Gesture navigation replaces the Back, Home, and Recent Apps buttons with swipes from the bottom and sides of the screen. It gives back a little screen space and can feel faster once the movements become familiar.
These steps apply to Android 10 and later on Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, and many other Android phones.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want to switch from three buttons to gestures, switched accidentally and want the buttons back, or need to reduce accidental back swipes.
Turn On Gesture Navigation
- Open Settings.
- On Pixel and many stock Android phones, go to System > Gestures > System navigation.
- On Samsung, go to Display > Navigation bar.
- Choose Gesture navigation or Swipe gestures.
- Open the gear or settings icon beside it if you want sensitivity controls.
Learn the Main Gestures
- Home: swipe up from the bottom edge.
- Recent apps: swipe up from the bottom and pause.
- Back: swipe inward from the left or right edge.
- Switch apps quickly: swipe left or right along the bottom gesture bar.
- Assistant on many phones: swipe diagonally from a bottom corner.
Switch Back or Adjust Sensitivity
- Return to the same System navigation or Navigation bar screen.
- Choose 3-button navigation or Buttons to restore the old layout.
- To keep gestures, open gesture settings and lower back gesture sensitivity if edge swipes trigger too easily.
Helpful Gesture Notes
The Bottom Bar Is a Guide
Many phones show a small line at the bottom so you know where to swipe. Samsung may let you hide it; Pixel generally keeps it visible.
Some Apps Fight the Back Gesture
Apps with side menus can conflict with Android edge swipes. Lowering sensitivity often makes those menus easier to open.
Only One Navigation Style Is Active
Android does not run button navigation and gesture navigation together. Choosing one replaces the other.
Sources
- Google Support: Change Android navigation buttons
- Samsung Support: Change navigation gestures on Galaxy phones
- Android Help Center: Navigation bar settings