Set up sidebar for easy multitasking

Use the sidebar to open favourite apps and features in small, freeform windows that you can move and resize. Or, open them in full screen.

Turn on the sidebar

  1. Go to Settings > Gestures.

    Or, open the Moto app and tap > 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.

Customise the sidebar

Change apps in the sidebar

  1. On the sidebar, tap .

    Or, go to Settings > Gestures > Sidebar > .

  2. Customise the menu:

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

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 .

    Or, go to Settings > Gestures > Sidebar > .

  2. Tap > 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 centre 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 at the bottom of the screen, then tap (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.