Best Apps For Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a foldable Android smartphone that gives you the best of both worlds: a small, compact phone with a front display and a larger tablet-sized display when unfolded. The newest model in the line, it has a number of improvements from previous models. It has an ultra-thin glass screen to protect it from scratches and damage, as well as an improved hinge design for easy opening and closing.

Here are some of our favorite apps that take advantage of the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s dual screens.

Best Apps For Galaxy Z Fold 3

1. CUSTOMIZE ALL THE SCREENS
   The very first thing that you’ll want to do (after signing in and downloading the best Android apps) is to make your Galaxy Z Fold 3 yours. With the Z Fold 3, you can customize two different “main” screens, along with two different lock screens. While some of the best Android launchers work fine — some, like Niagara, are even built with foldables in mine — you might find yourself enjoying the One UI launcher that ships with the phone.

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These are the steps that you’ll want to take to customize the layout for your Home Screen:

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1. Press and hold on an empty space on your Home Screen.
2. Tap the Settings option in the bottom toolbar.

Customize Z Fold 3 Home Screen Settings

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
Go through and modify the following options:

Home screen layout
Home screen grid
Apps screen grid
Folder grid
Customize Z Fold 3 Home Screen Settings Panel

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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There are even more options to tinker with, such as Cover Screen Mirroring. This essentially ensures that both the Cover Screen and Home Screen match at all times. But the problem with this is that if you have multiple pages when using the Cover Screen, each page will appear as one-half of the big display. It’s a nice concept, especially for those who rely on muscle memory with their app placement. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t look that great in practice.

2. EXTEND YOUR BATTERY LIFE
   Admittedly, we’re a bit disappointed with the smaller battery in the Galaxy Z Fold 3 compared to its predecessor. And with the addition of the 120Hz refresh rate on the Cover Screen, there’s an even greater chance you’ll need to reach for the charger before the end of the day.

However, one way to help extend your battery life is with the help of Dark Mode. Surprisingly, this isn’t enabled out of the box, but it can help you get through an entire day.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Display.
3. At the top of the page, tap Dark Mode.
4. If you want to set a schedule for Dark mode to be enabled, tap Dark mode settings.

Enable Dark Mode Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

5. Tap Turn on as scheduled.
6. Select Sunset to sunrise or Custom schedule.

Enable Dark Mode Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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This isn’t the only way to save battery life, but using Dark Mode with Samsung’s AMOLED panels will go a long way.

3. MULTITASK AWAY
   It’s one thing to enjoy all of your apps on the larger display, but the real power from the Galaxy Z Fold 3 comes via multitasking. Not only has Flex Mode been improved with this release, but you can use up to three apps at the same time in different windows. This windowed mode is the ultimate flex mode, allowing you to be on a video call, taking notes, and keeping up with Twitter, all at the same time.

To start using apps in these different windows, follow these steps:

1. Open any app that you want to multitask with.
2. Open the Edge Panel bar on your display by swiping inward on the floating tab.
3. Drag an app from the tray until it’s hovering above your already-open app.

Open App Multi Window Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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4. Let go of the app icon.

Open App Multi Window Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
That’s it! Now you have two apps running simultaneously side-by-side, but you can even add a third app. Just follow the steps above and drag and drop it over either side of the screen. Now, these two apps will be running atop one another on one side, while the third app spans the length of the other screen.

And if you want to re-adjust the sizing of the apps, or maybe switch things around a bit, this is possible too. Just grab the two (or three) dots between each app and resize them. Tap on these dots, and you’ll be greeted with even more options:

Switch window
Rotate clockwise
Add app combo to Edge panel
Open App Multi Window Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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It’s really wonderful what Samsung allows you to truly take advantage of the Z Fold 3’s massive display.

4. APPS ON THE BIG SCREEN
   Even if you’ve never owned or used one of the best foldable phones, chances are you’ve heard about the issue where some apps just don’t fill up the entire screen. Instagram is the biggest offender of this, as the tablet UI development has never come to fruition.

Thankfully, Samsung has taken matters into its own hands, and you can force any app to open in full-screen. So here’s how you can coerce those pesky apps into appearing the way you want:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Advanced features.
3. Tap Labs.
4. Select Customize app aspect ratios.
5. Tap the search icon in the top right corner.
6. Search for the app you’re looking for.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 App Scaling Screenshots

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)

7. Tap on the app.
8. From the pop-up menu, select Full screen.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 App Scaling Instagram Screenshots

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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Voila! The next time you open Instagram or another unsupported app, it will span across the entire screen.

5. PIN YOUR APPS
   Switching back to multitasking for a moment: There’s one new feature that could turn the Z Fold 3 into a real game-changer. From the best Chromebooks to your own custom-built PC, all of our computers have a “dock” of some sort. And while that’s true, Samsung is taking things to the next level by allowing Galaxy Z Fold 3 owners to pin a select set of apps to the side of the display.

