Did MySJ Trace stop working, even with Bluetooth enabled?
Find out what’s going on, and the solution to this problem!
MySJ Trace Won’t Work, Even With Bluetooth On!
Recently, you may have noticed that MySJ Trace stopped working, even with Bluetooth enabled!
You will be asked to setup MySJ Trace again, but clicking on the Allow button does nothing, and Bluetooth is listed as turned off, even when it is actually enabled.
Why MySJ Trace Won’t Work With Bluetooth On
Some people assumed / claimed that it was a bug in the new MySejahtera version that allowed 5-11 year-old children to be registered for COVID-19 vaccination.
That’s not really the case. It is really because you recently updated your smartphone to Android 12. For example, many Samsung users recently received the upgrade to One UI 4, which is based on Android 12.
Google has been introducing new privacy features in every iteration of Android, limiting the amount of data apps have access to.
In earlier versions of Android, the ability to scan for nearby Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices was tied to the Location permission. That’s why the Android version of MySejahtera requires Location permission, while the iOS version does not.
This led to (false) accusations that contact tracing apps like MySejahtera were tracking people’s movements.
To fix that problem for good, Google added two new Bluetooth permissions to Android 12 – BLUETOOTH_SCAN and BLUETOOTH_CONNECT, that are separate from the Location permission.
These two new Bluetooth permissions allow your smartphone to detect Nearby devices without the need to enable Location.
Unfortunately, this Nearby devices permission is disabled by default, so when you upgrade to Android 12, MySejahtera automatically loses the ability to check for nearby devices.
How To Get MySJ Trace Working Again In Android 12
Here is what you need to do to get MySJ Trace working again with Android 12 devices:
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Permissions.
Step 2 : Tap on the Nearby devices option under the list of Not allowed permissions.
Step 3 : Tap on the Allow option.
If you have already setup MySJ Trace earlier, it will now work without further action.
I hope you found this guide useful. Please SHARE it with your family and friends!
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Here is our UPDATED video + pictorial guide on how to ENABLE and DISABLE MySJ Trace in MySejahtera!
Updated @ 2022-01-24 : Added a solution for MySJ Trace not working on Android 12 devices.
Updated @ 2022-01-06 : Added two solutions for people who cannot enable MySJ Trace.
Updated @ 2022-01-02 : Added a new method on disabling MySJ Trace, and a new video guide.
Updated @ 2021-12-30 : Added two methods on disabling MySJ Trace, and a new video guide.
Originally posted @ 2021-12-29
Why Enable MySJ Trace In MySejahtera?
MySJ Trace is a new MySejahtera feature, which allows for more accurate contact tracing, and removes the need to manually check out from locations.
Once enabled, your phone will use Bluetooth to communicate with other phones that have MySJ Trace enabled, to determine the distance and length of contact. This eliminates the need to manually check-out.
The proximity data it collects allows Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) to accurately determine if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person.
Obviously, this feature only works if everyone has MySJ Trace enabled, so please enable it!
Others are worried about the battery life that the persistent Bluetooth connection will consume. As it uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, the power consumption is very low.
Even so, the battery consumption is a valid concern for some users, especially those who are using smartphones with very small or ageing batteries.
However, I highly recommend you try MySJ Trace before turning it off and on like that. From my personal experience, it really uses very little power.
How To Enable + Disable MySJ Trace In MySejahtera!
I created this video to show you how to enable and disable MySJ Trace in MySejahtera.
Note : This is the extended version, which includes the method to permanently disable MySJ Trace.
For those who prefer a step-by-step guide with pictures, please skip to the next section.
How To Enable MySJ Trace In MySejahtera?
MySJ Trace is (currently) NOT mandatory and is an opt-in feature, so you actually have to manually enable it, if you want to participate.
Step 1 : Update to the MySejahtera version that has MySJ Trace.
Step 2 : Open MySejahtera, and you will see a black MySJ Trace section in the default Check-in screen.
Step 3 : Tap on Setup MySJ Trace to begin the setup process.
Step 4 : Tap on the Start button in the initial explainer screen.
