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[OFFICIAL] Tips & Tricks thread

This is for random tricks that aren't widely known.
I'll start off...
Missing that search button key on the bottom from the SGSII? Have no fear, just press and hold the menu key, which acts like the search key
Annoyed of the home button lag? turn off double tap to activate S voice within that program and your home key will be much more responsive
Can anyone think of anything else?
Edit: Ironlood has put together a list of tips and tricks. Thanks!
1.Hold menu button for search menu - eyecon82
2.To get rid of home button lag open up S-Voice and navigate to settings and untick the launch with double tap home button -eyecon82
3.Lock screen app settings are listed under security in settings - kegacide
4.you can swipe the screen with the side of your hand to take a screenshot, or hold home and power-kegacide
5.Hold down physical button and you can close all open apps and go to the task manager - hawkeye2188
6.Buttons on the bottom of the lock screen and can be swiped and open that application - hawkeye2188
7.You can also swipe away individual apps after holding down the home button - NA 521"
8.first go to settings>language and input and turn on voice cmd for apps. I had it on early today and said cheese and the camera snapped a photo...pretty cool -s3xda (on a side note it seems as though the variants have different voice cues try snap, cheese, shutter, and go)
9.In settings > sound > device vibration, you can select a different pattern of vibrate, or just make your own by touching create! - Zoidpilot
10.In app drawer > widgets, Sammy added a widget to use flash as a flashlight, and a widget to turn the entire phone into negative colors.-Zoidpilot
11.You can set the brightness in the majority of stock apps (i.e. the browser) to be app specific, instead of just setting a brightness for the entire system. For example: set the brightness to auto in the system settings, then open the stock browser > brightness and colors, and set it to high. Now the system will have auto brightness, but it will always go to high/bright when you are in the browser! -Zoidpilot
12.If you go to Phone > Logs > call logs, you can long-press a number (like that telemarketer you always reject) and select "add to reject list" to have the phone automatically reject the call every time. You can also unblock the number in case you change your mind.-Zoidpilot
13.In the stock messaging app, you can go to settings, and on the top you will find options to change the background and bubble style of the messages.-Zoidpilot
14.Samsung's S-Voice can do complex mathematical equations for you, then show them in different answers. For example, open S-Voice, and ask "how many inches are in a mile?". Or "what's the square root of 543,636?". -Zoidpilot
15.In settings > security > lock screen options > shortcuts, you can change what shortcuts appear on your lockscreen, or take them out altogether.-Zoidpilot
16.On the headphones that came with your device, you will see a single button and the volume controls. One press of the single button will pause the music, two presses in quick succession will skip to the next track. -Zoidpilot
17.In settings > wallpaper > home & lockscreen, if you select a live wallpaper, it will show as your lock screen as well. It will deactivate the ripple effect though if you have it active.-Zoidpilot
18.You can also use pop-up play on streaming online videos as long as they're not YouTube videos, and as long as you use the stock video player to stream them.-Zoidpilot
19.Pictures come out better with the camera if you hold the camera button and let it focus before the shot, rather than just pressing it after touching the focus box.-Zoidpilot
20.The stock browser has "incognito mode" just like Google Chrome! You can access it by opening the browser, the touching the top right corner to see open windows, then touching the incognito icon. While you're incognito, no history/cookies/or form data will be saved.-Zoidpilot
21.While you are on a call, on the screen where the contact picture is displayed, there is a speaker icon in a bubble. Touch it to increase the call volume past the maximum setting. It works on speaker or on headset setting.-Zoidpilot
22.If you're not rooted, but want to get rid of those pesky bloatware apps, go to settings > application manager > all, and select the app. Within those settings you can clear the information the app has, then disable the app with the top right button. You may need to uninstall updates before it says disable app though... you can also go to the app drawer, hit menu, then select "hide apps" to hide the bloatware icons you've disabled. -Zoidpilot
23.With voice cmd turned on, you can snooze your alarm by saying snooze. -s3xda
24.Cover the screen with the palm of your hand to pause media playback. -NA 521"
25.You can use S Voice like a translator,for example: What is the meaning of house in spanish?-TitaniumBarbell
26.I just found out the contents of the clipboard stay there even after a reboot.-kingwp
27.touch wiz scrolling wallpapers fix go Settings > Wallpaper > Home Screen... If you set them independantly you will be able to crop the wallpaper just like any other HC/ICS device-nonmindo
28.you can get your status bar in ANY full screen app, even full screen games. How? Start with your finger touching just outside of the top of the display and drag down, it will fade in and you can check your notifications, it works both in landscape and portrait mode-nonmindo
