Inside Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Use Private Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If you have ever used Samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat, I believe that you have ever seen the "hide items" option in Gallery app that you can use to hide photos. Though hiding photo by using the "hide items" option is more effective than adding "." in front of the file name in My Files app, apparently this feature also has some flaws because it only works for those pictures you have saved in the internal storage and other users can find all hidden files with ease in a folder in the internal storage when the "Show hidden files" option is enabled.

See also: How to Hide or Show Hidden Pictures in Gallery App in the Samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

In the latest S series, Samsung Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat, the "hide items" option is no longer available. Thus, to meet the users' need to hide their photos or other contents, Samsung has added a new feature called private mode. By turning on this feature, you can hide contents in the Music player app, Video player app, Gallery app, Voice recorder app and My Files app. This feature works by moving the contents to the private folder and all of them won't be displayed in their related apps once the private mode feature is turned off.

How to hide contents in private mode?
In case you want to move items to the private folder so that the items will be hidden and not be displayed in the related apps when the private mode is disabled, then you can do so by using the following steps:

First, you have to enable private mode.

Go to Settings.
Under the Personalisation section, tap Private mode .
Slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable private mode.

Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers.
Tap Private mode button. The button will turn green when it's enabled.

Draw your private mode unlock pattern.
Now, private mode is activated and you'll see the private mode icon is displayed on the status bar.
While the private mode is activated, you can hide music, recorded files, picture, video and other files.
Hide music from the Music Player app:

Open Music Player app.
Under the Tracks tab, tap and then select Select.
Select the required song you wish to move to private by checking the box in the left side of the songs names.
Tap and then select Move to Private.
The selected songs will be labelled as private files .

Hide recorded files from the Voice recorder app:

Open Voice Recorder app.
Tap to see all recorded files.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required recorded files you want to move to private by checking the box in the left side of the recorded files names.
Tap and then select Move to Private.
The selected recorded files will be labelled as private files .

Hide albums or photos from the Gallery app:

Open Gallery app.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required albums by checking the box in the desired albums you want to move to private.
Tap and then select Move to Private.
The selected albums will be labelled as private files .

Open Gallery app.
Tap an album.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required pictures by checking the box in the desired pictures you want to move to private.
Tap and then select Move to Private.
The selected pictures will be moved to private albums in Gallery app and they will be labelled as private files .

Hide videos from the Video player app:

Open Video player app.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required videos by checking the box in the desired videos you want to move to private.
Tap and then select Move to Private.
The selected video will be labelled as private files .

Hide all files types from the My Files app:

Open My Files app.
Navigate to the required folder where you save the files you want to move to private.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required files you want to move to private by checking the box in the left side of the files names.
Tap and then select Move to Private.
The selected files will be labelled as private files .

Once done, you can disable or turn off private mode.

Go to Settings.
Under the Personalisation section, tap Private mode .
Slide the ON/OFF switch to the left.
Tap OK button to confirm.

Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers
Tap Private mode button. The button will turn grey if it's turned off.
Tap OK button to confirm.

When the private mode is disabled, all items that have been moved to private won't be displayed.

How to view hidden content in private mode?
You still can view all items you have moved to the private folder by using the following steps:

First, you have to enable private mode.

Go to Settings.
Under the Personalisation section, tap Private mode .
Slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable private mode.

Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers.
Tap Private mode button. The button will turn green when it's enabled.

Draw your private mode unlock pattern.
Now, private mode is activated and you'll see the private mode icon is displayed on the status bar.
Now, open My Files app.
Under the Local storage section, tap Private . All your private items will be listed here and labelled as private files.
Tap the required files to open it in the appropriate apps.
Once done, you can disable or turn off private mode

Go to Settings
Under the Personalisation section, tap Private mode .
Slide the ON/OFF switch to the left.
Tap OK button to confirm.

Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers
Tap Private mode button. The button will turn grey if it's turned off.
Tap OK button to confirm.

How to unhide hidden content in private mode?
In case you want to remove items from private folder so that the items will be displayed again in the related apps when the private mode is disabled, then you can do so by using the following steps:

First, you have to enable private mode.

Go to Settings.
Under the Personalisation section, tap Private mode .
Slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable private mode.

Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers.
Tap Private mode button. The button will turn green when it's enabled.

