Hidden features of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 was launched on the 27th of August, 2021, and is currently the best foldable smartphone in existence. If you own or are planning to get one for yourself, there are some facets to the phone you may not be aware of. Knowing these features will enable you to get the best possible user experience.

How to Use Flex Mode

This feature really lives up to its name. Under Flex Mode, your phone screen is divided into two, the top is for viewing while the bottom is responsible for the controls. In order to switch on Flex Mode, just fold the 2 sides of the phone perpendicular to each other. At the moment, only a few apps like Spotify, YouTube and Tik Tok are compatible with this feature.

How To Change the Refresh Rate

The Z fold 3 has 2 screens- the cover display which is on the exterior and the main screen. Both screens work with the same refresh rate and have a way of automatically changing it. For instance, when you’re surfing the net, they will adjust to the Adaptive Refresh rate of 120 Hz which is the fastest.

When your phone is performing activities with lesser workload, it will automatically adjust to the Standard Refresh Rate of 60 Hz. You can manually change the Refresh Rate if you wish. Just go to Settings, then Display, then select Motion Smoothness and choose between Adaptive and Standard Refresh Rates. Note that the Adaptive Rate drains your battery faster than the Standard.

How to use the Continuity Mode

This is another feature that distinguishes the Z Fold 3 from other Smartphones. Under the continuity mode, you can keep operating an app on the cover display even when the main screen is asleep. When you turn the Main Screen on, that app will be at the exact place it was on the cover screen. It gets even better. You can use Continuity Mode for different apps at the same time. All you have to do is:

• Enter settings
• Scroll to display
• Select Continue Apps on Cover Screen and Choose your desired apps

Enabling the Percentage Icon

The factory settings are such that the battery percentage isn’t displayed on the icon. To add the percentage to your status bar, simply:

• Go to settings
• Enter Notifications
• Enter Advanced settings.
• Turn on the Show Battery Percentage option.

Enabling Automatic Call Recording

A lot of people in this day and age record their phone calls for security reasons, business purposes, to provide proof in court cases, or for other reasons. To activate this feature:

• Enter the phone app
• Tap the 3 dots at the top right
• Enter settings
• Enter Record calls
• Turn on Auto Record Calls

You can take this feature one step further by choosing to record calls from either all your contacts, unsaved numbers, or some specific contacts.

Changing Navigation Keys

In every Android phone, there are two kinds of Navigation Keys: Buttons and Gestures. Buttons are usually the default Navigation Settings. If you want to switch from Button to Gesture:

• Enter Settings
• Enter display
• Click on the Navigation Bar. Both options will appear. There is also an option that enables you to change the order of the Navigation buttons if you like

Setting up Screen Lock Style

To customize the Lock Screen, enter Settings, go to Lock Screen, and then enter Clock Style. A range of colors will be displayed from which you can choose your desired one. Under the lock screen, there are other options like Roaming Clock, Widgets, Contact Information (which is handy in case your phone goes missing), Notifications, and Shortcuts that you can customize to your taste.

Optimizing your device

Phones generally have a thing for storing lots of cache memory. This along with the apps running in the background slows down the device. Optimization is the process of clearing the cached memory and closing those background apps. To optimize this device:

• Go to Settings
• Select Apps
• Click on the 3 dot menu
• Enter Special Access
• Tap the Optimize Battery Usage Option

Enabling Multi-Window Tasking

The 7.6 inches screen of the Z fold 3 makes it an awesome device for Multi-tasking. Unlike most Android devices which allow users to use 2 apps at a time, the Fold 3, as the name implies, is capable of splitting itself into 3 distinct screens. To activate Multi-Window Mode:

• Swipe left
• After the Multi Window page opens, click the grid icon.
• Drag your desired apps to either the left or right side of the screen

Note that this feature doesn’t work on the Cover Display.

Opening Multiple Windows in the Same App

If you thought the Multi tasking option was great, just wait till you see this one. You can open multiple user interface in one app. Just click on and hold an image and drag it to the right side. This is very crucial for apps like web browsers as it enables you to view 2 or more pages simultaneously. Unfortunately, there are only a few apps that support this feature: Samsung browser, Samsung Message etc.

Enabling Dual Messenger Option

The Dual Messenger is a Feature that allows you to create and operate 2 accounts on one social media app at the same time. Here’s how it works. It creates an identical version of the app, for instance WhatsApp. You can register and log in to 2 different accounts in each version and use them at the same time.  The feature can be enabled by going to settings, clicking on Dual Messenger and then selecting the apps you would like to apply this feature to.

