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:
- One UI
- Night mode
- Lift to wake
- Floating keyboard
- Lock home screen layout
- Lockdown mode
- New camera app
- Navigation gestures
- Adaptive battery
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 the Android Pie update for Galaxy S8/S8+ once it is released in your region.
You can then follow the notification to download and install the update. The download file size is close to 1.5GB. So, do not use mobile data to download the update unless you have enough data quota.
You may follow this Android Pie update guide to learn why and how to update Galaxy S8 or S8+ to Android Pie and get answers to some questions you may have on Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S9.
In Android update for Galaxy S8 (and S8+), Samsung did not implement the stock Android Pie navigation gestures. Instead, they added their own new navigation gestures as one of the new features in the One UI.
This Android Pie update guide explains the details of the new navigation gestures in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8, S8, Note 8, Note 9, S9, and S9+, the difference between the Android Pie navigation gestures and the full-screen navigation gestures in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8, S9, Note 8 and, Note 9, and show you how to enable and use them.
Please note, after updating Galaxy S8 or S8+ to Android Pie, you cannot hide the Galaxy S8 navigation bar, or customize the Galaxy S8 navigation bar even you choose to use navigation buttons (instead of navigation gestures).
How to use the night mode in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
With Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can use the night mode (dark theme) on the phone to at any time (not only in the night).
Please check this Android Pie update guide to find out the details of the night mode on Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, and Note 9 with Android Pie update, and how to use the night mode so that you can enjoy the phone all day without causing any eye pain.
How to use the floating keyboard on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Android Pie update?
Android Pie update for Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, and Note 9 brings an updated Samsung keyboard with some very useful features
The floating keyboard is one of the most practical keyboard features in Galaxy S8 Android Pie update. It works on all apps, once enabled.
This Android Pie update guide explains how to enable, use, and customize the floating keyboard on Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, and Note 9 with Android Pie update.
How to use Android Pie lockdown mode on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Android Pie update?
Under some special situations, for example, when someone attempts to force you to unlock the phone to get your data, you may try to disable biometric (fingerprint, iris, face) unlock and smart lock temporally (and quickly), then typed the wrong password/PIN a few times so that you have to wait longer and longer to try again.
The lockdown mode on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Android Pie update was designed exactly for this purpose. Once you enable lockdown mode from power button options, PIN or password will be required to unlock the phone.
Please check this Galaxy Android Pie update guide to get everything you need to know about the lockdown mode on Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, and Note 9 with Android Pie update.
How to use the lift to wake feature in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
Often, when you pick up the phone, you actually want to wake up the phone to check time, notifications, or to unlock the phone to use some apps.
In Android Pie update for Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, and Note 9, Samsung added the lift to wake feature. So, when you pick up (lift) the phone, the screen will wake up automatically. You do not need to press any buttons.
In this Android Pie update guide, you will get the details of the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Android Pie update and learn to enable and use it on Galaxy S8 and S8+.
How to use the new Recent/Overview screen on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Android Pie update?
Samsung revamped the Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+ to align some features with the stock Android Pie.
You may find the Recent screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 is totally different from the old one.
You should follow this Android Pie update guide to get to know the new features in the Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, and Note 9. The guide also shows you how to use the new Recents screen gestures, how to dismiss individual app from the Recents screen, and how to disable suggested apps in the Recents screen.
if you are not a Bixby user, you can disable Bixby button on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Oreo or Nougat. In Android update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, you cannot disable the Bixby button (i.e. assign the Bixby button to do nothing).
After the February update of Bixby (version 2.1.04.18) on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Android Pie update, you can remap Bixby button to an app or a Bixby quick command.
This Android Pie update guide explains the new features of Bixby in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, and Note 9, and shows you how to remap the Bixby button to other apps or a quick command.
How to use Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with the Android Pie update?
A Bixby quick command lets you encapsulate multiple commands in one simple phrase you choose. Once created, you can use the simple phrase (which becomes one of your Bixby quick commands) to execute all commands encapsulated in sequence (as you defined). You can also make a long command shorter with a Bixby quick command.
Bixby quick commands allow you to use your own phrases to execute a set of commands (tasks) defined by you. No other voice assistant systems have this feature yet.
You may follow this Android Pie update to know the Bixby quick commands in detail and learn to create, modify and use Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S8 and S8+.
How to use the rotation toggle to change and lock screen orientation in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
In Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can use the new rotation toggle to change screen orientation on-the-fly when auto-rotate is turned off. You can even lock the screen orientation to landscape mode with the rotation toggle (aka orientation lock).
The rotation toggle on Galaxy S8 with Android Pie update works in all apps.
This Android Pie update guide for Samsung Galaxy phones explains the functions of the rotation toggle and shows you how to use it to change and lock the screen orientation on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Android Pie update.
How to lock Galaxy S9 Home screen layout in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
In Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can lock Galaxy S8 home screen layout so that you will not lose you customization due to accidental touches.
Please try this Android Pie update guide for Samsung Galaxy phones to get detailed info on how to lock Galaxy S8 home screen layout on Galaxy S8 and S8+ with Android Pie update. The guide also explains the caveats when you lock Galaxy S8 home screen layout.
How to use the new camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
After you update Galaxy S8 or S8+ to Android Pie, you will first see the new app icon for the camera app.
Once you start the camera app, you may be surprised by the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+. It is totally different from what you have before the update.
This Android Pire update guide explains the new features of the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, and how to use the new camera app.
Can you use the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+? Do you have any questions on the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
If you have any question or encounter any problems with new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+, please let us know your questions or problems in the comment box below.
The community will help you find the answer or solution.
You may also check our Galaxy S8 guides:
- Galaxy S8 new features guide covers all new and unique features of Galaxy S8 and S8+.
- Galaxy S8 how-to guides give you detailed step-by-step guides on using most features of Galaxy S8 and S8+.
- Galaxy S8 user manuals let you download official Samsung Galaxy S8 user manuals in your language.
- Galaxy S8 camera guides covered everything related to Galaxy S8 camera is covered in Galaxy S8 camera guides section.
- Galaxy S8 accessories guides help you find the perfect accessories for Galaxy S8 and S8+.
In addition to posting your thought or questions in the comment box below, you can also reach us on our Facebook page.
You may also check Galaxy S8 Android Oreo Update Guides to know more about the new features in the Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+.
Why do I have to use my Data to open MMS now? I never had to before.
Also no one can see the pictures I send in a text msg how can I fix this
MMS always requires data connection. But it’s usually different (different APN) from data connection for the internet. On a 2G network, normally, it’s not necessary to manually turn on mobile data for MMS. But if your carrier stopped 2G services, then you need to turn on mobile data to download or send media files.
When you send the messages with pictures, do you get any error messages? Can they see the text? You can check whether the message was sent or not in your messages app.
If you cannot send out MMS, or text messages (SMS), you may check with the carrier.
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