How to Use One-Handed Mode on Samsung phones

Samsung Galaxy phones today sport gorgeous, big screens that really shine when you’re watching videos or getting work done. But those larger displays can sometimes make it tricky to reach the top corners with just one thumb—especially when you’re on the move. Luckily, Samsung includes a neat feature called One-handed mode that shrinks your entire screen down to a smaller, more reachable size. Let me walk you through how to turn it on and get the most out of it.

1. What is One-Handed Mode?

Think of One-handed mode as your phone’s way of making life easier when you only have one hand free. It temporarily shrinks the display and moves it to a corner, so everything is within thumb’s reach—even on the biggest phones. Whether you’re juggling bags, sipping coffee, or just want easier one-thumb control, this feature really comes in handy.

2. How to Enable One-Handed Mode

Before you can start using it, you’ll need to enable it in Settings. Steps may vary a bit depending on your phone model or One UI version, but here’s the general approach:

1. Open Settings: Swipe down from the top to open the Quick Panel, then tap the gear icon (⚙️).
2. Go to Advanced features: Scroll and select “Advanced features.”
3. Tap One-handed mode: You’ll find it listed here.
4. Toggle it On: Turn on the switch at the top.
5. Choose Activation Method: You’ll usually see two options:
   • Gesture (Recommended): Swipe down from the bottom center of the screen. It’s fast and feels natural—especially if you already use gesture navigation.
   • Button: Double-tap the Home button (only if you’re using traditional navigation buttons instead of gestures).

Personally, I find the Gesture method smoother and more intuitive, but it’s up to you.

3. How to Activate and Use One-Handed Mode

Once enabled, using One-handed mode is simple:

Using Gesture

• From anywhere, place your thumb at the bottom center of the screen.
• Swipe down quickly—not too far, just a short swipe.
• The screen will shrink and snap to one corner, making everything easier to reach.

Using Button

• Make sure you have navigation buttons visible.
• Double-tap the Home button quickly.
• The screen will shrink into the smaller One-handed mode window.

Navigating When Active

• The shrunken screen will appear on one side.
• At the top of this mini window, there’s a gray bar you can drag left or right to switch sides, making it comfortable for either hand.
• To exit, just tap the black space around the smaller screen or repeat the activation gesture/button.
• Some phones even let you resize the mini window by dragging its corners slightly—though this isn’t always obvious at first.

4. Tips for Optimizing One-Handed Mode

• Practice Makes Perfect: It might feel a bit tricky to trigger the gesture at first, so give it a few tries until it becomes second nature.
• Combine with Edge Panels: If you use Edge Panels, One-handed mode can help you reach those quickly, even with the smaller screen.
• Quick Access Toggle: Add the One-handed mode toggle to your Quick Panel for fast on/off without digging through settings.
• Accessibility Shortcut: Some Samsung phones let you assign One-handed mode to the Accessibility Shortcut (like pressing side + volume up keys). Check under Settings > Accessibility > Advanced settings > Accessibility shortcuts.

Mastering One-handed mode turns those large Samsung screens from a handful into something genuinely easy to use with one hand. It’s a small feature that makes a big difference in daily comfort and convenience.