Draw your private mode unlock pattern.
Now, private mode is activated and you'll see the private mode icon is displayed on the status bar.
While the private mode is activated, you can remove music, recorded files, picture, video and other files you that have been moved to private before.
Unhide hidden music from the Music Player app:

Open Music Player app.
Under Tracks tab, tap and then select Select.
Select the required private song you wish to remove from private by checking the box in the left side of the songs names.
Tap and then select Remove from Private.
The private label in the selected song will be removed.

Unhide hidden recorded files from the Voice recorder app:

Open Voice Recorder app.
Tap to see all recorded files.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required private recorded files you want to remove from private by checking the box in the left side of the recorded files names.
Tap and then select Remove from Private.
The private label in the selected recorded files will be removed.

Unhide hidden albums or photos from the Gallery app:

Open Gallery app.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required private albums by checking the box in the desired albums you want to remove from private.
Tap and then select Remove from Private.
The private label in the selected albums will be removed.

Open Gallery app.
Tap Private album.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required private pictures by checking the box in the desired pictures you want to remove from private.
Tap and then select Remove from Private.
Tap the required album you want to place the picture or tap Create album to place the picture to the new album.
The selected pictures will be moved from the private album to the selected album and the private label on them will be removed.

Unhide hidden videos from the Video player app:

Open Video player app.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required private videos by checking the box in the desired videos you want to remove from private.
Tap and then select Remove from Private.
The private label in the selected video will be removed.

Unhide hidden all files types from the My Files app:

Open My Files app.
Under the Local Storage section, tap Private .
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required private files by checking the box in the left side of the files names.
Tap and then select Move.
Tap Device storage and then tap the required folder.
Tap Move here.
The selected files will be moved from the private folder to the selected folder and the private label on them will be removed.

Open My Files app.
Navigate to the folder where you save the files you have moved to private before.
Tap and then select Select.
Select the required private files by checking the box in the left side of the files names.
Tap and then select Remove from private.
The private label in the selected files will be removed.

Once done, you can disable or turn off private mode

Go to Settings.
Under the Personalisation section, tap Private mode .
Slide the ON/OFF switch to the left.
Tap OK button to confirm.

Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers
Tap Private mode button. The button will turn grey if it's turned off.
Tap OK button to confirm.

When the private mode is disabled, all items that have been removed from private will be displayed again in their original places.

Given all that facts, private mode will allow you to hide various contents with ease directly from the related apps and this feature is safer because it's not only protected with the unlock pattern when activate private mode, but the users also can't find those private files in the My Files app though the "Show hidden files" option is enabled. Even so, this feature apparently also has a flaw because when you hook up your phone into the PC, the private folder will be displayed in the PC without any protection. Regardless from all the flaws, at least now you can let others using or browsing your phone without worrying they will see your private contents in condition they don't connect your phone with the PC.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Install, Configure and Use Kids Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If you're like me, then surely your kids ever borrow your phone and play with it. But, in some cases, the kids' curiosity sometimes make them accessing a thing that you don't want to be accessed by them. Luckily, Samsung Galaxy S5 provides the users with a widget called Kids mode that you can find in the Home screen. Kids mode allows you to restrict children's access to certain apps or contents stored in your phone so that you can provide your kids a fun and safe environment while using your phone. Since this widget is not installed by default, then you have to download it first and then install it in your phone manually. Once done, you can configure kids mode according to your need.

How to install Kids mode?
Before using this widget in your phone, you have to download and install it first by using the following steps:

Find the Kids mode widgets icon in the Home screen, and then tap it.
Tap OK button in the Install application screen.
Tap Install button. Your phone will download the widget and then install it.
Once installation is completed, you'll be asked to set your PIN. You can do so by tapping Set PIN button.
Enter your PIN twice.
Enter your alternative password (it'll be used if you forget your PIN) and then tap Continue button
Re-enter your alternative password and then tap OK button
In the Kid's profile screen, you can create a kid profile:

If necessary, you can change the photo profile by tapping the picture box and then select the picture source (Select image to select picture from Gallery app, Take picture to take picture using the phone camera and then use the result as the photo profile or Select clip art to select picture from clip art) and then select the required picture.
Enter your kid name.
Tap the Date of birth field and then adjust to the required date and then tap Set button.
Tap Next button.

Tap Accept button in the Disclaimer screen.
In the Add applications screen, select apps you're allowed by checking the box in the left side of the desired apps and then tap Next button.
Tap Finish button.
Now, the Kids mode has been installed in your phone.

