TouchWiz
TouchWiz Grace UX screenshot on aGalaxy Note 7
Developer	Samsung Electronics
Written in	C++
Working state	Discontinued
Initial release	2009; 16 years ago (2009)
Final release	TouchWiz Grace UX (Android 6) / 2016
Available in	90+ languages (varies by carrier and/or country purchased)
Supported platforms	ARMv6,ARMv7,ARMv8,x86
License	Proprietary
Succeeded by	Samsung Experience
Official website	www.samsung.com/uk/apps/
Support status
Unsupported as of August 1, 2018

TouchWiz is a discontinued user interface developed bySamsung Electronics with partners, featuring a fulltouch user interface. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as an operating system. TouchWiz was used internally by Samsung forsmartphones,feature phones, andtablet computers, and was not available for licensing by external parties. TheAndroid version of TouchWiz also comes with the Samsung-madeapp storeGalaxy Apps. It was replaced bySamsung Experience in 2017 with the release ofAndroid 7.0 "Nougat".^[1]

Samsung's approach to its TouchWiz UI was distinct from itsAndroid version updates. While Android updates brought new features and improvements to the operating system,Samsung often customized its UI separately. This meant that even if two devices ran the sameAndroid version, their TouchWiz UI could differ based on the device's release date and hardware capabilities.

For example, theGalaxy S5, released withAndroid 4.4.2 KitKat, had a version of TouchWiz tailored to its hardware and design. When upgraded to Android Marshmallow, it retained an older version of TouchWiz UI with minor tweaks. On the other hand, theGalaxy S7, which launched withAndroid Marshmallow, featured a newer version of TouchWiz designed for its advanced hardware and features.

Samsung's strategy was likely aimed at optimizing the user experience for each device rather than standardizing the UI across all models. This approach allowed them to differentiate their devices and ensure compatibility with specific hardware configurations. However, it also led to inconsistencies in the user experience across devices running the sameAndroid version.

The first, original edition of TouchWiz (version 1.0) was released in 2009. This 1.0 version was officially launched with the original Samsung Solstice^[2] in 2009.; although TouchWiz did first appear on theSGH-F480 Tocco in 2008.^[3] The last version of TouchWiz is TouchWiz Grace UX, which is on theGalaxy J1 mini prime LTE and therecalledGalaxy Note 7. TouchWiz Zero UX on theGalaxy J3 (2016) feature a more refined user interface as compared to the previous versions found on Samsung's older phones released prior to Galaxy S5's release. The status bar is now transparent during home screen mode in TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 and TouchWiz Nature UX 2.5. In TouchWiz 4.0 onGalaxy S II and theGalaxy Note (both later updated to Nature UX), some of the features added include panning and tilt,^[4] which makes use of the accelerometer and gyroscope in the phone to detect motion.

TouchWiz is used bySamsung's own proprietary operating systems,Bada andREX,^[4] as well as by phones based on theAndroid operating system prior toAndroid 7. It is also present in phones running theTizen operating system.

TouchWiz was succeeded bySamsung Experience in early 2017.^[1]

TouchWiz was a central issue in thelawsuitApple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics.^[5]

This was the original edition of TouchWiz, released in 2008, with pre-introduction (trial) on theSGH-F480 (Tocco) phone. It was an evolution of the Croix user interface seen on theSGH-P520 (Armani) andSGH-F700 (Ultra Smart).^[3] TouchWiz version 1.0 was officially launched with the original SGH-A887 Solstice,^[6] a phone released onAT&T in the United States in 2009.^[7] Various versions of TouchWiz 1.0, with different features, were used on Solstice's siblings, such as the Eternity,Impression,Impact, andHighlight.^[2]

This was the original second edition of TouchWiz, released in 2009. This version premiered with the Solstice 2^[8] in 2010.

Released in 2010, to supportAndroid Eclair (2.1) andAndroid Froyo (2.2). This version premiered with theGalaxy S. A lite version of TouchWiz 3.0, with reduced features, was used on the Galaxy Proclaim.

