Samsung
These 20 things (settings) will improve your new Galaxy S25, S25+, or S25 Ultra

You’ve received a new Galaxy S25 device with pre-tuned software and optimized settings for the first use. However, the phone has plenty of room for improvement and this tweak guide will help you to make it more interactive. These 20 things (settings) will improve your new Galaxy S25, S25+, or S25 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra packs bring One UI 7 out of the box and major additions to this One UI version will be visible at first glance.
Aside from new features, the home screen, apps, actions, and others need manual tuning. So, we’ve picked 20 settings you can change to improve the Samsung Galaxy S25 series smartphone user experience.
- Connect Google and Samsung account
- Download app updates
- Auto updates
- Check software updates
- Check Google Play system update
- Swipe gestures
- Vertical app drawer
- App drawer button
- Screen timeout
- Unified quick settings panel
- Quick switch gesture
- Now bar
- Now brief
- Battery widget
- Accidental touch protection
- Auto restart
- Video brightness
- Find app and device protection
- Edge panel
- Battery protection
1. Connect Google and Samsung accounts
It’s part of the device setup and if you haven’t already, get these two accounts logged into your S25. A Samsung account will keep track of your devices and cloud services as well as a warranty.
S25 series has Google apps and services such as Play Store, which requires a Gmail account. Once logged in, you can also get a better experience by importing Chrome and YouTube user data or managing your subscriptions.
2. Update apps
Your S25 device may have pending app updates. The phone might start auto-update when you connect to Wi-Fi during setup. However, you should verify the app updates with the following instructions. App updates bring compatibility and stability improvements, essential components for a better user experience.
Here’s how to check for app updates
Play store
- Manage apps and device
- Updates
- Check the updates and download
Galaxy Store
- Menu
- Updates
- Download the latest updates on the screen
3. Auto update
There’s one better way to keep all of your S25’s app updates on check by enabling auto app updates.
Play Store
- Settings
- Network preference
- Auto-update apps
- Select auto update mode
Galaxy Store
- Menu
- Settings
- Auto update apps
- Select the update mode
4. Check software update
Similar to the app updates, the device receives new software updates with features and performance improvement with over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Give it a check with the following instructions:
- Settings
- Software update
- Download and Install
5. Google Play Protect update
This update will improve the Android OS features and security for Google apps and services for your S25 device.
To check the latest Play Protect update go to:
- Settings
- Security and privacy
- Updates
- Google Play system update
- Restart or Download
The device will restart and you can try to check another pending Play update. Google releases these updates once a month, they might be installed automatically but we suggest you download them as soon as you can.
6. Swipe Gestures
The Galaxy S25 series comes with virtual navigation buttons but gestures speed up screen interactions. You can swipe up, left, right, and slide to change opened apps and do more. Here’s how you can enable swipe gestures.
- Open Settings
- Display
- Navigation bar
- Select Swipe gestures

Swipe Gestures
7. Vertical App Drawer
Your S25 is set to horizontal app drawer but One UI 7.0 allows you to set it vertical and scroll all installed apps. Set the app drawer to vertical with the following steps
- Swipe up from the home screen
- Select the three dots on the search bar
- Tap Sort
- Alphabetical order
- That’s it

