7 Good Lock tricks that changed how I use my Samsung phone every day

Good Lock is one of the most powerful and often-overlooked tools for anyone who owns a Samsung phone.

While One UI is feature-packed, Good Lock takes the entire setup to the next level. It unlocks a host of customization and productivity features that completely change how you interact with your device.

Over the last few months, I have discovered a handful of tricks. Make no mistake, these aren’t just cosmetic changes. They have made my Galaxy S23 Ultra more efficient, intuitive, and truly tailored to the way I live and work.

Let’s go over them.

Opening Finder from the home screen

As a long-time iPhone user, one of the biggest muscle memory habits I had to break when I switched to Samsung was swiping down on the home screen to access the powerful universal search.

On my iPhone, that gesture immediately brought up Spotlight, which could find apps, contacts, files, and even perform quick web searches. On my new Galaxy, the same gesture would pull down the notification shade. It was a minor frustration.

That’s where Good Lock saved me. Using a simple tweak from the Home Up > Home Screen > Finder access menu, I was able to re-map that familiar swipe-down gesture to launch Samsung’s Finder.

Now, with a single swipe, I can instantly find whatever I need without ever leaving the home screen.

It’s a small change, but it’s one of the impactful Good Lock tricks I have discovered, and it’s something I use throughout the day.

Changing the Recent apps menu layout

The default Recents screen on Samsung phones with side-scrolling app cards never really worked for me. I often found myself swiping through a handful of apps just to find the one I wanted, and it felt like a waste of time.

The layout only showed a small portion of each app, making it hard to quickly identify what I was looking for, especially when I had more than a few apps open.

But Good Lock’s Home Up module solved this. I simply navigated to Task Changer and selected Grid. Now, when I open the Recent apps menu, I see a condensed grid of all my open applications.

I can view many apps at a glance and find the one I need almost instantly. It’s an effective change that has made multitasking on my Samsung phone faster and intuitive.

Customizing Edge panel

The Edge panel is a feature I have always found useful, but it is better with Good Lock. I can go to the Home Up menu, select Edge panel, and enable the option to add more items to it.

I can now fit more of my most-used apps on a single panel and eliminate the need to swipe between different screens.

I have organized my main apps on a single panel and then added a second one specifically for my most-used contacts.

This level of customization has made a huge difference in my daily use, where I access what I need in a split second.

Customizing the lock screen with LockStar

Before using Good Lock’s LockStar module, my lock screen and AOD (Always On Display) were a little boring. The default options are fine, but they are not very personal.

LockStar gave me the creative freedom to overhaul both screens completely.

The real fun comes with the customization options. I have unlocked a whole new library of clock styles, far beyond what’s available in the stock settings.

I can add my own text and stickers, so my lock screen now features a little quote that motivates me every time I pick up my phone. I can even add a small collection of app shortcuts on the side.

Running Routines with S Pen

I’m a huge fan of Samsung’s Modes and Routines. However, Good Lock takes the entire setup to the next level with the Routines+ module.

It unlocks a new level of control by letting me create custom routines triggered by a simple press of the S Pen button. For example, I have a routine that launches OneNote with a single press of the button.

I don’t fumble around trying to find the app icon when I need to jot something down quickly in a meeting. This ability to turn the S Pen into a remote control is quite handy.

If you are a power Routines user, I can’t recommend this one enough.

Unlocking a powerful screen recorder tool

Taking a screenshot or a screen recording on a Samsung phone is easy, but managing them afterward can be a hassle.

The default process often felt clunky, where I would take a quick screenshot of a recipe or a funny text and delete it from the gallery afterward.

And when it came to screen recordings, getting notifications or phone calls during the process was a constant headache. That’s where I found the Nice Shot module useful.

It adds a crucial layer of control to both screenshots and screen recordings. My favorite feature is the add delete button on the screenshot toolbar alongside the usual options.

If I know I have captured a mistake or something I don’t need to save, I can tap the trash button, and it’s gone instantly. For screen recordings, Nice Shot enables the DND mode automatically when I start recording.

It’s a small but smart feature that saves me from having to manually toggle DND on and off every time I want to record. The module also provides more options for selfie videos.

Adding a personal touch to notifications

Edge Lighting+ is another must-have module for everyone. It takes the basic Edge Lighting feature and supercharges it with several customization options.

I can now display notifications with custom styles when the titles or content have specific keywords. It takes the basic Edge Lighting feature and supercharges it with an array of new effects.

Instead of just a single color pulse or fireworks, I can add flowers, rain, hearts, stars, and other effects. The possibilities are endless with it.

Samsung is also working on a DIY Home Screen module. It’s currently in beta. It lets you add different types of permanent stickers to the home screen.

The South Korean giant offers several modules to change the entire look and feel of the device. I don’t use them personally as I’m perfectly fine with the default One UI look, but I encourage everyone to take them up for a spin.

Level up your Samsung phone

Good Lock is more than just a customization tool. It’s the key to making your Samsung phone your own.

The tricks above are tailored towards my personal routine. You can explore Good Lock and make more changes that fit your needs and preferences.

So what are you waiting for? Head to the Galaxy Store or the Play Store on your Samsung phone, download Good Lock, and start exploring.

Aside from Good Lock, here are other underrated One UI apps you are probably not using.