Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: How to Setup and Use Direction Lock Feature in Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

Direction lock is an additional screen lock type that you can use to unlock the screen if you have enabled it in the Accessibility menu. When it's enabled, you can unlock the screen by drawing the direction combination that you set in advance.


How to setup the direction lock feature?
As the example, we'll do so when the current screen lock type is set to PIN by using the following steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
  2. Scroll down the screen to find Accessibility and then tap it. FYI, if you have enabled the direct access feature and selected Accessibility, you can quickly access the accessibility menu by pressing the Home key three times in quick succession to open up the direct access menu and then tap Accessibility.
  3. Tap Direction lock.
  4. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable the direction lock feature.
  5. Enter the current 4-digit PIN numbers and then tap Next button.
  6. Now, draw a series of four to eight directions(left, right, up or down) and then tap Continue button.
  7. Draw the direction combination again to verify it and then tap Confirm button.
  8. The direction lock has been set as the screen lock type.
  9. When needed, while you're in the direction lock menu, you can enable or disable the following options:
    • Vibration feedback: enable this option to have your phone vibrates when you draw the direction combination to unlock the screen.
    • Sound feedback: enable this option to have your phone plays a sound when you draw the direction combination to unlock the screen.
    • Show directions: enable this option to have your phone shows the direction arrows when you draw the direction combination to unlock the screen.
    • Read drawn directions aloud: enable this option to have your phone reads aloud the direction when you draw the direction combination to unlock the screen.


How to use the direction lock feature?
You can unlock the screen using the direction lock by using the following steps:
  1. When the screen is turned off, press the Power key to turn it on.
  2. Swipe your finger on the lock screen and then draw series of directions that you have set before to unlock the screen.
  3. If you draw the right combination, the screen will be unlocked and you can use your phone.

Note: The direction lock feature in the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow won't give you the option to enter the PIN number as the alternative way to unlock the screen when you enter the combination incorrectly 5 times or so. You're just asked to try again in a couple of seconds. Thus, if you decide to use this feature, make sure to remember or write down the combination somewhere that you can use to remember when you forget it. However, if you have enabled the auto factory reset feature, your phone will automatically reset to the factory settings if you have drawn the combination incorrectly 15 times.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: How to Enable and Use Direct Access Feature in Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

Since Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is designed for everyone, it comes with set of accessibility features so that those with visual, hearing, or dexterity impairment can use this phone with ease. For easier access, you can enable the direct access feature and then select the required accessibility settings or functions so you can easily access them through the direct access menu by pressing the Home key three times quickly.


How to enable the direct access feature?
You can turn on this feature and add the required accessibility settings by using the following steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
  2. Scroll down the screen to find Accessibility and then tap it.
  3. Tap Direct access.
  4. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable this feature. The switch turns blue when it's enabled.
  5. Now, select which accessibility settings you want to display when accessing the direct access menu by sliding the ON/OFF switch next to the required settings to the right. There are 8 settings available that can be added to the direct access menu:
    • Accessibility
    • Voice Assistant
    • Universal switch
    • Magnifier window
    • Negative colors
    • Grayscale
    • Color adjustment(you have to set up colour adjustment in Vision first to add this option in the direct access menu).
    • Interaction control(you have to turn on interaction control in Dexterity and interaction first to add this option in the direct access menu).
  6. The selected settings have been added to the direct access menu.


How to use the direct access feature?
As the example, we'll access the accessibility menu through the direct access menu by using the following steps:
  1. On any screen, press the Home key three times in quick succession to open up the direct access menu.
  2. Tap Accessibility to quickly go to the accessibility menu.
  3. Now, you can adjust the required settings in the accessibility menu.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: How to Enable and Use Smart Lock On Body Detection Feature in Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

On-body detection is one of smart lock features in Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge that can be used when you're using one of screen lock types with secure lock settings(pattern, PIN, password, or fingerprints). When this feature is enabled, you just need to unlock the screen once and it'll stay unlocked while your phone is safe with you, as the example, when you're holding your phone in your hand, when you're carrying it in your pocket or handbag, etc.


How to enable the smart lock on body detection feature?
As the example, we'll turn on this feature when the screen lock type is set to PIN by using the following steps:
  1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
  2. Scroll down the screen to find Lock screen and security and then tap it.
  3. Tap Secure lock settings.
  4. Tap Smart Lock.
  5. Enter 4-digit PIN numbers and then tap Done button.
  6. Tap On-body detection.
  7. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the right to enable the on body detection feature.
  8. A pop up window appears on the screen to inform you that since on-body detection can't always distinguish between you and someone else, if you give your phone to someone else or if someone takes your phone while it's unlocked with on-body detection, they might be able to access it. Tap Continue button to continue enabling the on-body detection feature.
  9. The smart lock on-body detection feature is enabled.


How to use the smart lock on body detection feature?
As the example, we'll use this feature when the screen lock type is set to PIN by using the following steps:
  1. On the lock screen, swipe your finger on the screen and then enter 4-digit PIN numbers followed by tapping OK button to unlock the screen.
  2. Your phone will stay unlocked while it's on you, even when the current automatic screen lock delay period is over. In this state, you just need to turn on the screen and then swipe your finger on the lock screen if you'd like to access your phone.
  3. When you set down the phone, such as, on the table, it'll lock automatically after the current automatic screen lock delay period is over. If the screen is not locked, you can tap on the lock screen to force the phone to lock securely while the smart lock on-body detection is enabled.