With each update, the Mountain View company has gone deeper into the gesture control. And with Android 10This system is more comprehensive than ever. Within the system settings, we can activate and deactivate them, as well as define how they behave in daily use of the device. We'll review how to activate gesture controls, what each one is for, and what extra navigation options Android 10 offers great accessibility, including several advanced shortcuts that many users overlook.
How to activate gestures in Android 10 and which ones are available
To activate gestures on mobile devices with Android 10, we will simply have to open the application Settings (native) and then move to the section System. Once here we will see the section corresponding to GesturesEach one has a button to activate and deactivate it, but we can also access each option to configure your sensitivity or their behavior depending on the model, which is key to preventing conflicts with side menus or other touch actions.
Within this menu, you will also find the section system navigation, from where it is possible to choose between the Classic navigation with buttons and fully gesture-based navigation. This means the user can decide at any time whether they want to use only gestures or keep part of the traditional button box on Android, switching between modes as many times as needed without losing data or settings.
system navigation
In the section of system navigation You can define whether to use your Android 10 device with gestures, or with two or three buttons. (as in the old days)This is the most important part for those who want to make the most of the screen without permanent buttons at the bottom, and if you prefer, use Pixel's navbarSwitching from one system to another is immediate, and the system itself shows you a brief visual guide on how each mode works.
You will usually find three modes:
- 3-button navigation: the traditional system with a button Back, button Home and button Recent apps at the bottom. It's ideal for those seeking an experience familiar and very preciseespecially if you're coming from older versions of Android.
- 2-button navigationThe intermediate system based on a sliding start bar and a button Back Aside from that, it's similar to the one introduced in previous versions of Android. It's an option that blends basic gestures with a more classic control.
- Gesture navigation: the new fully gesture-based system in Android 10, where buttons disappear and a bottom thin bar for most actions. This mode is the one that best takes advantage of the fullscreen and offers smoother animations.
By activating the gesture navigationThe bottom navigation bar is now a single thin bar that we'll use for most gestures. The button also disappears. agoInstead, Android uses swipes from the sides of the screen To go backward, a solution reminiscent of other systems that makes one-handed movement more natural.
Additionally, if you click on the gear icon within this section, you can define the sensitivity of the Back gestureThis is useful for avoiding conflicts with apps that use side menus, since too high a sensitivity level can cause the back gesture to be triggered excessively when trying to open those menus. Adjusting this slider allows you to achieve a balance between fast answer and avoid phantom clicks when browsing galleries, social networks or maps.
How to use gesture navigation in Android 10
Once gesture navigation is activated, it's important to know how it works. They replace the functions of the classic buttons To avoid getting lost the first few times you use your mobile phone, check these out. tricks with quick gestures.
- Go to home screenPlace your finger on the bottom bar and slide up with a quick gesture. The app will minimize, and you'll return to the home screen. It's the equivalent of the classic Home button, but more convenient to use. natural movements.
- Open recent applicationsSwipe up from the bottom and hold your finger briefly in the center of the screen until the [icon/button/tool] appears open apps carouselHere you can scroll sideways, close apps with an upward gesture, or tap one to open it.
- Switch between appsSwipe horizontally on the bottom bar, to the right or left, to quickly jump between recently used apps. This gesture allows for a very fast change between the current app and the previous one, ideal for copying and pasting texts or quickly checking information.
- Go backSwipe in from the left or right edge of the screen. This side gesture replaces the old Back button and works on most screens, both system and compatible apps.
When gesture navigation is enabled, you will no longer see the classic button rack at the bottom of the screen, so all control is based on these movements. If you notice that the Back gesture is activated too easily or is difficult to get to work, you can return to the menu of system navigation and adjust the sensitivity until you find the point that best suits you the way you hold your phoneRemember that very high sensitivity can make it difficult swipe through galleries or lists that begin very close to the edge.
Active Edge
Allows you to open the door by pressing the lower part of the device. Google Assistant even with the screen off. And we can also use it for mute notificationsIncoming calls, timers, and alarms. It's a physical gesture that depends on the phone's hardware, primarily available on some Pixel models, and designed to invoke the Assistant without needing to use the phone's touchscreen. voice commands or touch the screen.
Slide across the fingerprint sensor
If your device has fingerprint sensorYou can slide your finger over it. (down) so that the notification panel of the device more quickly, without having to touch the screen. Some models also allow you to raise the panel again with a reverse slide, making management more convenient. quick alerts and settings when you use your mobile phone with one hand or on very large screens.
