Galaxy S8 Guides

How to move apps to SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: October 18, 2017 · First published on: October 18, 2017 4 Comments

Although Samsung removed the adoptable storage (i.e., using SD card as internal storage) feature, you can still move apps to SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+ to free up some space in the internal storage .

The procedure to move apps to SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+ is different from that in old Galaxy devices with Android Lollipop or earlier.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide shows you how to move apps to SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+. It is assumed that the SD card was added to Galaxy S8 or S8+ already.

Why only some apps can be moved to SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Whether an app can be moved to SD card or not is determined by the app developer, not your Galaxy S8 or S8+. For example, some apps like WhatsApp do NOT allow you to save anything to external SD card.

Some apps like Google Music allow you to save downloaded contents to SD card. Other app data must be in the internal storage.

You can check whether an app can be moved to SD card in Galaxy S8, and move it to micro SD card if supported, through application manager.

Anyway, if you cannot move an app to the SD card in Galaxy S8 application manager, it means the app developer disabled the usage of external SD card. You can try to feedback to the app developer.

After I move apps to SD card in Galaxy S8, the space freed is far smaller than the app used?

When you move apps to SD card in Galaxy S8 or S8+, actually only part of the app data, not the whole app, were moved to SD card.

So, it usually frees less space in internal storage than you expected.… Read the rest

Use micro SD card in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+

Last updated on: October 19, 2017 · First published on: October 16, 2017 4 Comments

You can use micro SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+ as portable storage to expand the storage if you want to keep a lot of offline media files with you in the phone.

In dual SIM version of Galaxy S8 (and S8+), slot 2 in the SIM card tray can be used for either a SIM card or a micro SD card, but NOT both. In other words, if you are using two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you cannot use micro SD card.

Since Android Marshmallow, adoptable storage, i.e., using micro SD card as internal storage, has been introduced. But Samsung blocked this feature and therefore, you can only use micro SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+ as portable storage, not internal storage. For the differences of using SD card as portable storage and using it as internal storage, please check this guide.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains how to add and remove micro SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+, how to move app data to SD card in Galaxy S8, and how to manage the SD card storage in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

How to add SD card in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, micro SD card is placed in slot 2 of the SIM card tray.

To add SD card in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you may follow these steps.

Step 0: Power off Galaxy S8 or S8+.

It is recommended to power off Galaxy S8 or S8+ when adding or removing a micro SD card, although it is not required.

You can hold (aka long press) the power button for more than 2 seconds to get the power button option, then choose to power off the phone.

Step 1:

… Read the rest

How to wipe Galaxy S8 cache partition?

Last updated on: October 13, 2017 · First published on: October 13, 2017 Leave a Comment

You can wipe Galaxy S8 cache partition to solve many problems in Galaxy S8 and S8+ by yourself without affecting your data, or settings.

It is also the last method in solving software related problems before resetting your Galaxy S8 and S8+.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide first explains what Galaxy S8 cache partition is and why and when you may need to wipe Galaxy S8 cache partition, then shows you how to clear Galaxy S8 cache partition.

What is Galaxy S8 cache partition?

Galaxy S8 cache partition in Galaxy S8 and S8+ is a special (and reserved) part of the phone storage. But it is not user accessible in normal mode.

As suggested by the name, this special partition stores and serves the cached files for the phone. This is needed in all Android phones to speed up the apps.

For most owners of Galaxy S8 and S8+, it is not necessary to know the existence of such a cache partition. Of course, they do not need to wipe Galaxy S8 cache partition in the lifespan of the Galaxy S8 and S8+.

The cache partition is normally well managed by the Android system. The partition will be refreshed automatically for example, when a major update is applied.

But occasionally, something in your Galaxy S8 or S8+ may go wrong and you may try to clear Galaxy S8 cache partition to avoid a factory data reset.

When you may need to wipe Galaxy S8 cache partition?

As mentioned, normally Android is smart enough to properly manage the cache partition in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

But in some cases, you may need to manually wipe cache partition in Galaxy S8 and S8, for example:

after a major update. Although any major update should clear and refresh cache partition when you

… Read the rest

How to disable Bixby button in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

Last updated on: October 3, 2017 · First published on: October 3, 2017 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 use Galaxy S8 safe mode?

Last updated on: September 8, 2017 · First published on: September 8, 2017 7 Comments

Galaxy S8 safe mode helps you troubleshooting issues related to third-party apps installed by you.

You can identify whether the problem is caused by the system or by third-party apps.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains the details of Galaxy S8 safe mode in Galaxy S8 and S8, two ways to reboot Galaxy S8 or S8+ into safe mode, and how to use and exit Galaxy S8 safe mode.

What is Galaxy S8 safe mode?

Sometimes, your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+may behave in some odd ways.

And you want to find out whether such problems are caused by third-party apps or pre-installed apps.

Galaxy S8 safe mode is the right tool for such problems.

Like in other Android phones, Galaxy S8 safe mode is a special mode for Galaxy S8 and S8+. Within this mode, all third-party apps (including some pre-installed Google apps) will be disabled temporally.

So, only some essential apps from Samsung and Google are enabled in Galaxy S8 safe mode.

If you still experience the problem in Galaxy S8 safe mode, then you can conclude that the problem is caused by the firmware or some of the essential apps. You may have to reset Galaxy S8 or S8+.

