Android 10: Getting Started With The New Navigation Gestures

Now that Android 10 is officially out, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with Google’s fresh approach to Android Navigation System. The latest version comes packed with plenty of great features, including the granular privacy & permission settings which are a quiet winner. However, the biggest change is the introduction of Gesture Controls that has completely replaced the older button designs.

In fact, the Android 10 is a straight-up copy of the gesture navigation, Apple introduced with iPhone X in 2017. So, below we’ve highlighted: How To Enable Navigation Gestures & How To Use Each One Of Them?

What Can I Do With Android 10 Navigation Gestures?

Let’s check out the popular Android Navigation Gestures brought by the latest version:

Enable Gesture Navigation On Android 10:

To get this experience, follow the steps below:

• Head towards Settings
• Scroll down to select System
• Tap on Gestures > System Navigation (Default option for most models can be 2/3-button navigation)
• From the given choices, tap on the Gesture navigation option to change your navigation preference.

Using Gesture Navigation on Android 10:

Since Google has entirely ditched the on-screen controls. Users have to rely on Gesture Controls to navigate throughout. Here’s a rundown to the most useful navigation gestures to make your life easier:

1. Going Back

So how you ‘go back’ on Android 10 is one of the biggest queries of users. In previous versions of Android, all you had to do is tap the back button to go back. With Android 10 new gestures, you have to swipe from one side of the phone to perform the action.

Starting from the outer side of the screen, drag your finger slightly towards the middle of the screen. When done correctly, an arrow icon will be shown & you’ll be taken back.

2. Returning To Home Screen

To access the Home Screen with the absence of Home Button, just swipe up from the bottom of the screen. There’ll be no visible control shown, however, users can notice a small bar at the footer of the screen. Just drag your finger upwards to go to Home Screen.

3. Multitasking In Android 10

To check all the open applications in one place, just swipe up from the footer of the screen and pause at a third of the way up the screen.

4. App Switcher

In order to quickly switch between apps, all you have to do is swipe right from the small line shown at the footer of the screen & once the scrolling window activates, swipe left/right on the same line to switch apps.

5. Activating Google Assistant

Initially, you have to long-press to call Google Assistant. Now, how do you access it on Android 10? It’s simple, the latest version displays a white line at the bottom corner of each screen. Gesture up and drag your finger towards the center of the screen. The moment you start observing Google Assistant’s Blue, Red, Yellow and Green colors races across the footer of the screen – The Google Assistant will show up!

6. Open Split-Screen Mode

Accessing Android 10’s Split-Screen mode, is super-easy, all you need to do is: Launch one of the applications you want to open in Split-Screen > Flick up to open the Recent Apps section > tap on the other app’s icon at the top of it > choose Split Screen option.  The application will be zoomed to the header of your display screen.

Below your Recent Apps section will remain open.  You can either scroll through the list to choose any other app for Split Screen mode or return to the Home page to select other apps from the app drawer. Enjoy using both of these windows separately!

7. Close Extra Apps

Though the navigation gesture to force-close apps hasn’t changed, it’s worth mentioning again. Like Android 9.0 Pie’s gesture, on the multitasking screen, just swipe up the app you wish to close till the top of the screen. You can do the same gesture for all open apps!

What About Android 10 Gesture Features on Other Smartphones?

The all-new Android 10 should work on phones that have Stock Versions installed of the OS. Currently, most of the smartphones have their own skins that feature their own ways to navigate through menus.

Also, there are several third-party Navigation Gesture apps that proffer cool gestures to navigate apps. We’ll soon discuss those applications and tools in our next blog. Till then stay tuned and do not forget to subscribe to our Newsletter!