Galaxy S8 Guides

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

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use Galaxy S8 quick settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+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

Galaxy S8 camera effects and camera decorations (stamps and stickers): access, download and manage them

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Galaxy S8 camera decorations (stamps, stickers and masks) are the new features of Galaxy S8 camera effects.

This guide explains the new features in Galaxy S8 camera effects, and shows you how to access, download, install, and manage Galaxy S8 camera effects and Galaxy S8 camera decorations in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

What are Galaxy S8 camera effects and camera decorations (stamps and stickers)?

Galaxy S8 and S8+ did not improve much in camera hardware as explained in Galaxy S8 specs page.

Instead, Samsung put most of the efforts to the software.

One of the most prominent new features in Galaxy S8 camera app is the new Galaxy S8 camera decorations, which allow you to add masks, stamps and stickers to the photos directly when they are taken.

Galaxy S8 camera effects, aka Galaxy S8 camera filters, are some software processing algorithms that alter photos in some special ways with special effects.

In some cases, Galaxy S8 camera effects can also mimic physic optical filters for cameras.

Galaxy S8 camera decorations are set of stamps, stickers and masks that can be added to photos automatically when they are taken.

Of course, both Galaxy S8 camera effects and Galaxy S8 camera decorations can be achieved with some photo editing apps.  For example, Adobe Photoshop in a PC, or Snapseed in a phone, can give you an edited photo with similar effects and results.

The advantage of using Galaxy S8 camera effects and camera decorations is that you get it when you taking the photo and you can share it immediately.

Most Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners simply do not want to spend time to edit photos.

How to access Galaxy S8 camera effects and camera decorations?

You can access Galaxy S8 camera effects and camera decorations in at least … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S8 camera modes?

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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:

… Read the rest

Galaxy S8 camera settings

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Everything you need to know about Galaxy S8 camera settings are explained.

This Galaxy S8 camera guide explains to you when you need to use use Galaxy S8 camera settings, and the meanings of all entries in Galaxy S8 camera settings.

Why you need to understand Galaxy S8 camera settings?

Most of the time, you may find the default Galaxy S8 camera settings are sufficient. You can just use Auto mode with rear camera or selfie mode with front camera to capture desired photos.

You can also apply Galaxy S8 camera effects to any photos without accessing Galaxy S8 camera settings in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

But sooner or later, you will find you have to change some settings for the camera app in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

For example, when taking selfies, you may want to avoid the mirrored photo, and want to get the photo as previewed..

Or, you may want to use the timer for Galaxy S8 camera.

Or, you may want to use the floating camera button to take photos with Galaxy S8 camera app.

Or, you may want to enable Galaxy S8 camera quick launch to start camera app from any screen by pressing power button twice quickly.

Or, you may just want to change the photos size or photo aspect ratio.

Or,…

For any of these, you need to access and use Galaxy S8 camera settings.

In Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung moved some options from camera app interface to camera settings. For example, in previous Galaxy phones timer and photo size can be accessed from the camera interface instantly. But in S8, they can only be accessed in Galaxy S8 camera settings.

Actually, Samsung started this change in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S6.

How to access Galaxy S8

… Read the rest



How to hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

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If you want to show all apps in Home screen, you can choose to hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

This guide shows you how to hide Galaxy S8 apps screen and how to search apps after you hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

Why you may want to hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+?

In Android phones, there is an apps screen, aka app drawer,  which lists all apps installed on the phone.

While home screen lists any of the installed apps, and holds some widgets.

So, apps screen and home screen in Android phones serve different purposes.

But due to the popularity of iPhone, which does not have separate apps screen and home screen, more and more Android vendors try to mimic the look of iPhone.

Samsung introduced a new feature allowing users to hide apps screen in Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

Now, in Galaxy S8, Samsung again allows you to hide apps screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+.

By hiding apps screen in Galaxy S8 and S8+, you can:

  • get a simple interface. Many new Android users have difficulties in understanding the difference between apps screen and home screen. Especially for owners who seldom use widgets, they did not see the necessity of an apps screen at all.
  • show all apps in Galaxy S8 Home screen without adding them manually.  In Google Play store, you can configure it in such a way that all newly installed apps are added to home screen automatically.  But by default, some of the pre-installed apps were not added to Galaxy S8 Home screen. Also, if you install apps from third-party app store, e.g., Amazon Appstore for Android, apps will not be added to home screen automatically.
  • find
… Read the rest

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

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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 access and use Galaxy S8 Home screen edit mode?

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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?

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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?

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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.

use context menu in Galaxy S8 Home screenuse context menu in Galaxy S8 Home screen

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

Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures

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You use Galaxy S8 or S8+ through the touchscreen most of the time. So, it is important to know how to use Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures and how to control the touchscreen.

This Galaxy S8 how-to guide explains to you the 7 Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures and when you need to use them.

Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures are similar to other Android phones. So, this guide applies to not only other Samsung phones, but also other Android phones.

What are the 7 Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures?

Although Samsung Bixby and Google Assistant offer some alternative ways to control and access Galaxy S8 and S8+, most owners prefer touchscreen gestures.

Once you get used to Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures, you will find these gestures are the most efficient way to control and use the phone.

Like other Android phones, there are 7 Galaxy S8 touchscreen gestures:

  • Tapping
  • Long tapping (tapping and holding)
  • Dragging
  • Double tapping
  • Swiping
  • Spreading
  • Pinching

Please note, although touchscreen gestures are more or less universal in all Android phones, the functions of the same gesture in different apps and different phones can be different. Some apps and some phones may offer additional features to a touchscreen gesture.

Tapping

When you tap the touchscreen (as shown below), Galaxy S8  will respond to the touchscreen gestures depending on the items being tapped, for example:

  • when you tap the navigation buttons, you will be directed to different destination: previous screen or exit the app (Back button), recent apps screen (Recents button), or Galaxy S8 home screen (Home button).
  • when you tap an app icon in Galaxy S8 home screen or apps screen, the app will be started.
  • when you tap a menu item inside an app, you will access the corresponding item inside the app.
  • when
… Read the rest