Samsung phones can do some audio and multi-device tricks others can't

Samsung's One UI software, which runs on Galaxy phones and tablets, has audio and multi-device tricks that other Android phones do not offer, according to Engadget. Three stand out: sharing one keyboard and mouse across devices, sending different apps to different speakers, and letting a friend play music through your speaker.

One keyboard for phone and tablet

Multi Control lets you connect a keyboard and mouse to one device and use them on others. It works across Galaxy devices and Windows PCs. You can type in text boxes on every connected device and drag files between them. Lenovo and Oppo/OnePlus offer similar tools, but those need a PC in the middle. Samsung's works between a phone and a tablet with no PC at all.

Multi Control on a PC used to work only with Samsung computers such as Galaxy Books. Samsung has now opened it to any PC.

Different apps, different speakers

Android normally plays one audio source at a time, and through one output. Samsung's Separate App Sound changes that. You can send TikTok or Instagram to the phone's own speaker while music keeps playing over the car's Bluetooth. That avoids blasting a random video through the car stereo.

• Open Settings, then Sounds and vibration, then Separate app sound.
• Pick an app, then pick the output device for it.
• For more control, Samsung's Good Lock app has a Sound Assistant module that lets chosen apps play audio at the same time.

Letting a friend take over the music

Music Share lets other people play through your phone's Bluetooth connection. Connect your phone to a speaker and turn on Music Share from the Quick Panel. The speaker then shows up on friends' phones as the speaker name via your name. Their audio goes to your phone first, then on to the speaker. That skips the confusing Bluetooth menus in many cars.

There are controls. By default, only contacts can send a pairing request, and you must approve it. A device is disconnected after 10 minutes without audio. You can change that to five minutes, 30 minutes or never. You can also remove anyone at any time.

Which phones get these features

Engadget tested the features on One UI 9 and One UI 8.5. They are also available on One UI 8, which some older devices support. Not every Samsung phone will update to the newest software, so check which version your phone runs. The material here fully describes only three of the five features in the story.