The first 6 One UI 8 settings you should change on every Samsung phone

When we set up a new device, we don't wait until we run into problems. We change a few settings right away to enhance privacy, reduce noise, and make daily activities more intentional. After those initial adjustments, the phone works as expected right from the start.

 

Enable advanced protection in Google services

Unlock the security that Samsung has hidden

One UI 8 adds a new security feature that most users won't notice because it wasn't previously visible. It's in Google's Settings instead of Samsung's own menu, so it's easy to miss during setup. Turn it on early because it protects your apps, network, web, device security, and Google Messages.

1. Open Settings and scroll down to Google .
2. Click on it and switch to the All services tab .
3. Scroll to the Personal and device safety section .
4. Tap Advanced protection , then turn on Device protection .

 

Set battery protection to suit charging habits

Automatic battery health protection

Another change you should make right away is battery settings. One UI 8 separates the options more clearly, but it's still useful to have them configured yourself, making charging work the way you want it to, day and night.

1. Open Settings , then select Battery .
2. Tap Battery protection .
3. Select Basic .
4. Turn on Adaptive protection if you charge overnight.

From here, the phone will automatically adjust the charge level based on how long you leave it plugged in.

Hide Secure Folder app in share sheet

Keep apps truly private

Once you've fixed the battery protection bug, head straight to the sharing settings. One UI 8 adds a neater sharing tab. If you enable Secure Folder in the share sheet, it will show you the Personal and Secure tabs .

 

1. Open Secure Folder.
2. Tap the three-dot icon, then select Settings .
3. Click Other security settings .
4. Turn off Show Secure Folder apps in share panel .

Control what appears on the Now Bar

Delete updates you don't care about

Next, configure the Now Bar so that the lock screen only shows what you actually care about. One UI 8 adds Google Finance along with Sports, and both can fill the void with updates you might not want.

1. Open Settings and go to Lock screen and AOD .
2. Select Now Bar .
3. Turn on Google Finance .
4. Tap Google Finance settings .
5. Use the plus button to add stocks or indices you want to track.

Turn on call captions for noisy places

Read call content when you can't hear clearly

Sometimes you can't hear your caller clearly, especially when you're outdoors or in a noisy room. Call captions in One UI 8 display the caller's speech as text on the screen so you don't miss what's being said.

1. Open the Phone app and tap the three dots icon.
2. Select Settings , then select Call captions .
3. Enable this option, then select a language if available.

Limit My Files search to recent items

Stop searching on the entire phone

One UI 8 adds a Search recent files toggle on the search screen, which helps focus results on what you've recently opened or downloaded.

1. Open My Files.
2. Click on the search icon in the top bar.
3. Turn on Search inside files .
4. Use category tags to filter, for example, Image, Video or Documents.

Results will then return faster and focus on your recent activity. If you need to scan your entire device, turn the toggle off and search again.