Galaxy S9 notifications

How to use the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?

Everything you need to know about Android Pie lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+

You can use Android Pie lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie (Android 9) update to temporally disable biometric unlock and smart lock. PIN or password will be required to unlock the phones.

The lockdown mode is a standard security feature in Android Pie (Android 9). Luckily, Samsung did not mess up this feature in the One UI.

This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains everything you need to know about the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update and shows you how to use it.

What is the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?

If enabled, Galaxy S9 and S9+ offer many ways to unlock the phone.

In addition to PIN/password/pattern, you can also unlock Galaxy S9 and S9+ using:

Fingerprints.
Iris.
Face.
Trusted devices, trusted places, trusted faces, and matched voices through the smart lock.

All these additional unlock methods are provided for your conveniences. Many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners enjoy these fast unlock methods.

However, in some special situations, for example, someone attempts to force you to unlock the phone to get your data, you may try to disable these unlock methods temporally (and quickly), then typed the wrong password/PIN a few times so that you have to wait longer and longer to try again.

When the lockdown mode is enabled, notifications will not be shown on the Galaxy S9 lock screen.

The lockdown mode is one of the new features in Android Pie. Samsung kept the stock feature and did not mess it up this time in the Android update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, unlike what they did to the navigation gestures.

How to enable the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?

By default, the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update is not enabled.

You need to enable it in the power button options (power menu) before you can use it.

As shown in the screenshot below, tap Lock screen in Galaxy S9 Settings.

As shown above, in the lock screen settings page, tap Secure lock settings.

In the secure lock settings, as shown below, you can find the Show lockdown option.

You can tap the switch next to it to enable it. If it was enabled, … Read the rest

Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guides

Use the new features of Android Pie (Android 9) update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

simon · Leave a Comment

Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ has been rolled out since December 2018.

More and more Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners are enjoying the new features of Android Pie update. Samsung also updated the official user guide with Android Pie update.

Android Pie (Android 9) is a major update for Android. There are many new features in Android Pie.

On top of the standard Android Pie features, Samsung also updated the UI for Galaxy S9 and S9+ to One UI.

So, many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners sometimes get confused on how to use the new features in Android Pie (Android 9) update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

A series of guides on new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ have been prepared and tested since December 2018.

Now, we are releasing these Android Pie guides for Galaxy S9 and S9+ here.

This is a live post. A new guide is released only after it passes all our testing and verifications. We will update this post once a new guide is released.

Here is the list of released or coming-soon guides on the new features of Android Pie (Android 9) update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

If you cannot find the Android Pie guides you need, or if you have any questions on Android Pie features on Galaxy S9 and S9+, please let us know them in the comment box.

We will try to release the guide earlier, and the community will help you get the answer or solution.

1. Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

As the first major update of Galaxy S9 and S9+, Android Pie (Android 9) update brings not only Android Pie features to Galaxy S9 and S9+ but also a totally new UI (One UI).

This Galaxy S9 Android Pie update guide explains the top 9 most useful new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ including One UI, night mode, lift to wake, floating keyboard, lock home screen layout, lockdown mode, new camera app, navigation gestures, and adaptive battery

Read on …

2. The official Galaxy S9 and S9+ user guides with Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

You can read online or download the official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus with Android Pie update in your local language for your … Read the rest

How to use Multi Window on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

The ultimate guide of Multi Window on Galaxy phones: how to use split screen view, pop-up view and snap window.

simon · 2 Comments

Multi Window on Galaxy S9 and S9+ allows you to use two or more apps simultaneously to improve your productivity.

This Galaxy S9 guide explains what Multi Window can do for you, how to use split screen view, how to use the pop-up view, and how to use snap window on Galaxy S9 and S9+.

As Multi Window is available in many other Galaxy phones, this guide also applies to many other Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets including Galaxy S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9.

What is Multi Window on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

Multi Window on Galaxy S9 and S9+ allows you to use two apps side-by-side in the split screen view, or simultaneously use two or more apps in the pop-up view.

For example, you may want to browse the info of a product in the Amazon app and share some key info with your friends in the Messages app.

Or you may want to get some numbers from a spreadsheet in Google Sheets for an email.

Without the Multi Window, you will have to switch between apps several times.

If you are familiar with Multi Window on Galaxy S9 and S9+, you can greatly improve your productivity, and therefore get a better ROI of your Galaxy S9 or S9+.

