Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change Lock Screen Effect

Locking the screen is the best standard way to secure the phone from unauthorized people accessing the phone, especially if you use the high-security unlock methods, such as PIN or password. Unfortunately, using these high-security unlock methods does limited the options which you can use to customize the lock screen.

See also: How to Unlock the Samsung Galaxy S4 Lock Screen

The different thing happens when you use swipe methods which is the low-security unlock method to unlock the screen, this methods will provide you more options to customize the lock screen than another. One of the option available when you use swipe is the lock screen effect. These effects will be played whenever you swipe your finger to unlock the screen. But, if you prefer to use the plain lock screen effect then you can easily do so by turning off the lock screen effect option.

How to enable or disable lock screen effect?
Kindly follow the steps listed below to turn on or turn off the lock screen effect:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock Screen.
4. If necessary, tap Screen lock then select Swipe.
5. Tap Unlock effect.
6. Here you will see three options available, they are:
• None: choose this option to not using or to turn off the lock screen effect.
• Ripple effect: choose this option to use water drop like effect when you swipe your finger to unlock the screen.
• Light effect: choose this option to use light effect when you swipe your finger to unlock the screen.
7. Choose the lock screen effect you wish to use. When the radio button next the option shows green means the option is selected.
8. Press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen.
9. The selected lock screen effect with the sound will follow the movement of the fingers when you swipe it to unlock the screen.

For some users, this option is quite interesting to use. But, not for some others. Due to this option is just an extra option to beautify your phone and has no real function, so you're free to use this option or not.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Add, Remove and Rearrange Lock Screen

There are some unlock methods available in the Samsung Galaxy SIV, from the low-security unlock methods up to the high-security unlock methods. But, you may be noticed when you use the swipe method to unlock the screen then you'll have lot of options that you can use to customize the lock screen. One of which is to display up to 12 favourite apps in the lock screen. The best part of this is that you can control which the apps you wish to display in there, allows you to put your own favourite apps if these default are not fit with you.

See also: How to Add or Remove Favourite Apps in the Samsung Galaxy S4 Lock Screen

By default, this phone supports up to five lock screen that you can customize per your needs, such as remove unused lock screen, add new additional lock screen or even change the lock screen position. Two of the lock screen are the standard lock screen which are usually reside in the right side. One is the lock screen that provide access to your missed call or messaging notification, while the other one is the lock screen that provide access to the favourite apps or the camera app.

How to remove additional lock screen?
For any reason, if you want to delete the additional lock screen then you can follow the steps listed below:

1. Press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen.
2. Swipe the near top area of the lock screen from left to the right until the desired lock screen you wish to remove is displayed.
3. Tap and hold the widget until the edit screen is displayed and then drag it to the Trash can icon located at the top of the screen.
4. Release to delete it.

How to add additional lock screen?
Once you remove one or more lock screen, then you'll be allowed to add the additional lock screen again up to five lock screen. To do so, kindly follow the steps listed below:

1. Press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen.
2. Swipe the near top area of the lock screen from left to the right until the blank lock screen with the Plus sign is displayed. As a note, the blank lock screen with the Plus sign will not available if you already have added five lock screen.
3. Tap the Plus sign to add new widgets you wish to display in the new lock screen.
4. Select the widgets from the list.
5. The new widgets in the new lock screen will be added.

How to rearrange lock screen position?
If you want to change the lock screen position, then you can follow the steps listed below:

1. Press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen.
2. Swipe the near top area of the lock screen from left to the right until the desired lock screen you wish to move is displayed.
3. Tap and hold the widget until the edit screen is displayed and then drag it to the left or to the right to rearrange the lock screen. As a note, the lock screen with the Favourite apps can't be moved or replaced with another lock screen so this lock screen will always reside at the rightmost.
4. Release to place it in the new position.

As same as the Home screen, this will be better if you only use the lock screen as needed to prevent an increase of the RAM uses and make sure to only place the favourite widgets in there to make it more useful and helpful for you.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Add or Remove the Favourite Apps in the Lock Screen

The multiple widgets is one of the option available that you can use to customize your Samsung Galaxy SIV lock screen. Once you enable this option, then you can configure to display the favourite apps or camera and also clock or personal message when the phone is locked. You'll get all these options when you use the swipe methods to unlock the screen.

See also: How to Enable and Customize Multiple Widgets in Samsung Galaxy S4 Lock Screen

Well, when you choose to display the favourite apps in the lock screen, you can easily access these favourite apps by swiping the near top area in the lock screen from right to left. If you swipe your finger in the middle of the lock screen usually it will unlock the screen instead of allow you to access the additional lock screen. From here, you just need a single tap to open the available app. This of course will provide you the easiness to access these apps. Luckily, you can also add another apps available into these favourite apps as well as removing unused or unwanted app from there, giving you a control to decide which apps you wish to display in there when the default are not fit with you.



