Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Wi-Fi Direct Feature to Transfer Files in Android 4.4 Kitkat

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network is one way that you can do to get an internet connection in your Samsung Galaxy SIV. Once you have an internet connection, you can use it to browse webpages, install apps from the Google Play Store, send emails, etc.

See also: How to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network in Android 4.4 Kitkat in the Samsung Galaxy S4

In addition to obtain an internet connection, when you and another Wi-Fi Direct enabled device are connecting in the same Wi-Fi network, then you can use Wi-Fi Direct feature to transfer files one another.

How to enable or disable Wi-Fi Direct in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. In the Connections tab, tap Wi-Fi.
3. Slide the switch at the top of the screen to the right to enable Wi-Fi.
4. Tap Wi-Fi network profile to connect with it. If necessary, enter the password to connect with the selected Wi-Fi network. Tap Connect button.
5. Now, tap Wi-Fi Direct button located at the bottom right corner of the screen.
6. Your phone will scan for all available Wi-Fi Direct enabled devices and they will be listed under available devices section.
7. Tap the desired available device you wish to connect.
8. Once another device accepting your Wi-Fi Direct invitation then both devices will be connected.
9. Wi-Fi Direct is now enabled and you're ready to use it to transfer files.
10. To disable Wi-Fi Direct, tap End connection button then tap OK button to confirm.

How to transfer file using Wi-Fi Direct in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
Make sure another device you wish to transfer with is connected in the same Wi-Fi network with you and has a Wi-Fi Direct feature. As the example, I'll try to transfer picture files using Wi-Fi Direct between my Samsung Galaxy SIV and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.7 through Gallery app and My Files app.

Method #1: From Gallery app

1. Open Gallery app. By default, it's viewed by albums.
2. Tap the required albums where pictures you want to share are saved.
3. To transfer a single picture go to the step #4, while to transfer multiple pictures go to the step #5.
4. Transfer a single picture:
• Tap the desired picture you wish to transfer.
• Tap Share button.
• On pop up menu select Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap the desired device you wish to transfer with by ticking the box next to the device name.
• Tap Done button.
• The selected picture will be transferred shortly.
5. Transfer multiple pictures:
• Tap the Menu key then select Select item.
• Tick the box in the desired pictures you wish to transfer.
• Tap Share button.
• On pop up menu select Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap the desired device you wish to transfer with by ticking the box next to the device name.
• Tap Done button.
• The selected pictures will be transferred shortly.

Method #2: From My Files app

1. Open My Files app. By default, it's viewed by category.
2. Tap Image. This will redirect you to the DCIM folder in the internal storage where the phone uses it by default to save all pictures you've taken by using the camera. Or you can navigate to the required folder as you want.
3. Tap Camera.
4. To transfer a single picture file go to the step #5, while to transfer multiple pictures go to the steps #6.
5. Transfer a single picture file:
• Long tap the desired picture file.
• On pop up menu select Share via.
• On pop up menu select Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap the desired device you wish to transfer with by ticking the box next to the device name.
• Tap Done button.
• The selected picture file will be transferred shortly.
6. Transfer multiple picture files:
• Tick the box in the left side of desired pictures you wish to share.
• Tap Share button.
• On pop up menu select Wi-Fi Direct.
• Tap the desired device you wish to transfer with by ticking the box next to the device name.
• Tap Done button.
• The selected picture files will be transferred shortly.

If you're like me, if possible (when another device has Wi-Fi Direct feature) I always choose Wi-Fi Direct feature to transfer files, especially if the file have large size because Wi-Fi Direct can transfer files faster and easier than another transfer method (eg: Bluetooth). FYI, this feature consumes lot of power to run, therefore your phone will give you a notification to turn off this feature when you don't use it to save your battery life.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Connect to a Wi-Fi Network in Android 4.4 Kitkat

Browsing web pages, checking emails, installing apps are some things that frequently done by users with their Samsung Galaxy SIV. To be able to do all these things, you must have an internet connection. One way that you can do to gain internet connection is by connecting to the Wi-Fi network, either it's open or secured Wi-Fi network. For those of you who don't know how to do so, you can see the complete steps below.


How to connect to a Wi-Fi network in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
FYI, when you're trying to connect to a secured Wi-Fi network, you'll be asked to enter a Wi-Fi password. You can get the password from your Wi-Fi network provider, or if you use Wi-Fi modem the default password usually was printed on the bottom label or you can find the password in its manual book.

