Personalizing Your Samsung Galaxy Phone: 10 Essential Settings to Enhance Your Experience
I’ve been vocal about my fondness for Samsung’s One UI 7, and for good reason – it’s fast, responsive, and intuitive. However, to truly make your Samsung Galaxy phone shine, you need to personalize it to your liking. In this article, I’ll share the top 10 settings I recommend changing to elevate your Galaxy phone experience, along with a bonus tip to get the most out of your device.
1. Turn Off Pop-up Notifications for a Distraction-Free Experience
I find pop-up notifications to be distracting, especially when I’m in the middle of reading or texting. To turn them off, go to Notifications > Notification pop-up style > Apps to show as brief > Toggle off All apps. This simple change will help you stay focused on what matters.
2. Switch to Gesture Navigation for a More Intuitive Experience
Unless you’re setting up your new Samsung Galaxy phone from an older model, it defaults to the older three-button navigation system. I find Android’s gesture navigation more intuitive, with everything just a swipe away. To switch, go to Settings > Display > Navigation bar > Swipe gestures.
3. Set Your Screen Resolution to the Highest Available
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts an exceptional display, but it’s not set to the highest resolution by default. To get the best display experience, go to Settings > Display > Screen resolution. This may use more battery, but the Ultra is an efficient smartphone that can handle it.
4. Change the Side Key’s Function to Suit Your Needs
The side key, formerly known as the power button, can be customized to offer a power menu. To do this, go to Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Long Press > Power off menu. This change will give you quicker access to the features you use most.
5. Adjust Lock Screen Notifications for Enhanced Privacy
One UI 7 has changed how notifications appear on your lock screen. To change this, go to Settings > Notifications > Lock screen notifications > Cards. I also recommend hiding sensitive notification content on the lock screen for added privacy.
6. Sign in or Sign Up for a Samsung Account
Having a Samsung account is essential for getting the most out of your Galaxy phone. It provides access to features like Samsung Wallet, Samsung’s password manager, and seamless transfer between devices. Sign up or sign in to unlock these benefits.
7. Install the Good Lock App for Exclusive Features
The Good Lock app, available on the Galaxy Store, offers a range of Samsung-exclusive features. I recommend installing it to access features like Home Up, which includes a One Hand Operation+ function. This app will enhance your overall user experience.
8. Uninstall Bloatware to Free Up Space
Samsung Galaxy phones come with pre-installed apps that you may not use. Uninstall or disable these apps to free up memory and declutter your device. I recommend uninstalling apps like TV, CoPilot, Facebook, and OneDrive if you don’t use them.
9. Customize Your Home Screen for a Personalized Look
Samsung offers excellent widgets, including a customizable Calendar widget. I recommend placing it on your home screen for easy access to your schedule. You can also change your icon grid to a 5×5 layout and apply your wallpaper color tones to app icons for a more cohesive look.
10. Fix Always-On Display for Quick Glances
The Always-On display on Samsung phones is a convenient feature that shows the time, day, and date. To enable it, go to Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Always-on Display > Always. You can choose to display your wallpaper or a black screen to conserve battery life.
Bonus: Revert Changes to the Notification Panel
Samsung’s new notification panel design may not be to everyone’s liking. To revert to the previous design, swipe down from the top right corner of the home screen > Pencil icon > Panel Settings > Together. This will give you access to notifications under Quick Settings, just like before.
By implementing these 10 essential settings and the bonus tip, you’ll be able to personalize your Samsung Galaxy phone to suit your needs and preferences. Remember to explore and adjust other settings to get the most out of your device. Happy customizing!
