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

Maybe some of us are confused about the differences between S Beam and Android Beam. FYI, S Beam can be used to transfer files between NFC capable devices which connected in the same Wi-Fi network. While Android Beam can be used to transfer files between NFC capable devices which have Bluetooth feature. Given to this fact, now you can conclude by yourself what the similarities and differences between S Beam and Android Beam.

See also: How to Enable and Use S Beam in the Samsung Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If both S Beam and Android Beam features are available in the devices, I do believe that you will choose to use S Beam because it has faster transfer speed than Android Beam. Without intending to compare them or saying which better or worse, I write this post just to share you about Android Beam, which in some cases can be used as an alternative share method when you want to share files to other NFC capable devices but don't have Wi-Fi network to connect together with.


How to enable Android Beam?
Before using this feature, you have to enable it first in both the devices. To make it easier, we'll use Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 as the example.

Enable Android Beam in Samsung Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. With the Settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the "Connect and share" section and then tap NFC .
4. Enable NFC by sliding the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to the right.
5. Tap Android Beam.
6. Enable Android Beam by sliding the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to the right.

Enable Android Beam in Samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. Tap Connections tab.
4. Slide the ON/OFF switch next to NFC to the right to enable this option.
5. Tap NFC.
6. Slide the ON/OFF switch next Android Beam to the right to enable this option.

How to use Android Beam to transfer files?
Once Android Beam in both devices are enabled, then you can use it to beam app content between the devices. As the example, we'll try to send picture, video and contact using Android Beam from the Samsung Galaxy S5 to the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Send picture using Android Beam

1. In the Samsung Galaxy S5, open Gallery app.
2. Tap an album and then tap the required picture to view it.
3. Now, hold Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 together back to back.
4. When you see "Touch to beam" is displayed in your Samsung Galaxy S5 screen, tap everywhere on the screen to start transferring the picture. You're free to separate the devices or not when the Samsung Galaxy S5 is ready to transfer the picture.
5. Bluetooth in both devices will be enabled automatically and the picture will be sent.
6. In the Samsung Galaxy S4, you'll see the notification on the status bar when the picture is completely transferred.

Send video using Android Beam

1. In the Samsung Galaxy S5, open Video player app.
2. Tap the required video to view it.
3. Now, hold Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 together back to back.
4. When you see "Touch to beam" is displayed in your Samsung Galaxy S5 screen, tap everywhere on the screen to start transferring the video. You're free to separate the devices or not when the Samsung Galaxy S5 is ready to transfer the video.
5. Bluetooth in both devices will be enabled automatically and the video will be sent. FYI, it may take more times when you send large sized video.
6. In the Samsung Galaxy S4, you'll see the notification on the status bar when the video is completely transferred.

Send contact using Android Beam

1. In the Samsung Galaxy S5, open Contacts app.
2. Tap the required contact to view its detail.
3. Now, hold Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 together back to back.
4. When you see "Touch to beam" is displayed in your Samsung Galaxy S5 screen, tap everywhere on the screen to start transferring the contact. You're free to separate the devices or not when the Samsung Galaxy S5 is ready to transfer the contact.
5. Bluetooth in both devices will be enabled automatically and the contact will be sent.
6. In the Samsung Galaxy S4, you'll be asked to choose a place to save the contact (They are likely: Device, your active Samsung account, your active Google account).
7. The Contact detail will be displayed in Contacts app in the Samsung Galaxy S4.

As same as S Beam, you can't use Android Beam to beam music due to software limitation. Thus, if you want to share music file on your Samsung Galaxy S5 to other NFC capable devices but you don't have Wi-Fi network to connect together with, then you can do so by using other share method, for instance share the music via Bluetooth.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Use S Beam in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

S Beam is an advanced connectivity feature that can be found in the Samsung Galaxy S5. This feature works by combining NFC and Wi-Fi direct. NFC is used to pair both the devices and Wi-Fi direct is used to transfer file. Since NFC allows you to pair two devices easily by holding them close together and Wi-Fi direct allows you to transfer large file with higher speed transfer than Bluetooth, then using S Beam surely will be able to provide you an easier transfer method with the high speed transfer.


