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Due to the latest device launch, we expect to receive higher contact volume than normal. To check if your question is already answered, go to the Pixel Phone Help Center.

Find, open & close apps on a Pixel phone

You'll find some apps on your Home screens, and all your apps in All Apps. You can open apps, switch between apps, and find 2 apps at once. Learn how to find and move your apps with our step-by-step tutorial.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Find & open apps

From anywhere

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to the top.
  2. Tap the app that you want to open.

Tip: If you're using a Google Account for work or school, you’ll find your apps in a "Work" tab.

From shortcuts

  1. Touch and hold the app.
  2. If you have options, choose one.

From your Home Screen

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to the top.
  2. In the Search bar, type the name of the app you want to open.
Switch between recent apps
  1. Swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go. 
    • If you’re on Android Go with 3-button navigation, tap Recent apps .
  2. Swipe left or right to switch to the app you want to open.
  3. Tap the app that you want to open.

Tip: Another way to switch is to slide the Home button to the right.

From the task bar (Pixel Fold only)

To switch between apps quickly, you can tap an app icon on the task bar.

  • At the bottom edge of the screen, swipe up slightly to bring up the task bar.
  • When a new app is selected, the task bar collapses automatically.
Close apps
  • Close one app: Swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go. Swipe up on the app.
  • Close all apps: Swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go. Swipe from left to right. On the left, tap Clear all.
  • Close all apps on Android Go: Swipe up from the bottom, hold, and let go. At the bottom, tap Clear all.
  • Find your Home screen: Go to your Home screen. Learn how to get around on your phone.

Tip: Even if you don't close apps, you won't run out of memory or battery. Android manages these automatically.

Get new apps

You can get more apps in the Play Store app Google Play. Learn how to download apps.

Choose an aspect ratio for your apps (Pixel Fold only)

Some apps aren’t designed to fit your Pixel Fold screen. To make an app fit your screen better, you can change its aspect ratio. You can only change one app’s aspect ratio at a time.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Apps and then Aspect ratio (experimental).
  3. Tap Suggested apps and then All apps to view all of the apps on your device.
  4. Tap the app you want to change the aspect ratio for.
  5. Choose an aspect ratio:
    • App default: Open the app in its default size.
    • Full screen: Stretch the app so it fills your screen.
    • Half screen: The app only takes up half the screen.

Tip: The app restarts when you change its aspect ratio, so make sure to save any changes first. Some apps may not be optimized for certain aspect ratios.

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