Bixby quick commands allow you to use your own phrases to execute a set of commands (tasks) defined by you. No other voice assistant systems have this feature yet. You can execute Bixby quick commands using voice, or just tap an icon on the home screen without using your voice. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update explains everything you need to know about Bixby quick commands and shows you how to create, modify and use Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S9 and S9+. The Bixby quick commands feature are also available on all Galaxy phones with Android Pie update. So, this guide also applies to Galaxy S8, S8+, Note 8, Note 9, and S10 (all 4 S10 models). What are Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 with the Android Pie update? In a nutshell, a Bixby quick command lets you encapsulate multiple commands in one simple phrase you choose. Once created, you can use the simple phrase (which becomes one of your Bixby quick commands) to execute all commands encapsulated in sequence (as you defined). You can also make a long command shorter with a Bixby quick command. In fact, this is NOT a new feature in Android Pie update.  The feature is available before the Android Pie update. But it was buried deep in My Bixby. So, many Bixby users are not aware of the feature. In the Android Pie update for Galaxy phones, in addition to allowing you to remap the Bixby button, Samsung made the Bixby quick commands feature more prominent and improved it significantly. For example, after the February update, you can even add any of the Bixby quick commands to the Home screen and use it without using your voice. You can use it just like using an app. Another improvement of the Bixby quick commands feature in the Android Pie update is that some examples were added.  You can add them to your Bixby quick commands directly, or modify them as a template to create your own quick commands. How to create, modify, and manage your Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 with the Android Pie update? Bixby quick commands are tied to your Samsung account. By default, there are no quick commands in your account. So, you have to create your quick commands before you can use them. There are two ways to create your Bixby quick commands: From the recommended quick commands. From scratch. #1. from the recommended quick commands To access Bixby quick commands, tap the menu key (3 vertical dots) in Bixby Voice page as shown in the screenshot below. Please note, you can access Bixby Voice page by single or double pressing the Bixby button depending on how you remap the Bixby button. In the Bixby Voice menu, tap Quick commands as shown above. By default, in the quick commands page, you should be in the recommended category as shown below. Here some pre-defined examples of Bixby quick commands are grouped into: Productivity. Recommended commands include "I'm driving", "I'm going out", "Live translate", and "On my way". Daily Routine. "Good morning" and "Good Night" are included. Lifestyle. "Let's go run" and "Movie time" are included. Place. "I'm home" and "Work" are included. Please note recommended quick commands are just examples. They are NOT activated, and you cannot use them before you add them to " My commands". For example, you can check the Productivity group as shown below. The 4 example quick commands are listed. If you want to add any of them to  My commands,  you can tap the + icon as shown above. Of course, normally, you need to check what actions are included in each quick command before adding them. You can also modify or customize them before adding them. For example, tap "I'm driving" as shown above to see the details of this command. As shown in the screenshot below, you can find that the I'm driving command will finish 3 tasks unless you customize it: Turn on Bluetooth. Turn off WiFi. Play Commute playlist. For example, you may want to play another playlist, instead of the Commute playlist, or you want to remove the task of turning off WiFi. You can tap Edit as shown below. If you want to add other tasks, you can tap "Add a command".   After tapping Edit, as shown above, you can now: Edit individual command/task included in the quick command. Remove individual command/task included. Re-arrange the sequence of the commands/tasks included. After finishing the customization, tap the Done button as shown above to save the edit. Otherwise, all customizations will be discarded. When you add any of the recommended quick commands to My commands, you will see a head-up notification of…

After the February update of Bixby (version 2.1.04.18), you can now remap Bixby button to an app or a Bixby quick command. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the new features of Bixby in Android Pie update, and how to remap the Bixby button to other apps or a quick command. New gestures for the Bixby button on Galaxy S9 and S9+ after updating to Android Pie Traditionally, the Bixby button in Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 only supports one gesture: press. You can choose to press to open Bixby (Bixby Home), or do nothing (this essentially disables the Bixby button).  Of course, you cannot remap the press gesture to anything else, or disable Bixby in your phone. In Android Pie update for Galaxy S19, S9+, Note 9, Note 8, S8, and S8+, Bixby was updated to a new version with new gestures for the Bixby button. Now, the Bixby button supports 3 gestures: Single press. Double press. Long press. The long press is reserved for Bixby Voice command.  You cannot change it.  When you long press the Bixby button, you can continue with voice commands immediately. The single press OR the double press MUST be assigned to Bixby Voice page.  