Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Show Text Message Preview in the Lock Screen

Assigning message tone is one way that you can do to make you more easier to know if you have an incoming message in your phone. You can do so through Settings menu, Messaging app settings and Contacts app(it will allow you to assign different message tone for different contact).

See also: How to Change Message Tone with Three Easy Ways in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from allow you to change message tone, Messaging app also has an option called preview message that will allow you to make your phone displaying sender's name and content of received message in the lock screen and the status bar.

How to enable preview message?
FYI, this step works for all lock screen methods. But, as the example, I used swipe method to unlock my lock screen when I tried it. Well, here they are:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to find Preview message and then tick the box next to this option to enable it.
4. Now, when you receive an incoming text message, you can see the message preview(sender's name and content) in the lock screen and the status bar. To open it, swipe the lock screen to unlock the screen and open the message, or swipe the top of the screen to the bottom to open notification panel then tap the message notification to open it.

Indeed, this feature will be able to make you easier to know who has sent the message and what the content of the message is. But, it also can make another people easily know your message. So, depending on your priority, if you like easiness then you can try to use this feature, while if you're tight with your privacy then you may don't need to use this feature. So, how about you? Have you used this feature on your phone?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Add Text Signature in Messaging App

Messaging app is one of stock apps in the Samsung Galaxy SIV that can be used by the user to communicate with another phone users. With this app, you're allowed to send either text or multimedia messages to the desired contact.

See also: 4 Methods to Send a Message in the Samsung Galaxy S4

To facilitate the user, this Messaging app has equipped with some features, one of which is a text signature. This feature will allow you to add your own text signature up to 40 chars (letters/numbers/punctuations/symbols) then display it at the bottom of each your outgoing message.

How to enable and add your own text signature?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to find Signature settings section and then tick the box next to Add signature to include signature in each message.
4. Tap Signature text.
5. Type your own signature here. It may be your name or something you want everyone to read it.
6. Tap OK button.
7. Now, whenever you compose a new message or reply a message, your text signature will be included and displayed at the bottom of your message.

I've had meet a user who include a name in his signature. He did it in order to make the message recipient (especially those who haven't added him into their contacts) easily knew who was sent the message. So, how about you? If you use a text signature, what will you type there?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Setup and Use Text Templates in Messaging App

Till now, communicating use a text message still be the favourite method for most of phone users, including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV users. That's because this method will allow the user to send a text message to all kinds of mobile phones and most of phones usually provide a stock Messaging app for their users so they can use it directly without having to install it first.

See also: How to Create and Send a Text Message in Samsung Galaxy S4

In Samsung Galaxy SIV itself, the Messaging app has equipped with some features that will facilitate you when you want to send a text message, one of which is a text template. You can use this feature to save your most frequently used text templates, so you'll be much more faster and easier when you want to use them every time you want.

How to edit, delete and add a text template in Messaging app?
By default, there are 10 text templates available. You're allowed to edit, delete and add a text template by following the steps below:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Tap Text templates.
4. To edit a text template go to the step #5, to remove a text template go to the step #6, and to add a text template go to the step #7.
5. Editing a text template:
• Tap the desired text template you wish to edit.
• Here you can edit the selected text template.
• Tap Save button to save the changes.
6. Deleting a text template:
Method #1: Delete a single text template
• Long tap the desired text template you wish to delete.
• Tap Delete.
• Tap OK button.
• The selected text template will be deleted.
Method #2: Delete multiple text templates
• Tap the Trash can icon located at the top right corner of the screen.
• A check box will be appeared in each text template.
• Tick the check box next to the desired text templates you wish to delete.
• Tap Delete button.
• Tap OK button.
• The selected text templates will be deleted.
7. Adding a new text template:
• Tap Add (+) button.
• Here you can type your own text template.
• Tap Save button.

How to use text template in Messaging app?
You can use text template when you compose a new text message or reply a text message. Well, below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap Create new text message button .
3. Enter the desired contact you wish to send a message with in the Enter recipient field.
4. Tap the Enter message field.
5. Tap the Menu key then select Add text.
6. On pop up menu select Text templates.
7. Tap the desired text template you wish to use.
8. The selected text template will be added to your message.
9. To add more text template, repeat from the step #5.
10. Tap Send button to send your message.

Given its function, this feature will be more useful for those of you who often send similar message or when you need to reply a message with a quick answer. So, how about you? Have you ever used this feature?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Disable Notifications on Certain Application

Though not many, some of Samsung Galaxy SIV users finally decide to uninstall certain third-party app from their phone because they felt annoyed with lot of notifications were sent by that app, while it's impossible for them to turn off notification tone because they may worried missing other important notifications.

See also: How to Uninstall App in Samsung Galaxy S4

Luckily, Samsung Galaxy SIV with Android Jelly Bean inside has a feature that will allow you to block notifications on certain app without having to uninstall it. In some cases, it'll help the user to save their data because sometimes they may accidentally touched the notifications contain with ads/offers that make them to load referred link/webpage.

