Display scaling added to Galaxy S7/S7 Edge official features list with recent software update

When the first developer preview of Android N was released a few weeks ago, one of the features we noticed first was the ability to adjust screen DPI. In essence, this display scaling feature allows users to change the size of icons and text across the entire user interface.

While they don’t run Android N yet, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge also have a similar feature baked in to their software. Until recently, the only way to access the option was to install Nova Launcher and add a quick-action ‘DisplayScalingActivity’ widget. Thanks to the most recent software update though (as noted by SamMobile), it’s now part of the display settings options.

With the most recent software update in some European countries, Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge users now have ‘Display Scaling’ as an option in Settings>Display. Using this, customers with the relevant update can change the size of home screen icons — and how much content can be displayed onscreen etc. — without needing to use the Nova Launcher method.

It’s worth noting that the software isn’t available everywhere yet. As far as we can see, it has been pushed to Nordic countries and Germany, and is yet to make its way elsewhere. My own personal Exynos-powered unlocked unit hasn’t received the update, which also includes the latest security patch from Google.

For those of you like me who are yet to receive the new software, you can manually enable the option by downloading Nova Launcher from the Google Play Store, then going through the following steps:

• Set Nova Launcher as your default home launcher – Settings>Applications>Default applications>Home screen
• Press and hold on an empty space on a home screen, then choose ‘widgets’ from the bottom row of actions
• Drag and drop the ‘Activities’ widget from the Nova Launcher options, on to the home screen
• Scroll down to ‘Settings’ in the available actions list, then find ‘.DisplayScalingActivity‘
• You’ll now see ‘Condensed’ or ‘Standard’ as your two scaling options

This method works on any Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, Note 5, S7 or S7 Edge running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Granted, this isn’t as customizable as the 4-5 size options within Android N, but having a condensed option is better than having constantly huge icons and cramped text everywhere.