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Since the latest Galaxy S Smartphone from Samsung was announced, launched and released for sale in the International market, the main features on it everyone keeps talking about are the following --> Fingerprint Scanner (Not too Flabbergasting, because it's already on the iPhone 5S), Heart Rate Monitor, Download Booster and Water / Dust Resistant ability. But do you know that there are some other interesting and good-to-know features on the Samsung Galaxy S5 which many of us don't know, even Samsung hardly show those features in their advertisements for the Device. Apart from all the key selling points of the Samsung Galaxy S5 aforementioned above, you might like this list of things which you may not have known the Galaxy S5 was capable of.
1. Galaxy S5 Privacy Mode - You can hide certain documents or pictures that only become accessible with a certain unlock pattern. To hide such documents, just go-to settings, select which file(s) you want protected, and then enter a special unlock pattern or pin code. When you or anyone else unlock your phone, the person won't have access to the file(s) thereby the person won’t be able to see those files unless that special unlock pattern or pin code has been entered correctly.
2. Increased Touch Sensitivity, a Pencil would even write on it -The Galaxy S5's screen is so sensitive to touch that you can use an actual pencil to write on it. Although, no one would want to scratch their screen and simultaneously stain it with lead, but other pencil-like items would of course be useful especially when using Apps like S-Memo on the Galaxy S5. All you need to do is dig into the menu settings and increase the device’s touch sensitivity.
3. Galaxy S5 Kids Mode - Ever since my little Brother dropped my Galaxy S3 on the floor and got its screen damaged, I've stopped giving any of my valuable gadgets to kids but who knows if you're a Mr nice guy who loves giving Kids everything to play with, then your little ones will definitely enjoy your Galaxy S5. All you just have to do is download the Kids mode app and when you do, you can turn your Galaxy S5 into a more child-friendly, cute multimedia device for your little ones. It features a simplified, cute design that is easier for children to navigate, special applications that you can download only for kids, app permissions that you set and you can even set a time limit for how long they can use the phone.
4. Virtual Tour Mode, Shot & More - The Galaxy S5′s camera now allows you to create .gif like images that help you to create a “virtual tour”. You take multiple photos of different areas to combine a type of “tour” to show your friends and family. Pretty cool panoramic stuff. Shot and more just allows you to edit your pictures and add effects immediately after you take them. Although, there are so many Photo App that lets you do this but its still nice to have these features directly on the Galaxy S5 own camera.
5. Tilt to make a playlist - Yes! You heard me right, if you’re listening to a certain type of song (like Jenifer Lopez ft French Montana - I Luh Ya Papi --*winks*--) and then tilt your Galaxy S5 horizontally, it will automatically look for songs that are stored in your phone that are similar to the one you’re listening to. This makes setting the perfect music for the perfect mood an easier endeavor.
6. Access Camera directly on the LockScreen - You can start using the Galaxy S5 camera right from the lock screen by swiping the camera icon to the side. Doing this will take you straight into camera mode, saving you a bit of time to capture that perfect moment before it eludes you. This particular feature is available on some other Smartphones too and it is also on the S5.
7. Check Callers Info while talking on the Phone - You can check the information of a caller while you’re already talking with them on the phone. So any communication you’ve had with them, their email address, or whatever info you have saved on your phone can be displayed at any time without being forced to hang up.
8. Priority Sender - You can set your priority contacts with “Priority Senders”. Those you message most in your messaging app can be set to the top, so that you'll have faster and easier access to the ones you reach out to most.
9. Toolbox a sidebar displaying your Favourite Apps - You can use Toolbox to create a small sidebar that displays your favourite apps when you press and hold the small white icon that hovers across all pages on your home-screen . Samsung Touchwiz users from back in the day will remember this little set up from older Samsung Non-Android touchscreen phones.
10. Galaxy S5 Call Notification Pop-ups - The “Call Notification Pop-ups” feature on the Galaxy S5 is not really a big deal as far as am concerned, just that it lets you receive an in-call pop up while you’re using another application, without having to exit the app.
These are the 10 hidden features that many of us don't pay attention to and also, that weren’t really advertised in Samsung’s promotion of the Galaxy S5. Do you know of other features on the Galaxy S5 that should be on this list ? Are you getting more and more excited to get the Galaxy S5 with this additional list of 10 features hidden in it ? Kindly share your thoughts and contributions.
11. pull the status bar ftom the top with two fingers instead of one, and you'll get the pane with all the quick-buttons.
ecopy said:
11. pull the status bar ftom the top with two fingers instead of one, and you'll get the pane with all the quick-buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh this was the most useful tip for me and not even part of the OP
Sent from my SM-G900F using xda app-developers app
But it's not new… The two finger status bar works here on Huawei G700 with Android 4.1.2 too. It's not a Kitkat feature.
--
best regards / MfG
René / BigBug(Hmb)
(mobile talk with Tapatalk 4)
Swipe down from top in anywhere will show status bar and you can drag it to see notification.