If the problem disappears in safe mode, you can then conclude that the problem is very likely caused by some apps installed by you.

Unfortunately, Galaxy S8 safe mode can only tell you whether the problem is caused by third-party apps or not. It is unable to tell you which app is causing the problem.

Two ways to reboot the Galaxy S8 or S8+ into Galaxy S8 safe mode?

There are at least two different ways to boot into Galaxy S8 safe mode.

Method 1: Use power button options to reboot Galaxy S8 and S8+ into safe

… Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S8 themes to customize Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: August 22, 2017 · First published on: August 22, 2017 Leave a Comment

You can use Galaxy S8 themes to customize the look and feel of Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide shows you how to find, download, install, apply, and manage Galaxy S8 themes. It also shows you how to disable the annoying Samsung themes notification in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Please note, Galaxy S8 themes applies to Galaxy S8 and S8+ only. You cannot use Galaxy S8 themes in Galaxy S7 or any future Galaxy phones either.

What are Galaxy S8 themes?

Since Galaxy S6, Samsung introduced themes for owners to customize the phone systemically.

But at that time, there were very limited support from developers and the choices are very limited for third-party themes.

Now, for Galaxy S8 and S8+, you have so many choices of Galaxy S8 themes.

Galaxy S8 themes allow you:

to change the system color schemes of Galaxy S8 notification panel, Galaxy S8 quick settings panel and Galaxy S8 Settings;
to change wallpapers for Galaxy S8 Home screen, apps screen, and lock screen;
to change app icons of some pre-installed Samsung apps;
to add “effects” of other app icons in Galaxy S8 and S8+.
to change the color scheme of Phone, Contacts and Messages app.
to change the look of Galaxy S8 always-on display (AOD).

For example, some Galaxy S8 owners may not like the default white color scheme. They may prefer a dark theme.

Galaxy S8 themes will solve such issues and demands.

If you are using official Samsung covers (cases), for example, Galaxy S8 clear view cover, you will be prompted to choose a Galaxy S8 theme to match your Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Although Galaxy S8 themes can change the look of your Galaxy S8 and S8+, third-party apps will NOT be changed. … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S8 Settings to customize Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: October 19, 2017 · First published on: August 9, 2017 2 Comments

Galaxy S8 settings allows you to change the settings of almost all aspects of Galaxy S8 and S8+ to meet your requirements.

But sometimes, it is a bit overwhelming to read so many options in Galaxy S8 settings.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide shows you how to access Galaxy S8 settings in 4 different ways, how to use Galaxy S8 Settings and the relationship between Galaxy S8 quick settings and Galaxy S8 settings.

What are Galaxy S8 Settings?

Galaxy S8 and S8+ have so many features and there are so many customization possibilities.

So, you need to use Galaxy S8 settings to change and settings and customize the phone to meet your needs.

Galaxy S8 Settings may have two interconnected meanings:

A system app named Settings.
All settings in Galaxy S8 (or S8+).

Actually, in all Android phones, there is a system app named Settings.

Galaxy S8 (and S8+) is not an exception.

Inside the Galaxy S8 Settings app, you can then find all entries of Galaxy S8 settings.

4 different ways to access Galaxy S8 settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+

Because Galaxy S8 Settings are used very frequently, Samsung made it is very easy to access them with different methods.

Method 1: use settings (gear) icon in notification panel

As shown in the screenshot below, you can find the gear icon (settings icon) in notification panel.

You can access notification panel in Galaxy S8 and S8+ by swiping down from the status bar.

Tap the icon to open Galaxy S8 settings.

Method 2: use settings (gear) icon in quick settings panel

You can find the same gear icon in Galaxy S8 quick settings panel as shown below.

To access quick settings panel, you can swipe down from status bar with two fingers, or swipe down twice (with … Read the rest

How to move Galaxy S8 brightness control bar to notification panel?

Last updated on: August 3, 2017 · First published on: August 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

You can quickly adjust Galaxy S8 screen brightness using Galaxy S8 brightness control bar without opening Galaxy S8 Settings.

But in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, the brightness control bar was relocated from notification panel as in previous generations Galaxy devices to quick settings panel.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide shows you how to customize the location of Galaxy S8 brightness control bar and move it back to Galaxy S8 notification panel.

What is Galaxy S8 brightness control bar?

Although auto brightness in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ is extremely useful, sometimes, you may still need to manually adjust Galaxy S8 brightness level.

For example, Galaxy S8 or S8+ may vibrates when you get an emergent call in the cinema. The default brightness level in Galaxy S8 display is probably too high in this case.

To make it easily adjust Galaxy S8 display brightness, the Galaxy S8 brightness control bar is included in the quick settings panel.

You can use Galaxy S8 brightness control bar to quickly adjust the screen brightness of Galaxy S8 and S8+ without fiddling around the Galaxy S8 Settings.

In previous generations of Galaxy devices, the brightness control bar is usually in the notification panel (and below the quick settings bar). And there is no customization for its location.

But in Galaxy S8 and S8+, by default, you will not find the Galaxy S8 brightness control bar.

Where is Galaxy S8 brightness control bar?

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung makes the location of Galaxy S8 brightness control bar customizable.

The default location of Galaxy S8 brightness control bar, as mentioned earlier, is located in Galaxy S8 quick settings panel, not notification panel.

This means you need swipe twice to access Galaxy S8 brightness control bar.

But it is very easy to … Read the rest