Samsung Galaxy S8: How to Add or Remove App Shortcuts on Home Screen in Android 7.0 Nougat

If you have installed many apps in your Samsung Galaxy S8 and it makes you have difficulty when you want to access your favourite apps, you can create shortcuts to those apps on your home screen for easier access.


How to add an app shortcut to a home screen?
As the example, we'll add a shortcut to the Gallery app on a home screen by using the following steps:
  1. On a home screen, swipe up the bottom of the screen to access the Apps screen where you can find all your apps. However, if you don't like this way, you can show the Apps icon on the home screen so you can use it to access the Apps screen.
  2. Swipe the screen to the left or right to find the Gallery app.
  3. To add a shortcut to the Gallery app on a home screen, long tap the Gallery app icon and then select Add shortcut to Home. Alternatively, you can do so by tapping and holding the Gallery app icon and then drag it to an empty area on a home screen.
  4. A shortcut to the Gallery app has been added on your home screen.


How to remove an app shortcut from a home screen?
When needed, you can easily remove unused or unwanted app shortcuts from the home screen. As the example, we'll remove the Gallery app shortcut from the home screen by using the following steps:
  1. Go to the home screen where the Gallery app shortcut is placed in.
  2. Long tap the Gallery app shortcut and then select Remove shortcut.
  3. The Gallery app shortcut has been removed from the home screen.

Samsung Galaxy S8: How to Add or Remove Widgets on Home Screen in Android 7.0 Nougat

Widget is a simple application extension that runs on a home screen to let you easily launch a specific function of an app, either pre-loaded or third-party app, in your Samsung Galaxy S8 to get information or for more convenient access. As the example, you can use the direct dial widget to easily call a specific contact with a single tap from your home screen, or you can use the direct message widget to easily send a message to a specific contact, etc.


How to add a widget to a home screen?
As the example, we'll add a direct dial widget to a home screen so you can easily call a specific contact from the home screen by using the following steps:
  1. On the home screen, pinch the screen using two fingers or long tap on an empty area to go to the screen where you can customise your home screen.
  2. Tap Widgets to go to the widgets screen.
  3. Swipe the screen to the left or right to find the direct dial 1x1 widget, or you can use the search function to easily find this widget by typing direct dial on the search field.
  4. Tap and hold the direct dial 1x1 widget and then drag it to an empty area on the home screen. Release the widget to place it.
  5. Select the required contact you want to assign to the direct dial widget.
  6. The direct dial widget assigned to the selected contact has been added to the home screen.
  7. Now, you can easily call the contact simply by single tapping the direct dial widget.


How to remove a widget from a home screen?
When needed, you can easily remove unused or unwanted widget from the home screen. As the example, we'll remove the direct dial widget from the home screen by using the following steps:
  1. Go to the home screen panel where the direct dial widget you want to remove is placed in.
  2. Long tap the direct dial widget and then select Remove shortcut.
  3. The selected direct dial widget has been removed from the home screen.

Samsung Galaxy S8: How to Show Apps Icon on Home Screen in Android 7.0 Nougat

In Samsung Galaxy S8, the Apps icon on the home screen where you can use to access the apps screen is hidden by default. As the compensation, you can access the apps screen simply by swiping up the bottom of the home screen. However, if you don't like using this way and want to get the Apps icon back on your home screen, you can set your phone to show the Apps icon as a favourite app shortcut on the bottom of the the home screen so you can use it to easily access the apps screen.


How to show the Apps icon on the home screen?
As the example, we'll do so by using two different methods: from the settings menu and from the home screen.

Method #1: From the settings menu
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
  2. Tap Display.
  3. Tap Home screen.
  4. Tap Apps button.
  5. Select Show Apps button and then tap Apply button to apply your selection.
  6. The Apps button will be displayed as a favourite app shortcut on the home screen.


Method #2: From the home screen
  1. On the home screen, pinch the screen using two fingers or long tap on an empty area to go to the screen where you can customise your home screen.
  2. Tap Home screen settings.
  3. Tap Apps button.
  4. Select Show Apps button and then tap Apply to apply your selection.
  5. The Apps button will be displayed as a favourite app shortcut on the home screen.

Samsung Galaxy S8: How to Take Screenshot in Android 7.0 Nougat

In Samsung Galaxy S8, you can take a screenshot to save what's on the screen as an image so you can easily share it with others. I myself always use this feature to create an easier-to-understand how-to-steps post because those screenshots can explain better than the text.


How to take a screenshot?
As the example, we'll do so by using two different methods: by using hardkeys combination and by using hand gesture.

