Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Use One-Handed Operation in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy S5 is equipped with a larger screen than its predecessor. With the 5,1 inch screen, this phone surely will be able to give you a better and satisfying experience when you use this phone to do activities which will be better if using a large screen, for instance playing game, watching video, browsing webpages, etc. Unfortunately, for some users this large screen makes them have difficulties to use and control their phones because they have to use two hands to do so, which in some conditions it's rather difficult and inconvenient to be done. Thus, I think it might have been the reason why Samsung added the one-handed operation feature in this phone. By using this feature, the users can make the display becomes smaller and allow them to use and control the phone using one hand with ease.

How to enable or disable one-handed operation?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the settings menu.
3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap One-handed operation .
4. Depending on your current settings, tap the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to enable or disable this option. When the switch is on the right side and shows green means the one-handed operation feature is enabled.

How to use one-handed operation?
Once you enable the one-handed operation feature in the settings menu, then you can use it to set up your display become smaller to fit to be used with one hand. Well, here how you can use this feature:

1. Set up the screen for one-handed operation:
• For left-handed users: hold the phone with your left hand and then slide your left thumb from the left edge of the screen to the middle and back in a single quick motion.
• For right-handed users: hold the phone with your right hand and then slide your right thumb from the right edge of the screen to the middle and back in a single quick motion.
2. Now, the screen size and layout will be adjusted and become smaller than the default size. You'll also be presented with some options that will help you using the one-handed operation feature with more easily.
3. Adjust the screen size:
   You can enlarge or reduce the screen size by dragging to the top or bottom diagonally.
4. Use favourite apps:
Favourite apps that are displayed in the side menu will help you to access your favourite apps with ease regardless of what the screen are being opened.
• Tap to display favourite apps in the side menu.
• Tap the required app to open it.
• Tap to hide favourite apps from the side menu.
5. Edit favourite apps:
By default, the default apps are likely: Phone app, Messaging app, Internet app and the Settings menu. In case you want to edit those default apps, then you can do so by using the following steps:

• Tap to display favourite apps in the side menu.
• Tap at the bottom of the side menu to enter to the edit screen.
• You can add another apps to the side menu by dragging the required app in the main screen to the side menu. FYI, you're allowed to add up to 8 apps in the side menu.
• You can remove favourite app by tapping in the required app you want to remove from the side menu.
• Tap at the bottom of the side menu to save the changes.
6. Use favourite contacts:
Favourite contacts that are displayed in the side menu will help you to access your favourites contacts with ease regardless of what the screen are being opened.
• Tap to display favourite contacts in the side menu.
• Tap the required contact to see the contact's information. From here you can make a call, send a message, send an email message, etc with ease and fast.
• Tap to hide favourite contacts from the side menu.
7. Edit favourite contacts.
You can add or remove favourite contacts from the side menu by using the following steps:
• Tap to display favourite contact in the side menu.
• Tap at the bottom of the side menu to enter to the edit screen.
• You can add another contact by dragging the required contact's image in the contacts apps to the side menu. This step will automatically add the contact as favourite. FYI, you're allowed to add up to 8 contacts in the side menu.
• You can remove favourite contact by tapping in the required contact you want to remove from the side menu.
• Tap at the bottom of the side menu to save the changes.
8. Use the on-screen icons of the physical buttons:
While the screen is adjusted for one-handed operation, all physical buttons will be displayed as the on-screen icons at the bottom of the screen to help you control your phone with more easily.
• Tap to open list of recent apps. You can use this icon to replace the function of the Recent apps key.
• Tap to return to the Home screen. You can use this icon to replace the function of the Home key.
• Tap to return to the previous screen. You can use this icon to replace the function of the Back key.
• Tap to decrease the volume. You can use this icon to replace the function of the Volume down key.
• Tap to increase the volume. You can use this icon to replace the function of the Volume up key.
9. Tap to return to the full screen.

As a note, if you let your screen off or locked, then the screen size will be back to the original size, therefore you have to re-set up your screen for one-handed operation if you want to use this feature again. Also, you can't set up the screen for one-handed operation if your phone is being connected to the PC by using the USB cable.