Samsung Galaxy devices might be getting a vertical scrolling app drawer this year

For those unfamiliar, Samsung Good Lock is a powerful customization suite designed exclusively for Samsung Galaxy devices and available via the Galaxy Store. It isn't a single app but rather a collection of individual modules, each of which focuses on a specific area of customization. This lets you pick and choose the exact changes you want for your phone, such as your lock screen, notification panel, Recent Apps menu, clock styles, and much more. It's kind of like having the flexibility of a custom ROM but without the hassle and complexity.

If the Good Lock support team member who responded to the community is correct and the vertical app drawer functionality will be back on Good Lock along with the One UI 6.1.1 update, then we might be looking at a late summer release. This is based on previous update patterns and speculation that 6.1.1 will be released with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6  foldable phones, both of which are expected to be unveiled sometime around July, when the next Galaxy Unpacked event is rumored to be taking place. However, Samsung has not yet formally confirmed the exact date.

In my time using the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I've found that the lack of a vertical app drawer has been the hardest adjustment to make when coming from other Android devices, such as the Google Pixel or OnePlus. I always catch myself swiping up instead of sideways because my muscle memory from years of using other Android devices tricks my brain. It will be nice when I no longer have to worry about that. Hopefully, the rumored timeline remains on track for One UI 6.1.1.