 or S8+.

Editing home screen or home screen editing mode is a native part of Android phones. But different Android phone manufactures implemented it differently. The common features of all Android phones in the edit mode usually include setting wallpapers, and adding widgets to home screen.

How to enter Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode?

You can enter Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode (editing mode) with two different touchscreen gestures in … Read the rest

How to create, use and manage app folders in Galaxy S8 Home screen?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 2 Comments

You can use app folders in Galaxy S8 Home screen to organize apps in the home screen so that you can access the apps faster.

App folders in Galaxy S8 Home screen also help you reduce the number of home screen pages (panels) so that you can scroll through Galaxy S8 Home screen panels faster.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide shows you how to create (3 different methods) , use, delete and manage app folders in Galaxy S8 Home screen for your Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

What are app folders in Galaxy S8 Home screen?

As explained in this page, app folder is one of the most frequently used components in the home screen of Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

Basically, an app folder is a placeholder for multiple app icons in Galaxy S8 Home screen.

Without app folders in Galaxy S8 Home screen, each app icon will occupy one spot. Now, you can put several apps with similar functions or from same developer into an app folder.

This will help you increase your productivity in Galaxy S8 and S8+:

App folders will reduce the number of Home screen pages (panels) needed in Galaxy S8 and S8+. You can then cycle through home screen panels faster.
App folders can group apps so that you can find individual apps quickly.
You can remove all apps inside the app folder from Galaxy S8 Home screen by deleting the app folder, instead of selecting them individually.
You can clear number badges of all apps inside an app folder with one tap.

Please note, app folders in Galaxy S8 and S8+ do not support nested app folders. In other words, you cannot add an app folder to another app folder.

This is similar to other Android devices.

But, the implementation … Read the rest

How to use context menu in Galaxy S8 Home screen?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides, Galaxy S8 new features Leave a Comment

Although Galaxy S8 and S8+ came with Android Nougat 7.0 pre-installed, the context menu in Galaxy S8 Home screen looks similar to the app shortcuts, which is a new feature in Android Nougat 7.1.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide will explain to you what is the context menu in Galaxy S8 home screen and the difference between this context menu and app shortcuts in Nougat 7.1.

We will also show you how to use the context menu in Galaxy S8 Home screen to manage apps and app folders in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What’s context menu in Galaxy S8 home screen?

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung revamped their infamous TouchWiz launcher again.

One of the noteworthy new features in the launcher is the context menu in the home screen of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

As shown below, when you tap and hold (long tap) an app icon in Galaxy S8 Home screen, you will get the context menu somewhat related to that app.

If you tap and hold an app folder, you will get a different context menu as shown below.

Of course, you can ignore context menu, and drag the app icon or app folder to other locations or other home screen panels as you did in previous Galaxy phones.

What’s the difference between context menu on the home screen of Galaxy S8 and S8+ and App shortcuts in Android Nougat 7.1?

As mentioned, Android Nougat 7.1 introduced app shortcuts, which allows app developers to define shortcuts to specific actions for their apps in supported launchers.

App shortcuts in Android Nougat 7.1 make it possible for users to quickly start common or recommended tasks within the specific app.

For example, as shown below, in Android Nougat 7.1 device, if you tap and hold Google Keep … Read the rest

How to use and customize Galaxy S8 Home screen?

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You cannot skip Galaxy S8 Home screen if you want to use Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+. Samsung introduced some new features to Home screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains to you the new features of Galaxy S8 Home screen and the meaning of all items in Galaxy S8 Home screen.

What is Galaxy S8 Home screen?

All Android phones have a home screen, which is usually the default screen after the phone is unlocked.

In addition, all Android phones have a hardware or a software home button which will bring you to the “home” of the home screen if there are more than one home screen page.

Galaxy S8 or S8+ is not an exception.

But in Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung ditched the hardware Home button and used software based navigation buttons as explained in this guide.

Although you can customize the navigation buttons and navigation bar in Galaxy S8 or S8+, the Home button (as shown in Galaxy S8 layout and S8+ layout) is always in the center (between Recents and Back buttons).

Another new feature in Galaxy S8 and S8+ is the quick switch between Galaxy S8 Home screen and Galaxy S8 Apps screen (aka app drawer).

As explained in this guide, you can quickly switch between Galaxy S8 Home screen and Apps screen by swiping upwards or downwards.

Although Galaxy S8 or S8 was shipped with Android Nougat 7.0, not Android 7.1, Samsung introduced the context menu in Galaxy S8 Home screen. The context menu is similar, and even more powerful than app shortcuts introduced in Android Nougat 7.1.