Not only will it show recently-used apps, but there’s an app drawer button, and you can access App Pairs from here. Think of it as a true “dock,” just like you would find when using Windows or Chrome OS, as it is never hidden and is always at the ready.

We’re jumping back into Labs for this one, but here’s how you can pin the Taskbar to the edge of your Z Fold 3’s display:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Advanced features.
3. Tap Labs.

How To Pin Apps Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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4. Toggle Pin your favorite apps to the On position.

How To Pin Apps Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
There aren’t any other options to tinker with here, but you’ll notice the Taskbar doesn’t automatically appear. That’s because we still need to manually enable it.

1. Swipe right on the Edge Panel bar on your display.
2. Tap the three-line icon at the bottom of your Edge panel.

How To Pin Apps Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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3. Tap Pin.

How To Pin Apps Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
Now the screen will automatically adjust itself to make way for your new Taskbar. And if you want to add more apps to the list, just tap the icon with six-dots, find the app, and drag and drop it onto the Taskbar. If you find yourself not enjoying the Taskbar as much, just tap the Pin icon to un-pin it from your screen, and it will vanish.

6. SPRUCE UP YOUR GAMING PERFORMANCE
   While the Samsung performance scandal primarily revolved around the Galaxy S22 series, Samsung has used the Games Optimization Service to help its phones get the best performance out of apps and games without literally baking your device. While the Snapdragon 888 in the Galaxy Z Fold 3 doesn’t run as hot as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor in the Galaxy S22 series, you can still get better performance out of your Fold 3 by ticking a box in the settings.

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1. Open up the Game Launcher from the app drawer on your home screen.
2. Select the More menu at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap Game Booster.

Galaxy-z-fold-3-game-launcher-how-to-1

(Image credit: Android Central)

4. Tap Labs from the list. This Labs section is different from the one on the main Game Launcher menu.
5. Slide the switch to enable alternate game performance management.

Galaxy-z-fold-3-game-launcher-how-to-2

(Image credit: Android Central)

7. MAKE YOUR PHONE FEEL FASTER
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Between the Snapdragon 888 and the 12GB of RAM powering the Galaxy Z Fold 3, your phone might already feel pretty fast as it is. But there’s a way for you to take things to the next level, and that’s by reducing the animation scales. But before you can do that, you’ll first need to unlock Developer Options.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap About phone.
3. Tap Software information.

Enable Developer Options Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)

4. Tap Build number seven (7) times.
5. Enter your password if prompted.

Enable Developer Options Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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Now that Developer Options have been unlocked, you’ll see the option appear on the left side of the screen.

6. Tap Developer options.
7. Scroll down and change of the following to 0.5x:

Window animation scale
Transition animation scale
Animator duration scale
Change Animation Speed Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
This, paired with the 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, will feel like you’re absolutely flying around your phone.

8. SWITCH UP THE KEYBOARD
   By default, Samsung opts you into using a split-screen keyboard. This is designed for ergonomics and easier use, so you don’t have to try and stretch your thumbs to reach the middle of the screen.

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In theory, it sounds like a solid plan, but there’s a definite learning curve, especially if you rely on swipe gestures while sending and replying to emails or messages. Thankfully, you can go back to a “normal” keyboard layout.

1. Open an app that uses text entry (like a messaging app).
2. Tap the Gear icon in the top toolbar on your keyboard.

Change Keyboard Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)

3. Tap Mode.

Change Keyboard Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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4. Under Main screen, tap Standard keyboard.

Change Keyboard Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
Now, when you pull up Samsung’s keyboard again, it will show you a traditional keyboard layout without any gap in the middle.

Change Keyboard Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

9. DITCH BIXBY
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For better or worse, Bixby remains the default voice assistant for Samsung phones. While we like the idea of Bixby routines, Bixby itself just doesn’t hold a candle to the likes of Google Assistant. Out of the box, the power button is mapped to activate Bixby when you press down and hold the button. This removes the traditional power menu you may be used to, but there’s a way to change that.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Advanced Features.
3. Tap Side key.

Customize Z Fold 3 Power Button

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)

4. Under Press and hold, tap Power off menu.

Customize Z Fold 3 Power Button

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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It’s also here where you can change what gesture is performed when you double-press the power button. By default, it’s set to launch the Camera app, but you can also tap Open app and pick an app of your choosing to be opened.

10. TURN YOUR FOLD 3 INTO A PORTABLE CHARGER
    If you happened to pick up the Galaxy Buds 2 or even the Galaxy Watch 4, you might find yourself needing to get a little bit extra power. This is where you can turn your Galaxy Z Fold 3 into a portable wireless charger of sorts, thanks to Wireless Power Share. It’s turned off out of the box, but here’s how you can turn it back on.
11. Open the Settings app.
12. Scroll down and tap Battery and device care.
13. Tap Battery.