Method #1: By using hardkeys combination
It's a default method to take a screenshot so you don't have to enable any option to be able to use it. As the example, we'll use this method to take a screenshot of an article in a webpage by using the following steps:
  1. Open the Internet app and then open a webpage.
  2. Once the webpage is fully loaded, press the Power key and the Volume down key at the same time until you hear the shutter sound.
    As a note, Samsung Galaxy S8 uses different hardkeys combination compared with its predecessor because this phone is no longer use the Home key as this key now becomes a soft key.
  3. The screenshot has been taken and will be saved in the Screenshot album in the Gallery app.

Method #2: By using hand gesture
It's an alternative way to take a screenshot if you don't like using hardkeys combination. As the example, we'll use this method to take a screenshot of an article in a webpage by using the following steps:
  1. Before you can take a screenshot using hand gesture, you have to enable the palm swipe to capture feature with these steps:
    • On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
    • Tap Advanced features.
    • Scroll down the screen and then tap the ON/OFF switch next to Palm swipe to capture to enable or disable this option. When the switch turns , means the palm swipe to capture feature is enabled.
  2. Now, open the Internet app and then open a webpage.
  3. Once the webpage is fully loaded, swipe the edge of your hand across the screen while keeping in contact with it until you hear the shutter sound.
  4. The screenshot has been taken and will be saved in the Screenshot album in the Gallery app.

Samsung Galaxy S8: How to Customise Your Home Screen in Android 7.0 Nougat

Home screen is the starting point where you can access apps, features, and other functions in your Samsung Galaxy S8. Fortunately, it's also a customisable part on your phone so you can do some customisations to fit your need, as the example, you can add more panels so you can place more items on your home screen, remove unused panels to simplify your home screen, change the order of the home screen panels for easier access to the favourite panels, or change the default/main home screen so you can easily access this panel from any screen simply by tapping the Home key.


How to customise your home screen?
You can do so by using the following steps:
  1. On the home screen, pinch the screen using two fingers or long tap on an empty area to go to the screen where you can customise your home screen.
  2. To add more home screen panels, do as follows:
    • Tap + below the home screen panels to quickly go to the panel that you can use to add a new one.
    • Tap the home screen panel with + inside.
    • A new home screen panel has been added. Now, you can use it to place more shortcuts to your favourite apps or widgets on your home screen so you can easily and quickly reach them each time you need.
  3. To remove a home screen panel, do as follows:
    • Swipe the screen to the left or right to find the home screen panel you want to remove.
    • Tap at the top right corner of the home screen panel.
    • Tap Delete button to confirm removing the selected home screen panel.
    • The selected home screen panel and its contents(apps shortcuts and widgets) have been removed.
  4. To rearrange home screen panels, do as follows:
    • Swipe the screen to the left or right to find the home screen panel you want to change its position.
    • Tap and hold the home screen panel and then drag it to other location.
    • The selected home screen panel has been moved to other location. As a note, it'd better if you place your favourite home screen panels in the top 3 position for easier access to those panels.
  5. To change the default/main home screen, do as follows:
    • Swipe the screen to the left or right to find the home screen panel you want to set as the main home screen panel.
    • Tap above the home screen panel.
    • The selected home screen panel has been set as the main home screen. Now, you can easily access this home screen panel from any screen simply by tapping the Home key.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Front and Back Views

The newest Samsung Galaxy S series, Samsung Galaxy S8, is already here. This "unbox your phone" taglined smartphone has revolutionary design that will surely grab your attention at the first time you see it. Before using this phone, it'd better to know the layout so you can use it with more easily. As a note, this post is written based on Samsung Galaxy S8 SM-G950FD


Front view of the Samsung Galaxy S8
  1. SIM card tray(at the top side of the phone): this tray has two holes that you can use to place two SIM cards if you want to use dual SIM mode or to place a SIM card and an SD card if you want to use single SIM mode.
  2. Microphone (at the top side of the phone)
  3. LED indicator: it will light up when the screen is off to show statuses of sound recording, unread notifications, and battery.
  4. Iris detection LED: it will light up when your phone recognises your iris.
  5. Light/proximity sensor: this sensor is used by the phone to make some features work when it's blocked by an object, as the example, the screen will auto turn off when this sensor is blocked by your face or ear during calls, the screen will auto turn on when you move your hand above this sensor, etc.
  6. Earpiece
  7. 8MP Front camera: you can use this to take a self-portrait photos. This camera is also used by the phone to make some features work, as the example, it'll detect your face so that the screen will stay on while you're looking at it.
  8. Iris scanner: when you set iris as your screen lock type, this scanner will be used to scan your iris to unlock the screen.
  9. Volume key: use this key to adjust the volume, take a picture, zoom in or out in some apps, etc.
  10. Power key: use this key to turn on or off your phone, turn on or off the screen, launch the camera, etc.
  11. Bixby key: use this key to easily access bixby.
  12. Touch screen/main screen: use it to use apps, navigate your phone, etc.
  13. Edge screen: use it to view edge panels(e.g, people edge, apps edge, smart select, etc.), and edge clock. You can also set your phone to light up the edge screen when you receive notifications.
  14. Recents key: use this key to view the list of your recent apps, launch the split screen view, dock an area of an app at the top of the screen, etc.
  15. Home key: use this key to turn on the screen, return to the home screen, etc.
  16. Back key: use this key to return to the previous screen.
  17. Headset jack(at the bottom side of the phone): use it to insert your headset.
  18. USB charger or accessory port(at the bottom side of the phone): use it to insert a USB cable when you want to charge your phone, connect your phone to a PC, etc.
  19. Microphone(at the bottom side of the phone)
  20. Speaker(at the bottom side of the phone)


