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Use the section that matches your screen: hide the DeX bar from DeX settings, turn the standard taskbar on or off from Display settings, and change shortcut icons by editing the favorites bar. Recent-app controls are available on Z Fold models but not on tablets according to Samsung’s taskbar guidance.
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First identify the taskbar you want to change
Samsung uses similar visual elements in two different contexts. Confusing them is the main reason a documented switch appears to be missing.
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| What you see | Devices or mode | Where Samsung puts the control | What you can change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop-style DeX bar along the edge of the DeX workspace | DeX mode on a supported Galaxy phone or tablet | Settings > Samsung DeX, opened while DeX is active | Taskbar visibility, plus other DeX options such as wallpaper, display, keyboard and DeX Labs where supported |
| Regular Galaxy taskbar used for quick app access | Supported Galaxy tablets and Galaxy Z Fold models | Settings > Display > Taskbar | Taskbar switch, selected shortcuts, and (on Z Fold models) recent-app display |
Samsung does not state that every Galaxy phone has the same taskbar or menu. Newer DeX workspace behavior also differs among supported tablets and the Z TriFold. If a menu name in this article is absent, check the exact model and One UI version before assuming the feature was removed.
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A quick way to tell which instructions apply
If you are looking at a windowed desktop with a DeX launcher and desktop controls, stay in that workspace and use Settings > Samsung DeX. If you are simply using the tablet or unfolded phone’s normal Android interface, use Settings > Display > Taskbar when that menu is available. The two settings paths do not substitute for one another: turning off the standard bar does not necessarily hide the DeX bar, and hiding the DeX bar does not uninstall or rearrange your normal app shortcuts.
Before changing anything, note the device family, whether the phone is folded or unfolded, and the installed One UI version. Those three details explain most differences between screenshots, support pages and your own menus.
How do I hide the taskbar in Samsung DeX?
Hide the desktop bar from inside DeX, not from the ordinary Android Display menu.
- Start Samsung DeX on the phone or tablet and wait until the DeX desktop is visible.
- Open Settings from the DeX interface.
- Select Samsung DeX.
- Find the taskbar-visibility setting and switch it off. The wording and location can vary with the software version.
The same Samsung DeX settings area can include controls for wallpaper, display behavior, keyboard preferences and DeX Labs. Some combinations of device, display and software do not support every setting, so an unavailable switch is not necessarily an error.
What changes when the DeX bar is hidden?
Hiding the bar removes the persistent shortcut area from the DeX workspace; it does not uninstall apps or change the regular Galaxy taskbar outside DeX. You can return to Settings > Samsung DeX at any time and enable the visibility option again when you want the bar back.
Do not use the standard taskbar switch as a workaround. That switch belongs to the tablet or Z Fold’s regular interface. If DeX is connected to an external display, make the change in the DeX settings shown in the DeX workspace itself. Samsung notes that some DeX settings depend on the particular device, display and software configuration.
Where is the taskbar setting on my Galaxy tablet?
For the regular tablet taskbar, use the Display settings route rather than DeX settings.
- Open Settings on the tablet.
- Tap Display.
- Tap Taskbar.
- Use the switch at the top to turn the taskbar on or off.
This control applies to supported Galaxy tablets. Samsung’s documentation says tablet taskbars can show up to four app slots. It also says the recent-app option described for Z Fold models is unavailable on tablets.
Why you may not find Taskbar under Display
- The tablet model or One UI build may not support the feature.
- You may be looking at the DeX desktop bar; that uses Settings > Samsung DeX while DeX is running.
- The device may be in a mode or configuration for which Samsung does not expose the control.
Install any available system update, restart the tablet, and check the model’s current One UI version. Do not expect a menu shown on one Galaxy tablet to be identical on another.
What the four-slot limit means in practice
Samsung describes up to four app slots for the tablet taskbar. Treat that as a capacity limit for the selected shortcuts, not as a limit on how many apps are installed or available through the Apps screen. Pick the applications you open repeatedly—such as a browser, notes app, communication tool or file manager—and keep less frequently used software in Apps. If you replace a favorite, the app remains installed; only its quick-access position changes.
How do I turn the standard taskbar on or off on a Galaxy Z Fold?
- Open Settings.
- Choose Display.
- Choose Taskbar.
- Toggle the switch at the top.
Samsung specifically notes that the taskbar cannot be enabled or disabled from a Z Fold cover screen. Open Settings on the main device interface instead. If you are currently viewing the cover screen, unfold the phone and repeat the steps there.
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This restriction is easy to mistake for a missing feature: the menu may be visible elsewhere, but the cover screen is not the place Samsung supports for changing the switch. Once enabled or disabled on the main interface, the setting governs the supported taskbar behavior for the device.
How do I add or remove apps from the taskbar?
The favorites bar is the documented source for the taskbar’s selected app shortcuts. Edit favorites rather than searching for a separate taskbar icon editor.
