Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Use Mobile Hotspot Feature in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Mobile hotspot is a feature available in the Samsung Galaxy S5 that can be used to enable or disable Wi-Fi tethering. This feature lets you set your Samsung Galaxy S5 as an internet access point so that you can share your mobile data connection with other Wi-Fi enabled devices that are connected to your phone. Since this feature uses mobile data to access internet, you may incur additional charges when using this feature. To avoid a big bill, you'd better having an unlimited data plan (if you often use this feature) or use this feature as needed only.


How to set Samsung Galaxy S5 as a mobile hotspot?
You can enable Wi-Fi tethering and configure the hotspot settings by using the following steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers to open up the quick settings panel.
  2. If your mobile data is off, tap Mobile data button to turn it on. The button turns green when it's enabled.
  3. Long tap Mobile hotspot button to view more detailed settings.
  4. Tap Mobile Hotspot.
  5. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable mobile hotspot. In this screen, you can also see the password that can be used by other devices to connect to your mobile hotspot.
  6. Mobile hotspot is now enabled and you'll see the Wi-Fi tethering icon is displayed on the status bar. FYI, Wi-Fi feature will be disabled automatically when this feature is on.
  7. Change the connection mode:
    • Tap AndroidAP.
    • Select All devices if you want to allow all Wi-Fi enabled devices to access your mobile hotspot or select Allowed devices only to allow only devices in the allowed list to access your mobile hotspot.
  8. Add or remove a device in allowed devices list:
    If needed, you can limit the devices that can access your mobile hotspot by using the following steps:
    • Tap and then select Allowed devices.
    • To add a device into the list, tap and then enter the device name and the MAC address and then tap OK button.
    • To remove a device from the list, tap and then select the device you want to remove and then tap Done button.
  9. Configure the hotspot settings:
    If needed, you can edit your hotspot configuration by using the following steps:
    • Tap and then select Configure hotspot.
    • Here you can do some actions, for instance: change the SSID name, hide/show the device, change the network security and change the password.
    • Once done, tap Save button to save the changes.
  10. Change network timeout:
    If needed, you can set the time to disable mobile hotspot automatically if there are no connected devices by using the following steps:
    • Tap and then select Timeout settings.
    • Select the desired timeout you want to use: Never timeout, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes or 60 minutes.


How to connect from other devices?
If you have set your Samsung Galaxy S5 as mobile hotspot, now other Wi-Fi enabled devices can connect to your network to use your mobile data connection to access the internet. As the example, we'll use Samsung Galaxy S4 to connect to the network. Here's the steps:
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Connections tab.
  3. Tap Wi-Fi.
  4. If Wi-Fi is off, slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to turn it on. The phone will scan all available Wi-Fi networks automatically.
  5. Tap AndroidAP(it's the default SSID name of the Samsung Galaxy S5 if you didn't change it) and then enter the password.
  6. Tap Connect button.
  7. If the password was entered correctly, the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be connected to the network and can use the mobile data connection from the Samsung Galaxy S5 to access the internet.

FYI, this feature lets you share your mobile data connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices. Also note that since this feature uses quite a lot of power to run, then to avoid your battery drained out quickly you'd better turn this feature on when needed only or you can set the timeout settings so that the feature will turn off automatically when there are no connected devices after the selected timeout is over.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Transfer Files Using Bluetooth in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

I do believe that most of us already know about Bluetooth because it's an old connectivity feature that can be found in almost all of the phones, either smartphones or feature phones. Though there are some advanced connectivity features, but in some conditions Bluetooth could be the only possible connectivity feature that you can use, for instance when you're in an area where there's no Wi-Fi network so that you can't use Wi-Fi direct or S Beam, or when the other phone you want to share with only has Bluetooth as the connectivity feature.


How to pair with other Bluetooth enabled devices?
Before using Bluetooth to transfer files with your Samsung Galaxy S5, you have to enable it first and then pair your device with another Bluetooth enabled devices. You can do so either through the settings menu or the notification panel.


Method #1: From the settings menu
This method allows you to pair and unpair with other Bluetooth enabled devices as well as configure the Bluetooth settings. Here's the steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel.
  2. Tap to go to the settings menu.
  3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Network connections section and then tap Bluetooth .
  4. If Bluetooth is off, slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to turn it on. Your phone will scan all available Bluetooth enabled devices automatically.
  5. Change Bluetooth visibility:
    • In the My device section, check the box in the right side of your device name.
    • Your phone will visible to all nearby Bluetooth devices until the visibility timeout is over (by default it's 2 minutes).
  6. Pairing with another Bluetooth enabled device:
    • In the Available devices section, tap the required Bluetooth device you want to pair with.
    • Tap OK button in the Bluetooth pairing request window. The other device should do the same.
    • Your device is now paired with the selected device.
  7. Remove a Bluetooth pairing:
    • In the Paired devices section, tap next to the paired devices you want to unpair with.
    • Tap Unpair.
    • The Bluetooth pairing between your phone and the selected device will be removed.