Enable Wireless Powershare Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)

4. Tap Wireless power sharing.

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Enable Wireless Powershare Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)

5. Tap the toggle at the top to the On position.
6. At the bottom, set the Battery limit.

Enable Wireless Powershare Z Fold 3

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Android Central)
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By setting the battery limit, you’ll be able to decide when your phone will stop sharing its juice with whatever you are wirelessly charging. Now, when you place your Qi-compatible accessories on the back of your Z Fold 3, you’ll be able to borrow some of the battery.

Best keyboard app for z fold 3

1. Set up your Fingerprint Scanner
   This one is pretty obvious, and chances are that you already set up a fingerprint when you went through the initial setup process. In the event that you didn’t, here’s where you’ll need to go in order to set up the fingerprint scanner.

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Biometrics and security in the left panel.
Tap Fingerprints on the right panel.
Enter your PIN or passcode, if prompted.
Tap Add fingerprint.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

One big recommendation that we have with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is to set up multiple fingerprints. Sit back and think about the different ways that you use or pick up the Fold 3, and what fingers might be the most convenient to unlock the phone. For example, I have the following options set up:

Right thumb (same for every phone)
Left index finger
Left middle finger
By setting up multiple fingerprint scannings, it’s so much easier to quickly unlock the phone, regardless of how I pick it up.

2. Get rid of Bixby and re-claim your Power Button

It’s been years now, and Samsung just can’t seem to find it in itself to ditch Bixby. The voice assistant has been improved over time, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to the likes of Google Assistant or even Amazon Alexa.

By default, Bixby can be activated by long-pressing the side key, but this forces you to go into the notification shade just to activate the power menu. Here’s how to change that:

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Advanced Features.
Tap Side Key in the left panel.
Under Press and hold, tap Power off menu.
If you want to tinker around with the Side Button settings even more, you can set custom apps to open when the button is double-tapped. Just enable the Double Press toggle, select Open app, tap the Gear icon, and pick your app.

3. Customize your Home Screen

Customization is key to Android on the whole, and with two different displays, you’ll want to make sure your Home Screen matches your style and needs. The following steps for customizing your Home Screen applies to both the Cover Screen and Main Display.

Long press on an empty space on your Home Screen.
Tap Settings.
Go through each of the following options:
Home screen layout
Home screen grid
Apps screen grid
Folder grid
The only catch here is that you’ll need to close your Z Fold 3, unlock it, and follow the steps if you want to customize the Cover Screen. And obviously, unfolding the Fold 3 and following the steps above will apply to the main display.

How to use custom icon packs on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

4. Pin the Taskbar
   With a display as big as the Galaxy Z Fold 3, it’s only natural for you to want to easily access your most-used apps from wherever. Technically, this is already possible thanks to Edge Panels, but Samsung has introduced an all-new Taskbar that takes things up a notch.

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Advanced Features.
Tap Labs.
At the bottom, tap the toggle next to Pin your favorite apps.
Now that it’s been enabled, here’s how you can actually activate and use this taskbar.

Swipe from the left or right to reveal your Edge Panels.
Tap the three lines at the bottom of the panel.
Tap Pin.

Your screen will automatically adjust to make room for the new taskbar. By default, you’ll have quick access to recently-used applications, along with some of your favorites. But if you want to customize the row taskbar full of apps, here’s what you’ll need to do:

Tap the Pin icon at the bottom of the taskbar.
Swipe in on the edge of the display to reveal the Edge Panel.
Tap the three lines at the bottom of the panel.
Tap Edit.
Drag and drop apps from the list onto the panel.
Once completed, press the back button in the navigation bar, or swipe to go back.
Tap the three lines again.
Tap Pin.

5. Jump into Good Lock

We’re not going to dive into every little nook and cranny of Good Lock here. However, once you become more familiar with what your Z Fold 3 can do, Good Lock is the next place to go.

Good Lock is the hub for a series of modules that can be installed and used to customize just about every aspect of your Samsung phone. It’s here where the idea of the “Labs” section in the Settings app was born, but it’s continued to grow in popularity and functionality.

In order to download Good Lock, just hit the button below from your Galaxy Z Fold 3 to download it in the Galaxy Store. From there, you’ll want to fire it up and will be presented with the following modules:

Unit
LockStar
QuickStar
Clockface
MultiStar
NavStar
Home Up
NotiStar
Routines+
Family
Keys Cafe
Pentastic
Wonderland
Theme Park
Nice Catch
One Hand Operation+
Sound Assistant
Each of those modules must be downloaded separately, but you can do so right from the Good Lock app. From there, just start customizing and tinkering away to build the ultimate personalized setup.

Conclusion

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