Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Customize Easy Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy S5 allows you to change your default Home screen from the standard mode to the easy mode. When easy mode is enabled, you can use your phone more easily because the layout and the settings will be simplified, the large font will be applied throughout the phone and the apps or contacts can be accessed quickly. This feature will be useful for those of you who are new to smartphone or those of you who want a simpler layout or those of you who want to use the phone for doing the basic activities only.

How to enable Easy Mode?
Since your phone uses standard mode by default, then if you want to use easy mode you have to enable it manually by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap to go to the Settings menu.
3. With the Settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Personalization section and then tap Easy mode .
4. Tap Easy mode to select and enable it.
5. Scroll down to the Easy applications section and you'll see a list of apps. By default, all apps in this list are selected/enabled which mean all of them will be viewed in simpler layout when you use them in easy mode. Thus, if you disable an app in this list, then the app will be viewed in the standard layout when you use this app in easy mode. The apps are:
• Camera
• Clock
• Email
• Gallery
• Internet
• Messages
• Music
• My Files
• Phone
• S Planner
• Video
• Voice Recorder
6. Tap Done button to save the change and apply the selections.
7. The easy mode will be applied.

How to customize easy mode?
Once easy mode is applied in your phone, you can customize this mode according to your need, for instance you can add or remove apps in Home screen, add or remove contacts in Home screen, show or hide additional Home screens and also access the settings menu.

Remove apps from the Home screen in easy mode
In case you want to remove unwanted or unused apps from Home screen, then you can do so by using the following steps:

1. In the Home screen, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Edit.
2. All removable apps, either in the main Home screen or in the additional ones, will be labelled with .
3. Tap in the required app you want to remove.
4. Tap OK to confirm.
5. The selected app has been deleted from the Home screen and the slot will be available for you to add another app.
6. To remove more apps, repeat from the step #3.
7. Press the Back key to exit from the edit screen.

Add apps to the Home screen in easy mode
You can use the available spots in the Home screen to place another apps by using the following steps:

1. Tap ,either in the main Home screen or the additional ones, to add apps.
2. Select the desired app you want to add.
3. The selected app has been added to the Home screen.
4. To add more apps, repeat from the step #1.

Enable or disable additional Home screens for apps in easy mode
By default, easy mode has a main Home screen and an additional Home screen to place apps. But, you can enable or disable two additional home screens for placing apps by using the following steps:

1. In the main Home screen, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Edit.
2. Enable additional Home screen for apps:
• Swipe the screen from right to the left until you see a Home screen that has Show and Hide button.
• Tap Show button.
• Now, you can use the available spots in this additional Home screen to add other apps.
3. Disable additional Home screen for apps:
• Swipe the screen from right to the left until you see a Home screen that has Show and Hide button.
• Tap Hide button.
• The Home screen has been disabled and hidden. FYI, the apps you have added to this Home screen won't be removed.
4. Press the Back key to exit from the edit screen.

Add contacts to Home screen in easy mode
You can use the available spots in the additional Home screen for contacts to place new contacts or the existing ones by using the following steps:

1. From the main Home screen, swipe the screen from left to the right.
2. Tap and then you'll see two options available, they are:
• Create: select this option if you want to use the selected slot to place a new contact.
• Existing: select this option if you want to use the selected slot to place an existing contact.
3. Depending on your selection, follow the on-screen instructions to complete adding contact to the Home screen.
4. To add more contacts, repeat from the step #2.

Remove contacts from Home screen in easy mode
In case you want to remove contacts from your Home screen, then you can do so by using the following steps:

1. In the main Home screen, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Edit.
2. Swipe the screen from left to the right.
3. Tap in the desired contact you want to remove.
4. Tap OK button.
5. The selected contact has been removed from the Home screen.
6. To remove more contacts, repeat from the step #3.

Enable or disable additional Home screen for contacts in easy mode
By default, easy mode has an additional Home screen for contacts. But, you can enable or disable an additional home screen for placing contacts by using the following steps:

1. In the Home screen, long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Edit.
2. Enable Home screen for contacts:
• Swipe the screen from left to the right until you see a Home screen that has Show and Hide button.
• Tap Show button.
• Now, you can use the available spots in this Home screen to add contacts.
3. Disable Home screen for contacts:
• Swipe the screen from left to the right until you see a Home screen that has Show and Hide button.
• Tap Hide button.
• The Home screen has been disabled and hidden. FYI, all contacts you have added to this Home screen won't be removed.
4. Press the Back key to exit from the edit screen.

