Andy Walker / Android Authority
Samsung’s One UI skin has many valuable features, but one I recently rediscovered somehow outdates the company’s latest user interface. I’m talking about Edge Panel. This legendary feature has flown under my radar for many years, but I recently rediscovered it in my constant quest to streamline my smartphone setup. I’m so glad I tried it, as it has added significant utility to my minimalist, productivity-focused home screen.
Let me offer a brief tutorial if you aren’t familiar with Edge Panel or have never used a Samsung phone. The Edge Panel was initially rolled out on Samsung’s early Edge smartphones, which ran the much-maligned TouchWiz user interface. These devices offered a gimmicky tapered screen edge where icons were placed, effectively turning the side of the phone’s screen into a secondary display packed with shortcuts. The idea was solid, but I never appreciated the execution.
Thankfully, Samsung has kept this feature when it ditched TouchWiz for One UI, and the Edge Panel has subsequently evolved. Now, as a firm part of Samsung’s modern software package, you can access the Edge Panel by swiping from the outside of the screen at a defined trigger point. This design is brilliant for those seeking discretion, minimalism, and productivity. It allows users to customize the panel to suit their needs, and I’ve found a great way to mesh it into my Niagara-based home screen.
Do you use Samsung's Edge Panel? 16 votes Yes, I use it as a secondary app launcher. 56 % Yes, but I use one of Samsung's other panels (Weather, compass, etc.) 13 % I don't have a Samsung phone, but I would use it! 0 % I used to, but I don't find it useful anymore. 6 % No, I never have, and I don't see the point. 25 %
How I use Edge Panel to enhance my productivity
So, why am I obsessed with Edge Panel now? Why has it taken me so long to smell the roses? Well, I had avoided the feature on previous home screens as there was no explicit need for it. When I used Nova Launcher, I’d pack my home screen with shortcuts and icons, rendering a secondary panel largely redundant. In this sense, Edge Panel would detract from my layout.
However, my home screen philosophy and priorities have changed in the last few years. I’ve moved to a productivity and minimalism-based mindset. I’ve used various launchers, from Kvaesitso to Microsoft Launcher, to achieve this goal, but I’ve settled on Niagara. As I detailed in my earlier post, I use Niagara’s simple layout and nested features to build a distraction-free home screen that keeps me focused. This means I must inevitably leave some apps and shortcuts out of my design, and be marooned in the main app launcher. This is where Edge Panel comes into its own. I’ve found that a hidden panel is particularly advantageous from a utility standpoint, as it doesn’t add clutter to my home screen.
Apps pinned to the Edge Panel are available from almost every other app screen — no need to backtrack to the home screen.
You could opt for the Apps panel and include a list of your most-used apps, apps you’d like easy but not immediate access to, or fringe utilities like the calculator, your 2FA app, or password vault. My use case meshes all three of these ideas.
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