Mastering the S Pen on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The S Pen on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a versatile tool that activates as soon as you pop it out of the bottom-left slot of the device.
Getting Started
To begin, simply press the end of the stylus to click it out of the silo. If the screen is off, you can immediately start writing to create an Off-screen memo. Once you’re done, tapping the pin icon will save it directly to Samsung Notes.
Core Features and Navigation
When the phone is unlocked, removing the pen or hovering it over the screen and clicking the side button will trigger the Air Command menu. This is your hub for the most common tasks:
- Smart Select: Allows you to crop specific parts of the screen, extract text from images, or create GIFs.
- Screen Write: Captures a full-screen screenshot and immediately lets you annotate or draw on it.
- Translate: Hover the tip of the pen over a word or sentence to see a translation in real-time.
- Magnify: Turns the pen tip into a magnifying glass for small text or detailed image work.
Air Actions (Remote Control)
The S Pen functions as a Bluetooth remote, which is particularly useful for hands-free tasks. You can customize these in Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > Air actions.
| Action | Function |
|---|---|
| Camera | Single click to take a photo; double click to switch cameras. |
| Media | Single click to play/pause music or video. |
| Gestures | Hold the button and “flick” the pen up, down, or in a circle to adjust volume or zoom. |
Precision and Customization
If you find the pen isn’t behaving exactly as you like, you can fine-tune the experience:
- S Pen to Text: Enable this in settings to write by hand in any search bar or text field; the phone will automatically convert it into typed text.
- Pointer: If you prefer a cleaner look, you can toggle the circular “hover” pointer on or off.
- Multiple Pens: You can enable “Allow multiple S Pens” if you have a backup stylus or an S Pen Pro that you want to use simultaneously with the built-in one.
To keep the battery charged, simply slide the pen back into the phone. It only takes a few minutes to reach a full charge for Bluetooth features, though the basic writing and drawing functions will work even if the battery is at 0%.