For example, if you assign the single press to Bixby Voice, then you can customize (remap) the double press to something else. Please note, Bixby Voice page, which is different from Bixby Home,  is new in Galaxy S9 Android Pie update. Bixby Home still exists in Galaxy S9 Home screen, and you can still hide it if you want. Major changes of Bixby in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 In Android Pie update for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9, Bixby Service, Bixby Voice, and Bixby Vision, were bumped to version 2.1.x, and Bixby Home to version 3.x. The major changes of Bixby in the Android Pie update include: New gestures for the Bixby button. Remapping the Bixby button to third-party apps was added in February update of Bixby. New Bixby quick commands. New Bixby Vision integration in the new camera app. New Bixby Voice page (showing tips, features, and suggestions for Bixby Voice, and accessing Bixby Voice settings). You can update Bixby in Galaxy Store. How to remap Bixby button on Galaxy S9 and S9+ after updating to Android Pie? After updating Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie, many owners found they cannot disable Bixby anymore due to the new version of Bixby shipped with the Android Pie update. For example, before the February update, the Bixby key settings do not allow you to assign "do nothing," or any third-party apps for the Bixby button, as shown in the screenshot below. After announcing Galaxy S10, Samsung ported the Bixby button remapping feature in Galaxy S10 into S9 and all other devices with Android Pie. Now, although you cannot disable the Bixby button, you can remap one of the Bixby button gestures to any third-party apps or a Bixby quick command. After updating to Android Pie, you can start Bixby by pressing or double pressing the Bixby button. Now, it opens the Bixby Voice page (aka Bixby page), not the old Bixby Home, as shown below. Tap the menu key (3 vertical dots) as illustrated. In the Boxby Voice menu, tap Settings as shown above. In the Bixby Voice settings page, scroll down to find the Bixby key entry as shown below. Tap the Bixby key as illustrated below to customize and remap the Bixby button, In Bixby key settings, as shown above, you must choose: Single press to open Bixby; or Double press to open Bixby. Once you choose one gesture for Bixby, then the other one will be freed. You can then assign an app or a Bixby quick command to the freed gesture. For example, you choose Double press to open Bixby as shown in the screenshot above. Now, you can decide whether to use the single press gesture for something else. Tap the off button turn on this feature (map the single press gesture of the Bixby button to an app or a quick command). After you turn on the single press gesture, the off button now changes to on as shown above. You have two options: Use this gesture of the Bixby key to open an app. In other words, you map the single press gesture of the Bixby button to an app. Use this gesture to run a quick command.  The quick command is a new feature in Bixby. Basically, you can use (add) a set of Bixby commands into a quick command. Later, you can use the quick command to execute all commands in it. You may follow this guide to…

Like it or not, you need to learn to use the updated camera app in the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+  if you want to take lovely photos. Although some Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners may prefer the old camera app, the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 does introduce some new features (mostly ported from Galaxy Note 9). This Galaxy S9 Android Pire update guide explains the new features of the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ and how to use the new camera app. Android 10 update is also available for Galaxy S9. You may check the new features in the Android 10 update. The Camera app was also updated to One UI 2.5, similar to that for Galaxy S20. The new user interface of the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Samsung phones After you update Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie, you will first see the new app icon for the camera app. Once you start the camera app (all the 6 methods to launch camera app on Galaxy S9 and S9+ still work.), you may be surprised by the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+. As shown in the screenshot below, you can find it is substantially different from the original camera app in the following aspects: Camera modes are now placed on the bottom (above the shutter button) in the portrait orientation. Camera setting buttons (options for the camera mode being used) are now placed in the top (below the Bixby vision and AR Emoji). Bixby vision button is moved to the top of the screen. AR Emoji is not listed among camera modes. It is now placed on the top of the screen. Auto mode is renamed as Photo mode. The shutter button does not have the zoom function. You cannot drag the shutter button to zoom. You have a new way to zoom (read on). New scene optimizer button was added (read on). Buttons for camera selection (for Galaxy S9+ rear cameras),  were updated. You can also use it to zoom in/out (read on). For supported camera modes, you can now change the aspect ratio of the photo (and photo size) without navigating to Galaxy s9 camera settings. In the screenshot below, the 4:3 button can be used to change the photo aspect ratio to 16:9 or 4:3 or 1:1 or full (18.5:9).  