Comfort is one of the most important aspects when using a phone. The fact of being able to move between applications quickly and intuitively is one of the things we like the most when we have our mobile phone in our hands. Androids have two navigation systems: by buttons or by gestures. In this article, we focus on analyzing how to use gesture navigation on android.
If you've made the switch from buttons to gestures or are considering it, the first thing you need to do is learn how to use this system. It is true that most Android users were already accustomed to the classic three buttons: recent, home and back. But it is also true that Gesture navigation is very convenient. So, let's see how to take advantage of it.
How to activate gesture navigation on Android?
Knowing how to use gesture navigation on Android is very necessary, especially if you are part of the group that has used buttons all your life. For many, At first glance this system could be a bit complicated, especially since the buttons they were used to are gone. If that has happened to you, there is no need to worry. Once you learn how to use it, you won't want to go back to what you were used to.
However, how to activate gesture navigation on Android? To achieve this, follow these steps:
- Enter Settings
- Go to Home Screen
- Locate the System Navigation entry
- Choose Gestures
- Ready. This way you will have activated gesture navigation
The previous steps were taken from a branded Android Xiaomi. However, in case you have any other, the steps to follow are practically the same. Only, in some, just enter the Display settings and go to the System Navigation option. However, remember that always you can use the search bar to find this option faster.
How to use gesture navigation on Android?
After activating gesture navigation you must learn how to use it. So how does it work? When we activate this system for the first time, our mobile phone gives us a short tour of the most used actions: back, home and recent. But let's see other gestures that you can perform to achieve specific actions:
- Go to Home Screen: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Open Recent: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause.
- Back: Swipe left or right from the edge of the screen.
- Trigger app action: Swipe left or right from the edge of the screen at the top.
- Switch between apps: Swipe left or right from the full screen indicator or the bottom of the screen.
There are other options available to you when activating gesture navigation on a mobile Android. For example, there is the option Hide full screen indicator. If you do this, the full screen indicator will not be displayed when using on-screen gestures. On the other hand, there is the option Gesture confirmation, which makes the gestures work only after repeating them when you are playing a game or watching a video.
What are the advantages of using gesture navigation?
Learning to use gesture navigation on Android has many advantages. Especially if you have a compact phone, this type of system will allow you make better use of the screen size. For one thing, buttons take up considerable space on your screen. Instead, gesture navigation will give you a little more capacity. Ideal for using applications in full screen without distraction.
Another benefit of gesture navigation is that the mobile looks brighter. a clearer, cleaner and more modern look. So it is ideal to give an authentic and different touch to your mobile.
Likewise, this navigation is more fluid and natural by simply sliding your fingers across the screen to go back, switch apps, return to the home screen or view recent apps. It really is a very practical navigation system once you learn how to use it.
Disadvantages of gesture navigation
As you might expect, gesture navigation also has some disadvantages that you do well to take into account. To begin with, although moving between applications with this system is much faster and more fluid, the truth is that It takes time to learn how to use it correctly..
Furthermore, at first it is easy to confuse the gestures between one and the other. Which may possibly take us somewhere we didn't want to go, or accidentally take us out of an application. That's why It is important that you maintain a good attitude, be patient with yourself and give yourself the time necessary to learn how to use this navigation.
On the other hand, remember that some third-party applications are still not very well adapted to this navigation. So you probably won't have a good experience scrolling through its interface. However, there are few applications that do not have this option. Most likely, you can use this system in any of the apps you have downloaded.
Learn to use gesture navigation or stick with the three buttons?
Many Android users They are still hesitant to switch to gesture navigation. And the most common reason is: they are already used to using the buttons. And this system has existed since touch screens came into our hands. Therefore, it is logical that some find it difficult to make the change.
However, if you decide to switch to gesture navigation and learn how to use it, you will enjoy many benefits. For example, you will make better use of the full screen of your mobile and have more fluid and natural navigation. Additionally, your phone will look more modern, clean and uncluttered, giving you an improved user experience. In conclusion, if you learn to use gesture navigation on Android you will be able to get the most out of your mobile.