The second version of TouchWiz was released in 2011 to supportAndroid Gingerbread andAndroid Honeycomb (2.3 - 3.2.6). TheGalaxy S II was the first device preloaded with TouchWiz 4.0. This version includes betterhardware acceleration than 3.0, as well as multiple touchscreen options involvingmulti-touch gestures and using the phone'saccelerometer. One such feature allows users to place two fingers on the screen and tilt the device towards and away from themselves, to zoom in and out, respectively. "Panning" on TouchWiz 4.0 allows users to scroll throughhome screens by moving the device from side to side.

The third version of TouchWiz was renamed to TouchWiz Nature UX. It was released in 2012 and supportedAndroid Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) andAndroid Jelly Bean (4.1). TheGalaxy S III,Galaxy Star, andGalaxy Note 10.1 were the first devices preloaded with this version, although a "lite" version was used beforehand on theGalaxy Tab 2 7.0. The 2013Galaxy S2 "Plus" variant featured this user interface as well.

TouchWiz Nature UX contains more interactive elements than the previous version, such as a water ripple effect on the lock screen, and "smart stay", a feature that useseye tracking technology to determine if the user is still watching the screen. Users are able to set custom vibration patterns for phone calls and notifications.^[9] The keyboard software is equipped with aclipboard manager.^[10]

Amulti-touch magnification feature and apicture-in-picture mode ("pop-up play") have been added to the precludedvideo player, as well as panning and zooming motion gestures in the gallery software.^[11][12]

To complement the TouchWiz interface, and as a response to Apple'sSiri, this version introducedS Voice, Samsung'sVirtual assistant.

Thecolour palette of the user interface has been adapted to the colours of nature, prosplit-screenen (plants, forest, grass) and blue (ocean, sky), to visually represent the slogan “Inspired by Nature”.

This version of TouchWiz also utilized manycolour gradients.

Criticism has been aimed at the inability of thehome screen andlock screen to work in horizontal display orientation.^[13][14]

With the Android 4.1 update (pre-installed on theGalaxy Note II), Samsung delivered a "premium suite upgrade", whose improvements include asplit screen mode, making this the first mobile user interface to run more than one application simultaneously.

Other additions and accessibility improvements are "easy mode", a simplified home screen option with larger icons, "smart rotation", where the screen rotates after the orientation of the user's face detected through the front camera, a low-light shot mode, the ability to adjust the volume of each side ofheadphones separately, a "reader mode" forSamsung Internet (formerly known as "S Browser") with adjustable font size, "Page Buddy", which can detect the user's intended action such as opening the music player when plugging in earphones, and the ability to read the news feed from Facebook in particular directly from the lock screen well before common lock screen notifications were released with Android 5.0 "Lollipop".^[15][16]

This version supportsAndroid Jelly Bean (4.2.2) and was released in 2013; theGalaxy S4 was the first device to use TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0. Even more eye-tracking abilities were introduced with this version, such as "smart scroll", which allows users to scroll down and up on webpages by tilting their head downwards and upwards, respectively.

The on-screen buttons for photo, video, and modes now have ametallic texture, and both photo and video recording modes are combined into one viewfinder page rather than separated by switching modes.^[17]

The audio setting (mute/vibrate/sound) is also accessible from the device options (power off / restart/data network mode/flight mode), which is accessed by holding the power button.^[18]

WithAndroid KitKat, which rolled out in February 2014 to Samsung Galaxy devices, the colours of the green battery icon, as well as the green (upstream) and orange (downstream) indicator arrows in the top status bar, have been changed to grey.^[19]

TouchWiz Nature UX 2.5 was released in 2013 to support the last updates toAndroid Jelly Bean (4.1–4.3), and was first used on theGalaxy Note 3 and theGalaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition. This version completely supports theSamsung Knox security solution, as well asmulti-user capabilities. The camera was also improved in this update:shutter lag was reduced, and features like a 360°panorama mode were added. The settings menu is equipped with a new search feature.^[20]

It is the first mobile user interface to featurewindowing.^[21] To the existing split-screen feature, the abilities todrag and drop items in between and open select apps twice was added.^[22]

A verticalone-handed operation mode has been added for the Galaxy Note 3. It can be accessed with a swiping gesture on either side of the screen and allows variably shrinking the simulated size of the screen. It also is equipped with on-screen navigation (options, home, back) and volume keys (up, down).^[23][24]

This update was released in 2014 to supportAndroid KitKat (4.4). It was first seen on theGalaxy S5,Galaxy K Zoom and theGalaxy Note Pro 12.2. It later appeared on theGalaxy Alpha.