Method #1: From Settings menu
If this is the first time for you to connect to a secured Wi-Fi network, it'll be better if you use this method because it'll allow you to choose which network you wish to connect with as well as entering the password for the selected Wi-Fi network. Here are the steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Connections tab.
3. Tap Wi-Fi.
4. Slide the switch at the top of the screen to the right to enable Wi-Fi. Now, your phone will scan for available Wi-Fi networks and they will be displayed under Wi-Fi networks tab.
5. Tap the desired Wi-Fi network you wish to connect.
6. If necessary, enter the Wi-Fi password correctly. Please note that it's case sensitive, where "a" is not the same with "A". FYI, because by default Samsung Galaxy SIV use WPA/WPA2, then the password length should be more than 8 chars to make you be able to connect to the network. If it's less than 8 chars, then you can try to connect to the Wi-Fi network by using WEP.
7. Tap Connect button.
8. If you've managed to connect with the selected Wi-Fi network, then the selected Wi-Fi network will be labelled with Connected and you'll see the Wi-Fi icon on the status bar.
9. Now you're ready to use Wi-Fi connection to connect to the internet.

Method #2: From Notification panel
If you've been ever connected to a secured Wi-Fi network in the past, the Wi-Fi network profile and its password will be automatically saved by your phone. If so, you can connect with the Wi-Fi network easily through the notification panel. Here are the steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen.
2. Tap Wi-Fi quick setting button to enable or disable it. When the button shows green means the option is turned on.
3. You'll be informed if you've managed to connect with the Wi-Fi network and you'll see the Wi-Fi icon on the status bar.
4. Now you're ready to use Wi-Fi connection to connect to the internet.

Based on my experience, if for your own reason, you decide to change the Wi-Fi password, then make sure to write down the password somewhere else. It'll be useful if you accidentally forget the Wi-Fi network profile and need to enter the password to connect with the network.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Display or Hide Battery Percentage in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If you've had updated your Samsung Galaxy SIV to Android 4.4 Kitkat, you may noticed that now all icons on the status bar are black and white, no longer colorful as you used to see in the previous version.

See also: New Options and Features in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat in the Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500

Aside from some useful features, the one that I like in Android 4.4 is my battery life is now better than before. I don't know what has caused it, maybe it's because by default now the screen uses more soft and dark color. As we've known that darker color can save more battery life. Because I'm the one who are tight with battery issue, so I always pay attention about it, for example I never let the battery run out. To make it easier, I choose to display battery percentage on the status bar. It helps me a lot to know exactly how much the battery is left.


How to display or hide battery percentage on the status bar?
Generally, there are two methods that you can use to do so. You can see them below.

Method #1

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My Device tab.
3. Tap Display.
4. Depending on your current settings, tap Display battery percentage to enable or disable it. When the box next to this option is ticked means the battery percentage will be displayed in the status bar.

Method #2

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Tap Battery.
4. Scroll to the very bottom, depending on your current settings, tap Display battery percentage to enable or disable it. When the box next to this option is ticked means the battery percentage will be displayed in the status bar.

If you're like me, It's easier to know how much battery is left by seeing the percentage than seeing the battery icon. This option also helps me to prevent my battery run out, because when I'm seeing the battery is left only a few percent, I'll immediately recharge the battery. Well, hope it helps :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Hide or Show Hidden Pictures or Videos in Gallery App in Android 4.4 Kitkat

A few days ago, my Samsung Galaxy S4 got update to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat via OTA. So far, it works well and doesn't cause any problem. I even like this Android version more than the previous one because this update brings some features I really like.

See also: New Options and Features in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat in the Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500

Among the new features in Android 4.4 Kitkat, there's my favourite one which will allow me to hide or show hidden pictures or videos directly from the Gallery app. For me, it's easier and simpler than if we should renaming the file name through My Files app or another third-party File manager app when we want to hide or show hidden pictures or videos, as we used to do in the previous Android version.

How to hide pictures or videos in Gallery app in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
FYI, this method only works if you're viewing Gallery app by albums. By using this option, you're allowed to hide single or multiple pictures or videos. Here are the steps:

1. Open Gallery app. By default, it's viewed by albums.
2. Tap the desired albums where the photo you wish to hide is saved.
3. Tap the Menu key then select Hide items.
4. Select the desired pictures or videos you wish to hide by ticking the box located at the top right corner in each picture.
5. Tap Done button.
6. The selected pictures or videos will be hidden and won't be shown in Gallery app.

How to show hidden pictures or videos in Gallery app in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
Make sure to view Gallery app by albums to make it works. Well, if you wish to bring back the hidden pictures or videos to the Gallery app, then you can do so by following the steps listed below:

1. Open Gallery app. By default, it's viewed by albums.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Show hidden items.
3. All your hidden pictures or videos will be displayed here.
4. Tap the Menu key then select Select items.
5. Select the desired hidden pictures or videos you wish to show by ticking the box at the top right corner in each picture.
6. Tap the Menu key then select Show items.
7. The selected hidden pictures or videos will be shown again in their original albums in Gallery app.

