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 .

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.