Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change Message Tone in Hangouts App in Android 4.4 Kitkat

Since the SMS messages feature in Hangouts app is not enabled by default therefore when you want to use this feature on your phone then you have to enable it manually through the Settings menu or through the Hangouts app itself. Enabling the SMS messages feature in Hangouts will also set this app as the default messaging app. Please note that by setting Hangouts app as the default messaging app, some of features of the Samsung applications are prevented to be used.

See also: How to Enable SMS Messages in Hangouts App in the Samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.4 Kitkat

As same as other messaging apps, in Hangouts app you can also change the message tone according to your liking to make you easier to know if you have a new Hangouts message in your phone. And a good news of this is if you use Hangouts app in Android 4.4 Kitkat, once you activate SMS messages in Hangouts then other messaging apps will be disabled so you won't get double notifications.


How to change message tone in Hangouts app?
Generally, there are two methods that you can use to change the message tone in Hangouts app, from the Hangouts app settings and from an opened message in Hangouts app.

Method #1: From the Hangouts app settings
This method will change message tone for incoming messages in Hangouts app from all contacts. Here are the steps:

1. Open Hangouts app.
2. Tap the Menu key and then select Settings.
3. Tap SMS.
4. Make sure the checkbox next to Notifications is checked.
5. Tap Sound.
6. Tap the desired message tone you want to use.
7. Tap OK button.
8. If you want your phone vibrates when receiving a new message, mark the checkbox next to Vibrate.

Method #2: From the opened message in Hangouts app
This method will only change the message tone for the sender of the selected message. It can be used to differ the message tone for certain contact who have ever sent you a message. Here are the steps:

1. Open Hangouts app.
2. Open the required conversation from particular contact.
3. Tap the Menu key and then select People & options.
4. Make sure the checkbox next to Notifications is checked.
5. Tap Chat message sound.
6. Tap the desired message tone you want to use.
7. Tap OK button.

By knowing these steps, now you can easily change the message tone in Hangouts app for the whole of your contacts or set different message tone for the different contacts(favourite or important contacts) so that you will be easier to know if you have a new message from them.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Read, Reply and Forward a Text Message in Hangouts App in Android 4.4 Kitkat

Once you activated the SMS messages feature in Hangouts app, you can use this app to send text messages to the desired contacts, either to a single contact or multiple contacts at once. This app also provides you various emojis that you can add into your messages to describe your mood and make your messages more alive.

See also: How to Send a Text Message in Hangouts App in the Samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.4 Kitkat

Aside from sending text messages, this app also allows you to receive text messages. As same as other messaging apps, Hangouts app allows you to read a new incoming text message with ease and then reply the message to the original sender or forward the message to another contacts.


How to read a new text message in Hangouts app?
Generally, there are two methods that you can use to open the new text message and then read it, through the notifications panel or through Hangouts app itself.

Method #1: From the notifications panel
When your phone is receiving a new text message, by default you'll get a notification. On any screen, swipe the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel and then tap the notification of the new text message to open it through Hangouts app.

Method #2: From Hangouts app
To view a new text message in Hangouts app, do as follows:

1. Open Hangouts app.
2. The new incoming message will be displayed at the top of the conversation list. The new message is displayed with black bold letters.
3. Tap the new message to open it.
4. The latest message will be displayed at the very bottom of the message list within the opened conversation.

How to reply a text message in Hangouts app?
You can reply a new or existing text message to the original sender by using the following steps:

1. Open Hangouts app.
2. Tap the required conversation.
3. Enter your message in the enter text field above the keyboard.
4. If necessary you can add emojis into your message by tapping and then select the desired emojis you want to use. Tap to bring back your keyboard.
5. Tap to send your message.

How to forward a text message in Hangouts app?
You can forward a new or existing text message to another contact you want by using the following steps:

1. Open Hangouts app.
2. Tap the required conversation.
3. Long tap the required message you want to forward.
4. On pop up menu select Forward.
5. You'll be presented with contact names of the existing messages, tap the required contact name. Or if you want to forward the message to other contact, tap New message and then select the required contact name from your contacts list.
6. If necessary you can add your own message by typing them in the enter text field above the keyboard.
7. If necessary you can add emojis to your message by tapping and then select the desired emojis you want to use. Tap to bring back your keyboard.
8. Tap to send your message.

As when you send text messages, SMS rate from your cellular provider will also apply when you reply or forward text messages by using this app.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Send a Text Message in Hangouts App in Android 4.4 Kitkat

As we all know that Hangouts app can be used to send SMS or MMS if this app is used in Android 4.0 or above. It means the Samsung Galaxy SIV users are allowed to use this feature. Even so, since the SMS messages feature in Hangouts app is not enabled by default, then you have to enable it manually when you want to use it, either from the Hangouts app itself or the Settings menu. Turning on this feature will also set this app as the default messaging app in your phone.

