Samsung makes some of the best Android handsets out there, but there are a few settings that discerning users should change straight away on Galaxy devices.
Many of these settings revolve around default Samsung apps (Samsung is very keen for you to use Samsung apps for everything, and it’s not always the best choice).
Others help to make Samsung phones work faster and more easily (including by enabling iPhone-style gestures, which are off by default.
DailyMail.com has tested all of these tips on an up-to-date Z Flip 5 handset, but be aware it’s possible that some older devices may work slightly differently.
If you’re using a Samsung device, there are a few settings you should change right now (Shutterstock)
Make the off button work properly
By default the off button summons Samsung’s personal assistant Bixby (Samsung/Rob Waugh)
The ‘off’ button on the side of Samsung phones doesn’t actually turn the phone off on its default setting, instead launching Samsung’s unpopular voice assistant Bixby.
Many phone manufacturers have made it significantly more difficult to turn off your device in recent years, so Samsung isn’t alone in this.
Thankfully, it’s easy to remedy: Settings > Advanced features > Side key, and change it from ‘Wake Bixby’ to ‘Power off menu.’
Make browsing easier
Change to Chrome to bring over your bookmarks, passwords and credit cards (Samsung/Rob Waugh)
By default, your Samsung Galaxy will have the Samsung Internet browser (it’s got a purple planet-like logo) – but if you use Chrome across a few devices it’s worth switching.
That means you can easily access your bookmarks and saved payment methods and so on.
To change it, go to Settings > Apps > Choose default apps and select Chrome.
Make the always-on display work
To enable a proper always-on display, select ‘Show always’ (Samsung/Rob Waugh)
What people want from an always-on display is fairly simple: the clue is in the name.
But weirdly, Samsung phones don’t deliver this, at least by default – instead, the screen wakes if you tap it.
What you need to do is go to Settings > Lock screen > Always-on Display (it’ll be set to the default Tap to Show).
Change it to Show Always and the always-on screen will now work as expected.
Add gesture navigation
By default, Samsung handsets use button navigation (Samsung/Rob Waugh)
Users of newer Android devices and iPhones are used to gesture control – but Samsung devices still keep it old school with three-button control.
It’s easy to change, though and if you’re used to a more modern control system it’s a life-saver.
Simply go to Settings > Display > Navigation bar and pick Swipe gestures. You can also adjust sensitivity to your liking in this menu.
Improve the screen
A hidden setting buried in the Motions and Gestures menu means that your screen will not turn off when you’re looking at it.
Just go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and select ‘Keep screen on while viewing’ – this means your screen won’t time out if you’re actually using it.
Get a better keyboard
Google’s keyboard Gboard is easier to use and far superior to Samsung’s default one, offering better autocorrect, better layout and better GIFs and emojis.
To install it, go to the Play Store, search Gboard and marvel at how you did without it.
Wake your phone by lifting it
You can set up your device to wake whenever you lift it (Samsung/Rob Waugh)
By default, Samsung phones require a tap on the screen to take: you can speed things up by setting your phone so it wakes when you pick it up.
To change this, go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and select ‘Lift to Wake’.
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