Enabling and Using Gesture Navigation and Gestures on Android

In this tutorial, we will explore how to enable and use gesture navigation and gestures on Android. Gesture navigation provides a more immersive and intuitive way to navigate your Android device, replacing traditional buttons.

Prerequisites

• Android device with Android 10 or later.
• Basic understanding of navigating Android settings.

Enabling Gesture Navigation

To enable gesture navigation on your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.

2. Scroll down and tap on System.

3. Tap on Gestures.

4. Select System navigation or Gesture navigation.

   • System navigation: This option retains the traditional navigation buttons (back, home, and recents).
   • Gesture navigation: This option replaces the navigation buttons with swipe gestures.

5. If you select Gesture navigation, you can further customize the gesture navigation by tapping on Gesture navigation settings.

Using Gesture Navigation

Once gesture navigation is enabled, you can start using gestures to navigate your Android device. Let's learn about the commonly used gestures:

1. Home Gesture

To go to the home screen, perform the following gesture:

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and release.

2. Back Gesture

To go back to the previous screen or close an application, perform the following gesture:

• Swipe inward from either the left or right edge of the screen.

3. Recent Apps Gesture

To view recent apps and switch between them, perform the following gesture:

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause for a moment. A list of recent apps will appear.

4. App Drawer Gesture

To access the app drawer, perform the following gesture:

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and continue swiping upwards.

5. Split Screen Gesture

To enter split screen mode and use two apps simultaneously, perform the following gesture:

• Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause for a moment to view recent apps.
• Locate the app you want to use in split screen.
• Tap and hold on the app's overview (thumbnail) and drag it to the top or bottom of the screen.

6. Quick Settings Gesture

To access the quick settings panel, perform the following gesture:

• Swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers.

7. Notification Drawer Gesture

To access the notification drawer, perform the following gesture:

• Swipe down from the top of the screen using one finger.

Customizing Gesture Navigation

Android offers some customization options for gesture navigation. To access these settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap on System.
3. Tap on Gestures.
4. Select System navigation or Gesture navigation.
5. Tap on Gesture navigation settings.

In the gesture navigation settings, you may find options to customize gestures, sensitivity settings, and other related options based on the Android version you're using.

Conclusion

Gesture navigation provides a convenient and intuitive way to interact with your Android device. By enabling gesture navigation and familiarizing yourself with the various gestures, you can enhance your Android experience. Experiment with different gestures, customize settings to suit your preferences, and enjoy a more immersive navigation experience on your Android device.