Step 5 : Tap the I agree button to consent to give your “interaction information” for the past 14 days to the Malaysia Ministry of Health for “contact tracing purposes”.
Step 6 : In the App Permissions screen, tap on the Allow button.
Step 7 : First, you will be asked to allow MySejahtera to access your smartphone’s location. Tap on While using the app.
Step 8 : Next, you will be asked to allow MySejahtera to detect your location all the time. Tap on Allow all the time.
Step 9 : Now, you will be asked to enable Bluetooth, if it is not already enabled.
Step 10 : Once all necessary permissions have been enabled, just tap on the Close button.
That’s it! You have now activated MySJ Trace in MySejahtera.
What If You Can’t Enable MySJ Trace In MySejahtera?
Quite a few people have reported to us that tapping on the Allow button doesn’t do anything (Step 6). Here are some solutions…
iOS Devices : Manually Turn On Bluetooth
In your iOS device, there are two ways to turn on Bluetooth :
Go to Settings > Bluetooth, and tap on the toggle to turn it on
Pull down the Notification Center, and tap on the Bluetooth icon to turn it on.
After turning on Bluetooth manually, set up MySJ Trace again from Step 3. It should now work.
Android Devices : Manually Turn On Bluetooth + Location
In your Android device, there are two ways to turn on Bluetooth :
Go to Settings > Connections, and tap on the Bluetooth toggle to turn it on
Pull down the notification tray, and tap on the Bluetooth icon to turn it on.
After turning on Bluetooth manually, you should also manually enable Location permission :
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Permissions.
Step 2 : Tap on the Location option under the list of Allowed permissions.
Step 3 : Tap on Allow All the time.
After this, set up MySJ Trace again from Step 3. It should now work.
Android 12 Devices : Enable Nearby Devices
MySJ Trace may stop working once your device is upgraded to Android 12.
Here is what you need to do to get MySJ Trace working again with Android 12 devices:
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Permissions.
Step 2 : Tap on the Nearby devices option under the list of Not allowed permissions.
MySejahtera does not offer any option to turn off MySJ Trace once you set it up, but if you prefer to turn off MySJ Trace to “protect your privacy“, or to save a little power, there is an easy way to do it.
All you have to do is disable Bluetooth connectivity, and MySJ Trace is immediately disabled. That’s because MySJ Trace relies on Bluetooth to determine your proximity to other users.
You can do that by pulling down the notification tray in your smartphone, and tapping on the active Bluetooth icon to disable it. Alternatively, you can disable it in your device settings.
Once disabled, the MySJ Trace section in the MySejahtera check-in screen will now ask you to setup again. But there is no need to set it up again.
Whenever you want to re-enable MySJ Trace, all you have to do is re-enable Bluetooth, and MySJ Trace will immediately start working again. Essentially, your smartphone’s Bluetooth connectivity now acts as a toggle for MySJ Trace.
Permanently Disable MySJ Trace
For those who want to permanently disable MySJ Trace, without disabling Bluetooth, reinstalling MySejahtera works for both Android and iOS devices. This is the only known solution for iOS devices.
Android devices, on the other hand, have two alternatives – disabling location permission, or clearing app data.
Option A : Disable Location Permission
Here are the steps to disable Location Permission for MySejahtera in your Android device :
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Permissions.
Step 2 : Tap on the Location option under the list of Allowed permissions.
Step 3 : Tap on Allow only while using the app or Deny.
That’s it! Once you go out, MySJ Trace will be permanently disabled in MySejahtera.
Credit : I would like to thank Kyle Hudsons for pointing this out to us.
Option B : Clear MySejahtera App Data
Here are the steps to clear the MySejahtera app data in your Android device :
Step 1 : Go to Settings > Apps > MySejahtera > Storage.
Step 2 : Tap on Clear data. You will be warned that this will remove your MySejahtera account information and database.
Please be warned that if you proceed, your MySejahtera account information will be cleared, together with your past contact history.
Your COVID-19 vaccination history and certificate are stored in the cloud and remain safe, but you will need to log into your MySejahtera account again.
So please do NOT proceed unless you remember your MySJ ID and password!
Step 3 : If you are sure, tap on the OK option to clear the MySejahtera data.
