Samsung Edge Panels: Turn On, Choose & Customize

To turn on Samsung Edge panels, go to Settings > Display > Edge panels and toggle the switch on. From there you can choose which panels appear, and customize the handle’s position, size, and transparency to suit how you use your phone.

What Are Edge Panels?

Edge panels are a set of slide-out tools that live on the curved edge of Samsung Galaxy phones (and some other Samsung devices). They were introduced with the Galaxy Note Edge in 2014 and have been a staple of Samsung’s One UI software ever since. The idea is to give you quick access to apps, contacts, tools, and information without leaving the screen you’re currently using. You can think of it as a customizable sidebar that you summon with a swipe from the edge of the display.

While the feature was originally designed for phones with curved screens, Samsung has also made it available on some flat-screen models, so the name “Edge” is now more about the location than the hardware curve.

How to Turn On Edge Panels

The exact steps can vary slightly depending on your Samsung phone model and the version of One UI it’s running, but the general path is consistent across recent devices:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon).
2. Tap Display.
3. Scroll down and tap Edge panels.
4. Tap the toggle at the top of the screen to turn Edge panels On.

If you don’t see “Edge panels” under Display, you can also search for it in the Settings search bar at the top. Some older models might have it under Advanced features instead of Display. Once enabled, you should see a small semi-transparent handle on the right edge of your screen.

How to Choose Which Panels Appear

Once Edge panels are on, you can decide which specific panels you want to see when you swipe the handle. Samsung includes a default set, and you can download more from the Galaxy Store.

To manage your panels:

1. Open Settings > Display > Edge panels.
2. Tap Panels (or “Edit panels”).
3. You’ll see a list of available panels, each with a checkbox. Check the ones you want, and uncheck the ones you don’t.
4. You can also reorder them by dragging the handle icon on the right of each panel name. The order you set here is the order they’ll appear when you swipe through them.

Popular panels include:

• Apps: Your favorite apps for quick launching.
• People: Contacts you call or message often.
• Clipboard: Recently copied text and images.
• Smart select: Tools for capturing and pinning parts of the screen.
• Weather: A quick glance at the forecast.
• Tools: A ruler, flashlight, and other utilities.

How to Customize the Edge Panel Handle

The handle is the small tab you see on the edge of your screen. You can change its position, size, and transparency so it’s easy to see but not annoying.

1. Go to Settings > Display > Edge panels.
2. Tap Handle.
3. You’ll see a screen with a phone preview. You can:

• Position: Drag the handle up or down along the edge. You can also tap the arrows to nudge it in small increments.
• Size: Use the slider to make the handle taller or shorter.
• Transparency: Use the slider to make the handle more or less see-through. A more transparent handle is less distracting but might be harder to find.

There’s also a Color option on some devices. You can pick from a few preset colors or choose a custom one. The handle is always visible when Edge panels are on, but you can make it quite subtle.

Using Edge Panels: Gestures and Tips

Once you’ve set everything up, here’s how to use it:

• Open the panel: Swipe inward from the handle toward the center of the screen.
• Move between panels: Once open, swipe left or right on the panel itself to cycle through your selected panels.
• Close the panel: Tap anywhere outside the panel, or swipe it back toward the edge.
• Move the handle quickly: You can also drag the handle up or down directly on the screen without going into settings, but only if you’ve enabled “Move handle” in the Handle settings. Otherwise, you’ll need to use the settings screen.

A useful tip: you can set the Apps panel to show a specific app in a pop-up window by tapping the app icon once. This lets you use a calculator or a messaging app without leaving your current screen.

Common Problems and Fixes

If Edge panels aren’t working as expected, here are a few things to check:

• Panels not appearing: Make sure the toggle is on, and that you have at least one panel checked in the Panels list. If you’ve unchecked all of them, the handle will do nothing.
• Handle is too hard to grab: Increase the handle size and lower the transparency in Handle settings.
• Edge panels not responding: Restart your phone. This clears minor software glitches. If that doesn’t work, try turning the feature off and on again.
• Can’t find Edge panels in Settings: On some budget Samsung phones (like the Galaxy A series), the feature might be called “Side key” or might not be available at all. Check Samsung’s website for your specific model.
• Edge panels drain battery: The feature is lightweight, but if you’re concerned, you can turn it off when you don’t need it. The handle is always active, so it does use a tiny amount of power.

Alternatives to Edge Panels

If you find Edge panels aren’t for you, there are other ways to get quick access to apps and tools:

• App shortcuts on the home screen: Just put your most-used apps in a folder or on a second page.
• Bixby Routines: Automate actions based on time, location, or other triggers.
• Third-party sidebar apps: Apps like “Swiftly Switch” or “Sidebar Pro” offer similar functionality, sometimes with more customization. (Be careful with permissions and battery usage.)
• Quick Settings toggles: For things like Wi-Fi or flashlight, the notification shade is usually faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use Edge panels on any Samsung phone?
Edge panels are available on most Samsung Galaxy phones, including the S, Note, Z Fold, and Z Flip series. Some mid-range A series phones also have it, but it’s not guaranteed. Check Settings > Display to see if the option exists.

Q: How do I add more panels from the Galaxy Store?
In the Edge panels settings, tap “Galaxy Store” or the shopping bag icon. You can browse and download panels made by Samsung and third-party developers. Once installed, they’ll appear in your Panels list.

Q: Why is my Edge panel handle not showing?
First, make sure Edge panels are turned on in Settings. If they are, try restarting your phone. Also check that you haven’t accidentally moved the handle to the very top or bottom of the screen where it might be hidden behind the status bar or navigation bar.

Q: Can I use Edge panels while in full-screen apps or games?
Yes, but some apps might block the edge swipe. You can enable “Edge panels” to work in full-screen apps by going to Settings > Display > Edge panels > Handle and turning on “Show in full-screen apps.” This might cause accidental swipes, so it’s off by default.

Q: Do Edge panels slow down my phone?
No, Edge panels are a lightweight feature. They only activate when you swipe the handle. If you notice performance issues, it’s more likely due to other apps or a low storage space.

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