29.I noticed that any time you send an email in gmail with our new phones (t-mobile version at least), it puts a stupid T-mobile signature at the bottom of the email. I found that you can change it by going to gmail>menu>settings>[email protected]>signature and putting in whatever you want.-moonfire711
30.Also, go into your dialer>menu>settings for more in call goodies.-moonfire711
31.Many probably already know this, but I just found out that you can turn on the screen with the physical home button instead of the power button. Which is nice if it's laying down on a desk or something.-moonfire711
32.If you get tired of re-unlocking your screen when it turns off, you can set it to not lock for a set period of time after the screen turns off... Go to menu>settings>security>Lock automatically and change the timeout.-moonfire711
33.If you go into Settings > Sounds > Auto Haptic It will enable haptic feedback on your games/apps based on sound, pretty neat!! (note: doesnt work on all games/apps, but does on many)-nonmindo
34.In relation to the haptic feedback with sound... Tap on the left side of the toggle (where the text is), and it'll open up a menu to choose which ones to enable/disable. -pizz0wn3d
35.The wiimote controller successfully pairs and works with our SGS3s! -pizz0wn3d
36.For your contacts or logs, slide left to direct call and slide right to direct text.-jaytxvo
37.while in the stock video player press the picture in picture button to pop out the video -s3xda
38.Super video does pic-in-pic -20blks
39.***Sprint Specific*** In order to turn on and off LTE ... Settings >wireless settings>more settings >network mode>lte/cdma -iphony89
40.camera quick access... allows you to touch the lockscreen and rotate the screen to open the camera... Settings > security > lock screen options > camera quick access -Cappurnikus
41.pull down the notification touch the time and it will open the world clock (might be variant specific) -Deputy13
42.I have only tested this with Windows Media Player, but I assume any DLNA equipped TV/media device would work. This is great if you want to quickly show a slideshow of photos or play some media file on your tv/computer.1) Go Settings/More Settings/Nearby Devices 2) Turn on file sharing and change any options you'd like. Since I'm on my own my Wifi network, I just disabled access control, otherwise you have to approve every device.3) Start Windows Media Player. Make sure under Stream "Allow Remote Control" is checked. You should see your phone show up under "Other Libraries" in WMP. Mine shows up as [Mobile]SCH-135.4) Go into Gallery and select a picture. If connected properly, in the upper right hand corner there will be a new little icon with a monitor and some arrows. Touch this and it will allow you to select a playback device. 5) Now the picture should show up in a maximized screen in WMP. Sometimes it takes a good 10-20 seconds. Videos take much longer, but they work and what I got was the first frame, followed by a good 20 seconds of a "Processing" notification on the Galaxy S3. When I browsed from WMP to my phone videos, it buffered for a very long time, so this "processing" notification is the buffering taking place. I don't know why DLNA needs such a long time to buffer over a home Wifi network.6) Whenever you change folders you have to click the DLNA icon again and re-select your playback device. Not sure why this is, seems like a bug...Unfortunately I did a little research and there is no way to physically copy files to your computer through DLNA, you'll have to use other methods.Make sure you turn this stuff off when you connect to public Wifi .-sluzbenik
44.When viewing videos using the stock video player, you can lock the touchscreen by pressing the power button so that the video does not get interrupted by inadvertent touches. This is especially useful if you are using your phone to entertain your baby or toddler. Also works with mx player though haven't tried it with other players -limeaid
45.Do not know if it has been mentioned already, but you can also bring the phone up to your ear and it will call that contact.-ricky babalu
46. if you are in the apps drawer, and you pinch the screen, you will see all pages of your apps and can quickly choose the one you want.-moonfire711
47.Haven't noticed this being addressed but regarding S-Beam it appears that both phones are required to utilize the same app that is involved with the file being transferred. For example, I use "quickpic" as the default image viewer and when I used s-beam to test a pic transfer, the phones connected however my buddy's phone went to the play store and more specifically went to the "quickpic" downlad page. Obviously my buddy's phone required him to dl the app in order to finish the transfer. I then opened the same file via "gallery" and reinitiated the transfer. This time the phones connected and transferred the file without a hitch. -augustorm
48. lock screen shortcuts can be edited on the swipe lock screen go to settings/security/lock screen options/shortcuts click the word shortcuts and not the toggle it will bring up the 4 shortcuts and your allowed to change which app is accessed or what order there displayed in -ironlood
49. Just found a way to substantially increase smoothness. Under Developer Options--> Limit Background Processes. I set mine to 5 and notice a difference -eyecon82

This is great, Thanks!
Currently not being productive on my S3.