How to block certain app notifications?
Generally, there are two methods that you can choose to disable notifications on certain app.
Method #1: From Settings Menu:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Application manager.
4. Swipe the screen to the right until you see the All screen.
5. Scroll down to find the desired app you wish to disable its notification, then tap the row.
6. Clear the checkbox next to Show notifications.
7. Tap OK button.
8. Now, you won't receive notification from the selected app.

Method #2: From Apps Menu

1. Go to Apps through Home screen.
2. Tap and hold the desired app you wish to disable its notification then drag it to the App info icon located at the top of the screen.
3. Clear the checkbox next to Show notifications.
4. Tap OK button.
5. Now, you won't receive notification from the selected app.

Indeed, both of methods mentioned above will allow you to block notifications in certain app, but by doing this you may miss important alerts and updates for the app. So, it'll be better if you don't disable notifications in your important apps. And for the record, some apps may not allow you to disable notifications by default.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Adjust Touch Key Light Duration

Multi Window is an advanced feature that you can find in the Samsung Galaxy SIV. This feature will allow you to open two apps at once. You can enable this feature through the Settings menu or through the notification panel. After this feature is activated, you'll see a half circle icon displayed in the left/right side of the screen that you can use to display multi window tray. If you don't see that icon, you can bring it up by long pressing the Back key.

See also: How to Enable and Use Multi Window Feature in the Samsung Galaxy S4

One day, an insider sent her email and said to me that she always had a difficulty to remember where the Back key is located when she want to bring up the multi window tray icon. Well, by default, the Menu key and the Back key only display their icon when you're touching one of them and they only light up for a few seconds, so it sometimes makes the user (especially with the new users) hard to remember which the Menu key and the Back key are. Luckily, this phone has an option which will allow the user to increase or decrease the touch key light duration.

How to adjust touch key light duration?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Display.
4. Scroll down to find Touch key light duration, then tap it.
5. Here you'll see 4 options available, they are:
• 1.5 seconds: Select this option to make the Menu key and the Back key remain light up for 1.5 seconds after you touched one of them.
• 6 seconds: Select this option to make the Menu key and the Back key remain light up for 6 seconds after you touched one of them.
• Always off: Select this option to make the Menu key and the Back key don't light up even when you touch them.
• Always on: Select this option to make the Menu key and the Back key always light up even when you don't use them.
6. Select the desired touch key light duration you wish to use.

By knowing what the function of this option is, now you can set it according to your need. So, if you have difficulty to remember where the Back key and the Menu key are located, you can increase the touch key light duration or even set them to always light up during the screen is on, and vice versa.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Turn Off the Screen Manually or Automatically

A huge screen owned by the Samsung Galaxy SIV surely will be able to improve the users' experiences of using this phone. But, in other side, the huge screen is a part of this phone that consume most of battery. Luckily, this phone has come with some options that will help their users to reduce battery consumption by the screen. One of which is a screen mode that will allow you to change the colour profile of the screen.

See also: How to Change Screen Mode in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from changing the screen mode, to save more battery, you can also turn off the screen when you don't use it. You can do so manually or you can also set your phone to automatically turn off the screen when you don't use it for a specified time.


How to turn off the screen manually?
You can do so by pressing the Power key. To turn on the screen, press the Power key or the Home key and if you turn on your lock screen you need to unlock the lock screen first before you can use the phone.

How to turn off the screen automatically?
You can set the length of time before your phone automatically turning off the screen by adjusting the screen time out. To do so, kindly follow the steps listed below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Display.
4. Scroll down to find Screen timeout, then tap it.
5. Here, you'll see some options available, they are:
• 15 seconds: select this option to make your phone wait for 15 seconds of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 30 seconds: select this option to make your phone wait for 30 seconds of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 1 minute: select this option to make your phone wait for 1 minute of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 2 minutes: select this option to make your phone wait for 2 minutes of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 5 minutes: select this option to make your phone wait for 5 minutes of inactivity before turning off the screen.
• 10 minutes: select this option to make your phone wait for 10 minutes of inactivity before turning off the screen.
6. Select the desired screen timeout option you wish to use.
7. Now, when you don't use your phone for a specified period you have chosen in the screen timeout, then the phone will turn off the screen automatically and in a few seconds the screen will be locked(if you turn on the lock screen).

Indeed, more lower screen timeout means save more battery. That's why, no wonder if there are some advices to set the screen timeout as low as possible to save battery as much as possible. But, low screen timeout sometimes irritates the user, especially for those of the user who set their lock screen with Password/PIN, resulting they should entering their Password/PIN many times each time they want to use the phone. So, in my opinion, it'll be better if you choose the screen timeout option according to your need and also will make you feel comfort while using your phone.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Fix Missing Microphone Button on Samsung Keyboard

In the stock Samsung keyboard, there are some keys that have several functions, for instance a key in the left side of Space bar(it's usually displayed with a Settings/Cog wheel icon), when you long tap this key, you will see some options available, such as Keyboard settings, Smiley, Clipboard, Microphone, etc. Those hidden button sometimes make some users who want to use one of them have difficulty to find the button.

