Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Show Owner Information on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

You may never want losing your precious Samsung Galaxy SIV? Moreover if you have a lot of valuable information or files inside your phone, for instance photos, videos, contacts, etc. But, anything could happen. If that worst situation happens, you may use tracking apps to help you locate your phone location but your phone must be connected to the Internet to make those apps work. Aside from using tracking apps, display your owner info on lock screen is a simple thing that you can do to help recover your lost phone. Owner info can make someone who find your phone can quickly and easily contact you to return your lost phone without having unlocking the screen or digging into your phone just to find out who this lost-phone belongs to.

How to set and show owner information?
You can add owner info and then display it on the lock screen by using the following steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. Tap Lock screen widgets. 
5. Tap Clock or personal message.
6. Tap Clock.
7. Tap Save button.
8. Tap Owner information.
9. Enter your owner information (e.g: a short message with your name and an alternate phone number or an email address).
10. Check the checkbox in the left side of Show owner info on lock screen to display your information on lock screen.
11. Tap OK button.
12. Press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen. Now, your owner info should be displayed as a running text below the date.

I myself believe that there are many good people out there who would be happy to return the lost phone they found to the owner. The contact info that you have displayed on lock screen surely will help them much to reunite you with your lost phone with more easily.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Use Group Play to Share Music in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy SIV provides you with the easier way to share music with those around you by using group play. When you create a new group for group play, the phone will enable Wi-Fi hotspot automatically and let other group-play-capable devices to connect to your group by using Wi-Fi direct. Once the group is created, you can select which the music you want to share and let other group participants stream the same tune in their devices in real time.

How to create a group for group play to share music?
You can act as the leader group or master phone, which will have total control on volume, effect and the speaker placement for each device, by creating a group for group play by using the following steps:

1. Open Group play app.
2. If necessary, check the box in the left side of Set group password to protect your group with password.
3. Tap Create group button.
4. Enter the password for group play. This password will need to be entered by other devices before they can join with your group. If necessary, you can check the box in the left side of Show password to make the password visible so that you can make sure that it has been entered correctly.
5. Tap OK button.
6. Tap to see all participants in your group.
7. Tap Share music.
8. Select the desired song you want to share with group play and then tap Done button.
9. Your phone will play the first song in the playlist.
10. As the leader group, you can do some of the following actions:
• Changing the effect(go to the step #11).
• Controlling the volume and the speaker placement (go to the step #12).
• Controlling the music(go to the step #13).
• Managing the playlist(go to the step #14).
11. Changing the effect:
• While you're in the view mode, tap the Menu key and then select Speaker style.
• Select from the following style: Funky, Classic and Wave.
• Tap Apply button.
12. Controlling the volume and the speaker placement:
• If you're in the view mode, tap to go to the settings mode.
• Tap the left speaker and then select the device you want to set as left speaker and then tap OK button.
• Tap the right speaker and then select the device you want to set as right speaker and then tap OK button.
• Tap to set all connected devices as stereo speakers.
• Tap to adjust the volume (master volume and each participant volume).
13. Controlling music:
• If you're in the view mode, tap to go to the settings mode.
• Tap to turn on or off shuffle.
• Tap to change the repeat mode.
• Tap to restart the currently playing song or skip to the previous song.
• Tap to pause or resume the currently playing song.
• Tap to skip to the next song.
• Tap to display the playlist.
14. Managing the playlist:
• If you're in the view mode, tap to go to the settings mode.
• Tap to see the playlist.
• Tap and then select the desired song you want to add to the playlist and then tap Done button. The selected song will be added to the playlist.
• Tap and then select the required song you want to remove from the playlist and then tap Done button. The selected song will be removed from the playlist.
15. To stop playing the music, tap the Back key and then tap OK button.
16. To close the group, tap the Back key and then tap OK button. The group will be closed and the session in all connected devices will be ended.

How to join a group play to stream the shared music?
You can act as a participant in a group play by joining the available group for group play by using the following steps:

1. Open Group play.
2. You can connect with the group by using one of the following methods:
Join the group manually:
• Tap Join group button.
• If there's only one group available, you'll be asked directly to enter the group password and then tap OK button.
• If there are multiple groups available, you have to select the group you want to join and then enter the group password and then tap OK button.
• Tap Share music.
• The device will play the song that is currently being shared by the leader group or master phone.
Join the group using NFC(it can be used if the NFC in both the devices are turned on):
• Place your phone with the master phone back to back.
• Both the devices will be connected, and the phone will play the song that is currently being shared by the leader group or master phone
3. As a participant, you can add or remove song in the playlist by using the following steps:
• Tap the Menu key and then select Playlist.
• Tap and then select the desired song you want to add to the playlist and then tap Done button. The selected song will be added to the playlist.
• Tap and then select the required song you want to remove from the playlist and then tap Done button. The selected song will be removed from the playlist.
4. To stop playing the music, tap the Back key and then tap OK button.
5. To quit from the group, tap the Back key and then tap OK button.

