Samsung Galaxy S22 problems and how to fix them

Users have noticed that Samsung has a skinned version of Google Messages on the Galaxy S22, even though the name and the Google Play Store link are the same as what you’d see on a non-Samsung phone. Apart from the different layout and colors, the biggest complaint is that the Galaxy S22 messaging app is missing features like the ability to see emoji text reactions from iPhones and the option to send high-resolution photos with a Google Photos link.

Potential solutions:

• There’s no way to revert to the original version of Google Messages without relying on downloading and installing it manually.
• Open the Google Play Store, search for and open the Google Messages app page. Tap on the three vertical dots at the top right corner and toggle off Enable auto-update. Go to the Google Messages app settings and tap on Clear data and Clear cache. You will have to download the Messages apk file. Download and install the apk file on your phone. You should see the regular version of Google Messages. Keep in mind that if you update the app through the Play Store, it will go back to the Samsung-skinned version again.

Users face lots of problems getting Android Auto to run with their Samsung Galaxy S22. Users sometimes only see a blank screen in the car, and Android Auto takes a couple of minutes to appear. The issue is more common for those trying to use Android Auto Wireless on the Galaxy S22.

Potential solutions:

• Android Auto connection issues are common if you’ve used Smart Switch to set up your new Galaxy S22. The best option is to find the app in the Google Play Store and uninstall and reinstall it. You can also go to Settings–>Apps–>Android Auto and tap on Force Stop. Tap on Storage and select both Clear cache and Clear data.
• It’s also a good idea to go through the setup process again. Delete the device connection on your phone and the car and re-connect to Android Auto. If you’re having trouble connecting to Android Auto Wireless, set up a wired connection first by plugging in the Galaxy S22 with a cable. After establishing a wired connection initially, some users find that Android Auto Wireless works as expected the next time.
• If you’re using a wired connection, the phone should automatically detect it and change the setting accordingly. If it’s not working, tap on the Android System notification in the drop-down panel and check or change it to Transferring files/Android Auto.
• You can report any software issues to Samsung by going to the Samsung Members app and tapping on Get help–>Send feedback–>Error reports.

One of the more common Samsung Galaxy S22 problems users face is that the phone’s fast or wireless charging isn’t working as expected.

Potential solutions:

• The Samsung Galaxy S22 phones don’t come with a charger in the box, and using an older Samsung charger or the wrong third-party wired or wireless charger seems to cause the problem, even though it might have the correct charging speed rating. Check out our list of the best chargers to fast-charge your Galaxy S22 for the best options available.

Samsung Galaxy S22 owners find that certain app notifications aren’t showing up until they open the app. This is most common with WhatsApp and Gmail notifications.

Potential solutions:

• The Galaxy S22’s battery optimization settings are likely causing a notification delay. Go to Settings–>Apps and tap on the three vertical dots at the top right corner. Tap on Special access and select Optimize battery usage. Uncheck the apps you are not receiving notifications from. If you don’t see the entire app list, look for the Apps not optimized section at the top of the page and tap on All.
• Go to Settings–>Apps–>WhatsApp–>Storage and tap on both Clear cache and Clear data. If that doesn’t work, you might want to uninstall and set up the app again.

Some users are having issues using the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S22 devices. The scanner fails to recognize a fingerprint often and requires multiple attempts.

Potential solutions:

• The Galaxy S22 screen protector is likely causing the problem. If you are okay without it, the best option is to remove the screen protector, and the fingerprint scanner should work as expected. Read the reviews of any screen protector you consider to make sure that it is compatible with the sensor. Tempered glass screen protectors are especially problematic, so you might want to opt for TPU or hybrid options instead.
• After installing a screen protector, or if you’re having fingerprint scanner issues in general, delete any existing fingerprints and go through the setup again. You can try adding the same finger a couple of times as well.
• Increase the touch sensitivity of the phone. Go to Settings–>Display and scroll down to the Touch sensitivity setting and enable it. If you do so, you might want to also enable the Accidental touch protection setting.

Some Galaxy S22 users are running into frozen apps or laggy and slow performance.

Potential solutions:

• Check whether another app is causing the problem. Boot the phone in Safe Mode (the instructions are in the guide section below) and see if the issue continues. A recently installed or updated app is the cause if it doesn’t. Uninstall any apps that have been installed or updated and see if the performance returns to normal. You can also try wiping the cache partition.
• You can clear the app cache and data. Go to Settings–>Apps and find the problem app. Go to Storage and tap on Clear cache and Clear data. If nothing works, uninstall and reinstall the app.

A few users face frequent Wi-Fi connection drops on Galaxy S22 series phones, including Android Authority’s Joe Hindy. It seems to affect those using Wi-Fi 6 routers.

Potential solutions:

• A router setting seems to be causing the problem. The settings might be in a different place depending on the router you have, but you want to disable the Fast Roaming setting. On a Linksys router, log in to the router settings page, go to Privacy and disable the Fast roaming (802.11r) setting.

There are a couple of Samsung Galaxy S22 camera problems users face. First, some users can’t open the camera settings (clicking on the gear icon on the viewfinder). It opens for a second before automatically closing. Other users are seeing the “camera failed” error.

Potential solutions:

• If you have trouble opening the camera settings, you need to change a setting in the Developer options. Go to Settings–>Developer Options and look for Don’t keep activities. Disable the setting, and everything should work as expected.
• Clear the app data and cache. Go to Settings–>Apps–>Camera–>Storage and tap on Clear data and Clear cache.

Note: To get into the recovery menu to factory reset the phone or wipe the cache partition, you must plug your Galaxy S22 series phone in. You can connect the phone to your PC, but some users have been able to by plugging in USB-C earphones into the port. Also, keep in mind that it might take a few attempts to get into the recovery menu as the timing of when you release the two buttons are difficult to get right.

Factory reset Galaxy S22

• To factory reset the Galaxy S22, first turn the phone off.
• Press and hold the volume up and power buttons and release them when the Android logo appears.
• Use the volume down button to go down to Wipe data/factory reset.
• Press the power button to select it and use the volume button to choose Yes – delete all user data. Use the power button to confirm your selection.
• Tap the power button to select Reboot system now.

Boot Galaxy S22 into Safe Mode

• Turn the phone off.
• Press and hold the power button until the phone’s model name and the number appear on the screen.
• Once the Samsung logo appears, release the power button and press and hold the volume down button. Hold the volume down button until the phone fully restarts.
• You will see Safe Mode at the bottom left corner of the screen.

Wipe cache partition on Galaxy S22

• Turn the phone off.
• Press and hold the volume up and power buttons and release them when the Android logo appears.
• Use the volume down button to go to the Wipe cache partition setting and press the power button to confirm your selection.
• Press the volume button to select Yes and press the power button to confirm.
• Restart the device once you see Reboot system now.

What Galaxy S22 problems have you encountered? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. We’ll do our best to help.