Touchwiz does not answer what to do. The main advantages of the TouchWiz shell
For ridiculous appearance, frequent freezes, a large amount of “garbage”, and if the latter is solved by minor updates, then you will have to come to terms with the design. However, we should not forget that TouchWiz also has a bunch of useful functions that are not available on stock Android or anywhere else. Meanwhile, many users had no idea about this, so today we will dispel this myth and show what the Samsung system is really capable of, which is updated through the years and has managed to remain “unchanged.”
Below are the most interesting features:
Multi-window mode
Many people want to use more than just one application at a time. For these, the company has come up with a multi-window mode that will allow you to open applications as windows on the desktop, as well as divide the screen itself into several applications. All this will significantly speed up and simplify the use of the device, rather than constantly switching from one application to another if necessary.
One-handed mode
Size matters, which is why the company decided to compromise by implementing a one-handed feature. Hold the steering wheel, cook dinner, stand in the subway: is your other hand busy? "One hand" is your choice.
Call optimization
Stock Android 5.0 has learned to hold a call background in case you decide to switch to the desktop and use the device to the fullest. The function is convenient, but TouchWiz has significantly improved it: now you don’t need to pull the curtain to open the call window. The subscriber is displayed as a small square on the left edge of the desktop - convenient. In addition, in Note Edge you don’t need to go to the application at all; you can answer a call directly from the desktop using a swipe on the side screen.
Sorting the application list
Everyone knows that it is impossible to change the location of icons in the menu of all applications, however, not for TouchWiz, which is able to sort them in various ways: combine them into folders, show only downloaded ones, and so on.
Hiding an application is not a problem
Along with the above, the functional features are complemented by the ability to hide icons from the menu of all applications, thanks to just a couple of gestures. Do you want to hide your personal information from prying eyes? TouchWiz makes it easy.
Quick access to switches
In 5.0, to go to quick settings you need to pull the curtain twice, in TouchWiz - once: at the top the curtain has a horizontal scroll menu, which includes many switches. Meanwhile, in addition to quick access, we have the power to edit them.
Close everything at once
Stock Android does not have the function of automatically closing all open applications; on the contrary, TouchWiz can surprise you with such a useful and necessary function.
History of the calculator
For many students and engineers, a functional calculator with the ability to remember previous actions plays an important role in a smartphone; this is exactly what the built-in solution from Samsung is.
File manager
Surprisingly, stock Android does not have a file manager in the list of basic applications. "Android is a symbol open source- they said. Of course have Google Play. But why, when TouchWiz has a beautiful and effective manager built into it?
Quick sound settings
The new version of Android has received wider customization of sound effects, but to edit them extensively you need to go straight to the settings, while in TouchWiz all this can be configured in a pop-up menu from the desktop.
Battery Saving
And we continue to compare with the stock version, which received battery savings only in Android 5.0, TouchWiz, in turn, received this function much earlier; Korean engineers are constantly updating and optimizing it.
Disable or disable
By holding the power button we can turn off our device - everyone knows this, however, in addition to the shutdown button, TouchWiz received a wider menu in which you can switch to Airplane mode, Emergency mode, restart the device or turn it off.
Swipe to call
Copy quickly
According to colleagues from phonearena, copying text is always accompanied by some problems, which are even more noticeable on small screens, but for TouchWiz this is not a problem, except for the larger edges of the selected text, Note 4 and Note Edge, having an S-Pen, are able to select text only “floating” on the surface screen without touching it.
14 TouchWiz Features Vladimir Ukhov
TouchWiz. In addition, it is subject to periodic freezes and the accumulation of many “junk” files. If the developers periodically eliminate these shortcomings during the release of new versions, then they do not seem to intend to change the design in the near future. However, along with its shortcomings, TouchWiz implements many great and required functions, which cannot be found either on bare Android or on its other modifications. However, many users are not even aware of the interface's true potential. In this article we will try to consider the main useful features of the TouchWiz shell from Samsung, which from year to year persistently continues to move from one device to another.
Multi-window mode
Owners of Android devices usually use several applications at the same time, which is why multi-window mode was invented. In this mode, applications can be visually presented as windows on the desktop, and it is also possible to divide the active display space between several applications. This approach significantly saves the user’s time and makes managing the smartphone easier and more convenient. Otherwise, you have to switch between several applications many times.
Supports one-handed operation
Because the modern gadgets are becoming larger, the issue of ease of management is becoming more relevant. The developers have implemented a special “one-handed” mode in which all functions become accessible when controlled with one hand. Thus, you can cook dinner, hold the steering wheel of a car, hold on to handrails in public transport and still continue to use the gadget.
Call optimization
In standard mode, you can no longer interrupt the conversation with the subscriber in the background in cases where you need to go to the desktop and use other functions. This feature is further improved in TouchWiz, where there is no need to pull the curtain to return to calling mode. Instead, the subscriber is always located in a small square located on the left side of the desktop, which is undoubtedly much more convenient. In addition, it allows you to respond to incoming call directly from the desktop by swiping on the additional screen.
