Samsung offers a ton of useful built-in features that many users either overlook or simply don’t know about. They might be buried deep within your phone’s settings, or perhaps they’re just not talked about enough. But trust me, once you discover these features, you’ll wonder how you ever have lived without them (yeah… I exaggerated a little but these features are honestly so useful). Let’s dive into some of the most underrated Samsung features you should know about.
Samsung OneUI features worth trying
Quick Share
Quick Share is a feature on Samsung devices that allows you to instantly send images, videos, and files to up to five people without the need for pairing devices. It’s simple, fast, and doesn’t require any third-party apps. You can find it on Android 6 and later. This feature is not limited only to Samsung phones, in fact,t it is accessible to any other Android phone, Windows, and ChromeOS.
Here’s how you can use it:
- Go to Settings > Search for Quick Share.
- Under “Who can share with you,” change it to “Everyone.”
- Enable the “Show available devices on the share panel” option (ensure Quick Share is enabled on both devices).
- Open the Gallery app, select the file, and tap the Quick Share icon. Choose the device you want to send the file to.
- On the receiving device, accept the transfer.
Moreover, for added security, you can send photos privately with a self-destruct option, meaning they’ll disappear after a set time. To do this, just tap “Turn on Private Sharing” before sending. The recipient won’t be able to screenshot or share the image, making this a great feature for sharing sensitive content.
I have been using Quick Share on my Samsung Galaxy S24 for a while now, and trust me this feature is incredibly convenient. No sign-ins, no verifications, and you know what? You don’t have to prove your phone that you are “not a robot” hahaha!
Samsung Keyboard
How do you usually type on your phone? One letter at a time? If you’re a Samsung user, you have the option to swipe/slide to type instead. It may sound strange at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s fun.
To enable this feature:
- Go to Settings > Samsung Keyboard.
- Scroll down to Swipe, Touch, and Feedback.
- Under Keyboard swipe control, change the setting from “No swipe gestures” to “Swipe to type.”
Once activated, you can swipe your finger from one letter to the next instead of tapping each key individually. It takes a little getting used to, but it can speed up your typing once you master it. This feature is available in almost every latest Samsung phone. If you ask me, I didn’t find this feature very useful and the “tuk tuk” sound on my keyboard while tapping is what makes texting fun for me.
Secure Folder
On the third of the list of built-in features, we have Samsung’s Secure Folder. This feature lets you hide photos, videos, and even apps, keeping them safe from prying eyes. The best part? No one will have the slightest hint that this folder exists on your phone. Later, you can access these hidden items by simply searching for the Secure Folder. Remember to tap “Lock and Exit” when you’re done to keep everything secure.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Go to Settings > Secure Folder.
- Tap “Continue” and log into your Samsung account (or create one).
- Follow the prompts to set up your folder and choose your preferred lock type.
- Now, you can move photos, videos, or apps to the Secure Folder by selecting the items in your Gallery and tapping the three dots in the top-right corner. Choose “Move to Secure Folder.”
- To add apps, open the Secure Folder, tap the plus icon, and select the apps you want to add.
This feature is available in One UI 2.0 and later. Secure Folder is preloaded on Samsung and onwards and for other devices running Android N (the seventh major version and 14th original version of the Android), it can be downloaded from Google Play or Galaxy Apps.
Samsung Find
If you are someone (like me) who leaves the phone literally anywhere and realizes it’s missing after a while, Samsung Find can be a lifesaver. You can locate your phone, even if it’s in silent mode, and it works with other Samsung devices as well. For this, you will need to log into Samsung Find on your other device. (your personal laptop maybe).
Here’s how to use it:
- Visit samsungfind.samsung.com and log in with your Samsung account.
- Choose your lost device and hit “Ring” to make it sound off, so you can track it down.
This feature is available on phones running on One UI 2 (Android Q OS) or later. Furthermore, if your phone is lost or stolen, you can use this feature to remotely lock your device or erase your data, ensuring your personal information stays safe.
Wireless Power Share
This is one of the most useful features of Samsung phones I have seen. The Wireless Power Share will let you charge your other devices using your Samsung phone. YES, NOT THE CHARGER BUT YOUR PHONE! This feature is available on one UI 6 later and Android 14 update. Only devices that support wireless charging can be charged using this feature (even compatible with iOS). Here’s how you can activate this feature:
- Settings < Battery < Wireless Power Sharing
- Turn on the sharing button.
- Now you can share your phone’s charge with any other device.
Some additional features
- Samsung DeX: Allows your mobile to connect with your PC giving you the big screen experience with the same apps you use on your phone every day.
- Always On Display (AOD): Displays key information like the time, notifications, and calendar events without needing to wake up the phone.
- Samsung Health: Tracks your physical activity, sleep, and heart rate, and provides fitness challenges and health insights
- Samsung Knox: A multi-layered security feature that protects your device from malware and unauthorized access.
- One-Handed Mode: Reduces the screen size for easier one-handed use, especially on larger phones.
- Adaptive Battery: Learns your usage patterns and limits battery power to apps you don’t use frequently, helping extend battery life.
Final thoughts
Samsung’s phones come with so many hidden built-in features, and these are just a few of the ones I think deserve more attention. From easier file sharing to better security and tracking, these underrated features can truly enhance your user experience. So, the next time you use your Samsung device, take a moment to explore these features—you’ll be glad you did! However, it is important to note that some budget phones of Samsung use One UI core instead of Samsung UI, which might not support the features mentioned above.
- Meanwhile, watch our Samsung Galaxy S24 FE review: