Remember IFTTT (If This Then That?. The service allowed you to create rules to automate certain tasks. From basic tasks, such as getting the weather forecast every day at 8:00 AM to parking your autonomic mower if the weather forecast foresees frost or heavy rain.
Samsung’s Modes and Routines feature for its Galaxy series of devices promises something similar. You may use it to create automated tasks on your devices.
Modes describes certain situations, e.g., where you are or what you are doing. The feature includes preset modes, for example sleep, driving or exercise, and the option to create custom modes.
Routines are rules that you may combine with modes or other features of the device. You can create routines to enable sleep mode every day at 10 PM and change certain configurations on the device at the same time.
Routines and Modes can be configured individually or in combination.
Setting up Modes and Routines
You find Modes and Routines in the Settings on the device. Note that it is not available on all Samsung devices, phones and tablets, at the time of writing. Samsung’s support page lists all recent Samsung Galaxy S devices, The Note10 and Note20, Z Fold, Z Flip and the A52 as supported.
One easy way to access the feature is to display the quick settings on the device and activate the settings icon that is displayed there. This opens the Settings and Modes and Routines should be displayed there.
Modes explained
All modes use the same basic template. You may select a preset or create custom modes. Each mode has a name, icon and color associated with it. You specify its duration and when it turns on. This may happen manually on user request or automatically.
Automatic options include when a specific app is opened, at a specific place, a time period, when a Bluetooth device connects or disconnects, or other custom parameters. The feature supports a whole range of custom options, including Android Auto, Wi-Fi, when games are played, calls are made or media is played.
Once you have set up these parameters, you may set the desired actions. This includes enabling staying focused to avoid distractions and plenty of other options. You may enable dark or power saving mode, change the volume, and change dozens of other settings or features of the device.
You may configure multiple actions that are enabled automatically when the mode is turned on.
When a mode is active, it may also change the appearance of the lock screen and the home screen.
Routines explained
Routines are the second big cornerstone. They may also be used for automation on the device. Routines always come in the format “if” and “then”. If describes triggers that execute the “then” actions.
If a mode is active, do this. If Wi-Fi Network strength drops beyond a certain point, switch to another network. If your location is X, do that. If Android Auto is connected, enable Do Not Disturb mode.
Closing Words
Modes and routines are powerful options to automate certain tasks and actions on Samsung devices. It may take a while to fully understand what you can do with the feature, as there is so much to explore and check out.
It takes just a minute or so to set up a new automated routine on the device, but there is no limit regarding complexity. You may create easy automations, like enabling sleep mode every day at 10 PM and enabling power saving mode, eye comfort shield and dim the wallpaper at the same time.
You may also create actions that involve location rather than time. Maybe enable Do Not Disturb whenever you are at work, school or at the cinema. Lots of options to configure, which is the feature’s greatest strength but may also make others shy away from it.
Now You: do you use automation on your devices?