How to enable S Beam?
Before sending data using S Beam, you have to enable S Beam feature in both the devices. As the example we'll use Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S4.

In Samsung Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. With the Settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the "Connect and share" section and then tap NFC .
4. Enable NFC by sliding the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to the right.
5. Tap S Beam.
6. Enable S Beam by sliding the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to the right.

In Samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. Tap Connections tab.
4. Slide the ON/OFF switch next to S Beam to the right to enable this option. When the switch is on the right side or shows green means S Beam is enabled. As a note, enabling S Beam will also turn on NFC automatically.

How to transfer file using S Beam?
Actually, you can send almost everything in your phone, but as the example we'll try to send picture, video and contact from the Samsung Galaxy S5 to the Samsung Galaxy S4. To make it works, make sure both the devices are connected in the same Wi-Fi network and their screens are on/unlocked.

Send picture using S Beam

1. In Samsung Galaxy S5, open Gallery app.
2. Tap an album and then tap the required photo to view it.
3. Now, hold Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 together back to back.
4. When you see "Touch to beam" is displayed in your Samsung Galaxy S5 screen, tap everywhere on the screen to start transferring the picture.
5. When the Samsung Galaxy S5 is ready to send the picture via S Beam, separate the devices.
6. Once sending process is completed, the selected picture will be opened in the Gallery app in the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Send video using S Beam

1. In Samsung Galaxy S5, open Video player app.
2. Tap the required video to view it.
3. Now, hold Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 together back to back.
4. When you see "Touch to beam" is displayed in your Samsung Galaxy S5 screen, tap everywhere on the screen to start transferring the video.
5. When the Samsung Galaxy S5 is ready to send the video, separate the devices.
6. Once sending process is completed, the video will be opened in the Video player app.

Send contact using S Beam

1. In Samsung Galaxy S5, open Contacts app.
2. Tap the required contact to open contact detail.
3. Now, hold Samsung Galaxy S5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 together back to back.
4. When you see "Touch to beam" is displayed in your Samsung Galaxy S5 screen, tap everywhere on the screen to start transferring the video.
5. When the Samsung Galaxy S5 is ready to send contact via S Beam, separate the devices.
6. In the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen you'll be asked to choose the place to save the contact (They are likely: Device, your active Samsung account, your active Google account).
7. The contact detail will be displayed in the Contacts app in the Samsung Galaxy S4.

As a note, you can beam other contents on your phone by using the same steps as when you beam picture, video or contact. Unfortunately, you can't beam music due to software limitation. Thus, if you want to share music with others, you can use other connectivity features, for instance Wi-Fi direct or Bluetooth.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to See Hidden Android 4.4.2 Kitkat Easter Egg Animation

Samsung Galaxy S5 is the latest version of the Samsung Galaxy S series. By default, this phone runs with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat which provide you with various useful and advanced features to improve your experience while using this phone. As same as other Android phones, you can also see the hidden Easter egg animation in this phone. Each Android version has their own animations.

How to reveal hidden Easter egg animation in Samsung Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. With the Settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap About device .
4. Tap Android version rapidly for 5 times or so.
5. A big letter "K" refers to Kitkat will be displayed in the middle of the screen.
6. Long tap the big letter "K" and then the word "Android" in the Kitkat form will be displayed in the middle of the screen.
7. Long tap the word "Android" and then you'll see all android logos (Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean and Kitkat) are displayed in this Easter egg animation.
8. The Easter egg animation will move and change automatically, or you can tap your finger on any screen to move or change them manually.

