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TouchWiz
Smartphone screen displaying various app icons.
HOW TO
03/11/2022 6:55 pm

Hide Apps on Your Samsung Galaxy's Home Screen, App Tray, and Search

You don't have to see every app installed on your phone if you don't want to. Samsung One UI makes it easy to hide apps from your Samsung Galaxy's home screen, app tray, and search tool, whether you want to declutter, simplify things, or keep other people from seeing some of the apps you use. If tha ...more

Definition of Android and App from a glossary or dictionary.
NEWS
11/12/2020 10:41 pm

The Big Android Dictionary: A Glossary of Terms You Should Know

Android comprises an entire ecosystem of apps, games, functions, and features, so it would only make sense that it has its own lexicon. Words, phrases, and acronyms that didn't exist ten years ago are now used in an off-the-cuff style by developers and support technicians across the web. As the plat ...more

One UI 2 display on a smartphone.
HOW TO
09/29/2020 6:27 pm

All the New Features & Changes in Samsung's One UI 2 for Galaxy Devices

Update (Fall 2020): Samsung's version of Android 11 is already in its testing phases! One UI 3.0 is expected to hit recent flagship Galaxy devices towards the end of this year, so check out the new list of features: New Version: All the New Features & Changes in Samsung's One UI 3.0 UpdateSamsun ...more

Mobile device software information showing One UI version 2.5 and Android version 10.
HOW TO
08/25/2020 4:45 pm

29 New Features in Samsung's One UI 2.5 You Won't Want to Miss

Samsung's One UI has slowly become the model for Android skins. The old iOS-like TouchWiz already feels like a relic, thanks in part to the newer user interface's exceptional design and fast but meaningful updates. One UI is so good, other OEM skins have copied elements of it. The latest release is ...more

Settings menu displayed on a smartphone.
HOW TO
07/30/2020 3:39 pm

How to Get Completely Custom Themes for Any Samsung Galaxy Using Hex Installer

Samsung's stock Galaxy Themes system leaves much to be desired with its restrictive and expensive theme packs. Back in the day, the gold standard for Android theming was CyanogenMod Theme Engine. And while it no longer exists, a successor has emerged to fill the void. Hex Installer applies Substratr ...more

Smartphones in various colors with camera modules prominently displayed.
NEWS
12/23/2019 8:31 pm

Our Writers & Editors Pick Their Favorite Phones of 2019

One of my favorite perks of this job is the opportunity to try out all the big flagship phones each year. Whether it's rating their suitability for a particular use-case or just entering their specs into our comparison tool, we have to get our hands on all major phones released in the US. We pride o ...more

Settings menu on a smartphone displaying toggle options for edge functionality.
HOW TO
11/12/2019 8:56 pm

Navigation Gestures Are So Much Better on One UI 2 Thanks to Android 10

Samsung launched One UI in 2018 to replace the now infamous TouchWiz. Since then, things have been looking pretty bright for Galaxy users. Now, the much-anticipated arrival of Android 10 is ushering in the One UI 2.0 era, including a new set of gesture-based controls. Since you're most likely upgrad ...more

Smartphone displaying a blurred cityscape background with app icons on the home screen.
HOW TO
04/02/2019 6:27 pm

How to Turn Your Galaxy S10 into a Google Pixel

While the Galaxy S10 is a beautiful phone, its software isn't for everyone. One UI makes huge strides toward undoing the mess known as TouchWiz, but for purists, it's still not quite on par with stock Android. Fortunately, the beauty of Android is you can change this with a few apps. Without rooting ...more

Smartphone displaying weather information with a temperature of 45°F at night.
HOW TO
03/11/2019 6:25 pm

How to Move the Clock Back to the Right Side on Your Galaxy in Android Pie

Android 9.0 Pie moved the status bar clock from the right corner to the left to accommodate phones with notches, but there's one major downside for Samsung users: since no Galaxy phones have a notch, all this did was take away space for the notification icons that would otherwise start from the left ...more