In the original camera app, you can only switch between 18.5:9 and the one you set in Galaxy S9 camera settings. The components of the user interface of the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ (in Photo mode): Bixby and AR Emoji buttons Camera settings button and options for the camera mode being used. Fron/rear camera switch button. Shutter button. Thumbnail for Gallery app. Camera modes. Camera selection/zoom (for S9+ only). Scene optimizer. Anyway, you may need time to get used to the updated UI for the camera app. Please note, the new camera app is not affected by the night mode. Also, the updated camera app ignores rotation toggle and screen orientation settings.  Instead, the camera app adjusts its layout accordingly based on the actual orientation of the phone. For other new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, for example, the navigation gestures, new Recents panel, the camera app works with them nicely. What are the new features? There are two new features in the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+: Scene optimizer. Flaw detection. Both of these features were ported from Galaxy Note 9. How to use scene optimizer in the updated camera app? For the scene optimizer, Galaxy S9 and S9+ camera can choose the most appropriate color and tone settings based on the scene or objects recognized. The scene optimizer only works in the Photo mode. Unlike the similar feature in Galaxy Note 9,  the scene optimizer in Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update is not limited to the 20 scenes. To use the scene optimizer, you just need to tap the scene optimizer button to enable it. When the button is black-and-white, it means it is disabled as shown below. Once scene optimizer is enabled, it will work automatically when scene or objects are recognized. You can also enable or disable scene optimizer in the camera settings as shown below. How to use the flaw detection? Flaw detection is a very practical feature. When you are raking a photo, it will alert you: If someone moved. If someone blinked. If the photo may be blurry. If the camera is dirty. By default, the flaw detection is enabled after you update Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie. At any time, you can…

After updating Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie, you can use the new rotation toggle to change screen orientation on-the-fly when auto-rotate is turned off.  You can even lock the screen orientation to landscape mode with this toggle (aka orientation lock). Many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners find this feature extremely useful once they realize the functions of the small rotation toggle icon. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the functions of the rotation toggle, and how to use it to change and lock the screen orientation on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update. What is the rotation toggle in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+? Most smartphone owners hate the auto-rotate. It often rotates the screen when you are not intended to do so. So, most smartphone owners disable the auto-rotate and use the portrait mode. However, occasionally, you may want to switch to landscape mode temporally for some apps. For example, you may want to show others the photos or videos shot in the landscape mode. In this case,  without the rotation toggle,  you have to go to quick settings (this is the fastest router prior to Android Pie ), tap the auto-rotate button, rotate the phone, then show the photos. Once you finish it, you need to disable auto-rotate in the quick settings. In the stock Android Pie, Google added the rotation toggle (orientation lock) to solve this issue.  The toggle will appear (and animates) in the navigator bar once the phone detects the orientation is different from the "locked" one.  You can tap the toggle to change the orientation. Of course, you can ignore the toggle (and do not change the orientation). Samsung customized this feature a bit in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+. The rotation toggle animates only twice in Galaxy S9 and S9+, then disappear if you do not tap it. It is unclear why Samsung decided not to show the toggle all the time. How does the orientation lock work? The rotation toggle (orientation lock) in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ works only when auto-rotate is off (it is obvious). So, you will see the rotation toggle in the navigation bar (if you are using the new navigation gestures, the toggle will appear in a simialr location.) only when: Auto-rotate is disabled. The phone detects that you are holding the phone in landscape orientation (or in the portrait orientation if the phone is locked in the landscape mode). Once the toggle is tapped,  it will: Change the screen orientation to your holding position. Lock the screen orientation automatically. In Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update, you can use rotation toggle to lock the screen orientation. And the rotation toggle is the only way to lock the phone to landscape orientation. To lock the phone in portrait mode, you have two ways:  use this rotation toggle, or disable auto-rotate. How to use the rotation toggle to change and lock screen orientation in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+? Rotation toggle is enabled automatically in Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update. You can choose to ignore it, but you cannot disable it. To use the rotation toggle to change and lock screen orientation on Galaxy S9 and S9+, you just use the phone normally. For example,  you are checking the Settings page. Then hold the phone in the landscape orientation. Now, as shown in the screenshot below, you can find the rotation toggle in the navigation bar (next to the Recents button). As mentioned, on Galaxy S9 and S9+ (and other Samsung phones with Android Pie update), the toggle disappears after animating twice (about 3-5 seconds). You need to act