Method #2: From the notification panel
This method lets you quickly enable Bluetooth and pair with other Bluetooth enabled devices. Here's the steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel.
  2. Tap Bluetooth button. The button turns green when it's enabled.
  3. Change Bluetooth visibility:
    • In the My device section, check the box in the right side of your device name.
    • Your phone will visible to all nearby Bluetooth devices until the visibility timeout is over (by default it's 2 minutes).
  4. Pairing with another Bluetooth enabled devices:
    • Tap Scan button.
    • All nearby Bluetooth devices available will be listed under Available devices.
    • Tap the required Bluetooth device.
    • Tap OK button in the Bluetooth pairing request window. The other device should be the same.
    • Your device is now paired with the selected device.


How to transfer files using Bluetooth?
When your phone has been paired with other Bluetooth enabled devices, now you're ready to transfer files. As the example we'll try to transfer some photos using Bluetooth from the Samsung Galaxy S5 to the Samsung Galaxy S4. Here's the steps:
  1. Open Gallery app.
  2. Tap an album.
  3. Tap and then select Select.
  4. Select the desired photos you want to transfer using Bluetooth.
  5. Tap and then select Bluetooth .
  6. Tap the paired device you want to share with.
  7. The selected photos will be sent. FYI, the paired device needs to accept the files to be able receiving the files.

For the record, though Bluetooth has slower speed compared with other connectivity features (e.g: Wi-Fi Direct, S Beam, etc), but Bluetooth is a feature that will allow you to easily transfer files device to device with almost all of the phones.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Transfer Files Using Wi-Fi Direct in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Wi-Fi direct is a connectivity feature available in the Samsung Galaxy S5(it's my favourite one). This feature lets you transfer files to another Wi-Fi direct enabled devices that are connected in the same Wi-Fi network. By using this feature you can transfer multiple files at once at a speed up to 250Mbps, lets you transferring large file or multimedia content with ease and fast.


How to enable or disable Wi-Fi Direct?
Before transferring files using Wi-Fi direct with your Samsung Galaxy S5, you have to enable it first by using the following steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel.
  2. Tap to go to the settings menu.
  3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Network connections section and then tap Wi-Fi .
  4. When Wi-Fi is off, slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to turn it on.
  5. Tap the required network you want to connect to. If the network is secured, enter the password and then tap Connect button.
  6. Now, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Wi-Fi Direct. The device will scan all available Wi-Fi direct enabled devices automatically.
  7. Tap the required device you want to connect to. If the selected device accepting your request to connect, then your phone will be connected to the selected devices.
  8. Wi-Fi direct is now enabled and you'll see the Wi-Fi direct icon is displayed on the status bar which means you're now ready to use Wi-Fi direct to transfer files with the connected devices.
  9. To disable Wi-Fi direct, tap End connection button and then tap OK button.

How to transfer files using Wi-Fi Direct?
Once the Wi-Fi direct is enabled, now you can use it to transfer files. As the example, we'll try to transfer photos via Gallery app and My Files app using Wi-Fi direct from the Samsung Galaxy S5 to the Samsung Galaxy S4 that have connected in the same Wi-Fi network.


Method #1: From Gallery app
  1. Open Gallery app.
  2. Tap an album.
  3. Tap and then select Select.
  4. Select the desired photos you want to share with.
  5. Tap and then select Wi-Fi Direct .
  6. Select the device you want to share with and then tap Done button.
  7. The selected photos will be sent.


Method #2: From the My Files app
  1. Open My Files
  2. Tap Images.
  3. Tap and then select Select.
  4. Select the desired photos you want to share with.
  5. Tap and then select Wi-Fi Direct .
  6. Select the device you want to share with and then tap Done button.
  7. The selected files will be sent.

As a note, since the Wi-Fi direct needs quite a lot of power to run, then it'd better if you turn this feature off once you have finished transferring files so that your battery won't be drained quickly.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Wi-Fi is a wireless connectivity feature available in the Samsung Galaxy S5. This feature will let you to connect to another Wi-Fi enabled devices to connect to the internet or to share files/information. If available, most of users would probably prefer Wi-Fi than mobile data, moreover if the Wi-Fi network is an open network, because they can connect to the internet without having to be burdened with any additional charge. In some features, even you're suggested to use Wi-Fi network as the connectivity method, for instance when updating Android version, installing apps, updating apps, etc.


How to connect to a Wi-Fi network?
Generally, you can connect to a Wi-Fi network by using two methods available, either through the settings menu or the notification panel.