Smartphone screen displaying weather information and status icons.
HOW TO
02/22/2019 2:59 am

How to Hide the VPN 'Key' Icon on Android — No Root Needed

Depending on how you use your phone, you may have noticed your status bar is a bit crowded due to various icons being enabled. While some icons make sense to have, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the VPN key icon can be redundant, especially if the app uses a notification. Good thing, there is a way to ...more

Close-up of a smartphone displaying a dial pad.
NEWS
01/22/2019 10:03 pm

Samsung's Phone App Looks So Much Better on One UI

Android Pie has finally made its way to signature Galaxy devices like the Note 9, S9 and S8. As you all know, Samsung Experience got a major makeover and has been renamed to One UI, featuring significant aesthetic changes to many of its native apps. The Phone app, in particular, has a brand new layo ...more

Mobile device settings menu display.
HOW TO
11/29/2018 9:32 pm

Get a System-Wide Dark Theme on Your Galaxy S8 — No Root Needed

Samsung's recent TouchWiz rebranding didn't really change much — the skin is still as bloated as ever, and the UI still uses tacky accent colors. But while you can't fully remove TouchWiz without rooting, there are ways to make it look a lot better. We all know the Galaxy S8 uses an AMOLED screen, w ...more

Smartphone displaying abstract purple and pink graphic on a table.
NEWS
11/08/2018 10:08 pm

Samsung Android Pie Update: Galaxy Devices Are Getting Better Edge Lighting

As Samsung's very own take on Android 9.0 Pie, the newly-dubbed One UI (formerly Samsung Experience, and TouchWiz before that) comes with a slew of new features and redesigned elements for the Galaxy's interface. Many of the changes, like the redesigned native app icons, are readily apparent, but ot ...more

Smartphone displaying a colorful app interface in an outdoor setting.
NEWS
11/07/2018 9:01 pm

Samsung Android Pie Update: Galaxy Devices Are Getting All-New Home Screen Icons

With Android Pie beta now available for the Galaxy S9 and S9+, Samsung is well on its way to catching up to major competitors like the Google Pixel 3 in terms of giving its users the latest and greatest software Android has to offer. Of course, Samsung has added its own touches to the software to ma ...more

Unlocking the broadcast menu on a device screen.
HOW TO
10/24/2018 7:27 pm

How to Unlock the Bootloader on Your Pixel 3 or 3 XL — a Beginner's Guide

The main draw for Google's Pixel series is the software. It rocks a clean version of stock Android instead of a heavy OEM skin like TouchWiz, it gets frequent prompt OS updates, the camera software is downright amazing, and it has perhaps the most fluid UI of any phone. But an understated advantage ...more

Smartphone leaning against a fire extinguisher on a carpeted surface.
HOW TO
10/02/2018 8:16 pm

How to Turn Your Galaxy Note 9 into a Google Pixel

Samsung Experience isn't for everyone. While it's a far cry from the TouchWiz days, it is still too heavy of a skin for Android purists. But you shouldn't let that dissuade you from a powerful device that checks nearly all other boxes — there are ways to make the Galaxy Note 9's software look and fe ...more

Smartphone displayed on a background of colorful crayons.
HOW TO
08/08/2018 2:28 am

How to Get the Screenshot Editing Feature from Android Pie on Any Phone

The new Android 9.0 Pie update is bringing a feature that stock Android has been lacking — screenshot editing. OEM skins like Samsung's TouchWiz have had this for years, and Apple added it to iOS just recently. But now that it's in stock Android, it'll be included with every phone going forward — tr ...more

Screenshot saved notification on a smartphone.
HOW TO
08/08/2018 2:18 am

Android Pie Finally Lets You Edit Screenshots — Here's How It Works

Samsung has had a rich screenshot editor in TouchWiz for years, and Apple even added a similar feature to iOS 11. Until now, stock Android has lagged behind in this area, but that's finally fixed in Android 9.0 Pie. Screenshot editing in Android Pie is actually rather intuitive. To start, just take ...more