See also: How to Find Mic Button on Samsung Keyboard

But, in certain case, the Mic button is completely not available though the user have had long tapped the key in the left side of Space bar, as experienced by one of insider named Linda. She says that she can't find Mic button though she has had long tapped the key in the left side of Space bar when she want to use it to voice to text.

How to fix missing mic button on Samsung keyboard?
If you're also experiencing the same problem, you can make the Mic button available again in your keyboard by following the steps below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Scroll down to find Language and input, then tap it.
4. Check the box in the left side of Google voice typing to enable this option. Enable this option will make the Mic button available on your Samsung keyboard and vice versa.
5. Now, open an app that requires you to use keyboard, such as Messaging app.
6. On keyboard, long tap the key in the left side of Space bar. You should see the Microphone icon displayed in the pop up menu as one of available option.

Well, with this post I also want to apologize to Linda for so late answer. I hope it's not too late. I personally seldom use Mic button to voice to text and more prefer to use keyboard to compose a text message, that's why I don't know much about this feature. So, how about you? Do you often use Mic button on your Samsung keyboard?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Make Swiping Archive or Delete in Gmail App

When you're opening a Gmail message or selecting multiple Gmail messages, a set of quick icon will be displayed at the top action bar. By default they are Archive, Delete and Mark as Unread icon. And of course, you're allowed to change them, if you don't like with those default.

See also: How to Change Archive and Delete Actions in Gmail App in the Samsung Galaxy S4

FYI, selected option in the archive and delete actions will also change the swipe function in the conversation list. In other word, swipe a Gmail message in the conversation list will be deleting or archiving the message according to the selected option in the archive and delete actions. This option of course will allow you to easily delete or archive a Gmail message in the conversation list.

How to easily delete or archive a Gmail message?
I've tried this steps in Gmail version 4.7.2. Well, if you want to set a swipe to delete or archive a Gmail message, then kindly follow the steps below:

1. Open Gmail app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Tap General settings.
4. To make swiping delete go to the step #5, while to make swiping archive go to the step #6.
5. To make swiping delete:
• Tap Archive & delete actions.
• On pop up menu select Show delete only.
• Check the box next to Swipe to delete to enable this option.
• If you want Gmail app confirm you before deleting, scroll to the bottom and then check the box next to Confirm before deleting.
• Now, when you swipe a Gmail message in conversation list, the message will be deleted and moved to the Bin folder.
6. To make swiping archive:
• Tap Archive & delete actions.
• On pop up menu select either Show archive only or Show archive & delete.
• Check the box next to Swipe to archive to enable this option.
• If you want Gmail app confirm you before archiving, scroll to the bottom and then check the box next to Confirm before archiving.
• Now, when you swipe a Gmail message in conversation list, the message will be archived and moved to the All mail folder.
7. No matter what the archive and delete actions option you have chosen, if you clear the checkbox next to Swipe to archive or Swipe to delete, the message in the conversation list will be opened when you swiped it.

So, if you often delete a Gmail message rather than archive it or vice versa, now you can set your Gmail app to delete or archive a Gmail message when you swipe it in the conversation list. So, how about you? Which swipe function do you like to use? Swiping delete or swiping archive?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change Archive and Delete Actions in Gmail App

Once you've activated a Google account, you'll be allowed to access Google services available in your phone. One of which is Gmail app that will allow you to send or receive email messages. By using this app, you're also be able to reply or forward a Gmail message.

See also: How to View, Reply or Forward Gmail Message in the Samsung Galaxy S4

If you noticed, when you're opening a Gmail message or selecting multiple Gmail messages, there's a set of quick icon displayed at the top action bar. By default they are Archive, Delete and Mark as Unread icon. But, if you don't like those default, you can change them by utilizing an option in Gmail settings called archive and delete actions.

How to change archive & delete actions in Gmail app?
FYI, I use Gmail version 4.7.2. Well, below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Gmail app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Tap General settings.
4. Tap Archive & delete actions.
5. You'll see three options available, they are:
• Show archive only: select this option if you wish to display Archive, Mark as Unread and Move to icon.
• Show delete only: select this option if you wish to display Delete, Mark as Unread and Move to icon.
• Show archive & delete: select this option if you wish to display Archive, Delete and Mark as unread icon.
6. Select the desired archive & delete actions option you wish to use.
7. Now,  the top action bar in an opened Gmail message or when you multi select Gmail messages will display a set of quick icon according to the archive and delete actions option you've just selected.