Group play provides you a better way to share music because you can stream the same tune in real time with those who are connected in the same group with you. Unfortunately, since this feature uses mobile hotspot, use this feature in a long time will make your battery can be drained quickly.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct Names in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Have you ever been in a situation where your friends had difficulty to find which the device that was truly yours when they wanted to transfer files via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct because there were some devices that had the same name? If that so, instead of letting your friends to be connected to the wrong device, you can help them to find your device easily by changing your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct names to the easily recognizable ones.

How to change Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct names?
Now, you don't need to change Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct names separately because you just need to change the device name to change the name for these two features. See the following steps to do so:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel.
2. Tap to go to the settings menu.
3. Tap More tab.
4. Scroll down to find About device and then tap it.
5. Tap Device name.
6. Enter the new name for your device and then tap OK button. It'd better if you create a unique name so that your device can be easily recognized by others simply by looking the name.
7. The device name has been changed and the name will be used as the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct names.

As a note, others who are connected with you via Bluetooth can rename your Bluetooth name on their devices, but it's only temporary because the name will be reset back when the device is unpaired. Next time, when they scan for available Bluetooth devices in their phones, the name listed in your device name is the name that will be displayed there.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Hide or Show Keyboard in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to hide the keyboard to get a wider screen for reading? For instance, when you have finished writing a long text/email message and wanted to review the message before sending it or when you have finished filling a form with numerous entries and wanted to review all of your entries before submitting it. Luckily, you can free up the screen by hiding the keyboard so that it won't cover the screen or what you're writing. If needed, you can also easily show the keyboard again.

How to hide or show keyboard?
To make it easier, as the example we'll try to change the keyboard visibility when creating a new text message in the stock Messaging app. See the following steps to do so:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap to create a new text message.
3. Enter the contact's name or number in the Enter recipient field.
4. Type your message in the Enter message field.
5. To hide the keyboard, simply by tapping the Back key (it's a physical button which is located in the right side of the Home key).
6. To show the keyboard again, simply by tapping your finger in the text field.

As a note, you can use the same way to hide or show the keyboard on any screen or app where you can enter text, for instance when you write a memo, fill a form in a web page, create/edit a contact, etc.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Automatic Answering when Headset is Connected in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy SIV provides you with several ways to accept incoming calls, one of which is by enabling the automatic answering feature so that your phone can answer incoming calls automatically when a headset is connected. This feature will be helpful when you're in a situation where your hand have difficulty to control/hold the phone, for instance while you're riding a bicycle or driving a car.


How to enable automatic answering?
If you want your phone automatically answering incoming calls when a headset is connected then you have to enable the automatic answering option first by using one of the two following methods.

Method #1: From Phone app

1. Open Phone app.
2. Tap the Menu key and then select Call settings.
3. Tap Call accessories.
4. Tick the checkbox next to Automatic answering to enable this option.
5. If necessary, you can adjust automatic answering delay for incoming calls by tapping Automatic answering timer and then select from the following options:
• 2 seconds: select this option if you want your phone waits for 2 seconds before automatically answering calls.
• 5 seconds: select this option if you want your phone waits for 5 seconds before automatically answering calls.
• 10 seconds: select this option if you want your phone waits for 10 seconds before automatically answering calls.

Method #2: From the settings menu

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Call.
4. Tap Call accessories.
5. Tick the checkbox next to Automatic answering to enable this option.
6. If necessary, you can adjust automatic answering delay for incoming calls by tapping Automatic answering timer and then select from the following options:
• 2 seconds: select this option if you want your phone waits for 2 seconds before automatically answering calls.
• 5 seconds: select this option if you want your phone waits for 5 seconds before automatically answering calls.
• 10 seconds: select this option if you want your phone waits for 10 seconds before automatically answering calls.

How to use automatic answering?
If the automatic answering option is enabled, when your headset is plugged in into your phone and you have an incoming call, then your phone will automatically answer the call after the delay time you have selected is over.


As a note, aside from giving you another way to accept incoming calls, automatic answering also helps you easily answering incoming calls because you don't need to touch the on-screen icon, pressing the Home key, doing air call-accept gesture, or saying the voice command to answer the calls.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Voice Command in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If previously we have learnt about the wake-up command that will allow you to perform specified functions using your own wake-up commands when the screen is locked, now we'll learn about another voice-based feature called the voice control. The voice control feature will allow you to perform some functions/actions using predefined voice commands while you're using certain apps.

How to enable voice command?
Before using predefined voice commands to control your phone, you have to enable the voice control option by using the following steps:

1. Go to settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Scroll down to find Voice control and then slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable this option.
4. Tap Voice control and then enable/disable the following options:
• Incoming calls: enable this option if you want to be able to answer or reject calls by using voice commands "answer" and "reject". When this option is enabled, the speaker will turn on when you answer a call by using voice command.
• ChatON: enable this option if you want to be able to answer or reject ChatON voice and video chat by using voice commands "answer" and "reject". When this option is enabled, the speaker will turn on when you answer a call using voice command .
• Alarm: enable this option if you want to be able to stop or snooze alarms by using voice commands "stop" and "snooze".
• Camera: enable this option if you want to be able to take pictures with the stock Camera app by using the voice commands "capture", "shoot", "smile", "cheese" or record videos by using the voice command "record video".
• Music: enable this option if you want to be able to control music by using voice commands "next", "previous", "play", "pause", "volume up" and "volume down".
5. Done. Now, you're ready to use predefined voice commands on your phone.

