I am a devout Pixel user. I love stock Android, and I’m always running the latest Android beta, making the Pixel basically my only choice. But there are times when I envy all the extra tools that Samsung provides on its Galaxy phones, Edge panel to grow up With the Edge panel, you can swipe from the edge of your phone and a hidden drawer reveals itself, filled with apps, system actions and shortcuts. Given how bare-bones Pixel Launcher is, I’ve always wanted something like this. Then I got it Panel app By Fuzzer Coding (not to be confused with Badass Wallpaper App by MKBHD)

In some ways, the panels are even better than the Edge panels on Samsung. It lets you use custom icon packs, has a quick search shortcut, and you can even open floating widgets. Also, because it’s customizable, you can move the trigger point to the bottom edge of your phone instead of the side (incredibly handy for larger phones), and you can add multiple columns (up to a ridiculous seven-column layout). And while you can pay for panels, all of this basic functionality is included for free.

How to Customize the Panels App for Android

First, install the app and allow it to display on other apps. This ensures that the panel launcher can work while you are using an app.

Credit: Khumesh Pathak

Next, tap on See Buttons and customize the panel. The free version limits you to 3 columns and 9 rows, which seems plenty to me. You can upgrade to the full version (which is pretty cheap at just $1.50) to remove this limitation. from The trigger section, you can customize the trigger area. If you have a larger phone, I recommend moving the trigger area to the bottom of the screen.

Now, let’s customize the Panels Launcher itself. Swipe from your trigger area and hold for a second to bring up the sidebar panel. By default, you’ll already see some apps here. Tap and hold an empty area to add more apps.

Credit: Khumesh Pathak

You can choose to include any of the following:

• Requests: Select an installed app. Add your most frequently used apps here.

• Short cut: Launch actions from within any supported apps. For example, you can create a shortcut to add a new task to TikTok, or to message someone on WhatsApp.

• App Pair: Create shortcuts to launch two apps side by side, made even more useful after the latest 90:10 split-screen update to Android 16.

• access: Add shortcuts for system-level options like home, back, notifications, screenshot, and more.

• System Preferences: Quick access to used settings like media volume, cellular data, airplane mode, Wi-Fi, and more.

• Website: You can add any website here as a quick shortcut.

• Floating widget: This is a hidden gem. You can add widgets that open in a floating window on top of everything. You can activate the widget for news, weather, or sports updates. They can hover over everything for a few seconds before you move them out of the way.

• Folder: If you have a lot of quick app options, organize them into folders instead.

• Get in touch: Add any contact as an icon here. Press and hold to quickly call, message, or email them.

• Quick search: Another useful hack. Quick search panel brings fast search for all installed apps.

Go through each option and choose what you want to add to your sidebar launcher. Me, I’m a simple guy, so my focus is mostly on my most used apps, shortcuts for common functions, and quick access to some system-level functionality.

A swipe gesture: Finally, here’s a pro tip. Although you can open apps in panels by swiping, lifting your thumb, and selecting, you can also do so without taking your thumb off the screen.

Once you swipe from the edge and the panel sidebar opens, don’t let go. You can keep moving your thumb to highlight any app or shortcut (the icon that has focus will increase). Then let it go to your choice to launch.

Overall, Panel is a pretty solid app. Once your personalization is set up, you can launch apps, shortcuts, or widgets with just one swipe, no matter which app you’re using.