Components of Galaxy S8 Home screen

To use Galaxy S8 or S8+, you need to understand the meaning and usage of each … Read the rest

Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 12 Comments

You use Galaxy S8 or S8+ through the touchscreen most of the time. So, it is important to know how to use Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures and how to control the touchscreen.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains to you the 7 Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures and when you need to use them.

Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures are similar to other Android phones. So, this guide applies to not only other Samsung phones, but also other Android phones.

What are the 7 Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures?

Although Samsung Bixby and Google Assistant offer some alternative ways to control and access Galaxy S8 and S8+, most owners prefer touchscreen gestures.

Once you get used to Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures, you will find these gestures are the most efficient way to control and use the phone.

Like other Android phones, there are 7 Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures:

Tapping
Long tapping (tapping and holding)
Dragging
Double tapping
Swiping
Spreading
Pinching

Please note, although touchscreen gestures are more or less universal in all Android phones, the functions of the same gesture in different apps and different phones can be different. Some apps and some phones may offer additional features to a touchscreen gesture.

Tapping

When you tap the touchscreen (as shown below), Galaxy S8 will respond to the touchscreen gestures depending on the items being tapped, for example:

when you tap the navigation buttons, you will be directed to different destination: previous screen or exit the app (Back button), recent apps screen (Recents button), or Galaxy S8 home screen (Home button).
when you tap an app icon in Galaxy S8 home screen or apps screen, the app will be started.
when you tap a menu item inside an app, you will access the corresponding item inside the app.
when

… Read the rest

Migrate to Galaxy S8: how to transfer data from old device to Galaxy S8 and S8+?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 1 Comment

When you get your Galaxy S8 or S8+, you may want to transfer data from old device to S8 or S8+.

This guide explains to you what data can be transferred, what data cannot be transferred, and how to transfer data from old device to Galaxy S8 and S8+ in different ways: with USB cable, through wireless connection (WiFi direct), through a PC, or through Samsung cloud.

What data can be transferred? What data cannot be transferred?

Before migrating to Galaxy S8 or S8+, it is important to know what can be transferred, and what cannot.

In this guide, we are going to use Samsung Smart Switch, which was pre-installed in Galaxy S8 and S8+, to migrate or transfer data from old device to Galaxy S8 or S8+.

Your old device was very likely pre-installed with Smart Switch if it is newer than Galaxy S6 (for example, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy 6 edge plus, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, and many other Galaxy devices released in last 2 years).

If your device is older, or is other brands, you can install SmartSwitch app from Play store. The minimum requirement for Smart Switch app is Android 4.0, which is actually hard to find.

Basically, you can transfer almost everything from old device to Galaxy S8 and S8+.

The data can be transferred from old device to Galaxy S8 and S8+ include:

Contacts;
Messages;
Samsung Calendar (S Planner) events;
Memos;
Call logs;
Alarms and world clock settings (if you are using Samsung clock app);
Internet (browser) app settings (only for Samsung’s browser app);
Email account settings (only for Samsung Email app);
S Health (Samsung Health) settings;
Apps. Apps from all sources including Play store, Amazon appstore, Galaxy Apps, can be transferred.
App data of most

… Read the rest

Package contents in Galaxy S8 box

by simon in Galaxy S8 accessory guides, Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 9 Comments

After unboxing Galaxy S8 or S8+, you need to know package contents in Galaxy S8 box so that you can understand the usage of each items.

Please note, in different regions, the package contents in Galaxy S8 box may be slightly different.

For Galaxy S8 and S8+, the package contents are identical except the phone.

In this guide, although we often just refer to Galaxy S8, everything also applies to Galaxy S8+.

What are the package contents in Galaxy S8 box?

As shown in the picture below, in a Galaxy S8 box you can find at least 8 items, including:

the phone, which is the top deck.
USB type-C cable;
adaptive fast wall charger;
USB connector;
micro USB connector;
ejection pin;
AKG earphone; and
additional earphone gel tips.

Of course, there are some get-started leaflets and safety manual not shown in the picture below.

Usage of package contents in Galaxy S8 box

In addition to the Galaxy S8 phone (or Galaxy S8+ phone), all of the accessories in the Galaxy S8 box can help you in some special ways.

USB type-C cable

You need to use the USB type-C cable to charge Galaxy S8 battery unless you use wireless charging.

USB cable can also be used to connect to your PC or other devices to transfer data.

Please note, Galaxy S8 and S8+ use USB type-C port. The USB cable in the package is a USB type-C cable (normal Type-A to Type-C). You should never insert your old micro USB cable directly into Galaxy S8 or S8.