The home screen and settings menu were made more user-friendly with larger icons and less clutter. Also, icons in thecontext menus were removed forminimalism,^[25] and any disabled options, where previously they would have been visible but unusable (Graphical widget), now do not show up at all.

Theone-handed operation mode available on the Galaxy S5 allows setting shortcuts for apps and contacts.^[26] A floating menu with user-specified app shortcuts has also been added.^[27]

The newcolour palette utilizes oceanic colours (e.g.#006578,#00151C,#004754,#009ba1,#005060,#0034da and#001d27^[28][29][30]) to reference the Galaxy S5'swater resistance.

Some budget devices, such as theGalaxy Trend 2 Lite,Galaxy J1 Ace, Galaxy V Plus, Galaxy Grand Neo Plus and Galaxy Tab E feature a reduced version of TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0 called "TouchWiz Essence UX", which is adapted for devices with less than 1 GB of RAM. This version has an ultra-power-saving mode, which drastically extends the battery duration by making the screengrayscale, restricting the apps that can be used, and turning off features likeWi-Fi andBluetooth.

The redesigned settings menu hasflat icons instead of previously used self-colouredClip art, and is equipped with three distinct viewing modes:Grid view,List view andTab view.Tab view is like list view except the settings are separated by tabs instead of in one long list, similar to the settings on Nature UX 2.0 (S4 and Note 3).^[31][32]

Another minor distinction is that the boot screen shows theAndroid trademark, but no longer theProduct of the device (e.g.SM-G900F,SM-G901F).^[33]

This is a slightly modified version of TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0, released in 2014 for theGalaxy Note 4,Galaxy Note Edge andGalaxy A-series (2015). Most of the changes made were minor, aesthetic ones, including an overhaul of the cluttered settings menu, the inclusion of quick setting shortcuts, and centralization of the lock screen clock. However, the camera application was stripped down to its most basic features, removing features such as theWi-Fi Direct-poweredremote viewfinder, nonetheless gaining anAF/AE lock feature accessible through tapping and holding in the camera viewfinder.

The"grid view" setting menu viewing mode introduced inTouchWiz Nature UX 3.0 has been removed.^[34] Menus and system applications use white instead of dark backgrounds.^[35] The recent task switcher has changed into a vertically scrollable list with overlapping thumbnails, while a flat list with non-overlapping thumbnails with orientation-based scrolling direction had been used previously.^[36]

The ability to use shortcuts for apps and contacts in the one-handed operation mode has been removed.^[37]

This version supports Android Lollipop and was released in December 2014. It eventually became available to theGalaxy S4,Galaxy Note 3 (2013) andGalaxy S5 andNote 4 (2014), and other Lollipop-compatible devices.

This version of TouchWiz continued the design that was initially seen on the Galaxy S5, with slightly more rounded icons, but also incorporated Lollipop's additions and changes, such as making the notificationdrop-down menu merely an overlay instead of a full-screen drawer and colouring it neon blue. TouchWiz Nature UX 4.0 also included a visual overhaul for the whole system, changing the black background in system apps to a white theme, similar to TouchWiz Nature UX 3.5 seen on the Note 4 & A series. The black theme had been in place since thefirst Galaxy phone, because it reduced battery consumption as Samsung mainly usesAMOLED display technology. It was changed because of a patent licensing deal withGoogle, which required that the TouchWiz interface follow the design of "stock" Android more closely.^[38]

The size of the current video file and the remaining storage space amount is no longer indicated in the camera app viewfinder during video recording,^[39] and the audio controls (silent,vibration only,on) have been removed from the power menu.^[40][41]

With TouchWiz Zero UX, Samsung changed to referring to versions as "codename UX" with the codename being one of the first flagship devices to feature the version. This version was released in 2015 with the introduction of theGalaxy S6 and was named after its codename (Zero), and is based onAndroid 5.0 Lollipop. It also came with theGalaxy S5 Neo. This update cleaned up the user interface, reduced the number of duplicate functions, and used brighter and simpler colours with icon shadows. Many icons in top bars have been replaced with uppercase text labels such as "More".