Step 4 : Launch MySejahtera, and log into MySejahtera using your MySJ ID (either your mobile number or email address), and your password.
After you log in, you will see that MySJ Trace has been disabled. You will need to setup MySJ Trace (again) to enable it.
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Ever since the MySejahtera team launched the MySJ Trace feature, many questions were raised by people over its security, privacy, and usability.
So with help from Dr. Mahesh Appannan, the Head of Data at the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) of the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM), here are the answers to some of your frequently asked questions about MySJ Trace!
These answers supplement the original frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the MySJ Trace feature, which you can read in the next section.
Question #1 : Why Does MySJ Lists Interactions Even At Home?
The interactions refers to Bluetooth devices (with MySJ Trace enabled) that your MySejahtera app detected.
MySJ Trace can detect Bluetooth signals from as far as 10 metres away, but can be reduced by barriers (walls, your body, other electronics, etc.)
It will not only detect the smartphones of your family members (with MySJ Trace enabled), but also your neighbours, who can be in the floor above, below, or next to your home.
There is nothing to worry about these “interactions”. It just means you came within 10 metres of people who have MySJ Trace enabled.
Question #2 : Does Interactions Mean Casual / Close Contacts?
No, not all interactions are flagged as casual / close contacts, if you become COVID-19 positive.
The algorithm takes into account the signal strength (RSSI – Received Signal Strength Indicator) that your phone detects, and your exposure time.
The parameters used to classify casual or close contacts are refined over time for maximum accuracy. For example, if the Omicron variant becomes widespread, the exposure time will be shortened, and the distance extended, for someone to be considered a casual / close contact.
Question #3 : Why Do People In The Same Family Have Different Number Of Interactions?
Even if your family goes out together, you may all have different number of interactions, because it depends on a variety of facts :
your individual proximity to other people,
anything that blocks Bluetooth signals – their bodies, other electronics, electronic keys, etc.
whether you are holding the phone, or it is in your pocket, etc.
Question #4 : Does MySJ Trace Transmit My Data With Each Interaction?
No. There is no handshake or exchange of information with each interaction.
MySJ Trace detects the Bluetooth signal of other phones, and logs when that “interaction” occurred, and the signal strength.
It’s like listening to the radio – the broadcaster does not receive anything in return.
Question #5 : Does MySJ Trace Transmit My Data?
No. MySJ Trace stores all of the recorded data in your phone, and does not automatically upload it.
Only if you are COVID-19 positive, are you asked to upload your contact history for the last 14 days, so that people who were your close contact can be notified.
MySJ Trace requires your explicit consent to transmit your data to the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM).
Question #6 : How Long Does MySJ Trace Store Data?
MySJ Trace only stores data for the last 14 days, on a First-In, First-Out basis.
All data older than the most recent 14 days are automatically purged.
Question #7 : Why Do You Still Need To Check In Using QR Code?
First – not everyone is using MySJ Trace, so there still needs to be an alternative contact tracing method.
The QR code check-in function also gives KKM data to undertake faster contact tracing, especially involving a major cluster.
Question #8 : What’s The Difference Between MySJ Trace And QR Code Check-In?
MySJ Trace allows for automatic contact tracing, while QR code check-in gives KKM critical data. In addition :
MySJ Trace algorithm is based on time and distance (Bluetooth signal strength), while
Check-In algorithm is based only on time
Question #9 : Does MySJ Trace Use A Lot Of Battery Power?
MySJ Trace uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which consumes significantly lower power than standard Bluetooth wireless communications. The impact on battery life is minimal.
Question #10 : Why Does MySJ Trace Not Use Exposure Notification By Google / Apple?
By Google and Apple standards, an Exposure Notification (EN) app must maintain user anonymity, and record proximity data anonymously. It cannot contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
The MySejahtera app necessarily contains your identity, vaccination status and certificates, and so on. Therefore, it cannot comply with Google and Apple’s requirements for an Exposure Notification app.
MySJ Trace : Official Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the official answers to the MySJ Trace frequently-asked questions (FAQ):
1. What is MySJ Trace?
MySJ Trace is a contact tracing application developed by the Government of Malaysia.
