[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Guides, News, & Discussion] Paras Lehana:
Device Settings Menu Guide, Tips & Discussions

Part 4 - Advanced features, Device maintenance, Apps​

If you're new to this series or want to see the index, please read the Introductory Post first.​

Advanced features > S Pen

This section is exclusive to Note series so you should definitely give some time exploring it.

S Pen remote: Displays availability of the S Pen and its charging level. Configure Pen button actions for each compatible App and master control. I've tweaked it a little bit to make 'Scroll up/down' for Chrome and 'Single press' to 'Skip' while 'Double press' to 'Play/Pause' for Music. You can always tap 'Reset S Pen' in Menu in case you want to get back the default settings.

Unlock with S Pen remote: If enabled, you can unlock your phone with your S Pen in case it was taken out while the device was unlocked. In case you've enabled it, please keep an eye on your S Pen.

Screen off memo: Very useful when enabled. Here you can change the colour from the signature colour to classical white. I like the golden colour that comes with the Ocean Blue. However, this golden colour may seem weird to you when you open S Notes with the white background so you can force display Black text in S Note app itself that keeps the golden colour while writing.

Air view; Direct pen input; Pointer; Shortcuts: Very useful features. Review them. 'Learn about S Pen features' on the bottom or watch this 30-min video.

Floating icon: I don't like any over-the-screen icons so have disabled it. You can always open the Shortcuts menu by tapping the S Pen button while it's near the screen. I've also set 'Do nothing' 'when S Pen is removed'.

Alarm: Works when the screen is off since if it's on, you probably be using the remote feature.

Power saver: Although it's enabled for me, internet says it has negligible battery effects. If disabled, the device won't allow you to use another S Pen if your device's one is inside.

Sound; Vibration: Enabled since I don't like accidents. 'Oper Air command' in 'Removal' also helps in this case.

Advanced features

Accessories: Enable 'Fast wireless charging' here.

Smart stay: Too many ideal conditions required for it to work and may take a lot of battery power. Disabled.

Games: Explore 'Game Launcher' after enabling it from here. You can also hide your games from appearing in the menu while they are categorized by Game Launcher.

One-handed mode: A much-needed feature when you're OTG (on-the-go). I had changed the 'Gesture' to 'Button' after accidentally enabling this mode many times. On Pie, if you hide the navigation bar, you cannot check 'Button' mode anymore. OHM is also a shortcut in my Edge panel that is easily accessible from one hand.

Finger sensor gestures: Open/close notification panel or launch Samsung Pay using the fingerprint sensor. Make this a habit. Looks cool.

Device assistance app: Set to Google. Explore settings for the DAA - it was really cool to see Hindi (India) as an option there. Analyzing on-screen text/images is a very useful feature. Read the guide here and here on how to use Google Assistant like a pro.

Multi window: One of the best features and legacy of Samsung and for Note, it's a must-use one. By default, you can use SSV (Split screen view) by selecting it for the required app in recents. 'Use Recents button' is much faster. 'Pop-up view action' can interfere if you generally drag down the notification panel from near the corners (enabled for me).

Smart capture: Very useful screenshot features that you may need just after capturing one. Enabled.

Palm swipe to capture: I never bothered about it but with Note9, I started using it to save presses on my hardware buttons as well not needing to pick up the device in case I want a screenshot.

Direct call; Smart alert; Easy mute; Swipe to call or send messages: Tradional and useful Samsung features. All enabled.

Dual Messenger: You can use two seperate accounts for compatible apps (WhatsApp, Facebook) and restrict your contacts for the second ones. Suggested in case you have multiple accounts. For more James Bond feel, use 'Secure Folder'.

Panic mode: Can be helpful before you try show your Ninja Skills. However, I have accidently triggered it many times and since sending photos is enabled, it's kinda wierd! Still Enabled.

Direct Share: Helps you save an extra tap while sharing something. Ninja guide here.

Video Enhancer: Helps you flaunt the best screen more. In case you are not the natural-colours kind of, Enabled.

Touch sensitivity: In case you use screen protectors or live in Antarctica (gloves), Enabled. Disabled for me.

Device Care

Info: Add a home screen or edge panel shortcut to it as it's gonna be really useful. Tap 'Optimize Now' once in a while. It includes the virus scanning, memory cleaning, storage cleaning and battery optimization. Read below for more on these.

Battery:

Battery Usage: Do review this once in a while in order to identify culprits. 'Refresh' for real-time monitoring. In ideal case, all of your compatible apps should be set to 'Optimise battery usage'. In case any of them not working fine in the background and you need them to, disable the optimization for the app.

Power saving mode: Try all the modes (MID/MAX) once before you get into the Bear Grylls mode. MID will help you while you're travelling while MAX when you want to extend that last single digit juice. Do you want me share my settings?

App power monitor: When you tap 'Save Power', you manually make the apps 'Sleep'. They may wake themselves up again.

Unmonitored apps; Always sleeping apps: Select the apps you want always/never be able to run in the background.

Menu > Advanced Settings:

Notification settings: Get notified for 'unused apps' for days you specify in 'App power monitor' (disabled), 'Battery-draining apps' (enabled) and 'Unstable apps' (enabled).

App power monitor: Monitors apps to prevent excessive usage. You can 'Put unused apps to sleep' and specify the 'sleep delay' to let the feature automatically sleepify your apps (enabled, 1 day).

Fast cable/wireless charging: Enable or disable fast charging. You can disable 'Fast cable charging' in case you more often charge it overnight.

Performance Mode: Customize profiles for phone's performance (Screen resolution, Video Enhancer, UHQ upscaler, Game Launcher). You can then toggle these modes from the notification panel.

Storage: Love to see 512 GB here but only when it's the denominator. You can clean unnecessary data here by tapping 'Clean' or you can use apps like Files Go or SD Maid. User Data is also categorized so you can review and remove files of different types. 'Storage settings' summarizes device storage and you can tap the items to get to respective apps or apps settings. 'Get more space' helps you to delete Large, Unused, Duplicate and Unnecessary files.

Memory: Tap 'Clean Now' to clear your RAM. Likewise, for battery, these apps may appear here again.

Device Security: The virus scanning is powered by McAfee. Since it's disabled by default, enabling it never hurts.

Apps

All of your apps settings including Usage, Battery, Storage (Clear Data/Cache), Uninstalling and Force stopping, Notifications settings, Permissions, Defaults and Version/App details in store. I use 'Sort by size' with 'Show system apps' to occasionally review the apps taking the most storage. Change your 'Default apps', 'App permissions' and 'Special access' in the Menu. You can set 'set default apps automatically' as well. In 'Set as default', I've disabled 'Open links in app' even if they're not installed since I get annoyed when I have not installed an app because I want to browse on Chrome only (reduce usage of separate apps whenever possible). Read about 'Instant Apps' here (you can use these even without installing them). In case you mess up with the defaults and notifications, tap 'Reset app preferences'.