Sent from GT-I9500
What about the text delay option? When you send a text message you can put a delay on it and cancel it before they receive it. Great for drunk texting
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
Original list is from this article : http://phandroid.com/2014/04/18/10-hidden-galaxy-s5-features/
Uh, technically this is the original source: http://global.samsungtomorrow.com/?p=35885
ecopy said:
11. pull the status bar ftom the top with two fingers instead of one, and you'll get the pane with all the quick-buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome..never knew that one!
ecopy said:
11. pull the status bar ftom the top with two fingers instead of one, and you'll get the pane with all the quick-buttons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know this. Thank you so much. This is useful. :laugh:
By hidden, you must mean right there in plain view...i knew about all these features just by using my phone normally. I would consider a hidden feature the flashlight samsung always put but we cant use for some stupid reason, or developper mode that can be activated by clicking 5 time in build version
hmm learnt a lot
never knew many features from above ...
simacca said:
What about the text delay option? When you send a text message you can put a delay on it and cancel it before they receive it. Great for drunk texting
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to use this feature?
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
big samm said:
How to use this feature?
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's in the message app settings
-Sent from Tapatalk
came to say the text delay feature is pretty neat...probably have seen all other features elsewhere at one point or another.
theirs one i found by scrolling though the home screens... as your scrolling though the main screens pull back off the edge from the direction you came from and it turns into one handed use :fingers-crossed:
e.g scrolling left half way on a screen then pull back to the right... make finger come off the right edge... hope ive explained ok :laugh:
dave4bren said:
theirs one i found by scrolling though the home screens... as your scrolling though the main screens pull back off the edge from the direction you came from and it turns into one handed use :fingers-crossed:
e.g scrolling left half way on a screen then pull back to the right... make finger come off the right edge... hope ive explained ok :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use this quite often when I'm out.
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
hemander said:
6. Access Camera directly on the LockScreen - You can start using the Galaxy S5 camera right from the lock screen by swiping the camera icon to the side. Doing this will take you straight into camera mode, saving you a bit of time to capture that perfect moment before it eludes you. This particular feature is available on some other Smartphones too and it is also on the S5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beware! If you like location tags on your photos. It won't tag your photos if you use the lockscreen shortcut AND have security enabled on the lockscreen. I actually had to remove the shortcut so I wasn't tempted to use it and loose all the geo tags.
Also if you for some reason (my mother) use the touchwiz easy mode (the alternate launcher) no tags will ever be recorded at all. I understand and can see that the camera itself in this mode is a stripped down version with less settings, they could at least have made it optional via the phone menu or whatever so people who like the photos geo tagged could use the tw easy mode launcher.
thanks
thanks for the info :good: .. I bought one these days
thanks for the info!
i really like feature number 10
Hey guys,
considering the Mate S but don't really like the way recent apps menu looks and works. Did anyone replace it with something more stock like?
Does the app Fancy Switcher work with the Mate S, could somebody check this please?
And what about the lock screen - has anybody replaced that with an alternative lock screen app? Will the fingerprint scanner still unlock the device using an alternative lock screen?
Thx for your answers,
vercetti.
vercetti said:
Hey guys,
considering the Mate S but don't really like the way recent apps menu looks and works. Did anyone replace it with something more stock like?
Does the app Fancy Switcher work with the Mate S, could somebody check this please?
And what about the lock screen - has anybody replaced that with an alternative lock screen app? Will the fingerprint scanner still unlock the device using an alternative lock screen?
Thx for your answers,
vercetti.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, here in the UK on the latest build for Lollipop I was unable to install Fancy Switcher, as it said it wasn't compatible with my device.
I'm not very keen on the stock recents however I believe the marshmallow update change's this from 4 apps on a screen to a single app per screen
Lock screen, not very nice and ability to set apps as sensitive to stop them displaying the app sender or message (for example in WhatsApp) which is something I really miss from previous Lollipop and Marshmallow that I had on a HTC One M8 running Google Play Edition. I've tried 'Next' lock screen app from Microsoft but unable to unlock with fingerprint so its probably only a function that works with the stock lock screen. As Marshmallow has native support for fingerprint sensors maybe the update will bring additional functionality however we will have to wait and see.
I did register for Marshmallow beta testing but don't appear to have been selected unless rollout is slow.
I like the phone but almost wish I had waiting and tried a Mate 8. The extra battery size and already on Marshmallow may make it a better choice.
I've always been a stock android or custom ROM person however I quite like some features of the EMUI skin...just wish there were a few more customisations and built in features that were enabled as standard...like the ability to change the cycle date of your mobile data plan.
Gavin
hey gavin,
thx for the nice reply.
the recent apps menu in marshmallow makes it even worse if only 1 app is available per screen. to get to the 5th app you'd have to swipe 5 times (compared to now with just one swipe)! that really sucks - 1 app per screen?!?
too bad about fancy switcher, that would look nice if it worked. i found switcher so far but it doesn't work 100% on my note 2. would you try that one out for me?
lock screen - how are notifactions presented? would you have a screenshot? and they can be swiped away right from the lockscreen?
thx for your help,
vercetti.
hey,
i just saw a video on youtube of emui 4 and the recent apps menu could be seen for short time.
it's improved a lot for my taste: yes, you can only see one app but you flick it to the left and all the others appear. so you only need one swipe to make the other apps slide into appearance and you can swipe them away if they're not wanted anymore.
so yes, you only see one app once the menu is opened but it's seemless once you start swiping.
here's the link to the video. there are probably much better videos, i just came across this one.
the recent apps menu appears on 00:10 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPgATGXaFcA
greetz,
v.
p.s. in the 5 seconds you see the person using the recent apps menu it looks very laggy/unresponsive but i suppose it's a demo or prototype phone. i'm sure it works fine.
vercetti said:
hey,
i just saw a video on youtube of emui 4 and the recent apps menu could be seen for short time.
it's improved a lot for my taste: yes, you can only see one app but you flick it to the left and all the others appear. so you only need one swipe to make the other apps slide into appearance and you can swipe them away if they're not wanted anymore.
so yes, you only see one app once the menu is opened but it's seemless once you start swiping.
here's the link to the video. there are probably much better videos, i just came across this one.
the recent apps menu appears on 00:10 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPgATGXaFcA
greetz,
v.
p.s. in the 5 seconds you see the person using the recent apps menu it looks very laggy/unresponsive but i suppose it's a demo or prototype phone. i'm sure it works fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had just tried Switchr, not sure if I was using it correctly but when I swiped in from the side it said "No Recent Apps" although I had just opened WhatsApp and Clock.
With regards to Lock Screen, I have't got a screenshot at the moment, but what I can say is you can swipe left to remove the lock screen notification or swipe right to open the app that the notification has come from, this presents the numeric pad for you to enter your unlock pin, but just touch the fingerprint reader and the phone unlocks.
Regards
Gavin
brumgav said:
I had just tried Switchr, not sure if I was using it correctly but when I swiped in from the side it said "No Recent Apps" although I had just opened WhatsApp and Clock.
With regards to Lock Screen, I have't got a screenshot at the moment, but what I can say is you can swipe left to remove the lock screen notification or swipe right to open the app that the notification has come from, this presents the numeric pad for you to enter your unlock pin, but just touch the fingerprint reader and the phone unlocks.
Regards
Gavin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx Gavin,
that's exactly what happens with my note 2 when i install Switcher. The only thing that worked is to set up favorite apps within the Switcher app. Then it will always show you the icons of those apps. But without a preview of the app, just the icon.
I found a few more videos on youtube with Emui 4.0 and i'd be fine with their latest version of the recent apps menu. And it's just a matter of time til the Mate S gets the marshmallow update.
About the lockscreen: so even if i don't activate a pin code, sliding a notification to the right to open the app will still bring me to a numberpad where i should enter a pin? and then i'd have unlock that with the fingerprint ID? sounds very weird. i can't just slide the notifation to the right and it opens the app diectly?
thx,
v.
vercetti said:
Thx Gavin,
that's exactly what happens with my note 2 when i install Switcher. The only thing that worked is to set up favorite apps within the Switcher app. Then it will always show you the icons of those apps. But without a preview of the app, just the icon.
I found a few more videos on youtube with Emui 4.0 and i'd be fine with their latest version of the recent apps menu. And it's just a matter of time til the Mate S gets the marshmallow update.
About the lockscreen: so even if i don't activate a pin code, sliding a notification to the right to open the app will still bring me to a numberpad where i should enter a pin? and then i'd have unlock that with the fingerprint ID? sounds very weird. i can't just slide the notifation to the right and it opens the app diectly?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I got that slightly wrong...it appears you can not dismiss a notification from the lockscreen by sliding left, however once unlocked you can dissmiss all notification by double tap on fingerprint reader
If you are using the fingerprint ID you have to set a PIN....but what I meant was if you slide the notification to the right...it brings up the screen to unlock so you can either enter the PIN or you can press the finger print reader....you dont have to do both of them.
I guess if you dont set a PIN or fingerprint then it will just open the app but i prefer the security of having my phone locked securely with fingerprint.
brumgav said:
I think I got that slightly wrong...it appears you can not dismiss a notification from the lockscreen by sliding left, however once unlocked you can dissmiss all notification by double tap on fingerprint reader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
too bad you cannot get rid of the notifications right off the lockscreen.
instead unlock -> pull down status bar -> double tap fingerprint
If you are using the fingerprint ID you have to set a PIN....but what I meant was if you slide the notification to the right...it brings up the screen to unlock so you can either enter the PIN or you can press the finger print reader....you dont have to do both of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and this will get me to the app? in whatsapp for example, will it jump into the conversation where the new message has been posted or it will simply open whatsapp and present the conversation list?
thx,
v.
vercetti said:
too bad you cannot get rid of the notifications right off the lockscreen.
instead unlock -> pull down status bar -> double tap fingerprint
and this will get me to the app? in whatsapp for example, will it jump into the conversation where the new message has been posted or it will simply open whatsapp and present the conversation list?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When on the lock screen - you can't pull down the status bar or the quick settings tiles at all.....(now that is dissappointing) as I would like to be able to quickly disable mobile data something without unlocking or turn off GPS without unlocking.
