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How to master the Note 5's S Pen stylus

You'll get the most out of your new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 with these simple but useful tricks.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Jessica Dolcourt

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 bursts forth with a stylish new glass-and-metal design and a matching new design to its stylus, the S Pen. Learning to use this tool in all its glory is one step that'll help make you a power user of Samsung's most powerful device.

This short video here contains my top tips to get you started, and I also encourage you to explore on your own.

Watch this: Wield Samsung's Note 5 S Pen like a boss

First piece of advice: insert your S Pen into the device point first, which is the right way. Samsung has gotten heat from users who have inserted their S Pens into the device the wrong way, end first. Otherwise, the pen could get stuck and first chaos, then sadness, will ensue.

I'll also show you how to jot memos even while the screen is off (and where to find them again); how to customize app shortcuts that you pull up with the pen; and how to find, download and use a whole lot more features for the Note 5's signature app, S Note.

Check out the video above, and catch my full Samsung Galaxy Note 5 review for more details.