The USB Type-C connector is symmetric. You can insert the cable into the phone in either orientation.

Wall charger

The included wall charger in Galaxy S8 box is an adaptive fast charger.

You can … Read the rest

Charge Galaxy S8 battery

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 62 Comments

Everything you need to know about charging Galaxy S8 battery: what chargers can be used to charge Galaxy S8 battery, how to use a wall charger, wireless charger or fast wireless charger to charge the battery in Galaxy S8 and S8+, how to disable fast charging or fast wireless charging in Galaxy S8 and S8+, and how to properly charge Galaxy S8 battery.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ use a non-removable battery, which can only be replaced at Samsung service center. It is impossible to carry a spare battery for Galaxy S8 or S8+.

So, it is important to charge Galaxy S8 battery properly to let the battery serve you at least one to two years.

What chargers can be used to charge Galaxy S8 battery?

In your Galaxy S8 (or S8+) box, you can find the adaptive wall charger (and the USB cable).

Of course, you can use other chargers to charge Galaxy S8 battery.

Namely, you can use any of the 4 types of chargers to charge the battery in Galaxy S8 and S8+:

adaptive wall charger (fast charger) included in the Galaxy S8 box;
standard USB wall charger;
wireless charging pad; or
fast charging wireless charging pad.

Adaptive wall charger (fast charger)

The bundled wall charger in the box is an adaptive charger, which can adjust its output based on feedback from the phone.

In other words, the adaptive wall charger will automatically adjust the charging power to offer fast charging.

For Galaxy S8 and S8+, the adaptive wall charger can charge Galaxy S8 battery at 9v 1.67A when the battery level is lower than about 60%.

When battery level is higher than about 60%, the wall charger will automatically switch charging voltage to 5V and charging current up to 2A.

So, … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S8 camera app?

by simon in Galaxy S8 camera guides, Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 2 Comments

Samsung used a new Galaxy S8 camera app in Galaxy S8 and S8+ with an revamped interface, Bixby vision integration, and supports for more gestures.

The interface of Galaxy S8 camera app interface looks similar to that in Galaxy S7 with Android Nougat update.

This Galaxy S8 camera guide will explain to you how to use Galaxy S8 camera app, and how to use touchscreen gestures in Galaxy S8 camera app in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Galaxy S8 camera app preview screen

When you launch Galaxy S8 camera app in Galaxy S8 or S8+, you will first get the Galaxy S8 camera preview screen as shown below.

Please note, you can use Galaxy S8 camera quick launch to get this interface directly without tapping the camera app icon.

Galaxy S8 camera preview screen is the centralized interface for using the camera in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

1. Shutter button

Tap the shutter button (marked as 1 in the screenshot below) to take a picture.

Please note, in Galaxy S8 camera, you can also enable a floating shutter button in addition to this fixed button.

You can also slide (right and left) the shutter button to zoom in and out.

2. Video recording button

You can start to record a video by tapping the video recording button (marked as 2 in the screenshot below)

Once the recording starts, you can pause or stop.

You can also take photos when recording.

3. Gallery shortcut button

You can access Gallery app directly by tapping this Gallery app shortcut button (marked as 3 in the screenshot below).

By default, the thumbnail of the latest photo will be shown in the preview screen.

4. Animated filters button

Galaxy S8 camera app allows you to choose from 34 stickers and 50 stamps for your … Read the rest

How to enter Galaxy S8 recovery mode in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

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As Samsung removed physical Home button in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you may find you cannot use the old method (using Power+Home+ Volume up buttons) to enter Galaxy S8 recovery mode in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Then you may wonder how to enter Galaxy S8 recovery mode in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, you need to use Bixby button +Volume up button + Power button to reboot into Galaxy S8 recovery mode.

Why you need to enter Galaxy S8 recovery mode in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

All Android phones should have a special mode called recovery mode, which allows you to perform device maintenance.

You may need to enter Galaxy S8 recovery mode when:

you want to clear cache partition.
you want to install updates from SD card.
you want to install update with ADB.
you want to reset Galaxy S8 0r S8+.
you want to reboot the phone into Galaxy S8 download mode (boot loader).
you want to check recovery logs.
you want to mount /system partition.
you want to run graphics test.

Although most Galaxy S8 owners and Galaxy S8+ owners never use the Galaxy S8 recovery mode, you may need to use it one day.

For example, after applying Android a major update to Galaxy S8 or S8+, you may find the phone behaves oddly. In this case, you may just reboot the phone into Galaxy S8 recovery mode and clear the cache partition. It should solve most of the update related problems without resetting Galaxy S8 or S8+.

