Secondary Display Guide: Notifications, Selfies & Controls

This guide shows you how to make the most of your phone’s secondary display—the small screen on the back or front cover—for glancing at notifications, taking better selfies, and accessing quick controls without unlocking your main screen. You’ll learn the setup steps, common pitfalls, and fixes, so you can use this feature efficiently.

What You’ll Need

• A phone with a secondary display (e.g., Z Flip, Z Fold, or similar cover screen).
• The phone’s settings app (usually pre-installed).
• Optional: A case that doesn’t block the secondary screen.

Step-by-Step

1. Enable the secondary display: Go to Settings > Display > Cover screen (or Secondary screen). Toggle it on if it’s off. Some phones ask you to choose what shows—select Notifications, Selfie, and Quick controls.
2. Customize what appears: In the same menu, you can pick which apps send notifications to the cover screen. Tap Apps and toggle the ones you want (e.g., messages, calls, calendar). You can also reorder them by dragging.
3. Set up the selfie preview: Open your camera app, then switch to the front camera. On most phones, the secondary display automatically shows a preview so you can frame your shot. If not, look for a Cover screen preview toggle in the camera settings and turn it on.
4. Add quick controls: On the cover screen, swipe left or right to find the quick settings panel. Here you can add toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, and more. To edit, tap the Edit (pencil) icon or long-press an empty spot, then drag the controls you want.
5. Use the always-on display (AOD): If your phone supports it, enable Always-on display for the cover screen so notifications and time are visible without waking it. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Always-on display and choose Cover screen.
6. Test the selfie trigger: With the cover screen preview on, close the phone (if it’s a foldable) or just press the side button to lock it. Then double-press the power button or swipe up on the cover screen to launch the camera quickly. The preview should appear.
7. Manage notification actions: On the cover screen, tap a notification to expand it. You can often reply with quick replies (if enabled in your messaging app) or swipe to dismiss. To adjust, go to Settings > Notifications > Cover screen and enable Quick replies.
8. Adjust brightness and timeout: On the cover screen, swipe down from the top to access brightness. For timeout, go to Settings > Display > Cover screen timeout and set it to your preference (e.g., 15 seconds).

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to enable the preview: Many users expect the selfie preview to work out of the box, but it’s often off by default. Check your camera settings.
• Blocking the screen with a case: A thick case can cover the secondary display, making it unresponsive. Use a case with a cutout.
• Not updating apps: Older versions of messaging or camera apps may not support the cover screen features. Keep your apps updated.
• Overloading with notifications: Showing all apps on the cover screen can flood it. Limit to essential apps to avoid clutter.
• Ignoring battery impact: Always-on display and frequent notifications drain battery faster. Adjust settings to balance.

Tips

• Use the cover screen as a viewfinder: When taking a selfie, place the phone on a flat surface and use the cover screen to frame—no need to hold it.
• Set up quick replies: In your messaging app, enable quick replies so you can respond from the cover screen without opening the phone.
• Customize the clock style: Many phones let you change the clock face on the cover screen. Pick one that shows date and battery at a glance.
• Use the flashlight shortcut: Add a flashlight toggle to the quick controls for easy access in the dark.
• Turn off the screen when not needed: If you don’t want notifications at night, schedule the cover screen to turn off (e.g., via Do Not Disturb).

Troubleshooting

• Cover screen not turning on: Check if the phone is in power-saving mode, which may disable it. Go to Settings > Battery and turn off power saving. Also, ensure the cover screen is not disabled in Display settings.
• Selfie preview not showing: Open the camera app, switch to front camera, and look for a small icon that looks like a rectangle with a line—tap it to enable cover screen preview. If it’s still not working, restart the phone.
• Notifications not appearing: Check that the app’s notifications are allowed in Settings > Notifications > App notifications. Also, ensure the cover screen is not set to Hide notifications.
• Quick controls missing: Swipe left on the cover screen to see the quick settings panel. If it’s empty, tap the edit icon and add toggles. If you can’t find the edit icon, long-press an empty area.
• Screen unresponsive: Clean the screen with a soft cloth; dirt or moisture can cause issues. If it persists, restart the phone or check for a software update.
• Battery draining fast: Reduce the cover screen timeout, disable always-on display, and limit which apps send notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the secondary display for anything else?

Yes, many phones allow you to show widgets like weather, calendar, or music controls. Check the cover screen settings for available widgets.

Does the cover screen work with all apps?

Not all apps are optimized for the cover screen. You can usually choose which apps appear, but some may not display correctly.

Can I take a selfie with the main camera using the cover screen?

Yes, that’s the point. The cover screen shows a preview from the main camera, so you can use the higher-quality rear camera for selfies.

How do I change the clock style on the cover screen?

Go to Settings > Cover screen > Clock style and select from the available designs.

Is the cover screen always on?

Not by default. You can enable always-on display in settings, but it will use more battery.

Why doesn’t my phone have a secondary display?

Only certain phone models (like foldables or those with a back screen) have this feature. If yours doesn’t, you can’t add it via software.

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