See also: How to Enable SMS Messages in Hangouts App in the samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.4 Kitkat

Once the SMS messages feature is activated, you can use this app to send text messages to the desired contacts, either those you have added into your contacts list or those you have not. In this app, you're also allowed to send a text message to more than one contacts at once.

How to create and send SMS in Hangouts app?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Open Hangouts app.
2. Tap   located at the top right corner of the screen to create a new message.
3. Type the phone number or name in the search box at the top of the screen.
• If the phone number or name has been saved in the contacts then you'll see an option to "PHONE CONTACTS", tap the required contact name below the "PHONE CONTACTS".
• If the phone number has not been saved in the contacts then you'll see an option to "SEND SMS TO...". Once you finish entering the number, tap the phone number below "SEND SMS TO...".
4. If you want to send your message to multiple recipients, kindly do as follows:
• Tap in the left side of the first contact you have added as the message recipient.
• Select another contacts by tapping the contact names. The selected contacts will be check-marked.
• Or, you can enter another phone number as you have done in the step #3.
• Tap OK button .
• The selected contacts will be added as the message recipients.
5. Type your message in the enter text field above the keyboard.
6. You can insert emojis to your message by tapping and then select the desired emojis you like to use. Once done, tap to bring back your keyboard.
7. Tap to send your message to the recipient.

I've been set Hangouts app as the default messaging app and used it to send messages since couple days back. One thing that I really like from this app is the various stock emojis that make my message more alive and can describe my mood well. So, how about you? Have you tried send a text message in Hangouts app?

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable SMS Messages in Hangouts App in Android 4.4 Kitkat

If you notice, Hangouts app replaces Talk app. If you use this app in Samsung Galaxy SIV with Android 4.4 Kitkat, then you're not only allowed to use this app to chat or video chat with other users, but you're also allowed to use this app to send or receive messages, photos or videos. Since this feature is not activated by default, then you have to enable it manually if you want to use the SMS feature on this app and make it as your default messaging app in your phone. Though this app is a Google-related app, you don't have to sign in to your Google account to be able to use this app to send or receive SMS.


How to set Hangouts app as the default messaging app?
Please note that when you set Hangouts app as default messaging app, some messaging features of Samsung application are prevented to be used and SMS rate from your provider still apply while you're using this app.

Method #1: From Hangouts app

1. If this the first time for you use Hangouts app, you'll be presented with a page that ask you whether you want to turn on SMS on this app. Tap Turn on SMS button to enable SMS messages in Hangouts and then tap Yes button to confirm.
2. If you didn't turn on SMS at the first time you use this app, you can turn on SMS messages in this app manually by using the following the steps:
• While you're in Hangouts app, tap the Menu key and then select Settings.
• Tap SMS.
• Tap SMS Disabled.
• Tap Yes button to set Hangouts as default messaging app. The option turns into SMS Enabled as a sign that SMS in Hangouts has been enabled.
3. All of your existing messages will be imported to Hangouts app and you're ready to use this app to send or receive messages.

Method #2: From the more networks in the settings menu

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap Connections tab.
3. Tap More networks.
4. Tap Default messaging app and then select Hangouts.
5. Tap OK button to confirm.
6. Once done, when you open Hangouts app, you'll see all of your existing messages will be imported to this app and you're ready to use this app to send or receive messages. You may be asked to confirm your phone number, if you want to confirm tap OK button, if you don't tap Skip button.

Method #3: From the default applications in the settings menu

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Default applications.
4. Tap Message and then select Hangouts.
5. Tap OK button to confirm.
6. Once done, when you open Hangouts app, you'll see all of your existing messages will be imported to this app and you're ready to use this app to send or receive messages. You may be asked to confirm your phone number, if you want to confirm tap OK button, if you don't tap Skip button.

This app is worth a try if you want to use other messaging app than the stock one without installing any third-party messaging app from the Play Store or other sources. And, other good news is that when this app is set as default messaging app in Android 4.4, you'll only get a single notification when receiving a message.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Download and Install Free Applications from Samsung Apps in Android 4.4 Kitkat

If all Android phone users can install apps from the Android official market Google Play Store, then for the Samsung phone users aside from installing apps from the Play Store they can also install apps from the Samsung Apps which is the official market for Samsung phones. As same as the Play Store, in Samsung Apps you can find various apps both free or paid apps. In this market, even you can find some apps which is specially created for your Samsung phones that you can't find in the Play Store.

