Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Change Bubble and Background Styles in Messaging App in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

The stock Messaging app in the Samsung Galaxy S5 displays the incoming and outgoing messages back and forth within a conversation so that you can see your message with particular contact in a single place. Another best part of this app is that you can change the message bubble and also the background image within conversations. It will give a new look for your conversations and you can also make the conversations more personal by applying your own picture as the background image.

How to change bubble and background styles within conversations in Messaging app?
You can do so by using the following steps:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap or long press the Recent apps key to open up the additional options and then select Settings.
3. Tap Display.
4. Change the bubble style.
• Tap Bubble style.
• Select one of the bubble styles listed at the bottom of the screen you want to use. You'll get the preview when you tap each of the bubble styles so that you'll get an idea how it might look like when a bubble is enabled.
• Tap Save button.
• The selected bubble style will be applied.
5. Change the background style.
   You can use the stock image or your own picture as the background image within conversations.
I. Use the stock background image as the background style:
• Tap Background style.
• Select one of the background styles listed at the bottom of the screen you want to use. You'll get the preview when you tap each of the background styles so that you'll get an idea how it might look like when a background image is enabled.
• Tap Save button.
• The selected background style will be applied.
II. Use your own picture as the background style:
• Tap Background style.
• Tap .
• Select Image to pick up your photo in the Gallery app or select Camera to take a picture and then use the picture as the background style.
• If necessary, you can adjust the size of the picture that will be used as the background style by dragging .
• If necessary, you can also use another part of the picture as the background style by tapping and holding the blue frame and then drag it to the desired part.
• If you're satisfied with the result, tap Done button.
• Tap Save button.
• The selected picture will be set as the background style.

When the bubble and the background styles have been changed, it will be applied to all conversations in your Messaging app. I personally like using this feature to change the conversations appearance when I have been bored with the previous one. So, how about you? Do you also like using this feature?

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Send a Text Message in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Though there are lot of chat applications available today, send a text message is still a favourite way to communicate with others. It may be the reason why most of all the phones put a Messaging app as one of their stock apps. As same as with other phones, Samsung Galaxy S5 also provides you with the stock Messaging app so that you can use it to send a text message to the desired contacts with ease without having to install it first.


How to send a text message?
Actually, there are several methods available that can be used as the shortcut to create a new text message, but in this post I'll write 3 common ways to create a new text message: from the Messaging app itself, using the easy text feature in the Contacts app and from the call logs in Phone app.

Method #1: From the Messaging app
This method lets you create a new text message directly from the 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 phone number in the enter recipient field (repeat this step to add more contacts if you want to send the message to the multiple recipients) or tap and then select the required contacts from the Contacts app.
4. Write your message in the enter message field.
5. If necessary, you can insert emoji in your text message by tapping and then select the required emoji you want to insert.
6. Tap to send your text message.

Method #2: Using the easy text feature
This method lets you create a new message to the particular contact with ease while you're in the Contacts app. See the following steps to do so:

1. Open Contacts app.
2. Swipe the required contact from right to the left. If the contact has multiple phone numbers, the first phone number or the phone number that has been set as the default will be used as the message recipient.
3. Write your message in the enter message field.
4. If necessary, you can insert emoji in your text message by tapping and then select the required emoji you want to insert.
5. Tap to send your text message.

Method #3: From the call logs
This method lets you create a new message to the particular contact that is listed in the call logs, either those have been added to the Contacts app or those have not been. See the following steps to do so:

1. Open Phone app.
2. Tap Logs tab.
3. Tap the required contact you want to send a message with.
4. Tap to compose a text message for the selected contact.
5. Write your message in the enter message field.
6. If necessary, you can insert emoji in your text message by tapping and then select the required emoji you want to insert.
7. Tap to send your text message.

As a note, you may incur with additional charge when you send text messages, depends on what provider you're using.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Move an App to the SD Card in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If you have a bunch of downloaded apps in your phone and don't want your internal storage runs out because of those apps then you can move them to the SD card. Since a low internal storage can trigger some errors on your phone then move apps to the SD card will be able to help you free up some space in your internal storage so that it will have enough space to make the device remains work well.


How to move an application to the SD card?
Generally, there are two methods available that can be used to move a downloaded app to the SD card, from the apps menu and from the application manager.

Method #1: From the Apps menu
This method allows you to move an app to the SD card easily from the apps menu, but you have to remember that not all downloaded apps can be moved to the SD card. If the button to move an app to SD card is disabled then it means the app can't be moved. See the following steps to move an app to the SD card from the apps menu:

1. Tap Apps in Home screen.
2. Tap or long press the Recent apps key to open up the additional options and then select Downloaded apps.
3. Tap and hold the required app you want to move to the SD card and then drag it to the app info icon located at the top of the screen.
4. In the App info screen, tap Move to SD card button.
5. The selected app will be moved to the SD card.

