Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Adjust Screen Timeout in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy S5 has some features that have been designed to help you save more battery, one of which is the screen timeout feature that will allow you to set the length of the idle time that should be waited by the device before turning off the screen backlight, in other words, the device will turn off the screen backlight if you don't use your phone until the specified screen timeout is over. The screen timeout can be adjusted from 15 seconds to 10 minutes.

How to adjust the screen timeout?
You can do so 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Display .
3. Tap Screen timeout and then select from the following options:
• 15 seconds
• 30 seconds
• 1 minute
• 2 minutes
• 5 minutes
• 10 minutes
4. The screen timeout has been adjusted.

As a note, if you're tight with battery life issue, you'd better to set the screen timeout to a shorter period since it'll help you to save power as the battery doesn't have to keep the screen backlight on for longer time, unless you're using the smart stay feature then you'd better to set the screen timeout for a longer period.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Fix Can't Send Text Messages to Premium Numbers, Short Numbers or Short Codes in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

A couple days back, an insider named Amber sent me an email and told me that she had accidentally chosen the "never" button when trying to send a premium or short code text message to get a store discount. Afterwards, she couldn't send that message anymore. Well, if you're also experiencing the same problem where you can't send text messages to premium numbers, short numbers or short codes using the stock Messaging app, you can fix this issue by changing the Messaging app permission.


How to set Messaging app to allow you sending a text message to a premium number, short number or short code?
There are two methods available that can be used to change the Messaging app permission so that you'll be able to send text messages to premium numbers, short numbers or short codes: from the apps menu and from the app manager.

Method #1: From the applications menu

1. In Home screen, tap Apps to go to the apps menu.
2. Tap and hold Messages and then drag it to the App info icon located at the top of the screen.
3. In the App info screen, scroll down the screen to the Permissions section.
4. Tap the box below the "This app may charge you money: Send premium SMS" and then select Ask if you want to be asked each time you send a premium SMS or select Always allow if you want to directly send premium SMS without having to be asked first.

Method #2: From the application manager

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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Applications section and then tap Application manager .
3. Swipe the screen from the right to the left to access the ALL screen. All installed apps in your phone will be listed here.
4. Scroll down the screen to find Messages, and then tap it.
5. In the App info screen, scroll down the screen to the Permissions section.
6. Tap the Box below the "This app may charge you money: Send premium SMS" and then select Ask if you want to be asked each time you send a premium SMS or select Always allow  if you want to directly send premium SMS without having to be asked first.

As a note, I do believe that these steps can be used to fix the same problem in other Samsung Galaxy S phones since I can also use these steps in my Samsung Galaxy S4.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Fix No Backlight When Pressing the Recent Apps or Back Keys in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

By default, Samsung Galaxy S5 sets the Recent apps and Back keys' backlight to remain on for certain period after one of these keys is pressed. If the backlights don't light up even when you have pressed the Recent apps key or the Back key then there are two possibilities that may cause this problem: 1) the touch key light duration is set to always off, 2) the option to turn off key light within power saving mode is enabled.


How to fix no backlight when pressing the Recent apps or Back keys?
If you're also experiencing this issue on your phone, you can fix it by doing the following actions:

First: Make sure the touch key light duration is not set to always off
To do so, kindly do as follows:

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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Display .
3. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
4. Tap Touch key light duration and then select 1,5 seconds or 6 seconds or Always on.
5. If needed, you can restart your phone. Once the phone is on, you can try pressing the Recent apps key or the Back key and the backlights should be light up.

Second: Make sure the option to turn off touch key light within power saving mode is off
If you still don't have the backlight when pressing the Recent apps or Back keys even when you have set the touch key light duration to 1,5 seconds or anything except always off, then make sure the option to turn off touch key light within power saving mode is disabled. You can do so 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Power saving.
3. Tap Power saving mode .
4. Tap Restrict performance.
5. Clear the check box next to Turn off touch key light to disable this option.
6. Now, you can try pressing the Recent apps key or the Back key and the backlights should be light up.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Adjust Touch Key Light Duration in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy S5 allows you to adjust the touch key light duration so that you can set how long should the Recent apps and Back keys' backlight remains on be. You can set these keys to remain on for certain period after one of them is pressed, or set them to always on even though none of them is pressed. If needed, you can also turn off these keys' backlight so that they won't light up even when you press them.