How to download and install free applications from Samsung Apps?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Tap Apps in Home screen.
2. Swipe the screen to the right or left to find Samsung Apps, and then tap it.
3. If this the first time for you use the Samsung Apps and you have not added a Samsung account on your phone yet, then you'll be asked to either activate your existing Samsung account or add a new one by following the on-screen instructions. Other way, you can also add a Samsung account through the Settings menu.
4. In the Samsung Apps main page you'll see three tabs:
• Staff picks: tap this tab to see the apps that have been chosen by Samsung. Here the apps are categorized into Premium choice apps and Featured collection apps.
• Chart: tap this tab to see the most widely used/popular apps. Here the apps are categorized into Top game, Top paid, Top free and Top new.
• Category: tap this tab to see the apps based on the available categories(e.g: GALAXY Essentials, Business, Font, etc).
5. If you find the app you like, tap the app to see the app detail. Or if you have difficulty to find certain app then you can use the search function to make you easier to find the app you want by following the steps:
• Tap the Search icon located at the top of the Samsung Apps page.
• Enter the app name in the search field and by default you'll see some related-apps names appear below the search field. Tap one of them to start searching.
• In search result page, tap the desired app to see the app detail.
6. Tap Free button.
7. Tap Accept and download button to start installing.
8. Once the installation process is completed, tap Open button to open the app.

By knowing how to install apps from the Samsung apps, now you can easily install free apps or other Samsung applications that -probably- you can't find in the Play Store.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Add a Samsung Account in Android 4.4 Kitkat

As we all know that Google Play Store is the official market for all Android phones, including with the Samsung Galaxy SIV. From here you can find various apps and then install them into your phone. In order to be able to access the Play Store, you have to add your Google account on your phone, either by activating the existing Google account or creating a new one.

See also: How to Activate an Existing Google Account in the Samsung Galaxy S4

Aside from installing apps from the Play Store, Samsung phone users can also install apps from the Samsung apps. As same as the Play Store, you can find various apps in here both free or paid version and then install them into your phone. While you're browsing apps, you may notice that some apps in the Samsung apps can't be found in the Play Store. Well, to be able to access Samsung apps and other Samsung-related apps/services, first you have to add a Samsung account on your phone, either by activating the existing Samsung account or creating a new one.

How to add a Samsung account?
If you have not added a Samsung account in your phone yet, usually you'll be asked to either activate your existing Samsung account or create a new one when you open any Samsung-related apps/services. But, as the example, we'll try adding a Samsung account through the settings menu. Here they are:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Accounts tab.
3. Tap Add account.
4. Tap Samsung account.
5. To activate the existing Samsung account go to the step #6, while to create a new Samsung account go to the step #7.
6. Activating the existing Samsung account:
• Tap Sign in button.
• Enter your Samsung username and password.
• Tap Sign-in button.
• Tap OK button to accept the terms and conditions and the privacy policy.
• Mark the checkboxes in the terms and conditions page and then tap Agree button.
7. Creating a new Samsung account:
• Tap Create account button.
• Fill the form with the required information(e.g: email address, password, first name, etc).
• Tap Sign up button and then follow the on-screen instructions.
8. Once done, your Samsung account will be listed in the accounts tab in the settings menu.

Please note that it doesn't same with Google account that will allow you to add more than one accounts in a single device, you're only allowed to add a single Samsung account in a single device.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Cover to Mute/Pause in Android 4.4 Kitkat

Samsung has provided some motion features to their users in order to help them controlling and interacting with their phone easier and faster. One of the motion features available is the turn over to mute/pause that you can use to mute incoming calls, alarms and to pause media playback by turning over the phone so that the screen will face downward.

See also: How to Enable and Use Turn Over to Mute/Pause in the Samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.4 Kitkat

If you notice, there's also a motion called cover to mute/pause that has the similar function with turn over to mute/pause. You can use both of them to mute incoming calls and alarms as well as to pause the media playback. The difference is turn over to mute/pause works when you turn the device over, while cover to mute/pause works when you cover the screen with your palm. Since this option is not enabled by default, then you have to enable it first if you want to use it on your phone.

How to enable or disable cover to mute/pause feature?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Scroll down to find Motions and gestures, and then tap it.
4. Swipe the ON/OFF switch next to Palm motion to the right to enable this option.
5. Tap Palm motion.
6. Depending on your current settings, tap the ON/OFF switch next to Mute/Pause to enable or disable this option. When the switch is on the right side or turns green means this option is enabled. When this option is enabled, you can tap this option and then tap Try it button to try this feature on the short tutorial given by this phone.

How to use cover to mute/pause feature?
Generally you can use this feature to mute sound or pause the playback without putting the phone into the silent mode. Here's the example:

1. Muting the sound
   While your phone is playing sound for an incoming call or an alarm, cover the screen using your palm to mute the sound.
2. Pausing the media playback
   While your phone is playing video or music, on any screen, cover the screen using your palm to pause the playback. FYI, this function also works while the video is being viewed in the pop up window.

Please note that you can't use this feature to pause media playback if the screen is off or while you're using headsets. I personally prefer to use cover to mute/pause to mute sound or to pause playback than turn over to mute/pause, because this motion is simpler to be used. So, how about you? Which mute/pause motion do you like best?