It’s that time of year again. Halloween is almost here, and soon Christmas and the coldest months will come. In the meantime, it will snow for days and it will be freezing cold. If you’ve tried using your smartphone or Galaxy device with gloves, it won’t quite work. Fortunately, Samsung recently introduced a mode specifically that allows users to use their smartphones even while wearing gloves.
Touchscreen devices don’t play well with gloves, and as a result, the Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3, and a few other devices all have specific features to combat this issue. If you’ve been to NYC or Chicago in February, you’ll know what we mean. It’s never fun to take off the gloves for a few minutes to send a text, and Samsung has a quick and simple setting that lets you keep the gloves on and keep typing fingers warm.
How to Use Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 with Gloves
It’s really easy. Samsung has introduced a simple feature in the settings menu that will recognize touch input with thick gloves, which will allow the smartphone to increase the screen sensitivity to a level you wouldn’t usually use. The option is the same for both the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Note 3, but in slightly different places as the Note 3 settings menu is different. We’ll start with that as the Note 3 is the newest.
“Increase Touch Sensitivity” is the setting we are looking for today. Users with Note 3 will tap the menu button (to the left of the dedicated home button) and go to the system settings. You can also tap the Gear-shaped settings icon in the app tray to quickly access the device settings menu. From here you will select the third column, which will be Controls.
You will scroll down to the Controls option and you will see an option listed as “Increase Touch Sensitivity” which is explained as increasing the screen to use while wearing gloves. That’s it, it’s that easy. Just tick the option to enable increased sensitivity; You will easily enjoy the Galaxy Note 3 in the cold. The touch controls aren’t perfect or extremely responsive, but you’re definitely better off taking off your gloves and risking some freezing. For those who want a better visual explanation, here is the how-to video.
To summarize the instructions, here’s how to change this setting in simpler terms. Menu > Settings > Controls Column > Increase Touch Sensitivity Control. This much. Imagine this!
Galaxy S4 Instructions
For those who like the Samsung Galaxy S4 or Note 2, the options are slightly different, but you’ll be looking for exactly the same setting in the menu. The image below for the Galaxy S4 shows you where to go. Go to settings and select the second column for “My Device” then hit “Display” and scroll down to find the same touch sensitivity option. Check this out and you’ll soon be typing with gloves. Personally I prefer to just use Google Voice dictation, but to each its own.
Should You Use This Feature?
Increasing the touch sensitivity of your Galaxy device will cause a slight decrease in battery life, but it shouldn’t be so significant that users don’t use this excellent and useful setting. However, you may want to leave this box unchecked, except for certain times when you will need it. Otherwise, users may accidentally unlock and launch apps while a device is in their pocket or bag. You don’t want to call anyone, do you?
High sensitivity makes the screen work and serves the perfect purpose when needed, but we recommend disabling this option for the rest of the year.
