6 Samsung Galaxy Features I Didn’t Know I Needed Until I Tried Them

Think you’ve got your Samsung Galaxy all figured out? I did, too; then I tried these six features I didn’t even know I needed!

1

Share Files Without Losing Quality

Sharing files between devices often requires third-party apps that compress and degrade quality. But Samsung’s Quick Share allows me to send large files without sacrificing resolution. It uses Wi-Fi Direct to establish a direct connection, so transfers are faster and more secure than traditional methods.

To use Quick Share:

1. Select the files you want to share.
2. Tap Share > Quick Share.
3. Choose a nearby device from the list.
4. Ask the recipient to accept the transfer.

Quick Share makes it easy to share files with people who aren’t nearby or don’t own Samsung devices by generating QR codes they can scan. Once you scan the QR code, the download will start. Alternatively, you can always create a cloud link for quick downloads. It’s perfect for sharing large files or sending stuff to iOS users who can’t receive files directly.

To share with a QR code or link:

• Select your files.
• Tap 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 having to worry about storage. However, those files are only available for two days before being automatically deleted, so ensure the recipient downloads them on time.

2

Listen to YouTube With the Screen Off

Normally, if you minimize the YouTube app or turn off your screen, the video stops playing—unless you have YouTube Premium. However, I can keep YouTube videos playing with the Samsung Internet browser even when my screen is locked. I use it to conserve battery life while listening to music, podcasts, or doing other things on my phone.

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

Now, you can turn off your screen while watching a YouTube video on the Samsung browser, and the audio will keep 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 instantly tells you what it is—no more guessing or hopping between apps to figure things 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 top-right corner, go to Settings, and toggle Accessibility modes on.

Alternatively, open the Phone Settings and navigate to Accessibility > Vision enhancements. Then scroll down to the bottom and toggle on Bixby Vision for accessibility. Once Bixby Vision is enabled, you’ll have different modes and features to explore. Some of my favorite modes are:

• Object Identifier: I love taking pictures of random objects to see if Bixby Vision can identify them.
• Discover: If the object identifier fails to recognize an item, I switch to “Discover” mode, which shows twelve similar images to the one I scanned. It helps me figure out what I’m looking at, even if it’s an obscure item.
• Scene Describer: It identifies objects and provides details about their surroundings. For example, if I point my camera at a plate of food, Bixby Vision will describe what’s on the plate and its surroundings.

4

Share Files Securely with Private Sharing

Have you ever sent a file and instantly wished you hadn’t? Or realized it was forwarded without your permission? It’s frustrating—and sometimes scary. However, I can control how long my files remain available with Samsung’s Private Share feature.

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

To get started, open the file you want to share, then select Share > Quick Share. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner and choose Turn on Private sharing from the menu. Then set an expiration date—anywhere from a minute to a week—and once the time’s up, the file is no longer accessible. No more worrying about sensitive information ending up in the wrong hands.

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

5

Lock Albums and Convert Pictures to PDFs

Unlike other gallery apps, Samsung Gallery does not have a locking option. However, it has some cool hidden tricks I use to keep my stuff secure. These features aren’t turned on by default, but you can unlock them through a setting called Gallery Labs.

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

Once you’ve turned on 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 to activate them. After that, close the Gallery app and open it again.

To lock an album, open the Samsung Gallery app and select the album you want to secure. Tap the three dots menu in the bottom-right corner and choose Lock album. Once locked, the album will be grayed out with a lock icon. To access it, you must enter your PIN or use your fingerprint.

Similarly, you can also convert pictures into PDFs. Just pick the images you want in Samsung Gallery, tap Create, and choose Save as PDF.

Doing this creates a PDF with the selected images, ready to share or save however you want. Gallery Labs also offers other experimental features. They’re still in development and might not work perfectly, but take them as previews of upcoming features.

6

Access Sensitive Info via Samsung Keyboard

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

To use a Samsung Pass with the Samsung Keyboard:

1. Open the Samsung Keyboard in any text field.
2. Tap the three dots, then drag the Samsung Pass to the taskbar.
3. Log in to your Samsung account—or create one if you don’t have it yet.

Once logged in, add your passwords, credit cards, addresses, and notes to Samsung Pass. With everything set up, you can access it right from the taskbar whenever you need to—no more struggling to remember multiple login details or typing them out every time.

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

These are some cool features I’ve enjoyed exploring on my Samsung Galaxy, and I’ve found them quite useful. There’s still a lot I haven’t explored, and I’m excited to do so very soon. Meanwhile, try these out and let me know which you’re already using or find the most valuable.