Android is inherently flexible, but Samsung's layer takes that idea a step further with an arsenal of tweaks, shortcuts, and custom modules that let you fine-tune every detail of the system. If you want to take your Galaxy to the next level, here's the definitive guide to customization in One UI with native features, official tools, and advanced options for curious users.
After years of using Galaxy phones and trying out every new feature that comes to Samsung's tier, I've gathered practical tricks, security improvements, screen optimizations, camera secrets, keyboard AI, browser extras, and the crown jewel: Good Lock. Everything explained step by step and with recommendations so that the result is comfortable, safe and visually impeccable.
What is One UI and why is it so customizable?
One UI is Samsung's Android-based interface that organizes information into zones so that everything is comfortable even on large screens. Its philosophy focuses on placing accessible controls, grouping options, and offering layers of customization for themes, icons, and backgrounds. Since its debut in 2018, it has become a benchmark for its "hands-on" approach and its fine-tuning experience.
In addition to its block-based layout, One UI focuses on clear visual elements, consistent menus, and contextual settings. This is complemented by its own features such as Dynamic Lock Screen, configurable Always On Display, an integrated theme store, and productivity tools that together allow adapt your mobile to your style without complicating your life.
Nine key settings to start mastering your Galaxy
Before getting into deep customizations, it's a good idea to activate some system settings that improve daily use from the very beginning. These are safe changes, compatible from One UI 6 onwards and designed for almost any recent Galaxy. With them, you'll gain fluidity, display quality and more control over notifications and security.
First, replace the three classic buttons with navigation gestures: it's more agile, modern, and unlocks advanced features that we'll later expand with Good Lock. Activate the gestures like this: Settings > Display > Navigation bar > Swipe gestures.
If your Galaxy supports it (e.g., an S series model), enable the maximum screen resolution. Go to Display> Screen resolution And choosing QHD+ takes advantage of the panel. The impact on battery life is manageable, and the improvement in sharpness is noticeable, especially in text and content. multimedia.
To improve your voice on calls with ambient noise, tap a hidden setting. During a call, open the quick settings and tap Microphone mode; choose "Highlight Voice". It works with network calls and apps like WhatsApp, and stays active for future conversations.
Activate Notification history so you don't miss important notifications. Go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Notification History. It allows you to check what you received in the last 24 hours, including WhatsApp messages deleted by the sender (text only, not audio or files).
Reinforces security without sacrificing comfort
If you use a pattern, turn off its visible stroke so that no one can memorize it by looking over your shoulder. Go to Lock screen > Secure lock settings and remove "Make pattern visible." Still, consider combining fingerprint and PIN/password to greater protection.
Activate Lock mode For sensitive situations: Adds a button on the sleep screen that temporarily disables fingerprint and facial recognition, leaving only the PIN or password. Activate in Settings > Lock screen > Secure lock settings > "Show option" Blocking».
setup Secure folder for sensitive apps and files. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > More security settings > Secure Folder. Complete the setup and add anything you want there. Even if your phone is unlocked, this space requires additional verification before open it.
Samsung AI Keyboard: Type better, translate, and save time
The native keyboard integrates functions of Artificial Intelligence to rewrite texts with a more formal or fluent tone, polish spelling, and even translate live conversations. The most useful feature is the chat translator: when you activate it, you'll see both incoming messages and your replies translated without leaving the app. Press the Galaxy AI button keyboard to access these tools and become a “native” in any language.
This integrated approach eliminates the need to jump between apps and works especially well on WhatsApp or Telegram. If you frequently interact with people who don't speak your language, the difference in convenience and speed is significant. abysmal.
One UI 7: New camera and video with fine zoom control
With One UI 7 (and later), Samsung's Camera app adds a zoom slider when recording video. Instead of abrupt 2x/3x/5x jumps, you can fine-tune your zoom for a more cinematic motion. Tap the magnifying glass icon while recording and use the slider for smooth, even zooming. Experience.
Some devices also incorporate a noise reduction function for video and other AI tools, such as remove objects from your photos. If your Galaxy offers it, enable it for cleaner clips in challenging environments. For night or indoor shots, the result can be spectacular.