An updated version named "TouchWiz Noble UX" was released in August 2015 along with theGalaxy Note 5 andS6 Edge+. This version features updated iconography, with stock apps now featuring "squircle" icons instead of freeform, and a re-added single-handed operation mode that was removed on the Galaxy S6 after being available on the S5. However, it is opened with a triple-press of the home button instead of a swiping gesture, lacks on-screen keys (navigation, volume controls, app/contact shortcuts) and only has one fixed size.^[42]

The camera user interface has undergone several changes as well. Shortcuts on the left pane are no longer customizable, and the settings are on a separate page rather than on top of an active viewfinder.^[43]

Mid-range and entry-level devices feature a version named "TouchWiz Essence 2.0". It is similar to TouchWiz Zero UX but icon shadows are not included, along with or without Theme Support. It is comparatively lighter, faster, and features on devices such as the 2016Galaxy A series,Galaxy A8,2016 Galaxy Tab A series, and theGalaxy J series devices, which run Android Lollipop. It also doesn't feature the Sparkling Bubbles lock screen effect exclusive toGalaxy S6 and theNote 5, which displays bubbles on the right and left edges of the screen.

Galaxy S6 user reports suggest The step-by-step frame navigation and still frame image extraction features have been removed from Samsung's included video player software.^[44]

This version of TouchWiz, codenamed after theGalaxy S7 (Hero), began during initial beta testing ofAndroid 6.0 Marshmallow on theGalaxy S6 andNote 5 in December 2015, for users who had signed up for the beta program,^[45] and became formally available in February 2016 for the Galaxy S7 series. This version was also released for the S5.

It features a redesigned notification drop-down and color overhaul, replacing the original blue and green hue with white. This version also removed the weather while centering and enlarging the clock on thelock screen, as well as bringing back the ability to customize the shortcuts on the lock screen. Icons are slightly modified with a flatter look, removing the shadows that featured previously. The Smart Manager was removed as an app, and was moved to a settings option instead.

On this version, Samsung also addedaccessibility options such asShow button shapes, where buttons are outlined with a visible border and a shaded background to increase contrast from the background, and the ability to change thedisplay density setting, although this was initially only accessible through a third-party app, as the setting was hidden by the system. An update to theGalaxy S7 and S7 Edge made it official, allowing users to change it under the display settings.^[46]

TouchWiz Hero UX also includes Google's additions to Android: Doze and App Standby to improve battery performance (although Samsung's app optimization feature remains available, thus meaning there are two separate "app optimization" settings: one within the Smart Manager app, and the other within the battery usage screen), Now on Tap to quickly access thevirtual assistantGoogle Now, and Permission Control to limit the permissions granted to a particular application.

First released with theGalaxy Note 7 forAndroid Marshmallow andAndroid Nougat, the Grace UX was named after the device's codename and eventually made its way to older devices, including the Galaxy Note 5, through an update. The Grace UX features a cleaner, flatter look to iconography and extensive use of white space. TouchWiz Grace UX devices also benefit from the Secure Folder functionality. Replacing My Knox, Secure Folder enables users to keep certain data, and even apps, behind a secure password.

