Master the S Pen of your Galaxy Tablet

Is the S Pen mightier than the sword? We like to think so. Whether it's by writing directly on the screen, accessing menus easily on the fly, or just being able to doodle in a more artistic way than with your finger, the S Pen on Samsung's Tab S7, S8, and S9 series can help boost your creativity and productivity. Do more on tablets with the S Pen!
Person using an S Pen to navigate the Air Command menu on a Galaxy tablet Person using an S Pen to navigate the Air Command menu on a Galaxy tablet
Person using an S Pen to navigate the Air Command menu on a Galaxy tablet Person using an S Pen to navigate the Air Command menu on a Galaxy tablet

Master the S Pen of your Galaxy Tablet

Note
Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and tablet model. The tablet S Pen does not require charging or pairing to use its basic functions. For full functionality, use only the S Pen designed for your tablet model.

Use the Air command menu

Air Command menu on the home screen of a Galaxy Tab

The Air command menu includes special features you can use with your S Pen, such as Live messages and Translate.

 

To access the Air command menu, hover your S Pen over the screen, and then tap the floating Air command icon. You can choose from several different features:

  • Create note: Open a new note in Samsung Notes.
  • View all notes: View every note you've written in Samsung Notes.
  • Smart select: Select and save content quickly.
  • Screen write: Write and draw on the current screen with the S Pen.
  • Live messages: Personalize your messages with your own emojis, animated GIFs, and handwritten text on photos.
  • AR Doodle: Draw and write in real time using the tablet's camera.
  • Translate: Hover the S Pen over a word to translate it into another language.
  • PENUP: Draw and color with the S Pen to create your own artwork.
  • Settings icon: Change the tablet's Air command settings.
  • Add shortcuts (the plus sign): Add shortcuts for frequently used apps to the Air command panel.
Read less

S Pen to text

Handwriting icon highlighted above the keyboard on a Samsung Galaxy Tab

Type no more! With your S Pen in hand, you can write text directly on your tablet's screen.

 

To test it, open any app where you can type with an on-screen keyboard. Hover over the text field with your S Pen, and then select the Handwriting icon (it looks like the letter T). Your keyboard will turn into a white board where you can write with your S Pen.

 

The S Pen to text feature is enabled by default and can be turned on and off from the S Pen settings.

Read less

Create notes in Samsung Notes

Samsung Notes open in a pop-up window on a Galaxy tablet

Did a great idea just pop into your head? To create a quick note, open the Air command menu by tapping the icon with your S Pen, and then tap Create note. It’ll open a Samsung Notes pop-up window where you can create a note. When you're finished, tap Back. The note will automatically save.

 

From the Air command menu, you can also tap View all notes to see everything you've saved in Samsung Notes.

Read less

Use Smart select

Save icon highlighted on a Galaxy tablet

Screenshots are fun and all, but sometimes you wish you could capture only one part of the screen. Well, with Smart select and your S Pen, you can select and capture any portion on the screen.

 

Open the Air command menu by tapping the icon with your S Pen, and then tap Smart select. Select the type of capture method you want using the menu at the bottom. You can choose between Rectangle, Lasso, Oval, GIF, or Pin to screen. Use your S Pen to take a screenshot of a portion of the screen. When finished, tap Save (it looks like a downward arrow).

 

Once the image has been captured, you can choose from the following options:

  • Pin: The screenshot or GIF will appear on the screen as a pop-up that you can save, move around, or close.
  • Auto select: Smart select will select the main subject of the photo.
  • Draw: Draw directly on the screenshot or edit it. You can save the screenshot with your edits, and it will be saved in your Gallery.
  • Extract Text: Words in the screenshot will be extracted and appear at the bottom of the screen. Tap Copy to copy it to your clipboard, or tap Share to share it.
  • Share: Share the screenshot like any image or file. You can send it through email, text, and more.
  • Save: Save the screen capture to the Gallery app.
Read less

Use Screen write

Screen write icon highlighted

You’re forwarding an email to a colleague, but it's massive. Instead of having them read the entire thing, take a screenshot and highlight the important parts using your S Pen.

 

Open the Air command menu by tapping the icon with your S Pen, and then tap Screen write. Your tablet will take a screenshot of the page you are currently on. You can write or draw directly on the screenshot or crop it. You can also share the screenshot with friends and save it in the Gallery app.

