Notification

Our software update is being released in phases. New features will gradually roll out across all regions. Stay tuned for updates.

Use gestures on your Pixel phone

You can interact with your phone using gestures. You can turn some gestures on and off.

Important:

Turn gestures on or off

  1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Tap System And then Gestures.
  3. Tap the gesture you want to change.
Tip: For accessibility gestures, learn about TalkBack gestures or magnification

Check notifications

  • Swipe fingerprint for notifications
    If your Pixel phone has a fingerprint sensor, when your phone is unlocked, you can check your notifications by swiping down on the sensor.
  • Tap to check phone
    When your phone is locked, you can check your notifications by tapping your screen.
  • Lift to check phone
    When your phone is locked, you can check your notifications by picking it up.
    See how to lift to check your phone

    Lift to check phone

Tip: Learn how to control your notifications.

Find your apps

Quick Tap to open an app or complete a task

Important: This feature only works on Pixel 4a (5G) and later phones.

You can take a screenshot or play and pause media with 2 taps on the back of your phone. You can also show notifications or open an app. To change your settings:

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Go to Systemand thenGesturesand thenQuick tap.
  3. Turn on Use Quick tap.
  4. Choose an action.
    • To open an app, select Open app. Next to "Open app," tap Settings . Then select an app.

To complete the action, on the back of your phone, tap twice.

Open or switch between cameras

  • Jump to camera
    You can open your camera from any screen by pressing your phone's power button twice.
  • Flip camera
    With your camera open, you can switch between your front and rear cameras by twisting your phone twice.
    See how to switch between cameras

    Double twist for selfie mode

Quickly silence your phone

Listen to music (Pixel 4 only)

To skip a song, or go back to a song you just played, wave your hand over your phone. Learn how to turn on quick gestures.

See how to skip songs

Skip songs

Talk to your Assistant

  • Swipe from the corner
    If you're using gesture navigation, to open your Google Assistant, swipe from the right or left corner of your screen. Learn how to get around on your phone.
  • Squeeze your phone (Pixel 2-4)
    To use your Google Assistant, you can squeeze the bottom half of your phone. On Pixel 1 and 4a, instead of squeezing, say "Ok Google." Learn how to talk to your Google Assistant.
    Tip: To change how hard to squeeze, open your Settings app And then System And then Gestures And then Active Edge.
  • Press & hold power button

    On Pixel 6 and later, to use your Google Assistant, press and hold the Power button.

    On Pixel 3 through Pixel 5a (5G), change your settings to use the Power button to talk to your Assistant:

    1. On your phone, open the Settings app.
    2. Tap System > Gestures.
    3. Press and hold the Power button.
    4. Turn on Hold for Assistant.
    Tip: To change how long to press, open your Settings app. Tap System And then Gestures And then Press and hold the power button.
See how to squeeze your phone

Squeeze your phone

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