Foldable smartphones have traditionally come with various compromises, but Samsung is redefining that narrative with the Galaxy Z Flip 7. While the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 isn’t flawless, it is, nevertheless, progressing closer to the ultimate goal for clamshell foldables — a slab smartphone that can be folded in half while retaining functionality. Rather than focusing on compromises, we’re now highlighting all the unique features and capabilities it brings compared to standard phones.
If you’ve recently acquired a Galaxy Z Flip 7 or are considering purchasing one, there are 10 things you should do right after unboxing it. These cover a range from essential tasks to exclusive Samsung foldable features, as well as valuable AI tools. Some features are new to the Galaxy Z Flip 7, while others have been mainstays in previous Galaxy Z Flip versions.
Each of these tips or tricks is crucial for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 owners to be aware of. Let’s get started and explore your all-new folding phone.
Set up the essentials
Upon receiving a new Samsung phone, there are always some routine tasks to complete before diving into the exciting stuff. These include setting up biometrics, downloading your favorite password manager, and signing into your Google and Samsung accounts. It’s also wise to check for initial updates via Settings > Software update > Download and install. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 has already undergone its first OTA update, so make sure to install it.
We also suggest adjusting your phone’s settings to suit your preferences. A common annoyance with One UI 7 and One UI 8 is the adjustment to lock screen notifications that displays icons instead of banners by default. You might choose to change this, and we have a guide available for doing so here. Personally, I always disable Adaptive brightness on my devices and activate Extra brightness instead. Occasionally, I switch from Samsung Keyboard to Gboard.
Whatever your foundational Android settings may be, ensure you take care of these before proceeding further.
Personalize the cover screen
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 features a larger 4.1-inch cover screen designed to enhance the ease of viewing glanceable information and taking actions without fully opening the phone. In my experience, that goal is somewhat unfulfilled as certain cover screen options are missing in One UI 8 on the Flip 7. However, there are still several ways to personalize the cover screen.
To do this, begin by swiping to a widget panel on the cover screen, pressing and holding it, and then tapping the Edit button. This will prompt you to open the phone and will navigate to a Settings page for the cover screen. Alternatively, you can access the Settings app and select Cover screen with the display open to reach the same location. Here, you can manage widgets, lock screen and clock settings, notifications, and cover screen timeout.
After selecting the Widgets tab, you can start personalizing your cover screen. Most widgets will appear in either 2×2 or 2×4 sizes, allowing the placement of either two or four widgets per panel. Some third-party app widgets, such as Spotify, can be utilized on the cover screen, though these are exceptions. You can choose any widgets you prefer — I have Samsung Health, Sleep, Weather, News, Voice Recorder, and Battery displayed on my cover screen.
Activate cover screen apps with MultiStar
Apps are not entirely supported on the Galaxy Z Flip 7 cover screen, regardless of installations or Labs features enabled. Nevertheless, a few adjustments can enhance the experience. Start by adding the Apps widget to your cover screen using the instructions provided earlier. This addition will create a compact home screen launcher featuring only a select few official apps — on my Flip 7, the only available options are Google Maps, Google Messages, and, oddly enough, YouTube.
To access this page from any location, search for “Apps allowed on cover screen” in the Settings app.
At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find a Get MultiStar button that you should tap if you wish to enable additional cover screen apps. This will activate the Launcher Widget, an experimental feature that permits the use of nearly any app on the cover screen. I utilize the Tesla app on my Flip 7’s cover screen to precondition my car without unfolding the device. We have a thorough guide on running apps on Galaxy Z Flip cover screens available here.
Explore Flex Mode
Flex Mode is among my preferred methods to utilize Samsung foldables, and it is essential for Galaxy Z Flip 7 users. The mechanism is straightforward. Open the foldable to about a halfway point and place it on a table, resembling a laptop. A small icon will appear in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Tap it, and you’ll see