By knowing how to change quick icon displayed at the top action bar in a Gmail message, now you can set it according to your need. As the example, because I often delete Gmail messages then I choose to use an option which will display a delete icon in Gmail message. So, how about you? Which option do you like to use?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Select Multiple Gmail Messages when the Sender Image is Enabled or Disabled

Gmail app is an email service provided by Google that's become one of the stock apps in the Samsung Galaxy SIV. This app will allow you to check, send or receive email messages directly from your phone. To access this app, make sure you have had activated a Google account on your phone.

See also: How to Create and Send a Gmail Message with or without Attachment in the Samsung Galaxy S4

For those of you who often use email messages to communicate with others, surely you've ever found your inbox filled with lot of email messages. If so, deleting unimportant or unused email messages would be one way that you can do. To make you more easier to do so, you can select multiple Gmail messages first and then delete them all. There are two methods available to select multiple Gmail messages depend on how you set the sender image option in your Gmail app.

How to enable or disable sender image?
Sender image is a box located in the left side of each Gmail message. If the email sender has been added in your contacts app and it has contact's picture then the sender image will display contact's picture. If not, the sender image will display the first letter of the sender's name. If you don't know how to turn on or off sender image, then you can do so by following the steps below:

1. Open Gmail app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Tap General settings.
4. Depending on your current settings, tap Sender image to enable or disable this option. When the box next to this option is ticked means the option is turned on.

How to select multiple Gmail messages when sender image is turned on?
If you decide to turn on sender image, then you can make multiple selection in Gmail app by following the steps below:

1. Open Gmail app.
2. Tap the sender image of a Gmail message you wish to select. The sender image will be replaced with the Check mark icon as a sign that the message has been selected.
3. To make multiple selection, tap another sender image next to another Gmail message.
4. Now, when Gmail messages are selected, you can utilize some option available, such as delete them all or move them to certain folder, etc.

How to select multiple Gmail messages when sender image is turned off?
While if you turn off sender image in Gmail app, then you can make multiple selection by following the steps below:

1. Open Gmail app.
2. Long tap the desired Gmail message you wish to select. The message will be highlighted with a blue color as a sign that the message has been selected.
3. Single tap another Gmail message to make multiple selection.
4. Now, when Gmail messages are selected, you can utilize some option available, such as delete them all or move them to certain folder, etc.

If you're like me, I prefer to enable sender image in my Gmail app. It makes my inbox more colorful and makes me more easier to know who the sender image is by seeing the contact's picture displayed in there. It also makes me more easier to select multiple Gmail messages compared if I do so when the sender image is turned off. So, how about you? Do you enable or disable sender image in your Gmail app?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to View, Reply and Forward an Email Message in Gmail App

If you have had activated a Google account in your Samsung Galaxy SIV, then you'll be allowed to use it to access another Google services available in your phone. One of which is Gmail app that will allow you to send an email message with or without attachment, either to another Gmail users or to another email-services users. This of course will helpful, especially for those of you who often use an email message to communicate with others.

See also: How to Create and Send Email Messages with or without Attachment using Gmail App in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from sending email messages, you can also utilize this app to receive email messages. When you have an incoming email message, you'll be presented with some options available, such as read, reply or forward the message.

How to view a Gmail message?
FYI, Gmail app has 3 inbox folders, they are Primary, Social and Promotions. But, by default, when you're opening Gmail app, you'll be redirected to the Primary inbox folder. Well, as the example, here are the step to view an email message in the Primary inbox folder:

1. Open Gmail app.
2. In the Primary inbox, tap the desired email message you wish to read.
3. The selected email message will be opened to allow you to read it.
4. If you wish to read email message in social and promotions inbox folder, while you're in the Gmail's main page, swipe the screen from left to the right and then under Inbox section tap Social or tap Promotions.

How to reply Gmail message?
If you wish to reply an email message to its original sender, then you can do so by following the steps below:

1. Open Gmail app.
2. Tap the desired email message you wish to reply.
3. Tap Reply icon to reply email message.
4. Write your message in the Compose email field.
5. Tick the box next to QUOTED TEXT if you wish to quote the original message into your message. Or, tap RESPOND IN-LINE to include the original message into your message.
6. Tap Send email message button at the top right corner of the screen.
7. Your reply will be sent.

How to forward Gmail message?
If you wish to forward an email message to another email recipient, then you can do so by following the steps below:

1. Open Gmail app.
2. Tap the desired email message you wish to forward.
3. Tap the Three dot icon then select Forward.
4. Enter the email recipient in the To field.
5. Write your message in the Compose email field. 
6. Tap RESPOND IN-LINE to include the original message into your message.
7. Tap Send email message button at the top right corner of the screen.
8. Your forwarded email will be sent.

By utilizing some options available in an email message in Gmail app, now you can easily read an email message and then if necessary you can reply the message to the original sender or forward it to another email recipient. So, hope it helps :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Use Wishlist Feature in Google Play Store

As the official market, Google Play Store used by most of Android phone users to download and install apps into their phones. Here, you can find tons of apps, either free version or paid version. To make sure that the app is suit your need and will not make some problems in your phone, it'll be better if you read the app detail and review first before installing the app into your phone.