Vertical App Drawer
8. App drawer button
Samsung One UI can even simplify the app drawer access with an app screen shortcut. This old-school Galaxy feature can be enabled via:
- Settings
- Home screen
- Tap the Show App screen button on the home screen
You can reorganize this button similar to any other app icon.
9. Screen timeout
The default screen time is set to 30 seconds and you can switch it to 1 minute, or take it down to 15 seconds. Do this by entering
- Settings
- Display
- Screen timeout
You can also enable the screen while viewing feature to keep the screen on as long as you use the phone.
10. Unified Quick Settings Panel
The Galaxy S25 series has separate notification and quick settings panels. Yet, an option will let you unify quick settings and notifications.
Open the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top right. Tap the edit (pen) button, select “Panel settings” and then “Together”.
That’s it.
11. Quick switch gesture:
If you decide to use a separate quick and notifications panel, a swipe gesture from left to right or right to left can be used for a fast switch.
12. Now Bar
Galaxy S25 series has a Now Bar feature to keep you posted with important tasks from the lock screen.
However, you can enable or disable any supported Now Bar from appearing on the lock screen, via Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Now bar > Select apps and notifications that you want to enable or disable.
13. Now Brief
Now Brief is a new feature that uses AI to detect and suggest actions throughout the day. You can select content to see in your Now Brief from the settings.
14. Battery Widget
You can know more about the connected devices including smartphones, smartwatches, Galaxy rings, and earbuds right from the home screen.
You can add a battery widget by closing two fingers inward on the home screen, selecting Widgets, and Battery.
15. Accidental touch protection
Those slim bezels improve the viewing experience but might create a hard time while holding the device and Accidental touch protection could save the day.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > Display and then Accidental Touch Protection.
16. Auto Restart
The phone could face errors if it is going on a long time without a restart. The S25 series equips an auto-optimization feature, which closes background apps and cleans memory to keep the phone smooth.
Go to Settings > Device care > Auto optimization and select Auto restart. Here you can choose to restart when needed or schedule the restart on a specific day and time.
17. Video brightness
Your new flagship has a bright display but the software keeps it down to normal brightness. However, you can choose to increase the brightness for specific apps as soon as the phone detects an active video playback.
You can enable this feature via – Settings > Advanced features > Video brightness.
18. Find app and Device Protection
This is an all-in-one app to keep your Samsung devices in check. It helps you to locate, ring, check battery status, and navigate to connected devices. You can also share your live location with your family and friends.
Open the Find app from the Samsung folder (or search) and provide all setup permissions to get things running.
Separately, you can increase the phone’s lost and theft protection by enabling Send last location from Find My Mobile settings.
Also, check the Theft protection to require a series of measures to guard the device’s sensitive credentials and lock the screen if your phone is stolen.
19. Edge panel
Edge panel works as a favorite app hub hanging on the home screen’s corner. You can change its position on the left and right side. Or you should remove the default app selection and add your favorite ones in the edge panel.
20. Battery protection
Your smartphone has a battery protection feature with three settings that you can tweak to see better battery performance. Choose one that suits you best.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy S25 devices have a bunch of settings to explore but these are 20 things you should check first to get a better user experience.
These are some essential settings, please check our S25 series section to get more tips and information about this new Samsung flagship.
Samsung
Samsung helps developers with cloud gaming platform

Samsung is advancing the mobile gaming world with its new cloud gaming platform, making it easier for game developers to reach more players and earn more money. Launched in North America in November 2024, this platform allows players to play games instantly without waiting for downloads.
A good example of this success is Klondike Adventures, a game by the developer VIZOR. After joining Samsung’s cloud gaming platform in July 2024, VIZOR saw huge growth in players. They gained millions of new players and found that their ad campaigns on Samsung’s platform were 25% more effective than other campaigns.
Helen Kostina, the Chief Marketing Officer at VIZOR, said the results were better than expected and that they would continue using Samsung’s platform to reach even more players.
Samsung’s platform also includes a new way to measure ad performance. In the past, developers tracked ads by counting how many people downloaded their game. But with cloud gaming, players don’t need to download the game, which makes this tracking method outdated. To solve this, Samsung worked with AppsFlyer to create a new system that tracks players’ actions even if they don’t install the game.
Samsung works well with the Galaxy Store, so developers can use Samsung’s tools to build and launch games quickly. Starting in May 2025, Samsung will also offer developers a new 80/20 revenue share, allowing them to keep more of the profits.
One UI
Using Galaxy S23? Here’s everything you need to know about One UI 7.0 update

Samsung will elevate Galaxy S23 series experiences with One UI 7.0 update. The long-delayed software is finally scheduled to be among the public, starting the first week of April 2025.
Beta Program has just gone public, but the availability is quite limited. As soon as the Stable update’s rollout begins, millions of Galaxy S23 users will benefit from the advancements.
Here’s everything you need to know about One UI 7.0 update
Galaxy S23’s One UI 7 Beta Program
Samsung started Galaxy S23’s One UI 7 Beta Program in early March 2025. Beta participants have also received the first Beta update, which is free from any severe problems.
The second Beta update is likely as the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 have recently received the One UI 7 Beta 2, which was an early arrival as compared to the delays with the Galaxy S24 series.
Samsung originally kicked off the One UI 7 Beta Program in early December 2024. The Galaxy S24 series users have received five big and two Hotfix Beta updates so far.

