Samsung Archives

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Google Messages Finally Lets You Customize Chats With Others – Here’s How To Do It

Google has updated its Google Messages platform to enhance user customization options, allowing users to personalize their chat experience by changing the background and color of messaging bubbles for individual RCS chats as of late August. These new chat theme options are only visible to the user who sets them and require RCS messaging to be enabled. Users can customize their chats by accessing the "Chat theme" option in the app, which offers various color choices and background categories such as Animals, Architecture, Landscapes, Sunsets, and Space, as well as the option to select a personal photo.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

This feature keeps distracting spam calls away while using Android Auto

Google's Call Screen feature allows users to manage unknown calls by delegating the initial interaction to Call Assist, which identifies the caller and provides context. This feature is now integrated with Android Auto, although the screening process itself remains a function of the phone. Call Screen operates in two modes: manual, where users can choose to screen calls, and automatic, which silently screens certain unknown calls and hangs up on spam. Call Screen works directly on the device without needing Wi-Fi or mobile data, and call audio and transcripts are not stored in the user's Google Account. To set up Call Screen, users must do so through the Phone by Google app. Compatibility with Android Auto and Call Screen varies by phone model and geographical location, with automatic screening primarily available on Pixel phones in the U.S. Manual screening is accessible in several countries, and some selected Android devices may also support it. Not all call screening features are the same across different brands, and practical limitations exist for automatic Call Screen, such as functionality issues when connected via Bluetooth or while roaming.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

I tried 2 of the best third-party Android weather apps. Here’s the one I’m sticking with

In a recent poll, user preferences for weather apps were as follows: Gradient Weather: 22%, Breezy Weather: 29%, Neither (preferring Pixel Weather): 21%, Other: 28%. Breezy Weather is an open-source app focused on privacy and customization, offering extensive data metrics and a clear user interface. It is ad-free and does not have a premium tier, but is not available on Google Play and lacks radar functionality. Gradient Weather features a polished design, color-coded alerts, customizable notifications, and radar functionality for tracking storms and other weather metrics. Gradient requires a financial commitment for full access, while Breezy is free. The author prefers Gradient Weather for its radar and advanced notification features.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

Google gives Android developers until February to use less RAM

AI data centers are consuming memory chips faster than the semiconductor industry can adjust production, affecting the Android ecosystem. Google announced new memory reduction requirements for all applications on Google Play due to hardware supply constraints impacting device memory availability. Every Android application must comply with revised performance thresholds for dynamic memory usage and bitmap allocation, with developers exceeding limits receiving automated notifications. A Memory Limiter tool will be introduced to enforce compliance by restricting non-compliant applications' memory usage. Budget Android devices, particularly those with 4GB of RAM, are at greater risk of crashes without optimization from developers. This policy will impact millions of users in regions with affordable Android phones. Chip foundries like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are reallocating production capacity towards High Bandwidth Memory for AI training chips, leading to a tighter supply of conventional DRAM for consumer devices. Google has not specified numerical thresholds for compliance, and the consequences for non-compliance remain unclear, with only warnings mentioned. The Memory Limiter tools are expected to be rolled out before the end of 2026, with full enforcement starting in February 2027, and a second requirement, Zero Tap Sign-In, will be introduced in April 2027. Development teams should prepare for these changes in the latter half of 2026.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

5 useless Android apps you probably still download (and why you should stop)

Android has evolved to include many built-in features that previously required third-party apps. - Document scanning and optical character recognition (OCR) are now available through the stock camera app in Android 14 and later. - QR code scanning is natively supported from Android 13, accessible via the stock camera app or Quick Settings toggle. - A built-in clipboard history feature is available in Google’s Gboard and Samsung Keyboard, eliminating the need for third-party clipboard managers. - Android devices come with a built-in blue light filter, customizable through the Settings app. - Built-in caller ID and spam protection features allow users to identify callers before answering. - Certain tasks, such as looking up word definitions, converting currencies, and performing unit conversions, still require third-party apps. - The ability to lock apps is expected to be introduced in the upcoming Android 17 QPR2 update.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Galaxy Store Will Start Hiding Unverified Android Apps in September

Samsung has alerted developers using the Galaxy Store about upcoming changes due to Google's new Android Developer Verification (ADV) rules, which will take effect on September 30, 2026. Developers in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand must complete the verification process to avoid having their unverified apps removed from the Galaxy Store. The ADV process requires developers to authenticate their identities and register package names and signing certificates. Apps that are not verified will be hidden from search results and listings, affecting their visibility. Users may face difficulties reinstalling or updating existing apps until developers complete the verification, although previously installed apps will continue to function. Samsung is indicating the status of app binaries in the Seller Portal and will restrict new registrations and updates lacking ADV approval starting in September. Sideloading will still be possible for certain apps and through an advanced installation flow, while ADB installations will remain unchanged. The initial rollout is limited to specific countries, with a global expansion expected in 2027. Developers are encouraged to act quickly to maintain app visibility.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: NARUTO, Endling, Farm Invasion, Kingdomino, more

An array of Android game and app deals is available, including NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM, Endling: Extinction is Forever, Farm Invasion USA – Premium, Candleman, Last Day Survivors: Zombie TDS, Kingdomino Deluxe, and Minabo: A Walk Through Life. TCL’s 2026 Google AI TVs are discounted by up to 0, and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra bundles are offered at discounts of up to 0. The new Moto Tag 2 with UWB is priced as low as .50 each on Amazon.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Walmart has one of the best RTX 5070 gaming PC deals right now at $501 off, plus two FREE upcoming games

Walmart is offering the MSI Codex R2 AI gaming desktop with an RTX 5070 graphics card for ,499, down from its regular price of ,600, with free shipping. The desktop features an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and a 1TB SSD. It includes built-in Wi-Fi, RGB lighting, and comes pre-installed with Windows 11. As part of Intel Gamer Days, it also includes free digital copies of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and STAR WARS: Galactic Racer, valued at .98. The desktop is built on the MSI H810M-B motherboard and has a 750W 80+ Gold PSU.

AppWizard

August 22, 2026

Samsung Galaxy Phones Could Get Smarter RAM Management With Android 17

Samsung Galaxy smartphones will benefit from the new Android 17 feature that imposes per-app memory limits, preventing any single app from monopolizing RAM. This feature is already active on Pixel devices and is expected to be adopted by other manufacturers, including Samsung, in the coming year. Android 17 allows the operating system to compress memory pages and terminate apps that exceed their memory limits, optimizing RAM usage without noticeable disruptions for users. This update aims to improve multitasking by allowing more applications to remain active in the background, particularly benefiting devices with limited RAM. Samsung's One UI already includes memory management tools, but the new system in Android 17 operates at a deeper level to enhance overall device performance. While no timeline for implementation has been announced, One UI 9 is based on Android 17, and the feature is anticipated to significantly improve user experience on Galaxy devices.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

Did you know the Gallery app on your Samsung phone has a secret menu? Here’s how to find it

Samsung's Gallery app has a hidden menu called Gallery Labs that offers additional features beyond the well-known tools. To enable Gallery Labs, users must open the app, access the menu, go to Settings, tap on About Gallery, and then tap the version number ten times. Once enabled, users can lock albums with a PIN or fingerprint, create slideshows with selected items, save images as PDFs, add a seek bar for videos, enable a timeline view for albums, and turn off video previews. Gallery Labs is regularly updated, and users can reset settings or disable the menu if needed. Similar hidden features exist in other Samsung apps like Wi-Fi settings and My Files.