The LG V30 launched with a software feature called the Floating Bar for quick access to shortcuts, but you can get this feature on any smartphone or tablet running KitKat or higher.
LG was able to gain a dedicated following for their recently relatively new V series of smartphones. This device initially stood out from the competition with a few features that were starting to go away from mainstream devices including a microSD card slot, a removable battery and a secondary display.
This secondary display was used for quick access to certain shortcuts, a way to remind yourself of something, or just to display a certain quote or phrase.
It was criticized by reviewers due to it being difficult to reach when using the smartphone with one hand, but that feature alone was still able to bring over some dedicated fans to the newly launched V series. However, when the LG V30 was first revealed, the phone didn’t have this secondary display and instead the company decided to substitute said feature with what they call the Floating Bar. This is simply a software implementation of the functionality of the secondary display.
Since this is done via software, we’re able to get this feature on other devices with a 3rd-party application. So today I want to show you how to add the Floating Bar to any Android 4.4 KitKat and up smartphone or tablet with a free application called the Floating Bar LG V30.
LG V30 Floating Bar
- Download and install the Floating Bar application from the Play Store
- Launch the application and tap the toggle at the top
- Move the icon to the desired height
- Add in the apps you want access to
- Press the Home button
Explanation
The whole decision of removing the secondary display from the LG V30 has upset a lot of fans of the LG V series. Many started with the V10 and skipped the V20 so they could update to the V30 when it was released. They’ve become so accustomed to the secondary display that many are deciding to just buy the LG V20 now and use it until something better comes along. To LG’s credit though, as least they’re offering a software solution that is arguably better since it can be easier to access than the display being at the top.
Either way, the idea of having a Floating Bar on a smartphone or a tablet is incredibly convenient. Some have used the pie controls applications for this as you can add application shortcuts to it, and many have started using custom Quick Settings Panel buttons for a similar solution. Now, this free Floating Bar application brings LG’s newest software feature to any Android smartphone or tablet that is running 4.4 KitKat or higher.
The whole process is very simple and the only reason why I did a video on it was so you can see it in action before you decide if you want to download and install it. Once installed on your device, launch it and you’ll see a toggle at the very top right of the application. Turning it on should instantly make the Floating Bar icon appear on the side of the screen. Tapping it will expand it and you’ll see who applications (most likely) added by default.
From this main screen, you can go ahead and add, remove or move any of the application shortcuts you have set up right here. There are also some tabs where you can set shortcuts to tools, contacts, and websites, but accessing that feature will cost you $0.99 via an in-app purchase. You can also dive into the settings of the application to customize the opacity of the Floating Bar, choose if you want it to be displayed on the lock screen, and whether or not you want it to collapse when you tap outside of the Floating Bar.
It’s definitely a fun and convenient little application that you’ll want to check out if you like the idea of having these shortcuts on the edge of your screen at all times.
Using the floating bar to write text files, I wrote a brief comment and then touched the check mark and everything disappeared. Opened the floating bar again and clicked on text files and I could not see what I wrote. Where is it? The floating bar is a great idea!