Samsung Internet: Built-in AI, Full Translation, and Useful Extras
The Samsung Internet Browser has revamped its menu for more direct access to key features and allows you to customize the layout. Its aces up its sleeve are AI-powered summarization of long articles and full-page translation into multiple languages ​​without leaving the browser. It also supports plugins and blockers to navigate cleaner.
If you tend to read a lot on your mobile, the AI ​​summary saves valuable time and instant translation removes barriers. You can copy the summary with one tap and share it. All this with an interface that is now clearer and speed boat tour.
Productivity and system utilities that should be activated
Share files with one tap thanks to QuickShare: Open the Quick Panel, press its button, and send to nearby devices. You can also receive while the screen is open, making it much easier to share documents, photos, or youtube.
In Samsung Notes, add adhesive notes on your documents for quick feedback. There's no limit to the number of notes, and you can remove them without altering the original file. Ideal for reviews, corrections, and teamwork. light.
In My Files, filter downloads per app to find what you downloaded faster. It works in "Downloaded" and "Recent" and is perfect when you can't remember if it was downloaded from the browser, Telegram, or any other application. app.
The Scientific Calculator now works in portrait view; you don't need to rotate your phone for advanced calculations. A small detail that speeds up quick references in class, work, or homework. day to day.
Good Lock: The Powerhouse of Advanced Personalization
Good Lock is Samsung's official suite for taking One UI to the limit. You download it from the Galaxy Store or Google Play and install specialized modules from it. It's stable, powerful, and many of its features eventually make their way into "conventional" One UI over time, so it's a great tool. highly recommended.
Some essential modules: Theme Park for creating custom themes; NotiStar for filtering and customizing notifications; Sound Assistant for controlling volumes by app; Nice Shot for enlarging captures and recordings; and One Hand Operation+ for shortcuts using side gestures and one-handed operation. comfortable.
Change system animations with Home Up
If you're looking to give your transitions a different twist, the Home Up module in Good Lock lets you modify animations on several levels. First, open Good Lock, install Home Up, and activate the toggle at the top. Then, go to Gesture Settings, enable it and go to “Home Gesture animation tuning” to choose a visual profile.
There are four predefined styles: Classic (the default behavior of One UI 7), Elegance (softer and slower), Dynamic (fast and with less bounce) and Sweet (very slow, with smooth transitions). If you prefer something quick to tweak, use "Simple tuning" and switch between animations Emotionally o Fast.
If you want advanced control, go to Advanced tuning > Detailed Settings. In Icon movement you can adjust Damping (vibration when fitting), Stiffness (how much the icon can move relative to its position) and Friction (speed at which the icon returns to its position). site).
In Icon scale you manage how much the icon is reduced when returning to home: Damping (preview to icon transition), Stiffness (tap speed) and Interpolator (animation curve: linear for constant, curves for acceleration or deceleration). There is also Tracking position (from where the movement starts) and Window transparency (rhythm of the fading of the view of app).
For the background, in Wallpaper You adjust Scale (wallpaper zoom), Duration (zoom in/out time), Interpolator (pattern) and Blur (blur). And on the Home screen you control Scale (grid when opening an app), Vertical move (vertical jump), Duration and Interpolator of the zoom meeting.
Home Up not opening or showing an incompatible version after updating to One UI 7? Download the latest Home Up APK from APKMirror and install it manually. This is a safe method if you download the correct version and keep the original signature; remember to enable installations from source. allowed.
Bottom-up gestures restored with NavStar
One UI 6 removed the option for "mixed" gestures from the bottom (three zones for Back/Home/Recents), but you can bring it back with Good Lock. Install NavStar from the tab. Make Up, enter the module, open "Swipe gestures" and activate NavStar next to "Enable extra gesture" settings».
Then, go to Settings > Display > Navigation bar > Swipe gestures > More options and select “Swipe from the bottom». You'll get very precise control: three distinct gestures from below that reduce accidental touches and maintain the logic of the botones but in a gestural version.
Visual customization: backgrounds, themes, AOD, and font
Start by changing your wallpaper: long press on the home screen or go to Settings > Wallpapers. You can choose from "My Wallpapers", your Gallery, services for the Dynamic Lock Screen or "Discover more backgrounds," which opens the backgrounds section within the Themes app to download new proposals.
The Dynamic Lock Screen updates the lock screen background with each activation based on categories you choose. If you like a change, it's a delight. In Themes, you can also install complete packs with matching icons and AOD designs; most are paid, but there are options. Returns.
