Update 1: FAQs on Galaxy S4 easy mode were added at the bottom of this page. PDF version of all these FAQs can be downloaded from this post.
As the name suggests, Easy Mode is designed for non-savvy users. For example, your grandma may want to to take most of the handset without fiddling around the settings.
Actually, the Easy mode was introduced in Galaxy Note 2, and all Samsung handset with Jelly Bean 4.1 update (for example, S3, S2, Galaxy Note) also got this feature. We put an entry for it here because this feature has been seriously overlooked. The Easy mode feature has been kept in all Galaxy phones including the current Galaxy S20.
Compared to that in previous handsets, Easy Mode in Galaxy S4 has better usability.
In Easy Mode, you will get only three home screens. The main home screen has non-removable widgets for the time, date, and weather. Six apps can be added into this screen. Of course, the icons are larger.
The left home screen is dedicated to phone calls. You can add 9 contacts as favourites for quick calling. Phone functions (calling, contacts, call logs) are accessed from this screen.
The right home screen is for your 9 apps with large icons. You can choose any apps from your app drawer. For other apps, you can access them from the app drawer. Different from that in standard mode, all apps can be listed in alphabetical order only.
Once in Easy Mode, the settings menu and the camera interface are also simplified. Actually, it is sufficient for most users.
Another good thing is that you can switch between easy mode and standard mode at any time without losing any settings in each mode.
To switch to Easy Mode, go to Settings — My device — Home screen mode — Easy mode — Apply. To switch back to standard mode, choose Standard mode, then apply.
Do you think this Easy Mode is useful? Would you recommend it to your grandparents or parent? Let me know in the comment box below.
FAQs on Easy Mode (Home Screen Mode)
Q1: The icon size in the home screen is different from my friends Galaxy S4.
A1: The icon size is bigger than standard mode because your device set to “Easy” mode. Easy mode provides an easier experience for first time smart-phone users with a more straightforward layout and bigger icons.
You can turn on or turn off the Easy mode from Setting → My device → Home screen mode → Easy mode
Q2: Sometimes, the camera mode appears to only have six modes. What’s the problem?
A2: Please check the following points.
- In the Easy mode, six camera modes are supported. (Auto, Night, Sound & shot, Best face, Best photo, Beauty face)
- When the device is set up in the ‘Easy mode’, only six camera modes are supported.
(Auto, Best photo, Beauty face, Panorama, Rich tome(HDR), Night) - In the selfie camera mode (i.e., using the Front facing camera), after setting up the device in the ‘Easy mode’, it supports four camera modes. (Auto, Night, Best photo, Beauty face)
Do you have any questions on Easy Mode?
if you have any questions or encounter any issues with Easy Mode, please let us know your questions or comments in the comment box below.
You may check Galaxy S4 online manual here.
Check this page for more Galaxy S4 features.