How to Use the Confusing New Gesture Controls in Android P
Android P contains many exciting new features , but it also brings huge changes to the way you control your smartphone. Google is replacing familiar and favorite virtual navigation buttons with a single pill-shaped icon and a whole set of scrolling.
The new system seems pretty intuitive (and suspiciously similar to Apple’s controls for the iPhone X), but getting used to these gestures still takes some effort. Here’s everything you need to know to get it working with Android P, including a few tricks you can try if you miss out on the old Android navigation:
Moving around in Android P
Go Home : Android P no longer has a Home button (virtual or otherwise), but replacing it is quite simple. Just tap the pill-shaped button at the bottom of the screen to quickly return to the home screen.
Multitasking : Google removed the Recents button you used to download apps, replacing it with a short swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This gesture brings up a new multitasking mode in which you will find recently used apps. The new interface is also interactive, with a built-in search bar and the ability to copy text from specific applications without opening them.
App Drawer : To see a list of all your apps at once, all you have to do is swipe up once to multitask and swipe up again to open the app drawer.
Switch between apps : To quickly switch between apps without opening multitasking mode, press the pill-shaped button and drag it to the right to view the latest apps in random order. You can also quickly press the same button to jump straight to the last app you used.
Google Assistant : To launch Google Assistant with a gesture, press the tablet button until AI launches. Of course, you can also just say “Ok Google” or squeeze the phone if you’re using the Pixel 2.
Go Back : Google hasn’t completely disabled the old Android back button, but you won’t see it all the time in Android P. Instead, the virtual button only appears in certain apps when it’s contextually relevant. So, watch out for this little triangle icon as you learn Android P.
Tips and tricks for upgrading to Android P
If you find it difficult to understand Android P, there is no need to go back to an older version of Google software. Android Police has some great tips on how to make the new gestures work for you.
Wondering how split screen works in this new setup? You’re not alone. Without the old Recents button, it’s not entirely obvious, but it’s still pretty straightforward. Just go to multitasking mode and hit the icon at the top of any app to bring up a menu. Then select Split Screen to send it to the top half of the screen, before choosing a second app to view at the bottom of the screen.
If you’re having trouble quickly accessing your app drawer with Google’s new two-swipe system, there is an easy solution for that too. Just swipe up on the screen to go directly to the full list of apps. However, this only works from the home screen. Otherwise, you still have to swipe up twice.