Galaxy S8 Guides

How to use Galaxy S8 screen zoom ?

Last updated on: October 22, 2017 · First published on: August 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

You can use Galaxy S8 screen zoom to adjust the display of almost all pages (and all apps) in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Galaxy S8 screen zoom is a customized Android Nougat feature of display size. But they are different in adjusting the size of app icons in home screen and apps screen, and in controlling the size of the lock screen keypad.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains you what Galaxy S8 screen zoom is, when you need it, and how to use this feature in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What is Galaxy S8 screen zoom? Why you need it?

Prior to Android Nougat, you can only adjust the font size for the system display (e.g., text size in Settings page).

And some system display settings are even hard-coded and you cannot change them at all. For example, the notification text does not change with font size in most Android phones.

So, in Android Nougat 7.0, Google added a feature named display size, with which you can adjust all display elements. And it works in all apps.

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung, as usual, customized display size and rebrand it as Galaxy S8 screen zoom.

In addition to changing the name from display size to screen zoom, Samsung also changed a few features in display size. For example:

Screen zoom does NOT affect lock screen keypad size in Galaxy S8 and S8+. Samsung hard-coded the keypad in Galaxy S8 lock screen. In stock Android Nougat, you can adjust the keypad size with display size.
Screen zoom does NOT affect app icon size in Galaxy S8 Home screen and Apps screen. In Galaxy S8, you need to use screen grid to adjust the app icon size. In stock Android Nougat, app icon

… Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: July 31, 2017 · First published on: August 1, 2017 8 Comments

You can use Galaxy S8 quick settings bar to toggle on and toggle off some features on-the-fly.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ also have a full-page quick settings panel with more quick setting buttons for you to change the phone settings conveniently without opening phone settings.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains the difference between quick settings bar and quick settings panel in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, and how to use and customize Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What is Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Although you can change almost all settings of Galaxy S8 and S8+ in the Settings page, you may want to access some settings quickly, e.g., quickly toggle on/off WiFi or Bluetooth very often.

Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+ are exactly designed to address such demands.

Actually, this is a feature in almost all Android phones nowadays, although the implementation differs from manufacturers to manufacturers.

In Android Nougat, an additional quick settings bar was officially added to the notification panel.

But Samsung has used the quick settings bar for many years, together with the quick settings panel.

Anyway, Galaxy S8 quick settings includes two components:

Quick settings bar in notification panel.
Dedicated quick settings panel.

The quick settings bar offers more convenience for you to turn on/off some features. You may consider it as an quicker feature of quick settings panel.

Another commonly used, but unrelated “quick” feature is Galaxy S8 camera quick launch.

How to access Galaxy S8 quick settings bar in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

You can swipe down from top of the screen (status bar) to access Galaxy S8 quick settings bar as shown below.

This is actually the notification panel. As mentioned, quick settings bar … Read the rest

How to use device maintenance in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

Last updated on: October 19, 2017 · First published on: July 28, 2017 24 Comments

Device maintenance in Galaxy S8 and S8+ makes it easy to clean up and optimize the phone: free storage, clean up memory, close background apps, check abnormal battery usage and scan malware.

You can do it with one tap.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains to you what you can do with device maintenance, and how to use these features.

What is device maintenance in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

Device maintenance in Galaxy S8 and S8+ is not a new feature.

In Galaxy S6, Samsung introduced controversial smart manager. In Galaxy S7, Samsung corrected the mistakes in smart manager and rebranded it as device maintenance.

In Galaxy S8, new features were added and old features were further polished.

Most Galaxy S8 owners use device maintenance to clean up the phone.

But device maintenance in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ can do more. Some commonly used features include:

You can optimize (clean up) the phone with one tap.
You can check battery usage.
You can enable and customize battery saving modes.
You can enable and customize different performance modes.
You can check memory usage of all apps and clean up the memory.
You can manage the storage in Galaxy S8 and S8+, and to free up the storage.
You can scan the phone for malware.

So, device maintenance in Galaxy S8 and S8+ actually is a collection of tools to manage and optimize the phone.

How to access device maintenance in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

There are at least three different ways to access device maintenance in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

Method 1: from Galaxy S8 Settings

You can start Settings app, or tap Settings icon in notification panel to access Galaxy S8 settings.

In the Settings page as shown below, you then tap Device maintenance… Read the rest

Galaxy S8 apps screen guide

Last updated on: August 22, 2017 · First published on: July 21, 2017 4 Comments

Galaxy S8 apps screen is a place-holder for all apps installed in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. You need to know how to use it.

In addition, there are several new features in Galaxy S8 apps screen. For example, you can access apps screen using touch screen gesture and hide apps screen button. You can also hide Galaxy S8 apps screen.