Hiding Apps

The Z fold 3 affords you the privilege of hiding apps to protect your privacy. If you want to hide an app:

• Go to Settings
• Scroll to the Home screen option and click it.
• Click on the Hide apps option.
• Pick the app of your choice and select Done

Wake-Up Settings

The wake-up feature provides you with Options for turning on your phone screen. These options are:

• Lift to Wake- which ensures the phone screen comes on when you carry it.
• Double Tap to Wake- The screen turns on when you double tap it.
• Smart Stay- As long as your eyes are on the phone, the screen will be on.

To access this feature:

• Go to Settings
• Enter Advanced Features
• Enter Motion and Gestures
• Turn the switch on or off to select your desired option

Activating One-Handed Mode

The Z Fold 3 grants users the ability to temporarily reduce the screen size so they can easily operate their phones with one hand. To enable this feature:

• Go to Settings
• Go to Advanced Features
• Select One-Handed Mode and choose the kind of Navigation keys you would prefer to use in that mode

Enabling Edge Panel

The Edge Panel is where you get to see your most used apps. It also provides a shortcut to these apps. With a simple swipe, you can access them. In order to enable it, start by unfolding your phone.

• Go to settings
• Choose display
• Click on Edge panels and switch it on
• Click on handle. There are different options for customizing the handle: Position, Color, Lock Handle Position, Transparency and Size.

Pinning Your Favorite Apps

You can pin your favorite apps to the taskbar on the screen but first, you need to set up the task bar. To do that:

• Enter Settings
• Click on Advanced Features
• Click on Labs
• Activate the “Pin Your Favorite Apps” Option
• Enable the Edge panel
• Click the 3 dots icon
• Click the pin icon. To pin your apps to the taskbar, simply enter the 3 dot menu on the edge panel and select the Edit option.

Pinning App Pairs

Not only can you pin individual apps to the taskbar, you can also add them in pairs. In that case, you’ll be able to run 2 apps at the same time. In order to pin paired apps:

• Operate them in the Multi Window feature.
• A 3 circle icon will appear between both screens. Click it and a pop-up menu will appear.
• Click the icon with a plus sign at the extreme right of the menu.

Taking Screenshots

There are 3 different ways of taking a screenshot with the Z Fold 3:

• Volume Button
• Use of the S Pen
• Gestures

Volume Button

To take a screenshot with the Volume Button, just press and hold the Lower Volume and Power Button at the same time.

Use of the S Pen

There are 2 methods of screenshotting with the S Pen. The first is to place it over the main screen and press its side button. From the menu that appears on the screen, click on “Screen write”. The second method is to also place it over the screen and press the side button. This time, choose the “Smart Select” Option from the menu. Some icons will appear at the bottom of the screen, select the Rectangle icon and draw the S Pen over the part of the screen you want to snap.

Gestures

This is relatively the simplest way. Put your hand at the edge of the phone and swipe towards the opposite edge. Your hands should be touching the screen while you swipe.

Customizing the Side Key

Side keys, like the name suggests are those buttons placed by the side of the phones. In a regular Android phone, these keys are the upper volume button and the lower power button. For most

Samsung phones including the Z Fold 3, the lower side key has a variety of functions which include turning the phone on or off, launching camera and opening apps. To customize it:

• Enter Settings
• Go to Advanced Features
• Go to Side Key. You will see settings for 2 options: Press and Hold, and Double Press. For Press and hold, you can select either of: Open Bixby or Switch off Phone, for Double Press, you can select either of : Quick launch Camera or Open App (To select your desired app, click ok the Settings Icon)

You can follow the steps above if you want to turn off your Z fold 3 phone.

Enabling Always on Display

You don’t see this feature in any android phone other than Samsung. Even at that, not all Samsung phones have it. This feature shows phone users the time, date, missed calls and notifications when the screen is off. Here’s how to enable it:

• Go to Settings
• Enter Lock screen
• Deactivate Roaming Clock
• Enter Always on Display and switch it on
• It is also possible for you to set the exact time and duration the AOD feature will be active. Just enter the “Show as Scheduled” option.
• Enter Set Schedule
• Choose your desired start and end time
• Select your desired color of the Clock Style
• Activate “Show Music Information” if you want the song you’re playing to also reflect.
• Enter Screen Orientation and Select Portrait
• Finally, turn off Auto Brightness

Changing Call Screen Background

The Call screen Background in the Z fold 3 is still the same as those of previous versions. If you want to change it, here are the steps you should follow:

• Open the Phone app
• Click on the 3 dot menu
• Enter Settings
• Enter Call Background
• Enter Background and some wallpapers will appear.
• Select your desired wallpaper and click on Set as Call Background
• If you want to use a photo from your gallery as your call background, just click on the + icon at the top of the screen. It will redirect you to your gallery and you can make your selection.