Use your Galaxy foldable phone when it is opened or closed
There was not 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 is not the case with the Galaxy foldables like the new Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. You can access certain apps on their front screen and main screens for easy access and multitasking. On the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, you can even use apps when the phone is partially folded!
Note: You may notice a crease at the center of the main screen. 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.
On the Galaxy Z Flip series and Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, you can use apps when the phone is partially closed. In other words, when it’s “flexed.” Just prop up your foldable phone on a flat surface and use apps that are compatible with Flex mode. For example, you can use Google Duo to video chat with family when your hands are full. Or, open the Camera app, set a timer, and pose for a selfie that you normally couldn't do when holding a phone.
When you are folding your phone, you can use Camera, Video calling, Gallery, Video player, Clock, Calendar, YouTube, and Google Duo.
Note: Flex mode is not available on the original Galaxy Z Fold.
The front screen on the Galaxy Z Flip series phone is called the Cover screen, and it lets you view notifications, battery life, and other information like the time – all while the phone is closed.
You can even send messages, answer phone calls, and take selfies from the Cover screen. While the Galaxy Z Flip series phone is closed, just use one of the simple command gestures, like double pressing the Side key to open the Camera app. You do not even have to open your phone to use Samsung Pay.
Note: If you have an app open on your Galaxy Z Fold series phone's front screen, 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 Z Fold series phone work for you. For example, you can use Samsung Pay when the screen is folded!
Note: Right now, App Continuity only works with select apps; however, the number of compatible apps will increase with time.
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.
Setting up a Lock screen on the Galaxy Z Fold series phone is the same as on any other phone. The only difference is that you may need to enter the Lock screen PIN or scan your fingerprint more than once when you open and close the phone, depending on how you set everything up.
To make your Galaxy Z Fold series phone easier to use, first you will 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 will get a better viewing experience when the phone is unfolded.
However, when you add an app to a Home screen on one screen, you will need to add it to the other as well. An app will not 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.
Note: The process is the same for both screens.
There are other ways you can customize the two Home screens on your Galaxy Z Fold series phone. You can change the screen's layout, prevent apps from moving around, hide apps you do not want seen, and more.
To do this, navigate to and open Settings, 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:
- Cover screen mirroring: Use the same layout on your cover and main screen. Changes in one place are reflected in the other. Each page of your main screen will show two pages of the cover screen layout.
Note: This is only available on the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
- 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.
- Folder grid: Adjust the layout of folders on the main screen.
- Show apps screen button on Home screen: Add an Apps screen button to your Home 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.
Note: This is called "Swipe down for notification panel" on the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G.
- Hide apps: Hide apps you do not want displayed on the Home screen or the Apps screen. This applies to both the front and main screens. App icon badges: A badge will appear on an app’s icon when there are notifications. You can select from Number or Dot.
- 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.
Note: The Galaxy Z Fold3 5G allows you to sync the cover screen with the main screen. This means you can access your cover screen’s display right from the main screen!
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