Start Your Galaxy AI Setup with Personal Data Intelligence and Now Brief
Galaxy AI setup is the process of turning on and configuring Samsung’s on-device intelligence so your new Samsung Galaxy S26 can personalise lock screens, calls, photos, and routines around how you live and work. Before you dive into apps, switch on Personal Data Intelligence so the phone can learn on-device from your schedule, habits, and preferences. Go to Settings, enable Personal Data Intelligence, then open Settings again, tap Galaxy AI, and select Now Brief. This daily briefing pulls calendar events, weather, and selected interests like health, news, SmartThings, and Wallet into one glanceable view on your lock screen or home screen. Pick Content to Include and toggle the categories you want. According to Mashable, Now Brief refreshes with “morning, afternoon, and evening versions,” so what you see is tuned to the time of day instead of being the same static widget.
Tune Your Lock Screen with Now Bar and Native Samsung Apps
With Now Brief ready, make your lock screen more helpful by configuring Now Bar. Open Settings, choose Lock Screen and AOD, then tap Now Bar. Under Live Notifications, tap See All and toggle the apps you want to appear, such as music, timers, or navigation. Back on the Now Bar screen, enable shortcuts like Now Brief, Current Mode, Do Not Disturb, and Torch, so you can expand entries, swipe up to move between active items, or press and hold for quick settings. This lock screen layer pairs well with Samsung’s native apps. Gallery, Reminder, and My Files integrate tightly with Galaxy AI features and One UI design, so they feel like extensions of your system rather than add-ons. SamMobile notes that My Files can “provide an AI summary of documents inside folders,” which becomes more useful once Galaxy AI is set up and indexing your content.
Filter Distractions with Call Screening and Smart Routines
Next, protect your focus and privacy. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and head to Settings to find Call Screening at the top. Toggle it on so Galaxy AI can evaluate calls from unknown numbers and show a live transcript of why someone is calling before you decide to answer. This on-device approach helps you cut spam without sending all your calls through third-party services. Then, automate your day with Modes and Routines. Go to Settings > Modes and Routines, tap the Routines tab, and hit the + icon. Set an “If” condition, like time, location, or app activity, then choose “Then” actions such as muting work apps when you leave the office or dimming the display before bed. Save the Routine so your Samsung phone setup reduces repetitive tasks instead of adding to them.
Supercharge the Gallery with Photo Assist and Creative Studio
Galaxy AI features shine in Samsung’s Gallery app, turning your Samsung Galaxy S26 into an all-in-one creative tool. Open any photo, tap the Galaxy AI starburst icon in the bottom toolbar, and use Photo Assist to remove unwanted objects, merge two shots, or change lighting using a text or voice prompt. Edits save as copies, so originals stay untouched while you experiment. For shareable content, swipe in the Edge panel and select Creative Studio. Choose a photo, describe what you want—like a sticker pack or party invite—pick a style, and tap Generate. Within seconds you have something ready for social posts or messaging, without installing extra design apps. Because these tools live inside native Samsung apps, they benefit from One UI’s refreshed interfaces and feel like part of the core Galaxy AI setup rather than optional extras.
Lock Down Your Screen with Privacy Display and Final Checks
Round out your Galaxy AI setup by securing on-screen information. On the Galaxy S26 Ultra, go to Settings > Display and toggle on Privacy Display. This hardware-level feature narrows the viewing angle so people beside you cannot clearly see your banking details, messages, or work documents in public spaces. For extra convenience, open the Privacy Display options to choose when it activates automatically, such as in certain modes or brightness ranges. Finally, revisit Settings > Galaxy AI to confirm features like Now Brief, Call Screening, and Photo Assist are enabled and allowed to use Personal Data Intelligence on-device. Check that the Edge panel is active so Creative Studio is only a swipe away. With these steps in place, your Samsung phone setup turns Galaxy AI from a checklist of features into a quiet assistant that surfaces what matters and stays out of your way.