Back view of the Samsung Galaxy S8
  1. Flash: it will light up when you turn on flash when taking photos, when you act your phone as a flashlight, or when you receive notifications if flash notification feature is enabled.
  2. Heart rate sensor: use this sensor to measure your heart rate or easily take a self-portrait photo.
  3. 12MP Rear camera: you can use it to take a photo using various shooting modes and effects.
  4. Fingerprint sensor: when you set fingerprint as your screen lock type, this sensor will be used to recognise your fingerprint to unlock the screen.
  5. NFC/Wireless charging coil: it will be used to pair your phone with other NFC capable device by holding them together back to back. It also be used to charge your phone with a wireless charger.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: How to Adjust Profile Size on Your Gameplay Video in Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

By default, the size of your profile shown when recording gameplay is set to medium. If needed, you can set the size to a smaller size if you don't want your profile uses more space on your screen, or you can set the size to a larger size if you want those who watch your gameplay video pay more attention to your profile.


How to adjust the profile size on your gameplay video?
As the example, we'll do so by using two different methods: from the settings menu and while playing a game.

Method #1: From the settings menu
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
  2. Scroll down the screen to find Advanced features and then tap it.
  3. Tap Games.
  4. Tap Game tools. If game tools is off, tap the ON/OFF switch turn it on. The switch turns when it's enabled.
  5. Tap Record.
  6. To adjust the profile size, slide the bar below the profile icon to the left for a smaller profile or to the right for a larger profile.
  7. The profile size on your gameplay video has been adjusted.

Method #2: While playing a game.
  1. While you're playing a game, tap the game tools icon and then select Settings.
  2. Tap Record.
  3. To adjust the profile size, slide the bar below the profile icon to the left for a smaller profile or to the right for a larger profile.
  4. The profile size on your gameplay video has been adjusted.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: How to Change Your Gameplay Video Profile in Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

By default, when you're recording gameplay in your Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, a timer and a profile with the default image will be displayed at the bottom left corner of the screen. If needed, you can change that default profile to other image or you can use the front camera so that it will record your face while your phone is recording your gameplay to show off your expression when playing the game.


How to change your gameplay video profile?
As the example, we'll do so by using two different methods: from the settings menu and while playing a game.

Method #1: From the settings menu
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
  2. Scroll down the screen to find Advanced features and then tap it.
  3. Tap Games.
  4. Tap Game tools.
    If game tools is off, tap the ON/OFF switch turn it on. The switch turns when it's enabled.
  5. Tap Record.
  6. To set other image, such as your photo, as the profile of your gameplay video, do as follows:
    • Tap  .
    • Select Image to use other images in the Gallery app as your profile, or select Take picture to take a picture and then use it as your profile. As the example, we'll select Image.
    • Select the required image you want to use.
    • If needed, you can adjust the size of the selected image you want to use as your profile by dragging the edge of the white frame. You can also use another part of the selected image as your profile by dragging the white frame to the desired part.
    • Tap Done button to save the changes.
    • The selected image has been set as your gameplay video profile.
  7. To use the front camera to record your face and use it as your profile while recording gameplay, tap Front camera to enable this option.


Method #2: While playing a game.
  1. While you're playing a game, tap the game tools icon and then select Settings.
  2. Tap Record.
  3. To set other image, such as your photo, as the profile of your gameplay video, do as follows:
    • Tap  .
    • Select Image to use other images in the Gallery app as your profile, or select Take picture to take a picture and then use it as your profile. As the example, we'll select Image.
    • Select the required image you want to use.
    • If needed, you can adjust the size of the selected image you want to use as your profile by dragging the edge of the white frame. You can also use another part of the selected image as your profile by dragging the white frame to the desired part.
    • Tap Done button to save the changes.
    • The selected image has been set as your gameplay video profile.
  4. To use the front camera to record your face and use it as your profile while recording gameplay, tap Front camera to enable this option.