Sort the location of applications in the list
Typically, the user does not have the ability to move application icons to another location not provided for standard settings sorting. However, TouchWiz does not have such a disadvantage. There you can put several applications into folders, display recently downloaded ones, etc.
Ability to hide the application
Along with the above functions, if necessary, you can hide icons from the general application list with just a couple of gestures. This is especially convenient when you need to hide confidential information from prying eyes.
Easy access to switches
To get into the fast Android settings 5.0, you will need to pull the curtain twice. In TouchWiz, one such gesture is enough. At the top of the top menu there is a scroll menu, where the most necessary gadget switches are located. In addition, the list of these switches can be changed at your discretion.
Closing all applications at once
Standard Android interface did not receive support for closing all running applications at once, while in TouchWiz this option is provided initially.
History of the calculator
Often those who use a calculator need to double-check their calculations, but this is impossible to do with a regular calculator. A completely different story with a calculator from Samsung, which will provide full story previously performed calculations on it.
File Manager
For some reason, stock Android lacks a file manager. Sometimes this can be annoying, especially when there is no way to download such an indispensable application from Google Play. That is why TouchWiz already has a convenient, bright and effective application manager.
Instantly change sound settings
In recent versions of Android, support for customizing audio has been effectively improved, however, it cannot be compared with the capabilities of TouchWiz in this regard. The Koreans' proprietary add-on allows you to adjust the sound very quickly using a menu that pops up right on the desktop.
Energy Saving Settings
Finally, stock Android 5.0 has battery saving settings. In TouchWiz, such features were implemented much earlier, and besides, developers from every new version I am improving the efficiency of this software.
Majority modern manufacturers smartphones and tablets are trying to differentiate their smartphones with a unique user interface. The Samsung company, for example, installs a proprietary shell called “tachwiz” on its devices. She has many advantages, but no less disadvantages. For example, not everyone likes the design of this UI (User Interface); some are dissatisfied with the performance or power consumption of the device. Therefore, some users of Samsung gadgets, not without reason, want to “remove” the shell. Let's figure out what TouchWiz is, why it's needed, and whether it's possible to disable or remove it from your device.
Why is UI needed?
Why do you need TouchWiz? A similar question may be asked by those who are completely unfamiliar with the device. mobile system. UI is a conductor between the user and the hardware of the device; this is everything that you see on the screen. It is simply impossible to use a smartphone without a UI. Therefore, TouchWiz is not needed, but it is necessary! The only exception will be gadgets with custom firmware installed, but more on that later.
Design
Depending on the device and the software version, the system design is slightly different, but when you pick up the gadget, you can easily determine that it is Samsung. You will be reminded of this not only by the intrusive company logo on the front panel of the smartphone, but also by the recognizable shell. A custom font is used, and on the main screen you will be greeted by pleasant stock application icons. The animations are also pleasing to the eye. And, it would seem, everything is fine. But Material Design (the design ideology followed by Google) and TouchWiz are completely different things. This means that by installing several applications from Play Store, the integrity of the system will be violated: in all applications the design will be one, and in the system - another. Is this critical? We think not. Not everyone cares so much about the design and integrity of the user interface and applications. But it’s worth noting that at Samsung, designers are still aware of new trends and have introduced some Material Design elements into TouchWiz, which is good news.
Functional
The functionality of pure Android has been somewhat expanded: new functions have been added, such as instant cropping of screenshots, multi-window mode, convenient use with one hand, etc. A dubious plus, because, for example, before the implementation of multi-window mode in Android 7.0, not all applications supported this mode on Samsung devices. And the function of adapting the system for use with one hand, although it can be useful, does not significantly simplify the use of a smartphone. It's good that you can at least turn all this off.
On the other hand, there are also pleasant little things like the “Close all applications” button in the recent list, built-in file manager, advanced energy saving mode and a convenient menu for turning off the device.
The speed of TouchWiz will not disappoint either: on new devices, stock applications work quickly and without lag. You can feel that the Koreans are working painstakingly on their software, and not “just to have it.”
Updates
The frequency and speed of software updates leaves much to be desired. The announcement of Android 8.0 is just around the corner, and Samsung has still not released the promised updates to Android 7.0 Nougat for its A 2016 line. However, monthly security updates arrive strictly on schedule.
App Store
Koreans also have own store applications. You may ask why is it needed if there is a Play Store? And we have nothing to answer to this. If you install the firmware without Google services, then this small store can hardly be called a full-fledged replacement for the Play Store.
Advertising applications
After purchasing a gadget from Samsung, you will also find several pre-installed advertising applications. This point can hardly be attributed to the advantages of TouchWiz either.