Access and use the settings menu in easy mode
You can access and use the settings menu in easy mode use by using the following steps:

1. From the main Home screen, swipe the screen from right to the left to find the Easy settings icon and then tap it to go to the settings menu. Or, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. In the Easy settings, you can see some menus available, they are:
• Sound mode: use this menu to change sound mode.
• Font: use this menu to change the font size and style.
• Brightness: use this menu to change the screen brightness and disable/enable auto brightness.
• Ringtone and volume: use this menu to change ringtone and adjust the volume for call, notification and media.
• Wi-Fi: use this menu to enable/disable and customize Wi-Fi.
• Bluetooth: use this menu to enable/disable and customize Bluetooth.
• Data usage: use this menu to see your data usage.
• Wallpaper: use this menu to change the wallpaper for your Home screen and Lock screen.
• Easy mode: use this menu to disable easy mode and re-enable standard mode.
• Screen lock: use this menu to change the screen lock method.
• Notification panel: use this menu to customize your notifications panel.
• More settings: use this menu to access the settings menu in standard mode.

Since this mode will simplify the layout and the settings, then you may notice that you can't perform some actions or use some features while you're in this mode, for instance you can't use zoom function when you take a picture or use multi window while the easy mode is being activated.

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

Air browse is an advanced feature owned by Samsung Galaxy S5. This feature allows you to scroll through pages or list without having to touch the screen, simply by hovering your hand above the sensor in the direction you want. The sensor will detect your hand movement and use the direction to scroll pages or list in the supported apps.

How to enable or disable air browse?
Since this feature is not enabled by default, then you have to enable it manually when you want to use it. You can enable or disable the air browse feature by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap to go to the Settings menu.
3. With the Settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Motion section and then tap Motion and gestures .
4. Tap Air browse.
5. Tap the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to enable or disable the air browse feature. When the switch is on the right side or shows green means the air browse feature is enabled.
6. When the air browse feature is enabled, you'll see five options available in the Applications section, they are:
• The body of emails: enable this option if you want to be able to use the air browse feature to scroll through the body of emails in Email app.
• Gallery: enable this option if you want to be able to use the air browse feature to move between pictures in Gallery app.
• Internet: enable this option if you want to be able to use the air browse feature to scroll through a web page and move between open windows in Internet app.
• Music: enable this option if you want to be able to use the air browse feature to change(forward or rewind) music tracks on the now playing screen in Music player app.
• Music on lock screen: enable this option if you want to be able to use the air browse feature to change(forward or rewind) music tracks in the lock screen.

How to use air browse?
To make this feature works well, make sure to move your hand smoothly and steadily above the sensor no more than 7 cm. The sensor is located at the right side of earpiece above the screen. Well, in case you have enabled this feature in all supported apps, then you can use it in those apps by using the following steps:

Using air browse in Email app

1. Open Email app.
2. Open an email message.
3. You'll see the air browse icon is displayed on the status bar as a sign that the air browse feature is available.
4. Move your hand above the sensor vertically to scroll through the body of email.

Using air browse in Gallery app

1. Open Gallery app.
2. Open an album.
3. You'll see air the browse icon is displayed on the status bar as a sign that the air browse feature is available.
4. Move your hand over the sensor horizontally to move between pictures.

Using air browse in Internet app

1. Open Internet app.
2. Open a webpage by entering the URL in the address bar and then tap Go button in the keyboard.
3. When the web page is fully loaded, you'll see the air browse icon is displayed on the status bar as a sign that the air browse feature is available.
4. Move your hand above the sensor vertically to scroll through a webpage.
5. Open a new window by tapping and then open a webpage by entering the URL in the address bar and then tap Go button in keyboard.
6. With multiple windows are opened, you can move between the windows by moving your hand above the sensor horizontally.

Using air browse in Music player app

1. Open Music player app.
2. Tap the desired song you want to play.
3. While you're in the now playing screen, you'll see the air browse icon is displayed on the status bar as a sign that the air browse feature is available.
4. Move you hand above the sensor horizontally to change(forward or rewind) the tracks.