How to adjust the touch key light duration?
You can do so 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Display .
3. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
4. Tap Touch key light duration and then select from the following options:
• 1,5 seconds: select this option to set the Recent apps and Back keys's backlight remains on for 1,5 seconds after one of them is pressed.
• 6 seconds: select this option to set the Recent apps and Back keys's backlight remains on for 6 seconds after one of them is pressed.
• Always off: select this option to set the Recent apps and Back keys's backlight always off even when you press the key.
• Always on: select this option to set the Recent apps and Back keys's backlight always on even though none of them is pressed.
5. The touch key light duration has been adjusted.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Change Font Style and Size in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy S5 allows you to customize the font used by the device. You can either change the device font style from the default font style to the desired one to make your phone looks different and more personal or, if needed, you can also adjust the font size to make the font smaller or bigger. When you have customized the device font, it will be applied to the device except for the body of the email messages and the webpages since they will remain using the default font style and have their own settings to adjust the font size.

How to change font style and size?
You can do so 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Display .
3. Tap Font.
4. Change the font style:
• Tap Font style and then select the desired font style from the following options: Default, Choco Cooky, Cool Jazz, Rosemary or Samsung Sans.
• Tap Yes button to confirm.
• The selected font style will be applied.
5. Adjust the font size:
• Tap Font size and then select the desired font size from the following options: Tiny, Extra small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra large or Huge.
• The device font will be adjusted to the selected size.

As a note, there are some apps that can't support the huge font size. So, if you have adjusted the font to this size, the font within those apps will automatically be displayed in the large font size.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Set Owner Information on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

I do believe that there are still many good people out there who will be happily to return your phone in case it's lost and they find it. It may be one of the reason why Samsung puts the owner info feature on their phones, including with Samsung Galaxy S5. The owner info feature lets you display your personal information or message up to 65 characters on your lock screen. To optimize the function of this feature, it'd better if you set the owner info to display information that will help the one who finds your lost phone to easily reach you, e.g: your name, your alternative phone number, your email address, etc.

How to set owner info on lock screen?
As long as the screen lock is not turned off, you can display your personal info on lock screen 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. Regardless the screen lock that is being used by you(swipe/pattern/PIN/password/fingerprint), tap Owner information.
4. Check the box in the left side of the "Show owner info on lock screen" option to let you set your owner info and display it on lock screen.
5. Enter the required information you want to display on lock screen. As the example: this phone belongs to: Rehan, 9028770000, rehanp2001@gmail.com
6. Tap OK Button to save the changes.
7. Press the power key twice to go to the lock screen and you'll see the owner info is displayed below the date.

As a note, if your owner info length is more than 33 characters then your owner info will be displayed as a running text on lock screen.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Make Phone Vibrates When You Draw a Wrong Pattern on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Aside from using a more complex pattern, hide pattern on lock screen can also be used to make your phone to be more secure while you're using pattern as the screen lock. However, since hiding pattern will make you unable to see the pattern on lock screen, if needed, you can set your phone to vibrate for wrong pattern so that you'll be easier to know that you have drawn a wrong pattern.

How to make phone vibrates when you draw a wrong pattern on lock screen?
Assuming that you have selected pattern as the screen lock, you can set your phone to vibrate when the pattern you have drawn on lock screen is incorrect 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. Scroll the screen to the very bottom and then check the box next to Vibration feedback to enable this option.
4. Now, the phone will vibrate when you have drawn a wrong pattern on lock screen.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Show or Hide Pattern on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Pattern is a screen lock with security lock feature that can be found in Samsung Galaxy S5. When you have set pattern as the screen lock, you have to draw the specified pattern on the pattern grid on lock screen when you want to access your phone. If needed, you can set the pattern to be invisible to prevent it from displaying when it's being drawn on lock screen so that the chance of the unauthorized people for easily accessing your phone can be decreased. Even so, you can also set your pattern to be visible so that it'll be displayed when it's being drawn on lock screen in case you don't need a complex security and need to be able to see the pattern to make sure that it has been drawn correctly.