With WhatsApp it takes you straight to the conversation that the message was posted in.
brumgav said:
When on the lock screen - you can't pull down the status bar or the quick settings tiles at all.....(now that is dissappointing) as I would like to be able to quickly disable mobile data something without unlocking or turn off GPS without unlocking.
With WhatsApp it takes you straight to the conversation that the message was posted in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx on the Whatsapp-notification-clarification
Yeah, i heard that you can't pull down status bar on lockscreen. That is really a pity.
But the doubletap to wake and/or the fast fingerprint scanner can perhaps compensate this issue. Double tap and then pull down the status bar. Oh wait, double tap probably only wakes the device up again, right? That'll just take you to the unlock screen which, then again, has to be unlocked...
Lots of little "problems". Maybe i could get used to them. I'm sure there are more than just the lock screen, right?
How are you getting along coming from AOSP?
Have you rooted? That would be my top priority. Changing DPI is a must to me.
greetz,
v.
vercetti said:
Thx on the Whatsapp-notification-clarification
Yeah, i heard that you can't pull down status bar on lockscreen. That is really a pity.
But the doubletap to wake and/or the fast fingerprint scanner can perhaps compensate this issue. Double tap and then pull down the status bar. Oh wait, double tap probably only wakes the device up again, right? That'll just take you to the unlock screen which, then again, has to be unlocked...
Lots of little "problems". Maybe i could get used to them. I'm sure there are more than just the lock screen, right?
How are you getting along coming from AOSP?
Have you rooted? That would be my top priority. Changing DPI is a must to me.
greetz,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The double tap on the fingerprint scanner only works when the phone is unlocked. Once unlocked u can swipe down on the fingerprint scanner to bring down notification bar and then double tap fingerprint scanner to clear all the notification, this is really nice feature.
I really miss some of the AOSP things but its outweighed by some the fact of having a fingerprint scanner...The guest mode is great, either set a different PIN (or for a family member register one of their fingerprints) and if they want to use your phone they can use it in guest mode so they can only see, Apps that you allow them to see, and galleries that you allow them to see), plus you can also lock Apps so that they require a fingerprint to open which is good too, perhaps for your banking app or something like that.
I did root, but unrooted in order to allow an OTA update to be installed.
I also wiped the phone and converted it to a chinese variant which brings lots of chinese bloatware (uninstalled) but some extra features like permissions manager, virus scanner, mobile data plan cycle date manager..
I'm back converted to a european variant now though becuase I registered to be MM beta tester although I dont seem to have been accepted yet, unless they havent released to the UK yet. I'm still waiting for it to come OTA.
I'm really hoping that the MM update and EMUI 4.0 update bring lots of new features.
I brought an iPhone 6 Plus a month ago to have a look at it, as I had the opportunity to buy one, have a play and sell it without making a loss and I admit I really quite liked some of its features...considering the CPU the iPhones are so fast but I hated the notification centre, Android really have a great notification system and I prefered being able to customise lots of features, particulary with ROMs like Cyanogen. I sold it and after seeing the Mate S online thought it looked great and thought performance would be better....for example graphics performance isn't very good at all...but I only play things like Clash of Clans, Boom Beach, Sim City not nothign that requires heavy frame rates. I'm sure it would handle games liek Asphalt okay but have't tried.
I have seen youtube videos comparing Galaxy S6 and Mate 8 (yes the bigger Mate S with better CPU) however the S6 still wsa very powerful on graphics.
Like I said, hopeing the MM and EMUI update brings some improvement however, for jsut a normal phone user that uses phone on train during morning commute for 40 minutes I'm more than happy with it. Finger print sensor on the rear is perfect, I've barely opened the front cover of my phone case and just natural position of my hand and first finger is perfect so the phone is unlocked ready for me. I think my thumb was at risk of being strained on my HTC One M8 which I had pattern unlock....when I look back I don't know how I managed to keep doing that pattern so many times, and also the risk that a pick pocket could learn my pattern over time.
Hope this is helping you.
brumgav said:
The double tap on the fingerprint scanner only works when the phone is unlocked. Once unlocked u can swipe down on the fingerprint scanner to bring down notification bar and then double tap fingerprint scanner to clear all the notification, this is really nice feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey, sorry for the mixup: i didn't mean the double tap on the fingerprint scanner but the feature "double tap to wake" which is somewhere in the emui settings. with that you simply doubletap the screen to wake it from standby but i'm guessing this won't unlock it, it will just activate the lockscreen.
