Change the S Pen settings on your Galaxy Note

S Pen writing on a Note20

Your Note's S Pen can be customized with a touch lighter than air. You don’t even have to press your screen anymore. Just set your phone to Air view and simply wave the S Pen near your screen. You can do this and so much more in S Pen settings.

Important: Magnetic phone covers might interfere with the S Pen. Remove the cover before using the S Pen.

S Pen features and settings

Note: Available features may vary by model and software version.

Maybe you’d like to see a pointer displayed on the screen to show the path of your S Pen. Or, maybe you want an alarm that will sound if you accidentally walk away from your phone with the S Pen. Follow these steps to customize the S Pen's settings.

From Settings, search for and select S Pen under Advanced features.

Here are all of the different settings you can adjust:

A list of S Pen settings on a Galaxy phone

  • Air actions: Turn on or adjust the remote controllability features that come with your S Pen.

  • S Pen unlock: Unlock your phone without entering your PIN or Password. You just need to press the S Pen button.

  • Screen off memo: Create notes by pressing the pen button, touching the screen while it is off, and then writing on it.

  • Create note with Pen button: To start a new note, press and hold the Pen button and then tap the screen twice with the S Pen.

  • Air view: Turn Air view on or off. This feature lets you preview information, text, and images by hovering your S Pen over the screen.

  • Show pointer when hovering: Turn the pointer on or off. The pointer appears on the screen when the tip of the S Pen is hovering close enough. Holding the pointer over some features can reveal what an item is or what it does.

  • Allow multiple S Pens: Use other S Pens on your screen while your S Pen is inserted into your phone. Keep in mind that this may drain your battery.

  • Shortcuts: Add or remove shortcuts for apps.

  • Show floating icon: Minimize the Air command menu into a floating icon that can be moved around the screen.

  • Open Air command with Pen button: Hover your S Pen over the screen and press the Pen button to open the Air command menu.

  • When S Pen is removed: You can select which action will happen you remove the S Pen from your phone.

  • Pen proximity alert: Sound an alarm if you walk away from your phone without inserting the S Pen and the screen is off.

  • Sound: Play sounds when you insert or remove the S Pen or write on the screen.

  • Vibration: Sets your phone to vibrate when you insert or remove the S Pen.

Certain apps may have additional options for the S Pen. In Samsung Notes, for instance, you can change the thickness of the pen, or draw exclusively with the S Pen by selecting the option for Finger drawing off.

Other answers that might help

How would you like to contact us?

Message Us

Get support from Samsung Experts and Samsung Care Pros Or Text HELP to 62913

24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK
Message Us

Request Service

Schedule in-home, walk-in, or mail-in service with our easy service diagnosis and scheduling tool

Request service

Help with your Order

Your order, returns, refunds and trade-in questions answered

ORDER SUPPORT

SMS Chat

Text SMSCARE to 62913 to receive live support 24/7*

* Standard text message and data rates may apply

Social Support

Contact us on Twitter or Facebook and we'll reply with an answer to your question or issue.

Ask the Community

Browse answers, ask questions and get solutions from other Samsung customers.

JOIN DISCUSSION

Question about a promotion?

Learn more about Samsung promotions.

SAMSUNG PROMOTIONS
Contact
  • Give us a call 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864)
  • Mobile Support 8 AM - 12 AM EST 7 days a week
  • Home Electronics & Appliance Support 8 AM - 12 AM EST M-F 9 AM - 6 PM EST Sat, Closed Sunday
  • IT/Computing Support 8 AM - 9 PM EST, Mon - Fri Closed Sat-Sun
  • Order Support Order Help