So you have picked up the Galaxy Z Flip 5, Samsung’s newest flip-style foldable gadget. The telephone hits the nostalgia button by permitting us to return to the times of dramatically slamming your telephone shut to hold up on a name. However, in 2023, the flip telephone has developed to maintain up with the instances, and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is among the many newest to supply an expertise that marries a flip telephone and a smartphone.With that in thoughts, organising your Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a little more concerned than the flip telephones of yore, and never each foldable telephone is made the identical. This 12 months’s clamshell foldables now characteristic a lot bigger cowl shows, permitting you to get extra carried out without having to open your telephones. That means you will have two shows it’s worthwhile to arrange on the Flip 5.It could sound like so much, however these 10 issues will assist get your Galaxy Z Flip 5 in good condition.Gesture navigation(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Samsung tends to default to three-button navigation when organising a brand new Galaxy telephone. While some may desire this for being extra easy, many have converted to gesture navigation for a extra fullscreen expertise.Fortunately, switching to gesture navigation is extremely straightforward. Navigate to Settings > Display > Navigation bar to pick out the navigation sort you like. Initially, you possibly can select from buttons or swipe gestures, however when you select the latter, you will have the choice between Swipe from button, which emulates button navigation however by swiping up from the underside of the display screen, or swipe from sides and backside, which requires swiping from mentioned sides to return, go to the house display screen, or open the latest apps view.There are additionally different choices in Swipe gestures, akin to swiping to open the assistant and adjusting gesture sensitivity. You also can allow gesture hints and present an icon to cover the keyboard.When altering to gesture navigation, you can even have this translated to the telephone’s cowl display screen.Customize your cowl display screen(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The cowl display screen is likely one of the principal promoting factors of the Galaxy Z Flip 5, primarily as a result of it is so large. However, the purpose is that you’re going to be utilizing this show almost as a lot as the principle show, so Samsung allows you to customise it to an extent. The simplest way to do that is by navigating to Settings > Cover display screen the place you may discover a number of choices to select from.The most outstanding choice is to vary the clock model, which helps you to basically change the background, clock, shortcut, notification model, and battery proportion. You have a number of inventory background choices to select from, or you need to use your personal Gallery pictures.The second choice within the Cover display screen menu allows you to select the widgets you need introduced on the duvet display screen. You can initially select from the next widgets, together with one in your Galaxy Buds you probably have some paired to the telephone:WeatherDay by day activityRecent callsDirect DialStepsFinance WatchlistVoice RecorderCalendarAlarmTimerStopwatchYou can rapidly toggle these on and even reorder them for sooner entry to those you care about most. Widgets like Direct Dial and Finance Watchlist have further choices so that you can select from. There are a few further widgets that I’ll clarify in a bit.Lastly, you possibly can choose between the next choices within the Cover display screen menu relying in your preferences:Show NotificationsTurn on display screen for notificationsQuick ResponsesAdditionally, you possibly can change these settings from the duvet display screen itself. Press and maintain the clock display screen to swap between wallpapers, or press and maintain a widget to take away or reorder it. Swiping previous the ultimate widget will current you with the choice so as to add extra widgets.Set up cowl display screen apps(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)When it involves operating full apps on the duvet display screen, Samsung does not actually make this an simply accessible characteristic out of the field. There are two strategies you need to use to entry full apps, considered one of which is kind of official whereas the opposite kind of is not, however each are seemingly experimental and “not officially supported.”The first methodology to allow apps is far simpler, though extra restricted. Navigate to Settings > Advanced options > Labs, then toggle Apps allowed on cowl display screen. After that is enabled, you possibly can choose from a number of apps to run in your cowl display screen, though the choice will rely upon what apps you will have put in in your Galaxy Z Flip 5:Samsung MessagesKakaoTalkLineWhatsAppGoogle MessagesYouTubeNetflixNaver MapsGoogle MapsWeChatOnce enabled, you possibly can view the Apps widget within the Cover display screen settings and reorder it to your liking.Now, if you wish to allow much more apps, the method is a little more concerned, though it is the identical course of because the one for the Galaxy Z Flip 4. First, you’ll have to obtain the Good Lock app from the Galaxy Store. In the Life up tab, set