I really miss some of the AOSP things but its outweighed by some the fact of having a fingerprint scanner...The guest mode is great, either set a different PIN (or for a family member register one of their fingerprints) and if they want to use your phone they can use it in guest mode so they can only see, Apps that you allow them to see, and galleries that you allow them to see), plus you can also lock Apps so that they require a fingerprint to open which is good too, perhaps for your banking app or something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those are all very nice features, yes. and the fingerprint scanner is also one of my reasons why i'm looking to upgrade.
i also think the camera results are good enough and that especially the camera app itself is nice (pro mode too).
i'm looking for a 5,5" screen with fingerprint scanner on the back (one reason why the oneplus2 doesn't match my interest even though otherwise it seems to be a nice phone too - its fingerprint sensor is on the home button like with the samsung models).
build quality is also great.
i usually would never go for a phone that doesn't have lots of custom roms available by the time i buy it. but somehow i think i'll be making an exception here. with an AOSP custom rom i would lose all the fingerprint sensor features, the camera app (its features and resulting images) and other EMUI features that i feel might come in handy (like you summed it up in your last post). so having this phone with an AOSP rom would make it sort of pointless in a way. the features we both miss from AOSP is the price we need to pay in order of getting all the mate s features. we just can't have it both i'm afraid
I did root, but unrooted in order to allow an OTA update to be installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's my plan. root it as soon as i get it. and once the marshmallow update is available i'd set it back, go stock, update to marshmallow and then root it again (hope it won't take long for someone to figure out how to root on marshmallow).
I also wiped the phone and converted it to a chinese variant which brings lots of chinese bloatware (uninstalled) but some extra features like permissions manager, virus scanner, mobile data plan cycle date manager..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
perhaps there are certain apps (root) that provide these features, instead of using the chinese mate s rom?
I'm back converted to a european variant now though becuase I registered to be MM beta tester although I dont seem to have been accepted yet, unless they havent released to the UK yet. I'm still waiting for it to come OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably not out yet...
thought performance would be better....for example graphics performance isn't very good at all...but I only play things like Clash of Clans, Boom Beach, Sim City not nothign that requires heavy frame rates. I'm sure it would handle games liek Asphalt okay but have't tried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not really a gamer, so i don't worry too much about the limiting graphics performance.
Hope this is helping you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes indeed, thanx a whole lot, i appreciate it very much.
greetz,
v.
vercetti said:
hey, sorry for the mixup: i didn't mean the double tap on the fingerprint scanner but the feature "double tap to wake" which is somewhere in the emui settings. with that you simply doubletap the screen to wake it from standby but i'm guessing this won't unlock it, it will just activate the lockscreen.
those are all very nice features, yes. and the fingerprint scanner is also one of my reasons why i'm looking to upgrade.
i also think the camera results are good enough and that especially the camera app itself is nice (pro mode too).
i'm looking for a 5,5" screen with fingerprint scanner on the back (one reason why the oneplus2 doesn't match my interest even though otherwise it seems to be a nice phone too - its fingerprint sensor is on the home button like with the samsung models).
build quality is also great.
i usually would never go for a phone that doesn't have lots of custom roms available by the time i buy it. but somehow i think i'll be making an exception here. with an AOSP custom rom i would lose all the fingerprint sensor features, the camera app (its features and resulting images) and other EMUI features that i feel might come in handy (like you summed it up in your last post). so having this phone with an AOSP rom would make it sort of pointless in a way. the features we both miss from AOSP is the price we need to pay in order of getting all the mate s features. we just can't have it both i'm afraid
that's my plan. root it as soon as i get it. and once the marshmallow update is available i'd set it back, go stock, update to marshmallow and then root it again (hope it won't take long for someone to figure out how to root on marshmallow).
perhaps there are certain apps (root) that provide these features, instead of using the chinese mate s rom?
probably not out yet...
not really a gamer, so i don't worry too much about the limiting graphics performance.
yes indeed, thanx a whole lot, i appreciate it very much.
greetz,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, your welcome.
I just wish there was more stuff going on for this device, ROMs, support, chat etc...its very quiet hardly anyone replies to things in this forum.
brumgav said:
No problem, your welcome.
I just wish there was more stuff going on for this device, ROMs, support, chat etc...its very quiet hardly anyone replies to things in this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, no development...
But it's understable: most developers are proabably located in USA and hardly anyone owns a mate s there. also the processor is kirin and not qualcomm. not much info coming from huawei about their kirin processors (which the developers would need).
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.
vercetti said:
Yeah, no development...
But it's understable: most developers are proabably located in USA and hardly anyone owns a mate s there. also the processor is kirin and not qualcomm. not much info coming from huawei about their kirin processors (which the developers would need).
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try and take a look at a different launcher and the themes thing later tonight when home from work.
Just a quick point though, the lockscreen notifications only work with a particular lockscreen type called Magazine Unlock... This is a type of lockscreen that cycles through a gallery of images....not sure if the images are customisable.
Here is a snapshot of a normal lockscreen with limited notification details compared with the magazine lockscreen. You can see one has the message details and the other is very basic with just an icon.
hey, now that sucks! only magazine lockscreen gives you more info on notifications? all the others simply show the icon?!? wow, that is really disappointing...
thx for trying later today, can't wait!
from a quick internet search I think it's possible to stop the switching pix in the magazine lockscreen. also which pix should be used. so you can actually control which and also how many (or only 1) are used.
The Magazine lockscreen doesn’t necessarily cycle background images. You can set whatever single image you want. I have it set to the same as my normal wallpaper, so it looks like it just changes icons when you unlock.