a bit fast if you want to change the screen orientation. Of course, you can rotate the screen, then rotate back to get toggle again. If you tap the toggle, the screen will be rotated. As shown above, the screen now in landscape mode after tapping the rotation toggle. Please note, the screen will now be locked in the landscape mode automatically. If you open any apps that support landscape mode (with a few exceptions), the app will be opened in landscape mode. To exit current orientation, you need to rotate the screen (in this example, you need to hold the phone in portrait orientation). Once you hold the phone in an orientation that is different from current "locked" orientation, you will see the rotation toggle again as shown below. Tap the rotation toggle as shown above. The Settings app now change to portrait mode as shown below. And the phone is locked in the portrait mode. Do all apps support the orientation lock? No, some apps do not work with the rotation toggle in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+. First, the Galaxy S9 camera app…

Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ allows you to lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout so that you will not lose you customization due to accidental touches. Although it sounds trivial and can be found in some other Android phones, many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners will find this is one of the very useful features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide shows you how to lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update, and what the caveats are if you lock the home screen layout. Why you may need to lock the home screen layout? You can customize the Galaxy S9 home screen in many ways. You can use third-party themes, remove Bixby Home from the home screen, change wallpapers, adjust the grid layout, add app folders, pin individual files to the home screen, show photos on Galaxy S9 home screen (using widgets), and manage home screen panels. Besides, Galaxy S9 and S9+ also support landscape mode of the Galaxy S9 home screen. But very easily, the customization can be instantly wiped by accidental taps.  For example, your kids may delete the widgets from the screen if they get their hands on the screen. Many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners want to lock the customization after the initial setup because most owners seldom change the home screen after one or two months. Now, in the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, you can lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout so that you will not lose your customization so easily. Of course, it only locks the layout. You cannot add or delete app icons or widgets once you lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout. But you can still use Galaxy S9 home screen edit mode to customize the home screen. How to lock the Galaxy S9 home screen layout? As other new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, the lock home screen layout feature is not enabled by default. You need to enable this feature to lock the home screen layout. In Galaxy s9 Settings, tap Display as shown below. In the display settings page, as shown in the screenshot above, tap Home screen. In the home screen settings page, you can then find the option to lock Home screen layout, as shown below. You can tap the switch to enable it. If you want to add app icons or widgets to the home screen or want to relocate the apps/widgets, you can use the switch to unlock the home screen layout lock temporarily.  After finishing customization, you may turn it on. Once you lock the home screen layout, you will not be able to relocate apps or widgets. For example, as shown in the screenshot above, after you lock the home screen layout and try to move or delete an app icon, you will get the heads-up notification Can't move item. Home screen layout locked. If you want to relocate or remove the app icon in the Galaxy S9 home screen, you need to unlock (disable) the home screen layout. What are the caveats? As mentioned, this feature only locks the layout of the home screen. It prevents you from adding or removing or relocating the apps and widgets on the home screen. However, even after you lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout, you may still change the layout in Galaxy S9 home screen edit mode. For example,  you can still delete a home screen panel in the edit mode even after you lock the home screen layout. You may also change the layout automatically by changing the home screen grid.  For example,  in one home screen panel, you have 25 app icons in the 5*5 layout. When you change home screen grid from 5*5 to 4*5, the 5 app icons that cannot be fit in the new grid layout will be added to a new screen panel following the current panel. Now, if you change back to 5*5 home screen grid,  the 5 app icons on the newly created home screen panel will not be restored to the old panel.  It will stay in the new panel. The original panel will still have 20 app icons only (but now with 5 empty slots). Another caveat of locking Galaxy S9 home screen layout feature is that it is mutually exclusive with Add apps to home screen automatically (for newly installed apps).  It is logical. If you lock the home screen layout, newly installed apps will not be added automatically. You need to unlock the Galaxy S9 home screen layout before you can add any apps to the home screen. Can you lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout on now? Do you understand the caveats when using this…

In Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung keyboard can be in the floating mode, and therefore, you can put the keyboard anywhere on the screen and use the keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ flexibly. The floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update works on all apps, once enabled. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains how to enable, use, and customize the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update. Please note, the Writing Assistant on Samsung Keyboard requires the Android 12 update, which Galaxy S9 will not get. You have to use the third-party keyboard if you need the grammar check (in addition to the spelling check). What is the new resizeable keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update? By default, the Samsung keyboard or keypad is fixed on the bottom of the Galaxy S9 or S9+ regardless of the orientation (portrait or landscape) of the phone, just like in other Android phones.  The screen area occupied by the keyboard will not be used by the app. This means the keyboard may waste a lot of screen space for the app. When you hold the phone is the landscape mode (FYI, Galaxy S9 Home screen supports landscape mode as well), the keyboard will have to stretch a lot and waste even more screen space. So, the screen size is not fully utilized. The problem has been exacerbated in the last few years because the aspect ratio of smartphones has become larger and larger. Of course, the solution already exists on some Samsung tablets: using a freely resizable keyboard. Now, in Android update for Galaxy  S9 and S9+, Samsung brought the resizeable (free form) to Galaxy S9 and S9+ so that you can type easier. The floating keyboard allows you: To let the keyboard poping over any apps when using it. Therefore you will get more usable screen space when using the keyboard. To put keyboard anywhere you want. To relocate the keyboard when you typing. To resize the keyboard  (subject to minimum and maximum size). To switch back to standard mode (fixed mode) at any time. To switch back to the one-handed keyboard, Basically, if you feel the keyboard affects your usage of any apps, you should try the floating keyboard after updating Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie. How to enable the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update? By default, the Samsung keyboard is fixed. If you want to use the resizable keyboard, you need to enable it when the keyboard is shown, Once enabled, the floating mode will be the default mode for the Samsung keyboard until you change the keyboard mode again.  In other words, you need to enable the floating keyboard only once in any apps. It will then work in all other apps automatically. For example, as shown in the screenshot below, in Google search, the keyboard is waiting for your input. Tap the down arrow (▼) button to open Samsung keyboard options. In Samsung keyboard options, as shown above, tap Modes. By default, Samsung Keyboard can work in three modes: Standard keyboard (default, fixed in the screen). In Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, you can resize the keyboard as explained in this guide (coming soon). One-handed keyboard. Floating keyboard. Tap Floating keyboard as shown below. Now, as shown in the screenshot above, the keyboard is detached from the bottom (navigation bar) of the screen with a handle on the bottom. The keyboard is now poping over the apps you are using.  You can relocate to anywhere on the screen. Of course, if a keyboard is not needed, the floating keyboard will disappear automatically (just like the standard keyboard). How to use and customize the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update? You can use the handle to move the keyboard on the screen as you want. You can also customize the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ by: Resizing the Samsung keyboard. Adjusting the transparency of the Samsung keyboard. In Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, you can resize standard keyboard (and the one-handed keyboard) as well. But transparency settings are for floating keyboard only as explained in this guide (coming soon). Tap the down arrow (▼) button as shown below. Then taps mode (not shown here). Now, you see the floating keyboard is active. Tap Size and transparency as shown above. Subsequently, you can find the size and transparency settings as shown below. The 3 white dots in the blue borderlines are handles for you to change the size. If you drag then outwards, the keyboard will be enlarged. If you drag them inwards, the size will be smaller. You can also drag the transparency slider as shown above to adjust…

Samsung revamped the Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ to align some features with the stock Android Pie. However, the difference between the overview screen in the stock Android Pie and the Recents screen in Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ with Android Pie update is significant. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the new features in the Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, how to use the new Recents screen gestures, how to dismiss individual app, and disable suggested apps in the Recents screen. What's new in the Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus? In the Samsung Galaxy phones, the Recents screen is usually called Overview screen in the stock Android. Correspondingly the overview button in the stock Android is Samsung's Recents button. Basically, the Recents (overview) screen lists all recently used apps. You can quickly re-open them, or open them in the multiwindow mode (both in the split-screen and pop-up views). Android Pie (Android 9) revamped the Overview screen to stack the list horizontally (instead f vertically as in previous versions of Android) to work better with the new Android Pie navigation