Add an app
- Go to the Home screen or open the Apps screen.
- Locate the app you want available from the taskbar.
- Touch and hold the app icon, then drag it into the favorites bar.
- Release it when the favorites bar accepts the icon.
The app now appears as a taskbar shortcut. The exact drag animation can differ between a tablet and a foldable, but the principle is the same: an app in favorites is represented in the taskbar.
Remove an app
- Touch and hold the app icon in the favorites bar.
- Drag it out of the favorites bar, or select Remove when that command appears.
Removing a favorite only removes the shortcut. It does not uninstall the application or delete its data. You can add it again from Home or Apps whenever needed.
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Place the apps you use repeatedly in the first positions, then remove temporary items after a project ends. On a tablet, plan around the documented maximum of four app slots. On a Z Fold, reserve selected slots for primary apps and let recent apps handle short-lived tasks when that option is available.
The favorites bar is also the safest place to verify a change. If an icon disappears from the taskbar, return to Home or Apps and check whether it is still in favorites. A drag that lands on an open window, rather than inside the favorites area, does not create a taskbar shortcut. Likewise, removing an icon from favorites changes quick access only; it does not affect the app’s permissions, files or installation.
Can I show recent apps on the Galaxy Z Fold taskbar?
Samsung describes a Show recent apps control for Z Fold models. When enabled, the Z Fold taskbar can contain up to eight slots: six selected apps and two recent apps.
- Open Settings > Display > Taskbar on the unfolded Z Fold phone.
- Find Show recent apps.
- Turn the option on or off.
If the option is not present on a tablet, that is expected according to Samsung’s guide: the recent-app control is unavailable there. Samsung’s stated capacities are device-specific rather than a promise that every software release will display the same number of icons.
How selected and recent slots work together
Selected apps come from the favorites bar and remain available until you remove them. Recent apps are a changing list based on what you opened most recently. The two recent positions therefore can change without any taskbar edit, while the six selected positions stay tied to your favorites.
Recent slots are useful when you switch among temporary tasks, but they should not replace essential favorites. Opening different apps can change which recent icons appear, whereas a selected favorite remains predictable. If no recent icon is visible immediately after enabling the option, open a few applications and return to the taskbar; the feature depends on recent-app activity.
What changed with One UI 8.0?
Samsung’s DeX frequently asked questions state that One UI 8.0 allows duplicate app instances in the taskbar, also called the hotseat. This is useful when you need two instances of an app or when the same app is associated with separate windows or tasks. Availability still depends on the device receiving that One UI release.
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Samsung also says themes are only partially supported in DeX. Theme effects apply to app icons rather than recoloring or replacing the entire DeX interface. If a theme changes icons but leaves the rest of the desktop unchanged, that behavior is within the documented limitation.
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These are software-version features, not universal taskbar guarantees. A device running an earlier One UI release may not accept duplicate instances, and a model that receives One UI 8.0 may still expose features differently from another Galaxy device. Check Settings > About phone/tablet > Software information when comparing instructions or diagnosing a difference.
Why do my phone and tablet show different taskbar options?
Three variables explain most differences:
- Device family: Samsung’s taskbar instructions distinguish Galaxy tablets from Galaxy Z Fold models. A conventional Galaxy phone may not expose the same taskbar at all.
- Context: The DeX bar uses Samsung DeX settings, while the standard taskbar uses Display settings.
- Software version: One UI updates can add, rename or limit controls. One UI 8.0, for example, adds duplicate taskbar app instances according to Samsung.
Samsung’s DeX workspace documentation also describes different DeX modes for supported tablets and the Z TriFold. Do not infer that a control documented for one DeX configuration must appear in every configuration.
Capacity is another practical difference. Samsung lists up to four app slots for tablets, compared with up to eight Z Fold slots when two recent-app positions are included. Those numbers describe the supported taskbar arrangement, not a universal rule for every Galaxy phone. Use them as a guide to organizing the specific device in your hands.
Troubleshooting a missing switch or shortcut
The DeX taskbar will not hide
- Confirm that DeX is actually running. The Samsung DeX settings section and its taskbar visibility control are intended to be changed in DeX mode.
- Return to Settings > Samsung DeX and look for the visibility option rather than Settings > Display > Taskbar.
- Check whether your current display, connection or software configuration supports the setting. Samsung cautions that some configurations are unsupported.
The regular Taskbar menu is missing
- Verify that the model is a supported Galaxy tablet or Z Fold phone.
- On a Z Fold, unfold the phone; Samsung says the cover screen cannot be used to enable or disable the taskbar.
- Check Settings > About tablet/phone > Software information to identify the One UI version, then install an offered update.
- If you are trying to change the DeX bar, switch to the DeX settings route instead.
An app will not stay in the taskbar
- Drag the icon into the favorites bar from Home or Apps, not merely onto an open DeX window.
- Make sure you release the icon inside the favorites area and verify that it remains there after leaving edit mode.
