Galaxy S9 Guides

a community for owners of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover

How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?

Everything you need to know about Samsung DeX Station.

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use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9Samsung DeX Station works with all Samsung DeX-enabled devices: Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9. You can instantly convert your phone as an Android PC (or a Linux PC if you enable Linux on DeX beta) with a DeX Station.

Although Samsung DeX Pad, Dex Station and DeX cable (for Note 9 and Tab S4) share identical DeX features, the design of these DeX accessories is substantially different. You may check this guide on using Samsung DeX Pad, and this guide (coming soon) on using Samsung DeX cable on Galaxy Note 9.  For the comparison of Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable, please check this guide.

This Galaxy S9 accessories guide explains everything you need to know about Samsung DeX Station: contents in the package (box), the layout of the DeX Station, step-by-step guide on using the DeX Station. Frequently asked questions on Ethernet port, display resolution, charging and covers are also covered.

What is Samsung DeX Station?

Samsung DeX Station, as shown above,  is the first DeX accessory required by Samsung DeX. It was announced together with Galaxy S8 and S8+ in 2017.

Although it was announced as a companion to Galaxy S8/S8+, Samsung DeX Station works with all DeX-enabled devices: Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, Note 9 and Tab S4.

The design of the Samsung DeX Pad is similar to Samsung’s fast wireless charging stand.  You need to push the top part so that it stands up to support the phone.

You may check this guide on the differences among three Samsung DeX accessories: Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX Cable.

What is included in the Samsung DeX Station package?

In the Samsung DeX Station package, there are only two (maybe one if you find the quick start guide is useless) useful items:

  • Samsung DeX Station (aka multimedia dock).
  • Quick start guide in multiple languages.

Nothing else. No cables. No power adapters.

So, you need to prepare the following items to use Samsung DeX Station:

  • A Samsung fast wall charger (adaptive wall charger). The wall charger included in your Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9 is sufficient.
  • An HDMI cable.
  • (optional) A USB (or wireless)  mouse/keyboard. You can use the phone screen as the trackpad. But unlike Samsung DeX Pad, 
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How to use Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

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Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) is an extension of the lock screen. You can choose to display some useful info after the lock screen times out.

Update: a new section explaining the changes of Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ was added. The new display mode (tap to show) was added.

This Galaxy S9 how-to guide explains everything you need to know about Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+: how to turn on/off the AOD, how to use and customize Galaxy S9 AOD screen, how to customize clock style for AOD screen, how to pin photos to Galaxy S9 AD screen, and how to use AOD themes.

What is Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

Traditionally, the phone screen will be turned off after you lock the screen, or if the screen times out.

But more and more smartphone owners use the phone to check time. Some Android phone manufacturers came out the idea of the always-on display (AOD), which shows selected info after the screen times out.

Samsung first introduced the always-on display on Galaxy S7 and S7  Edge.  Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) offers an evolutionary update for this feature.

Besides the clock, notification icons, music control, next calendar event and next alarm can also be shown on the Galaxy S9 AOD screen.

Compared to Galaxy S9 lock screen, Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+ does NOT offer the following features:

You can consider Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) is a slimmed-down version or an extension of the lock screen.

How to turn on/turn off Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

By default, in some regions, Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) is turned off on Galaxy S9 and S9+. In other markets, it is on.

Anyway, you can easily turn on or turn off Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) whenever you want.

And there are at least 3 different methods to turn on and turn off AOD on Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Method 1: Use quick setting buttons to turn on/turn off Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+

By default, Always-on display button is included in Galaxy S9 quick setting buttons as shown in the … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S9 themes to customize the look and feel of Galaxy S9 and S9+?

Everything you need to know about Galaxy S9 themes

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Everything you need to know about Galaxy S9 themesGalaxy S9 themes allow you to customise many aspects of the UI in Galaxy S9 and S9+.  It is no longer necessary to customise the colour scheme, wallpaper, icons or always-on display (AOD) screen individually.

You can find many excellent free Galaxy S9 themes in Samsung themes to meet your needs.

This Galaxy S9 guide explains everything you need to know about Galaxy S9 themes: What are they? How to get them? How to access them in Samsung themes? How to install and use them? How to manage or delete Galaxy S9 themes.

What are Galaxy S9 themes?

Galaxy S9 themes are “skins” for your Galaxy S9 and S9+.

You can use Galaxy S9 themes to customise the user interface of Galaxy S9 or S9+. The customisation usually includes:

Please note, Galaxy S9 themes work with the default launcher. If you are using a third-party launcher, Galaxy S9 themes unlikely will work as expected.

Besides, themes for other Galaxy phones (e.g., Galaxy S8/S8+) will NOT work on Galaxy S9/S9+.

Where to get Galaxy S9 themes?

As a security measure, you should get new themes for Galaxy S9 and S9+ ONLY from Samsung’s Theme store, which is embedded in Galaxy Apps.

You probably should never get any themes from other sources.

How to access Galaxy S9 themes?

You can access Galaxy S9 themes from Galaxy S9 Home screen edit mode.

In Galaxy S9 home screen, you can enter the edit mode by:

Once in the edit mode of the Galaxy S9 Home screen, as shown below,  tap Themes to access Galaxy S9 themes.

access Galaxy S9 themes access Galaxy S9 themes

In Galaxy S9 themes page, as shown in the screenshot above, tap Themes to enter themes tab.

Besides, you will get the notification about Galaxy S9 themes in the notification panel when … Read the rest

Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover guide

Everything you need to know about Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover: unique features, how does the cover work, pros and cons of the cover, how to customize and use the cover.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover guideSamsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover is one of the official accessories for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

In addition to protecting your Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover offers a few unique features to make it fun and effective to use your Galaxy S9 and S9+.

This Galaxy S9 accessories guide shows you everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover: unique features, how does the cover work, pros, and cons of the cover, how to customize and use the cover.

Update: Added a new section of How to solve Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover problems after Android Pie update? If you get any issues with the LED cover after you update Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie, you may check this section. It solves two possible problems:

  • The LED wallet cover is not recognized by the phone.
  • Notifications are not shown on the LED cover.

For other new features in Galaxy S9 Android Pie update, for example, new navigation gestures, lockdown mode, night mode, screen orientation lock (rotation toggle), new Recents screen, lock Galaxy S9 Home screen layout, floating keyboard, remap the Bixby butt, Bixby quick commands, updated camera app, lift to wake, tap to show (display mode) for Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) screen, are discussed here.

What are the unique features of Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover?

The official Galaxy S9 accessories were designed to enhance some features or improve the user experiences of Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Unlike the Galaxy S9 clear view cover, Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover does not have a translucent front. It is opaque.

So, Galaxy S9 LED cover uses LED dots on the cover to display icons for calls and notifications on the front cover.

The unique features of Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover includes:

  • LED icons for incoming calls, notifications, alarms, battery status, clock, and music controls. You can assign different LED icons for different contacts and different apps so that you can know who is calling or where is the notification from without opening the cover.
  • LED with colors. You can assign border colors to the LED icons for Galaxy S9 LED cover. In previous generations of LED cover, there is no border color option.
  • Powered by the phone battery through the NFC connection
… Read the rest

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.

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Samsung Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover (S-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.

front of Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover (aka Galaxy S9 S View cover) back of Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover (aka Galaxy S9 S View cover)

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 (aka Galaxy S9 S View cover)

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