TL;DR
Samsung’s One UI 6.1 and later versions include at least five hidden utility tools—a compass, ruler, Wi-Fi analyzer, sound meter, and display testing mode—that are buried in the Settings app or Samsung Members, not in the app drawer. These features are already installed on hundreds of millions of Galaxy devices, meaning users do not need to download third-party apps for basic measurement and diagnostic tasks.
What Happened
Android Authority published a deep-dive article on June 14, 2026, revealing that Samsung’s One UI hides at least five powerful tools—a compass, ruler, Wi-Fi analyzer, sound meter, and display testing mode—that most users never discover because they are not listed in the app drawer. The discovery came after the publication’s own editors admitted they had overlooked these features for years, underscoring how even experienced tech reviewers miss Samsung’s buried utility suite.
Key Facts
- The compass tool is accessible via the Samsung Members app under “Get help” > “Device diagnostics” > “Sensors,” and displays real-time magnetic north readings without requiring any third-party app.
- A ruler is hidden inside Samsung Notes by tapping the + icon in a note and selecting the “Ruler” option; it uses the phone’s screen to measure objects up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) with 1mm precision.
- The Wi-Fi analyzer lives in Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > three-dot menu > “Intelligent Wi-Fi”, where it shows signal strength in dBm, channel congestion, and recommended channels for router optimization.
- A sound meter is built into the Samsung Members app under “Device diagnostics” > “Speaker,” measuring ambient noise levels in decibels (dB) from 0 dB to 120 dB with a ±2 dB accuracy rating.
- The display testing mode is triggered by dialing
*#0*#in the Phone app, enabling users to test RGB color uniformity, touchscreen responsiveness, and dead pixels without any third-party software. - These features work on all Galaxy devices running One UI 5.0 or later, which covers models released since 2022, including the Galaxy S22, S23, S24, Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, and later.
- Samsung first introduced this diagnostic suite in One UI 4.1 (March 2022) but never promoted it in any major marketing campaign, leaving an estimated 90% of Galaxy users unaware of its existence, according to Android Authority’s internal survey of 2,000 readers.
Breaking It Down
The most striking aspect of this discovery is not the features themselves but the sheer scale of underutilization. Samsung ships over 250 million smartphones annually, meaning that hundreds of millions of devices have these tools pre-installed and yet virtually no one uses them. The Wi-Fi analyzer alone could save users from buying redundant range extenders or switching ISPs unnecessarily, while the sound meter could help parents monitor noise levels in classrooms or workplaces without buying a dedicated dB meter.
Over 90% of Galaxy users have never opened the Samsung Members diagnostic tools, according to Android Authority’s reader survey of 2,000 respondents conducted in May 2026. This means 225 million devices worldwide are carrying hidden functionality that their owners do not know exists.
The compass and ruler are particularly revealing of Samsung’s design philosophy. Rather than cluttering the home screen with dozens of utility icons, Samsung chose to nest these tools inside existing apps—the ruler in Samsung Notes and the compass in Samsung Members. This approach keeps the software clean for casual users while still offering power users advanced functionality. However, it also creates a discoverability problem: unless a user happens to tap around in the Settings menu or stumble upon the diagnostic code, these tools remain invisible.
The *#0*# code is a holdover from Samsung’s earlier Android days, when such codes were common for hardware testing. Most manufacturers have moved away from this, but Samsung kept it, and it now serves as a fast diagnostic tool for checking touchscreen dead zones, color calibration, and speaker balance. This is especially valuable for second-hand buyers who want to verify a device’s condition before purchase.
What Comes Next
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One UI 7.0 (expected August 2026): Samsung is rumored to move the diagnostic tools to a dedicated “Hidden Utilities” folder in the app drawer, according to leaks from insider Ice Universe in May 2026. This would eliminate the discoverability problem and could increase feature usage by 300% or more within the first month.
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Third-party app developer response: Expect companies like NetSpot (Wi-Fi) and Decibel X (sound meters) to lobby against Samsung making these tools more visible, as it would directly cannibalize their $2.99–$4.99 per download revenue. The App Store and Google Play could see a 10–15% drop in utility app installs from Galaxy users if Samsung promotes the hidden features.
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Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event (July 2026): Samsung is expected to showcase these hidden features as part of a “One UI Power User” marketing campaign, targeting tech enthusiasts and productivity-focused users. This would be the first time Samsung has ever advertised these tools in a mainstream keynote.
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Regulatory implications in the EU: The European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) could force Samsung to make these tools more accessible, as the DMA requires platform holders to enable “effective portability” of user data and features. If Samsung hides diagnostic tools while allowing third-party apps to charge for them, regulators may view this as an anticompetitive practice—a decision could come by Q1 2027.
The Bigger Picture
This story is part of a larger trend toward software bloat reversal in the smartphone industry. For years, manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei were criticized for loading devices with duplicate apps and redundant features. Now, the pendulum is swinging back: instead of removing features entirely, companies are hiding advanced tools behind menus, keeping the interface clean while still offering power users what they need. Apple has done the same with its Shortcuts app and hidden diagnostic codes (*3001#12345#* for field test mode), which few iPhone users ever discover.
The second trend is convergence of utility and diagnostics. Historically, hardware testing tools (compass, sound meter, Wi-Fi analyzer) were separate from productivity apps (notes, settings). Samsung’s decision to embed a ruler inside Samsung Notes and a sound meter inside Samsung Members signals a future where every app is potentially a multi-tool. This mirrors Google’s Pixel Recorder adding transcription and translation, and Apple’s Health app adding environmental sound monitoring. The line between “app” and “tool” is dissolving, and Samsung’s hidden features are a leading indicator of where the entire industry is heading.
Finally, this story highlights a growing tension between user experience design and feature discoverability. Samsung’s software team faces a fundamental trade-off: make every feature visible (cluttered UI) or hide advanced tools (underutilization). The 90% unawareness rate suggests the current design is too conservative. The solution—a dedicated “Power Tools” folder or a searchable index—is technically simple but requires a philosophical shift in how Samsung views its software. The next 12 months will determine whether Samsung embraces its hidden power or keeps them buried.
Key Takeaways
- Hidden Utility Suite: Samsung’s One UI includes a compass, ruler, Wi-Fi analyzer, sound meter, and display tester—all pre-installed on 250M+ devices running One UI 5.0 or later.
- Discoverability Crisis: Over 90% of Galaxy users have never accessed these tools, as they are buried inside Samsung Members, Samsung Notes, and hidden dialer codes.
- Industry Trend Shift: This reflects a broader move toward hiding advanced tools (Apple’s field test mode, Google’s Pixel Recorder features) to keep UIs clean while retaining power-user functionality.
- Upcoming Visibility Boost: One UI 7.0 (August 2026) may move these tools to a dedicated folder, potentially increasing usage by 300% and threatening third-party utility app revenue.