Galaxy S23 Ultra (left), S24 Ultra (middle), S25 Ultra (right)
One UI 7.0 Update – Release Date
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series is the first contender for the Stable One UI 7.0 update. However, the users of the Galaxy S23 series need less time to spend in Beta activity before jumping to Stable.
Galaxy S23’s One UI 7 Beta Program would be ended in April this year. The stable rollout starts April 7, with the Galaxy S23 series also joining the party with One UI 7 in the same month.
Samsung has officially announced that starting April 7, the official One UI 7.0 rollout will begin, which will be expanding to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the following weeks.
What new changes & features the One UI 7.0 will bring?
Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming to your Galaxy S23.
One UI 7.0 update will debut plenty of new features for your Galaxy S23 smartphone. Galaxy AI will also be upgraded with more advanced and useful capabilities to enhance the user experience.
Samsung’s Android 15-based One UI 7 skin introduces a blend of personalization, convenience, and creativity tailored to enhance how you interact with your device.
One UI 7.0 gives your phone a clean, new style that’s easy on the eyes. The home screen is simpler, the widgets look nicer, and you can change the lock screen however you like. Want your Galaxy S23 to feel totally yours?
Now Bar will offer live updates at a glance. With AI Select, you can swipe the Edge Panel, tap an icon, and turn a video into a GIF without switching apps. Writing Assist helps too—it can shorten the text or fix it up nicely, great for notes or messages.
Drawing Assist lets you mix text, pictures, or sketches to create something fun. However, the AI-powered Audio Eraser won’t be provided due to hardware limitations. Natural language search is highly likely to be deployed in system Settings.
One UI
Using Galaxy S24? Here’s everything you need to know about the One UI 7.0 update

One UI 7.0 isn’t just an update but an upgrade for Galaxy S24 series users. Samsung has cleared the clouds of uncertainties by announcing the exact One UI 7.0 release date for all the flagship smartphones released in 2024.
Users of the Galaxy S24 series have been awaiting the One UI 7.0 upgrade for months. Their wait is now set to end in the month of April when the South Korean tech giant kicks off the official software update’s distribution worldwide.
One UI 7.0 will reinvent your Galaxy S24
One UI 7 comes with a simple, impactful and emotive design.
As far as the user interface is concerned, One UI 7 is a massive upgrade over the One UI 6. You get revamped Quick Settings, Notification Panel, rounded elements, brand new icons, and a lot more.
The latest version turned nearly every Samsung icon dynamic with a new appearance. Vertical scrolling Apps Screen has also become the first choice of a large portion of Galaxy users.
Samsung has also filled the One UI 7 with advanced intelligence, bringing the dynamic Now Bar, Live Notifications for plenty of apps, and Dynamic Island-inspired live activities.
Here’s a glimpse:

One UI 7 notifications and quick settings panel
What new features are coming?
I’ve been using One UI 7 on my Galaxy S24 Ultra for a bit now, and it’s changed how I interact with my Galaxy phone. The whole look and feel are cleaner—like, the home screen doesn’t overwhelm me anymore.
The home screen is less cluttered now, and I’ve been able to tweak the redesigned widgets and lock screen to fit exactly how I use my device. It’s intuitive—everything just flows better.
One feature I’ve found myself relying on is the Now Bar on the lock screen. Enhanced iterations of Writing Assist and Drawing Assist set to be available on existing Samsung phones.

