Galaxy S9 Guides

How to use Samsung Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover (S-view cover)?

A definite guide for Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover (aka S View cover): Pros and cons, main features, how to use, and how to customize Galaxy S9 clear view cover.

Samsung Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover, aka Galaxy S9 S-View cover in some regions, is one of the official Samsung Galaxy S9 accessories for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

The Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover is available in almost all regions, and available for both Galaxy S9 and S9+. You need to make sure you get the correct one.

This Galaxy S9 accessories guide explains main features of Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover, pros and cons of Galaxy S9 clear view cover, how to use it, and how to customise it.

What is Samsung Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover (aka Galaxy S9 S View cover)?

Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover has been a successor for S View covers since Galaxy S8.

The whole front cover of the Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover is translucent. You can consider the whole front cover is a big S View window as in Galaxy S7 S View cover.

You can control some features of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ through this translucent front cover. You can pick up or reject phone calls without opening the cover. You can also control the music with the cover closed. Dissminig or snoozing an alarm is also available directly from the cover

The double-layer back part of the clear view cover offers decent protection for the phone and the camera modules as shown below.

You can fold the back cover (actually separate the two layers) of the Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover to make a stand for Galaxy S9 and S9+ in landscape orientation. There is only one viewing angle in the standing mode as shown below.

This viewing angle is good for watching videos or having a hands-free video call.

Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover is:

an updated (with an enlarged S View window) S View cover for Galaxy S9 and S9+;
an all-in-one cover with a back cover, a front cover and a stand for Galaxy S9 and ;
a smart cover allowing you to control some functions and features of Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Due to the size difference of Galaxy S9 and S9+, the clear view standing cover for Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ is NOT interchangeable.

If you have a Galaxy S9, you should get the Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover. If you have a Galaxy S9+, you should get Galaxy … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S9 camera app?

Get to know the new Galaxy S9 camera app interface

simon · 9 Comments

As explained in the new features of Galaxy S9 and S9+, the camera in both phones was significantly improved with an updated Galaxy S9 camera app.

Samsung revamped the user interface of Galaxy S9 camera app to make it more user-friendly (arguably) with different ways to access Galaxy S9 camera modes and effects. This new Galaxy S9 camera app interface is different from that in Galaxy S8.

This Galaxy S9 camera guide explains the items in Galaxy S9 camera app user interface (UI) and how to use them.

This guide is based on Galaxy S9 with Android 8 (Oreo). You may check this guide on the Android 9 (Pie) update for Galaxy S9, and this guide for Android 1o update for Galaxy S9 and S10. So, if you are on Android 10, your camera app should look like this.

How to access Galaxy S9 camera app?

There are at least 6 different ways to access Galaxy S9 camera app in Galaxy S9 and S9+:

Galaxy S9 camera quick launch;
App icon in Galaxy S9 lock screen;
App icon in Galaxy S9 Home screen;
App icon in Galaxy S9 Apps screen;
Bixby voice command;
Google Assistant voice command.

You can also access the camera app from Galaxy S9 edge screen.

Although the identical Galaxy S9 camera app will be used, there are some restrictions if you access the camera without unlocking Galaxy S9 or S9+.

How to use Galaxy S9 camera app?

By default, when you start the Galaxy S9 camera, the Auto mode is activated, as shown below.

In Auto mode, in addition to the navigation bar at the bottom, you can find at least 11 items, as marked in the screenshot:

Shutter button.
Video recording button.
Shortcut to Gallery app.
Galaxy S9 camera modes.
Switch between two rear cameras (Galaxy S9+ only).
Bixby vision.
Galaxy S9 camera settings.
Full-screen view.
Turn on/off the flash.
Galaxy S9 camera effects.
Switch between front and rear cameras.

1. Galaxy S9 camera spp Shutter button

You can press this shutter button to take photos immediately.

If you tap and hold (long tap) the shutter button, the camera will take photos in burst mode.

Photos taken in Galaxy S9 burst mode will always be saved in the internal storage even if you set the photo location in the micro SD card.

2. Video

… Read the rest

How to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen?

You can hide the annoying Bixby Home panel in Galaxy S9 Home screen.

simon · 9 Comments

In the leftmost of Galaxy S9 Home screen, Samsung reserved it for the Bixby Home. But Many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners are not impressed with Bixby. They want to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen.

By removing Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen, you would at least get a cleaner Galaxy S9 Home screen.

This Galaxy S9 guide explains how to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen, and how to access Bixby Home when it is removed.

Why may you want to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen?

Bixby Home is supposed to show you the most relevant info for you when you open it. The info is pulled from both your data (e.g., calendar) and news feed based (e.g., Linkedin).

Such an informational page can be very useful when you are busy. You can just glimpse the Bixby Home to get informed quickly.

By default, there are at least two quick ways to access Bixby Home:

Navigating to the leftmost panel of Galaxy S9 home screen.
Pressing Bixby button once.

It is obvious that method 2 is faster and more intuitive to access Bixby Home, and therefore method 1 is redundant. You may want to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen to clean up Galaxy S9 home screen.

In addition, some Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners are not fans of Samsung’s Bixby. Google Assistant, which is available on almost all Android phones now, in most cases can be a better job.

They may feel it is annoyed when they accidentally access the Bixby Home when they want to access the home panel of Galaxy S9 home screen.

Although it is almost impossible to disable Bixby in Galaxy S9 and S9+, it is easy to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen.

You can also easily disable Bixby button in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

How to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen?

As shown below, in Galaxy S9 and S9+, the leftmost panel in Galaxy S9 Home screen is reserved for Bixby Home.

The double-line icon (marked in the red rectangle) in the panel indicator (indicating panel you are in currently) suggests Bixby Home is active.

To remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen, you may follow these steps.

Step 1: Tap and hold (long tap) any empty space in Galaxy S9 Home

… Read the rest

6 ways to start Galaxy S9 camera app in Galaxy S9 and S9+

simon · 2 Comments

Galaxy S9 and S9+ feature some significantly new camera features such as the dual-aperture lens, and super slow motion mode. As the first step of trying the new camera in Galaxy S9 and S9+, you need to start Galaxy S9 camera app first.

In addition to tapping the camera app icon, you can have several other ways to start Galaxy S9 camera app in S9 and S9+.

This Galaxy S9 camera guide shows you the six ways to open Galaxy S9 camera app in your Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+.

#1. Use Galaxy S9 camera quick launch to start Galaxy S9 camera app

The fastest way to launch Galaxy S9 camera app is to use Galaxy S9 camera quick launch feature, which is enabled by default.

You can quickly press the power button twice to start Galaxy S9 camera app immediately. Samsung named this as Galaxy S9 camera quick launch.

The good thing about Galaxy S9 camera quick launch is that it works at any times: when the screen is on or off, or when you are using any apps, or when the screen is locked or unlocked.

When you use the Galaxy S9 camera quick launch first time, it will remind you of this feature as shown below.

You can then keep it on or turn it off if you want.

If you want, you can enable or disable Galaxy S9 camera quick launch in Galaxy S9 camera settings.

#2. Use camera app shortcut on Galaxy S9 lock screen to start Galaxy S9 camera app.

By default, in Galaxy S9 lock screen as shown below, there are two app shortcuts on the left and right sides of the bottom.

One is the phone app for you to make emergency calls without unlocking the phone. And the other is the camera app as shown below.

Of course, you can use other apps to replace them in Settings — Lock screen and security — App shortcuts.

You can tap the camera app icon to open Galaxy S9 camera app without unlocking the screen.

If you launch Galaxy S9 camera app without unlocking the screen, you can only access photos taken in this session. You cannot access any other photos or pictures saved in the phone before the screen was locked.

This is a security feature, not a bug. For example, if someone gets your phone, he/she … Read the rest

How to use and customize Galaxy S9 navigation bar and navigation buttons?

Learn to hide and unhide Galaxy S9 navigation bar, to customize Galaxy S9 navigation button layout, and to use Galaxy S9 Home button when the screen is off.

simon · 37 Comments

Similar to Galaxy S8, Galaxy S9 features software navigation buttons. And Samsung allows you to hide and customize the Galaxy S9 navigation bar and navigation buttons in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

You can also use the software home button even when the screen is off.