How to configure Kids mode?
Once the installation and first configuration are completed, now you can configure Kids mode by using the following steps:

Tap Kids mode icon in Home screen or in the Apps menu.
Tap to enter the parental control screen.
Enter your PIN.
Tap to view all kids parental control menu.
Change the kid's profile:

Tap the kid's profile name.
Tap to edit the profile. Here you can change the photo profile, name and date of birth.
Tap Save button.

See the kid's activities:

Tap Activity.
Tap Last 7 days tab to see total playtime and most frequently used apps in the last 7 days.
Tap Last 30 days tab to see total playtime and most frequently used apps in the last 30 days.

Change the daily playtime limit:

Tap Daily playtime limit.
Slide the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to the right to enable this option.
Tap the Circle time icon in the middle of the screen to adjust the limit.
Here you can increase or decrease the daily playtime. The maximum daily playtime is 180 minutes or 3 hours.
Tap Set button.

Allow or restrict apps:

Tap Applications. Here you'll see all allowed apps.
Tap and then select the required apps you want to add to the allowed apps list.
Tap and then select the required apps you want to remove from the allowed apps list.

Allow or restrict contents:

Tap Media.
Tap and then select media (picture and video) you want to add to the allowed media list.
Tap and then select the required media you want to remove from the allowed media list.

Adjust the Kids mode settings:

Tap General.
If necessary, you can enable 3D tilting effect on the Kids mode home screen by checking the box next to 3D tilting effect.
If necessary, you can disable the Back key in Kids mode by checking the box next to Block key.
If required, you can change your PIN by tapping Change parental PIN. You'll be asked to enter your current PIN and then enter your alternative password twice.
If required, tap Reset and then enter your PIN to revert back the settings to the default.

Install kid's apps to the Kids mode Home screen:

Tap Kids store.
Tap OK button in the Disclaimer screen.
Now you can see kid's apps grouped into some categories (Special, For kids, Learning, Play, Story and Other). As a note, you should have a Samsung account in your phone to be able installing apps from the kids store. If you have not added a Samsung account, you'll be asked to either sign up a new Samsung account or sign in with your existing Samsung account.
Select the desired apps you want to install. I'll write further more about it in another post.
The newly installed app will be added to the allowed apps list automatically

How to use Kids mode home screen?
Once you configure the settings of the Kids mode, now your kid can use your phone to play safely. Here are the complete steps to use kids mode:

Tap Kids mode icon in Home screen or in the Apps menu.
The Kids mode home screen is now enable. Here you can see some default apps (Kids Gallery, Kids Camera, Kids Drawing, Kids Voice Recorder and Kids Media) and additional apps that you have installed before from the Kids store.
Now, your kid can play all allowed apps and contents in Kids mode safely.
As a note, unless you exit from this mode, this mode will remain active even when the screen is locked. And, when the daily playtime limit is over, the Kids mode will be locked and can't be used unless you extend the limit.
To exit or disable Kids mode, tap and then enter your PIN.

Please note that while Kids mode home screen is being used, all notifications sound will be turned off and the notifications panel can't be accessed. Well, given to the feature and how this mode works, now you can lend your phone to be played by your kid in peace without worrying they will access or use unwanted apps or contents.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Use the Recent Apps Button in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

In the Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung has decided to make some changes. Some changes that I noticed at the first time I got this phone is the Settings menu view and change of the physical buttons functionality. Now, the Menu key is no longer available and replaced with the Recent apps key. I don't why Samsung did this change. But, I think it's done because the Recent apps key has more functions than the Menu key. If the Menu key only allow you to open additional options for the current screen, then the Recent apps key will allow you to open or close recently used apps, close active apps as well as open additional options for the current screen though with the different way.

How to open recently used apps?
Since all apps that you have opened before are not completely closed unless you close them from the recent apps list, then you can easily switch among them by using the Recent apps key as listed in the following steps:

On any screen, tap the Recent apps key (it's a physical button located in the left side of the Home key). You'll see thumbnails of recently used apps.
Tap the required app you want to open.
The selected app will be opened.

How to close recent apps?
You can easily remove a single or all recently used apps by using the Recent app key as listed in the following steps:

On any screen, tap the Recent apps key (it's a physical button located in the left side of the Home key). You'll see thumbnails of recently used apps.
To close a single app go to the step #3 while to close all apps go to the step #4.
Close a single app:

Swipe the thumbnail of the required app you want to close to the right or to the left. Or, long tap the thumbnail of the required app and then select Remove from list.
The selected app will be closed.

