Floating apps on Samsung devices can be a handy feature, allowing users to multitask efficiently. However, some may find these apps intrusive or distracting. In this extensive guide, we will explore how to remove floating apps on Samsung smartphones, ensuring a smoother and more focused user experience.
Understanding Floating Apps
Before diving into the removal process, let’s first discuss what floating apps are. Floating apps, also known as multitasking or pop-up apps, are small windows that allow you to use an app while simultaneously viewing other content on your screen. Here are some key characteristics of floating apps:
- Multitasking Capability: Users can interact with multiple applications without switching screens.
- Customizability: Floating apps can often be resized and repositioned anywhere on the screen.
- Accessibility: Quick access to essential features like messaging, video calls, and note-taking can enhance productivity.
While there are certainly benefits to floating apps, you might prefer a cleaner, distraction-free interface. So let’s explore how to remove these apps efficiently.
Methods to Remove Floating Apps on Samsung
There are multiple ways to remove floating apps, depending on whether you want to disable the feature temporarily or permanently. We will break down these methods into easy-to-follow steps.
Method 1: Closing Individual Floating Apps
Whenever a floating app is opened, you will typically see a small icon that indicates it’s active. Here’s how to close these individual floating apps:
- Locate the floating app on your screen. It typically appears as a small, circular icon.
- Tap on the floating icon to bring up the app window.
- Look for a close (X) button in the upper corner of the window and tap it.
This method is the simplest way to remove a floating app without modifying any settings.
Method 2: Disabling Floating Apps from the App Settings
If you frequently find floating apps more distracting than useful, you can choose to disable the feature entirely. Here’s how:
Step 1: Access App Settings
- Open the Settings app on your Samsung device.
- Scroll down and select Apps.
Step 2: Select the Specific App
- Find and tap on the app that you want to stop from floating. You might encounter various applications like Facebook Messenger, YouTube, or any other wishful multitasking app.
Step 3: Adjust App Permissions
- Click on Permissions or Advanced depending on your device model.
- Look for options like Display over other apps or Permit draw over other apps. Toggle this setting off.
Step 4: Confirm Your Changes
- After making these changes, go back and confirm that floating permissions are disabled for the selected app.
This method directly restricts the selected app from utilizing the floating feature, ensuring that it behaves normally while you use it in full-screen mode.
Method 3: Using the Multi-Window Feature
Samsung devices come equipped with various multitasking features that can dominate the screen space. If you’re finding floating apps too distracting, consider using the following steps to also disable the multi-window feature:
Step 1: Access the Split-Screen Settings
- Go back to the Settings menu.
- Scroll down and tap on Advanced features.
Step 2: Adjust Multi-Window Settings
- Look for Multi window or Multi-active window settings.
- Toggle off the settings or customize your preferences according to your needs.
This action will reduce the chances of unwanted floating apps appearing unexpectedly.
Method 4: Installing Third-party Apps for Enhanced Control
If Samsung’s built-in features don’t meet your needs, enhancing your control over floating apps using third-party applications may be the answer. Consider the following options:
Popular Apps for Managing Floating Windows
- Floating Apps Free: This app enables users to control which apps can float, offering a user-friendly interface.
- Tasker: A more advanced app that lets users set conditional profiles to manage multitasking features effectively.
Steps to Use Third-party Apps
- Download your chosen app from the Google Play Store.
- Follow the on-screen setup instructions.
- Customize settings to limit or completely disable floating features according to your preference.
Using third-party options can provide additional functionality beyond what’s available with native settings.
Tips for a Better User Experience on Samsung
In addition to removing floating apps, consider these practices to enhance your Samsung user experience:
Customize Your Notifications
Limiting notifications can reduce interruptions. To manage notifications:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Notifications and set preferences for which apps can send alerts.
Explore Alternative Multitasking Features
Samsung devices offer alternatives to floating apps, like Samsung DeX, which can provide a complete desktop experience for your phone.
Keep Your Device Updated
Ensure that your device is running the latest version of Android and Samsung’s interface. Updates often come with performance enhancements and new features.
Conclusion
Removing floating apps from your Samsung device can significantly streamline your user experience, especially if you find them inconvenient. Whether you choose to close individual apps, disable them through settings, modify multi-window features, or even incorporate third-party solutions, you have multiple options at your disposal.