This Galaxy S9 guide shows you how to hide and unhide Galaxy S9 navigation bar, customize the background colour of Galaxy S9 navigation bar, customize the Galaxy S9 navigation button layout, and how to use Galaxy S9 Home button when the screen is off.

Update: after updating Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie, you will get the new navigation gestures. You can choose to use the navigation bar with navigation buttons (Home, Back, and Recents) or use the new navigation gesture. But you will not be able to hide the navigation bar if you choose to use the navigation bar/buttons. If you want to use these features and other navigation button customizations, you can use the NavStar app to customize the Galaxy S9 navigation bar and navigation buttons.

Please check this guide for the details about the navigation gestures on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update.

How to lock Galaxy S9 navigation bar?

By default, when you get the new Galaxy S9 or S9+, the navigation bar is shown, but not locked.

The dot (official name: show and hide button) on the left side of the Galaxy S9 navigation bar indicates you can hide the status bar if you want.

Sometimes, you may not want to use the feature of hiding and unhiding the navigation bar, i.e., you may want to lock Galaxy S9 navigation bar.

Please note, when using an app in the split screen view, the Recents button changes to the multiwindow button. You may refer to this guide on how to use apps in Multi Window mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+.

To lock the Galaxy S9 navigation bar, you may go to Galaxy S9 Setting, tap Display as shown below.

Then in the Display settings page, tap the Navigation bar as shown above.

In the Navigation bar settings page, tap the Show and hide button (marked as 1 in the screenshot below).

After you hide the button, then you lock the navigation bar in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

If you want to hide Galaxy S9 navigation bar, then you need to enable … Read the rest

Galaxy S9 layout (and layout of Galaxy S9+)

get to know the layout of Galaxy S9 and S9+

simon · 8 Comments

To effectively use your new phone, you need to know and understand the Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout.

Sometimes, common sense works; sometimes it may not.

This Galaxy S9 how-to guide explains the layout of Galaxy S9 and S9+, the difference between the Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout, and the meaning of essential parts in the layouts of Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Why do you need to know Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout?

Although Galaxy S9 and S9+ are not a revolutionary product, the layout of Galaxy S9 and S9+ is substantially different from Android phones from other Android manufacturers.

Even compared to Galaxy S8 and S8+ layout, there are a few changes in the Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout.

You need to know and understand Galaxy S9 layout when you want to know the functions of all buttons in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ layout can also help you find the locations of some parts. For example, a few Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners accidentally inserted the SIM card ejection pin into the top microphone hole. They may spoil the microphone. Had they known the layout of Galaxy S9 and S9+, they wouldn’t have made this mistake.

Besides, it is also beneficial to know the location of antennas and wireless charging coils when using some Galaxy S9 accessories.

Anyway, before using your Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+, you should spend a few minutes to learn and understand the layout of S9 and S9+ even if you are a seasoned Samsung phone user.

The difference between Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout

Unlike Galaxy S8 and S8+, which differ only in size, Galaxy S9 and S9+ have a few considerable differences in the hardware configuration.

Due to dual rear camera configuration in Galaxy S9+, the back of Galaxy S9+ layout is different from that of Galaxy S9.

The second rear camera is the only difference between Galaxy S9 layout and Galaxy S9+ layout.

Galaxy S9 and S9+ layout: front view

The front view of Galaxy S9 layout is illustrated in the picture below. The front view of Galaxy S9+ is identical except the screen size.

As shown below, you can find in the front of Galaxy S9 and S9+:

touchscreen;
edge screens;
front camera;
LED indicator;
top speaker (earpiece);
proximity/light sensor;
iris recognition camera;

… Read the rest

How to charge Galaxy S9 battery?

Everything you need to know to charge Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ with USB charging or wireless charging

simon · 47 Comments

After unboxing Galaxy S9 or S9+, you may want to charge Galaxy S9 battery so that you can start to set it up and use it.

When Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ left the factory, the battery is charged to about 50% of the capacity, which is sufficient for you to inspect the phone on the counter.