gestures. In Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung adopted its own full-screen navigation gestures and own Overview screen design. Compared to Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Oreo,  Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ made has a different Recents screen: As in the stock Android Pie, the Recents screen stacks apps horizontally. A row of suggested apps is added by default on the Overview screen. Of course, you can disable the suggested apps on the Recents screen (read on). Some multiwindow features were removed. For example, you cannot find the snap window feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update. You have to use the gesture (swipe up) to close an app. In S9 or S9+ with Oreo, you can swipe left/right, or use the close button to close individual apps. You have to use the app icon to launch the app in a split-screen view or pop-up view. There is no list view of apps. You have to use the thumbnail view. Please note, compared to the Overview screen in the stock Android Pie, the Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ lacks two important feature: Copying text and image directly. Switching to (re-open) the last used apps directly from any screen with a gesture (swipe to the right side). On Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie, the navigation gesture only supports swiping upwards. So do not assume the Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ is identical to that in the stock Android Pie. How to access the new Recents screen in Galaxy S9 and S9+? If you are using the new navigation gestures as the navigation style, then you can swipe up from the left or the right line depending on your navigation button layout settings. If you are using the navigation bar (navigation buttons), you need to tap the Recents button as shown below. The Recents button in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ was changed as well. You can also put the Recents button on the left side (default) or the right side (as in the stock Android) in the button layout settings under Settings --Display --Navigation bar as explained in this guide. Component of the new Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ A typical Overview screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ is shown below. There are at least 8 components: Ths status bar. The search bar (Finder). App icon. App thumbnail/overview. Close all button. Suggested apps. You can disable the suggested apps (read on ). The navigation bar (or 3 lines for navigation gestures). Edge screen handle. Some of them can be customized. Some can be disabled. Read on. Using gestures on the new Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+? Once you are in the Recents screen of Galaxy S9 or S9+, you can use the following touchscreen gestures: Swipe left and right to scroll through the list of recently used apps. Swipe up to dismiss an individual app. Swipe down to switch to an individual app. Tap anywhere inside the thumbnail of the app to switch to this app. This is identical to swipe down. Tap the app icon to get more options for the individual app, e.g. launch the app in a split-screen view or pop-up view. These gestures are consistent with the corresponding gestures in the overview screen of the stock Android. How to close individual apps on the new Recents screen? Prior to the Android Pie update, the thumbnails in the…

The lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update lets the phone be ready when you want to use it. Although it is a minor feature, many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners like this feature in the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ because it is very practical. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the details of the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update and shows you how to enable and use it on Galaxy S9 and S9+. What is the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+? Often, when you pick up the phone, you actually want to use the phone. Now, in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung finally added this lift to wake feature. So, when you pick up (lift) the phone, the screen will wake up automatically. You do not need to press any buttons. Surely, this is extremely useful when you just want to check time or notifications on Galaxy S9 lock screen. If iris scanner or face recognition was enabled, it may unlock the phone at the same time when the screen wakes up (if you are staring at the screen). Of course, many other Android manufacturers introduced similar features for some time already. For example, Motorola added the active display in the first-gen of Moto X.  Samsung now is now catching up in adding more cool features in the One UI. Please note, the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ will not work if you are using the LED cover or the clear view cover when the cover is closed. These two cases are designed to lock the screen when they are closed. How to enable and use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+? By default, the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update is disabled after you update the phone. You need to enable it if you intend to use this feature on Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus. In Galaxy S9 settings, tap the Advanced features as shown in the screenshot below. In the advanced features page, tap Motions and gestures as shown above. Now, in the motions and gestures page, you can find the lift to wake. As shown below, you can tap the switch on the right side of it to enable this feature. Of course, you can tap the switch to turn it off. When you can see the blue background for the switch (the white button will be on