Samsung Galaxy phones are feature-rich — and with a lot of settings for us to tweak – no debate there. But if you’re sticking with the out-of-the-box setup, you’re missing out. I’ve used plenty of Galaxy models over the years, and every time, I make a series of quick changes that instantly make the phone feel more mine. Whether it’s a tweak for privacy, performance, or pure convenience, these 10 adjustments (plus one bonus) genuinely improve the user experience. Some are obvious; others, not so much.
Let’s dig in and you will see why these settings can transform your Samsung Galaxy.
1. Kill the Pop-Ups
You’re mid-scroll, deep into an article or mid-text with a friend, and bam — a message notification hijacks your screen. It’s distracting and, frankly, unnecessary.
Turn them off. Head to Settings > Notifications > Notification pop-up style > Apps to show as brief, then toggle off All apps. You’ll still get alerts — just not the kind that pull focus like a toddler with a kazoo.
2. Ditch the Buttons, Swipe Instead
Unless you manually changed it during setup, your phone likely uses the old-school three-button navigation. Functional? Sure. Efficient? Not really.
Switch to swipe gestures for a cleaner look and smoother feel. Go to Settings > Display > Navigation bar > Swipe gestures. Once you adjust, you’ll wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.
3. Max Out the Display
Here’s a weird thing: the Galaxy S25 Ultra comes with a jaw-droppingly good screen — sharp, vivid, less reflective — but it doesn’t use its highest resolution by default.
To fix that, tap over to Settings > Display > Screen resolution and select the QHD+ option. Yes, it’ll use a bit more battery, but Samsung’s efficiency is no joke. I still get a full day’s charge, easy.
4. Reassign the Side Key
Let’s be honest: no one’s asking for Bixby. And calling the power button a “side key” doesn’t make it less annoying when it opens something you didn’t mean to launch.
Here’s how to take control: Go to Settings > Advanced features > Side button > Press and hold, then select Power off menu. Simple, and now your phone works like it should.
5. Fix Lock Screen Notifications
One UI 7 now shows tiny icons in the top corner of the lock screen by default. Not great if you prefer actual notification previews or want to hide sensitive content.
Go to Settings > Notifications > Lock screen notifications. Choose Cards for full previews, or enable Hide content if you want privacy.
6. Sign In to Your Samsung Account
Look, I get it — creating another account feels like a chore. But if you’re using a Galaxy phone, having a Samsung account unlocks a lot: cloud backups, Galaxy Themes, Samsung Wallet, and the Galaxy Store.
Even if you rely on Google services, it’s worth signing in to make phone upgrades and data transfers seamless.
7. Download Good Lock
Good Lock is Samsung’s best-kept secret — a customization app packed with tools that push your phone further. I use the One Hand Operation+ module to make swiping down from the screen’s edge bring up shortcuts or Quick Settings.
Find it in the Galaxy Store, not the Play Store. And once you’ve got it, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.
8. Ditch the Bloat
Your phone likely came with a bunch of pre-installed apps you don’t need. The good news? You can now remove most of them. No Samsung TV? Delete the app. Don’t use Microsoft CoPilot? Out it goes.
Start with the usual suspects: Facebook, Samsung Tutor, OneDrive, and whatever else you never open.
9. Personalize the Home Screen
Widgets on Samsung phones are actually useful — not just clutter. I use the Calendar widget because it blends into the wallpaper thanks to adjustable transparency. It looks good and doesn’t scream for attention.
Also, bump the icon grid to 5×5 to fit more apps without turning your screen into a mess. While you’re at it, try Wallpaper and style > Color palette to theme your icons based on your wallpaper. It’s subtle, but satisfying.
10. Always-On Means Always On
By default, Samsung’s Always On Display only shows up when you tap the screen. Kind of misses the point, right?
Change that to actually always on: Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Always-on Display > Show always. I keep mine minimal — no wallpaper, just time and date on a black screen to save battery.
Bonus: Bring Back the Old Notification Panel
One UI’s new notification panel borrows a little too much from iOS. Now, swiping down from the right pulls up Quick Settings, while the left brings down notifications. If that split-screen setup bugs you, here’s how to roll it back:
Swipe down > Tap the Pencil icon > Panel settings > Select Together. Boom — classic layout restored.
Samsung’s Galaxy lineup is some of the most capable hardware on the market. But capability only matters when it’s tuned to you. These settings don’t just make your Samsung Galaxy look better — they make it work better, faster, and smarter. Take 10 minutes to apply them, and your Gal