Quick access to camera
If you often take photos with your smartphone, you'll probably be interested in activating this gesture that allows you to Open the app by double-tapping The device's power button. On many devices, it's a gesture enabled natively or integrated into the manufacturer's customization layer. It's especially useful for capturing unexpected moments without having to unlock or search for the camera icon on the home screen, and it works even when the screen is off on most compatible models.
Change camera
We have a button to switch between the front and rear cameras; but also a gesture that allows us to do so by pressing two turns of the wrist A bit abrupt. This way of switching cameras allows us to use just one hand, even when recording a video or taking a selfie, and can be more convenient than searching for the lens switch icon on the screen, especially when we want to quickly alternate between selfies and regular photos.
Tap twice
If you double-tap the screen (while turned off)With this gesture activated, you will be able to see information such as notifications and hourIt's an alternative to having to press the physical power button, or having to unlock the device completely. On many models, this gesture is combined with the ambient display to show basic information with a low battery consumptionThis is very useful if you check your mobile phone many times a day just to see the time or if you have new notifications.
Lift to consult
The result is exactly the same as the previous gesture, but in this case the gyroscope to know when We lift the device from a surface. By doing so, if we have activated this gesture, we can see notifications and the time, among other information. It is especially practical when the phone is on the table and we want quickly check if we have something pending without having to press any buttons or touch the screen repeatedly.
Mute when turning
You can activate the 'do not disturb' mode This gesture, activated by turning the phone upside down and placing it on a surface with the screen facing down, prevents them from bothering us, for example, when we go to sleep or during a meeting. In some models, this gesture is also used to silence incoming calls without hanging them up, simply by rotating the device, which is very useful if you need to cut the sound discreetly.
Other useful gestures in Android 10 that are worth knowing
In addition to the main gestures that are configured in the section of System > GesturesAndroid 10 includes a number of improvements that enhance the experience in apps like the browser, maps, and the system interface itself. Many of these improvements aren't highlighted, but they can make a big difference in daily use, such as... screenshots without using buttons or precisely control the zoom and rotation from the screen.
Gestures to zoom and rotate the screen
You can find it on websites, maps, and in many photos. Double-tap an item to change its sizeThis double tap acts as a quick zoom, perfect for enlarging text or details without having to pinch the screen. In many apps, a second double tap resets the view to show the full page again.
You can also use the classic gesture of open and close fingersPlace two or more fingers on the screen and, to zoom in, pinch by opening your fingers; to zoom out, pinch by closing them. This gesture is present in most modern apps and is especially useful in maps, galleries and browsersbecause it allows you to precisely adjust how close you want to get to the content.
Another important option is screen rotationMost screens can be rotated by rotating the phone. To turn auto-rotate on or off, pull down the quick settings panel from the top and tap the icon. Automatic spinIf you disable it, you can manually decide when you want the screen to rotate, avoiding annoying rotations when using the phone lying down or in unusual positions.
When auto-rotate is disabled, a small rotation icon will appear at the bottom of the screen when you rotate the phone; tapping it forces the phone to rotate. manual rotation Only when you want to. This behavior is very convenient for reading in bed or watching videos without the orientation constantly changing.
Gesture shortcuts for switching apps and splitting the screen
Hidden within the gesture navigation system are also tricks for change even faster of the application. In addition to swiping sideways on the bottom bar, you can open the recent apps carousel, swipe left and right to navigate through open apps, and close any of them with a slide up on its window. This card-based multitasking makes managing many open applications more visual.
From this same carousel it is possible to activate the split screen mode on many devices. Simply tap the app icon at the top of its card and choose the split-screen option, then select the second app you want to use. This feature is ideal for use two apps at the same time, such as a browser and a chat, comparing documents or taking notes while watching a video.
Access Google Assistant with gestures
With the Home button gone from gesture navigation, Android 10 offers new ways to launch the Google AssistantOn devices that support Active Edge, you can activate it by pinching the edges. On other models, you can swipe from one of the lower corners towards the center diagonally so that the colored lines of the Assistant appear at the bottom.
If you use a launcher with a Google search bar at the bottom, you'll also be able to tap the microphone icon or from the Assistant itself for quick access without using your voice. This way, you still have a shortcut to the Assistant even though the classic Start button is gone.
Android has always featured navigation buttons, including a back button, but these have disappeared in Android 10, replaced by a new gesture-based navigation system. There are no on-screen gesture indicators in the new gesture navigation mode, but you can revert to the old three-button navigation system if you wish. Settings > System > Gestures > System Navigation Choosing the option that interests you most. Mastering all these gestures makes using Android 10 more user-friendly. fluid, fast and intuitiveThis reduces reliance on physical buttons and makes better use of the device's full screen, something you'll especially notice on phones with very thin bezels and elongated panels.
