Galaxy S8 new features Archives

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

Galaxy S8 and S8+ Android Pie update guide

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides, Galaxy S8 new features 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+?

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

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

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

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides, Galaxy S8 new features 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 disable Bixby button in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

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

Some Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners hate the Bixby button. With recent updates, you can now disable Bixby button in Galaxy S8 and S8+ (Galaxy Note 8 as well). You can totally disable Bixby button for short press AND long press.

Many Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners are not fans of Samsung’s half-baked Bixby Assistant. One of the most disturbing features of Bixby is the Bixby button in the left side of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Often you may press the button accidentally when you want to adjust volume. This can be very annoying.

Samsung also quietly blocked the possibility of remapping Bixby button to other features.

Anyway, you can now fully disable Bixby button in Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8. This Galaxy S8 how-to guide will show you how to disable the annoying Bixby button completely.

What is Galaxy S8 and S8+ Bixby button?

As shown in Galaxy S8 layout, Bixby button is located in the left side of the phone, below the volume keys.

The Bixby button have at least two basic functions currently:

1. Press it once (short press) to launch Bixby Home page at any time even after you hide Bixby home from Galaxy S8 home screen. If you are on Bixby Home page already, you can press Bixby button to exit Bixby home. By default, Bixby Home page is in the leftmost panel of Galaxy S8 home screen.

Of course, you can hide or remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S8 home screen as explained in this guide. But this does not disable Bixby Home page. You only hide/remove it from the home screen.

2. Long press (press and hold) Bixby button to launch Bixby voice assistant.

After Bixby voice assistant is activated, you can … Read the rest

How to set up and use Galaxy S8 iris scanner to unlock Galaxy S8 and S8+?

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

Galaxy S8 iris scanner allows you to unlock Galaxy S8 and S8+ by looking at the phone (with your irises).

You can also use Galaxy S8 iris scanner for secure folder, Samsung account, Samsung pay and Samsung pass.

This Galaxy S8 new features guide explains you the biometric data security in Galaxy S8 and S8+, how Galaxy S8 iris scanner works, how to set up iris scanner and use it in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What is Galaxy S8 iris scanner?

Samsung first introduced iris scanner in the defunct Galaxy Note 7.

But due to the recall, many Galaxy Note 7 owners even did not find time to try the nerdy feature. So, Galaxy S8 iris scanner is still a new feature for many owners..

You can use Galaxy S8 iris scanner for some tasks in Galaxy S8 and S8+. For example:

Unlock Galaxy S8 and S8+. Because of the awkward location of fingerprint reader in Galaxy S8 and S8+, the usage of Galaxy S8 iris scanner will increase significantly.
Unlock secure folder. Secure folder, which is based on Samsung KNOX, allows you to keep a secret copy of files and apps. You can unlock it with iris scanner.
Authenticate for Samsung account.
Authenticate for Samsung Pay.
Authenticate for Samsung pass.

In Galaxy S8 layout and Galaxy S8+ layout, you can find the iris scanner camera next to the front facing camera.

There is also a LED for this camera in the left side next to the normal LED indicator. When Galaxy S8 iris scanner is scanning, the LED will turn red.

Are my irises data secured when using Galaxy S8 iris scanner?

Biometric data cannot not be reset!

If your password is stolen, you can reset it. But if your … 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 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 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 remove Bixby Home page in Galaxy S8 and S8+ home screen?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides, Galaxy S8 new features 49 Comments

In Galaxy S8 and S8+ home screen, the leftmost panel is reserved for Bixby Home page (Hello Bixby), which is part of Samsung Bixby. But many owners want to remove Bixby Home page in Galaxy S8 and S8+ home screen.

This guide shows you how to easily turn off or remove Bixby Home page in Galaxy S8 and S8+ home screen.

If you want to disable Bixby button in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you may follow this guide.

What is Bixby Home page in Galaxy S8 and S8+ home screen?

Prior to Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung added Flipboard briefing to the leftmost panel of home screen.

This is one of the least popular features. It seems nobody except Samsung likes this annoying feature. Luckily, you can disable flipboard briefing in all previous Galaxy phones.

Now, in Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung replaced the Briefing page with Bixby Home page as shown below.

Samsung Bixby is actually a good new feature in Galaxy S8 and S8+ and it works mainly locally on the phone.

But Samsung wants to stuff you with Bixby everywhere in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Bixby Home (Hello Bixby) is Bixby’s claimed territory in Galaxy S8 home screen.

The Bixby Home page is very similar to Google Now page comes with Google Now launcher or Pixel launcher. You can personalize Bixby Home page to show your preferred apps, news and reminders.

It sounds great.

But what disturbs many owners is that the Bixby Home page occupy a dedicated panel in Galaxy S8 home screen.

Can I remove Bixby Home page in Galaxy S8 and S8+ home screen?

Yes, you can remove Bixby Home page from Galaxy S8 and S8+ home screen, just like what you can do with Briefing page in previous Galaxy phones… Read the rest

How to customize Galaxy S8 navigation buttons and navigation bar?

by simon in Galaxy S8 How-to Guides, Galaxy S8 new features 41 Comments

Samsung ditched the “signature” capacitive (hardware) navigation buttons (Back, Recents, and Home) in Galaxy S8 and S8+ as explained in Galaxy S8 layout page and new features of Galaxy S8 page, and embraced the modern software-based on-screen navigation buttons which can be found in almost all other Android devices.

But Samsung did one step further to allow you to customize Galaxy S8 navigation buttons and navigation bar.

Update 1: You can now even choose to hide or show navigation bar in any apps in Galaxy S8 and S8+.!

This Galaxy S8 new feature guide will show you how to use and customize the on-screen Galaxy S8 navigation buttons, and the Galaxy S8 navigation bar.