See also: How to Install Free Apps from Google Play Store in the Samsung Galaxy S4

When you're opening an app in the Play Store, you may notice that there's a bookmark-like icon at the top of the screen. It's called a Wishlist icon. If the Wishlist icon in certain app is displayed with the Plus sign means the app has not been added to the wishlist, while if it's displayed with the Check mark icon means the app have been added to the wishlist. You can use this icon to add or remove an app from wishlist. An advantage of using wishlist feature is an easiness to find and track apps you have been added to the wishlist.

How to add an app to the wishlist?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Tap the Search icon and then enter your search term.
3. All apps that match with your search term will be displayed here.
4. If you wish to add an app to the wishlist without reading the app detail, tap the Three dot icon in the right side of the app's name and then select Add to wishlist.
5. If you want to read the app detail first before adding the app to the wishlist, tap the app and then tap the Add wishlist icon.
6. The selected app will be added to the wishlist.
7. To see all your wishlist apps, while you're in the Play Store's main page, swipe the screen from left to the right and then tap My wishlist. All your wishlist apps will be displayed here.

How to remove an app from wishlist?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Swipe the screen from left to the right.
3. Tap My wishlist to display all of your wishlist apps.
4. If you wish to remove an app from the wishlist without reading the app detail, tap the Three dot icon in the right side of the app's name and then select Remove from wishlist.
5. If you want to read the app detail first before removing the app from the wishlist, tap the app then tap the Remove wishlist icon.
6. The selected app will be removed from wishlist.

If you're like me, I usually use this feature when I accidentally found an interesting app but having no time to read the app review (FYI, I always read the review first before installing an app). Next time, I can easily find the app through My wishlist menu to read the review and then decide to install the app or not. So, have you ever used this feature? Has this feature helped you?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change Screen Mode

One of weaknesses usually owned by most of smartphone is poor battery life, especially with those that have huge screen and lot of advanced features that usually consume lot of power. To reduce battery consumption by a huge screen, you can decrease the screen brightness as low as possible or you can also enable auto brightness to let your phone adjust the screen brightness automatically depends on how much light around you.

See also: How to Adjust Screen Brightness in Galaxy S4

Aside from adjusting the screen brightness, use the darker color profile can also reduce battery consumption compared when you use the brighter ones. Luckily, Samsung Galaxy SIV has come with an option called screen mode which will allow the user to change the phone's colour profile. Some of them have a darker colour profile which will help the user who are tight with the battery life issue to save more battery and also improve the users' comfort (including me) who have a problem with the brighter colour.

How to change screen mode?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Display.
4. Tap Screen mode.
5. Here you'll see five screen modes available, they are:
• Adapt display: This mode is selected by default. this mode will automatically optimizes the colour range, saturation, and sharpness of the display in the Gallery app, Camera app, Stock Browser app, Video app, WatchON app and Samsung Books.
• Dynamic: for me who have problem with the colour sharpness, this mode hurt my eyes because it's more red and more sharp.
• Standard: This is my favourite screen mode. It has soft colour and enough sharpness that make me feel comfort to use my phone with this mode.
• Professional photo: I have no idea about this mode. But, I noticed this mode has less sharpness and color range compared with the standard.
• Movie: Compared with other modes, this mode has the lowest sharpness and the darkest color.
6. Tap the desired screen mode you wish to use (Look at the picture above to see the differences between each screen mode).
7. Tap Save button.
8. The selected screen mode will be applied.

If you're like me, I prefer to use standard as my screen mode. This mode has a soft colour compared with the adapt display and dynamic, and has enough sharpness compared with the professional photo and movie. Even so, each user has their own taste. So, no matter what the screen mode you'll choose, make sure to choose the one that will make you more comfort using your phone.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Update Applications

For certain reason, you may want to install third-party apps that you can get through Google Play Store, for instance when you're not satisfied with the stock app and want to install third-party app that has the same function, etc. To allow you accessing Play Store, make sure you have had an active Google account on your phone.

See also: How to Download Free Apps from Google Play Store in the Samsung Galaxy S4

To keep all installed apps run smoothly and don't cause any error, make sure to update apps regularly. The latest update usually brings some new features and some fixes for bugs/errors in the previous version. Depending on your need, you can set your phone to automatically update apps or you can also update apps manually.

How to update apps automatically?
There's an option in the Google Play Store which will allow you to set the phone to automatically update apps when there's an update available. Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Tap Auto-update apps.
4. Here you'll see three options available, they are:
• Do not auto-update apps: select this option to turn off auto update.
• Auto-update apps at any time. Data charges may apply: select this option to allow your phone to automatically update apps when you have an Internet connection, either when you use Wi-Fi or mobile data.
• Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only: select this option to allow your phone updating apps automatically only when you're connecting with the Wi-Fi network.
5. Tap the desired auto update option you wish to use. But, if you're like me, I prefer to use auto update over Wi-Fi because it's faster and doesn't charge me with the data.
6. From now, when there an update available, your phone will update app automatically and you'll be informed with a notification when the app is successfully updated.

