Galaxy S8 lock screen

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 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 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

Meaning of Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

Last updated on: March 24, 2018 · First published on: May 22, 2017 75 Comments

Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons in the status bar offer you a quick glimpse of system status and notifications.

This guide explains the meaning of Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What are Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons?

As explained in Galaxy S8 Home screen, the top part of the phone screen is called status bar as shown below.

Of course, the status bar is in all screens (home screen, lock screen and apps screen) and in all apps. Even in full-screen mode, you can swipe down to bring back the status bar.

Anyway, Android does not allow you to disable status bar. You can only temporally hide it.

In the status bar, in addition to the time in the rightmost, you can find icons grouped in the left and right side of the status bar.

Normally, icons on the right side are called status icon which indicating status of system related features, like battery and network.

Icons on the left side are usually named as notification icons, which are usually (not always) associated with a notification message.

Third-party app notification icons will always appear on the left side.

Meaning of Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

To use Galaxy S8 or S8+ effectively, you need to understand the meaning of Galaxy S8 status icons and notification icons, because they offer quick info on what’s going on in the hone.

In this guide, we group status icons and notification icons into 6 parts.

Part 1: Mobile network related status icons in Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

You can use Galaxy S8 or S8+ without a SIM card. You can use most of the apps with WiFi connections. But this means … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S8 camera modes?

Last updated on: May 18, 2017 · First published on: May 18, 2017 6 Comments

Everything you need to know on using Galaxy S8 camera modes is explained: access, download, use and manage Galaxy S8 camera modes in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

This Galaxy S8 camera guide also shows you how to add Galaxy S8 camera modes to Home screen so that you can access them directly.

What are Galaxy S8 camera modes? Why you may need them?

By default, when you use Galaxy S8 camera app, you are in Auto mode (for rear camera) or Selfie mode (for front camera).

The default Galaxy S8 camera modes are usually good enough for most scenarios.

But sometimes, you may want to take photos for some special objects, e.g., fast moving objects in sports activities, or take photos with special features, e.g., panorama photo.

In these scenarios, you may have to use some special Galaxy S8 camera modes to get desired photos.

Galaxy S8 camera modes usually are some pre-defined camera settings for special occasions or for special objects. They will help you get perfect pictures if used properly.

In addition, Galaxy S8 and S8+ also include a Pro mode which gives you very detailed control and allows you to save photos as RAW format for further adjustment.

How to access Galaxy S8 camera modes in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

As explained in this guide, there is no button for Galaxy S8 camera modes.

You have to access these camera modes in Galaxy S8 and S8+ with a touch screen gesture.

First, open camera app with any of the following methods:

Tap Camera icon in Galaxy S8 Home screen; or
Tap Camera icon in Galaxy S8 Apps screen; or
Tap Camera icon in Galaxy S8 lock screen; or
Use Galaxy S8 camera quick launch by pressing power button twice and

… Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S8 camera timer in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Last updated on: May 18, 2017 · First published on: May 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

Galaxy S8 camera timer gives you a few seconds delay in taking photos after you tap the shutter button or the floating camera button.

You can also take 3 photos automatically, instead of 1, in a row when camera timer reaches 0.

This Galaxy S8 camera guide shows you how to enable, set up and use Galaxy S8 camera timer in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What is Galaxy S8 camera timer in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

Galaxy S8 camera timer, aka, camera delay timer, functions just like self timer in normal cameras.

It allows you to take photos automatically with Galaxy S8 or S8+ a few seconds (you set it) after you press the shutter button or the floating camera button.

Within these a few seconds, you can prepare yourself for the photo.

You may want to use Galaxy S8 camera timer:

when you want to include yourself in a group photo, but your arm is not long enough to cover all heads.
when you want to take a selfie without revealing that it is taken by yourself.

Please note, when Galaxy S8 camera timer is activated, you cannot use the burst mode in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

In addition, a few Galaxy S8 camera modes do not work with Galaxy S8 camera timer (read on)

How to enable and set Galaxy S8 camera timer in Galaxy S8 and S8+?

In previous generations of Galaxy phones, camera timer usually can be accessed as a quick settings icon in the camera preview screen.

But this changed in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Galaxy S8 camera timer can only be enabled/disabled in camera settings.

To enable and set Galaxy S8 camera timer in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you may follow these steps.

Step 1: Start camera … Read the rest

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