Using air browse in Lock screen

1. When a song is being played in the Music player app, you'll see the music controls in the lock screen as well as the air browse icon is displayed on the status bar as a sign that the air browse feature is available.
2. Move you hand above the sensor horizontally to change(forward or rewind) the tracks.

Aside from giving you an alternative way to control your phone, air browse feature will be able to help you to keep your screen stays clean in certain condition, for instance when you need to read a recipe in a web page while cooking but your hand is dirty or wet. Also, please note that this feature is not work in the third-party apps. So, does this feature ever help you?

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Create, Customize or Remove Folder in the Apps Menu in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Ease of installing apps in the Samsung Galaxy S5 sometimes makes you end up having a lot of apps in your phone, even some of you may have some apps with the same function. Well, to help you keep the apps menu stay clean and neat, you can organize your apps by grouping all apps with the same function/category into a single folder.

How to create a new folder in apps menu?
You can do so by using the following steps:

1. In Home screen, tap Apps to go to the apps menu.
2. Long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Create folder.
3. Enter the folder name and then tap Done button in the keyboard. FYI, it'd better if you give the folder name based on the apps function/category, e.g: name the folder with "browser apps" if you use it to grouping some browser apps.
4. Tap to select the apps you want to add into the folder.
5. Tap Done button.
6. The folder has been made and will be placed in the folder tab in the apps menu.

How to customize folder in apps menu?
Once you create a new folder, you can do some actions to customize it as listed in the following steps:

1. In Home screen, tap Apps to go to the apps menu.
2. Long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Edit.
3. Rename the folder name:
• Tap the required folder.
• Tap the folder name field and then enter the new name for the folder.
• Tap Done button in keyboard.
4. Add apps into the folder:
   
   • Tap the required folder.
   • Tap .
   • Select the apps you want to add to the folder.
   • Tap Done button.
   • The selected apps has been added to the folder.
   Or,
   
   • Tap and hold the required app and then drag it to the required folder.
   • Release to add the app to the folder.
   • The app has been added to the folder.
5. Remove apps from the folder:
• Tap the required folder.
• Tap and hold the required app in the folder you want to remove and then drag it to the apps menu.
• Place the app to remove it from the folder and then place it to the apps menu.
6. Change the folder color:
• Tap the required folder.
• Tap and then select the desired color you want to use for the folder.
• The selected color will be applied to the folder.
7. Reorder apps positions in the folder:
   FYI, it only works if you select "Custom" as the apps menu view. Well, here are the steps:
• Tap the required folder.
• Tap and hold the apps and then drag it to the required position in the folder.
• Release to place it in the new position in the folder.

How to remove folder in apps menu?
In case you want to delete a folder you have made in apps menu, then you can do so by using the following steps:

1. In Home screen, tap Apps to go to the apps menu.
2. Long tap the Recent apps key or tap to open up the additional options and then select Edit.
3. Tap and hold the folder and then drag it to the Remove icon at the top of the screen.
4. Release to remove the folder.
5. The folder has been removed and the apps will be placed back in the apps menu.

Aside from tidy up the apps menu, create folders will also be able to help you find the app with the same function with more easily and fast, especially if you have a lot of apps in your phone.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Reinstall Applications in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

As we all know that Google Play Store is a Google-related app, thus you have to activate your existing Google account or create a new one if you want to use it. In this app, you can find tons of apps, either free or paid version, and then install them into your phone. The installation process is quite easy. You can browse for apps per category or use the search function to speed up you finding a specific apps.

See also: How to Install Free Apps from the Play Store in Samsung Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

In some cases, the users may uninstall an app in their phones for any reason but later they realize that they need that app. Luckily, Google Play Store saves all of your download histories so that you can see all of apps you have ever downloaded from the Play Store and then reinstall the required app easily without digging into the Play Store again to find that app.

How to re-install apps from the Play Store?
FYI, if you have multiple Google accounts in your phone, make sure you access the Play Store using the same Google account you use when you installed the app in the past. Well, here are the steps to reinstall apps:

1. Open Play Store app.
2. Tap located at the top left corner of the screen to open up the Play Store menu.
3. Tap My apps.
4. Tap ALL tab to see all of apps that you have ever downloaded from the Play Store.
5. All uninstalled apps will be labelled with besides the apps names.
6. Once you find the desired app you want to reinstall, tap the app name.
7. Tap Install button.
8. Tap Accept button.
9. When the installation process is completed, tap Open button to launch the app.

