Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 review dropped this week with a headline feature borrowed from OnePlus: a 90:10 three-app split screen on the inner display. That fixes the biggest problem with foldable book-mode multitasking, which is that most Android apps stretch a phone layout across a tablet-sized surface and waste the extra space. For two years, we’ve watched foldable owners struggle with apps that don’t adapt, forcing them back into sequential single-app use or accepting clunky side-by-side layouts. This article covers seven Android apps that actually take advantage of the fold, using the big screen as a real workspace instead of an oversized phone display.
What to look for in a foldable multitasking app
When choosing apps for book-mode multitasking, these five criteria separate the genuinely useful from the compromised:
- Native tablet layout (two-pane where useful). The app should show a dedicated tablet interface on the inner screen, not a stretched phone view.
- Drag-and-drop between apps. Moving content between panels without alt-tabbing saves seconds on every task.
- Continuity from cover to inner screen. Your workspace should survive the flip; apps should remember split states and restore them.
- App pair or split-screen support. Integration with One UI’s app pairing means one gesture opens your whole workspace.
- Works with One UI’s 90:10 layout. The newest split ratio favors the primary app. The supporting app should work well in a narrow sidebar.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free plan | Starting price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MultiStar | Tuning foldable multitasking | Android | Full | Free | 4.6 |
| Good Lock | Samsung customization hub | Android | Full | Free | 4.5 |
| Nova Launcher | Cross-brand foldable layouts | Android | Full | Free | 4.7 |
| Niagara Launcher | Minimalist one-handed use | Android | Full | Free | 4.6 |
| Split Screen Launcher | App pair manager | Android | Full | Free | 4.4 |
| Microsoft OneNote | Two-pane productivity | Android, iOS | Full | Free | 4.5 |
| Firefox for Android | Real tablet browser | Android, iOS | Full | Free | 4.6 |
The best apps for foldable multitasking
1. MultiStar: Best for tuning foldable multitasking
MultiStar is Samsung’s own app for launching and managing multiple windows on the inner screen. It replaces the stock multi-window launcher with a visual grid, letting you customize how many windows appear, their sizes, and their positions. You can preset layouts (two-column, 90:10, three-app split) and recall them with a gesture. The app also handles window stacking and z-order, so your most-used apps stay within reach.
Where it falls short: MultiStar works only on Samsung foldables. If you own a OnePlus Open or other non-Samsung fold, this app won’t appear in your store. The interface requires some tapping to get right; it’s not as intuitive as simply swiping an app’s window handle to resize.
Pricing: Free.
Platforms: Android.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: If you own a Z Fold 8, MultiStar is mandatory; it unlocks the hardware’s multitasking potential in ways the default launcher doesn’t.
2. Good Lock: Best Samsung customization hub
Good Lock is a meta-app that unlocks One UI’s most powerful settings, including foldable-specific behaviors. Modules inside Good Lock let you remap the cover screen, customize how apps split on the inner display, tweak the navigation bar for tablet mode, and assign app pairs to a single home screen icon. The modular design means you enable only what you need.
Where it falls short: Good Lock is Samsung-only and limited to Galaxy devices. Some of its deeper settings require digging through multiple modules, which can feel scattered. One UI updates occasionally break its functionality; the developers usually fix it within a week.
Pricing: Free.
Platforms: Android.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Good Lock is your control center for foldable behavior; if you own a Z Fold, you should have it installed.
3. Nova Launcher: Best cross-brand launcher with foldable-aware layouts
Nova Launcher is the most powerful third-party launcher on Android. It supports custom grid sizes, gestures, icon theming, and foldable-aware display configurations. Nova detects when your device folds and can apply a different home screen layout to the inner display, resize app icons automatically, and adjust widget behavior for the wider screen. It works on any Android foldable, not just Samsung.
Where it falls short: Nova’s learning curve is steep; the settings menu requires some experimentation to unlock its full potential. On older devices or with complex grid layouts, the launcher can occasionally stutter when opening. Free version has ads; Premium costs a small one-time fee.
Pricing: Free with optional Premium.
Platforms: Android.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Nova is the best choice for OnePlus Open users or anyone who wants deep control over their foldable’s home screen.
4. Niagara Launcher: Best minimalist launcher for one-handed use
Niagara Launcher takes the opposite approach: it strips the home screen to a single vertical list of apps, gesture controls, and a search bar. The philosophy is speed and one-handed use, which becomes important on a 90:10 split where your thumb only reaches half the screen. Niagara automatically adapts layouts when folded, hiding unnecessary icons and surfacing your most-used apps.