It adopts a community-driven approach where participating devices exchange proximity information whenever an app detects another device with MySJ Trace app installed.
This application allows the identification of people who were in close proximity to COVID-19 infected individual
2. What is the difference between MySJ Trace and MySejahtera?
MySejahtera & MySJ Trace are used by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
MySejahtera allows users to perform quick health-self assessment and for the Ministry of Health (MOH) to monitor users’ health condition and take immediate actions in providing treatments.
Meanwhile, MySJ Trace further complements MySejahtera by detecting and tracing the individuals who are in close contact with the COVID-19 positive patients.
MySJ Trace was developed through a strategic cooperation between government agencies of Malaysia :
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
Ministry of Health (KKM)
Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU)
Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS)
4. Who are the users of MySJ Trace?
All Malaysian citizens and residents of Malaysia.
5. Where can I download MySJ Trace?
Users only need to update the MySejahtera application to the latest version.
6. How does MySJ Trace function?
MySJ Trace enables participating devices to exchange proximity information whenever the app detects another device with the same app installed. Data collected will be stored and processed only by the MOH officers.
When a user is identified to be COVID-19 positive, the user will initiate a process to upload the data from the user’s smartphone to a secured database managed by the MOH.
7. What is contact tracing?
Contact tracing is an identification process of individuals who may have come into close contact with an infected COVID-19 patient.
It enables the MOH to further trace and contact the individuals and organize a follow-up action.
8. If I have been identified as a close contact, how will I be contacted?
The user will receive an SMS, and a notification in the MySejahtera app.
9. What data are collected by MySJ Trace?
Only these data are collected :
Unique User ID (UUID) that is created by the MySejahtera app.
Operating system version (Android or iOS)
Time of contact
Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
10. Are my personal information that is stored in the app safe?
MySejahtera and MySJ Trace are owned and operated entirely by the Malaysian government. The government guarantees that all information collected and used in the app comply with the information security standards of the government of Malaysia.
11. Does MySJ Trace require Internet connectivity after activation?
Yes, Internet connectivity is required when you first update the MySejahtera app, and during the data uploading process.
12. What devices support MySJ Trace?
MySJ Trace is supported by smartphones that use the Android or iOS operating systems :
Android : Version 8.0 and above – Non-sleep mode must be set, so MySJ Trace will remain active in both foreground and background modes.
iOS : Version 10 and above
– The phone must be active at all times while the app needs to be in the foreground mode.
13. Must Bluetooth be activated at all times?
Yes, Bluetooth must be activated at all times for MySJ Trace to work properly.
14. Will Bluetooth usage cause high battery usage?
Unlike using Bluetooth to stream music or to a wireless headphone continuously, MySJ Trace uses Bluetooth to only transmit its presence periodically. As such, it uses significantly less power.
15. Will the app use significant battery power if MySJ Trace is left running all the time?
MySJ Trace uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to minimise battery usage. Therefore, the app does not use significant amounts of battery power to collect persistent contact tracing information.
16. Will MySJ Trace Bluetooth usage affect my other Bluetooth accessories?
MySJ Trace does not affect the use or performance of other Bluetooth accessories like wireless speakers, wireless earphones or headphones, or smartwatches.
17. Why must I allow location permission for the Android version?
Android requires location permission to be granted for any app to access Bluetooth features. However, geolocation data will not be collected.
For iOS, only the Bluetooth function needs to be enabled.
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Should you enable the new MySJ Trace feature in MySejahtera, or should you disable it?
Let’s take a look at people’s deepest fears about MySJ Trace, and find out what the facts really are!
MySJ Trace : Should You Enable Or Disable?
MySejahtera just introduced a new MySJ Trace feature, which uses Bluetooth technology to track your close contacts.
The proximity data it collects allows Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) to accurately determine if you are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive person.
KKM has been strongly urging people to turn it on, but many people are offering conflicting advice on whether to enable or disable it.
Let’s take at what people are saying, and find out what the facts really are!
Should You Enable MySJ Trace?
There are several good reasons to enable MySJ in MySejahtera :
MySJ Trace allows for more accurate contact tracing. If you test positive for COVID-19, the data it collects lets KKM accurately identify your close contacts, and inform them.
