Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is a phone that you can use like a tablet, or even a laptop, for full-blown work tasks like reading documents and spreadsheets. And the secret behind that is the Multi-Window tool that lets you use apps simultaneously - preventing fiddly, time-consuming swapping between apps and avoiding potential distraction.
We’re going to take you through how to use Multi-Window on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, from opening apps to adjusting things to your preference, and how other features can make things even better.
TL;DR:
- With a couple of taps, you can open multiple apps on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra to use together.
- You can do this on either of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s screens, but it’s at its best on the large inner display
- These app windows can be altered in size, moved around the screen or set as a slide-over app to suit your needs
- You can also save layouts and move them between Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s displays to continue using them later.
How do I open side by side windows on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
With Multi-Window, you can split two apps across Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra on the cover screen for a compact view, or the main inner screen, where you can use two apps at regular size - like having two standard phones side-by-side. This is great for work, as you can refer to your notes while working on another document or speaking on a video call without needing to switch apps or check another device.
To activate Multi-Window, open your first app, then tap the handle at the top centre of the screen, and select the split view option. Pick a second app as prompted, and it’ll open up in split-screen.
Alternatively, with one app open, drag the second app you want to use from your taskbar into the main display area, then drop the app on the side you’d like to use it. If the app you want to add isn’t present on the taskbar as a docked or recently used app, tap the nine dots icon on the left to open a list of all your apps, and find the one you need there.
How do I adjust the size of apps in Multi-Window?
When you have your windows open, you can use the handle, marked by a line of dots in the middle of the split between the apps, to adjust things. Dragging the handle left or right will change the relative sizes of the apps, so you can give more screen space to the app that needs it.
How do I adjust the position of apps in Multi-Window?
Using either the split-screen handle in the centre of the screen, or the app handles found at the top of each side of the Multi-Window, lets you change how the apps are laid out.
Tapping the split-screen handle allows you to switch the apps’ positions - either moving the left app to the right and vice versa, or putting them in an above/below split rather than a left/right one. You may want to do this if you’d like to use the phone in Flex mode (partially folded), so your apps lie on each side of the fold.
If you’d prefer to stay vertical, then using a stand, such as the one built into Samsung’s Carbon Standing Case, could be a smart addition. This way, you can enjoy hands-free viewing of your multi-window set-up. You could even add Bluetooth or USB-C peripherals like a mouse or keyboard to make an on-the-go workstation.
Using the handles at the top of each app, you can drag the app to change its position or open it as a slide-over window. By tapping the handle, you get access to further options - your app drawer to select a new app to open, a button to move the currently selected app into slide-over view, another to expand that app to fill the whole screen, or the X to close the app and end split-screen view.
How do I add more apps to the Multi-Window?
You can use up to three apps at once in Multi-Window - either as three vertical windows, or one large vertical window and two square ones next to it. To do this, simply select your third app, and move it to the position you’d like it to be.
More apps means less space per app, but that needn’t limit what you’re doing. You can keep your main document open in the largest window, while using the smaller ones to focus on the specifics you need to keep referring back to, such as a certain cluster of spreadsheet cells or a client’s contact and payment information.
Can I open apps in a slide-over window?
If you want a fourth app open, or wish to open one in a small picture-in-picture window, that is also an option on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. Do this by dragging your chosen app’s icon from the task bar into the centre of the screen, You can then move this small window wherever you need it to be to fit in with what you’re working on, or keep it ready and waiting as a minimized icon on the edge of your screen.
This kind of app window makes sense for tasks where you need to quickly double-check something over and over again without it staying in the way of your main focus. Perhaps you’re proofreading a report — you could have a bulleted list of things you want to check for open as a slide-over which you can refer to one at a time before moving the list to the edge of the screen or out of the way of the paragraph you’re currently reading.
What happens to a multi-window set-up when I close Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
If it’s time to close up Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and work on the move, then App Continuity can make sure you don’t lose a beat. Folding Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra will put the app you’re using, or the multi-app set-up you have open, on the cover screen ready to use again. It’ll be smaller, of course, but you can rearrange the apps or switch back to a single one easily if you need to.
Can I make multi-windows open automatically?
There are two ways to put your apps into Multi-Window with just a single tap - Now Nudge and saved layouts of App Pairs.
For Now Nudge:
- When using an app that contains information relating to another app, Now Nudge will appear at the bottom of your screen.
- Tap the Now Nudge bubble’s split-screen icon (on the right side) to open the suggested app alongside your current one.
For an App Pairs saved layout:
- With a Multi-Window layout already open, tap the dotted handle in the border between your apps.
- Tap the star icon to save the layout
- To re-open the layout, find the relevant icon that has now been saved to your home screen
If you think Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is the right choice for you for getting things done, then please visit the Samsung website for more info.