For the record, in Android 4.4 Kitkat, pictures or videos will remain be displayed in Gallery app though you've added (.) in front of the file name through Gallery app or My Files app. Adding (.) in front of the file name will only hide them in My Files app or other third-party File manager app, in condition that you don't enable the Show hidden files option.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Change Font Size in Messaging App in Android 4.4 Kitkat

Due to communicating via text message has been being a favourite method widely used by phone users therefore no wonder if most of phones available today usually provide a Messaging app as one of their stock apps. In Samsung Galaxy SIV, you can also find the stock Messaging app that you can use to send or receive text or multimedia messages.

See also: How to View, Reply and Forward a Text Messages in the Samsung Galaxy S4

To facilitate the user, this app has been equipped with some useful options and features, one of which is an option that will allow the user to change the font size. By using this option, you can adjust the font size according to your need.


How to adjust font size in Messaging app in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
If you wish to increase or decrease font size in Messaging app, you can do so by using both of methods listed below.

Method #1: Using Volume key
Please note that this method doesn't work when you're playing a music with Music Player app.

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the Menu key then select Settings.
3. Scroll down to find Use the volume key, and then tick the box next to this option to enable it.
4. Now, while you're in Messaging app to read/reply/forward/compose a text message, you can use the Volume up key to increase the font size and the Volume down key to decrease the font size.

Method #2: Using the Font Size option
You can find the Font size option by tapping the Menu key when you're reading/replying/forwarding/composing a text message. As the example, here are the steps to adjust font size when you're reading a text message:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap the required text message you want to read.
3. Tap the Menu key then select Font size.
4. Here you can find some options available, they are:
• Use device font sizes: select this option if you want to use the default font size used by your phone. If you don't know how to change the font size in your phone, you can see the complete steps here.
• Tiny
• Small
• Normal
• Large
• Huge
5. All messages in the opened conversation will be displayed with the selected font size.

For the record, this option only changes the font size in Messaging app in your phone, so it won't affect your outgoing messages. All outgoing messages will be displayed with the default font size in the other phones.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to See Android 4.4.2 Kitkat Easter Egg Animation

Each Android version has their own names and mascots, but their names usually take from the dessert name in alphabetical order, for instance Android 4.3 was named with Jelly Bean and the newest version Android 4.4 is named Kitkat.

See also: New Options and Features in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat in the Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500

As we all know that each Android version brings their own Easter egg animations, so does with the newest version Android 4.4 Kitkat. Given I've updated my phone to this Android version, then in this post I'll show you how to see Easter egg animation of Android 4.4 Kitkat and how it looks like.

How to see Easter egg animation in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap More tab.
3. Scroll down to find About Device, then tap it.
4. Tap Android version rapidly 5 times or so.
5. You'll see a letter K in big size (K is for Kitkat) displayed in the middle of the screen.
6. Long tap the letter K then you'll see a word of Android in the middle of the screen and the android version at the bottom of the screen.
7. Long tap the word "Android" in the middle of the screen to display Android 4.4.2 Kitkat animation. Here you can see all Android mascots (Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean and of course Kitkat) displayed inside colourful boxes. You can play with them by tapping a box then it'll move to another place.

Well, though Easter egg animations is not a feature, but it's always fun to see and play with them once we have managed updating the phone with the new Android version.

Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable and Use Single Tap Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

As I've written in the previous post that I finally got the newest update Android 4.4.2 Kitkat on my Samsung Galaxy SIV via OTA. So far, it works well and hasn't given me an error yet. I even love this version more than the previous one because it gives me some new features I really like.

See also: New Options and Features in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat in Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500

Once my phone was successfully updated, I did quick explore in the Settings menu and I impressed with some new options, one of which is called Single tap mode. This feature will allow you to dismiss/snooze alarm or timer alerts and accept/reject incoming call simply by single tapping the on-screen icon, so you don't need to swipe anymore :)

How to enable or disable single tap mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat?
Below are the steps to do so:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Scroll down to find Accessibility, then tap it.
4. Depending on your current settings, tap Single tap mode to enable or disable this option. When the box next to this option is ticked means this option is enabled.

How to use single tap mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat?
Once you activated single tap mode, now you can dismiss your alarm and timer alerts by single tapping the on-screen icon, and also when you receive an incoming call you can single tap the Accept call icon (Green phone circled) to accept the call or single tap the Reject call icon (Red phone circled) to reject the call.


I personally like this option because single tap the on-screen icon is more comfort than swipe it to the certain direction. So, for me it's now simpler and easier than before :)

Samsung Galaxy S4: New Options and Features in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat in GT-I9500

Today, I received a notification of a new update firmware available via OTA in my Samsung Galaxy SIV GT-I9500, I updated it and now I have a new Android 4.4.2 Kitkat. At the first glance, I noticed that this newest Android version had soft colour than the previous one. Here, I'll share you some new options and features available in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat.

