One UI needs no introduction for most smartphone users, but in short, One UI is Samsung's custom launcher for Android-powered Galaxy mobile devices. It's one of the main things that gives Samsung smartphones and tablets their unique identity, and it's also one of the reasons why Samsung fans keep coming back to the Galaxy lineup every year.
Samsung's proprietary launcher for Android is chock-full of interesting additions, some of which are unique to the Samsung user experience. Today, we've lined up some of the best One UI features that every smartphone user should know of — starting with a game-changing app that has become a fantastic asset for Windows PC owners.
NOTE: Some of the One UI features described here aren't available for every Galaxy smartphone and tablet. Consult your Galaxy device user manual for more details.
Link to Windows bridges the gap between Android and Windows
Android smartphones have never been as open to communicating with Windows OS machines as they are now — as long as we're talking about the Galaxy brand, which undoubtedly opened up a world of possibilities for Windows users in recent years thanks to Link to Windows.
Link to Windows is a mobile app for select Android phones, and it's baked into One UI. It can sync with Microsoft's sister app for Windows 11 called Phone Link, and in short, it allows Samsung smartphone users to get notifications, messages, phone calls, and run Android apps on their Windows PCs.
Samsung phones offer the best integration with the Windows operating system. Although select Honor phones also support Phone Link nowadays, their functionality is limited, and One UI's Link to Windows remains the best implementation of this concept yet.
Read more about Link to Windows
Samsung DeX is a desktop environment baked into One UI
Numerous mid-range and high-end Galaxy phones and tablets come with a desktop environment called Samsung DeX. The latter has a different user interface than regular One UI — one that's more focused on productivity for mouse and keyboard users.
Samsung DeX can run natively on select Galaxy tablets. In essence, it allows Galaxy tablet customers to use one of two separate UIs for different occasions.
The environment can also run on select Galaxy smartphones but only when connected to a TV or monitor — wirelessly or via an HDMI-USB hub.
And, of course, Windows PC users can download the DeX app on their computers from the Windows Store, connect their Galaxy devices via a USB cable, and access DeX that way.
Some ways of using DeX are more optimal than others. And the best method is either on a Galaxy tablet's screen or when connecting a Galaxy device to an external monitor via an HDMI-USB hub that has power delivery (PA).
Read more about Samsung DeX
Samsung Kids is a safe environment for children using One UI
Samsung Kids is a One UI app that allows children to use Galaxy smartphones and tablets in a safe environment without parents having to fear inappropriate content, ads, data-collecting practices, unwanted online purchases, and excessive screen time.
The kid-centric app features its own Phone, Camera, and Gallery apps, along with a few optional kid-friendly mobile games that don't have ads or microtransaction options.
Similar to DeX, Samsung Kids is pre-loaded on select Galaxy devices running One UI and can be enabled from the Quick Toggle area. The Kids app is also available for download from the Galaxy Store.
Read more about Samsung Kids
Bixby Routines lets you automate many One UI facets
Bixby Routines is a One UI feature that, simply put, can make your Galaxy smartphone and tablet seem a little bit smarter and context-aware. With Bixby Routines, users can create IFTTT (If This Then That) scenarios for One UI.
For example, Bixby Routines can enable or disable features on your Galaxy device when your criteria are met. Users can set different lock screens for different times of day or locations. Or they can set timers for apps that close when the battery reaches a predefined level.
There are tons of ways Bixby Routines can make your Galaxy phone seem more clever than it actually is. The tool can suggest routines for you based on your usage patterns, but users can also take matters into their own hands and create brand-new routines from scratch.
Read more about Bixby Routines
Screen Recorder with selfie video capturing and screen-writing capabilities
Although the idea behind Screen Recorder is not unique to Samsung, it still remains one of One UI's many simple yet useful assets.
The name “Screen Recorder” should give away what it's about. Indeed, this is a One UI feature that lets you record your screen.
More than that, users can choose to record the screen with or without media sounds, or with media sounds plus whatever else gets picked up by the microphone.
Users can also choose to show touch inputs in their screen recordings and select different video resolutions. Screen recordings can incorporate a selfie video feed, and users can write on the screen (with a fingertip or the S Pen) as they record.
