The new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have lots of neat features that many buyers will love, and a lot to offer. However, not everyone can afford an $800 phone. As a result, we have prepared a guide that shows users how to get the best Galaxy S8 features for free. And most of them work on any Android.
Skip the upgrade and add many of the new features Samsung has recently introduced to your Android smartphone. From the rounded corners of the screen, always on the screen, the Bixby AI assistant and even edge apps and more. That’s the beauty of Android, it’s highly customizable.
If you love the Galaxy S8 but don’t mind upgrading, we have some ideas. We will help you add its best features or aspects to any Android device. Some even work on tablets. It may not have the same beautiful 5.8 inch display with small bezels, but it will liven up your phone and give it some excitement. Not to mention that it lets you try the latest features right now.
Whether you’re looking forward to getting the Galaxy S8, want its features now, or you won’t get it at all. Almost every new feature that people are excited about can already be done. With our help, you can add all these features to any smartphone. Additionally, Galaxy S8 launcher and Bixby AI assistant changed To work on Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.
We’ll start with a few basics. Like rounding the corners of the screen for a more aesthetic look. Then do more advanced features like always-on display, Edge apps panel, Bixby assistant, and more.
Those with a cheap Android smartphone will never be able to take great photos like the Samsung. The screen will not suddenly have higher resolution or vibrant colors. It’s just part of buying a budget device. However, everything else can be added with some nice apps from the Google Play Store or just taking a few moments.
Add Galaxy S8 Rounded Corners to Any Screen
We’re talking about rounded corners, not curved glass. One of the newest features that debuted on the LG G6 and is now coming to the Galaxy S8 are the rounded corners. The actual screen is round instead of having sharp corners. This doesn’t just apply to looks either, as it makes the screen more durable. Instead of a corner that picks up the grunt of force from a fall, a rounded edge disperses it more easily.
Also, this is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye and is a nice touch to the latest smartphones in 2017. Did you know that we can add rounded corners to any Android phone or tablet? Let’s do this.
There are multiple apps on the Google Play Store that will do exactly that. The screen won’t actually be round, but it will look like it. Two apps come to mind, and we recommend trying both.
Roundr has been around for a long time and works pretty well. A similar hack is available on Cydia for iPhone. However, I’ve been using Cornerfly lately as it works best on high resolution displays. Not to mention that the app has a host of options, controls and settings for the best experience. You can even change how severe the rolling effect is on your device. It’s pretty neat, so try one today.
Add Always-On Display to Your Android
2016 and now one of the highlights of this year is what is called the Always On Display. Or an AOD screen. Essentially, the Samsung Galaxy S8 turns on a very small percentage of the screen, just a few pixels, and displays information 24/7. Like time, date, weather, battery life and incoming notifications.
The always-on display is great and takes almost no battery life in an 8-hour workday. We can do that too, and that’s it.
Our link above is a detailed guide on how to do it. Use the app called Glance Plus, and it explains everything. Here are the benefits, pros and cons, and a few quarks you might encounter while using it. Still, it always opens up small areas of the screen (or with a gesture or a gesture) to give us information at a glance.
Download Glance PlusSet the features you want and enjoy a Galaxy S8-like experience.
Edge Apps and Features
Another thing users love about the Galaxy S8 (or Galaxy S7 Edge) is the apps and features of the edge panel. The curved edges of the screen illuminate certain colors with incoming calls and texts and are customizable. Or there are ready-made apps that you can quickly access by swiping from the edge of the screen. Even quick access to your favorite contacts.
It’s Android though, and that means almost all of these features can be added to your smartphone as well.
The “Edge” of Samsung’s latest phones does a lot of neat things. Our three apps above are just a few of the many. Get the same bright notification lights as Colorful Notifications. Add tons of controls and a whole new experience to your home screen with Edge Launcher. Or get instant access to your favorite contacts with the Edge contact app. You’re welcome.
Virtual Assistant – Bixby
A selling point for Samsung next year with the Galaxy S8 will be their new virtual assistant. Similar to Siri or Amazon Alexa, there is something called Bixby. You can ask any question or command to the virtual assistant and get help. It’s like our own personal assistant is ready and waiting on the phone. There’s even a dedicated button to launch Bixby.
For starters, the download link below is for the file type called “APK” to install apps on Android. we succeeded a weeding out Bixby’s APK. It works on any Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge running Android 7.0 Nougat.
install and even Galaxy S8 home screen launcher. Then say “Hello Bixby” and wake up your new virtual assistant. Users may need to allow installation of apps from unknown sources for this to work.
Then there is a similar assistant that anyone can use. It is called Google Assistant that works on any recently updated Android smartphone. Long press the home button (if you have Google apps installed) and sign up to start using Google Assistant.
Another great part of Bixby Assistant is its magic camera tools. Launch Bixby and open the camera and let the magic begin. Bixby can scan products and get more information, share details about a historic landmark or building, find a pair of shoes for sale, and more. Including translation of languages and texts. Google Goggles is a very old app that does something similar. If you can’t use Bixby, give it a try.
And just for fun, we can pretend to have Iris Eye Scanner on our phones, even though it’s a feature that can’t be enabled without the necessary hardware. It’s still fun to fool people with apps like this.
Samsung Themes or Launchers
Last but not least, themes or launchers. For those who don’t know a custom Launcher, it will change the look of your home screen, lock screen, icons and app tray. options like NOVA Launcher give it a stock Android feel, but there are themes that will make it look like the Samsung Galaxy S8. Just download the themes or icon packs.
And while most people aren’t the biggest fans of the colors or look of Samsung’s skin over stock Android, initiator mimic all the look and feel. If you want, try some of these too.
Better still, get the latest official Samsung TouchWiz launcher on the Galaxy S8 from our download link below. Then go home and set up your new S8-like home screen.
Other details
Users can always download 3rd party camera apps that offer more control or functionality to offer a better camera experience similar to Samsung’s. And many other apps with Samsung-like features are available in the Google Play Store.
In fact, nothing can offer the same experience 100%, but we can get pretty close. For now, you can round those corners and have two of the Galaxy S8’s most popular features, the always-on display. And since Bixby works with other Samsung devices, there’s hardly any reason to upgrade for some. Good luck and leave a comment below with any other tips or fun apps.