Where it falls short: Niagara’s minimalism means fewer customization options than Nova. If you love home screen widgets or a traditional grid layout, this launcher will feel too bare. It doesn’t integrate as deeply with Samsung’s foldable APIs as Good Lock does.
Pricing: Free with optional Premium.
Platforms: Android.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Niagara is ideal if your foldable time is split between single-app focus and quick multitasking bursts.
5. Split Screen Launcher: Best split-screen app pair manager
Split Screen Launcher is a simple, focused tool that creates custom app pairs and assigns each pair to a launcher shortcut. Tap the shortcut; both apps open side by side in your chosen layout. You can set up pairs for your most common workflows (Notes + Calendar, Chat + Email, Maps + Music) and trigger them instantly.
Where it falls short: It lacks the visual customization and gesture support of larger launchers. It also doesn’t work on devices running Android 13 or older; you need Android 14 or later. The interface is intentionally minimal, so if you want detailed split-screen configuration, it won’t satisfy you.
Pricing: Free.
Platforms: Android.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Use Split Screen Launcher if your workflows are predictable and you want the fastest way to open app pairs.
6. Microsoft OneNote: Best two-pane productivity workspace
Microsoft OneNote is not a launcher, but it treats your foldable’s inner screen as a true workspace. Open two notebooks side by side, one for reference and one for editing. You can drag content between them, use the stylus on one side while taking notes on the other, and synchronize across all your devices through Microsoft 365. OneNote’s tablet interface is genuinely designed for larger screens.
Where it falls short: OneNote requires a Microsoft account for full sync; offline note-taking is limited. Formatting options, while powerful, can be overwhelming for casual note-takers. Competitors like Obsidian offer faster local-only performance.
Pricing: Free with optional Microsoft 365.
Platforms: Android, iOS.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: OneNote is the best app for knowledge workers who need a split-screen reference workspace on their foldable.
7. Firefox for Android: Best browser with real tablet layout
Firefox for Android is one of the few browsers that ship a genuine tablet interface instead of a scaled phone view. When opened on your Z Fold 8’s inner screen, Firefox displays a sidebar with tabs and bookmarks, leaving the main content pane full-width. You can open two tabs side by side, making it practical to reference one page while reading another.
Where it falls short: Firefox is slower than Chromium-based browsers on some devices. Ad-blocking requires an extension, which adds a dependency. Mobile-first websites sometimes render suboptimally in the tablet layout.
Pricing: Free.
Platforms: Android, iOS.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Firefox is your best option if multitasking on a foldable means comparing two web pages at once.
How to pick the right one
Start with MultiStar and Good Lock if you own a Samsung foldable. They unlock hardware-level features nothing else can touch. Use Good Lock’s modules to define your default split-screen ratio and app behavior, then launch paired apps through their shortcuts.
If your multitasking is heavy on notes, research, and split-screen reading, add OneNote or Firefox. OneNote pairs perfectly with a dedicated writing or research app on the other side. Firefox excels when you need to compare web content.
Choose Nova Launcher or Niagara Launcher as your home screen if you want deep customization (Nova) or radical simplicity (Niagara). Neither will replace Good Lock’s features, but they’ll make your home screen work better with the fold.
For predictable, app-specific workflows, Split Screen Launcher is a focused alternative. Create shortcuts for your exact pairs and skip the launcher customization entirely.
If you own a non-Samsung foldable, Nova Launcher becomes your foundation. Combine it with OneNote or Firefox for your content work, and you’ll have a functional multitasking setup.
FAQ
What is the best app for Samsung foldables?
Start with MultiStar and Good Lock. MultiStar gives you the customizable multi-window grid; Good Lock unlocks One UI settings for how apps behave on the inner screen. Together, they handle most of your multitasking needs.
Does Good Lock work outside Samsung phones?
No. Good Lock is exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices. If you own a OnePlus Open or other non-Samsung foldable, use Nova Launcher and OneNote or Firefox instead.
Can I use three apps at once on the Z Fold 8?
Yes. The 90:10 split ratio means one app gets 90% of the screen and another gets 10%, but you can run a third app on the cover screen simultaneously. MultiStar and Good Lock both support this configuration.
What is MultiStar?
MultiStar is Samsung’s native multi-window launcher for foldables. It replaces the default multi-window panel with a customizable grid, letting you preset layouts, adjust window sizes, and launch multiple apps with a single gesture.
