How To Get The Most Out Of Your New Galaxy Tab With An S Pen
You’ll find Samsung’s state of the art stylus pen seamlessly integrated with the latest Galaxy Tabs. If you’re looking for power and accuracy in every movement and a pen to paper experience, you can’t go wrong with a Samsung S Pen. Read on to explore how you can get the most out of your new Samsung tablet using the Galaxy Tab S Pen.
How does the Tab S Pen work?
The S Pen is the epic Samsung stylus which gives you the power to go beyond basic touch interaction with your new Samsung tablet. Designed to feel like a real pen with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity you can get creative with writing, drawing and swiping.
To get your S Pen to work simply remove it from its integrated holder on the back of your new Samsung tablet, hover it over the screen and get writing! To access the full S Pen features you’ll need to activate Air Command; Samsung’s innovative software that allows for seamless interaction with your Galaxy Tab.
When it comes to using your Galaxy Tab S Pen there’s so much to explore. Whether you use your S Pen to write directly on your tablet’s screen, convert your writing to text, produce and edit documents with Samsung Notes or use PENUP to unleash your inner artist you’ll be an S Pen Pro in no time.
Explore the S Pen features in the Air Command menu
Simply hover your S Pen over the tablet screen to access the Air Command menu (a small circle with pen icon). Here you’ll have the option to:
- Create note: get writing and drawing with Samsung Notes
- Smart Select: use your S Pen to select and save content
- Screen write: Write on the current screen with your S Pen
- Live messages: Get personal with your own animated GIFs, emojis and handwritten text on photos
- AR Doodle: draw, annotate and doodle on surfaces using the S Pen and Galaxy Tab camera
- Translate: use your S Pen to hover over a word or phrase to see an instant translation. You can even hear how it’s pronounced by tapping on the sound icon.
- PENUP: get drawing, colouring or designing with your S Pen and the PENUP app.
You can find more information about using the Samsung Galaxy S Pen in our ‘Get the most out of your S Pen’ guide.
How to draw on a Samsung tablet?
Drawing and writing on a Galaxy Tab have never been easier with the epic Samsung stylus pen in the latest Galaxy Tab. Whether you’re looking to use the S Pen to boost your productivity or get creative with digital art you have a number of options:
1. Samsung Notes
Simply tap ‘create a note’ in the Air Command menu to begin. You can write, draw, highlight, adjust the size and change the transparency of your text - the freedom is yours. When you’re done, simply save and share. Find our step-by-step guide to taking notes using your S Pen here.
2. Screen Write
Annotating images, charts or PDF documents is easy with Screen Write. You’ll find Screen Write in the Air Command menu. Once you tap Screen Write, a screen capture will be taken of the content you are reviewing and the S Pen annotation tools will automatically open. You can then add notes with the S Pen, crop the image and share your ideas via email or messaging apps.
3. Screen off Memo
Suddenly remembered something you’ve forgotten? Simply remove the S Pen and start writing on your new Galaxy Tab screen without even needing to unlock it. When you’re done you’ll find all your saved memos in Samsung Notes.
4. Handwriting to Text
Bored of typing? In any app where you can type with an on screen keyboard, hover over the text field with your S Pen and select the handwriting icon (letter T) and get writing with your Samsung stylus.
5. PENUP
When it’s time to sit back and relax, PENUP has you covered. Learn to draw, get artistic with your own design or chill with some mindful onscreen colouring all thanks to the S Pen. For next level creativity the Galaxy Tab S8 series have teamed up with Clip Studio Paint, the painting app used by professionals, so you can get creating masterpieces. Use your Galaxy smartphone as the artistic palette and your entire Tab S8 screen as your canvas.
Does the S Pen work on all Samsung tablets?
The innovative Samsung stylus pen is available with the Galaxy Tab S6, S7, S8, S9 and latest Tab S10 Ultra. Perfectly integrated into the back of the tablet the Galaxy Tab S Pen connects and charges seamlessly with the latest range of Galaxy Tabs.
Please note: For full functionality only use the S Pen designed for your Galaxy Tab.
How to connect Samsung S Pen to the latest Galaxy Tablet?
Connecting your Galaxy Tab S Pen to your new tablet is seamless. In fact, all you have to do is place it in the designated slot on the back of the tablet and the S Pen will connect automatically. The S Pen constantly emits a Bluetooth signal to your tablet so it’s always ready to go at a moment's notice.
And when it comes to charging? Sit back and relax safe in the knowledge that your new Galaxy Tab is doing the hard work for you. Whenever you put the Samsung stylus back in the slot it instinctively starts the charging process. If you want to check the current battery status for the S Pen, simply press the button on the side of the pen while it is in the charging slot (the tablet screen should also be unlocked).
If your S Pen does not appear to be charging or connecting to your Galaxy Tab, try resetting it following the steps below:
1. On your Galaxy Tab open Settings
2. Tap Air Actions
3. Tap More options
4. Tap Reset S Pen
Please note:
- Tab S6: the S Pen nib should be facing downwards, away from the camera for charging and pairing
- Tab S7 and Tab S8: the pen’s nib must be pointing upwards, towards the cameras for pairing and charging
- Resetting the S Pen will revert it to its default settings
Which is the best Samsung tablet with an S Pen?
The incredible Galaxy Tab S9 series takes the award winning formula from previous Galaxy Tab models and continues to innovate to make them even more exceptional. Bursting with stunning features, immersive screens and powerful batteries the Galaxy S9 range has something for everyone.
If you’re looking for the best Samsung tablet with an S Pen you can’t go wrong with the gorgeous Galaxy Tab S9+ 5G. There’s the brand new integrated S Pen stylus that magnetically snaps into the back of the tablet to charge and the ultra-low latency brings all your ideas to life whilst giving you impressive levels of control. You can even combine it with the awesome Galaxy S24 series to create artwork masterpieces with Clip Studio Paint. And to top it all off it’s the thinnest and toughest Samsung Galaxy Tab yet with its impressive Armour Aluminum casing.
For even more inspiration check out our ‘How to choose the best tablet for you’ and ‘Which Tablet Screen Size Is Best For You?’ buying guides.
Most common questions
Explore answers to frequent queries below.
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