Close all apps:

Tap .
All recently used apps will be closed.

How to close active apps?
Some apps may not be closed when you close them from the recent apps list and they remain active in the background. In case you want to remove active/running apps, you can do so by using the Recent apps key as listed in the following steps:

On any screen, tap the Recent apps key (it's a physical button located in the left side of the Home key).
Tap and then you'll see RAM status and list of running apps.
To close a single app go to the step #4, while to close all apps go to the step #5.
Close a single app:

Tap End button next to desired active app you want to close.
Tap OK button.
The selected app will be closed.

Close all active apps:

Tap End all button located at the bottom of the screen.
Tap OK button.
All active apps will be closed.

How to use the Recent apps key as the Menu key?
If you feel more comfort using physical button than using the on-screen more options icon

to access additional options for the current screen, then you do so by long tapping the Recent apps key, the additional options for the current screen will be displayed on the screen. To make it clearer, here are the example how to access the settings menu in the Messaging app by using the Recent apps key:

Open Messaging app.
Long tap the Recent apps key (it's a physical button located in the left side of the Home key).
On pop up menu select Settings.

Well, though at the first time it takes more time for me to familiarize myself with the new functionality of the physical buttons in this phone. But, now I find that this change gives me more benefits. Now, it's so easy for me to close/open recently/active apps compared if I have to do so by long pressing the Home key. So, how about you? Did the Recent apps key bring you any benefits?

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable, Use and Disable My Magazine in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

When I got my Samsung Galaxy S5 for the first time, I noticed that when I scrolled right on the Home screen, I was presented with inactive My Magazine, asked me whether I wanted to activate it. Since this app is not activated by default therefore you have to configure it first before using it in your phone. In case you have not known about My Magazine yet, when it's activated you'll be able to see summary of the news and live social network updates that you're interested with in a single page.

How to enable My Magazine?
It's quite simple to configure or turn on My Magazine, you can use the following steps to do so:

In Home screen, tap to go to My Magazine.
Tap Next button in the welcome screen.
Check the box in the left side of I agree option in the Term of use screen and then tap Start button.
To change the content of My Magazine, tap and then select Settings.
If necessary, you can set My Magazine to refresh its content when you open it by checking the box next to Auto refresh on opening.
Under the NEWS section, you can choose the news you're interested with by checking the box in the desired news from the following options:

Arts and culture
Business
New and noteworthy
News
Photos and design
Sport
Style
Technology and science
Books
Today's picks
Food and dining
Living
Music
Travel

Under the SOCIAL section, you can choose social networks you're interested with by checking the box in the desired social network from the following options:

500px
Flickr
Google+
LinkedIn
RenRen
SINA Weibo
Tumblr
Twitter
Youtube

My Magazine app will display the news and live update for the social networks you have selected before.

How to use My Magazine?
Once you activate My Magazine and select the desired news and social networks, then you can use My Magazine by using the following steps:

In Home screen, tap to go to My Magazine.
It'll automatically refresh the content if you have activated auto refresh on opening. If not, you can refresh My Magazine content manually by swiping down the screen.
Tap and hold a content and then drag it to the top or bottom to reorder the content.
Tap the news or social network update to read the entire news or social network update in the website/app. FYI, if you have selected a social network that has not been activated in your phone then you'll be asked to activate it when you tap the social network content in My Magazine. Until you activate it, the content of inactive social networks will be blank and labelled with Tap to get started.

How to disable My Magazine?
In case you don't want My Magazine is displayed on the Home screen or want to remove it from the Home screen, then you can turn off My Magazine by using the following steps:

Pinch your fingers together on the Home screen or tap on any blank area on the Home screen to enter the edit mode.
Tap Home screen settings .
Clear the checkbox next to My Magazine to disable this option.
Tap the Back button to return to the edit mode.
Spread two fingers apart together on the screen or tap on any Home screen preview to get out from the edit mode.
My Magazine won't be displayed on the Home screen.

Please note that since this app requires a network connection, it may result in additional charges if you use mobile data instead of Wi-Fi. Thus it'd better if you disable auto refresh content if you're not connected to the Wi-Fi network or if your data plan is not unlimited.