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I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 (SM-T235) tablet running Android version 4.4.2. It is 7 inch, which is nice, but sometimes (for example, when walking) I would like to be able to hold my device in one hand and only use my thumb to interact with the app that I am using. Perhaps even change the resolution so that is like a regular mobile device.

Basically I would like to have a way to run apps in a smaller resolution and have it not scaled to fit the display so that I can reach everything with my thumb using only one hand.

See the image below for an example that i have in mind.

I have complete root access and am a developer (I don't really need 'simplified' answers, give me the tech details!)

explanatory image

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    There should be an app to add additional apps to Multi-Window apps. Then simply pull on one of the corners and the app will scale (at least on my S6 Edge since Android 5.1.1).
    – GiantTree
    Feb 12, 2016 at 13:41
  • @GiantTree I am running Android version 4.4.2 No such feature exists in this version. I am looking into updating if i find a good way to root that version.
    –  WarButter
    Feb 12, 2016 at 14:09
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    @beeshyams I used photoshop on my laptop. Here is my psd file!
    –  WarButter
    Feb 12, 2016 at 14:09

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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You can run su wm overscan LEFT,TOP,RIGHT,BOTTOM from Terminal (Superuser privileges needed)

If you do not have Superuser privileges, you can hook your phone to a PC and run ADB command adb shell wm overscan 200,200,0,0

For example, to achieve what you've shown in the picture above try running
wm overscan 200,200,0,0.

But I must warn you, before running that, be sure you have USB debugging switched ON just in case overscan messes up your display, you can run
adb shell wm overscan reset from the PC connected.

WindowManager (wm) commands work on devices running Android 4.3 and above

May require a Reboot to achieve proper re-size.

Alternatively you can use Niwatori module if you have Xposed framework on your device.

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    This is what it looks like on my device. Would not recommend.
    – Andy C.
    Feb 12, 2016 at 16:49
  • @AndyC. You may have to change density accordingly. Since that is device specific, you may have to experiment with different values specific to your device. You can use the Xposed module alternatively, if you find the process tedious.
    – Manubhargav
    Feb 12, 2016 at 17:29
  • reset is part of the command, so the backticks should cover adb shell wm overscan reset instead of adb shell wm overscan. Also, you would want to mention that wm is available only since Android 4.3. The rest of the world flocking towards this answer would end up being confused if they are running <4.3
    – Firelord ♦
    Feb 12, 2016 at 18:45
  • @AndyC. You might need to restart/reboot so that all processes have adjusted their sizes.
    –  WarButter
    Feb 12, 2016 at 19:04
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    @WarButter: you should mention the version in the body of the question, not in the comments. Comments are second-class citizens and it would not be a reader's fault if they overlook them. // am doesn't have the capabilities overscan argument provides. // Manubhargav: you didn't mention (in the first part)that the user should be running the command with root privilege in the terminal app. It's not obvious to everyone. Without root access, you would end up with an error stating that you can't write Secure Settings. Note: I'm not forcing anyone to edit. Edit should be at your own discretion.
    – Firelord ♦
    Feb 12, 2016 at 19:18

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