Sadly the lockscreen is one of the worst features of EMUI. You can't pull down the notification bar, you can't dismiss notifications by side swiping, and you can't touch to open the notifications. The notifications also doesn't quit fit the EMUI theme, they are more material design. Some notifications won't show at all (yes, I turned it on), like Soundcloud. You do however get music control for Spotify, but this is a completely different lockscreen (which can't be changed). And then your notifications won't show up. I don't know how Huawei managed to scrap the stock lockscreen, which works very well and looks nice, and replace it with something far worse. You can install lockscreen apps, but you can't use them with the fingerprint scanner, so it's not really an option imho.
The app switcher, which was mentioned in the OP, I actually prefer to the stock android one. The most useful feature is that you can long press the app switcher icon to return to the last app (like Alt+Tab). As far as I understand, this not a stock feature, but from Cyanogen.
vercetti said:
i have another question about looks:
i saw that there are many themes available from huawei and that they change many parts of the user interface. what happens with these themes if i use an alternative launcher, say nova launcher?
will nova launcher override the background pic of the lockscreen or generally the way the lockscreen looks or does the lockscreen stay untouched by nova? same goes for the notifications that appear once you pull down the status bar. will the background of the notification "curtain" stay unchanged or does nova change different things here? colors and icons in settings also are changed when using different huawei themes - do they stay intact when using an alternative launcher?
All my questions short: does Nova (or any other alternative launcher for what it matters) only change what it is known for - leaving everything else the way you set it up with one of the hundred huawei themes? hope yoou know what i mean.
ok, for better demonstration: take the attached pic here for example. from left to right will only screen #2 and #3 be changed and the lockscreen #1, quick toggles #4 and whatsapp #5 remain unaltered with the chosen huawei theme still intact?
thx,
v.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Nova launcher. It will override the icons from the EMUI themes. Nova does however not influence the lockscreen at all, nor the pulldown meny, settings menues or other apps. So yes to your last question.
Thx for clarifying this suprman.
Lockscreen doesn't sound very good unfortunately...
which theme and lockscreen do you use?
I read in older Huawei threads that one can change the lockscreen style. "halo" style got rid of the 4 standard shortcuts on the bottom (which to my knowledge are also not modifiable...) and instead let's you set up 4 custom shortcuts. but maybe huawei did away with this feature nowadays.
which design (theme) do you use?
thx,
vercetti.
suprman said:
The Magazine lockscreen doesn’t necessarily cycle background images. You can set whatever single image you want. I have it set to the same as my normal wallpaper, so it looks like it just changes icons when you unlock.
Sadly the lockscreen is one of the worst features of EMUI. You can't pull down the notification bar, you can't dismiss notifications by side swiping, and you can't touch to open the notifications. The notifications also doesn't quit fit the EMUI theme, they are more material design. Some notifications won't show at all (yes, I turned it on), like Soundcloud. You do however get music control for Spotify, but this is a completely different lockscreen (which can't be changed). And then your notifications won't show up. I don't know how Huawei managed to scrap the stock lockscreen, which works very well and looks nice, and replace it with something far worse. You can install lockscreen apps, but you can't use them with the fingerprint scanner, so it's not really an option imho.
The app switcher, which was mentioned in the OP, I actually prefer to the stock android one. The most useful feature is that you can long press the app switcher icon to return to the last app (like Alt+Tab). As far as I understand, this not a stock feature, but from Cyanogen.
I use Nova launcher. It will override the icons from the EMUI themes. Nova does however not influence the lockscreen at all, nor the pulldown meny, settings menues or other apps. So yes to your last question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comments, that summarised what I was going to so with the themes later.
Did you know you can open the app from the lockscreen by swiping it to the right...and then touching fingerprint sensor?
The option for quick open notification panel is on the S8+ under home screen settings but I am unable to locate this option on the Note 8. Does anyone know anything about why it is not there or if it is going to be put in down the line? Thanks!
It's supposed to be coming in an update. In the meantime you can also configure the fingerprint sensor to open the notification panel with a swipe downward, or use an alternate launcher that supports this (I use Nova Prime).
I really like using the fingerprint scanner for this since it's a one-handed operation.
Dodge DeBoulet said:
It's supposed to be coming in an update. In the meantime you can also configure the fingerprint sensor to open the notification panel with a swipe downward, or use an alternate launcher that supports this (I use Nova Prime).
I really like using the fingerprint scanner for this since it's a one-handed operation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right Here For Note 8 i have it on my Note 8 ,from there new Touchwiz link: https://www.sammobile.com/apk/touchwiz-home/samsung-touchwiz-home-6-1-50-1-2/
Yeah...
Dodge DeBoulet said:
It's supposed to be coming in an update. In the meantime you can also configure the fingerprint sensor to open the notification panel with a swipe downward, or use an alternate launcher that supports this (I use Nova Prime).
I really like using the fingerprint scanner for this since it's a one-handed operation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have that done but kinda hard to reach thumbprint sensor on a constant basis which is why I liked the home screen way. I sure hope they do put it back in.
Yay!!
Venom0642 said:
Right Here For Note 8 i have it on my Note 8 ,from there new Touchwiz link: https://www.sammobile.com/apk/touchwiz-home/samsung-touchwiz-home-6-1-50-1-2/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for that link. Worked perfectly!!!