By following these steps and tips, you pave the way for a more focused and enjoyable interaction with your Samsung device. Adapting your device to your preferences enhances productivity and ensures that your technology serves your needs effectively. So go ahead, take control of your Samsung device, and say goodbye to those floating distractions!
What are floating apps on Samsung devices?
Floating apps are applications that can be used in a small window that hovers over other apps, allowing users to multitask. On Samsung devices, these apps allow you to access certain functionalities without having to switch between full-screen applications. Popular examples include chat apps, video players, and note-taking tools that remain accessible while you complete other tasks.
These floating apps can be convenient, but they can also become intrusive or distracting, cluttering your screen and consuming resources. For users who prefer a more streamlined experience or have performance issues, disabling floating apps might be a beneficial option.
How can I disable floating apps on my Samsung device?
To disable floating apps on your Samsung device, start by accessing the “Settings” app from your home screen or app drawer. Navigate to the “Advanced Features” section, which houses options related to multitasking and floating applications. Look for the option labeled “Smart Popup View,” which manages the behavior of floating apps.
Once here, you can toggle off the feature to prevent apps from appearing in a floating window. This will stop new notifications from allowing apps to open in this manner, giving you a more conventional app experience and reclaiming screen real estate for your primary tasks.
Are there specific apps that use floating features on Samsung devices?
Yes, many popular applications integrate floating features on Samsung devices, especially messaging and social media apps. Common examples include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and YouTube, all of which allow users to interact with them in a minimized form while using other applications. These apps leverage the floating feature to enhance user engagement and facilitate multitasking.
However, not all applications utilize this feature, and some users may find certain apps open in full-screen mode by default. It depends on the app’s design and the user’s settings, so it’s essential to check the specifics for any app that you wish to use in a floating manner.
Can I customize the appearance of floating apps on Samsung?
Yes, Samsung devices offer options to customize floating apps’ appearance and functionality. Within the Settings menu, you can often find options related to the size of the floating window, transparency, and placement on the screen. These settings can help you create a comfortable user experience that suits your preferences while still allowing you to utilize floating features.
To make adjustments, navigate to the “Display” settings or the “Multitasking” section, depending on your device’s software version. Here, you may find specific settings for the floating window that allow you to change its appearance, making it less intrusive and more tailored to your personal use.
What should I do if floating apps are not functioning correctly?
If floating apps on your Samsung device are not functioning correctly, the first step is to restart your device. Sometimes performance issues can be resolved with a simple reboot, which clears temporary glitches or background processes that may be affecting app functionality. After restarting, check if the floating apps work as intended.
If the problem persists, consider checking for software updates or clearing the app cache of the specific application experiencing issues. Go to “Settings,” then “Apps,” select the problematic application, and look for the option to “Clear Cache.” This can help resolve any lingering issues related to the app’s performance.
Will disabling floating apps improve my device’s performance?
Disabling floating apps can potentially improve your device’s performance, especially if you’re experiencing lag or slow responsiveness. Floating applications consume system resources, including CPU and RAM, as they run in the background. By turning off this feature, users may experience a smoother performance overall due to the reduced resource usage.
Additionally, without floating windows distracting you, the user interface may feel less cluttered and more organized. This can lead to a more enjoyable experience when using your device for everyday tasks, enhancing usability and efficiency as you focus on one application at a time.
How do I re-enable floating apps after turning them off?
If you decide to re-enable floating apps after disabling them, the process is straightforward. Return to the “Settings” app on your Samsung device and navigate back to the “Advanced Features” section where you initially disabled the floating apps. Locate the “Smart Popup View” option, which controls the floating app functionality.
Toggle the feature back on, and your floating apps should start appearing as they did before. You may also need to adjust permissions and settings for specific applications to ensure they utilize the floating feature correctly after re-enabling it.
Are there any risks associated with using floating apps on my Samsung device?
While there aren’t significant risks associated with using floating apps, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Floating apps can contribute to decreased battery life, as they remain active while you use other applications. Continuous use of multiple floating applications can lead to increased power consumption, impacting your device’s performance over time.
Moreover, depending on how you manage notifications, floating apps can become a distraction, pulling your attention away from the task at hand. This might reduce your productivity or cause frustration if many apps are vying for your attention simultaneously. Thus, it’s worth balancing the utility of floating apps with your personal workflow preferences.