How to show or hide pattern on lock screen?
Assuming that you have selected pattern as your screen lock, then you can either show or hide pattern on lock screen 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. With pattern has been selected as the screen lock, scroll down the screen to find the option to show or hide pattern on lock screen.
4. Show pattern on lock screen:
• Check the box next to Make pattern visible to enable this option.
• Now, the pattern will be displayed when it's being drawn on lock screen.
5. Hide pattern on lock screen:
• Clear the checkbox next to Make pattern visible to disable this option.
• Now, the pattern will not be displayed when it's being drawn on lock screen.

Given the function, it'd better to hide the pattern if you're tight with your phone security, but it'd better to show the pattern if you want to easily make sure that you have drawn the correct pattern.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable or Disable the Power Key as the Screen Lock Key in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Power key is a physical button in Samsung Galaxy S5 which is located at the right side of the phone. You can either enable or disable this key as the screen lock key if you have set a screen lock with security lock feature. If the power key is set as the screen lock key, you can turn off and instantly lock the screen simply by single pressing the power key. While if this key is not set as the screen lock key, pressing the power key will only turn off the screen without locking it.

How to enable or disable the power key as the screen lock key?
Assuming that you have enabled a screen lock with security lock feature(pattern/PIN/password/fingerprint), you can either enable or disable the power key as the screen lock key 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. With pattern/PIN/password/fingerprint has been selected as the screen lock, you should have the option to enable or disable the power key as the screen lock key.
4. Enable the power key as the screen lock key:
• While in the lock screen menu, scroll the screen to the very bottom.
• Check the box next to Lock instantly with power key to enable this option.
• Now, when you press the power key, the screen will be turned off and instantly locked. If you want to access your phone, you have to turn on the screen and then enter or perform the screen lock.
5. Disable the power key as the screen lock key:
• While in the lock screen menu, scroll the screen to the very bottom.
• Clear the checkbox next to Lock instantly with power key to disable this option.
• Now, when you press the power key, the screen will be turned off but it's not locked. The screen will be locked when the selected delay for the auto screen lock has been over so that during this time you can still access your phone without having to enter or perform the screen lock.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Adjust Automatic Screen Lock Delay in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to set a screen lock with security lock feature but then it irritated you since you had to enter or perform the screen lock each time you wanted to access your phone even when the screen was just off for a few seconds? If that so, you can fix your problem by adjusting the delay for auto screen lock. By doing this, once the screen is turned off automatically, the screen won't be locked until the specified delay for the auto screen lock is reached so that during this time you still can access the phone without having to enter or perform the screen lock.

How to adjust auto screen lock delay?
Assuming that you have enabled a screen lock with security lock feature (pattern, PIN, password, fingerprint), then you can adjust auto screen lock delay 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. With pattern/PIN/password/fingerprint has been selected as the screen lock, you should have the option to set how long the screen should be locked after it automatically turns off.
4. If needed, scroll down the screen, tap Lock automatically and then select from the following options:
• Immediately: select this option to lock the screen immediately when the screen automatically turns off.
• 5 seconds: select this option to lock the screen in 5 seconds after the screen automatically turns off. This option is enabled by default.
• 15 seconds
• 30 seconds
• 1 minute
• 2 minutes
• 5 minutes
• 10 minutes
• 30 minutes
5. The auto screen lock delay has been adjusted

If you're tight with battery life issue, it'd better to adjust auto screen lock delay than adjust the screen timeout since adjusting auto screen lock delay will be able to help you conserve the battery as well as improve your convenience because you just need to enter or perform the screen lock to access your phone only if the selected delay for the auto screen lock has been over.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Change Pattern Grid Style on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Pattern is a screen lock method that can be found in Samsung Galaxy S5. When you have selected pattern as your screen lock method, you have to draw the specified pattern in a grid of nine dots on lock screen to unlock the screen. Another thing that will probably make you love this screen lock type is the fact that you can change the default pattern grid style to the other one for a more personal touch.

How to change pattern grid style on lock screen?
Assuming that you have selected pattern as the screen lock, then you can change the pattern grid style 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. With Pattern has been selected as the screen lock, you should see the option to change the pattern grid style/type.
4. Tap Pattern type and then select from the following options: Classic(it's enabled by default), Halftone, Morphing and Multicolour. You can see the picture below to know their differences.
   
