When it comes to customizing your Samsung smartphone or tablet, pinning apps is one of the most powerful features at your disposal. But over time, you may find that the pinned apps no longer serve your needs or preferences. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to unpin apps on Samsung devices effectively, ensuring a more streamlined and organized experience.
Whether you’re looking to declutter your home screen or simply wish to personalize your app layout, this article will walk you through various methods to unpin apps.
Understanding the Pinning Feature on Samsung Devices
Before we dive into the unpinning process, it’s crucial to understand what it means to pin an app on your Samsung device. When you pin an app, it stays accessible on your home screen, making it easier to launch your most-used applications without scrolling through app menus. This feature is especially useful for apps you frequently use such as social media, photography, or productivity tools.
While this feature can be incredibly convenient, pinning too many apps can lead to a cluttered home screen or drawer. By unpinning apps, you can optimize your device’s layout and streamline the applications you regularly access.
Common Areas to Pin Apps
Samsung devices allow you to pin apps in various areas:
- Home Screen: Directly placing app icons on your home screen for easy access.
- Apps Drawer: Keeping apps at the top of the apps drawer.
- Task Edge: Pinning apps for quick access from the edge panel.
Now that you’re aware of the pinning locations, let’s get into the unpinning process.
How to Unpin Apps from the Home Screen
Unpinning apps from the home screen is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
For Samsung One UI 2.0 and Later
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Locate the App: Navigate to your home screen where the app you want to unpin is located.
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Tap and Hold: Press down on the app icon until a menu appears.
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Select ‘Remove’: From the context menu, tap on the option that says ‘Remove’ or ‘Remove from Home’.
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Confirm Your Action: The app icon will disappear from your home screen, but note that this does not uninstall the app; it simply unpins it.
For Older Versions of Samsung One UI
If you are using an older version of One UI, the steps might slightly vary but remain effective:
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Locate the App: Find the app icon on your home screen.
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Tap and Hold: Press and hold the app icon until options pop up.
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Drag to Remove: Drag the app icon toward the “Remove” section at the top of the screen.
Once you’ve done this, the app will be unpinned from your home screen while remaining installed on your device.
How to Unpin Apps from the Apps Drawer
If you’ve pinned apps to the top of your apps drawer, you’ll want to follow a different procedure to unpin them. Here’s how:
Steps to Unpin from the Apps Drawer
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Open the Apps Drawer: Swipe up from the bottom of your screen or tap on the Apps icon to access your apps drawer.
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Find the Pinned App: Look for the app that you wish to unpin from the top of the drawer.
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Tap and Hold: Press and hold on to the app icon until you see the pop-up menu.
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Select ‘Remove’: Choose ‘Remove’ from the options to unpin the app from the drawer.
This method is particularly effective for keeping your apps organized and ensuring you have only the applications you use most often readily available.
Unpinning from Task Edge
Samsung devices equipped with the Edge panel feature allow you to pin apps convenient for quick access. If you would like to unpin an app from this feature, the process is also simple:
Steps to Remove Apps from Task Edge
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Access the Task Edge Panel: Swipe from the edge of your screen to open the Edge panel.
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Locate the Pinned App: Scroll through the tasks to find the app you want to unpin.
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Tap on the ‘More’ Icon: Usually represented with three dots or lines, tap the icon to access more options.
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Select ‘Remove’: Choose the option to ‘Remove’ or ‘Unpin’ the app from your Edge panel.
By unpinning unnecessary apps from Task Edge, you can free up space for apps you frequently use.
Alternative: Managing App Shortcuts
Aside from unpinning, it might also be beneficial to manage the shortcuts on your Samsung device:
Customizing your Home Screen
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Create Folders: Group similar apps into folders for a more organized view. To create a folder, drag one app over another until a folder option appears.
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Change Layout: Tap and hold on the home screen, select ‘Home screen settings’, and adjust the grid size or layout as per your preference. This can help you better manage the apps displayed.
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Hide Applications: Samsung devices allow you to hide apps you don’t use frequently. To do this, go to Settings > Home Screen > Hide apps, and select the applications you’d like to hide.