MySJ Trace automatically tracks your close contacts. All you have to do is turn it on, and forget about it.
MySJ Trace removes the need to manually check out from locations, which was tedious and easy to forget.
Those who use MySJ Trace will avoid being wrongly identified as casual or close contacts, due to the inaccuracy of using check-in and check-out times.
MySJ Trace gets more accurate and more useful, when more people use it. So KKM is strongly encouraging everyone to use it.
Plus, when enough people start using it, we will all enjoy an additional benefit :
When enough people use MySJ Trace, we will no longer need to check-in at every location!
MySJ Trace also does not transmit data, unless we consent. In fact, we are only asked to transmit MySJ Trace data if we test positive for COVID-19.
Claim #2 : MySJ Trace Not Useful Because No One Is Using It Verdict : False
Some people are discouraging people from using MySJ Trace because “not many people are using it yet“.
Switching to MySJ Trace immediately helps you by removing the need to check-out of locations. Isn’t that useful?
For healthcare professionals who need to quickly and accurately trace close contacts of infected individuals, MySJ Trace works better when more people use it, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely useless when few people use it.
Claim #3 : Old Check-In, Check-Out System Is More Accurate
Verdict : False
Some people claim that the old method of checking in and out of locations is more accurate than MySJ Trace.
That may be true in the early days, when very few people are using it, but that is no longe true once many of your close contacts are using it.
MySJ Trace not only automatically determines who comes into close contact with you, it also logs how long they are in close contact, and their proximity (distance) to you.
The manual check-in and check-out system is unable to determine time of contact, and distance of contact; and can easily lead to false positives – people wrongly identified as casual or close contacts.
Claim #4 : MySJ Trace Uses A Lot Of Battery Life
Verdict : False
This is a real concern for many people as MySJ Trace requires Bluetooth to be turned on all the time. However, it uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology, which uses very little power.
I had earlier tested MySJ Trace on an old Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphone, and did not notice any noticeable drain on its battery life.
For people who have strong concerns over this aspect, it is possible to temporarily turn off MySJ Trace while you are at home, and only turn it on when you go out.
Claim #5 : Bluetooth Increases Risk Of Hacking
Verdict : Misleading
It is possible for criminals to hack your smartphone using Bluetooth, and it is good cybersecurity practice to turn off wireless connections that you are not using.
However, it is far more difficult to hack you through your Bluetooth connection, than your Wi-Fi connection.
After all, Bluetooth only has a range of 10 metres! The hacker will have to remain in close proximity to hack you.
Claim #6 : Hackers Can Grab Our Personal Information Verdict : False
Some people are claiming that hackers can hack into MySJ Trace and use it to trawl for personal information of people nearby.
That’s nonsense, because MySJ Trace will only record the following information :
Unique User ID (UUID) that is created by the MySejahtera app.
Operating system version (Android or iOS)
Time of contact
Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
There is no personal information that would be useful to hackers, even if they grab these information.
The UUID, for example, is useless as an identification number without access to the KKM database of MySejahtera users and their personal information.
Claim #7 : MySJ Trace Continuously Uses Internet Data Verdict : False
Some people are falsely claiming that MySJ Trace continuously uses Internet data, which is extremely limited for some users.
That’s not true. MySJ Trace does not require Internet connectivity, except :
when you first download and install MySejahtera,
whenever you update MySejahtera
when you consent to upload your MySJ Trace data to KKM
Since those are all optional, you can do it when you have access to a Wi-Fi network. You can use MySJ Trace without mobile Internet.
I hope that clarifies the reasons why you should enable or disable MySJ Trace. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask us.
Meanwhile, I hope you can share this article with your family and friends, and encourage them to turn on MySJ Trace.
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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Keep MySJ Trace disabled, and forget about the Check-Out function.
MySJ Trace is currently optional, and you can continue to use MySejahtera to check into locations, without using MySJ Trace. You just cannot check out anymore.
If you opt to keep MySJ Trace disabled, please note that you run the risk of being wrongly identified as a Casual Contact or a Close Contact. To avoid that, I strongly advise you to enable MySJ Trace.