Light/dark mode is configured in Settings > Display. Activate dark mode, schedule it by hours, or use it at night. On AMOLED panels, deep black saves battery and soothes your eyes. You can fine-tune "Dark Mode Settings" to customize your settings. schedules.
The Always On Display is adjusted in Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display. Decide whether you want to see it always, after a tap, or by time slot, and customize the clock style, colors, and even images. Playing with the brightness and orientation helps balance aesthetics and best before date.
In Settings > Display > Font Size & Style you can choose fonts, activate bold, and change font size. If you need more fonts, go to "Download fonts" to expand the collection with free and paid options. A good font improves the readability.
Pimp your home screen and control center
In Settings > Home Screen, choose whether you want an app drawer or all apps on desktop, change the icon grid, hide specific apps, or allow rotation when you turn your phone horizontally. Adjusting the grid allows you to fit more shortcuts without the whole thing being too cluttered. compact.
To organize the shortcuts in the Quick Panel (Control Center), swipe down twice, tap the menu â‹®, and tap "Edit Buttons." Drag to add, remove, or reorder them. Leave the ones you use every day (flashlight, recorder, mobile data, etc.) at the top. airplane mode...).
Widgets are added by long-pressing Home > Widgets. Search for an app, preview it, and tap "Add." You can resize them, switch desktops, or remove them by dragging them to the top. Well-chosen widgets reduce app launches and save time. touches.
Sounds, vibration and keyboard: small, big improvements
In Settings > Sounds & vibration, set whether you want sound/vibration/silent and change the ringtones, notification tones, and system tones. Tap + to use your own files as ringtones. You can also customize the vibration patterns If you can't feel your phone in your pocket, and if you're looking to improve the audio quality, try Adapt Sound.
If the Samsung keyboard isn't your thing, install an alternative like Gboard or SwiftKey. Go to Settings > General Management > Default Keyboard List to select it. Each keyboard comes with its own unique features: themes, autocorrect, stickers, voice typing, and more. traditional.
Launchers, ADB and other customization layers
Samsung's launcher is competent, but if you're looking for a different aesthetic, try launchers like Nova or similar. Install it and change the home app in Settings > Apps > Choose default apps > Home app. With a good launcher, you gain control over icons, gestures, and more. transitions.
On the "pro" side, there are apps on the Play Store that let you create advanced widgets (KWGT, Chronus, or Battery Reborn), tweak the status bar, or add side panels. They're powerful, but check permissions and reviews: some require sensitive access, and you should be extremely careful. prudence.
Notification history and organization everywhere
With Notification History active, you can recover accidentally deleted notifications and even read deleted WhatsApp messages (text). Access is in Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Notification History. A safety net that it works.
To stay organized, use app filters in "Downloaded" in My Files, and use NotiStar (Good Lock) if you want to filter by keywords, apps, or time periods. Together, finding what you're looking for and filtering through the clutter becomes easier. simple .
Root? Powerful, but with small print
Rooting gives you superuser permissions to install ROMs, squeeze out the hardware, and unlock hidden features. It's powerful, yes, but it comes with risks: you could damage your system, void your warranty, and lose the option to use your phone. OEM unlock, and dealing with bugs. Today, One UI is so complete that, except for very advanced profiles, it doesn't compensate for Good Lock and official tools.
Gestures: buttons, standard or hybrid gestures
In One UI, you can opt for buttons, standard gestures, or the hybrid "bottom-up" mode that can be reactivated with NavStar. The native gestures are modern and fluid, but the bottom-up layout with three zones is ideal if you're coming from buttons and want precision without sacrificing accuracy. speed.
To switch between methods: Settings > Display > Navigation bar and choose Buttons or Gestures. With NavStar enabled, go to "More options" and select "Swipe from bottom." Try each option for a few days until the gesture becomes effective. natural.
With all of the above, you can customize your Galaxy to your liking: a high-resolution display, convenient navigation, notifications under control, pry-proof security, an AI keyboard that translates on the fly, a camera ready for smooth videos, and a Good Lock suite that unlocks animations, shortcuts, and advanced settings without affecting your warranty or complicating your life. The result is a phone that's more yours. faster and more useful every time you take it out of your pocket.