As a note, it'd better if you read the app detail first (description, what's new and reviews) before reinstalling the app so that you can ensure that the app has a feature you're looking for, has bug fixes (if the app brought some errors when it was installed in your phone) and has a good history (less complaint and errors).

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Customize Blocking Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Blocking mode is a feature that can be found in the Samsung Galaxy S5. Enabling this feature allows you to block incoming calls and turn off notifications sounds during certain time period or until you turn this feature off. As the example, you can enable this feature while you're sleep at night or while you're in an important meeting so that you won't be disturbed with incoming calls (except those who are allowed to call you) or notifications sounds.


How to enable and customize blocking mode?
Since this feature is not enabled by default, then if you want to use it you have to enable it first. You can do so through the quick settings panel or the settings menu.

Method #1: From the quick settings panel
This method allows you quickly enable or disable blocking mode. But, it doesn't allow you to customize blocking mode options. Thus when you enable blocking mode using this method, the last configuration of the blocking mode will be used.

1. Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers to open up the quick settings panel.
2. Depending on your current settings, tap Blocking mode button to enable or disable it. When the button turns green means the blocking mode feature is enabled and you'll see the blocking mode icon is displayed on the status bar.

Method #2: From the Settings menu
Though this method is little bit longer than the method #1, but it will allow you to customize all options in the blocking mode feature.

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 Blocking mode .
4. Depending on your current settings, tap the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to enable or disable blocking mode. When the switch is on the right side or shows green means the blocking mode feature is enabled and you'll see the blocking mode icon is displayed on the status bar.
5. While blocking mode is enabled, you can customize all options under blocking mode, for instance enable or disable features(go to the step #6), set time of the blocking mode feature (go to the step #7), set allowed contacts (go to the step #8).
6. Enable or disable features.
In the Features section, you'll see three options available, they are:
• Block incoming calls: enable this option if you want to block all incoming calls (but you will still receive the notifications) except from those you're allowed to call you while blocking mode is enabled.
• Turn off notifications: enable this option if you want to turn off notifications sounds while blocking mode is enabled.
• Turn off alarm and timer: enable this option if you want to turn off alarm and timer notifications sounds while blocking mode is enabled.
7. Set time of the blocking mode.
   Always use blocking mode
   In the Set time section, tick the checkbox next to Always if you want blocking mode is always enabled unless you disable the blocking mode feature.
   Use blocking mode during certain period of time
   You can set blocking mode only enable during certain period of time by using the following steps:
• In the Set time section, clear the checkbox besides Always.
• Tap the time box next to From and then adjust the start time of the blocking mode and then tap Set button.
• Tap the time box next to To and then adjust the end time of the blocking mode and then tap Set button.
8. Set allowed contacts.
   The options under the Allowed contacts section will let you block all incoming calls or allow incoming calls according to your need.
Block all incoming calls:
• Tap Allowed contacts and then tap None.
• All incoming calls will be blocked while blocking mode is enabled.
Allow all incoming calls:
• Tap Allowed contacts and then select All.
• All incoming calls will be allowed while blocking mode is enabled.
Allow incoming calls from your favourites contacts only
• Tap Allowed contacts and then select Favorites.
• All incoming calls from your favourites contacts will be allowed while blocking mode is enabled.
Allow incoming calls from particular contacts groups only
• Tap Allowed contacts and then select Group.
• Tap + to add contacts groups into the list.
• Select the required contacts groups.
• Tap Done button.
• All incoming calls from the selected contacts groups will be allowed while blocking mode is enabled.
Allow incoming calls from particular contacts only
• Tap Allowed contacts and then select Custom.
• Tap Allowed contact list.
• Tap + to add contact to the list.
• Select the required contacts.
• Tap Done button.
• All incoming calls from the selected contacts will be allowed while blocking mode is enabled.

Unfortunately, the turn off LED indicator option in the blocking mode menu is no longer available in the Samsung Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat. Therefore if you want to disable LED indicator, you have to disable it manually in the Display settings menu.