Don’t worry about power consumption – it uses Bluetooth Low Energy, and uses very little power.
Don’t worry about the government tracking you – your proximity data is only submitted with your consent.
What Went Wrong With MySejahtera Check-Out Function
MySejahtera introduced a Check-Out function in September 2021, allowing you to check-out from locations to improve contact tracing.
Using this Check-Out function lets contact tracers eliminate you as a casual or close contact, by determining when you left a certain location where a COVID-19 positive person was present.
However, it was a tedious manual process, because checking in and out of locations do not happen in a linear fashion. So many people ended up not checking out sometimes, or not at all.
This led some people to be wrongly identified as a Casual Contact, or even a Close Contact, of a COVID-19 positive person.
To avoid that problem, and to improve contact tracing, we need a better solution. And that solution is MySJ Trace, which uses Bluetooth technology to determine your close contacts, how close they were and how long you were in close contact.
So please enable MySJ Trace, and keep it running, at least while you are out in public. It will accurately monitor and record your close contacts, so you can help KKM trace them if you get infected with COVID-19.
It will also prevent you from being misidentified as a casual or close contact of a COVID-19 positive person.
Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
One of the Samsung Galaxy Note9‘s most revolutionary features is its new Bluetooth S Pen. Everyone knows what it can do as a stylus, but here are FOURTEEN Galaxy Note9 S Pen features and tips that most people are completely oblivious to!
2018-10-04 :Upgraded to The Ultimate Galaxy Note9 S Pen Features + Tips Guide with additional tips and how-to instructions.
2018-09-03:Originally posted as The 7 Secret Galaxy Note9 S Pen Features You Never Knew!
Here are some direct links to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note9 in the US.
Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB, International Unlocked) : $849
Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB, US Unlocked) : $999.99
Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB, International Unlocked) : $1,214
Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB, US Unlocked) : $999.99
What You Probably Know About The Note9 S Pen
Let’s run through what you probably know about the Note9 S Pen, since Samsung has been promoting them.
The Note9 S Pen Is A Bluetooth Device!
For the first time, S Pen communicates with the Samsung Galaxy Note9 via Bluetooth Low Energy. Opening it up reveals that the new S Pen uses the Dialog DA13580 Bluetooth Smart SoC.
The Note9 S Pen Is A Remote Control!
The Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity lets you use the shutter button to remotely perform a variety of tasks.
Hold the shutter button to open any app you wish. By default, it launches the Camera app.
When the camera is activated, press the shutter button once to take a picture, or twice to switch between the front and main cameras.
Press the shutter button once to go forward in an app or browser, or twice to go backwards.
You can customise this remote control feature in Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen remote.
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The Note9 S Pen Battery Life
This S Pen will last a good 30 minutes once it is ejected from its dock, or up to 200 clicks – whichever occurs first.
Your Samsung Galaxy Note9 will alert you when the S Pen’s battery is down to 15%, with more reminders as the battery level drops.
It Writes In A Signature Colour!
Like previous versions, you can pop out the S Pen to immediately jot your thoughts using the Screen Off Memo feature.
The Samsung Galaxy Note9 though introduces the ability to write in its signature colour!
The Ocean Blue S Pen will write in bright yellow, while the Midnight Black S Pen will write in silver, the Lavender Purple S Pen will write in purple, and the Metallic Copper S Pen will write in brown.
The only downside? The Samsung Notes app has not been updated with the ability to change its background to black.
If you prefer to write in the standard silver colour, go to Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > Screen Off Memoand disable Use S Pen signature colour.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
What You Don’t Know About The Note9 S Pen
The Note9 S Pen is more than just a stylus with a remote control button though. Here are some fun facts about it that most users are completely oblivious to!
It Will Work Even With Bluetooth Disabled!
The Samsung Galaxy Note9 (Price Check) communicates with its S Pen using Bluetooth Low Energy (formerly known as Bluetooth Smart) to keep power consumption low.
But we’ll bet you didn’t know that the S Pen will work even if you turn off the Galaxy Note9’s Bluetooth feature!