One UI 7 Now Bar Timer Activity
Brand new feature additions include Live Notifications, Now Bar, AI Select and Audio Eraser. One UI 7 is deeply integrated with Gemini, offering recommendations in one seamless interaction.
Edge Panel now boasts an AI Select feature, which streamlines sharing content a breeze. Natural language search will be available in Settings so you don’t have to mess with those technical terms.
One UI 7.0 Release Date – Official
In early March, Samsung confirmed that the One UI 7 update will be available from April 2025. Later on March 17, the company announced that the update’s rollout is set to start on April 7.
Owners of the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Z Flip 6 will be receiving the upgrade on the said date, with expansion to other existing Galaxy devices planned to take place sequentially.
The update rollout may start from key markets like Germany, South Korea, and the United States. Countries from Asia, Africa, and South America would follow as soon as the distribution takes pace.
Beta Program:
- Samsung has been running the One UI Beta Program for the Galaxy S24 series since December 2024.
- As of March 18, Galaxy S24 users have received five One UI 7 Beta updates along with two Hotfix after Beta 4.
- Samsung might release a Beta 5 Hotfix before pushing a Stable update to the S24 series.
Samsung
Galaxy S25 Edge success will make Plus variant’s farewell obvious

The Galaxy S25 Edge will launch soon, and its success could bring a major change in the Samsung’s Plus variant launch strategy with a farewell.
The Plus name has remained consistent in Samsung’s flagship lineup and its links go way back to the S Plus announced in 2011, a simple 4-inch touch-screen Android phone with physical navigation keys.
Then the era of Galaxy S series phone began, and the company kept on increasing both size and features but without a + variant until it returned on S6 Edge Plus and made a unique place in both the S-series and Note series.
The Plus variant is special in Samsung flagships until 2019. These phones are packed with larger screens, bigger battery and more processing power.
With the dawn of even greater mobile processing and consumer choices, Samsung started launching three flagships – a standard, Plus and an Ultra.
In this case, Plus still maintains its charm among customers who don’t want to go for the high-end specs table or a smaller screen.
Besides these specifications and upgrades, the Plus model is still relevant among customers and that’s what made Samsung to continue this device for years.
Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra. These phones immediately went on pre-sale. At the press-conference, the South Korean phone maker announced that it has another device coming from the lineup as Galaxy S25 Edge.
This phone focuses on aesthetics, especially the form factor. It was initially rumored as S25 Slim in the past due to its slim appearance until Samsung confirmed it as Edge.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
It’s reported that the phone will maintain its screen size around the Plus variant and the rest of the specs will follow the same direction except for the thickness.
Samsung said the S25 Edge will launch soon, without elaborating on the reveal date. It’s obvious that the company wants to give this device a separate welcome.
With its slim design and high-specs, the S25 Edge stands as a near perfect replacement for the Galaxy Plus variant, and Samsung is showing an obvious indication of that happening. It also comes down to the pricing, which is likely to remain the identical to S25 Plus.
However, that only depends on one major factor – consumer’s interest, an ultimate test that S25 Edge must pass to make its place in the flagship series.
Samsung
Samsung notifying Pass users to move to Wallet app for better access

Samsung is reminding Galaxy users who use its Samsung Pass app to move their data to the Samsung Wallet app before Pass is completely shut down. The company has merged Samsung Pass with Samsung Pay to create one app, Samsung Wallet. This means that Samsung Pass will no longer be available soon, and users must switch to Wallet.
Samsung Pass started as a password manager, but it also stored payment cards and other important information over time. Now, the Samsung Wallet combines the features of both Pass and Pay. That’s why Samsung is reminding users to switch before the Pass app disappears.
Some users still using Samsung Pass are getting notifications to remind them to move their data. The notice explains that Wallet can now do everything Pass did, including autofill services, through the Quick Access feature.
Once users switch to Wallet, the Samsung Pass icon will no longer appear on their phone. However, all the information from Pass will still be available in Wallet. Also, users will be able to add a shortcut to Samsung Pass inside the Wallet app to make it easy to access their saved information.
Samsung advises users to make the switch soon to avoid losing any saved information. The Samsung Wallet will handle payments, personal data, and autofill services in one place.
So, if you’re still using Samsung Pass, it’s time to move your data to Samsung Wallet to keep everything in one place.
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