What can you do to customize Galaxy S8 navigation buttons, and navigation bar?

In stock Android, the on-screen navigation buttons are fixed, although a few vendors, for example LG, may allow you to add more buttons in the navigation bar.

Samsung used not only different (and a bit confusing as well) icons for the three standard buttons (Recents/Overview, Home and Back), but also made the layout of these navigation buttons customizable in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

For Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ on-screen navigation buttons and the navigation bar, you can:

switch locations of the Recents and Back button.
customize the background color of Galaxy S8 navigation bar.
adjust Galaxy S8 Home button pressure level sensitivity.

Please note, fingerprint scanner was decoupled from the Home button in Galaxy S8 and S8+, and is now relocated to the back of the phone (next to main camera) as detailed in Galaxy S8 layout page.

How to customize Galaxy S8 navigation buttons layout?

In stock Android, the Back button is to the left of Home button and Recent (aka Overview) button to the … Read the rest

Top 8 missing features of Galaxy S8 and S8+ that may annoy you

by simon in Galaxy S8 new features 11 Comments

There are some missing features of Galaxy S8 that may annoy you, although Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are surely one of the hottest flagship smartphones in 2017 based on specs and new features.

Actually, the sales number of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ will surely beat all other Android phones. But this does not mean Galaxy S8 and S8+ are perfect or the best.

You may notice that some important features are missing in Galaxy S8 and S8+. These missing features of Galaxy S8 may be relevant to some users.

So, we hope this list of the top 8 missing features of Galaxy S8 and S8+ can help you make the decision before pre-ordering the phone.

#1 of top 8 missing features of Galaxy S8: smaller battery

As a reaction to the failure of Galaxy Note 7 battery, Samsung is extremely careful with Galaxy S8 and S8+ battery.

They apparently did not push the design and engineering limit for a bigger battery for S8 and S8+. And if Galaxy S8 battery fails again, Samsung will probably be in the death spiral in smartphone market.

The result is the smaller battery.

It is so small that you should concern about the battery life, although Samsung claimed similar battery life as Galaxy S7.

As a comparison, the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 has a 3000mAh battery, whose capacity is identical to that of the 5.1-inch Galaxy S7.

And the 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+ has a 3500mAh battery, which is even smaller than that (3600mAh) in the 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 edge.

The new 10nm processor may help save some battery. But the screen, which is bigger now, usually is the major battery drainer. There are no new technologies in the Super AMOLED screen for battery saving.

So, … Read the rest

Top 10 new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

by simon in Galaxy S8 new features Leave a Comment

With the announcement of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ in March 29, 2017, we now have one more option in the top-tier of Android phones.

But is the 5.8″ Galaxy S8 or 6.2″ S8+ a right phone for you?

Here we summarized the top 10 new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ to help you make the decision before you can get one on April 21.

#1. Galaxy S8 Infinity Display

One of the most important new features of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ is the infinity display.

The screen size of Galaxy S8 (5.8″) and S8+(6.2″) is bigger than last year’s Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.

But the difference is not just the size. The most obvious change is the aspect ratio.

Both Galaxy S8 and S8+ have a unique aspect ratio of 18.5:9. FYI, all previous generations of Galaxy S phones had a screen ratio of 16:9 since Galaxy S3.

This aspect ratio is similar to that in LG G6 which has a similar aspect ratio of 18:9.

Compared to the 5.1″ Galaxy S7, Galaxy S8’s display is about 18 per cent larger (in the area).

Galaxy S8 infinity display is good for:

watching 21:9 movies. You will get less black bar area compared to the 16:9 screen.
browsing websites. You will scroll less due to larger area. But this is only good for mobile-responsive websites.
multi window in portrait orientation. But it is terrible in landscape mode when using split-screen view multi window mode. You may check this guide on how to use multiwindow on Galaxy S8 and S8+.
Edge screen. Please check this guide on using Galaxy S8 edge screen.

Of course, the aspect ratio of the Galaxy S8 infinity display could be a disaster for taking photos.… Read the rest

Samsung Galaxy S8 specs and Galaxy S8+ specs

by simon in Galaxy S8 new features Leave a Comment

As other flagship smartphones from Samsung, Galaxy S8 specs and Galaxy S8+ specs are impressive.

There are of course some exciting new features and annoying missing features in Galaxy S8 and S8+. This post is focusing on hardware specs of Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Specs of both Galaxy S8 and S8+ are almost identical except the size and battery capacity.

What is the difference between Galaxy S8 specs and Galaxy S8+ specs?

There are only three differences between Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+:

Screen size. Galaxy S8 has a 5.8″ screen and Galaxy S8+ 6.2″.
Battery capacity. Galaxy S8 has a 3000mAh battery inside, and Galaxy S8+ 3500mAh.
Dimensions and weight. Galaxy S8+ is larger and 18g heavier than Galaxy S8.

All other components used in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are identical.

So is the software.

Galaxy S8 specs: design and dimensions

The design of Galaxy S8 and S8+ differs sharply from Galaxy S7 or S7 edge.

Both Galaxy S8 and S8+ use curved screens. But the curve is more sharp than Galaxy S7 edge.

So, the curved screen used in S8 and S8+ is very similar to that in Galaxy Note 7, not Galaxy S7 edge.

The bezels in Galaxy S8 and S8+ is also dramatically smaller than all previous Galaxy phones. The hardware capacitive buttons below the screen was also replaced with software buttons.

Home button is also embedded under the touch screen. The fingerprint scanner is relocated to the back of the phone next to the camera.

The metal-glass build is similar to Galaxy S7 and Note 7 with waterproof rated as IP68.

The dimensions of Galaxy S8 (148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm, 155 g) and S8+ (159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm, 173 g) are illustrated below.

Galaxy S8

… Read the rest