Because the only difference between Galaxy S9 battery and Galaxy S9+ battery is the size (capacity), charging Galaxy S9 battery is identical to that for Galaxy S9+. Therefore, we use Galaxy S9 to refer to both Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Two ways to charge Galaxy S9 battery

You can charge the Galaxy S9 battery in two ways:

Using a USB cable (USB charging).
Using a wireless charging pad (wireless charging).

All Android phones now support USB charging. The charging port in most Android phones has been shifting from micro USB to USB-C.

Both Galaxy S9 and S9+ have a USB-C port for charging and data transfer (e.g., back up Galaxy S9/S9+).

In your Galaxy S9 box, you can find the wall charger and the USB cable to charge Galaxy S9 battery.

Galaxy S9 and S9+ also support wireless charging. Samsung has added the wireless charging to Galaxy phones since Galaxy S6.

You can put Galaxy S9 or S9+ on a wireless charging pad to charge the phone.

Besides, you can also charge Galaxy S9 or S9+ when using Samsung DeX. In this situation, the adaptive wall charger is connected to a Samsung DeX Station or a Samsung DeX Pad. Galaxy S9 or S9+ is connected to the USB-C connector of the DeX Station or DeX pad.

What is fast charging for Galaxy S9 and S9+?

A normal USB wall charger has a rated output current ranging from 500mA (0.5A/5V, 2.5W) to 2000mA (2A/5V, 10W).

When using such USB wall chargers to charge Galaxy S9 and S9+, the charging voltage does not change. It is fixed at 5V. And Galaxy S9 and S9+ battery can take up to 2A current for this type of wall charger.

In addition to “normal” USB charging, Galaxy S9 and S9 also support fast charging when an adaptive wall charger (aka fast charger) is connected.

An adaptive wall charger can communicate with Galaxy S9 and S9+. Galaxy S9 and S9+ can then choose two charging modes:

Fast charging

… Read the rest

Unbox Galaxy S9: understand package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box

simon · 10 Comments

Unbox Galaxy S9: understand package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box After unboxing Galaxy S9 or S9+, you need to understand the package contents in your Galaxy S9 box or S9+ box so that you can properly use them when needed.

The package contents in Galaxy S9 box, and in Galaxy S9+ box are identical except the phone.

Also, the Galaxy S9 package contents may slightly vary in different regions.

This Galaxy S9 guide shows you the contents of Galaxy S9 box and Galaxy S9+ box. It also explains how to use these items in the Galaxy S9 box.

What are the Galaxy S9 package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box?

You can find Galaxy S9 package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box as shown in the picture below.

They include (corresponding to the numbers marked in the picture):

The sealed box.
The phone.
Wall charger (adaptive charger, aka fast charger).
USB cable (USB-A to USB-C).
USB connector.
SIM card ejection pin.
AKG earphone.
Additional earbud cups (large and small).

There is also a getting-started booklet (leaflet) together with a safety manual (not shown in the picture below).

In some regions, printed stickers with IMEI number and serial number may also be included in the box.

For the official Galaxy S9 user manual, you may check and download it in your language in the official Samsung Galaxy S9 user guides page.

You can also get the online version of the user manual from Settings – User manual. This service may be unavailable in some regions.

Galaxy S9 package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box

How to use the items included in Galaxy S9 package contents?

Galaxy S9 box (or Galaxy S9+ box)

Everything is in the box.

Some vendors in some regions may offer additional free accessories. But they should be not in the box.

You need to check and make sure the seal is not broken.

Galaxy S9 phone or S9+ phone

The phone should have some protective plastic films on all sides. You should remove them before using the phone.

In almost all regions, the camera lenses are also covered by the plastic film, which must be removed before you take any photos.

In some regions, Samsung does not offer a 1-to-1 exchange if the new phone has any problems. They only offer repair services under warranty.

If this is the case in your region, you should power on the phone to test it before leaving the counter.

