How to Optimize Cover Screen Apps on Galaxy Z Flip 8
The Galaxy Z Flip 8, released August 7, 2026, expanded native cover screen app support to 16 apps — up from the more restricted lineup on the Z Flip 6 and 7. For apps beyond those 16, Samsung’s Good Lock MultiStar module remains the solution. Here is how both work.
What the Z Flip 8 Supports Natively
The Flex Window now runs 12 fully optimized system apps directly: Bixby, Samsung Browser, Calculator, Calendar, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Samsung Health, Notes, Phone, and Voice Recorder. Four third-party apps — Google Maps, Google Messages, Netflix, and YouTube — are available under a Labs section, with Samsung noting performance may vary.
The Z Flip 8 also added a cover screen prompt that guides users through MultiStar setup without needing to unfold the phone — a change from previous models that required navigating settings on the main display.
How to Add Any App via MultiStar
For apps not in the native list, MultiStar is the path. It is a module inside Samsung’s Good Lock suite, available exclusively on Galaxy devices through the Galaxy Store.
Step 1: Install Good Lock Open the Galaxy Store, search “Good Lock,” and install it.
Step 2: Install MultiStar Open Good Lock → tap the Life Up tab → find MultiStar → install.
Step 3: Enable the Launcher Widget Open MultiStar → tap I ♡ Galaxy Foldable → select Launcher Widget → choose the apps you want on the cover screen.
Step 4: Add the Widget to the Cover Screen Go to Settings → Cover screen → Widgets → scroll to find Good Lock Launcher → add it.
Once added, fold the phone, wake the cover screen, and swipe left to reach the Launcher widget. Tapping it opens your selected apps directly on the Flex Window.
Not every app renders cleanly at the cover screen’s dimensions — apps built exclusively for full-screen layouts may require some scrolling or zooming. For quick tasks like checking a map or replying to a message, it works well enough to avoid unfolding.
Other MultiStar Features Worth Knowing
Multi Focus — keeps apps in split-screen or pop-up view running continuously, even when they’re not the active window. Useful if you want a navigation app running alongside something else without it pausing.
Multi-window Screen Zoom — reduces the display size of apps in multi-window mode to fit more content on screen. More relevant on the main display than the cover screen.
Samsung DeX enhancements — for users who connect to an external display, MultiStar adds higher-resolution output options and raises the simultaneous app limit beyond DeX’s default of 20.
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