How to Use Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 With Gloves

It’s approaching that time of the year again. Halloween is almost here, and soon Christmas and the coldest months will arrive. All the while it will be snowing for days and freezing cold. If you’ve ever tried to use your smartphone or Galaxy device with gloves, it doesn’t quite work. Thankfully Samsung recently introduced a mode specifically to allow users to handle their smartphones even whilst wearing gloves.

Touchscreen devices don’t play well with gloves, and as a result the Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3, and a few other devices all have specific features to combat this problem. If you’ve ever been to NYC or Chicago in February you know what we mean. Taking gloves off for a few moments to send a text is never fun, and Samsung has a quick and simple setting to enable you to keep them on, and those typing fingers warm.

How to Use Galaxy Note 3 & Galaxy S4 With Gloves

It’s really quite easy. Samsung introduced a simple feature in the settings menu that will allow the smartphone to crank up the display sensitivity to a level you wouldn’t usually use, one that will recognize touch input through thick gloves. The option is the same for both the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Note 3, but are in slightly different places as the Note 3 settings menu is different. Since the Note 3 is newest, we’ll start with that.

“Increase Touch Sensitivity” is the setting we’ll be searching for today. Users with the Note 3 will tap the menu button (left of the dedicated home button) and head into system settings. You’ll also be able to tap the Gear-shaped settings icon in the app tray to quickly access the device settings menu. From here you’ll choose the third column up top, which will be Controls.

From the controls option you’ll scroll down to the bottom and notice an option listed as “Increase Touch Sensitivity” which is explained as increasing the display to be used while wearing gloves. This is it, it’s that easy. Just check the option to enable increased sensitivity and you’ll be enjoying the Galaxy Note 3 out in the cold with ease. The touch controls aren’t perfect, or extremely responsive, but it sure beats having to take off your gloves and risk some frostbite. Here’s a how to video for those who want a better visual explanation.

To sum the instructions up, here’s how you change this setting in simpler terms. Menu > Settings > Controls Column > Check Increase Touch Sensitivity. That’s all. Fancy that!

Galaxy S4 Instructions

For those enjoying the Samsung Galaxy S4 or the Note 2, the options are slightly different, but you’ll be looking for the exact same setting in the menu. For the Galaxy S4 the image below shows you where to navigate. Simply head into settings and select the second column for “My Device” then hit “Display” and scroll to the bottom to find the same touch sensitivity option. Check this and you’ll be typing away with gloves in no time. Personally I’d rather just use Google Voice dictation, but to each his own.

Should You Use This Feature?

Increasing the touch sensitivity for your Galaxy device will cause a slight drain on battery life, although it shouldn’t be anything too significant to cause users not to use this excellent and convenient setting. However, you may want to leave this box unchecked except for specific times you’ll be needing it. Otherwise users could accidentally unlock and launch apps while a device is in a pocket or purse. You wouldn’t want to butt dial anyone would you?

The high sensitivity cranks up the display and will serve an excellent purpose when needed, but we’d recommend keeping this option disabled for the rest of the year.