City skyline view displayed on a smartphone.
HOW TO
06/22/2018 11:37 pm

How to Completely Revamp the Lock Screen on Your Galaxy S8 or S9

Samsung's Good Lock app has has breathed much needed life into its TouchWiz UI by giving us the ability to customize our Galaxy phones in ways that previously would've required root or a custom ROM. One companion app in particular even lets you personalize your lock screen to set it apart from the r ...more

Smartphone displaying a user interface with various app icons and notifications.
HOW TO
06/21/2018 9:39 pm

How to Get a Transparent Quick Settings Panel on Your Galaxy S8 or S9

With the re-emergence of Samsung's Good Lock app, you're once again able to tweak parts of your Galaxy's interface with no root or major modifications required. One add-on in particular even lets you fully customize the Quick Settings panel on your S8, S9, or Note 8 in a full spectrum of colors to t ...more

Person holding a smartphone outdoors with flowers in the background.
HOW TO
06/21/2018 2:32 pm

Improve Palm Rejection on Your Galaxy Device to Prevent Accidental Touches

Samsung has made curved displays a signature element of their flagship phones, but the Edge Screen, as it's called, has proven to be a magnet for accidental touches. Fortunately, Samsung has developed a little known app to help prevent this problem. The app — aptly named EdgeTouch — lets you customi ...more

Person holding a smartphone displaying multiple apps in a garden setting.
HOW TO
06/20/2018 11:00 pm

Get Android P-Style Multitasking on Your Galaxy S8 or S9

A revamped Recent Apps overview is one of the most significant changes set to arrive with Android P when it touches down later this year. Incredibly, Samsung has beaten Google to the punch, and has made this feature available for all its Oreo-based Galaxy handsets courtesy of its Good Locks app. Bes ...more

Mobile phone displaying signal indicator.
HOW TO
06/19/2018 9:23 pm

How to Remove Any Status Bar Icon on Your Galaxy S8, S9, or Note 8

Samsung reintroduced its well regarded Good Lock app, so now you can tweak parts of your Galaxy's interface without the need for root or other labor-intensive mods. Thanks to an awesome add-on, you can even tidy up you phone's status bar — so if you've always wanted to get rid of that pesky NFC "N" ...more

Smartphone and headphones on a metal surface.
HOW TO
05/31/2018 8:27 pm

5 Ways to Improve the Bluetooth Experience on Your Samsung Galaxy

Many of us rely on our smartphones for all our media needs. Now more than ever, we're using Bluetooth connections to play audio over speakers, headphones, car sound systems — the list goes on. If you own a Samsung smartphone like the Galaxy S9, there are a number of Bluetooth tweaks and hidden trick ...more

A person holding a smartphone with a city skyline on the screen, parked cars in the background.
HOW TO
05/23/2018 9:33 pm

10 Settings You Can Tweak to Make TouchWiz More Tolerable

Samsung Experience (better known as TouchWiz) can take some time to get used to when you switch to a Galaxy from another Android device. It's a bit heavy-handed with the features, and many consider the UI theme to be a little over the top. Thankfully, there are several stock settings that can dial t ...more

Smartphone displaying a planet illustration next to a laptop and mouse on a desk.
HOW TO
04/13/2018 12:24 am

22 Features You Probably Overlooked on Your Samsung Galaxy

TouchWiz might not be the Android skin of choice for hardcore aficionados, but the Galaxy's OS still has a ton of great features up its sleeve that help provide one of the most enjoyable smartphone experiences out there. Many of these are relatively hidden and overlooked features that you may not be ...more

Two Samsung smartphones held in front of greenery.
NEWS
04/07/2018 1:02 am

Samsung Is Still Awful at Flagship Updates

In the Android community, Samsung's slow updates have long been the accepted norm. With the Note 8's recent Android Oreo update, Samsung completed annual version updates to their 2017 flagship lineup. Now is a great time to look back on how Samsung has fared with updates over the past few years. Hin ...more

