Galaxy Fold - Use the device when it's folded or unfolded (SM-F900W)

Last Update date : Oct 07. 2020
Galaxy Fold - Use the device when it's folded or unfolded (SM-F900W)

There wasn't much you could do on a flip phone's front screen - if it even had one. Once your phone was closed, that was it. But that isn't the case with the Galaxy Fold. You can use apps on its front and main screens for easy access and multitasking. You may notice a crease at the center of the main screen, don't forget this is a natural characteristic of the phone.

Information provided applies to devices sold in Canada. Available screens and settings may vary for smartphones sold in other countries.

The front and main screens are two parts of the same whole. So, when you apply security to your phone, the same Lock screen will appear on both screens.

Set up security for both screens

Setting up a Lock screen on the Galaxy Fold is the same as on any other phone. The only difference is that you may need to enter the Lock screen more than once when you open and close the phone, depending on how you set everything up.

The beauty of your Galaxy Fold is that you can use apps when it's open or closed. Plus, if you have an app open on the front screen, such as the Camera app, it will continue working when you unfold to the main screen. But things work a little differently when you close your phone. By default, the front screen will turn off, but you can customize this setting to make your Galaxy Fold work for you. Navigate to and open Settings. Tap Display, and then tap Continue apps on front screen.

Use apps folded or unfolded

From here, tap the switch next to your desired apps. The apps you choose will stay open when you close your phone, and you can continue using them on the front screen. Any apps you don't select will automatically close when you fold your phone.

Right now, App Continuity only works with select apps; however, the number of compatible apps will increase with time.

To make your foldable phone easier to use, first you'll want to add your favorite apps to the front and main screen's Home screen. For example, you can add a message app to the front screen for quick access when the phone's folded. Or you can add a reading or movie app to the main screen since you'll get a better viewing experience when the phone is unfolded.

Add apps to both Home screens

However, when you add an app to a Home screen on one screen, you'll need to add it to the other as well. An app won't automatically show up on both screens unless you add it to both. Just touch and hold your desired app, and then tap Add to Home. The process is the same for both screens.

There are other ways you can customize the two Home screens. You can change the screen's layout, prevent apps from moving around, hide apps you don't want seen, and more. To do this, navigate to and open Settings. Tap Display, and then tap Home screen. Here you can view the available Home screen settings. But please be aware that these settings may only apply to one screen.

Other Home screen settings
  • Home screen layout: Make your phone display a Home screen and a traditional Apps screen, or make it display just a Home screen, where you can swipe left to access your apps.
  • Home screen grid or Apps screen grid: Adjust the layout and number of apps displayed on the Home screen or the Apps screen. This only applies to the main screen.
  • Lock Home screen layout: Prevent items on the Home screen from being removed or rearranged. This applies to both the front and main screens.
  • Add apps to Home screen: Automatically add newly downloaded apps to the Home screen. This applies to both the front and main screens.
  • Quick-open notification panel: Swipe down to open the notification panel from the Home screen. This applies to both the front and main screens.
  • Hide apps: Hide apps you don't want displayed on the Home screen or the Apps screen. This applies to both the front and main screens.
  • Rotate to landscape mode: Allow the main screen to rotate automatically when your phone is held sideways. This only applies to the main screen. The front screen will not automatically rotate.

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