- On devices with a slot limit, remove an existing favorite before adding another.
Recent apps do not appear
Check the device type first. Samsung says the Show recent apps control is for Z Fold models and is unavailable on tablets. On a supported Z Fold, use Settings > Display > Taskbar and enable the option; then open a few apps so there is a recent-app history to display.
A theme changed icons but not the DeX desktop
That result is consistent with Samsung’s documented partial theme support. In DeX, theme effects apply to app icons rather than the complete interface. Changing themes therefore is not a method for recoloring every taskbar or desktop element.
Do I need an external monitor or cable to customize the taskbar?
No. Editing favorites, changing the standard taskbar switch and adjusting DeX taskbar visibility are settings tasks that can be performed on the device. An external display is relevant only if you want to use DeX on a larger screen.
Samsung documents wired DeX connections using a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or an HDMI cable, depending on the device and setup. Those accessories are optional for running DeX with an external display and are not required for taskbar customization. Because connection support varies by model, confirm the port and display requirements for your Galaxy device before buying a cable.
Connection method does not change the basic distinction between the two bars. Once DeX is active, look for its visibility control under Samsung DeX; for the ordinary tablet or Z Fold interface, use Display > Taskbar where supported.
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A practical setup for different Galaxy devices
For a Galaxy tablet
- Open Settings > Display > Taskbar and enable the bar if you want persistent shortcuts.
- Keep no more than the documented four app slots in mind when selecting favorites.
- Drag your primary work, communication and media apps into the favorites bar.
- Do not look for Show recent apps; Samsung says that control is unavailable on tablets.
- If you use DeX separately, configure its visibility from Settings > Samsung DeX while DeX is active.
For a Galaxy Z Fold
- Unfold the phone before changing taskbar availability.
- Use Settings > Display > Taskbar to turn the standard bar on or off.
- Add permanent shortcuts through the favorites bar.
- Enable Show recent apps if you want two changing recent-app positions alongside six selected positions.
- On One UI 8.0 or later where supported, use duplicate app instances when the same app needs more than one task context.
For DeX on either type of device
- Enter DeX mode.
- Open Settings > Samsung DeX.
- Adjust taskbar visibility and any other DeX settings exposed on that configuration.
- If an option is absent, record the model and One UI version before troubleshooting further; Samsung’s menus are not universal across devices.
Frequently asked questions
How do I hide the taskbar in Samsung DeX?
While DeX is running, open Settings > Samsung DeX and turn off the taskbar-visibility option shown for your configuration.
How do I add or remove apps from the DeX taskbar?
Edit the favorites bar. Drag an app from Home or Apps into favorites to add it; drag it out or touch and hold it and choose Remove to delete the shortcut.
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Where is the taskbar setting on my Galaxy tablet?
On a supported tablet, open Settings > Display > Taskbar. The switch at the top enables or disables the standard taskbar.
Can I show recent apps on the Galaxy Z Fold taskbar?
Yes, on supported Z Fold models use Settings > Display > Taskbar > Show recent apps. Samsung says this option is unavailable on tablets.
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Samsung limits these controls by device family, mode and One UI version. A regular Galaxy phone may not have the tablet or Z Fold taskbar, and DeX settings appear only in the appropriate DeX context.
How many shortcuts can I keep?
Samsung documents up to four app slots on Galaxy tablets. On Galaxy Z Fold models, the documented arrangement can reach eight slots: six selected apps and two recent apps when that option is enabled.
Does removing a taskbar app uninstall it?
No. Removing an icon from the favorites bar removes only the shortcut. The app and its data remain on the device and can be added again from Home or Apps.
Can I change the taskbar from a Z Fold cover screen?
No. Samsung says the taskbar cannot be enabled or disabled from the cover screen. Unfold the phone and make the change through Settings > Display > Taskbar.
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Samsung documents only partial DeX theme support. Themes affect app icons, not necessarily the complete DeX desktop or taskbar appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hide the taskbar in Samsung DeX?
While DeX is active, open Settings > Samsung DeX and turn off the taskbar-visibility option available on your device.
How do I add or remove apps from the taskbar?
Edit the favorites bar: drag an app from Home or Apps into favorites to add it, or drag it out and choose Remove to delete only the shortcut.
Can I show recent apps on a Galaxy tablet taskbar?
Samsung says Show recent apps is unavailable on tablets. The control is documented for supported Galaxy Z Fold models.
Why is the Taskbar menu missing?
Check that you have a supported tablet or Z Fold, unfold a Z Fold before changing the setting, and confirm the One UI version. DeX uses a separate Settings > Samsung DeX route.
The Bottom Line
Use Settings > Samsung DeX while DeX is running to hide its desktop bar. Use Settings > Display > Taskbar for the regular taskbar on supported Galaxy tablets and Z Fold phones. Edit shortcuts through the favorites bar, remember the tablet and Z Fold slot limits, and check your model and One UI version whenever a documented option is missing.
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