FYI, though the Easter egg animations is not an actual feature, but reveal this hidden animation and play with it is quite fun to do. As a note, once this animation is revealed, this animation will be added as an option in the daydream menu(we will learn further more about this feature in other post) and allow you to set this animation as the screen saver when your phone is connected to a desktop dock or charging.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable, Manage and Use Fingerprint as Screen Lock in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

There are some users who use their Samsung Galaxy S5 to do some important tasks or save some sensitive files, that's why this phone is equipped with some screen lock methods, ranging from the low security method to high ones, to help you securing your phone from unauthorized access. Different with its predecessor, Samsung Galaxy S5 provides their users with a new screen lock method named fingerprint lock. This method works by utilizing the fingerprint recognition sensor planted at the Home button to scan the registered fingerprint in order to unlock the screen.

How to enable fingerprint as screen lock?
Before using fingerprint as the screen lock, you have to register your fingerprint first by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. With the Settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Personalization section and then tap Finger scanner .
4. Tap Fingerprint manager.
5. In the Disclaimer screen, tap OK button.
6. Now, you can register your fingerprint by using the following steps:
• Place the finger you want to register in the fingerprint area at the bottom centre of the screen.
• Tap and hold the screen in the fingerprint area and then drag your finger downward over the Home key. 
• You have to repeat this action using the same finger until your fingerprint is registered. FYI, it'd better if you register fingerprint of the hand used most often to perform tasks on your device.
7. Enter your alternative password (it can be used to unlock the screen instead of scanning your fingerprints) and then tap Continue button.
8. Re-enter your alternative password to verify your new password and then tap OK button.
9. When your fingerprint has been registered, you'll be asked whether you want to enable fingerprint lock. If that so, tap OK button.
10. Tap Fingerprint.
11. Done. You have managed to set fingerprint as the screen lock.

How to add, delete or rename fingerprints?
You can manage your fingerprint to make it suit with your need, such as add additional fingerprints, delete the unused one, or rename the fingerprint name. You can do so by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the settings menu.
3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Personalization section and then tap Finger scanner .
4. Tap Fingerprint manager.
5. Tap and hold the screen in the fingerprint area at the bottom centre of the screen by using your registered finger and then drag your finger downward over the Home screen. Once the phone recognizes your fingerprint, you'll be allowed to manage or edit registered fingerprints.
6. Add other fingerprints.
Since you're allowed to register up to 3 fingerprints, then you can add additional fingerprints by using the following steps:
• Tap .
• In the Disclaimer screen, tap OK button.
• Place the finger you want to register in the fingerprint area at the bottom centre of the screen.
• Tap and hold the screen in the fingerprint area and then drag your finger downward over the Home screen. Repeat this action until your fingerprint is registered.
• Your additional fingerprint has been registered.
7. Rename registered fingerprints.
In case you want to change the default name of your registered fingerprint, then you can do so by using the following steps:
• Tap and then select Select.
• Tap the required fingerprint you want to rename.
• Tap .
• Enter the new name for the selected fingerprint.
• Tap OK button.
• The name of the selected fingerprint has been renamed.
8. Delete registered fingerprints.
In case you want to remove one or more registered fingerprints, then you can do so by using the following steps:
• Tap and then select Deregister.
• Tap the required fingerprint you want to remove.
• Tap to delete the selected fingerprint.
• Tap OK button.
• The selected fingerprint has been deleted.

How to change alternative password?
In case you want to change the alternative password for your fingerprint lock then you can do so by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. With the Settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Personalization section and then tap Finger scanner .
4. Tap Change alternative password.
5. Enter your current password and then tap Continue button.
6. Enter your new password and then tap Continue button.
7. Re-enter your new password to confirm and then tap OK button.
8. The alternative password has been changed.

