Tips & How-to

Yud_Shar

Since One UI 7, Galaxy tablets support optimised home screen layouts for both landscape and portrait modes. You can now set the position and size of apps and widgets separately for the Home screen in landscape and portrait modes. This prevents layout issues such as stretched widgets or wide gaps. Your apps and widgets stay organised no matter how you hold the device.

Home screen behaviour

The Home screen on your Galaxy tablet is where apps, widgets, and shortcuts are organised. It uses a grid layout to determine how many items fit per row and column.

Previously, both orientations used the same layout, simply rotated. This often caused uneven spacing or stretched widgets.

Note: Supported options may vary by region and software version.

Key Layout settings enhancements

Different grid layouts are applied for landscape and portrait modes.
Widget size and position can differ by orientation.
Layout is optimised based on aspect ratio.

Note:

Even if the current Home screen (in landscape or portrait mode) appears to have available space, an app or widget cannot be added if there is insufficient space in the layout of the other screen orientation.
To add an app or widget successfully, ensure that both landscape and portrait Home screens have enough available space. For example, a widget may not be added in landscape mode if the portrait layout lacks the required space.

How to set different Home screen layouts by orientation

Step 1. Select Settings app.

Step 2. Select Home screen and tap Home screen grid.

Step 3. Choose your preferred grid: Portrait 6x8 or 6x10.

Step 4. Rotate your tablet to landscape mode and follow the same steps to set the grid. (Landscape grid: 8x6 or 10x6).

Note: The available layout options may vary depending on your device model and specifications.

Customise more layout settings

In the Home screen settings, you can further tailor your layout by:

Using folders to organise apps.
Setting wallpaper styles.
Choosing between Home screen only or Home and Apps screens.

These tools let you fully customise how your content is displayed in each mode.

Additional tips for widgets

You can resize widgets by touching and holding the widget and dragging the resize handles.
The widget size can be adjusted independently in each screen orientation.

[Resizing note widget]

[Resized note widget]

Q&A on Adding Apps or Widgets in Landscape and Portrait Modes

Q1. I have empty space on the Home screen but cannot add a widget or app. Why?

A1. Apps and widgets must exist in both landscape and portrait modes. While the size and position of each item can be adjusted separately in each orientation, a widget will not be added if it exceeds the available space in either layout, even if space appears available in one mode. Plan widget sizes carefully to ensure they fit in both layouts.

When you try to add a widget to empty space in landscape mode but the portrait layout does not have enough room, the background will turn red to indicate the issue, and an alert message will appear stating that the widget cannot be added.

[Background in red]

[Alert message]

If you want to add the widget or app despite the current limitation, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Rotate the device to the screen orientation that lacks space (e.g., portrait).

Step 2. Resize or move existing widgets to free up space.
[Moving camera widgets]

[Relocated camera widget]

Step 3. Switch back to the other orientation and add the desired widget.

Step 4. The widget will then appear in portrait mode as well.

Q2. Can I place different apps or widgets in landscape and portrait modes?

A2. No. The same apps and widgets must appear in both landscape and portrait Home screens. You can adjust the size and position of each item separately per orientation, but you cannot add or remove items based on orientation alone.

Q3. Can I continue using the previous Home screen layout style?

A3. The Home screen layout concept has been changed in the updated One UI. As a result, the layout style used in previous versions is no longer supported.