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 :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Disable or Enable Apps

One of causes an error occurs in the Samsung Galaxy SIV is an installed third-party app in the phone. No wonder if most of users use this reason to uninstall particular third-party app in their phones to fix the problem. In addition, uninstalling some unused apps also will help you to keep your phone clean and neat as well as to free up some spaces in your phone. One thing that you should remember that you're only allowed to uninstall third-party apps, not with the stock apps.

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

Well, given the stock apps can't be uninstalled, then you can disable one or more of them when you don't want to use them. But, make sure that you only disable the user apps, not the system apps because it will be able to make another stock app that connected to the disabled app not works properly and will make your phone experiences some errors.

How to disable a stock app?
I noticed that some of stock apps have a grayed out Disable button which mean they can't be disabled. Anyway, if you wish to disable allowed-to-be-disabled stock app, you can do so by following the steps listed below:

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. All installed apps will be displayed here, either the stock apps or the third-party apps.
5. Tap the desired a stock app you wish to disable.
6. Tap Disable button.
7. If you ever update the selected app, you will be presented with the notification to confirm you to replace the app with the factory version(uninstall updates). Tap OK button to uninstall updates and continue to disable app, and then tap Disable button again.
8. Tap OK button to confirm.
9. The selected app will be disabled. It will remove the app from Home screen and app drawer.

How to enable a disabled stock app?
Aside to enable a stock app that you have disabled before, you can also use this step to find a missing stock app after did update to Android 4.3. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Application manager.
4. Swipe the screen to the right until you see the Disabled tab. All your disabled apps will be displayed here.
5. Tap the desired disabled app you wish to enable.
6. Tap Enable button.
7. The selected app will be enabled. It will bring back the app to the app drawer.

From my own experience, I never disable stock app in my phone because I love to use them and will keep them alive. But, I ever enable some disabled apps after did update to the Android 4.3 which has had disable them for no reason. Well, hope it helps :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Uninstall Apps

Though Samsung Galaxy SIV has provided some basic apps as the stock apps, you're allowed to install third-party apps from other sources or from the official Android market, Google Play Store. This of course will benefit you because you can install another app that you need into your phone.

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

Aside from the easiness to install apps, in this phone you're also allowed to uninstall installed apps. There are some reasons why you should uninstall apps, for instance when the app has triggered some problem in your phone or when you no longer want to use certain app so you want to uninstall it to tidy up your phone as well as to free up some spaces, etc.


How to uninstall app with 4 easy ways?
FYI, these methods are only applied for downloaded apps, or in other words you can't use these methods to uninstall the stock apps. Well, generally there are 4 methods available to uninstall app. Here they are:

Method #1: From App drawer use the App info icon
This is one of my favourite method that I often use to uninstall app because it allows me to clear cache and data of the selected apps.

1. Go to Apps from Home screen.
2. Long tap the desired app you wish to uninstall and then drag it to the App info icon located at the top of the screen.
3. Before uninstalling the app, better if you clear its cache and data by tapping the Clear cache button and the Clear data button.
4. Tap Uninstall button.
5. Tap OK button to confirm.
6. The selected app will be uninstalled shortly.

Method #2: From App drawer use the option in Menu key
This method allows you to uninstall some apps more easier directly from the app menu. Unfortunately, this method doesn't allow you to clear cache and data of the selected app.

1. Go to Apps from Home screen.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Uninstall.
3. All uninstallable apps will be labeled with the red minus circled icon.
4. Tap the desired app you wish to uninstall.
5. Tap OK button to confirm.
6. The selected app will be uninstalled shortly.

Method #3: From the Settings menu
This is my second favourite method to uninstall app. This method is the same with the method #1, but with more longer steps.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Application manager.
4. In the Downloaded tab, tap the desired app you wish to uninstall.
5. Before uninstalling the app, better if you clear its cache and data by tapping the Clear cache button and the Clear data button.
6. Tap Uninstall button.
7. Tap OK button to confirm.
8. The selected app will be uninstalled shortly.

Method #4: From Google Play Store
This method allows you to uninstall app while you're in the Google Play Store. I ever use this method when I installed incorrect app from Google Play Store. So before I forgot it, I had uninstalled this app while I'm still in the Google Play Store.

1. Open Play Store app.
2. Swipe the screen from the left to the right.
3. Tap My apps.
4. In the Installed tab, tap the desired app you wish to uninstall.
5. Tap Uninstall button.
6. Tap OK button to confirm.
7. The selected app will be uninstalled shortly.

Well. each method has their own advantage. So, by knowing all available methods to uninstall app, now you can uninstall the desired app by using a method that best suit your need. Well, hope it helps :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: 4 Methods to Send a Message

Given send a message is one of the most common method used by the users to communicate with others, no wonder if Samsung Galaxy SIV has provided the stock Messaging app to facilitate their user when they want to send a message. In this phone, you're also presented with some methods to send a message which you can choose the best one suit your need.


4 Methods to send a message
From what I've known, there are four methods available that you can use to send a message. You can see them below:

Method #1: Send a message from Messaging app
This is the basic method usually used by the user to send a message. You can compose a new message directly from the stock Messaging app.
See also: How to Create and Send SMS or MMS in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Method #2: Send a message from Call Log
Best use this method to send a message to a contact in the recent call or missed call. Here are the steps:

1. Open Phone app.
2. Tap Logs tab. All of your call histories will be displayed here.
3. Tap the desired contact you wish to send a message with.
4. Tap the Yellow closed-envelope icon to create new message to the selected contact.
5. Type your message in the Enter message field.
6. If necessary, you can also attach file into your message by tapping the Attachment button and then select a file type and select the desired file you wish to attach.
7. Tap Send button to send the message.

Method #3: Send a message from Contacts app
This method will facilitate you to send a message to a contact you've added to the Contacts app. Here are the steps:

1. Open Contacts app.
2. Tap the desired contact you wish to send a message with, or you can also search for certain contact by entering the contact's name or number in the Search field. All matching contacts will be displayed. Tap the desired contact to display the contact details.
3. Tap the Yellow closed-envelope icon to send message to the selected contact.
4. Type your message in the Enter message field.
5. If necessary, you can also attach file into your message by tapping the Attachment button and then select a file type and select the desired file you wish to attach.
6. Tap Send button to send the message.

Method #4: Send a message using easy text feature
This method will allow you to access the create new message screen by using a single gesture in any contact list(call log, Contact app, favourite contact). Here are the steps:

1. Open Contacts app or Call log or Favourite contact list where you can see the contact list.
2. Swipe the desired contact from right to the left.
3. You'll be automatically redirected to the create new message screen.
4. Type your message in the Enter message field.
5. If necessary, you can also attach file into your message by tapping the Attachment button and then select a file type and select the desired file you wish to attach.
6. Tap Send button to send the message.

Each method has their own advantage, so by knowing all available methods to send a message, now you can choose which one that best suit your need in order to help you to be able to send a message more faster and easier.