How to use fingerprint to unlock the screen?
If you have registered your fingerprint and have set it as the screen lock, then you can use your registered fingerprint as well as the alternative password to unlock the screen as listed in the following steps:

1. While the screen is off, press the Power key or Home key to go to the lock screen.
2. Unlock the screen with fingerprint.
To make this feature works well, make sure the Home key has no scratch or damaged by metal object. Also make sure you finger are clean, dry and have no scratch or wrinkle so that the phone can recognize your fingerprint with ease.
• Tap and hold the screen in the fingerprint area at the bottom centre of the screen by using your registered finger and then drag your finger downward over the Home screen at a moderate speed.
• If the device recognizes your fingerprint, then the screen will be unlocked.
3. Unlock with alternative password.
Instead of scanning fingerprint, you can also use alternative password to unlock the screen.
• Tap Alternative password.
• Enter your alternative password.
• Tap Done button.
• If the password is entered correctly, the screen will be unlocked.

I personally prefer using fingerprint as screen lock because it has the same security level as PIN or password but it's easier to be done compared if I have to enter PIN or password each time I want to unlock the screen. Unfortunately, while you're using this method as screen lock, you can't activate lock screen effect on your phone which make the lock screen looks so plain without any animation.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable, Use and Disable Ultra Power Saving Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Ultra power saving mode is an enhanced power saving feature. You can enable this mode to extend your phone battery power. This feature works by applying a simplified greyscale theme for the Home screen, limiting the number of usable apps for only 6 apps (3 default essential apps and 3 additional apps that can be selected by you), deactivating mobile data and connectivity feature (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) when the screen is off.


How to enable ultra power saving mode?
You can enable this feature either through the quick settings panel or the settings menu.

Method #1: From the quick settings panel

1. Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers to open up the quick settings panel.
2. Tap the U. power saving button to enable this option.
3. Tap OK button.
4. In a few seconds, the ultra power saving mode will be enabled in your phone.

Method #2: From the Settings menu

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the settings icon to enter the settings menu.
3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Power saving.
4. Tap Ultra power saving mode.
5. Slide the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to the right to enable it.
6. Tap OK button.
7. In a few seconds, the ultra power saving mode will be enabled in your phone.

If you see the picture above, my phone has 57% battery remaining and 7,1 days estimated max standby time or in other word if I don't use my phone then the battery will run out after 7,1 days. Please note that the standby time may vary depending on your device settings, surrounding environment, usage pattern and actual device usage.


How to use ultra power saving mode?
Once the ultra power saving mode is enabled, you can add up to 3 additional apps to the Home screen and remove them if needed as well as using options in the simplified settings menu.

1. Add additional apps to the Home screen in ultra power saving mode.
By default, Home screen displays 3 default essential apps (They are likely: Phone app, Messaging app and Internet app) and 3 available spots that you can use to add other additional apps. Well, here are the steps to add additional apps:
• In Home screen, tap
• Select the desired app you want to add. Please note that not all installed apps will be available and can be added to the ultra power saving mode. My phone has ChatON, Clock, Google+, Memo, Voice recorder and WhatsApp.
• The selected app will be added to the Home screen in ultra power saving mode.
2. Remove apps from Home screen in ultra power saving mode.
In case you want to remove additional apps you have added to the Home screen, then you can do so by using the following steps:
• In Home screen, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open the additional options and then select Remove.
• Tap in the required app you want to remove.
• Tap OK button to save the change.
• The app will be removed from Home screen and will be replaced with that you can use to add other apps.
3. Access the Settings menu.
The settings menu in ultra power saving mode is simpler and has fewer options. You can access and use the settings menu in ultra power saving mode by using the following steps:
• Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel and then tap the settings icon to enter the settings menu. Or while you're in the Home screen, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Settings.
• Here you can see and use the following menus:
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Flight mode
• Mobile network
• Location
• Sound
• Brightness
4. Use apps in ultra power saving mode
You can use the default apps and additional apps you have added to the Home screen in ultra power saving mode. But, you may not be able to find some options or features in those apps because they have been disabled to extend the battery power.

How to disable ultra power saving mode?
You can disable ultra power saving mode either through the notifications panel or the additional options.

