Set up sidebar for easy multitasking

Use the sidebar to open freeform apps in a small window that you can move and resize.

Turn on the sidebar

  1. Go to Settings > Gestures.

    Or, open the Moto app and tap menu icon > Gestures.

  2. Tap Sidebar and turn Use sidebar on .

    You'll see a sidebar on the right edge of your screen. Swipe it in to see a menu of apps that you can open.

Customize the sidebar

Change apps in sidebar

  1. On the sidebar, tap settings icon.

    Or, go to Settings > Gestures > Sidebar > settings icon.

  2. Customize the menu:

    • To rearrange apps, touch & hold an app, then drag it.
    • To remove an app, tap or unmark its checkbox.
    • To add an app, tap it or mark its checkbox.
    • Tap settings icon again to choose how apps open from the sidebar.

Show recent apps in sidebar

You can show your two most recently-used apps in the sidebar. If there aren't any recent apps, you'll see two recommended apps instead.

  1. On the sidebar, tap settings icon.

    Or, go to Settings > Gestures > Sidebar.

  2. Tap settings icon at the bottom of the screen, then tap settings icon (More settings) at the top.
  3. Turn Recent apps on sidebar on .

Change how apps open

For easy multitasking, set apps to open in resizable freeform windows you can drag around the screen, or set them to open in full screen.

  1. On the sidebar, tap settings icon.

    Or, go to Settings > Gestures > Sidebar > settings icon.

  2. Tap settings icon > Open apps.
  3. Select whether to open them In freeform or In full screen.

When you're using apps:

  • To see an app in a different mode (freeform or full screen), drag it from the sidebar to the center of the screen.
  • To see an app in split screen, drag it to the top or bottom of the screen.

Allow notifications to open apps in freeform

In addition to the sidebar, you can set apps to open in freeform mode from your notifications.

  1. Go to Settings > Gestures > Sidebar.
  2. Tap settings icon at the bottom of the screen, then tap settings icon (More settings) at top.
  3. Turn Open notifications in freeform on ,

About the Gametime sidebar

If you use Gametime, it has its own sidebar menu that opens apps. You set up the apps for that menu separately.