up the MultiStar module. Once put in, faucet on I ♥ Galaxy Foldable, then faucet Launcher Widget.Once enabled, you will note an inventory of put in apps obtainable so as to add to the launcher, which you’ll be able to choose after which rearrange by urgent and holding. The preview above will present you the order of the apps.From there, you’ll use almost any app from the duvet display screen, however not each app will work as meant, and a few do not work in any respect, like Google Wallet (though it nonetheless technically capabilities when the telephone is closed).Set up the Flex Mode Panel(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)One of the cool issues about having a foldable telephone is… effectively, folding it. With the Galaxy Z Flip 5, you possibly can have the telephone fold at varied angles, relying on the way you need to use it. One characteristic Samsung contains with the Flip is the Flex Mode panel, which is a cool characteristic that turns the underside half of the telephone right into a trackpad when the highest is folded at a sure angle.To allow this characteristic, return to Labs in Settings and faucet on Flex mode panel. Toggle the characteristic on and choose which apps you need to present the Flex mode panel robotically. Not that some apps like Instagram, YouTube, and Google Meet have customized layouts, and enabling the panel will override these.When the panel is enabled, the telephone reveals a trackpad with a mouse to make use of on the highest half of the display screen the place the app is displayed. Additionally, there are different choices that present fast entry to quantity, split-screen mode, brightness, settings, screenshots, and the notification panel. It’s nothing notably groundbreaking, but it surely’s a pleasant solution to make the most of the foldable type issue.Swap out Samsung for Google(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Because it is Samsung, one annoying side of organising a brand new telephone is having to cope with all of the superfluous apps that come on Galaxy telephones. Many of what Samsung provides is kind of a reproduction of what Google already provides, and also you’re left having to discern between apps and select which one could also be greatest suited in your wants.We would suggest you simply ditch Samsung’s apps and follow Google’s, however after all, the selection is yours. If you do resolve to go this route, you may must obtain some apps from the Play Store and arrange your defaults.Here are a few of the Google apps you may need to be certain are put in in your Galaxy Z Flip 5:Google ChromeGoogle MessagesGoogle CalendarGoogle WalletGoogle MatchGoogle KeepYouTube MusicGboardTo arrange your default apps, navigate to Settings > Apps > Course default apps. Here, you possibly can arrange your browser and SMS apps to Chrome (and even Edge if that is your model) and Google Messages, respectively. We additionally suggest switching the Digital assistant app from Bixby to Google Assistant. Just faucet the choice, choose Digital help app, then select Google from the choices. You can change the default Phone app from the default to Google’s Phone app (which you need to obtain from the Play Store), however we suggest simply conserving the default Samsung Phone app, and I’ll inform you why later.Make positive to arrange Google Wallet if you wish to use that for contactless funds. To make Google Pay your default methodology, navigate to Settings > Connections > NFC and contactless funds > Contactless funds, then choose Google Pay.And lastly, to arrange Gboard, you may must go to Settings > General administration > Keyboard record and default > Default keyboard, then choose Gboard. You also can allow different keyboards to make it straightforward to modify inputs at a second’s discover, and you can even handle your Gboard settings from the General administration web page. Keep in thoughts that the duvet display screen will all the time use Samsung Keyboard.Samsung Music is nice for listening to music recordsdata, and you’ll even entry Spotify from the app. However, YouTube Music continues to be a fantastic streaming choice.Turn on the Side Panel(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)One of my favourite options in One UI is the Edge panels. It’s form of like a vertical taskbar that hides on the aspect of your display screen at virtually all instances and permits you to entry a few of your favourite and most used apps, in addition to different helpful capabilities.To allow it, go to Settings > Display > Edge panels, then toggle the characteristic on. From right here, you possibly can handle the looks of the deal with the place you entry the Edge panels and choose the panels you need entry to. Available panels embrace (however aren’t restricted to):Apps: Lets you pin apps to the panel and shows latest used appsSmart choose: Lets you are taking screenshots and seize GIFsPeople: Pin contacts to a panelTasks: Quick entry to varied capabilities akin to including a calendar occasion, creating a brand new contact, composing a message, including an alarm, and extra.Weather: View present climate and temperature particularsTools: Displays a compass together with present latitude and longitude. Additional instruments accessible from the panel’s three-dot menu embrace a ruler, floor degree, flashlight, and tally counter.Music: Quick entry to Samsung Music.Clipboard: Access to copied