Samsung Galaxy smartphones are packed with powerful features that go beyond the basics. While many users stick to default settings, enabling a few lesser-known options can significantly enhance your experience — improving call clarity, reducing distractions, extending battery life, and making the phone more intuitive to use.
In this article, we’ll walk you through 10 essential Samsung Galaxy settings you should enable right now to make your phone smarter, more efficient, and more enjoyable to use.
1. Improve Call Quality with Mic Mode
If you often take calls in noisy environments, such as near traffic or construction sites, Mic Mode is a game-changer. During any phone call, swipe down from the top of the screen, tap on Mic Mode, and change it from Standard to Voice Focus.
What it does:
This mode filters out background noise, so your voice is clearer to the person on the other end of the call.
2. Minimize Distractions with Call Display Pop-Ups
By default, incoming calls take over the entire screen—even if you’re in the middle of reading or watching something. To avoid interruptions:
- Open the Phone app
- Tap the three dots ➜ Settings
- Go to Call Display While Using Apps
- Change it from Full Screen to Small Popup
- Also enable Keep calls in popup
Benefit: You can continue using your phone without being completely interrupted by an incoming call.
3. Control Useless Notifications with Notification Categories
Don’t let unnecessary alerts hijack your attention. Samsung lets you control notifications by category for each app.
To enable:
- Go to Settings ➜ Notifications ➜ Advanced Settings
- Turn on Manage notification categories for each app
Now, for any app (e.g., Instagram):
- Long-press the app icon ➜ Tap the (i) icon ➜ Notifications ➜ Notification Categories
- Disable unimportant alerts like likes or promotions, and only keep the essential ones like DMs or calls.
4. Keep the Screen On While Viewing
If your screen dims or locks while you’re reading or viewing content without touching the screen, try this:
- Go to Settings ➜ Display
- Scroll down to Screen Timeout
- Enable Keep screen on while viewing
Your phone uses the front camera to detect your face and keeps the screen awake while you’re looking at it.
5. Use Lock Screen Widgets for Quick Actions
Lock screen widgets give you access to powerful shortcuts without unlocking your phone. You can set up widgets for features like camera modes, voice recording, or other tasks.
To enable:
- Tap and hold on the lock screen ➜ Authenticate ➜ Tap on Widgets
- Add widgets like Custom Camera or Voice Recorder
- For camera, choose a specific mode (e.g., slow motion, pro video) to launch directly
Now you can launch specific actions in a tap—without ever unlocking your phone.
6. Customize Lock Screen Shortcuts
By default, Samsung gives you Phone and Camera shortcuts on the lock screen. But you can change these to something more useful, like:
- Flashlight
- QR Scanner
- Do Not Disturb
- Or any app of your choice
To edit:
- Long press the lock screen ➜ Authenticate ➜ Tap a shortcut ➜ Choose a new action or app ➜ Tap Done
7. Improve Biometrics for Better Unlocking
If Face or Fingerprint unlock fails sometimes, try these fixes:
For Face Recognition:
- Go to Settings ➜ Security and Privacy ➜ Screen Lock and Biometrics
- Tap Face Recognition
- Enable Brighten Screen (helps in low-light, but may be too bright at night)
For Fingerprint:
- Go to Fingerprint Settings
- Register your main finger twice (e.g., right thumb)
- This provides more data and increases accuracy
8. Let Your Phone Announce and Accept Calls by Voice
If your hands are full—like while cooking or gardening—this setting lets your phone read out the caller’s name and answer/reject using voice commands.
Step 1:
- Go to Phone App ➜ Settings ➜ Answering and Ending Calls
- Enable Read caller names aloud ➜ Set it to Always
Step 2:
- Launch the Bixby app (install from Galaxy Store if not available)
- Go to Bixby Settings ➜ Enable Talk to Bixby without wake-up
Now you can say:
- “Answer phone”
- “Reject call”
Your phone will even go into speaker mode for hands-free talking.
Final Thoughts
Samsung Galaxy phones are incredibly feature-rich. Activating just a few of these hidden gems can dramatically improve how your device works day to day. From better calls to distraction-free usage, from enhanced biometrics to smart lock screen actions—these small tweaks make a big difference.
Try them out and personalize your device like a pro!
Tags:
Samsung Galaxy tips, smartphone tricks, call quality improvement, Android customization, Galaxy lock screen, notification control, screen timeout fix, fingerprint accuracy, face unlock, Bixby voice commands, Android how-to, mobile productivity
Hashtags:
#SamsungGalaxy #AndroidTips #SmartphoneHacks #GalaxyFeatures #TechTutorial #BixbyVoice #LockScreenWidgets #NotificationControl #FingerprintTips #FaceUnlock
Disclaimer:
This article is based on features available in Samsung Galaxy smartphones running One UI. The availability of some features may vary based on your phone model or software version. Always ensure your device is updated to the latest software version for best compatibility.
