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Galaxy Note 3 tips: make the Note 3 awesome

galaxy note 3 astuces illu
© nextpit

With the recent arrival of the Galaxy Note 4, the Galaxy Note 3 has been getting somewhat overshadowed. Fear not! This wonderful phablet isn't done yet and to prove it, we're presenting you with a few of the best Galaxy Note 3 tips you can find. Are you ready to make your device much better? You should be, 'cos that's what's gonna happen!

galaxy note 3 astuces illu
Get the best Galaxy Note 3 tips right here. © ANDROIDPIT

Enable download booster

We'll start with a real simple one. Your swish Galaxy Note 3 can take advantage of higher download speeds via 4G LTE. What this means is that you can download larger files (over 30 MB) at lightning fast speeds with this enabled. Enabling this won't necessarily use up more of your data plan, just be aware that because things download faster you may want to download more things!

Settings ► Connections ► S Pen ► tap Download Booster ► Enable it on the following page

androidpit galaxy note 3 download booster
If your carrier and location supports it, enable download booster to take advantage of LTE networks. / © ANDROIDPIT

Control your camera with the volume keys

Did you know you can assign different functions to your volume keys in your camera settings? Well you can! You can use it as a zoom key, or a video record button, or even use it to take a picture, like you're holding a real digital camera.  

  • Camera ► Cog button ► Cog button ► Tap Volume Key option  
androidpit galaxy note 3 volume button camera controls
Choose what you want the volume keys to do while in camera mode. / © ANDROIDPIT

While you're at it, why not enable tap to take pics too? Once you've done this, just tap on your Galaxy Note 3 screen to instantly take some snaps.

  • Camera ► Cog button ► Camera icon ► Tap to take pics
androidpit galaxy note 3 tap to take pics
Enabling tap to take pics makes taking snaps simple. / © ANDROIDPIT
  • Galaxy Note 3: Eight of the coolest S-Pen features 
  • How to use Samsung Multi-Window on Samsung devices

Don't lose your S Pen

This function already existed with the Galaxy Note 2 and it is super practical for all you forgetful types out there. With the Note 3 tucked away in your pocket or purse, it will detect when you move away from your S Pen and inform you of this by setting off an alarm. This feature only works when the screen is off. 

  • Settings ► Controls ► S Pen ► Check box for S Pen Keeper
androidpit s pen functions
On the left, you have the box checked for S Pen Keeper to active the alarm, and on the right, the option to deactive Air Command for when the S Pen is removed from the Note 3. © ANDROIDPIT

Deactivate the automatic start of Air Command

If you don't like how Air Command automatically launches when you take out the stylus, you can easily diable this feature.

Settings ► Controls ► S Pen ► Pen detachment options ► None

androidpit s pen detachment options
If you don't like how Air Command launches automatically, choose what you would like to happen instead in the pen detachment options. / © ANDROIDPIT

Use your Galaxy Note 3 with gloves

The Note 3 will also allow you to modify the sensitivity of the touch screen so that it will react even when you are wearing gloves. Cool eh?

  • Settings ► Controls ► Increase touch sensitivity ► Check box to activate
androidpit galaxy note 3 glove mode
How to the controls tab of the settings menu and tick the auto-adjust touch sensitivity box. / © ANDROIDPIT

Activate one-handed operation (resets the dimensions for the Note 3's screen)

The advantages of having the Note 3's screen size can quickly turn into a disadvantage, especially when it comes to one handed operation. Thankfully, Samsung has integrated an option that will reduce the screen size when desired and allow you to change it to the position that best suits you.

  • Settings ► Controls ► One-handed operation
  • Check the box for Use all screens
  • Check the other boxes for the apps whose dimensions you would like to have change when they are launched
androidpit galaxy note 3 one handed operation
Go to the one-handed operation menu under the controls tab in your settings to adjust what it's used for. / © ANDROIDPIT

After this has been done, you need to swipe from the right hand edge of the device to the left and quickly back off the screen to the right in one movement. Or, if you're a lefty, perform this action from the left. 

androidpit one hand operation
You can choose to have many apps and even the home screen window adapt to one hand usage. © ANDROIDPIT

Adjust display saturation and contrast

Ok, the Note 3's screen is truly a gem, and as we are used to with Samsung, it's super bright. For those who don't actually like it that way, there exists a few different display modes.

  • Settings ► Device ► Display ► Screen Mode
androidpit display mode
If you're no fan of super bright screens, here is how to adjust it. © ANDROIDPIT

Reduce the intensity of the vibration

If you feel like there's an earthquake every time your Note 3 vibrates, there does in fact exist a way to reduce its intensity:

  • Settings ► Device ► Sound ► Vibration intensity
androidpit vibrate intensity
Nope, that's not an earthquake, it's your phone. You can lower the intensity in the settings. © ANDROIDPIT

Display the percentage of remaining battery on your notification bar

Sometimes it's hard to tell just how much battery you have left when looking at the battery icon. With this tip, you will always not exactly how much life is left. 

  • Settings ► Device ► Display ► Check the box for display battery percentage
androidpit galaxy note 3 show battery percentage
Go to the bottom of your display menu and hit show battery percentage to always know how much you've your Note 3 has left in the tank. / © ANDROIDPIT

Customize the quick settings

The quick settings are very practical, even more so when they contain the settings that are most useful to you! To modify them:

  • Pull down the notification bar by swiping from the top down
  • Tap on the button at the top right corner
  • Tap on the crayon on the top right
  • Reorganize the icons by sliding them around
androidpit adapt quick settings
Quick Settings are great, especially when they cater to your exact needs, like with the Note 3. © ANDROIDPIT

And finally, searching through settings

If you haven't found what you were looking for in this list, then you can simply search! The search bar is found right on the top of the settings menu.

We hope you found these Galaxy Note 3 tips useful. Let us know in the comments below if you have any others!

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Loie Favre

Loie Favre
Editor

Loie Favre found her way to her present passion for Android and smartphone technology after experiencing an epiphany when she held her Galaxy Note 2. From that point onwards, you can find her with her nose buried in countless Android apps and different smartphone models, and thanking her lucky stars that she gets to work at something she loves.

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  • My1 37
    My1 Dec 1, 2014 Link to comment

    also a nice tip (althou it ye only works on certain Firmwares) is the Simplistic Framework by XDA Dev LegendK95, it was also out for Note 2 and I can really recommend it.

    BTW I am in close Contact with him and he is qorking hard on making Updates easier, as SF is a really deep mod based on smali edits, which are certainly not easy.