How to enter Galaxy S8 recovery mode in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Each Android phone manufactures may use different ways to enter recovery mode.

Traditionally, Samsung used Power button+ Home button + Volume up button to reboot Galaxy devices into recovery mode.… Read the rest

How to power on, power off and reboot Galaxy S8 and S8+ even when phone hangs?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 38 Comments

You may know you can use power button to power on Galaxy S8 or power off Galaxy S8 and S8+.

But do you know how to power off Galaxy S8 and S8+ if your Galaxy S8 or S8+ hangs and does not respond to power button?

This guide will show you how to power on, power off and reboot Galaxy S8 and S8 at any situations, including when the phone hangs (power button is not responsive).

Use power button to power on Galaxy S8, power off Galaxy S8, and to reboot Galaxy S8 and S8+

When Galaxy S8 or S8+ is powered off, you can always press and hold power button for a few seconds to power on (turn on) the phone as shown below.

Please note, Galaxy S8 (and S8+) power button is located in the right side of the phone as explained in Galaxy S8 layout and Galaxy S8+ layout page.

Some owners may press the Bixby button, which is located in the left side of Galaxy S8 and S8+ and below volume buttons, mistakenly for power button.

When the phone is powered on, if you press and hold power button for more than 7 seconds, you will then reboot Galaxy S8 and S8+. This is considered as forced reboot.

If you press and hold the power button for 2-4 seconds, you will get the Galaxy S8 power button options:

Power off. Tap this button (marked as 1 in the screenshot below) to power off Galaxy S8 and S8+.
Restart. Tap this button (marked as 2 in the screenshot below) to reboot Galaxy S8 or S8+. This essentially is powering off Galaxy S8, then powering it on.
Use emergence mode.

Using power button options is the safest way to reboot Galaxy S8 or … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S8 apps screen, and how to hide and show apps screen button in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides, Galaxy S8 new features Leave a Comment

By default, Galaxy S8 apps screen button in Galaxy S8 and S8+ is hidden. Samsung expects you you to use touchscreen gestures to access Galaxy S8 apps screen.

This is actually a new feature in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

This Galaxy S8 guide first shows you how to use Galaxy S8 apps screen with gesture. Then the guide explains to you how to show apps button and how to hide apps screen button in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

How to use gestures to access Galaxy S8 apps screen?

When you get you Samsung Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+, you will find there is no apps screen button (app drawer button).

Then you may wonder how to access Galaxy S8 apps screen (apps drawer).

The quick answer is that you can use touchscreen gestures to access Galaxy S8 apps screen directly in home screen of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Of course, the apps screen button is just hidden. You can enable the setting to show apps button (read on).

The gestures you can use to access Galaxy S8 apps screen include is just a swipe.

Swipe upwards from bottom part of the home screen as shown below.

This will bring up the apps screen (app drawer) in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Once in apps screen of Galaxy S8 or S8+, you can swipe left and right to scroll apps screen panels as you did in previous Galaxy phones.

If you swipe up again in the apps screen, you will be brought back to home screen.

In other words, the swipe up gesture will cycle you through Home screen –> Apps screen –> Home screen –> Apps screen—>.

Another way to return to Home screen is to press Home button or Back button.

How to show and

… Read the rest

How to take screenshot on Galaxy S8 and S8+ without using any apps?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides 6 Comments

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide shows you three different methods to take screenshot on Galaxy S8 and S8+ without using any apps: physical buttons (Volume down+Power), palm swipe, and Assistant menu.

All these 3 methods work on all models of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

And of course, it is NOT necessary to install any apps.

Use physical buttons to take screenshot on Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Samsung ditched the physical Home button in Galaxy S8 and S8+, and switched to on-screen navigation buttons as explained in new features of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

You can even change the location of the Recents and Back buttons.

But missing physical Home button means the old method of using Home button and Power button to take screenshot will not work on Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Now, Samsung gives you a new button combination to take screenshot on Galaxy S8 and S8+: Volume down button and Power button.

You may check Galaxy S8 layout page if you are not familiar with the location of these buttons.

So, to take a screenshot on Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+, you just need to hold down both the Volume down button and Power button simultaneously as shown below.

This method actually is from stock Android. Most other Android vendors already implemented this method in their Android devices.

In the past, because of the physical Home button, Samsung did not implement this method for taking screenshots in Galaxy phones.

Use palm swipe to take screenshot on Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+

The second method to take screenshot on Galaxy S8 and S8+ (and all other Samsung Galaxy devices as well) is to use the side of your palm to swipe across the screen as shown below.

You may need to enable this feature … Read the rest