   
5. Tap Done button to save the changes.
6. Now, press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen and you'll see the pattern grid is displayed with the selected style/type.

Aside from making your phone to be more secure, selecting pattern as the screen lock will also let you have an alternative way to keep your lock screen looks fresh by changing the pattern grid style periodically.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Change the Clock Size on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

By default, your phone will display the date and time on lock screen so that you can easily know the current date and time without you have to unlock the screen. The date on lock screen can either be displayed or not, but the time will always be displayed there since this phone doesn't provide an option to show or hide the clock. One thing that can be done to customize the clock on lock screen is by changing its size.

How to change the clock size on lock screen?
As long as the screen lock is not turned off, you can change the clock size 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. Regardless the screen lock that is being used by you, you should see an option to change the clock size within the lock screen menu.
4. Tap Clock size and then select the desired size from the following options: Small, Normal, and Large. When selecting a size option, you'll be given live preview so that you'll get an idea how big the clock size will be.
5. Tap Done button to save the changes.
6. Now, press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen and you'll see the clock is displayed in the selected size.

As a note, the time will displayed in the default format "hh:mm" either in 24-hours format or in AM/PM format depending on the time format you have selected in the date and time settings menu.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Use Camera Shortcut on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

I do believe that most of you often use the Camera app in your Samsung Galaxy S5 to take pictures or record videos, moreover the stock Camera app is supported with powerful hardware and various advanced features which will be able to improve your experience and provide you a better result. Since the Camera app is one of the favourite apps, this phone provides you an option to show the camera shortcut on lock screen so that you can easily and quickly access the Camera app directly from the lock screen without you have to perform any screen lock method. Even so, if needed, you can also set your phone not to display the camera shortcut on lock screen.

How to show or hide the camera shortcut on lock screen?
As long as the screen lock is not turned off, you can either enable or disable the camera shortcut on lock screen 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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. Regardless the screen lock that is being used by you, you should see the option to show or hide the camera shortcut within the lock screen menu.
4. Depending on your current settings, tap Camera shortcut to enable or disable this option. When the checkbox next to this option is checked means the camera shortcut will be displayed on the lock screen.

How to use the camera shortcut on lock screen to access Camera app?
Assuming that you have enabled the camera shortcut on lock screen, then you can use the shortcut to easily access the Camera app directly from the lock screen. See the following steps to do so:

1. If the screen is off, press the Power key or the Home key to turn the screen on and display the lock screen.
2. The camera shortcut is displayed at the bottom right corner of the lock screen.
3. Drag the camera shortcut upwards.
4. The Camera app will be opened shortly and ready to use to take pictures or record videos.

As a note, if you access the Camera app from the shortcut on lock screen while you're using a screen lock method other than swipe(like: pattern, PIN, password or fingerprint), then you may be unable to use some of camera features(e.g: can't turn on selective focus, can't change camera mode, etc) and you're also not allowed to access the Gallery app from the Camera app unless you have performed the current screen lock method to unlock the screen.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Show or Hide the Date on Lock Screen in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

When enabled, lock screen not only makes your phone more secure, but also provides you with some useful information without you have to unlock the screen first, one of which is today's date. By default, lock screen will display the date. But, if needed, you can hide the date on lock screen with ease.

How to show or hide the date on lock screen?
As long as the screen lock is not turned off, the option to show or hide the date on lock screen will always be available regardless the screen lock that is being used. See the following steps to show or hide the date on lock screen:

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. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Lock screen .
3. Regardless the currently used screen lock type(Swipe/Pattern/PIN/Password/Fingerprint), you should see the option to show or hide the date within the lock screen menu.
4. Depending on your current settings, tap Show date to show or hide date in lock screen. When the checkbox next to this option is checked means the date will be displayed on lock screen.
5. Now, press the Power key twice to go to the lock screen. If you have set your phone to show the date then you'll see the date is displayed below the time.

As a note, when you show the date on lock screen, the day of the week (e,g: "Mon", "Tue", "Wed", etc) will be displayed in the left side of the date by default.