Method #2: From the Application manager
Aside from letting you move an app to the SD card with ease, this method also lets you to know which apps have been moved to the SD card and which have not been. See the following steps to move an app to the SD card from the application manager:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel.
2. Tap to go to the settings menu.
3. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Applications section and then tap Application manager .
4. Swipe the screen from right to the left to see the SD CARD tab. All downloaded apps that can be moved to the SD card will be displayed here. FYI, if the checkbox in the right side of an app is ticked means the app has been moved to the SD card.
5. Tap the required app you want to move to the SD card.
6. Tap Move to SD card button.
7. The selected app will be moved to the SD card.

As a note, if an app doesn't work properly once it is moved to the SD card, then try to move it back to the internal storage. If it still didn't do the trick, uninstall the app and then re-install it again.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Uninstall an Application in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

In some cases, you may need to uninstall an app or two from your phone, for instance when an app has triggered errors on your phone and it can't be fixed by updating the app, or when you want to clean up your phone storage from unused apps to free up some space so that your phone can work properly and avoid errors caused by low internal storage.


How to uninstall an app?
Generally, there are four methods available that can be used to uninstall third-party apps from your phone.

Method #1: From the Play Store
This method allows you to uninstall any app that you have downloaded from the Play Store with ease. See the following steps to do so:

1. Open Play Store app.
2. Tap located at the top left corner of the screen to open up the Play store menus.
3. Tap My apps.
4. Tap INSTALLED tab to see all installed apps in your phone.
5. Tap the required app you want to uninstall.
6. Tap UNINSTALL button.
7. Tap OK button.
8. The selected app will be uninstalled.

Method #2: From the Galaxy Apps
This method allows you to uninstall any app that you have downloaded from the Galaxy Apps with ease. See the following steps to do so:

1. Open Galaxy Apps.
2. Tap located at the top left of the screen to open up the menus.
3. Tap Purchased.
4. Tap All tab.
5. Tap the required app you want to uninstall.
6. Tap Uninstall button.
7. Tap OK button.
8. The selected app will be uninstalled.

Method #3: From the Apps menu
This method allows you to uninstall any installed third-party app that is displayed in the apps menu. See the following steps to do so:

1. Tap Apps in Home screen.
2. Tap and then select Downloaded apps.
3. From here you can uninstall an app by using one of the three following ways:
I. Using the uninstall menu:
• Tap and then select Uninstall.
• Tap the required app you want to uninstall.
• Tap Uninstall button.
• The selected app will be uninstalled.
II. Using the uninstall icon:
• Tap and hold the required app you want to uninstall and then drag it to the Uninstall icon located at the top of the screen.
• Tap Uninstall button.
• The selected app will be uninstalled.
III. Using the App info icon:
• Tap and hold the required app you want to uninstall and then drag it to the App info icon located at the top of the screen.
• If necessary, you can perform clear cache by tapping Clear cache button.
• If necessary, you can also perform clear data by tapping Clear data button and then tap OK button.
• Tap Uninstall button.
• Tap OK button.
• The selected app will be uninstalled.

Method #4: From the Application manager
This method allows you to uninstall any third-party app installed in your phone, either those from Play Store/Galaxy Apps or those from unknown sources. 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Applications section and then tap Application manager .
4. In the Downloaded tab you'll see all downloaded apps that can be uninstalled.
5. Tap the required app you want to uninstall.
6. If necessary, you can perform clear cache by tapping Clear cache button.
7. If necessary, you can also perform clear data by tapping Clear data button and then tap OK button.
8. Tap Uninstall button.
9. Tap OK button.
10. The selected app will be uninstalled.

As a note, uninstalling apps can help you to fix error or clean up your storage, but you'd better read the description and the review of an app first before installing it into your phone because it'll help you to make sure that the app has a feature you're looking for to prevent you installing an unused app and also to make sure that the app has a good review to prevent you installing an app that might cause errors on your phone.

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

In some cases, an installed third-party app can make the phone experiences errors. A bug in the app may be the culprit of the problem. Always update app is a thing that can be done to minimize errors caused by installed third-party apps. In the newest version, the app usually get some improvements or new features to provide the user with a better performance and some fixes for any bug/issue that has been found in the previous version.

How to update apps automatically?
You can set your phone to update any installed app automatically when a new version is available by using the following steps:

1. Open Play Store app.
2. Tap located at the top left corner of the screen to open up the Play store menus.
3. Tap SETTINGS.
4. Tap Auto-update apps and then select from the following options:
• Do not auto-update apps: select this option to turn off auto update apps feature. If you choose this option, you can update an app manually when the new version is available.
• Auto-update apps at any time. Data charge may apply: select this option to set your phone to update apps automatically when you have an internet connection, either from Wi-Fi or mobile data. FYI, it'd better if you have unlimited data plan when you choose this option to avoid large data usage.
• Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only: select this option to set your phone to update apps automatically only when you're connected with a Wi-Fi network.