How to add new favourite app in the lock screen?
FYI, you're allowed to display up to 12 apps in the favourite apps in the lock screen. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen.
2. Swipe the near top area in the lock screen from right to the left until the customizable lock screen is displayed.
3. Here you can see the favourite apps screen.
4. Tap Add app icon.
5. Select the desired app you wish to add.
6. The selected app will be added to the favourite apps in the lock screen.

How to remove one or more favourite apps in the lock screen?
If you don't like the default favourite apps, then you can easily to remove them by following the steps below:

1. Press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen.
2. Swipe the near top area in the lock screen from right to the left until the customizable lock screen is displayed.
3. Tap the Edit icon .
4. Tap the Minus circled icon in the edge of each apps to remove the app. Removed app will be replaced with the Add app icon to allow you add the new app.
5. Tap the Checkmark icon to save the changes.

In my opinion, the favourite apps has the same function with the bottom shortcuts on the lock screen. Both of them will allow you to easily access your favourite apps by two easy steps, swipe and a single tap. Well, I hope this helps :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Customize the Multiple Widgets on Lock Screen

For the security reason, the Samsung Galaxy SIV has comes with several options available that you can use to lock the screen. Depending on your needs, you're free to use the low-security unlock methods or high-security unlock methods. By locking the screen especially with the high-security unlock methods, you'll be helped to secure your phone from unauthorized people for accessing your phone.

See also: How to Unlock Samsung Galaxy S4 Lock Screen

From all of the option available to unlock the screen, the swipe is the standard unlock methods which is usually has been enabled by default. Though the security of using this method is low, but while you're using the swipe option you'll get lot of options available to customize your lock screen, one of which is the multi widgets.

How to enable or disable the multiple widgets on lock screen?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. Depending on your current settings, tap Multiple widgets option to enable or disable this option. When the box next this option is checked means the multiple widgets will be displayed in the lock screen.

How to customize favourite apps or camera on lock screen?
Once you've enable the multiple widgets as mentioned in the step above, now you can set to display the favourite apps or camera in the lock screen by following the steps below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. Tap Lock screen widgets.
5. If necessary, slide the switch next to Favourite apps or Camera to the right to enable this option.
6. Tap Favourite apps or Camera.
7. You can select either to use Favourite Apps or Camera. When the radio button next the option is shows green means the option is selected.
8. Tap Save button.
9. The changes will be saved.
10. To access the favourite apps or camera, swipe the default lock screen from right to left.

How to customize clock or personal message on lock screen?
Here you can also set to display clock or personal message in the lock screen by following the steps below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. Tap Lock screen widgets.
5. Tap Clock or personal message.
6. You can select either to use Clock or Personal message. When the radio button next the option is shows green means the option is selected. Tap Save button.
7. If you choose the Clock then go to the step #8 while if you choose Personal message then go to the step #9.
8. There are some options available if you choose Clock, such as:
• Dual clock: tap the switch next to this option to enable or disable dual clock on lock screen when roaming.
• Clock size: tap this option to change the clock size.
• Show date: tap this option to display or not to display the date in the lock screen.
• Owner Information: tap this option to type your own information. Make sure to check the box in the left side of the "Show owner info on lock screen" to display this option in lock screen and then tap OK button.
9. If you choose Personal message:
• Tap Edit personal information.
• Type your own personal information. You can also change the colours of the text and background of the text as well as the font style in here
• To display or not to display the the time and date in the lock screen, check or uncheck the box next the option. When the box is checked means the time and date will be displayed in the lock screen.
• Tap Save button to save the changes.

Not only to customize the lock screen widgets, you can also use these three steps to speed up the way you accessing the favourite apps or camera as well as to optimize the lock screen function by displaying the widgets per your needs in there.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Unlock Lock Screen

Customizing the five shortcut of the favourite apps displayed at the bottom of the lock screen is one of the way that the user can do to speed up the way to access these apps when the phone is locked. Nonetheless, you can easily change which the app shortcuts you wish to display there if these default are not fit with you. But, you should use the swipe methods to unlock the screen in order to make them displayed in the lock screen.

See also: How to Customize the Bottom Shortcuts in the Samsung Galaxy S4 Lock Screen

Another customizable thing in the lock screen is the way you unlock the screen. There are some methods available in this phone, from the low-security unlock methods(eg. swipe or face unlock) up to high-security unlock methods(eg. PIN or password). More higher the security of the unlock methods you use will also help you much better to prevent unauthorized people accessing your phone.

