Galaxy S8 Guides

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

Last updated on: August 2, 2017 · First published on: May 12, 2017 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?

Last updated on: August 22, 2017 · First published on: May 10, 2017 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 use Galaxy S8 camera quick launch?

Last updated on: May 16, 2017 · First published on: May 9, 2017 6 Comments

You can use Galaxy S8 camera quick launch to open the camera app quickly from any screens.

As Galaxy S8 and S8+ removed the physical Home button, you now have to use power button for Galaxy S8 camera quick launch.

This Galaxy S8 camera guide shows you how to enable, disable and use Galaxy S8 camera quick launch.

What is Galaxy S8 camera quick launch?

There is no physical button for camera app in Galaxy S8 and S8+, as in many other Android phones.

The new physical button below volume rockers in Galaxy S8 and S8+ is for Samsung Bixby, not camera app.

But Samsung does offer a quick way for you to launcher camera app.

In Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, you can press Home button twice consecutively to launch camera app in Galaxy S7 or S7 edge as explained in this guide.

Now, Samsung replaced the physical Home button with software buttons in Galaxy S8 and S8+ as explained in this post.

So, power button was assigned for Galaxy S8 camera quick launch: press the power button twice quickly to launch camera app.

You can use Galaxy S8 camera quick launch to fire camera app at any time and from any screen.

You can start camera app almost instantly even when the screen is turned off and locked.

Please note, you can use camera app without unlocking the Galaxy S8 or S8+ (e.g., in lock screen), but you cannot access any photos taken or saved on the phone before the screen is locked. This is a security measure to protect your private data in case your phone is lost or stolen.

Remember, you need to press the power button twice quickly. If you press power button too slow, you may … Read the rest

Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover guide

Last updated on: July 19, 2017 · First published on: May 8, 2017 190 Comments

As one of the official Samsung accessories for Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover offers moderate protection for your phone and some unique features at the same time.

This Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover guide explains the unique features of the cover, how to use this cover, how to customize LED icons for individual contacts and apps, and the advantages and disadvantages of this cover, to help you decide whether this case (cover) is right for you.

Please note, Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover for S8 and S8+ are different in size. The features of the two covers are identical although in this guide Galaxy S8 is used.

So you need to make sure you get the correct one (for S8 pr for S8+) when you order a Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover.

Unique features of Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover?

Samsung Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover is more than a smartphone cover.

There is an interior pocket that can store cards. On the outside, Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover can show your notifications with special LED icons.

Compared to other Galaxy S8 covers or cases, Galaxy S8 LED wallet cover offers some unique features including:

Notifying incoming calls, messages, time, battery charging, low battery alert, music playing.
Storing your cards.
Answering or rejecting calls by swiping on the cover without opening the cover.
Turning off alarms with a swipe on the cover without opening the cover.
Designating special LED icon for individual contacts so that you know who is calling you without opening the cover.
Designating special LED icon for individual apps so that you can know which app is sending notifications.
Creating your own LED icons with the LED icon editor.
Waking up Galaxy S8 screen when you opening the

… Read the rest

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

Last updated on: August 22, 2017 · First published on: May 7, 2017 Leave a Comment

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?

Last updated on: August 22, 2017 · First published on: May 5, 2017 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?

Last updated on: April 13, 2018 · First published on: May 4, 2017 4 Comments

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?

Last updated on: August 22, 2017 · First published on: May 2, 2017 Leave a Comment

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