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Help Galaxy S 5 turns on and acts like I'm pressing buttons when (when in pocket) when I recieve a text

jshoe22

Well-Known Member
Nov 11, 2010
176
7
Galaxy S 5 turns on and acts like I'm pressing buttons when (when in pocket) when I receive a text. I had a Galaxy S 3 and it did not do this. I also had a Captivate that did not do this. It's like the phone thinks my leg is a finger. It drives me nuts. Is this something many people experience? What can I do about it? Thanks
 
This would happen with my S4 until I purchased a "smart" flip cover. Especially after receiving a text, the display would turn on in my pocket and if I moved the right way I would end up "butt dialing" the texter without knowing it so they could hear what was happening around me.

With the Samsung-style smart flip cover, when the cover is closed it prevents the screen from turning on in your pocket. It has some other nice benefits including being able to accept/reject calls through the window on the cover as well as talk on a call with the cover closed. This helps keep the screen clean.
 
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This would happen with my S4 until I purchased a "smart" flip cover. Especially after receiving a text, the display would turn on in my pocket and if I moved the right way I would end up "butt dialing" the texter without knowing it so they could hear what was happening around me.

With the Samsung-style smart flip cover, when the cover is closed it prevents the screen from turning on in your pocket. It has some other nice benefits including being able to accept/reject calls through the window on the cover as well as talk on a call with the cover closed. This helps keep the screen clean.

I appreciate it but I like my Otterbox. I'm barely touching the phone. It happens when the screen turns on for a text and my thigh touches it, such as when walking. A phone should not do this when walking.
 
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As above, plus I have my unlock screen set to Draw A Pattern.

That fixed it for me.

And, you can also change the settings for an incoming text message.
I used to have them display on top of the Lockscreen. I soon found the error of my ways, like you are now, and changed that so they do not open.

I now just get the little birdies chirping to let me know that a text message has come in. Then I have to unlock it and open Messages.

More trouble, but well worth it, no butt dialing for me.
 
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I made sure it was off.... this is very disappointing... is anyone else having this issue?

Quick update. After a few weeks with my S5 and the Samsung flip cover there is another annoying pocket issue. They added a camera app to be used through the closed cover with no option to remove the camera (you can remove pedometer and weather). I am constantly taking photos inside of my pocket. The only solution I have found is to turn the phone facing away from my leg which puts the antenna next to my body.
 
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This issue is the reason I am going to give up my Galaxy S5. I switched from Windows Phone because I hated not being able to get apps. I love the apps and overall I am generally pleased with Android and the Galaxy S5 but the pocket dialing (and pocket Pandora and Pocket Milk Music and Pocket Texting and ....) is a deal breaker? This was a problem that was solved back in the early to mid 2000's when smartphone manufacturers realized that smartphones had cameras and could tell whether the phone was in a pocket/purse/backpack before turning on the screen for a notification! How is it that Google and/or Samsung have not figured this out yet?

My foray into Android has been #Failed by this. I think am choosing to go back to Windows Phone and give up the selection of apps because at least then I have a usable smartphone that doesn't start randomly unpausing my Pandora playlist when I am in quiet locations. Talk about embarrassing!
 
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