Samsung introduced Multi Window many years in Galaxy Note 2 in 2012, which is 4 years earlier than the stock multiwindow feature introduced in Android Nougat.

Over the years, Samsung has improved and polished the multiwindow feature and made it one of the best features in Galaxy phones.

Basically, if you need to switch apps a few times for a task, you very likely will benefit from the Multi Window feature once you get used to it.

What are the two Multi Window modes on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

There are two screen modes of Multi Window on Galaxy S9 and S9+:

Split-screen view.
Pop-up view.

In the split screen view, two apps share the whole screen without overlapping. The status bar will be hidden as in the immersive full-screen mode. The navigation bar is shared and linked to the currently active app window.

In the pop-up view, one or more app windows can float over or behind other app windows. You may use multiple apps simultaneously, just like what you can do on a PC,

How to use split screen view of

… Read the rest

How to use Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

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You can use Galaxy S9 Do Not Disturb (DND) to keep you undisturbed by any apps.

You can also allow selected apps or specific contacts to reach you when the Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 or S9+ is activated.

This Galaxy S9 guide shows you how to turn on/off and schedule Galaxy S9 Do Not Disturb (DND) and how to manage exceptions for the DND on Galaxy S9 and S9+. App rules and Do Not Disturb access were also discussed.

What is Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

In some situations, you may want not to get disturbed by the phone. Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 or S9+ was designed to help you escape from annoying notifications and sounds.

With DND on Galaxy S9 or S9+, you can silence the phone during a scheduled period, or at any time you need it. You can also allow certain apps or certain contacts to bypass the Galaxy S9 Do Not Disturb settings.

Google introduced Do Not Disturb (DND) in Android Marshmallow (Android 6.0). It is an extension of Downtime introduced in Android Lollipop (Android 5.0).

As usual, Samsung tweaked the Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 and S9+. Therefore, the Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 and S9+ may not work as in stock Android, or other Android phones.

How to enable and disable Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

By default, Galaxy S9 Do Not Disturb (DnD) is off. You need to enable it if you want to use it.

There are a couple of ways to turn on and turn off Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 and S9+. Here let’s try two of them.

Method 1: Use quick setting buttons

In quick setting buttons, you can find the Do Not Disturb button as shown in the screenshot below.

You may check this guide on how to use Galaxy S9 quick setting buttons.

Tap the button to enable (if currently off) or disable (if currently on) Galaxy S9 Do Not Disturb.

If you tap and hold (long tap) the button, you will get the settings page for Do Not Disturb.

Method 2: Use Galaxy S9 Settings

The traditional (not so efficient) way to turn on DND on Galaxy S9 is through Settings — Sounds and Vibration.

As shown above, in the sounds and vibration page, you can use the switch to turn … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S9 notification panel on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

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Galaxy S9 notification panel allows you to check, snooze, dismiss and manage all notifications on Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Without Android Oreo preloaded, Galaxy S9 and S9+ come with some new Android Oreo notification features like notification channels and notification snooze.

This Galaxy S9 guide explains to you what Galaxy S9 notification panel is, how to access it, the layout of the notification panel and how to use notification panel in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

What is Galaxy S9 notification panel?

Like other Android phones, Galaxy S9 notification panel is an integrated part of Galaxy S9 and S9+.

There is no way to avoid it. You can access Galaxy S9 notification panel regardless what you are doing on the phone.

Galaxy S9 notification panel is a centralized location for all app notifications in Galaxy S9 and S9+. In other words, all apps “post” or push their notifications to the notification panel.

Apps can send or push notifications even when you do not use the app in the foreground.

In short, Galaxy S9 notification panel is a special panel for you to check, dismiss, snooze and manage all notifications in Galaxy S9 and S9+.

How to access Galaxy S9 notification panel?

You can swipe down from the status bar to access Galaxy S9 notification panel, as illustrated below.

If the status bar is hidden (e.g., when you are in full-screen mode), you can just swipe down from the top of the screen.

You can access Galaxy S9 notification panel even when the screen is locked. Of course, in Galaxy S9 lock screen settings, you can choose how notifications are shown.

In Galaxy S9 and S9+, there is another way to access Galaxy S9 notification panel quickly on Galaxy S9 Home screen. The feature was named as quick-open notification panel.

You can swipe down on Galaxy S9 Home screen to access Galaxy S9 notification panel. This method, however, is turned off by default. You need to enable it.

