Samsung Galaxy S3: How to Enable Lock Screen Light Effect on Android 4.3

Seems I've been missing some features in the previous Android version, Android 4.2 and just discovered them in the Android 4.3. Well, though some of them may be have no real function, but they do the thing that will beautify your precious Samsung Galaxy SIII and makes this device a little bit more fun to play with from time to time. I've already mentioned one of them in the previous post, the hidden BeanFlinger daydream which will act like the PC-screensaver on your phone. You're free to display it right now or while the phone is docked or charging.

See also: How to Unlock and Use BeanFlinger Daydream in Samsung Galaxy S3 with the Android 4.3

Another similar feature that was overlooked by me is an alternative swipe effect, the light effect in the lock screen which already there since the Android 4.2. This feature of course will give you one more option if you have bored with no-effect or even with the standard ripple effect available in the previous version. But, you should note that this only works if you use the swipe methods for your lock screen.


How to turn on lock screen light effect on Android 4.3?
Here the steps you need to do:
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap My Device tab.
  3. Tap Lock screen.
  4. Tap Unlock effect.
  5. Select Light effect. When the radio button next the option shows green means the option is selected.

Once you've done the steps above, tap the Power key twice to go to your lock screen. Now, try to unlock the screen by swiping your finger, then you'll notice that the movement of your finger will be followed by the light effect in your lock screen. So, which the lockscreen effect you like best? Let me know by dropping your comment below :)

22 comments:

  1. I don't have the light effect on my s3 GT-I9300 which I have updated to 4.3 jellybean...it just shows the ripple effect and none. What do I do ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sergio Dsouza,
      Thanks for coming.
      Seems this option is not available in GT-i9300. After some further investigation, I've found a user in the XDA developer forums who has mod the ROM in order to bring back the light effect or flare effect to the Galaxy S3 with Android 4.3. If you want to read the detail, here's the link:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2243407&page=39
      Some users who have tested this mod has confirmed that this works well on their phone. But, it needs some requirements to make it works, so please read carefully before you do this thing.
      Hope this helps :)

      Delete
  2. that's the same problem for me too...the light effect is not listed in the unlock effects, the only ones showing are no effect and ripple effect.
    any help on how to solve this will be much appreciated
    thanks..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Arnab Banerjee,
      Thanks for coming.
      Can you please tell me what your model number? Is it GT-i9300? If so, please take a look at my reply in the Sergio's comment right above you.

      Delete
  3. Hi I've recently updated my S3 LTE, over the air and i don't seem to have the ripple effect or the light effect either, has the update possible not installed correctly? How would I go about this issue? The other thing I'm having an issue with, is personalising the lock screen with widgets? Has anyone had the same issues?

    Device model - GT-19305
    Android 4.3
    EE (network provider UK)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Waz,
      Thanks for coming.
      To get the option to change lock screen effect or to customize lock screen widgets, you should use the swipe option to unlock the screen. To check this: go to Settings> tap My device tab> tap Lock screen> tap Screen lock> select Swipe.

      Delete
  4. How do you change the swipe setting from light effect to ripples?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Buddy,
      Thanks for coming.
      Did you mean you want to use ripple effect when you're unlocking the screen? If so, see the step #4 above, under "Unlock effect" option select "Ripple effect".

      Delete
  5. I do not even have the "unlock effect" option with my update. Where did it go? Can I get it back?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sarah Lukas,
      Thanks for coming.
      The unlock effect only available if you choose Swipe as your screen lock method. So, first you need to change your screen lock methods to Swipe by going to Settings> tap "My device" tab> tap "Display"> tap "Lock screen"> tap "Screen lock" then select "Swipe". Once you've done, you should be able to see unlock effect option under Lock screen menu.
      Hope it helps :)

      Delete
  6. Hello I'm also having the same problem as well, I have Galaxy S3, 4.3. I want to enable the ripple effect along with also having a pattern lock on as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Priscilla Rivera,
      Thanks for coming.
      Unfortunately, the lock screen effect only available if you choose the swipe method as your screen lock.

      Delete
  7. i am not able to use light effect in my s3 it doesn't show any option like light effect so what to do now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vijay,
      Thanks for coming.
      I'm really sorry about it. I forgot to inform that this option is only available in the custom ROM, not the official one. I've already mentioned it in my reply in the first comment in this article. If you don't mind, you can take a look it there.

      Delete
  8. I have the s3 and I before I updated it I had the ripple effect and I would slide the screen and it would give me the pattern for me to draw and now that I updated it just shows the pattern to draw and not the ripple effect that I want. Help me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Madi,
      Thanks for coming.
      As far as I know, the ripple effect or other lock screen effects only available if you use swipe/slide as the screen lock, or in other word the ripple effect is not available if you use pattern as your screen lock.

      Delete
  9. hi. I just upgrade my s3 GT-9305 to android kitkat 4.4.4 and the unlock effect is in grey color.I tap it and it dont work.my lock screen is in swipe.thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi July Inoncillo,
      Thanks for coming.
      Make sure your lock screen doesn't use a live wallpaper because it will automatically disable the unlock effect even if your screen lock method has been set to "Swipe".

      Delete
  10. i didn't use live wallpaper just a normal wallpaper...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, that's weird.
      From what I know, the unlock effect option will be grayed out or unavailable if you use live wallpaper for lock screen and don't use swipe as the screen lock method.
      If you don't mind, you can try to change your screen lock method to the other one (pattern or others) and then change it back to Swipe. Next, change your lock screen wallpaper to the other one. Once done, restart your phone and then see whether it helps :)

      Delete
  11. thanks a lot it works.😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome.
      I'm happy to know that finally your issue can be resolved :)

      Delete

Hi the insiders,
Thanks for coming and I hope you can get something useful here.
Before submitting your comment to ask about an issue, please make sure to provide information as much as possible (at least write your model number and Android version) and describe the problem clearly.
Also, since all comments will be moderated, all comments with irrelevant links(if any) or contain with offensive/harsh word will be deleted.
The last, if you have a question and can't find the relevant article, please feel free to reach me through the Contact us page. I'll be more than happy to reply the email and answer the question :)