Method #1: From the notifications panel

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap Disable ultra power saving mode.
3. Tap OK button.
4. The ultra power saving mode will be disabled.

Method #2: From the additional options

1. In Home screen, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Disable ultra power saving mode.
2. Tap OK button.
3. The ultra power saving mode will be disabled.

Since this mode can extend the battery power up to 5x or more, then it'll allow you keep using your phone all day without having to worry running out of battery, even if you start it when you only have less than 20% battery remaining. One thing that I don't like in this mode is that I can't take screenshot, either using palm swipe or power + home buttons combination. It finally made me had to use camera in other phone to have a picture of the Samsung Galaxy S5 screen when the ultra power saving mode is enabled.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable, Customize or Disable Power Saving Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

The large screen and various advanced features owned by Samsung Galaxy S5 surely will be able to provide you a better experience, but both of these parts need a lot of power to run. That's why these parts are also suspected as the main cause of the poor battery life issue. Luckily Samsung Galaxy S5 has been equipped with some features to help their users to conserve their battery life, one of which is the power saving mode. By enabling this feature, you can save more battery life by limiting or disabling some device functions.


How to enable, customize or disable power saving mode?
Generally, there are two methods available that you can use to enable or disable this feature, through the quick settings panel or the settings menu.

Method #1: From the quick settings panel
This method lets you quickly enable or disable power saving mode, but it doesn't allow you to customize power saving mode. Thus, when you use this method, your phone will use the last configuration of the power saving mode. Here are the steps:

1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen with two fingers to open up the quick settings panel.
2. Depending on your current settings, tap Power saving button to enable or disable it. The button will turns green when the power saving mode is enabled and in a few second the greyscale theme will be applied to your Home screen by default.

Method #2: From the Settings menu
This method takes more times for you to access the power saving menu than the method #1, but it will allow you to customize all options available under the power saving menu.

1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the settings menu.
3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Power saving .
4. Tap Power saving mode.
5. Depending on your current settings, tap the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to enable or disable it. When the switch is on the right side means the power saving mode is enabled and in a few seconds the greyscale theme will be applied to your Home screen by default.
6. While the power saving is enabled, you can limit or disable some device functions to conserve more battery by utilizing the available options under the power saving menu.
7. Allow or restrict background data.
As we all know that some apps keep using data in the background even when it's not being actually used by the users. Restricting background data can help you save more battery but please note that it may also affect the performance of some apps. Here are the steps to allow or restrict background data:
• Depending on your current settings, tap Block background data to enable or disable this option. When the checkbox next to this option is ticked means background data is blocked.
• When you enable block background data, then only the currently used apps that are allowed to use data.
8. Restrict device performance.
Here are the steps to do so:
• Tap Restrict performance.
• Tap the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to enable or disable this option. When the switch is on the right side means this option is enabled. Also note that enable this option will automatically disable vibration feedback and turn off the screen after 3 seconds instead of 10 seconds when notifications are received.
• While the restrict performance is enabled, you can also enable the CPU performance option to limit the maximum performance of the CPU, enable the Screen output option to reduce the screen frame rate and lower the brightness, enable the Turn off touch key light option to set the touch key light always off, enable the Turn off GPS option to turn off GPS and disable all location services (this option is available when the Location service is enabled).
9. Use greyscale theme.
Since the screen is a part of this phone that is consume a lot of power, then using greyscale theme for your Home screen will be able to save more battery because it'll consume less power. Here are the step to enable or disable greyscale theme:
• Tap Greyscale mode.
• Tap the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to enable or disable this option. When the switch is on the right side means this option is enabled and the greyscale theme will be applied to your Home screen.

Since the power saving mode will limit or disable some device functions, then enable this feature in your phone may result in reduced performance and give you some inconveniences. But, if you're tight with the battery life issue, then enable this feature will be helpful and useful for you.