How to Get the Best Samsung Galaxy Features on Your Pixel (or Any Other Android Device)
I’m a devoted Pixel user . I love stock Android and always use the latest Android betas, so Pixel is practically my only choice. But sometimes I get jealous of all the extra tools Samsung includes on its Galaxy phones, and Edge Panel is one of the most important. With Edge Panel, you swipe in from the edge of your phone’s screen, revealing a hidden menu filled with apps, system actions, and shortcuts. Given how minimalist the Pixel Launcher is, I’ve always wanted something similar. And then I found the Panels app by Fossor Coding (not to be confused with the disastrous wallpaper app by MKBHD ).
In some ways, Panels is even better than Edge Panels on Samsung. It allows for custom icon sets, has quick search, and even allows you to open floating widgets. Furthermore, thanks to customization options, you can move the trigger point to the bottom edge of the phone instead of the side (incredibly convenient for larger phones) and add multiple columns (up to a whopping seven). While Panels can be purchased, all of this basic functionality is included for free.
How to set up the Panels app for Android
First, install the app and grant it permission to display over other apps; this ensures that the Panels launcher will work while using any app.
Next, click the “View” button and customize the panel. The free version limits you to 3 columns and 9 rows, which is quite sufficient in my opinion. You can upgrade to the full version to remove this limitation (it’s quite inexpensive, just $1.50). In the “Triggers” section, you can customize the trigger area. If you have a large phone, I highly recommend moving the trigger area to the bottom of the screen.
Now let’s customize the “Panels” launcher itself. Swipe up from the area where you activated the button and hold for a second to open the sidebar. By default, some apps are already displayed here. Tap and hold an empty space to start adding new apps.
You can add any of the following items:
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Apps : Select any installed app. Add your most frequently used apps here.
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Shortcuts : Launch actions from any supported app. For example, you can create a shortcut to add a new task in TickTick or send a message to someone in WhatsApp.
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Paired App : Create shortcuts to run two apps simultaneously, made even more convenient by the latest Android 16 update with 90:10 split-screen mode .
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Accessibility : Add shortcuts to system options like Home, Back, Notifications, Screenshot, and more.
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System Preferences : Quick access to frequently used options like media volume, cellular data, airplane mode, Wi-Fi, and more.
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Website : Here you can add any website as a quick shortcut.
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Floating Widget : This is a hidden gem. You can add widgets that open in a floating window on top of everything else. You can launch widgets for news, weather, or sports updates. They can stay on top of everything else for a few seconds before you close them.
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Folder : If you have too many quick access options for apps, organize them into folders.
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Contacts : Add any contact here as an icon. Tap and hold to quickly call, message, or email.
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Quick Search : Another useful feature, the Quick Search bar allows you to quickly find all your installed apps.
Review each option and choose what you want to add to the sidebar launcher. I’m a simple person, so I’m mostly focusing on the most frequently used apps, shortcuts for common actions, and quick access to some system functions.
One-finger gesture : Finally, a helpful tip. While you can open apps in Panels by swiping, lifting, and selecting them, you can also do this without lifting your finger from the screen.
After you swipe from the edge of the screen and the Panels sidebar opens, don’t release your finger. You can continue moving your thumb to highlight any app or shortcut (the focused icon will enlarge). Then, simply release your finger over the highlighted item to launch it.
Overall, Panels is a fairly functional app. Once you’ve configured the settings, you can launch apps, shortcuts, or widgets with a single swipe, no matter which app you’re using.