23.With voice cmd turned on, you can snooze your alarm by saying snooze. -s3xda
Do I need to have S Voice turned on for this? For example, I completely disabled S Voice (due to the lag it creates) and just set my alarm through ICS/Settings. Will this still work?

Thanks for the list, awesome information

Death&co said:
23.With voice cmd turned on, you can snooze your alarm by saying snooze. -s3xda
Do I need to have S Voice turned on for this? For example, I completely disabled S Voice (due to the lag it creates) and just set my alarm through ICS/Settings. Will this still work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabling s-voice by double clicking home button doesn't deactivate s voice, it does help with the home button lag...just create for s voice icon on your homepage...
however if you completely disable it in settings-->manage applicatoins, then im not sure

Hey, my tip about pinch to zoom in/out while using the Calendar app to quickly go from day to week to month to year view and vice versa isn't here! Haha btw, did you guys know you can rotate your phone while using the dialer? It doesn't add any functionality but it's something random I noticed this weekend.
Also, #34 applies to any toggle in Settings (including voice cmd!) except data usage/mobile data:
34.In relation to the haptic feedback with sound... Tap on the left side of the toggle (where the text is), and it'll open up a menu to choose which ones to enable/disable. -pizz0wn3d
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I would really like to thank eyecon82 for making this thread (and bump it while I'm at it!). This is worth its weight in gold to a technologically impaired guy like me. I would also like to thank those of you that added along the way. Top notch work all

Samsung s6 ,lock a specific app on lock screen

Hi everyone , I hope someone can help me with this.
I hope there's an app or way to do it.
Basically i want to know whether is possible to lock an app on the lock screen so that it can be used but you can't exit it or use other apps without inserting patter code or lock code.
In this case I would like to be able to have my playlist on the lock scree so that even if some of my friends handles the phone ,they'll be able to scroll through the list of songs and use the music player but won't be able to do anything else unless they unlock the device
is something like this possible?(at the moment there's a small widget at the top of the screen that can be used to pause,next songs etc when the lock screen is on but it doesn't allow to have more access to the app features such as playlist songs etc)
Thank you

any advice ?

Settings > Lockscreen and security > Other security settings > Pin windows.

Thank you so much Giocarro, this is exactly what I am looking for.
However, I have tried to check whether the function is available in tasker and can't seemt o find it.
I would like to aumate this so that when I'm in my car I can automatically get the music player open and pin it to the window using the script.
Are you aware of a way to do this through tasker or by any other method?
Thank you

I don't think it is possible, and I am a Tasker user, too.
The thing you can do is activate Settings app when you launch music app; I use this method to enable GPS when launching Maps.

i turn on gps when I open the map too but opening the setting app doesn't have any relevance here if I'm correct.
The settings to activate pin windows is a one of option.
the way windows are pinned is by pressing the recent button and then press on the pin icon on the bottom right side of the recent window you want to pin
This last stage is a bit annoying if it can't be done without a script, however this option that allows to pin apps is quiet useful.
thank you

Only way I could think of doing what you want would be to use Tasker "Send intent" feature, but I am not a developer so don't know whether there is an 'intent' for pinning the current app or not.

Lockscreen music controls where are they ?

Hello all
Anyone know a way i can get lockscreen music controls to work.?
i use pocketcasst and deezer and none of them will have lock screen controls im sure its a Huawei thing.
as they work on all other phones.
Any help would be great with this thank you.

The only way i get them is to press pause on the headset and then they pop up.

Finger050 said:
The only way i get them is to press pause on the headset and then they pop up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohhh that actually explains why they was there the other day then went lol thanks for the reply mate.

It still remains a lousy way, im still hoping for a better way. The controls are off to, i need to press way more right that the buttons are. And sometimes the control buttons just move to the left under the album cover by them selfs.

SOLVED: latest post read here, full instructions...
https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-add-third-party-music-apps-emui-lock-screen/
Sent from my MHA-L29 using Tapatalk

Thank you so much this is really good news just a shame you have to root..
I keep holding out that Huawei will actually fix this.

