6 Samsung Galaxy Features You Didnt Know You Needed Until You Tried Them

Think you know everything about the Samsung Galaxy? You might change your mind after trying these 6 features you didn't even know you needed!

Table of Contents

• 1. Share files without losing quality
• 2. Listen to YouTube with the screen off
• 3. Identify objects with Bixby Vision
• 4. Share files securely with Private Share feature
• 5. Lock album and convert photos to PDF
• 6. Access sensitive information via Samsung Keyboard

1. Share files without losing quality

Sharing files between devices often requires third-party apps to compress and reduce quality. But Samsung's Quick Share lets you send large files without losing resolution. It uses Wi-Fi Direct to establish a direct connection, so transferring files is faster and more secure than traditional methods.

To use Quick Share:

• Select the files you want to share.
• Tap Share > Quick Share .
• Select a nearby device from the list.
• Requires the recipient to accept the file transfer.

Quick Share makes it easy to share files with people who aren't nearby or don't have a Samsung device by generating a QR code they can scan. Once you scan the QR code, the download will begin. Alternatively, you can always generate a cloud link for quick downloads. Perfect for sharing large files or sending content to iOS users who can't receive files directly.

To share using a QR code or link:

• Select your file.
• Click Share > Quick Share > QR code or link .

All you have to do is choose your preferred sharing method and follow the prompts to complete the process. With Samsung Cloud, you can upload up to 10,000 files, or 10GB, per day without worrying about running out of storage space. However, those files are only available for two days before they are automatically deleted, so make sure your recipient downloads them in time.

2. Listen to YouTube with the screen off

Normally, if you minimize the YouTube app or turn off the screen, the video stops playing, unless you have YouTube Premium . However, you can continue playing YouTube videos even when the screen is locked using the Samsung Internet browser. People use this browser to save battery while listening to music, podcasts , or doing other things on their phones.

To enable this feature, open the Samsung Internet browser on your Galaxy device. Tap the three horizontal lines in the lower-right corner, then go to Settings > Useful Features . Select Background play under Videos and tap On to enable background play for all videos.

Now you can turn off the screen while watching YouTube videos on Samsung browser and the audio will continue playing.

3. Identify objects with Bixby Vision

Bixby Vision is like having a personal assistant right on your phone. Just point your camera at something and it will instantly tell you what it is - no more guessing or switching between apps to find out.

To use Bixby Vision, open the Camera app and tap More > Bixby Vision . If you don't see it, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, go to Settings , and turn on Accessibility modes .

Alternatively, open Phone Settings and navigate to Accessibility > Vision enhancements . Then, scroll down to the bottom and turn on Bixby Vision for accessibility . Once Bixby Vision is turned on, you'll have a variety of modes and features to explore. Some of our favorites include:

• Object Identifier : Many people like to take photos of random objects to see if Bixby Vision can recognize them.
• Discover : If Object Identifier doesn't recognize an item, switch to Discover mode, which displays 12 images similar to the scanned image. This mode helps you identify what you're looking at, even if it's a confusing item.
• Scene Describer : This mode identifies objects and provides detailed information about their surroundings. For example, if you point the camera at a plate of food, Bixby Vision will describe what's on the plate and its surroundings.

4. Share files securely with Private Share feature

Have you ever sent a file and immediately wished you hadn't? Or realized a file was forwarded without your permission? It's frustrating and sometimes scary. But you can control how long your files are available with Samsung's Private Share feature.

Files shared via Private Share are encrypted and read-only, so recipients can view them but can’t save, forward, or take screenshots. If you want to limit access, you can set an expiration date or revoke access at any time. It’s like a self-destruct button for files. For example, you might share a confidential document with someone and want them to have it for only 24 hours.

To get started, open the file you want to share, then select Share > Quick Share . Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Turn on Private sharing from the menu. Then, set an expiration date — from 1 minute to 1 week — and when the time is up, the file will no longer be accessible. No more worrying about sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.

Private Share is only available on Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 2.1 or later. So Private Shared files are only visible to Galaxy users. Non-Galaxy users will see a blank page with a message stating: "These files contain privacy restrictions and can only be viewed on Samsung Galaxy devices . "

5. Lock album and convert photos to PDF

Unlike other gallery apps, Samsung Gallery doesn't have a lock option. However, the app has some cool hidden tricks to help keep your data safe. These features aren't enabled by default, but you can unlock them through a setting called Gallery Labs.

Gallery Labs is a secret menu that lets you try out experimental features in the Samsung Gallery app. Think of it as a special club where you test new features before they’re released to the public. To access Gallery Labs, open Samsung Gallery, navigate to Settings > About Gallery , and tap Build number 7 times. This will unlock the Labs section in the Settings menu.

Once you’ve enabled Gallery Labs, head back to Gallery Settings and you’ll see Gallery Labs at the bottom. Tap on it and you’ll find the two hidden features mentioned above: Album entry locks and Save as PDF . Just toggle both options on to enable them. Then, close the Gallery app and reopen it.

To lock an album, open the Samsung Gallery app and select the album you want to protect. Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner and select Lock album . Once locked, the album will turn gray with a lock icon. To access it, you'll need to enter your PIN or use your fingerprint.

Similarly, you can also convert photos to PDF. Just select the photo you want in Samsung Gallery, tap Create and select Save as PDF .

Doing this will create a PDF with your selected photos, ready to share or save in any way you like. Gallery Labs also offers other experimental features. They’re still in development and may not work perfectly, but consider them a preview of features to come.

6. Access sensitive information via Samsung Keyboard

Samsung Keyboard is one of my favorite tools for managing sensitive information. Thanks to its integration with Samsung Pass, you can store passwords, credit card details, addresses, and even private notes.

To use Samsung Pass with Samsung Keyboard:

• Open Samsung Keyboard in any text field.
• Tap the three dots, then drag Samsung Pass to the taskbar.
• Sign in to your Samsung account or create an account if you don't have one.

Once you're signed in, add your passwords, credit cards, addresses, and notes to Samsung Pass. Once everything's set up, you can access it right from your taskbar whenever you need it—no more struggling to remember multiple logins or entering them each time.

And don't worry, convenience doesn't have to mean sacrificing security. Samsung Pass is protected by Samsung Knox, one of the leading mobile security platforms. This means your data stays safe and encrypted even if your device is lost or stolen.

These are some of the cool features you can discover on your Samsung Galaxy and they are quite useful. There are many more cool hidden features. In the meantime, try these out and see which ones you find most valuable.