Use the Advanced Features on the Samsung Galaxy S8
Edited by Jay
7 Parts:
Samsung's Galaxy S8 is a powerful phone that's bursting at the seams with both practical, and convenient features. With a Quad HD+ (2960 x 1440) display and 4k video recording (30 fps), it's no surprise that the Galaxy S8 is a front-runner in the current mobile industry.
Some of the advanced features available on the Galaxy S8 minimize the user's effort to perform functions such as calling, messaging and sharing content, by utilizing simple gestures and movements. Other features help enhance the device's performance and productivity. There is even an option that could potentially save a life or help in a dangerous situation.
In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at all the advanced features that come stock with the Samsung Galaxy S8, running the Nougat Operating System.
Contents
- 1 Smart stay, Games, Caller ID and spam protection
- 2 One-handed mode, Finger sensor gestures, Quick launch camera
- 3 Device assistance app and Multi window
- 4 Smart capture, Palm swipe to capture, Direct call
- 5 Smart alert, Easy mute, Swipe to call or send message
- 6 Send SOS messages, Direct share, Video enhancer
- 7 Comments
Smart stay, Games, Caller ID and spam protection
- 1From the home screen, swipe up to access the app drawer.To get started we have to access the device's main settings.
- 2Once inside the app drawer, tap the "Settings" icon.
- 3On the settings screen, tap "Advanced features".
- 4From the Advanced features screen, tap "Smart stay".
- 5This feature is particularly handy when reading for extended periods of time.Smart stay keeps the device's screen on when the user is using the phone by utilizing the front camera.Toggle the switch to enable Smart stay.
- 6Back on the Advanced features screen, tap "Games".
- 7Game Launcher will organize all the installed games on your device, as well as provide extra features while playing games.Toggle the switch to turn on Game Launcher.
- 8From the Advanced features page, tap "Caller ID and spam protection".
- 9Enabling this will identify unsaved callers and senders of messages from the call screen, phone log, and Messages app.To share your name and number with the server, tap the toggle switch in the bottom right.
- 10If you choose to share your name and number, Smart Call will request access to your contacts, in addition to making and managing phone calls.To utilize this feature, you must allow access to both.
One-handed mode, Finger sensor gestures, Quick launch camera
- 1Head back to the Advanced features screen and tap, "One-handed mode".
- 2Enabling this will allow you to reduce the display size by either; swiping up diagonally from the bottom left or right corner (Gesture mode) or, by tapping the home button three times quickly (Button mode).
- 3From the Advanced features page, tap "Finger sensor gestures".
- 4Enable this, and you can launch the notification panel by swiping up or down on the fingerprint sensor.
- 5Enabling this allows you to access the S8's camera by pressing the power button two times.Back on the Advanced features screen, tap "Quick launch Camera".
Device assistance app and Multi window
- 1Continuing from the Advanced features screen, tap "Device assistant app".
2
Here you can choose the app that your device will load when you tap and hold the home button
. 
3
Go back to Advanced features and tap, "Multi window".
4
Enable "Use recents button" to change the active app from full screen to split screen, by touching and holding the Recents button in the lower left corner.
Enable "Pop-up view action", and you can resize the current app by swiping down diagonally from the upper left or right corner.
Smart capture, Palm swipe to capture, Direct call
- 1From Advanced features, tap "Smart capture".
- 2Turning Smart capture on allows you to perform additional tasks after taking a screenshot.You can; capture hidden areas on the screen, draw, crop or share the screenshot.
- 3On the Advanced features screen, tap "Palm swipe to capture".
- 4Enable this to take a screenshot by swiping the edge of your hand across the screen while keeping contact with the device.
- 5Head back to the Advanced features screen and tap, "Direct call".
- 6Turn this on, and you can make a call by holding the device to your ear, as long as the contact's information is on the screen.
Smart alert, Easy mute, Swipe to call or send message
- 1On the Advanced settings page, tap "Smart alert".
- 2When Smart alert is turned on, your device will vibrate when you pick it up, to inform you of miss calls or messages.
- 3Go back to Advanced settings and tap, "Easy mute".
- 4Enable this feature, and you can mute incoming calls and messages by either turning the phone upside down or, by waving your hand over the screen.
- 5From Advanced settings, tap "Swipe to call or send messages".
- 6With this feature turned on you can swipe a contact right to call them or, swipe left to send them a message.
Send SOS messages, Direct share, Video enhancer
- 1Back on the Advanced features screen, tap "Send SOS messages".
- 2Read through them, check the radio button, then tap "AGREE" to continue.If this is the first time enabling this option, you will see Terms and conditions.
- 3When the first pop-up dialogue appears, tap "ADD", then on the second pop-up tap "Add recipient".To use Send SOS, you have to add at least one contact (you can have up to four).
- 4Once at least once contact is added, you can alert your emergency contact by pressing the power button three times quickly.You'll be taken to your contacts, select up to four people, then tap "DONE".You can also attach pictures (taken with the front or rear camera), and a short five-second audio clip.
- 5Head back to the Advanced features screen and tap, "Direct share".
- 6Toggle this on, and you can share content with people right from the sharing panel on any app.Direct share icons are displayed at the top of the share panel when activated.
- 7The final option on the Advanced features page is "Video enhancer".
- 8A list of the apps it functions with will be displayed under Available apps.Enable this to enhance the overall image quality of your videos.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