Method #1: From the settings menu
You can use this method if this the first time for you using Wi-Fi or if you want to connect to other network instead of the one you have previously connected to. Here's the steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
  2. Tap to go to the settings menu.
  3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Network connections section and then tap Wi-Fi .
  4. Tap the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable it. The device will scan all available Wi-Fi networks automatically.
  5. Tap the required Wi-Fi network you want to connect to.
  6. If the network is secured, you have to enter the network password(it's case sensitive, as the example: "R" is not the same with "r"). You can enable the Show password option to help you review and make sure that the password is correct.
  7. Tap Connect button.
  8. If the password was entered correctly, your phone will be connected to the selected Wi-Fi network and you'll see the Wi-Fi icon is displayed on the status bar.
  9. Now, you're ready to use Wi-Fi to connect to the internet or to share information with other devices that are connected in the same network with you.


Method #2: From the notification panel
You can use this method to quickly connect to the network you have previously connected to. Here's the steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi button. The button turns green when it's enabled.
  3. The device will be connected automatically to the network you have previously connected to and you'll see the Wi-Fi icon is displayed on the status bar.
  4. Now, you're ready to use Wi-Fi to connect to the internet or to share information with other devices that are connected in the same network with you.

As a note, the wrong password is a thing that most often causing the user unable to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Since the password is case sensitive, make sure to enter the password correctly so that you can connect to the network (please pay attention between uppercase and lowercase as well as 0 and o).

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Use Heart Rate Monitor Feature in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Heart rate monitor is a feature available in the S Health app in Samsung Galaxy S5 that will let you easily know your rest heart rate without having to use any additional accessory. You just need to place your fingertip on the sensor and the device will count your rest heart rate automatically. The built-in heart rate sensor is located at the same place with camera flash LED below the rear camera, which in the same time it will keep the device slim because it doesn't need any additional place.


How to use the heart rate monitor feature?
To know your rest heart rate, kindly using the following steps:
  1. Open S Health app.
  2. Tap Heart Rate .
  3. In the Information window, tap OK button. Or, feel free to check the box in the left side of the "Do not show again" option so that this window won't appear anymore. 
  4. Place your index finger lightly and stand still on the sensor (it's located in the same place with the camera flash LED on the back side of the phone).
  5. The camera flash LED glows red when the device is trying to measure your heart rate. While in this step, hold your finger in place and try to keep still and quiet for about 10 seconds.
  6. When the measurement has been done, your rest heart rate will be displayed on the screen along with the date and time when the measurement was taken. As a note, the rest heart rate for adult normally lies between 60-100 bpm. The result in each person may differ depending on the age, activities, etc. If you found your rest heart rate below 60 bpm, generally it means more efficient function and better cardiovascular health.
  7. If you like to track your heart rate to get your pattern for instance, then you can see your heart rate histories by using the following steps:
  8. See the heart rate chart:
    • Tap located at the bottom right corner of the screen.
    • Tap Hour tab to see the average of your recorded heart rate per hour.
    • Tap Day to see the average of your recorded heart rate per day.
    • Tap Month to see the average of your recorded heart rate per month.
    See the heart rate logs:
    • If you want more detail information about your heart rate histories, tap located at the top of the screen and you'll see your heart rate histories are displayed per daily with the exact time of each measurement.
    • If necessary, you can delete the log by tapping and then select Delete. Select the heart rate histories you want to delete and then tap Done button.

Given the function, this feature will be able to help you knowing or tracking your rest heart rate and cardiovascular health over time easily by using your phone.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Take Animated Photo in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Animated photo is a feature available in the stock Camera app in the Samsung Galaxy SIV that will let you to create animated GIFs containing with moving and static objects directly from your phone without having to use any third-party app. This feature works by recording up to 5 seconds of video at a resolution 800x450. Once the subject has been taken, you can loop the animation, change the direction, trim the animation to get the best part as well as select the specific area you want to animate or freeze.


How to take an animated photo?
You can do so by using the following steps:
  1. Open Camera app.
  2. Tap and then select Animated photo.
  3. Aim the camera to the subject.
  4. If necessary, you can change the focus manually by tapping anywhere on the screen where the camera should be focused. When the focus point turns green means the focus has been locked.
  5. Tap to start capturing the scene. It'd better if you hold the phone as steady as possible until the camera has finished capturing the scene. You can record up to 5 seconds of footage. If needed, you can stop capturing the scene anytime you want by tapping .
  6. Once the scene is captured completely, you'll be brought to the review screen.
  7. You can select which moving object to animate by tapping Animate and then rub the specific area of the photo to turn on animation. The selected area will be highlighted pink.
  8. You can also select which moving object to freeze by tapping Freeze and then rub the specific area of the photo to turn off animation. The moving object in this area will be changed to be a static object.
  9. If necessary, you can cut the length of the animation by tapping Trim and then drag and to the required scene and then tap to save the changes.
  10. If necessary, you can change the direction of your animation by tapping Direction and then select from the following options: Back and forth, Forwards and Backwards.
  11. If you're satisfied with the result, tap Save button to save the animated photo.

As a note, the animated photo result will be saved as .GIF file. Also, since the image contains with animations, then you may find that the image size is quite large (more than 4MB) depending on how much animations within the photo.