Lock screen and Home screen

1. All Icons on the status bar are now black and white
   For example: if in Android 4.3 the color of the battery icon was green, now it's white and so do the other icons.
2. Full screen cover art in lock screen
   If you play a music with the Music player app, the cover art will be displayed in full screen in the lock screen.

New options and features on Settings menu

1. Camera shortcut only on lock screen
   Aside from displaying custom shortcut or not, now you have one more option to display camera shortcut only in the bottom of your lock screen.
2. Samsung applications section in Sound settings
   This section will allow you to customize ringtone/notification separately for Call, Message, Email and S Planner in one place.
3. No background color option in Power saving menu
   I don't know why this option is removed, but in the previous Android version, this option often made users have problem with background colour in Email and Browser app.
4. Single tap mode
   It allows you to dismiss/snooze alarms, calendar events, and timer alerts as well as allows you to answer or reject incoming calls with a single tap. I really like this option, no need to swipe the on-screen icon anymore :D
5. Show Talkback option in accessibility shortcut
   When accessibility shortcut is enabled, you're allowed to display accessibility shortcut or Talkback shortcut or both of them. Well, I think it will help a lot especially if you've managed enable Talkback mode accidentally because Talkback option in accessibility shortcut will make you more easier and faster to get out from this mode, compared when you should struggling swiping the screen using two fingers and select an option using double tap to go to the Talkback option through the Settings menu.
6. Manage accessibility
   It allows you to import/export/update your accessibility settings or share them with other devices via NFC.
7. Magnification gestures
   When this feature is activated, you will be allowed to zoom in and out by triple tapping the screen. While zoomed in, you can pan and adjust zoom level. This option also allows you to temporarily magnify what is under your finger by triple tapping and then holding your finger on the screen.
8. Colour adjustment
   This option will allow you to adjust the colour if the current colour makes you difficult to read your phone's contents.
9. Notification reminder
   It allows you to set intervals to remind you of any unread notifications, so no more missed notifications.
10. Google subtitles (CC)
11. Samsung subtitles (CC)
12. Assistant menu
    Enabling this option will improve device accessibility for users with reduced dexterity by displaying quick menu. Here, you can also set to place quick menu in the right or in the left side of the screen.
13. Interaction control
    When this option is enabled, you're allowed to enable or disable motions and screen time out as well as block certain areas of the screen in an app that is currently opened by pressing and holding Home key and the Volume down key at the same time.
14. 3x4 keyboard
    It's an old feature that removed in Android 4.3. Some insiders said that they missed this feature so much.
15. New looks of the Locations option
    Service locations option is now give an option to select locating methods. This menu also displays apps that currently request location information.
16. Default applications
    This option displays apps you've set as default for certain action. It'll make you more faster and easier to switch between apps available that has the same function.
17. Some options in Developer mode
18. New Easter egg animation
    If you can see a big "Bean" in Android Jelly Bean, now in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat you can see the Big "K" and "his friends" in your screen as its Easter egg animation. I love this one :) But, when I see the animation, it's like I'm seeing a Windows Phone interface :D

New options and features in Apps menu and in the apps

1. Hidden/Show hidden apps option in Apps menu is now unavailable
   Now you're only allowed either to uninstall third-party apps or disabled stock apps.
2. Show disabled apps in Apps menu
   It allows you to display all disabled apps quickly from the Apps menu.
3. Hidden items/Show hidden items in Gallery app
   While you're viewing an album, you can hide single or multiple items (photos or videos). This of course will much more easier than if you should rename the file name through My Files app to hide them. When you've had hidden items, you can also show them all using this options.
4. Quick font size option in Messaging app
   While you're displaying thread, compose a new message, reply or forward a message, you can easily find the option to adjust font size simply by tapping the Menu key.
5. Default messaging app
   This option allows you to select your default messaging app.
6. Accu weather in S Planner
   It allows you to display weather forecast in each date in S Planner.
7. Capture while watching video in Video Player
   Enabling this option allows you to display a capture icon while you're watching a video. You can use this icon to capture the video easily whenever you want.
8. New looks of the sub menu in Youtube app
   If you explore Youtube menu by tapping three-horizontal-lines icon in the left side of Youtube icon, you'll notice that they're different with the old ones.

I personally have some features I really like in Android 4.4.2, such as single tap mode, 3x keyboard, Kitkat Easter egg, hide Gallery items. So, if you've had updated your Samsung Galaxy S4 to Android 4.4.2 Kitkat and discovered a new option that has not been listed in the list above, I'll really appreciate if you willing to share them with us through the comment below :)