You can safely turn off your Galaxy Note9’s Bluetooth connectivity for security reasons, or to further reduce power consumption, and still have access to the S Pen’s full range of capabilities.
You Can Use It To UNLOCK Your Galaxy Note9!
To save power and protect your privacy, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 (Price Check) will turn off and lock its screen after a period of inactivity.
This can be annoying if you are using it to dictate notes or give a presentation… until you realise you can simply unlock the screen with your S Pen!
This does not mean anyone can use your S Pen to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Note9. This feature only works if you :
manually activate it at Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > Unlock with S Pen remote
It will not work if you pull out the S Pen while the Samsung Galaxy Note9 is locked. If you reinsert the S Pen into its dock, you will not be able to use it to unlock your Galaxy Note9.
This prevents strangers from using the S Pen to unlock your Galaxy Note9, while giving you the option to instantly unlock the screen if it locks up while you are using it.
Never Lose Your Note9 S Pen!
Its Bluetooth capability allows the Samsung Galaxy Note9 (Price Check) to sense when you forget your S Pen and set off an alarm to warn you.
It is more of a notification with an audio alert, but this incredibly useful feature will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the chance of losing your S Pen.
This feature is enabled by default, but if you want to make sure it’s turned on, it’s the Alarm option under the Removal section of Settings > Advanced features > S Pen.
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It Is Powered By A Supercapacitor!
This S Pen is not powered by an internal lithium-ion battery, but a Seiko K8373 supercapacitor.
This supercapacitor is not only incredibly tiny and light, it is highly durable and withstands extreme temperatures. It can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times without any loss in capacity.
It also recharges in a flash, and delivers long battery life – just 40 seconds of charging will give you 30 minutes of use! It is also simple to recharge – the S Pen recharges automatically whenever it is docked.
Note : The S Pen’s supercapacitor will start discharging once it is out of the dock. Don’t be surprised if the battery level drops even if you did not use its remote control. This is perfectly normal.
How To Check The Note9 S Pen’s Power Level
You can check the supercapacitor’s power level in your Samsung Galaxy Note9 at Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen remote.
However, this is really not necessary, because the supercapacitor recharges so quickly! All you need is pop it in its dock for 40 seconds to get it up to 100%!
The Note9 S Pen Has TWO Power Sources!
Believe it or not, this S Pen has TWO power sources.
The supercapacitor is only used to power the Bluetooth Low Energy radio for its remote control functionality.
The stylus itself is still powered electromagnetically by close proximity to the Samsung Galaxy Note9‘s display. This means its stylus functions will never run out of power.
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How To Disable The S Pen Remote Control
If you do not like using the S Pen remote control features, you can simply turn it off.
Go to Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen remote.
Tap on the On/Off toggle to disable the S Pen remote control.
To re-enable it, just tap on the On/Off toggle again.
Note : If you can’t reactivate the S Pen remote control, the S Pen is probably out of its dock. To reestablish the Bluetooth connection, it needs to be inserted into the Galaxy Note9.
How To Connect Another S Pen
If you need to connect another S Pen to your Samsung Galaxy Note9, here are the steps :
Go to Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen remote.
At the upper right corner, tap the More Options icon.
Tap t he Reset S Pen option.
Note : It may take a few minutes for the Samsung Galaxy Note9 to establish a new Bluetooth connection to your S Pen.
The Power Of S Pen Hovering
The S Pen is not just about writing or tapping. Many users are no aware of the power of hovering with the S Pen. These are not new features, but did you know that you can activate these features by merely hovering the S Pen over the screen?
Air View : Preview information, text and images by hovering the S Pen over the screen
Scrolling : Scroll up or down by hovering your S Pen over the edge of the screen
Translate : Translate words and phrases by hovering your S Pen over them
Bixby Vision : Search for products online by hovering your S Pen over their pictures
Magnify : Magnify areas of the screen by hovering your S Pen over them.
Glance : Minimise apps to a thumbnail that you can hover your S Pen over to expand.
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Picture Credit
Pictures of the internal parts of the S Pen are courtesy of the awesome folks at iFixIt!
Where To Buy The Galaxy Note9
Here are some direct links to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note9 in Malaysia.
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