Hand holding a smartphone displaying a blank home screen.
HOW TO
03/20/2018 8:40 pm

Customize Your Navigation Bar on Android Nougat — No Root Needed

One of the biggest features to come out with Android O was the addition of a new System UI Tuner submenu that lets you customize the navigation bar at the bottom of your phone's screen. But as it turns out, this same feature can be enabled on devices running Android Nougat, even without root access. ...more

Smartphone displaying weather information against a tropical background.
NEWS
03/16/2018 5:35 pm

Here Are Some of the Cool New Home Screen Features on the Galaxy S9

While millions eagerly await the arrival of the Galaxy S9 and all the new features it has to offer, we can actually get a glimpse of its capabilities right now — if we know where to look. The S9's home screen, in particular, is one such area that has new features we can preview now. The Galaxy S9 is ...more

Smartphone displaying a scenic beach wallpaper with potted plants in the background.
HOW TO
03/15/2018 3:06 am

How to Turn Your Galaxy S9 into a Google Pixel

Unless you own an Exynos model, there won't be much development on the custom ROM front for the Galaxy S9. But that doesn't mean you have to put up with all of the UI quirks from Samsung Experience (née TouchWiz). With a little work, you can give your S9 a stock Android makeover, even without root. ...more

Android device displaying a warning icon on a blue screen.
HOW TO
03/09/2018 10:52 pm

How to Force Restart Your Galaxy S9 or S9+ When It's Acting Up

As advanced as the Galaxy S9 is, it can still be susceptible to the occasional hiccup. Several factors can cause your smartphone to behave erratically or become unresponsive, such as buggy apps or updates that didn't properly install. Luckily, most of these issues can be easily resolved with a press ...more

Smartphone displaying a technology news website.
HOW TO
03/08/2018 10:24 pm

You Can Get One of the Galaxy S9's Best Apps on Any Phone

While TouchWiz as an Android skin isn't a favorite among many, Samsung Internet is a fantastic web browser that S9 owners should be happy to have preinstalled out of the box. But you don't need to buy Samsung's latest flagship to try their browser — Samsung Internet is available to all compatible An ...more

Samsung smartphone camera close-up.
NEWS
02/25/2018 8:32 pm

Why Project Treble Is a Huge Win for Exynos Galaxy S9 Owners

Because of quirks with cell radios and how Android was previously set up, custom ROM support for Galaxy S phones has been sparse these past few years. It's been almost nonexistent for US customers, while international users would see some ROMs. Thanks to Android Oreo's Project Treble, this will all ...more

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NEWS
02/25/2018 7:56 pm

The Galaxy S9's Keyboard Has a Few New Tricks Up Its Sleeve Thanks to Oreo

Thanks to Samsung Experience 9.0 on the Galaxy S8 (AKA TouchWiz Oreo), we know the upcoming Galaxy S9 is going to enjoy some of the new keyboard changes coming to Samsung's iteration of Android 8.0. Those who preorder the device on March 2 or pick it up on March 16 can expect these changes out of th ...more

Software update screen with a message "Checking for updates."
NEWS
02/25/2018 7:06 pm

Thanks to Project Treble, the Galaxy S9 Should Actually Get Fast Updates

Oreo, the latest and greatest Android OS, lets you enjoy a ton of new features such as app shortcuts and an improved keyboard. But thanks to a feature that's required of all phones that ship with Android Oreo out of the box, your S9 may be the first Galaxy phone to finally receive timely software up ...more

Smartphone on a textured surface displaying app icons.
NEWS
02/25/2018 6:44 pm

Time for an Upgrade? Here's How the Galaxy S9 Compares to the S7 Edge on Paper

Samsung has legions of loyal fans, and for good reason — their Galaxy S lineup ticks so many boxes that it would be a downgrade to switch to any other phone. Though if you're still rocking an older model like the Galaxy S7 Edge, the all-new Galaxy S9 can tick all the same boxes plus a few more. But ...more

