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

If your Galaxy S9 or S9+ was updated to Android Pie, you should enjoy many 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).  Some  Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners may be overwhelmed by so many new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

If you haven't updated your Galaxy S9 or S9 to Android Pie (Android 9), you may follow this guide to check whether the update is available in your region.

If you want to download the official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update, please check this page.

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

# 1. One UI: the most eye-catching new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

In the Android Pie update, Samsung debuted the new UI: One UI, to replace the old Samsung Experience.

Do not confuse one UI with Android One. They are totally unrelated.

The One UI was designed to make the phone look beautiful and help the owner focus on what really matters.

In addition to a new set of app icons for Samsung apps (phone, camera, contact, messages, gallery, My files, calendar, smart switch, clock), the default font and the use of white space deliver a fresh look.

The new full-screen navigation gestures were also added and they are even different from the stock Android Pie navigation gestures.

You can also use the rotation toggle button in the navigation bar to change and lock screen orientation on-the-fly very easily.

#2. Night mode: the most wanted new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ for night owls

Many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners complained about the white color scheme.  It is painful to use the white theme in low-light conditions.

Although you can change the Galaxy S9 home screen theme to a dark one, some Samsung apps may not follow the theme.

Blue light filter may alleviate the pain without solving the issue.

In Android Pie, the dark theme was introduced. But it does not affect the Settings app and quick settings panel.   Anyway, Samsung did not use it.

The night mode in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ works perfectly for night owls. Please check this guide on how to use the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update.

#3. Lift to Wake

If Lift to Wake is enabled, the Galaxy S9 screen will turn on automatically for a short while when you pick up the phone.

Some other Android manufacturers and stock Android has offered a similar feature (e.g., ambient display) for a long time.

Samsung finally added this feature in the One UI.

Please refer to this guide on using the lift to wake feature after updating Galaxy S9 or S9+ to Android Pie.

#4. Floating keyboard

In the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung also revamped Samsung keyboard.

Some cool features were added to the Samsung keyboard. For example, you can resize and change the transparency of the keyboard.

One of the most useful new features in the Samsung keyboard is that you can make the keyboard floating in ALL apps.

Of course, you can also choose the other two modes: standard mode and one-hand mode.

For all Samsung apps, Samsung keyboard actually brought the most exciting new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

You may check this guide on how to enable, use and customize the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update.

#5. Lock home screen layout and icons

Sometimes, you may accidentally move the app icons on Galaxy S9 home screen or even remove some app icons inadvertently.

Also when you customize the Galaxy S9 home screen, often some app icons may be relocated or removed unintentionally.

Now, in the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, you have the option to lock the Galaxy S9 home screen layout.

#6. Lockdown mode

For most Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners, biometric (fingerprint, iris) unlock is usually enabled.

Some owners may also enable smart lock.

Biometric unlock and smart lock are very useful because they are faster than typing password/PIN and are convenient.

But in some special situations, for example, when you are under threat, you may want to disable biometric unlock and smart lock, and even disable notifications on the lock screen.

Now, in the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, a lockdown mode was added to help you in such special situations. This is a standard Android Pie feature.

You can add the lockdown to the power button options/menu.  You can trigger the lockdown mode for Galaxy S9 and S9+ by holding the power button for 1 or 2 seconds, then tap lockdown mode.

Once lockdown mode, you have to use PIN/password to unlock the phone. Notifications will also be disabled in the lock screen.

Please check this guide for using the Android Pie lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+.

#7. New camera app

In the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung revamped the camera app again.

The camera interface was changed a bit with camera modes on the bottom and settings icons on the top.

Scene optimizer and flaw detection, which were introduced in Galaxy Note 9, were ported to the camera setting in the Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

There are also a few other improvements and new features in the camera app. Please refer to this guide on using the new camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

#8. Navigation gesture: the most disappointing new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

Android Pie introduced the new Android Pie navigation gestures to replace the navigation buttons. The reception was mixed.

Samsung did not follow Google again.

But the solution provided by Samsung in Android Pie navigation gestures is a bit awkward.

The three buttons were replaced with 3 lines on the bottom. You can only swipe upwards from these 3 lines to mimic the function of tapping the 3 buttons.

You may check this guide on how to use the new navigation gestures on Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Please also note, the Recents screen was also revamped with new gestures as explained in this guide.

#9. Adaptive battery: the most practical new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+

Battery life is important for many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners.

Android Pie added the adaptive battery feature to help you save battery without affecting your usage.

Luckily, Samsung did not change it.

Of course, there are some other nice new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+, for example, Galaxy S9 and S9+ now supports DeX Cable to use Samsung DeX. Bixby was updated to version 2.x. You can now remap the Bixby button for a third-party app or a Bixby quick command.

Do you have any questions on the new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?

If you have any questions on new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+,  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 the Galaxy S9 camera, please check Galaxy S9 camera guides page.

For accessories for Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 accessories guides page.

For official Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ user manuals in your language, you may check this page (if your Galaxy S9 or S9+ is running Android Oreo), or this page (if your Galaxy S9 and S9+ have got the Android Pie update).

Detailed how-to guides for new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+ be found on this page.