Let's summarize. Advantages and disadvantages:
- Nice extra features (like multi-window mode)
- Recognizable shell style
- Good speed
- Optimized and developed software
- A large number of pre-installed applications
- Controversial design
- Abundance of useless functions
- Long updates for non-flagship devices to the latest Android versions
How to remove touchwiz on Samsung devices
In order to understand how to remove TouchWiz on Samsung, you should consider in detail the main methods, of which there are not many.
The first method is simple. There is no need to install other firmware here. Instead, we will simply change all the elements externally so that there is no trace of TouchWiz left. Download a third-party launcher from the Play Store, for example, Nova Launcher. Replace application icons with those that you like by downloading some icon pack from the application store. In the settings of some smartphones and Samsung tablets You can find the “Themes” item. In themes you can choose the appearance of the system that interests you (I advise you to look for themes in Material Design). You can complete the transformation by installing applications from Google (Chrome, Docs, Notes, etc.) to replace the standard ones.
The second method is much more complicated, but instead of a pre-installed shell, you will have a new shell inside and out. You will need to install custom firmware (for example, CyanogenMod). Instructions for flashing the firmware along with the necessary files and programs can be found on the forum of your device. Reflashing the device will void the warranty!
Conclusion
I hope we helped you understand what TouchWiz is and what this interface is for. As you can see, this shell has a number of advantages and disadvantages. The good thing is that there is nothing stopping you from changing the launcher or changing the theme. As a last resort, for some devices it is possible to replace this shell by flashing it. Be careful, as this may lead to the device becoming “bricked” and voiding the warranty.
Android is an open source system source code. This means that once Google creates it, it also shares it with other software creators, who can do whatever they want with it. An example of this is the TouchWiz user shell, which has been the subject of heated debate for many years now - not all people are its fans. If you're looking to remove TouchWiz from your phone, we'll walk you through a few options that can help you do it, whether you're a regular user or an Android expert.
All Samsung smartphones have a proprietary home interface called TouchWiz. Starting with the recalled model Galaxy Note 7, was introduced new interface Grace UX. With Samsung devices updated to Android Nougat, this new design was expanded. The interface has undergone some changes, including the name (from TouchWiz to Samsung Experience), as can be seen in Galaxy flagship S8. However, not all users like this new user interface. If you own a Samsung smartphone, but have not found a common language with its interface, we will help you part with it.
Disabling TouchWiz apps (without root)
The steps below will not completely remove TouchWiz from your device, but they will rid it of various annoying updates that constantly request pre-installed applications and which constantly “eat up” internal memory devices. You can get rid of notifications and apps that were pre-installed by Samsung. To start, get rid of the shortcut and widget, but to actually stop the application, go to the Application Manager, find the application you need and click on it.
Once you are logged into the application, follow these steps:
- deselect the “Show notifications” option;
- clear cache;
- delete data;
- Click on the “Disable” icon.
Now the application will only be in sleep mode, plus it will not be updated and will remain at its original size. If you want to turn it back on, open the Application Manager and in the Disabled section you will see all the applications that you disabled previously.
Installing a third-party launcher instead of TouchWiz
This is the most drastic change you can make without rooting your device. If Touchwiz's icons or high-contrast backgrounds aren't your thing, you can always give it a makeover to make your Android user experience more palatable.
Using a third-party launcher, you will be able to change the appearance of your desktop and icons. To do this, go to the Google Play Store and download one of the many launchers available, the most popular of which are Nova, Apex and Google Now.
After you open the launcher you installed for the first time, your smartphone will ask you which launcher you would like to use. Select the one you recently installed and click on the “Always” icon. If for some reason you want to return to TouchWiz again, go to Settings>Default Applications>Home Screen, then select your launcher and click on the Home key.
Uninstalling TouchWiz: installing AOSP ROM and getting root rights
If you wish to completely remove the TouchWiz interface from your device, your only option is to install a new custom firmware (ROM). Doing so will void your device's warranty, causing the Knox counter to reset to zero.
To reflash your Samsung smartphone, you will definitely need special program Odin. In addition, before flashing you must install software called Custom Recovery, and then install a new custom ROM firmware from it. Some of these firmwares include root rights initially, while others may not have such rights.
The most common Custom Recovery option for Samsung is TWRP. To install it you will need the correct file for your phone model (you can download it from official page TWRP). To install Recovery from using Odin, you will need a file with a .tar extension.
Once Custom Recovery is ready, you can start searching for a ROM without TouchWiz elements. By the way, if you have a little knowledge English language, you should take a look at the forum of xda-developers.com, where you can find many custom firmware based on pure Android (AOSP). You should also find out how often such firmware is updated, and read the comments of forum users. If you don't know where to start, then Lineage OS may be the right option.
Do you like the TouchWiz interface? If not, what changes have you made to make it better? Tell us about it in the comments.