I am using power amp app and I am able to get lockscreen music controls.

open your music app and then go to the notification tray , u can see your music controls there and then slowly slide it to the right, you will see a setting gear icon besides it , open that one and enable "display in the lock screen" option. ?

hatyrei said:
open your music app and then go to the notification tray , u can see your music controls there and then slowly slide it to the right, you will see a setting gear icon besides it , open that one and enable "display in the lock screen" option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope didn't work plus already had them on but thank you
hatyrei ?

Spotify is whitelisted for me (by default, even changed the xml to com.spotify.music-2 as that's what it's named in /data/app) .... But it refuses to show on the lockscreen. UNTIL.... You play through a song, when it goes to the next song it appears and disappears 'til that song has played. Def a Huawei thing. I guess it's added "security". Notifications are on as well, and "display all on lockscreen".
Edit: actually it doesn't seem to obey the "display all notifications on lockscreen" setting as I just realized no notifications show at all.

(SOLVED) just disable the Smart Lock Screen Notification in face recognition setting.

S8+ Facebook messenger chat heads

I have recently moved from iPhone to the s8. I do not get chat heads at all with messenger, is it still supported? I’d really like to get this enabled. I have checked google and searched the issue and can only find how to turn it off. I have ensured on top notification is enabled. I have a galaxy tab also, it did work previously but is now experiencing the same thing. Is this a nougat issue? I have no setting in my Facebook messenger for chat heads either. Thanks in advance for any help.

Make sure you don't have Messenger Lite.

Check the screen overlay permissions.
Borrowed from android central.
- Launch Settings from your home screen.
- Scroll down and tap on Apps.
- Tap the overflow menu button in the top-right corner and tap Special access.
- Tap on Apps that can appear on top.
- Find Messenger and make sure it's turned on.

I physically do not have a toggle to turn it on in messenger

mjones73 said:
Check the screen overlay permissions.
Borrowed from android central.
- Launch Settings from your home screen.
- Scroll down and tap on Apps.
- Tap the overflow menu button in the top-right corner and tap Special access.
- Tap on Apps that can appear on top.
- Find Messenger and make sure it's turned on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is turned on

Go in Messenger, long press on someones name, select "Open chat head".

Szighy said:
Go in Messenger, long press on someones name, select "Open chat head".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I did that and do not have a selection in the list that pops up

wagzac said:
Thanks, I did that and do not have a selection in the list that pops up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, which version do you have?

Szighy said:
Interesting, which version do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
134.0.0.18.91

Interesting, did you try simply reinstalling the app?

Same here. No way to open chat heads, also I have battery problem while the phone has lcd turned off.

Szighy said:
Interesting, did you try simply reinstalling the app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have logged out, removed , restarted and re installed, cleared data and cleared cache. I can get the function of chat heads by using an app called flychat that's the only way I can get the function.

I checked a friends Verizon phone his selection reads "draw on top" my unlocked phone reads " apps that appear on top" I have for enabled but still nothing appears

The only way I got it to work was to log out and start like it was a new account, now chat heads works perfectly, need to figure out how to associate new messenger profile with old facebook account

Same issue
I have had my S8+ for a few weeks now and am experiencing the same issue. Wish I could find the link, but I found something saying it has to do with our facebook UID.

Issue resolved with the latest update to facebook messenger

Mine ignores the off setting

Change behavior of long-press on home?

I want to change the behavior of the long-press on the home button so it doesn't try to launch assistant. I'd like it to do nothing.
I tried disabling assistant, but this just displays an obnoxious banner telling me to turn on assistant.
I did find this app that allows you to remap the button to all sorts of things, but would prefer something that doesn't need all those permissions.
This is with 3-button navigation enabled as I'm using Nova Launcher on Android 10. Phone is not rooted.
[edit] and of course, I found the answer immediately after posting the question:
Settings > Apps & Notifications > Default apps > Assist app - change it to "None"

thedosbox said:
I want to change the behavior of the long-press on the home button so it doesn't try to launch assistant. I'd like it to do nothing.
I tried disabling assistant, but this just displays an obnoxious banner telling me to turn on assistant.
I did find this app that allows you to remap the button to all sorts of things, but would prefer something that doesn't need all those permissions.
This is with 3-button navigation enabled as I'm using Nova Launcher on Android 10. Phone is not rooted.
[edit] and of course, I found the answer immediately after posting the question:
Settings > Apps & Notifications > Default apps > Assist app - change it to "None"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only thing is if you use the "Squeeze" for Google Assistant it disables that too. Which is good or bad depending on how you feel about GA. I just got mine today so I'm still playing with things. Might delete later,IDK.