Apps
Samsung pushes SmartThings to next level with Now Bar support, new Home Life and SmartTag tools

Samsung has rolled out a major update to its SmartThings app with version 1.8.33.25, and it’s one of the biggest updates we’ve seen in a while. If you use SmartThings to control your smart home devices, this update is worth checking out.
This SmartThings update brings new features, easier controls, and even a surprise addition that wasn’t mentioned in the official update notes. Thanks to tipster @Theordysm for spotting new changes and features. You can check them below.
What’s New in the Samsung SmartThings 1.8.33.25
The new update introduces several helpful features to make smart home management easier and more personal.
Home Life
A new section, Home Life, has been added to SmartThings. It starts with a short survey that asks about your home setup, like how many people live with you, whether you have pets or children, and what your hobbies are.
Based on your answers, SmartThings will show Insight Messages that suggest useful features or tips to improve your smart home experience. It can be easily accessed through the Home page or in the Home Life menu within the menu tab.
Share SmartTag Location through Link
If you use a Galaxy SmartTag, you can now share its location with someone using a temporary link. The link can stay active for 12 hours, 24 hours, or one week. It is worth noting that the recipient must sign in with a Samsung account.
Advanced Routines
Routines are now more flexible on SmartThins. You can add time delays between actions in a routine, and you can also set a confirmation alert before a routine starts. This makes routines feel more customized and in your control.
Easier Navigation of SmartThings from Map View
The Map View has become more user-friendly with the SmartThings update. You can now choose to open the app directly to the Map View, and switching between Map View and the Home tab is now much easier.
Now Bar Integration
The new update of the SmartThings app now adds Now Bar and Live Notification support. It means that you can now see the SmartThings option in addition to other Now Bar-supported apps and features. You can turn this on in your phone’s settings under Lock screen and AOD >> Now Bar.
This update is rolling out gradually to Galaxy device users. If you haven’t seen it yet on the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store, don’t worry, it should be available on your device soon.
Samsung may soon allow users to view live captions during calls
Good Lock
New Good Lock feature lets you add custom wallpapers to cover screen

Samsung phones come with many cool features, and one of the most loved and popular apps is Good Lock. This app lets you change how your phone looks and works. Now, Samsung is adding a new option for cover screen wallpaper in the Good Lock app through a new update.
The Korean tech giant is rolling out a new update for Good Lock, bringing it to version 3.0.13.1. This latest update introduces a fresh feature aimed at enhancing personalization, along with important under-the-hood improvements for a more stable user experience.
With the new version, Samsung adds a new option in the wallpaper settings. Users can now set a custom image as the cover screen wallpaper, a highly requested feature, especially among users of foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold series. The company is giving users more control over the appearance of their device, even when it’s folded.
In addition to this, the update also includes the latest stabilization code updates. It aims to improve the overall performance and reliability of the Good Lock app, ensuring a smoother and more responsive experience.
If you like to customize your phone or just want it to feel more personal, Good Lock is a great tool to try. With the ability to set your own cover screen wallpaper and enjoy better performance, it’s now more useful and fun than ever.
You can download the latest Good Lock update via Galaxy Store >> Menu option >> Updates.
Apps
Samsung Health confirms Galaxy Watch 8 series, Ultra support ahead of launch

Samsung’s next big launch event, Galaxy Unpacked, is just around the corner, where we expect to see new foldable phones and smartwatches, including the Galaxy Watch 8 series. While the company hasn’t officially announced the Galaxy Watch 8 yet, it appears that Samsung may have accidentally revealed the watch a little early through its app.
Surprisingly, the leak didn’t come from a tech insider or leaker this time. It came from Samsung’s own app, Samsung Health. A recent update to the app on the Google Play Store mentions support for the Galaxy Watch 8 series and the new Galaxy Watch Ultra.
That means Samsung accidentally confirmed its new smartwatches before the Galaxy Unpacked event. The update also reveals new health features that will work with these watches. Samsung first discussed these features in June, but didn’t specify which watches would support them until now.
Some of these features include checking oxidative stress using an antioxidant index, tracking vascular load during sleep to monitor heart health, and a Running Coach for personalized workout tips.
Still, with Unpacked just around the corner, this doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Many details about the Watch 8 and other new devices have already leaked online.
We now know that the Galaxy Watch 8 series is coming soon, and it will have new health and fitness tools built in. Stay tuned for more information.
Apps
Auto DeX: Samsung’s Android Auto and CarPlay killer is coming – Here’s an early look