• Samsung Champ
• Samsung Impact/Highlight
• Samsung Jet
• Samsung Preston
• Samsung Solstice^[8]
• Samsung Corby^[47]
• Samsung Star
• Samsung Tocco
• Samsung Ultra Touch
• Samsung Blue Earth
• Samsung Monte

• Samsung Wave 575 (TouchWiz 3.0)
• Samsung Wave S8500
• Samsung Wave II S8530
• Samsung Wave 723 (TouchWiz 3.0)
• Samsung Wave 525 (TouchWiz 3.0)
• Samsung Wave Y
• Samsung Wave 3 (TouchWiz 4.0)

• Samsung Omnia II

• Samsung i8910

• Samsung Z1
• Samsung Z2
• Samsung Z3
• Samsung Z4

• Galaxy Camera (TouchWiz Nature UX)
• Galaxy NX (TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0)
• Galaxy Camera 2 (TouchWiz Nature UX 2.5)

• Galaxy Tab 7.0 (TouchWiz 3.0, upgradeable to TouchWiz 4.0)
• Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus (TouchWiz 4.0, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX)
• Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (TouchWiz Nature UX Lite, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0)
• Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (TouchWiz Nature UX, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX 2.5)
• Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 (TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0)
• Galaxy Tab 7.7 (TouchWiz 4.0, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX)
• Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 (TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX 2.5)
• Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 (TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0)
• Galaxy Tab 8.9 (TouchWiz 4.0, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX)
• Galaxy Tab 10.1 (TouchWiz 4.0, Upgrading TouchWiz Nature UX)
• Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (TouchWiz Nature UX Lite, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0)
• Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 (TouchWiz Nature UX, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX 2.5)
• Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 (TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0)
• Galaxy Note 8.0 (TouchWiz Nature UX, upgradable to TouchWiz Nature UX 2.0 (4.2.2) and TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0 (4.4.2))
• Galaxy Note 10.1 (TouchWiz Nature UX Lite, upgradable to TouchWiz Nature UX, TouchWiz Nature UX 2.5)
• Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition (TouchWiz Nature UX 2.5, upgradable to TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0, TouchWiz Zero UX)
• Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0, upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX 3.5)
• Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0 Upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX 4.5)
• Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0 Upgradeable to TouchWiz Nature UX 4.5)
• Galaxy Tab S2 (TouchWiz Noble UX upgradeable to Samsung Experience 8.0)
• Galaxy Tab A 7.0 (TouchWiz Essence UX 2.0 based on Noble UX)
• Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (TouchWiz Essence UX 2.0 upgradeable to Samsung Experience 8.0)
• Galaxy Tab A 9.7 (TouchWiz Zero UX (Essence) upgradeable to Samsung Experience 8.0)
• Galaxy Tab E International (TouchWiz Essence UX)
• Galaxy Tab E US (TouchWiz Essence UX 2.0 upgradeable to Samsung Experience 8.0)

Version	Image	Build ID	Android version	Release date	Features
TouchWiz Nature UX 4.0		I9505XXUHPK2[49] (S4)	Android 5.0.1 "Lollipop"	December 3, 2014	Flat, minimalistic design New app icons were introduced System apps became flat as well, compliacing with the same redesign Google introduced in Android 5.0[50]
TouchWiz Zero UX (released with Galaxy S6)			Android 5.0.2 "Lollipop"	March 1, 2015	•Simpler naming system No longer "Nature UX"[51] Minor redesign of some elements (e.g. control panel)
TouchWiz Noble UX (released with Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+)		N920CXXU3CQC7[52] (Note 5)	Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop"	August 13, 2015	•Refresh of design Squircle icons New notification pane Graceful animations •New camera options Livestream to YouTube
TouchWiz Hero UX (released with Galaxy S7)		G930FXXU1DQDD[53] (S7)	Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow"	March 11, 2016	•Edge UX 2.0 Tasks Edge (shortcut to commonly used tasks) Edge Panels (compass, flashlight, ruler; news aggregators) •Increased organization New "advanced settings pane" Ability to move multiple apps at once Bug fixes and performance improvements.
TouchWiz Grace UX (released with Galaxy Note 7)		N930FXXU1APG7[54] (Note 7)	Android 6.0.1 "Marshmallow" -7.0 "Nougat"	August 19, 2016

• Android (operating system) software
• Custom Android firmware
• Mobile operating systems
• Samsung software
• User interface techniques

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