How to update apps manually?
If you more prefer to update apps manually, you can do so by using one of methods listed below:
Method #1: From the Notification panel
By default, usually you'll receive a notification if there's an update available. Below are the steps to update apps manually from the notification panel:

1. Swipe the top of the screen to the bottom to access notification panel.
2. Under the Notifications section, tap the update notifications.
3. You'll be brought to the My apps menu in the Play Store. If available, in the Installed tab you can see all available updates under Updates section.
4. To update a single app, tap Update button in the right side of the desired app you wish to update then tap Update button.
5. To update all apps, tap Update all button.
6. The selected apps will be updated and they will be moved to the Recently updated section.

Method #2: From Google Play Store
If you didn't receive a notification update, you can manually check available updates from the Play Store by following the steps below:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Swipe the screen from left to the right.
3. Tap My apps.
4. If available, in the Installed tab you can see all available updates under Updates section.
5. To update a single app, tap Update button in the right side of the desired app you wish to update then tap Update button.
6. To update all apps, tap Update all button.
7. The selected apps will be updated and they will be moved to the recently updated section.

By knowing how to automatically or manually update apps, now you can use one of them to help you keeping the apps stay updated. So, hope it helps :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Install Apps from Unknown Sources (.apk File)

Most of Android phone users(including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV users) usually install apps from Google Play Store which is the official market for all Android phones. To be able to access Play Store, you need to have an active Google account. As the official market, Google Play Store provide their users with tons of apps that you can choose which one that suit your need. But, it will be better if you read the app's review first before installing the app to make sure that the app has a positive review and less complaints/errors.

See also: How to Install Free Apps from Google Play Store in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Nevertheless, though the Play Store has lot of apps, in some cases you may want to install certain app from other sources than the Play Store, for instance when the app is no longer available in the Play Store or you can't find any alternative app for the app you're looking for in the Play Store. Luckily, in Android, there's an option which will allow you to do so.

How to install .apk file?
An app from unknown sources usually has .apk extension. Well, here the steps to install it:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Security.
4. Scroll down to find Unknown sources, and then tick the box next this option to enable it and then tap OK button to confirm enabling this option.
5. Tick the box next to Verify apps to allow your phone to block or warn before installing apps that may cause harm.
6. Now, you're allowed to install app from sources other than the Play Store. You can do so by downloading a .apk file of certain app through Browser app into your phone. (In this case, I'm using the stock Internet browser app to download calculator with percent.apk from appsapk.com).
7. Once the downloading process is completed. Open My File app and then navigate to the .apk location (usually all downloaded files will be saved in the Download folder in the phone storage)
8. Tap .apk file you've just downloaded.
9. Tap Install button.
10. Tap Accept button.
11. Once the installation process is completed, you can open the app and use it.

FYI, due to .apk file comes from unofficial sources, make sure to get it from a recommended source and has a good reputation. If your phone is encountering error after you installed a .apk file then it will be better for you to uninstall the app to fix the problem. So, have you ever installed a .apk file in your phone?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Setup And Use Call Reject Messages

Aside from making calls, Samsung Galaxy SIV also allows you to receive calls. This of course will facilitate you to communicate with others. When you have an incoming call, you'll be presented with two on-screen icon that you can use to accept or reject a call.

See also: How to Answer, Reject and End a Call in the Samsung Galaxy S4

In certain situation, instead of accepting a call, you may want to reject it, for instance when you're driving or while you're in a meeting. In order to avoid misunderstanding with the person who calls you, you can send him a message contains a reason why you did reject his call. Fortunately, you can reject call and send a message at once by utilizing a call reject message feature.

How to edit, delete and add call reject message?
By default, there are 6 call reject messages available in the phone and you're allowed to edit them, remove one or more of them and add a new call reject message to the list. Well, here are the steps:

1. Open Phone app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Call settings.
3. Tap Set up call reject messages. 
4. Here you'll see 6 default call reject messages. To edit call reject message go to the step #5, to delete call reject message go to the step #6, while to add new call reject message go to the step #7.
5. Editing call reject message:
   If you want to change the default message, then you can do so by following the steps below:
• Long tap the desired call reject message you wish to edit.
• On pop up menu select Edit.
• Here you can edit the selected call reject message per your need.
• Tap Save button.
6. Deleting call reject message:
   You're allowed to remove one or more reject call messages by using one of methods mentioned below:
Method #1
• Tap the Trash can icon located at the top of the screen.
• Tick the box next to desired call reject message you wish to remove or tick the box next to Select all option to remove all call reject messages.
• Tap Delete button.
• The selected call reject messages will be deleted from the list.
Method #2
• Long tap the desired call reject message you wish to remove.
• On pop up menu select Delete.
• Tap OK button to confirm.
• The selected call reject message will be deleted from the list.
7. Adding a new call reject message:
   You're only allowed to add a new call reject message if you have removed one or more of them. To do so, kindly follow the steps below:
• Tap Create button.
• Type your own call reject message.
• Tap Save button.
• The new call reject message will be added to the list.