the right side), it means it is enabled. If the background color is white (correspondingly, the white button will be on the left side), then it means the lift to wake feature is disabled. That's it. You are ready to wake up the screen by simply lift (pick up) the phone. Do I need the lift to wake feature when I use always-on display? It depends. On Android Pie update, the always-on display (AOD) was updated with the display mode options to control the always-on display as explained in this guide. If you enable tap to show for the always-on display, then the AOD screen will be off after 30 seconds automatically. The lift to wake feature can complement always-on display so that you can check the lock screen info at any time by picking up the phone. Please note, the lift to wake and always-on display (AOD) are independent of each other and work differently: The lift to wake feature will bring you to the lock screen directly. It does not matter whether the screen is off, or AOD screen is active. The always-on display screen is different from the lock screen. The lock screen requires you to wake up the phone/screen. AOD screen is designed to show info when the screen and phone are in the standby mode. Anyway, you may still need the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+  even you are using the always-on display on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update. Can you use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update now? Do you have any questions on this feature? If you have any questions or encounter any problems when using the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9 plus with Android Pie update,  please let us know them in the comment box below. The community will help you find the answer. For the user guide for new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 new features guides page. For using Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 how-to guides page. For using Galaxy S9 camera, please check Galaxy S9 camera guides page. For accessories for Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 accessories…

As in January 2019, you can update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie (Android 9) in most regions. Of course, for carrier-locked phones, Android update always arrives slower than unlocked ones. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains why and how to update Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie, and answers some questions you may have on Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+. Should I update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie (Android 9)? The short answer is yes, for most owners. Once the update is available, you should update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie for the following reasons: Security. All future monthly security update/patch will be based on Android Pie. Samsung will not release Galaxy S9 and S9+ security patches for Android Oreo after Android Pie update is released in your region. Performance. Android Pie address not only some security but also performance issues.  Especially, Android Pie has improved a lot in battery management to extend the battery life (screen-on time, SOT) for Galaxy S9 and S9+.  Of course, Android Pie cannot increase the battery capacity, or make the CPU run faster. But it does make the power consumption and CPU usage more efficient. New Android Pie features. Besides the underhood improvements, Android Pie brought many useful new features for most users as explained in this page. For example, you can use the lockdown mode to temporally disable biometric unlock and smart lock. Or you can use the magnifier when selecting text. New One UI features.  Samsung changed the Samsung Experiences to One UI (FYI, it has nothing to do with Android One) in the Android Pie update.  In addition to the visual (UI)changes, there are many functional updates as well. For example,  you can try the navigation gestures on Galaxy S9 or S9+ (which is different from the navigation gestures in stock Android Pie). The night mode in Galaxy S9 and S9+ works better than the stock Android Pie dark theme (+night mode). Of course, you cannot expect "stock" Android Pie in the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.  As an Android manufacturer, Samsung has to customize the OS to differentiate itself from other manufacturers. For a very small portion of owners of Galaxy S9 and S9+, you may have to withhold a while if: You are using an enterprise app that is tailored for Android Oreo. These apps usually were sideloaded by your IT department. The app may not work properly in Android Pie, although more than 99.9% apps on Android Oreo can run on Android Pie.  You should check with your IT department on whether the app is compatible with Android Pie. You have some accessories (mainly USB accessories) that only support Android Oreo.  You need to check with the manufacturer whether or when Android Pie will be supported. Anyway, for most owners without special accessories or enterprise apps, it is recommended to update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie once available. Is it safe to update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie? Yes, it is as safe as driving to work. First, Android update does NOT affect "your" data. All your files, apps, photos, messages, chat history, and app data saved on the phone will not be affected. Android  Pie update only updates system files. Second, most of "your" settings in Galaxy S9 or S9+ will be kept in Android Pie unless they are obsolete or the underlying features are substantially changed. Third, after the update, Galaxy S9 and S9+ will look different because the new One UI is used in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+. Do NOT expect Galaxy S9 or S9+ looks and works identically before and after Android Pie update. This is different from the monthly security update, which mainly patches some bugs without adding new features. Lastly, and most importantly, Android update is only as safe as driving to work.  