I downloaded TouchWiz Home from APK Mirror. Seems to have done the job in restoring this option!
I'm just curious as to why the Note8 didn't launch with this functionality. I guess the S8 / S8+ update was already "released" by the time the Note8 FW was finalized.
Hey guys,
I wanted to create a thread to share some tips and little tricks I've found and to everyone to share what you found to make the overall experience better, so here's what I've found, most of them you have to be using EMUI launcher (I gave up Nova so I can use native gestures):
1. To unlock when you use fingerprint but it doesn't recognize it at first try, face unlock will kick in and most of the time you'll see a screen saying "slide to unlock after successful facial recognition" the little trick is: you don't have to lift finger from screen then slide, so to make a smother experience I'm trying to make an habit to unlock to do this movement: press+hold+slide(as soon as you see screen turn on) and it unlocks 95% of the time.
2. Raise to wake works better and faster if you stop your natural movement ABRUPTLY and at the end of me movement the phone is tilted a little in upright position when it is in front of you. If I don't do this I just keep staring like a fool for a few seconds at the always on display and end up using fingerprint sensor or power button.
3. GESTURES:
*For the back gesture you have to start from the very edge to work, if you're using a case try to tap on the actual case then slide
*Similar for the home/recents gesture try to place your finger outside the screen on the small black bezel/chin then slide
*For the home gesture just slide and release quickly but to make the recents gesture work better, slide up then the little trick is (okay this is a big deal for me so I'll just bolds) to turn HORIZONTALLY (see screenshot attached for example path) as soon as you turn horizontally it'll lock recents app (you'll feel the vibration) if you just slide up and don't do the little turn you have to wait a while until it locks
UPDATE: I think it works even better and faster if you slide straight up around 1/6 of the screen then slightly straight down.
4. There's no double tap to lock which is something I missed but if you're using EMUI launcher there's is a lock scren widget which you can use to lock the screen without any delays like third party apps usually do with 5 seconds timeouts. Pretty handy little icon!
5. If you're using native launcher and want to rearrange icons, first press and hold in an empty area then you can select several icons to move in batches to a folder or even moving one by one you don't have to tapal and hold for a long time before you can start sliding to move icon (see screenshots).
6. For additional gestures (previous app, start split screen, google assistant, show volume slider, etc.) I'm using the "Edge gestures" app, obviously horizontal functions do not work because it will trigger the native "back" gesture instead but vertical gestures work pretty well without delay (see screenshot).
7. Best browser experience I've found since Samsung internet browser is unusable (4-8 seconds delay to switch tabs) is:
Yandex browser + Adguard extension app
because of this MUST haves for me:
*It actually blocks ads
*It supports split screen
*It's fast
*It has controls on the bottom of the scren instead of on top for a lot easier one hand operation
8. Use "SystemUI tuner" app to hide icons on status bar such as bluetooth, NFC, wifi, etc and make room for notifications
9. Use NCleaner app to hide unwanted permanent notifications such as "X app is displaying over other apps"
10. This isnpretty general and not just of this phone but in case someone uses youtube frequently and uses original app, do yourself a favor and download YouTube Vanced (from vanced website) and vidmate if you need to download videos.
I might be returning this phone and going back to Note 9 because of the awful screen, tinny speakers, terrible ram management, not so great signal strength in my area and all the EMUI bugs but I'll update this post if I find extra tips, please share what you've found!
11. How to avoid EMUI system from closing apps running in the background:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-20-pro/how-to/guide-how-to-avoid-emui-closing-apps-t3862911
I'd suggest Brave for ad-blocking browser instead.
vwite said:
7. Best browser experience I've found since Samsung internet browser is unusable (4-8 seconds delay to switch tabs) is:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Samsung Internet Browser Beta and get only about 1 second delay to switch tabs (with Adblock extension installed).
Maybe if the number of open tabs is large the delay might increase.
randomA said:
I'd suggest Brave for ad-blocking browser instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried this before but didn't like it, I don't remember if it was controls on the very top of the screen or that it didn't support split screen, but what advantages does it have compared to Yandex with AdGuard?
themissionimpossible said:
I use Samsung Internet Browser Beta and get only about 1 second delay to switch tabs (with Adblock extension installed).
Maybe if the number of open tabs is large the delay might increase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm, that's weird, I tried both the regular and the beta and tried uninstalling and installing them again and both take a very long time to open the tabs menu, even with only one tab opened. On my Note 9 it also has around 1 second delay (for opening all tabs, if you just swipe on bar to switch to next or previous tab is faster) so I think that's normal but 4-8 seconds is unusable for me
On the mate 20 pro I am on build .122, which one do you have?
9.0.0.122 patch02
Mate 20 Pro no brand
vwite said:
I've tried this before but didn't like it, I don't remember if it was controls on the very top of the screen or that it didn't support split screen, but what advantages does it have compared to Yandex with AdGuard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you earn BAT for using it, it's a chrome fork (basically a chrome clone), has a builtin ad-suppressor , doesnt track you, etc. without having to donwload other apps/extensions.
themissionimpossible said:
I use Samsung Internet Browser Beta and get only about 1 second delay to switch tabs (with Adblock extension installed).
