My Samsung phone practically runs itself after I set up these routines

Published Sep 28, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT Parth is a technology analyst and writer specializing in the comprehensive review and feature exploration of the Android ecosystem. His work focus on productivity apps and flagship devices, particularly Google Pixel and Samsung mobile hardware and software. He provides expert guidance on productivity software, system optimization, and the advanced functionalities that allow users to maximize their device's potential. His analyses are crucial resources for readers seeking to master complex operating system features and streamline their digital workflows. When he is not busy with technical analysis and software evaluation, Parth dedicates his time to watching K-dramas, studying mobile technology trends and the role of artificial intelligence. I barely think about changing settings on my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra anymore. Most of the things I used to do manually, such as turning on power saving, changing sound settings, adjusting connectivity, or preparing my phone for driving, now happen automatically in the background. After I started building Routines around the way I actually use my phone, the feature became far more useful than I expected. The option is available under Settings > Modes and Routines > Routines menu. From here, tap + at the top and set conditions for the If and Then menus. My Android Auto routine My Galaxy gets ready to drive Android Auto is one of the best examples of why I like Samsung Routines so much. I use Android Auto almost every day, and instead of manually changing a bunch of settings before every drive, I let my Galaxy handle them as soon as I connect to my car. I have a routine that kicks in automatically when Android Auto starts. It turns off Always On Display, switches the Performance profile to Light, enables Power saving, and disables fast charging. These are small changes, but together they reduce unnecessary battery drain and heat during longer drives, especially when I am using navigation, Gemini, and streaming music at the same time. The best part is that I don't have to remember any of this. As soon as I disconnect from Android Auto, the routine ends and my normal settings come back automatically. My nighttime routine One tap shuts everything down My nighttime routine is a little different because I don't want it to run automatically at a fixed hour. My schedule changes often, so I prefer triggering it manually from a Modes and Routines widget on my home screen. When I am ready to sleep, I tap it once, and my Galaxy takes care of everything else. The routine automatically turns off the AOD, disables both Wi-Fi and mobile data, enables DND, and switches on battery saving mode. I don't need notifications, background syncing, and constant connectivity while I sleep, so shutting these down also helps keep overnight battery drain under control. I have added one more action that makes the routine feel complete: it sets an alarm for 9 AM the next morning. That means I don't have to open the Clock app and check whether my alarm is enabled before going to bed. It has turned my bedtime phone setup into a single tap. Work routine My phone knows when I am working My work routine is built around cutting down on distractions as soon as I start working. I have it trigger when I connect to my office Wi-Fi, although you could just as easily tie it to a location or a specific time. After it kicks in, my phone switches to vibrate, lowers the media volume, and enables DND with exceptions for important contacts. I also use it to keep unnecessary interruptions from social apps under control during working hours. The idea isn't to completely shut my phone off from the outside world. I still want calls and messages that matter. I just don't want Instagram, Amazon, or Snapchat pulling my attention away. The moment I leave the network, everything goes back to normal. Home Wi-Fi routine Coming home changes everything I also have a simple routine tied to my home Wi-Fi network. When my Galaxy connects to it, I treat that as a signal that I am back in a more relaxed environment. I can turn off mobile data, increase the ringtone and media volume, disable power saving, and change my lock screen shortcuts to WhatsApp and Instagram. It sounds basic, but these are exactly the sort of tiny adjustments I used to make manually without even thinking about them. Headphones routine My audio setup fixes itself Connecting my headphones is another perfect trigger for a routine. When my Galaxy Buds connect, Samsung automatically adjusts the media volume, enables Dolby Atmos, and even launches YouTube Music. I like this because my preferred audio setup differs from how I use the phone's speakers. Instead of connecting my earbuds and then jumping through settings every time, the phone prepares everything for me. Reading routine Reading mode kicks in automatically I spend enough time reading long articles and documents on my phone that I created a routine specifically for it. When I open apps like Kindle, my Galaxy can automatically enable Eye Comfort Shield, lower the screen brightness, lock the orientation to portrait, and reduce interruptions. I find this useful at night, when a bright display or constant notifications can quickly become annoying. When I leave the app, everything returns to the way it was before. Small routines make a huge difference The best thing about Samsung Routines is that no signal automation needs to be complicated. My phone knows what I want it configured to do when I drive, work, read, listen to music, arrive home, or go to bed. I still control everything, but I no longer have to constantly manage it. Aside from these automation tricks, the One UI is packed with useful features.