Joe Maring / Android Authority
Android has a robust multitasking system, and I’ve used split-screen and pop-up windows every day since the features were introduced. Now that I’m using a Pixel 10 Pro instead of a Samsung phone, I’ve noticed that I use split-screen less often.
Why? Ever since Samsung added Edge Panels to its software over a decade ago, it’s been my secret weapon for slick Android multitasking, and I miss it whenever I use a phone that doesn’t have it.
Do you use Samsung Edge Panels? 17 votes Yes 41 % No 41 % Never heard of them 18 %
What are Edge Panels?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Edge Panels started life on the first Galaxy device to bear the name “Edge” back in 2014, and it’s been a staple of Samsung’s software ever since.
It lives behind a small handle, usually at the top half of your screen on the right-hand side, and when summoned, it contains a host of different panels you can swipe through. The Galaxy Store used to let developers create their own panels, but recent versions of One UI limit you to a few pre-installed panels from Samsung: apps, clipboard, people, reminders, tasks, voice changer, and weather.
A multitasking goldmine
The Edge Panel I use most is the apps panel. Here, you can keep a list of your favorite apps to scroll through whenever you open the panel. There’s also a button that opens a floating app drawer, so you can access any app on your phone easily. Tapping an app icon opens it normally, but if you drag the icon out of the panel, you can split the screen by pulling it to the top or bottom half of your screen, or open it as a pop-up window by dragging it to the center.
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