Smartphone screen displaying Dolby Atmos audio settings with options for Auto, Movie, and Music.
NEWS
01/06/2018 4:37 am

Galaxy S8 Android Oreo Update Leaked — Here's What's New

It's been nearly two months since Samsung kicked off the official Galaxy S8 beta program for Android Oreo. The Korean manufacturer recently announced that the beta is ending on January 15, so it's time to move on to the official build. Today, an official (non-beta) build of Oreo for the S8 has leake ...more

Smartphone screen displaying date and time with app icons.
HOW TO
11/15/2017 11:22 pm

Action Launcher 101: How to Use the New Adaptive Folders Feature

Chis Lacy's Action Launcher is easily one of the best third-party home screen apps for Android. If you're interested in the basic feature set of this impressive app, check our our overview of the top five launchers on Android. Today, we're taking an in-depth look at the brand new Adaptive Folders fe ...more

A smartphone displaying a technology news website on a textured surface.
HOW TO
11/02/2017 4:54 pm

Get Samsung's Internet Browser on Almost Any Android Device

Before the release of the Galaxy S8, Samsung quietly uploaded one of their core TouchWiz apps to the Google Play Store as a beta. Samsung Internet, as it's called, has been a staple on all Galaxy devices for years now, but you can now try the browser on any Android phone. After a little over half a ...more

Smartphones from Samsung and Apple held side by side.
NEWS
10/28/2017 8:47 pm

Apple vs. Samsung: How Does the iPhone X Stack Up Against the Galaxy Note 8?

Now that the cutting-edge iPhone X is up for preorder, everyone is excited to see how the new device will compare to offerings from Apple's competitors. Namely the Galaxy Note 8, which is a beast of a phone in its own right. The reasoning behind wanting to see how the iPhone X and the Note 8 compare ...more

Smartphones displaying different user interfaces.
NEWS
10/28/2017 8:45 pm

Apple vs. LG: How Does the iPhone X Compare to the LG V30?

The highly anticipated iPhone X is finally up for preorder, and it's been almost as exciting as we expected. With the dual cameras, bezel-less display, and high-tech facial recognition, there's almost nothing on the iPhone X that won't be liked. But around the same time as the iPhone X's announcemen ...more

Two Google Pixel smartphones arranged on a wooden surface.
NEWS
10/05/2017 3:09 am

Everything You Need to Know About the Google Pixel 2 — Specs, Features & More

After months of leaks and rumors, Google has finally unveiled the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. If there were such a thing, the Pixel would be the one "true" Android flagship — so even if you don't plan on buying a Pixel 2, you'll want you learn more about this milestone device. Last year's Pixel lineup m ...more

Two smartphones displayed side by side, one iPhone and one Samsung Galaxy, with a blurred colorful background.
NEWS
09/19/2017 1:06 am

Apple vs. Samsung: How Do the iPhone 8 & 8 Plus Compare to the Galaxy S8 & S8+?

Now that the the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have been revealed, we've been eager to see how the new devices will stack up against top-of-the-line Android phones like the Galaxy S8 and S8+. We can't compare real-world usage right now since the new iPhone models haven't been released yet, but we can s ...more

Mobile screen displaying file management app with various file options.
HOW TO
08/22/2017 2:05 am

TWRP 101: How to Install a Custom ROM

Since Android is an open source operating system, that means anyone with a little know-how can download, view, and even alter its underlying code base. Manufacturers do it all the time, which is how we end up with skins like TouchWiz and Sense. But when Android's awesome third-party development comm ...more

Xposed Installer app interface showing installation status with a green check mark.
HOW TO
08/14/2017 11:49 pm

Xposed 101: How to Install the Xposed Framework on Lollipop or Marshmallow

The Xposed Framework is still alive and kicking despite the fact that development has slowed down a bit lately. Rovo89 is the only true developer behind Xposed, so it's really a one-man show. This means the popular root mod doesn't typically support the latest Android version, but it's usually only ...more

Update notification on a smartphone indicating required restart and file size.
HOW TO
06/02/2017 9:51 pm

Why Aren't More Manufacturers Using Nougat's Seamless Updates Feature?