Maybe if the number of open tabs is large the delay might increase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest kiwi browser. Adblocking, bottom bar, black theme, open source, chromium based, super fast
henihazbay said:
I suggest kiwi browser. Adblocking, bottom bar, black theme, open source, chromium based, super fast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing find, thank you! I already switched back to Note 9 so I'm using samsung browser beta again but this is the first chrome based I've tried that has the option to show bar on the bottom of the screen, I'll test how ad blocking works but I might actually switch from samsung broswer to this! Night mode is also nicer since it changes the colors but doesn't decrease brightness
vwite said:
.
I might be returning this phone and going back to Note 9 because of the awful screen, tinny speakers, terrible ram management, not so great signal strength in my area and all the EMUI bugs but I'll update this post if I find extra tips, please share what you've found!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny thing is I'm having none of those issues you mentioned. Ram management is great, screen is great and the speakers are good enough. I knew EMUI would be this phones Achilles heel so it my expectations were properly set.
Sent from my HUAWEI LYA-L0C using XDA Labs
HI, I tried Tip #6 but for me Edge Gestures does not work for me at all.
Not one Gesture does work on my phone.
EDIT: SORRY ... my fault ... it works
'1. To unlock when you use fingerprint but it doesn't recognize it at first try, face unlock will kick in and most of the time you'll see a screen saying "slide to unlock after successful facial recognition" the little trick is: you don't have to lift finger from screen then slide, so to make a smother experience I'm trying to make an habit to unlock to do this movement: press+hold+slide(as soon as you see screen turn on) and it unlocks 95% of the time.'
Much easier to go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Face Recognition and then selecting Direct Unlock. This way, it will unlock the screen direct from Face Recognition without having to slide.
This is an accident find but haven't read about it anywhere - apologies if it's widely known.
Long pressing the "trash can" in the Recent Apps section brings up All Apps - nice shortcut.
ero69 said:
This is an accident find but haven't read about it anywhere - apologies if it's widely known.
Long pressing the "trash can" in the Recent Apps section brings up All Apps - nice shortcut.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I didn't know that. Cheers.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
where can I find NCleaner?
charliebigpot said:
where can I find NCleaner?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.easy4u.ncleaner
Nice tips.. Any other tips?
vwite said:
Hey guys,
(...)
9. Use NCleaner app to hide unwanted permanent notifications such as "X app is displaying over other apps" (...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really nice!
mrnovanova said:
Funny thing is I'm having none of those issues you mentioned. Ram management is great, screen is great and the speakers are good enough. I knew EMUI would be this phones Achilles heel so it my expectations were properly set.
Sent from my HUAWEI LYA-L0C using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree - no issues at my end too.
One thing I just found out that in face unlock settings There is a require eye contact setting. I've tried closing my eyes and asked a family member if my screen unlock, it doesn't and as soon as I opened them it unlocked.
Sent from my HUAWEI LYA-L09 using XDA Labs
Hi, I recently got my p20 Pro and have some gripes if someone can help.
1. I like to use blue light filter. I want to use it all the time. Problem I have is, phone seems to turn it on and off depending on ambient light. I don't want this. There is some setting in display about automatically adjusting display based on ambient light and I have switched it off but no luck.
2. I installed nova launcher (prime version) and am struggling to use it. I want to add apps to homescreen and also to the bottom of screen. I cant do that. When I long press on home screen, I get option for setting, wallpaper and widgets but I can't seem to add apps.
3. I think the answer to this is No, but is there any way to get notification on always on display?
4. Is there a camera shortcut that can be used to lsu ch camera quickly even when inside phone. My old S7 had a shortcut by double tap home button.
Any help please.
Edited to add 4th question..
Hi, I recently got my p20 Pro and have some gripes if someone can help.
1. I like to use blue light filter. I want to use it all the time. Problem I have is, phone seems to turn it on and off depending on ambient light. I don't want this. There is some setting in display about automatically adjusting display based on ambient light and I have switched it off but no luck.
I don't think there is a way to do this, other than use a third party app that does the same thing.
2. I installed nova launcher (prime version) and am struggling to use it. I want to add apps to homescreen and also to the bottom of screen. I cant do that. When I long press on home screen, I get option for setting, wallpaper and widgets but I can't seem to add apps.
For Nova, you go into your main drawer and just hold down the app and then you can drag it to your homescreen
3. I think the answer to this is No, but is there any way to get notification on always on display?
No notifications on the ambient display, unless EMUI 9.0 as fixed this. However 8.0 and 8.1 do not have this function.
4. Is there a camera shortcut that can be used to lsu ch camera quickly even when inside phone. My old S7 had a shortcut by double tap home button.
The only quick action button you have for the camera is to go into its settings and choose the "ultra snapshot" option right at the bottom of the settings menu. This will give you the option of double pressing the volume down to take a quick snapshot and gets the camera activated.
Any help please.