Samsung Galaxy Note 8: 10 Useful Tips and Tricks

These ten tips and tricks will help you get more out of your Samsung Galaxy Note 8, covering hidden S Pen features, display customization, and performance tweaks. Even if you have owned the phone for years, several of these options are easy to miss. The Note 8 runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat (upgradable to Android 9 Pie) and uses Samsung Experience 9.0, so some menu names may vary slightly depending on your software version.

1. S Pen Screen-Off Memo and Glance

The Note 8’s S Pen has a feature that lets you write notes without waking the phone. With the screen off, pull out the S Pen and start writing directly on the display. The note is saved to Samsung Notes automatically when you put the pen back.

To enable it, go to Settings > Advanced Features > S Pen > Screen-off memo and toggle it on. You can also set whether the memo is saved automatically or requires confirmation.

Another hidden S Pen trick is Glance: hover the S Pen over an app icon to preview its notifications or content without opening it. This works on the home screen and in some apps like the calendar or email.

2. Use App Pair for Split-Screen Multitasking

Split-screen multitasking is powerful on the Note 8’s 6.3-inch display, but setting it up each time is tedious. App Pair lets you launch two apps together with one tap.

1. Open the first app you want in the pair.
2. Open the Edge panel by swiping the Edge handle on the right side of the screen.
3. Drag the second app onto the bottom half of the screen.
4. Tap the App Pair icon that appears in the Edge panel to save the pair.

Now tapping that saved pair launches both apps side by side. You can create multiple pairs for different combinations.

3. Customize the Edge Panel

The Edge panel is not just for app shortcuts. You can add tools, weather, sports scores, and even a compass. To customize:

• Swipe the Edge handle to open the panel.
• Tap the gear icon (or the three dots) to open Edge panel settings.
• Select which panels you want to see and reorder them.
• Tap Edit to add or remove apps from the Apps panel.

You can also change the Edge handle’s position, size, and transparency in Settings > Display > Edge screen.

4. Use Smart Select with GIF Creation

Smart Select lets you capture a rectangular or oval portion of the screen. But it also has a hidden trick: it can record a short GIF (animated image) of that area.

1. Open the S Pen menu (hover the pen over the screen and press the button).
2. Tap Smart Select.
3. Draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
4. Tap the GIF icon at the bottom of the selection toolbar.
5. Press the record button, and the Note 8 will create an animated GIF of that region.

You can adjust the GIF quality and frame rate in the Smart Select settings. This is handy for capturing short animations, video clips, or app demonstrations.

5. Master the Rear Camera’s Dual Lens

The Note 8 has a dual-lens rear camera: a 12MP wide-angle and a 12MP telephoto. The telephoto lens enables 2x optical zoom and a dedicated Portrait mode (called Live Focus).

In the Camera app, tap Live Focus to take a portrait with adjustable background blur. You can adjust the blur level after taking the photo by opening it in the Gallery and tapping the Live Focus button. The phone also captures a separate wide-angle shot simultaneously, so you can switch between the two versions later.

For better low-light shots, use the Pro mode and manually set the ISO and shutter speed. The Note 8’s camera is still capable of excellent photos, especially with a tripod.

6. Use the Notification Shade Quick Settings

The notification shade has a row of quick toggle buttons (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). But there are more toggles hidden. Swipe down with two fingers to see the full grid, then tap the down arrow next to the toggles to edit which ones appear. You can add:

• Mobile hotspot
• Power saving mode
• Screen recording
• Secure Folder
• NFC (for Samsung Pay)

You can also reorder the toggles by dragging them. This saves you from digging through Settings for common tasks.

7. Enable One-Hand Mode

The Note 8’s screen is large, and reaching the top can be a stretch. One-hand mode shrinks the display to a smaller size that you can operate with one thumb.

To enable it, go to Settings > Advanced Features > One-hand mode. Once on, swipe diagonally from the bottom corner of the screen toward the center to shrink the display. You can adjust the size and position of the small window. This is especially useful when using the phone on the go.

8. Use Secure Folder for Private Apps and Files

Secure Folder is a hidden, encrypted space on your Note 8 where you can store apps, photos, and documents that you want to keep private. It uses Samsung Knox, a defense-grade security platform.

1. Open the Secure Folder app (or find it in Settings > Biometrics and security).
2. Set up a PIN, pattern, or use your fingerprint.
3. Tap the + icon to add apps from your main screen, or move files into it.

You can even hide the Secure Folder icon from the app drawer by going to its settings and toggling Hide Secure Folder. To access it later, you’ll need to open the Settings menu and tap on Secure Folder.

9. Use the Bixby Button for More Than Bixby

The dedicated Bixby button on the side of the Note 8 can be remapped to open any app or perform a shortcut. While Samsung’s Bixby assistant is useful, many users prefer to use the button for something else.

To remap it, you need to install a third-party app like bxActions (available on the Play Store). This app lets you assign single press, double press, and long press actions. For example, you could set it to open the camera, toggle the flashlight, or launch Google Assistant. Note that this requires granting the app accessibility permissions, and the remapping may not work perfectly on all software versions.

10. Extend Battery Life with Built-in Tools

The Note 8’s 3300mAh battery may not last a full day with heavy use, but you can stretch it with a few tweaks:

• Go to Settings > Device maintenance > Battery and tap Battery usage to see which apps drain the most power.
• Enable Adaptive battery (if available) to limit background activity for apps you rarely use.
• Turn on Mid power saving mode to restrict CPU performance and background data.
• Use Dark mode or a dark wallpaper if you have an AMOLED screen—it saves power because black pixels are off.

You can also set the screen resolution to 1080p (FHD+) instead of 1440p (QHD+) in Settings > Display > Screen resolution. The difference in sharpness is minor on a phone screen, but it can noticeably improve battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Note 8 with a broken S Pen?

Yes, the phone works fine without the S Pen. You can use your finger or a third-party stylus. However, some S Pen-specific features like Air Actions (if you have them) won’t work. The S Pen slot also houses the phone’s stylus detection, so if you lose the pen, you can buy a replacement.

How do I update my Note 8 to Android 9 Pie?

Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. The Note 8 received the Android 9 Pie update in early 2019. If you don’t see it, your carrier may have delayed it. You can also check Samsung’s official firmware site using your device’s IMEI number.

Is the Note 8 still worth using in 2024?

It depends on your needs. The Note 8’s hardware is aging, and it no longer receives security updates (Samsung stopped supporting it in 2021). For basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, it still works. But for banking or sensitive apps, you should consider a newer device that gets security patches.

How do I take a screenshot with the Note 8?

Press the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. You can also use the S Pen: pull it out, tap Screen write in the Air Command menu, and it captures the screen and lets you annotate it immediately. Another method is to swipe the edge of your palm across the screen (if Palm swipe to capture is enabled in Settings > Advanced Features > Motions and gestures).

Why is my Note 8 running slow?

Common causes include low storage, too many background apps, or an old battery that throttles performance. Try clearing the cache partition (turn off the phone, then hold Power + Volume Up + Bixby buttons until the recovery menu appears, then select Wipe cache partition). Also, disable animations in Developer options to make it feel snappier.

Can I use Samsung Pay on the Note 8?

Yes, the Note 8 supports Samsung Pay with NFC and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission), which lets you pay at almost any card terminal. However, Samsung Pay’s MST feature has been discontinued on newer phones, but it still works on the Note 8 if the app is installed and your bank supports it. Note that Samsung Pay may not work if the phone is rooted.

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