How to reject call with message?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. When you receive a call, you'll see Reject call with message option with the Up arrow icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Drag the Up arrow icon upwards.
3. Tap Send button next to the desired call reject message you wish to use to reject a call.
4. The message will be sent and the call will be rejected.

If you're like me, I often use this feature when I'm in a situation where I can't accept a call and have not enough time to type a message. By using this feature I can send him one of my reject call message that contain a reason why I did that so he'll not misunderstanding with me. So, how about you? Has this option helped you?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change Bubble and Background Style in Messaging App

Sending a message is one of the most common used method by most of phone's users to communicate with others. That's why, no wonder if Samsung Galaxy SIV has provided the stock Messaging app to facilitate their users when they want sending a message. As other apps, Messaging app also has some settings which will allow you to customize it according to your need. For instance, you can set the desired message tone for incoming message.

See also: How to Change Message Tone in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from selecting message tone, you can also customize the display of thread in the Messaging app. You can change bubble's shape/color for incoming and outgoing message as well as change the background image of message thread.

How to change bubble style in Messaging app?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to find Display section.
4. Tap Bubble style.
5. You'll see some Samsung-provided bubble styles in the bottom of the screen.
6. Select a bubble style you wish to use for incoming message and outgoing message.
7. Tap Save button.
8. The selected bubble style will be applied in the Messaging app.

How to change background style in Messaging app?
This step will change the background of a thread, not the background of the Messaging app's main page. Well, here are the steps:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to find Display section.
4. Tap Background style.
5. You'll see an Add background style icon and some Samsung-provided background styles at the bottom of the screen. To use Samsung-provided background style go to the step #6, to use a picture from the Gallery app as background style go to the step #7, while to use a picture taken by the camera as background style go to the step #8.
6. Use Samsung-provided background style:
• Tap the desired Samsung-provided background style you wish to use.
• The selected background style will be applied in the Messaging app.
7. Use a picture from Gallery app:
• Tap Add background style icon.
• Tap Image.
• Select the desired picture in the Gallery app you wish to use.
• If necessary, you can change which part of the picture you wish to crop.
• Tap Save button.
• The selected picture will be applied as background style.
• Tap Save button
8. Use a picture taken by the camera:
• Tap Add background style icon.
• Tap Take picture.
• Now, take a picture by tapping the camera icon.
• Tap Save button to save the picture.
• If necessary, you can change which part of the picture you wish to crop.
• Tap Save button.
• The selected picture will be applied as background style.
• Tap Save button.

By knowing how to change bubble and background style in the Messaging app, now you can customize and make it different by touching it with your personal taste.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Reinstall Apps

Google Play Store is the official market for all Android phones, including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV. Here, you can find tons of apps and then download the one that suit your need, either it's free or paid apps. Unfortunately, in some cases, some of apps can cause your phone encountering error. If that happens, uninstalling app is one of the way to fix the problem.

See also: How to Uninstall Apps in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Even so, for some reason, you may want to reinstall uninstalled-apps that you've ever installed in your phone. If so, you can do so with ease through Google Play Store because this app has a list of all apps that you've ever downloaded before.

How to reinstall uninstalled-apps?
FYI, if you have multiple Google accounts, make sure to access Play Store with an account that you used to download the apps. Well, here are the steps:

1. Open Play Store app.
2. Swipe the screen from left to the right.
3. Tap My apps.
4. Tap All tab.
5. All your downloaded apps will be displayed here, while for uninstalled apps will be labelled with the Cross sign (x) at the top right corner of the application's name.
6. Tap the desired uninstalled app you wish to reinstall.
7. Tap Install button.
8. In the App permissions, tap Accept button.
9. The selected app will be installed shortly.

Indeed, you can search and install apps directly through the Play Store's main page, but sometimes we have difficulty to remember what the app name is. So, by using the steps mentioned above, now you can easily reinstall uninstalled-apps that you've ever downloaded before through the Google Play Store. Hope it helps :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Move Apps to SD Card or to Device Storage

Google Play Store is the official market for all Android phones, including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV. From here, you can find tons of apps--either a free or paid version--that you can install which one that suit your needs. To do so, first you need to have a Google account to access Google Play Store and other Google services. All apps from Google Play Store will be installed automatically to the internal storage.

See also: How to Install Free Apps from Google Play Store in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Lot of choices and limited space in the internal storage sometimes make a user facing with the low internal storage problem. Luckily, Samsung Galaxy S4 has an option to move movable downloaded apps to the SD card. It will certainly give you some benefits, you can install lot of apps without having worried the internal storage is run out and experiencing some problems are caused by low ROM.