How to update apps manually?
If you have decided to turn off auto update apps in your phone, then you still be able to update them manually when the new version is available by using the following methods:

Method #1: From the notification panel
By default, you'll receive a notification when there's a new version of an app is available. When you receive the notification, then you can update the app manually by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel.
2. Tap the update apps notification.
3. You'll be redirected to the My apps menu in the Play Store.
4. All apps with available updates will be listed under Updates section.
5. Updating a single app:
• Tap the required app.
• Tap UPDATE button.
• Tap ACCEPT button.
• The selected app will be updated.
6. Updating all apps:
• Tap UPDATE ALL button.
• All apps under Updates section will be updated.

Method #2: From the Play Store
In case you didn't receive notification of available update, you can manually update the required apps directly from the Play Store app by using the following steps:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Tap located at the top left corner of the screen to open up the play store menus.
3. Tap My apps.
4. Tap INSTALLED tab to view all installed apps in your phone.
5. All apps with available updates will be listed under Updates section.
6. Updating a single app:
• Tap the required app.
• Tap UPDATE button.
• Tap ACCEPT button.
• The selected app will be updated.
7. Updating all apps:
• Tap UPDATE ALL button.
• All apps under Updates section will be updated.

As a note, aside from always updating app, read the description and review before installing an app can help to prevent you install an app with bad reviews that might cause errors on your phone.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Use Filter Effect in Camera app in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

By default, Camera app uses auto mode with no effect when you're using it to take photos. But, if you want to take a unique photo, you can apply a filter effect to your photo using built-up effects in the Camera app. The best part of it is that you will be provided with a live preview when you're selecting a filter effect so that you can see how your photo might look like when using certain effect, helps you decide which effect should be used before taking a photo. Applying the right effect will make your photo more unique and artistic.

How to use filter effect in Camera app?
You can enhance a photo that you will take by applying a filter effect. You can do so by using the following steps:

1. Open Camera app.
2. Tap to view more detailed camera settings.
3. Tap Effects .
4. You'll be provided with various default filter effects, such as:
• No effect. It's enabled by default.
• Vignette
• Vintage
• Faded colour
• Grayscale
• Sepia
• Tint
• Turquoise
• Cartoon
• Fisheye
• Moody
• Oil pastel
• Rugged

5. If the default filter effects are not enough for you, you can download more effects by tapping Download. You'll be brought to the Galaxy Apps which will display a huge selection of filter effects (either paid or free filter effects). You can select which filter effect you want to install to your phone. Once filter effects are installed, they will be added to the filter effects list.
6. Select the desired effect you want to apply to your photo.
7. Tap the viewfinder or press the Back key to hide the effects list.
8. Aim the device to the subject.
9. If necessary, you can adjust the zoom level by using the Volume key or gestures (pinching the screen or spreading two fingers apart together on the screen).
10. If necessary, you can change focus manually by tapping the screen where the camera should focus. The focus frame turns green when the focus has been locked.
11. Tap to take a photo.
12. Tap the thumbnail photo to view it in the Gallery app.

These built-in filter effects will help you easily apply the desired filter effect before taking a photo without you have to use any third-party apps. So, how about you? Which filter effect do you like best?

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Take a Panorama Photo in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

You may have heard or even tried taking photos using panorama mode because this mode is available in almost all of the Samsung Galaxy S series. Panorama mode itself is a feature that will let the device to take multiple photos in a horizontal direction (up to 360 degree in a full rotation) and then stitch them together to create a beautiful panoramic photo.

How to take a panorama photo?
Before using panorama mode to take a photo, there are some conditions that have to be filled in order to get the best result. They are:

• While taking photos, move the camera slowly in one direction and make sure to keep the camera's viewfinder within the guide frame so that the photos can be stitched well.
• Avoid taking panorama photos when the backgrounds hard to be recognized by device, such as: empty skies or plain-coloured walls.

When you're ready, you can take a panorama shot by using the following steps:

1. Open Camera app.
2. Tap and then tap Panorama.
3. Tap to start taking panorama photos.
4. Move the phone in one direction slowly and steady by following the guide frame to let your phone takes another shot well. While taking panorama photos, you have to make sure the blue frame remains in the guide frame to get the best result.
5. You can stop taking panorama photos anytime you want by tapping .
6. If you didn't stop taking panorama photos manually, the phone will automatically stop taking panorama photos when the blue frame reaches the end of the guide frame.
7. Tap the photo thumbnail to view the panorama photo in Gallery app. Panoramic photos will be labelled with to distinguish them with others.

Since this mode needs to stitch all photos into a single photo, then the hardest thing to get the best panorama photo is keeping the device position. Though this mode gives you a guide frame to control the camera's viewfinder position, if available it'd better if you use other additional tools (e.g: tripods, panoramic tripod head, etc) to help you keep the device position. Also, you have to note that wider view of a panorama photo can result in larger file therefore if you often take panoramic photos, you can set the SD card as the default storage so that free space in the internal storage will not run out quickly.