A groundbreaking new Android feature called seamless updates was announced at Google I/O 2016. No longer would we have to wait for updates to download and install — instead, they'd be applied silently in the background, and the new Android version would be waiting on us the next time we restarted ou ...more

A hand holding a smartphone with a starry wallpaper.
HOW TO
05/24/2017 3:21 pm

How to Turn Your Galaxy S8 into a Google Pixel

There's no debating that the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are top contenders for the most beautifully designed handsets of 2017, but the same can't be said for their TouchWiz interface, which has been met with lukewarm reception at best. Changing the UI by flashing a custom ROM has always been a popular option ...more

Person taking a selfie with a blue smartphone.
NEWS
05/16/2017 4:07 pm

HTC U11 Officially Unveiled — Here's the Lowdown

After poor sales of last year's HTC 10 and the terriblereviews their first 2017 flagship received, HTC really needs the HTC U11 to succeed. But they're not taking things lying down, as they've come up with some interesting tech for their latest handset. The biggest new feature in the HTC U11 is a sq ...more

Text on smartphone screen instructing to press or double tap the Home button to turn on the display.
HOW TO
05/03/2017 1:03 am

How to Fix Screen Burn-In on Your Galaxy S8 (& Prevent It from Happening Again)

Everyone's been talking about Samsung's new Galaxy S8 and S8+, but not all of the chatter is positive. The fingerprint scanner is in an awkward location, the North American variant is simply not as smooth and fluid as the international model, and Samsung Experience is nothing more than TouchWiz with ...more

"Smartphone screen displaying a firmware update notification."
HOW TO
05/02/2017 1:27 am

How to Fix Laggy Touchscreen Responsiveness on the OnePlus 3 & 3T

The OnePlus 3 and 3T are a pair of phones which allow you to do practically anything you want, because OnePlus is such a developer-friendly company. They almost always release kernel sources, and their phones sport an unlockable bootloader that doesn't void the warranty. But while their software is ...more

Smartphone held in hand displaying a weather app.
NEWS
04/20/2017 1:40 am

Don't Be Fooled by Samsung's Shiny New UI, It's Still TouchWiz

Galaxy S8 preorders have begun arriving at doorsteps, and some websites seem to be enamored by Samsung's latest visual revamp of TouchWiz — but don't buy the hype, it's a trap! From TouchWiz to Grace UX to Samsung Experience, no matter what the name is, it's still the same old clunky framework every ...more

Samsung smartphone displaying the time and weather information.
HOW TO
04/19/2017 1:50 am

Get the Galaxy S8's New Weather Widget on Older Galaxy Phones

Even though the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are only just now being released to the public, the software leaks have been rolling in for a while. Everyone seems to have gone crazy for the new look Samsung is pushing out with Samsung Experience, the successor to TouchWiz. As a result, there have been quite a fe ...more

Smartphone screen displaying application icons.
HOW TO
04/04/2017 4:44 pm

Get the Galaxy S8's Brand New Launcher on Your S7 or S7 Edge—No Root Needed

The Galaxy S8 and S8+ haven't even hit shelves yet, but some of the stock apps from Samsung's latest flagships have already been leaked. The biggest one so far is the new Samsung Experience Launcher, which replaces TouchWiz Home, and is quite a bit different from anything you'll find on previous Gal ...more

Mobile phone displaying a Google search interface.
HOW TO
02/24/2017 4:48 pm

How to Take Partial Screenshots on Android

Being able to take screenshots on Android isn't something we were always able to do. It was added to stock Android in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 (Gingerbread 2.3, if you were a Samsung TouchWiz user) as a simple full screen screenshot, and that's the way it's remained ever since—until now. Google is rum ...more