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Galaxy phones run a customized version of Android, and the perk of choosing One UI is getting exclusive Samsung features. Samsung arguably gives Galaxy users more control over their smartphones than any other Android brand. There are handy features built right into One UI 8.5, and so many more hidden behind optional apps like Good Lock. However, you shouldn't jump straight to Good Lock without exploring the Labs features hiding inside your favorite Samsung apps.
Labs is Samsung's home for new, advanced, or experimental features. Unlike a software suite like Galaxy AI, Labs features are scattered across One UI and default Samsung apps. This makes them easy to miss, and I ignored them for too long. After finding these Labs features on my Galaxy phone, it finally feels smart.
Labs features tweak your Galaxy phone settings
They improve performance and enhance your multitasking experience
Samsung succinctly explains Labs as a way to "try experimental features." In reality, the Labs suite on a Galaxy phone is more complex than that. Some of the Labs features are more like extra settings, similar to the Developer Options menu built into Android. Others enhance the capabilities of first-party Samsung apps, like Health, Expert RAW, and SmartThings. A few more are a bit of both, enhancing the multitasking capabilities of your Galaxy phone.
Let's start with the Connectivity Labs features, which remind me a lot of Developer Options tools. These features give you insight into your Wi-Fi and data connections, and let you control how Wi-Fi and cellular networks are managed. The tricky part is, Connectivity Labs is completely hidden. You need to surface it by tapping your Galaxy phone's Intelligent Wi-Fi version number seven times. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Settings app on your Galaxy phone.
- Tap Connections.
- Press Wi-Fi.
- Tap the three-button menu.
- Select Intelligent Wi-Fi.
- Look for your Intelligent Wi-Fi version number near the bottom half of the screen. Tap it seven times to enable Connectivity Labs.
- You'll now see a Connectivity Labs button in the Intelligent Wi-Fi menu. Tap it to open Connectivity Labs.
Most other Galaxy Labs features are easier to access than Connectivity Labs, but the complicated process goes to show how inconsistent (and diverse) the Labs experience can be throughout One UI. While Connectivity Labs is the hardest to find, it's also the most rewarding.
You can see daily connectivity average, Wi-Fi and data usage stats, and the time spent using each Wi-Fi version. For example, my Galaxy S25 Edge supports Wi-Fi 7, but my home network uses Wi-Fi 6E, so Connectivity Labs shows all my time spent on Wi-Fi 6. Interestingly, Connectivity Labs also notes that only about a third of my connected time was spent on the 6GHz band, with the rest falling to the 5GHz band. My phone isn't using the wireless "fast lane" on my network as much as I should, and thanks to Connectivity Labs, I can troubleshoot it.
Other neat Connectivity Labs features include the Home Wi-Fi inspection, which tests your Wi-Fi network and suggests improvements based on the results. There are also a slew of niche toggles in Connectivity Labs, like Switching to mobile data faster and Connect to 2.4GHz for IOT setup. That last one sounds really useful for configuring smart home devices that don't work properly on the 5GHz band, or can't connect to it at all. So, I'll flip it on — another win for Connectivity Labs.
You should also know about the Labs menu in the Advanced features tab of the Settings app. To get there, navigate through Settings → Advanced features → Labs. Here, you'll be able to choose apps that always use dark mode, regardless of your Galaxy phone's system setting. You can also enable Multi-window for all apps, which forces every Android app to work with Samsung's pop-up view and split-screen multitasking features.
Samsung apps have hidden Labs features, too
If you use Samsung's default apps, you're in luck
Some people hate the duplicate Samsung and Google apps on Galaxy phones, while others swear by the default One UI apps. If you fall into the latter camp, you're going to love the Labs features inside Samsung apps like Health, SmartThings, and Expert RAW. The Labs features in Samsung Health are already turned on by default, but they shouldn't be overlooked. These Labs features power the Antioxidant Index and Vascular Load metrics on Galaxy wearables. Using this menu, you can turn off these Labs features.
Expert RAW is the advanced Samsung camera app for pros and enthusiasts, and it's no surprise there are Labs features here. You can use some clever shooting modes, such as Astrophoto for star shots and Ocean mode for underwater photography, using Labs tools in the Expert RAW app. There's also support for virtual aperture, ND filters, and multiple exposure modes. If you haven't tried Expert RAW yet, these Labs features will make you want to.
Last but not least, Samsung SmartThings — the app for Samsung's smart home ecosystem — has a handy Labs feature that keeps the display active when the app is running. This toggle might seem puzzling, but it's actually genius. This Labs tool lets you turn an old Galaxy phone or tablet into a permanent smart home controller, and the display will always stay on to match this use case.
Labs features come and go often. Open the settings page for any Samsung app and check for a Labs menu. This is where you'll find any experimental features, but not every Samsung app has them.
Galaxy Labs is best for foldable phones
You need Labs features to really make the most of your Samsung foldable
Labs features are neat for Samsung power users, but they're absolutely essential for Galaxy foldable owners. Remember that Advanced features tab we covered for Galaxy phones? If you navigate to Settings → Advanced features → Labs on a foldable, you'll find new Labs options here specifically catering to the form factor of folding phones. You can choose which apps run on the cover screen, and there's a convenient option to install MultiStar for running any app on the outer display. In addition, foldable users will find a Use main screen navigation on the cover display toggle in this Labs menu.
As you can see, Labs features are scattered throughout your Galaxy phone and Samsung apps. They're useful, but maybe not as polished as other Galaxy features. I use Labs to run apps on my foldable cover screen, force apps to conform with Samsung's multitasking modes, and check my network using Connectivity Labs. Enthusiasts love to talk about Good Lock, and for good reason, but don't forget about Labs.