The … Read the rest

Top 10 new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+

New features of Galaxy S9: Android Oreo, dual aperture camera, intelligent scan, positioning of fingerprint scanner, 960p slow motion, stereo speakers, latest processor, 64/128/256GB storage, new DeX pad, and AR emoji

simon · Leave a Comment

Samsung announced Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, the 9th generation of Galaxy S phones, on February 25, 2018, in Barcelona, Spain, immediately ahead of MWC 2018. You may want to know the new features of Samsung Galaxy S9.

As in previous Galaxy S phones, Samsung staffed some new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ to lure new customers and keep existing customers.

This post details the top 10 new features of Galaxy S9 and S9+ to help you decide whether Galaxy S9 or S9+ is the right phone for you.

#1. Android Oreo

Android Oreo is the latest Android OS.

Samsung packed Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Oreo 8.0 out of the box.

You can enjoy many new features and improvements of Android 8.0 in Galaxy S9 and S9+, although Samsung tweaks a lot of the stock Android.

For Galaxy S9 notification dots (notification number badge, app icon badges) on Galaxy S9 and S9+, you may check this guide.

#2. Dual-aperture in the main camera: one of the most welcomed new features of Samsung Galaxy S9

Samsung tried to direct your attention to one of the best new features in Galaxy S9 and S9+: the camera.

And the most prominent features of the Galaxy S9 camera is dual-aperture.

In Auto mode, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ main camera can switch between two apertures of f/2.4 (under normal lighting conditions) and f/1.5 (in low-light conditions) automatically.

In Pro mode, you can set the two apertures manually. Unfortunately, you cannot set anything in between.

Essentially, the dual-aperture camera makes it easier to capture good photos in low-light conditions.

Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the only smartphones in the market with such a feature.

You may check this guide on how to use the two apertures in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

#3. Intelligent scan

Iris scanner and face recognition is not new in Galaxy phones. You can enable either of them to unlock the phone in your Galaxy S8, S8+ or Note 8.

Both methods work well in contrast conditions: iris scanner does not work well under the sun ( or under intense light), and face recognition refuses to work in darkness.

In Galaxy S8 and Note 8, these two methods are mutually exclusive: you can only enable one of them.

As another one of the top new features of Galaxy S9 and S9+, these two methods … Read the rest

About Galaxy S9 Guides

Everything about this Galaxy S9 guides community

simon · 6 Comments

What is Galaxy S9 guides community?

Galaxy S9 guides is an online community for owners of Galaxy S9 or S9+ to help fellow owners.

If you have any questions on or encounter any problems with Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, you can get answers and solutions quickly from the community.

Galaxy S9 guides community is not affiliated with Samsung in any means. It is simply an owner-help-owner community.

If you need any “official” technical support or need to contact Samsung for warranty or sales related issues, please approach the local distributor or local Samsung office directly.

We are not able to relay any messages to Samsung.

What does Galaxy S9 guides community offer?

Galaxy S9 guides community offers various how-to guides to help you use Galaxy S9 and S9+.

These Galaxy S9 guides are organized into the following five sections:

Galaxy S9 new features guide. The section covers detailed guides for all new features and functions in Galaxy S9 and S9+.
Galaxy S9 how-to guides. This section is a collection of high-quality how-to guides on how to efficiently use Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+,
Galaxy S9 camera guides. There are many improvements and new features in Galaxy S9 (especially S9+) camera. This section has all the guides you need to use major features of Galaxy S9 camera properly.
Galaxy S9 accessories guides. This section shows you the useful and affordable Galaxy S9 accessories to help you use and improve Galaxy S9 and S9+.
Galaxy S9 user guides. This section is a collection of the official Samsung Galaxy S9 user guides in various languages. You can read and download the official user guide in PDF format in your local language.

Besides, comments are open on all pages. So, everyone can ask questions if they are not addressed in the guides, The community will and help them get the answer or solution.

In a nutshell, Galaxy S9 guides community offers a platform for all owners of Galaxy S9 and S9+ to discuss and share the usage and experiences of the phone.

How can you contribute to the Galaxy S9 guides community?

There is no join button in Galaxy S9 guides. There are no signup forms either.

All Galaxy S9 guides are open to the public.

And of course, it is free.

We do not collect any of your personal info. You can post your Galaxy S9 … Read the rest