As you may have heard, Samsung developed a unique experience for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover screen based on Widgets. It's a neat idea, but one that comes with a downside. Not every app has a Widget for the 3.4-inch Flex Window, and the cover screen doesn't support every app. And because of this, a third-party solution appears to be gaining popularity.
Technically speaking, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 can run any app on the cover screen through Good Lock. However, Good Lock remains region-locked, so it's not an option for every Galaxy Z Flip 5 buyer. And that is why people on social media (via @a_for_albert) are turning their attention to a third-party Android app called CoverScreen OS.
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CoverScreen OS already works with the Galaxy Z Flip 5
App developer IJP created an app that enables other apps to run on the cover screen of devices such as the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and Oppo Find N2.
The CoverScreen OS Android app is not new, but users on social media who have gotten their hands on the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and tried the app say it already works. And indeed, the developer made a Reddit post explaining that support for Samsung's latest flip phone has been added through an experimental version.
I literally spent days in a Samsung Store, several hours at a stretch to add experimental support for Z Flip 5
You can now run/add any App/Widget on Z Flip 5!@Captain2Phones @tkdsl8655 @MKBHD @AndroidPolice @AndroidAuth @verge @UnboxTherapy @TechWiser @jvtechtea @TrakinTech pic.twitter.com/L1rWpwUSP7
— CoverScreen OS (@coverscreen_os) July 31, 2023
The CoverScreen OS Android app is available for download from the Play Store. It has mixed reviews, with some users complaining about certain apps not working properly and CoverScreen OS having too many ads. Indeed, the app is free, but apparently, a paid Pro upgrade is available within the app that removes the ads.
We haven't tested CoverScreen OS on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, and we're not associated with the app developer. But if you've pre-ordered the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in a market where Good Lock is unavailable and would like a solution for the cover screen app problem, this might work out for you.
Remember that this is not an official Samsung app. Your mileage might vary using CoverScreen OS, and you may or may not get what you want out of it. It's just something to keep in mind once the Galaxy Z Flip 5 reaches your mailbox.