Android Auto is a pretty useful platform utilized by millions. It brings key mobile features to your car’s dashboard on an interactive screen. While Android Auto belongs to Google, Samsung is seemingly developing its own Auto DeX platform.
Samsung Galaxy users have no option but to rely on Android Auto. Earlier, a Samsung Auto app was discovered on Chinese models. But it seems the company has an even bigger plan for global users, which could go official in the near future.
Recently, Samsung enthusiast GalaxyTechie revealed the first look at Auto DeX UI. Similar to Android Auto, this app comes with a car-optimized UI. And it’s said that there are no limitations or requirements for it to function.
The source claims Samsung Auto DeX supports over 8500 car models from over 100 brands. As Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay are already here, Samsung’s version would take inspiration to deliver optimized experiences.
As you can see in the UI screenshot, Samsung Auto DeX introduces a clean, user-friendly design. The platform’s central dashboard shows a map, while a music playlist shortcut and control widget sit on the right side.

Source – GalaxyTechie / X
On the left, there’s a vertical taskbar displaying the time, a list of apps, and an app drawer shortcut. Apps like Bixby, a map app, a music player, and Samsung’s Phone app are included.
Interestingly, a second taskbar at the bottom features Samsung’s three-button navigation. This might tie into a cool trick: you could use Auto DeX on your phone, even without car support.
With One UI 8 set to debut on Samsung’s new foldable devices today, it could be the perfect time to introduce Auto DeX. Samsung might share more details soon, so stay tuned.
Apps
Samsung Contacts in One UI 7 will soon remove an unnecessary add-on

If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone and recently updated to One UI 7.0, you might see something new in your Contacts app. Samsung added a new section, “Recently Added,” which shows the contacts you have added most recently.
This new section helps users quickly find new contacts they have just saved. It appears in the Contacts list inside the Phone app. This can be useful if you often add new numbers and want easy access to them without searching.
However, some users have found that the “Recently Added” section makes it harder to see their favorite contacts in One UI 7. The new section can take up space that is used to show favorites, so users feel their main contacts are harder to reach.
Also, if you press the back button to leave the Phone or Contacts app, the “Recently Added” section disappears temporarily. So, this section becomes quite confusing.
Fortunately, Samsung is aware of this problem and understands that some users are having trouble because of the new “Recently Added” feature in Contacts with One UI 7. The community moderator has confirmed to release a software update soon to improve how contacts are displayed.

Image via Samsung Community
The new update will help make sure favorite contacts remain easy to find. To get this fix, users should keep their phones updated. You can check for updates by going to Settings >> Software Update >> Download and Install on your Galaxy phone.
For now, if the “Recently Added” section bothers you, pressing the back button when you are in the Contacts app will hide it temporarily. Samsung is working to make your contacts easier to use again.
Apps
Samsung’s famous multitasking app gets a major upgrade

Samsung is making some helpful improvements to the famous multitasking Good Lock module – MultiStar. If you have a Galaxy phone running the newest One UI 7 software, the new update of the Samsung MultiStar makes your experience smoother and less frustrating.
MultiStar is an app that adds more options to your device. It helps you multitask better and customize how apps behave on your phone. This app was last updated in December 2024 to support One UI 7.
Now, Samsung is rolling out a new update to the MultiStar app with version 9.1.09. This latest version doesn’t introduce flashy new features, but it enhances existing tools and eliminates bugs that affect usability.
After half a year, Samsung’s MultiStar app got a new update that fixes two main issues. It resolves problems with widgets on the cover screen that didn’t always show correctly when using different app versions. Now, the widgets display properly to make the cover screen look better and work smoother.
Moreover, the update fixes the cover game widget, which sometimes turned on by mistake in places where it’s not supported. Now, the widget only works in the right regions, avoiding confusion.

Image via SammyFans
These improvements make the MultiStar app more stable and reliable. It helps provide a better experience for users running One UI 7 on their Galaxy devices.
If you use MultiStar, it is recommended to install this update to enjoy smoother widget performance and avoid issues with the cover game widget. For that, you just need to visit Galaxy Store >> Menu option >> Updates. Also, you can open the Good Lock app >> Find MultiStar module >> Tap on the Download icon.
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