How to unlock the screen?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. Tap Screen lock.
5. Here you can see some unlock methods available, they are:
• Swipe: choose this option to unlock the screen by swiping your finger in the screen. This option also has lot of options that you can use to customize lock screen (eg. lock screen effect or bottom shortcuts).
• Face unlock: choose this option to unlock the screen by placing your face in the front of the front-facing camera.
• Face and voice: choose this option to unlock the screen by placing your face in the front of the front-facing camera and also says a predefined word.
• Pattern: choose this option to unlock the screen by drawing a predefined pattern.
• PIN: choose this option to unlock the screen by typing the 4-digits PIN numbers.
• Password: choose this option to unlock the screen by typing the predefined password.
• None: choose this option to unlock the screen by pressing the Power key.
6. Tap the desired unlock methods you wish to use and then follow the on-screen instruction to complete the activation.

Once you have completed configuring the unlock methods, now whenever the phone is locked you can unlock the screen by using that selected method. For the record, the comfort is inversely related to the security means the higher security you use, the lower comfort you get and vice versa. So, it'll be better if you choose the unlock method depends on your top priority: the security or the comfort.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Customize the Bottom Shortcuts in the Lock Screen

If you noticed, while you in any Home screen, there are five shortcuts of the favourite apps which are always displayed in the bottom of the screen. The main purpose of the bottom shortcuts list is to speed up the user to access these apps. Luckily, you can choose which apps you want to display there if you don't like these default shortcuts.

See also: How to Customize the Bottom Shortcuts List in the Samsung Galaxy S4 Home Screen

As same as the Home screen, in the lock screen there are also five favourite app shortcuts that you can find in the bottom of the screen while your phone is locked. They are likely the Phone, Messaging, Internet, Camera and Contacts app. And of course you're allowed to customize these bottom shortcuts list, such as add, remove, rearrange or even change the shortcuts in the list per your wish.

How to add, remove, rearrange and change the bottom shortcuts in the lock screen?
FYI, the bottom shortcuts in the lock screen only will be displayed if you use the swipe methods to unlock the screen. Well, here are the complete steps to customize the bottom shortcuts in the lock screen:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. Tap Shortcuts.
5. Slide the switch next to Shortcuts option at the top of the screen to the right to display the bottom shortcut in the lock screen. When the switch is highlighted means the option is turned on.
6. Here you can customize the default bottom shortcuts of the lock screen. To remove the existing shortcuts go to the step #6, to add new shortcut go to the step #7, to rearrange the shortcuts position go to the step #8 and to change the existing shortcuts go to the step #9.
7. How to remove the existing lock screen shortcut:
• Tap and hold the desired shortcut you wish to remove and then drag it to the Trash can icon located in the bottom of the screen.
• Release to delete it.
• The selected shortcut will be deleted.
8. How to add new shortcut to the lock screen shortcuts:
• Once you remove one or more shortcuts as listed in the step #6, then you'll see the available spot with the Plus circled icon which will allow you to add the new shortcut.
• Tap the Plus circled icon to add new shortcut.
• Select the desired app.
• The shortcut of the selected app will be added.
9. How to rearrange position of the lock screen shortcuts:
• Tap and hold the desired shortcut you wish to change its position and then drag it to the desired position.
• Release to place the shortcut in the new position.
10. How to change the lock screen shortcuts:
• Single tap in the desired shortcut you wish to change.
• Select the desired app.
• The selected app will replace the existing one.

Once the phone is locked, you'll see the new customization of the bottom shortcuts in the lock screen that you have made is displayed. And of course, this will also more useful if you place your favourite apps or the most frequently used app in there to allow you accessing them more faster and easier, even when your phone is locked.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change the Default Home Screen

As one of the customizable part in the Samsung Galaxy SIV, the Home screen in this phone is allowed you to add the new Home screen, remove one or more Home screen or even rearrange its position per your wish to suit your needs. But, use the Home screen as needed is the better choice to prevent an increase of the RAM uses which may led some problems to your phone.

See also: How to Add, Remove and Rearrange Samsung Galaxy S4 Home Screen

If you noticed, in some Home screen available in the phone, one of them will always appear whenever you turn on the phone. This Home screen is the default Home screen which is usually has the clock or weather widget at the top of the screen. Luckily, you're free to assign another Home screen as the default if you don't like the previous one.

How to set a Home screen as the default screen?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. In the Home screen, tap the Menu key then select Edit page. Or, you can also pinch the Home screen to enter the edit page.
2. The default Home screen is the one with the highlighted Home icon.
3. To change the default, tap the Home icon at the top of the desired Home screen you wish to set as the default.
4. When the Home icon is highlighted means the selected Home screen has been activated as the default.

Now, whenever you turn on the phone, you'll see the new default Home screen appear. FYI, one thing that differentiates between the default Home screen and another additional Home screen is when you remove the default then you'll be presented with the notification to ask you whether you really want to delete or not. So, this will more useful if you choose the Home screen which is contain more important apps or widgets than another because this will be able to help you to prevent accidentally removing the Home screen while you're in the edit page to customise all of your Home screen.