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 :)