There may be some accidents along the road. So, it is important to back up, back up and confirm the backup before the update. You may refer to this guide on how to back up Galaxy S9 and S9+. In fact, you should always back up Galaxy S9 or S9+. Electronics can fail at any time. And it often fails at the most important time. Why many other owners can update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie earlier than I? All Android update is always rolled out in stages because: The manufacturers/distributors do not want to overload the updating servers. Samsung needs some buffer time if a major issue in the update surfaces. To make it more complicated, all major Android updates usually need to be approved by individual carriers. The carrier certification is the major reason of delayed Android update. So, in some regions, Android Pie update for…

In Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, you can use the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ to get the dark (black) theme at any time (not only in the night). The night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update is the combination of the dark theme and night mode. In the stock Android Pie, the settings of dark theme and night mode are independent of each other. This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the details of the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update, and how to use the night mode so that you can enjoy the phone in all situations. What is the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update? In Android Nougat update, Samsung introduced the blue light filter to tint the screen so that you can use the screen comfortably for a long time (e.g., for reading), or in a dimmed environment. Many owners also hate the default white theme, which looks great in the showroom. For day-to-day use, many owners preferred a dark theme. Of course, you can use third-party themes to customize the Galaxy S9 home screen and Samsung apps. But most of the dark themes in the Galaxy Apps (theme store) are poorly designed. In Android Pie, Google introduced a dark theme. But it does not apply to Settings or to most Google apps. Besides, Android Pie also introduced the night mode in developer options. But it is independent of the theme settings if dark them is used already. You may refer to this guide on how to use the dark theme and night mode in stock Android Pie. In the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung added the night mode as an alternative to the default light theme. The night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update lets you: Set the display to the dark (black) theme. Apply the dark theme to Galaxy S9 Home screen, Apps screen, Settings, quick settings, notifications panel, power button options, Bixby home, most Samsung apps include Phone, Messages, Contacts, Camera, Gallery, Clock, Calendar, Calculator, Samsung Notes, Email, My Files, Internet, Bixby, Finder. Instantly turn on/off night mode in quick settings. Instantly change the night mode settings in the developer options as "always-on" when you turn on night mode in Settings or quick settings. This is different from that in stock Android Pie. It is NOT necessary to turn on developer options to use the Galaxy S9 night mode. Anyway, the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update is a combination of the dark theme and night mode. How to enable and use the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update? As mentioned earlier, the default theme on Galaxy S9 or S9+ is the light (white) theme. You can enable the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update in two different ways: Using Galaxy S9 settings or using the quick setting buttons. Method 1: Using Settings In Galaxy S9 Settings, as shown in the screenshot below, tap Display to enter display settings. In the Display settings page, as shown above, you can find the Night mode. Tap the switch right to it to enable night mode. Immediately, your Galaxy S9 9 or S9 plus will use the dark theme as shown below. Of course, you can turn off night mode to switch back to the light (white) theme using the night mode switch. As mentioned, not only Galaxy S9 home screen, apps screen, Settings, quick settings, notification panel, but also most Samsung apps will use the dark theme when you enable the night mode. For example, as shown in the screenshot below, you can compare the Phone app in the default light theme and in the dark theme. Method 2: Using quick setting buttons After updating Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie, you can find the night mode button in the quick settings panel. BTW, you can also find the navigation bar button next to it. You can use the navigation button to instantly turn on/off navigation gestures. As explained in this guide, you can swipe down twice, or swipe down with 2 fingers, from the top of the screen (status bar) to access quick setting buttons. As shown in the screenshot below, you can tap the night mode button to switch between the light and dark themes instantly. Can I simultaneously use the blue light filter and the nigh mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update? Yes,  you can simultaneously use the blue light filter and the nigh mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update because the blue light filter and night mode work independently. Besides, the blue light filter works on the "screen".  So, all…