Galaxy Z Fold 8: Features Nobody Tells You About

Quick summary: If you’re new to Samsung, here are some offbeat tips for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultra that you probably don’t know. Many work on other Galaxy phones too.

Flashlight tricks

• Brightness: press and hold the flashlight quick toggle to raise the intensity. The default is 3, and I set mine to 5. It stays there.
• Say “Lumos”: just like Harry Potter, telling your assistant “Lumos” turns the flashlight on.

Visual voicemail

Unlocked phones come with the Visual Voicemail app preinstalled, and it walks you through setup. On Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile, search for your carrier’s visual voicemail app in the Play Store if it isn’t already installed.

Get a grip, and a good case

A grip like the OhSnap SnapGrip Stand makes one-handed use comfortable, works with wireless charging, and stands the phone up open or closed.

Sponsor: Benks Crystal case. It’s my favorite case right now for the Fold 8 and 8 Ultra: clear, with open buttons, hinge and camera protection, and magnets for wireless charging and grips. It uses no adhesive, so you can take it off and put it back anytime. A cover-screen protector is in the box. Code GREGGLESTV gets a discount.

Camera tricks

• Cover screen preview: tap the icon in the camera so your subject sees themselves on the cover screen.
• Rear-camera selfies: with preview on, flip the phone, slide the lock, and shoot selfies with the best cameras (ultra-wide, 1x or 10x), for photos or video.
• Lay it flat: swipe up to use the phone laid open on a table.
• Hands-free shooting: under Settings > Shooting methods, turn on voice commands (“cheese”, “record”) and show palm.

Calls

Phone app > menu > Settings > Answering and ending calls:

• Tap to answer, great for anyone who struggles with swiping.
• Answer using speaker. I take calls on speaker or through my Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
• Read caller names aloud.

Multitasking

Tap the handle at the top of an app to add a second app, swap them, or save the pair to your taskbar, edge panel or home screen. Turn on Labs > Multi window for all apps, plus swipe for split screen and full screen in split screen view. On the regular Fold 8, you can run three windows at once.

• Benks Crystal case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, code GREGGLESTV
• Benks Crystal case for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, code GREGGLESTV
• OhSnap SnapGrip Stand
• Buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or 8 Ultra from Samsung