In fact, by default, when you swipe up or swipe down in Galaxy S9 Home screen, you will access Galaxy S9 Apps screen.

To use the swipe down gesture for Galaxy S9 notification panel, you need to enable it Galaxy S9 Settings.

As shown below, in Galaxy S9 settings, tap Display.

In the Display page, tap Home screen, as shown in the screenshot above.

In Home screen … Read the rest

Understand and use Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots, app icon badge)

Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots, app icon badges) is entirely different from the old number badge. This guide shows you the detail.

simon · 18 Comments

If you upgraded your old Galaxy phone to Galaxy S9 or S9+, you might be frustrated with the new Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots, aka Galaxy S9 app icon badges).

Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots) simply does not work like the old number badge with which you are familiar.

This Galaxy S9 guide explains the differences between Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots) and the old number badge and shows you how to customize Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots).

What is Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots)?

When you get a notification in Galaxy S9 notification panel, by default, you will find a number badge on the top right corner of the corresponding app icon in Galaxy S9 Home screen and Apps screen.

For example, as shown below, when you have 3 notifications for the Internet app (browser app), you will find the number (3) in the top right of the browser app icon.

This number badge is usually referred to as Galaxy S9 notification number badge. In old Galaxy phones, there has been a number badge which looks similar to Galaxy S9 notification number badge.

Because Galaxy S9 notification number badge corresponds to notification dots in stock Android, the notification number badge was sometimes referred as Galaxy S9 notification dots.

If you think the new Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots) is just a beautified version of the old number badge, you are then totally wrong.

What are the differences between Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots) and the old number badge?

Although they look similar, Galaxy S9 notification number badge and the old number badge are two entirely different things.

The major differences include:

Galaxy S9 notification number badge is actually the notification dots introduced in Android Oreo. The old number badge in Samsung’s phones is Samsung’s proprietary implementation in TouchWiz (now Samsung Experience).
Galaxy S9 notification number badge directly links to notifications in Galaxy S9 notification panel. The old number badge is not linked to the notification panel.
Galaxy S9 notification number badge works for all apps. The old number badge only works with selected apps, usually Samsung apps and a few pre-installed apps.
Galaxy S9 notification number badge only counts notifications, nothing else. The old number badge may count both notifications and unread messages depending on apps.
For Galaxy S9

… Read the rest

How to use and customize Galaxy S9 lock screen?

The ultimate guide to Galaxy S9 lock screen

simon · 20 Comments

Galaxy S9 lock screen not only keeps your data safe but also offers some useful features and information to improve your productivity.

This Galaxy S9 how-to guide shows you how to set up, use and customise the lock screen of Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Please note although Galaxy S9 supports landscape mode in Galaxy S9 Home screen, Galaxy S9 lock screen is always in portrait mode.

What is Galaxy S9 lock screen?

Galaxy S9 lock screen likes a door to Galaxy S9 and S9+. You need this door to protect your data and info saved on the phone.

But Galaxy S9 lock screen is also an information centre for you so that you can get some essential info without unlocking the phone or opening any apps.

The information provided through Galaxy S9 lock screen varies depending on your customisation. By default, you can get at least the following info in Galaxy 9 lock screen:

Time and date (clock).
Carrier info.
Media player controller.
Your schedule.
Notifications.
Next alarm.

In addition, Galaxy S9 lock screen allows you to:

Change a few settings (not related to data or privacy) of Galaxy S9 and S9+ through quick setting buttons, for example, turn on/off the blue light filter.
Add up to 2 app shortcuts to lock screen.
Use Galaxy S9 camera without unlocking the phone.
Make emergency calls.

Of course, to protect your data in Galaxy S9 or S9+, most of the settings can only be changed after you unlock the phone.

How to set up Galaxy S9 lock screen security?

By default, when you set up Galaxy S9 or S9+, it will ask you to set up the lock screen security.

If you skip that step, the default lock screen security, swipe, will be used.

Of course, you can change Galaxy S9 lock screen security at any time.

And you should NOT set Galaxy S9 lock screen security to swipe or none.

If you use either of the options, your data in Galaxy S9 or S9+ are at risk. Anyone, including thieves, can access your phone without restrictions. They can impersonate you.

To change Galaxy S9 lock screen security, you may follow these steps.

Step 1: Access Galaxy S9 Settings

There are a couple of ways to access Galaxy S9 settings, for example

Using the Settings app icon in Galaxy S9 Home screen.
Using the Settings app icon

… Read the rest