These methods not only enhance organization but also allow for quicker access to your most-used apps.
Conclusion
Unpinning apps on your Samsung device is crucial for maintaining an organized and efficient layout tailored to your usage patterns. Whether it’s from the home screen, apps drawer, or Task Edge, understanding how to unpin garments your digital experience and helps in making better use of the available space on your device. Remember, the process is designed to be user-friendly, making it easier for you to enjoy your Samsung device to its fullest.
With the steps outlined in this guide, you are now equipped to unpin apps like a pro! Organizing your screen not only makes your device look neater, but it also enhances your productivity by providing quick access to the applications that truly matter to you. Happy customizing!
What does it mean to unpin an app on a Samsung device?
Unpinning an app on a Samsung device refers to the process of removing an app from the recent apps section or disabling the full-screen view of the app. When an app is pinned, it allows users to keep that app open without any interruptions, which is particularly helpful during presentations or when you want to restrict access to other apps.
Unpinning an app usually involves a combination of gestures or button presses, depending on the Samsung model you are using. Once unpinned, the user can freely navigate to other applications or return to the home screen without restrictions.
How do I know if an app is pinned on my Samsung device?
You can find out if an app is pinned on your Samsung device by checking the recent apps list. If an app appears at the top of the list with a “pinned” icon or status, it indicates that the app is currently pinned. This is typically represented by a pin icon that allows you to understand the app’s status easily.
Additionally, when trying to exit a pinned app, you may notice that standard navigation gestures are disabled, further indicating that the app is in a locked state. In such cases, you will need to perform the specific action required to unpin the app.
What is the difference between pinning and unpinning an app?
The primary difference between pinning and unpinning an app lies in the functionality and user control. When an app is pinned, it remains in a dedicated full-screen mode that prevents users from exiting to other apps or the home screen without taking certain actions. This feature is useful for scenarios where you want to keep the focus on a specific app without distractions.
Unpinning the app, on the other hand, restores the regular navigation abilities, allowing the user to switch between apps freely. It removes the restrictions placed on the pinned app, enabling the return to multi-tasking and regular device usage.
Can I pin and unpin multiple apps at once on a Samsung device?
No, Samsung devices do not allow multiple apps to be pinned simultaneously. The system only permits one app to be pinned at a time, ensuring that users remain focused on a single task. If you attempt to pin a new app while another is already pinned, the currently pinned app will automatically unpin.
However, you can easily switch between different apps by unpinning the current one and pinning the new app without any hassle. This functionality allows for swift transitions and helps users maintain a streamlined workflow.
Are there specific gestures required to unpin an app on Samsung devices?
Yes, unpinning an app involves specific gestures or button combinations depending on your device model. For most Samsung devices, you can typically unpin an app by swiping down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel and then tapping the “Unpin” notification, if it appears. Additionally, you might need to hold the “Back” and “Overview” buttons simultaneously.
It’s essential to consult your device’s manual or settings, as the unpinning process may vary slightly across different Samsung models. Familiarizing yourself with the required gestures will make the process more efficient.
What should I do if I can’t unpin an app?
If you’re having trouble unpinning an app on your Samsung device, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take. First, make sure you are attempting the correct method for unpinning, as some devices use different gestures or button combinations. If necessary, refer to your device’s user manual for specific instructions.
If the unpinning action remains unresponsive, try restarting your device. Sometimes, a simple reboot can resolve temporary glitches. If the issue persists after a restart, consider checking for software updates or factory resetting your device as a last resort after backing up your data.
Is unpinning the same as closing an app on Samsung devices?
No, unpinning an app is not the same as closing it. Unpinning simply allows the user to exit the full-screen mode and regain access to other apps and the home screen, while the app remains open in the background. This means that the app can be resumed at any time without needing to reopen it from the app drawer.
Closing an app, on the other hand, involves terminating the app’s process. This action will require the app to reload if you want to open it again, potentially losing any unsaved work or progress. Understanding the difference between these two actions can help manage apps more effectively on your Samsung device.