materials akin to textual content and pictures.In addition to those panels, there are extra that you would be able to obtain from the Galaxy Store. Play with Good Lock(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Samsung’s One UI is reasonably customizable, however the expertise continues to be considerably restricted. Fortunately, Samsung has an answer for customers who need to customise their telephones past what One UI lets them do out of the field, and it is all because of Good Lock.We have a fairly complete Good Lock explainer that goes over lots of the options and capabilities, which you will see that whenever you obtain the app from the Galaxy Store. Once put in, you may discover a collection of app-like modules that target customizing totally different features of your telephone expertise. Among them is the MultiStar module from one of many earlier sections that permits you to deliver fullscreen apps onto the duvet display screen, however we suggest you look into the opposite modules to find the other ways you may make the Galaxy Z Flip 5 your personal.One module we suggest is RegiStar. Not solely does this allow you to customise your Settings menu and Side-Key press and maintain motion, but it surely additionally allows you to allow a Back-Tap motion that prompts an app for a characteristic whenever you double or triple-tap the again of the telephone. This is one thing that gadgets just like the Pixel 7 Pro and Motorola Razr Plus have out of the field, so it is a good characteristic to have on a Galaxy telephone, as effectively.Enable Camera Assistant(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Samsung’s Galaxy telephones take nice images and are among the many greatest digicam telephones available on the market. However, clamshell telephones just like the Flip 5 do not have notably highly effective digicam chops. Fortunately, Samsung’s Camera Assistant app might help deliver the digicam expertise somewhat extra as much as snuff with some added capabilities and tweaks.You can obtain Camera Assistant from the Galaxy Store, and as soon as enabled, it would add further settings to the principle digicam app. From the Camera app, you possibly can navigate to Settings > Camera Assistant to search out these further settings. Samsung updates the app on occasion, however you’ll find options like Auto HDR, a characteristic different Android telephones have that lets the telephone seize extra element in brighter and darker areas of the picture.You also can allow a Quick faucet shutter or prioritize pace over high quality when you’re fed up with the usually slower shutter button. There are a number of totally different options you’ll find in Camera Assistant that may actually improve your images expertise past what they Camera app can do out of the field.Power off(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)For some motive, OEMs like Samsung have gotten into the behavior of fixing the default response whenever you press and maintain the aspect key. One would anticipate this to open the Power menu so you possibly can flip off the telephone, however it would as an alternative default to waking up Bixby, and who desires that? Fortunately, it is fairly straightforward to vary this.Navigate to Settings > Advanced options > Side button, the place you will see that just a few choices to customise your button. You can set the Press and maintain choice to Power off menu or go away it to Wake Bixby. If you set it to the latter choice, opening the facility menu would require you to press and maintain each the aspect key and Volume down key, or you possibly can swipe down from the short panel and faucet the digital energy button.Close to hold up(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Lastly, there is not any feeling like dramatically hanging up on somebody by slamming your telephone shut. That’s a part of the enchantment of proudly owning a clamshell foldable telephone, and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers you some management over this expertise. That’s why we beneficial earlier that you simply maintain the Samsung Phone app because the default.When you open the Phone app, faucet the three dot menu within the high proper nook and navigate to Settings > Flip choices. From right here, you possibly can regulate the app conduct whenever you open or shut the telephone, which you’ll be able to set to reply and finish calls, respectively. Or, when you’d moderately go away your name lively whenever you shut the telephone, you possibly can set the speaker to activate as an alternative so you possibly can proceed your name when the gadget is closed.Of course, these are simply a few of the issues we suggest you arrange whenever you first obtain your new Galaxy Z Flip 5. It’s as much as you to mess around and uncover extra methods to customise your flip telephone expertise simply the best way you prefer it. Dig into menus, uninstall any service or OEM bloatware, obtain your favourite apps, change the font, or swap between darkish and light-weight mode… there are a plethora of choices to customise.
Take it again to the long run with the Galaxy Z Flip 5, a smartphone with a foldable display screen that closes right into a extra compact gadget. Thanks to the big cowl display screen, you possibly can nonetheless work together with apps, notifications, and even take selfies utilizing the principle cameras for the highest quality.