Read more about Screen Recorder
Dual Messenger keeps your work and personal life separate
Dual Messenger is a built-in One UI advanced feature that you can enable from the Settings app on your Galaxy phone or tablet. What does it do? It lets you create a copy of supported messaging and social media apps on your Galaxy device and log in with two different accounts at the same time.
With Dual Messenger, you can log in with your work and personal accounts on the same device in two different instances of the same app. That way, you can keep your work and personal life — as well as your contacts lists — separate and use one Samsung device for both your job and leisure without mixing the two.
Read more about Dual Messenger
Video call effects add a new dimension to your video calls
Video call effects debuted with the Galaxy S22 flagship series. However, Samsung later released a One UI update for older phones and brought video call effects to dozens of other Galaxy devices.
So, what are Video call effects? In short, they allow Galaxy smartphone users to enable various visual effects in video calls when using apps like Google Duo, Google Meet, Knox Meeting, Messenger (Meta), BlueJeans, Microsoft Teams, Webex Meetings, WhatsApp, and Zoom.
The list of video effects includes background blur, background replacement without a green screen, mic controls, and auto framing.
Read more about Video call effects
Expert RAW enables DSLR camera capabilities on your Galaxy device
Samsung's mobile cameras have become so powerful that the company decided to release a separate camera app for its most camera-centric flagship phones. It's called Expert RAW, and although it debuted with the Galaxy S22 series, it's now available for a few other high-end Galaxy devices running One UI.
Expert RAW offers pro-grade controls for shutter speeds and ISO, and most importantly, it offers integration with Adobe Lightroom and can capture and export images with comprehensive data.
This app resulted from a tight-knit collaboration between Samsung SIR-B and MPI Lab, with both teams working around the clock to finish development on the app “in record time.”
Read more about Expert RAW | Expert RAW review and sample shots
RAM Plus converts storage to virtual RAM for better multitasking
Unlike Expert RAW, which is limited to a handful of Galaxy phones, RAM Plus is available on a wider range of Galaxy smartphones and tablets. This tool is especially useful for devices that have a lower amount of RAM.
Multitasking on mobile devices is highly dependent on RAM, meaning the more RAM a phone or tablet has, the more likely it is to keep an app open in the background. When a mobile device doesn't have enough RAM, recent apps often have to be reloaded into memory whenever they're accessed.
RAM Plus mitigates some of these issues caused by low physical RAM by allowing users to designate a portion of the onboard storage to act as virtual RAM. So, if you're having difficulties keeping apps open in the background, RAM Plus in One UI can be quite a valuable asset.
Read more about RAM Plus
Quick Share makes small file transfer between Galaxy devices a breeze
Quick Share is a One UI feature that debuted with the Galaxy S20 series but quickly became available for nearly every Galaxy smartphone and tablet.
With Quick Share, sending photos, videos, and other types of files to friends and family is an almost seamless process. All you need to do is select the desired files, tap share, select Quick Share and the nearby contacts that should receive your files.
The recipients have to accept the files before the transfer begins, so there's no way for their devices to get flooded with unwanted photos, videos, and so on.
Read more about Quick Share
Music Share lets everyone share their music on the same Bluetooth speaker with ease
Music Share is another One UI feature that was initially rolled out a couple of years ago. It's still around because it can be very useful for customers whose Bluetooth speakers or car stereos don't support multiple Bluetooth connections at the same time.
In essence, Music Share allows one Galaxy device to stream music to a Bluetooth speaker by using another Galaxy device as a bridge. In other words, you can have one Galaxy phone or tablet connected to a Bluetooth speaker and allow friends and family to share their music from their devices through the original Bluetooth connection via your Galaxy phone.
Read more about Music Share
Samsung Keyboard and the built-in Clipboard work like a charm
The last but not least item on our list of best One UI features is Samsung Keyboard and the built-in Clipboard feature.
First of all, Samsung Keyboard is chock-full of personalization options for fonts, size and transparency, layouts, custom symbols, emojis, a high-contrast mode, and more. It also offers a write-to-text conversion tool which can be especially useful for S Pen enthusiasts.
The built-in Clipboard feature is also very flexible and powerful. But most importantly, it allows Samsung Keyboard users on the same Samsung account to share copied text and other files between Galaxy devices almost instantaneously.
Read more about Samsung Keyboard | Learn more about Clipboard
What are some of your favorite One UI features? Have any of them made our list? Feel free to share yours in the comment section below.
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