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 :)