5 Samsung Apps that You’re Missing Out On

So, you’ve got a shiny new Samsung Galaxy. You’re enjoying the amazing screen, the powerful cameras, and the sleek hardware. But let’s be real—the first thing most of us do is hide away the folder of pre-installed Samsung apps we think we’ll never use.

While “Bixby” might be the first app you disable, you could be dragging some serious gems into that “unused” folder. Samsung develops some incredibly powerful and useful applications that don’t come on the standard home screen, and many users are missing out on what their phone can really do.

These apps aren’t just clones of Google services; they’re unique tools designed to unlock your hardware. Here are five Samsung apps you’re probably missing out on.

1. Good Lock: The Ultimate Customization Toolkit

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could just change this one little thing about my phone’s software,” you need Good Lock.

Good Lock isn’t just one app; it’s a suite of “modules” or plugins that let you customize nearly every aspect of your phone’s One UI (Samsung’s software). It’s an official Samsung app, available from their Galaxy Store, that gives you the kind of control normally reserved for “rooting” your phone.

Key features you’re missing:

• LockStar: Completely redesign your lock screen layout.
• QuickStar: Change the colors, icons, and layout of your Quick Panel (the menu you swipe down).
• NavStar: Customize the navigation bar or gesture controls.
• Home Up: Get more control over your home screen, like changing the app grid size or folder appearance.

Availability: This one, unfortunately, is a Samsung-exclusive app. It’s not available on the Google Play Store for other brands, as it hooks directly into Samsung’s One UI.

Download Good Lock from the Galaxy Store

2. Expert RAW: Unleash Your Inner Pro Photographer

Samsung phones, especially the high-end S series, have some of the best camera hardware on the market. But the default camera app is designed for quick, easy, point-and-shoot pictures.

Expert RAW is a separate, Samsung-made camera app for photographers who want full control. It provides a full “pro mode” experience, allowing you to manually adjust ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and focus.

The biggest difference? It captures 16-bit Linear DNG RAW files. This means you capture a massive amount of uncompressed image data, giving you incredible flexibility when editing your photos in professional software like Adobe Lightroom. It’s the closest you can get to a DSLR experience on your phone.

Availability: Expert RAW is typically reserved for Samsung’s high-end Galaxy S, Fold, and Z series phones. It is available on Galaxy S20 models and later. It is not available for other brands.

Learn more about Expert RAW here

3. Samsung Notes: More Than Just a Notepad

Yes, your phone has a note-taking app. But Samsung Notes has evolved into a full-fledged productivity powerhouse that rivals apps like OneNote and Evernote, especially if you have an S Pen.

It’s far more than a digital scratchpad. You can create complex notes with images, voice recordings, and handwritten text. One of its killer features is Audio Bookmark. You can start recording a lecture or meeting, and as you take notes, your text is timestamped to the audio. Tapping a word in your notes will play back the audio from that exact moment.

It also features robust PDF annotation, perfect for signing documents or taking notes on a presentation. Best of all, it syncs seamlessly with Microsoft OneNote and has a powerful desktop app for Windows.

Availability: The mobile app is best on Samsung Android devices (especially with an S Pen), but its power is extended with a full-featured Windows app (although it’s exclusive for Samsung Laptops).

Get Samsung Notes for your PC from the Microsoft Store

4. Samsung Wallet: Your Digital Life in One Place

You’ve heard of Google Wallet, but Samsung has its own, deeply integrated version. Samsung Wallet is the evolution of Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass, merging them into one secure app.

Sure, it handles your credit and debit cards for tap-to-pay. But its real power lies in everything else it holds. Samsung Wallet can securely store:

• Loyalty cards
• Boarding passes and event tickets
• Digital keys for your car, home, and office
• Digital IDs and vaccination cards
• Passwords (from the old Samsung Pass)

Because Samsung controls the hardware, it can offer security features that third-party apps can’t. It’s designed to be the one app that replaces your physical wallet.

Availability: Like Google Wallet on other Androids, this is Samsung’s exclusive integrated solution. It is not available for other phone brands.

Learn more about Samsung Wallet

5. Samsung Kids: A Safe Digital Playground

If you’re a parent, this app is a lifesaver. Samsung Kids isn’t just an app; it’s a complete “walled garden” or safe environment you can launch for your child.

You can access it directly from your phone’s Quick Panel. When activated, it locks your child into a bright, friendly, and simple interface with curated apps and content. You, the parent, have total control.

Key parental control features:

• Set Time Limits: Control daily playtime.
• Manage App Access: You decide exactly which apps (like specific games or learning tools) your child can use.
• Usage Reports: See what your child has been doing.
• PIN Lock: Your child can’t leave the Samsung Kids environment without your phone’s PIN.

This means you can hand your phone to your child without worrying they’ll accidentally delete your work email or browse YouTube unsupervised.

Availability: This feature is built directly into Samsung One UI and is not available on other brands.

Learn more about Samsung Kids

Your Phone Can Do More

Before you install another third-party app, it’s worth checking if Samsung already built a better, more integrated version. These five apps are just the beginning, but they show how Samsung’s software can add real value to the hardware you paid for.

You can find all of these apps (or enable them) by searching the Galaxy Store on your phone.

Availability at a Glance