Read less

Use Live messages

You’ve sent so many texts, it’s starting to get boring. Liven things up using Live messages.

 

Open the Air command menu by tapping the icon with your S Pen, and then tap Live messages. Swipe left and right to select from the following background styles:

  • Collection: View the Live messages you’ve created.
  • Gallery: Choose an image to write your message on.
  • Camera: Write or draw your message on a new picture or video. Tap Capture to take a photo, or touch and hold to take a short video clip to use as a background. Once the image or video is captured, you can begin drawing on it.
  • Color: Draw on a colored background like a traditional Live message. Select your desired color, and then tap Start drawing.

Live messages displayed on a Galaxy tablet

Once you've chosen a background style using the Gallery, Camera, or Color options, you can select the font color, style, width of the line, and whether the Live message will be saved as a MP4 or GIF. Now you can draw or write on the template. Tap the Play icon to see your progress, and tap Delete to start over. You can also tap Undo to undo the last stroke. When you are finished, tap Done. Finally, tap Share to send the animation to friends and family through text or other sharing options.

Read less

Translate text

Note
Some languages may not be available with the Translate feature. Check your device for updates to ensure you are using the latest version of the feature.

Translate bar highlighted in the top right corner of a Galaxy tablet

If you come across a webpage in a different language, don't panic if you can't read it. With the S Pen and its Translate feature, you can translate words by simply highlighting them with the pen.

  1. Open the Air command menu by tapping the icon with your S Pen, and then tap Translate.
  2. Allow the permissions, review the directions, and then tap OK.
  3. Choose your desired source language - the foreign language you want to translate.
  4. The target language (your language) will be your phone’s default language, but you can change it if desired. To do this, tap the default language on the right side.
  5. Tap the arrows in the middle of the Translate bar to switch your source language and target language.
  6. If you wish to translate an entire sentence, tap the Phrase translate icon on the Translate bar. Tap it again to return to Word translate mode. Phrase translate looks like a paragraph icon while Word translate has an icon with the letter T.
Read less

Use Screen off memo

Screen off feature displayed on a Galaxy tablet

With Screen off memo, you can create notes instantly without even unlocking your tablet.

 

With the screen off, tap the tablet's screen with your S Pen while pressing the Pen button on the side of the S Pen. Screen off memo will automatically open. Start writing your notes and when you're done, tap Save. Your notes will be saved in Samsung Notes.

Read less

Apps you can use with Air command

Shortcuts screen displayed on a Galaxy tablet

The Air command menu comes with default features, but you can add additional apps as well. If you'd like to use the S Pen's Magnify feature to zoom in on text or images, just add it to the Air command menu so you can open the app quickly.

 

Tap the Air command icon with your S Pen, and then tap Add shortcuts at the bottom (it looks like a plus sign). Select the app you would like to add - it will be moved to the Air command menu. If you change your mind, you can remove the app by tapping the red minus icon next to it.

Read less

Adjust the S Pen settings

S Pen settings displayed on a Galaxy tablet

Looking for more S Pen settings? Your tablet has a bunch of amazing features. Who knows, you might discover a feature you never even knew about.

 

From Settings, search for and select S Pen. Tap S Pen again to check out the following settings:

  • Air actions: Remotely control apps with your S Pen.
  • Air command: Select Standard or Compact for the Air command menu. You can also adjust the shortcuts, show or hide the icon on the Home screen, or open Air command using the Pen button.
  • Air view: Preview information, text, and images by hovering your S Pen over the screen.
  • S Pen to text: Use your S Pen to write in search fields, address bars, and other areas. Your handwriting will be converted to text!
  • When S Pen is removed: Select an action for when the S Pen is removed, such as creating a note.
  • Screen off memos: Create notes while the screen is off.
  • Quick notes: Create a quick note by pressing and holding the Pen button and tapping the screen twice with the Pen.
  • More S Pen settings: Use S Pen unlock, use other S Pens with your tablet, show an alert if your S Pen is left behind, and enable S Pen sounds.
  • About S Pen: View the MAC address information.
  • Contact us: Send error reports through the Samsung Members app. You can also open Samsung Members from this screen.
Read less
Was this content helpful?
We're here for you

Contact Samsung Support

Contact us online through chat and get support from an expert on your computer, mobile device or tablet. Support is also available on your mobile device through the Samsung Members App.
auto-contact_us-pc-2x auto-contact_us-pc-2x