How to move a downloaded app to the SD card?
FYI, all movable downloaded apps will be displayed under SD card tab in the application manager. To move them to the SD card, you can follow the steps listed below:

Method #1: From Settings menu

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Application Manager.
4. Swipe the screen to the right until you see the SD card tab. All movable downloaded apps will be listed here.
5. Tap the desired app you wish to move to SD card.
6. Tap Move to SD card button.
7. The selected app will be moved to SD card.
8. Tap the Back key.
9. In the SD card tab, the selected app will be labelled with the checkmark icon as a sign that the app has been moved to the SD card.

Method #2: From App drawer

1. Go to Apps through Home screen.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Downloaded apps.
3. Tap and hold the desired app you wish to move to SD card and then drag it to the App info icon.
4. Tap Move to SD card button.
5. The selected app will be moved to SD card.
6. Tap the Back key.
7. Swipe the screen to the right until you see the SD card tab. The selected app will be labelled with the checkmark icon as a sign that the app has been moved to the SD card.

How to move back a downloaded app to the device storage?
If previously you have moved certain app to the SD card, and for any reason now you want to move it back to the device storage as it used to be, then you can do so by following the steps below:

Method #1: From Settings menu

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Application Manager.
4. Swipe the screen to the right until you see the SD card tab. All moved to SD card apps will be displayed here and labelled with the checkmark icon.
5. Tap the desired app you wish to move back to device storage.
6. Tap Move to device storage button.
7. The selected app will be moved back to device storage.
8. Tap the Back key.
9. In the SD card tab, the checkmark icon in the selected app should be disappear as a sign that the app has been moved back to the device storage.

Method #2: From App drawer

1. Go to Apps through Home screen.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Downloaded apps.
3. Tap and hold the desired app you wish to move to device storage and then drag it to the App info icon.
4. Tap Move to device storage button.
5. The selected app will be moved back to device storage.
6. Tap the Back key.
7. Swipe the screen to the right until you see the SD card tab. Now the checkmark icon in the selected app should be disappear as a sign that the app has been moved back to the device storage.

Well, if you're like me, I prefer to move all movable downloaded apps to the SD card to keep my internal storage has enough free spaces to make the phone works properly. And, the best part of this is, until now all moved to SD card apps work well and I have never experienced any error while using them. So, how about you? Has this feature helped you?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Set and Clear Default Applications

Though Samsung Galaxy SIV has equipped with some basic apps as the stock apps, you're allowed to install another third-party app per your needs, either from other sources or from the official market of the Android phone: Google Play Store.

See also: How to Install Free Apps from Google Play Store in the Samsung Galaxy S4

In some cases, even there are some users who install an app that has the same function with one of stock app. As the example, Samsung Galaxy SIV has the stock Browser app, but for certain purpose you may need to install another third-party browser app (eg: Firefox browser app or Chrome browser app). Given these apps have the same function, you may will be asked to choose which browser app you wish to use as default when you open a URL link from another apps. When an app has chosen as default app, next time this app will be launched by default when you perform the same action or activity.

How to set an app as default?
To make it easier, we'll use Browser app as the example. Here are the steps to set one of installed browser app as default:

1. Open a URL link from another app, for instance: open a URL link from email message.
2. You will be presented with the Complete action using menu contains with all of Browser apps available in your phone.
3. Tap the desired Browser app you wish to set as default(as the example: select the stock Internet browser app) and then tap Always button.
4. Tap OK button to confirm.
5. The selected app will be opened by default each time you open a URL link from another apps.

How to clear default in certain app?
There are 3 methods available that you can use to clear default app. Here they are:

Method #1: From Task manager
This is my favourite one because this method will allow me to clear default for some apps easier and faster:

1. Long tap Home button.
2. Tap Task manager icon.
3. Tap Clear defaults tab. All default apps will be listed here.
4. Tap Clear button next to the desired default app(in this case, tap Internet) you wish to clear.
5. The default app will be cleared shortly.

Method #2: From Settings menu
It's the classic method usually used by the user to clear default app:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Application manager.
4. Swipe the screen to the right until you see the All tab.
5. Scroll down to find the desired default app(in this case, tap Internet) you wish to clear, then tap the row.
6. In the App info screen, under Launch by default section, tap Clear defaults button.
7. The default app will be cleared shortly.

Methods #3: From App drawer
This method is the same with the method #2, but performed through the apps menu.

1. Go to Apps through Home screen.
2. Find the default app(in this case, tap Internet) you wish to clear.
3. Tap and hold the app and then drag it to the App info icon located at the top of the screen.
4. In the App info screen, under Launch by default section, tap Clear defaults button.
5. The default app will be cleared shortly.

FYI, all the steps mentioned above are applicable for another apps, for instance to set or clear default app for some Messaging apps or for some File manager apps, etc. Well, by knowing how to set default app, now you can choose an app as default app for particular action or activity. And, you can also clear the default app with ease when you accidentally set an incorrect app as the default and want to replace it with the correct one. Hope it helps :)