How to use voice command?
Assuming that you have enabled the voice control and then enabled all voice control options, then you can use predefined voice commands as described in the following steps:

I. Answer or reject incoming calls

1. When you have an incoming call, the voice command icon will be displayed on the status bar.
2. Say "answer" to answer the call.
3. Say "reject" to reject the call.

II. Answer or reject ChatON voice or video calls

1. When you have a ChatON voice call or video call, the voice command icon will be displayed on the status bar.
2. Say "answer" to answer the call.
3. Say "reject" to reject the call.

III. Snooze or stop alarms

1. When your alarm goes off, the voice command icon will be displayed on the status bar.
2. Say "snooze" to snooze the alarm.
3. Say "stop" to stop the alarm.

IV. Taking pictures or record videos

1. Open Camera app.
2. You'll see the voice command icon in the quick settings is enabled as a sign that you can take a picture or record a video by using predefined voice commands.
3. Say "capture" or "shoot" or "smile" or "cheese" to take a picture.
4. Say "record video" to record a video.

V. Controlling music

1. Open Music player app.
2. You'll see the voice command icon on the status bar as a sign that you can use predefined voice commands in to control music.
3. Say "play" to play the recently played song.
4. Say "pause" to pause the currently played song.
5. Say "next" to play the next song in the playlist.
6. Say "previous" to play the previous song in the playlist.
7. Say "volume up" to increase the volume.
8. Say "volume down" to decrease the volume.

Voice commands provide you another way to control and interact with your phone. Now, you can perform some functions or actions using predefined voice commands instead of touching the on-screen icons or pressing the physical buttons.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Wake Up Command on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Swipe is the easiest and simplest screen lock method that is enabled by default in the Samsung Galaxy SIV.  If the swipe method is enabled you can easily unlock the lock screen by swiping your finger on the screen. Though this method has no security but it has more options/features if compared with other screen lock methods, one of which is the wake-up command feature. By enabling this feature, you can set your phone to recognize your wake-up command to perform a specified function while the screen is locked (e.g: unlock the screen, play the music, open the Camera app, etc).

How to enable and configure the wake up command feature?
Before using the wake up command feature on lock screen, you have to enable it first and then set the wake up commands by using the following steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. With the "Swipe" has been selected as the screen lock method, scroll down to the Wake up in lock screen and then enable this option by ticking the checkbox in the right side of this option.
5. Tap Set wake-up command.
6. Tap Wake-up function 1 and then select from the following functions:
• Unlock: select this function to unlock the screen.
• Check for missed calls: select this function to check for missed calls in the call logs.
• Check for missed messages: select this function to check for new messages in the Messaging app.
• Open Camera: select this option to launch the Camera app.
• Check Schedule: select this option to check your today's schedule.
• Play Music: select this option to play the recently played song in the Music player app.
• Record Voice: select this option to launch the Voice recorder app.
• Turn on/off Hands-free mode: select this option to enable or disable Hands-free mode.
7. Select the required function.
8. Tap the mic icon located at the bottom of the screen.
9. Now, you have to say the word or phrase you want to use as the wake-up command 4 times. To help the device easily recognize your wake-up command, use 3-5 syllables and maintain constant intonation.
10. When your four wake up commands have been successfully recognized, then tap Done button.
11. To set other wake-up functions, repeat from the step #6.

How to use the wake-up command?
If you have enabled and configured the wake-up commands, then you can use them to perform a specified function directly from the lock screen. The following is an example on how to use the wake up command:

1. If your screen is off, press the Home key or the Power key to display the lock screen.
2. You'll see the mic icon on the status bar as a sign that the wake-up command on lock screen is enabled and can be used by you.
3. Say the required wake-up command.
4. The device will perform the function, e.g: if you say the wake-up command to play the music, then the device will automatically play the recently played song in the Music player app.

How to customize the wake-up command?
In case you want to know your current wake-up commands, change the current wake-up command or function to the new one as well as reset the wake-up functions, then you can do so by using the following steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap Lock screen.
4. With the "Swipe" has been selected as the screen lock method, scroll down to the Set wake-up command and then tap it.
5. Tap the required wake-up function you want to customize and then select from the following options:
• Listen to my voice: tap this option to listen to your current wake-up command.
• Change command: tap this option to change the current wake-up command to the new one. Follow the on-screen instruction to complete the wake-up command recognition.
• Change function: tap this option to change the current function to the new one without changing the wake-up command.
• Reset: tap this option to revert back the selected wake-up function to the default.

Aside from giving you another alternative way to control and interact your phone, the wake up command will also be able to help you to save your time because you can quickly and easily perform a specified function directly from the lock screen. As a note, since you're only allowed to assign 4 wake-up functions, thus it'd better if you set them to perform the most frequently used functions.