Please note, although Galaxy S8 is used in this page, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ share the identical home screen and apps screen.

The differences between Galaxy S8 apps screen and Galaxy S8 Home screen

In all Android phones, in addition to home screen, there is always an apps screen, aka app drawer, where all apps are listed. But some launchers may hide this screen and show all apps in home screen.

Technically, apps screen is just a special page of Android Home screen.

Galaxy S8 apps screen is different from Galaxy S8 Home screen. The differences include:

Apps (app icons) in Galaxy S8 Home screen are just shortcuts to the app. While Galaxy S8 apps screen is a holding place for all apps.
You can add multiple copies of the same app in Galaxy S8 Home screen. But in Galaxy S8 apps screen, you can only have one copy.
You can set wallpapers, themes, screen grid and other settings in Galaxy S8 Home screen, but not from apps screen.
You can add widgets to Galaxy S8 Home screen. In Galaxy S8 apps screen, widgets are hidden by default.
You can create empty panels (pages) for Galaxy S8 home screen. In Galaxy S8 apps screen, empty pages will be removed automatically.
You can hide Galaxy S8 apps screen; but you cannot hide Galaxy S8 Home screen.

Many third-party launchers may have additional features for home … Read the rest

Everything about Galaxy S8 Alcantara Cover

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

Samsung introduced the Galaxy S8 Alcantara cover for Galaxy S8 and S8+. These are the first Android phone cases made with the premium material of Alcantara.

Although Alcantara is not new, but an Android phone case made by Alcantara is new to most users.

This Galaxy S8 accessories guide explains what is Alcantara, the advantages (and disadvantages) of Galaxy S8 Alcantara cover and whether such Alcantara covers are the right case for your Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What is Alcantara in Galaxy S8 Alcantara Cover for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Alcantara actually refers to 3 related and different entities:

Alcantara is a proprietary synthetic composite material.
Alcantara is the trademark of this material.
Alcantara is the company manufacturing this material and owning the trademark. The full name of the company is Alcantara S.p.A.

For Galaxy S8 Alcantara cover, we are interested in the “material” of Alcantara.

Alcantara was developed by a Japanese scientist in early 1970s. The recipe is still a secret and only Alcantara S.p.A. produces and distributes the material.

Alcantara emulates the organic material of suede, but offers greater stain and abrasion resistance than suede.

Instead of offering one “material”, Alcantara can be easily customized in color, thickness, technical properties (e.g., water repellence, fire retardancy and breathability), and surface finishing (e.g., printing, embossing, embroidery and electro-welding).

In short, Alcantara feels like suede with even better abrasion resistance and durability, and more customization options.

In many high-end cars, Alcantara were used in spots which were susceptible to stains. You can also find Alcantara in yachts, airplanes, furnitures, consumer electronics (e.g., Sennheiser’s Momentum On-Ear headphone and Surface Pro Signature Type Cover) and accessories.

Advantages of Galaxy S8 Alcantara Cover for Galaxy S8 and S8+

Compared to other back covers for Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S8 Alcantara … Read the rest

Two ways to block spammers and unwanted callers in Galaxy S8 and S8+ without using any apps

Last updated on: July 13, 2017 · First published on: July 13, 2017 6 Comments

Galaxy S8 and S8+ offer two different ways to block spammers and unwanted callers without using any apps.

You can use Android Nougat native call blocking feature, and Samsung smart call to block unwanted calls and SMS.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide shows you how to use these two methods to block spammers and unwanted callers in Galaxy S8 and S8+, and explains why you should enable both of them.

What are the two ways to block spammers and unwanted callers in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, there are two different ways to block spammers and unwanted callers.

use Android Nougat native call blocking feature.
use Samsung smart call

The first method requires you to build up your own block list.

The second method uses Samsung’s database (and some third-party databases in some regions) to identify possible spammers and fraud callers.

It is recommend to enable both methods to block spammers and unwanted callers in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Both methods work on all SIM cards if you are using two SIM cards in Galaxy S8 and S8+. You cannot set such blocking for individual SIM card. In other words, this feature works at the phone level.

Use Android Nougat call blocking feature to block spammers and unwanted calls in Galaxy S8 and S8+

As explained in this page, Android Nougat introduced call blocking feature natively. You can use this feature to block calls and messages from spammers and unwanted contacts.

In the past, you have to rely on third-party apps or customization of Android manufacturers to block calls and text messages.

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can use this Android Nougat call blocking feature to block spammers and unwanted calls and messages.

To use Android Nougat call blocking feature, you may … Read the rest

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

Last updated on: July 9, 2017 · First published on: July 10, 2017 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 fix Galaxy S8 moisture problem?

Last updated on: October 29, 2018 · First published on: July 6, 2017 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